After a long while, Hayashi Maki finally let go of Yukino, still a little reluctant.
Looking at her cute, bashful face, he felt a touch smug.
"Yukino-chan, did you level up a bit?"
His roaming hands made Yukino's cheeks burn; she instinctively pressed his mischievous palm down with her soft, pale hand.
"Don't tease me… but it does seem to help."
She glanced down, grew even more embarrassed, bit her lip, and thumped his chest with a tiny fist.
"Big bully—you only ever pick on me. How far are you going to push me before you're satisfied?"
"Mmm… I plan to bully you for a lifetime. How's that sound?"
"Get out of here. Keep it up and I'll bite you."
Even so, she didn't leave his arms.
Hayashi Maki smirked and, with mock solemnity, said, "See? Some things take persistence before you see results. You don't think I'm a fraud anymore, do you?"
"Hmph, you're still a fraud. A super fraud!"
Yukino huffed, then tucked her face against his chest. One thing didn't excuse another—she'd remember forever how he'd tricked her into making such an embarrassing face.
"Ahem. Holding grudges much? Can't we just let that go?"
He stroked her silky hair; that faint, enchanting scent tugged at his nerves, stoking his impulse.
Sensing the change in this devilish rogue, Yukino shyly poked his neck with a finger and grumbled,
"No, I can't. I hold grudges. Since grade school, my recorder and indoor shoes kept getting hidden—over a dozen times by boys, a few by teachers, and twice a dog carried them off. Whenever that happened, I always yanked the problem out by the roots."
Hayashi Maki couldn't help a wry smile.
"So in the end no one dared get close to you, huh? You were right to stand up for yourself, but being that blunt must've made it hard to have friends. Also… what happened to the dog that took your shoes?"
"Friends? I don't need them."
(Well—Mahiru is an exception.)
"As for the dog, I later learned a girl in my class stuffed dog food into my shoes and tossed them by the school gate. When they found the dog, they took it away as a dangerous stray. I never saw it again."
"So, Mr. Demon, you should feel lucky—you're the only one who's bullied me and come away in one piece. Shouldn't you be grateful?"
"Yesss, thank you for sparing me… and now, let me thank you properly."
He dipped his head; warm lips traced the curve of her fair neck, lingering over skin smooth as snow and cream.
"Ugh, I don't want that kind of thanks."
She muttered it, but tilted her chin and slid a hand through his hair—a picture of coy resistance and quiet welcome. Her body was honest, anyway.
They moved to the bedroom. Hayashi Maki grinned.
"Yukino-chan, how about I teach you something new?"
"No thanks… I think I'm fine not learning—mmph!"
Like a born tutor, he never tired of "instructing" the second young lady.
…
Much later, after firming up his pact with Yukino, he pressed a kiss to her forehead.
"See you later, then."
After he left and she'd rested a bit, Yukino opened her eyes and stared blankly toward the door. Her lips puffed into a tiny pout.
"Leaving again… you fickle scoundrel."
…
Back home, thinking of Yukino's shy sweetness, Hayashi Maki licked his lips, savoring it. A pity her body was still too weak—otherwise he wouldn't have wanted to leave so soon. Slow and steady, then: keep strengthening her physique with magic and catalyze the magic seed within her.
After scrolling on his phone for a while, Mahiru came back with a bag of groceries. Hayashi Maki hurried over to help stash them in the fridge. Mahiru's nose twitched; she shot him a reproachful look…
This guy had gone "snacking" again—still carrying Yukinoshita's scent.
Wilting under the angel's wounded gaze, Hayashi Maki resorted to his old rogue's trick—he pulled her in for a deep, tender kiss. Mahiru struggled symbolically and then let him scoop her up by the waist. Together they went to the room that had left the deepest impression on her—the place where she'd first given herself to him, the starting point of their bond.
After some affectionate "communication," Mahiru lay draped over his chest, tracing little circles on it with a fair fingertip. Hayashi Maki's build really was something—his body, as a "devil," was honed to human limits, abs sharply defined. The kind of physique that makes any girl blush and her heart race.
So how was she supposed to fatten him up?
Mu-kun was lazy enough, and he hardly ever exercised, but he still wouldn't put on weight.
"What are you thinking, Mahiru?" he asked when he caught her studying him.
"Mmm… how to turn you into a total slacker…"
"Uh… I'm not slacker enough already? I wait for your delicious cooking, eat and drink without lifting a finger—I'm getting lazier by the day. Isn't that slacker enough?"
"That's different… Sure, you're lazy, but you spend all your energy on girls. Hmph, playboy."
She huffed, then wrapped her arms around his neck.
"I already know about you and Yukinoshita. I've talked with her, too. You don't have to hide it from me."
Hayashi Maki's heart skipped; a few naughty scenes flashed through his mind. Since Mahiru knew—and accepted—maybe he could invite Yukino-chan over and watch those shy expressions bloom…
Well, for a man, being favored by extraordinary beauties—seeing them cling to you—was satisfying in itself. It also filled you with a sense of achievement. Desire tends to swell.
But Hayashi Maki felt that was a good thing.
He loved this leisurely, everyday life.