After hearing Kasumigaoka Utaha's new book concept.
Hayashi felt it had great potential.
Although it might not reach the level of super explosive popularity, as long as it was written well, it would definitely be above the level of a masterpiece.
This setting, based on "Your Name."
Had become another possible story setting!
One origin point.
Two space-time stories.
It would definitely be difficult to write well, but if written well, it would definitely be exciting.
Finally, Hayashi gave an affirmative nod: "The story setting is very good and innovative. Although it's harder to write, as long as you write it, it will definitely be more exciting than Love Metronome. I believe in you."
"Mm!" Utaha nodded vigorously.
She definitely believed in herself too.
No matter what, she'd try moving forward first.
How could she look up to Takatsuki Sen without challenging herself?
Afterward.
Hayashi and Utaha chatted some more.
Then he also talked with Mai about photography and various matters related to social media.
After chatting with the two for a while.
He returned to the bar to drink some water and moisten his throat.
Then he saw Makima looking at him.
Making eye contact with Hayashi.
Hayashi blinked his eyes.
Makima also blinked her eyes.
Hayashi tilted his head with a questioning expression.
Makima also tilted her head with a questioning expression, except this expression had no emotion, and even her posture was similar.
Only then did Hayashi realize Makima was imitating him.
"....."
Hayashi glared at Makima slightly.
This time Makima smiled faintly and turned back to look at the dining group.
At her table, quite a few people had drunk a lot of beer.
Although beer could make you drunk, your mind remained clear.
So those scenes of acting wild after drinking didn't appear here; instead, everyone became more reserved.
They drank heartily and ate meat heartily.
Hayashi, bored, walked over.
He also wanted to grab some food.
As soon as he went over, Makima reached out to pull him down to sit, squeezing him into one chair with her, their whole bodies pressed together.
Everyone's faces were red from drinking.
But seeing this, they all widened their eyes.
So intimate?!
Makima picked up her half-glass of beer and brought it to Hayashi's lips, saying softly:
"You have a sip too, Hayashi-kun."
"Sure." Hayashi hadn't had beer in a long time.
Fruit wine was fruit wine, beer was beer - the taste was completely different.
Hayashi took a big gulp. The cool sensation and bubbles were extremely refreshing.
"Ahh~~~"
When Makima took the glass away.
The half-glass of beer that was left had been drained in one go.
Power saw this and immediately applauded.
"Store manager is amazing!"
The others also said he was amazing.
But for Hayashi, this seemed like nothing.
It was just beer!
If it were white liquor, probably everyone present couldn't handle it.
Himeno filled Makima's glass.
Hayashi naturally took a piece of grilled meat and ate it.
Power saw this and also offered her grilled squid to Hayashi saying:
"Store manager, this is delicious!"
"I just had this a few days ago, you eat it."
"Okay."
Seeing Hayashi come over for a few bites.
Everyone continued eating and drinking, cherishing the limited happy times.
Tendo drank beer with a red face.
Although chatting with teammates, she unconsciously looked at Hayashi, finding him increasingly surprising.
Such a person was actually so intimate with Makima-sama.
This definitely wasn't just about looks!
This man must have extraordinary abilities!
Was he a devil contractor?
Or what?
Tendo was very curious.
Himeno ate a few bites of grilled meat, then happily drank some beer before suddenly raising both hands toward Hayashi with joy.
"Store manager is the best! Being able to eat and drink such delicious food is really too happy!"
"If it's good, eat more." Hayashi looked at Himeno's completely red face.
She was completely tipsy from the beer.
So Hayashi reminded: "Control your alcohol intake. If you vomit in the shop, I won't charge you yen, but you'll have to clean it up spotlessly yourself."
"Roger!" Himeno expressed certainty.
Then there was no problem.
Hayashi just had a few bites to satisfy his craving, then stood up and left.
He came to the back yard door to get some fresh air.
At this time, the misty drizzle outside had finally stopped.
The sky cleared up, and stars could be seen.
