In the Tristain Academy's underground archive, the bald professor Colbert was combing through records.
On the day of the familiar summoning, while no one else noticed the sigil on the back of Louise's hand, he did. It was too strange: the summoner was the one bearing a familiar's mark. Didn't that mean Miss Vallière was actually Hayashi Maki's familiar?
Conscientious as a teacher, Colbert worried something was amiss and came to the archives to investigate. And sure enough—perhaps because of Hayashi Maki's arrival, the world itself had shifted—he actually found an entry matching the sigil.
"Found it!"
He stared at the description and went wide-eyed.
"This is… the Founder's Follower sigil? Impossible—Mr. Hayashi Maki is the Founder? But wasn't the Founder female?"
Colbert reeled. Taking a deep breath, he went to the headmaster's office and reported to Mr. Osman, the academy's headmaster—white hair, white beard, an immortal's look… and an incorrigible lecher.
His familiar was a white mouse, which he often used to peek up girls' skirts. The older he got, the worse it got—hence why Miss Grimaud, his secretary, put on safety shorts her first day on the job.
After hearing Colbert's report, a sharp gleam flashed in Osman's eyes.
"Mr. Colbert, this must be kept secret. Tell no third party—especially no one at court."
"I understand, Headmaster."
…
Back to Hayashi Maki: after saying goodbye to Siesta, he headed for the dorms. The academy's "dorm" was a castle, with rooms on each floor.
Reaching the second floor, he was blocked by a fire salamander.
"Graah~"
The salamander, Flame, gave a weird chirp, stood up, grabbed Hayashi Maki's clothes in its jaws, and tugged him into a room heavy with perfume.
One look and his blood surged: bronze skin, red hair, wearing only purple lace lingerie—Kirche lay on her side on the bed, gazing at him with sultry eyes. In candlelight her skin looked even more alluring.
Hayashi Maki admired the view—then turned on his heel. "I'm leaving."
"Eh—wait! You see me like this and just walk out? So heartless!"
Startled, Kirche hurried over barefoot and caught him by the arm, eyes glossy with unshed tears. Normally, a look like that—plus lingerie and a body like that—would melt any man on the spot. She'd studied the family's "treasured art" of irresistible charm well.
"And what then?" Hayashi Maki rolled his eyes. "Miss Kirche, this feels like a setup. A woman who's too forward won't be cherished. Treasure your body. Later."
He pinched her soft cheek and left. Flame didn't dare block him—she sensed a pressure radiating from Hayashi Maki's very soul.
Kirche touched her cheek, stunned—and then delighted. Anyone who touched her, even accidentally, would be burned by her flames… but Hayashi Maki hadn't felt a thing.
That meant he wasn't affected by her "warmth." So he was her destined one. Handing him to Vallière would be a waste! There was time; she would court him and win his heart. Stealing Vallière's familiar would be a triumph for any Zerbst.
…
Leaving Kirche's room, Hayashi Maki found Louise standing in the corridor, arms folded, staring.
"Where did you go?"
"For fruit," he said, hefting the watermelon.
"Hmph. Then why did I see you coming out of Zerbst's room?"
Louise's body quivered; she was angry. Hayashi Maki just smiled and scooped her up.
"Yah—what are you doing?" She blushed and glanced around; seeing no one, she relaxed.
"Carrying you to bed," he said. "Relax—I didn't do anything with Kirche. Her salamander invited me; we chatted and I left." With that, he carried her back to the room, set her on the bed, slipped off his coat, and lay down with her.
She pushed at him, failed to budge him, and finally allowed it. She was pleased; he'd made her shine. After over a year of ridicule, with pride that sharp, the pressure had been immense. She desperately wanted to prove herself—win recognition and admiration. She didn't want to be "Louise the Zero."
"Mmph!"
Doing nothing at night wasn't Hayashi Maki's style. Kirche's figure had lit him up earlier, too; he bent and kissed Louise's lips.
Drowsy, she couldn't fight, and shyly accepted it. Kissing—once you get used to it, one time becomes many. For all her tsundere, she was just a girl; in his arms, with his domineering kiss, there was no "tsun," only "dere."
—A quiet night—
The next day, after breakfast, Louise took Hayashi Maki to class.
When the two of them entered, all eyes turned. The derision had faded by half—that's the confidence power brings. Hayashi Maki's little demonstration had worked.
Guiche's scalp had healed—he'd paid a mountain of gold and begged Montmorency for a hair-growth tonic, restoring his coiffure. But he didn't dare meet Hayashi Maki's eye—the shadow of that crushing defeat still loomed.
He wasn't foolish; he knew Hayashi Maki had used him as a springboard to boost Louise. But knowing is one thing; what could he do? He'd lost and he accepted Hayashi Maki's strength. From now on, he'd give Hayashi Maki a wide berth.
Hayashi Maki sat by Louise. Publicly, a familiar wasn't supposed to be in class—but as a "humanoid familiar," the rule was flexible. And after his show of force, no one objected to him sitting with his master.
The classroom seating, however, made peeking at the back row's skirts convenient. It was tiered like a lecture hall—higher in the back—so a slight tilt of his head showed Montmorency's long black–stockinged legs… and the scenery beneath.
Noble boys were face-conscious and well trained; they wouldn't be so rude. Hayashi Maki's glance made Montmorency and a few girls instantly blush and press down their skirts.
"Louise—mind your familiar! He keeps looking everywhere," Montmorency huffed.
Louise glared at him, mortified. "What are you doing?"
"Just surveying the environment," Hayashi Maki said blandly. He'd never admit to peeking. It was open observation, thank you. This seating plan had to be the headmaster Osman's lecherous handiwork.
Seeing him so self-righteous, Louise's understanding of his shamelessness deepened. Furious, she could only fix him with a stern look. "Sit up. Class is starting!"
Hayashi Maki smiled and nodded—he did give Louise face. After a dutiful nod, he glanced back and gave Montmorency a tiny smile before facing the podium. Her heart gave a jump; she patted her chest to calm down.