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Mai looked calm, but Draconis could feel every ounce of her despair. If he gave up on her now, she'd vanish from the world for good.
"It's pointless. Just... stop wasting your time on me," she murmured, her voice thick with unshed tears.
Even her own mother had forgotten her. The blow was almost too much to bear. That she hadn't broken down sobbing was a testament to her strength.
"Maybe there's still someone out there who remembers you," Draconis offered.
"You say that like everyone except you has already forgotten me."
Mai's laugh was dry, brittle. Her smile didn't reach her eyes.
He understood. The situation made it impossible to hope for more. Even Mai herself seemed resigned.
Draconis fell silent. He knew the only reason he could see Mai was because he'd become a devil. Maybe Rias and the other devils could help—but if he went to them, his contract would probably fall through. Still, if it came to that, he'd risk it. Watching Mai disappear was unthinkable. Compared to that, any contract was trivial.
"Let's at least try to find out for sure, okay?" he said, not knowing how else to comfort her.
"What's the point? If we confirm that everyone but you has forgotten me, what difference does it make?"
Mai's voice was flat, nearly defeated.
"It sounds pointless, yeah. But it means I can stay with you." Draconis managed a small smile.
"...Huh?"
"Honestly, I need that excuse to stick around. Is that so bad?"
He spoke quietly, close to her ear.
"...I guess not..."
"And besides, wasn't this supposed to be your date invitation?" Draconis added, teasing.
"You're the one who called it a date. Weren't you just trying to get your devil contract, Mr. Demon?"
Mai sounded like she was trying to convince herself as much as him.
Draconis grinned. "The contract's part of it, sure. But that's not the reason I want to be here."
"If that's your reason, then I definitely won't agree."
"It's because I want to keep being with you, Mai."
He smiled, eyes gentle.
"And right now, you can only rely on me. If I keep at it, maybe I'll win your heart. I'm not about to let that chance slip away."
His words were unexpectedly blunt.
Mai blinked, caught off guard.
She recovered quickly, putting on her usual front.
"I won't be conquered that easily."
"...I think my odds are pretty good."
"You're taking advantage of my crisis. Typical devil move."
"Thanks for the compliment," he chuckled.
Holding Mai close, Draconis felt her trembling finally subside.
"No choice, huh..." she mumbled.
"Hm?"
"If you won't let me go home yet, I guess continuing this 'date' isn't out of the question..."
She said it quietly, head down—a tsundere through and through.
Draconis smiled, released her from his arms, and stepped forward to meet her gaze. "It's still early. Let's go somewhere farther."
By seven-thirty that evening, they'd traveled nearly sixty kilometers south of the city. Draconis had taken Mai as far as he could by train.
All along the way, he'd asked passersby about her. Where once they simply couldn't see Mai, now they'd all forgotten she ever existed.
Mai watched them with a blank expression, emotions tucked deep inside. Sadness, fear, hope—all gone, replaced by a quiet numbness.
When they returned, disappointed yet again, Draconis could only shake his head gently.
"It's best not to get your hopes up," Mai said softly.
Draconis managed a wry smile. "Why are you the one consoling me now?"
"Why haven't you given up yet?" Mai asked, her voice even and unfeeling.
"...It's like spending a fortune on a gacha game and still not pulling your favorite character. And if you miss it, it's gone forever. Would you just give up?"
"Sorry to disappoint you, then."
"It's not just about sunk costs, you know." Draconis shrugged. "When a girl as cute as you needs help, how could I walk away? Don't underestimate guys with decent taste."
"First time I've heard someone romanticize white-knighting like that," Mai muttered.
Draconis just smiled, naturally reaching for her hand.
"I never gave you permission," Mai said, deadpan.
Draconis didn't miss a beat. "Please, Queen Mai—may I hold your hand?"
"Why?"
"I like the way it feels."
Mai turned away, pretending not to care.
"...Just this once," she said quietly.
Draconis flashed a grin. "That's a shame. Can I come up with another reason next time?"
"Depends on what it is," Mai replied, her voice tinged with shyness—and something warmer.
Hand in hand, they wandered through the unfamiliar city. Billboards still featured Mai's face, but no one around them seemed to notice.
Draconis's heart ached. This wasn't about his contract anymore—he genuinely wanted to help Mai escape this nightmare.
"It's getting late. Let's find somewhere to stay," Mai suggested, mumbling under her breath, "I just want a bath..."
Draconis checked the time, nodded, and scanned the street until he spotted a hotel ahead.
He led Mai inside, grateful that nobody else could see her—otherwise, bringing a celebrity into a hotel would have made headlines by morning.
The receptionist eyed Draconis, probably wondering why a handsome high schooler was booking a room alone at this hour.
Still, she handed over the key without fuss—a single room.
Draconis had meant to ask for a double, but the receptionist was quick, and Mai headed straight for the elevator without a word. He let it go.
The room was small—just a bed, desk, chair, sofa, and a vanity.
Mai didn't seem to care. She slipped off her shoes, collapsed onto the bed, and lay there, exhausted.
Today had drained her.
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