Mai spoke lightly, her eyes on a nearby bakery.
The inconveniences of being invisible went far beyond being unable to buy buns. Mai mentioned the least essential issue in the most casual tone.
Badr glanced at the bakery and suddenly took Mai's hand, walking towards it.
"Two cream buns, please."
The shop assistant smiled, "Sure, please wait a moment."
Soon, Badr had two cream buns in his hands.
Throughout the transaction, the assistant never once glanced at Mai's location, clearly unable to see her.
"Here."
He handed one of the buns to Mai.
"Thank you."
"No problem. That's two hundred yen. Cash or transfer?"
Mai looked stunned.
Seeing her reaction, Badr blinked and added, "Considering the effort I put in today, treating you to lunch isn't too much, right?"
Mai, speechless, retorted, "Who treats someone like this?"
"As long as someone else pays, it's called treating."
Badr grinned, unfazed.
Mai wasn't buying it. After a moment, she responded calmly, "Next time, I'll treat."
So this time, she's paying, right?
"Alright," Badr shrugged.
They reached the riverside and stood by the bank, eating their cream buns while watching the water flow.
Across the river, an advertisement screen on a building started playing a new ad featuring Mai Sakurajima.
In the ad, Mai wears a white dress and smiles brightly in a field of flowers, promoting a matcha product.
Badr didn't criticize the ad's content but compared the honest Mai to her on-screen image.
For her fans, this must be a blessing.
Mai was indeed photogenic, but she appeared more mature and intense in person.
On the other hand, Mai was staring at her on-screen self, lost in thought.
Badr smirked.
...Though he didn't know her whole story, the discontent in her eyes was palpable.
"It's strange. Your ads are still running, but no one remembers you."
Badr finished his bun and lazily remarked.
Mai didn't respond, continuing to watch the ad.
It seems like tough love is needed.
Badr's eyes narrowed as he calmly said, "Though I don't know what you're avoiding, you still want to return to showbiz, don't you?"
"...When did I say that?"
"Your eyes betray you when you look at the posters," Badr calmly dismantled her defences.
"I'm just more interested in that kind of thing."
"And reminiscing about filming."
...She was caught.
Mai stared at Badr, wondering if Devils could read minds.
It seemed he could, for Badr spoke again without her prompting, "I can't read minds. You're just easy to read. Are you sure you don't want to try returning? Many people must be waiting for you."
Mai remained silent.
They are being seen through felt irritating.
"What do you know? You're not even human," she retorted, expressionless.
Her sharp glare revealed the anger rising within her.
"Heh... I may not be human, but saying I don't understand is wrong."
Badr smiled softly, "It's because of your family, isn't it?"
Knowing it was a sensitive topic, Badr was indeed bold.
Predictably, Mai exploded.
"You're so annoying."
She turned and headed towards the road.
"Not going to investigate nearby?"
"I'm going home!"
She was indeed furious, her tone seething with anger.
Badr followed her unhurriedly, always able to keep up no matter how fast she walked.
Realizing she couldn't shake him off, Mai finally stopped and turned to face him.
Seeing Badr's relaxed posture, she was both angry and amused.
"Are you a Devil or a persistent leech?"
Badr ignored her jab, smiling leisurely, "Feeling better?"
"I wasn't angry."
She immediately denied it.
Her personality was quite endearing.
Badr chuckled inwardly and cleared his throat.
"I don't want to open old wounds, but I hope we can be honest with each other."
He added quickly, "I mean that literally, no other meaning. Don't misunderstand."
Mai rolled her eyes, "You can skip unnecessary comments."
—
Mai's anger dissipated quickly. She was naturally composed, so Badr dared to touch on sensitive topics so directly.
"Aren't you keen on forming a contract? Why do you care about my return to showbiz?"
Her sharp gaze made it clear she was annoyed.
"Because I suspect your condition is related to this. Besides, if you remain in this state, returning would be difficult. So, we need to fix your mindset first. Otherwise, who knows if the influence will keep spreading."
His reasoning was sound, leaving Mai speechless.
After a brief silence, she grudgingly said, "Assuming you're right, it's still annoying."
"Why?"
