"Eh..."
Hearing these words, Hina Amano turned to look and noticed Ye Xing's gaze wasn't on the rainbow but on her. Her heart fluttered, and she shyly lowered her head.
Had she misunderstood?
What he meant by something so beautiful he wanted to keep admiring - was he referring to the rainbow, or to me?
Hina Amano was too embarrassed to speak, wanting to ask but lacking the courage, so she could only softly change the subject.
"Si...since the rain has stopped, le...let's go then."
"Mm, let's go."
After Ye Xing nodded in agreement, he walked shoulder-to-shoulder with Hina Amano, stepping through the puddles on the ground as they left the train station platform.
As they walked, Hina Amano, who had always lived in a big city, looked at the rural surroundings and breathed in the fresh air after the rain. Her originally heavy mood improved considerably.
Of course, the scenery was only secondary.
The main reason for her change of heart was that Hina Amano had resolved her inner conflict.
She had always harboured an exceptionally tangled thought.
She was afraid of disappearing silently, yet she felt that sacrificing herself alone to restore Japan's weather to normal, allowing people to smile again under sunny skies, was something she ought to do.
Hina Amano hadn't told anyone in the Supernatural Society about her physical condition.
The reason for her deliberate concealment was simple.
After these months of interaction, Hina Amano had come to understand everyone's personalities.
Rio Futaba, Miko Yotsuya, Mai Sakurajima, Yui Yuigahama...
Even Saki Kawasaki, who had no abilities, or Kazusa Touma with the coldest temperament - if they were to vote on this matter, there would only be one choice.
That was to eradicate the evil spirit threatening humanity.
Without realising it, Ye Xing and these core members had begun influencing each other.
The Supernatural Quantum Mechanics Research Society would not compromise.
Precisely because of this, Hina Amano didn't want to burden these members, especially since this enemy was not on the same level as before - it was a powerful evil spirit bearing the name of a god.
But after Ye Xing's words earlier, she had suddenly seen the light.
Whether she sacrificed herself or not was no longer important.
If they exchanged an innocent girl's life for a century of normal weather, what would happen after those hundred years?
This operation wasn't just for her, Hina Amano alone, but also for the girls who had become living sacrifices over the past centuries, and to ensure that no more living sacrifices would appear in the long years to come.
After walking along the country path for a while, the red threads representing Itomori Town's deity appeared again, following Ye Xing's footsteps like subtitles, forming a sentence beside him.
"Due to the heavy rain earlier, there are no shuttle buses today."
Seeing this sentence, Hina Amano took the initiative to reply with a smile.
"No need to worry about that. Ye Xing can fly."
"Oh? You can actually fly? As expected of..."
Seeing the red threads preparing to start flattering again, Ye Xing directly raised his hand to interrupt, complaining.
"Bloody hell, you're like one of those AI robots that detects keywords, triggering your combo moves, aren't you?"
"Hehe, this is genuine admiration from the heart."
The red threads gave a small lick first before forming a proper sentence.
"However, this humble one thinks you might be better off resting for a day and entering Itomori Town tomorrow."
"Trying to go fishing, are you?"
"Hehe, you truly understand this humble one's meaning."
Hina Amano stood nearby with a bewildered expression, completely lost about what this human and deity were discussing.
The red thread seemed to notice her confusion and began explaining proactively.
"Judging by the intensity of that recent assault, it was merely that individual manipulating the surrounding evil spirits in an attempt to kill with a borrowed knife. The only thing that truly consumed their own power was that lightning strike."
"Presumably, the other party severely underestimated Lord Ye Xing's capabilities, thinking ordinary evil spirits would be sufficient."
"After that battle, that fellow should now understand that no matter how many common evil spirits are sent, they're just meaningless sacrifices."
"Therefore, now that they truly understand Lord Ye Xing's power, the next wave of obstruction will certainly involve their full effort. If we want to achieve the goal of depleting their strength, it's best to wait a while."
Seeing this lengthy explanation from the red thread, Hina Amano nodded and murmured.
"That's true. If we enter Itomori Town before the opponent's power is exhausted, any combat could easily affect the town's residents. This remote area is deserted, so we don't need to worry about that problem here."
The red thread twitched twice, seemingly using this method to express its inner thoughts.
With just one sentence.
The guardian deity of Itomori Town felt greatly increased fondness for this girl named Hina Amano.
To consider the dangers brought by battle, yet prioritise the safety of the town's residents over her own security - what a kind, gentle, yet internally resilient young girl, just like their own shrine maiden Mitsuha.
"No wonder you could become Lord Ye Xing's lover."