"Good weather." Hayashi took a deep breath.
At this time.
Makima followed and came out, looking at the moon.
"The moonlight is beautiful."
Hayashi looked at her and reminded slightly: "You've changed another batch of people, bad woman. Don't use your subordinates too much. Improving yourself is most important."
"Mm." Makima actually completely agreed.
She put her hands behind her back, walked to Hayashi's side, shoulder against shoulder, turned to look at Hayashi's profile.
Then murmured: "Before, there was no choice. Those who wouldn't listen could only be used as bait. This batch of people is very obedient, so I won't casually abandon them."
Hayashi nodded: "Mm."
He was just mentioning it, otherwise Makima's subordinates constantly dying and being replaced would be unfavorable for the future environment.
At this time.
Makima began talking business: "Recently I've detected traces of another batch of devil assassins entering the country. They all look like very strong devil assassins, at least elite level. It might take some effort."
"Some demons' powers look quite good. I'll bring back all their hearts."
When Makima said it would take some effort.
Hayashi immediately guessed she meant she'd need to make a bigger show of it, to utilize it properly.
Connecting this to the Gun Devil flesh pieces she'd always been plotting for.
Hayashi seemed to guess something.
"What plan are you preparing? I bet you want to include the Gun Devil flesh pieces in your preparations."
"Yes." Makima smiled faintly.
Though her smile was beautiful and charming, it was like a deadly rose.
"After tomorrow, I'll submit a list of elite devil assassins to the cabinet, including Christmas Devil, Light Devil, Puppet Devil, etc."
She said softly: "If the cabinet doesn't cooperate well, my strength without the Gun Devil flesh enhancement won't be sufficient to resist this group of elite devil assassins, resulting in cabinet ministers being assassinated."
"This is reasonable, right, Hayashi-kun?"
After hearing this, Hayashi directly gave Makima a thumbs up.
According to the contract terms.
Makima couldn't directly or indirectly kill cabinet ministers.
But insufficient manpower to resist external enemies, resulting in cabinet ministers being killed - this reason was completely valid.
There were many enemies, Makima couldn't handle them all.
She gave advance warning, so Makima would at most have a minor fault.
Makima having ability was the reason.
Everyone could see that.
But facing so many elite devil assassins, insufficient manpower was certain.
Others couldn't resist these devil assassins.
And the cabinet wouldn't give the Gun Devil flesh pieces.
So even if it was finally judged as a contract violation, it would only be minor punishment.
For Makima, it was completely worth it.
Benefits: 1. Get the Gun Devil flesh pieces. 2. Make cabinet ministers more obedient. 3. Establish authority again, confirming her side's strongest combat power.
Most importantly.
Even if cabinet ministers knew Makima was putting on a little show.
The cabinet had no way to deal with it.
They could only pay the price with more reverence to enjoy their wealth and glory.
"The plan is feasible." Hayashi nodded and sighed: "It's just that those old men are going to be unlucky~"
Makima showed no expression about this.
Her eyes were full of Hayashi.
Those cabinet ministers made contracts with her just to live healthy and long lives, didn't they?
As a result, as the only nuclear-level combat force.
Her request for Gun Devil flesh pieces was actually delayed, indirectly refused?
Then she could only let them see the consequences of not having it.
"Have those devil assassins already entered the country?" Hayashi asked.
"Some have already arrived." Makima held up three fingers: "This time there will be three very strong assassins, which means three very useful hearts."
"Punishing the cabinet is just incidental. No matter what, these three demons must offer up their hearts."
That is, offer up their source power.
Obediently be killed by Makima, then let Hayashi devour them.
After hearing this, Hayashi truly sighed.
"Devils meeting you is like meeting a ghost. At this rate, you'll be able to realize your initial dream very soon."
Makima put her hands behind her back, looking into Hayashi's eyes.
"Actually, most of it has already been realized. What we're doing now is just to complete it."
