The next morning.
Yukinoshita Yukino opened her eyes and immediately covered her face with her hands.
"Uuu… he's not human!"
Shiina Mahiru chuckled.
"Maki-kun's a demon—he was never human."
"Mm… Mahiru, you know what I mean."
Yukino bit her lip, recalling certain scenes, and felt even more embarrassed.
"Alright, alright, don't be shy." Mahiru squeezed her hand, comforting her friend.
"I'm the one who got startled, okay? Going out secretly just the two of you was one thing, but in the end you dragged me in, too."
"I don't mind, but next time could you at least give me a heads-up?"
Yukino felt she couldn't show her face—especially in front of Mahiru. The embarrassment was off the charts. That demon Hayashi Maki—how could he be so bad?
Feeling mortified, Yukino even felt a little annoyed. But seeing how gentle Mahiru was, she relaxed. Thank goodness her friend wasn't angry; otherwise she wouldn't know what to do.
Mahiru didn't mind. She'd already been together with Shino; being together with Yukino wasn't a big deal. Though she felt embarrassed too, she'd still do her best if it meant a harmonious home.
The guilty culprit Hayashi Maki was chased out of the room by Mahiru and Yukino and returned to his own. Seeing someone already in his bed, he didn't mind—he slipped right under the covers and used her as a body pillow.
Rita had gone to sleep with Mashiro, so this should be Mashiro here, right? Mashiro was his contracted follower now. Could he be a little more affectionate?
With that thought—and still very much awake—the wicked demon lowered his head and kissed the girl's cheek.
"Mm?"
Just about to fall asleep, Rita felt something off and groggily opened her eyes. Before she could react, her lips were sealed.
"Mmmph—"
Realizing what was happening, she clenched her fists and struck his chest. Hayashi Maki frowned slightly. Mashiro was obedient; she wouldn't pound on him like that. Mashiro would only loop her arms around his neck and return the kiss. He let go for a moment and took a proper look.
"Rita?"
"Hmph, yes, it's me! You pervert—barging in and doing that to me?"
Rita glared at him through clenched teeth, mortified and furious.
Seeing her indignation, Hayashi Maki raised a brow—and calmly lowered his head again.
And kissed her.
Rita's eyes went wide in disbelief. He was still doing this? Shouldn't he be apologizing right now?
After a while, Hayashi Maki reluctantly let go of Rita-san's lips. Wiping the slight redness from her mouth with his thumb, he said matter-of-factly:
"Rita-san, this is my room. My bed. Didn't you go off to sleep with Mashiro? Why are you back here? I'm a normal man—making a move on you is only natural."
Rita's face reddened; she couldn't refute him. Hogging his bed like this… did make her look like she'd offered herself up. She lowered her head and mumbled, "I made Mashiro angry and got kicked out, so I came to borrow your bed."
Hayashi Maki chuckled. "Then why not borrow Mahiru's bed?"
He cupped her face in his hand, leaned in, and his warm breath brushed her lovely features.
"Rita-san, when you do this, I'm going to assume you're interested in me."
She opened her mouth but didn't know how to answer. Could she say she wanted to curry favor so she could keep living here? She had nothing—only Mashiro as a friend. Whether for her dream of being a famous artist or because she didn't want to lose Mashiro's friendship, she had to stay here to remain by Mashiro's side.
And another thing: she was curious about this scoundrel. How could someone so "terrible" have both Mahiru and Mashiro willingly agree to be his fiancées?
Seeing her go quiet, Hayashi Maki didn't press. He lowered his head, his lips tracing her fair skin, his palm sliding to her smooth, white thigh. If she dared to monopolize his bed, she needed to be ready to pay the price. He was still burning up—Yukino-chan had been too shy; Mahiru, looking after Yukino's feelings, had pushed him out. He was still… hot.
"Mm…"
Rita's breathing quickened. She was genuinely flustered. As a girl, she was curious—but she wasn't easy. If he kept going, something might happen.
"What, no resistance? Rita, I'm a very bad man. I don't give up a meal that's already at my lips."
He swept her up, settling her snug against his chest and onto his lap. Rita shivered and clung to his neck, face flaming. Maybe because of earlier encounters, she realized she didn't actually dislike him. Was it because he was Mashiro's approved man?
Hayashi Maki's breathing grew heavier as well. He found that as the number of Followers grew, he became more impulsive—a matter of being in a growth phase. Demons grew, too; stronger powers were opening to him.
Taking a breath, he looked at the sweet-scented, impossibly cute blonde in his arms. His hands held her slender waist; his gaze burned on her lovely face.
"Well then, I won't be polite, Rita."
"Uuu… n-no!"
Rita finally burst into tears. "What do you take me for? We've only known each other a few days, and you're already doing this!"
The tears at her lashes jolted him; he snapped back to himself.
"Rita… I'm sorry… I—"
Gritting her teeth, Rita shoved him back. "You should know I'm not ready yet, you big jerk!"
She shot him a glance—embarrassed, a little guilty—then took a breath and lowered her head.
"Pervert. That's it for today. If you want me, you'll have to win my heart!"
Hayashi Maki sucked in a sharp breath. Rita is adorable! She'd come this far. Looking at her soft lips and her clumsy courage, he gently stroked her hair in encouragement. He'd let her go—for today. The night was long; there would be time later.
~~~
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