Seeing this sentence formed by the red thread, Hina Amano first froze, then glanced at Ye Xing beside her. Her pretty face instantly flushed crimson as she waved her hands repeatedly, stammering in explanation.
"N-no... that's not... you've... you've misunderstood."
Watching Hina Amano's flustered, extremely embarrassed appearance, Ye Xing chuckled softly beside her.
"They're clearly just teasing you."
"Oh, I see..."
Learning that Hina Amano and Ye Xing weren't lovers, the red thread twitched twice again, forming a thoughtful expression.
Their goal was to save all the townspeople during the meteor disaster that would destroy entire Itomori Town in the future timeline.
The lives of Itomori Town's residents were most important, but if they could also preserve their own shrine and Itomori Town itself, that would naturally be even better.
Ordinary people probably couldn't achieve this.
But they felt that if Ye Xing wanted to, he could accomplish it.
So what method could make someone of Ye Xing's character protect Itomori Town?
This deity conceived a marvellous idea.
Their shrine maiden, Mitsuha Miyamizu, happened to be around the same age as Lord Ye Xing - what a remarkable coincidence in this world!
Create a lover's bond!
When that time comes...
If little Mitsuha becomes Lord Ye Xing's girlfriend and they want to spend time together frequently, little Mitsuha would need to leave Itomori Town to study in the city.
And Lord Ye Xing, to save his lover's hometown, would surely exert his utmost effort.
Wouldn't this solve both requirements directly?
Killing two birds with one stone.
"Then I'll trouble Lord Ye Xing to rest outside for the night. There's an inn in that direction."
...
Half an hour later, inside a small inn that appeared somewhat aged on the outside but was remarkably clean and tidy within.
A kindly-looking elderly woman, seeing Hina Amano and Ye Xing enter, smiled and spoke.
"Are you two guests looking for accommodation?"
"Yes."
"All rooms are available at the moment. Would you like one room or two?"
Hina Amano parted her lips, hesitating about how to voice the request for just one room, when Ye Xing spoke first.
"One room will be fine."
"Very well."
While the elderly woman handled the formalities, Ye Xing lowered his voice to Hina Amano beside him.
"Since there's a risk of being attacked, it's safer for us to stay in the same room where we can keep an eye on each other, right?"
Hina Amano's face flushed slightly as she spoke in a voice as faint as a mosquito's hum.
"Yes... I, I'm fine with anything..."
"Then that's settled."
After completing the registration procedures, the elderly woman led the two to a simple Japanese-style room.
How simple was it?
There wasn't even a proper bed, only futons laid on the floor. Through the window, one could see fields lining both sides of the road.
"Here are the keys. If you need anything, just let me know. Although we only have simple meals here, you can eat as much as you want - it's included in the room rate."
Hina Amano bowed slightly and responded politely.
"Alright, thank you."
"Mhm, you're welcome."
The elderly woman looked at the young Hina Amano and Ye Xing, travelling alone to this remote place, and smiled kindly. She had clearly imagined a romantic scenario of a young couple taking a private trip during their holiday to pledge their love to each other.
After the woman left, Hina Amano looked at Ye Xing, who was sitting on a chair, gazing absentmindedly at the scenery outside the window, and spoke with concern in her brow.
"Um... if we stay here, won't we put that elderly woman in danger?"
Ye Xing waved his hand casually in response.
"There are no Gates nearby, so no particularly powerful evil spirits can emerge. Those ordinary evil spirits have an extremely limited impact on the real world. For ordinary people like that elderly woman who can't observe them, at worst, they might feel dizzy-headed and listless - they can't cause direct physical harm."
"Mhm, that's good then."
Hina Amano nodded obediently and responded softly.
One could only say it was fortunate that, within Japan, places where Gates and the Reverse World had appeared were currently limited to just Tokyo and Kyoto.
If they were to fight that weather-controlling guy in either of those two cities, not only would he be able to control more powerful evil spirits, but if they were evil spirits fused with Gates, they could even directly interfere with reality.
By that point, it wouldn't be a question of whether people would be affected, but rather how many would survive in the combat zone.
...
Gradually, evening arrived.
The elderly woman's cooking was simple and unadorned - just basic side dishes with ochazuke.
However, neither Hina Amano nor Ye Xing was particular about food. Being able to rest, ease their tense minds, and prepare for the upcoming battle was enough.
On this summer night, one could hear clear cicada chirps sounding outside the window.
Cool night breezes blew in through the window's tiny gaps.
"It's already eleven o'clock..."
Hina Amano murmured, looking at the single set of futons on the floor. She pressed her lips together and glanced at Ye Xing, speaking quietly.
