Standing on the edge of a busy street, with crowds surging past, Draconis let his feelings spill out, no filter, no hesitation.
"Mai, I love you."
Mai Sakurajima blinked, a little caught off guard, but she kept her cool. "Alright, alright, I get it."
Her voice was light, almost dismissive—but the way her eyes darted away told another story. She was shy. And, damn, she was cute.
Draconis couldn't help but smile. In that moment, Mai was absolutely irresistible.
She wore a fitted white knit dress, the hem brushing the tops of her queenly boots. Black stockings peeked out between the skirt and boots, and a touch of makeup lingered from her earlier shoot, lending her an air of mature elegance.
Draconis took his time admiring her. "You're a knockout tonight, Miss Mai."
Mai shot back, "You've got plenty of beauties around you, don't you?"
Her voice dropped, and the air between them shifted—he could feel the pressure, subtle but unmistakable.
"Hm?"
"You smell like another woman," she said, blunt as ever.
She'd noticed the moment she stepped out of the car. And she let him know it.
Draconis could only marvel. "Women's senses are scary sharp."
And if she'd picked up on it right away, she'd been holding back until now. That was so Mai.
She didn't reply, just reached out and pinched his cheek.
"Ow…"
He let her tug at his face, looking at her with a puppy-dog gaze that, to Mai, probably seemed like he was begging for mercy.
She let go, and Draconis shrugged. "Probably Rias's scent. She's my master. The others, too—we're always together."
"Master?" Mai echoed, a little incredulous. "So it's that hierarchical?"
Draconis smiled. "Honestly, everyone treats me well."
He hesitated, then looked her in the eye. "Devils and humans see the world differently. I worry you might care."
Mai's answer was immediate. "I never said I'd judge you by human morals."
She understood his world, at least a little. Draconis had never hidden anything from her. She knew about the other girls, knew they were devils too.
Mai was rational. She'd never tried to force human standards on him. Still, for a moment, her eyes clouded with something like sadness.
"Sometimes I wonder if we can ever really be together."
After all, Draconis was a devil now, and Mai was just a normal girl. Even Rias had warned him about that.
"…Rias reminded me too. Devils live almost forever. Normally, I couldn't be with you for all eternity. But there's a way."
He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close. "Would you ever consider becoming a devil? Be my wife, forever?"
Mai raised an eyebrow. "…Are you trying to tempt me with immortality?"
Draconis grinned. "I'm tempting you with a lifetime—no, an eternity—together. Seems like a pretty good deal to me."
Mai smiled, not giving an answer right away. "I'll think about it."
He understood—she had people and things she couldn't let go of, family most of all.
Draconis didn't rush her. They had time. Plenty of it.
"Come on, let's get going."
Mai slipped her arm through his, leading him forward.
"I thought work was done for the day?"
"My family's here," she explained.
The first face that popped into his mind was that mature woman who looked so much like Mai.
"Did you patch things up with your mom?" he asked, testing the waters.
Mai shook her head. "Nope. It's my sister."
"Oh?"
He blinked, surprised.
Mai shot him a look. "I told you I have a sister, didn't I? You forgot?"
He scratched his head, sheepish. "Can't deny it. Sorry—anyone who isn't you just kind of fades into the background."
Mai sighed, half amused, half exasperated. "She's my real sister. Try to keep her in mind, okay?"
Draconis smiled. "I'll remember from now on."
"Let's go."
"Shame we finally get a date and it's over so fast."
"I'll make it up to you," Mai promised, her voice laced with sweetness.
Draconis tilted his head, voice dropping to a playful whisper. "Does that come with any special rewards?"
"Don't get cheeky with me."
She shot him down instantly.
Draconis glanced at his reflection in a shop window, his expression calm as ever. Cheeky? Not a chance.
"Mai, you're the one who's been smiling all night."
"That's because it makes you happy, right?"
"I love it," Draconis said softly. "So what if I want another date tomorrow?"
"Magazine shoot tomorrow. No can do."
"More work?"
Seeing his disappointment, Mai smirked, enjoying the tease. "So… the day after tomorrow."
"…Deal."
They melted into the crowd, chatting and laughing. Even when people glanced their way, no one seemed to recognize Mai—not with Draconis's magic subtly rewriting reality.
The ordinary, joyful date she'd once dreamed of was now hers, effortlessly granted by Draconis's supernatural powers. Sometimes she couldn't help but laugh at the irony—how she'd suffered for something so simple, how easily it was fixed now.
If not for Draconis, she might have vanished entirely.
The walk home counted as a date, even if it was just a single street—brief, but precious.
At Mai's apartment, she opened the door. Draconis spotted a blonde girl in the living room, her hair styled into butterfly wings on one side—a bold, playful look. Big, bright eyes, a clean-cut face, radiating energy.
She stood up as they entered, about 160 centimeters tall—not short, but next to Mai, she seemed petite. Especially with Mai's heels and long legs, she practically towered.
—
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