"Sure, give Mai a call and ask for her permission then," Badr said with a chuckle.
Nodoka blinked, finally realizing he was teasing her again.
"No way! That's not happening! Go die! Die ten thousand times!"
She stormed off to the bathroom with her change of clothes, while Badr casually flipped through a magazine.
He only perked up when he came across a photo spread featuring Mai Sakurajima.
Although he had thoroughly frightened Nodoka with his prank, he did stay until she finished her bath before leaving.
Of course, he waited outside the bathroom...
...
Since switching identities with Nodoka, Mai Sakurajima's schedule had become packed. She rarely returned home before late evening.
As a commercial idol, Nodoka's group had frequent performances. They had shows every Saturday, and recently, they received an invitation to a major event. Consequently, Mai had been practicing dance late into the night almost every day.
Badr arrived at the dance studio just as their practice ended.
"Huh? Who is that guy looking for?"
The members of [Sweet Bullet] noticed Badr. Intrigued by the handsome young man, they whispered amongst themselves.
"He's here to pick me up," Mai Sakurajima admitted frankly. Even with Nodoka's appearance, her distinctive aura was easily recognizable.
"Eh? Nodoka, he's picking you up? Is he your boyfriend?"
"No, he's my sister's boyfriend. He's just picking me up today," Mai explained with a smile, creating a convenient excuse for Badr.
"Ah? Nodoka's sister... Isn't that Mai Sakurajima-senpai?"
"Mai-senpai's boyfriend?!"
The members of Sweet Bullet gasped in unison.
Because of the altered perception, Mai and Badr's relationship had been kept secret.
However, judging by Mai's open admission, it seemed she was ready to go public.
After all, she wasn't even bothering to hide it anymore...
Badr approached and waved to Mai.
The girls had already gathered around.
"Um, are you really Mai-senpai's boyfriend?"
Badr looked at Mai in surprise. She remained calm.
She had said it herself, after all.
From Mai's expression, Badr understood. He smiled politely at the Sweet Bullet members.
"Yes, Mai asked me to pick up Nodoka."
"Eh, really? That big star actually has a boyfriend..."
Mai Sakurajima's aura was truly impressive.
Badr wasn't bothered by their reaction. He simply chuckled.
"She's human too. It's normal for her to have a boyfriend, right?"
"Hee hee, that's true, but she's such an amazing person, so we're naturally curious."
They chattered amongst themselves, their gazes fixed on Badr.
But Badr had seen it all before. He wasn't fazed in the slightest.
He smiled at them and addressed the middle-aged woman who appeared to be the group's manager.
"Mai's waiting at home, so Nodoka and I will take our leave."
"Oh, alright. Feel free to visit anytime. Our stage performance is about to start. I'll have Uzuki give you some backstage passes."
"Thank you. I'll definitely come and support you."
Badr smiled politely, accepting the offer. He intended to watch Mai dance; such an opportunity couldn't be missed...
...
Under the dim twilight, Badr and Mai Sakurajima walked side-by-side down the street.
Since Mai currently had Nodoka's appearance, Badr didn't need to maintain the perception-altering magic constantly.
"So, how's Nodoka doing?"
Mai inquired about her sister's progress.
"Same as always. She lacks confidence in herself."
"Didn't you try to encourage her?"
"Hmm? That doesn't seem to be within my job description," Badr said, shrugging.
Mai reached out and gently pinched his cheek. "As my boyfriend, helping me look after my sister is part of the deal, isn't it?"
"You mean encouraging her with gentle words? She's not a child anymore."
Badr chuckled. "And weren't you worried I'd try to hit on her?"
As if he had hit a nerve, Mai glared at him.
"I didn't tell you to be inappropriate with her."
"I can only say I'll try my best," Badr said, pouting. "So, you're asking a devil to comfort a girl? Isn't that a bit much? My specialty is tempting out their inner desires, you know."
Mai sighed softly. "You're right. It's my fault for having unrealistic expectations of you."
Badr shrugged, feigning helplessness.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you."
Turning to look at Mai, he said softly, "You need to make up your mind, you know? You understand the problem lies with you, yet you're asking me, an outsider, to untangle this knot?"
"You're not an outsider. You're my man."
"I appreciate the sentiment," Badr grinned, but his smile quickly faded as he turned serious again. "But it won't work. This is an emotional issue between you two sisters. I can't interfere too much."
