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With her arm looped through Jack's, Sakurajima Mai felt completely at ease. She didn't have to worry about paparazzi or any ridiculous scandals.
After all, the moment someone spotted them, Jack could just tweak their "common sense" and make them forget what they saw.
To Mai, that ability was honestly a lifesaver. It let her live a normal everyday life without messing up her career. A huge problem that used to stress her out had been neatly solved just by Jack existing.
On the way to the station, the two chatted casually.
"How's work going?"
"Pretty well. I finished shooting that commercial. Everything went smoothly."
Because it was work she loved, Mai looked genuinely happy.
"Well, Miss Mai, your acting is top-tier. Smooth sailing is only natural."
Mai couldn't help looking pleased. Her usually calm expression even showed a tiny hint of pride. "Of course. If it were you acting, things definitely wouldn't go that well."
"Oh? You look down on your boyfriend that much?" Jack chuckled.
Mai had no intention of taking it back. She liked teasing him—just a little mischievous—and smiled as she said:
"It's because you love being teased by me, isn't it?"
"I only love it because it's you teasing me."
"Hmph."
She sounded annoyed, but her dodging gaze betrayed how embarrassed she actually was.
"That was some pretty good acting just now," she muttered, brushing off his comment as if it were just performance.
If she didn't hide behind that excuse, he'd totally see how hard he just made her heart race.
Jack tilted his head slightly, then slipped an arm around her waist. With a soft smile, he followed her lead.
"This is what you call acting from the heart. Of course it's good."
"…"
His voice was gentle—almost unfairly so.
With those warm eyes looking right at her, Mai nearly folded on the spot.
The boy really was dangerous. His looks were one thing, but when he dropped the usual façade and showed genuine affection like this… it was enough to melt anyone.
Mai couldn't help thinking she must have some ridiculous amount of good luck for someone like him to show her his true feelings.
She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, meeting his gaze and losing herself in those eyes.
"You don't need any acting at all. Just being yourself is more than enough. You're incredibly loveable, you know?"
That was truly how she felt.
Jack only grinned. "Ah, but… that's exactly why I use acting. If I showed my real self all the time, I'd be way too charming."
"…What??"
Mai was torn between laughing and sighing.
"You really don't do humility, do you?"
"Excessive humility is just another form of arrogance."
Mai couldn't take him anymore. So he was a little full of himself.
With a gorgeous girl in his arms, Jack wasn't exactly composed either. The devil in him wanted to indulge, and his eyes drifted straight to Mai's lips.
"Mai."
He called her softly, gaze completely unhidden.
Seeing him stare at her mouth, Mai instantly knew what he wanted, and she tensed up a little.
Her eyes darted away as the boy leaned closer, his expression filled with gentle longing.
Just as Jack was about to kiss her—
Mai suddenly pinched his cheek and gave it a little tug, stretching his peaceful expression into a ridiculous face.
"Ow… that hurts."
It didn't hurt at all.
Even when she teased him, Jack didn't get upset. He let her pinch and pull as he complained like someone begging for affection.
Mai burst into giggles at how adorable he was being.
"You thought I was going to kiss you just now, right?"
Her face was full of mischief.
"Ugh… I really wanna kiss you though," Jack said pitifully.
"Nice try."
Mai ignored his "acting," but when she saw that warm, smiling look in his eyes, her heart still jumped.
"Th-There are too many people around."
"Hmm? No need to worry. I can just alter their—"
"It's not about that." Mai tugged his cheek again. To Jack, her "punishment" felt more like affectionate petting from Queen Mai.
Jack laughed softly. "Got it. It's not about that. You're just shy."
"…Hm? What was that? Say it again?"
Her voice was calm, but the threat underneath was crystal clear.
Clearly shy, too proud to admit it.
Jack wisely backed off.
"Ah, nothing. I just said Mai is really cute."
"You've said that like a hundred times. I'm not moved at all. Doesn't affect me one bit."
Mai put on a straight face, totally unmoved.
Even though she'd been smiling just a second ago.
Classic Mai—her mood shifts could win awards.
Still, she kept avoiding his eyes.
Obviously trying to hide her embarrassment…
To Jack, this version of Mai was unbearably adorable. He leaned in close to her ear and whispered:
"Mai, I love you."
"Eh—?"
She let out a tiny, startled sound.
Her expression went adorably blank for a moment.
A perfect reaction of someone being totally flustered.
After a brief moment of panic, she forced herself to calm down.
"…Didn't hear you."
She responded in the flattest tone she could manage, even turning her head away.
Though… her eyes kept sneaking glances at him, and the corners of her mouth kept trying to curl up.
Jack pressed his lips together as if thinking. Then he smiled.
"Hmm? I didn't say anything."
"…??"
Mai snapped her head back, staring straight at him.
And when she saw the playful glint in his eyes, she knew instantly he was teasing her on purpose.
Not to be outdone, Mai gave a little "hmph."
"Is that so? Then let's go home."
"Sure. Let's go."
"You go home. Why are you following me?" she said, switching back into full queen mode.
Jack tilted his head.
Ah. This again.
Fine. No need to fight her.
As her boyfriend, he should spoil her a little.
He straightened up and pleaded honestly:
"I really want to walk you home. Please grant this tiny request of mine?"
Seeing him give in first—again—Mai felt completely satisfied thanks to the love he always gave her. She finally let him off the hook.
Sweetness filled her eyes no matter how she tried to hide it. She cleared her throat, pretending to be casual.
"Fine… this poor boy's tiny wish is easy enough to grant."
"..."
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