Watching the scenery blur by, Hayashi Maki glanced oddly at the slightly exhilarated Mafuyu Kirisu.
They pulled into her complex and down into the underground parking. Hayashi Maki unbuckled and stepped out.
"Kirisu-sensei, you were speeding. That was dangerous."
Mafuyu waved it off. "What, scared already? And I wasn't speeding—just a little fast."
"Yeah, I am scared," he said, and wrapped her in a light hug as she stepped out. "I'm afraid of losing you. So promise me—drive slower next time. Safety first, okay?"
Mafuyu's cheeks warmed. "What's that supposed to mean? You don't trust my driving?"
He didn't answer—just held her gaze, all concern, warmth, and heat.
She fidgeted, gave him a little shove. "Fine, fine—I promise… I'll slow down next time… Now let go; I'm not a kid…"
She was an adult, not some little girl who needed fretting over. And yet… why was her heart pounding?
Touching her flushed face, she slipped from his arms and quickened her pace toward her apartment. Hayashi Maki followed close behind. They didn't speak—but somehow the silence felt… better.
She turned the key, drew a deep breath, and stepped into the entry. "I'm home."
Light footsteps pattered over. "Nee-chan—you're back! Thanks for your hard work."
"Eh—who's that?"
Miharu Kirisu—so like her sister it hurt—spotted Hayashi Maki and asked instinctively. Mafuyu forced calm. "This is Hayashi Maki, my student—he's here for tutoring. You don't have to mind him, Miharu. He'll leave when we're done."
"Tutoring?" Miharu's look turned… odd. "Aren't you a history teacher? You tutor that?"
Memorization needs tutoring? How dumb was he? Eyeing his handsome face, she thought: The 'handsome idiot' from TV?
Hayashi Maki noticed her odd look but let it slide. Instead, he pulled out a gift box and offered it. "Miharu-san, I'm Hayashi Maki—pleased to meet you. Kirisu-sensei takes good care of me at school. Please accept this small gift."
"Oh—there's a gift? I… Nee-chan, can I?" Miharu asked, tempted.
"Since he brought it, take it," Mafuyu said casually—shooting Hayashi Maki a murderous glare. Her sister gets a gift—where's hers?
Hayashi Maki pretended not to notice and handed the box to Miharu. "Thank you—I'll open it?" A bit of courtesy goes a long way; grateful, she already liked this "handsome idiot" a bit more.
"Go ahead," Hayashi Maki nodded. Mafuyu glanced over too, curious what the brat would give her sister—and a little sore he hadn't given her anything.
Miharu lifted the lid to find a delicate bracelet with green gemstones—beautiful. "Wow—it's so pretty!" She loved it instantly. It was a guardian charm—a magic trinket—to give her some protection.
"As long as you like it," Hayashi Maki smiled, following them in. He'd barely sat and sipped his tea when Mafuyu grabbed him and dragged him to her room.
"Let's begin—didn't you say you wanted tutoring?" she said primly, pulling out a textbook.
Hayashi Maki scooped her up and sat her in his lap.
"Yah—w-what are you doing?"
She blushed, eyes darting to the door. "Didn't I say no funny business? Liar!"
He dropped a kiss on her lips and teased, "I don't think this is 'funny business.' And Kirisu-sensei—did you really think I came for tutoring?"
Her body trembled; she turned her gaze aside, unable to meet his heat.
"I'm not listening. We're just doing tutoring… Let go…"
"No. Let me hold you a little longer," he said, leaning in for another kiss. She threw up a hand to block him. "Don't—brat! Keep this up and I'll really be mad!"
Her eyes welled. The brat had brought a gift—for her sister—but only wanted to tease her. The more she thought, the more wronged she felt.
Seeing her teary eyes, Hayashi Maki's heart softened. He stopped teasing, took her hand, and slid a ruby-set ring onto her pale, slender finger.
Mafuyu froze. "What's this?"
"A ring I made—the Ring of Protection. It'll shield you if you're in danger." He stroked her hair gently.
"Why a ring?" she asked, trying to steady her racing heart.
"Why? Do you really not know?" He lifted her hand and kissed it. She jolted as if shocked. Unlike a bracelet, a ring meant… marriage.
"I don't know what you're talking about," she murmured, turning away in embarrassment, heart still racing. He didn't press—just hugged her close, breathing in her scent.
Feeling him hold her, Mafuyu's heart leapt and her face flamed. Hayashi Maki pinched her chin and stole another kiss.
"Mmm… mmm…"
Her eyes fluttered shut; her pink arms curled around his neck. She couldn't deny it—she loved the ring. As a woman, of course she dreamed of a wedding. It was just… he was too practiced.
She cracked her eyes open to glare at the "bad student." This was wrong—yet she had no strength, no will to push him away. Have I… fallen for him?
They heated up behind closed doors.
On the living-room sofa, Miharu turned her wrist, admired the bracelet, and glanced toward her sister's room. "So… does history really need tutoring? Or is he special? Could he be Nee-chan's boyfriend?"
The thought made her chest tighten. She went to an all-girls school—no chance to meet boys. And friends said men were bad—date one and he'll strip you bare… and "eat you." The thought of her sister being preyed on made her feel sick.
~~~
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