Hayashi Maki had no idea yet that another blonde beauty was on her way to give him trouble.
Right then he had already arrived at school, said hi to people he knew, and taken his seat.
He opened his Demon Panel:
[Demon]
[Player: Hayashi Maki]
[Formally Contracted Followers]: Shiina Mahiru, Yukinoshita Yukino, Yukinoshita Haruno, Shino Asada, Akizuki Airi, Akizuki Marina, Shiina Mashiro, Saionji Youko (ability sealed)
[Available for Contract]: Miura Yumiko, Satania, Kato Megumi, Eriri, Kasumigaoka Utaha, Shinka Nibutani, Shiina Mafuyu, Shiina Minatsu, Katsura Kotonoha, Katsura Kokoro
[Unlocked Abilities]: Super Healing, Damage Absorption & Transfer, Skill Damage Double, Dual-Hand Casting, Alchemy, Magic Development, Hellfire, Absolute Domination…
In short, those he'd "gone all the way" with—like angel Mahiru and Haruno—were in Formally Contracted. Available for Contract listed those he'd gotten close to.
But why was little Kokoro on there?
Hayashi Maki was speechless. For heaven's sake, he hadn't even kissed that loli. And Kotonoha—he'd only hugged her once. Did that make him a beastly demon at heart?
Ahem—back to the point.
Shaking off the odd thoughts, he focused on Absolute Domination, the ability gained from contracting with Mashiro:
[Absolute Domination]: When you lock eyes with a target whose soul level is weaker than yours, you gain absolute control over their body and soul.
Which raised a question—how did a "pure" girl like Mashiro end up giving him such a dominant skill? Mashiro was really "True Black," huh?
He snarked to himself, then let it go. Mashiro was his now—what mattered was cherishing her.
Just then, his phone buzzed—Eriri.
Eriri: "Uuu, the curse is acting up again. Hayashi Maki, when can you help me deal with it?"
Uh…
Could he admit he'd forgotten? He'd been too busy—even time-management masters get headaches.
Fine—this afternoon he'd help Eriri fix it… and maybe steal another kiss.
Hayashi Maki: "This afternoon—work for you?"
Eriri: "Of course. I'm free."
Hayashi Maki: "Great. After class, wear white stockings and wait for me at the Hakuō Academy gate."
Eriri: "White stockings? Why? How does that help remove a curse?"
She was baffled.
Hayashi Maki: "Because Utaha-senpai will be in black stockings today, and I want to see you in white."
Eriri: "???"
Eriri: "What are you even saying? That's harassment, isn't it? Why do I have to wear white stockings just because you say so?"
Hayashi Maki: "What—didn't bring any? I have some; I can put them on you."
Eriri: "Of course I didn't! Who carries extra stockings to school? And I said, why do I have to do what you say?"
Hayashi Maki: "Because I want to see you in white."
That blunt text turned her scarlet.
"What's that supposed to mean—because you want to see? Do I have to wear something just because you want to look? What would that make me?" she muttered to herself, face burning as certain doujin scenes flashed through her mind. Clenching her fists, baring a tiny fang, she huffed and typed:
Eriri: "Why do you even carry white stockings around?"
Hayashi Maki: "I don't—but I can conjure them with magic."
Eriri: "...…."
Hayashi Maki: "I'll take your silence as a yes. Wear them properly for me then."
Eriri: "Who—who said yes?! Stop deciding my outfit on your own!"
Hayashi Maki: "What, not confident about your legs? Lots of girls wear black, but white stockings really test how perfect a girl's legs are."
Eriri: "Who said I'm not confident? I'm just not accepting this! Why do I have to wear them for you? What pervy thing are you plotting?"
Hayashi Maki: "What could I do? I only want to enjoy how cute you look in white. Senpai asked for help and she's giving me a black-stocking lap pillow today; if you want help but offer nothing, I might as well ask Senpai to the movies."
Eriri: "What? She's giving you a lap pillow?"
Hayashi Maki: "Yup."
Eriri: "Fine, I'll wear them."
Swallowing her embarrassment, she agreed. If Utaha was that generous, she couldn't be the stingy one and get outclassed.
Hayashi Maki: "Wearing the ones I make, or your own?"
Eriri: "I have my own!"
Hayashi Maki: "So you wear them in private for yourself?"
Eriri: "Isn't that normal?"
Hayashi Maki: "Well I don't get to see, so I have… resentments."
Eriri: "Like I'd let you see normally! What kind of strange things are you thinking?!"
Hayashi Maki: "Thinking about kissing you. Last time we got interrupted—I hadn't even warmed up."
At that, Eriri's knees nearly gave—good thing she was seated. The message flooded her with shame. Her mind leapt back to that afternoon—pinned to the wall, kissed breathless. And his hands—one at her waist was bad enough, but he'd even touched her legs!
Trying to tamp down the heat in her cheeks, she fired back:
Eriri: "Don't say that—forget it!"
Hayashi Maki: "Alright. But reminder—the way to suppress your curse still involves kissing."
Eriri: "You're doing this on purpose. There has to be another method, right?"
Hayashi Maki: "Eh? So you figured it out?"
Eriri: "I knew it! You—honestly. You have another way and still… still trick me for a kiss!"
Hayashi Maki: "I'm not forcing you. But you're sure about the other method?"
Eriri: "I'm sure!"
If there was a better way, why not? She wasn't about to go through that kissing shame again.
Hayashi Maki: "Alright—then let's book a room this afternoon. I'll be gentle with you."
Eriri: "Huh? Why book a room?"
And gentle with her? What was he planning?
Hayashi Maki: "Didn't you say you wanted the other method? We'll climb the 'adult staircase' together, establish a mana circuit, and let you gain the power to dispel the curse yourself. That's the other way."
Eriri: "…Sorry, I got too excited. Let's stick with the previous method!"