"Maki-kun, I'm back."
Shiina Mahiru walked in with a smile, a second girl—golden-haired and a little airheaded—following right behind her.
She was slender, white ankle socks on evenly shaped legs, a refined face with slightly upturned, mature-looking eyes—and absolutely no expression.
Her long blond hair framed skin as pale as snow; the contrast hit hard and was gorgeous to look at. Her light-blue school uniform matched the one Aoyama Nanami next door wears, which meant she was a Mizutaka High student too. (Asada Shino and the Akizuki sisters are Mizutaka High as well, right?)
"Welcome back, Mahiru. This the cousin you mentioned?" Hayashi Maki glanced at Shiina Mashiro, took the shopping bags, and set them aside with a smile.
"Yep. This is Shiina Mashiro. I'm planning to have Cousin Mashiro stay in the room next to mine."
Then Mahiru introduced them. "Cousin Mashiro, this is Hayashi Maki—he's family. If you need anything, just ask him."
Mashiro stared blankly at Hayashi Maki, gave a tiny nod, and held out her hand. "Mashiro. I'm Shiina Mashiro."
Hayashi Maki shook it naturally. "Please take care of me, Shiina-san."
With that, introductions were done. Seeing the two of them getting along, Mahiru's smile softened.
"Mashiro, sit and rest a bit. I'll start dinner."
"Want a hand?" Hayashi Maki offered.
Mahiru shot him a playful side-eye and shook her head with a smile. "Nope. You stay here and chat with Mashiro. She just came back from the UK—lots to get used to."
"And the kitchen is my territory. You just wait to eat. I picked up some good stuff today."
"Got it. I'll look forward to it," Hayashi Maki said, grinning.
He could already smell seafood—probably oysters. Angel Mahiru was so thoughtful; only she would worry about "replenishing" him.
Tying on an apron, Mahiru headed into the kitchen. Mashiro sat quietly on the living-room sofa. She didn't really get why Mahiru brought her here for dinner, but if Hayashi Maki was "family," he should be trustworthy.
Mashiro looked mature and cool when she wasn't talking, but in truth she was a total life novice—couldn't manage daily living at all. She was used to having a "handler" arrange things. With Mahiru busy, Hayashi Maki started his task: keep Mashiro company and help her ease in.
He sat beside her, smiling as he took in her slim frame and pretty face. "Shiina-san, I heard you've been in the UK. What did you spend your time on?"
He already knew, but small talk starts at step one; getting someone comfortable is the best way to build a bond.
Mashiro blinked at him, pink lips parting as she answered in a clear voice: "Drawing."
"Mashiro's always been drawing."
"Oh? Then what brought you to Japan?"
"I want to draw manga. Become a mangaka," she said seriously, eyes firm.
"Shoot for mangaka? That's a great dream. I've got someone around me who wants the same—maybe you two would hit it off. Next time I'll introduce you, okay?"
"Okay."
Mashiro was so obedient it almost made Hayashi Maki feel guilty about taking advantage—almost. He quickly shook off that useless guilt. He'd even kissed a little dummy like Satania; why would Mashiro be different? Since she was here, he and Mahiru would be the "handlers" of this pet-like girl.
As for her older cousin Chihiro Sengoku? That woman was a problem. In the original story she couldn't be bothered and dumped Mashiro on one of her male students to look after—ridiculous.
Sure, that sells books: a useless everyman hero meets a helpless genius beauty. But in real life, Chihiro's behavior was indefensible.
Now, though, things had changed. Mashiro being entrusted to Mahiru was a much better setup.
With a little prompting, Mashiro soon shared bits about herself—for example, that "Rita" used to take care of her as her handler. Then she asked Hayashi Maki, "So… are Hayashi Maki and Mahiru my handlers now?"
Hayashi Maki couldn't help a wry smile. A real-life beauty who calls herself a pet and her caretakers "handlers"—he'd finally met one. Jokes aside, he accepted the title.
He reached out and patted her head. "That's right. From now on, Mahiru and I are your handlers. If you need anything, come to us."
"And if you run into trouble with the manga, say so. I don't draw manga, but I am a published light-novel author. I can give you useful advice on story."
Mashiro's eyes lit up. Plot was exactly what had her stuck—she'd been rejected a dozen times. Even with editor feedback, she couldn't produce what they wanted; she had no idea how to fix it. Maybe… she could ask Hayashi Maki?
Thinking that, Mashiro nodded but stayed quiet. She didn't have much common sense, but she wasn't about to trouble someone she'd just met. Observe first. Rita had said: be careful choosing a handler. Airheaded as she seemed, Mashiro was sensitive—she could feel who treated her well and who didn't. That's why, so far, Rita was her only friend.
Once the ice was properly broken, Mahiru called out: "Maki-kun, Mashiro—dinner's ready!"
Well, nothing outranks a good meal. Hayashi Maki led Mashiro to the table. The spread was generous; the aroma set his appetite roaring. Mahiru slid a plate of oysters in front of him.
"Maki-kun, these are for you. Eat them all, okay?"
She didn't know how a "demon's" constitution worked—but after how much "energy" he'd spent with Yukino and Shino, he definitely needed to refuel.
~~~
For Every 100 Powerstone = 1 Bonus Chapter!
Patreon(.)com/Bleam
— Currently You can Read 220+ Chapters Ahead of Others!