After pestering the Second Heiress, Hayashi Maki returned to class in high spirits.
When he stepped in, Shiina Mahiru and Nibutani Shinka both instinctively glanced his way. As for Kato Megumi—her presence was still so faint that even if you looked straight at her, you might not notice her at all.
Truly, she was born with the "assassin's aura."
Mahiru noticed Maki because she was his girl.
Shinka noticed him because yesterday he'd said that mortifying word from her chunibyo days—"Mori Summer."
The thought that Hayashi Maki might know how embarrassing she'd been in junior high made Shinka desperate. She bit her lip and clenched her small fists. Whatever—it had to be investigated today. Otherwise she wouldn't be able to relax about school life going forward.
So—
After the first afternoon period—history—ended, Nibutani Shinka walked up to Maki with a bright smile.
"Um, Hayashi Maki-kun, I heard you started a club for light novels, manga, and games. Sounds fun—could I join?"
As she spoke, she clasped her hands behind her back and leaned in; a lock of hair fell across his desk, carrying a faint, charming fragrance. With the lean, the arc of her blouse rose even fuller over her chest; her slim waist curved into a perfect S; below the uniform skirt, a pair of fair legs in black ankle socks—her charm meter shot to max.
Maki's eyes flicked to her chest on reflex, and he suddenly felt that the Yukinoshita's Second Heiress needed to "catch up" in the growth department. Even so, he put on a dazzling smile and nodded lightly.
"Of course. Our club would be happy to have you, Nibutani-san. But aren't you already in the dance club? I heard cheer members practice every day—will you have time for our activities?"
Brushing a strand behind her ear to show her fine profile, Shinka gave him a sweet smile.
"No problem at all. Dance club only needs one practice a day; the moves aren't hard and I've memorized them. I can absolutely make it to your club activities."
"Alright then—after class, submit the club application to me."
"Mhm! It's settled. Just thinking of joining your club has me excited already."
She gave him a big, watery-eyed look, then turned with poise, leaving a faint scent as she returned to her seat. The average boy would have fallen right there. Maki, however, already knew she was approaching to keep her chunibyo past from being exposed—to dig for info by joining his club. Far from being moved, he nearly laughed. Too cute. If she was going to put on an act, he wouldn't be polite either.
Back at her desk, Shinka praised herself inwardly. Nice—initial approach successful. Next step: find out whether this guy really knew that "Mori Summer" was her black history.
Watching Shinka flit back like a happy butterfly, Kato Megumi gave Maki a dry look.
"So our ghost club is getting another member?"
"Yeah—'ghost club'? Why call it that?" Maki asked, puzzled.
Kato, perfectly calm, deadpanned her tease.
"Because since the club was founded, we've barely done any activities. It's either you dragging me and Shiina to play games, or we all go work part-time. I even wonder whether our club has any reason to exist."
She was now part-timing at Saionji Youko's shop too—teamed up with Mahiru. If Nibutani joined, wouldn't it just be Maki and Shinka alone at "club"?
Maki answered solemnly, "Kato, that's the wrong way to look at it. Our club definitely does have meaning—important meaning! Even if you and Mahiru have to work and can't make it on campus, club activities don't have to be in school. Part-time work is social practice—it helps our creative work. That counts as club activity."
"Oh, so that's how it is. Then is Nibutani-san coming to work with us today too?"
"Of course. She said she was interested—she must be ready, right?"
Kato tilted her head. "Is that so?"
"Absolutely. I can feel Nibutani-san's enthusiasm for our club. So I'll have her try it out this afternoon."
At that moment, Shinka had no idea she was about to be "volunteered" for part-time training. She was still thinking about how to turn on the charm and coax the "Mori Summer" intel out of him.
Afternoon—club time.
In a shop uniform, Nibutani Shinka stared ahead with vacant eyes and a polite smile. When customers came in, she would recite "Welcome."
Wasn't I here to flirt with Hayashi Maki—the kinda-handsome guy—and fish for "Mori Summer" intel? Why am I working? Isn't his club a laid-back otaku hangout for reading, manga, and games? Why is it turning into social-practice shift work? I'm still a student—why am I joining work early?
She grumbled inwardly—but her body cooperated. With a few tips from Shiina and the others, she adapted quickly to the job.
The only odd thing was that, aside from Hayashi Maki, all the staff were cute girls. Her initial sulk soon gave way to interest: social practice like this was rare.
Normally she wouldn't get the chance until second or third year. With an introduction like this, she could build experience early.
On second thought, Maki's club was useful… even if it felt a bit like bait-and-switch—advertised as a fun otaku club, but he herded members into part-time work.
With familiar faces guiding her, Shinka became natural at the job—and, in the process, she fit smoothly into Mahiru, Kato, and Asada Shino's little circle.
While the girls worked and chatted happily, Hayashi Maki once again got whisked off to the break room by Saionji Youko.
Not that he wanted to be. But the lady had… impeccable assets: a deep valley of snow-white curves that tugged at his gaze. And she chest-bumped him on the way in.
Lying in Youko's private lounge, Maki caught a faint, soothing fragrance. He closed his eyes, letting the comfort lull him—before he knew it, he'd fallen asleep. There was something oddly familiar about Saionji Youko. She felt it too.
Watching him sleep soundly, she smiled tenderly, lifted a hand, and stroked his hair.
"Maki-kun, if you're this unguarded with me, 'onee-san' might not be able to hold back."
The most skillful hunter often appears as prey; who was tempting whom was anyone's guess. Staring at his handsome face, Youko's cheeks burned and her heart pounded.
This is what it feels like to fall for someone. For the first time since having her daughter Sekai, she was this smitten with a man.
Speaking of which… who was her daughter's father?
A puzzled look flashed across Youko's face—Hayashi Maki's face flickered through her mind. Impossible, right? Am I so eager to have Maki-kun that I'm imagining things? But it wasn't just her; even Mai couldn't remember who Setsuna's father was. They couldn't recall, yet somehow it felt natural that they didn't. Strange.
Forget it. No point thinking about it.
She quietly admired Maki's sleeping face and murmured, "If Mai sees him, she'll definitely fight me for him. That'll be tricky."
She and Mai had a lot in common—especially about choosing a partner—almost identical, in fact. So much so that both understood Setsuna and Sekai were half-sisters by the same father.
And yet… neither could remember who that father was.
Gazing at Hayashi Maki's face, Youko drifted into a daze. The kids' dad? The thought surfaced, unbidden. Her cheeks flared crimson. I'm really that eager to marry—get a grip. Be reserved, or I'll scare Maki-kun off.
~~~
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