She realized the situation was worsening.
Badr's expression turned serious. "This means the ability is spreading. We've made a mistake somewhere."
If, previously, her ability only affected people's normal senses and they couldn't see, hear, or touch her...
Now, it seemed people's memories of Mai were also fading.
Mai's eyes showed increasing anxiety.
Previously, although people couldn't perceive her, they still remembered her. This kept her somewhat calm. Now, however, everyone was forgetting her.
Was she becoming a living ghost?
No, maybe worse than a ghost...
"Stay calm, Mai. At least I can still see you and remember you," Badr reassured her calmly.
His steadiness had a calming effect on Mai. His presence was a source of strength for her now.
"Let's go," he suddenly said, leading Mai up the embankment.
"Where to?"
—
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Chapter 19: Holding Hands
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"Since we were mistaken, it means we still haven't found the origin of your ability. Let's continue searching."
Badr spoke calmly, but Mai Sakurajima remained silent.
After taking a few steps, Badr noticed that Mai hadn't responded. He paused, turning back to look at her.
Even though she wasn't speaking, her lowered head suggested she was feeling down.
"Mai?"
"...Let's call it a day. I'm heading back."
Her tone had returned to its usual calmness, devoid of the previous anxiety and hesitation.
Mai gently pushed Badr's hand away as she spoke and silently walked forward.
Watching her leave alone, Badr sighed inwardly. How could he leave her alone in a time like this?
He quickly caught up with Mai Sakurajima, easily reaching her.
Badr reached out, embracing the girl from behind, and whispered:
"Don't give up so soon. If this world didn't have your smile, it would be much duller..."
Mai's body trembled at that moment...
...
Although Mai appeared calm, Badr could feel her helplessness and despair.
If even Badr gave up, she would genuinely disappear from this world.
"It's useless, just leave me alone..."
The girl, held in Badr's arms, spoke slowly, her voice tinged with a hint of sobbing.
Her biological mother had forgotten her due to the influence, which was a massive blow to her.
Maintaining her composure without crying was already a sign of her immense strength.
"Maybe there's someone else who remembers you."
"It sounds like everyone except you has already forgotten me."
Mai forced a dry smile, but it looked pretty strained.
Admittedly, the current situation made it hard to think otherwise.
Even Mai herself thought so, which is why she said such things.
Badr was silent. He knew he could see Mai Sakurajima because he had become a demon.
He considered seeking help from Rias and the others, who were also demons, thinking they might have a solution.
But if it came to that, his desired contract might fall through.
Still, he wouldn't care about the contract if it reached that point. After all, he couldn't just stand by and watch Mai Sakurajima disappear.
Compared to that, the contract seemed trivial.
"Let's go confirm first," Badr said, unsure how to comfort Mai Sakurajima.
"What's the point of confirming? If everyone but you has forgotten me, what can I do..."
Mai seemed disheartened.
"It might seem pointless, but this way, I can stay with you," Badr smiled and said softly.
"...??"
"To be precise, I need this reason to stay by your side. Is that not allowed?"
Badr spoke calmly into the girl's ear.
"...It's allowed..."
"And wasn't this a date you invited me to?" Badr added, giving another reason.
"You're the one who thought it was a date, and aren't you doing this for a contract, Mr. Demon?"
Mai seemed to be convincing herself.
Badr chuckled: "While I want a contract, that's not the only reason."
"If it's just for that reason, I won't agree."
"It's because I want to stay with you, Mai."
Badr continued to smile:
"And right now, you only have me to rely on. If I try a bit harder, I can win your heart. I don't want to miss that chance."
His straightforward words caught Mai off guard.
She then retorted:
"I'm not that easy to win over."
"...I think I have a good chance?"
"You're taking advantage of the situation, typical of a demon."
"Thanks for the compliment," Badr laughed.
Holding Mai's trembling body, he felt her calming down.
"No choice..." the girl murmured.
"Hmm?"
"If you don't want me to go back, I don't mind continuing our date..."
She said with a hint of pride, her head lowered.
Badr smiled, nodding. He released the girl, stepped forward, and looked at her beautiful face, speaking gently, "It's still early. Let's go explore further."
