Shiina Mahiru sulked for a while, but couldn't resist quietly opening the door.
The moment she met his burning gaze, she gasped and quickly shut it again.
"Y-You're still here? Why are you standing in front of my door instead of going back to your room?"
Leaning against the door, Mahiru asked helplessly.
Hayashi Maki shrugged casually and replied:
"I couldn't sleep. Just looking at the moon. It's beautiful tonight — probably means it'll be sunny tomorrow."
"Then go look at it from your door. Don't block mine."
"But I still want to sleep with you. What should I do?"
"I'll seriously call the police! If you keep harassing me, the consequences…"
"Go ahead. But I won't be able to sleep tonight if I don't hold you."
"A-Ah! Shut up, lower your voice!"
Startled, Mahiru rushed out to cover his mouth, looking around in a panic.
This jerk! Speaking so loudly — does he want others, like Aoyama Nanami next door, to know about us?!
Feeling her soft hand over his lips, Hayashi Maki suddenly wrapped his arms around her slim waist.
With a yelp, Mahiru was lifted into his arms and carried into her room.
She immediately started to struggle, pounding his chest with her small fists.
"You pervert, you creep! I told you no… Let me go! Get out!"
Hayashi Maki let her struggle, watching her fists land on his chest without resistance.
Once inside her room, he occupied her soft, fragrant bed, pulling the blanket over himself.
"W-What do you want? Haven't you bullied me enough already?"
Tears slid down her cheeks as she looked at him in frustration.
Hayashi Maki hugged her tightly, speaking seriously:
"I didn't mean to bully you. I just worry you might do something stupid. I want to stay here and watch over you."
"Also… I really can't sleep without holding you."
"Y-You shameless jerk!"
Mahiru didn't know what to do with him. Angry that he had taken over her space, she bit down on his arm hard.
She tasted blood — but she didn't let go.
Tears streamed down her face as she bit him.
Hayashi Maki winced from the pain but didn't pull away. Instead, he gently stroked her silky golden hair.
Just like the night before — giving her a warm embrace.
Mahiru finally released his arm and suddenly began sobbing.
She buried her face in his chest.
"Jerk! You jerk! We just met, so why are you treating me like this?!"
Hayashi Maki didn't answer.
He leaned in and gently kissed her soft lips, then continued stroking her hair.
Mahiru fell silent.
She just kept her face buried in his chest, crying, letting out all her emotions.
It hurt more to hold it in. Letting it out felt a little better.
Half an hour later, Mahiru pushed him lightly.
"Let me go."
When he didn't loosen his hold, she blushed and muttered:
"I want to dress your wound."
Only then did Hayashi Maki reluctantly let her go.
Mahiru quickly wiped her tears, clearly not wanting him to see her in such a sorry state.
But then she remembered — he had already seen her cry, and seen even more embarrassing sides of her.
So she let it go.
Wearing her white pajamas, she pulled out the first aid kit, knelt on the bed, and gently dabbed his arm with alcohol.
The bite she'd given him had broken the skin. Her heart started to race.
"Why didn't you dodge? Doesn't it hurt?"
Hayashi Maki smiled slightly.
"I made you cry — hurting a little is fair. Besides… I've made you bleed too, haven't I?"
"Shut up! Don't talk about that!"
Mahiru cut him off, blushing furiously as she glared at him.
"I told you to forget about it. I don't need you to take responsibility — what more do you want?"
Hayashi Maki casually snuggled into her fragrant pillow, clearly enjoying himself.
"I just want to sleep here. Since you slept in my bed, I should get to sleep in yours — fair's fair."
"Fair my foot! What kind of twisted logic is that? You shameless pervert!"
Her words were sharp, but her hands were gentle — carefully finishing up the dressing and covering the wound with a bandage.
That was just the kind of girl Shiina Mahiru was — kind and soft-hearted.
Even though she bit him, she now felt guilty and took care of him.
Maybe she sensed he had come to comfort and care for her. It touched something soft inside her.
But her pride and dignity wouldn't let her take the initiative to get closer.
So it had to be Hayashi Maki who made the first move.
"You did a great job with the bandage. Now… time to sleep, Mahiru. Come here."
At his words, she glared at him without replying.
But Hayashi Maki didn't push further. He simply picked her up and lay down with her under the blanket.
He didn't like cold wars with cute girls. He couldn't stand being ignored by her.
Even though she bit him, the outcome wasn't bad.
Being held again, Mahiru trembled slightly. Her hands nervously gripped his shirt.
Thinking about what might happen next, she had no idea what to do.
She should be rejecting him, calling the police, and kicking him out.
But as he stroked her hair, her nose tingled, and her eyes welled up again.
"This jerk… why is he being so gentle?"
"Why can't he just act like a pervert — like the creep he is?"
"That way, I could keep hating him… keep ignoring him… and eventually forget everything."
He even said it himself — time would make her forget.
Just when she was overwhelmed with emotions and unsure how to respond, Hayashi Maki kissed her gently on the forehead.
"Be good. Go to sleep. I won't bully you anymore."
She bit her lip and stole a glance at him. Her body softened.
Maybe… she could trust him… just a little?
He was being… really gentle right now.
Still dazed, Mahiru nestled against Hayashi Maki's chest… and slowly drifted off to sleep.