Back to Hayashi Maki—
That afternoon, he went to pick up Katsura Kotonoha again. He couldn't just show up once and then stop—otherwise new rumors would start, like "Katsura got dumped by her boyfriend," etc.
"Hayashi-san, you're here?"
Seeing him at the gate, Kotonoha's cheeks turned faintly pink; she looked shy. Hayashi Maki, taking in the angelic face and devilish figure paired with that bashful expression, smiled and naturally took her hand, leading her away.
"Let's go. I came because I was worried and wanted to walk you home. But I'll be busy after this, so I may not have time to come every day."
"Mhm… that's okay… y-you can come once in a while," she said, head lowered, staring at their joined hands, voice a little muffled.
She actually wanted to ask if he had a girlfriend, but that felt too abrupt; with her personality, she couldn't bring herself to ask. So she swallowed it.
Not sure what she was thinking—why she'd suddenly gone quiet—Hayashi Maki pulled up his writer account on his phone and showed her. "Look—I'm actually a light-novel author. My editor's chasing me for pages. When I say I'm busy, I mean writing."
Kotonoha's face brightened. "I see. That makes sense."
"So what were you overthinking just now?"
"I… I wasn't," she murmured, looking down.
Hayashi Maki didn't press. The closeness wasn't quite there yet; no need to reveal his "scumbag" résumé. Once she was his and couldn't do without him, then they'd sign a contract—that was the proper way for a light-novel MC to operate.
Sure, honesty was an option—but that might scare her off, put doubts in her heart, and close the door before it opened. So, for now, he kept quiet about other girlfriends.
Which made him feel… a little scummy.
At her front door, he said goodbye. He could tell she wanted to invite him in, but she hesitated. So he chose not to go up—wouldn't be kissing anyway. And Kokoro the loli? Look but don't touch; best to keep distance so he wouldn't do something rash.
With free time to burn, he dropped by Saionji Youko's store. Youko was delighted to see him, and soon he'd slipped into a clerk's uniform to work alongside Asada Shino and Mahiru.
Yumiko Miura, Nibutani Shinka, and Yui Yuigahama were there too. Part-time pay is tempting—and with friends around, it's even better. Youth, in another form.
Hayashi Maki's job was mainly hauling—big cartons he could handle alone. Still, when Yumiko enthusiastically came to help, he didn't refuse. Since their hot kiss last time, the look in Yumiko's eyes held less shyness, more tenderness whenever she glanced his way.
She'd stopped staring at Hayama with that adoring look—and barely spoke to him now. Hayato Hayama, realizing something, could only force a smile. He figured Yumiko liked someone else now—maybe had a boyfriend. He felt a pang, but chose to bless his friend. The only headache: no more "shield."
Hayashi Maki didn't care about Hayama's troubles. Seeing sweat bead the forehead of the blonde beauty helping him, he gently dabbed it away with a tissue. "Why don't you go stock shelves instead? I feel bad seeing you this tired."
"Hmph, looking down on me? I've got strength too—even if it's not like yours," Yumiko said tsundere-style, puffing her chest on purpose. Seeing the way the clerk's uniform strained, Hayashi Maki glanced around: no one nearby. He tugged her into a blind spot out of camera range—and kissed her.
Yumiko startled at his boldness, but in his arms her body turned soft. She was the affectionate type—and this scoundrel had so many others to care for: Yukinoshita, Shiina, Shinka… she barely found time with him. A high-school girl at the age of curiosity about such things, being kissed and held like that…
When he let her go, he lowered his head and brushed her pale neck. After helping haul boxes, her skin was flushed and dewy with a sheen of sweat—blended with her natural scent, it made his head swim. He kissed along the delicate collarbone; his palm, meanwhile, made no secret of his possessiveness.
Yumiko reflexively pressed his hand. "Don't get carried away—we're at work."
"Sorry—it's just, you're too cute. I can't help wanting to be bad."
"Yeah right—you're bad by default, don't pin it on me," she huffed, though her mood had clearly lifted. He'd called her cute. A qualified boyfriend knows how to provide positive emotional value; girls need coaxing.
Waiting aloofly for people to come to you? Be serious. If that 'miracle' happens, install anti-fraud and make sure you're not walking into a honey trap.
Hayashi Maki was an exception—those "miracles" tended to happen. But he preferred to take initiative and claim what he wanted.
He kissed her once more, earning a playful scold, and they went back to work.
From another corner, Sekai Saionji, also in a clerk's uniform, watched with a complicated expression. She felt she'd stumbled on a big secret—Hayashi Maki, handsome as he was, was two-timing (three-timing…) scum.
And per Kanroji Nanami's hint, the terrifying "heaven-fire" cases were tied to Katsura… could they be tied to Hayashi Maki?
Sekai decided she had to investigate—couldn't let her mom be fooled by this playboy.
Hayashi Maki had noticed Sekai hiding, but since she didn't take pictures, he ignored it. A Sekai without Makoto Itō was a good Sekai. And with Itō roasted by hellfire, the school environment was that much cleaner.