...
It was now 7:30 PM.
The location was a city about sixty kilometres south of Shinto.
Badr had taken Mai on a long journey.
Along the way, he inquired with the surrounding pedestrians. While they couldn't see Mai before, they had completely forgotten her existence.
From start to finish, Mai observed these people with a blank expression;
It was as if she had suppressed all her emotions, sadness, fear, or hope. All that was left was a sense of calm.
After another disappointing attempt, Badr could only shake his head gently towards Mai.
"Don't get your hopes up," Mai said softly.
Badr was speechless: "Why are you the one comforting me?"
"Why haven't you given up yet, Badr..." Mai asked in a flat tone.
"...It's like spending a lot of money in a game and not getting the character you wanted. Would you easily give up if you missed out on that character forever?"
"I'm sorry for disappointing you."
"It's not just about sunk costs."
Badr shrugged: "After all when a cute girl like Mai needs help, I can't ignore it. Don't underestimate the aesthetic sense of a normal guy."
"...First time hearing someone justify their actions so elegantly," Mai couldn't help but retort.
Badr ignored her retort and naturally held her hand.
"I didn't permit you to hold my hand," Mai said calmly.
Badr was straightforward: "Please allow me to hold your hand, Queen Mai."
"Reason?"
"I like the feeling of holding your hand."
Mai Sakurajima: "..."
She turned her head, looking away.
"...Just this once."
She suddenly said.
"Eh?" Badr smiled: "I'll be sad about that. Can I find another reason next time?"
"Depends on what your reason is next time."
Mai responded with a hint of shyness in her tone and a bit of joy and happiness.
Holding Mai Sakurajima's hand, they strolled through this unfamiliar area. They could still see advertisements featuring Mai Sakurajima, but the people around them couldn't see her.
Badr was troubled. It wasn't just about his contract anymore; he genuinely wanted to help Mai Sakurajima out of this predicament.
"It's getting late. Let's find a place to stay," Mai suddenly reminded him, murmuring, "I want to take a bath..."
Badr checked the time and nodded. Looking around, he soon spotted a hotel ahead.
Holding the girl's hand, they entered. Luckily, Mai couldn't be seen by others. Otherwise, leading a celebrity into a hotel would have caused a scandal.
The receptionist glanced at Badr, noting his handsome features and that he looked like a high school student. Why would a high schooler come to a hotel alone at this time?
Despite her curiosity, nothing was suspicious, so Badr quickly got a room.
It was a single room...
He had wanted to ask if there was a double room, but the receptionist had already given him a single, and Mai hadn't objected, heading straight for the elevator. So, Badr didn't ask further.
Opening the door, he found the room relatively small, with just a bed, a table, chairs, and a dresser.
Mai didn't mind sitting on the bed, taking off her shoes, and lying down.
Today, we had indeed been tiring.
...
Seeing Mai occupy the bed, Badr sat on the single sofa.
Mai sat up, rubbing her ankle.
Badr stared at her legs in stockings.
"Why are you staring at me..."
"Looking at a beautiful girl and her legs."
Blunt honesty...
Mai was speechless: "You're quite the straightforward one."
"Please forgive a guy's first time being alone in a room with a beautiful girl," Badr shrugged.
"...Saying that makes it sound like I'm at fault for coming with you."
Mai stretched, slightly fatigued in her soft hum as she stood up.
"I'm going to take a bath."
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Chapter 20: Bath Time And Warm Bed
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"Okay."
"No peeking."
"I'd like to, but unfortunately, the bathroom is locked."
Badr replied calmly, his mind involuntarily recalling the image of the girl sitting in the bathtub when he was summoned. The details were etched in his memory, clear as day...
Ahem, blame it on having a good memory.
Sakurajima Mai didn't respond to Badr's blatant desires. Instead, she silently pointed towards the door, signalling him to leave.
"Staying outside now would make me look like a thief."
"Just tell them you're not a thief but a pervert instead."
Sakurajima Mai's retort hit Badr right in the heart.
"Then I'd still get arrested by the police." Badr smiled. "If you insult me, I'll join you in the bath."
