"What's wrong, Nibutani-san? Are you that interested in what's under Maki-kun's bed?"
Seeing Nibutani Shinka's mind wander and her eyes constantly sneaking toward one spot, Shiina Mahiru couldn't help asking.
Caught out, Shinka flushed with embarrassment. Who ever said Mahiru was an angel? She wasn't cute at all at times like this! And why was she calling him "Maki-kun" so intimately?
Feeling like she'd finally discovered something, Shinka gave an awkward smile, then said seriously, "Yeah, I am kind of curious. I mean, he keeps so many manga under there—turns out a boy's treasure trove really is under the bed. Shiina, Kato, aren't you even a little curious what else Hayashi Maki has under there?"
At that, Mahiru really did feel a tug of interest. She did want to know more about Hayashi Maki's hobbies. There's that saying: if you want to win a man's heart, you start with his stomach. And she was already cooking for him every day, so she pretty much had that part covered.
When they were alone, he was always warm and passionate—she could tell at a glance how much he liked her. But she still wanted to know more of Hayashi Maki's secrets… like what exactly was hidden under his bed…
Watching Mahiru crawl halfway under the bed with Shinka to search for "treasure," Kato Megumi finally spoke up, deadpan. "Digging around under a classmate's bed without asking to uncover his secrets—that's really not okay, you know."
Shinka waved her off. "Save it and give me a hand—I found something big!"
Megumi protested with her mouth, but her body was honest; she ducked under the bed with them. After a lot of effort, the three young women hauled out a long, person-shaped object from the very back.
When she saw the figure printed on the surface, Shinka was struck dumb. Mahiru and Megumi clapped hands over their mouths, staring at Shinka in disbelief.
The reason was simple. It was an inflatable life-size doll—and the image printed on it was Nibutani Shinka in a cheerleader outfit.
So this is what it's like to go digging for a guy's secrets and end up the subject of the gossip yourself? Shinka understood now. Her cheeks went red, then white; she had no idea what to say.
Mahiru felt a little resentful, too. So after all that, the type he likes is someone like Shinka? Ugh—why wasn't the picture me?
Megumi poked at the doll, curious. "What is this? Nibutani, it even has your face on it. Mm… it looks kind of risqué."
"Aaaah, stop talking! I just remembered I've got something to do—put it back under the bed!" Face burning like fire, Shinka forgot all about hunting down her chūnibyō black history and bolted. She slipped on her shoes at the door and fled.
After Shinka left, Mahiru, cheeks pink, traded a glance with Megumi, neither sure what to say. Inside, she still felt a bit sour. Even with her around, Maki-kun was thinking about Shinka…
Hmph. Shinka practically begged to join the club—he must be thrilled.
Megumi, looking adorably blank, seemed not to understand why Shinka had run. She calmly peeled off the life-size printed cover of Shinka from the doll, revealing the layer beneath.
Then Megumi froze.
Mahiru glanced over on reflex—and her heart clenched. Under Shinka's image was… Megumi Megumi.
"Um, Shiina-san, I just remembered a relative needs me for something. I'll get going—see you later." Megumi stood, quickened her pace, and vanished down the hall. Maybe it was Mahiru's imagination, but Megumi looked a little rattled. So she actually knew what a life-size doll like this is for?
Well, well. So the one hiding the deepest is you, Kato Megumi!
When Hayashi Maki came back and saw only Mahiru in the room, he looked puzzled. "Mahiru—where are Kato and Nibutani?"
"Hmph, they left." Mahiru muttered, pointing at the life-size doll. "Maki-kun, shouldn't you explain where this came from?"
Hayashi Maki kept a straight face. "Oh, that? It's a mannequin for our club activities."
"We're a creative club, after all. We can't let months go by without producing anything, right? If that happened, Kirisu Mafuyu-sensei might not want to be our faculty adviser anymore."
"So I'm planning to have the club make life-size models. This one is my practice piece."
"As club president, I should succeed first—then I can teach all of you."
Mahiru listened, half skeptical. In the end, her trust in him won out. "Alright, I'll believe you. But you'd better explain it properly to Kato and Nibutani tomorrow, or you're going to lose two club members…"
Hayashi Maki smiled and nodded, his eyes settling on the lovely Mahiru—and then he flashed a mischievous grin. "Mahiru, since Kato and Nibutani left, let's switch to a different club activity."
He pulled out a pair of white stockings and handed them to her. "I haven't seen you in white tights yet. Put them on for me?"
Mahiru's cheeks went hot. She shot him a playful glare, but still took them. "Just wait, you rascal!"
After enjoying a moment of Mahiru-the-angel's soft charm in white stockings, Hayashi Maki walked her back next door.
As luck would have it, she was on her period today, so even if he'd wanted to misbehave, there was no way. As for why she didn't stay over, Mahiru wanted to tidy up her own room. It was right next door—if she always slept here, wouldn't that be a waste?
You need to go home sometimes. Besides, everyone needs private space. When you're in a complicated mood, being alone can calm you down. Being close doesn't mean sticking together every day. A little regular distance keeps things fresh.
Back in her room, Mahiru looked at her well-shaped calves wrapped in white stockings, and a rosy blush climbed her cheeks. "He really does like stockings and beautiful legs… what a perv."
Still, as long as he keeps loving her, doting on her, and giving her warmth, that's enough. Shiina Mahiru's wishes weren't high—just a warm home and someone gentle to her, and everything felt happy.
When she cooked dinner, she set aside a portion and brought it to Hayashi Maki next door.
Later, she lay on her own bed for the first time in a while, hugging a pillow; whatever she was thinking about, her face grew redder and redder.
Over to Hayashi Maki: after enjoying Mahiru's delivery dinner, he left, and in an instant appeared at Yukinoshita Haruno's side.
As a result, Yukinoshita Yukino in the room next door had another sleepless night.
After one "mana recharge" session with Haruno—helping the "magic seed" in her body along—Hayashi Maki took his leave.
Next up was Asada Shino. Shino had only just become one of his; she needed reassurance, so of course he would pay extra attention and teach her a few more pleasant "lessons."
~~~
100 Powerstone Bonus Chapter!