PS: When I Reach 100 Power Stones. I will do a mass release!
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Chapter 14: Mai's Struggle Between Anger and Affection
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"Because you deliberately provoked me, I had no choice but to respond."
She was concerned about such a trivial matter.
What an adorable personality she has...
Badr couldn't help but smile, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "How about I let you slap me to vent your anger?"
"Really?"
Mai Sakurajima seemed eager to try.
"Come on, I love being tormented by pretty girls!" Badr's face was full of anticipation.
His response left Mai dumbfounded.
"...Are you a pervert?"
She couldn't help but blush, letting out a small huff as she decided to let it go.
Badr just smiled silently in response.
After a moment, Mai finally realized what was happening.
"Did you say that on purpose?"
Her beautiful eyes blinked, a dangerous glint appearing in them.
"Oh? Is that what you think?" Badr didn't answer, just raised an eyebrow with a smile.
This small change in expression left Mai feeling helpless, as he seemed to have the upper hand.
"Do you still want to hear my explanation?"
"Of course! I won't miss a single word."
"I'm disgusted by you and don't feel like talking anymore." Mai huffed, turning away as quickly as flipping a page.
"Come on, Devils are the best listeners."
Badr snapped his fingers with a light smile, settling into a 'listener' mode.
Mai glanced at him with annoyance but chose to reveal her inner thoughts.
"In the third year of middle school, because of a photoshoot for a photobook, I had a terrible experience with my mother..."
When she mentioned her mother, her words noticeably paused before she continued:
"Also, my manager. She signed a contract without my consent, breaking the agreement that 'no swimsuits were allowed' by claiming 'it would sell well.'"
Thinking back to those times, Mai's face clearly showed her dissatisfaction.
"To her, I was just a tool to make money!"
Her words were filled with bitterness.
Badr tilted his head, beginning to understand the situation.
So that's why she had a falling out with her family...
And used quitting the entertainment industry as a form of revenge...
"But didn't you enjoy acting? Giving up your passion over this seems a bit too much."
Badr calmly expressed his view.
Mai instantly felt dissatisfied, clearly not hearing what she wanted.
"So you don't understand at all!"
"You're right. My parents died early, so I can't understand, and I'm sorry for that."
He spoke so calmly that it caught Mai off guard.
"You've already figured it out, haven't you? But you won't admit you acted impulsively without considering a better solution."
"You're so annoying." Mai glared at Badr angrily.
Badr remained calm, "Didn't I say you could hit me? I've been waiting."
Whap!
Without another word, Mai slapped him.
Badr casually turned his head, and her slap missed.
"Don't dodge!!"
"I never said I wouldn't dodge." Badr chuckled.
Mai's face was stern. Taking advantage of Badr's lack of attention, she stomped on his foot.
Badr: "..."
He let his guard down.
"Mai?"
"What!" Mai's face was expressionless, pressing down harder and twisting her foot.
"Alright, Mai, I was wrong."
"Why apologize? Did you do something wrong?" Mai's tone was icy.
"My mistake was finding angry Mai cute and deliberately provoking you."
Badr smiled softly as he said this.
Mai's expression froze momentarily, then she quickly retorted, "That makes you even more detestable!"
Despite her words, her foot's pressure lightened.
"Badr."
She suddenly called his name.
"I'm here, my queen." Badr lazily responded, his eyes half-closed.
"Be with me tomorrow as well."
"Huh?"
Badr instinctively considered his plans for the next day.
But just that brief hesitation made her press down harder on his foot.
"Ouch, ouch... Why are you angry for no reason?" Badr laughed and cried.
"Seeing you hesitate at my invitation made me furious."
Mai said casually.
"Isn't it because you're nervous about inviting a boy for the first time and worried about rejection?"
As Badr spoke, he lowered his head slightly, trying to meet Mai's gaze.
Mai's face turned slightly red as if he had hit the mark. Badr caught that brief moment of surprise and shyness, though she quickly regained her composure.
This made Badr admire her;
She was indeed a professional actress with top-notch control over her expressions!
Amazing!
Mai wouldn't admit it, pretending to be calm.
"It's just an invitation. It's simple with you, Badr. Just a casual call, and you'll come running like a happy puppy."
