Just as Shizuka had speculated, the senior staff of Shuchi'in Academy were gathered in a meeting at that very moment.
The subject of their discussion? Sobu High School.
Or more precisely, Ye Xing from Sobu High's Class 1-A.
What kind of institution was Shuchi'in Academy?
Hailed as the cradle of Japan's future elite, its teaching staff, facilities, and student intake were undeniably the nation's finest.
Advanced Nurturing High School's claim was a 100% employment rate for graduates—whether their ambitions lay in politics, corporate leadership, or the arts.
But Shuchi'in Academy was different.
This school had only one signature feature: Japan's most outstanding high school.
That was enough.
Yet reality had delivered a stinging slap.
Since its founding, every single top scorer in Japan's joint examinations—without exception—had chosen to enrol at Shuchi'in.
The finest students attending the finest school—this was only natural.
However, this year's top scorer in Japan's national university entrance exams chose to enrol at the utterly ordinary Sobu High School—a school several tiers below the prestigious private Shuchi'in Academy, completely incomparable in standing.
What is this?
This is a blatant insult!
The most outstanding student of their generation didn't choose you.
How can Shuchi'in Academy still claim to be the best school in Japan after this?
At the very least, in the eyes of Ye Xing, this year's top student, they are not the best.
This is something that the historically proud and self-important Shuchi'in Academy absolutely cannot tolerate.
"Tell me, what should we do next?"
The VIPs of Shuchi'in Academy gathered to discuss countermeasures.
"Without a doubt," a middle-aged man said solemnly, "the only way to prove Shuchi'in Academy's superiority is to crush that student named Ye Xing head-on in the exams. In fact, this would have an even greater impact."
"A genius who originally topped the national exams, yet after choosing to enrol in the mediocre Sobu High School, becomes mediocre and incompetent himself."
"Only through such a stark contrast can we showcase the excellence of Shuchi'in Academy's faculty."
"In the future, whenever someone thinks they can rely on talent to make arbitrary choices, that Ye Xing fellow will serve as a cautionary tale."
Hearing these ruthless words, spoken as if dealing with an enemy on the battlefield, the Shuchi'in Academy officials couldn't help but smile.
"This is a good plan."
"Though it's somewhat beneath Shuchi'in Academy's dignity to compete with a mere Sobu High School, even a slumbering lion must occasionally hunt to remind ignorant prey who the true ruler is."
"Crush Sobu High School. Shatter their delusions in the most brutal way."
Amidst the self-important, prideful remarks, an untimely question suddenly arose.
"But... what if we lose?"
"Lose?"
The middle-aged man who spoke first frowned slightly and scoffed.
"Have you forgotten? Among our first-year students this year, we have the academically gifted commoner prodigy, as well as the young lady from the Shinomiya conglomerate. How could we possibly lose to a mere Sobu High School?"
"The excellence of these two is something that shortsighted fools who choose to enrol at Sobu High School and wallow in mediocrity could never hope to reach."
"Moreover, after a semester of training at Shuchi'in Academy, how could we possibly lose to students from a place like Sobu High School?"
With that, the middle-aged man spoke decisively, delivering the final verdict.
"The time is set for a month and a half from now—the end-of-term exams in late June. I will notify Sobu High School's administration."
...
A peaceful week passed quickly, and Friday arrived.
"Futaba-san, look here, it's like this..."
Inside the Supernatural Society's clubroom, a curtain had been drawn.
Ye Xing sat outside the curtain, guarding the door.
Mai Sakurajima, Rio Futaba, Yui Yuigahama, and Miko Yotsuya were inside with Marin Kitagawa, learning chest-binding techniques from her.
Logically speaking, the first three, though well-endowed, weren't at a point where binding was strictly necessary.
But it was better to be safe than sorry.
If Mai Sakurajima and Yui Yuigahama were to awaken Soul Materialisation abilities in the future and needed to disguise their appearances, they might as well take this opportunity to learn how to do so properly.
Moreover.
They were also curious to witness the miraculous effect Marin Kitagawa had described - how with skilful techniques and professional props, even Rio Futaba's astonishingly large bust could be made to show no visible traces.
"Um... Kitagawa-san."
Hearing Rio Futaba's call, Marin Kitagawa - who was intently binding the other girl's chest - didn't even look up, merely responding with a smile.
"No need to be so formal, just call me Marin."
"Then... alright, Marin."
"What is it, Rio?"
Looking at Marin's serious expression as she focused on the task, Rio asked softly:
"Why do you enjoy dressing up as someone else like this?"
Marin didn't find the question offensive at all.
On the contrary, she felt genuinely happy when people asked her about cosplay, responding with a smile immediately.
"Rio, you've got it wrong. Cosplay isn't just about dressing up as someone else."
