Faced with Elf Yamada's accusation, Hayashi Maki wore a mischievous smile.
"There's no such thing as a free lunch. You want to poach my exclusive illustrator; how could you not pay a price?"
Yamada's petite body stiffened. She instinctively took two steps back, crossed her arms over her chest, and eyed him warily.
"W-what do you want?"
Surely this guy wasn't going to make a move on a super-cute beauty like her…?
But Hayashi Maki only shrugged. He didn't touch her—just tapped his own cheek.
"Give me a peck and I'll put you in touch with Eri Kashiwagi. Otherwise, no deal."
"Shameless! Filthy!"
Blushing, Yamada couldn't help cursing.
"What kind of person are you?"
"That's the kind I am. Since you're unwilling, forget it," Hayashi Maki said casually, turning to go.
Yamada stomped her foot in anger. She downed the drink in one gulp and crushed the can underfoot.
"That damned guy—so hateful! He actually wants me, a super-tier beauty, to kiss him? Keep dreaming!"
Handsome or not, Elf Yamada wasn't that kind of girl; she wasn't about to initiate a kiss with a man she'd just met. With no other option, she trudged home in low spirits.
In truth, she wanted to find Eri Kashiwagi because Eromanga-sensei seemed to be having issues lately. If Kashiwagi's older work used to be "dairy cow" specials—busts so exaggerated they were off-putting—then now Eromanga-sensei was a "loli" specialist. Cute, yes, but it didn't fit the other character archetypes in her books. You can't take a bona fide onee-san heroine and turn her into a flat-chested loli, right?
Yamada clenched her fists, eyes firming with resolve. She would collaborate with Eri Kashiwagi—then pull Eromanga-sensei in as well—and together they'd make the ultimate light novel.
…
Having shaken off his little tail, Hayashi Maki headed for Saionji Youko's convenience store. Retainers require maintenance, too—especially a mature woman like Youko; he had to take good care of her, lest she get too forlorn and, well, pent-up.
Rounding a corner, a petite figure collided with him and squeaked.
"Ah!"
Seeing she was about to land on her backside, Hayashi Maki caught her and steadied her.
"You alright?"
"Um…" The girl noticed he was holding her hand and panicked, pushing him away. Blushing, she ducked her head. "I'm fine… sorry, I bumped into you…"
"As long as you're okay. Just be careful next time; don't get hurt," Hayashi Maki said with a smile. He helped her stand and turned to leave.
But inside, he wasn't calm at all. That adorable silver-haired loli—wasn't that Izumi Sagiri? Eromanga-sensei herself?
What a coincidence—running into Elf Yamada and Izumi Sagiri in one day. Things were getting interesting.
…
Sagiri watched his back and sighed softly. She couldn't spare the brain space to think about the handsome stranger. Adjusting her hat and pulling up her mask, she hurried to the hospital.
In a ward, a woman who looked 90% like her, but more mature, lay motionless, a respirator hissing.
"Mom, I came to see you."
Eyes brimming, Sagiri took her mother's hand and poured out her heart.
"Mom, I've taken up the name Eromanga-sensei, but my technique isn't there yet… I'll keep working hard…"
She had to earn money—to hire better doctors and wake her mother.
…
Back to Hayashi Maki—he'd arrived at the shop. The moment he stepped in, Saionji Youko dragged him into the break room. The mature woman's sultry eyes bored into him, tinged with a little pent-up grievance.
"Maki-kun, I missed you. What do you say to that?"
A blush on her lovely face only made her more tempting; there was a little coquette in her smile. Hayashi Maki's fingers twitched. He wasn't some innocent boy; he didn't hesitate. Sliding an arm under her knees, he scooped her up.
"I missed you too, Youko-san. Time waits for no one—how about we… 'rest' a while?"
"Mhm. I'll do whatever you say."
She nestled her cheek to his chest with a sultry smile. Hayashi Maki didn't waste words—he stroked her face, tapped her rosy lips, and lowered his head to kiss her.
"Mmm… mm~"
Youko's body trembled; her white arms wrapped around his neck. Her soft warmth heated under his touch; her breath quickened. His broad palm settled—with practiced ease—on her slim, long calf.
Everything flowed naturally.
He didn't know how long had passed. Having reaffirmed his contract with his retainer, Hayashi Maki left the break room satisfied. Youko had fallen asleep, a contented smile at her lips…
No sooner had he stepped out than he locked eyes with a petite, adorable girl. Her blankly cute face and the blue bow on her headband made her look especially innocent.
"Well, if it isn't little Setsuna. Fancy meeting you," Hayashi Maki said with a smile.
Aoba Setsuna's gaze flickered. She didn't answer—just gave a slight nod and fled. She didn't know what to say—or how to address him. Hayashi Maki didn't chase. There would be time. They'd get closer, sooner or later.
Back home, Hayashi Maki pulled out his phone and called Eriri.
"What is it? Why the sudden call?" Her voice sounded a little flustered.
Hayashi Maki's expression turned odd. "Busy? Did I interrupt you?"
"N-no… I was just in the bath… your call startled me."
His eyes lit up. "Eriri, are you done?"
"Not yet—why?"
"Heh—give me a minute," he said, and hung up.
Soaking in her tub like a mermaid in a fishbowl, Eriri blinked—then the air shimmered, and Hayashi Maki materialized with a grin.
"Ah—mmmph—"
Before she could yelp, he covered her mouth with a kiss. Flustered, Eriri pushed at him; then her body softened. Holding the adorable girl, golden hair dripping, Hayashi Maki lay back in the tub, smiling. Eriri pouted, feeling aggrieved.
"You wolf—you're bullying me again. You must bully Senpai all the time, too."
"I bully more than Senpai. From now on, I'll bully you together with her," he said with a wicked smile, ruffling her hair. "I ran into Elf Yamada today. Super-cute blonde beauty. She says she wants to collaborate with you—make the ultimate light novel together. What do you think?"
"Elf Yamada?" Eriri's eyes lit up at the name. "I'm very interested, but… ugh, I'm swamped. I've got manga deadlines."
Manga isn't like prose—it demands technique and patience.
"What if you teamed up with Eromanga-sensei as well?" Hayashi Maki asked, smiling.
"That could work. I've been wanting to talk with Eromanga-sensei, actually. Her loli characters are so spicy!"