The Demon of Pleasure: Starting with Angel, Shiina Mahiru! Chapter 8 8: Pity Card

After chatting a bit with Kato gumi, Hayashi Maki returned to silently observing his classmates—with a weird look on his face.

Wait… that dead-eyed guy chatting with the cute boy behind him—don't tell that's Hikigaya Hachiman and Totsuka Saika?

And that slim, cute girl with the ponytail… could she be Dekomori Sanae?

How many ani heroines are packed into this class?!

His gaze wandered until it landed on Shiina Mahiru.

She sat upright at her desk, golden hair glowing under the light.

Her aura scread "top student," and the air of elegance she carried made her look like she was shining.

Even just from behind, she was captivating.

Hayashi Maki couldn't help but recall how soft and sweet she felt in his arms…

Mahiru suddenly sensed a burning stare and instinctively turned her head—eting Hayashi Maki's gaze directly.

She flinched and imdiately looked away.

Just like Hayashi Maki couldn't forget what happened that night—

Mahiru couldn't forget either.

After all… that was her first ti. And her second.

Unforgettable was an understatent.

Her cheeks flushed red as she patted her face, trying to calm down.

It doesn't matter. I'm not speaking to that jerk in class.

Let him rot over there by himself.

Hayashi Maki noticed her flustered reaction but didn't mind.

Sa as always. She's already my follower. She's not going anywhere.

If she didn't want to talk to him at school, that was totally fine.

After all, Mahiru was everyone's "Angel." Almost every guy in class was under the spell of her approachable, angelic charm.

She had beco the bright center of the entire class through her hard work and excellence.

If people found out she was already "his woman," there was no doubt Hayashi Maki would be targeted by jealous classmates.

And Mahiru would be bombarded with gossip.

So Hayashi Maki had no intention of cozying up to her in public.

There'd be plenty of ti for cuddling when they got ho.

Besides… if he and the angel confird a relationship now, how would he ever sign other top-tier girls as followers?

Trying to build a harem without money or power? That's how you end up like Makoto from School Days—stabbed with a kitchen knife.

Sure, Hayashi Maki had super regeneration now—he wouldn't die if he got stabbed—but still. Better safe than sorry.

…

After class, a few girls—including Yuigahama Yui—cheerfully surrounded Shiina Mahiru.

"Shiina, you missed class yesterday! Are you feeling better now?"

"Yeah, I'm fine now. Thanks for checking on ."

Mahiru smiled warmly. That perfect smile, paired with her adorable face, was absolutely flawless—and impossible to resist.

"If you need help with anything, don't hesitate to ask, okay?"

Even Miura Yumiko—the queen-type girl who usually acted aloof—was offering kindness. That alone showed just how popular Mahiru was.

If people found out that Hayashi Maki had bullied the class angel, slept in the sa bed with her…

Yeah. He'd definitely get gang-beaten by the entire class.

"Thanks, Miura-san. I'll keep that in mind."

Mahiru smiled and nodded, then—very casually—shot Hayashi Maki a glance.

To Hayashi Maki, that glance said:

"See how popular I am? If you try anything here, you're done for."

But Hayashi Maki had no intention of doing anything public.

Cuddling the angel in private sounds way better. Why would I bring her drama at school?

She was his now.

And she deserved to be treated right.

Hayashi Maki might be a Demon—but he had principles. And a sense of responsibility.

His girl, his job to protect.

By the ti the morning flew by, Mahiru found herself feeling a bit annoyed.

That jerk Hayashi Maki didn't say a word to all morning…

He did glance at her a few tis—but mostly, he was ogling other girls instead!

What the hell?!

Oddly enough, seeing him stare at other girls made Mahiru… weirdly uncomfortable.

Not that Hayashi Maki spent all his ti girl-watching. He was also busy brainstorming plot ideas for his light novel.

His plan was to power-write through lunch, finish volu one, and send it out for publication.

In this world, having no money is a death sentence.

He was already low on funds.

Even though he now had demonic powers, all he really had was a strong healing factor. Nothing flashy. No ti to get reckless.

Sothing told him—on a gut level—that this world had more going on beneath the surface.

Just the na of the school alone—Hakuo Academy—sounded way too dramatic to be ordinary.

For now, he'd focus on gradually signing followers and building up his strength.

It was finally lunchti.

Hayashi Maki hadn't brought a bento, so he grabbed a sausage and a discounted bread roll from the convenience store and headed back to class to eat with a tragic look on his face.

He only had 200,000 yen left. Once rent was paid, there wouldn't be much to live on.

In this world, he'd transmigrated into the life of an orphan. Before his mories awakened, he'd been working part-ti to scrape by.

Life had been tight.

Sure, the person who hit him with the car had paid for his dical bills—but most of it was already spent during treatnt.

Doesn't matter what world you're in—hospitals are always ridiculously expensive.

But eating a sad sausage roll wasn't just about saving money.

It was strategy.

He was playing the pity card—right in front of Shiina Mahiru.

Why was Mahiru so beloved in the ani community?

Because of her absurdly high girlfriend power—especially how she doted on her boyfriend like a spoiled pet.

And Hayashi Maki?

He wanted to be spoiled.

Sure enough, Mahiru returned to the classroom after washing her lunchbox and imdiately noticed his pitiful lunch.

Her beautiful brows scrunched into a frown.

She couldn't help walking over.

"That's all you're having for lunch?"

Hayashi Maki looked up at her and nodded calmly.

"Yup. Any problem with that?"

"Hmm… no, I guess not."

Mahiru mumbled a dry reply, quickly turned around, and went back to her seat.

For so reason… she was kind of mad.

Seriously? How could he eat such a pathetic lunch?

He's a guy, and he burned so much energy. Doesn't he know how to take care of himself?

And when she thought about why he used up so much energy…

Her face flushed red again.