After feeling around for a while and finding no wounds on him, Asada Shino finally let out a breath.
"Thank goodness. That guy's aim was off—he didn't hit you."
Hayashi Maki almost laughed.
His aim had actually been very good—Shinkawa Kyouji had been completely out of his mind. If Hayashi Maki hadn't infused his fingers with magic and pinched the bullet mid-flight, Shino's delicate body would have had a new bullet hole.
Watching Shino relax, Hayashi Maki raised a hand and gently patted her head.
"Feel better now, Shino? Honestly—you were shaking with fear, so why did you throw yourself in front of me like that?"
The head-pat made her heart feel warm. Hearing him, she blurted out without thinking:
"Because I didn't want you getting hurt because of me, Maki-kun. I am timid and weak—just seeing a gun throws me back into that trauma and turns me into a useless, shivering mess. But even so, I don't want the person who's saved me more than once to get hurt. If there's anything I can do, it's using this weak body to block that bullet for you."
Her earnest words softened Hayashi Maki's gaze even more.
"What a dummy. Next time something like that happens, leave it to me. Don't you dare try to be a hero."
"I wasn't thinking at all then." Shino's cheeks flushed; her small hand rested on his chest. She was still lying in his arms—being this close to a man was a little shameless. But she didn't want to leave that warm embrace.
Seeing her rosy cheeks, Hayashi Maki felt his own heart stir. Such a good girl—terrified to the core, yet she'd still found the courage to shield him.
He thought a moment, then said softly, "Shino, you're a hero."
"Eh?"
The sudden shift threw her. "Why do you say that?"
She looked up at him with dewy eyes, full of expectation.
Hayashi Maki smiled slightly and explained in all seriousness:
"That bank robber back then was carrying a real, loaded gun, right? I've… reviewed the security footage in my own way. He even took a pregnant bank clerk hostage. She couldn't move easily and tripped him; his pistol landed right in front of you and your mom. To protect your mother—and everyone else there—you picked up the gun and shot the criminal. Asada Shino-chan saved an entire bank lobby by herself. If that's not a hero, what is?"
His gentle words were like a beam of light that finally illuminated Shino's world.
All this time, people had treated her like a murderer. The ignorant never looked into what happened, never cared why she pulled the trigger. They just slapped the label "killer" on her and used it to attack her—avoiding her in groups, isolating her, sneering with that two-faced tone.
Even her mother looked at her with fear. These days they hardly saw each other at all—almost as if she didn't have a daughter like that.
No one wanted to support her; no one believed her. Her "only friend," Shinkawa Kyouji, turned out to be the very scum who'd caused her to be shunned.
Only the man in front of her had saved her again and again, stood up for her, and chased off the bullies. He even said she wasn't a murderer—that she was a hero who protected innocent lives.
Hero or not no longer mattered. Right now, Shino knew only this: he was her hero.
Feeling his warm palm on her head, her eyes quickly filled with tears. All the pent-up grievance finally found understanding; her heart unknotted, and she opened it to him completely.
Letting the tears slide down her cheeks, she looked up at the man who'd warmed her and gripped his shirt tightly.
"Um, Maki-kun… can I borrow your arms for a while?"
She was like a wounded little animal—pitiful and endearing—her pretty face wet with tears.
How could Hayashi Maki refuse?
He nodded with a smile. "Of course. My arms are always yours to borrow."
"Mmph—sob… thank you! Thank you!"
With that, Shino buried herself in his chest and cried aloud, as if she were pouring out years of bottled-up hurt. Inevitably, tears soaked the front of his shirt.
After a long while, her emotions settled, and she flushed with embarrassment.
"Sorry, Maki-kun… I got your clothes dirty."
"It's fine—just tears. What's dirty about that? There's no snot."
"Ugh, you're awful! What snot? I would never wipe that on you."
His mood-killing remark made her glare up at him in spite of herself. Hayashi Maki chuckled, stroked her hair, and slowly leaned in—clearly about to kiss her.
Shino's face went bright red; her heartbeat spiked. Refusing was out of the question. Her heart was already his; she'd long since fallen for him. She gently closed her eyes.
Nothing stood in their way. Hayashi Maki softly covered her cherry-pink lips, savoring their sweetness. Shino's body trembled; a wave of sweetness swelled in her chest.
