Next, to avoid any missteps, Hayashi Maki focused on helping Kokoro with her homework.
To his dismay, the little imp knew too much—more than her sister Kotonoha. She'd just called him "bad" a minute ago, too.
Definitely precocious. Cute, yes—but Hayashi Maki was a demon, not a beast. So after patiently tutoring Kokoro, he redirected his attention.
Kokoro, for her part, tactfully didn't bring up what had just happened. Wearing her most innocent, adorable expression, she patiently accepted his tutoring. Even for things she already knew, being "taught" by Hayashi Maki served as review and helped cement the knowledge.
"Maki-kun, Kokoro—I brought drinks."
Kotonoha came in with a tray. Seeing how well the two were getting along, she couldn't help feeling relieved. If her little sister liked Hayashi Maki this much, that only proved she herself had chosen well.
"Oh—juice. I won't be shy then." Hayashi Maki took the chilled lemonade, took a pleased sip, and gave a thumbs-up. "Delicious! Did you make it yourself?"
Kotonoha nodded shyly. "Mm… it's the only thing I can make."
She was a klutz in the kitchen—embarrassing, considering her mother had raised her as a refined young lady.
"It's fine. Just be yourself; you can learn the rest slowly. No one's born a master—some things just take practice."
He smiled encouragement, then turned back to Kokoro's homework. Kokoro, satisfied, clung to him for an hour before yawning and falling asleep in his lap. She had to leave an opening for her sister, after all—pretending to sleep was second nature by now. Not that it was entirely pretend; for all her energy, she was still young, and studying for an hour had worn her out.
Hayashi Maki gently laid her on the bed and pulled up the covers, then turned to Kotonoha. "Kokoro's asleep. Later I'll trouble you to wake her for dinner."
"And since you're not great at cooking, it wouldn't do to have Kokoro make dinner again. If you don't mind, how about I cook tonight?"
"Eh? Really? Wouldn't that be troubling you?" Kotonoha looked flustered, her cheeks warming. The more she thought about it, the more ashamed she felt about not cooking. Even Maki-kun knew to feel for Kokoro; as her sister, how could she leave dinner to Kokoro?
Hayashi Maki waved it off. "Not at all—just a meal. Don't be fooled; I'm actually pretty good in the kitchen."
He headed to the kitchen and tied on an apron. Under Kotonoha's admiring gaze, he quickly turned out three dishes and a soup.
"Wow—smells amazing!"
Drawn by the aroma, Kokoro popped up and zipped into the kitchen. "I thought the sun had risen in the west—big sis cooking? Now that I see it's Maki-nii, I can relax."
"Mm, Kokoro—what, it couldn't possibly have been your sister cooking?"
Kotonoha crouched and pinched her sister's cheek, giving her a "dangerous" stare.
"Uu—Sis is bullying me. Maki-nii, help!"
Kokoro darted behind Hayashi Maki. Kotonoha huffed; she wasn't really angry—just embarrassed. She also resolved to study cooking properly.
Hayashi Maki patted Kokoro's head, lifted her onto his arm, and said, "What, not sleeping more? You've got energy now?"
"Yup! I rested awhile—I'm full of pep! I was going to get up to cook, but you beat me to it. Umm… could you not hold me like this? I feel like a kid."
He laughed. "But you are a kid. Now try my cooking today."
"Hmph—Kokoro will grow up fast! But I know it'll be great—smells too good!"
Watching their closeness, Kotonoha felt a little pang of jealousy—then quickly let it go, feeling even more gratified. If Maki-kun pampered Kokoro this much, it was because of her as well.
With the dishes set out, they began.
"Itadakimasu."
After the polite phrase, Hayashi Maki, Kotonoha, and Kokoro—like a family of three—enjoyed the meal. And Hayashi Maki's cooking truly was good. As a foodie, Hayashi Maki's skills were well-honed. He didn't have Mahiru's breadth, but his technique was shopworthy.
That night even Kotonoha had a second bowl of rice. Kokoro's eyes sparkled as she pestered Hayashi Maki to teach her dishes. Kokoro was decent in the kitchen—but only for Japanese fare. Hayashi Maki gladly agreed—time permitting.
After dinner and a short rest, Kokoro went to bathe—and then to bed for real. Kotonoha and Hayashi Maki chatted on the sofa; mostly he talked while she, still a bit reserved, listened, occasionally letting out a soft laugh.
Soon, wrapped in a bath towel, Kokoro zipped back out, damp hair dripping, and plopped onto Hayashi Maki's lap. "Maki-nii, blow my hair for me?"
"Kokoro, you can't trouble Maki-kun like that," Kotonoha said, a little miffed at being interrupted. She also worried Kokoro's clinginess might annoy him.
But Hayashi Maki simply set Kokoro on a low stool and smiled at Kotonoha. "It's fine. Kokoro's so cute—I'm happy to help. Kotonoha, could you get the comb and dryer?"
"…There's no dealing with you two." Since he put it that way, she couldn't very well object. She fetched the comb and dryer and handed them over.
Hayashi Maki got to work—expertly combing while blow-drying. The little girl wore a blissful expression, a sweet smile curling her lips. Her sister usually blow-dried her hair; with Mu-nii doing it, it felt even better.
Hayashi Maki glanced at Kotonoha and said with a smile, "Why don't you bathe too? I can dry yours as well. Or, if that makes you uncomfortable, just pretend I didn't say it."
Kotonoha's face reddened. She was embarrassed—but seeing Kokoro wink at her, she bit her lip and gave a tiny nod. "Mm." Then she headed to the bath.