The sound of the approaching subway echoed through the platform.Ryuichi and Sakurajima Mai could already see the packed crowd waiting inside.
Since it was the weekend, a lot of people were out and about. A crowded train was perfectly normal.
Seeing the situation, Ryuichi immediately reached out and took Mai's hand, pulling her close as he used his own body as a human shield to protect her from being jostled.Thanks to that, they managed to slip smoothly into the subway car.
Ryuichi gave a subtle glance toward an open corner of the car. Mai caught the signal at once and moved there, standing with her back against the wall.
Then, Ryuichi placed a hand beside her head in a kabe-don stance — palm flat against the wall near her ear.From an outside perspective, it looked perfectly natural. To everyone else on the train, Mai didn't even exist, after all.This way, he could keep her from being pushed around by other passengers.
But to Mai, the distance between them suddenly felt… far too close.
"Just three stops. Bear with it a little," Ryuichi murmured softly.With the crowd noise, no one else could hear him — only Mai, standing right in front of him.
He was so close that she could feel his breath brushing against her neck whenever he spoke, tickling her skin in a way that made her shiver.
Even during her acting career, she had never been this close to a guy before. She tried her best to keep calm.
I'm Sakurajima Mai, she reminded herself. I won't lose my composure over something this trivial.
"I don't mind," she said coolly, trying to sound composed. "Just make sure someone doesn't get any strange ideas."
"…Strange ideas?" Ryuichi echoed in confusion.Then he looked down, realizing just how little space there was between their bodies — and his expression changed in understanding.
A faint smirk tugged at his lips. "I think my thoughts are probably a lot stranger than you'd like to imagine."
"…!"
Mai's eyes met his.
This wasn't bad acting — he was being serious.
"You should get off the train," she said flatly, glaring at him as if he'd just said the most ridiculous thing imaginable.
"If I jumped off midway, I'd make the morning news," Ryuichi replied, chuckling. "Besides, a mature woman like Mai can handle something like this gracefully, right?"
"Y-Yeah, of course! I—I'm not the type to panic just because a younger guy's having some pervy daydreams," she shot back defensively.
Apparently, reverse psychology worked exceptionally well on Sakurajima Mai.
Trying to prove how unaffected she was, Mai puffed out her chest just a little — and accidentally brushed against Ryuichi's.
For a brief second, both froze.
Mai's cheeks flushed crimson, and she quickly turned her head away, refusing to meet his eyes.
"Mai-san," Ryuichi said with an amused grin, lowering his voice so only she could hear. "That's a pretty bold way to tempt someone, you know."
From where he stood, he could clearly see her neck, the skin faintly red all the way down.Even Sakurajima Mai, the unflappable actress, was clearly flustered by her own reaction.
Thankfully, the train soon stopped at the next station. Several passengers got off, and the space behind Ryuichi opened up. He took the opportunity to step back slightly, giving her a bit more breathing room.
Just as he was thinking that this tsundere version of Mai was unexpectedly cute, he suddenly felt a sharp twist at his waist.
"…Mai?"
"This is your punishment for teasing me," she said calmly, fingers digging into his side with practiced precision.
"Wasn't you the one who started it?"
"Oh? Then my apologies," she said evenly — but she didn't loosen her grip.If anything, she twisted a little harder, clearly finding it satisfying.
Right then, Mai's phone chimed.
Given the circumstances, Ryuichi was almost certain no one else could see her, so the sound instantly put him on alert.He had a pretty good idea who it might be.
Mai's expression shifted slightly. She took the phone from her pocket, glanced at the sender, then handed it to Ryuichi, looking just a bit tense.
He accepted it without hesitation. The sender's name was labeled [Manager], but the message was clearly from Mai's mother.It said she had already left home and was on her way to the meeting spot.
"She's already on her way," Ryuichi said quietly.
"…Got it."
Mai drew in a deep breath. After what happened yesterday — and Ryuichi's deliberate prodding — she had finally made up her mind. She would face her mother and speak honestly this time.
Ryuichi understood without needing words. That's why the two of them had met up early and were now heading to Shichirigahama together.
The three stops went by quickly.When they stepped off the train, they followed the stairs down from the seawall — and soon found themselves standing on the beach.
Her mother hadn't arrived yet, so they wandered along the sand, chatting idly to pass the time.
"They say Shichirigahama isn't actually seven ri long," Mai said, idly pressing her footprints into the soft sand.
"That's normal. Tenri doesn't have ten ri either," Ryuichi replied casually.
The conversation was meaningless, but somehow, comfortable.
"Heh. Once I return to acting," Mai said with a small smile, "I think I'd like to film something here."
"In that case, maybe I could play your co-star."
"With your acting skills? You'd be lucky to land a background extra."
"Hey, that's harsh!"
"I'm just being honest."
They exchanged light banter as they strolled along the beach. About ten minutes later, Ryuichi spotted a familiar-looking figure walking toward them from atop the seawall.
Even from a distance, there was no mistaking it — the woman resembled Mai strongly.
No — it was the other way around. Sakurajima Mai resembled her.
The woman was Mai's mother.
Ryuichi smiled faintly and came to a stop, giving Mai a look that clearly said, Go ahead — I'll give you space.
Mai hesitated only briefly before straightening her posture. She took a deep breath and started walking toward her mother.
"…It's been a while," she called out.
They were far enough apart that Ryuichi couldn't be sure her mother heard her, but with his sharp hearing, he caught every word.
Her mother's steps faltered slightly — but she didn't respond.She just kept walking forward.
"…Mom?" Mai said, her voice tinged with disbelief.
Still, her mother didn't stop. She didn't even look at her.
Watching from a distance, Ryuichi frowned deeply.
A woman like her — poised, intelligent, refined — wasn't the type to ignore someone rudely, least of all her own daughter.A chill ran down his spine.
Something was wrong.
Her mother's gaze wasn't fixed on Mai at all — it was wandering, searching…as if she couldn't see her.
And then it hit him.There was only one explanation.
At that moment, Mai realized it too. She stopped in her tracks, eyes wide with shock.
Ryuichi's expression darkened.
This isn't good…