Shiina Mahiru was a sensitive girl.
Feeling Hayashi Maki use magic to blow her hair dry and comb it for her gave her a cozy, tender warmth. It had always been Aunt Koyuki who used to brush her hair. Now, she had someone who could cherish her for a lifetime.
As a demon's familiar, Mahiru's senses were far sharper than ordinary. She clearly noticed Hayashi Maki's breathing grow quicker. Thinking of what that might mean, her cheeks tinged pink—and she looked even cuter.
"Mahiru, your hair's dry now… though, feels like I might have to dry it again later," Hayashi Maki teased, breathing warmly by her ear. Seeing her slender body give a tiny tremble, he couldn't help a mischievous smile.
"Ugh… you're awful. Are you thinking of doing bad things again?" Mahiru shot him a reproachful glance, then lowered her head in shy embarrassment. His gaze was too intense; it flustered her.
Hayashi Maki stroked her soft golden hair, opened his arms, and wrapped up the petite girl in front of him. With a light squeeze around her slim waist, he lifted her into his lap.
"How could I do 'bad' things? It's obviously a good thing."
Resting his chin on the angel's fragrant shoulder, he breathed in her faint perfume, heart swaying. Fresh from the bath in a beige camisole dress, dewy skin glowing, long fair legs, and that angelic face—just looking at her made his heart skip.
Such a beautiful girl was his. The thought filled him with pride. Boldly carrying her away, back at the very beginning—it had been the right move.
And Mahiru wasn't only good at housework. She'd become friends with Yukinoshita Yukino, counted Asada Shino among her closest, even got along with Miura Yumiko and Shinka. Aside from the Akizuki sisters, Eriri, and Utaha-senpai (whom she'd yet to properly meet), Mahiru handled everyone gracefully—no "battlefield" drama in sight.
Feeling his arm tighten at her waist, catching the heat in his eyes, Mahiru's breath quickened too. She leaned the back of her head against his chest, inhaled, then turned in his lap, slipping her pale arms around his neck.
"Bad man… go on and bully me," she whispered.
Holding her, Hayashi Maki kissed her cheek with a smile. "I couldn't bear to bully you, my Angel. Stay by my side for the rest of our lives."
"That line should be mine," Mahiru murmured, rubbing her cheek against his chest. "Maki-kun, since you carried the broken, lost me home that day—take responsibility. You're not allowed to abandon me."
"Uh… abandon? What are you—That could only happen if I—mmph!"
Mahiru sealed his lips with hers, not letting him finish. She wouldn't let him say that word.
Her initiative sparked the fire he'd held in check since the "Mashiro incident." Being close with the girl he loved—that was life's sweetest pleasure.
A while later, they parted. Sitting in his lap, Mahiru gazed at his handsome face, eyes soft as water. "Maki-kun, don't say that word so casually. There are so many things I want to experience with you—so many memories to make together."
Touched, his eyes gentled. He stroked her hair and nodded with a grin. "Okay. I promise."
He drew a breath, set his hand on her slender shoulder. The beige strap of her dress slipped naturally. He leaned in to kiss her white throat and traced her delicate collarbone with soft lips. Mahiru's cheeks burned; still, she stroked his hair gently, a little shy but encouraging him on.
Staring at her perfect lines, he couldn't hold back any longer. He held her close and leaned back with her—
…
Whatever skill Hayashi Maki had, he'd largely honed with Mahiru (and, admittedly, some "secondhand" lessons from films in a past life).
After the tender storm, Mahiru lay in his arms, cheeks rosy with a blissful smile. "Good night, Maki-kun," she whispered, closing her eyes.
"Good night, Mahiru—my Angel."
They slept soundly.
Across the hall, Shiina Mashiro couldn't sleep. For all her lack of common sense, she was sensitive in certain ways. Past midnight, with no desire to draw, she crawled out of bed, quietly opened Hayashi Maki's door, lifted the edge of the blanket, and slipped in. A proper "pet" knows how to snuggle up to its handler. Clinginess is normal for a pet… right?
She didn't know why he hadn't kissed her like last time, but if she showed her clingy side, he wouldn't be able to resist. He'd called her cute, and when he carried her earlier, his breathing had grown fast—just like before.
Pressing her cheek to his back, she finally smiled and closed her eyes, feeling safe.
…
Next morning.
Mahiru woke right on schedule—time to make breakfast. Even after last night's "strenuous exercise," Maki-kun had said it was "mana replenishment" and good for her. Sure enough, she felt bright and lively. Only… why was Mashiro here again?
At some point, Mashiro had slipped into Maki-kun's arms—now the two girls each held one of his arms. Mahiru pouted. A sneaky kitty indeed. Still, she remembered Mashiro would become a dear sister—a family member—and let it go. She got up to cook.
When she left, Mashiro opened her eyes, wriggled forward, and lay across Hayashi Maki's chest, pulling his arm around her waist. Only then, satisfied, did she close her eyes again.
Half an hour later, Hayashi Maki stirred, surprised by the softness in his arms. Had Mahiru really not gotten up to cook?
Well—fine by him. He didn't much like waking to an empty embrace anyway. Might as well start the morning with a little workout.
He stroked the golden hair of the girl in his arms and, without looking, began, well, his "routine." But then, his partner's eyes welled with tears—she looked up at him, eyes streaming. He'd hurt her.
"Mashiro? Why is it you?"
He stared, stunned, at the tear-bright eyes of the girl in his arms.
~~~
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