Maybe it was Draconis's words, or maybe it was the weight of her own decision—Ichika fell silent, lost in thought.
"Guess you always have to give something up, huh…" she murmured, echoing Draconis's earlier advice. The answer had already taken shape in her heart.
She leaned against his shoulder with a quiet sigh. "I get it. Can I ask you to tell the others for me? I'm sorry, I just… I don't know how to say it."
"Of course. I'll talk to them when I get back."
"I'm worried, though. What if they're angry?" Ichika forced a nervous smile. Even if Draconis had reassured her that her sisters would understand, who could predict their real reactions? One burst of emotion could ruin the whole night—no one wanted to watch fireworks with a heavy heart.
"You've made your choice. Don't torture yourself over it," Draconis said. He took her hand and led her straight toward the bearded man waiting nearby.
Seeing them emerge from the alley, the bearded man blinked in surprise. "Ichika! Where did you two disappear to? The audition's about to start!"
Ichika looked embarrassed, while Draconis caught the important detail.
"An audition?" he echoed, glancing at Ichika. Hadn't she said she was doing photography work?
Then it clicked—auditions were just another form of "photo work." Of course. She was chasing an acting gig.
Draconis almost laughed. How did he end up surrounded by so many actors? Mai Sakurajima was a superstar, her sister Nodoka was a rising idol, and now Ichika was stepping into showbiz too…
"Sorry," Draconis said, taking the blame. "I needed to talk to Ichika for a minute."
"You? What's your relationship with Ichika? Do you have any idea how important this audition is?" The bearded man's concern was obvious—his face had gone pale with worry.
"I'm her friend. Sorry for holding you up. You should get going." Draconis kept his tone calm, already thinking that if the car couldn't make it in time, he'd just run Ichika over himself. He hadn't mastered flight magic yet, but he was pretty sure he could outrun a car if he had to.
The bearded man rushed off to fetch his car, leaving Draconis and Ichika waiting together.
"So, you're really set on acting?" Draconis asked.
"Yeah. About half a year ago, the agency president approached me and asked if I wanted to give acting a shot. I started out with some nameless bit parts, but just now the president called about a pretty major movie audition…" Ichika explained, her story following the classic "discovered by a talent scout on the street" route.
"This road isn't as easy as it looks," Draconis said. He knew the truth—Mai Sakurajima made it look effortless, but not everyone was Mai.
"I know. But I want to give it everything I've got. It's time to step up and make my official debut," Ichika replied, smiling at him.
Draconis studied her, his dark eyes deep and unreadable.
He spoke quietly. "Has anyone ever told you your smile looks forced?"
"Uh…" Ichika froze.
"Really?"
"Yeah." Draconis's voice was gentle but unflinching. "I used to fake my smiles just like you're doing now. I'm sensitive to it."
He pressed his lips together, a touch of nostalgia in his gaze. Maybe he was lucky—he'd met so many remarkable girls. Rias, Mai, even the five Nakano sisters. Each one had changed him in ways he hadn't expected.
But Ichika was different. Draconis had always faked his smiles for a reason, to get something he wanted. Ichika did it to hide herself. That was the difference—his mindset was stronger, more deliberate.
It didn't stop him from seeing through her, just as Mai had once seen through him.
Standing here, Draconis realized he had the upper hand—experience.
Becoming a demon had been a turning point, and now, with his contract with Ichika, he wanted to help her grow, too. Maybe this was the spark that led to a true faith contract.
He remembered his bond with Mai—total trust, deepening ties. Maybe helping Ichika now would bring its own surprises.
"These days, I've learned that living honestly—saying what you really feel—is the easiest way to breathe," Draconis said, smiling as he reached out and gently pinched Ichika's cheek, molding it into an exaggerated smile.
"So I don't bother faking it anymore. You should try it. Stop forcing yourself. You don't have to act so composed all the time. You're worried, aren't you? You've been trembling since we got here."
Ichika stared at him, cheeks turning pink.
"When I started this job, I thought I'd finally grown up—finally could stand tall as the eldest sister. But after everything, I keep imagining what it'll be like if I fail and have to slink home. It scares me…"
She looked at Draconis, voice soft and wistful. "I wish I could be as calm as you."
Draconis smiled. "Hate to disappoint you."
He shrugged. "My confidence comes from my eternal lifespan. I've got all the time in the world to make mistakes and learn from them. If I were in your shoes, I might not handle it half as well as you do."
Ichika hesitated, wanting to argue but unable to find the words. Even without immortality, Draconis's composure was something she couldn't match. He seemed to have seen through everything, his strength of heart unshakable.
All she could do was sigh. "Must be nice, being a demon…"
Draconis laughed softly and gave her shoulder a reassuring pat.
"Go for it. Don't let fear drag you down. No one ever mocks someone who gives it their all. Just do your best."
—
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