Though Mai tried her best to appear calm, Ryuya could feel every ounce of her helplessness and despair.
If even he were to give up on her now…
then she would truly vanish from this world completely.
"It's no use anymore," she whispered from within his arms, her voice trembling faintly. "Just… stop worrying about me."
Even though she tried to sound composed, her tone carried the unmistakable hint of tears.
Her own mother had forgotten her—that alone was a blow so cruel it could shatter anyone.
The fact that she was still managing not to cry was, in itself, proof of just how strong she really was.
"Maybe…" Ryuya said softly, "maybe somewhere out there, there are still people who remember you."
Mai gave a dry little laugh. "You say that like everyone besides you's already forgotten me."
Her smile was faint and fragile, like a cracked mask barely holding together.
And honestly—she wasn't wrong to think that way.
Even Mai Sakurajima herself couldn't help but believe it.
Ryuya fell silent. He knew that the only reason he could still see her was because of what he'd become a devil.
He wondered if perhaps Rias or the others might have a solution.
If other devils could see her too, there might still be a way to help.
Of course, if he went that route, his planned "contract" with Mai would probably fall through completely.
But if things got that bad… then the contract didn't matter anymore.
He wasn't about to just stand by and watch Mai disappear.
Compared to that, a mere pact was trivial.
"For now," he said quietly, "why don't we at least go confirm it?"
"Confirm it?" Mai's tone was dull. "What's the point? So I can find out that everyone except you has already forgotten me? What good would that do?"
Her voice carried exhaustion.
"Maybe none," Ryuya admitted, smiling faintly. "But that way, I'll still get to stay by your side."
"...??"
"I mean it," he murmured, leaning closer. "If that's the excuse I need to be with you… I'll take it. Isn't that fine?"
His calm, gentle tone brushed against her ear.
"...I suppose that's… fine," she mumbled softly.
"And besides," Ryuya added with a grin, "this is technically your invitation, right? You were the one who asked me out first."
"That's just something you decided to call a date," she retorted. "And aren't you the one chasing after a contract, Mr. Devil?"
It sounded like she was trying to convince herself more than him.
Ryuya chuckled. "You could say the contract was part of it."
"If that's the reason," she said quickly, "then I'm definitely not agreeing to it."
Ryuya smiled, his eyes soft.
"The real reason is because I want to stay with you, Mai."
He looked at her seriously as he continued:
"Right now, you've got no one else to rely on but me. If I just put in a little more effort, maybe I'll finally win your heart. I can't possibly let that chance slip away."
His words were unexpectedly honest—so straightforward that Mai froze for a second, caught completely off guard.
She quickly looked away, muttering stubbornly, "I won't fall for you that easily."
"...I think my odds are pretty good, though," he said teasingly.
"You're taking advantage of a girl in distress. You really live up to that 'devil' title, huh?"
"Thank you for the compliment," he replied with a light laugh.
Holding her close, Ryuya could feel that she'd finally stopped trembling.
"Can't be helped…" Mai muttered softly under her breath.
"Hm?"
"If you really don't want me to go home yet," she said quietly, head lowered, "then… I guess continuing this 'date' wouldn't be so bad."
Her voice was small, her tone tsundere as ever.
Ryuya smiled warmly and nodded, loosening his embrace. He took a step forward, looking into her beautiful eyes.
"It's still early," he said softly. "Let's go somewhere farther—see a little more of the world together."
…
By the time evening arrived, it was already half past seven.
They were now in a city nearly sixty kilometers south of New Town.
Ryuya Kurobane had taken Mai Sakurajima on a long drive, far away from the crowds.
Along the way, he asked people they met on the street if they recognized Mai.
But just as he'd feared—those who once simply couldn't see her had now completely forgotten she ever existed.
Mai said nothing the entire time.
She just watched silently as each person shook their head in confusion.
It was as if she had locked all of her emotions deep inside— no sadness, no fear, no hope.
Only emptiness remained.
After yet another fruitless attempt, Ryuya could only turn to her and give a small shake of his head.
"You'd better not get your hopes up," Mai said quietly.
Ryuya gave a wry smile. "Why does it sound like you're the one comforting me?"
"Because you're the one who won't give up," she replied in a flat tone. "Even now… why are you still so stubborn?"
"...It's like this," he said after a pause. "Imagine you spent 648 yen in a gacha game and still didn't pull the character you wanted. Then that banner ends, and she's gone forever. Would you really just give up that easily?"
"Is that so? Sorry for disappointing you, then."
"It's not just about sunk cost," Ryuya shrugged. "Besides, when a girl as cute as you needs help, what kind of guy with normal taste could not step in?"
"…That's the most elegant way I've ever heard someone justify being a pervert," Mai muttered, unable to stop herself from retorting.
Ryuya ignored her jab entirely and naturally reached out to take her hand.
"I didn't give you permission to hold it," she said flatly.
Ryuya didn't even hesitate. "Then allow me, my Queen Mai."
"Reason?"
"I like the feeling of holding your hand."
"..."
Mai turned her head away, looking off to the side.
"...Just this once," she murmured suddenly.
"Eh?" Ryuya smiled. "That sounds so final. Then next time, can I come up with another reason?"
"That depends on what kind of reason you give next time."
Her tone carried a faint trace of embarrassment—
but there was warmth in it too, a quiet happiness she didn't bother to hide completely.
Hand in hand, they walked slowly through the unfamiliar streets.
Even here, some of the billboards still displayed Mai's face—ads from her modeling days.
Yet to everyone else, they were nothing more than blank signs.
Ryuya felt a deep pang in his chest.
This wasn't just about his contract anymore—he genuinely wanted to find a way to free Mai from this cruel fate.
"It's getting late," Mai said softly. "We should find a place to stay."
Then, almost inaudibly, she added, "I… want to take a bath."
Ryuya glanced at the time and nodded.
Scanning the street, he soon spotted a hotel up ahead.
Still holding her hand, he led her inside.
Thankfully, no one could see Mai—otherwise, a young man walking into a hotel with a famous actress hand in hand would've blown up every news feed by morning.
The girl at the front desk glanced at Ryuya several times.
He was handsome, sure—but he still looked like a high schooler.
And here he was, alone, at this hour, booking a hotel room?
Her curiosity was obvious.
Still, she said nothing. A few keystrokes later, Ryuya had his room key.
A single room.
He'd wanted to ask for a double, but the receptionist had already processed the booking.
And since Mai said nothing and simply walked toward the elevator, Ryuya decided not to argue.
When he opened the door, he found the room quite small—just a bed, a small table, a chair, and a vanity.
Mai didn't seem to care at all.
She stepped in, sat down on the bed, slipped off her shoes, and then lay back against the sheets.
She was clearly exhausted.
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