HOTD: A New Dawn

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Mai stopped in her tracks. Tysone wondered if the others could see him talk to thin air. 

"Invisible, you say?" She stared at her open hand, giving it an amused once-over before shaking her head in apparent exasperation. "I don't even care anymore. It is tiring, you know? Not having anyone notice you. Go figure. You have a day job as an idol and suddenly, people pretend you don't exist."

Mai didn't sound very angry, as her monotonous tone might have hinted towards; she just sounded tired. As if the last drop of motivation had just drained away from her, with Mai finally giving up on fighting invisible with more invisibility.

"Does that satisfy your meddling curiosity?"

Her eyes scrunched in what looked like the beginning of a glare.

Tysone hummed. "I still have about a hundred questions, though I can see you're not in the state of mind for a conversation. However, I'd like to intrude on your generosity a bit more." He pointed at the bookshelves. "You seem to be the only one able to communicate with me here. And I'm the only one able to see you. It's kind of ironic, isn't it? Would you mind redirecting me to some books?"

Her glare became sharper, her eyes narrowing as she pursed her lips.

She shook her head, before sighing and looking at the shelves. She picked one book and handed it to him.

Tysone grabbed the book, a heavy-looking one. He scanned the cover, a frown forming on his face.

'A History of Japan - by George Samson.'

"I'll look for other books, too." Mai went back to the shelves, searching. She seemed to have a good idea of where to put her hands, since she kept picking up books and flipping through them before putting them back.

After a while, she pulled out a large pile of books from the shelves and placed them on a nearby table.

She stood back, looking at the table for a moment, as if judging whether Tysone had enough time to read them all.

"Looks like I'll be here for a whole week." He chuckled, flipping through A History of Japan. Then, he turned to glance at Mai, who looked ready to disappear like a phantom. "What about you? Will you come back again?"

She stared at him, impassive. "What does it matter to you?"

He shrugged, sitting down. "I was just wondering if you'd don a different costume next time. Maybe a kitty costume? I heard those are pretty popular. Personally though, I'd like to see you in a casual outfit." He sighed, tapping his chin. "Then again, if no one can see it, whatever you wear is irrelevant."

She crossed her arms, slightly taken aback. "As expected, your head is filled with lewd thoughts."

"Says the girl wearing a bunny costume."

Mai gritted her teeth, affronted. "This costume was a last resort to get someone's attention, and it worked, didn't it? Not that I care what someone like you thinks."

"That might be the case, but why go for something so risqué and flashy?" Tysone cast a cursory glance at the book, ignoring her for a moment. "Not that it doesn't look good on you, though. But I don't want to be called a pervert by someone who deliberately goes into a library wearing that, knowing very well that children will be around. Come on. That's weird."

"You…" Mai's eyes widened.

He rambled on. "Think about it. I can see you—but what if it was a kid? What if it was some ill-intentioned old man that decided to follow you into a train, to take advantage of you in a situation whether you can neither be seen nor heard."

Tysone didn't raise his tone or speak with much fervor; his expression remained as impassive, but Mai recoiled a little, the ends of her lips downturned.

There was silence. Tysone continued reading. Mai eventually stood there, eyes downcast as she bit her lower lip. "...I... I've considered this... it's just, today..." she raised her hand, forming a fist. "I just felt... It's fine. Just today, let someone notice me. Even if it's like this."

Tysone tilted his head up, sighing. "Not that it isn't working... and if you're that determined, so be it. However, wearing this again would lead to... well, not the most pleasant of results if someone stalked you. The odds might be slim, but why risk it? Do you even know what's causing this supernatural phenomenon? Surely you must have some clue, right? We should seek the root of the issue if you really don't wanna go through this every single day. Though I think something less out there and risqué would be a safe bet."

"..."

Mai lowered her head slightly, her hair casting a shadow over her eyes. Tysone didn't think he'd actually get to see such an anime-esque show of emotions in real life as well—though whether his current life was real or an animation was a debate for another day.

As for the brooding girl in front of him, she heaved a deep sigh. She mumbled in a resigned voice. "For some reason, I get what you say... maybe because it sounds so convincing and has an appropriate reason behind it? You should do something about that personality, though. Don't want anyone to walk all over you."

He closed his book, narrowing his eyes slightly. "People like you are so easily influenced... It's disconcerting. Then again, it's hard to deny me when I speak the truth."

She wrinkled her nose—it being the only twitch on that stoic, doll-like face. "Either way, you've said your piece... there are clothes I brought to change into, anyway." She briefly turned around, glancing at him. "Forget what you saw today. Also, don't have anything to do with me under any circumstances. If you understand, then say yes."

"No." Tysone said; Mai's eyes narrowed. "Who are you to tell me what to do? Besides, I thought you wanted help."

"Help? From you?"

"Don't say it with such venom. What, are you racist?"

Mai's eyes widened as she went into a confused panic. "I-I didn't mean it like that." And then that panic turned into a glare when she heard him crack up.

'This is an interesting reaction indeed.' Tysone held in a smirk, trying to control his trembling mouth. "I jest. Don't take everything that comes out of my mouth so seriously. You might end up prematurely dying of a heart attack if that's the case."

"Whatever." Mai spat. She raised her chin up high, as if trying to assert some dominance over him.

Tysone met her heated, burning gaze evenly. "My offer for help still stands. I used to know someone who had a similar problem. Someone so obsessed with acquiring wealth and material possessions that everything they touched turned to dust. It can drive someone mad. It can be permanent, you know? You'll become a ghost of your own making."

"What are you trying to say?" Mia pressed on.

"I'm saying..." He had her full attention now. "You have a chance to reverse the effects. There's nothing wrong with trying, or letting someone else share part of the burden, is there? Or are you a coward?"

"A coward? Really?" She asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Is that supposed to be some kind of reverse psychology trick? Because if it is, it's not working."

Tysone shrugged. "Just calling it like I see it. You can walk away and pretend this isn't happening. You can believe that one day you'll wake up and poof, everything is magically back to normal. Or you can face it head-on. Your choice."

Mai let out a small, exasperated sigh, her gaze drifting to the window. The sun cast a warm glow across the room, but it did little to chase away the chill she felt deep inside. "I don't need your help." She said finally, her tone flat. "I can handle this on my own."

"When the weight of it will become too much for you to bear, who do you think will still be able to see you, to help you? Maybe one day, you'll disappear right in front of my eyes. I won't even remember you." Tysone stood up, organizing the books in a neat pile. "Being headstrong is a virtue at some point... but being stubborn is not something to pride yourself in. So, are you really going to turn around and walk away, or will you take my help like a normal person and undo whatever is happening to you, Bunny Girl?"

"You…" Mai bit back the retort and actually thought about it. She was so close to simply ignoring that insufferable guy and getting out of there, but she had been trying so hard lately—maybe he could really help? "What is in it for you? Why would you go so far as to help me? You don't even know me."

"I don't know the real you, but I do know Mai Sakurajima from TV. And you look like someone who needs a kick in the butt and a helping hand. Don't we all, anyway?" Tysone's stomach, as if on cue, rumbled, unnecessarily loud. Too loud for it to be anything other than a stupid anime gag. He cleared his throat. "And I'm a little strapped for cash. Perhaps you can treat this pitiable man to some cheap food in exchange, hm?"

"..."

Mai dragged a hand down her face.