The Demon of Pleasure: Starting with Angel, Shiina Mahiru! Chapter 16 16: Stop... This is school

After showing Mafuyu Kirisu his "mature side" and leaving a good impression, Hayashi Maki left the office and returned to his seat, pulled out his laptop, and got back to writing.

He was planning to introduce a new character—a blonde, flat-chested, twin-tailed heiress modeled after Sanzenin Nagi.

According to the info he'd gathered, Sanzenin-sama had so much money that her daily expenses could buy a small mansion.

If she happened to stumble across his novel, liked it, and decided to drop a massive donation… wouldn't that be like winning the lottery?

That would definitely beat waiting for royalties.

Using her as a model made writing easy. Hayashi Maki quickly outlined her character and slotted her naturally into the plot—turning her into a love rival who would compete with the other two heroines over the main character.

"Whoa, Hayashi Maki—what are you typing so fast for?"

Tobe Kakeru noticed Hayashi Maki's fingers flying over the keyboard and leaned over, curiosity piqued.

Hayashi Maki smiled and replied,

"Nothing much. Just working on a draft. I want to try becoming a writer."

"No way?! That's what you've been doing? Can I read it?"

Hayashi Maki closed his laptop, flashing a polite smile.

"Sorry, not yet. But once I make it, I promise you'll see it."

"Tch, keeping secrets? Not like I'm dying to read it anyway."

Tobe lost interest almost imdiately.

Hayama Hayato, seated nearby, also glanced over, intrigued.

"I thought you were playing gas, but it turns out you're actually aiming to be a writer? That's really impressive."

Hayashi Maki nodded modestly.

"Just giving it a try. Not sure if it'll go anywhere."

To Hayama, that was already impressive.

For a high schooler to have goals and be actively working toward them—that kind of motivation was rare.

He imdiately felt like befriending Hayashi Maki had been the right choice.

Hayama, after all, grew up close with the daughters of the Yukinoshita family. His father was the personal attorney for the politician who was Yukinoshita Haruno's father.

He'd always admired Haruno—the elder daughter—and even modeled his gentle, smiling persona after her deanor.

Which ant, naturally, that maintaining social circles with ambitious and talented people had beco part of Hayama's lifestyle.

For him, building connections now was also a way to get closer to Haruno.

But in doing so, he'd started to lose his true self, wearing a mask every day.

Hayashi Maki wasn't impressed by that.

After all, Haruno was famously overprotective of her little sister, Yukino.

If mory served, Hayama had once screwed her over in elentary school—big ti.

Basically, Hayama never had a shot with her from the start.

Lunchti.

Hayashi Maki pulled out the bento Mahiru had made him and headed to a quiet planter box on campus, where he sat down and began eating with bliss on his face.

Suddenly, a soft familiar scent drifted over.

He turned—and there she was.

Shiina Mahiru.

She hesitated, then sat down beside him.

"Um… is it okay if I sit here?" she asked nervously.

"Nope."

Hayashi Maki deadpanned, expression flat.

Mahiru blinked in disbelief.

What the hell?!

She'd finally worked up the courage to talk to him and this was the response?

Feeling crushed, she was about to stand when Hayashi Maki grinned wickedly.

"If you sit next to , I won't be able to stop myself from grabbing your waist. I'm a total scumbag, rember?"

Mahiru rolled her eyes and gave up.

Without saying another word, she sat down beside him and pulled out the exact sa style of plastic bento box.

As she quietly ate her share, Hayashi Maki wolfed his down like a man who hadn't eaten in days.

After finishing, he took a sip of water, looking completely satisfied.

"I can't believe how lucky I am… getting to eat an angel's homade lunch."

"Stop calling Angel! And you're exaggerating—it's just normal food. Anyone can make it."

Mahiru pouted and blushed slightly, though the corners of her mouth lifted.

No matter what she said, she was clearly happy he enjoyed it.

"Maybe. But it tastes way better than takeout. And this is the kind of lunch every guy in class dreams of. If only Shiina-san could just happen to 'accidentally' make extra every day…"

He gave her a aningful look as he said it.

Mahiru didn't respond. She kept eating in small bites, but her ears had turned bright red.

Seeing her silent, Hayashi Maki sighed dramatically.

"Sigh… guess I'm asking for too much. Nothing this sweet could happen every day."

Still no reply. Mahiru simply turned her body slightly, focusing on her food.

Hayashi Maki glanced around—no one nearby.

He shifted closer.

And wrapped an arm around her waist.

"Wha—?! What are you doing?! This is school!"

Mahiru jolted, blushing furiously as she looked around, terrified of being seen.

"Hey, you're the one who chose not to eat with the other girls. You ca over here to sit with . How could I not hold you?"

"…Do you have to keep admitting you're a bad person?" Mahiru said, exasperated.

"Yep. I'm the worst. A shaless pervert. And every ti I get the chance, I'll totally make a move on you."

"Ugh—! Don't… don't say that out loud…"

Feeling the pressure of his hand on her waist, Mahiru instinctively pushed at him with her small hands.

Hayashi Maki grinned and made his move.

"Give your phone number. If you do, I'll let go. Otherwise… I can't promise anything."

"Fine! Fine! Just take it already!"

Blushing furiously, Mahiru pulled out her phone and handed it to him.

"Here! Put your number in yourself."

Hayashi Maki raised an eyebrow.

"Not worried I'll read your ssages? You trust that much? That makes feel bad about bullying you."

Mahiru furrowed her brows and shot him a side-eye before going back to her lunch.

Seeing that she was done with the conversation, Hayashi Maki simply took the phone and saved his number.

Well, at least now I have a way to contact her.