"Hmph."
Sakurajima Mai immediately retreated into the bathroom, locking the door with a loud click.
...This girl is adorable.
Badr thought to himself as he pulled out his phone to search for information about Sakurajima Mai. As expected, there was nothing about her on the search engine. Instead, he found a bunch of irrelevant results about other celebrities.
What kind of useless search engine is this? I'm a respectable person... uh, a respectable devil.
Unwilling to give up, he searched again but still found nothing. Meanwhile, the sound of running water from the bathroom soon stopped.
With a click, the bathroom door unlocked, and Mai peeked her head out, wrapped in a towel. Her snow-white shoulders, still wet with water droplets, glistened with a healthy pink hue.
"You didn't do anything weird, did you?"
Mai asked with a highly suspicious tone.
"Weird? Like what?"
"Weird is weird!" Mai stammered, her question making her feel embarrassed.
Badr rolled his eyes.
"Did you come out dressed like that just to ask me this?"
"...No, what about my underwear?"
"Hmm?"
"I can go without changing clothes, but not socks and underwear."
Sakurajima Mai looked troubled.
Badr tilted his head in thought. "I could wash them for you and then dry them?"
"You might as well just die now."
"Wow, so heartless." Badr remained calm. "So, you're not wearing anything now?"
"I'm wrapped in a towel!"
"Oh, that sounds nice too."
"...?? Stop thinking about perverted things."
Annoyed by Badr's teasing, Mai wrapped the towel around her hair at his face. It smelled strongly of shampoo, a pleasant scent.
Badr casually pulled the towel off and said lazily, "Why don't you wait inside? I'll buy you some at the convenience store across the street. I need a change of clothes myself."
"Are you sure it's okay?"
"What's the problem?"
"A high school boy buying girls' underwear?"
"Who cares? I'm already a pervert, right?" Badr said airily.
Sakurajima Mai was speechless.
After a moment, she said, "I'll go with you."
"I can handle it alone."
"I'm just worried you'll buy something outrageous."
"I'd like to, but the convenience store only has basic stuff."
Badr quipped, but Mai had already locked the door and resumed changing her clothes, the sound of her hairdryer soon following.
When she finally emerged, Badr couldn't help but glance at her, wondering if she was really not wearing anything underneath. Probably not; she must have put something on.
They went downstairs to the convenience store, heading straight to the hygiene products aisle. Before Badr could look closely, Sakurajima Mai had already picked out a black camisole and matching black panties and put them in the shopping basket.
"Isn't this pink one pretty nice?" Badr teased softly.
"I'm not wearing it for you, so any colour will do."
"Well, if the opportunity arises, I'd like to see."
"You'll never get that chance, idiot."
Mai said lazily, dragging out the word "idiot" as she strolled towards another section.
Badr picked out a pair of black boxers and followed her.
"Black looks pretty good too."
Mai put two instant meals in the basket and, though she heard him, shot him a withering look.
"What did you say?"
"Nothing."
Badr smiled and took the shopping basket to the checkout.
They had no trouble with the cashier thinking he was buying women's clothes. After successfully purchasing everything they needed, they returned to the inn.
They sat facing each other, eating the convenience store meals. Badr took a shower, and when he came out with his hair dry, he found Sakurajima Mai sitting on the bed, looking troubled.
"You're not thinking of kicking me out again, right?" Badr asked directly.
"No, leaving you in the hallway would cause trouble for the innkeeper."
Mai said, finally looking at the single bed.
"Can you promise you won't do anything?"
Her tone was full of hesitation.
Badr answered without hesitation, "I promise."
"Liar!"
Badr could only shrug.
In this situation, even if he thought for a few more seconds, it would be misunderstood as having bad intentions.
What can I do? I'm desperate, too...
Finally, Sakurajima Mai steadied herself and said, "It's fine if you just sleep next to me."
"Great."
"Don't make me hit you!"
It seemed she still had her guard up.
With a smile, Badr watched as Mai moved slightly inward.
He lifted the covers and slipped in beside her, feeling the warmth where Mai had been lying.
"It's touching. No one's ever warmed my bed for me before."
