After cuddling for a while,
Yukinoshita Yukino had recovered a bit of strength.
Tapping his chest with a slender finger, she couldn't help asking:
"Hey, you scoundrel—how did you cure me back then?"
Hayashi Maki's eyes flickered away, then he smiled. "Easy. I healed you with that kiss."
Yukino pouted. "Liar."
"Uh—how am I lying? You were awake, weren't you? Why else were you so mad that I was 'taking advantage' while treating you?"
Yukino turned her head. "Big liar!"
"Hey… don't sulk."
Hayashi Maki, helpless, ruffled her hair—he truly had no idea why she was upset again. A girl's heart… don't guess. At a time like this, all he could do was hold her tighter—let her feel how much he cherished her.
Now that he and the second miss had formed a formal contract, he naturally had a new ability. But that could wait; he'd check later.
Seeing he wouldn't tell the truth, Yukino didn't press. But she was even more moved inside. He had clearly borne the pain she once felt—and still wouldn't admit it. A big liar… and yet, so gentle.
Thinking how she'd wanted to find someone to punish him, she felt even more guilty now.
Blushing, the second miss lifted her eyes to him, shy. "I've… rested enough."
Then she quickly lowered her head, not daring to meet his gaze.
Hayashi Maki's eyes lit up. Looking down at the slightly trembling Yukino—shy, a little nervous—he was thrilled.
"Yukino-chan, I've just about rested too."
"The night is long—let me teach you some interesting things. Watch closely and learn well, okay?"
He leaned in and kissed her. Yukino answered softly. Her eyes stayed closed—no intention of watching or learning—leaving everything to instinct.
—Midnight—
After Yukino fell asleep, Hayashi Maki slipped out, took a shower, then returned to bed and gently gathered Shiina Mahiru into his arms.
Mahiru's nose twitched; she cracked an eye to peek at him and snuggled closer. Hmph—this philanderer had a new girl's scent on him. And it wasn't Asada Shino's; she'd smelled this somewhere before.
A little sting pricked her heart; she still felt sore about his "snacking." But he'd come back to her—to their home—so she let it go. She hugged his waist tight and drifted off, content.
…
At dawn, when Hayashi Maki opened his eyes, Mahiru was no longer in his arms. The capable little angel had gotten up early to make breakfast and prepare lunch boxes.
He pulled up the Demon Panel to check his new abilities.
…
Demon Panel
Player: Hayashi Maki
Follower 1 — Shiina Mahiru (the little angel whose mana seed has blossomed; grants you Super Regeneration & Super Rebirth).
Follower 2 — Yukinoshita Haruno (a gentle, playful siscon onee-san; grants damage absorption/storage and damage transfer; mana seed catalyzing).
Follower 3 — Asada Shino (who sees you as her emotional pillar; grants extreme marksmanship—your attacks or skills are guaranteed to hit).
Follower 4 — Akizuki Marina (a gentle, modest cutie who, for her sister's sake, entered a contract under your guidance; grants dual-hand casting—free your hands, cast by will; warm the Yamato Nadeshiko, Marina).
Follower 5 — Akizuki Airi (a lively, open school diva who's already yours; moved by your gentleness and passion, she grants doubled skill damage. Mind your time management—spoil Eri often).
Follower 6 — Yukinoshita Yukino (finally your follower; shy, slowly accepting you as her lover. The adorable second heiress grants the leg-man demon a mysterious alchemy/enchanting ability! Congrats—you can use mana + rare materials to craft magic items. Go find the rare stuff yourself.)
…
Hayashi Maki's eyes lit up. Alchemy!
Basically alchemy from games—given materials, he could craft gear himself. He'd make each of the girls a piece: for defense or offense; their safety would jump. He hadn't met any truly dangerous red-name enemies yet, but a demon should have a sense of crisis—prepare early.
Also, he needed to "replenish mana" properly with Airi and Marina—both had huge potential and could multiply his combat power. And intimate mana exchanges made everyone happy while boosting abilities—why not?
"Maki-kun, breakfast is ready!"
Mahiru's clear, pleasant voice rang out. Warmth bloomed in Hayashi Maki's chest. "Coming!"
…
Elsewhere, Yukinoshita Yukino woke to an empty bed—an odd hollowness in her heart. After all that last night, he wasn't here in the morning.
Thinking of how close he and Shiina seemed, her lips curled on instinct—sourness rising.
The door opened; apron-clad Yukinoshita Haruno came in with a bright smile. "Yukino-chan, up for breakfast! Big sis is cooking for the first time in ages—you'd better eat it gratefully."
"U-um… Sis!"
Yukino yanked the quilt up, flustered. Seeing her sister made her guilty. In a way, she'd "stolen" her sister's man—and she'd been the one to provoke him and lure him in.
Shameless. If her sister found out, she'd surely hate her, right? Her eyes grew wet.
Haruno sighed, pulled the quilt away, and hugged her tight. "Silly Yukino-chan, what are you agonizing over? Isn't this good? Big sis loves you most. I'm sorry for all the pranks when we were kids."
"But I really didn't want us to marry and split apart someday. Maki-kun may be shameless and greedy, but he did fulfill my wish."
Stilled by her sister's warmth, Yukino stared blankly—and flushed to the roots. "Sis… you—you knew?"
Haruno stroked her hair fondly, half exasperated. "How could I not? You didn't even cover your mouth—kept me from sleeping."
"Uuu!" Yukino clapped both hands to her cheeks, overwhelmed with shame.
Haruno chuckled. "Alright, enough embarrassment. When I saw Maki-kun heal you with that kiss, I figured it out."
"That guy, like big sis, super super loves Yukino-chan."
"Call it fate—you and he got hit by that car together."
As for the driver—dead on the spot, an orphan. Even if she wanted revenge, there was nothing to be done.
"Okay, quit being shy. Up for breakfast; I've got things to do today—no time to dawdle."