The Demon of Pleasure: Starting with Angel, Shiina Mahiru! Chapter 17 17: Not like I enjoy it or anything

Hayashi Maki didn't bother checking through Mahiru's phone. He just typed in his number, called himself to save the contact, labeled it with his na, and handed the phone back.

After that, silence.

The two of them sat side by side, saying nothing for a while.

Mahiru finished her bento, then hesitated for a mont before gathering her courage and glancing at him.

"Hand your bento box—I'll go wash them together."

Hayashi Maki didn't argue. He thanked her and handed it over.

Looking at the perfectly clean container, Mahiru's heart felt warm.

With a slightly lighter mood, she walked off to clean them.

But for so reason, like sothing compelled her, she found herself returning to the sa planter.

There he was—sitting under the shade, fingers flying across his laptop keyboard.

Her heart fluttered for so reason.

After a mont of indecision, she quietly sat down beside him again, hand over her chest, unsure of what to say.

She was anxious.

Would he misunderstand if I ca back?

But… if he didn't misunderstand, would that feel even worse?

Caught in that loop, Hayashi Maki's voice suddenly broke the silence.

"Co a little closer. If you want to look, just look."

"...Okay."

Mahiru answered softly and scooted closer.

Her eyes landed on the screen—rows of words flowing quickly as he typed.

She blinked in surprise.

"Are you… writing a light novel?"

"Mm-hmm." Hayashi Maki nodded, fingers still moving as he typed out the plot playing in his head.

"I'm broke right now, y'know. Can't just keep shalessly eating your food forever… not to ntion, I still owe you a pair of black stockings."

At the ntion of that, Mahiru couldn't help but picture the wrinkled, torn tights from that night.

Her face instantly turned bright red, and she glared at him in embarrassnt.

"You said it again! You pervert!"

She lightly punched his arm with her small fist, then instinctively glanced at his neck.

The bite mark she'd left before… was completely gone.

Hayashi Maki caught her look and smiled.

"Thinking about that mark you left? My recovery rate's pretty amazing. Guess your cooking gave just the energy I needed."

He grabbed her hand and placed it gently on his neck.

"Go ahead. If you want to leave a mark again, I'll let you."

"Y-You're insane! I'm not doing that again!"

Mahiru yanked her hand away like she'd been shocked.

"And my cooking does not have those kinds of effects…"

Hayashi Maki just laughed and shrugged, wrapping up the chapter he was writing before turning the laptop toward her.

"Wanna read it? This is my first step to becoming a real author. Once I start making money, I'll support you."

"Who asked you to support ?!"

Mahiru rolled her eyes, but her heart thumped harder anyway.

Still flustered, she took the laptop and began reading seriously.

Her lips soon curled into a pout.

"Why are there so many female characters? And why are they all beautiful?"

Hayashi Maki raised both hands in surrender.

"Guys just like to imagine beautiful girls falling for them, y'know? That's what sells."

Mahiru narrowed her eyes.

"You sure this isn't just your own fantasy?"

Hayashi Maki didn't answer—just smiled.

A guilty smile.

That silence was an answer.

Mahiru felt a wave of irritation.

After everything he did to … and he's still thinking about other girls?!

She glared at him hard, slamd the laptop shut, and shoved it into his hands.

"I'm leaving! You enjoy your little fantasies, perv!"

She turned and stord off—

—Only to be grabbed by the wrist.

And pulled into his arms.

"Mahiru… even if I am a pervert, it still hurts when you say it like that."

"W-What are you doing?! W-We're still at school!"

Mahiru panicked. His eyes were smoldering, and she glanced around anxiously to make sure no one was watching.

But Hayashi Maki just leaned in, gave her a quick kiss on the lips… and then let go.

"Don't worry. Just one kiss. Alright—off you go."

"You're… unbelievable!"

Mahiru clutched her lips, completely speechless.

"You know I'm a bad guy, and yet you keep coming near … Are you trying to make take responsibility?"

Hayashi Maki grinned.

Mahiru's cheeks turned bright red. She stomped her foot on his.

"In your dreams!"

Then she ran off like she was being chased by a wild beast.

Hayashi Maki watched her retreating figure and licked his lips with a smirk.

She ca over to talk to on her own… So maybe she doesn't actually hate ?

Looks like I'm one step closer to leveling up my ability.

…

"Shiina-san, your face is so red! What's going on?"

Yuigahama Yui couldn't help but ask when she saw how flushed Mahiru looked—making her even cuter than usual.

"Ah—n-nothing. The bento was a little spicy, that's all."

Mahiru smiled, but her heart was pounding like crazy.

She didn't know what was happening to her.

Every ti I'm around that jerk Hayashi Maki, it's like I lose all my strength…

When he held her earlier, her first instinct hadn't been to push him away.

I'd wanted to lean into him. Just like that night…

I know what he's like. He's bad news. If I get close, he's definitely going to make a move.

And yet… I still walked over.

There was just sothing about him that pulled her in.

She wanted to know more. She wanted to understand why he made her feel so vulnerable.

Back at her desk, she glanced up—

And there he was, strolling into the classroom without a care, flashing her a smile.

She instantly looked down, too flustered to et his gaze.

Her phone buzzed with a new ssage.

It was from Hayashi Maki.

"Let's walk ho together this afternoon. Don't ditch , okay? Otherwise, I'll have to go work a part-ti job to buy you new stockings."

Mahiru's face ignited.

She gritted her teeth and typed back:

"Fine! I'll wait! You perv!"

She was beyond annoyed.

Why does he have to say stuff like that… even though he's actually so kind?

Is teasing really that fun for him?

Speaking of teasing...

Mahiru's thoughts drifted to last night.

Her heart started racing again.

"Not like I enjoy it or anything…" she muttered.