At daybreak, when Hayashi Maki woke up, the girl in his arms was already gone.
The sounds coming from the kitchen proved that his angel, Mahiru, was making breakfast.
For a lazybones like Hayashi Maki, having such a gentle, beautiful girl take care of his daily life and cook for him every day felt like a ridiculous blessing.
And he had to keep this happy life going.
That meant keeping angel Mahiru happy, too.
Life isn't a solo act, and neither is love—one-sided giving without response is painful, and a relationship where only one person gives won't last.
Wearing slippers, Hayashi Maki quietly went to the kitchen.
Looking at the petite figure in an apron, he couldn't help feeling a little light-headed.
Mahiru had tied her long golden hair into a high ponytail that fell naturally down her back. She wore a crisp white blouse with an apron over it. With her delicate hands she prepared breakfast unhurriedly, humming a cheerful tune, her pretty face glowing with contentment.
Hayashi Maki slipped up behind her, slid his arms around her, and gently hugged her waist.
"Hey… you're impossible."
Feeling the familiar presence at her back, Mahiru shot him a playful glare. "Don't fool around, Maki-kun—I'm cooking."
Grinning, Hayashi Maki rested his chin on her slim shoulder and hugged her waist. "You do your thing, I'll do mine. It won't get in the way."
She smelled lovely, and she was soft to hold—he could have held her forever and never gotten tired of it.
Once someone became his familiar, they could keep their youth, stopping at their most beautiful stage once they'd fully matured. With the nourishment of magic, their physical abilities would improve, too. Familiars weren't just companions—they were his guardians.
And he would guard them in turn.
Hearing his roguish words, Mahiru bumped his chest with the back of her head. "Quit it—I'm almost done. Go wash up and wait like a good boy. Breakfast will be ready soon."
"Alright."
Reluctantly, Hayashi Maki let her go and went to wash up.
He'd hugged her mainly to show his feelings—if he just lazed around waiting to eat every day and enjoyed the fruits of Mahiru's labor, she might be happy at first, but over time anyone would get fed up. So giving his "wife" some emotional value was necessary.
…
Seeing him leave obediently instead of pushing his luck, Mahiru's cheeks flushed and her mood brightened.
If he only cared about his own happiness, she would feel wronged. But he was still as gentle as ever… even if, when he was bad, he was really bad.
Thinking about how she'd ultimately had to beg for mercy… Mahiru puffed out her cheeks and muttered, "What am I going to do? There's no way I can have him all to myself."
As considerate as he was, she had discovered that as his girlfriend she still couldn't always satisfy him—that was a bit embarrassing. And it wasn't something she could talk about with anyone else, so she could only stew alone.
…
After savoring Mahiru's delicious cooking, Hayashi Maki smiled in satisfaction.
Full and content, he felt a familiar itch. After forming a pact with Haruno, he'd noticed his physical abilities had improved again—so had his desire. If this kept up, he didn't dare imagine what he'd become. A demon of lust, maybe?
Still, since his number of familiars would inevitably grow, that strong desire and stamina were practically a requirement.
Facing his heated gaze, Mahiru shrank back a little. She waved her hands quickly. "D-don't. If we're late, that's bad."
"Alright. Let's head to school together, Mahiru."
"Mm. Let's go."
Blushing, Mahiru let him hold her hand until they got on the train; only then did she let go—mostly for fear of running into someone they knew. For now she didn't want to go public about their relationship. She was also a bit afraid other girls might lure him away, but her own popularity at school was too high—making things official too early would cause trouble for both of them and affect her social circles.
Hayashi Maki understood, and let it be. After all, Mahiru had already joined his club. Once they were in the clubroom with no one around, he would set the pace. Besides, with such an outstanding "angel" at his side, other top-tier potential familiars might back off, seeing he was spoken for. Familiars, though—the more the merrier. With Haruno "acquired," the rest would follow, one step at a time.
At the gate of Hakuō Academy, a black sedan pulled up. To the gasps of the students, a breathtaking beauty in a school uniform, pale and elegant, with a waterfall of black hair, stepped out. She calmly swept a look over the gate and walked into the campus.
"Whoa, she's so cute! She's at our school too?"
"I remember her—she's the Yukinoshita who enrolled with the second-highest score in our year, but got hit by a car at the opening ceremony…"
"Yikes, she seems a bit cold… Shiina Mahiru is still cuter!"
Hearing the whispers, Mahiru glanced at Hayashi Maki—who was staring after Yukino—and pinched the soft flesh at his waist.
"Still staring? Your eyes are practically glued to her!"
"Hey, that's not fair. I just looked out of curiosity. My eyes have always been on you, Mahiru."
"Hmph, as if!"
Feeling a bit better, Mahiru still tossed him a tsundere glare and headed into school. Hayashi Maki shrugged and followed at a not-too-near, not-too-far distance.
He was simply surprised. Yukinoshita Yukino had just been discharged—shouldn't she be resting instead of rushing to school?
…
In the classroom, Hayashi Maki greeted Hayama and Katō, then took his seat. As for Tobe, who had once tried to strike up a conversation, Hayashi Maki ignored him.
Since Tobe had seen Hayashi Maki always pulling out a laptop to play games, he'd stuck the "shut-in" label on him and kicked him out of his social circle. He only stayed buddy-buddy with Hayama.
Hayashi Maki didn't care about the flashy long-haired guy. He looked at Hayama a little oddly—Hayama probably didn't know that the "goddess" he'd pined for and tried to get closer to had been with Hayashi Maki last night.
Today, Hayama looked to be in a good mood. He'd noticed Yukinoshita Yukino's arrival too. In his mind, if Yukino was discharged, then Haruno-nee must be feeling good—that was enough. Seeing the girl he liked smile made him happy. Classic doormat logic.
