Bringing Mashiro home, Shiina Mahiru told her to head to the room next door and said she'd call her when dinner was ready.
Mashiro nodded and went back to her room to draw. With Hayashi Maki's pointers, she'd found the right direction—only she didn't draw a "pet girl," she drew the daily life of a "pet boy."
The premise: a boy who came from the UK to become a mangaka and lives a "pet-like" daily routine—he won't get dressed unless someone picks his clothes for him, like a pet. And if Hayashi Maki saw the manga, he'd probably find the pet boy oddly familiar—about 80% like himself.
Thinking it over, Mashiro added another character: the pet boy's best friend, a pet girl. Yes—she drew Mahiru as a pet girl and even included today's Baumkuchen incident.
The plot was a bit out there, but Mashiro's world-class draftsmanship made every person and scene exquisitely detailed. It was surprisingly fun to look at. With leads as attractive as "pet boy & pet girl," that alone is a selling point.
And a manga about two pet-like leads doing everyday life? The industry didn't have one. Most hits were still isekai adventure adaptations like "Yamada Fairy's Fantasy Wars." So if she kept going, a slice-of-life series could plausibly debut and build a following. Mashiro's path as a mangaka was finally on track.
After a while she got tired, set down her pen, and flopped onto the soft bed. Curious, she pressed her hand to her thigh, then to her chest, frowning.
"Strange."
Why did it feel so peculiar when Hayashi Maki touched her?
Puzzled, Mashiro left her room and went to Mahiru and Hayashi Maki's place next door. She saw Mahiru in an apron, crouched and humming as she happily scrubbed the floor. Mashiro crept closer and—extending a pale hand—grabbed from behind at the part of Mahiru that was noticeably fuller than her own.
"Ah!"
Mahiru squeaked; seeing it was Mashiro, her cheeks went scarlet.
"What are you doing, Mashiro-nee?"
Mashiro looked at her earnestly. "Mahiru, does it… feel like anything?"
"How would it?!" Mahiru was ready to tear her hair out. What embarrassing question was this silly cousin asking now?
"It doesn't?"
Mashiro tilted her head.
"Of course not! And if you're going to touch something, touch your own, don't sneak up behind me and scare me!"
Hearing that, Mashiro actually put her hands on herself.
"Stop—cut out that shameless behavior! Mashiro-nee, what are you even doing?"
Mahiru, blushing, pinned Mashiro's hands in place.
"I'm gathering reference," Mashiro said seriously. "They say romance manga are more appealing."
With Mashiro stopping halfway through her explanation, Mahiru could only groan inside.
"So you want to know what romance feels like?"
"Yes."
"Uh… I can't teach you that. Figure it out yourself."
"Okay." Mashiro didn't argue; she turned and left. She'd ask Hayashi Maki later.
Before long, Hayashi Maki came home. The moment he opened the door, apron-clad angel Mahiru greeted him with a smile.
"Welcome home, Maki-kun. Dinner's ready—do you want to eat first, take a bath first, or… me~?"
Seeing the perfect homemaker shine from her, Hayashi Maki swallowed. Then he didn't hesitate—he opened his arms and scooped her up.
"Of course I choose you, Mahiru. I can wait on dinner."
Blushing, Mahiru pushed at his chest.
"I'm kidding. Let's eat first. I bet Mashiro-nee's hungry too—go call her, quick!"
"Alright, I'll spare you for now, little temptress." He pecked her lips, set her down, and headed next door.
"Mashiro, dinner time!"
He'd barely called at the doorway when footsteps approached and the girl opened up—then took his sleeve and tugged him inside.
"Hayashi Maki, come here."
Perplexed, he followed. Sitting on the bed's edge, Mashiro handed him a stack of drafts.
"Oh? Mashiro's manga? Okay, let's see if you've improved."
After a careful look, his expression turned odd.
"'Pet Boy & Pet Girl'?"
"Mashiro, you've got nerve—casting me and Mahiru as those, while you play caretaker."
"Well, the story begs to be roasted, but—unexpectedly—it's fun. Keep going. Focus on everyday life and submit again. I believe you'll debut soon as a mangaka."
"Thank you."
Hearing the praise, Mashiro's eyes crinkled in a happy squint. Then she sat beside him, took his hand, and set it on her pale thigh. Hayashi Maki swallowed on reflex.
"Mashiro, what are you doing?"
Is this a test of my self-control? Doesn't she know I have zero resistance to pretty girls?
"I want to know what romance feels like," Mashiro said solemnly. "So Hayashi Maki should teach me."
"Uh… how do I teach that? Do you even know what romance is?"
"I don't. Hayashi Maki, teach me," she repeated, fixing him with bright, steady eyes.
Hayashi Maki drew a slow breath, slid his hand twice across her silky thigh, then lifted her into his lap and leaned in.
"Alright—I'll teach you. But dinner's waiting, so just a moment, okay?"
"Romance is something you feel yourself. What I can tell you is that kissing is for lovers—people who like each other, drawn together by mutual need."
"And as feelings deepen… it goes like this…"
He gently covered her soft lips with his. Mashiro looped her small arms around his neck, a faint blush rising in her cheeks. She carefully savored the strange, heart-racing warmth—soaking up this brand-new knowledge for the sake of becoming a mangaka.
~~~
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