[MashUp] Ch 27: Mai Sakurajima

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"You're not thinking of freeloading off me, are you?"

The last fragile illusion Mai had about him being some kind of "gentleman" shattered instantly.

She froze on the spot.

Lifting her head, her flawless face flushed red with a mix of anger and embarrassment.

"I… I'm dressed like this, how could I possibly be carrying a wallet?"

Her protest sounded pitiful, like a child whose fairytale had just been ripped apart.

Takuma chuckled, pulled his hand back, and swiped his own card.

The name flashing across it: Mafuyu Kirisu.

At least today her credit card was being put to good use.

He handed Mai the shopping bag and said casually, "Put it on your tab. Interest included."

Then he made himself comfortable on a nearby sofa, legs crossed, looking perfectly at ease as if to say: 'I'll wait, go change.'

Mai shot him a furious glare, hugging the clothes to her chest before stomping into the fitting room.

The moment the door closed, the store clerk behind the counter suddenly paused.

Her eyes flicked to Takuma, and that practiced customer-service smile appeared on her face again.

"Hello, sir. Can I help you with something?"

She had no memory at all of what had just happened.

Takuma leaned forward, testing her.

"Didn't I just buy gloves, tights, and boots from you?"

A blush spread across her cheeks. She gave him the kind of bashful look a girl throws at a charming stranger.

"Sir, you're so funny. You've been sitting there since you walked in."

"…."

— — —

Five minutes later.

The fitting room door opened.

Mai stepped out.

She still wore the oversized down jacket, now paired with white wool gloves pulled high past her elbows.

Beneath the coat, fleece-lined black tights hugged her legs, tucked neatly into new winter boots.

Mafuyu's credit card had saved her from the cold.

Takuma's gaze swept over her, finally landing on the heels dangling from her hand.

One eyebrow lifted. His tone was teasing.

"And where's your bunny outfit? Don't tell me—"

"That stupid thing's still under the coat, double-layered with tights?"

"You—!"

Her face went scarlet. She stomped her foot, too flustered to deny it.

Then—

Growl.

A loud rumble escaped from beneath the coat.

The air froze.

Takuma's lips curved into that amused smirk.

Mai wanted to melt into the floor. She ducked her head, voice barely a whisper.

"It's… been two days since I last ate."

Afraid he wouldn't believe her, she quickly added, "Because… no one can see me. I can't buy anything."

Takuma blinked once.

Idiot.

With an ability like this, why wasn't she out there looting stores for free?

If it were him, the banks of Kanagawa would be emptied by tomorrow. A week later, Tokyo's economy would collapse. Within a year, Japan would be dragged back into the Stone Age.

And then what? Naturally, he'd just pick another country with hot girls to settle in—and repeat the cycle. If the world forgot him, then screw up the whole world.

"Come on. I'll feed you."

He stood, heading for the exit.

"Keep up."

The two walked down the lively shopping street near the station, Takuma leading while Mai followed a step behind.

Watching her cling to him like a castaway clutching driftwood, his grin deepened.

A forgotten starlet, reduced to desperation just because he could see her.

So easy to bully, so tempting to tease.

She reminded him of someone else. The ice queen back home.

Takuma slipped out his phone and typed a quick message.

{Mafuyu, something came up. I won't be home tonight.}

Then he added: {Order takeout for dinner.}

Message sent.

He pocketed his phone, smiling wider.

He could already picture it: that woman who always wore her cold mask at school, suddenly panicking over his absence.

---

At that same moment, in Room 501.

The apartment was quiet, almost hollow.

Mafuyu had just finished her shower, dressed in a thin red tracksuit.

The day had left her drained, but instead of resting, she sat at the dining table.

Her new workstation.

Under the warm light, two slim files lay neatly at her side. She was buried in a new lesson plan, writing furiously.

Complex math formulas one moment, obscure English idioms the next.

She was trying to reshape dry knowledge into the vibrant, artistic form he had taught her.

Growl.

Her stomach complained softly.

Only then did she remember—she hadn't eaten since noon. She'd been too busy "running away."

She pressed a hand against her flat belly, sipped some water, and bent back over her work.

All for that generous special tutoring allowance. All to cover the credit card that might max out any day.

A little hunger didn't matter.

But her eyes wandered, helplessly, to the clock on the wall.

It was late.

Shouldn't he be back by now?

Buzz!

Her phone vibrated on the desk.

A message from Takuma.

Her heart skipped—an involuntary flicker of joy she didn't even notice.

She grabbed the phone, unlocked it quickly.

Two texts glowed on the screen: Mafuyu, something came up. I won't be home tonight. Order takeout for dinner.

Her hand froze mid-scribble.

She stared at the words "won't be home tonight."

Stared for a long, long time.

The apartment was so quiet, she could hear her own heartbeat slowing.

The warmth from her shower drained away, leaving her chilled to the bone.

Her fingers trembled as she typed one simple reply: {Okay.}

Sent.

Slowly, she set the phone down.

Her gaze dropped to the half-finished lesson plan on the desk.

She picked up her pen, tried to write.

But nothing came.

The sentences, the playful turns of phrase he'd taught her—all gone.

Without him, she was back to being that useless teacher who couldn't get through a single class.

With him gone, everything collapsed.

Why did her chest feel so empty?

No. This was good news.

She should be happy. Surprised. Relieved. Finally, she didn't have to put up with him tonight—no more new poses.

Maybe tomorrow too.

She was free.

No more bumping into her silver-haired neighbor outside the door.

No more late nights rewriting special lesson plans for Furuhashi and Ogata.

Back to before. Alone. Simple. Easy.

It was perfect.

Drop.

A hot tear fell from her lashes, landing on the lesson plan.

The ink bled, smearing a carefully written word into a blot. Mafuyu jerked like she'd been burned, trying to wipe it away.

But then—

More tears fell.

One after another.

Within moments, the page was soaked.

Her pen slipped from her hand, clattering to the carpet.

The shoes he'd left by the door. The dent he'd made in the sofa. His scent lingered in the air.

Traces of him, everywhere.

Twining through her home.

And through her heart.

She slid down to the floor, hugging her knees, burying her face as her shoulders shook.

She thought she'd spend the night drowning like this.

But then—

Buzz!

Her phone lit up again, breaking the darkness.

She jolted, snatching it up like a drowning woman grabbing a rope.

Another message. From him.

{Tomorrow's the weekend, right? Since you've been working so hard these last few nights…}

{I've decided to prepare a surprise.}

A surprise?

Even through the screen, she could picture his sly smile.

Her heart, plunged into hell just moments ago, shot back up to heaven.

"Mm…!"

She clutched her burning face, slamming the phone face-down on the floor as if he might crawl out and see her pathetic state.

It took a long time to calm down.

But when she did, a faint smile she didn't notice tugged at her lips.

She wiped her face roughly with her sleeve, picked the phone back up, and typed a reply after much hesitation: {I'm not looking forward to it at all!}

Sent.

She hugged the phone to her chest, staring blankly at the darkened screen.

Finally, she unlocked it again, opened the food app, and ordered udon from the Ogata Udon.

While waiting for delivery, she sat back at the desk.

Her tear-stained lesson plan still lay open.

.

.

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