💎 WEEKLY POWER GOALS 💎🔥 30→2ch | 60→5ch | 100→8ch | 200→15ch | 400→25ch⏰ Resets Monday!
The subway rumbled into the station, packed with weekend crowds. Draconis glanced at the crush of people, then reached out and took Mai's hand—no hesitation, just a quiet promise to shield her from the chaos.
He led her through the throng, positioning himself as a human barrier, guiding her to a sheltered corner at the back of the car.
Mai caught his silent cue and slipped into the spot, her back pressed against the wall. Draconis planted his hand beside her ear in a textbook wall-pin, boxing her in—not for drama, but to keep stray elbows and wandering feet from bumping into someone nobody else could see.
To everyone else, Draconis just looked like a guy staking out his own space.
But to Mai, the closeness was undeniable.
"Just three stops," Draconis murmured, voice low enough that only Mai could hear. "Bear with it."
He was so close she could feel his breath against her neck—warm, ticklish, a little too intimate. Even when she was acting, Mai had never been pressed up against a guy like this. She forced herself to stay cool.
I'm Mai Sakurajima. I don't panic over stuff like this.
"I don't mind," she replied, voice steady but a little too crisp. "Just don't let certain people get any weird ideas."
"…Weird ideas?"
Draconis echoed, then glanced down at their bodies—practically fused together.
A slow, knowing smile tugged at his lips.
"Honestly, my mind's probably a lot messier than you think."
Mai stared at him, searching for the usual hint of his clumsy acting.
None. He was dead serious.
"You should get off at the next stop," she said, shooting him a look of pure annoyance.
"If I jump now, I'll make the morning news," Draconis replied, unfazed. "Besides, a mature woman like Mai can handle a little boy's dirty thoughts, right?"
"…Of course! I'm not bothered by the idea of some younger guy having pervy fantasies about me."
Reverse psychology—deadly effective on Mai.
To prove her point, she puffed out her chest, defiant.
And accidentally brushed right against Draconis's own chest, the two of them pressed so close there was nowhere to go.
They both froze.
Mai's face flashed with embarrassment. She turned away, refusing to meet his eyes.
"Mai, you realize that's just blatant temptation," Draconis teased, voice pitched low. From this angle, he could see the blush creeping down her neck.
Even Mai Sakurajima had her limits.
Luckily, the subway reached the next station. The crowd thinned, giving Draconis room to step back and give her some space.
He was still grinning at how cute she was when he felt a hand snake around his waist—a practiced pinch to the soft spot at his side.
"…Mai?"
"That's your punishment for reckless teasing."
Her tone was calm, but her grip was merciless.
"Pretty sure you started it."
"Is that so? My apologies."
Her words were polite, but she didn't let go. If anything, she pinched harder, clearly enjoying herself.
Just then, Mai's phone buzzed.
Draconis tensed. In all his time with her, he'd never seen anyone else able to reach Mai. That ringtone meant only one thing.
Mai's expression shifted. She pulled out her phone, glanced at the sender, then handed it to Draconis, a hint of nervousness in her eyes.
She wanted him to check.
He took it without hesitation. The message was from Mai's mother—though the contact was labeled "Manager."
She was already on her way to the meeting spot.
"She's left. She's heading here," Draconis reported quietly.
"Mm…"
Mai drew in a deep breath. After yesterday's push from Draconis, she'd decided to face things head-on—to tell her mother the truth.
It was an unspoken plan between them; that's why they'd come early to Shichirigahama.
The three stops passed in a blur. They exited the station, walked down the embankment steps, and reached the beach.
Mai's mother hadn't arrived yet, so they strolled the sand, killing time with idle chatter.
"Apparently Shichirigahama isn't actually seven ri long," Mai mused, kicking at the sand.
"Not surprising. Ten-Li Village isn't ten li, either."
They traded nonsense, letting the tension fade.
Mai smiled suddenly. "Once I get my career back, I'd love to shoot a film here."
"If that happens, maybe I'll be your co-star."
"With your acting skills? You'd be stuck as 'Extra A.'"
"Wow, savage."
"Just telling it like it is."
The banter carried them through ten easy minutes, until a striking figure appeared atop the embankment—a woman whose silhouette echoed Mai's own.
No, not echoed—Mai took after her.
This was her mother.
Draconis stopped, catching Mai's eye—a silent offer to step back and let them have their moment.
Mai hesitated, nerves flickering, then squared her shoulders and walked toward her mother.
"It's been a while," she called out, voice steady despite the distance.
Her mother slowed, but didn't answer. Kept walking.
"…Mom?"
Mai's voice wavered, confusion creeping in.
Still no response.
Draconis watched from afar, frowning.
A woman like that shouldn't ignore her own daughter—especially not with such cold indifference.
A bad feeling gnawed at him.
He studied Mai's mother. Her eyes weren't on Mai at all—she was scanning the beach, searching for something.
She couldn't possibly not see her own daughter…
In that instant, Mai realized it too. She froze, stunned.
Draconis's expression darkened.
Shit.
Worst-case scenario, right on schedule.
🔥 Want to read the next 30 chapters RIGHT NOW?
💎 Patreon members get instant access!
⚡ Limited-time offer currently running...
👉 Join on -
✨patreon.com/GoldenLong