Getting paid to take a nap?
With the envelope Saionji Youko handed him, Hayashi Maki felt like a kept pretty boy. But when he saw the gentle look in Youko's eyes, he accepted it without guilt. If nothing else, taking care of Tomaru Sawagoe had removed her biggest threat. He could take this money with a clear conscience.
Under Youko's reluctant gaze, Hayashi Maki and the girls walked off, their figures growing smaller.
…
Nibutani Shinka peeked into her envelope, saw the cash, and lit up. Extra pocket money was always welcome. The only downside—today's intel-gathering failed.
After parting ways with Shiina and the others, Shinka glanced at Hayashi Maki and Mahiru's retreating backs and muttered, "Why are those two together? Are they… dating?"
Right then a voice piped up beside her: "Because Shiina and Hayashi Maki live close by."
"Ah!" Shinka jumped. When she saw who it was, she pressed a hand to her (ahem) ample chest and snapped, "Kato-san, when did you get there? Don't sneak up on people like that!"
Kato Megumi gave her a helpless look. "I've been here the whole time. And it looks like we're heading the same way."
Shinka rolled her eyes and patted her chest to steady herself. "But I didn't sense you at all. Can you turn invisible or something?"
"How rude. Of course not. I've just been easy to overlook since I was little. I'm used to it."
"That is invisibility! Teach me, Kato—please!"
Kato stared at her hand being clasped and sighed. "Sorry. You can't teach 'born this way.'"
"Ehhh? Not even a trick?"
Kato: "If there is one, it's 'be ordinary.' You're too eye-catching, Nibutani. People can't ignore you."
That deflated Shinka. She sighed. "I wanted to change, so I worked to stand out. Even I get tired sometimes. Not like Shiina—her glow is natural. She's everyone's angel. I'm super jealous."
There's nothing wrong with wanting to be popular and excellent.
Kato slipped in smoothly: "True—Shiina's dazzling. But you're not far behind. I often hear boys talking about you, saying they want to date you."
Shinka flapped a hand, flustered. "Dating's too soon. My goal is to beat Shiina and take the top rank in our year!"
"But isn't first place Hayashi Maki?" Kato asked, puzzled.
"Hmph. He doesn't look like he studies seriously. His grades will drop next monthly exam. So my target is still Shiina!"
…Only for her "target" to switch to Yukinoshita Yukino next time.
As they chatted, Shinka's curiosity shifted to Kato. "Hey, Kato—why did you join Hayashi Maki's club? I thought it was a chill otaku club for novels, manga, and games. Never imagined he'd take us to work. That's a big gap from expectations!"
Kato considered, then answered earnestly. "Hayashi started the club to line up a more relaxed job after graduation. I heard his light novel already passed Undead River's editorial review and will be on shelves soon."
"No way—he's that good?"
Shinka gaped. Debuting as an LN author at this age was seriously impressive. Most students hadn't even graduated from their chunibyo phase and were just coasting through school.
"I thought he made the club just to play around. Didn't expect him to be that talented." She blushed, embarrassed at her earlier snap judgment.
Kato nodded. "In many ways, he's… unbelievable. For example, he doesn't overlook me at all—and he's the one who invited me to join."
Shinka's expression turned… complicated. Why did Kato's flat tone carry a hint of happiness? Whatever—focus on the mission!
She smiled sweetly. "Kato-san, I accidentally overheard you and Hayashi talking about 'spirits' the other day. Mind telling me about that?"
Kato nodded. "Sure." Nothing secret there. "He said there are things in this world we can't see, and the world is split into black and white, divided by an invisible boundary…"
Halfway through, she noticed Shinka had her hands over her cheeks and was shaking. "Nibutani-san, are you okay?"
"N-nothing! Haha. Um, Kato—very interesting. Did Hayashi say where he got this… knowledge?"
Shinka forced a smile through her mortification. If Kato weren't here, she'd be rolling on the ground—those were lines straight out of her chunibyo phase, her black history.
Kato gave her a quizzical glance, then continued without hiding anything. Maki had been discussing it with her for days—trying to instill some odd ideas. "He said he gathered it from the electronic ocean—classic quotes of Mori Summer-sama. He even compiled them into a Dark Grimoire and keeps it at home."
At that, Shinka's eyes lit up. So he'd printed it and stored it at his house? She had to get over there and destroy the evidence!
She did not, however, consider that Maki's place might be a dragon's den—from which she might never return.
Seeing Shinka's sudden excitement, Kato stiffened. Wait—did Nibutani fall for Maki too? Planning to "visit" his house and… get close? It was odd enough that a class queen like Nibutani joined the club.
Kato's thoughts spun off, then she returned to calm. Well, he's not my boyfriend. I have no say. As long as I can stay by his side, in the club he built, that's enough.
…
Back to Hayashi Maki.
Once home, he flopped on the sofa playing with his phone. Mahiru had finished her shower and headed to the kitchen. Maki, a total couch potato, waited for his angel's feeding—more spoiled by the day. Mahiru seemed to enjoy it, fussing over him like a child.
Of course, when it was time to crawl into bed at night, the dynamic flipped: she turned into the clingy one, nuzzling into his arms, begging for comfort. Clearly, she craved his tenderness.
Bored, Maki pulled out his phone… to pester Yukinoshita Yukino. He'd just gotten her number—wasting it would be a crime. He didn't call; she'd just hang up. Texting was safer. He wasn't worried about being blocked. Heh. She wouldn't dare.
Being bad felt great. He was starting to enjoy teasing the Second Heiress.
At that moment, Yukino, fresh from a shower and in pajamas, sat at her desk catching up on coursework. She was over a month behind and needed to close the gap fast. She refused to accept losing the #1 spot in the year.
Her phone buzzed. She picked it up, and her face went dark. The sender: "Demon Lord."
"Yukino-chan, are you asleep?"