Although Mai appeared calm on the surface, Ryuichi could clearly feel the helplessness and despair weighing on her.
If even he gave up on her… then she really would vanish completely from this world.
"It's useless… you don't need to worry about me anymore…"
The girl murmured softly in his arms, her voice trembling faintly as if she were trying to hold back tears.
Even her own mother—her real mother—had forgotten her.That was a blow no one could endure easily.
The fact that she hadn't broken down crying already… was proof of how strong she really was.
"Maybe somewhere else," Ryuichi said gently, "there are still people who remember you."
"You say that," Mai replied with a hollow little laugh, "like everyone except you has already forgotten I exist."
Her smile looked painfully forced.And really, in her situation, who could blame her for thinking that way?
Even Mai herself couldn't deny it. That was why she said it at all.
Ryuichi fell silent.He knew the only reason he could still see Sakurajima Mai was because he was no longer human—because he now possessed the body of a Devil.
He wondered if maybe Rias and the others, being Devils as well, might still perceive Mai.If that were true, then perhaps… there was still a way to save her.
But if he went to them for help, the contract he needed might very well be lost.
Still… if it came down to watching Mai disappear before his eyes, then the contract didn't matter anymore.Compared to her—compared to this—a contract was nothing.
"…At least, how about we confirm it first?" Ryuichi suggested quietly.He honestly didn't know how to comfort her otherwise.
"What's the point?" Mai asked flatly. "Even if you confirm that no one except you remembers me… what could I possibly do about it?"
Her voice was empty, resigned.
"It might not help," Ryuichi admitted, a faint smile tugging at his lips, "but at least it gives me a reason to stay with you."
"…Huh?"
"To be more precise," he added lightly, "it gives me an excuse to keep you company. Is that so bad?"
His tone was calm and gentle, spoken close enough for her to hear the warmth in it.
"…I-I guess that's fine," she muttered.
"And besides," Ryuichi added with a teasing smile, "this is our date, isn't it?"
Mai frowned faintly. "That's the date you made up yourself. You're the one who called it that—and aren't you supposed to be here for some kind of Devil contract, Mister Demon?"
It sounded like she was trying to convince herself more than him.
Ryuichi chuckled softly. "Well, if you put it that way… yeah, that was the original idea."
"If that's your reason," she said, pouting a little, "then I refuse."
"It's because I want to stay with you, Mai."
Ryuichi smiled again, his voice quiet but certain.
"And besides, right now… I'm the only one you can rely on, right? If I just try a little harder, I might even win your heart. No way I'm missing that chance."
It was such a straightforward thing to say that even Mai blinked in surprise.
A blush crept faintly onto her cheeks as she replied stubbornly,"I won't fall for you that easily."
"…I think my odds are pretty good, though?"
"You're really taking advantage of a girl in distress. Truly befitting of a Devil, Mister Ryuichi."
"Thanks for the compliment," he said with a grin.
As Ryuichi held her, he could feel that the trembling in her body had stopped.
"I guess… there's no helping it," she murmured under her breath.
"Hm?"
"If you really don't want me going home yet… continuing this 'date' isn't entirely out of the question."
Her head lowered slightly as she spoke, her tone almost shy.
Ryuichi smiled, letting her go and stepping forward to face her."Then it's settled. It's still early—we can go a bit farther."
By 7:30 that evening, they had traveled far from the city.
The new town lay almost sixty kilometers south of Shinto.
Ryuichi had taken Mai there by train, and along the way, he kept asking strangers about her—people who once simply couldn't see Sakurajima Mai could now no longer even remember her.
Through it all, Mai remained expressionless, watching the people they passed.
It was as if she'd locked away every trace of emotion deep inside—no sadness, no fear, no hope.Only a quiet, empty calm.
When they found no success yet again, Ryuichi could only glance at her and shake his head.
"It's better not to get your hopes up," Mai said softly.
Ryuichi gave a helpless laugh. "Why are you the one comforting me now?"
"Because you're the one who won't give up," she said in a flat, steady voice. "Even now."
"…You know," he replied after a pause, "it's like when you spend all your money on gacha rolls—charging over six hundred bucks—and you still don't pull the character you want. But it's a limited event, so if you miss it, that's it. Are you really just gonna quit?"
Mai sighed faintly. "So that's what I am now? A missed gacha pull? Sorry to disappoint."
He shrugged. "Well, it's not just about sunk cost. It's also because—when a cute girl like you needs help—what kind of decent guy wouldn't step up? Don't underestimate the aesthetic standards of a healthy male."
"…That's the first time I've ever heard someone make shameless flirting sound refined," she muttered dryly.
Ryuichi ignored the jab and casually took her hand.
"I didn't give you permission to hold my hand," she said coolly.
"Then please allow me, Lady Mai," he said, his tone mock-serious.
"…Reason?"
"I like how it feels when I hold it."
Mai went silent, turning her head away to hide her expression.
"…Just this once," she murmured at last.
"Eh? That sounds like a one-time offer," Ryuichi teased, smiling. "Then I'll just have to come up with a better reason next time."
"Then it depends on how convincing your next reason is," she replied, her voice soft but tinged with shy amusement.
As they walked hand-in-hand through the unfamiliar streets, Ryuichi noticed billboards displaying Mai's image from her modeling days.To him, she looked as radiant as ever—but the people passing by didn't even glance up.
That sight tightened something in his chest.It wasn't about the contract anymore. He genuinely wanted to help her, no matter what it took.
"It's getting late," Mai said quietly. "We should find somewhere to stay. I… want to take a bath."
Ryuichi glanced at the time and nodded. His eyes scanned the street until he spotted a small hotel nearby.
He led her inside, still holding her hand. Thankfully, no one else could see Mai—otherwise, walking into a hotel with a famous actress would've made tomorrow's headlines explode.
The receptionist, a young woman, eyed Ryuichi curiously.He was handsome, but clearly still looked like a high schooler.Coming in alone at this hour, without any luggage, to book a room… it probably looked suspicious.
Still, she said nothing and quickly checked him in.
It was a single room.
He'd thought of asking if there were any doubles available, but before he could, Mai was already walking toward the elevator without complaint.Seeing that, Ryuichi decided to let it be.
When he opened the door, he found the room was smaller than expected—just a bed, a desk, a small sofa, and a dresser.
Mai didn't seem to care. She walked in, sat on the bed, slipped off her shoes, and then fell back onto the mattress with a soft sigh.
It had been… a long, exhausting day.
Ryuichi stood by the doorway for a moment, watching her quietly.Even now, even after everything that had happened, she still looked beautiful—distant, fragile, and yet strong in her own quiet way.
He closed the door gently behind him.
And for a brief, fleeting moment… it felt as though the world had narrowed down to just the two of them.