The moment Draconis showed up, Nodoka Toyohama visibly relaxed. "Am I really allowed to just wait for the train here like this…?"
Her gaze flicked toward the crowd gathering nearby. People were whispering, stealing glances, and a few had their phones out, clearly itching for a photo.
With Draconis's sharp hearing, every hushed word reached him:
"Is that… her?" "No way, it's the real thing!" "Go talk to her! You'll never get another chance!" "Me? You do it!"
Totally normal reactions for fans—if anything, Draconis thought the hardcore idol chasers he'd seen before were even wilder. The real headache was always the photos. If someone came up and politely asked for a picture, Mai would gladly oblige. But there were always creeps snapping shots in secret, posting them online without a second thought.
Since Mai met Draconis, having him around as a personal bodyguard had made her life so much easier. But he wasn't glued to her side twenty-four seven, so she still had to deal with the hassle more often than not.
This was Nodoka's first time impersonating Mai Sakurajima, and she was clearly out of her depth—nervous, unsure if she should confront the would-be paparazzi or just pretend not to notice.
"Don't worry about them," Draconis murmured.
"But… what if—"
Nodoka's voice trailed off as Draconis snapped his fingers. Instantly, every would-be photographer tucked their phones away and walked off, not even glancing back.
Nodoka's jaw dropped. "What… just happened?"
"Common sense alteration. It's a kind of magic. Pretty handy." Draconis explained, casual as ever.
Nodoka was floored. There was really a power this convenient?
"When I'm with you, you can relax—nobody will pay you any mind. But if I'm not around, you need to be careful not to blow your cover."
"Then… you should come help more often…" Nodoka mumbled.
"I'm not always free. That's why Mai would never ask something so unreasonable. Just from that request, I'd know you're an imposter."
Nodoka bristled, not ready to back down. "You talk like you know my sister so well…"
"Funny how you can call her 'sister' so naturally now that you're not in her body."
"…Mind your own business."
Draconis just shrugged. "I can say with confidence—I know Mai way better than you do."
"Arrogant…" Nodoka huffed. Then, as if she couldn't help herself: "So… just how far have you two gone?"
Draconis answered with lazy indifference. "Pretty deep."
"…??"
It took Nodoka a few seconds to process. "You mean… you did… that?"
Her voice shot up several octaves.
Draconis kept a straight face. "Which thing?"
"That… you know… that thing…"
She was so embarrassed she could barely get the words out, voice fading to a mosquito's hum, ears burning red.
Watching her squirm, Draconis almost laughed. Last night, Mai had looked exactly like this—adorably flustered.
Mai was ridiculously cute when she got shy.
"What thing?" Draconis played dumb, just to tease her.
"You know, sl—sleeping together…"
"Sleeping?"
"Sleeping—ugh, I can't say it!"
She punched him in the arm, mortified.
Draconis relented, dropping the act. "If you mean that, yeah, we did. Yesterday."
"What?!"
Nodoka's face was pure shock. Draconis just watched her, amused.
He'd always figured Nodoka was the bold, fashionable type—blonde hair and all. Turns out she was almost too innocent for her own good.
He walked Nodoka to Mai's school—his second visit. Last time, he'd come to fix Mai's "not being observed" syndrome.
"You're coming in with me?" Nodoka asked, surprised.
"Might as well. I'm free for the next couple days."
Whether it was for the contract or Mai's request, Draconis had to check things out himself. Just in case.
"They'll let you in?"
"Why wouldn't they?"
Hands in his pockets, dressed head-to-toe in black, Draconis strolled right through the school gates. The security guard and nearby students didn't even glance his way.
Just like that, he was in.
Having magic really meant you could do whatever you wanted…
Nodoka stared at the out-of-place, black-clad boy among the uniformed students, stunned for a moment before hurrying to catch up.
On the way to the classroom, Draconis said, "I'm going to loosen the common sense alteration. Time to see how good you are at playing Mai."
"…Okay."
Nodoka nodded. Draconis lifted the spell, and instantly, every head turned toward "Mai Sakurajima."
Nodoka quickly slipped into character—her mannerisms, her aura, even the way she tucked her hair behind her ear were spot-on. Draconis, who'd spent countless nights with Mai, couldn't find a single flaw.
She must have practiced this before… Draconis couldn't help but wonder.
He leaned in, voice low. "Honestly, I'm impressed. You're a natural."
"I used to imitate all kinds of characters as a kid…"
Draconis chuckled. More like she'd spent her childhood imitating this one character.
Seeing his knowing smile, Nodoka hesitated, then admitted, "She used to be my pride. My inspiration…"
Used to be, huh…
What about now?
Draconis tilted his head, thinking. But he couldn't read minds—there was no way to know what Nodoka was feeling now.
Relying on his magic, Draconis followed Nodoka into her classroom. Not a single student batted an eye at the extra outsider.
Nodoka, still playing Mai, was tense at first. But when she spotted Draconis, she was at a loss for words.
With no seat available, Draconis just perched on the windowsill, legs propped up, arms folded. The wind ruffled his black hair as he listened to the teacher's lecture, looking every bit the picture of calm.
This guy… Not even his own school, and he's out here showing off like he owns the place.
…
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