When afternoon exams concluded, the Society members gathered again in their clubroom.
Rio Futaba looked at Ye Xing and said flatly, "I've confirmed the security details. It's tight, but not as extreme as I imagined - no Self-Defence Forces with heavy weaponry stationed there."
Ye Xing shrugged with a smile. "Naturally. Compared to unlikely security risks, having civilians see rifles or shotguns would cause greater panic. This isn't America after all."
"Hmm." Rio nodded slightly before continuing with the intelligence gathered over two days.
The exhibition venue was Kyoto City Museum - the obvious choice. Onimaru Kunitsuna, passed down through Japan's history across symbolic eras including Hojo, Oda and Toyotomi periods, deserved nothing less than the finest exhibition space.
Opening at 9 am, closing at 5 pm.
The site featured infrared alarms directly linked to the Kyoto Metropolitan Police Department, bulletproof display cases, and comprehensive CCTV coverage.
These detailed insights didn't come from her own investigations. The Society's best employee, Hachishaku-sama, had conducted the reconnaissance.
Sending evil spirits for such tasks was perfect. Invisible to cameras, leaving no traces, capable of passing through walls.
According to Hachishaku-sama's report, the exhibited Onimaru Kunitsuna was undoubtedly genuine. She couldn't even enter the innermost exhibition hall, limited to peripheral observation - definitive proof of its authenticity.
When assessing the power of a spiritual object, evil spirits are considered the ultimate authorities.
Unfortunately, Hachishaku-sama couldn't operate independently in the Reverse World. With her Gate powers, she'd be considered premium nourishment by other evil spirits.
Moreover.
Hachishaku-sama's limited strength prevented her from approaching Onimaru Kunitsuna, let alone stealing it.
After compiling all the information and analysing it, Rio Futaba reached her own conclusion.
Seven minutes.
That was the absolute limit from triggering the museum's alarms to Ye Xing's safe retreat.
Any later, and the Self-Defence Forces armed with heavy weaponry might arrive on the scene.
We're talking sniper rifles, submachine guns, shotguns, tear gas – an entire arsenal.
Rio knew Ye Xing could summon Hachishaku-sama and the ghost hand as physical entities to block bullets.
The question was: how many could they block?
They'd likely get shot straight through.
Therefore, to avoid any insurmountable danger, Rio set seven minutes as the safety threshold.
"If we exceed this time, have Hachishaku-sama open a Gate for immediate retreat. Understood?"
Though Rio's tone remained calm, the concern and worry in her eyes and voice were unmistakable.
"Got it," Ye Xing replied with a smile.
Yet his mind harboured other plans.
There was one factor Rio hadn't considered.
Hachishaku-sama's ability allowed her to create Gates between worlds at any location.
But during the seven-day cooldown period, she couldn't create a second Gate elsewhere.
This meant choosing between:
-Entering the Reverse World from a hidden, camera-free location.
-Having Hachishaku-sama open a Gate directly inside the museum after obtaining Onimaru Kunitsuna.
After the theft of a national treasure like Onimaru Kunitsuna, the Metropolitan Police Department would likely spare no effort reviewing all of Kyoto's surveillance footage.
Through systematic comparison, they'd easily notice an unidentified handsome high school boy entering a deserted area, remaining off-camera for dozens of minutes before reappearing.
This alone wouldn't immediately identify Ye Xing as the suspect, but would certainly place him under intense scrutiny.
Ye Xing preferred greater caution – since Soichiro Yagami was involved, the world's greatest detective, L, might have joined the investigation.
The first method would leave no traces.
But it would require breaking through police cordons after obtaining the sword, then reaching the nearest Gate to return to the Reverse World.
Option one: cautious yet dangerous. Option two: higher risk but might leave clues.
Most crucially...
Hachishaku-sama's current power couldn't even approach Onimaru Kunitsuna, proving that such high-level spiritual objects severely suppress evil spirits.
After obtaining the sword, would the suppressed Hachishaku-sama still be able to open Gates?
Ye Xing wasn't sure.
With uncertainties, he always prepared for worst-case scenarios.
He pondered which approach would be most reasonable and least prone to mishaps.
However...
He still held one trump card.
The End of Eight Million.
Unlike Miko Yotsuya, Ye Xing had never invoked his Soul Materialisation's true name.
This meant that until now, he had never fought at full strength.
The confidence Tamamo-no-Mae had sensed back then stemmed precisely from this.
Perhaps the first to witness his full power weren't the evil spirits, but those from the Metropolitan Police Department and Self-Defence Forces?
If true, that would indeed be rather darkly humorous.
Just then, Ye Xing suddenly raised his hand, silencing the members who wanted to speak further, and said softly:
"Someone's coming."
About six or seven seconds after he spoke, Yui Yuigahama and the others finally heard footsteps gradually approaching the clubroom door.
The members were stunned.
What kind of hearing was this?
Through the clubroom door, he could detect footsteps dozens of metres away?
Are you some kind of deity?
Rio Futaba, however, gave Ye Xing a glance, her eyes showing sudden understanding.
No wonder.
He'd chosen the clubroom's location in a corner of the school building where people rarely passed by.
