After the results came out, everyone's moods were all over the place.
Some wailed—they'd failed and now faced make-ups. Most just exhaled in relief.
Especially Yui Yuigahama—she barely hit the average in each subject, i.e., a passing mark. One subject even matched the average exactly—her luck was unreal.
With exams done, Yui bounced right back to her lively self, all pre-test nerves gone, and chattered away with Miura Yumiko, Nibutani Shinka, and the others. It's true—having a bubbly friend around really does lift the mood.
Yumiko scored in the upper tier again, keeping her "queen of normies" status intact. A few plain girls in class might envy her, but none could shake her position.
After a bit with her friends, Yumiko flitted over to Hayashi Maki like a butterfly and started fishing for small talk—really, for a little flirting—and invited him to hang out over the weekend. Hayashi Maki, of course, didn't refuse. He liked Yumiko too—no way he'd leave a girl that cute to someone else.
Seeing Yumiko hanging on Hayashi Maki, Tamaki Ako puffed her cheeks, hurried over, and latched onto his arm in turn. Ako's a pro at playing cute, even nestling his arm into her chest for maximum effect.
But the catfight other classmates expected never came; once Mahiru joined the conversation, the vibe got even softer. The girls gathered around Hayashi Maki and started planning where to go on the weekend.
The other guys glared in envy. Hayama Hayato could only smile wryly. Truthfully, he envied Hayashi Maki's boldness—and admired it. But seriously—how is this possible? Isn't Hayashi Maki basically a real-life light-novel protagonist? Why don't girls like Mahiru mind his wandering heart? And even though they obviously get jealous, how does the drama never explode?
He couldn't make sense of it.
Which was the point—most people can't pull off a "crystal palace." You need ambition and responsibility. You need power to protect the girls. And, most crucially, inhuman stamina and a strong body. Hayashi Maki had all of it—and he was genuinely sincere with each girl.
Only sincerity draws sincerity. Lies don't last; they blow up eventually and leave scars Hayashi Maki meant to avoid. He wanted all the girls happy—that's why he was here at all. A warm, easy life takes effort from everyone to build.
Back to the day:
Gabriel was still dazzling. Hayashi Maki couldn't help ruffling her hair again, drawing more death-stares from the boys and one dramatic eye-roll from Gabriel.
She'd realized Hayashi Maki was touching her hair more and more lately; even without dating experience she knew it was… not exactly normal. But she didn't dislike it—and she still mooched meals at his place. With no word yet on Heaven's inspection, she kept up the shining act.
She had to see this through—once she slipped by, Gabriel White Tenma could go back to being a lazy free angel on Earth. …She really wanted to game. Why wasn't the notice coming? Was her sister Zelel slacking off at work?
Lost in thought, Gabriel accepted the pineapple bun Hayashi Maki offered—his "head-pat tax"—and a yogurt. He knew funds were tight, so he kept her fed; making friends with a second-gen angel is always a good bet.
Afternoon came and went. After meeting up with Misoiin, Hayashi Maki handed her the healing potion.
"Just have them drink it. It'll take effect fast. If it doesn't, come find me," he said with a smile.
Sumireko pressed her lips together, then suddenly stepped in and hugged him. "Thank you."
To him, a potion might be a simple item, an easy "gift." To her, if it really worked, it was her best friend's life—an entire future. Hayashi Maki returned the hug, gently patting her head.
"Easy now—no need for thanks. I know you're not ready, so I'll win you fair and square—until you want the contract. Take care of me, okay, Sumireko?"
"Mm. Please take care of me too, Maki-kun." Feeling his gentleness, she relaxed; the safety she felt brought a genuine smile.
After saying goodbye, Hayashi Maki headed to the parking lot to wait. Before long, Kirisu Mafuyu appeared in her black business outfit. Her heart lifted at the sight of him, then she forced her face straight and huffed. She'd accepted he was her man, but the second she thought about his philandering, she soured—and she had noticed he'd only placed third this time.
Catching her pout and frosty act, Hayashi Maki grinned and drifted close. "What, I'm not welcome?"
"Hmph, as if I'd dare." Mafuyu brushed past and slid into the driver's seat.
He hurried into the passenger seat. "Don't look so stern, Mafuyu-sensei. You're beautiful that way too, but I prefer your smile."
She shot him a look. "Sweet talker. All you know is how to coax girls. Your score dropped this time—care to explain?"
Hayashi Maki chuckled, eyes playful. "It did, so I came to ask for tutoring."
"Ptch. That's what you're thinking of? Wolf."
Even so, she started the car to take him home. Tutoring… wasn't out of the question.
~~~
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