"Please forgive me, but I refuse."
Hayashi Maki rejected Yuuko Ichihara's offer without hesitation.
First, Mai-senpai wasn't even his retainer yet. He wasn't generous enough to trade a piece of his soul for Sakurajima Mai's existence. As long as she stayed near him, that phenomenon vanished anyway; keeping things as they were for now was fine.
Second, Yuuko wouldn't take a human life. He wasn't about to be tricked. Handing his soul to a witch would be truly foolish.
"What a pity. Since you didn't come to have a wish granted, please see yourself out."
Yuuko adopted the posture of seeing off a guest.
But Hayashi Maki's lips curled; he suddenly lifted a hand and pinched her delicate chin.
"If you want my soul, shouldn't you pay an equivalent price, Witch-san? For example… the ownership of the witch herself?"
Yuuko rolled her eyes. "I don't sell my body, and you're far too frivolous—not my type."
"That's a shame. Still, I have a feeling we'll meet again."
Hayashi Maki released her chin and strode away without a backward glance.
Yuuko frowned at his back and murmured softly, "An unforeseen existence… What will the future bring?"
A diviner can't divine her own past or future—and Hayashi Maki's past and future were a fog she couldn't pierce. This was the first time she'd encountered such a being.
…
Groceries in hand, Hayashi Maki returned home. The witch was a brief detour. Her existence also showed him another mysterious corner of this world.
Angels, demons, witches, shrine maidens—mystic powers just kept piling up.
Still, whatever happens, living a delightful daily life was enough for Hayashi Maki. Isn't snuggling with pretty girls the best? As for world crises, let things take their course. Saving the world isn't a demon's job. And if destruction really did loom, as the lone "demon player," he'd naturally find a solution.
After stowing the food in the fridge, he flopped onto the sofa, leisurely. Bored, he used "God's-eye view" and saw Shiina Mafuyu playing BL games again, and could only sigh. That kid seemed beyond correction. Luckily, her older sister, Fuyuka Shiina, was normal.
He shook his head and let it go. Everyone has their own hobbies; he should respect them. As long as she didn't bring fiction into real life, Shiina Mafuyu was still a cute, good girl.
Thinking of Shiina Mafuyu reminded him of another "Mafuyu": Mafuyu Kirisu.
He had at least gotten as far as kissing her. Strike while the iron's hot, he decided. His eyes flicked and a plan formed quickly.
…
Around 9 p.m.
After finishing classes and taking a bath at home, Mafuyu Kirisu came to the living room. Sitting on the sofa, she turned on the news and, with practiced fingers, ordered takeout on her phone.
Though she was a stunningly beautiful teacher—a pink-haired beauty at that—Mafuyu wasn't good at cooking. So her three meals were basically all takeout. If she didn't have time for breakfast, she'd grab something at the campus shop or make do with convenience-store milk and bread. Lunch was usually a school bento. As for dinner and weekends, she filled up with delivery.
She ordered chicken cutlet rice and a drink, then waited for the knock at the door. About twenty minutes later, the doorbell rang.
"Ding-dong, ding-dong!"
"Hello, your delivery's here!"
Mafuyu patted her tummy and hurried to the door. She checked through the peephole: a rider in a real company uniform with a helmet and mask—she couldn't see his face, but his eyes didn't look like a bad guy. Only then did she open the door.
"Hello—your chicken cutlet rice, right?" The delivery guy's voice sounded oddly familiar. She didn't think much of it; after a polite thanks and signature—
The courier smiled. "Kirisu-sensei, do you live alone?"
"Yes, I live—mmph… you… who are you? How do you know I'm a teacher?"
She snapped to and stared wide-eyed. That familiar voice conjured a wicked grin in her mind. When the courier pulled down his mask, she panicked and took two steps back. "It's you! Hayashi Maki—why is it you?"
"I'm doing a delivery side-gig. Hard to accept?"
He flashed a bright smile, eyes burning. Mafuyu's face flushed; remembering what he'd done before, she darted back inside and slammed the door.
"Ding-dong, ding-dong!"
The bell rang again.
"What do you want? You delivered the food—now go!"
She spoke coldly through the door.
"Ding-dong, ding-dong~"
Again. Mafuyu pouted. Enough already! She cracked the door, glaring warily. "What do you want?"
"I'm really thirsty. Can I come in for a glass of water?"
"No!"
She shook her head hard and shut the door again.
This time Hayashi Maki didn't ring. He texted instead.
Hayashi Maki: "I worked so hard to bring your food and you won't even give me a sip of water? Kirisu-sensei, that's cruel."
"Hmph~" Mafuyu couldn't help snorting. Where was this "reflection" when he was misbehaving with a teacher? She was only keeping him out for safety, and he was the one complaining.
Hayashi Maki: "Open up, please?"
Mafuyu: "No. Go home. Don't interrupt my dinner."
Hayashi Maki: "I'll just have a drink and go—please? Let me in?"
His pleading made her soften a little. Beneath the icy surface, Mafuyu was very gentle—no wonder her sister Miharu idolized her. But then she remembered he'd forced kisses on her more than once, and her eyes hardened again.
Mafuyu: "No entry. Get lost."
Hayashi Maki: "...… "
~~~
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