On the sidewalk, surrounded by the bustle of evening crowds, Ryuichi couldn't hold it in anymore. The words just spilled out before he realized:
"Mai, I love you."
Mai blinked in surprise, but quickly regained her cool. "Alright, alright—I hear you."
Her tone was a little too casual, but her averted gaze gave her away. There was a faint blush, a hint of shyness she just couldn't hide.
So cute. Ryuichi had to admit—Mai, in this moment, was irresistibly adorable.
She wore casual clothes today: a fitted white knit dress, the fabric clinging gently to her figure, and a pair of queenly boots. The strip of black stockings peeking between her skirt and boots was especially eye-catching. There was a trace of makeup on her face, still fresh from the shoot, lending her a sophisticated edge that made her seem more mature than usual.
Ryuichi gave her a once-over and offered a wry smile. "Mai-san, you look absolutely stunning today."
She shot back, "Don't you always have plenty of beautiful girls around you?"
Her voice had suddenly dropped, her aura shifting too—suddenly serious and cool, with an odd hint of pressure.
"Hm?"
"You smell like another woman." She pointed it out matter-of-factly.
Honestly, Ryuichi wasn't surprised. If she noticed the moment she stepped out of the car, he was just grateful she'd waited this long to mention it.
"Women really are surprisingly sharp," he muttered.
Mai didn't reply. Instead, she reached over and pinched Ryuichi's cheek, stretching it mercilessly.
"Ow…"
He let her have her way, his gaze drifting to her face—a look that, to Mai, looked like he was being petulant. She let go, finally, and Ryuichi rubbed his sore cheek as he shrugged.
"I guess it was from my master, Rias, and maybe the others too. We're together a lot."
"Master?" Mai repeated, almost to herself. "So the hierarchy's that strict, huh?"
Ryuichi hesitated. "Actually, everyone's pretty good to me…" Then, in a rare show of vulnerability, he looked her in the eye. "Devils and humans don't exactly see the world the same way. I do worry—sometimes—that it might bother you."
"I never said I'd judge you by human morality," Mai answered steadily.
She understood more than she let on. Ryuichi had never hidden the Devil side of his life, and Mai always knew there were other girls close to him—many of whom were Devils like him.
But Mai was a logical person. She'd never considered imposing her world's rules on Ryuichi. Still, for just a second, her eyes betrayed a rare sadness.
"Sometimes I wonder if we can really be together."
After all, Ryuichi was a Devil—blessed with a lifespan that stretched on and on—while Mai was only a mortal girl. Even Rias had reminded Ryuichi about that.
He hugged Mai gently by the waist, voice soft. "Even my master warned me. A Devil's life is practically endless. Under normal circumstances, we really couldn't be together forever—but there are ways around that."
He drew her close. "Would you ever consider becoming a Devil yourself? To be my wife—for eternity?"
"Are you… trying to tempt me with immortality?" she teased.
"I'm tempting you with the promise of being together, forever," he corrected. "I think that's an unbeatable offer."
"I'll… think about it," Mai said, and smiled, though she didn't answer right away. Ryuichi understood—she still had things in this world she couldn't leave behind, her family most of all.
But he didn't press her. They had time—plenty of it.
"Let's head home," Mai said, linking her arm naturally through his.
"I thought your work was done for today?"
"My family's coming over now," she replied, gently tugging him along.
The first image that flashed through Ryuichi's mind was an older woman who looked a lot like Mai—a mature beauty.
"Did you finally make up with your mom?" he asked carefully.
"No, it's my little sister, not my mom," Mai replied with a deadpan look.
"Oh?"
Ryuichi actually sounded surprised.
Mai shot him an annoyed glare. "I told you I had a sister. You forgot?"
"…Can't deny it. Sorry, Mai. It's like, when it comes to anyone but you, I really can't make myself care."
"She's my real sister, so I want you to pay attention!" Mai huffed, though she knew Ryuichi's personality well by now.
"Alright. I'll remember, from now on."
"Good. Now come on."
"Too bad we finally got a date, but it can't last."
"I'll make it up to you." Her tone softened, carrying a gentle sweetness.
Ryuichi tilted his head and asked hopefully, "Will there be a special reward?"
"Don't get cheeky with me," Mai shot back instantly.
Ryuichi caught his reflection in a shopfront window—his face looked perfectly calm, not cheeky at all.
"You're the one always smiling, Mai."
"I thought you liked that about me?" she replied.
"I love it!" Ryuichi grinned. "Actually, I want to go on another date tomorrow."
"I have a magazine shoot tomorrow. No can do."
"Eh? More work?"
Mai grinned mischievously at his disappointed look. "So… how about the day after tomorrow?"
"…Deal."
Their cheerful banter continued as their figures melted into the crowds. Even as passersby glanced their way, nobody recognized Sakurajima Mai, thanks to a little magical adjustment of memory and perception. For now, she could walk through town like any ordinary girl—hand in hand with Ryuichi. It was exactly the kind of ordinary happiness she used to dream of; the kind she'd thought was impossible, given her old "sickness."
If not for Ryuichi, she might have vanished entirely by now.
Heading home together, even down just a single street, felt like a real date to them—a small, fleeting moment of normalcy.
They arrived at Mai's apartment. She unlocked the door, and Ryuichi immediately noticed a beautiful blonde girl sitting in the living room.
Her hair was styled playfully, swept to one side like butterfly wings. Her doll-like face, big sparkling eyes, and energetic smile made her look mischievous and full of life. She stood up as soon as the door opened, about 160 centimeters tall—tall for a girl, but standing beside Mai, who was even taller and wore heels, she looked a little petite.
With every confident step Mai took, her slender legs seemed to draw every gaze—the very picture of a high-spirited, impossibly stylish big sister.
…
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