NOVEL WEB Chapter 22: Facing the Media Frenzy
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Fine, let him make a mess of it.
"Whatever happens next, it's not my concern," she murmured with resignation.
Badr fiddled with his phone and gave an OK gesture.
Soon, several cars sped towards them, and a group of reporters and photographers armed with cameras emerged.
Badr quickly called to direct them, intending to have them inquire about the so-called "famous actress."
At Minegahara High School, almost everyone knew Mai Sakurajima, so when the reporters started asking questions, the students naturally associated the "famous actress" with her.
As expected, with the reporters' secret interviews and the students' gossip, rumours quickly spread across the campus.
"Could it be true? Did Mai-Senpai get deceived by a scumbag? Maybe they got the wrong person..."
"The reporters are here, and she's the only star in our school. Maybe she doesn't even know yet!"
"Wow, that's awful. Deceiving someone's feelings is so hateful..."
Students whispered amongst themselves.
With his excellent hearing, Badr recalled many conversations about the matter.
Simultaneously, several students noticed Badr.
Their expressions showed a hint of surprise when they looked in his direction.
Their gazes seemed to be focused on Mai.
Badr's heart stirred, feeling that it was indeed working.
Some students began whispering about them, looking at Badr and Mai Sakurajima with curiosity and surprise.
"Hey, could it be him? Is that Mai Sakurajima next to him?"
"Wow, it is her! Is that guy her boyfriend? Are those rumours true or not..."
"Oh no, Mai-Senpai might not know the truth about her boyfriend. Should we try to tell her?"
Hearing these students' conversations, Mai Sakurajima tightened her grip on Badr's hand.
She realized her ability's influence had lifted.
As Badr had said, such negative rumours played on people's gossip instincts, spreading like wildfire and taking effect almost immediately.
However, this also meant trouble for Badr!
She looked into the distance, where several cars were parked, and the reporters were eagerly discussing something.
As the reporters arrived, memories of Mai Sakurajima were restored in their minds, and they realized it was big news.
After all, it was Mai Sakurajima!
From a child star to a beloved figure known by many, she had never had any scandals. Now, news had finally surfaced, guaranteed to catch everyone's eye!
Some reporters were already ecstatic, dancing with excitement.
"It's Mai Sakurajima! This is huge news..."
"Look, there she is!"
Someone spotted Mai Sakurajima and also noticed Badr holding her hand.
Suddenly, all the cameras pointed at the two of them...
Watching the eager reporters rushing over, Badr stepped forward, shielding Mai Sakurajima.
The reporters were excited, like starving people who suddenly saw food, eager not to miss out.
Seeing their eagerness, Mai Sakurajima tightened her grip on Badr's hand.
Noticing this, Badr turned back and smiled at her.
"Don't worry; you should have more experience dealing with these guys than me."
"…Yes, so let me handle this."
Mai Sakurajima calmed down, wanting to protect Badr.
She knew all too well the nature of reporters who could twist anything. If not handled well, it could turn into a big mess.
She had to step forward, or some unscrupulous reporters would torment Badr.
But Badr shook his head to stop her.
"It's too late to explain. They won't let us off no matter what we say."
He knew that explaining to reporters was futile, especially to entertainment journalists and paparazzi who would do anything for a scoop.
Even if clarified, they twist his words to create sensational headlines and rumours.
Mai Sakurajima was puzzled;
Badr seemed confident and unconcerned.
Seeing his calm demeanour, she tried to stay calm as well;
She knew Badr wasn't reckless, so he must have a plan.
At that moment, the reporters finally reached Badr and Mai Sakurajima after their sprint.
Microphones like guns pointed at them, almost surrounding them.
"Hello, Miss Mai, I'm a reporter from Gossip Entertainment..."
"Hello, we're reporters from Evening Entertainment..."
A cacophony of voices tried to ask questions, and Badr frowned, stepping forward.
His body surged with magical power, and he suddenly exuded an intimidating aura.
To the reporters, Badr seemed terrifying.
His eyes appeared fierce, and just a glance made them shiver.
They didn't know where this feeling came from, only that the boy was intimidating.
They instinctively stepped back, staring at Badr, too scared to speak.
"Do you have something to ask?" Badr inquired knowingly.
"Uh, hello. We want to interview you. Can you tell us your relationship with Miss Mai Sakurajima?" a female reporter timidly asked, more scared of Badr than her boss, fearing to say the wrong thing.
"I'm her boyfriend," Badr stated plainly.
The reporters' eyes lit up, then looked at Mai Sakurajima for confirmation.
Mai stood quietly behind Badr, not responding.
To them, this was as good as an admission.
A daring reporter seized the chance to ask Mai Sakurajima:
"There's a rumour that your boyfriend is two-timing. Are you aware of this, Miss Mai?"
Everyone perked up, the reporter's sharp question aiming straight at the heart.
Mai stepped forward calmly.
"That's a rumour."
The reporter wasn't satisfied, pointing the microphone at Badr.
"What does he have to say?"
Badr smiled enigmatically.
"So what if it's true? It's no big deal, right?"
Mai was shocked. What was Badr doing?
Was he giving them leverage against himself?
Did he accidentally say the wrong thing?
Mai's mind raced, figuring out how to cover for him.
But the reporters weren't easy to fool, immediately pressing:
"You think it's okay to do two?"
"Why not? Isn't it? I intend to date multiple people. Any problem with that?" Badr retorted.
No one noticed his eyes glowing faintly blue.
The reporters froze, their gazes becoming dazed, and they echoed Badr's words:
"Yeah, it's not a big deal..."
"Such a small thing, it doesn't matter..."
Mai Sakurajima was stunned.
What was happening to them?
Had they been bewitched?
Badr smirked.
It seemed effective.
The reporters stood there, mumbling, leaving Mai Sakurajima bewildered.
But she quickly realized it was Badr's doing.
"What did you do to them?"
"Just a simple spell," Badr smiled. "In essence, I altered their common sense."
"Altering common sense?" She still didn't fully understand.
"Well... let's say, for instance, normally people would find streaking on the street shameful. After altering their common sense, they'd think it's completely normal."
He then offered, "Want me to demonstrate?"
"No way!"
Mai was startled, and quickly refused.
What a terrifying ability!
"Being able to do that... it's almost Devilic..." she muttered.
"...I am a Devil," Badr shrugged.
He had learned this spell from Rias and her group;
Despite the coexistence agreement between supernatural beings and humans, conflicts still occurred frequently, often violently, yet these events never reached the human world.
The reason was this spell.
With it, even if Devils and angels fought naked, humans around wouldn't notice.
That's the terrifying power of altering common sense, a simple spell widely used by Devils and fallen angels.
With this spell, Badr was confident he could handle these reporters.
For him, dealing with them was the easiest part...
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