While Hayashi Maki was lost in thought, the class buzzed with chatter.
"Hey, Yui—how's the part-time job going these days?"
Miura Yumiko couldn't hold back her curiosity and looked to Yuigahama Yui.
"It's fine! The manager's really easygoing—also super pretty."
The scariest thing about a part-time gig is running into a nightmare boss or lazy, clueless coworkers. But none of that exists at Saionji Youko's shop. The only troublemaker was put in his place by Hayashi Maki and then fired by Saionji.
Everyone else is easy to get along with—especially Mahiru, Asada Shino, and the occasionally-helping Aoyama Nanami. They even look out for Yui.
In short, the place is harmonious—none of that petty office-drama nonsense. And really, getting bullied as a convenience store clerk would be way too much.
Hearing Yui, Yumiko perked up.
"Sounds fun. Yui, are they still hiring? I kinda want to try."
Working part-time didn't exactly fit a girl like her, but she was interested in "real world" experience—and getting paid didn't hurt.
At that, Yui glanced at Shiina Mahiru for backup.
"I'm not sure—that's up to Shiina-san."
Mahiru smiled and took the handoff.
"They are. If you want, Yumiko, come try it this afternoon."
"As for me, I've got something else to handle, so I'm skipping today."
"Huh? You're not going?" Yumiko pouted, a little let down—she'd wanted to work alongside Mahiru.
"No helping it—some things I have to handle myself. You, Mori—uh, Shinka—and Yui can go together. Oh, and I almost forgot: Kato too."
Mahiru had arranged to meet her older sister Shiina Minatsu today, who would be bringing over some of Mahiru's things.
She also wanted to ask Minatsu what exactly had happened with Hayashi Maki. Sure, Hayashi Maki would talk if asked—but if anyone could keep the "household" harmonious, it was Mahiru.
That's the upside of being cute and competent: I, Shiina Mahiru—the "Angel"—am willing to accept you and share Maki-kun; what's there to be upset about?
Seeing Mahiru truly had plans, Yumiko dropped it and started whisper-planning the interview with Yui. She'd never worked a shift before and was a bit nervous.
Mostly, Yumiko didn't want her friends to drift away; if Nibutani Shinka, Mahiru, and Yui were all doing social practice together, being left out would feel lonely.
Yumiko's greatest strength was how much she cared about her friends. She could act haughty and queenly, even domineering—but when it came to people she considered friends, she believed in them.
"Whoa, no way—Yumiko, you're getting a part-time job?"
Kakeru Tobe barged in, loud as ever. "That's so not you. Working doesn't suit you at all."
"C'mon, Kakeru, don't say that," Hayama Hayato slid in smoothly, killing the awkwardness. "Social practice is great. If I didn't have soccer practice, I'd try it too." Sunshine as always.
Yumiko had been about to snap at Tobe, but Hayama's words made her settle for a huff. She shot Hayama a pointed look.
"Shame you can't come, Hayato-kun. Guess I'll have to go with Hayashi Maki instead."
Hayama didn't look the least bit bothered. He clapped Hayashi Maki on the shoulder, smiling.
"Maki-kun, looks like you'll be the knight in shining armor again."
Hayashi Maki waved it off.
"How about I do your soccer drills and you go be the escort?"
"Haha, let's not," Hayama chuckled, scratching his head. "My senpais would kill me."
He had zero interest in working, much less accompanying Yumiko—if people got the wrong idea, pursuing Haruno would get complicated.
Seeing him decline, Hayashi Maki added lightly, "If I were you, I'd skip practice and go with Yumiko—much better company, no?"
"W-what are you saying, Hayashi Maki? 'Better company,' seriously…"
Yumiko shot him a shy glare—then snuck a glance at Hayama to see his reaction.
Hayama waved both hands.
"No, no—practice matters. I've trained so long; skipping could get me benched."
"Oh? So Yumiko ranks below soccer practice?"
"Ahem—not at all, I'm just… busy," Hayama laughed it off, suddenly not in the mood to talk to Hayashi Maki. The sarcasm was a bit much—and felt like it was aimed at him, needling his friendship with Yumiko.
Yumiko stared at Hayama for a long second, then turned to Hayashi Maki.
"Then I'll leave it to you this afternoon, Escort-san."
"No problem. I'm not as busy as Hayama," Hayashi Maki said, thumping his chest. The look in his eyes flickered—seemed Yumiko was disappointed in Hayama. The needling had worked.
He honestly despised Hayama's approach: stringing a girl along with gentle smiles, never giving her a future, using her as a human shield. Better to step in decisively and show Yumiko how a "devil" operates.
Back at her seat, Yumiko was a little glum. She'd known Hayama since middle school—she'd been the tennis ace, even took second at city finals, beautiful and popular, and he was the class star.
They became friends naturally. Who doesn't like a kind, warm guy? A straightforward girl like Yumiko naturally liked being around someone gentle.
She thought they'd stay friends and then, naturally, slip into dating. Trusting as ever, she hadn't overthought it. But recently she'd seen another side of him—not warmth, but… she'd actually seen him scold a girl to tears.
So she started to doubt how he really saw her. Did the "warm prince" actually keep her in his heart?
Today's tiny test left her disappointed. Hayashi Maki's snark aside, he wasn't wrong: soccer practice came before Yumiko.
Thinking of that scene she'd witnessed, Yumiko felt a little heartsick. So even gentle Hayama could snap—and at a girl?
Her look rattled Hayama. He wasn't stupid; he heard the clumsy test in her words. But he wasn't going to date her, nor agree to her invites for shopping or work shifts.
He'd have to comfort her later—Yumiko was simple and easy to soothe. A few caring lines and she'd smile again. That confidence… was a kind of arrogance. And arrogant people pay a price—like losing the girl who admired them.
Afternoon came. With Hayashi Maki's intro, Yumiko changed into a store uniform and started her first shift alongside Yui—fresh and eager, her worries fading as she brightened up around friends.
No denying it: Yumiko was gorgeous—and her figure every bit as stunning as Yui's. If anything, she stood out a bit more—charisma. Yui is cute and curvy but a touch timid; Yumiko is a queenly social butterfly, naturally taking point in a group, projecting a confidence people follow.
After a while, Yumiko took a bathroom break, then stepped outside the entrance for some air. The AC was nice, but staying inside forever felt stuffy.
Suddenly she spotted Hayashi Maki across the street, under a lamppost—
pinning a cute twin-tailed girl to the wall and kissing her.
Yumiko's face went crimson. What was Hayashi Maki doing? Wasn't he seeing Mahiru? This was two-timing—betrayal!
Her chest rose and fell with anger. As Mahiru's friend, she couldn't let it slide. She kicked off into a run, ready to confront the scumbag on her friend's behalf.