Rio had initially thought that with Ye Xing's privileged status, he could easily get a better clubroom - the school would probably even make other societies vacate their rooms for the Society if he asked.
She'd assumed it was out of consideration for others.
Turns out, it was for this reason.
Rio increasingly felt that Ye Xing's intellect might not be inferior to her own - perhaps even superior.
It's just that he often couldn't be bothered to think deeply, claiming it was to conserve energy for potential battles at any moment.
So, what should her position in the Society be called?
Ye Xing's brain substitute?
Swish.
The clubroom door slid open, and a voice brimming with vitality - warm like midday sunshine in early spring - came through with a laugh:
"Hello everyone! Yotsuya-san, Yuigahama-san, Ye Xing-san, and... hmm, this unfamiliar student here, hello!"
Rio looked up and froze when she saw the orange-haired girl.
Ye Xing also nodded slightly, his eyes showing an inscrutable emotion.
'I thought Rio Futaba's figure was peerless.'
'Who knew there was someone even more formidable?'
Of course, he recognised this busty, short-haired girl whose energy and certain assets seemed ready to burst out at any moment - it was just a meme reference.
Hana Yurikawa, a classmate of his, Yui Yuigahama and Miko Yotsuya.
In the original storyline, Hana was Miko's closest friend.
Under Ye Xing's influence, that position had been taken by Yui and Rio.
Not that Hana was excluded - her cheerful personality meant she often chatted with Miko and Yui, though their relationship wasn't as close as between Society members.
"Yurikawa-san?"
"This is the Supernatural Quantum Mechanics Research Society, right? I didn't come to the wrong place?"
Hana's expression of pure innocence, paired with her astonishing figure, perfectly embodied that phrase.
Baby-faced with huge...
Better not say it.
"Correct, this is the Supernatural Quantum Mechanics Research Society."
Rio poured a cup of coffee, pushed it forward, and gestured to a seat.
"Yurikawa-san, please have a seat."
"Eh? We get coffee too? Thank you!"
Hana Yurikawa thought this was a welfare perk for submitting a commission. After thanking them, she sat down.
Little did she know, ordinary people didn't receive such treatment.
No—ordinary clients wouldn't even step through the door of this clubroom.
Especially after last week, when Ye Xing delivered a spectacular KO to those male students who liked gossiping behind people's backs. This had only reinforced that unspoken rule.
This was the first time a non-Society member had ever tasted the coffee brewed by Rio Futaba.
"Ah, it's bitter..."
Hana took a sip from the beaker and couldn't help but exclaim, then hurriedly waved her hands in explanation.
"Um... I'm not saying the coffee is bad! It's just that I'm more of a sweets person."
Rio furrowed her brows slightly at this.
It wasn't that she was displeased with Hana's dislike of coffee—people had all sorts of tastes, and not enjoying coffee was perfectly normal.
But Rio had a feeling.
This girl... why did she seem a bit like Yui Yuigahama?
How should she describe this aura?
Rio suddenly remembered the term Ye Xing often used when talking about Yui.
Pure, unadulterated foolishness.
Yes, that was exactly it.
"Wh-what is it?"
Yui, noticing Rio glancing at her, grew flustered.
"No, nothing."
"I feel like you were just looking at me like I'm stupid."
"You're overthinking it."
"No, I'm not."
"Why are you so sure?"
"Whether I'm stupid or not, I'd know, wouldn't I?"
"...Fine, you win."
Hana watched the banter between Rio and Miko Yotsuya with a hint of surprise.
Before coming here, she hadn't expected the Society to have such a relaxed atmosphere.
"Alright, let's get to the point."
Rio turned to Hana, her tone calm.
"Yurikawa-san, have you come to request help with a supernatural incident?"
"Well... yes?"
Hana's voice was hesitant as she scratched her head sheepishly.
"I'm not sure if it counts as supernatural, but lately, my shoulders have felt really heavy, and I've been inexplicably exhausted. I also have to keep eating, or I'll get hungry, and I've been feeling really listless."
Miko glanced at Hana's stretched-out school uniform and silently mused.
Are you sure your shoulders feel heavy and it's not just because of... certain overly exaggerated proportions?
But then, Hana's next words instantly made everyone's expressions turn serious.
"But the weird thing is, as soon as I get to school, that feeling disappears. Then, on my way home after classes, it comes back. Could it be that I've fallen in love with school? That doesn't make sense, though..."
Rio, Miko, Yui, and Ye Xing exchanged glances and nodded in unison.
Yes, this was undeniably a supernatural case.
The reason was simple.
If Hana felt unwell every single day, it might have been due to illness or adolescent anxiety.
But according to her, the symptoms vanished the moment she entered school.
The truth was obvious.
Hana Yurikawa's life aura is significantly stronger than that of an average person.
In the eyes of Miko Yotsuya and Ye Xing, she seemed enveloped in a radiant glow.
To evil spirits, this was both deadly and irresistibly alluring.
To protect Hana's safety, her life aura automatically eliminated any approaching evil spirits.
However, this process also drained her stamina.
The result was physical exhaustion and an abnormally large appetite.