Mai was intelligent; she had even realized the root of this peculiar situation before Badr. However, she couldn't bring herself to address it...
Badr truly felt exhausted dealing with these two sisters...
"Let's wait until tomorrow. Emotional knots can only be untied gradually. Again, I'll try my best."
Badr smiled gently, placing his arm around Mai's waist.
"You're walking too slow. Let's fly back."
"I don't really want you touching me right now," Mai said, looking down at his hand on her waist.
...
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Chapter 124: Nodoka Test of Confidence!
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...
"Well, I don't mind. Think of it as a perk for my future Sister-in-law," Badr said.
Mai Sakurajima: "...??"
His audacity was truly breathtaking...
By the time Badr flew Mai back to her house, it was already eleven o'clock at night. Nodoka Toyohama had already gone to bed.
"It's late. You should go back too," Mai said, changing out of her dance shoes and sitting on the sofa, gently rubbing her ankle.
"Does it hurt?" Badr asked softly, watching her.
"Just a little sore," she replied.
"Let me rub it for you."
"No. This is Nodoka's body, so you're not allowed to touch it," Mai said with a smile.
"So, if you change back, I can touch it, right?" Badr asked, tilting his head slightly with a chuckle. "I recently grasped a new power, and I've been wanting to try it out."
"...What?"
Instead of answering directly, Badr extended his hand towards Mai and unleashed his demonic power.
In an instant, Mai's appearance reverted, transforming from Nodoka Toyohama back into her true form!
"This..." Mai gasped, staring at her reflection in the mirror in astonishment. "How did you do that?"
"It's a bit difficult to explain. A certain Maou told me this power is called [Transcendence]. It's something only one in a billion, super-genius-level individuals can grasp, and I happen to be one of them," Badr explained with a smile, though Mai couldn't understand a word of it.
"So, you could have solved this body-swap problem all along? Why didn't you change Nodoka back earlier?" Mai asked, a hint of annoyance in her voice, as if blaming Badr for not acting sooner.
"Not quite," Badr said, shaking his head with a smile. "You're only temporarily back to normal. It's because I'm here, maintaining it with my power. As soon as I leave, this power will fade, and you'll revert back to Nodoka."
The power of [Transcendence] was extraordinary, capable of temporarily altering the very essence of something.
Badr had realized that this power could counteract the strange force affecting Mai and Nodoka, freeing them from the body swap. That's why he decided to try it.
However, perhaps because he hadn't fully mastered [Transcendence], or maybe the power itself couldn't be sustained indefinitely, the moment Badr stopped channeling his power, their essences would revert.
"Nodoka needs to build her own confidence, so she has to face this situation herself. It's best if we don't tell her about this power for now," Badr explained.
Mai considered his words and agreed.
Looking at herself in the mirror, her mood brightened considerably. At least she knew she could change back.
"It's not a permanent solution, but it's good news nonetheless," Mai said with a smile.
"Now can I rub your feet without any worries?" Badr asked.
"You just used me as a test subject for that, didn't you?" Mai retorted playfully.
Badr chuckled, sitting beside Mai and gently lifting her feet onto his lap, starting to massage them.
Mai's cheeks flushed as she felt the warmth of his hands, her gaze softening.
In response to her question, Badr teased, "If I could, I'd like to do a lot more."
"...Nodoka's right next door," Mai said, offering an excuse.
"I'll put up a barrier."
"Are you feeling frustrated?"
"Not really. I just enjoy being intimate with you, Mai."
Badr's words were straightforward. He then effortlessly scooped Mai into his arms.
Mai blinked. "You promised to rub my feet."
"We can do that back in the bedroom," Badr said, kissing her softly on the lips. "Aren't you looking forward to it too, Mai?"
"Well, it's partly my fault for making you so...eager," Mai murmured, turning her head away, her ears red.
"I told you, I'm not frustrated."
Badr chuckled, but he was still mindful of Mai's easily flustered nature. When it came to intimacy, she was surprisingly innocent.
Even when she tried to act composed and knowledgeable, the way she blushed crimson at his more suggestive words betrayed her true feelings...
Back in the bedroom, Badr placed Mai on the bed. Gazing at her blushing face, he leaned in, capturing her lips in a deep kiss...
