They spent a full, satisfying afternoon.
After club hours ended, everyone headed home.
Back at home, Nibutani Shinka tugged out the pendant at her neck, shut her eyes in mock-seriousness, and clasped her hands in prayer.
"Spirits, by the name of Mori Summer, I summon you—show yourself!"
"…"
"Aaaaah—this is so embarrassing!"
A second later she crouched, clutching her head, then rolled back and forth on the floor.
"Uuu, I hate this. Ever since I saw Maki-kun use magic, I want to be a mage even more."
Even the chūnibyō incantations slipped out on their own.
"Damn Maki-kun—he won't even teach me how to train magic, how to get mana!"
It felt like he was showing off just to bait her into asking. But, to be fair—without a contract, how could you plant a mana seed? If anything, Shinka just wasn't ready yet; she couldn't blame Hayashi Maki.
What she didn't know: because she'd left the window open, two girls had seen the whole chūnibyō act; their eyes were sparkling.
"Eye of the Wicked Lord—looks like the Mighty Mjolnir Maul is about to gain a new comrade, and a living mage, the creator of the Mori Summer Grimoire, death!" said a blonde twin-tail whose tails were tied with little cloth pouches, to a girl beside her wearing an eyepatch with a single ahoge.
The eyepatch girl covered her eye and struck what she thought was a cool pose with a sly smile.
"Heh heh… Whether she's a comrade of the Eye of the Wicked Lord and Thunderous Mjölnir Wielder remains to be seen."
As she struck the pose, her phone rang. The ahoge girl froze—then panicked.
"Crap—the Tuner is on her way. Dekomori, I'll slip out first!"
"No problem, death! Dekomori will do her best, death! Leave confirming Mori Summer-sama's identity to Dekomori, death!"
With her signature "death" verbal tic, the girl scampered off proudly.
Shinka, meanwhile, sneezed. Something felt off—like trouble was coming. Thinking of Hayashi Maki's magic, she couldn't help a stab of envy. She pulled out her phone and messaged him.
Shinka: "Maki-kun, you there?"
Hayashi Maki: "Just got home—lying in my room. Mahiru won't let me help in the kitchen."
Shinka pouted, feeling a stab of sourness. Those two were basically living together now.
Hayashi Maki: "What's up? Trouble?"
Shinka: "Not really… I'm just curious how to learn that magic."
Hayashi Maki's expression turned wry—and then he chuckled. So Mori-sama was coveting his magical ability.
Hayashi Maki: "You should ask Mahiru. She's got magic now—didn't you notice?"
Shinka: "Huh? Since when? I can't tell at all!"
Hayashi Maki: "Didn't you notice she's stronger? And… prettier?"
Shinka: "Can't tell. She was already super pretty—how do you get more pretty?"
Hayashi Maki: "I mean her aura—it's changed."
Shinka: "…So how do I get mana and cast spells?"
Hayashi Maki: "Ask Mahiru."
Shinka: "Can't I ask you? You're the one teaching magic."
Hayashi Maki: "Alright, since you insist: there's only one way to gain magic power—give your purity to me."
Shinka's face went scarlet. No wonder he'd been shy to say it… so it really was that.
Pouting, she thought of his very practiced kissing and felt a twinge. He must've "trained" with Mahiru many times.
Shinka: "Aren't you a demon? Can't you teach me another way?"
Hayashi Maki: "Nothing comes from nothing. Mana doesn't spring from thin air. For ordinary people, mana is life force. If you want mana—and the ability to grow it like I do—you have to sign a contract with me and establish a mana conduit."
Shinka: "So we have to… do that?"
Hayashi Maki: "Yes. Which is why I've only kissed you so far. I do respect your wishes—if you don't want to, I won't force you."
That was a lie—if she truly refused and tried to leave, he'd force the issue. But she didn't know that.
Shinka's cheeks burned. She didn't know what to say. "I'm willing"…? That was shameless. Selling herself for magic felt wrong. She wasn't that kind of girl.
Hayashi Maki: "Tell me when you're ready. I'm looking forward to it, Mori-sama."
Shinka: "Mm… I'll think about it. Thanks for explaining."
Hayashi Maki: "You still have to think? Tch—didn't say yes right away? Guess my impression isn't deep enough. Tomorrow at break—wait for me. I'm going to kiss you."
Shinka: "What?! Didn't you just say you'd respect me? Now you suddenly want to—"
Hayashi Maki: "Can't help it—I'm a possessive demon. Be ready. It's also prep for the mana conduit; I'm helping you become a mage. What other man would do so much for you?"
Shinka: "Pfft. Don't kid me—you just want to bully me."
He didn't deny it. He did want to be close to her—he was a demon; what was the problem?
After teasing her a bit, Hayashi Maki ended the chat. Shinka, face aflame, was sure she wouldn't sleep tonight. She didn't hate him—he'd saved her, and she could feel that he did like her. But making a girl ask for that? Too weird. Didn't she have any maidenly pride?
Couldn't he be like with Mahiru and… force her?—No no, stop thinking that! Shame on you, Nibutani Shinka!
Blushing furiously, she rolled back and forth on the bed, hopelessly conflicted.
~~~
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