I Won't Be a Loser

Standing at the kitchen counter, spatula in hand, Haruto was in the middle of stir-frying green peppers when he suddenly heard the doorbell ring. He glanced toward the entrance, then down at the pan, hesitating for a moment. Turning the heat down, he quickly added the sliced meat, gave it a quick stir, and hurried to the door.

"Good evening, Haruto."

"Good evening… Mai-san? Is Setsuna not with you?"

Haruto was surprised to see Mai standing at his door, dressed in her work attire—a crisp white shirt and a sleek black skirt. The absence of Setsuna by her side puzzled him even more.

"I came to tell you something about Setsuna. She won't be coming home tonight—"

"Wait a second—come inside first. I'm in the middle of cooking. If I don't get back to it soon... Please, come in."

Before Mai could finish speaking, Haruto, remembering his sizzling pan, quickly excused himself and rushed back to the kitchen. Mai watched his hurried movements with amusement, then stepped inside, shutting the door behind her. She slipped off her shoes and, with a graceful motion, nudged her feet into the waiting house slippers.

By the time Mai reached the kitchen, Haruto was already back to skillfully stir-frying. The rich aroma of green peppers and sizzling meat filled the small apartment. She leaned in slightly, watching him cook.

"You were saying something about Setsuna? She hasn't come home yet?" Haruto asked, his focus still on the pan.

"You can just call me Mai. And no, Setsuna's staying over at a new friend's house tonight—she's with Sekai."

With Setsuna not around, Mai took the opportunity to step closer. Smiling playfully, she wrapped her arms gently around Haruto's waist from behind. His body stiffened instantly.

"Hiss—"

Haruto sucked in a sharp breath, glancing over his shoulder at Mai. He hadn't expected her to be this bold. Lowering his gaze, he checked the pan and, seeing that the dish was nearly ready, quickly plated the stir-fried meat and peppers. After tidying up, he gently pulled Mai's hands away.

"With Setsuna not here, there's no problem, right?"

Mai had already taken a seat at the dining table, propping her chin up with one hand as she smiled at him.

"Aren't you afraid she'll find out?"

Haruto set a bowl of freshly scooped rice in front of her before sitting down across from her. Their eyes met.

For a brief moment, Mai's gaze wavered.

"As long as she doesn't find out, it's fine. Besides… you don't want her to know either, do you?"

Haruto didn't respond. Instead, he quietly picked up his chopsticks and started eating.

Seeing his reaction, Mai chuckled softly and lowered her gaze, eating her dinner in silence as well. The atmosphere between them grew quiet, an unspoken understanding settling between them as they finished their meal.

After they had both finished eating and were resting at the table, Haruto finally broke the silence.

"There's something I'd like to ask you for a favor."

"Hmm? What is it?"

Mai tilted her head slightly, her playful smile returning. It was rare for Haruto to ask for her help.

"I need to make some money, so I'm planning to start writing again. But I need an adult's name to submit my work. I was hoping you could submit it under your name for me."

"An adult's name? Last time, you submitted something too, right?"

"That was just for a magazine. This time, it'll be for actual publishing. My family would make things complicated, and few I know is too far away in Tokyo. The only person I could think of who might help is you, Mai."

"I don't mind. Have you already finished writing it?"

"Not yet. I just started today. With school and everything, I don't have much free time. It'll take at least a month to finish."

"Alright then. When you're ready, just use my name."

Mai agreed without hesitation, nodding with a smile.

"That's all you needed?"

"Why did you choose me?"

The favor was settled, but Haruto couldn't help but ask. He still didn't understand why she had taken an interest in him in the first place.

"Hmm? There's no real reason, is there? To be honest, I noticed you before Setsuna did. I just didn't act on it, so she got to you first. I never expected her to fall for you so easily."

Mai's eyes gleamed mischievously as she rested her chin in her hand, gazing at the young man across from her. She spoke with complete ease, as if there was nothing to hide.

"But since Setsuna likes you, as her mother, it wouldn't really be appropriate for me to compete with her for someone she cares about. Besides, given our age difference, it's not like anything could come of it, right?"

"Yeah... there probably wouldn't be any real outcome."

Thinking about Sayuri, whom he had met at his apartment earlier that day, Haruto fell silent for a moment before nodding.

"But I do have some special feelings for you, Haruto," Mai said with a soft smile. "So for now, let's just leave things as they are. At the very least, you don't dislike me, do you? And really, you're not losing anything from this arrangement."

She reached across the table, taking his left hand in hers and gently spreading his fingers open. Then, with the tip of her index finger, she traced slow circles in his palm, her touch light and teasing.

"Besides, you act all innocent in front of Setsuna, but your body tells me otherwise," she continued, her voice carrying a playful lilt. "You're far too skilled at certain things for someone who's supposedly so well-behaved. A normal young man wouldn't be that experienced... You must have had quite a few 'friends' back in Itomori, right?"

She emphasized the word "friends," watching his reaction closely.

But instead of looking flustered or defensive, Haruto simply gave her a strange look—one that practically screamed, What are you even talking about?

"No, nothing like that," he said plainly. "Setsuna is actually my first girlfriend who's the same age as me."

"Your first... same-aged girlfriend...?"

Mai repeated his words slowly, her brows knitting together in confusion. And then, as if a fog had suddenly lifted, a flicker of realization dawned in her eyes.

She blinked, looking at him more intently now, recalling something he had once told her—that he preferred more mature women. Details that had puzzled her before now clicked into place, forming a clearer picture.

"You..."

Mai opened her mouth, wanting to ask if he had been involved with older women in the past. But just as the words were about to slip out, she hesitated. A strange, sour feeling welled up inside her.

Why wasn't I his first?

Her cheeks puffed up slightly in frustration. She was a grown woman, yet in that moment, she felt like a sulking child.