Being called "lewd master," Hayashi Maki didn't get angry at all. Instead, he casually sat down on the edge of her pristine white bed.
"I heard from Rem that you weren't feeling well, so I came over to check on you. But this is really heartbreaking—Ram actually called me a lewd master."
As he spoke, he grabbed her soft white hand and pressed it to his chest. "Go ahead, feel it. Can't you hear the sound of my broken heart?"
Ram watched his completely unreserved actions and rolled her eyes in full disdain.
"Sorry, Ram can't feel any heartbreak. Ram only feels that the lewd master is getting more and more disgusting."
Even though she'd been forced to become his maid, Ram had no intention of showing him a good attitude. Her insults and sarcasm came as naturally as breathing.
Hayashi Maki, however, seemed even more delighted.
It wasn't because he was a masochist or anything. He just genuinely thought she was cuter this way.
Yukino had been like this too—no good face for him most of the time, always snapping back at everything he said, but the moment she was in his arms she turned unbelievably obedient.
That push-and-pull, tsundere rhythm… was ridiculously adorable.
Hayashi Maki really did like that kind of thing.
Watching a girl who originally disliked him slowly begin to rely on him, slowly begin to trust him—this whole "route" process was intoxicating.
That thrill and satisfaction… he liked that greedy, slightly twisted side of himself just fine.
After snapping at him, Ram pulled her hand back from his chest and turned away with a huff.
"If there's nothing else, could you please leave? The lewd master, Ram wants to rest."
Hayashi Maki frowned, his expression turning serious as he stared at her pretty face.
"Going back to sleep right after breakfast? Sounds like you really are in bad shape. But that's fine—I'm a generous and kind master. Let me check you up properly."
As he said that, he reached out and scooped her up into his arms, settling her directly onto his lap.
Rem was stunned, completely not expecting him to act so directly.
Ram's delicate body trembled; a faint blush crept up her cheeks.
"You really are a lewd master, aren't you? In such a rush to violate Ram?" she sneered. "And right in front of Rem, too. You're a pervert."
She spat the words at him mercilessly—but she didn't struggle.
Rem's expression changed completely. Rage surged up within her, and a faint purple horn shimmered into existence on her forehead, demonic mana roaring around her as her expression turned feral.
"Rem, can you step outside for a moment?"
Ram's voice cut through her frenzy, calm and flat.
"Big Sister…"
"Go on out. Be good. Ram will be fine."
Ram repeated herself, tone steady. If not for the slight trembling of her body, Hayashi Maki might have thought she truly felt nothing.
Rem bit her lip, glared hard at Hayashi Maki, but in the end she nodded.
"…Yes. Rem will listen. Ram… you have to be okay."
Before leaving, she stared directly at Hayashi Maki, as if waiting for something.
Hayashi Maki gently pinched Ram's delicate cheek and said softly, "Don't worry. Ram's so cute—I wouldn't have the heart to bully her. I just noticed she seems to be hurt and wanted to treat her, that's all."
"Since she's my maid now, of course I want her to have a healthy, lively body. Rem, I promise you'll see your sister again—completely recovered."
Hearing that, Rem's gaze softened a little. She backed out of the room and closed the door.
The moment she left, Hayashi Maki lowered his head and captured Ram's lips.
Ignoring her disdainful, startled gaze, he seized her slender white wrist so she couldn't push him away, deepening the kiss.
"Mm—… you… mm… nn…"
Ram froze.
She had absolutely not expected him to be this impatient.
Rem had barely left and he was already kissing her.
Her eyes shimmered with tears of frustration. In the end she didn't resist; she simply went limp, collapsing back onto the bed as he pinned her beneath him, stealing her lips.
Her expression turned empty, like a puppet with its strings cut. Her eyes lost their light, as if nothing mattered anymore.
After a long while, Hayashi Maki finally released her soft lips. Seeing that lifeless expression, he let out a quiet sigh.
"Looks like Ram really does hate me. Won't even spare me a single look… In that case, I guess I'll just have to go find Rem instead."
He loosened his grip on her wrist and stood up, turning to leave the room.
The very next second, Ram suddenly bolted upright and clung to him from behind, wrapping her arms around his waist.
"Don't… you can bully Ram if you want. Just… please don't lay hands on Rem…"
If something had to happen, she'd rather it be her.
Hayashi Maki's lips curved upward.
His methods had been a bit underhanded, true—but as long as he existed in her eyes now, that was a good start.
He turned around and patted his own thigh.
"Come sit."
Swallowing her shame and swallowing her disgust, Ram obediently sat down on his lap.
Hayashi Maki wrapped an arm around her slim waist, lightly hugging the pink-haired girl.
His other hand gently stroked her head.
"Honestly, I'm a good guy, you know."
Ram glanced up at him once, her eyes full of contempt.
You? A good guy?
If you count as good, then there are no bad people left in the world.
"What's with that look? And that annoyed expression? Huh?"
"Unbelievable. Looking this cute but daring to look down on your own master? I'll have to punish you."
Hayashi Maki grumbled theatrically—then immediately dipped his head and stole another kiss.
Ram sighed softly and closed her eyes, bearing it in silence.
After a while, she was breathing heavily, leaning weakly against his chest. His hot hand was already sliding over her smooth, pale skin.
She gritted her teeth, turned her head away, and said coldly, "Even if you get Ram's body… Ram will never give you her heart."
Hayashi Maki smiled faintly. "Don't be so sure. Either way, you're mine now. I'm not handing you over to anyone."
His fierce possessiveness made Ram's body tremble. She couldn't bring herself to meet those burning eyes.
"Alright, enough depressing talk," he said. "Let me treat your horn first. I want my Ram to have a healthy, energetic body. I'm not joking about that."
As he spoke, he gently brushed aside the bangs at her forehead and began channeling his own unique healing power.
As a twin-born oni, Ram couldn't be healed with Aqua's divine magic.
So he could only repair her with his own demonic mana.
Ram felt a prickling sensation on her scalp. That empty, leaky feeling in her body was slowly being filled with a warm, gentle power. Her eyes widened in disbelief.
"You… you can really fix me?"
Hayashi Maki kissed her forehead lightly.
"Of course. I might be a bit of a pervert, but I'm very gentle with my girls. Be good—just a bit more and it'll be done."
Ram stared at him, her gaze complicated, then gave a tiny nod.
…Maybe he wasn't quite as hateful as she thought.
In just a short while, she felt her body completely revitalized.
She was no longer in that half-dead state she'd grown used to since losing her horn.
With one simple treatment, this absurd man had done what Roswaal could never do—he didn't just supply her mana, he actually healed the wound itself.
For the first time in so long, she felt truly whole again.
Just as Ram opened her mouth, wanting to say something—
Her lips were sealed once more by his.
This impatient man… was at it again.