Unable to bear Hayashi Maki's frightening "threat," Sanshokuin Sumireko had no choice but to come clean.
"In my first year of middle school, not long after I enrolled, my looks and figure made me the focus of the boys' attention."
"Every day my shoe locker was stuffed with confession letters."
"Of course, I didn't want to pay any attention to them—I just wanted to read quietly."
"But it wasn't only boys in my year. Second-years and third-years came over one after another to cozy up to me, pretending to 'happen to meet,' trying to date me."
"Back then I was gloomy and introverted; I was too shy to even talk to boys, so I always ran away immediately."
"When I truly had no choice and got cornered for a confession, I refused."
"And that offended the girls who liked those boys."
"I don't know when it started, but rumors spread that I was 'seducing other girls' boyfriends.'"
"I didn't want to explain, but being ostracized by the girls and targeted by some confessors I'd rejected was unbearable."
"When I was really miserable, a second-year upperclassman stepped up and said he was my boyfriend so people would stop bothering me."
"Thanks to him, I spent a quiet year of middle school."
At this point Hayashi Maki couldn't help pinching her cheek.
"So that second-year became your boyfriend?"
Sumireko pouted and pushed away his meddling hand.
"No. I just kept reading in the library."
"I never acknowledged him as my boyfriend, but thanks to him I had a peaceful year."
"From that day on he often came to the library. To maintain the illusion that he was my boyfriend and keep others at bay."
"I was grateful—but soon he confessed to me, and I promptly turned him down."
Here, Sumireko seized the big hand on her thigh and gave him a glare.
"Can you behave? Do you want to hear my story or not?"
"Heh, sorry. Couldn't help it—go on," Hayashi Maki said with a sheepish grin, sliding his hand back to her waist.
"Hmph. Wolf." Sumireko grumbled, cheeks pink—but she didn't leave his arms. She wasn't stupid; she knew how strong he was and wouldn't smash an egg against a rock. If she couldn't escape, she might as well let him hold her.
"I didn't refuse because he wasn't excellent—quite the opposite. He was very popular: sunny and handsome, friends with almost every boy, liked by over half the girls. That kind of person makes the perfect shield."
Hayashi Maki blinked. "So you like ugly guys? I can't accept that—I refuse to become ugly."
"Shut up. Don't interrupt!" Sumireko pinched him again, flustered. "Are you going to listen or not?"
"Right, right. I won't butt in," Hayashi Maki said, grinning to lighten the mood.
Sumireko rolled her eyes, gathered her thoughts, and continued:
"There was something off about him. The girls who liked him fought openly and in secret, but he acted like he couldn't see it—until every girl who liked him ended up in a state of despair."
"If he came within two meters of me, I felt crushed. Uncomfortable."
"Talking to him was painful. And every time he came over, there'd be girls around staring at me—girls who looked despairing and yet were willing to do anything for him."
"It was absurd."
"It was like those girls were under his spell. They clearly liked him, but hid their feelings and helped him, creating opportunities for him to approach me."
"I was scared—terrified that I would become one of those despairing puppet-girls. So as soon as middle school ended, I fled that school. I learned disguise from a friend, and snuck my way into St. Hakuro Academy."
"After that I stumbled on the Dimensional Magic Shop and bought the special glasses."
After telling her story, Sumireko's body finally relaxed. She shot Hayashi Maki a plaintive look.
"The witch said if someone takes off these glasses, they'll lose their masking effect—and that despair-inducing man will find me."
"So how are you going to compensate me?"
It was Hayashi Maki who had taken off her glasses. He looked a little abashed.
"No wonder you've still looked so pretty lately. I thought it was because I was special—turns out your glasses have stopped working."
"What else did you expect?" Sumireko ground out, rolling her eyes again.
"Alright—then I'll protect you," Hayashi Maki said, stroking her glossy black hair, marveling at how smooth it felt and how sweet it smelled. "Also… about what I mentioned before—signing a contract and becoming a magic girl—have you thought about it?"
Protecting her was no problem—but he also wanted her to have the power to protect herself.
(And yes, he also coveted her body—after all, the magic seed required a contract to be planted.)
Hearing him bring up the contract again, Sumireko pouted and shook her head without hesitation.
"I refuse."
"You definitely don't have good intentions!"
Her instincts told her that signing a contract meant boarding a pirate ship—once aboard, you were his forever.
Hayashi Maki didn't get angry; he simply kissed the white curve of her neck.
"You'll agree eventually, Sumireko. I'm serious about you."
Her body trembled; she instinctively lifted her chin—only helping him. Hayashi Maki had no intention of hiding his feelings: he was already holding her—why not get a little closer?
"Like hell I'll believe you… you already have so many girlfriends… can you even keep up?"
Sumireko stammered, face red, pressing a hand to his chest, trying to stop him from leaning in. But she was sitting on his lap, wrapped in his arms—where could she go?
"Whether I can keep up—we'll find out." Hayashi Maki's grin turned wicked; he didn't hesitate, and captured her lips in a domineering kiss.
No point pretending—she already knew he was a flirt, a lecher. Sumireko's eyes flew wide; her body went soft. Strangely… it wasn't that unpleasant. Compared to that despair-inducing man, Hayashi Maki's arms were warm—reassuring.
She let herself be lost in his fervor—her perfect figure revealed as the uniform slipped away.
~~~
Thank you for reading!