After dinner, Mai Sakurajima took the initiative to handle the washing up and cleaning.
A former national idol-level actress, with her slender yet curvaceous figure and flawlessly exquisite features.
How nice.
Is this the leisurely life of an exorcist?
Ye Xing pondered carefully and realised there was a significant vacancy in the current Supernatural Society.
Rio Futaba served as both a combat strategist and an intelligence analyst.
Yui Yuigahama was the image ambassador.
Miko Yotsuya was the frontline operative.
And Hachishaku-sama was the model employee.
What they lacked was someone to cook!
Not to mention Yui Yuigahama—her culinary skills had already transcended worldly levels, reaching artistic heights.
Rio Futaba and Miko Yotsuya usually relied on convenience store bentos, so they probably weren't much good at cooking either.
In short.
They needed a chef.
Of course, while Ye Xing was eccentric, he wasn't eccentric enough to recruit Mai Sakurajima into the Supernatural Society just to enjoy delicious meals every day.
However.
He did have genuine intentions of inviting her to join.
After all, over these past few days, she'd been listening in on their society's conversations. Though she couldn't see evil spirits, she already knew the truth of this world.
Moreover, there was another reason.
Just as he'd originally speculated.
Miko Yotsuya's awakening wasn't an isolated case.
Rio Futaba's awakening of Soul Materialisation proved that even those without innate spiritual power could develop abilities to combat evil spirits.
The prerequisite was first recognising the existence of evil spirits, then confronting one's inner self.
The simplest mass-production method?
Dispatch them to the Reverse World to face their true selves.
Throw in a few thousand people—some were bound to awaken. Those who didn't would just get torn apart by evil spirits.
A certain failed art student: Young man, I can see you're quite the talent.
Though he thought so, Ye Xing wouldn't actually do it.
There was one prerequisite for nurturing psychics.
That was ensuring the person would definitely become an asset after awakening, rather than turning into an obstacle.
Just then, Ye Xing's phone rang.
Upon answering, Rio Futaba's voice came through with her usual calm tone.
"By the way, there's something I forgot to ask you."
"What is it? If it's about a date, let me check my schedule first."
"Stop being ridiculous."
Rio Futaba sighed before speaking softly.
"Before Yurikawa left, you seemed to have said something to her?"
"Mhm."
Ye Xing didn't bother denying it, replying directly.
"I told her: if you think that thing was human, then you're a murderer just like us - an even more serious accomplice."
"If you saw the corpse dissolve into black smoke and believe it was truly an evil spirit, as I said, then we've committed no crime. Instead, we're heroes protecting innocent lives."
"Either way, calling the police wouldn't be a wise choice for her."
Hearing this, Rio Futaba fell silent for a long moment before responding with complicated emotions.
"You... really know how to exploit people's weaknesses."
"I just don't trust her, that's all."
"Have you considered inviting Hana Yurikawa into our Supernatural Society? Miko mentioned she has an exceptionally strong life aura that naturally counters evil spirits."
"Not for now."
Ye Xing shook his head, thinking exorcism required certain qualifications.
Honestly, he could hardly imagine the airheaded Hana Yurikawa mustering the courage to fight evil spirits.
Besides.
They weren't particularly close - just classmates.
No need.
"Alright, we'll talk more at school tomorrow."
After saying this, Rio Futaba paused before adding in a voice barely louder than a mosquito's whisper.
"Um... goodnight."
"Mhm, goodnight."
After hanging up, Mai Sakurajima's voice came through - pretending to be calm but carrying a hint of jealousy.
"Getting calls this late? Did that Yurikawa girl fall for you after your heroic rescue?"
"Fall for me? That won't do."
Mai blinked before realising the implication, her fair cheeks flushing pink. She attempted to stomp on Ye Xing's foot with her black-stockinged left foot, but he nimbly dodged.
"No dirty jokes allowed."
Ye Xing said righteously.
"Your phrasing was ambiguous."
Mai Sakurajima: "?"
'So now it's my fault?'
"Whatever, I'm going to bed."
Mai turned away, thinking she had no right to ask questions anyway - they weren't lovers.
Which raised the question.
What exactly was their relationship now?
Roommates sharing the same roof?
Actually, Mai had a more direct term in mind, but couldn't bring herself to face it.
Parasite.
Wasn't she just like a parasite now?
Without Ye Xing, she couldn't even live normally.
But what if Ye Xing left her?
Life would go on as usual.
Even without her, didn't he have Miko Yotsuya, Yui Yuigahama, and Rio Futaba by his side?
Did her existence truly hold any special meaning for Ye Xing?
Mai Sakurajima's mood sank.
...
