Hayato Hayama was completely stunned.
He instinctively clenched his fists.
"From your eyes I can see you're serious—so you really think like this? Some pie-in-the-sky plan to found a country and marry several girls you like together?"
"Yes."
Hayashi Maki nodded calmly.
He hadn't forgotten his plan to build the "Hayashi Empire." In fact, it was already taking shape. His retainers were his wings.
As long as he kept working and let their "magic seeds" hatch, he'd only grow stronger. He'd also started getting in touch with Nagi Sanzenin and would soon have chances to meet the Priestess of Light.
As for the pleasant surprise, Kyoh Goshoin—her family wasn't simple either, and she had ties to Nagi. Basically, he didn't need to grind that hard; he just had to take care of his retainers' feelings.
Whether in business or other fields, they all had their areas; once they grew, founding an empire wouldn't be difficult.
"Ha!"
Hayama suddenly swung a fist at Hayashi Maki's face.
Hayashi Maki reacted faster, catching his fist.
"Don't hit the face. Jealous I'm better-looking?"
He gave a light twist—crack.
Hayama's wrist dislocated.
"Ah—tch! You—"
He stared at his wrist, pupils contracting. He clearly hadn't expected the seemingly gentle, bookish Hayashi Maki to have such high combat power.
Gritting his teeth against the pain, Hayama looked at him unwillingly, took a deep breath, and said seriously:
"I only wanted to slug you. How can you be so fickle? Yumiko's a good girl—and Shiina, say no more. You're going way too far!"
Hayashi Maki rolled his eyes.
"If Yumiko doesn't mind, why do you? If you're speaking up as her friend, fine—I respect that. But Hayama, you weren't planning to date her anyway, and you've always used her as a shield to keep other girls at bay. I just gave Yumiko the attention she wanted. She likes me and wants to be with me. What I can give her—can you?"
Hayama let out a discouraged sigh.
"I can't."
With a flick of Hayashi Maki's hand—crack—Hayama's wrist reset.
Hayama stared in surprise; he hadn't expected help.
"Don't get the wrong idea. I just don't want the person I care about getting the impression I'm violent. We're only talking—no need to brawl, right? Besides, you can't beat me. You're a smart guy; you know what to do."
Hayama gave a bitter smile and nodded lightly.
"Alright, I was impulsive."
"Honestly, you rub me the wrong way a bit," he added. "I'll ask Yumiko. If you're lying, I'll stop you from hurting my friend—no matter what. Even if she doesn't consider me a friend anymore."
It sounded like something a hot-blooded protagonist would say.
Hayashi Maki only shrugged.
"Go ask. My conscience is clear. I like Yumiko and want her as my girlfriend. I'll announce it in front of the whole class. You?"
"I… I can't," Hayama admitted, his flare of bravado popping like a bubble. He wouldn't say that, and wouldn't do it. He still admired Haruno Yukinoshita and had no intention of accepting any girl. And he really did see Yumiko only as a friend—nothing more.
Hayashi Maki shook his head. "Anything else? If not, let's head back. I'm curious whether Hina's bled out by now."
Hayama's mouth twitched. Girls like Hina Ebina were exactly the kind he kept his distance from—fujoshi were terrifying.
"No, that's all. Sorry to bother you."
"No worries—I'm not the one who lost out. But don't swing at me again. I'm in a good mood today, so I'll let it slide; next time, I won't."
Waving, Hayashi Maki turned back toward the classroom.
Watching his unruffled back, Hayama suddenly felt like a coward. He looked popular in class and controlled the room's vibe, but away from "everyone," he was nothing. Hayashi Maki, though—he lived freely. He could answer pointed questions without flinching. There was a strange aura about him.
Could he really be serious about founding a nation? About marrying both Yumiko and Shiina?
The thought rattled Hayama—and made him even more miserable. He'd always thought he was in decent shape, but today he'd been thoroughly outclassed.
Back in class, sure enough, Hina Ebina already had tissues stuffed up her nose. Hayashi Maki even went over to check on her.
Hayama's mouth twitched. Was Hayashi Maki going to make a move on Ebina too?
Seeing Hayashi Maki return without a scratch disappointed the boys who'd been hoping for schadenfreude. Tobe shot Hayama a resentful look—like, why didn't you teach that arrogant punk a lesson?
Hayama just smiled, returned naturally to his seat, and acted as if nothing had happened.
After the afternoon classes, he called out to Yumiko Miura.
"Yumiko—wait a sec. Can we talk?"
The room fell silent. Yui Yuigahama, Hina Ebina, Mahiru Shiina, and Shinka Nibutani all glanced at Yumiko with odd expressions.
Yumiko's face stiffened; she lowered her head, torn. "Sorry, Hayama. I don't really want to talk. I've got plans with Mahiru and the others…"
"Please—just a moment. I only want to ask a few questions."
Hayama bowed deeply, sincerely. Yumiko glanced at Hayashi Maki; seeing him nod with a smile, she agreed. "Alright."
In a quiet spot, Hayama said gravely:
"Yumiko, what are you thinking? Hayashi Maki told me he's dating both you and Shiina."
Yumiko's lips curved. "What else? We're giving it a try."
Hayama was floored.
"But… he's a flirt! Two girls dating the same guy—isn't that weird?"
Yumiko shook her head.
"I think it's fine. Mahiru's a good person; we get along really well. What, Hayama—are you jealous of Maki-kun?"
Hayama gave a wry smile. Could he deny it? Not really. He envied Hayashi Maki's "play" and even admired the guts it took to run a harem—in real life, not a light novel. Wasn't he afraid of getting the hatchet?
Seeing his bitter smile, Yumiko said, still smiling, "Jealous or not, it doesn't matter. I won't change my mind. And don't misunderstand Maki-kun—he's a good person. I don't dislike him at all."
Well… at first she had disliked him—he'd bullied her like that. But gradually she stopped disliking him and even found it warm. Maybe she was sick with his poison now—but however you put it, he was better than Hayama, who used her as a tool.
Hayama looked at the smiling Yumiko, then bowed deeply.
"I'm sorry, Miura. It was wrong of me to use you as a shield. I truly did want to be friends."
"I know. You're 'everyone's Hayama.' Each to their own—feelings can't be forced. And I've made a better choice."
"Alright then. We're clear," she added. "Hayama, let's just be ordinary classmates from now on—otherwise he will get jealous."
With that, Yumiko turned smartly on her heel and left. He no longer dazzled her; she could see things clearly now and didn't care about him at all. She also didn't want Hayashi Maki to misunderstand, so she hadn't wanted to meet Hayama alone; if Hayashi Maki hadn't agreed—and trusted her—she wouldn't have come.
Hayama let out a depressed, bitter smile. It felt like he'd lost again. But maybe this was better. From now on, he'd treat Yumiko as just a regular friend and classmate. He apologized because he felt guilty; he hadn't wanted to hurt her. Now, even if she did get hurt, that would be on Hayashi Maki. He, on the other hand, could peacefully pursue the one he truly admired.
Unfortunately for poor Hayama, the person he admired kept cozying up to a certain someone alongside her little sister, Yukino—
and "all under one blanket" was already well underway.