Yet this sensation would vanish once she arrived at school, confirming the involvement of evil spirits.
Sobu High School was practically a forbidden zone for evil spirits.
Because Ye Xing was there.
Having devoured thousands of evil spirits, the pressure he exuded was akin to an ordinary person facing Homelander—common spectres didn't dare approach.
"Hmm..."
Miko nodded noncommittally, exchanging glances with the others before speaking.
"In that case, I'll walk home with you to see if there's anything unusual along the way. Is that alright, Yurikawa-san?"
"Totally OK!"
Rio Futaba also stood up, speaking calmly.
"I'll come too."
Miko agreed without hesitation.
"Alright, let's go together. What about you, Yui?"
Those who couldn't see evil spirits wouldn't be harmed by them.
Unless the spirit in question was like Hachishaku-sama—merged with a Gate, capable of dragging targets into the Reverse World.
But if that were the case, Hana would already be dead. Even if she survived, such a powerful spectre wouldn't be scared away from Sobu High by Ye Xing's presence.
So Rio, as an ordinary person, likely wouldn't face any danger.
Yui Yuigahama shook her head with a sigh.
"I'll pass. I need to walk Sable later, then study tonight. Maybe last-minute cramming will help."
Rio needed no explanation—not only was she perfect in sciences, but her humanities grades were excellent too.
Miko's results were above average.
Only Yui was the type who, when working hard, might reach mid-tier, but one slip could easily lead to failing a subject.
The spring exams would be a real challenge for her.
After the others left, Ye Xing also stood up, turning to Mai Sakurajima, who leaned against the window, her pretty face bathed in sunlight with a hint of languid charm.
"How were today's exams?"
"Don't ask."
Mai puffed her cheeks, the angry expression making her resemble a hamster—an adorable contrast to her usual mature demeanour.
"Nobody even gave me an exam paper."
"Can't help that. You chose to take them, so whose fault is it?"
"Tch."
As Ye Xing picked up his bag to leave, Mai quickly followed, curious.
"Going home?"
"No."
He shook his head.
"Going to check on Miko and the others."
"Eh? Then why didn't you leave with them earlier?"
Ye Xing's real thoughts: Though he'd already noticed the peculiarities of this incident, as a proper exorcist, Miko needed to face challenges to grow.
His reply: "Wouldn't that mean I couldn't talk to you anymore?"
Facing those smiling eyes and these lethally charming words, the high-offence-low-defence Mai Sakurajima instantly blushed.
"Tch, fine. You've performed decently enough, junior. I'll cook for you tonight."
"Great, I'm looking forward to it."
The same action, explained with two different reasons, could lead to two entirely different outcomes.
Mai Sakurajima's cooking was indeed quite good.
Compared to Yui Yuigahama's though...
Well, there was no comparison.
Mai Sakurajima lost.
Her cooking could only be considered tasty.
Yui Yuigahama had transcended to another realm entirely - her bitter melon stir-fry tasted neither of bitter melon nor meat, only curry.
What kind of mastery was this?
Seeing mountains as not mountains, seeing water as not water.
The grandmaster Yui Yuigahama is truly impressive.
...
Ten minutes later, on a certain street.
Hana Yurikawa was visibly excited, constantly pulling Rio Futaba into conversation.
Though somewhat resigned, the latter still responded intermittently.
Rio Futaba had come to realise something.
She wasn't good at dealing with this kind of naturally sociable, simple people.
Whether it was Yui Yuigahama or the endlessly energetic Hana Yurikawa.
They were the natural nemeses of a science prodigy like herself.
While these two conversed, Miko Yotsuya fell into silence, her mind racing.
Something wasn't right.
Yet she couldn't quite put her finger on it.
Miko glanced at Hachishaku-sama, following beside her, then thought about Hyakume, who had now grown to thirteen eyes.
Such a combination wouldn't be underestimated even in the Reverse World.
Moreover, this was humanity's home ground - the real-world Kyoto.
There... shouldn't be any problems.
Just then, a man in a black hoodie whose face couldn't be seen brushed past the trio.
Miko watched as the life glow emanating from Hana Yurikawa visibly dimmed at his passing.
"What's this!?"
"Ah, I suddenly feel so tired."
Hana Yurikawa stretched her arms, yawned, and rubbed her eyes, looking utterly exhausted, her eyelids drooping heavily.
"I really want... to just sleep right here."
Without hesitation, Miko Yotsuya sharply commanded.
"Open your eyes, Hyakume!"
"Hachishaku-sama!"
As Hyakume materialised through Soul Materialisation, Hachishaku-sama simultaneously drew a long sword from within herself and handed it to Miko.
Clang!
Sensing the faint breeze behind her, Miko didn't hesitate. She turned and swung the blade, colliding with a long, writhing tongue.
"So it's true."
Gritting her teeth, Miko felt a surge of frustration as she stared at the man who had removed his hood. Though his facial features remained normal, his expression was twisted, no longer resembling a human.
She hadn't noticed it at all.
Hana Yurikawa had indeed encountered an evil spirit.
But the reason Miko hadn't detected any supernatural phenomena wasn't because she couldn't see them.
It was because this evil spirit had already merged with a human.