All these years, Rem had kept her ugliness buried in her heart.
She was painfully ashamed of how weak she was.
That was why she'd trained so hard in combat, learned every bit of housework she could—just so she could lighten her sister's burden.
Then Hayashi Maki appeared. His overbearing strength and high-handed behavior made Rem once again painfully aware of her own weakness.
Even someone like Roswaal, the so-called Court Magician, couldn't do anything to him and ended up handing both her and Ram over.
Rem understood that the name "Echidna" had played a decisive role in that outcome.
But in the end, it still came down to Hayashi Maki's overwhelming power forcing the situation to where it was now.
And now, this man's recognition made Rem's chest ache.
She'd thought he only liked her outstanding sister Ram—that he looked down on her, which was why he never touched her.
Now it seemed that wasn't the case.
It had to be that her sister had once again used herself to shield her.
"Okay, enough overthinking, Rem. You and Ram are both my maids now, so of course I'll protect you."
Looking at the girl in front of him, like a wounded little animal, Hayashi Maki opened his arms and gently pulled her into an embrace.
His sympathy was genuine—but he also didn't deny the desire he felt for her.
People are visual creatures.
Everyone naturally likes cute things and is drawn to them.
And Hayashi Maki, as a "special" demon who especially loved cute girls, never tried to deny that part of himself.
Held in that warm embrace, Rem's cheeks flushed slightly.
She snuck a glance up at his face and suddenly felt he wasn't quite as detestable as she'd thought.
After holding her for a while, Hayashi Maki let her go.
"Alright, that should be enough washing. Time to get out of here."
He stood up, his eight-pack abs and well-built torso fully on display, making Rem's face heat up all over again.
She quickly grabbed a dry towel and carefully wiped the water off his body, then helped him dress in a quiet, attentive way.
Compared to before, this time she didn't resist at all.
Without realizing it, Rem's hostility toward him had faded, replaced by a strange sense of reliance.
That was Hayashi Maki's charm at work.
The reason his "backyard" was so peaceful and harmonious had a lot to do with his own gentle nature and the way he earnestly cared for the girls around him.
That made it much easier for them to lower their guard and trust him.
Just like now: Rem had entrusted him with the secret she'd hidden for so many years.
That night, Hayashi Maki didn't push things any further with Rem.
After leaving the bath, he ruffled her blue hair and told her with a smile to go rest.
As for himself, he headed to Ram's room.
He slipped straight under the covers without a word and pulled the still-awake Ram into his arms.
"Still not asleep, Ram? Were you waiting for me?"
Hayashi Maki pinched the cheek of the girl in his arms with a grin, his gaze burning with heat.
His hungry eyes made Ram reflexively roll her own.
"Ram just couldn't sleep, that's all. I wasn't waiting for a lecherous master."
"You already called Rem over for you earlier—what are you doing here bothering Ram?"
Grumbling like that, Ram slapped his hand away and turned her head pointedly, as if she didn't want to look at him.
Hayashi Maki chuckled, took her chin and turned her face back toward him, then leaned in and stole a quick kiss.
"I didn't bully Rem. As her master I just had a little chat with her, let her get to know me a bit, that's all."
"Just a little chat? Then why do you still have Rem's scent on you?"
Ram gave him a look full of contempt.
Her whole expression said: I see right through you.
"A-hem. When a maid helps her master get dressed, there's bound to be a bit of contact, right? I swear I really didn't do anything to Rem tonight. Actually, I comforted her a bit."
"Oh yeah? And how exactly did you 'comfort' her? Don't tell me you comforted her all the way to the bed?"
"Honestly, what a filthy master—already got Ram, but you're still eyeing the pot while eating from the bowl. So greedy… mmmph—!"
Unable to take any more of that chattering, with those soft, pouty lips right in front of him, Hayashi Maki finally lost his patience.
He leaned in and kissed her again, not letting her say another word.
If he was going to "train" his maid, might as well start now.
Ram only half-heartedly pushed at his chest before giving in and letting him do as he pleased.
Her body was already his, and he had agreed to her condition.
Under those circumstances, there was no point being too reserved—might as well just enjoy it.
…
The next morning.
Hayashi Maki opened his eyes and, seeing Ram in his arms, couldn't help smiling with satisfaction.
The pink-haired girl was sleeping soundly.
Her adorable face rested against his chest, long lashes trembling slightly, pale skin tinged with a rosy glow that made her look even more alluring.
He reached out and gently stroked her hair, then wrapped an arm around her slender shoulders.
Soft warmth in his arms—this was what a good life should feel like.
Ram had certainly not been very polite with her words last night. Her mouth never stopped, calling him shameless and lecherous over and over.
But even while complaining, she had cooperated with him very earnestly when it counted.
That tsundere "say no with the mouth, say yes with the body" attitude was just too cute.
Well, maybe she did it on purpose—to use the chance to vent her pent-up frustrations on him.
Either way, Hayashi Maki didn't mind girls with a bit of temper.
If she really had gone completely blank and dead-eyed like a doll, that would have been boring.
Even though he'd already claimed Ram's body, what he wanted even more was her heart.
That was going to take a bit more time and care.
For now, he just gently petted her hair, silently conveying his affection.
Before long, the girl in his arms fluttered her lashes and opened her pink eyes.
"Good morning, my little maid," Hayashi Maki said with a smile, leaning down to plant a kiss on her forehead.
Warmth bloomed in Ram's chest, and a sweet feeling rose up inside her.
But her mouth stayed sharp. "Seeing my lecherous master first thing in the morning, Ram's wide awake now, no problem."
The corners of Hayashi Maki's mouth curled up. "Being awake is good. I don't think you studied hard enough last night, Ram. Since you're up already, how about we continue?"
At that, Ram's whole body trembled, and noticing the heat in his eyes, her cheeks flushed scarlet.
She reached out with pale arms, gently looping them around his neck as she murmured coquettishly, "Spare Ram, please… Ram already worked very hard. So what are you exactly, Master? Ram's a demon, but you're even more terrifying than a demon…"
"Haha, so you do know how to beg, huh? Alright, since Ram is so cute, I'll let you off for today."
He gave her cheek a playful pinch and kept her in his arms a little longer.
Then came a knock at the door.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Elder Sister, it's Rem. May I come in?"