The sequence of events was actually quite simple.
Due to the current emphasis on practical skills, very few students pursue magical engineering technology.
Even among those proficient in magical engineering theory, only a handful are truly capable.
Thus, they inevitably found themselves in a delicate situation with a shortage of technicians, giving both the student council and the club alliance a headache.
But just then, Watanabe Mari suddenly recalled something Mahiro had said months ago while adjusting a CAD.
He had mentioned that all his skills were learned from his landlord and that he hadn't been studying for long, yet his tuning abilities were remarkably outstanding.
Who was Mahiro's landlord?
Naturally, it was the Shiba siblings, and Mayumi remembered this very clearly.
So, Tatsuya was invited to join the magic engineering technician team. However, after joining, he proposed bringing Mahiro on board as well.
Using the reasoning that Mahiro's skills were no less than his own, he dragged him into the mess.
And so, Mayumi, acting as the representative, staked out the library—leading to the scene unfolding before them now.
"That's how things are."
Mayumi twirled a lock of hair around her finger, playing with it absentmindedly.
Though she spoke so casually, she actually felt a little guilty inside.
She had known early on that Mahiro's CAD-tuning abilities were exceptional, and this responsibility shouldn't have fallen on Mahiro in the first place.
After all, as a participant, he was already plenty busy.
But there was no helping it.
The technician team was severely understaffed, and they couldn't bear to pass up a magic engineer even Kitayama and Tatsuya praised so highly.
Left with no choice, they resorted to desperate measures—treating a dead horse as if it were still alive.
"So, Mahiro-kun, will you help us out?"
Mayumi put on a pitiful expression, and even someone as immune to charm as him felt a slight flutter in his chest.
He sighed helplessly. "Fine, I'll take on the trouble. But my energy is limited—I can only handle CAD tuning for three people."
"Also, the trust between a magic engineer and a magician is crucial during CAD adjustments. They must cooperate wholeheartedly without the slightest resistance. So, I'll personally choose those three. Is that alright?"
This wasn't him making excuses—his energy truly was limited, and CAD tuning was a hassle on top of that.
For the Nine Schools Competition, magic engineers weren't just responsible for CADs. They also had to oversee the competitors' training and combat strategies.
As for personally selecting the candidates, aside from the fact that he was ostracized by First Course students, the main reason was that he didn't want to tune CADs for male students. Stating this upfront would save trouble later.
Mayumi agreed readily.
"Mmm~ Of course, no problem."
"But you know!"
Her tone suddenly shifted as she pouted dramatically, her slender body swaying slightly.
"Even though you're sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with a beauty like me, Mahiro-kun, you show absolutely no intention of making a move."
"I'm so sorry! A plain older sister like me with a childlike figure can't compare to Mibu-chan at all."
Mahiro: "???"
He stared blankly at the senior who had crossed her arms and was now wriggling coquettishly.
In the process, their bodies inevitably brushed against each other.
This sudden turn of events nearly gave him whiplash.
Childlike figure? Not even close!
Mayumi was indeed a bit short, not even reaching 160 centimeters, but she could hardly be described as having a childlike figure. On the contrary, she possessed a slender and mature silhouette with perfect curves.
However, as he observed his senior's demeanor, Mahiro's lips curled into a smirk. He then reached out and placed a hand on Mayumi's shoulder, firmly holding her squirming body in place.
His gaze locked with her wine-red eyes.
"Could it be... that the student council president was expecting me to do something to you?" he asked, slowly closing the distance between them until their breaths and body heat became unmistakably palpable.
"Isn't that right? Someone like Mibu, that kendo beauty, would suit your tastes better, wouldn't she?" Mayumi retorted, seemingly oblivious to his approach as she puffed out one cheek in a pout. "Even with a beauty like me sitting right here, you remain completely indifferent."
Though he wasn't sure how things had escalated to this point, Mahiro suddenly understood—Mayumi seemed to be jealous. Was it because he had been spending so much time with Sayaka lately and hadn't interacted much with her?
He didn't know the exact reason, but that didn't stop him from feeling mischievous. Leaning in close, he whispered by her ear, "The reason is simple. I'm not an exhibitionist. I won't make a move on a woman in front of surveillance cameras—I'd end up in jail."
"Huh...?" Mayumi froze, then turned her head to spot the security camera behind them. Her expression immediately grew flustered, her gaze darting around nervously.
"W-well... what if there were no cameras or anyone watching? Let's say... if it were just the two of us, booking a hotel room together...?"
"That's quite the bold proposal. I never expected my senpai to have such thoughts..." Mahiro chuckled. "But if meat is served right to my lips, how could I refuse? I'd devour you without hesitation, leaving nothing behind."
"E-eh...?!"
With a series of frantic clicks, Mayumi—now beet-red—pressed herself against the wall, looking utterly defenseless and pitifully adorable. She tried to put as much distance between herself and Mahiro as possible in the confined space.
But Mahiro had no intention of letting his mischievous senpai off the hook. He closed in, cutting off her escape route before speaking under her stunned gaze:
"Just like this."
The next moment, Mayumi felt the world spin around her.
His scorching breath brushed against her face, and an unfamiliar sensation pressed against her soft cherry lips. Mahiro was savoring her like fine wine, tasting a hint of sweetness and a faint trace of mint.
In that instant, Mayumi's mind exploded in shock.
Unbelievable!
She had only meant to tease her adorable kouhai a little.
Yet, who would have thought he'd be so bold—forcing a kiss on her?!
My first kiss... just like that?!
Her fair cheeks flushed crimson, as if about to drip blood.
"Mmmph—!!!"
After what felt like an eternity, Mayumi finally snapped back to reality. Summoning strength from who-knows-where, she shoved him away.
"M-M-Mahiro! H-how could you do something like this...?!" she stammered, barely able to form coherent words.
"Wasn't this exactly what you were hoping for, senpai?"
"Ugh... Mahiro-kun already has Mibu-senpai... And this was my first kiss too... Didn't you say you wouldn't make moves on women under surveillance?!"
She felt utterly deceived!
Despite her bold teasing with Mahiro earlier, she was actually extremely innocent at heart.
Like those internet veterans who turn into awkward messes in real life.
However, Mahiro remained silent, simply smiling.
In truth, he had already hacked the surveillance with magic when entering the private reading room.
Not for any inappropriate reasons with this senpai.
Simply because he held no fondness for surveillance equipment.
It always reminded him of those miserable days at the Fourth Research Institute.
As for the first kiss, it was the same for him.
That was his first kiss of the day.
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