"Scumbag," they said—but Hayashi Maki's expression didn't flicker. He gazed down gently into Ako Tamaki's eyes.
The girl froze for a beat, then her cheeks flushed to the tips of her ears with an audible pop.
Instead of pulling away, she hugged his neck even tighter and rubbed her cheek against his neck and chest.
"Heehee, I knew Innocent Hubby loves me too. It's okay— I'll get along with that woman. As long as you love me, Ako can accept anything!"
Kyoh Goshoin and Akane Segawa exchanged a look—and in perfect sync, took two steps back.
Akane: "What a dangerous man!"
Kyoh: "As suspected—Innocent-kun is the ultimate normie! I'm tempted to kick him out of the guild!"
Otherwise her chastity might be in peril.
Hayashi Maki tapped Ako's forehead with a finger and set her down.
"So, Ako, you want to be my wife in real life, too? I'm easily swayed—if you tease me, I'll take it seriously."
Ako nodded hard.
"Of course— we're already married! Hubby, you can't abandon me!"
Kyoh gave Ako a strained look.
"Um, Ako, it's just a game. You don't have to bring it into reality—plus… Innocent-kun already has a girlfriend."
Ako blinked at her, puzzled.
"Marriage is marriage. Why split it into 'real' and 'game'?"
"Innocent Hubby and I have shared such a long, deep bond—I've long since fallen in love with him. He agreed to marry me because he likes Ako too, right?"
"So it's fine! I know Innocent Hubby is too exceptional to have only me as a wife. It's okay—Ako will get along with the other women who take care of Hubby."
Kyoh and Akane both felt a headache coming on.
Who treats an in-game marriage like the real thing? And calling herself the primary wife while relegating others to "the women who take care of Hubby"?
"Heehee—Guildmaster, Schwi-chan, do you two want to marry Innocent Hubby as well? We can all play together!"
Ako, never one to avoid shock value, smiled as she suggested it.
Kyoh and Akane shook their heads so fast they looked like bobbleheads.
Akane: "No thanks! I'm fine the way I am—and I'm not interested in dating!"
Kyoh: "Same here. My family is strict; I can't just pick a boyfriend. So, Ako, you can monopolize Innocent-kun in the guild."
Ako's smile grew even brighter, and her sparkling eyes fixed on Hayashi Maki—as if to say: See, Hubby? In the whole guild, only Ako truly loves you and will be with you no matter what!
Seeing her look up at him like a little pet, Hayashi Maki ruffled her hair helplessly.
"Anyway—let's get along from here on."
"Segawa-san, Goshoin-senpai—if you don't mind, shall we exchange contact info? It wasn't easy to meet; I want to keep gaming and be friends together."
"Gladly," Kyoh said with a smile, taking out her phone. She wanted friends—she'd been so lonely at school. And although Hayashi Maki seemed flirtatious, he was gentle; she didn't mind trying to get along. Besides, with such a gorgeous girlfriend, he probably wouldn't make a move on her… right?
Akane was a fan of his books—she'd thought his tsundere ojou-sama was practically her on the page. She took out her phone too, but after adding him, she gave him a look of theatrical disdain and warned:
"For the record: I don't accept solo date invitations. Don't call or text to pester me, or I'll block you!"
What could Hayashi Maki do but nod?
"Okay, okay—I won't pester you. But you're free to pester me. Ask me anything— we're friends, right? Helping each other is basic."
Blushing, Akane nodded to that.
Ako, still glued to his arm, glanced up at his handsome face and couldn't help asking softly:
"Um, Innocent Hubby—when you weren't online before, were you writing your light novels? How's the income?"
Kyoh and Akane both looked over curiously. Kyoh came from money and was a happy whale in gacha; she didn't care about cash—just ability.
Akane's family was average; her computer lagged sometimes. She was super curious: what kind of income did a handsome, genius author like him have? He was just a high schooler—same grade as her—and already a writer. She couldn't help a little admiration.
Under their gazes, Hayashi Maki waved a hand calmly.
"It's alright. Sales have passed a million copies; I make a few million yen a month. My editor believes in the book, so the per-book rate is high."
"A while back an ojou-sama tipped me 20 million, so I'm basically financially free now."
"A few million yen a month?! And twenty million?"
Akane felt dizzy and started counting on her fingers. Kyoh eyed him with newfound respect.
"Not bad—for a high schooler. Innocent-kun really is an exceptional man."
Ako's eyes turned even softer. She'd always planned to be a full-time housewife. She'd long decided her future husband would support her; as for work, that had never entered her plans.
And now that Hayashi Maki had money… well, her love deepened. For all her reality/game blur, Ako did know her limits—she couldn't handle strangers and couldn't manage a part-time job.
So having her husband support her was best. Her job would be to make dinner, meet his needs, let him relax—and love her more.
Hayashi Maki read her mind at a glance and didn't mind. Compared to Kirisu Mafuyu—the BL-obsessed little couch-potato—Ako was better long-term value. At least Ako wasn't into BL. Feeding one or two made little difference. No big deal.
Akane looked at him, conflicted.
"Didn't expect you to be that well off. How annoying! We're both high schoolers—why are you so excellent?"
Hayashi Maki smirked.
"What's this—have I moved your heart, Segawa-san? Want to marry me like Ako? I can support you."
"No way! Gross—I said I'm not interested in guys!"
Blushing, Akane jerked her head aside with a huff—only to catch Ako glaring daggers at her. She sighed internally. Hey, pretty boy—control yourself, will you?
Don't just fire off your charm rays at random! She said she wasn't interested in boys—but with tsundere, you always read it backwards. Hayashi Maki was already exceptional enough to make her heart race. Especially since he had money and liked gaming—the ideal pick for a gamer-girl.