While Shiina Mahiru was chatting with a few of the prettiest girls in class, Hayashi Maki was playing volleyball with Hikigaya Hachiman.
They lazily batted the ball back and forth, just killing time.
Wearing his trademark dead-fish eyes, Hachiman looked across at Hayashi Maki, at a loss for words. He couldn't understand why a popular "normie" would team up with him.
As for Hayashi Maki's habit of boldly poking the waist of the girl in front of him, Hachiman despised it—though in truth he was wildly jealous. A girl who didn't mind a guy touching her at all… that clearly meant she liked him! He could smell the sour stink of romance.
Hayashi Maki was handsome—different from Hayama, but a normie all the same. Hachiman just couldn't figure out why someone like that would deliberately try to buddy up to him.
Then, mid-rally, Hayashi Maki suddenly said something that put Hikigaya on alert.
"Hey, Hikigaya-kun, that cute girl who brought you a bento the day before yesterday—she's your sister, right?"
Play volleyball if you want, but why bring up my sister?
Annoyed, Hachiman stared at him with those dead-fish eyes. "Yeah, so what?"
Hayashi Maki smiled. "Nothing. I just envy guys who have little sisters, is all."
…Just that?
Hachiman lifted a brow, nerves tightening. He had a bad feeling about that smile. This was why he hated hanging out with normies—it only made his own darkness stand out.
After PE, it was time for the club again.
But Shiina Mahiru and Kato Megumi were headed to Saionji Youko's shop for their part-time shift, and Hayashi Maki had nothing to do alone in the clubroom. So he went along too.
Youko had said he was always welcome to pick up hours. He'd just moonlight as their chivalrous escort today. The job was secondary; enjoying a pleasant afternoon with Angel Mahiru and the others was the main thing.
Besides, he'd basically finished volume two of his light novel yesterday—just needed a few days of revisions. No pressure at all. Unlike original authors who have to wrack their brains, his head held a whole world's worth of knowledge. Well, "a whole world" might be an exaggeration, but he'd read plenty of light novels and anime this world didn't have. Patch and stitch, break down settings and plot beats from other works, blend them—and you've got another decent book.
…
When Hayashi Maki arrived, Saionji Youko's eyes lit up.
"Maki-kun, since you're here, you can't quit halfway—you've got to see it through to the end!"
"No problem, Youko-san. I'll definitely go all the way."
…Why did that exchange sound so weird?
He answered reflexively, then realized this mature beauty seemed to be speaking with a double meaning. He didn't dwell on it, quickly changed into a staff uniform, and started his shift. Call it life experience.
And with Shiina Mahiru, Kato Megumi, Aoyama Nanami, and Asada Shino—four fair-skinned beauties—working alongside him, the experience was downright delightful. If a "lucky-pervert" incident happened by accident, that'd be the cherry on top.
After changing, Hayashi Maki had just stepped out of the break room when a soft body barreled into him and crashed straight into his arms.
"Ah—!"
The girl squeaked and was about to land on her butt, but Hayashi Maki reacted fast—he caught her slender arm and helped her steady herself.
"You okay?"
The girl with an ahoge in a Mizutaka High uniform looked up at his handsome face and her heart skipped; her cheeks flushed.
"I—I'm fine! Sorry, I bumped into you." She bowed quickly to apologize.
Hayashi Maki waved it off with a smile. "As long as you're not hurt." Looking at the pretty-faced, rather cute girl, he asked curiously, "Are you working here too? New hire?"
She shook her head, a little embarrassed. "I'm Saionji Sekai. I'm here to help my mom. But calling it a part-time job isn't wrong."
If she helped out, her mom would give her extra pocket money.
At the name, Hayashi Maki raised an eyebrow. Saionji Sekai? The one who knifed Makoto the scumbag? But she still looked pure—maybe not so bad.
"So you're the manager's daughter. No wonder you resemble her—you're just as cute as Youko-san."
Thinking that, he naturally offered a compliment. "Nice to meet you, Saionji-san. I'm Hayashi Maki, working part-time here. Please look after me."
"Y-Yes, nice to meet you, Hayashi Maki-kun." They shook hands briefly; she let go as if shocked by static, flustered. "Um… I'll go change."