"It's not just pursuing similarity in appearance and clothing. When cosplaying, your entire demeanour and behaviour should match the character's personality - what we call staying in character."
"As for why I like it..."
Here, Marin paused for a few seconds before continuing with a sweet smile.
"I think... if a character has some shining quality that really attracts me, then when I cosplay as them, in those moments when I become them, I can more or less obtain something I've been pursuing myself."
After saying this, Marin noticed the members of the Supernatural Society all wearing thoughtful expressions. While touched, she couldn't help feeling slightly embarrassed.
"Though I've never properly cosplayed before, this is just my personal understanding - might not be accurate."
"I actually think you explained it very well, Marin."
Mai Sakurajima maintained her flawless smile as she spoke gently.
"The feeling you described - I've experienced it too when acting before. While portraying certain roles, I've gained many things from those characters myself."
"Eh, really?"
Hearing Mai agree with her, Marin's face lit up with excitement.
"Then, Mai-senpai, would you like to try cosplay too?"
"Me?"
Mai chuckled helplessly and waved her hand.
"Probably not me. It would cause too much trouble at the venue."
Marin scratched her head, realising this was true.
Given Mai Sakurajima's fame, her mere presence at any comic convention - even without cosplaying - would cause a sensation.
If that happened, the entire event would probably be ruined.
"Still..."
After finishing with Rio's binding, Marin glanced at the gloomy weather outside and sighed helplessly.
"I read online that because of the frequent heavy rains in Japan recently, many comic conventions have been cancelled. Perhaps it's just the rainy season."
"Yeah."
Yui Yuigahama also wore a troubled expression.
"It's been raining every day. Sable hasn't been able to play outside properly for ages. I really don't know when this awful weather will end."
Rio Futaba said calmly.
"Watch your language, be more civil."
"Hehe."
Yui Yuigahama gave a silly laugh, her gaze shifting to Rio Futaba in her white shirt. Suddenly, her pupils contracted in shock as she covered her mouth with her hand, exclaiming in disbelief.
"R-Rio... your, your... It's gone!"
Mai Sakurajima and the others followed Yuigahama's line of sight to where Futaba was sitting, completely stunned by what they saw.
"H-how is it so flat!?"
Looking at Rio Futaba, who had previously been remarkably well-endowed, now appearing completely flat after binding her chest and wearing a loose white shirt, the members of the Supernatural Society were utterly dumbfounded.
What the hell?
Magic?
Did those two massive things vanish just like that!?
This is practically sorcery!
Seeing everyone's astonished expressions, Marin Kitagawa smirked slightly with pride.
"Hehe, what do you think? I told you it would work."
Then, Marin looked at Rio Futaba, who had stood up from her seat and was stretching, and asked curiously,
"But Rio, why did you want to bind your chest? Are you cosplaying as a male character?"
Futaba was taken aback by the question, her lips parting slightly as she struggled to respond.
She didn't like lying, nor was she good at it.
But could she tell the truth?
That she had bound her chest because last time, her large bust had prevented her from participating in stealing Onimaru Kunitsuna, so she wanted to disguise her gender for the next criminal operation?
Wouldn't that give Marin a little shock as an accomplice?
As Yuigahama, Rio Futaba, and Miko Yotsuya remained silent, it was veteran actress Mai Sakurajima who saved the day.
She gently took Marin's hand and said with a soft smile,
"By the way, Marin, are you in a hurry to go home today? If not, I'd like to treat you to dinner as thanks for your help."
"No need," Marin waved her hand dismissively.
"It's just a small thing. I'd love to have more friends to cosplay with—it's my favourite thing, after all."
With the topic successfully diverted by Mai, the Supernatural Society members breathed a sigh of relief.
Yuigahama chimed in with a smile,
"That may be so, but we should still treat you. After dinner, we can go shopping together. Marin, didn't you mention there's a shop specialising in cosplay props and costumes? I've never been before—I'm curious."
Marin nodded excitedly.
"Sure, sure! Let's go after dinner. I haven't been in a while either."
Outside the curtain, Ye Xing listened to the girls' cheerful chatter and laughter, sighing inwardly.
The camaraderie between girls is truly wonderful.
Only after Rio Futaba removed her chest binding and changed back into her usual clothes did the girls finally draw back the curtain.
Yuigahama approached Ye Xing with a smile and asked,
"Ye Xing, we're going for dinner and then shopping. Want to come along?"
"Absolutely not," Ye Xing refused without hesitation.
Are you kidding?
Ahead lay the abyss, filled with nothing but trouble!
He simply couldn't understand it.
When girls say they're going shopping, do they really mean just aimlessly wandering around?
For him, it was nothing short of torture.
Ye Xing would rather go shopping in the Reverse World than accompany members of the Supernatural Society on a shopping trip.
Rio Futaba was the exception.
