After a short while, Hayashi Maki slowly let go of Shiina Mafuyu's lips.
Looking down at her, breathing unevenly, the corners of his mouth lifted.
"Mafuyu-chan was very good today. I'm satisfied."
Face burning, Mafuyu rested her cheek against his chest, not daring to look him in the eye.
"Since I was good… can you let my sister off the hook?"
Hayashi Maki tapped the big bow on her head and smiled.
"That depends on Minatsu-senpai. If she keeps coming to pick a fight, I'll have to counter and 'discipline' her again."
"She's your sister—what else could I do to her? Other than kiss her… it's just kissing."
Mafuyu rolled her eyes.
"Scumbag. Having me isn't enough—you still go after my sister. I ought to have Nakamaguro-senpai give you a lesson!"
Hayashi Maki's face darkened.
"Forget that Nakamaguro stuff. Too much BL will only lower Mafuyu-chan's charm."
Then he sealed her lips again. Mafuyu, cheeks pink, answered the kiss. She didn't say it out loud, but Hayashi Maki fit her "Nakamaguro-senpai" fantasy a little too well—so forceful. A real man, maybe.
Both sisters had a strange way of understanding men.
Not that it mattered—Hayashi Maki was thoroughly pleased.
From a corner, Kawasaki Saki didn't even dare breathe. Of all places, she'd avoided the rooftop and chosen the quiet back garden to eat lunch—and still ran into Hayashi Maki, the serial kisser.
And in his arms was yet another super-cute blonde, the big bow a dead giveaway: Shiina Mafuyu.
Saki was genuinely spooked. Best not to cross paths with a man like that. If he set his sights on her, life would get difficult.
—
After "disciplining" Mafuyu a bit more, Hayashi Maki finally let her go.
"Alright—thanks for the treat today, Mafuyu-chan."
"There's still time. Do you want to stay in my arms, or head back to class?"
"Hmph. Mafuyu doesn't want to talk to a big bully. I'm leaving!"
She shot him a glare with those big eyes, stepped on the top of his foot, and darted off. Well, at least she'd "landed a hit on the demon king"; that was something. And she'd gotten a concession—so long as her sister didn't come after him, he probably wouldn't go after her either.
Watching her small figure scamper off after the stomp, Hayashi Maki chuckled.
"Too cute. But that BL habit really has to go. More lessons needed."
With that, he glanced toward a certain corner.
"Come on out, Kawasaki Saki. I've been catching your scent for a while."
Saki's body jerked. Pervert—what did he mean "your scent"?
She decided to hold still and stay hidden.
"No? Then I'll come get you myself."
Hayashi Maki flashed a wicked smile and headed toward her. Saki had no choice but to step out.
"Stop! Don't come any closer. I was just passing by. I didn't see anything, didn't hear anything. That's that. Goodbye."
She turned to run, but Hayashi Maki moved faster—like he'd teleported—appearing right in front of her. Saki clutched her chest and stared, wide-eyed.
"How are you that fast?"
"Basic stuff," he said with a grin. "If my physical abilities were poor, how would I have so many girlfriends?"
Saki silently clicked her tongue. The nerve. "So many girlfriends"… what a shameless, philandering creep.
"What do you want?"
Arms folded to steady herself, she threw him a frosty look. But Yukino's gaze could cut far sharper than hers; to Hayashi Maki, Saki's bravado was paper-thin.
"Heh. What do I want? Money, of course," he said. "Think about how many times you've watched me getting close with girls. I finally caught you this time. No paying up, no leaving."
"I don't have money—and even if I did, I wouldn't give it to you!" Saki snapped, face red. "It's not like I wanted to watch. It was a coincidence!"
"So you admit you watched, right?"
"Hmph, there wasn't much to see. Just an eyesore. I should be billing you for harming my eyesight."
Even as she said it, she felt a little guilty. In truth, there was plenty to see—enough to make her blush and her heart race every time. Hayashi Maki was undeniably handsome, and the girls around him were all stunning.
Sometimes Saki wondered if she'd wandered into a light-novel world and Hayashi Maki was the protagonist.
Hayashi Maki only smiled at her retort and opened his arms.
"Go ahead—try to run. I caught you today; I won't let you off easily."
Saki sighed. "I don't have money. What do you actually want?"
Pointing to his cheek, Hayashi Maki smirked.
"Give me a peck and I'll let you go."
"Pervert! I'm calling the police!"
"Mafuyu-chan said that. Vice President Minatsu said it too. Why do you think I haven't been hauled off yet?"
Saki fell silent. Coming from a poor family, she understood the world differently than most students: to get by, you needed backing. She could barely land a part-time job that paid decently.
People with connections could make money easily, basking in fame and fortune. And given the speed he'd shown just now, she knew she couldn't outrun him anyway.
She stepped closer, then, like lightning, pecked his cheek.
"There. I kissed you. Satisfied? Can I go now?"
Hayashi Maki touched his cheek, a little surprised by her nerve—or her sense for which way the wind blew.
"Yeah. You can go. I got my 'payment'; I keep my word."
Saki exhaled in relief—and felt a little differently about him. For all his faults, he kept his promises.
She turned and quickened her pace—only to hear him again.
"Wait."
She flinched and looked back, annoyed. "Going back on your word?"
"No. I just wanted to ask—can we exchange contacts?"
"Eh?" Saki froze, cheeks heating up. "Are you… hitting on me?" And in a straight-up, serious way at that?
"Yes. Honestly, I admire you. You've seen so many of my 'secret' moments—call it fate, maybe. And since I'm clearly capable of keeping multiple girlfriends, you know what I can do. Having one more capable friend isn't a bad deal for you, is it?"
Saki sighed. He wasn't wrong. After a moment's hesitation, she pulled out her phone and handed it to him—the meaning obvious.
She knew he had "ideas" about her—less than pure ones—but she still found herself accepting the invitation that might lead to a deep abyss.
The reason was simple: she needed money, and a way to make it. She wanted to work, pay her own tuition, and ease her family's burden. While everyone else sang the praises of youthful high-school days, Saki didn't have time to play.
After swapping numbers, Hayashi Maki let her go. He had a feeling Kawasaki Saki would come looking for him again.
A demon's intuition.
~~~
300 Powerstone Bonus Chapter! Thank you!