Kato Megumi's eyes flew wide.
She hadn't been mentally prepared at all, but the warmth on her lips made it clear:
Hayashi Maki was kissing her.
Wasn't that a little too straightforward?!
It left her completely stunned, not even sure what expression she was supposed to make.
Oh right—she usually didn't have much expression anyway. Forget it.
Fighting down her shyness, Megumi's body softened, and her small hands slipped of their own accord around Hayashi Maki's neck.
She'd been scared too, facing that killer earlier.
Hayashi Maki's timely arrival and knight-in-shining-armor moment scored sky-high in her heart.
On top of that, he was the boy who'd been "fated" with her since they were little—and now he was someone she liked.
Megumi honestly couldn't find a reason to refuse him.
Well, maybe "because he's a flirt." But supposedly he's a demon, right? If he's not human, maybe he doesn't have to follow human rules.
Does that make being a flirt… reasonable?
As her thoughts spiraled, Megumi's cheeks flushed on their own.
Either way, her first kiss with a guy felt… kind of wonderful.
Hayashi Maki didn't push things. After a light taste of Megumi's lips, he naturally let her go.
"Okay, Megumi—it's getting late. I'll walk you home. Go take a nice hot bath and get some rest."
He took her hand and had her lead the way.
Megumi shot him a reproachful look, touched her lips, then obediently pointed out the route.
He seemed so practiced—like a repeat offender.
So… how many girls had he treated like this?
"Well then, Megumi—see you tomorrow."
He left after dropping her at her door.
Megumi dutifully took a bath before returning to her room. She flopped onto the bed, hugged a pillow, touched her lips again—her face burning hot.
At the same time, Nibutani Shinka was acting much the same.
Face-down on her bed, she fingered the necklace at her throat, eyes shining with excitement.
That miraculous barrier made her feel like a whole new world had opened.
She couldn't help feeling a little bitter, too.
Why did she only meet someone like Hayashi Maki after she'd "graduated" from her chuunibyou phase?
Now everything felt kind of unreal.
And if she signed a contract with Hayashi Maki, she could become a mage?
Was that really true?
The more she thought about it, the more tempted she was—what was she supposed to do?
…
The next day.
The TV news was on.
"Last night, police broke the serial murder case targeting women and successfully apprehended the culprit."
"The suspect, whose real name is Kazuya Matsushita, confessed without remorse. After being cheated on by his girlfriend, he fell into depression, ultimately killed her, and then vented his anger on other women, creating a series of murders…"
"He now faces trial and long-term civil suits from the victims' families… However, as is widely known, in Japan the death penalty is practically never enforced…"
Shiina Mahiru frowned at the newscast.
"This is awful. They caught a serial killer, so why can't he get the punishment he deserves?"
Bowl in hand, Hayashi Maki kept shoveling rice and said, "Probably because government officials don't want to play executioner. For the sake of appearances, they won't sign off on the families' requests for a death sentence."
"So unless a victim's family has connections, all they can do is wait in pain for the guy to die of old age in prison."
Mahiru sighed. "That must be unbearable for the families."
Hayashi Maki shrugged. "No kidding. Still, I think this one will get what he deserves."
Right then, the news flipped.
"Breaking: During today's hearing, serial killer Kazuya Matsushita showed no remorse in the face of victims' accusations, repeatedly claiming he only killed 'bad women.'"
"His brazen behavior drew down divine punishment—heavenly fire. Matsushita was declared dead at the scene; his body was found charred beyond recognition…"
Mahiru stared, stunned.
"Maki-kun, 'heavenly fire'? Don't tell me some weird entity is behind this?"
Hayashi Maki set down his bowl, scooped Mahiru up, and blew softly in her ear. "What, am I a 'weird entity' in your eyes?"
"Mm… you mean that heavenly fire was yours?"
"Yup. Here's what happened." He recounted how Nibutani Shinka and Kato Megumi had nearly been harmed the night before.
Mahiru's heart lurched. "So that's what happened… Thank goodness you got there in time, or I might have lost two friends."
Hayashi Maki settled his little angel on his lap, kissed her cheek, and murmured, "Don't you think I was too ruthless? Snuffing out a life without a word?"
"Pfft, dummy—what are you talking about?" Mahiru balled a tiny fist and thumped his chest. "I'm not some saint like in your novels. That man got what he deserved. You just made him pay the price—and gave the families a bit of justice."
"So no, I don't think you're cruel. I'm proud of you. My Maki-kun is a hero."
"No, no—I'm just a petty, selfish demon. I'm not worthy of the title 'hero.'"
Hayashi Maki waved it off. Calling yourself a hero felt like setting a flag—no thanks.
Mahiru looped her arms around his neck and smiled sweetly. "In my eyes, you're a hero. And I bet Nibutani and Kato think so too."
Her radiant smile got to him. He took her hand and slid a sapphire-set ring onto her finger.
"Such a sweet tongue. As a reward, here's a magic tool for you."
"Wow—it's beautiful! A magic tool? What does it do?"
Mahiru's eyes lit up; surprise blossomed across her face. A ring… did that mean she was destined to be the lady of this house? The thought was oddly reassuring.
"Of course it does something. I wouldn't give you just a trinket."
"This ring can be hidden—channel mana into it and it turns invisible to ordinary people."
"And since your abilities just awakened and your mana shot up, you've got plenty to spare, right? Feed the excess into the ring to store it. It'll help you train your mana control—and you can call forth hellfire from the ring to attack enemies."
"Whoa, that's amazing! Thank you, Maki-kun. I'll treasure it."
Mahiru kissed his cheek, then cradled the ring on her finger, reluctant to let go. Lately her strength had spiked again; even cooking required careful control to avoid wrecking the cookware.
According to Hayashi Maki, it was because her power had awakened and her mana had surged too fast to stabilize yet.
With this ring, things would be much easier.