Waiting at the school gate for a while, Hayashi Maki quickly became the center of attention among the students of Shinya Academy.
Being handsome really was its own kind of hassle.
During that time, several girls even came up to hit on him—upperclassmen from second and third year asked for his number.
Hayashi Maki politely turned them all down, saying he was waiting for his girlfriend and didn't want her to misunderstand.
He waited and waited, but Katsura Kotonoha still didn't appear.
Just as he was about to use his "god's-eye view" to see what was going on, a petite girl appeared neatly in front of him.
"Are you waiting for Katsura-san?"
Hayashi Maki turned toward the voice, and his eyes lit up.
"Oh, it's Setsuna-chan. Yeah, I'm waiting for Kotonoha. Do you know why she's taking so long today?"
"She's on cleaning duty," Kiyoura Setsuna replied, her gaze complicated as she looked at the man who was very likely her "father" from another angle. She sighed, then explained, "Katsura-san has to clean the classroom today, so she won't be out for a while."
"Ah, that explains it," Hayashi Maki nodded, smiling. "In that case, I'll come pick her up a bit later. Setsuna, walk with me for a bit."
He held a hand out to her.
Kiyoura Setsuna's brow twitched.
"Can I refuse?"
"Nope."
Hayashi Maki cut her off, grabbed her soft white hand, and tugged her along.
Her face flushed red, and she stammered in panic.
"L-let go… If someone we know sees…"
"If they see, they see. I'm holding your hand either way."
"Y–you're shameless! We've only met a few times…"
"We've only met a few times, but we're already pretty familiar, aren't we? Setsuna-chan."
That gentle smile of his left Setsuna at a loss for words.
Once they reached a quiet spot, Hayashi Maki got even bolder.
He plopped down on a mysteriously convenient bench and pulled her straight into his lap, letting her lean back against his chest.
Setsuna's face went scarlet. She squirmed a little and puffed out her cheeks.
"Don't you think this is going too far?"
"I don't," Hayashi Maki said calmly. "Holding Setsuna-chan feels really comforting."
"The 'little' is unnecessary!" Setsuna glared up at him through gritted teeth.
It wasn't her fault she was so petite—that was probably genetic. Her mother, Kiyoura Mai, was just as small.
"Haha, don't be mad. I only call you that because it feels closer that way. My Setsuna-chan is just too cute."
Being called cute like that instantly took the wind out of her sails. Instead, she just felt a little shy.
Honestly, this was the first time she'd ever been held so intimately by a man. Her body felt a bit weak.
"Hey, Setsuna, is your mom home?" Hayashi Maki asked casually.
He'd already taken care of Youko; naturally he had to put some effort into Mai-san too.
"Unfortunately for you, she's gone on another business trip," Setsuna huffed. "So you won't get the chance to harass her like you did to Youko."
"Ahem, harass? That was clearly quality bonding time."
Hayashi Maki protested, then leaned down and kissed her on the cheek.
"Ah! W–what are you doing?!"
Setsuna slapped a hand over her face with a squeak.
"Sorry, you're just too cute. I couldn't help myself."
Her cheeks burned.
"Y-you're indecent…"
"Given… our relationship, don't you think it's weird for you to be looking at me with such pervy eyes?" she muttered.
"Oh? And just what is our relationship?" Hayashi Maki asked, openly interested as he studied her face.
Setsuna snorted and turned her head away.
"You know exactly what."
"Haha, alright, I won't tease you," Hayashi Maki said, ruffling her hair gently. "Don't stress over it. Even if it's the kind of relationship you're thinking of, there's no blood between us, so it's fine."
"Have you heard of cloning? Strictly speaking, you and Mai-san are more like a special kind of sisters."
"Eh? Really?" Setsuna stared at him, stunned.
Hayashi Maki chuckled.
"Relax, I wouldn't lie to you… not about something like this, anyway. My Setsuna-chan can call me whatever she wants—that's up to you."
Setsuna went quiet for a moment, then looked up at him.
"What you're saying is way too far-fetched. How am I supposed to believe you?"
Hayashi Maki kept stroking her hair, fingers brushing over the red ribbon in it, clearly in an excellent mood.
"Everything I've said is true. I might lie to other people, but not to you."
He pinched her cheek lightly and hugged her a bit tighter.
Setsuna shivered, her feelings all tangled up.
The warmth of his arms was… strangely comforting. And a little addictive.
"Even if… even if what you're saying is true… holding me like this is still wrong… We've hardly met…"
Hayashi Maki sighed, looking at her conflicted expression.
"Don't fixate on how many times we've met. Just trust how you feel, okay? Does Setsuna-chan hate being held by me?"
"Y–yeah. I hate it."
She nodded vigorously.
"Your eyes are full of lust. You clearly have bad intentions!"
The corner of his mouth twitched.
"You're calling me lustful?"
"What about the Setsuna-chan who was eavesdropping outside the rest room at the convenience store?" he shot back.
"I–I was not eavesdropping!"
She ducked her head, cheeks blazing.
"Alright, alright, let's pretend you weren't. Either way, just be good and let me hold you a bit."
He coaxed her gently.
Setsuna sneaked another glance at him, then let her body relax.
That strange sense of security… she really did like it.
After a while, Hayashi Maki finally let her go.
"Want me to walk you home? Maybe Mai-san came back without you noticing."
"Hmph, no thanks! You're not allowed to prey on my mom!"
Setsuna huffed, but then suddenly mustered up the courage to give him a quick hug of her own before bolting off.
Hayashi Maki chuckled silently.
Bold little thing… Really cute.
After parting with Setsuna, he headed back toward the school gate.
When Kotonoha finally came out, he waved at her with a smile.
Her face lit up, and she hurried over.
"Maki-kun, you came to pick me up?"
"Yep, I've been waiting a while," he said, naturally taking her hand as they walked away from the gate together.
"Sorry… I was on cleaning duty today, so it took a bit longer."
Kotonoha said it apologetically.
"It's fine. You're here now, aren't you?" Hayashi Maki laughed. "I heard from Kokoro that you've been learning to cook lately. Think I'll have the honor of tasting it today?"
"Of course!"
She nodded quickly.
She'd been working so hard at cooking just so she could make meals for him.