Over to Shiina Mahiru.
She was teamed up with Kato Megumi. Both of them are the diligent type, so they finished their area in no time.
With a little free time, Mahiru turned down Miura Yumiko and the others' karaoke invite—they'd finished their tasks too.
She planned to go find Yukinoshita Yukino for a proper talk.
To Mahiru, Hayashi Maki sneaking off to "fool around" wasn't a big deal. She and Asada Shino couldn't keep him in line together anyway; him stepping out now and then was almost normal.
Besides, he's got decent taste—he isn't messing around in sleazy places, and the girls he sees are all outstanding.
For the sake of a harmonious home, Mahiru felt like she was worrying herself sick.
She was just about to head to Class 1 to catch Yukino when her phone rang.
Seeing a number that was both familiar and estranged, Mahiru bit her lip.
It was a number she used to wait for with all her heart—her father Shiina Asahi's.
She hesitated, then suddenly smiled.
Answer it.
What's there to be afraid of? She didn't need Shiina Asahi or Sayo Shiina's concern anymore.
She had her own home now, new goals, and someone who loved her deeply and would always cherish her.
She might as well hear what this so-called father wanted.
She picked up and said flatly, "This is Shiina Mahiru. Say what you called to say."
Shiina Asahi: "…"
To be honest, Asahi was surprised. He'd imagined his daughter crying, or grilling him with questions. He hadn't imagined her showing nothing at all—just polite.
That polite distance hit him like a ton of bricks.
In a way, parents can be arrogant. They allow themselves not to care for their daughter, but won't allow their daughter to be cold to them—even if that coldness is something they themselves created.
"No news? Then I'm hanging up."
When Mahiru heard nothing on the other end, she frowned. She wasn't in the mood to drag this out. She barely knew Yukino as it was; if she didn't go now, she'd be too busy later.
"Wait—Mahiru, Dad has something to say."
Asahi finally accepted his daughter's indifference, and oddly enough felt relieved. If she'd stayed warm and begged, he'd have felt guilty.
"Then say it. I might not listen… And I don't have a father. My only guardian is Aunt Koyuki. That's all."
Mahiru's tone was cool and impatient. If anyone else heard her, they'd probably watch their image of an "angel" shatter—so even angels can be icy and fed up.
Asahi's mouth twitched—he hadn't expected her to be this impatient. But he quickly brushed it off. He was calling to toss a problem off his plate so he could live peacefully with the woman and daughter he loved. As for Mahiru, heir to the Shiina main family, she'd do just fine without his concern.
"Mahiru, your cousin Shiina Mashiro is flying in from the UK tomorrow. Go pick her up and look after her. As long as she's in Japan, you're responsible for keeping her life stable."
"Hah? And why exactly?" Mahiru was barely keeping her anger in check. This man was the definition of an unworthy father. He'd never given her a shred of warmth, never once answered her hopes.
Now he'd kicked her out, moved his illegitimate daughter into the house, and was dumping another girl on her to take care of—based on what?
"To repay what you owe us," Asahi said coolly. "Sayo and I discussed it. Mashiro is yours to look after. Once you do this, you won't owe us anything anymore."
"Think of it as paying back the favor of raising you."
Mahiru let out a laugh, eyes growing wet. "Fine. I'll do it. After this we're even. Don't contact me again."
"Good. I'll send you Mashiro's photo—don't pick up the wrong person." With that, Asahi hung up.
Mahiru couldn't stop the tears from falling.
Just then, Hayashi Maki appeared and gently pulled her into a hug.
"Mm… Maki-kun… let me lean on you for a bit, okay?"
"Of course. Mahiru can lean on me for a lifetime if she wants."
He led her somewhere quiet and let her rest against his chest. Comforting his girl—naturally that was his job.
Mahiru buried her face against him, tears spilling despite herself, soaking his shirt before she even realized.
After a long while, she calmed down. Blushing, she wiped her eyes. "Sorry, Maki-kun… I cried again like a baby. I must look awful right now, huh?"
Hayashi Maki leaned in and kissed the corner of her eye with a smile. "Silly. Not awful at all. A beauty in tears—how could I not feel for you? You're even more stunning."
Hearing that, Mahiru felt shy, but warmth bloomed in her chest. This man was the harbor of her heart. That so-called father wasn't fit to be called family.
"Hey, Maki-kun… My dad wants me to pick up a cousin named Shiina Mashiro tomorrow. I want to let her stay in my room—would that be okay?"
She squeezed his hand, eyes wide and hopeful.
Hayashi Maki smiled, stroked her hair, and nodded. "Of course. Then Mahiru can just stay with me. You've been sleeping over with me anyway—move in. Saves you the back-and-forth."
"Eh—really?" Mahiru looked at him in delighted surprise. That was exactly what she wanted, but hearing him say it first still sent a thrill through her.
"Well, who else would you live with if not me? I'm already spoiled by your cooking—you've got to keep me fed!"
Mahiru nodded hard. "No problem. Look forward to it."
"But I might still have to shuttle back and forth. My—oh no, that man—told me to take care of Cousin Mashiro. I might get distracted…"
"Not a big deal. She'll be next door anyway. How distracted can you get? Don't worry—when you're swamped, I'll help."
Mahiru gave him a dubious look. "You're not going to 'take care' of her straight into your bed, are you?"
"Ahem!" Hayashi Maki pinched her soft cheeks with a mock-stern face. "What kind of thing is that to say? In your eyes, am I really the type who 'takes care' of girls into bed?"
Mahiru nodded solemnly. "Yup. That's exactly the impression you give me. Isn't it true?"
Hayashi Maki bent down and kissed her lips. "What keen eyes—you got me. Which is why you need to stay by my side and keep an eye on me." Mahiru's cheeks flushed, but she didn't pull away.
~~~
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