Nozomi was not particularly surprised by what Sumireko could see.
"Maybe if that mysterious power fades, senpai's existence will return."
As he spoke, Mai Sakurajima sat down beside him. Noticing their gazes, she folded her arms and huffed.
"I'm going to report you to the student council! The male librarian is trembling in fear in the library!"
Nozomi rolled his eyes. "Believe it or not, I can add you to the list of those trembling."
"Just tell me already, why are you here in the middle of the day?"
Mai looked a little embarrassed but chose to be honest. "I'm thirsty and want a drink."
"But the clerk can't see me at all. I wanted to get it myself, but I can't touch the money either. The only thing I can actually hold is the lunch box you gave me..."
Hearing that and looking at her flushed face filled with frustration, Nozomi immediately understood.
"So, basically, you're here to beg me, right?"
"Hmph... I'm just asking you, stinky kouhai, to buy some water for your senpai."
"Is this the attitude of someone asking for a favor?"
Nozomi raised a brow, unimpressed.
"Then what, you want me to kneel?" she snapped back, clearly annoyed.
Nozomi chuckled, running his fingers through Sumireko's hair as he turned to her. "Sumireko, what do you do when you ask me for favors?"
Though she wasn't too happy about him flirting with another girl, Sumireko still decided to play along. She wrapped her arms around his neck and planted a sweet kiss on his lips.
Mai's eyes widened in shock, pointing at them in disbelief. "Y-You two...! Shameless!"
Nozomi smirked, watching Mai's flustered reaction with satisfaction. "Forget whether it's shameless or not—now tell me, do you understand what to do when asking for favors, especially from me?"
Mai clenched her fists, her whole body trembling in frustration. "You're just taking advantage of the situation! No way! I'm dying of thirst!"
Nozomi let out a helpless sigh, then gave Sumireko's waist a gentle squeeze. She naturally moved off his lap.
"Well, I can't just ignore a suffering senpai. Wait here, I'll go buy you some water."
With that, he left the library.
Now, only the two girls remained.
Silence filled the air.
Mai could feel Sumireko staring at her, but she didn't react. As an experienced actress, she was used to being watched.
Sumireko, on the other hand, remained quiet as she carefully observed Mai.
Thin waist. Long, slender legs wrapped in black stockings. Perfect figure.
Her chest, while not overwhelmingly large, was perfectly proportioned to her body.
Her face was undoubtedly a 9 out of 10. No, maybe even higher.
Truly beautiful.
"Oi, Sanshokuin, have you stared enough?"
Mai finally broke the silence, unable to ignore it any longer.
"Hehe, I thought senpai didn't want to talk to me."
"It's not that—I just don't know what to say. Should I acknowledge his questionable taste? After all, Shiina-san is prettier than you."
Mai's words were laced with sarcasm, but the way she said it... Why does it sound a little sour?
Sumireko only smiled. She wasn't offended. If anything, it proved her disguise was effective.
However.
Since this was just a senpai desperate for help, there was no need to let her act too arrogant.
With a soft chuckle, she removed her glasses and untied the tricolor ribbon that held her braid.
A cascade of jet-black hair tumbled down, glossy and smooth, framing her face perfectly.
She undid the top buttons of her blouse, revealing the tightly wrapped bandages around her chest. With a quick tug, she loosened them.
The previously hidden curves came into view, accentuating her already striking beauty.
Sumireko smiled mischievously. "So? Still doubting Nozomi's judgment?"
Mai's eyes widened, her jaw slightly dropping as she pointed at Sumireko in disbelief.
"You... You were that pigtail girl just now?! Are you kidding me?! Are you sure you're not some famous actress?!"
"Unfortunately, I've never been an actress, nor a celebrity," Sumireko replied with a smug smile.
Mai stepped closer, staring at her face in utter disbelief.
"No... I refuse to believe it! How can you be this beautiful?!"
"Still doubting his judgment?" Sumireko asked, re-buttoning her blouse, her tone filled with amusement.
As she let out a small sigh, she felt much more comfortable without the tight bandages restricting her.
Mai, meanwhile, lowered her head, her hands clenched into fists, frustration written all over her face.
