"Why is Hayashi here?"
After closing the door, Touka leaned back against it, taking short, nervous breaths.
Could it be that he knew she wasn't working today?But… how would he even know that?
The thought left her puzzled, her violet eyes flickering with confusion — until an image surfaced in her mind: Irimi's warm, mischievous smile.
"It must've been her! Damn it, Itori!"
Touka bit her lip, her cold yet delicate face flushing faintly.It was bad enough that she'd told him—but she couldn't have at least given her a heads-up first?
After all, she had just gotten out of bed, hadn't even brushed her teeth or washed her face yet.She'd barely come out of the bathroom when she heard the knock at the door.
Still half-asleep, her mind foggy, she hadn't thought much—until she opened the door and saw him.
Hayashi's gentle, clear-cut features were the last thing she expected to see first thing in the morning, and the shock alone was enough to jolt her fully awake.
Now, thinking back on it, her face burned hotter by the second.Her messy, uncombed hair was one thing—but she was still wearing just a camisole.
"Did he… see everything?"
Touka bit down lightly on her lip, her heartbeat quickening.
"Hey, Touka," came Hayashi's voice from outside, calm but curious. "You're still not letting me in?"
Maybe because he hadn't heard anything for a while, he knocked again.
"Wait a minute! My room's a mess—I'll clean up first," she called out, her tone composed yet tinged with embarrassment.
"Oh, alright."
Hearing her answer, Hayashi took a step back and leaned against the wall in the hallway.
Whether in the anime or in this world, he already knew Touka well enough to guess what was happening inside.She was probably blushing like crazy right now, cursing Irimi for telling him she had the day off.
He sighed, picturing that teasing, knowing smile of Itori's—the kind that always promised chaos.
Just as he was lost in thought, the door clicked open.
"You can come in. And don't forget to change your shoes."
Hayashi slipped off his shoes like he'd done it a hundred times before. But as he looked down, something caught his attention—Touka didn't have a single pair of sandals.
Not one. Three whole shelves, and not a single pair.
That wouldn't do.How could a high school girl not own any sandals?He frowned, genuinely disturbed by this revelation.
After changing shoes, he sat down on the couch. A few moments later, Touka stepped out of her room.
She'd changed into a loose, casual top paired with a white short skirt.The look was clean, simple—and devastatingly charming.
"So?" she asked, crossing one leg over the other. Her beautiful face was as calm and unreadable as ever. "What did you come here for?"
"I wanted you to take me somewhere," Hayashi said, looking up after his eyes had—unintentionally—lingered on her long, slender legs.
"Where?" she asked, intrigued.
"There's this mask shop called HySy ArtMask Studio. I've been curious about it for a while but never got the chance to visit."
"HySy ArtMask Studio?" Touka frowned slightly.How did he even know about Uta's shop?Probably something he overheard at the café, she figured.
"Alright. I can take you there."
Hayashi's lips curved into a faint smile, but before he could thank her, she lifted a finger.
"But I have one condition."
He tilted his head. "What condition?"
"After we visit the shop… you have to spend the rest of the day with me."
Her tone was cool, but there was a spark in her eyes—half challenge, half something else.
"The whole day?" he asked, amused.
After a short pause, Hayashi nodded. "Sure. I don't have anything better to do today anyway."
"Good. It's a deal."
Touka smiled faintly and held out her pinky finger.
"Huh?" Hayashi blinked.
"I looked it up online," she said shyly, her cheeks tinged pink. "In some cultures, this means a promise."
"Oh, that?" Hayashi chuckled softly, linking his pinky with hers. "Yeah, I know it well. Didn't expect to see it here though."
"Time's ticking," he said, standing up from the couch. "Let's head out."
"Right now?" she asked. "It's already noon… how about lunch first? I can cook."
Her delicate face lit up with a small, sincere smile.
Hayashi immediately shook his head, serious for once. "No need. Let's eat out."
Only when it came to Touka's cooking did his confidence in the Horse Talisman's healing power falter.
She gave him a puzzled look, then shrugged. "Alright then."
"Let's go, before you change your mind."
Hayashi grabbed her wrist and gently pulled her toward the door.
If he kept eating Touka's cooking, he'd probably turn into a real glutton someday.