"Sure—don't mind me. I'll start work." Hayashi Maki waved and turned to leave first.
Saionji Sekai kept replaying how she'd crashed into his chest and how his arm had gone around her waist to steady her. She touched her slim waist; it still tingled.
Blushing, she shook her head hard. "Saionji Sekai, what shameless thoughts are you having? It was just an accident!"
But… Hayashi Maki's scent really was nice. So that's what a man smells like? And he was so handsome—better-looking than Itō in the neighboring class—and he'd sounded so gentle just now.
The more she thought, the redder she got.
She'd just finished changing when she saw her mother, Saionji Youko, arms folded, watching her with an amused look.
"Ah—Mom, when did you get here?"
"Heh, only because you were dawdling, Sekai. I thought you'd fallen asleep in the locker room."
"No way! I just zoned out a bit! I wasn't sleeping—Mom, you're being dramatic!"
Youko dipped her head noncommittally, then asked with a smile, "Sekai, you met Maki-kun, right? What do you think?"
Sekai flushed again. "Think what? I just met him—what am I supposed to say?"
Youko clasped her hands with a dreamy look. "I mean his personality—does he suit me?"
Sekai's brain blue-screened. "Mom, what are you even saying? He's at my age, you know!"
You're asking me whether you two are a match? Obviously not!
Youko pouted. "What, do you think your mom is old too?"
Sekai didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "I didn't say that. Don't overthink it. And this is the shop—please be serious and act like the manager!"
Youko shot her a plaintive look, then straightened her proud chest and went off to project managerial gravitas.
…
To Hayashi Maki, the whole Sekai episode was just a small interlude; he didn't think much of it. More than Sekai, he wanted to run into Kiyoura Setsuna. She'd be fun to tease.
The clerk work was easy—straighten messy shelves, patrol the aisles. There were too many girls in Youko's shop; he was the only male staffer. At this rate, he worried some unsavory types would show up looking for trouble.
When the shift ended, Youko handed everyone an envelope stuffed with cash, beaming. "Thanks for the hard work, everyone. Head home and rest—and be safe."
After exchanging good-byes, Hayashi Maki left with the girls. Youko, meanwhile, watched his back with shining eyes, her cheeks flushed.
What to do? The more she looked at Maki-kun, the more her heart fluttered. She wanted to build a happy family with him. At this rate she wouldn't sleep tonight.
…
Unaware that the beautiful shopkeeper was pining for him, Hayashi Maki was strolling down the street with Asada Shino.
As for Shiina Mahiru, she'd gone on a big shopping run with Aoyama Nanami. A supermarket was running a sale today, and cash-strapped Nanami and thrifty Mahiru weren't about to miss it. So Mahiru asked Hayashi Maki to walk Shino home.
After the past few days together, the girls had become good friends. Mahiru's charm had won over both Aoyama and Asada, and the three got along well.
Oh—almost forgot. There was also Kato Megumi. Sure enough, her passive skill of reduced presence was still going strong. Even as a transmigrator, he sometimes forgot about her. Not enough bonds yet, that's all. If he just contracted her, he definitely wouldn't overlook her.
By then, Megumi had already boarded the train home. With that "build," she really didn't have to worry about being tailed—anyone trying might just lose her.
Walking beside Hayashi Maki, Asada Shino's cheeks were faintly pink with shyness. Not knowing what to say, she kept her head down and walked, sneaking glances at his face.
For the boy who had helped her more than once and escorted her home, she naturally had feelings—something vague she couldn't quite name. But he still called her "Asada-san," while he addressed Shiina Mahiru by her given name. Mahiru shone so brightly that Shino couldn't help feeling anxious and inferior.
After dropping Asada home, Hayashi Maki left. Watching his back from the ground-floor entrance, Shino clutched at her chest; a dull ache bloomed there.
Why am I always so timid? She wanted to grow closer and have him call her by her given name—but she never found the courage to say it. Maybe it was feminine reserve getting in the way, keeping her from being too forward. No girl wants to be looked down on by someone she likes.
As she was berating herself for being so meek, a voice sounded behind her.
"Asada-san—what a coincidence, running into you at this hour."
Shino turned instinctively—and her face changed. "Shinkawa… it's you!"
~~~
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