"DXD: Transfer Student"Chapter 179: I'm Just a Sucker for a Pretty Face
The moment class let out the next day, Long Yi made a beeline for Mai Sakurajima's house.
He hadn't expected to walk into total darkness—all the curtains drawn tight, the living room illuminated only by the flickering TV.
No problem for him. His demonic eyesight thrived in the dark; he picked out the figure curled up on the sofa instantly. Hugging her knees, looking small and tense, was Toyohama Nodoka—currently wearing Mai's face.
What was she up to?
Long Yi glanced at the TV. A horror movie. The kind with ghosts and jump scares. Recognition hit: it was one of Mai's own films, the one critics raved about.
Toyohama was practically balled up in terror. Long Yi didn't think much of it, walked over, and tapped her shoulder.
"Ahhh!!"
She let out a scream that rattled the windows, tears brimming in her eyes.
Long Yi winced, ears ringing. With his supernatural hearing, that shriek felt like a drill straight to the brain.
"It's just me," he said, a little exasperated. He grabbed the remote and flipped on the overhead light. Instantly, the room was flooded with brightness.
"What the hell?! You can't just pop up out of nowhere like that!" Nodoka snapped, voice frazzled.
Long Yi grinned at her reaction—especially seeing Mai's features twisted in indignation. Honestly, he found it adorable.
"If only it was actually Mai glaring at me like that," he mused aloud. His tone was easy, almost teasing. "I always use teleportation magic. No need for doors—super convenient, right?"
"Convenient my ass! That's a total invasion of privacy!"
Long Yi just shrugged. "Tch… come on. Mai and I are basically an old married couple. What's the big deal? There's not a part of Mai's body I haven't seen."
"…??"
Nodoka could only clutch her forehead and sigh. "Sis, this guy's a total pervert, isn't he…"
Long Yi ignored her grumbling, eyes drifting back to the TV's horror scenes. He didn't even flinch.
"What's with watching ghost movies alone in the dark?"
"Tomorrow's the commercial shoot," Nodoka said, sighing. "I figured I'd study my sister's facial expressions, see how she manages her reactions."
Clearly, the plan had backfired—she'd learned nothing and scared herself silly in the process.
Long Yi couldn't help but comment, "If you want to act like Mai, try showing a little composure."
"I can't! Sis always makes everything look effortless… Of course she's composed," Nodoka groaned, sounding defeated.
Long Yi shook his head. "I don't see what kind of expression management you're supposed to learn from a horror flick."
He kept going, calm and matter-of-fact. "Isn't the commercial supposed to be light and cheerful? If you want to study, watch some school comedy scenes instead."
"You're right… Ugh, what am I gonna do? The shoot's tomorrow and I haven't figured out a single trick…" Nodoka stomped her feet on the sofa, frustration boiling over.
She caught Long Yi's amused look. "What are you laughing at, you jerk?"
"I just think this version of Mai is pretty cute too."
He smiled, gentle and honest. "Listen, Toyohama, with your sister's looks, what are you so worried about? Honestly, if you just show off Mai's cuteness, you'll be more than fine."
"…What? Are you some kind of creep?"
"I'm just totally into Mai's looks. I'm a shameless face-con, so what?" Long Yi declared, grinning without a shred of embarrassment.
Nodoka was speechless.
Not that she could blame him—she was pretty smitten with Mai's looks herself.
"I'm worried I'll mess up Sis's career! You have no idea, she nails every commercial in one take!"
"Don't put Mai on a pedestal. She earned that reputation through hard work, but it doesn't mean people can't accept her making mistakes. And honestly, expecting her to be perfect every time is pretty unfair."
Long Yi's words were gentle but firm. He was clearly on Mai's side.
"Everyone slips up sometimes, but people act like Mai's some kind of goddess—born to shoot commercials and star in movies. They don't see her effort or dedication; they just assume her perfection is natural."
"Uh… n-no, that's not… Everyone really admires Sis…" Nodoka's voice softened, uncertainty creeping in.
Long Yi cut her off. "Are you telling me you don't feel that pressure? Hasn't this 'one-take perfection' become a huge burden for you now?"
Nodoka fell silent.
Everyone worshipped Mai's talent, her flawless performances, her legendary acting. It had gotten to the point where "because she's Mai Sakurajima" was practically a slogan.
People were blind to her struggles, treating her like she was born perfect—like she could do anything, never fail.
Mai never complained, but Long Yi understood. She was strong enough to shoulder everyone's expectations, never letting anyone down—even once.
But now, with Nodoka standing in for her, all that pressure had come crashing down.
Long Yi almost pitied her.
It couldn't be helped. When someone was too good, the pressure—on themselves and everyone around them—was terrifying.
Nodoka sat there, silent for a long time. Only now did she realize how deeply Long Yi understood Mai.
He spoke quietly. "Now you know how much pressure Mai's under."
"Mm, I get it… But that's exactly why I have to do well. I can't let Sis's hard work go to waste…"
"You're overthinking it. Honestly, you're not going to improve much by tomorrow." Long Yi laughed.
"Hey! You didn't have to say it so bluntly!" Nodoka protested.
"Heh, I actually think you should just be yourself. Make a few mistakes—it's fine. Maybe it's time people saw Mai as human, too."
Long Yi lounged on the sofa, watching the film credits roll and a flood of glowing reviews for Mai pop up on screen.
He said softly, "Mai's talented, but she works even harder. Her perfect record has set everyone's expectations sky-high. Keeping up with that is exhausting."
Nodoka looked at Long Yi, and for a moment, felt genuinely happy for her sister.
This boy—his eyes were only ever on Mai.
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