It wasn't even after school yet, let alone ti for club activities.
Yet, standing just outside the classroom door, Mai Sakurajima had arrived.
Dressed in her school uniform, her signature black thigh-high stockings accentuating her long legs, she casually stepped inside.
Her presence was impossible to ignore—at least, for anyone who could actually see her.
Despite class being in session, nobody reacted.
The teacher continued writing on the board, chalk tapping rhythmically.
Not a single classmate turned their head.
It was as if she didn't exist.
But as soon as Mai's gaze landed on him, her expression lit up.
Ignoring everything else, she strode toward Ryuu's desk without hesitation.
Stopping in front of him, she spoke with confidence:
"I'm here to see you, Natsukawa."
There was no hesitation in her words—she had already learned his na and class before coming here.
Clearly, she had done her research.
---
Ryuu glanced up from his desk.
"You're blocking my study ti."
Mai blinked, montarily caught off guard.
Then, with a smirk, she hopped up onto his desk, her long legs crossed, the fabric of her stockings stretching slightly as she got comfortable.
She leaned in, eyes sharp and studying him closely.
"You really are different, huh?"
Ryuu didn't deny it. Instead, he exhaled lazily and leaned back in his chair.
"I told you already—our eting spot was supposed to be the Exorcism Club."
"I couldn't wait," Mai admitted. "I need answers—now."
Her tone was serious, filled with a desperation she hadn't even tried to hide.
Then, as if rembering sothing, she gave an introduction that she had already done before but this ti, with a hint of teasing in it:
"My na is Mai Sakurajima. Sakurajima, like the island. Mai, as in... well, ."
Ryuu smirked slightly at her dry humor.
"So you're the mysterious Mai Sakurajima."
"That's ."
Despite her usual cool deanor, her frustration was evident.
She had tried everything—public stunts, attention-seeking actions—but it seed like only he could see her.
For the first ti in a long while, Mai felt acknowledged.
---
"Ryuu?"
A voice called out beside him.
Miura Yumiko, sitting nearby, had noticed sothing was off.
She turned, watching him with suspicion.
"Are you... talking to yourself?"
Mai turned as well, observing Yumiko with curiosity.
But, of course—
Yumiko couldn't see her.
Mai sighed, a helpless expression crossing her face.
"Figures. Even though I'm right here, she doesn't notice ."
For her, this was normal now—an invisible existence, unnoticed by everyone.
But it still stung every ti.
Ryuu chuckled.
"No, I'm not talking to myself. I'm talking to Mai Sakurajima."
"Ha?"
Yumiko blinked, then stared at the empty space next to Ryuu.
"There's... nothing there."
Just to double-check, she reached out, waving her hand in the air where Mai was supposedly standing.
No sensation. No touch.
Nothing.
"Are you ssing with ?" Yumiko asked, clearly unconvinced.
Ryuu smirked.
"She's literally watching you right now."
"Wh-what?!"
Yumiko imdiately leaned back in her chair, feeling a strange sense of discomfort.
"Why is she looking at ?!"
Mai quickly waved her hands.
"I wasn't staring! I just... wanted to see if she was anything special."
Ryuu relayed the ssage.
Yumiko narrowed her eyes.
"So, what? Am I just so boring normie?"
"Pretty much," Mai admitted bluntly.
Ryuu chuckled as he repeated it to Yumiko.
The blonde girl scoffed, crossing her arms.
"Great. So, what's her deal? Another cursed spirit problem? Like Miko and Hana?"
Mai tilted her head at the unfamiliar terms.
"Cursed spirit?"
Ryuu nodded.
"Most likely, yeah."
He turned to Mai, eting her eyes.
"But before I get into details, let explain what's happening to you first."
Mai hesitated, glancing around.
"...Here?"
She had been desperate for answers, but now she realized—
They were still in the middle of class.
She could already picture the absurdity of it—her, sitting on so guy's desk, having a deep discussion about supernatural phenona while their teacher continued the lesson in the background.
"Maybe not the best place," she muttered.
Ryuu stood up, stretching.
"Then let's go to the club room."
He turned to Yumiko.
"You coming?"
"Hell no."
Yumiko instantly refused.
She didn't want to sit around listening to a conversation she couldn't even participate in.
"Suit yourself."
With that, Ryuu headed toward the door, casually pushing it open.
Mai followed closely behind—
And paused.
"Wait a minute..."
As she looked back at the classroom, she noticed sothing strange.
Nobody reacted.
Not the teacher.
Not the students.
Not even Yumiko.
It was as if Ryuu was still sitting at his desk, quietly taking notes.
"Hold on—did you just make yourself invisible?"
"Not quite," Ryuu said without stopping.
"I didn't erase my presence—I just altered everyone's perception."
"So, to them, you never left?"
"Exactly."
Mai was stunned.
"That... is an insane ability."
She quickly caught up, her previous concerns temporarily forgotten.
"Then you really can help !"
---
Ryuu led Mai to the Exorcism Club's headquarters, effortlessly passing through the spell-protected doorway.
Stepping inside, Mai imdiately paused.
"...What the hell?"
The place didn't look like a school club at all.
Instead of the usual dull classroom setup, it was a cozy lounge, complete with plush sofas, warm lighting, and a completely different atmosphere from the rest of the school.
"When did this happen? It didn't look like this before."
Ryuu smirked as he poured her a cup of tea.
"Perception manipulation," he answered simply.
Mai slowly sat down, feeling the soft cushion beneath her.
Her fingers pressed into the fabric, confirming it was real.
"That's... really freaky."
Ryuu took a seat across from her.
"Now, let's talk about you."
Mai's grip on her teacup tightened slightly.
She wasn't sure if it was from excitent—
Or fear.
"So? What's wrong with ?"
Ryuu studied her for a mont.
Then, with a smirk, he said—
"Your situation is pretty bad."
Mai's fingers trembled slightly against the porcelain.
A quiet, uncertain voice escaped her lips:
"...You can't fix it?"
Ryuu exhaled dramatically, as if considering his words carefully.
He leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand.
"Well, it's serious... but not impossible."
Mai exhaled, part relief, part tension.
"At least you can see ..."
She gave a small, almost hopeful smile.
For the first ti in a while, she wasn't alone.
And maybe—just maybe—
She could finally be saved.
======
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