After that, Duanmu Huai spent the next several days experimenting with ways to make other people perceive Sakurajima Mai. He had her sing in front of the station, shout loudly, put on performances, and even accompany him in doing various baffling things.
Unfortunately, none of it worked.
"...The script reading is tomorrow."
By the night before the Now Sweet cast gathered, Sakurajima Mai still hadn't changed—or rather, her condition was getting worse.
"If this keeps up, you might really become a friend only I can see."
"..."
Sakurajima Mai said nothing. She simply sat there quietly, expressionless. But after spending several days together, Duanmu Huai already knew that Sakurajima Mai wasn't truly expressionless. She was merely accustomed to using that manner to lock away her emotions, instead of easily displaying them in front of outsiders.
In that respect, she was the complete opposite of Arima Kana, whose joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness were all vividly apparent.
Almost too vivid, in fact.
"All right. Actually, it's not as if I have absolutely no way."
"What way?"
Sakurajima Mai raised her head slightly and looked at Duanmu Huai.
"If we're talking about praying to the gods, we haven't exactly visited any shortage of shrines these past few days, have we?"
"It's something similar, only..."
Duanmu Huai rubbed his chin and revealed an odd smile.
"The question is whether you're willing to agree."
"?"
At this point, Sakurajima Mai still had no idea what kind of future awaited her.
Soon, the night passed.
Early the next morning, Duanmu Huai and Sakurajima Mai took a car to the filming location, but just as before, even after they entered the site where the production was being filmed, no one could see Sakurajima Mai.
"Next, you have to greet everyone. This is your last chance."
After