Meanwhile, after entering his bedroom, Ye Xing pulled up a long-saved but never-dialled number on his phone.
Ring Ring.
After several rings, the call connected.
"Hello, who's speaking?"
Haruno Yukinoshita's voice was calm, betraying no emotion.
"It's me, it's me! I'm Batman, don't you remember?"
"Batman?"
Haruno blinked in surprise, wondering how a foreigner knew her.
Then she recognised Ye Xing's voice and chuckled behind her hand.
"What Batman? So it's you."
Ye Xing thought - typical Haruno Yukinoshita.
Even after just one meeting, she could recognise his voice.
"I need your help with something."
Hearing this, Haruno responded without hesitation.
"Go ahead."
She remembered owing him a favour.
That office building project was worth far more than a mere 500,000 yen to Yukinoshita Construction.
And Haruno considered something else.
If an office building project held such value...
How should one measure the worth of a genuine exorcist?
Could that even be quantified in money?
Haruno's mind was sharp.
She'd already considered how establishing ties with an exorcist like Ye Xing could greatly benefit her family's business.
Perhaps even elevating them to become Japan's largest construction company wasn't just wishful thinking.
Moreover...
Haruno Yukinoshita found Ye Xing himself, this boy in her sister's class, rather interesting.
"Here's the thing..."
Ye Xing explained his plan to Haruno.
Though he couldn't see her expression, he could tell she had furrowed her brows.
"Are you sure? Your plan would require significant expenditure - we're talking millions, even tens of millions, plus our company's reputation."
Ye Xing chuckled dismissively.
"What, can't you make the decision?"
"That's not the issue."
After brief consideration, Haruno agreed.
"Alright, no problem."
Then Ye Xing's next words left her stunned.
"Good. Then you owe me a favour."
"Huh?"
Haruno was flabbergasted.
Wait - Yukinoshita Construction spends millions, and we end up owing YOU a favour?
Isn't that backwards?
"Don't be surprised."
Ye Xing said casually.
"That's a former national-level idol actress making her first public appearance in years. This will spark nationwide discussion in Japan. Doesn't Yukinoshita Construction want to expand beyond Chiba Prefecture? The publicity value here is beyond monetary measurement."
On the other end of the phone, Haruno pouted. Though she knew Ye Xing couldn't see it, she still rolled her eyes while silently grumbling to herself.
'Some former nationally famous idol actress... I've never even heard of this Mai Sakurajima person.'
To be honest, in Haruno's eyes...
This money might as well be thrown into the sea.
Even so, after weighing the value of having a genuine exorcist like Ye Xing, she replied without hesitation.
"Fine, consider this another favour I owe you."
Then, a sudden urge to tease Ye Xing surfaced in Haruno's mind. Adopting an extremely seductive, smiling tone, she brought her lips close to the phone - close enough for her breathing to be audible - and whispered:
"How about... I take you on a date?"
Contrary to her expectations, Ye Xing remained as composed as ever, showing none of the flustered reactions typical of an innocent high school boy being teased. Instead, he even countered with slight amusement:
"No problem. After dinner, does the dating itinerary include experiencing the waterbed at a love hotel?"
Haruno froze momentarily before her cheeks instantly flushed red.
Forget about love hotel waterbeds...
She'd never even been in a relationship.
Born into the Yukinoshita family environment...
Yukino felt she'd always been under pressure from her excessively outstanding elder sister.
Haruno was no different.
Because their mother said the elder sister should set an exemplary model for the younger one.
As the eldest daughter of the Yukinoshita family, Haruno had carried that unbearably heavy expectation since childhood.
She'd only meant to tease Ye Xing, never expecting his level to be this advanced.
'Have high schoolers already evolved to this point?'
"A-anyway, I'll arrange it as soon as possible. It'll be ready by Saturday noon. That's all, goodbye."
Listening to Haruno hastily hang up the phone, Ye Xing thought she was far too easy to tease.
He hadn't even properly started his verbal barrage yet—this was just the opening line.
Could she really have mistaken him for one of those overly innocent male leads from romance anime?
"Still... this is quite the favour."
Ye Xing set down his phone and murmured to himself.
In Haruno Yukinoshita's eyes, the name Mai Sakurajima should be completely unfamiliar, with all related memories erased.
Under such circumstances, offering millions in assistance solely because of his request was truly remarkable.
Even more remarkable was this:
From start to finish, Haruno Yukinoshita hadn't shown the slightest intention of making him owe her a favour to be repaid later. It felt entirely like a trivial gesture between friends.
What is the highest level of favours?
This is it—helping tremendously while making the other party feel they owe nothing at all.
