When Hayashi Maki arrived, Yukinoshita Haruno was in the shower.
His sudden appearance startled her.
"Ah! Are you trying to get yourself killed? You pick now to show up?"
She gave his chest a light punch with her small fist, cheeks faintly red.
Thank goodness she wasn't bathing with Yukino-chan tonight, or Yukino would've been seen by him for sure.
Hayashi Maki caught her fist with a smile and slipped an arm naturally around her slim waist.
"I wanted to hurry and help you unlock a special ability, Haruno-nee. I came the moment I had time."
Haruno rolled her eyes. "More like you couldn't wait. Tch. You lech! If demons come in types, you're definitely a demon of lust."
He didn't get mad at the jab; instead he leaned in and pecked her rosy lips before speaking:
"Funny enough, demons do have categories. The most famous are the winged, fanged, horned types from fairy tales and Western sci-fi."
That piqued her interest.
"Then what kind of demon are you, Hayashi Maki? And where are your wings?"
He curved a smile. "I don't belong to any hellborn category. I'm new—the Demon King."
"As for wings—you are my wings."
Haruno curled her lip. "So you're a self-proclaimed Demon King. Do the other demons in hell know how bold you are? Also, why not call yourself the philandering lust demon while you're at it? 'You're my wings'—with me and Shiina not enough already? Just how many cute girls are you planning to rope in?"
Maki chuckled, unbothered by the snark. With a movement of his arm he lifted Haruno by the waist and carried her out of the bathroom—destination: her room.
As they walked he added, "That depends on whether you and Mahiru can keep me in line. If you can, I can stop being a flirt."
Haruno pinched his side, flustered. "You're not even human! Ten of me and Shiina together couldn't 'handle' you. That's just cheating!"
So just because she and Shiina couldn't fully satisfy him, he'd go looking for other women? Shameless!
Maki caught her hand and flashed a wicked grin.
"Then don't blame me—it's not my fault if you can't keep up. I'm giving you the chance, Haruno-nee. Do your best. I'm rooting for you."
"I can show the path; you have to walk it. I can help you awaken your power, but after that you have to put in the work yourself."
"Still… there is a shortcut for familiars' training. Want to hear it?"
Haruno shot him a sultry side-eye. "As if I don't know—doing those naughty things with you, right? Thick-skinned, you're number one among everyone I've met."
"Thanks for the compliment. Sounds like you understand me a little. In that case…"
His gaze openly traced her mature curves—snow-white skin, alluring cleavage, and the neat lines across her flat stomach. Everything about Haruno was flawless. Compared to the still-flat Yukino, her sophisticated, big-sister charm was irresistible. Unlike shy Shino or Mahiru, Haruno could take the lead and tease him right back.
Under his heated stare, Haruno's cheeks went scarlet. For all her banter, most of her "experience" had been taught by Maki. Thinking of a few mortifying poses, she shot him a wounded look. How is he this practiced? Just how many times has he "trained" with Shiina?
Maki's answer was to "comfort" her in his own way—his warm palm slipped naturally to her smooth, slender thigh.
"Let's study some fun 'knowledge,' Haruno-nee—things I haven't even taught Mahiru."
"Really? You're not lying to me?"
"Of course not."
"Then what are we waiting for?" Haruno looped her arms around his neck with full, elegant ojou-sama flair.
(Assessment concluded: Haruno is well-suited to play the knight on top.)
While the two of them had their fun, Yukinoshita Yukino in the next room was silently cursing. Figures—that jerk is bullying Sis again! But there was nothing she could do; she could only clamp her hands over her ears to block out the sounds, cheeks burning. She wasn't getting any sleep tonight.
After "sneaking a taste" of Haruno-sama, Hayashi Maki headed straight home. Relationships with familiars needed cultivation and care. For both sides, this kind of closeness was comforting—body and soul. If you stop valuing someone once you've "won" them, how are you different from scum?
He admitted he was scummy enough already—well on his way to becoming a "time-management master." The difference, he figured, was that he took responsibility. If you won't marry, why flirt? If you do flirt, then see it through.
A little later, Shiina Mahiru finally returned, arms loaded with shopping bags and groceries. She was just about to unlock her door when Maki opened his and hurried over to help.
After setting everything down, Mahiru leaned in, sniffed lightly with her dainty nose, and frowned.
"Maki-kun, you… smell like another girl."
"Uh… do I? I don't smell anything."
"You do—mmph!" She tried to continue, but Maki slyly dipped down and kissed her.
"Mm… you bully… that's not fair! You always use that trick!"
Mahiru could only pout; she couldn't very well keep interrogating him. Her body went soft, and almost involuntarily her pale arms looped around his neck.
Maki eased her into the room. Shino and Haruno were on the verge of awakening their abilities; it was time to focus on little-angel Mahiru, too. After "teaching" Mahiru a few new "lessons," he held her soft body and lay down to rest together.
Mahiru gave him a complicated look, then struggled up.
"It's late. I should make dinner."
Maki took her hand gently. "Let's order in. You've worked hard today. The groceries will be fine in the fridge."
"Mm… okay."
She'd never really had delivery before; the idea felt novel. Soon the food arrived—pizza. When he opened the box, the aroma hit them; Mahiru swallowed without thinking. She was hungry, after all—she'd burned a lot of energy.
Maki held out a slice. "Here—try it."
"Thank you."
She took small bites. "Mm, it's good. No wonder so many people like delivery."
Maki pulled her into his arms, eating as he said, "But we don't know what kind of conditions delivery is cooked in. Your cooking is healthier. Besides, it's like you cast a spell—every dish you make is extra delicious."
"Don't flatter me—it's not that amazing. I'm just making simple home cooking."
Her mouth protested, but the corners of her lips curled up—clearly pleased by the praise.
Before long, they'd finished. Mahiru dabbed her mouth with a napkin, then noticed the heat in his eyes. She trembled and looked up at him nervously.
"No way, Maki-kun—again?"
He gave a sheepish grin. "What can I do? You're too cute. You know how I feel about you."
"Ugh, so cheesy… N-no, not tonight. I have to get up early to make breakfast. Let's sleep, okay?"
She gazed up at him pitifully, half-pouting, half-pleading. How could he refuse? He pulled up the blanket and used little-angel Mahiru as a warm, soft pillow, closing his eyes with her.
Mahiru nestled quietly against him, listening to his steady heartbeat, that rich masculine presence washing over her, filling her with a powerful sense of safety. Without realizing it, they'd become this close. The only problem: he was too flirtatious.
She could smell it—besides Asada Shino's scent, there was another woman's on him. So while she was out buying groceries, the scoundrel had "sampled" two women in a row?
At the thought, her heart twinged. But—what could she do? There was no way she could have him all to herself.