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The room was cramped, barely enough space for two. Mai let out a tired sigh.
"You know, if you keep saying stupid things, you'll actually turn into an idiot."
Draconis just grinned, unfazed by her mockery. Between them, there was a strange, comfortable rhythm: always trading jabs, always teasing, but neither ever took it to heart.
They lay side by side on the single bed, so close they could hardly move.
"Draconis," Mai murmured.
"Yeah?"
"It's cramped."
Her tone was calm, almost flat.
"...Sorry for squishing you," Draconis replied, staring up at the ceiling, not daring to move.
Mai was quiet for a moment, then asked, "Don't you have anything you want to say?"
Draconis turned his head, and suddenly she was right there—so close he could count each delicate eyelash on her pale profile.
"So much has happened. Feels like I should have a lot to say, but now I don't know where to start." He looked away, voice soft.
"Say something that'll make me happy," Mai said.
She didn't say it outright, but Draconis understood—her mood was low.
"With how you're feeling right now, that's a pretty tall order," he admitted.
Mai shifted, turning onto her side to face him, her eyes just inches away.
"Don't you enjoy it when I mess with you?" she asked.
Draconis smiled. "And you, knowing that, still toy with me. Thoroughly the queen, aren't you?"
He rolled onto his side as well, and their eyes met—close enough to feel each other's breath.
The room fell silent. Under the covers, they just stared at each other, neither willing to look away.
Seconds stretched out, the quiet growing heavy. Then, without warning, Mai's lips moved.
"Hey... let's kiss."
Her voice was casual, like she was suggesting they order takeout.
Draconis blinked, surprised. But he could feel the tremor in her emotions.
"Is this you giving up and indulging yourself?" he asked gently.
He'd read her perfectly. Mai didn't protest, didn't blush, didn't get flustered—she just fell silent, then let out a self-mocking little laugh.
"Let's sleep. Good night."
She closed her eyes, refusing to meet his gaze. If she did, he'd see right through her.
Draconis knew her heart was fragile tonight. He had no solution, no magic fix—only the comfort that, for now, he could still see her, still remember her.
"If I started crying right now and said I don't want to disappear, what would you do?" Mai whispered.
That was what she truly wanted—to break down, to let go. But she was holding herself together with sheer willpower.
Draconis sighed softly, then reached out and pulled her into a gentle embrace.
Mai's eyes opened, meeting his clear, steady gaze.
"I'll always remember you," he said quietly. His voice was calm, but the promise in it was absolute. "No matter what."
Mai's eyes flickered, then steadied.
"You know, I never gave you permission to hold me."
Draconis smiled. "I figured you wanted me to, so I did."
"That's just your assumption," she replied, brushing the topic aside with a casual tone.
But she didn't pull away.
Another long silence settled over them.
"...I don't want to disappear yet," Mai murmured.
"I know."
"There are so many radio dramas and movies I still want to do. I want to feel what it's like to act on stage again. So I don't want to disappear."
"Yeah."
"I finally met someone bold enough to approach me. I was even starting to think about going back to school. Now... it's really not the time to vanish..."
She kept whispering, pouring out everything she'd kept bottled up. She'd been scared all along. How could she not be?
Draconis didn't know what to say. He just held her tighter.
When had he started caring about her this much? They'd only known each other a day or two. Maybe it was because she was beautiful—he couldn't deny that played a part. But it was more than that. He cared about her loneliness, too.
He remembered the day he handed her that flyer, the look of surprise on her face. For a moment, it was like she'd stepped out of a painting—one second, she was untouchable, the next, real and present.
Just like him, she was someone who'd learned to fade into the background.
From the first moment he saw Mai, Draconis had sensed it.
The only surprise was how easily she'd seen through his own act. That made her all the more unforgettable.
Their story had really begun with that devil summoning ritual—a twist of fate.
"I won't let you disappear," Draconis said suddenly.
"...Thank you for not giving up on me."
Mai's voice was barely a whisper, but he heard it.
Then Draconis paused, something clicking in his mind.
Wait a minute...
"Did you just say... you were thinking about going to school?"
He sat up, unable to hide his surprise.
Mai opened her eyes, confused.
"Don't tell me you haven't been going to class?"
"I have," Mai said, biting her lip. "But I haven't talked to anyone. It's basically the same as when nobody could see me..."
"Right, you're still a high school student. How did I forget that..." Draconis rubbed his forehead, half laughing, half exasperated.
"If we're looking for the source of your problem, then the school is definitely suspicious. I can't believe I didn't think of that sooner..."
He'd been so distracted by Mai's celebrity status, he'd forgotten she was still a senior in high school.
Her power's origin might be at her school.
Looking at Mai—her vulnerability, her stubborn strength—a new plan began to form in his mind.
Maybe the answer was right there, after all.
It was time to finally end this for her.
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