Haruno Yukinoshita is indeed no ordinary figure.
...
The next day, in Class 1-A at Sobu High School.
Hana Yurikawa held a cream bun but, unusually, had lost her appetite, eventually letting out a heavy sigh.
On their way home yesterday, Miko Yotsuya had told her everything.
Evil spirits exist in this world.
At first, Hana Yurikawa refused to believe it.
How could such things as evil spirits exist?
Miko only needed two pieces of evidence to render her speechless.
First:
Have you ever seen a human tongue stretch seven or eight metres, clashing against a sharpened blade with metallic clangs?
Second:
Have you ever seen a human corpse dissolve into black smoke, vanishing without a trace?
However naive and airheaded Hana might be, her admission to Sobu High proved she wasn't intellectually deficient.
What troubled Hana wasn't the existence of evil spirits themselves. According to Miko, ordinary people like her couldn't even see them, and as long as they avoided monsters like yesterday's, there'd be no danger.
What truly robbed her of appetite and peace was Miko's role in fighting these spirits.
Hana could tell—yesterday's battle had nearly cost them their lives.
Honestly, she'd felt utterly hopeless then.
And as an exorcist, did Miko face such terrifying monsters daily, silently protecting Kyoto?
Hana had no idea.
Had Miko heard this, she'd have laughed aloud.
Terror?
Yesterday's creature was powerful, sure—but terrifying?
Not even close.
At least apart from the elongated tongue and distorted face, it retained a vaguely human form.
Among the evil spirits Miko had encountered, far more horrifying ones were countless.
Moreover, Miko's definition of terror differed from Hana's.
The real despair was watching those things surround her, powerless to resist, forced to endure while pretending nothing was wrong.
Now that she had the ability to combat evil spirits, Miko Yotsuya couldn't possibly feel afraid when facing them anymore.
Like to surround me?
I'll slash you all to pieces!
At that moment, a familiar voice pulled Hana Yurikawa back to reality.
"Good morning, Yurikawa-san."
"M-Miko?"
Hana looked up to see Miko's expression completely normal, nodding at her with the same calm demeanour as always before returning to her seat.
For some reason...
Hana suddenly exhaled in relief, shaking her head with a wry smile.
Why was she overcomplicating things?
As long as Miko and Yui still treated her like a friend, evil spirits didn't matter at all. What was important was maintaining their good relationship.
With this realisation, Hana felt a weight lift from her shoulders.
As her thoughts relaxed, a pang of hunger struck her stomach. She hurriedly grabbed the cream bun from her desk and took a big bite.
Savouring the sweet, smooth cream and the fluffy yet chewy bread, Hana's face broke into a blissful smile.
Evil spirits?
Not as important as eating.
...
After morning and afternoon exams concluded, regardless of how they performed, students collectively sighed in relief.
In the Supernatural Society clubroom.
Yui Yuigahama stretched with great enthusiasm, her face alight with excitement as she cheered:
"Hey, Miko, Rio, spring break's finally here! Any plans? Want to hang out together?"
"Hmm..."
Rio Futaba stirred the coffee in her beaker thoughtfully, stealing a glance at Ye Xing, who sat by the window, gazing at the scenery outside. She asked nonchalantly:
"Captain, any club activities planned for spring break?"
"We'll go somewhere together later, then you can relax for a few days before discussing club activities," Ye Xing waved lazily.
"The old man hasn't given us any commissions recently, school's out, and Miko hasn't found any more Gates - just the last one remaining as a passage to the Reverse World. You're free during spring break."
Then his tone shifted as he remarked:
"Though I'm surprised spring break lasts ten whole days."
"Ten days?"
Yui looked puzzled. "Did you miscount? Isn't it five?"
Ye Xing countered:
"Tomorrow's Friday, plus two weekend days, then seven days next week - doesn't that make exactly ten?"
"Huh?"
Not just Yui, but both Rio and Miko wore expressions of bewilderment.
"The weekend was always going to be days off anyway. Tomorrow's just relaxation after exams, so we only count the five weekdays next week as holidays. Who counts weekends that were already free as part of the break?"
The three girls' matter-of-fact tones and expressions left Ye Xing speechless.
Right.
Weekends were supposed to be free anyway - why count them as holidays?
If Yui and the others knew that some schools not only counted weekends as holidays but also required students to make up all those days afterwards, what would they think?
Unbelievable...
As the three girls discussed their plans for spring break, Mai Sakurajima, who stood beside Ye Xing, suddenly spoke softly.
"Since you have no plans for the holiday, would you accompany me to a place outside Kyoto City?"
Then Mai Sakurajima deliberately emphasised:
"Just the two of us."