Standing at the door, Katsura Kotonoha didn't go back inside until Hayashi Maki's figure disappeared from view.
Everything today felt special to her.
First, the people who'd been spreading rumors about her finally confessed—whatever forced those awful girls to apologize, at least she'd received their contrite apologies.
Second, she'd found a special friend.
Or… a boyfriend?
That feeling of having someone to lean on was something she really enjoyed.
Now that Hayashi Maki had left, her heart felt suddenly empty.
Thinking of how he'd held her by the waist just now, she could still feel the warmth lingering there.
"Did big brother leave already?"
As soon as she returned to the living room, a petite loli jumped out and startled her with a question.
Patting her full chest, Kotonoha shot her sister a look. "Kokoro, what are you doing! Jumping out like that—you scared me. And weren't you asleep?"
Kokoro rolled her eyes. "Silly sis, if I didn't pretend to sleep, how would you get alone time with big brother?"
"If I hadn't clung to him and acted cute, you would've just kept fidgeting, sitting there like a wooden doll!"
"That won't do. If you don't make a move, a handsome, gentle guy like him will get snatched up by someone else."
Her reasoning—sharp and neat—left Kotonoha a little stunned. She didn't know how her sister knew so much, but she took it to heart.
"Mm… I'm not that clueless… Maki-kun even praised me just now—said I'm exceptional, and earlier that I'm pretty."
Blushing, she mumbled; Kokoro could only sigh. "There are tons of pretty girls in the world. Why should he choose a ditzy big sister like you?"
"This…"
"Alright, trust me. I can call him and pester him to tutor me—then you'll have a reason to invite him over, right?"
"Uh… and that's not because you don't want to do your homework?"
Kotonoha eyed her mischievous little isster suspiciously.
"No way! Sure I like my phone, but I haven't fallen behind. I'm top three in my year—those problems are easy!"
(Really, she just wanted to flirt with the handsome, gentle big brother. Why else sit in his lap and wiggle on purpose?)
At the moment, Kotonoha hadn't realized her biggest rival was actually her sister. But it wasn't a big problem—Kokoro adored her sister, so she wouldn't snatch him away; she'd help instead. Of course, if big sis couldn't do it, Kokoro would bravely step up. A man this handsome and kind couldn't be missed.
If Hayashi Maki knew her thoughts, he'd sigh again at how "grown-up" she was for her age. So young, and already scouting for excellent men.
In truth, Kokoro didn't want to know so much. But the family was what it was: Dad was basically nonexistent, and Mom never spoke of him, just buried herself in work and business trips.
Big sister seemed mature, but inside she was like soft dough—no assertiveness. Even when Kokoro noticed the pressure weighing on her sister, there was no way to comfort her; they didn't even attend the same school, so she couldn't help there either.
Now, finally, someone her introverted sister trusted had appeared—and he was a gorgeous guy Kokoro liked at first sight. Naturally, she couldn't let her sister miss such a man. For the family—for her sister's happiness—little Kokoro felt like she was carrying the world.
"C'mon, sis—tell me how you met Hayashi Maki-nii!"
The sharp-eyed Kokoro began gathering intel. Kotonoha, lacking strong opinions, didn't hide anything and recounted how they'd met—though she left out the "heaven-fire" incidents to avoid scaring her sister.
As they chatted, Kokoro fed her sister strategies for "capturing" Hayashi Maki. The more she heard, the more Kotonoha blushed. Was this really okay? They'd only met today, and Kokoro was already telling her to make things official…
—
Back to Hayashi Maki.
He had already returned home. The moment he opened the door, Shiina Mahiru came over with a warm smile. Pink apron, bare calves, a white camisole dress, an angelic face and bright, sweet smile—she radiated peak "wife" energy.
"Maki-kun, welcome back," she said softly.
He swallowed, nodded lightly, and smiled, warmed through. "Mahiru, I'm home."
He stepped forward and naturally pulled her into an embrace. She rested her cheek against his chest, nuzzling, breathing him in.
"…Mhm. No other girl's scent—so you didn't make a move on that curvy classmate?"
"Ahem… isn't it a bit much to make a move the very first time we meet?"
He caught her look of disdain. "Didn't you 'make a move' the first time you met me—by hauling me to bed?"
"And Yukino—she told me you stole her first kiss right after you met. Same for Minatsu, and Mafuyu's first kiss… and—oh, right—Shinka, Kato, and Yumiko—mmph!"
The sly Hayashi Maki cut off her tally by boldly kissing her soft lips, not giving her a chance to continue scolding him.
Mahiru swatted his chest a few times with tiny fists, then naturally looped her pale arms around his neck and returned the kiss. He swept her up and strolled inside; on the sofa, he gently stroked the angel's silky golden hair, breathing in her faint, intoxicating scent.
She wasn't wearing over-the-knee socks today. Her slender, ivory legs looked like carved white jade—adorable and alluring. Normally she'd never show off such pretty legs; going out or to school, she always wore white or black thigh-highs. At home, trusting him completely, she let her charm show.
Mahiru narrowed her eyes, gazed at him tenderly, then slowly closed them. She might have felt a pang when he ran off after class to pick up the newly-met Katsura—but he came home, came back to her, didn't he?
That was enough. She didn't want much—just this small home, just his warmth and care. That's all.
It's just… the backyard of this home was getting crowded—so many new flowers, thanks to this philandering man…
~~~
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