Ako Tamaki still had a clear sense of her "role."
Aside from being good at housework and cooking, taking care of people, and loving to dote on her husband, she didn't have any other talents.
Her looks—excellent—and her bombshell figure were also advantages.
But right now, next to her husband Hayashi Maki, she felt a little awkward.
There was Mashiro Shiina, who was even more pet-like than she was, better at acting spoiled, and blankly adorable.
There was also Mahiru Shiina, super gentle—an angelic presence—good at every household task, and an even better cook than Ako.
And the quietly low-profile Megumi Kato, who had somehow already won Hayashi Maki's affection.
Not to mention other pretty girls Ako hadn't even met yet.
Uuu, what do I do?
With so many rivals around her husband, could he even keep up?
Ako was already worrying on his behalf.
Was hubby's waist still okay?
What if he ran out of steam before it was her turn?
Of course, her worries were unnecessary.
Precisely because he spent time with them one by one, Hayashi Maki's time was tight; so he tried to have the girls get to know one another. Mahiru seemed to understand, naturally maintaining friendships with the others to keep the "back garden" harmonious.
Just last time, Yukino-chan had gotten along well with her. And Shino too.
Jealousy cropped up now and then, but Hayashi Maki was too good at this—he coaxed her into bliss every time.
For the sake of this home, Mahiru could only keep building rapport with the girls, becoming even closer best friends.
After dinner and a bit of hanging out together, Hayashi Maki suggested seeing Megumi Kato and Ako home.
Ako, reluctant, gazed at him with watery eyes.
"Hubby Hayashi Maki, can I stay over tonight?"
"You can. Keep me company and chat," Mahiru answered with a smile on Hayashi Maki's behalf—she happened to want a chance to sit down with this new "little sister" too.
Ako's eyes widened. She wanted to cuddle her husband—why was it chatting with you? But she'd been wishing to stay anyway, so she nodded at once, then kept staring at Hayashi Maki with a cute, pleading look.
Please—let me stay the night!
Hayashi Maki sighed and agreed.
"I'll walk Megumi home first."
Megumi didn't have Ako's thick skin—and she had no intention of staying over. She felt that being with Hayashi Maki had the best atmosphere when it was just the two of them. At least for that time slot, he belonged to her alone.
Strolling the nighttime streets, Hayashi Maki didn't rush to drop Megumi off. In a quiet spot drenched in moonlight, he squeezed her small hand and pulled her into his arms. Cupping her face, he sighed.
"Sorry, Megumi. I'm a greedy, philandering man."
Megumi rolled her eyes.
"That apology has zero sincerity. What are you apologizing for?"
Hugging her soft, fragrant body, he took a deep breath.
"I just feel sorry for the girls around me. I'm really a scumbag."
Megumi slid her arms around his neck, rose on tiptoe, and pecked his lips.
"Idiot. Don't say that. Instead of thinking how you've wronged people, think about how to make them happy. What do you say?"
He nodded hard, then lifted her and carried her to a nearby park, sitting on a bench. Bending down, he kissed her gently; his palm found her slim calf with practiced ease, toying with it lightly.
Megumi's breathing quickened; her cheeks burned, making her look even more enticing. Nervous as she was, she couldn't help feeling expectant. She and Shinka Nibutani had known him early, yet neither relationship had crossed the final line; like Nibutani, she felt a quiet grievance about that.
When he let her lips go for a moment, his fingers moved deftly—Megumi's buttons slipped open. That fair, deep valley, and the rich, alluring scent—his fire leapt high.
"Megumi… I'm sorry. You're so cute. I'll never let you go in this life. I'm a selfish, greedy man."
"Idiot, I already knew," Megumi said, blushing, running a hand through his hair. "So… hold me."
His warm lips brushed her delicate collarbone. Feeling her soft skin, his mood soared…
…
"Mm… you're awful…"
Eyes half-closed, Megumi marveled at her boldness, a flood of shyness rising in her chest. Watching the "villain" who was holding her calf and brushing her skin with his lips, she couldn't stop a sweetness from blooming.
Tilting up her pale chin, Megumi pushed his head down, a helpless little sound escaping her. She grumbled inwardly at his experience—and couldn't help praising his gentleness.
After a while, Hayashi Maki straightened and settled the boneless Megumi in his lap, laced her slender fingers with his, and kissed her again, possessive.
That night, he didn't go back. Instead, he took Megumi to a hotel. Yes, he was scummy—but not so far as to act reckless outdoors. With Megumi, he wanted to give his girl a beautiful first experience.
Much later, Megumi nestled calmly in his arms, soaking in the warmth of the moment. The stark red on the sheets proved she had stepped onto the path of adulthood. And on Hayashi Maki's "demon growth" panel, something changed.
After contracting with Megumi Kato, he gained a new ability:
[Protagonist of One]: The girl who yearns to be noticed and treated gently grants you a special power, named Protagonist of One.
Effect: The player can create an indestructible duel space lasting 3 minutes, forcing a single target into a one-on-one. As the protagonist, you are invincible within the space; skill usage is unrestricted.
Reading the description, Hayashi Maki's eyes lit up. He hadn't expected Megumi's gift to be an invincible duel. Only three minutes, yes, but inside that space he was the protagonist—and could spam skills without limit.
He had a hunch his combat skills would be put to use soon. If even the dimensional witch Yuuko Ichihara could appear in this world, then people from other worlds might show up, too. Or he might traverse worlds himself and have a grand adventure.
Of course, for Hayashi Maki, "adventure" wasn't the point. The point was contracting more top-tier retainers and cuddling pretty girls—that was his main goal. What can you do? He was a demon faithful to his own desires.