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Hearing Jack's casual compliment, Mai Sakurajima's lips curled slightly.
"I'm not that cute," she said, half denying it.
"Then I guess that means you're really cute," Jack replied without missing a beat.
Mai looked calm, though her mood clearly brightened.
"You're honest. I like that," she said with quiet amusement.
"So what, you're saying that complimenting me is just another way to praise yourself?"
"Would you rather I not?"
"Of course not. I'm very happy."
"Then that's fine, isn't it?"
Mai smiled, her small backpack swaying as her steps grew lighter. Her good mood was obvious.
After a short walk, the large glass walls of the aquarium came into view.
"We're here."
Jack grinned.
"Can't believe I'm actually going on a date to the aquarium with a beautiful girl. What do guys usually need to watch out for?"
"Try bringing your brain," Mai shot back dryly. "Don't let people see what an idiot you are inside."
"Wow, Mai-chan, did you just curse?" Jack teased, clearly unfazed.
"Did I? My bad," she replied lightly, as if it didn't matter.
The two of them walked into the aquarium as though nothing had happened.
Because it was a Saturday, the place was packed.
Mai glanced around—nobody could see her. Not a single person even looked her way.
Noticing that, Jack stepped forward and quietly positioned himself in front of her, blocking the people who would've otherwise walked straight into her invisible body.
Mai's expression softened a little as she looked at his back.She hadn't expected that the only one who could still see her now would be… a self-proclaimed demon.
"Nothing unusual's happening," Jack muttered.
He had hoped maybe the aquarium would give them some clues about her condition, but that was clearly a dead end.
Mai didn't look disappointed though.
"I wasn't expecting much anyway."
"Still, let's try asking around. Maybe someone can see you," Jack suggested.
"We could," she said slowly, then turned to him.
"But… why are you even helping me? Just because of that 'contract' thing you mentioned?"
"For now, yeah—that's basically it."
"I don't really get it. Wouldn't it be easier to find someone else to make your deal with?"
"No choice," he said, looking at her with exaggerated sincerity. "You're the only one who's fallen for me."
Mai turned her head away, visibly disgusted.
"Gross. Now I really don't want to sign anything with you."
"I was wrong, Lady Mai," he said immediately, tone full of mock submission.
"Once you find another person to make your contract with, just drop me," Mai said offhandedly, pretending she didn't care.
But Jack could hear the faint tension behind her words.He glanced at her, easily seeing through the act.
She was afraid.Afraid he'd actually leave once he found someone else.
She was only pretending not to care.
But Jack didn't call her out on it.
"Nope," he said lazily. "I don't give up on potential partners. Once I start something, I see it through. Quitting halfway isn't my style."
Mai fell silent for a while.
Even if she didn't show it, she felt a flicker of warmth inside.After all, Jack was the only person left in the world who could still see her.
She was scared—scared that if he gave up, she'd truly have no one.
Still, all she said aloud was:
"Do whatever you want. Just don't blame me if this turns into a hassle later."
"Don't worry," he said with an easy grin. "I'm fired up."
He shot her a sideways glance—he could tell exactly what was going through her mind.
Smirking to himself, he began stopping random visitors, asking if they could see Mai Sakurajima.
Predictably, every single answer was no.
Not one person recognized her—not even the fans who used to idolize her.A few months ago, she'd been a household name; now, it was like she'd vanished from the world entirely, even as she stood right there.
Mai could only watch quietly as Jack kept trying.Every time he asked someone new, she couldn't help but listen—hoping.But each time, hope turned into disappointment.
Morning slipped away in what felt like moments.
Jack didn't even spare a glance at the aquarium's dazzling tanks or shimmering schools of fish. He was too busy running around on her behalf.
Seeing that, Mai felt a twinge of guilt.
"Let's stop. You're wasting your energy," she said softly.
"Yeah… looks like this really was the wrong place," he sighed.
"It's fine. You've done enough. If it's about the contract—" she smiled faintly, "—I'll agree."
Jack blinked, then laughed under his breath.
"I'd like that, but I already promised not to go through with it until we fix your problem. I'm not going back on my word. So don't give up too soon, alright?"
He stretched lazily.
"Besides, even if we don't solve it yet, I can still see you. So you don't need to worry."
Maybe it was his tone, or maybe the words themselves, but something in her heart eased.
"You're right."
"Anyway, it's getting late. Let's head out."
Mai looked around the aquarium she'd now visited twice without really seeing it. She sighed, shaking her head helplessly, and followed Jack out.
"If it's not the company, and not where the symptoms first started showing up," Jack mused as they walked, "then it's probably somewhere you spend most of your time. Either near your house, or your school… Speaking of which—where's your family?"
Surely they remembered her, right?
But as soon as he asked, he noticed Mai's face stiffen slightly, her expression shifting.
"We can check those places later," she said after a pause, avoiding the question.
"Huh? It's still early," Jack pressed, even though he knew he was pushing it.
"I said later."
Her tone left no room for argument.
Jack stared at her for a couple seconds, then shrugged.
"Alright."
He didn't bother digging deeper. He could tell she was conflicted about something.
Thinking back, she really had been avoiding any talk about her family this whole time.
Maybe things at home… weren't so simple.
"..."
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