377. Readers Think There's Nothing to Read, Authors Think Nobody's Reading-How Strange (Continued)

Shuya changed the subject. "Then why did you dress like that to go out?"

Mai replied matter-of-factly, "That way, we'll know who saw me, right?"

Yukino: "That's true, but what if we encounter bad people?"

Shuya also asked, "That's true, but what if a reporter sees you, takes a picture, and uploads it?"

Mai's cheeks flushed red, and she was both embarrassed and angry. "... So noisy, so incredibly noisy!"

"So you hadn't thought about these issues before."

Shuya understood.

"Snort!"

Mai turned her head away unhappily, refusing to look at Shuya.

"It's alright, it's all Inoue- kun's fault."

Yukino comforted.

"???"

Shuya gave a confused look.

"... Okay, I know I didn't think this through. But besides that, I can't think of a solution."

Mai looked down at the ground.

"So what exactly happened?" Shuya asked. "Don't you have any thoughts on this?"

"Absolutely not."

Mai- chan shook her head decisively.

Yukino said, "In short, what is certain at present is that Mai- san is being forgotten by the world."

"Based on the information gathered so far, I've pieced together some patterns. This incident of being forgotten might be related to my closeness with Ms. Mai and her personal abilities."

Yukino proposed a hypothesis.

Regarding intimacy, let's take Shuya and Yukino as examples.

Both of them were close to Mai- chan, but Shuya was closer to her, so during the recollection, Shuya.

The issue of strength was deduced from Shizuka Hiratsuka. Hirai Ryuji had known Mai for longer, but he forgot about her first, while Shizuka Hiratsuka could still remember her and asked Shuya for a hint.

Another point is that during the process of forgetting, Shuya and Yukino constantly experience a sense of incongruity that serves as a reminder to them.

This must be the effect of power, capable of countering the mysterious force that caused them to forget Mai.

Intimacy level and strength are likely two important factors influencing "Forget Mai".

After Yukino finished speaking, Mai said, "There might still be some distance involved, right? I've noticed that everyone at school can see me, but the further away you go, the more they forget about me."

"Hmm? Could the problem be at your school?"

Shuya raised an eyebrow.

"Have no idea."

Mai- chan sighed.

"Wait, let me ask the Monster."

Shuya the Way.

Yukino also said, "I'll ask my sisters too."

The two picked up their phones and went on Line.

Shuya joined the LINE group where all the great Monster were. "Do you guys remember Sakurajima Mai? Could you ask all the Monster for me?"

They all took action, launching investigations in various Line groups.

In conclusion, almost all were wiped out.

Only some Half-Monster and yokai from the same school as Mai- chan, and from the neighboring area, answered that Monster knew.

Yukino also received a reply.

Except for the Little Senior Sister who wasn't online, everyone else answered "I don't know".

I've forgotten everything.

"..."

Although Mai knew the answer, she couldn't help but show her unease.

Shuya's expression was also very unpleasant.

The ability to influence Monster or humans on such a large scale is no small matter, and it's hard to imagine that it could be done by human power.

"This..."

He couldn't help but recall the series of events he had undertaken six years ago to combat the Curse.

This incident is similar to that one.

Shuya felt a hunch in his heart.

At the same time, he realized what was in his heart...

That feeling of powerlessness never went away.

"..."

Suddenly, he felt a warm, soft sensation in his hand.

"Shuya."

Mai took his hand.

"..."

"Don't make that face. I'm fine."

"... Mai- chan."

Why are you comforting me now? Just how gentle and understanding do you have to be?

Rather than her pretending nothing was wrong, Shuya wanted her to vent her emotions.

In a moment of impulse, Shuya suddenly stood up and hugged her.

Yukino leaned back slightly. "?"

What are you doing?

Mai's cheeks flushed instantly.

"What are you doing?!"

"Mai- chan... I promise I won't let anything happen to you!"

His tone was firm.

"I... I understand! Let me go first!"

Mai was a little flustered. Despite her mature appearance, she was actually quite inexperienced when it came to matters of the heart.

Not to mention Yukino was watching from the sidelines.

"What time is it? You're still worrying about these things? I didn't know you were such a love-struck fool."

Shuya had no choice but to let go of her, his expression one of helplessness.

"I'm not as promiscuous as you!"

Mai retorted.

"Should I call the police for you, Mai?"

Yukino fanning the flames.

Are you sure the police can see her?

Shuya asked.

"..."

"..."

Yukino and Mai stared at him.

"Okay, I misspoke."

Shuya continued, "Getting back to the main point, the investigation just now shows that your school has a big problem, doesn't it? After all, the people who don't know you are spreading outwards from your school."

"Does Mai have any clues?"

Mai simply shook her head. "No."

Shuya asked, "By the way, do you have any friends at school now?"

Mai countered, "How do you define being friends?"

Shuya exclaimed, "You and Yukino- chan have such a good relationship; the sentence structure is exactly the same. Hmm, I understand."

Mai and Yukino were both displeased upon hearing this.

"Anyway, I'll go to your school tomorrow, Monday, to check on the situation."

"... Um?"

Mai was a little taken aback. "Would Hiratsuka- san agree to this at your school?"

Yukino said, "If I explain the situation properly, everything should be fine, right? Also, I'd like to go take a look too."

Shuya: "Just because I'm usually too lazy to fight back doesn't mean I'm afraid of her. I'll just take a few days off, as long as you resolve your matter as soon as possible."

He was extremely adept at asking for leave from school; he was known as the king of no-shows in primary and secondary schools.

"If you can do it, then there's no problem."

Mai nodded.

Shuya said, "Then let's leave it at that for now. We'll decide whether to gather the Monster or ask the Heavenly God for help after we've observed your school."

Yukino smiled and said, "That's definitely better, since you're being watched very closely from above."

If Shuya suddenly contacts his subordinates to gather, the Supernatural Bureau will arrive immediately.

Learning from past mistakes, they are terrified that Shuya might pull off another big stunt.

Mai: "Is there anything I can do now?"

There's nothing to do.

Shuya: "Um... just in case, we won't leave you for the next few days. Yukino and I will stay here."

That makes sense.

Yukino agrees.

"Wait? You mean... you want to live with me?!"

Mai was a little flustered.

... Very cute.

Shuya casually replied, "Is there a problem? Yukino and I have been living together for a week now."

"Um?!"

"Ahem, Mai, please let me explain."

Yukino up straight instantly, her gaze wavering:

"I was just keeping an eye on him."

Why are you spying on Shuya?

The Strange Path of Mai.

"Because..."