After leaving the break room, Yumiko ran into the restroom.
She splashed her face with water. Looking at the flushed cheeks in the mirror, she felt even more mortified.
"Damn it… why did I impulsively go to him? I knew he was dangerous. I can't beat him at all."
And…
Thinking about how she'd gotten intimate just now—and even instinctively responded—made her even more embarrassed.
She took a deep breath, straightened her clothes, and felt more conflicted than ever.
At this point, she had no idea what to do. After what he'd done—after being pushed around by that jerk—she didn't even have someone she could talk to.
The more she thought about it, the more aggrieved she felt, and tears began to roll again.
Before she knew it, it was the end of her shift.
Even after receiving her pay, Yumiko didn't feel happy—if anything, heavier.
After saying goodbye to Saionji Youko, she headed home with Yuigahama Yui, Nibutani Shinka, and Megumi Kato. At one intersection, Yui split off.
Shinka, noting Yumiko's red-rimmed eyes and slightly swollen lips, put two and two together. In a low voice she asked, "Yumiko… did someone kiss you?"
"Eh?"
Yumiko's eyes flew wide. "What are you talking about, Shinka? I—I wasn't… kissed."
Shinka gave her a sympathetic look and soothed, "Don't pretend. Your lips are swollen. You look just like I did. It must've been Maki-kun, that big jerk, picking on you."
Megumi nodded in agreement. Of course. Maki-kun was basically a legendary kissing fiend—maybe a kissing demon.
Yumiko felt thrown. "Hold on, let me get this straight. Shinka, are you saying that scumbag Hayashi Maki went after you, too?"
"He did. He's awful," Shinka said, cheeks reddening as she described a certain someone's behavior—using her chūni black history to threaten her and then taking advantage. Way too mean.
"So if he pushed you around, shouldn't we do something?"
Yumiko looked at her, puzzled. But Shinka shook her head, a little shy.
"I don't really blame him anymore. Remember that serial killer targeting women on the news?"
"I do. A vicious criminal. Why?"
Just recalling it made Yumiko shiver. A real demon in human form. Thankfully it seemed like he'd been punished by the gods—reduced to ashes.
Shinka unconsciously touched the protective necklace Hayashi Maki had given her. "That night, Kato and I ran into him. We were nearly hurt—Maki-kun arrived in time and brought the criminal to justice."
"Eh?! He… he did that?" Yumiko was stunned.
She looked conflicted. "But then why did he do that to me? And you—and Kato too! If he pushed you around, and you just accept it…?"
Shinka lifted her shoulders helplessly. "What else can we do? He saved our lives. He's a flirt, but he's also very capable."
She didn't mention that Hayashi Maki was a demon—that was a secret. Since Yumiko didn't know, she'd let her discover it herself.
"…"
Yumiko suddenly didn't know what to say. Shinka's words made her see Hayashi Maki in a new light. But that still wasn't an excuse to push girls around.
"Um, Yumiko—what exactly did he do to you?" Shinka couldn't help asking, curious about her friend who'd suffered something similar.
Yumiko went scarlet. "W-what else? That perv… hugged me and kissed me… and he hit me!"
"Eh? He… hit you? That can't be right—Maki-kun's gentle. He never hits girls."
"W-well, he did hit me. He's a total perv! Don't let him fool you!" Yumiko grated out, though she felt a little guilty—she couldn't bring herself to say she'd asked him to.
Megumi watched Yumiko's crimson face and felt a twinge of jealousy—then, touching the charm she'd been given, relaxed again, warmth rising in her chest.
…
While the three "fellow sufferers" were discussing Hayashi Maki, Shiina Mahiru met with Shiina Minatsu.
Minatsu handed over a photo album that had been in Mahiru's old room. "Mahiru—here. Everything's inside."
"Mm. Thank you for bringing it over, Minatsu-nee."
"No need to thank me—so long as you don't blame me and Mafuyu for 'taking your home.' Honestly… we really hoped you'd come back. We're not used to living there."
Guilt flickered in Minatsu's eyes. One way or another, because she, her sister, and their mother had moved in, Mahiru had lost her home.
Mahiru smiled and shook her head. "How could I blame you? You're kind, Minatsu-nee—if anyone should live there, it's you."
"Alright, let's skip the unpleasant stuff. Minatsu-nee, can I ask you something?"
"Of course. Ask away! If I know it, I'll tell you."
Mahiru smiled and asked, "Then… what did you go to see Maki-kun about earlier?"
"Maki-kun? You mean Hayashi Maki? Mahiru… what exactly is your relationship?"
A bad feeling crept over Minatsu; she asked in a rush. Mahiru didn't hide it—her face softened with happiness.
"Maki-kun is my boyfriend—my family now and forever."
Minatsu trembled. Boyfriend? Oh no. The string in her heart snapped. Thinking of what Hayashi Maki had done with her and Mafuyu, she took Mahiru's hand.
"Mahiru, he's really your boyfriend? Do you know what he did to me—and to Mafuyu?"
"Uh… Maki-kun didn't… kiss you and Mafuyu, did he?"
"Uu—exactly! He pushed us both around and told us not to say a word! How can someone be like that? Mahiru, are you sure he isn't fooling you?"
Mahiru looked a little awkward. Maki-kun was wonderful in many ways—but his flirtatious streak, and the way he teased cute girls, gave her headaches.