The situation before them was completely beyond expectation.
Who could have imagined that Mai's mother—who had been perfectly able to exchange emails just earlier—would suddenly become unable to see her own daughter the moment they met face-to-face?
Even Mai herself could hardly process it.
She hurried around to her mother's side, stepping directly in front of her and waving a hand furiously.
"Can't you see me!?"
Her voice rose sharply; emotion clearly broke through her composure.
And really who wouldn't lose control in a moment like this?
This was her mother.
Just moments ago, she'd been ready to meet her openly, to talk honestly for the first time in years… yet now, something this cruel had happened.
Mai couldn't accept it.
But her mother's steps didn't even pause.
The girl's hands slowly fell limp at her sides.
She knew this feeling all too well. No matter what she did now—it would be useless.
Her mother could no longer see her.
And then, as if to confirm the nightmare, her mother—unable to perceive her presence—walked straight into her shoulder, bumping her hard enough to make Mai stagger.
Before she could fall, a blur of movement flashed through the air.
Ryuya, who had been standing over twenty meters away just seconds ago, appeared beside her in an instant, catching the trembling girl in his arms.
His sudden appearance startled Mai's mother. She turned, her eyes widening slightly in surprise—
Wasn't that boy far away a moment ago? How had he appeared beside her so quickly?
"Hello. My name is Ryuya Kurobane," he said calmly.
Still holding Mai's hand, he gently pulled her behind him, placing himself between her and her mother. His gaze locked firmly onto the older woman.
Her brows knit together as she finally processed the situation.
"So it was you, then?" she said coldly.
The tone was edged with irritation—so similar to Mai's when she was angry that Ryuya couldn't help but notice.
"I'm not sure what you mean, ma'am."
"You're the one who called me out here, aren't you? What exactly do you want from me? I don't even know you." She folded her arms, her voice brisk and dismissive. "You look like a high schooler. Is this some kind of childish prank? Because if it is, I'll be contacting your parents to teach you some manners."
Her words came fast, clipped. She even glanced at her watch mid-sentence—
clearly the type who valued every minute of her schedule, likely burdened by endless work obligations.
"It seems there's been a misunderstanding," Ryuya said evenly. "Mai was the one who asked you to come."
He could feel the faint dampness of sweat in her palm. She was trembling, even if she tried not to show it.
Ryuya squeezed her hand just a little tighter, silently telling her: Don't worry.
Her mother gave him a sharp, skeptical look.
"Once more—who did you say called me?"
"Mai," he repeated.
At that, she brushed a hand through her hair, the sea breeze tugging at the strands. A trace of confusion flickered in her eyes.
"...Mai? Who's that?"
For a heartbeat, even Ryuya was stunned.
Then he felt Mai's grip tighten around his hand so hard it almost hurt.
Ryuya's expression darkened. His instincts screamed that something was very wrong.
Damn it... this isn't just about her being invisible anymore, is it?
"Mai Sakurajima," he said slowly, "your daughter. Don't you remember her?"
"Stop joking around," her mother snapped. "I don't have a daughter."
The frown deepened on her face. "Ryuya Kurobane, was it? What exactly are you trying to pull here?"
Ryuya turned his gaze toward Mai. She looked utterly shaken—staring at her mother with wide, hollow eyes, her lips slightly parted but unable to speak.
His voice lowered, calm but steady. "Then what about the email you received? You replied to it, didn't you? Surely you remember that much."
Her mother gave a dry, humorless laugh.
"That's what I'm wondering myself."
She pulled out her phone and showed it to him.
"The sender was unknown. I even marked the appointment in my schedule, went out of my way to clear time for it… but I can't remember why I thought it was important."
Ryuya glanced at the screen.
The name "Mai" gleamed there as the sender—those two simple characters feeling like a knife to the chest.
Both he and Mai stared at it in silence.
Her mother wasn't pretending not to know.
She genuinely didn't recognize the name at all.
She truly no longer remembered Mai Sakurajima.
Even though she had raised Mai for more than ten years—
even though her daughter's name was clearly written on the email right in front of her—
it was as if all of that had been wiped clean.
Ryuya took a deep breath.
At this point, the situation was almost completely clear to him.
He suddenly bowed slightly toward Mai's mother, his tone calm and sincere.
"I'm sorry. It seems I made a mistake. I apologize for wasting your time."
"Eh? I–is that so…"
Mai's mother blinked, visibly taken aback.
Maybe, deep down, some faint instinct told her that something wasn't right.
"Then… I'll be going?"
"Yes. Truly, I'm sorry."
"...It's… fine."
With a puzzled expression, she turned and slowly walked away.
"Ryuya…"
Mai's quiet voice called out to him. When he turned, he saw the deep anxiety reflected in her eyes.
She had realized the same thing he had that the situation had gotten even worse.
Ryuya's expression grew grim. He spoke softly:
"This means your ability is still spreading. We must have missed something."
Up until now, Mai's mysterious phenomenon had only affected people's perception—their ability to see, hear, or touch her.
But now…
People were starting to forget her entirely.
Their memories of Mai Sakurajima were being erased, even from the minds of those who had known her best.
Mai's eyes trembled, her unease deepening.
Before, even when she couldn't be seen, people still remembered her.
That was what had allowed her to stay composed.
But now, if everyone forgot her existence altogether…
Wouldn't that make her a living ghost?
No—
something even more terrifying than a ghost.
"Stay calm, Mai. At least right now, I can still see you.
I still remember you—clearly."
Ryuya's voice was gentle but firm, grounding her in the moment.
Even in the face of such a cruel twist, he remained composed and steady.
He couldn't afford to panic now.
And his calmness spread to Mai as well—
his presence was the one thing keeping her heart from collapsing.
"Let's go," he said suddenly, taking her hand and leading her up toward the embankment.
"Go where?" she asked quietly.
"If we were wrong," he said, voice steady and resolute, "that means we still haven't found the true source of your ability. We keep searching until we do."
Mai fell silent.
After a few steps, Ryuya noticed she wasn't following properly.
He stopped and turned around.
She stood there with her head lowered, saying nothing—but the way her shoulders drooped said enough.
"Mai?" he called softly.
"...Let's stop for today," she murmured. "I'll head back first."
Her tone had gone flat, calm on the surface, but it carried none of the confidence or energy she usually had.
She gently pushed his hand away and began walking ahead, her figure quiet and solitary.
Ryuya watched her back, letting out a small sigh.
How could he possibly leave her alone at a time like this?
He quickened his pace and caught up to her easily.
Then, without hesitation, he reached out and wrapped his arms around her from behind.
His voice was low, almost a whisper against her ear:
"Don't give up so easily, Mai.
If this world were to lose your smile…
wouldn't it become a far duller place?"
Mai's body trembled softly in his embrace.
---
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