As they waited for the subway to arrive, Ryuya and Mai could already see the crowd shifting inside.
Since it was the weekend, it wasn't surprising that the train was packed with people heading out for leisure.
Seeing the crowd, Ryuya immediately took Mai's hand and used his own body as a human shield to protect her from being pushed around, guiding her safely into the subway car.
With a glance, he signaled toward an open corner. Mai caught on right away and moved there, leaning her back against the wall.
Ryuya raised his arm and placed his hand on the wall beside her ear in a classic kabe-don pose, just enough to keep her protected from the flow of passengers who couldn't see her due to her invisibility.
To everyone else who couldn't perceive Mai Sakurajima, Ryuya's actions looked perfectly natural—maybe even unremarkable.
But to Mai, the distance between them felt a little too close.
"It's only three stops," Ryuya murmured quietly. In the rumble of the train, his voice was soft enough that only Mai, who stood inches away, could hear him clearly.
Being this close, she could even feel his breath brushing against the side of her neck—it tickled.
Even when acting in front of cameras, she'd never been this close to a boy before. Still, she forced herself to stay composed.
She was Mai Sakurajima, after all. There was no way she'd lose her cool over something this trivial.
"I don't mind," she said, trying to sound calm, "as long as someone doesn't start getting the wrong idea."
"...The wrong idea?"
Ryuya repeated the words in mild confusion, then glanced down at the small gap—or lack thereof—between their bodies. Realization dawned on him almost instantly.
His lips curved into a faint grin.
"Oh, trust me," he murmured, "what's in my head is probably way messier than you think."
"..."
Mai locked eyes with him.
She could tell—this wasn't his poor acting.
He was being dead serious.
"You should get off at the next stop," she muttered, glaring at him with open disgust.
"If I jump off mid-route, I'll end up on the morning news," Ryuya replied, unfazed. "Besides, a mature woman like you should be able to tolerate this kind of thing, right?"
"...Right! I—I'm not the type to care about some younger guy having pervy thoughts about me or anything like that!"
Apparently, reverse psychology worked wonders on Mai Sakurajima.
To prove her indifference, she straightened her back defiantly—only to accidentally press her chest right against Ryuya's.
Both of them froze.
Mai's expression flickered awkwardly as she quickly turned her head away, refusing to meet his gaze.
"Mai-senpai," Ryuya said with a teasing smile, lowering his voice, "that was a pretty blatant invitation, you know."
From this angle, he could see the flush creeping down her neck, her skin tinged pink.
Even Mai Sakurajima—composed, confident, untouchable—wasn't immune to embarrassment from such bold contact.
Luckily, the train arrived at the next station just then.
A few passengers stepped off, and the crowd behind Ryuya shifted, leaving a bit of breathing room. He took the opportunity to step back slightly.
Just as he was thinking how cute her tsundere side was, he suddenly felt a hand reach around his waist—and expertly twist the soft flesh there.
"...Mai?"
"This," she said coolly, her voice calm and elegant again, "is punishment for shamelessly flirting."
"It was you who started it," he protested.
"Is that so? My apologies then," she said lightly but her hand didn't let go.
If anything, she twisted harder, the faint smirk on her lips suggesting she was thoroughly enjoying it.
Just then, Mai's phone began to ring.
At this point, Ryuya had pretty much confirmed that no one else could see Mai Sakurajima. So when he heard the ringtone, his eyes narrowed slightly—he instantly guessed who the sender might be.
Mai's expression shifted subtly. She pulled her phone from her pocket, glanced at the sender's name, and then handed the phone over to Ryuya with a hint of tension in her eyes.
The meaning was clear—she wanted him to take a look.
Ryuya accepted the phone without hesitation and read the message. As he expected, it was from Mai's mother. The sender name, however, was labeled simply as "Manager."
The message said that she had already left home and was on her way to the meeting place.
"She's already on her way," Ryuya said quietly.
"Mm…"
Mai took a deep breath. After the push Ryuya had given her yesterday, she had decided to stop running away from her feelings—to face her mother directly.
Ryuya understood her intentions without needing to be told, which was why they had met up early and taken the train toward Shichirigahama.
Three stops passed quickly. The two of them exited the station, made their way down the steps along the embankment, and soon arrived at the beach.
Since her mother hadn't arrived yet, they walked slowly along the sand, chatting idly.
"They say Shichirigahama isn't actually seven ri long," Mai remarked, lazily kicking at the sand beneath her feet.
"That's normal. Tenlitun doesn't have ten li either."
"Ha."
"Just saying."
They exchanged small talk that didn't mean much, but it helped ease the tension.
"Heh," Mai chuckled softly. "Once I return to acting, I think I'd like to film a scene here someday."
"In that case," Ryuya said with a grin, "maybe I can play your co-star."
"With your acting skills? You'd be lucky to make it as Background Extra #1."
"Eh—such harsh criticism. You wound me."
"I'm only telling the truth."
Their lighthearted banter carried on as they walked, the minutes slipping by.
Then, about ten minutes later, a graceful figure appeared atop the embankment in the distance.
Even from afar, Ryuya could tell—there was a resemblance between her and Mai.
No, rather—it was Mai who resembled her.
The woman approaching was none other than Mai Sakurajima's mother.
Ryuya smiled faintly and came to a stop, giving Mai a small nod as if to say: Go on. I won't intrude on your reunion.
Mai hesitated for a moment, forcing down the nervous flutter in her chest before walking toward her mother.
"It's been a while," she greeted softly.
Though she was still some distance away, Ryuya's sharp hearing picked up every word clearly.
Her mother's pace slowed slightly—but she didn't respond. She simply kept walking forward.
"...Mom?"
Mai's voice carried a tinge of confusion as she called out again.
Still, her mother didn't stop.
From a distance, Ryuya frowned.
That kind of cold indifference… didn't fit the image of a strong, elegant woman like her. Especially not when the person being ignored was her own daughter.
An uneasy feeling crept into his chest.
He watched closely—and noticed something.
Mai's mother wasn't looking at her daughter at all. Her eyes were scanning the area, as if searching for someone—or something.
There was no way… she couldn't see her own daughter, right?
At that realization, Mai's body stiffened. Her mind went blank for a moment as she stood frozen in place.
Ryuya's expression darkened. He understood immediately.
This isn't good.
Something had gone terribly wrong…
---