"Uh... That sounds a bit like you're describing a dog." Badr rubbed his chin as if talking to himself.
"You said it yourself." Mai's face showed a pleased smile.
"Mai, your personality is evil."
"Right back at you."
Her invitation revealed that she had made up her mind about something.
Badr guessed as much and softly said, "Then let's explain everything to your family tomorrow. She still remembers you, right?"
Although Mai didn't reply, Badr knew from her expression that he was correct;
Her mother was one of the people who influenced Mai.
Once the knot in her heart was untied, the influence of the ability would no longer spread. Then, by expanding her influence through the entertainment industry, she could break the 'atmosphere,' and everything would return to normal.
It seemed that things could be resolved tomorrow.
Badr pursed his lips, thinking he had worked hard to secure this contract...
...
Given that Mai had decided to confront her mother tomorrow, there was no need to waste more time investigating.
"I'll take you home."
"I can go back alone."
"I'm just ensuring your safety; let's go."
Badr started walking first, saying, "Once you sign a contract with me, you can summon me directly through the summoning circle."
"How did you teleport here before?"
"Of course, with the help of other senior Devils."
"I see..."
Mai pondered, curious, "Do other Devils also sign contracts with various humans like you?"
"Of course, is there a problem?"
"Nothing."
Mai smiled.
She was glad she had summoned Badr. The interaction might not have been as pleasant if it had been another Devil.
Mai's expression became more lively. She smiled, seemingly in a good mood.
"Do you feel much better after making up your mind?" Badr glanced at her, seeing her rare, visible happiness.
"My mood has always been good."
Mai wouldn't directly admit it.
"Since you're in a good mood, can I ask you a question?" Badr asked with a light smile.
"As long as it's not too sensitive."
"Then it's over. You might get angry after I ask."
"Then why dare to ask?"
The girl gave him a warning look.
Badr sighed with a smile, "But I'm inquisitive. It seems I'll have to investigate secretly."
Mai hesitated slightly at his words, "Is it about me?"
"Of course."
PS: When I Reach 100 Power Stones. I will do a mass release!
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Chapter 15: Swimsuits, Stray Devils, and Dangerous Deals
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[#] : Enjoy!!
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"You can ask, but you'd investigate independently if I didn't tell you, right?"
"Promise you won't get mad?"
"I promise."
Badr nodded, cleared his throat, and smiled as he asked:
"Mai, which publication and issue is your swimsuit photo book from? Can I still buy it?"
Mai Sakurajima: "...??"
After a stunned pause, Mai suddenly reached out and pinched the soft flesh on Badr's waist, twisting it hard.
Badr's expression remained unchanged, though the corner of his mouth twitched unnaturally:
"Mai, you promised not to get mad."
"I'm not mad."
Mai Sakurajima's face displayed a gentle smile, perfect in her expression, while her hand continued to twist.
"You promised not to get mad."
"I said I'm not mad."
"You promised not to get mad."
"I've already said I'm not mad."
The two continued this repetitive exchange as they walked towards the apartment building.
...
After sending Mai Sakurajima home, Badr planned to head back himself. However, he suddenly received a call from Rias.
Raising an eyebrow slightly, Badr answered the phone.
"President?"
"Badr, I need you to come to the clubroom. Can you make it?"
"Sure, I'll be right there."
Without asking why, Badr immediately agreed.
His feelings for Rias were complicated. On the one hand, they had a master-servant relationship; on the other hand, Rias doted on him.
Usually, would other high-ranking devils sleep naked with their servants?
At least from Badr's probing, it seemed Rias hadn't done so with Akeno Himejima or Koneko Toujou...
It seemed like this only happened with him...
Shaking his head, Badr didn't think much more of it. No matter what, Rias was his master and wouldn't harm him, making her someone he could trust.
Upon arriving at the clubroom, he found Rias, Akeno Himejima, and Koneko Toujou already there.
"President, Akeno, Koneko," Badr greeted each of them.
Seeing Badr arrive, Rias nodded gently:
"I apologize for calling you all here on a Saturday."
Badr and the others assured her it was no problem.
"How's your contract negotiation going, Badr?" Rias asked with a smile.
