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Maybe Draconis's theory wasn't so crazy after all. Mai's eyes brightened, a flicker of hope lighting her face.
With his mind made up, Draconis mapped out their next steps. "Let's get some sleep. We'll catch the first train back in the morning."
He lay down, pulling Mai into his arms like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Mai glanced up at him, saying nothing, but didn't pull away. Quietly, she settled into his embrace.
Somewhere along the line, this boy had become her only anchor. If he hadn't stuck by her, she'd have fallen apart long ago.
Without thinking, Mai clutched Draconis's arm, holding on as if it were a lifeline.
He understood—her uncertainty, her fear. All he could do was hold her tighter. They drifted off, tangled together, the world outside forgotten.
Morning came. Draconis took Mai's hand and led her back to Shinto. After a long, winding journey, they finally arrived at her school: Ritsufunehara High.
Draconis squeezed her hand, feeling the warmth of her palm. "Want to go in together?"
"We're here already. Might as well," Mai replied, her voice steady.
"Let's do it."
Hand in hand, they walked up to the school gates. Draconis stopped a student at the entrance.
"Hey, do you know Mai Sakurajima?"
The boy blinked. "Huh? Of course I do. Is there anyone at this school who doesn't know Mai Sakurajima-senpai?"
Draconis's eyebrows shot up. Jackpot.
But something was off. Mai stood right beside him, fingers laced with his, yet the student didn't even glance her way—she was invisible to him.
So the students here were still affected, but less so than the rest of the world. They remembered Mai, even if they couldn't see her. That was something.
If they remembered her, maybe he could use that. A breakthrough.
Mai, sensing his gears turning, spoke up. "What exactly are you planning?"
Draconis flashed a sly grin. "Remember my first idea for breaking the curse?"
"The rumor thing?" Mai's expression soured. "I told you that was a terrible plan."
"If it works, it's a good plan."
He cut her off before she could protest further. "Right now, rumors are the fastest, most effective way to break your invisibility. We'll deal with the fallout later."
Without hesitation, Draconis whipped out his phone and started firing off messages to every journalist he could find.
"All I have to do is claim a famous actress was spotted sneaking into Ritsufunehara High for a secret rendezvous. That'll bring the vultures running."
He typed out the bait with casual indifference. The goal was simple: get the press here. No need to mention Mai Sakurajima directly—after all, none of the reporters remembered her right now.
Mai watched, unimpressed. "That's barely even a scandal."
Draconis shrugged. "Fine, how about this—'Famous actress attempts suicide after a messy breakup with her younger boyfriend. But wait! The playboy's other dozen girlfriends show up to roast her.'"
Mai: "...???"
Before she could object, Draconis hit send.
Okay, maybe that was a little much. No going back now.
Mai opened her mouth, then closed it. Whatever. Let him dig his own grave.
"Don't blame me if this blows up in your face," she muttered, sounding more resigned than annoyed.
Draconis just flashed an OK sign, already dialing.
It didn't take long. Within minutes, cars screeched into the parking lot, and a small army of reporters and photographers spilled out, cameras slung over shoulders, lenses gleaming.
Draconis called them, guiding them toward the gate, making sure they'd start asking about the mysterious actress.
At Ritsufunehara High, nearly every student knew Mai Sakurajima. So when the reporters started poking around, the students instantly connected the dots—who else could the "famous actress" be?
Rumors exploded across campus like wildfire.
"Wait, is it true? Did Mai Sakurajima-senpai really get played by some jerk? Are they sure it's her?"
"The reporters are here—she's the only celebrity we've got. Maybe she doesn't even know yet!"
"Damn, that's harsh. Guys like that suck—how could anyone mess with her feelings?"
All around, students whispered and speculated. Draconis's sharp hearing picked up dozens of conversations swirling through the halls.
More and more students noticed Draconis. When their eyes flicked to his side, they paused, confused—were they seeing Mai?
Draconis felt a jolt. It was working.
Soon enough, clusters of students were whispering about the two of them, shooting glances filled with shock and curiosity.
"Hey, is that him? Is that really Mai Sakurajima-senpai with him?!"
"Whoa, it's her! Is that guy her boyfriend? Is any of this true?"
"Oh no, does Mai-senpai even know about her boyfriend's secret life? Should we warn her?"
Mai heard them, and her grip on Draconis's hand tightened.
She knew—the spell was breaking. Just as Draconis predicted, ugly rumors were the perfect fuel for gossip, spreading faster than anyone could stop. The effect was immediate.
But with her return to visibility came a new problem: Draconis's troubles were just beginning.
She glanced over at the parking lot, where reporters were already buzzing, cameras at the ready, voices rising with excitement.
The moment those rumors hit, their memories of Mai Sakurajima came flooding back. Now they realized they'd landed the story of the year.
After all, this was Mai Sakurajima—a child star beloved by millions, scandal-free since day one. Now, finally, there was something to talk about. The media frenzy was inevitable.
One reporter was already waving his arms, nearly delirious with joy.
"It's actually Mai Sakurajima! Holy crap, this is huge!"
"Look, there she is!"
Cameras swiveled as one, all lenses zeroing in on Draconis and Mai—hand in hand, center stage.
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