Hayashi Maki poked the soft waist of the girl in front, Katō Megumi. "Sorry, Katō—fell asleep again last night and forgot to harass you with a call."
Katō rolled her eyes and gave a calm "Oh," but there was a hint of disappointment—he'd said he'd call, and she'd even prepared to record it… but he never did. Honestly, toying with a girl's expectations like that—too cruel.
Seeing that tiny shade of grievance on Katō's usually placid face made Hayashi Maki even happier. That's better. Her expressions were so flat it was hard to tease out any reaction; he needed to stir her emotions so she'd remember him more.
While Hayashi Maki teased Katō, a frosty beauty walked into Class 1-J.
It was Yukinoshita Yukino.
Class 1-J was Hakuō's special track—often called the International Class. Most students were returnees or top scorers from influential families. As for why Mahiru was in ordinary Class B—her parents simply didn't care to pull strings for her. She was like a caged bird, an unloved songbird in a gilded cage. No matter how hard she studied—no matter how much she shone as everybody's "angel"—those two never spared her a proper look.
Yukino's case was different. Though she clashed with her mother and didn't want her life decided for her, she was still a child raised with love. Her class, 1-J, even had some heavy hitters—like Sanzenin Nagi and Kujou Alisa. (Nagi frequently skipped—practically a ghost member, maybe showing up once a month.)
Led in by Hiratsuka-sensei, Yukino calmly introduced herself—making Hiratsuka's mouth twitch.
"My name is Yukinoshita Yukino. I'm only returning now because of a car accident at the start of term. Please look after me. By the way, I like studying. If you don't like studying and you're boring, please don't bother me."
That one line doused the class's enthusiasm. Afterward, only a few curious girls approached; they liked her "personality" and wanted to get to know her. But after a few words, they retreated, with no desire to continue. Yukino was too blunt—her words were sharp and accurate, sometimes poking right at people's weak spots.
Kujou Alisa, a voluptuous silver-haired girl, watched with interest. Even if Yukino was brutally straightforward, Alisa appreciated her; Alisa herself cultivated an "Ice Queen" image to fend off pests—though it also left her with few friends.
So on her very first day, Yukino managed to isolate herself—or rather, everyone kept their distance, afraid to get scorched. She didn't care; she wasn't here to make friends. Right now she had to dig up information about that man, find out who he was, and make him release her sister. How to do that, though—she had no idea. She'd just have to snoop when he came to see her sister.
In a foul mood, Yukino turned cold shoulders to the classmates peppering her with questions. She'd been used to being alone since elementary school; she was a solitary fighter who didn't need two-faced, hypocritical "friends." (And yes—by "two-faced," she meant Hayama. When they'd run for class rep as kids, she'd lost to Hayama, who had worse grades, and been ostracized. His "help" had only made things worse, leaving a thorn in her heart.)
Classes ended quickly. Yukino fretted—she'd been hospitalized for over a month and had fallen far behind. Worse, at the opening ceremony the top rank she coveted had been taken by a "Shiina Mahiru." She burned to take back her number-one spot.
Back home, Yukino thought a moment, then hid under her sister's bed. It wasn't ideal, but she needed intel on that demon. Thinking of what that despicable man had done the only time she saw him… he was definitely a massive pervert. Which meant he'd definitely come looking for her sister.
Sure enough, after about half an hour, there was movement at the door.
"Mm… don't… Maki-kun, Yukino-chan is in the next room. If she hears, it'll be bad."
It was her sister's voice—with a coquettish lilt. Yukino clenched her fists, eyes stinging. Her sister had sacrificed so much; she would get her freedom back. First, she'd see the demon's true face, then figure out how to find a professional to exorcize him.
If Hayashi Maki had known what the second Miss was thinking, he would've been tempted to give her a smack. So ungrateful… (Not that he hadn't had his own motives.)
Just then, the bed creaked—someone lay down.
Hearing the sounds, Yukino's cheeks flamed. Shameless! She spat inwardly, even as her heartbeat sped up. She was pure—she'd never even read such scenes in manga. She was like a blank page.
Hayashi Maki, meanwhile, was cupping Haruno's pretty face and leaning in for a gentle kiss—but his expression turned odd. As a demon, he was sensitive to auras; with magic he could heighten his senses even more. There was a scent here that wasn't Haruno's, and a rapid heartbeat that gave away the intruder's position.
He sniffed again. Well, well—Yukinoshita Yukino. Last night she'd smelled of disinfectant, but he wouldn't mistake that unique body scent—under the bed, hiding, was the second Yukinoshita Heiress.
Didn't expect that. Not just eavesdropping—straight under the bed, huh? Fine—if she was that curious, he'd "oblige."
With a wicked smile, he let go of Haruno's lips and made a demand. "Haruno-nee, from now on you have to call me 'Demon Lord,' or I'll punish you."
Haruno's face turned crimson and she shot him a sidelong glare. "Yes, yes, Demon Lord—stop teasing me."
She was a mature woman—already a college sophomore. With her upbringing and high standards, she'd never planned to give herself to anyone before marriage.
But plans couldn't keep up with change. She'd already given herself to Hayashi Maki, and since he'd fulfilled her wish to save Yukino, she wanted to make him happy. She insisted to herself that it wasn't what she wanted—it was that he pushed, and she half-reluctantly yielded.
The two of them enjoyed themselves—while the girl under the bed turned scarlet, heart pounding faster and faster.
By the end, Yukino was even starting to doubt her resolve. Her sister sounded… happy. Was she meddling where she shouldn't?
~~~
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