Actually, there's another reason.
Even Yan Xi himself wasn't sure if the method would work.
He confidently claimed it was to put Sakurajima Mai at ease, but in his heart, he estimated the success rate to be only 70%.
Only 70%?
70% is already high enough!
“Anyway, let's find a random passerby and try it first,” Yan Xi said.
Sakurajima Mai asked, “It won't cause any harm to others, right?”
Even in this predicament, Sakurajima Mai was unwilling to harm innocent people for her own safety.
“Don't worry, it's safe,” Yan Xi said.
Then they randomly picked a lucky audience member nearby.
Pleated skirt, red top, white knee-high socks, beret.
Such a style is also quite famous in the ACG world.
“It's really a 'passerby'.” Yan Xi muttered.
The 路人女主 (literally "passerby female protagonist"), Kato Megumi, unexpectedly met them in this way.
“Let's try her,” Yan Xi said.
Sakurajima Mai's expression was subtle, she said, “You wouldn't be deliberately choosing her because you find her cute, would you?”
Yan Xi nodded honestly, “Yes.”
“……”
Sakurajima Mai was speechless.
This guy doesn't even try to pretend!
Yan Xi and Sakurajima Mai stopped Kato Megumi.
Seeing his agile movements, Sakurajima Mai couldn't help but doubt his motives.
Wouldn't he be using her situation as an excuse to approach other girls?
“Excuse me, classmate, can you do me a favor?” Yan Xi said with a smile, believing that his high 颜值 (literally "high appearance") would give him an advantage, most girls wouldn't refuse.
Kato Megumi asked with a puzzled look, “If it's not too troublesome…”
Kato Megumi's gaze remained on Yan Xi. If she could see Sakurajima Mai normally, she would inevitably look twice at such a beauty beside him.
In other words, Sakurajima Mai's 'disappearance' was still in effect.
“It's very simple,” Yan Xi said.
“To be honest, I'm currently caught in a supernatural event. In front of you, besides me, there's also the once-famous popular actress, Sakurajima Mai.
“To resolve this incident, we need your help.”
Kato Megumi looked troubled. Though to others, she still had that calm look.
Kato Megumi was a little troubled, she wasn't very good at dealing with this... how to say it, chuunibyou (literally "second year syndrome")?
As expected of chuunibyou, they effortlessly did what ordinary people couldn't.
Could ordinary people randomly find someone on the street and have the above conversation?
“That… do you need me to call an ambulance?”
It was a double entendre.
“That's not necessary, we just need to add something to you.” Yan Xi said with a mischievous smile.
Kato Megumi took a step back, holding her phone, ready to call the police.
“It's already too late, you're already within range of my substitute's attack!”
“There are too many black mosquitoes!”
Kato Megumi: “…”
She was startled by the name, 神金 (literally "Divine Gold"), but it turned out to be chuunibyou after all.
Kato Megumi still held her phone, still preparing to call, but this time it was to call an ambulance.
At this level of chuunibyou, it's truly a disease.
Just then, someone appeared in Kato Megumi's field of vision. The moment she saw them, her related memories resurfaced.
After all, she was the national idol, Sakurajima Mai, Kato Megumi naturally knew her.
Kato Megumi silently put down her phone and said, “…So, were those chuunibyou declarations just now real?”
……
……
A small coffee shop near the station.
Thanks to Kato Megumi, Sakurajima Mai reappeared in the public eye. Customers in the shop kept looking over here, whispering about 'That's Sakurajima Mai, right?' 'That's Sakurajima Mai.'
Kato Megumi watched this, quietly saying, “Sakurajima-san is also having a hard time.”
Kato Megumi also had the problem of having a low presence.
While she didn't feel sorry for herself, it's natural for a girl to have the desire to be the center of attention occasionally, right?
But seeing Sakurajima Mai's situation, Kato Megumi suddenly felt that having a low presence was actually quite good.
Ah, of course, it's best not to be like Sakurajima-san's 'puberty syndrome,' where your existence is about to disappear.
“I'm used to it,” Sakurajima Mai said calmly, taking a sip of her coffee.
“This time, I have to thank Kato-san. If it wasn't for you, my situation would only be worse.” Sakurajima Mai said gratefully.
“No, no, it's all thanks to Yan Xi-san.” Kato Megumi secretly glanced at Yan Xi.
A supernatural being from novels and manga was by her side.
Being given a command without knowing it… she was quite concerned.
Most ordinary people are afraid of the abnormal.
A girl like Kato Megumi, while a little concerned, wouldn't do something like report it to the relevant authorities.
Though, if she was reported, Yan Xi wouldn't be scared, he would just have to follow the clues and use the power of the Heaven's Gate to control the country's leadership.
Thinking about it, he was quite looking forward to being reported.
Just as Yan Xi predicted, the power of the Heaven's Gate overrode the effects of puberty syndrome.
After Kato Megumi confirmed Sakurajima Mai's existence, the world found Sakurajima Mai again.
However, things weren't completely over yet.
“This is just my guess. Sleep will reboot the human brain, and my power will be overwritten.” Yan Xi said.
This was truly just a guess, without any basis.
Kato Megumi blinked and asked, “Then I won't sleep tonight?”
Kato Megumi thought, just staying up one night should be no problem.
“It's okay, you can just follow your usual routine. It will also help test the effect of the power,” Yan Xi said.
Sakurajima Mai thought, what about her opinion?
But she didn't want to cause trouble for others because of her own situation, so she smiled at Kato Megumi and said, “We've already caused Kato-san a lot of trouble, please don't harm your body because of me.”
“Harm? That's too exaggerated,” Kato Megumi said.
Since both Yan Xi and Sakurajima Mai said so, Kato Megumi wouldn't force herself.
She's an outsider, the most help she can provide is to not cause trouble.
The three exchanged contact information. Kato Megumi suddenly thought, Sakurajima-san's private contact information should be very valuable, after all, she's a popular actress, and she's preparing to make a comeback.
The three left the coffee shop.
As they were about to part ways, Kato Megumi suddenly said, “Sakurajima-san.”
“What's wrong?”
Kato Megumi was silent for two seconds, organizing her words before saying, “I used to feel sad because I was often ignored due to my low presence.”
“Although our situations are completely different… I want to say, those who truly care about you will never forget you, no matter what.”
“Sorry, I said something presumptuous.”
Sakurajima Mai shook her head, smiling and said, “How could you? These words are very important to me. Thank you, Kato-san.”
…………
PS: I was feeling unwell yesterday, so I delayed it for a day. Today, I'm making up for it.