Chapter 436

Sakurajima Mai's brows were furrowed with lingering resentment. After composing herself, she continued her explanation:

"At least, my teachers and classmates at school can still see me. And the same goes for people I know well."

"I see."

"What came to mind?"

"No, I'm just hungry. How about you?"

He exchanged glances with her in a calm and slightly social manner, his thoughts unreadable.

However, at least the claim that he was hungry was completely false.

Because he ate a lot this morning, he still feels like the food in his stomach hasn't been fully digested.

"Sigh... I feel the same way."

Sakurajima Mai was slightly disappointed, but she didn't lash out with her emotions unreasonably.

"Let's go grab something to eat first, it's on me."

He walked along the sidewalk toward the commercial street he had seen that morning. "Right! If no one can see you, wouldn't you be able to..."

"No way!"

She emphasized her words, stressing that she was not that kind of person.

Even if you're hungry, you won't?

"Hmm~ Probably not, it's not time to completely run out of food yet."

"How stubborn! If it were me, I would definitely use the excuse, 'It's all the world's fault! So what I'm doing is perfectly reasonable!' to ransack supermarkets and restaurants."

"You know it's just an excuse... I think you should reread your elementary school moral education textbook."

"Unfortunately, I haven't read any books on that subject. Morally, I rely on family education—well, since I'm financially comfortable, I should set aside the appropriate amount of money."

"Of course..."

"Because if you find it troublesome or forget to bring it, I might not let you go directly."

"You're really straightforward..."

"This is also one of my many strengths."

Do you have any strengths? Where are they? I don't see any.

"Hmm... I didn't expect the famous Mai to be nearsighted. Did she forget to wear her contact lenses today?"

"My eyesight is perfectly fine, you don't need to worry."

"..."

The two went to a coffee shop together.

Hello, are you alone?

A part-time JK (high school girl) in uniform stepped forward and asked solicitously.

Himemiya Chihaya glanced at Sakurajima Mai beside her, who had a blank expression, and her feelings were just as complicated as Mai's.

Even though he already knew the situation, every time it was presented to him, it still clashed with his common sense from the past ten years or so, creating an utterly absurd feeling.

"That..."

The JK girl repeated timidly.

"Uh~ um~"

Sakurajima Mai gave him a hard poke in the side, and he let out a soft groan, making a slightly suggestive sound that drew shy and angry glances from the two girls next to him.

"Yes, I'm sorry, I was distracted for a moment."

"Ah, no! Please come this way!"

The waitress, JK, led him to a seat, took his order, and then hurriedly left.

What a handsome guy, it's a pity he seems a bit mentally unstable... and he eats more than he looks like.

"You did this on purpose, didn't you?"

After watching her leave, Sakurajima Mai frowned and looked at him with disdain.

What do you mean?

"That erotic shouting just now."

"That's because you're so amazing, Mai!"

Don't use that kind of expression!

"Mai, your foot..."

What's wrong with my foot?

Her rabbit ears hopped forward again.

"It's nothing, it's just an honor to be pampered by your feet in such a special place."

"!"

Her cheeks flushed, her white rabbit fur trembled, and she instinctively pulled her little feet back.

"... I already said! Stop using those weird expressions."

"Oh, the special place I was referring to was the coffee shop. What are you talking about?"

"..."

Her face darkened, and she pouted and snorted again, "Hmm!"

"I was wrong, I apologize..."

"Why? You seem really happy!"

"That might just be a hallucination you're having after a medical episode... Waaah~"

"..."

Welcome back next time!

After lunch, the two left the cafe and walked side by side down the street.

Because he was unfamiliar with the terrain of Fujisawa, he followed closely behind her.

"I see!"

He suddenly clapped his hands, attracting the attention of those around him.

"What's wrong?"

Although she knew he probably wouldn't have anything useful to say, Sakurajima Mai still asked.

"The only downside to being invisible is that you can't eat whatever you want anytime, anywhere, right?"

"... Probably, this is also a very troublesome place."

Sakurajima Mai resisted the urge to stomp on someone and nodded in agreement with her bunny ears.

"Especially since there's a bakery I really like, I get really upset if I can't get their cream bread."

"Just slip in, then pack the bread yourself..."

Himemiya Chihaya makes the suggestion.

"I already said that won't work, right?"

"Stubborn. What's wrong with paying properly?"

"I always felt that this would lead to a deviation in how one handles things and in one's personality, so it won't work."

"That's not impossible, if you get used to it..."

"..."

Before they knew it, the two had walked through the pedestrian street, boarded the tram, crossed the tram tracks... and finally arrived near a luxury apartment building.

Sakurajima Mai stopped, turned around, crossed her Hands, and stood on tiptoe, looking at him suspiciously. "How long are you planning to stay with me?"

"Hmm? What's wrong?"

He feigned ignorance and avoided her blue-violet eyes.

"You're still asking what's wrong... I'm already home, shouldn't you be leaving now?"

"Really? Then I'll reluctantly come over for a visit..."

"You don't have to force yourself! Besides, I can't let you in anyway... after all, you live alone."

"Can I ask you a question, Mai?"

"What?"

How would you feel if a woman dressed as a sexy Bunny Girl told you, "I live alone"?

"Does it make you want to call the police?"

"That's so true. I suddenly remembered I still have things to do. Let's stop here for today, and then--"

He extended his fair, jade-like hand and beckoned to her.

"Hmm~ Hmm~"

Sakurajima Mai's eyes darted between his head and palm, puzzled. "Huh? What?"

"Contact information! Now that I know about this, I need to be able to contact you if I have any intelligence or ideas later, right?"

"Hey... eh..."

"Don't look at me with such distrust. I won't use it for anything strange, and even if I did..."

Even if it were actually done?

"You're only losing a phone number, and you don't have many friends anyway, so it doesn't really make a difference, right?"

"Mmm!"

Sakurajima Mai blushed, feeling a little embarrassed by his touch.

"Cell phone!"

"Please."

He presented the phone to her with Hands.

After pressing the buttons on his phone repeatedly, she slapped it into his hand, then turned and swung gracefully toward the apartment door not far away.

"Goodbye!"

"These days, just leaving a phone number is so outdated!"

He turned up the volume slightly so that she could just hear it.

Sakurajima Mai's wagging rabbit tail paused for a moment, then quickly continued forward.

Once her figure had completely disappeared into the building, he took out his unlocked phone and sent a message to the contact "Sakurajima Mai".

[I'm Himemiya Chihaya, nice to meet you from now on, Ciallo~(∠?ω)⌒☆]

He waited confidently for a response on his phone, and soon he received a reply.

[Sakurajima Mai: A silly symbol with no clear meaning, just like you]

Good grief, one sentence insulted him on two points, and he retorted without backing down:

[Himemiya Chihaya: It's because you have no sense of humor that you have no friends!]

[Sakurajima Mai: If understanding humor means becoming like this, I'd rather be alone forever]

[Himemiya Chihaya: A woman who won't listen to reason... But at least I know I can not only see you, but also receive your messages, which is good news.]

[Sakurajima Mai:...]

Perhaps unsure whether he was serious or joking, she stopped sending him new text messages.