The light of the barrier shimmered as they lost themselves in each other's embrace...
...
Morning arrived, and the sun peeked over the buildings, casting its golden rays into the room.
The sunlight gradually shifted, landing on Badr's eyes and rousing him from sleep. He turned his head, shielding his eyes from the bright light.
Then, he saw Mai Sakurajima lying beside him.
Her dark hair spread across the pillow, her sleeping face serene and peaceful, a lingering expression of contentment from the night before.
The covers were pulled down to her abdomen, her snow-white skin illuminated by the morning sun, highlighting her exquisite figure.
She truly was a star, maintaining an incredible physique.
Badr moved closer, gently embracing Mai Sakurajima's soft body, enjoying the warmth of her skin against his. He placed a tender kiss on her forehead.
Mai's eyes fluttered open. Realizing she was nestled in Badr's arms, a gentle smile touched her sleepy face.
She snuggled contentedly against him, relishing the comfort of his strong, broad embrace.
"What time is it?" she murmured, her face buried in his neck.
"Almost eight. It's Saturday, so we can sleep in a bit longer, right?" Badr whispered back.
Upon hearing it was almost eight, Mai's eyes snapped open. She sat up abruptly, searching for her clothes on the floor.
"My concert is tonight! I need to get to the venue early for rehearsals."
"Being an idol is tough work," Badr commented casually, sitting up as well.
"Don't be so glib..."
Mai searched around, unable to find a crucial piece of clothing. She looked at Badr, exasperated. "Where did you throw my pants last night?"
Badr tilted his head, thinking back. He reached under the covers, quickly locating the missing garment.
He held them out with a grin. "Here. I even warmed them up for you with my body heat. Consider it a thoughtful gesture."
"...Thanks for your thoughtfulness," Mai deadpanned, taking the pants from him.
After getting dressed, Mai turned to Badr.
"Okay, change me back into Nodoka."
Badr released the power he'd been maintaining, and Mai's appearance instantly shifted back to that of Nodoka Toyohama.
"Tsk, tsk. Let's try to get this whole thing sorted out today. Then we won't have to go through all this trouble for some intimacy," Badr mused aloud.
Mai blushed at his comment, admitting to herself that she had gotten carried away last night, unable to resist Badr's advances.
Opening the door, they walked into the living room. Mai opened the refrigerator and began preparing breakfast.
Badr joined her, offering to help.
Perhaps roused by the sounds from the living room, Nodoka Toyohama emerged from her room.
"Go wash up. We'll leave after breakfast," Badr reminded her. Today was Mai's commercial shoot, and also the day of Nodoka's idol group's concert. It was going to be a busy day.
"...Why are you here so early?" Nodoka mumbled, completely oblivious to the fact that Badr hadn't left at all, having spent the night in Mai's room.
Mai calmly glanced at her sister. "Remember your manners."
Nodoka pouted at her sister's protective tone, while Badr flashed a triumphant smile at her.
So infuriating, Nodoka thought jealously.
The three ate breakfast together and then headed out.
At the train station, Mai turned to Badr, her expression serious. "Please take good care of my sister."
"I'll call you after the shoot."
"Alright. And you? Everything okay?" Badr asked, though he knew Mai was more than capable of handling herself.
"No problem. I've memorized all the routines and choreography," Mai replied confidently.
That's Mai for you, Badr thought. That confidence and composure are truly captivating.
He watched as Mai boarded the train and then led Nodoka to the commercial shoot location.
Along the way, people kept staring at "Mai Sakurajima".
This happened repeatedly, making Nodoka increasingly uneasy by the time they arrived at the set.
"Um... don't you have magic? Why are people still staring at me?" Nodoka asked nervously. Like Mai, she had grown accustomed to the convenience of Badr's magic and seemed to rely on the normalcy it provided.
Badr continued walking, his expression unchanged.
"I'm not using magic to help you today."
"Eh? Why not...?"
"Because," Badr stated firmly. "You need to handle today's work on your own. Mai never asked for my help, so you should be able to do the same."
Seeing Badr's resolve, Nodoka opened her mouth to protest but ultimately remained silent.
Badr hadn't forgotten Mai's request to look after her sister.
In fact, he had taken it very seriously...
He knew that the key to resolving this body-swap incident lay in untangling Nodoka's emotional knots.
