To be honest, Akizuki Marina was impossibly soft.
With the poise of a mature leading lady and a near-perfect figure, her faint, feminine fragrance made Hayashi Maki's heartbeat quicken. As a normal man, he couldn't pretend to feel nothing in front of someone so endearing.
He steadied his breath, cupped her cheek, and asked very softly, "Can I kiss you?"
Marina's slender body trembled; her cheeks flushed even redder. Feeling the warmth at her lips and his unmistakably masculine presence so close, her head went a little light. After a tiny pause, she nodded. "Mm."
Their lips met—gentle at first, then warmer as she relaxed. Images of their last heated moment flashed unbidden through her mind; her body grew a touch weak. She gave a token little push, then simply closed her eyes, too shy to meet his gaze.
Hayashi Maki had come tonight to "strengthen" their bond, but he wasn't going to rush her. She was already his contracted companion, yes, but he wanted both her heart and her trust. While declaring where he stood, he also wanted her to feel his sincerity.
After a while he let her go, smiling at the breathless young woman in his arms, her eyes slightly dewy.
"You smell wonderful, Marina—fresh out of the bath?"
The question made her so embarrassed she didn't know what to say; she gave a tiny nod. "Mm." She was a tidy person—of course she bathed before bed.
Her shy look delighted him. His hand slid down and rested lightly on her slender shin; his fingertips traced a feather-soft line before he gently cradled her delicate foot.
"Was this what kicked me earlier? Then I should… tease you a little for that."
"Uu…" Marina gave a small, plaintive sound and looked up at him, aggrieved. "That's not fair. You were the one tickling me—kicking was self-defense."
He chuckled and dipped his head; his lips brushed a light kiss to her calf.
"D-don't…" she whispered, face burning, her body quivering. She tried to draw her foot back, but her strength failed her; instead, she hesitantly set a hand on his head, torn between shyness and acquiescence.
After a while, Marina covered her face with both hands, mortified. Hayashi Maki laughed under his breath, gathered her into his arms, and stroked her hair.
"Okay, okay—don't be shy. You like me too. You're my person, and it's just the two of us here. It's safe to relax."
"You bully… Demon-san only knows how to tease," Marina huffed, shooting him a look—but somehow she felt much closer to him. Sensitive by nature (save for the rare hopelessly dense soul), she could feel how sincerely he cherished her. She was gentle by temperament—more traditional and reserved than most. Already his, and treated with such care, it was only natural she grew attached.
He kissed her lightly again and kept stroking her silky hair.
"Marina—about Akizuki Kouzou. Has your mom noticed anything?"
If he wanted her heart, he had to care about her life—the things she worried about. And her mother mattered to her.
At the mention, Marina nodded, anxiety showing.
"Mom went to the police. His phone's dead. She even went to his school and asked his relatives—nothing."
Which wasn't surprising—there was nothing left to find.
"Hayashi-san, I'm worried about her…" she began—but he kissed her again, brief and soft, then said seriously, "Call me Maki-kun, or Hayashi Maki. No need to keep me at arm's length."
"…All right. Maki-kun." Her cheeks reddened; she seemed to draw a little closer.
"Maki-kun, I am worried about my mom. Is there a way to let her understand he's gone without breaking her? I don't want her hurt."
He looked a bit torn.
"Unless I adjust her memories, how can she face losing a husband? And we can't tell her what a scumbag he was—that would only make her blame herself."
Marina thought it through and agreed. Her mother had been sweet-talked into longing for that marriage; if she learned Kōzō married her just to target Marina and Airi, she would drown in guilt.
"Maki-kun… could you change her memories? Airi and I are both worried. We can't bear to watch her exhaust herself searching for someone who isn't here anymore."
"I can. If that's your wish, I'll grant it. Give me a minute—I'll be right back."
Hayashi Maki slipped into Akizuki Hanayoko's room. Seeing the graceful woman asleep there, he couldn't help a soft sigh—no wonder her daughters were stunning; the figure surely ran in the family.
He laid a fingertip lightly on her smooth forehead and cleared the memories tied to Akizuki Kouzou. Manipulating memories wasn't ideal, but it was kinder than letting her grieve for trash. He eased a little mana into her as well so she could sleep soundly.
Then he returned to Marina's room and told her it was done. She looked at him with grateful eyes.
"Thank you, Maki-kun."
Honestly, if not for him, who knew what that man would have done to her and Airi?
"So… how will Marina thank me?" he asked with a mischievous smile.
Marina lowered her gaze, face crimson. Biting her lip, recalling Airi's teasing words, she gathered her courage and leaned her cheek against his chest.
"Whatever you want… just be gentle."
His fingers twitched. "Then I won't be shy. Come—let me show you something new. Watch closely, and learn."
He laced his fingers with hers, his eyes burning warmer as the scene tastefully faded to black.
~~~
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