Yukinoshita Yukino's eyes flew wide as she stared at him, disbelief written all over her face.
So blunt? Was he really going to make a move on her?
She instinctively tried to pull away.
Hayashi Maki let go of her lips and sneered. "So that's the extent of your resolve? Figures—Haruno's still the cuter one."
"Her resolve puts yours to shame. And you think this is enough to make me give up on Haruno? Yukino, imouto—go home, eat better, take care of yourself, and, you know… work on your development."
As he spoke, his gaze flicked to her chest.
Yukino felt instantly belittled.
She knew she couldn't match her older sister in a lot of ways and had always felt a touch inferior around her. But at least her face was cute, right?
And yet he'd glanced at her chest?
With that condescending look?
Infuriating.
Not that she could deny she lost to her sister in that department.
While she was stewing, Hayashi Maki had already stood, smoothed his clothes, and waved her off with a mock-disgusted little gesture.
"That's enough. You're not even ready. And you're talking about trading yourself for Haruno?"
"Isn't it nice just basking in your big sister's protection?"
"Relax. The figure's a bit… underwhelming, but Yukino-chan is still adorable. For Haruno's sake, I'll protect you too."
He turned to go.
"Wait!"
His words made Yukino grit her teeth. To be looked down on like that, told her very existence didn't matter, told she only belonged under her sister's wing…
It felt like a massive insult.
She grabbed the "Demon" by the arm, shoved him onto the bed, and leaned over his chest.
"I can do it!"
Her lips landed clumsily on his. She was nervous, cheeks burning—so flustered it was almost explosively cute.
Hayashi Maki seemed to see her resolve. These sisters really were close—and the timing gave him a perfect opening.
But she was so hopeless at this!
Hadn't he just given her a hint?
Didn't she learn?
Compared to Haruno, she was miles behind.
The deliberately disdainful look he shot her nearly made the younger Yukinoshita heiress tear up.
All she knew to do was press her lips to his; beyond that, she had no idea—no experience at all.
While she fretted, a sigh brushed her ear.
"What a beautiful fool."
"Let me teach you. Watch carefully. Learn properly."
With that, the scoundrel wrapped her up without ceremony and lowered his head to kiss her.
Yukino's eyes went wide. Him—again?
And… he was using his tongue again?
She panicked and tried to push him away, but thinking of what her sister had sacrificed, she forced herself to calm down.
Slowly, the mood shifted.
Without meaning to, Yukino's arms circled his neck.
They began to chase each other's lips.
Her breathing grew ragged, her head light.
It was like a new world opening.
She was learning—embarrassing as it was, the kind of thing she shouldn't be learning right now.
But if it could free her sister—even if there was the slightest chance—she was willing.
And besides, she wasn't ungrateful.
If he took a little advantage now… she'd count it as payment.
Embarrassed, the younger Yukinoshita heiress shut her eyes, trying to convince herself.
Hayashi Maki, shameless as ever, warned her, "No closing your eyes. Look at me—meet my gaze, or we're done here."
Yukino's bright eyes snapped open, brimming with wounded indignation as she stared at him.
Seriously?
How could he be this awful?
After all this, he still hadn't bullied her enough?
Hayashi Maki ignored her hurt. The way she was humiliated yet still following his lead—way too cute.
So this was what being the bad guy felt like. Kind of… enjoyable.
Yukino's eyes went wet with grievance. But for her sister's sake, she still forced herself to meet his gaze.
Triumph flickered in Hayashi Maki's eyes—mixed with warmth and heat. He stroked her silky hair and kept "tutoring" her.
Meeting his eyes made something fizzy and electric ripple through her.
Why did his gaze feel… gentle?
Almost like he liked her.
But if he liked her, why bully her like this?
Her thoughts were a mess. She wanted to shut her eyes and look away, but the sharpened look he gave her made her grudgingly meet his gaze again.
Her body trembled even harder.
Strangest of all, a numb, melty weakness spread through her limbs. She had no strength left—just leaned into his arms, letting him hold her, letting that gentle hand stroke her hair.
She didn't know how long it went on. When he seemed to have bullied her to his fill, Hayashi Maki reluctantly released the younger Miss Yukinoshita's lips.
Yukino lay on his chest, panting hard.
Her delicate face was flushed rosy, making her look even more enticing.
"Demon… satisfied now?"
"So-so. You're too clumsy—still need me to guide you. You're nothing like Haruno."
Yukino ground her teeth. "I'm learning, aren't I? What… what do you want from me?"
Hayashi Maki grinned. "Fine, I'll stop teasing."
"I never used any tricks on Haruno. We just signed a special contract."
"It doesn't hurt her. It actually benefits her—grants her a strange power."
"As for you wanting to undo it? Impossible. I won't hide it: the only way is if I die, or Haruno dies."
"So your plan can't work. I'm not eager to die—unless you want your sister to?"
Yukino's head buzzed. Tears finally spilled over.
"So you never intended to terminate the contract, and you deliberately strung me along?"
"Watching me humiliate myself, beg you like that—did that make you happy? Proud?"
Seeing how hurt she was, Hayashi Maki knew he'd gone too far.
But she had been the one to make that offer, and he'd really wanted to kiss her. He hadn't held back—and then just kept going.
He sighed, gently stroking her hair. "I wasn't thrilled about it, but you did make me angry. I paid a steep price to cure you, and you wanted me erased."
"What price? My sister's the one who paid!"
"If I hadn't paid, no amount of sacrifice from your sister would've cured you."
"You… I…" Yukino shut her eyes, furious.
Furious at herself—for losing the argument.
Honestly, trying to find an angel to threaten him into lifting the contract wasn't much different from biting the hand that saved her. After all, termination of the contract meant his death.
While she fumed, that scoundrel murmured in her ear, "Yukino-chan, since we're already here… why not sign a contract with me too? I can teach you much more…"
As he spoke, he stole another quick kiss.
That was Hayashi Maki—always pushing his luck, seizing every opening.
Snapping back to herself, Yukino realized he was at it again. Rage finally boiled over; she shoved him hard.
"Get out!"
"I don't want to see you ever—ugh!"
"Okay, okay, I'll step out for a bit. We can continue lat—ow!"
"Drop dead! You demonic jerk! Liar! Pervert! I hate you the most!"
Yukino snatched up her panda pillow and hurled it at him.
Hayashi Maki made a "hasty" retreat from her room.
Once he was gone, Yukino flopped onto the bed and covered her lips with her hand.
Her cheeks burned again.
Strangely enough, despite chasing him off in a fit, she now felt… oddly empty.
A little… reluctant?
No way.
Just a delusion.
Absolutely a delusion.
She hated being lied to—more than anything.
And he hadn't just lied; he'd kissed her like that, touched her like that.
"Demon, I won't let you off. Just you wait!"
Clenching her teeth, the younger Yukinoshita heiress firmed up her resolve to find the angel. She wouldn't kill him, but she'd at least give him a serious lesson—so he'd learn a woman's heart is not a toy to deceive.
~~~
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