Maki-kun really kissed me! Does that mean… he likes me too?
Heart racing, she cracked an eye open and met his warm, burning gaze. She couldn't help sliding her pale arms around his neck, pressing her soft body tightly against him.
Seeing that, Hayashi Maki didn't hesitate—he hugged her close and deepened the kiss. He wanted her; he wanted her to become his familiar. Opportunity rarely knocks twice.
In truth, he'd known Shinkawa Kyouji was nearby the whole time—the guy had been tailing them and waited for Hayashi Maki to leave before jumping out to bully Shino. Which handed Hayashi Maki another chance to play the hero.
There was no question Shino was a very cute girl. As one of Sword Art Online's heroines, her looks and figure were naturally top-tier. She couldn't quite match Mahiru or Haruno's flawless presence; short on funds and nutrition, she still looked a little green—but that was no big deal. With him around, she'd soon become even more beautiful.
And then there was the adorable Yukinoshita Second Heiress—she had plenty of room to grow too.
Hayashi Maki realized he really was a scoundrel. He was holding sweet Shino in his arms, yet thinking about the Yukino.
After a while, they parted for air. Shino leaned against him, breathless, her gaze like liquid silk. Hayashi Maki felt a surge of joy. His big hand fell gently to her smooth calf; his eyes burned as he took in her rosy face.
"Shino… is it okay?"
Shino shut her eyes, hugged his neck tight, and whispered, "Idiot… don't ask something like that… it's embarrassing. J-just… do as you see fit."
Which, of course, was an answer. Hayashi Maki didn't hold back.
Clothes piled together by the bedside. He supported her slender waist and held her close. Shino, face red and eyes half-closed, offered no refusal—her heart already his, there was nothing more to say. Guided by instinct, she nestled against him, soaking in the safety he gave her, sweetness blooming in her chest.
No one knew how long passed.
Hayashi Maki lay on the bed holding Shino, the corners of his mouth slightly upturned. Her cheeks were still tinted with a tempting flush. Resting quietly against his chest, her eyes were full of attachment.
Suddenly, as if remembering something, she sat up.
"Maki-kun, we forgot about that scum Shinkawa. No—we have to make sure he gets what he deserves!"
The moment she moved, a small cry escaped her and she sank back into his arms.
…
Hayashi Maki helplessly pinched her cheek. "Dummy, do I look like someone who leaves a fire burning? I took care of him already—same with Endou and his two buddies who bullied you back then."
"R-really?"
"What do you mean… Maki-kun, you… you did to them…?"
Guessing the possibility, Shino's body trembled. Hayashi Maki sighed.
"Yeah. I killed them. I'm the worst kind of murderer, you know. Knowing that, do you regret this?"
"Of course not!" Shino hugged his neck tight, blurting:
"I was wondering if you covered your tracks. If the police find a thread to pull, that would be awful. Your life shouldn't have to pay for those pieces of trash! And Shinkawa—where did you dump him? We should take care of him quickly, or it'll be trouble."
Her words left Hayashi Maki a little stunned—but warmed him, too.
"So Shino wants to be my accomplice?"
"Mhm, of course." She snuggled her cheek to his chest and nuzzled him.
"You did it for me. And… I already belong to you. Even knowing you're seeing Shiina, I still couldn't help tempting you. Maki-kun… don't hate me, okay?"
She thought he couldn't resist and made a move? No—she'd purposely nestled into his arms to tempt him.
How could Hayashi Maki hate her after that? He kissed her lightly and spoke:
"Dummy, how could I ever hate you? Shino-chan is ridiculously cute. And don't worry—no one will find a single clue. If someone can trace me from a pile of ash, well, that'd be impressive."
As he spoke, Hayashi Maki rotated his right hand; a lump of pitch-black flame bloomed out of thin air in his palm, heat rippling through the room.
Shino's eyes went wide. "Amazing! What is that? Maki-kun… is that a superpower?"
There was no fear in her voice—she already saw him as her man, her rock—only dependence and awe. Which was why he chose to lay his cards on the table. Shino would definitely make a perfect partner at home.
As for the Angel Mahiru—not yet. He'd tell her his true identity when she awakened her own ability. Not a moment too late.
~~~
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