Louise was waiting for Hayashi Maki to comfort her.
By now she'd gotten used to his temperament. But when she turned at the sound behind her, she saw Tabitha cupping Hayashi Maki's face and kissing him.
Louise's world tilted.
"Tabitha! W-what are you doing?!"
She'd expected Kirche to leave—and Tabitha to leave with her—not to… kiss him.
Tabitha calmly let Hayashi Maki's lips go and said, in complete seriousness: "Repayment."
Hayashi Maki's potion had saved her mother. So, based on her observations, Tabitha offered him what he wanted—herself.
"What repayment? What is going on?" Louise was near tears, pinning a certain butterfly-attracting someone with a death glare.
Tabitha didn't answer—only looked to Hayashi Maki, clearly puzzled herself that a "familiar" would act without consulting his master.
Hayashi Maki patted Tabitha's head, then explained to Louise:
"Tabitha's family was poisoned. I gave her an antidote. Looks like it worked."
"Mhm. Thank you. My mother is well again," Tabitha said, her eyes full of gratitude.
Louise finally understood.
"You can make potions too?"
"Of course. I can do quite a lot—you'll see," Hayashi Maki smiled. "Tabitha wants to repay me. Can she stay tonight, Louise?"
"Hah? What kind of question is that? You—you…" She looked from him to Tabitha, who was nestled meekly at his side, and deflated. "Do what you want… you lech."
In truth, she was anxious—on paper she was his familiar. The thought of him slipping away made her stomach drop, so she gave in with a huff.
Tabitha blinked, something clicking. So helping me was… his own decision? And Louise, bending to him—odd. Maybe Hayashi Maki was the one truly in charge.
When Louise turned away in a sulk, Hayashi Maki chuckled and reeled her into his arms—his other arm slipped around Tabitha's waist—and he gave the deadpan girl a brief kiss. Tabitha had read him well; this was what he wanted. He was satisfied. He'd come to this other world for beautiful girls—no need for pretense.
As for why he wasn't as forward with Kirche—her family and Louise's were feuding. There'd be a chance, but not yet.
Tabitha settled quietly against him; the sense of safety made a rare, small smile surface. She couldn't help envying Louise—a man to protect and spoil her—while Tabitha herself had always been alone, guarding the one who mattered most to her.
—Next morning—
When Louise woke, Tabitha was gone. She pouted a little. She didn't dislike Tabitha; she admired her. "The Snowstorm" was one of the academy's few Triangle mages.
Most students could handle only one element; Kirche was stronger, using a "Fire + Fire" composite—second tier. But Tabitha was a third-tier—far ahead of her peers; even many teachers were only Triangle, not necessarily stronger than her.
And this prodigy had snuggled into Hayashi Maki's arms last night—and kissed him—"repaying" him. Louise felt a sour pang… and a flicker of pride. As expected of my contractor—always doing the impossible. If only he were a bit more single-minded.
As she mused, a kiss covered her lips—her eyes flew open.
"Mm—"
She struggled, managed to break free, and glared at Hayashi Maki, face blazing. "What was that? Kissing me out of nowhere?"
He rolled his eyes. "You were ignoring me. I thought you weren't awake."
"I—I'm awake. Where's Tabitha?" she muttered, looking away as he dressed her in her uniform.
"She went back to her room," he said. "Probably didn't want to make you jealous."
Louise shot him a look. "If she were worried about that, she wouldn't have… kissed you yesterday. Out with it—what did you do?"
He pulled her into a hug. "Kiss me and I'll tell you."
"Shameless! Who does that?"
"I do. Chop-chop—otherwise I'm not talking." He leaned in. With no choice, she pecked his cheek lightning fast. "Now talk."
Without noticing, she was getting used to these little intimacies.
He smiled and explained.
"Tabitha's real name is Charlotte Hélène Orléans de Gallia—rightful heir to the throne of Gallia. Her uncle is the current king; his supporters assassinated her father and poisoned her mother, leaving her mind gone. I found this out and gave her an antidote—nothing more."
Louise's eyes widened. "She has that identity? I never heard a thing! And your potion is that powerful?"
"What else? If it weren't, I wouldn't have dared give it to her," he said, ruffling her hair.
Louise eyed him, suspicious. "Why investigate her—and help her?"
"First, she's cute. I want her. Second, you've always wanted to make a splash, right? Winning the gratitude of a capable heir is good for you too."
Both lines drifted to Tabitha's ears as she rode Sylphid in the sky. She touched her expressionless face. "Because I'm cute… he wants me?" She didn't dislike a man like that. Being wanted—wasn't that its own kind of luck?
~~~
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