It was still early in the evening when Ryuichi boarded the train toward his destination.
Since Sakurajima Mai hadn't summoned him herself, this was the only way for him to get there.
Man… I wonder when I'll finally evolve into a mid-class Devil.
Once that happened, he'd be able to use teleportation magic.
Ryuichi had been envious of that spell for ages. Being able to teleport was like having your own car in the human world — go anywhere, anytime, no waiting for trains, no more bothering Akeno-nee-san to give him a lift.
After nearly twenty minutes on the train, he got off at his stop and dialed Mai's number.
"Hello? Um… hi—"
The voice on the other end wasn't Mai's. It was a woman's voice he didn't recognize.
Ryuichi frowned slightly. "Excuse me, who's this? Why do you have Mai's phone?"
"Oh, I'm sorry! I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Ryoko Hanawa, Miss Mai's new manager. She's in the middle of shooting a commercial right now, so I'm holding onto her phone."
"I see. Is she almost done filming?"
"Yes, it should be finished soon. Maybe ten minutes or so."
"Got it. Thanks. I'll call again later."
"Eh? Oh… okay…"
The call ended.
Hanawa Ryoko blinked at her screen, looking a little dazed. She hadn't quite figured out who that boy was or what kind of relationship he had with Sakurajima Mai.
Out of curiosity, she checked the caller ID. The contact name read Ryuichi, with the note: 'Always available.'
Ryoko tilted her head, confused. 'Always available'?
That sounded awfully close for a simple acquaintance. Maybe even… suspiciously close.
Could he be her boyfriend?
No way… right?
Sure, the contact note was that affectionate, but she quickly brushed the thought aside.
After all, who on earth could capture the heart of someone as dazzling as Sakurajima Mai?
Soon after, the commercial shoot wrapped up. Mai stepped out of the studio, poised and radiant as always. Ryoko hurried to hand her back her phone.
"Miss Mai, a boy named Ryuichi called for you earlier."
"Did he?" Mai smiled faintly as she took the phone. "Thanks."
Just hearing his name made her lips curve into a gentle smile — a sight that didn't escape Ryoko's notice.
Was that… happiness? she wondered. She looked really pleased when she heard his name…
But Mai was an actress through and through. She quickly reined in her expression, turning to her manager with composed professionalism.
"Ryoko-san, that'll be all for today. You can head home. Thank you for your work."
"Hehe, great! Then let me drive you back?" Ryoko jingled her car keys hopefully.
Mai shook her head with a soft smile. "No need. I still have something to take care of later, so I'll head back on my own."
As she spoke, she was already unlocking her phone — clearly about to make a call.
Seeing that, Ryoko didn't pry further. She wished Mai goodbye and left the set.
The moment she was gone, Mai dialed Ryuichi's number. It only rang once before it was answered.
"Mai?"
"It's me. Where are you right now?" Mai asked, walking out of the company building with her bag in hand.
This wasn't her agency but rather the advertising firm that had spent a small fortune hiring her for their new campaign. They'd worked together in the past, and the partnership had proven lucrative for both sides.
"I'm already by the izakaya," Ryuichi replied.
"Alright, let's meet at the pedestrian bridge then."
Mai suggested the spot, and of course Ryuichi had no reason to object. The sky was already darkening — the perfect time to escort his girlfriend home.
Five minutes later, Ryuichi arrived first at the bridge. Soon enough, he spotted a graceful figure approaching from the other side.
Long, straight black hair swayed gently behind her. Her body proportions were perfect — an elegant blend of femininity and poise. Her beautiful face wore a calm expression, radiating an aura of quiet authority. She looked every inch the queenly woman she was.
Maybe because she'd just come from work, her outfit still had that professional flair: a tailored jacket, a skirt that hugged her legs, and sheer black stockings paired with high heels.
Ryuichi let out a quiet whistle under his breath.
With her tall figure and mature elegance, she looked nothing like a high school girl right now.
As he stepped closer, he noticed the subtle, flawless makeup accentuating her already lovely features — like a painting come to life. She was simply perfect.
Even Ryuichi couldn't help but stare for a few seconds.
Of course, he wasn't the only one. Passersby were already turning heads, whispering to each other.
"Hey, hey… isn't that Sakurajima Mai?"
"Whoa, seriously? She's even prettier in person… Should we snap a picture?"
"Uh, isn't that kinda rude…?"
Just as the two men were about to lift their phones, Ryuichi flicked his fingers.
Snap!
— Common Sense Rewrite!
Instantly, both men froze, their faces going blank. They looked down at the phones in their hands, utterly lost as to why they'd pulled them out.
Mai saw everything and couldn't help but smile softly.
She'd known Ryuichi wouldn't let them get away with it.
Situations like this weren't new to her — she often had to pretend not to see or hear the unwanted attention, even though it always made her uncomfortable. She couldn't exactly scold people in public without getting labeled "arrogant" online, and that would just cause more trouble.
But now, with her Devil boyfriend stepping in, those little annoyances vanished in an instant.
"Trying to sneak photos of my adorable girlfriend… how rude," Ryuichi said coolly as Mai came closer.
"And just how adorable am I supposed to be?" she teased, a playful sparkle in her eyes.
Ryuichi thought seriously for a second, then declared, "Like an atomic explosion of cuteness."
Mai blinked, speechless. "…What kind of comparison is that?"
"The kind that means your cuteness has catastrophic destructive power."
"…You're impossible."
She couldn't hold back a laugh, her eyes gleaming with warmth as she shot him a sidelong glance — equal parts amused and affectionate.
"So, what brings you all the way out here today?" she asked, slipping her arm naturally around his.
Instantly, he felt the soft warmth pressing against him.
Not that he minded. Still, he had to answer properly.
"Because I missed you," he said simply.
"Oh?"
Mai arched a brow, unconvinced. "So you didn't miss me the past two days?"
"Of course I did. But today… I missed you especially."
A pause — then a small, satisfied smile curved her lips. "Good answer. You pass."
Ryuichi grinned and muttered under his breath, "Long live Queen Mai."