When Mahiru came back into the room, Yukinoshita Yukino had already fallen asleep from sheer exhaustion.
Seeing a certain someone sitting there looking very pleased with himself, Mahiru rolled her eyes at him in playful reproach.
"You haven't even eaten yet, and you're already bullying Yukino. You really are awful."
Hayashi Maki gave an embarrassed laugh.
"Sorry, I got a bit carried away. But don't worry, I'll help her recover—no way I'll let it affect her dinner."
As he spoke, he looked at the peacefully sleeping Yukino on the bed and couldn't resist lifting a hand to gently brush her hair.
Mahiru smiled, her tone soft. "As long as you know what you're doing. You're not allowed to go too far with girls, okay?"
"Yeah, I know."
Hayashi Maki nodded with a smile, then turned and laced his fingers through Mahiru's.
By the time dinner rolled around, Yukino had woken up.
She rubbed her eyes sleepily and immediately saw a familiar face sitting at her bedside.
"…"
"How miraculous. The moment I see your face, I wake right up."
The corner of Hayashi Maki's mouth twitched. "Are you implying my face is that shocking? I'm not that ugly, right?"
Yukino's lips curved slightly as she flicked her black hair back, the casual motion only accentuating her beauty.
"Either way, seeing you definitely sobers me up."
Hayashi Maki didn't argue; instead, he took her small hand and gave it a light squeeze, teasing:
"Being awake is good—this way, when we're getting close, your impression of me will really sink in."
"Ugh, pervert." Yukino couldn't help clicking her tongue at him. "Is getting handsy the only thing you think about? Can't you focus on anything more meaningful?"
She was completely speechless about how lecherous her own boyfriend could be.
"Hehe, spending time being close to you is the most meaningful thing to me."
Still holding her hand, Hayashi Maki pulled her into his arms.
"Since you're awake, go wash your face. It's about time for dinner."
Yukino flushed a little. "I was planning to help, but it looks like you left everything to Mahiru again…"
"It's fine, you can help next time. Plus, Mahiru really enjoys cooking. If you like her food, it just makes her even happier."
Hayashi Maki soothed her with a smile, then let go of her waist and led her out of the room.
After rinsing her face, Yukino sat down at the table.
There was no need for small talk; the girls were already more than familiar with each other.
They put their hands together in unison and said, "Thanks for the food," then began enjoying Mahiru's dinner.
As usual, Mashiro immediately started being picky with her food. She picked out some of the vegetables and dropped them straight into Hayashi Maki's bowl.
And, as usual, Mahiru cracked down on her immediately.
"Mashiro, if you don't eat your veggies, your nutrition will be unbalanced. Do you want to ruin your figure?"
Mashiro's little body trembled, and she could only puff out her cheeks in a sulk before using her chopsticks to pick a few pieces of vegetable back out of Hayashi Maki's bowl.
She pulled a face and quietly forced down the greens.
Hayashi Maki couldn't help laughing.
Mahiru really did know how to handle her.
This spoiled pet-girl finally met someone who could keep her in line.
As for Rita… better not even mention her.
No one spoiled Mashiro more than Rita did. Without Rita's decade-plus of doting service, Mashiro probably wouldn't have grown into such a pampered, pet-like girl in the first place.
Gabriel, who'd come down to freeload a meal, happily stuffed her face without a shred of guest's restraint, acting like this was her own home already.
After eating, she casually opened the fridge to grab a drink.
Watching this, Hayashi Maki only felt his mood grow lighter.
The fact that Gabriel didn't treat herself as an outsider was a good thing.
Once she chugged down her drink, Gabriel headed back up to her room.
She still had homework and chores to do.
She really wanted to game, but since the heavenly evaluation wasn't officially over yet, she had no choice but to keep shining like a proper angel.
Hayashi Maki lounged on the sofa, Yukino in his shirt on his left.
His shirt hung loose on her, the oversized fabric slipping just enough to reveal a hint of soft, pale cleavage.
That alone was enough to make his thoughts drift in a dangerous direction.
On his right was Mahiru, texting with Nibutani Shinka and the others on her phone.
Yukino was watching TV intently.
Of course, it was her favorite raccoon show, Mr. Pan.
Tonight, dish duty fell to Rita.
Mashiro had been roped in to help as well.
Luckily, Mashiro actually was quite capable and, despite her playful nature, didn't break any plates.
While Yukino and Mahiru were each busy with their own things, Hayashi Maki quietly slipped an arm around both girls' waists.
Yukino felt his little move and flicked a glance at him, her cheeks flushing, but she didn't push his hand away.
Mahiru had long since gotten used to this; she didn't even look up as she kept chatting with her friends.
Hayashi Maki grinned smugly.
Mahiru and Yukino were both top-tier school beauties.
And somehow, both of these girls belonged to him.
Just thinking about it made him feel incredibly satisfied and proud.
If you get isekai'd and don't enjoy a harem ending, isn't that just a waste?
This kind of life really was the most fun—and the warmest.
Just as he was starting to daydream about "studying" that evening, Mashiro wandered over and stopped in front of him.
Then, without a word, she plopped herself right down on his lap and leaned back into his arms, closing her eyes with a blissful look.
Hayashi Maki's mouth twitched.
Not that he disliked Mashiro clinging to him—she was ridiculously cute, and he adored her—but it was hard not to… lose control.
This little girl really didn't see him as an outsider at all.
She just went straight to sitting in his lap.
Her faint fragrance tickled his nose.
The soft warmth against him was enough to make anyone feel lightheaded.
Sensing something, Mashiro tilted her head back and looked up at him with those vacant, innocent eyes.
Then she calmly turned away again, nestling into his chest.
And deliberately wiggled twice.
Hayashi Maki sucked in a sharp breath.
"...Mashiro, don't move around. Be good."
He nudged her head lightly with his chin, flustered.
Mashiro wrinkled her brow and, in that typical blunt tone of hers, said something outrageous:
"If I don't move, it's uncomfortable… Hayashi Maki, that part of you… is too… mmph—"
Feeling Yukino's look of pure contempt and Mahiru's exasperated gaze, Hayashi Maki hurriedly clapped a hand over Mashiro's mouth.
As if he was the one at fault here.
Who did she think was making him react like this in the first place?
This little gremlin really was playing with fire.