According to what Akeno had told him earlier, Koneko had also helped supply him with magic while he was unconscious. Naturally, Ryuichi owed her a word of thanks.
"Koneko," he called softly.
The silver-haired girl looked up from the sofa, her golden eyes calm as ever.
"You're awake. How's your body?"
Her voice was soft, almost expressionless as usual, but there was a faint flicker of relief in her tone. She tried to hide it—but Ryuichi noticed.
"I've pretty much recovered," he said with a gentle smile. "Thanks for your help these past few days."
A brief moment of quiet passed before Koneko nodded, her lips twitching upward just slightly.
"I'm glad you're okay. That fight… you must've been exhausted."
"It was nothing I couldn't handle." Ryuichi chuckled softly and reached forward to draw her into a light, brief hug. "I won't bore you with thanks—let me treat you to something good next time."
Koneko blinked, taken aback by the sudden affection. But after a moment, her calm demeanor softened, and she allowed herself a tiny smile.
"I'll look forward to it."
Ryuichi chuckled, waving lightly to the beautiful silver-haired, golden-eyed girl before teleporting away.
It had been days since he'd last contacted Sakurajima Mai.
After being unconscious for so long, she must be worried sick.
Standing on a pedestrian bridge, Ryuichi pulled out his new phone—his old one had been destroyed in the Kokabiel fight—and dialed Mai's number.
After barely two rings, her familiar voice came through, shaky with both tension and relief.
"Ryuichi?"
"Yeah, it's me."
"Where the hell have you been these past few days? Why couldn't I reach you?"
Ryuichi winced. "It's a long story. Ran into a bit of trouble… but everything's fine now."
He asked where she was, and Mai told him she'd just finished an audition and was about to head home.
"I'll come pick you up," he said without hesitation.
"...All right."
Getting her location, Ryuichi teleported directly to the front of the audition company. Scanning the crowd, his eyes quickly found her—a striking beauty standing quietly by the entrance.
Every passerby who saw her did a double-take, expressions lighting with awe. Some people even stopped mid-walk to gawk, phones raised for pictures.
That was Sakurajima Mai—the most dazzling presence wherever she went. Even standing still, she commanded the world's attention.
Ryuichi took in the sight of her silently.
Today, Mai had clearly dressed for the audition. She wore a crisp white checkered blouse with a dark ribbon tie and a soft linen skirt that reached mid-thigh. No stockings this time—the smooth line of her bare legs gleamed in the afternoon sun, perfectly toned and graceful in black heels.
In a word, stunning.
If he hadn't known her actual age, even Ryuichi might have mistaken her for an elegant older woman.
Just then, Mai turned, spotted him, and her eyes brightened immediately. Without hesitation, she began walking toward him.
The people around gasped, surprised to see the famous actress approaching a teenage boy. Mai, of course, paid them no mind.
Ryuichi flicked his fingers almost absentmindedly. The faint hum of altered perception rippled through the air—his common sense modification spell. Instantly, any cameras pointed their way lost focus, and the murmurs around them faded.
He mused to himself aloud, "You know, maybe it's time I just go public."
Mai gave a quiet laugh. "If you don't mind being stared at like a rare exhibit wherever we go, I wouldn't stop you."
He grinned. "You mean being known as the guy dating Sakurajima Mai? I don't think I'd hate that."
"Everyone would start calling you that every time they saw you."
"Hey, at least then they'd know I have the cutest celebrity girlfriend in Japan. Seems unfair that such glory should be hidden."
Mai gave him an unimpressed look. "So after vanishing for days, that's the grand thought you came back with?"
Ryuichi's expression sobered for all of five seconds before he gave her a mock-serious sigh.
"Truth is, my love for you's been pent up this whole time. I just can't find the right words to express how full my heart feels."
Mai's brow twitched. "Do you ever stop being so smooth?"
She stepped forward—and stomped directly down on his foot.
Ryuichi hissed. "O-Ow! You're wearing heels!"
"I'm aware. Is that a problem?"
"…None at all."
He wisely dropped it there. She was mad, no question—probably worried sick these last few days. He'd let her vent however she wanted.
Ignoring the onlookers, Ryuichi wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close.
Surprised, Mai stiffened for a moment before relaxing against him, arms slipping around his back.
"No next time," she murmured against his chest.
Her tone carried layers—both warning and longing.
Ryuichi understood immediately. She meant his disappearance, the silence, the fear of not knowing where he'd gone.
"It really was an accident," he whispered. "I'll be more careful next time."
Holding her close, feeling her heartbeat calm against him, Ryuichi felt all the chaos of the past days finally ease out of him.
After a long moment, Mai exhaled and pushed lightly on his shoulder, creating a bit of space between them. Her gaze met his directly.
"So… are you going to tell me what actually happened?"
He considered lying—but decided against it.
"To put it simply," he said, "a Fallen Angel recorded in the Bible suddenly lost it and tried to destroy this city, which could've started a war across the Three Realms."
Mai just… stared.
His words sank in slowly, each one making her expression freeze a bit more.
"I… think I need you to start from the beginning," she said weakly, voice trembling with disbelief. "It feels like I know nothing about who you really are."
Ryuichi nodded gently. "Then how about we discuss it back home?"
After a moment's pause, she nodded. "Yeah… okay."
Before she could say another word, Ryuichi bent down and swept her up into his arms.
Mai let out a startled gasp. "Eh?"
"Hold on tight," he said with a grin. "We're flying this time."
The dark wings of a Devil unfurled from his back, vast and sleek. And with one powerful beat, the two of them shot up into the sky, vanishing above the city like a shadow carried by the wind.
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