By noon, Yukinoshita Yukino, carrying a bento and a sliver of anticipation, headed up to the rooftop.
Seeing the empty bench, her heart felt hollow.
"He's not here yet?"
She sat and pouted.
"Well, he's got Shiina with him… a beauty like that, and her bust is bigger than mine… how could he always have time for me?"
The more she thought about it, the more it stung. Mahiru's sweet smile and the ring on her finger flashed through Yukino's mind, and her eyes grew damp.
From a corner, Kawasaki Saki watched, speechless. She sighed at the sight of Yukino sitting on the bench with teary eyes.
In her view, Hayashi Maki the scumbag had probably hurt her. She didn't even know why she kept coming here to eat, knowing couples were always sneaking up to this rooftop. Maybe it was a girl's nosy streak? Or maybe she was using these scenes to warn herself not to date handsome guys lightly—lest she end up like Yukino, crying alone.
But Saki quickly pulled her gaze back and hid, flustered. The "scumbag" in question had already arrived on the rooftop.
That brazen wolf. Without a word he pulled Yukino onto his lap and lowered his head to kiss her.
Yukino trembled, cheeks flushing, and instinctively tightened her arms around his neck. Having given herself to him, she'd grown attached. A moment ago she'd been jealous of Shiina; now, wrapped in his arms and kissed, all the grievances seemed to melt away.
After a long, heated moment—topping up her mana and catalyzing the "seed" within her—Hayashi Maki reluctantly let go of her soft, rosy lips. He reached up and gently wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes.
"Really now, why's my Yukino-chan crying? Who bullied you? Tell me and I'll go teach her a lesson."
Yukino leaned in and bit his neck, leaving a neat tooth mark.
"You did!"
"You big jerk, lecherous demon—who else would bully me but you?"
"Me?" Hayashi Maki looked honestly surprised and didn't mind the bite mark. He stroked her sleek black hair with one hand, and with the other deftly loosened the bow at her chest.
"Sorry—that was on me. I made my Yukino-chan sad."
Yukino's face burned hotter. His tenderness had gotten to her, and she didn't push him away. She'd wanted his comfort, and now that she had it, her mood smoothed out—even as his touch made her shy all over again.
Hayashi Maki drew a breath, turned her to straddle his lap, wrapped an arm around her slim waist, and pressed his lips to the pale curve of her neck. The soft, snow-white lines, the enticing hollow, the faint fragrance—he gave them special attention.
Blushing, Yukino held his head, her body trembling. With his warmth, everything unfolded naturally. Still—this was shameless. If someone saw, she'd never live it down. Which also… made it a little exciting.
Hayashi Maki had already raised a magical barrier; no one would discover them. He had no intention of letting anyone else see this adorable side of his "Second Heiress." As for the hidden, crimson-faced Saki in the corner—she was fated to become one of his cherished people later anyway, so it was fine.
Hand over her own mouth, Yukino showed the shy beauty of a top-tier heroine.
As for the bliss between "Second Heiress" and Hayashi Maki… let's skip twenty thousand words.
…
When it was over, Hayashi Maki used magic to dry Yukino's skirt and the other damp parts of her uniform. Wearing a satisfied smile, he held her quietly.
Flushed, Yukino nestled into his chest. Seeing his wicked grin, she thumped him once, shy and annoyed. "Pervert. Aren't you afraid of getting caught? Doing… that… up here."
He dropped a light kiss on her lips and smiled. "What can I do when my Yukino-chan shows a face that begs to be comforted? You know I'm powerless against you."
Yukino pouted. "I bet you said the same thing to Shiina."
Hayashi Maki chuckled—jealousy suited her; it meant he'd truly entered her heart. If she didn't care, she wouldn't be jealous, and she wouldn't react to his antics at all.
Taking her hand, he flipped his right palm, and a delicate ruby ring slid onto her finger. "Don't overthink it. In my heart you and Mahiru are equally important. This is a guardian ring that stores mana and protects you—I only just learned how to make them. Mahiru lives closer, that's all; I hadn't had the chance to give you yours. As for Haruno, I'll bring hers separately."
Gazing at the ring, Yukino's eyes misted with joy. Jealousy had no room to linger. She looped her arms around his neck and slowly closed her eyes. "I wasn't overthinking… Anyway… there's still some time at lunch—mmph!"
Hayashi Maki kissed her again. With such an obedient "Second Heiress" practically spelling it out, he'd be a fool not to.
In the corner, Saki squeezed her long legs together, trembling faintly, cheeks burning. Inwardly she kept cursing: shameless couple—how long are they going to keep this up? She suddenly regretted choosing the rooftop for lunch.
After a while, Hayashi Maki and Yukino took out their bentos and ate together—though he continued making her feed him in a mortifying way—then he lay with his head in her soft, smooth lap to enjoy a proper lap pillow from a beautiful girl.
They parted only when class time loomed. Saki hurried off, warning herself never to get involved with a "scumbag" like Hayashi Maki—or she'd end up "emptied out" like Yukino. The man was incorrigibly lewd.
…
Before they knew it, evening had come. As promised, Hayashi Maki would visit Akizuki Marina to "solidify" their contract.
Marina had already bathed and now lay nervously under the covers. By the time Hayashi Maki arrived, she'd pulled the blanket over her head.
He couldn't help but laugh. He went to the bed, slipped a hand under the covers, caught a cool, delicate little foot—and tickled.
"Ahahaha—don't—hey… meany!"
Giggling helplessly, Marina lashed out a few times with her dainty foot. Before long he had her in his arms, claiming her lips in a forceful kiss.
With a good-girl type like her, a firmer touch was exactly what worked.