— Few days later.
"Come on, Maria."
"…Okay."
Maria was hesitant at first, but she eventually agreed after she realized my sincerity and understood my rationale.
"This way, you can not only save time and energy by instructing me in the comfort of my house, but you can also get back to your own house early."
Maria gave in to my reasoning and allowed me to drive her to school every day.
With me dropping and picking her up at a safe enough distance from each spot, so that she wouldn't be spotted by anyone.
Then, in the afternoon, I would pick her up from school and bring her directly to my house, where she would teach me privately for an hour or two before I sent her back the same way.
Maria felt a different kind of anticipation and excitement from this kind of act, which was like a couple meeting and dating undercover.
To her parents and to the protagonist, she told them that she was going to a friend's house for group studies after school.
Nevertheless, I knew that John had seen us together many times behind Maria's back by now, but since he wasn't close to Maria any longer because of me,
And because he was a spineless loser with no guts, he never dared to say anything to her.
"Heh! Looser."
That was how I got Maria all to myself for as long as I wanted, both before and after school.
"Just tell them that you will be late, or that you will stay at one of your friends houses after school."
'Because excuses like these are the panacea for every problem.'
Even on weekends, I called her out and made her stay with me for long durations.
How?
Because I was a hardworking student who was now focusing on studying hard for the exams.
As an added bonus, she was much more at ease here than in her own home because here she had heaters and a variety of refreshments available for her to enjoy while she studied comfortably.
Maria wasn't a girl who could be impressed by money.
However, one must remember that a man being rich is like a girl being pretty.
You wouldn't marry a man just because he's rich, but my goodness, doesn't it help?
Now, whenever she had free time or was bored, she would come here on her own, regardless of whether or not I invited her.
The childhood friend, a.k.a. our dear protagonist John, was already long out of her mind.
In addition to dropping her off, I would also occasionally take her shopping.
Spend money on her like a newlywed couple or a girlfriend and boyfriend would.
On occasion, I would also show her my generosity by purchasing presents for the homeless and giving them to the poor.
Originally, these were nothing other than the service scenes, and for the protagonist, who didn't know how to use them properly, these events would not even increase much favorability at all, but for me it was different.
Why?
'Because I know Maria's personality well—a personality that is really sincere and has a very warm heart.'
She was a woman who never let it go when she encountered a sad incident.
Truth be told, Maria had a thing for me before we even met, and she had no problem with us dating as long as I treated her well.
But there was something missing for me in that scenario.
My goal was for her to think of me as if I were a godlike figure—the kind of guy for whom anything was possible, and for whom she would do anything.
That was why I had to put in a lot of effort before I could open the last seal.
...
...
— A few days later
Our relationship grew stronger over time.
We had already exchanged personal phone numbers, so we were in constant contact throughout the day and night.
With time and practice, I also became adept at manipulating our conversations to include more risqué material.
It was all to make Maria more open with me.
Leo: [What are you doing?]
[I'm at home.] :Maria
Leo: [Do you have any more appointments?]
[No.] :Maria
Leo: [Did you take a shower?]
[Why are you asking that? What are you imagining?] :Maria
Leo: [Now that you have said it so explicitly, I think I'm having a...]
[Having a what? Did you or did you not. Just say that.] :Maria
Leo: [I did it.]
[Leo-kun is a pervert] :Maria
Leo: [Only for you]
[*Blush emojis*... I am going to sleep... *embarrassed with a red face*] :Maria
...
...
And today Maria was at my home once again.
Since I came to this world, more than two weeks had passed, and I knew I had to return before Rachael woke up in the real world.
That was why I decided to finally take a step forward in our relationship today.
"The flowers outside are lively even in this season."
"Of course they are. Because I take good care of them... Before me, Leo kun never took care of the house or the plants."
"...I used to, but, after my parents,..."
Seeing the sudden onset of sadness and melancholy on my face, Maria felt guilty for bringing up the topic.
"Leo-Kun, that's not..."
"I understand Maria-Chan."
Flinch!
Maria's body shook so much that I could see her melons wiggle.
It was because I made a sad expression and put my hand on hers, as if leaning on her for comfort.
If this happened in a typical romantic comedy, the main character and heroine would be shuddering in surprise and blushingly apologizing to each other.
'But I am not. I have no intention of becoming a passive protagonist.'
Maria was only momentarily taken aback when my bare skin made contact with the back of her hand, but she made no move to withdraw her hand.
'Success!'
Cheering in my heart, I looked at Maria, who couldn't hide her embarrassment.
My hand rested on Maria's back as we sat quietly together, and I gave her a skin service without saying a word to her.
After that, Maria, who couldn't stand the awkwardness, began to poke my fingernails with her slender fingers while giggling like a child as I scratched her hands back.
"Leo-Kun... hehe."
As Maria's hands gained strength, I saw the bed sheets around her palms being pressed down.
'I think we can go further.'