The next morning.
Kirisu Mafuyu had just opened her eyes when she saw a very familiar person sitting by her bed, staring at her.
She yelped on instinct.
"Ah!"
"You little brat, are you trying to give me a heart attack?!"
Once she'd come back to her senses, she patted her full chest a few times, glaring at him as she weakly pummeled his shoulder.
It was early, she'd been sleeping so soundly—waking up to find someone who definitely shouldn't be here would scare anyone.
Hayashi Maki caught her tiny fist and, with a tug, pulled her straight into his arms.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. I've just got something to ask you today, so I came early."
Pressed against his chest, Mafuyu's cheeks flushed faintly.
"Fine, spit it out. What is it?"
Hayashi Maki grinned, his hand slipping down to her thigh.
"Today I'm going to a signing event as an author, so I want to ask for leave."
"A signing event? Not bad—you're actually at the point of holding signings now!"
Mafuyu's eyes lit up and she couldn't help praising him.
She'd read his books too.
The more she read, the more complicated she'd felt.
Never mind all the melodramatic torment he put the hero and heroine through—it was obvious the whole novel was just him writing about his two little lovers.
But that was one thing; this was another.
The fact that he'd reached this point, living off his writing, earning more than most salarymen and basically achieving financial freedom… that made her genuinely happy.
Who didn't want their man to be capable?
Being praised made Hayashi Maki laugh, his expression bright with satisfaction.
"So I'm counting on you to handle my leave, my Mafuyu-chan."
"Taking leave is fine, but don't call me 'Mafuyu-chan'! I'm older than you, remember? You little brat, show some respect to your teacher!"
Mafuyu huffed, her face burning with embarrassment.
No matter what, with their age gap, she definitely felt like an older woman robbing the cradle.
Even if he was the one who'd gone after her, who'd pestered her into this… the age difference still got under her skin.
Hayashi Maki looked at the flustered beauty in his arms and couldn't help planting a gentle kiss on her lips.
"Am I not respecting you enough already? I've made you my wife in all but name. Oh, and for the record—Mafuyu can only be my wife."
"Hmph. Cut it out! I said I'd handle your leave, so you can go already."
Mafuyu shoved him away, annoyed.
He had time to mess around, but she was a teacher—she had lessons to prep.
And every time they were together, it always started out as talking… and then somehow became them lying on the bed…
She barely had any headspace left to think about teaching. That wasn't right.
A good teacher needed to take the job seriously.
Pushed away, Hayashi Maki smirked and suddenly scooped her back up again.
"Mafuyu-sensei helped me get leave, so obviously I have to repay you. How about a little 'extra tutoring'?"
Mafuyu squeaked, her face turning bright red.
"Is this so-called 'tutoring' actually legitimate?!"
He blinked innocently.
"Totally legitimate! Anyway—time's limited, Mafuyu-sensei… better get ready."
Ready?
Ready how?
Mafuyu shot him a shy look, then obediently extended her pale arms and wrapped them around his neck.
Sure enough, this "tutoring" ended up in bed yet again.
…
Some time later.
Mafuyu lay limp and boneless on the bed, staring blankly up at the white ceiling.
That brat had worn her out and then run off…
"How am I supposed to prep class like this today? Ugh, my head is full of weird thoughts… it's all his fault. He's totally corrupted me…"
Grumbling about the man who'd just ravaged her, she rested a while, then finally dragged herself out of bed.
When she saw the breakfast already prepared, and the bento set out on the table, her heart warmed.
That guy really does know how to take care of people, she thought.
She decided to forgive him for tormenting her.
This time.
…
Over with Hayashi Maki.
After getting his leave approved, he headed straight to Kasumigaoka Utaha's apartment.
He rang the doorbell.
Utaha, in pajamas, opened the door and yawned.
"Morning, perv kouhai."
The corner of Hayashi Maki's mouth twitched.
"Is 'perv' just permanently etched into my character now? Why does everyone call me that?"
If it wasn't "little brat," it was "pervert."
Honestly, he was just honest and… broadly affectionate, that was all.
Utaha rolled her eyes and stretched lazily in front of him before opening her arms.
"You are that type, so clearly everyone's eyes are sharp. Anyway, carry me back to bed—I'm not fully awake yet and you came to bother me already."
Hayashi Maki sighed and swept the beautiful senpai up into his arms, carrying her into the bedroom.
Utaha rested her cheek against his neck, looking quite content.
Her delicate face, small soft lips, and loose pajama straps, paired with the fact that she wasn't wearing black stockings or a headband… made her look even more tempting.
That languid softness was a different sort of charm—and the unguarded posture showed how much she trusted him.
He laid her gently on the bed and climbed in beside her.
"It's still early. I'll just teleport us over when it's time, so sleep easy."
Hearing that, Utaha didn't argue. She nuzzled into his chest, wrapped her arms around his neck, and drifted back to sleep.
Her figure was truly something else.
Holding her like this—soft, warm, faintly scented—was a treat all on its own.
For once, Hayashi Maki didn't have any ulterior motives.
He just quietly held her, letting her rest.
This kind of warm peace, this quiet atmosphere—that was something he really liked.
If life could always be this pleasant, who would want to run around fighting all day?
Go with the flow, lie flat when you can—that was his philosophy.
Of course, the premise for that was having the ability to lie flat.
If something went wrong, this little bubble of happiness could pop in an instant.
So, if he wanted to keep cherishing all these adorable girls, he had to keep contracting more familiars.
Time slipped by.
Maybe because Hayashi Maki stayed by her side the whole time, Utaha woke up much sooner than usual.
She opened her eyes, clear and bright, and looked at the man holding her. Her lips curved into a smile.
Studying her boyfriend's face at such close range, she couldn't help leaning in and kissing him lightly.
"Handsome as ever. Not bad at all for being Kasumigaoka Utaha's man."
~~~
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