After sharing some… pleasant moments, Rita hurried off to the bathroom to rinse her mouth.
Watching her retreating back, Hayashi Maki couldn't help the small smile tugging at his lips.
A little later, Shiina Mahiru and Yukinoshita Yukino finished breakfast together. Seeing the fair-skinned, striking Yukino, Rita silently cursed him as a scumbag. He'd brought home another gorgeous girl without a word. She didn't need to ask—Yukino was clearly one of his girlfriends. And seeing Yukino and Mahiru getting along so well only added to her gloom.
Mahiru was too magnanimous! Wasn't she the one "spoiling" that philandering scoundrel?
After breakfast, Mahiru invited Yukino and Rita out shopping. Rita figured staying home would be boring, so she went along. Mashiro stayed in to draw manga. Mahiru had already prepped lunch for her, so there was no worry about Mashiro going hungry.
As for Hayashi Maki, he headed out too. He had another date today—this time with Nagi Sanzenin.
…
Nagi was excited today. She had an appointment to meet "Kurosora Twilight"-sensei.
Sitting on a bench at their agreed-upon station, she grew more and more eager at the thought of meeting the genius light-novel author she admired.
In the shadows, a maid in casual clothes and sunglasses—Maria—kept a discreet eye on her mistress. She still wasn't at ease, so she'd followed in secret. Letting Ojou-sama go out alone was too dangerous; she'd been kidnapped more than once.
Just as Maria was watching closely, she saw a hooded man approach Nagi. Her eyes narrowed and she walked toward them without drawing attention.
The hooded man sat beside Nagi and suddenly pressed a knife to her pale neck, grinning wickedly.
"Don't move, Sanzenin-sama! I only want money. Transfer 5 million yen to my account right now and I'll let you go. Otherwise don't blame me if I get rough!"
Nagi glanced at him and frowned in annoyance. "Only 5 million to kidnap me? Do you even know who I am?"
"Huh? Then how much should I ask for?" The robber was thrown off and asked without thinking.
"Hmph." Nagi snorted. "At least not less than 100 million. For my worth, a mere 5 million is an insult."
The man swallowed and then scowled. "Damn it—why is it that I work so hard and still can't pay my mortgage, while a little brat like you lives like a queen?"
"I've changed my mind. I'm taking you and turning you into my ATM! Keke—"
Just as he was fantasizing about endless money, a pretty-boy walked up—Hayashi Maki.
Seeing the blonde twin-tailed girl being threatened with a knife, Hayashi Maki smiled and called out, "Sorry to keep you waiting, Ojou-sama. I'm Hayashi Maki, pen name Kurosora Twilight. Pleased to meet you."
He strolled closer. Nagi's eyes lit up at his handsome face; she instantly forgot the robber at her side. Blushing, she dipped her head shyly. "It wasn't long. I just got here."
The hooded man nearly blew a gasket. "Hey! A little respect here? I'm in the middle of a robbery!"
Hayashi Maki frowned; a red light flickered in his eyes. "You're noisy. Go kneel over there."
"Yes!"
Dazzled by the red flash, the man dropped his knife, rolled across the ground, and knelt silently in a corner, eyes vacant. It was the "Absolute Domination" ability Hayashi Maki had obtained via Mashiro.
"Wow, amazing! What was that?" Nagi stared in surprise.
"Just a little magic," Hayashi Maki said with a small smile. He extended a hand to her. "Now then, beautiful young lady, would you honor me by joining me for afternoon tea somewhere quiet?"
"Of course."
Nagi placed her small hand in his; he clasped it gently. Neither spared the kneeling robber a second glance as they strolled away together. Maria, only then catching up, phoned the police and continued to shadow them from a distance.
Hayashi Maki led Nagi to a quiet café. After ordering two puddings, he began chatting amiably and took out his laptop to show her the magic-girl plot he'd written.
Nagi was immediately captivated; her eyes began to shine. By the end she had her conclusion: This was the story she wanted—a magical girl who transforms into a musclebound powerhouse!
She would shock the industry and redefine the magical-girl image. Must magical girls always be petite and cute, waving pretty wands to cast pretty spells? No—magical girls could also be iron-bodied "barbarian Barbies," athletic prodigies who can punch through a car or smash a monster's head with a single swing!
After quickly reading the outline and sample chapters, Nagi gazed at Hayashi Maki with fervent eyes. "Ne, Kurosora Twilight-sensei, may I really adapt this wonderful plot into a manga?"
"Call me Hayashi Maki. I wrote this novel for you in the first place, Ojou-sama. Use it as you like—I'm looking forward to your manga becoming a hit," he replied.
His words made Nagi's heart skip and her favor toward him soar.
"And don't call me Ojou-sama," she added with a smile. "We haven't even introduced ourselves properly—that would be rude. I'm Nagi Sanzenin. Just call me Nagi, Hayashi Maki-kun."
"Then I won't stand on ceremony, Nagi-san—or rather, Nagi," Hayashi Maki said naturally, closing the distance a little more.
Nagi nodded with a pleased smile—that was more like it. Being given such a great story, she already considered Hayashi Maki a friend.
They spent the rest of their pudding discussing the next beats in the "muscle magical girl" plot.