Mai Sakurajima had heard of the urban legend known as Adolescence Syndrome. She had even seen online counseling message boards about it, and there were countless other similar cases.
Some legitimate psychiatrists declared that it was merely an unstable mind's self-perception, brought on by excessive sensitivity.
There were also self-proclaimed experts who claimed it was a new type of panic disorder born of modern society. Even curious people who investigated could only speculate, "This is probably some kind of mass hypnosis."
Or perhaps it was a psychological illness caused by the pressure between one's ideals and the reality in which they failed to come true.
But no matter how it was explained, few people truly cared. Most adults simply dismissed it as "overthinking."
Mai Sakurajima slowly nodded at that.
"If you look at it that way, it does somewhat explain what's happening to me..."
But the moment she finished speaking, her expression immediately changed.
"No, that's not right. What Adolescence Syndrome? How could something like that possibly be real?"
"Mm, I don't think so either."
Hearing Mai Sakurajima vent, Griseo nodded along. If this had simply been the "Bunny Girl" world, Mai Sakurajima's condition did seem like that syndrome. But what Griseo saw now was not that.
It was a supernatural phenomenon. Though it resembled Mai Sakurajima's situation in the original story, its nature was completely different.
"Huh?"
Griseo's words confused Mai Sakurajima again. Hadn't Griseo been the one to mention Adolescence Syndrome? Why did she now think it was not the case either?
Mai Sakurajima did not understand.
"The cat can see you too."
Noticing Mai Sakurajima's confusion, Griseo raised the little white cat in her arms. Then... Mai Sakurajima saw her own reflection in the cat's eyes.
The little white cat also let out a meow toward Mai