Mai Sakurajima crossed her arms, pouting slightly. "I don't doubt his judgment, but I doubt yours, Sumireko. You're so beautiful... why would you choose a playboy?"
Sumireko Mishikiin smiled knowingly, shaking her head. "You just don't understand, senpai. Nozomi is special."
"What's so special about him?" Mai huffed, trying to deny the obvious.
Sumireko tilted her head slightly, her expression playful. "Well, for starters, he was the only one who could see you. Doesn't that prove he's not just some ordinary guy?"
Mai flinched but remained stubborn. Sumireko continued, "Or are you still upset about his teasing earlier? You do realize he was joking, right? He still went to buy you that drink, didn't he?"
Mai let out a soft sigh, her irritation fading. Faced with someone who was not only more beautiful than her but also had an impeccable figure, it was hard to keep up the tough act. She chewed her lip, hesitating before mumbling, "Honestly, I do appreciate what he's done for me... but his flirtatious nature is really off-putting."
Sumireko chuckled, nodding. "That may be, but Nozomi isn't the kind of guy who plays around without reason."
Sakurajima Mai observed Sumireko as she neatly tied her braids again, slipping her glasses back on. Her transformation from a stunning beauty to a modest, bookish girl was almost comical.
Then, Mai's gaze dropped to her chest and twitched. "You're really just gonna... let them be free like that?"
Sumireko raised an eyebrow. "You're one to talk, senpai. Weren't you the one who wanted to disappear from people's eyes?"
Mai flinched at the unexpected comeback. "I... okay, fair point. I get it."
She had once thought that becoming invisible was a blessing—no more paparazzi, no more prying eyes, no more dealing with people's expectations. But the reality had turned into a nightmare. Even those closest to her had started to forget she existed. The creeping loneliness had been unbearable.
Sumireko's tone softened. "Nozomi thinks your situation was caused by some entity reading your subconscious desire to disappear, but it overdid it. That's why your existence has been erased."
Mai's breath hitched. She instinctively grabbed Sumireko's hands. "Did he say how to fix it?!"
Sumireko shook her head. "Not yet. But for now, staying close to Nozomi seems to keep you anchored. You can still touch the things he gives you, right? That means there's hope."
Mai hesitated, biting her lip. "I mean... it's not like I hate the idea of staying with him. But... what if he tries something weird?"
Sumireko let out a soft laugh. "You really have the wrong idea about him, senpai. Nozomi doesn't force anyone. He's actually quite gentle."
Mai frowned, thinking about how Nozomi had treated her so far. He teased her, sure, but he had also been the only one to acknowledge her existence when no one else could. That meant something, right?
Just then, Nozomi returned, carrying several bottles of drinks. He casually tossed one to Mai.
"Here. Drink up."
She caught it, glancing at him before muttering, "Thanks... but you're still charging me, aren't you?"
"Of course. Remember to pay me later." He smirked.
Mai scoffed, pouting again. "Stingy."
Nozomi handed another bottle to Sumireko before taking a seat beside her. Mai sipped her drink, stealing quick glances at the two of them. There was something effortlessly natural about how they interacted, the way Nozomi absentmindedly played with Sumireko's fingers, the way she leaned into his touch like it was the most normal thing in the world.
Nozomi suddenly turned to her, his expression unreadable. "Senpai, how do you feel about PDA?"
Mai bristled. "What kind of question is that?!"
He grinned. "Just making sure you're okay with us being all lovey-dovey in front of you."
Her face burned. "You—! Weren't you super bold just now? Keep going then! Pretend I'm not even here!"
"Oh? You're sure?" Nozomi glanced at Sumireko with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Alright then."
Before Mai could react, the two fully leaned into each other again, openly affectionate. The sight was too much.
"Ugh, you guys are unbearable! I'm out of here!"
She turned on her heel and stormed off, her face completely flushed.
Watching her retreating figure, Sumireko chuckled, covering her mouth. "Nozomi, you should be nicer to her."
Nozomi shrugged, completely unconcerned. "Senpai will be fine. Besides, shouldn't I be focusing on being nice to you instead?"
Sumireko smiled softly, leaning into him just a little more.
After all, between a senior he couldn't touch and the girl already in his arms—was there even a choice?