Time was limited.
Moving fast, Hayashi Maki quickly "defeated" Yukinoshita Yukino.
Yukino's cheeks were rosy; on her already lovely face a captivating allure flickered.
"Mm… Maki-kun, I feel kind of strange."
All at once she bit her lip, her body feeling as if it were melting. Wisps of steam seemed to rise from her fair skin, and a fine sheen of sweat spread across it.
Hayashi Maki looked delighted. He gently stroked Yukino's hair and kissed her lips.
"Don't worry—the magic seed is hatching. Yukino-chan finally has a special power. That lets me relax a bit, too."
"Mm… it's hatching? What happens then?"
Half-lidded like a lazy kitten, Yukino nestled against his chest.
"You'll become super strong. Feel it for yourself. As my Follower, you can awaken your own unique ability."
After a few minutes, Yukino's body trembled; she felt a special energy appear within her. At the same time, Hayashi Maki got a notification:
[Follower Yukino Yukinoshita has successfully awakened an ability. You obtain the same ability, Optimized.]
"Optimized?"
He checked it immediately:
[Optimization: You can optimize items you create via alchemy to obtain better effects.]
Oh—so that ability.
He understood at once: an item-enhancement layer atop alchemy. Not bad at all. This way he could further upgrade the protective charms he gave the other girls, improving their safety.
"Yukino, you've got mana now, too. You can borrow my power anytime. Explore it yourself." He kissed Second Heiress's cheek and left.
Yukino, excited, looked over her body. She understood the optimization ability—and unlike Hayashi Maki's item-focused version, hers worked mainly on herself. For example…
With a surge of mana, her figure became notably fuller—catching right up to Yukinoshita Haruno's level. She quickly dismissed the state. Since it was ability-altered, it didn't feel as good as her natural self. Besides, thanks to someone's diligent "help," she was growing. If she became "perfect" now, what if he stopped helping her later?
…
After leaving Second Heiress's room, Hayashi Maki headed home. Shiina Mahiru had already finished cooking. Sakurajima Mai was sitting naturally at the table, waiting to eat.
After breakfast, it was time for school again. Because of her special situation, Mai didn't plan to go today—she stayed home to rest. Mainly, she feared that once she left, Hayashi Maki and Mahiru would forget her, so she needed to calm down and think about what to do next.
At the school gate, Ako Tamaki darted up and latched onto his arm.
"Good morning, hubby!!!"
"Morning, Ako. But at school call me Hayashi Maki."
"Okay—then I'll call you Maki-kun."
"Mm, that works."
After yesterday afternoon's closeness, Ako felt even closer to him. Seeing her cling to him, Mahiru didn't get angry. After all, she lived with Hayashi Maki; if anyone should be jealous, it'd be Ako.
Chattering away, the three slipped into the classroom together. Hayashi Maki could feel the boys trying to murder him with their eyes. Hachiman Hikigaya stared with those dead-fish eyes and muttered, "Normies can all explode! Damn it, why can't I be that lucky?"
He already had an angel like Mahiru Shiina for a girlfriend, and now even his online "wife" had shown up—yet Mahiru was all smiles, not angry at all. Hachiman truly couldn't figure out how Hayashi Maki pulled it off. And unless his eyes were failing him, Yumiko Miura—who used to watch Hayama—was now also paying attention to Hayashi Maki? Was this guy a real-life light-novel protagonist?
"Yo, Hachiman, morning. Say hi to Komachi for me," Hayashi Maki grinned.
"In your dreams. I'm not letting Komachi find out you exist!" Hachiman shot him a vicious glare, then looked away, all envy and spite.
Hayashi Maki didn't mind. What was his wouldn't run away. Little-sister Komachi, too!
Hayama Hayato greeted him with a strained smile.
"Morning, Hayashi Maki. Things are getting livelier around you."
"Morning, Hayama. You said it… Ako, let go, we're in class."
Ako still clung to his arm, practically glued to him. She pouted and rubbed against him once before reluctantly letting go, returning to her seat—though her eyes never left Hayashi Maki.
With a girl like that whose eyes were full of him, Hayashi Maki's heart naturally softened. But he couldn't spend the afternoon with her today—because Kotonoha Katsura had invited him over, saying her kid sister Kokoro kept pestering her to have him help with tutoring.
Hayashi Maki certainly wouldn't refuse Kotonoha's invitation—having just defined their budding relationship, Kotonoha needed company. As for the evening, he planned to spend some quality time with Eriri—he'd just promised, after all.
Afternoon came. After finishing the Alley Cat Guild's Electronic Network Communications Club dungeon run, he dropped Ako home. Turning down her pleas to stay, he headed to the Katsura residence.
He rang the bell. Dressed casually in a cozy sweater, the great beauty Kotonoha Katsura appeared in the doorway.
"Maki-kun, you're here. Come in!"
Blushing, she reached out and took his hand, leading him into the entryway.
Just as he stepped inside, Kokoro Katsura came dashing over and leapt into his arms.
"Maki-nii, you finally came! You have to tutor me again today, okay?"
"No problem." Hayashi Maki smiled, lifted her, exchanged a glance with Kotonoha, and walked into the room.
Kotonoha shot her sister a helpless look and headed to the kitchen to prepare drinks and fruit. She didn't mind her sister being close with her boyfriend; the fact that Kokoro acknowledged him so openly only underscored how exceptional Hayashi Maki was.
Sitting on Hayashi Maki's lap, Kokoro's big, sparkling eyes shone with joy. She wriggled restlessly in his arms, her slender legs swinging happily. Then her body gave a little shiver, and a blush bloomed across her cheeks.
Looking up at him, she scolded, "Maki-nii, you're so bad!"
"Ahem… force majeure. You're the one who kept squirming."
With that, Hayashi Maki dipped down and brushed a kiss against her soft cheek.
Face still red, Kokoro nestled into his chest, letting him hold her tight. Meeting the girl's gaze, Hayashi Maki's breath caught. He felt himself getting worse and worse. Watching this girl gaze up at him so closely, his reflection filling her eyes, he couldn't help it—he leaned down and kissed Kokoro's lips.
He didn't push it—just a peck. Kokoro, cheeks aflame, tapped his chest with a tiny fist, then glanced instinctively toward the doorway.
"Maki-nii, you're terrible. If sis sees, I'll get scolded!"
Hayashi Maki stroked her hair gently. "What can I say—you're too cute. Sorry, I won't do that again. I got carried away."
But Kokoro looped her arms around his neck. "Really… you won't?"
Looking at her playful, adorable face, he couldn't help himself; he dipped down again and claimed her lips more firmly.
So much for that promise—he couldn't keep his hands off her after all. Still, as long as he didn't go too far, a little closeness should be fine. After all, she'd be one of his Followers sooner or later.
~~~
Free Memberships in my Patreon Page! Just click the link and received the free memberships! Thank you Everyone!
Patreon(.)com/Bleam
— Currently You can Read 220+ Chapters Ahead of Others!