Maria sat on the bench, Mika’s words still ringing in her ears.
— “Maybe it’s time you turn the tables on him.”
She swallowed hard.
Hayato-sama wasn’t losing interest. If anything, her attempt to act clumsy and unappealing had only amused him.
That meant she had two choices:
- Keep avoiding him and hope he eventually gives up.
- Change the game.
Maria exhaled slowly.
— That’s crazy, Mika. I can’t just… mess with him.
Mika grinned.
— Why not? He’s playing with you, so why not play back?
Maria hesitated.
— Because I’m not like him.
— You don’t have to be. But if you keep running, he’ll just chase you harder. That’s how men like Hayato-sama work.
Maria bit her lip.
She hated that Mika was probably right.
If avoiding him wasn’t working… maybe she needed to make him uncomfortable for once.
Maybe she needed to control the game.
The Next Encounter
The next day, Maria was ready.
She walked into the Sweet Blossom Café with a plan.
And sure enough—
He was there.
Seated at his usual table, waiting.
Maria squared her shoulders.
This time… she wouldn’t let him win.
She grabbed a tray, smiled to herself, and walked straight toward him.
Hayato-sama looked up as she approached, his eyes already filled with curiosity.
— Maria.
She placed his coffee in front of him with a graceful motion.
Then, before he could say anything—
She sat down.
Right across from him.
Uninvited.
For the first time… Hayato-sama actually looked surprised.
Maria smirked inside.
Got you.
— You know, goshujin-sama, I realized something.
Hayato-sama leaned back slightly, watching her.
— Oh?
Maria tilted her head playfully.
— You always seem so interested in me… but I don’t know anything about you.
Hayato-sama raised an eyebrow.
— You want to know about me?
Maria rested her chin on her hand, mimicking his usual confidence.
— Of course. You come here all the time, you always request me… but what do I actually know about you, Hayato-sama?
She said his name slowly, watching his reaction carefully.
His lips curled into a smirk.
— Interesting. I wasn’t expecting that.
— Oh? Why not? Because I’m just a “maid”? Maria teased.
Hayato-sama watched her closely.
For the first time, Maria felt like she had the upper hand.
She leaned forward slightly.
— So? Tell me something about yourself, goshujin-sama.
There was a long pause.
Then—
Hayato-sama chuckled softly.
— Alright, Maria. You want to know something about me?
He leaned in too, closing the distance between them.
Maria’s breath hitched—but she didn’t pull back.
— I don’t lose.
Her stomach tightened.
But she didn’t let it show.
Instead, she smiled sweetly.
— Neither do I.
And with that, she stood up, gave a polite bow, and walked away—leaving him there.
For the first time… Hayato-sama was the one left waiting.
And Maria?
She had just started her own game.
To be continued …
