Perhaps it was because Ryuichi's theory sounded convincing, but for the first time in a while, Sakurajima Mai's expression brightened just a little. A faint spark of hope returned to her face.
After making up his mind, Ryuichi quietly mapped out the next day's plan.
"You should rest early. Tomorrow morning, we'll take the first train back,"he said, lying back down and, almost naturally, drawing Mai into his arms.
She looked up at him but said nothing, simply staying there in silence — warm and still in his embrace.
Before either of them realized it, Ryuichi had become her only anchor in this strange, fading world.
If not for him, she probably would've fallen apart long ago.
Almost instinctively, Mai's fingers curled around Ryuichi's arm — clinging to him as if he were the only solid thing left to hold onto.
He understood her fear and helplessness without words. All he could do was tighten his hold around her, and the two drifted into sleep side by side.
At dawn, Ryuichi and Mai boarded the first train back to the city.
After a few transfers and a quiet ride through the suburbs, they arrived at her school — Tate Minehara High School.
Still holding Mai's hand, Ryuichi gave it a reassuring squeeze.
"Shall we go in together?" he asked softly.
"We're already here," Mai replied calmly. "Might as well."
"Then let's go."
And with that, Ryuichi walked her straight toward the school gates, fingers still intertwined with hers.
When they reached the entrance, he stopped a random student passing by.
"Hey, excuse me," Ryuichi said. "Do you know someone named Sakurajima Mai?"
The student blinked, surprised.
"Huh? Of course I do! Who doesn't know Sakurajima-senpai? She's like, the pride of our whole school!"
Ryuichi's eyebrows shot up.
Bingo.
But...
He glanced at Mai — who stood right beside him, still holding his hand. The boy hadn't noticed her at all.
So, the students could remember her name and existence... yet couldn't actually see her.
Ryuichi's mind raced.
That meant the students were still affected by her ability — but only partially. It wasn't complete invisibility anymore. And if they still remembered her, that could be their way in.
"You're planning something again, aren't you?" Mai asked, eyeing him warily.
"You remember that first idea I mentioned before?" Ryuichi said, smiling faintly.
"You mean... the rumor one?"
Mai's reaction was immediate — her face stiffened.
"I told you, that's not a good idea."
"If it works, it's a good idea," he said evenly, cutting off her protest.
His voice was calm and matter-of-fact.
"Right now, spreading a rumor seems like the fastest and most effective way to break the influence of your ability. We'll deal with the fallout later."
Before Mai could object again, Ryuichi had already pulled out his phone and started typing.
"If I just tell a few reporters that a certain famous actress was secretly seen at Tate Minehara High School meeting a mysterious boyfriend... that should be enough to get their attention."
He said it so casually that Mai nearly tripped.
"That's barely even tabloid-level gossip," she muttered dryly.
"Then how about this," Ryuichi said, his tone turning mischievous, "a famous actress, distraught over a breakup with her younger boyfriend, attempts suicide — but is confronted at the scene by ten of the guy's other girlfriends!"
"...What!?"
Before she could stop him, the messages were already flying out.
Mai stared at him, speechless.
He actually sent that?!
"This... might be a bit too explosive, don't you think?" she finally said, sighing in defeat. "You really don't know the meaning of restraint."
"Don't worry," Ryuichi said, still fiddling with his phone. "Everything's under control."
Within minutes, several cars came speeding toward the front of the school. A small army of reporters and cameramen piled out, lugging cameras and tripods like they were going to war.
Ryuichi called one of them, pretending to be an anonymous source, and subtly directed them toward the gate — telling them to ask the students if they'd seen a "famous actress" on campus.
It worked perfectly.
Nearly everyone at Tate Minehara High knew who Sakurajima Mai was. So, the moment the reporters mentioned a "famous actress," the students instinctively connected the dots.
Whispers spread like wildfire.
"Wait, could it be true? Did Sakurajima-senpai really get tricked by some playboy?"
"No way... the reporters are here! Who else could they mean besides her?"
"That's awful! Who'd do something like that to her?!"
The school was buzzing within minutes.
Ryuichi could hear dozens of overlapping voices with his enhanced hearing — gossip rippling through every hallway, every classroom.
And then he noticed it: students looking at him.
No — not at him.
Their eyes flickered to the space beside him.
To her.
Ryuichi's heart skipped a beat.
It was working.
Some of the students were whispering now, staring openly at the pair.
"Hey, hey... isn't that her? That's Sakurajima-senpai, right there!"
"Whoa, no way! And that guy— is he her boyfriend? So the rumors were true?"
"Oh no, she probably doesn't even know what's being said about her! We have to tell her—"
As the murmurs grew louder, Mai's hand tightened suddenly around Ryuichi's.
She didn't need him to say it. She could feel it — her ability's effect was fading.
Just like he'd predicted.
Rumors, gossip, the relentless curiosity of people — they spread like wildfire, and that flood of collective attention was exactly what shattered the strange veil that had hidden her.
But with the cure came the consequence.
Ryuichi could already see the trouble brewing.
Reporters were gathering in the distance, cameras flashing, voices rising in excitement.
Their memories of Mai were coming back — and fast.
After all, this was Sakurajima Mai.
A star since childhood, loved by millions, admired for her talent and flawless image — and now suddenly wrapped in a scandal? The media couldn't have dreamed of a juicier headline.
Some of them were already cheering, slapping each other's shoulders in excitement.
"It's really her — it's Sakurajima Mai!"
"This is huge! Get the cameras rolling!"
Then someone pointed.
"There! It's her — over there!"
All at once, dozens of lenses turned in unison —and the full force of the media's gaze landed squarely on Ryuichi and Mai, still hand in hand.
Flashbulbs went off like fireworks.