After stepping inside, she looked around curiously. Aside from Hayashi Maki's room—which hadn't changed—the rest had: the living room was now twice as large, and Mashiro's room next door had been opened up.
Their rooms were originally on the second floor; after his remodel, this whole level connected with the room next to Mashiro's—essentially creating a three-room floor. Hayashi Maki took the master bedroom, and Mahiru and Mashiro each had their own.
After taking it in, Mahiru got to work—she had to get familiar with the kitchen again. The old one had been cramped; now she could finally stretch out.
"Ah, right—Maki-kun, go pick up Mashiro-nee. Aoyama messaged me just now: Mashiro's on cleaning duty today and will be late. I'm afraid she won't find the right room."
"Got it—on my way."
Hayashi Maki headed toward Mizutaka High.
Speaking of Mizutaka—Airi Akizuki, Marina Akizuki, and Asada Shino were there too. One day he'd introduce them all.
On the way, he spotted a red-name man: in his eyes, a red box hung over the guy like a title in a game.
[Mitaka Jin: Human self-propelled cannon; walking scumbag; juggling 7 girlfriends; married-woman enthusiast.]
Huh? Mitaka Jin? The character from Sakurasou?
Seeing a Red Name sinner saunter made Hayashi Maki itch. He snapped his fingers. Hellfire bloomed from the void and dropped onto Mitaka Jin, who was mid-text with a married woman he was flirting with. The man barely had time to scream before he turned to ash.
Only then did Hayashi Maki feel at ease. He'd burned Makoto Itō to a crisp; taking out Mitaka Jin came with zero guilt. Itō might have had the odd "pure love" route in the game, but Jin had no redeeming arc—dating seven girls at once, a different date almost every day, always carrying condoms, and among those seven, one already had a boyfriend and another was a married wife.
Jin could play how he liked—normally it wasn't Hayashi Maki's concern. But he had girls he cared about at Mizutaka—Shino, the Akizuki sisters, Mashiro, and Aoyama. He wasn't about to let a "king of the sea" swim past their noses; better to humanely remove him. This world needed only one time-management master: Hayashi Maki, the demon.
The execution was a mere aside. He put it out of mind and continued to the school.
Soon he reached Mizutaka. Beneath a tree near the gate, Mashiro sat quietly on a bench. A breeze lifted her golden hair, set against a delicate face and fair skin—like a painting. He still hadn't forgotten her with those scissors, though. The kid needed educating.
He walked up. Mashiro lifted her gaze; her eyes lit up. "Hayashi Maki, you came?"
"Yeah—to pick you up. Let's go home." He smiled and held out his hand. Mashiro nodded, slung her bag over her shoulder, rose, and slipped her small hand into his warm palm.
Under jealous stares, the handsome-guy-beautiful-girl pair drifted out of sight.
Strolling hand-in-hand, they passed a convenience store—Mashiro stopped. She was staring at the Baumkuchen on the shelf. Seeing her obvious longing, Hayashi Maki heard a chorus in his head: Buy it for her! How can you be stingy when Mashiro looks like that?
He shook it off and led her inside. No speeches—he bought a small bag of cakes and handed her one. Mashiro tore it open with practiced ease and nibbled like a hamster, happiness sparkling on her airheaded face.
After one, she reached into the bag for another. Hayashi Maki caught her hand. "If you still want more after dinner, I'll give you another."
"Mmph… it's Baumkuchen. Mashiro can eat any number!"
She grabbed with the other hand, snatching one fast. Hayashi Maki could only ruffle her hair and put on a stern face. "Just one more. Save the rest for when you're tired from drawing."
"…Okay." She glanced up—and obeyed. She'd figured it out: Hayashi Maki was easier to soften than Mahiru. He'd only lightly tapped her butt the other day; Mahiru would actually spank.
Of course, so long as she didn't anger Mahiru, Mahiru was as gentle as Rita. Mashiro planned to behave for now—two cakes here, and the rest would still be hers at home.
Back at the villa, Mashiro wasn't surprised—or she simply didn't care. With a keeper to handle her room, why worry? Manga, drafts, pens—all present. That was enough. Oh, and clean panties in the cabinet.
Her room now lay right next to Hayashi Maki's; step out and the living-room sofa was there. Thinking back on her day with Hayashi Maki and Mahiru, she returned to drawing—adapting the "cut the big bug" incident into a little 4-panel skit.
With Hayashi Maki's guidance, her "Pet Boy" manga submission had received editorial approval. But she hadn't drawn much; there was no clear plot or romance yet, so the editor asked her to draw more before resubmitting.
While Mashiro drew, Hayashi Maki was in his room calling to lecture—not harass—the net-addicted girl. Not the in-game "wife" Ako; he hadn't met her yet. Shiina Mafuyu.
Mafuyu was indignant—bullying her and stealing kisses at school was one thing, but now at home he wanted her to quit BL games? Why did he have to butt in?
~~~
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