When Rio Futaba bought anything, including clothes, her approach was straightforward.
Find the shop, pick the item, pay and leave.
However, recently, Yui Yuigahama and Mai Sakurajima had been trying to persuade Rio to change her usual style of dress.
How could a beautiful high school girl dress like a mad scientist every day?
After their repeated efforts, Rio seemed to have bought a few sets of clothes in a more youthful, cute style—different from her usual attire—but she never wore them.
At school, she never took off her glasses or tied her hair into a high ponytail, maintaining her original look.
"So, where are you going later?"
At Mai Sakurajima's question, Ye Xing stood up and replied casually.
"First, grab some McDonald's. Then, fight in a life-or-death duel. After that, check my evening plans—might spend some intimate time with a beautiful, mature older sister."
Mai chuckled and shook her head.
"Stop talking nonsense. We'll head off first."
Clearly, Mai thought Ye Xing was just being ridiculous again.
Little did she know.
Every word he said was the absolute truth.
...
Half an hour later, McDonald's.
This was the same McDonald's Ye Xing had visited with Yui Yuigahama and Miko Yotsuya after the Kyoto Municipal Kindergarten incident.
It was also one of the few places in Kyoto that evil spirits dared not enter, as mentioned by the ghost of Miko's father.
And the reason was...
"Sir, your order."
A cute girl with twin tails, wearing an employee uniform, gently placed a tray on the table before taking the number tag Ye Xing had left there.
"Enjoy your meal."
Just as she was about to turn away, Ye Xing spoke up casually, as if making idle conversation.
"It's raining again today."
The girl paused, then glanced through the second-floor window at the rain-soaked streets outside and sighed softly.
"Yeah... weather like this just puts you in a bad mood."
Ye Xing also adopted a troubled expression, murmuring to himself.
"Right? I've got something to do later, and the rain's going to mess it up."
Curious, the girl asked, "Is it something important?"
Ye Xing gave a slight nod.
"It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I can't afford to miss it. But the heavens aren't cooperating."
Hearing the undisguised disappointment in his voice and noticing the sorrow etched between his handsome brows, the girl bit her lip and lowered her head, clearly deep in thought.
A few seconds later, she looked up again and offered a comforting smile.
"Don't worry. I think the rain will stop soon."
"Sigh... I hope you're right."
After returning downstairs, the girl first set down the order number tag.
Then, she untied her apron and stepped outside the McDonald's entrance.
Gazing at the nearly deserted streets, drenched in the steady drizzle, and the gloomy sky above, she slowly closed her eyes and clasped her hands together.
The girl began to pray.
...
At the same time, on the second floor, Ye Xing noticed a ripple of spiritual power appearing in the air.
It wasn't the kind of energy fluctuation produced when a psychic used Soul Materialisation abilities.
If he had to describe it...
He'd felt this same type of spiritual power fluctuation when making contracts with Hachishaku-sama, Tamamo-no-Mae, and that Goat-Headed Deity.
Ye Xing's gaze shifted to the window.
The continuous drizzle that had been falling earlier had stopped at some point.
"Found you."
Ye Xing stood up and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, looking up at the sky.
Through the thick clouds, he could vaguely make out a gigantic whale composed entirely of rainwater swimming faintly above the cloud layer.
"A weather-controlling deity, is it..."
He murmured to himself, a hint of fanaticism and excitement surfacing in his eyes.
"I wonder what it would taste like? How intriguing."
Ten minutes later, Ye Xing left McDonald's.
When the girl came upstairs to clear the table, she found a stack of banknotes pressed under the tray, alongside a note that read:
"Thank you for your prayers. They were very helpful."
"This..."
Staring at the stack of money, the girl froze, unsure what to do.
Her first instinct was to return it.
But the customer had already left without leaving any contact details.
Her younger brother happened to need money for schoolbooks soon.
This stack of notes would perfectly solve her predicament.
Several times she reached out to take it, only for her hand to freeze mid-air, unable to commit.
Then a voice called from downstairs.
"Hina, come down quickly! We've got customers waiting to order."
"Oh! Right, coming."
Hina Amano didn't have time to think further. She could only pocket the money for now.
Leaving it here would definitely mean it getting lost.
She had no intention of using someone else's money.
Since that customer had come to eat here this time, perhaps they'd return soon.
She could give it back when she saw them next.
...
Meanwhile, at the entrance of the office tower constructed by Yukinoshita Construction Company.
"Why hasn't he arrived yet?"
Mrs. Yukinoshita couldn't help feeling anxious as she faced the Kyoto Municipal Bank executives and a dozen strange individuals with unnaturally black irises and white pupils who looked distinctly eerie.
Just as Haruno was about to respond, a familiar lazy voice sounded from behind her.
"Tch, what a bother. Let's just get this over with quickly."