"Alright." Hayashi reached out and still pinched her face, just enough to cause slight pain: "Really a bad woman."
"Mm." Makima actually extended her face, willing to be pinched.
For her, life was too wonderful.
Before, she couldn't see any progress bar at all. She could only rely on killing and domination to see a sliver of hope bit by bit, but the process was really slow.
And now? Every time Hayashi devoured a powerful demon.
She knew in her heart that the progress bar had increased a bit.
When all the powerful demons were devoured, the progress bar would be almost full.
As for those minor demons?
Either keep them around for presence, to give humans practice.
Or slowly clean them up - it wouldn't affect her plan.
What Makima wanted was only those powerful demons.
Minor demons were useless.
She looked down on them completely.
The two chatted outside for a while, letting the warm breeze blow on them before going back.
It was still more comfortable inside.
Returning to the dining room.
Mai was already using her pocket camera.
She filmed the decorations in the shop.
Filmed the giant dragon ice sculpture in the center of the dining room.
Filmed herself.
And also casually interviewed Kasumigaoka Utaha.
Mai asked: "May I ask, Kashiko-sensei, will your next work be a new work or a new chapter?"
Utaha smiled and answered: "It's a new work."
Mai showed a "surprised" expression: "Do you already have inspiration?"
Utaha nodded: "Yes, I'm already preparing the beginning."
The two chatted with each other.
After the camera was turned off.
Mai made an OK gesture: "Good, I'll edit it later and add some more recording. Utaha will become the first person I've interviewed."
Utaha smoothed her beautiful hair and smiled: "If the video becomes popular, you're treating for the next meal."
Mai expressed no problem.
Just like that.
Time came to 10 PM.
Utaha and Mai had stayed about long enough.
Utaha had recorded some inspiration in her laptop, and Mai had also filmed quite a bit of material.
So the two got up to pay and left.
Hayashi saw them off.
When he returned to the dining room.
Makima's table was in disarray from drinking, everyone was tipsy, speaking with slurred tongues.
Makima herself had also drunk quite a bit.
But she only looked tipsy - actually she felt nothing.
This made Hayashi understand clearly.
Everything at the penthouse before had been an act.
After a while.
Makima came over to pay.
Then she left with her people.
This group was quite drunk, but everyone could still walk by themselves.
Not one person threw a drunken tantrum - they were all well-behaved.
Power's face was bright red.
As she left, she waved at Hayashi saying: "I'll be back! Boss!"
"I think you wish you could come every day."
"Of course!"
After seeing off Makima's group.
Hayashi returned to the dining room.
Tohru had already cleaned everything up.
"Ahh~~~" Hayashi stretched: "This life is too comfortable. Tohru, do you want sunflower seeds?"
"Yes!"
Hayashi brought out sunflower seeds.
The two went behind Kanna and cracked seeds while watching TV.
At this time, Kanna was watching SpongeBob.
The plot had reached Plankton stealing the Krabby Patty secret formula.
There was nothing else to do anyway.
"Crack~"
Hayashi cracked sunflower seeds while playing on his phone, just passing time like this.
From 10 to 12 o'clock.
Two tables of regular customers came.
They were white-collar workers from nearby companies who had just finished overtime.
After eating and praising Hayashi's restaurant endlessly, they left satisfied.
But before leaving, they wanted Hayashi's contact information.
Hayashi gave them the restaurant's contact address.
After the last two tables left.
From midnight to 2 AM, there really were no more customers.
Before those two tables left, Kanna had already fallen asleep lying on the sofa, and Tohru turned off the TV.
Then at 2 o'clock.
"Closing time!"
Hayashi snapped his fingers.
Tohru quickly closed up and swiftly carried Kanna upstairs.
When Hayashi returned to the bedroom.
He found a big bulging lump in his bedding.
"Tohru, are you playing ostrich here?"
Tohru stuck out her head, twisting her body like a cat stretching.
"Hayashi-san will know once he comes in."
"Hiss~, then I really have to open this mystery box."
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