It took Nodoka a while to recover from the avalanche of revelations. When she finally found her voice, she asked, "So… what kind of contract are you talking about?"
Maybe it was knowing Mai had already signed one with Draconis, but curiosity flickered in her eyes.
Draconis explained patiently, "It's simple. You ask me to solve your current problem, and in return, I collect the emotional energy your soul produces."
He sounded almost like a salesman pitching a new service. In truth, he was a little weary—his familiars handed out flyers every day, but new summoners were rarer than unicorns. Even Rias and her crew didn't have many clients. Most humans treated the ability to summon a devil as their secret weapon, so word never really spread. The big three supernatural factions liked it that way, keeping their identities hidden, even inventing magic to rewrite memories. Easier to manage clueless humans, after all.
With all that secrecy, most flyers ended up in the trash. Draconis wondered if he should switch to a new marketing strategy.
But that was a problem for another day. For now, since Nodoka knew his true identity, he was determined to close this deal.
Nodoka's eyes sparkled with possibility. Today's chaos had opened a door to a world she'd never imagined—angels, devils, souls, magic. Everything she'd thought was fantasy was suddenly real and within reach. Who could resist stepping through?
"What do I need to do?" she asked, a little breathless.
"Just follow my instructions."
Draconis smiled, sensing victory, and pulled out a summoning circle. He guided Nodoka through the ritual, and soon enough, a connection was forged.
All that was left was to solve their body-swapping predicament. Once he did, the contract would be official.
Mai watched quietly as the two finished the ritual, then spoke up. "So… what now?"
Draconis shrugged. "Honestly? I don't have a solution yet. Everything's still fuzzy. I'll have to investigate."
Mai sighed. "So we're stuck living as each other for now."
Nodoka looked horrified. "Um… Mai-san?"
Mai turned to her. "Yeah?"
"There's no way I can pretend to be you…" Nodoka's voice was small.
"Why not?"
"If you have close friends, they'll figure it out in no time."
It was a fair point. But Mai hesitated, suddenly awkward. "Uh… at school, it shouldn't be… a problem…"
"Huh?"
Mai's expression soured, and Draconis rolled his eyes to the ceiling, deadpan. "Because Mai doesn't have any friends at school."
"What?!" Nodoka's jaw dropped. That didn't match the image she had of her big sister at all. She'd always imagined Mai as the center of attention, just like in the entertainment world.
Draconis found it funny. If Mai were popular at school, she wouldn't have developed her syndrome in the first place. She was simply too exceptional—people admired her from afar but never got close.
He'd always thought his own approach was smart: blend in, don't attract attention, but don't be invisible either.
Mai caught his teasing look and bristled. "Like you're any better. You don't have friends either."
Draconis sniffed. "I do now, thank you very much."
"Male or female?"
"…Female."
Mai's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Introduce me sometime."
"Sure." Draconis didn't back down, even though he could feel the threat in her gaze. Relationship drama? Bring it on.
Mai let the topic drop, getting back to business. "Anyway, pretending to be me at school is easy. Just sit in my seat, keep quiet in class, read during breaks, and don't talk to anyone."
"…O-okay." Nodoka broke into a sweat. Was her sister really like that at school?
Draconis chuckled, reading her mind. "Don't be surprised. Your sister's the classic ice queen at school."
Mai shot him a glare, then, under the table, stomped on his foot—hard—and twisted for good measure.
Draconis bore it stoically, face unmoved.
Nodoka fidgeted, looking embarrassed. "Actually, I'm kind of the same…"
Mai perked up. "Hm?"
"After I confirmed my debut last year, I barely hung out with my classmates. I couldn't keep up with their conversations. And after I dyed my hair, I got totally ostracized. So… I guess it won't be a problem."
Nodoka's school was full of rich girls—her blonde hair made her stick out like a sore thumb.
Mai just sighed, and Draconis couldn't help but laugh. "You two really are sisters…"
Even their lack of friends matched.
The sisters glared at him, cheeks puffed in indignation.
"Go die. Twice," Nodoka huffed. "At least I'm close with my bandmates!"
"I only don't have friends at school. I have plenty in the entertainment industry," Mai retorted.
Draconis smirked. "Showbiz friends? Please. When you're famous, everyone looks like a good person."
Mai fell silent, unable to argue.
She reached out and poked Draconis's forehead, rapid-fire.
He propped his chin on his hand, smiling lazily. "What's that for?"
"You're too smug. I'm putting you in your place."
"Thanks for the reward, wifey."
Nodoka wrinkled her nose as if she'd seen something gross. "…Seriously, what is wrong with you two?"
That was supposed to be a reward?
Her sister's relationship with Draconis was… something else.
…
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