Standing by the roadside where crowds flowed past, Ryuya's emotions burst through, and he blurted out without thinking:
"Mai, I like you."
Mai was slightly taken aback, but she managed to keep her composure. "Alright, alright, I got it."
That tone was a little too casual…
But judging from how her gaze subtly avoided his, she was actually a bit shy…
Ah—so cute.
Ryuya had to admit it: Mai like this was ridiculously adorable.
Dressed in casual clothes, Mai wore a faint smile. She had on a form-fitting white dress. Since the weather was a little chilly, it was made of knit fabric. On her feet were queen-style boots, and the area between the hem of her skirt and the boots was covered by black stockings.
Perhaps because she had just finished her shoot, Mai wore light makeup. Paired with this outfit, she looked especially mature.
Ryuya took a good look at her and smiled softly. "Miss Mai is a super beauty today too."
"There are probably plenty of beauties around you, right?"
Mai instead countered with that question.
As if recalling something, her voice dropped noticeably, and even the aura she gave off shifted, carrying a faint but indescribable pressure.
"Hm?"
"You smell like other women," Mai said bluntly.
In fact, she had noticed this the moment she got out of the car…
She told Ryuya as much.
"…Women's senses really are unexpectedly sharp," Ryuya couldn't help but sigh.
And if she had noticed it as soon as she got out of the car—she'd really held back until now before bringing it up…
As expected of Sakurajima Mai.
Hearing his remark, Mai didn't say anything. She simply reached out and tugged at Ryuya's cheek.
"…That hurts."
Ryuya let her pull his cheek, looking at her as if he were acting spoiled in her eyes.
So she let go.
Ryuya then explained, spreading his hands slightly. "It's probably from my master, Rias, and a few other companions. We're together every day."
"Master?"
Mai murmured to herself. "The hierarchy is that clear-cut, huh."
"Mm… actually, everyone treats me really well."
As he spoke, Ryuya pressed his lips together slightly and looked at Mai. "The values of devils and humans aren't the same. To be honest, I was a little worried you might mind."
"I never said I'd use human morality to restrain you," Mai replied directly.
She could more or less imagine Ryuya's world, and he had never hidden anything from her. She knew there were many other girls around him as well—girls who, like him, were devils.
Mai was a rational person. She had never thought of demanding that Ryuya abide by human moral standards.
Still, a rare trace of loneliness appeared in her eyes.
"I just sometimes wonder… whether we can truly be together."
After all, Ryuya was already a devil, while Mai was just an ordinary human girl—something Rias had also seriously reminded Ryuya about.
"…My master reminded me too. A devil's lifespan is nearly eternal. Normally speaking, I really wouldn't be able to stay with you forever—but there is a way."
Ryuya smiled and wrapped his arms around Mai's waist.
"Would you be willing to reincarnate as a devil in the future, and be my wife forever?"
"…That sounds like you're tempting me with immortality," Mai said.
"It's tempting you with the chance to be with me forever," Ryuya corrected. "I think it's a deal with no losses."
"I'll think about it," Mai said with a small smile, not agreeing right away.
Ryuya understood. There were still people and things she couldn't let go of—like her family.
Ryuya wasn't in a hurry about it either. After all, they still had plenty of time ahead of them.
"Come on, we need to hurry back," Mai said.
She naturally hooked her arm around Ryuya's and started walking forward.
"Isn't your work already finished?" he asked.
"My family came over," Mai explained.
The first person that flashed through Ryuya's mind was that mature woman who looked about seventy percent similar to Sakurajima Mai.
"You've completely made up with your mother?" he asked tentatively.
"Of course not. It's my younger sister."
"Huh?"
Ryuya let out a soft sound of surprise, clearly a bit taken aback.
Mai immediately shot him an annoyed look.
"I've told you before that I have a younger sister, haven't I? You forgot?"
"…I can't deny it. Sorry—aside from you, Mai, it's really hard for me to pay attention to other people."
"She is my sister, you know. I still want you to take her seriously," Mai said helplessly. She understood Ryuya's personality well enough.
Ryuya smiled. "Yeah. I'll definitely remember from now on."
"Then let's go."
"It's a shame—we finally got a date."
"I'll make it up to you properly later," Mai said, her tone carrying a hint of sweetness and amusement.
Ryuya tilted his head slightly and lowered his voice. "Does that include any special rewards?"
"Stop fooling around."
Mai immediately scolded him.
Ryuya glanced at his own reflection in the glass of a shop window by the street. No matter how he looked at it, his calm expression had nothing to do with 'fooling around'.
"Isn't it you who's been smiling the whole time, Mai?"
"That way, you'll like it and feel happy, right?"
"I love it," Ryuya replied with a soft smile. "So what if I want to go on another date tomorrow?"
"I have a magazine photoshoot tomorrow. No."
"Huh? You still have work?"
Seeing the slight disappointment on Ryuya's face, Mai revealed a mischievous, triumphant smile.
"So… the day after tomorrow."
"..."
The two chatted cheerfully as they blended into the crowd. Even if people around them noticed the pair, it was as if no one recognized her as Sakurajima Mai at all.
With the help of Common Sense Alteration, she could now stroll the streets carefree with Ryuya, just like an ordinary person.
Something she had once longed for so deeply was now achieved so effortlessly through Ryuya's devilish magic, that every time Mai thought about it, she couldn't help but laugh helplessly.
After all, back then, she had even developed that strange condition because of such desires…
If it weren't for Ryuya, she probably would have already vanished completely by now.
On the way back, it could count as a short date with Mai—though they only walked down a single street. For the two of them, it really was fleeting…
They arrived at the apartment where Mai lived, and she opened the door.
At a glance, Ryuya saw a beautiful blonde girl sitting in the living room.
Her striking golden hair was styled to one side into a shape like butterfly wings—flashy and lively. With bright, watery eyes accentuated by makeup and a clean, delicate face, she gave off the immediate impression of someone playful and energetic.
Hearing the door open, the blonde girl immediately stood up and walked over. She was about 160 centimeters tall—not short among girls, honestly—but she looked a bit small next to Mai.
After all, Mai was 165 centimeters tall and wearing high heels. Her figure was so slender and statuesque it was almost unfair. Those long legs—each step she took felt like it stabbed straight into one's heart.
…
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