Hayashi Maki's words were definitely a little suggestive.
What did he mean by "I'll tell you when we're alone"?
How was that any different from a shady guy coaxing a girl with "I'll take you to see the stars"?
Kato Megumi grumbled inwardly, but her face stayed calm.
She even nodded. "Sure—tell me when you have time."
As for the "spirits" he mentioned—she'd never seen any, so she wasn't about to assume they were real.
It was probably just a setting from a novel he was talking about.
She didn't really have close friends to hang out with anyway, so she didn't mind chatting with Hayashi Maki.
Anything was fine to talk about—though if he actually harassed her, that would be a problem.
Hayashi Maki and Magumi wrapped up their conversation and sat properly—the bell for the lecture had rung.
Right then, Nibutani Shinka couldn't take in a word the professor was saying.
The moment she heard Hayashi Maki say "Mori Summer," her head started buzzing.
Those damned, shameful memories from her chūnibyō phase surged back, giving her goosebumps.
"Mori Summer" was the nickname she used a year ago.
"Mori" is the kun'yomi reading of the character for "forest" (森), and "Summer" is—well—summer. Put together: "Mori Summer."
Back then she was convinced she was a real mage who'd lost her memories and lived five hundred years.
She believed she had eyes that could see spirits; after tying on a head scarf, she would "listen" to the whispers of spirits in front of classmates all day.
She even believed she could curse people she hated—just chant the spell a hundred times and it would work.
A year later, after "graduating" from chūnibyō, hearing that word again wrecked her.
She had studied hard specifically to get into Hakuo University, where none of her old classmates were, so she could forget those embarrassing antics and start over.
She even joined the dance club and became first-year Class B's rep; in just a month she'd gotten popular.
But hearing "Mori Summer" come out of Hayashi Maki's mouth made her want to die on the spot.
Her past assaulted her brain nonstop; she couldn't focus on the lecture at all.
No—she had to find out how Hayashi Maki knew that name.
She'd deleted all her chūnibyō posts online!
Where did this jerk hear it?
To Hayashi Maki, Nibutani's issue was just a small sideshow.
He'd dropped "Mori Summer" on purpose to hook her.
If she heard her old nickname, she'd probably come looking for him—might even volunteer to join his club.
If not, no big deal.
Flowers bloom on different branches—an "evil demon" has to cast a wide net.
Cast often enough and you'll catch something.
By noon, Hayashi Maki was eating his bento in the clubroom.
As club members, Shiina Mahiru and Kato Megumi were there too.
Observant Megumi noticed Hayashi Maki and Mahiru had identical bentos and grew thoughtful.
Those two were definitely dating—
even their lunch boxes matched.
After lunch, Hayashi Maki pulled out his laptop and had the two women play a game with him—
a romance game, of course.
Mahiru clicked choices with the mouse, then gave Hayashi Maki a wry look.
"Maki-kun, don't tell me you learned how to sweet-talk women from games?"
"Nonsense! You have to learn that? All it takes is sincerity—
and a bit of hands-on effort."
He'd tested his methods in real life; Mahiru had been the (willing) test case.
Hearing him, Mahiru couldn't help rolling her eyes.
She obviously knew exactly how he "talk her up."
Just thinking about it made her blush.
What a shameless guy.
Seeing her adorable eye-roll, Hayashi Maki cocked an eyebrow at her and flashed a mischievous smile—
you'll know tonight whether I put my heart into it or not.
While the two exchanged flirty looks, it was Megumi's turn to play; she just found the pair noisy.
Hayashi Maki's club was supposedly for creating light novels, manga, and games—but Megumi and Mahiru were total newbies.
Neither knew the tropes.
Hayashi Maki didn't have some grand plan; he just wanted a place to relax after class.
Whether Mahiru and Megumi developed an interest, he wouldn't force it—go with the flow.
At lunch break he gamed with them for an hour; he spent the rest napping.
The club was so laid-back that Megumi didn't quite know what to make of it.
Mahiru, though, slept soundly.
Hayashi Maki somehow produced a thin blanket and gently covered both so they wouldn't catch a chill.
In his view, club activities should be relaxing.
If a club becomes toil and pain, what's the point?
(Of course, some people like grinding—they're destined to be diligent office workers.)
Watching the two with eyes closed and steady breaths, the corners of Hayashi Maki's mouth lifted; he lay down nearby and dozed off too.
Half-asleep, he caught a light, pleasant fragrance—
likely the faint scent from Mahiru and Megumi.
As a "demon," a keen sense of smell was his talent.
He put "identifying people by scent" to full use.
After the nap, the first afternoon period was their sports elective, with a 100-meter time trial.
Shiina Mahiru took first place without breaking a sweat.
Her all-around-athlete reputation wasn't just talk.
Plus, her body had been strengthened by Hayashi Maki's "magic"; she'd soon awaken her own ability, so her condition was naturally better than most.
"Wow, Shiina-san, you're so fast! I can't run like that at all," said Yuigahama Yui, full of envy.
"Yeah, amazing. Do you have any tips, Shiina-san?" Nibutani Shinka chimed in, admiring.
Flustered, Mahiru waved her hands.
"No real trick. I just used to get up early and run every day. If you keep at it, you get good."
She had gotten up early to run—
but not anymore. Partly no time, partly no interest.
Back then, she wanted her parents' praise, so she never slacked in anything—always aiming for the best, to be number one.
Now she had no reason to strive for her parents.
These days, after washing up each morning, the first thing she did was make breakfast for Hayashi Maki.
Warmed in body and heart by him lately, she felt she'd slacked off on exercise—she even worried about gaining weight.
Yet somehow she felt more limber and energetic.
Maybe those… late-night workouts with Maki-kun counted as exercise too?
Blushing, Mahiru glanced at Hayashi Maki chatting with the guys in the distance, then quietly scolded herself.
She felt like she was getting naughtier—always thinking of that.
Totally corrupted by Maki-kun!
While Mahiru was lost in thought, Yui looked troubled.
Getting up early to run was too hard for her.
Walking the dog should count as exercise, right?
Self-consoling, she sighed at her slightly chubby thighs.
She couldn't help sneaking looks—at Shiina Mahiru, and at Miura Yumiko's slender legs—her eyes full of envy.
~~~
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