She had already left home and was heading to the meeting place.
"She's on her way," Badr said softly.
"Hmm..." Mai Sakurajima took a deep breath. After yesterday's deliberate provocation by Badr, she decided to face her inner feelings and confront her mother.
Badr and Mai had a tacit understanding, so they met early to head to Shichirigahama together.
The journey of three stops passed quickly. They exited the subway station, walked down the steps of the embankment, and arrived at the beach.
Since her mother hadn't arrived yet, they strolled along the shore, chatting casually.
"Hehe, after resuming my acting career, I'd like to shoot a scene here," Mai suddenly smiled.
"If that happens, maybe I could be your co-star."
"With Badr's acting skills, you might only make it as an extra."
"Hey, that's a bit harsh."
"Just being honest."
They continued their light-hearted banter. Soon, ten minutes had passed, and a beautiful figure appeared on the embankment.
From a distance, she resembled Mai Sakurajima.
No, it should be said that Mai resembled her, as the newcomer was Mai's mother.
Badr smiled and stopped, looking at Mai, signaling that he wouldn't interfere with their reunion.
Mai hesitated, gathered her courage, and walked toward her mother.
"Long time no see," Mai greeted. Although they were some distance away, Badr could hear her clearly.
Her mother slowed her steps but didn't respond to Mai, continuing to walk.
"...Mom?" Mai called out in slight bewilderment.
Her mother's steps didn't stop.
Seeing this from afar, Badr frowned.
Such a strong woman shouldn't ignore her daughter so rudely. A bad feeling crept up on him.
He looked at Mai's mother, whose eyes were not fixed on Mai but seemed to be searching for something.
She couldn't possibly ignore her own daughter...
At this moment, Mai realized what was happening and froze.
Badr's expression darkened as he understood the situation.
This was bad...
---
The situation was unexpectedly dire.
Who could have imagined that a mother, who had been communicating smoothly via email, would become unresponsive upon meeting in person?
Mai was having a hard time accepting it.
She quickly moved in front of her mother and waved her hand in front of her face.
"Can't you see me!?"
Her voice was much louder, and her emotions were clearly agitated.
Anyone would be upset in such a situation.
It was her mother, after all.
A moment ago, she remembered her, and they were about to have an honest conversation. But now, this unexpected event occurred.
Mai couldn't accept it.
Unfortunately, her mother continued walking.
This situation made Mai's hands drop weakly to her sides.
Her past experiences told her that no matter how hard she tried now, it was futile. Her mother couldn't see her anymore.
Even worse, her mother walked straight into Mai, causing her to stumble.
Seeing Mai about to fall, Badr, who had been twenty meters away, suddenly appeared by her side, catching the unsteady girl.
Badr's sudden appearance was so swift that her mother only noticed him when she turned her head. She was startled to see the boy who had somehow appeared next to her.
She seemed surprised, as if she had been frightened.
"Hello, my name is Badr," he said, holding Mai's hand protectively and looking directly at her mother.
Her mother frowned upon realizing the situation.
"So, it's you."
Her gaze was filled with displeasure, similar to Mai's, causing Badr to narrow his eyes slightly.
"What do you mean, ma'am?"
"You brought me here. What do you want? I don't know you. You look like a high school student. Is this some kind of prank? If it is, I'll have your parents discipline you."
She spoke quickly, clearly annoyed, even checking her watch.
She seemed to value her time highly, probably due to having a lot of work to handle.
"You misunderstand. It was Mai who asked you to come," Badr clarified.
He could feel the sweat in Mai's palm, indicating her nervousness. He squeezed her hand slightly, signaling her not to worry.
Her mother scrutinized Badr.
"Who did you say called me?"
"Mai."
Hearing this, her mother adjusted her windblown hair, looking puzzled.
"…Mai who?"
At that moment, even Badr was taken aback.
Mai's grip tightened on Badr's hand.
His expression darkened. This situation was worse than just being unable to see Mai.
"Mai Sakurajima, your daughter. Don't you remember?"
"Stop joking. I don't have a daughter."
Her mother frowned, visibly impatient. "Your name is Badr, right? Why did you bring me here?"
Badr glanced at Mai, feeling her distress.
Mai's expression was one of shock and helplessness.
Badr's gaze turned serious. "What about the emails asking you to come here? You replied, so you must remember."
"That is puzzling," her mother said, showing her phone to Badr.
"Unknown sender, yet I marked it on my schedule and made time for it. But I don't recall anything important."
Glancing at the phone, the sender's name "Mai" was glaringly obvious to Badr and Mai.
Her mother didn't seem to be ignoring it or pretending not to know.
She genuinely didn't remember Mai.
Even after raising her for so many years and seeing her name on the email.
Badr took a deep breath.
The situation was becoming clear.
He suddenly bowed slightly to her mother, sincerely apologizing.
"I'm sorry. It seems I've made a mistake. I'm sorry for wasting your time."
"Huh? Is that so..."
Her mother was taken aback.
Maybe she instinctively felt something was wrong.
"Then, I'll leave."
"Yes, I'm truly sorry."
"…It's fine."
With a confused expression, her mother slowly walked away.
"Badr..."
Mai called softly. Badr looked over and saw her eyes filled with worry.
She realized the situation was worsening.
Badr's expression turned serious. "This means the ability is spreading. We've made a mistake somewhere."
If, previously, her ability only affected people's normal senses and they couldn't see, hear, or touch her...
Now, it seemed people's memories of Mai were also fading.
Mai's eyes showed increasing anxiety.
Previously, although people couldn't perceive her, they still remembered her. This kept her somewhat calm. Now, however, everyone was forgetting her.
Was she becoming a living ghost?
No, maybe worse than a ghost...
"Stay calm, Mai. At least I can still see you and remember you," Badr reassured her calmly.
His steadiness had a calming effect on Mai. His presence was a source of strength for her now.
"Let's go," he suddenly said, leading Mai up the embankment.
"Where to?"
---
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