Sakurajima Mai understood that the first solution Ryuichi suggested might really be able to change her current situation.
But if she actually chose his method, then the only person who would still be able to see her—and cooperate with her—would be Ryuichi himself. In that case, he would inevitably get dragged into her mess.
Those media vultures and entertainment reporters were everywhere, relentlessly digging for gossip and invading people's privacy. If Ryuichi got pulled into that chaos, there was no way it would end well for him.
Even though Mai was the one facing the crisis, she didn't want anyone else to get hurt because of her.
Since the "main actress" refused his first plan, Ryuichi had no choice but to respect her decision and go with Plan B.
"Then the first problem now," Ryuichi said thoughtfully, "is how to locate the origin of your condition."
He tapped his chin, musing aloud.
"Could it be your talent agency?"
Since her condition was born from her own subconscious wish, it would make sense for it to have manifested while she was at her agency—where that pressure and desire were the strongest.
But Mai lightly shook her head.
"No. It's not the agency."
Her voice was soft yet certain. Even Ryuichi couldn't tell where that confidence came from.
"Why not?"
"No special reason," she said after a brief pause. "I just don't think it is."
Ryuichi glanced at her, noting the faint stiffness in her tone. His instincts told him there was something she wasn't willing to talk about.
So there's more to this, he thought silently.Outwardly, he let it go with an easy smile.
"Alright then, let's cross the agency off the list."
He didn't press the issue further. Instead, he accepted her answer at face value and smoothly shifted the topic forward.
Mai couldn't help but feel a flicker of gratitude. He wasn't prying—he was respecting her boundaries.
"Then where were you the first time you realized people couldn't see you?"
"That would be… the aquarium," she answered without hesitation. "I went there on a whim that day."
"The aquarium?" Ryuichi blinked. "You mean that one—the place people call one of the top three date spots in town?"
"That's right."
"...You went there alone?"
He didn't spell it out, but his tone carried the obvious implication. Mai caught it instantly.
Without missing a beat, she stepped down hard on his foot and said calmly,
"Yes, alone. Is there a problem with that?"
"...No problem at all. Mai, your foot—"
Ryuichi looked down at her leg wrapped in black stockings.
Mai's sharp gaze cut through the air.
"Add '–san' to that."
"...Mai-san, your foot."
But instead of moving it away, she pressed down a little harder, her voice perfectly composed.
"What about my foot?"
Ryuichi's face went blank.
"Please… trample me more mercilessly, my Queen."
"...Huh?" Mai blinked.
Was this devil seriously joking like that?
"Anyway," she said flatly, steering the topic back, "you think that's the place we're looking for?"
"Judging by what we know, the odds are slim," he admitted.
"But you still want to go?"
"Even a small chance is still a chance," Ryuichi said with a calm smile. "We should check every possibility one by one."
Mai gave a tiny nod. A quick glance at her phone told her it was getting late. There'd be no time to investigate today.
"Tomorrow's Saturday," she said. "Do you have time?"
Ryuichi's previously calm expression lit up instantly.
"Wait—am I dreaming? A girl's actually inviting me out on a date!?"
"..."
Mai's look could only be described as professional disappointment.
"That acting…" she sighed. "Utterly unconvincing."
"...Guess I overplayed it," he admitted, scratching his cheek.
He really couldn't compare. Not to an award-winning actress like her.
"Fine, fine," she said lightly. "But just so you know, you'll be the one going inside alone. I'll be waiting outside."
Ryuichi tilted his head.
"...Eh?"
Her lips curved into a teasing smile.
"Kidding."
Ryuichi rolled his eyes dramatically.
"Was that payback for me teasing you earlier, Mai-san? That's just cruel."
"Takes one to know one."
They both laughed, and after agreeing on a time and place, Ryuichi stood to leave.
"I'll be there on time."
"Mm." Mai looked at him with mild curiosity. "You're going to teleport home with that paper again?"
"Curious, are you? Then watch carefully."
Under her watchful gaze, Ryuichi took a deep breath, bent his knees slightly… and jumped.
Mai waited for the flash of light, or maybe for him to vanish into thin air—something dramatic, at least.
Instead, he just landed back on the floor, turned toward the door, and walked out.
"...Huh?"
She stared after him, utterly blank, as his footsteps faded down the hall. After a long pause, she sighed and closed the door.
"Is he… stupid?" she muttered.
On the way home, Ryuichi sighed inwardly.
He'd finally been summoned, only to run into a case this troublesome right from the start.
They say nine times out of ten, life doesn't go your way… but come on, I'm a Devil now! Shouldn't I at least get some perks?
Still, he reminded himself, setbacks were normal. Attitude mattered.
Maybe if he reviewed the details carefully, he could figure something out.
As he walked through the quiet evening streets, replaying Mai's words in his mind, a figure suddenly appeared from around a corner—and crashed right into him.
"Ah—!"
The figure stumbled back two steps and fell onto the ground with a soft cry.
A girl's voice.
Ryuichi reacted instantly, reaching out a hand.
"Sorry, are you alright?"
"No, no—it's my fault! I wasn't looking!"
The girl quickly took his hand and stood up.
Only then did Ryuichi notice what she was wearing.
A white habit, a black veil, a silver cross glinting faintly under the streetlight.
A… nun?
(End of Chapter)