For Hayashi Maki, Hayato Hayama's issue was just a minor interlude.
Since he's not "red named," someone like Hayama who poses no threat isn't worth much attention.
Hayama's feelings are easy to understand: he's simply unwilling to see a friend he got along with be "taken" by someone else, so he's upset. Anyone would feel that way.
He figured that after spelling things out, Hayama could accept reality now.
That's also good for Yumiko Miura—like saying goodbye to her past self. There's no need to keep waiting for something impossible; it's not like there aren't other choices.
After finishing her talk with Hayama, Yumiko met up with Mahiru Shiina to go work a shift at Saionji Youko's shop.
Hayashi Maki also "went to work" for the first time in a while.
Hearing he was going to work, Ako Tamaki didn't cling—she just smiled and cheered him on.
Hayashi Maki was speechless.
Ako's dream is a single-income household.
Meaning Hayashi Maki earns the money to support her, while she makes sure her husband has no worries at home.
Well, a homemaking woman is pretty nice.
Even if she doesn't work and only knows gaming and housework—feels a bit useless—Hayashi Maki doesn't demand much of Ako. As long as she keeps being cute, that's enough.
Of course, "going to work" was just an excuse for Hayashi Maki.
As soon as they arrived at the shop, Saionji Youko warmly welcomed Hayashi Maki and Mahiru. After getting the girls into staff outfits for the part-time shift, she pulled Hayashi Maki aside with a smile, saying there was something important to "discuss."
However—
The "discussion" was really just delivering warmth.
A mature woman who had finally found her "husband" naturally wanted to lavish him with a bit more attention.
And so, the break room filled with the sound of two people breathing hard.
…
Nestled in Hayashi Maki's arms, Saionji Youko wore a satisfied smile. With slender fingers she traced circles on his chest, a sense of safety welling up inside her. Though her past memories were still hazy, she didn't mind. She'd remember sooner or later; it was fine if she couldn't now—he was already back at her side.
Hayashi Maki said little, gently stroking her silky hair. Looking at her flushed, dewy skin, he felt both pleased and excited.
"Dear Maki, when will you tell the world you're her father?" Youko asked curiously.
"Ahem—well, it's not time yet. The space-time seal hasn't been lifted, so recognizing each other now would just cause trouble. Let's let things happen naturally."
Although Saionji Sekai was Youko's daughter, she and Hayashi Maki shared no blood. Sekai was a life created with Youko's genes and his magic, so in essence she was more like Youko's sister.
That secret mustn't be casually revealed.
However, the conversation was clearly overheard by a girl hiding in the wardrobe.
The petite girl covered her mouth, eyes wide with shock.
So that's the relationship between Youko-san and him?
And if Hayashi Maki was Sekai's father… wouldn't that make him her dad, too?
The bizarre implications gave Setsuna Kiyoura a sudden headache. Her worldview was being rewritten.
Hand over her mouth, cheeks heating as those sounds started again, Setsuna couldn't help blushing. She spat inwardly. Sekai was right—Hayashi Maki was a philandering scumbag!
Only…
What should she do now?
Tell Mom?
Or… call him "Dad"?
Since childhood, Setsuna had no real memories of her father—only a vague impression: a gentle man whose face she couldn't see, appearing now and then in dreams, lifting her high in a warm embrace.
…
Youko clung to Hayashi Maki for quite a while before dressing with satisfaction and leaving.
Hayashi Maki also straightened up. Then he stood at the wardrobe door, thoughtful.
Inside, Setsuna's petite body trembled; she clenched her fists in nervousness.
Had he… found her?
Please, no.
Hayashi Maki reached for the wardrobe—then suddenly gave up on opening it and left the break room.
Only then did Setsuna slip out, face red, tiptoeing her way down the hall.
Sekai had a cold today, so she'd come to cover a shift for her best friend—only to stumble onto that scene. Thinking of Youko-san's voice just now, Setsuna's shame meter pegged the needle.
Lost in thought as she walked the corridor, she rounded a corner and ran smack into a solid body; with a yelp she nearly fell, but a quick hand caught her arm and an arm around her waist steadied her.
A deep masculine scent washed over her; Setsuna's cheeks pinked. Looking up and seeing it was Hayashi Maki, her mouth fell open. "You!"
He helped her stand and arched a brow. "Oh? You know me, miss?"
Setsuna looked at him for a beat, then dropped her gaze. "Sorry—I bumped into you."
"No worries. As long as you're not hurt. Be careful next time."
Seeing her lower her head, he couldn't help lifting a hand to pat her hair. "Alright, Setsuna-chan—off you go."
"Mm…"
She nodded by reflex—then stared in surprise. "You…"
He'd called her "Setsuna-chan"? So he did know who she was?
Hayashi Maki only smiled and, leaning to her ear, whispered, "Give my regards to Mai-san."
Then he strode away, leaving Setsuna glaring after him in speechless frustration. Thinking of how Sekai always talked about what a philandering scumbag Hayashi Maki was and how he had ill intentions toward Youko-san, she felt confused.
How was that ill intent? It was clearly Youko-san who tangled herself up with him. And… he was Dad.
Thinking of the way he had gently patted her head, her heartbeat spiked. Unlike Sekai, she actually found him pretty gentle.
…
Hayashi Maki took a shower, then put on a staff uniform again and busied himself alongside Yumiko and the others—chatting as they worked.
Facing Mahiru with Youko-san's scent all over him would have been far too obvious, so washing up was necessary.
Hayashi Maki was getting more and more scummy.
But he didn't dislike this version of himself.
If you want to have multiple pretty girls, you're destined to be a greedy scumbag.
~~~
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