"You rest first. I won't sleep tonight."
"We'll discuss that later."
Ye Xing shook his head and turned to face Hina Amano.
"The current issue is, how long do we need to wait here? If that guy has already realised we're deliberately waiting, He could very well take their time mobilising the evil spirits around here to wage a war of attrition against us. We can't afford to waste time."
Hearing this, Hina Amano frowned slightly, also realising the problem.
The population density in the area surrounding Itomori Town was incomparable to Tokyo and Kyoto, and the density of evil spirits was naturally far lower as well.
Those hundreds of evil spirits had likely been mobilised from dozens of kilometres around.
That evil god controlling the weather even knew how to use moral coercion to obtain living sacrifices for itself, clearly possessing extremely high intelligence.
If the other party discovered their intentions and dragged out the time like this, what should they do?
Ye Xing wore a thoughtful expression, his gaze resting on Hina Amano with a somewhat meaningful look in his eyes.
'Fishing requires bait to make the fish bite.'
...
Meanwhile, inside the Miyamizu residence in Itomori Town.
Mitsuha Miyamizu, who had been distractedly scrolling through her phone in her room, suddenly saw red threads appearing before her, quickly forming a sentence.
"Mitsuha, I need your help now."
Mitsuha Miyamizu froze for a moment before stammering.
"G-god... God-sama."
"Hey, we're sisters, no need to be so formal."
"S-sisters?"
Mitsuha Miyamizu found this address both amusing and exasperating.
Even her grandmother referred to the other as God-sama, and she was supposed to call her sister?
Wouldn't that mess up the generational hierarchy?
Besides...
Do divine beings even have genders?
"What kind of help do you need?"
"If the buses aren't running tomorrow morning, I hope you can ask a friend to help drive Ye Xing-sama into Itomori Town."
"Tomorrow morning... Okay, I understand."
After these words, the red threads disappeared.
...
Elsewhere, inside the hotel room.
Red threads appeared before Ye Xing and Hina Amano, first greeting them.
"Ye Xing-sama, Hina."
Then they continued to form a sentence.
"I've thought of a way to force that guy into a corner and lure him out."
Seeing this sentence, Ye Xing glanced at Hina Amano, his tone somewhat meaningful.
"Is the method you're thinking of the same one I have in mind?"
"Judging by your expression, it seems you'd already thought of it - it's exactly that method."
"This method... well, it does seem to be the only method."
Listening to this human and god conversing like riddlers, Hina Amano tilted her head slightly with an innocent expression, curious.
"What exactly is this method?"
The red threads wriggled a couple of times, moving closer to Hina Amano, the formed words appearing very serious.
"Hina, you should understand that to restore the weather to normal, and to prevent more innocent girls from becoming living sacrifices, we must stop that guy, right?"
Hina Amano froze for a moment before nodding seriously, her eyes filled with determination.
"Yes, I understand. We must stop him."
"Are you prepared for this?"
"Yes, I'm prepared."
"Excellent."
The red threads nodded their thread-ends as if very satisfied, then formed an unbelievable, outrageous sentence that left Hina Amano speechless.
"In that case, please engage in some physical intimacy with Ye Xing-sama."
"Eh? EH!?"
Hina Amano blushed crimson, glancing at Ye Xing sitting there as her tongue seemed to tie itself in knots. She stammered:
"This... what does this have to do with those two things?"
"Of course it's related."
Ye Xing took over the conversation, asking in an instructive tone:
"Think about it - in the legend of the Sunny Girl, what characteristics did all the girls chosen as living sacrifices have?"
Hina Amano thought for a moment before replying hesitantly:
"Well... they were all quite young?"
"Exactly, they were all maidens, which means they were all pure."
"Pu... pure..."
Upon hearing this term, Hina Amano began to vaguely understand what Ye Xing meant.
"What that being can't tolerate the most..."
Hina Amano murmured to herself, her tone quite complex.
"...is their chosen sacrifice being defiled... meaning me... losing my purity?"
"That's the general idea, but it's just acting. As long as we show that trend, the one hiding behind the scenes will definitely become desperate. If we wait until you actually lose it before acting, it'll be too late."
After saying this, Ye Xing added with complete seriousness:
"After all, I'm someone who values my purity. I can't sacrifice my innocence just for an exorcism."
Hina Amano: "..."
Values his purity...
What a good phrase.
Looking at Ye Xing like this, acting with her did seem like the only choice in their predicament.
Thinking about it carefully...
This really did seem to be the only method.
"Well, I'll be off then. See you tomorrow at the shrine."
Sensing the strangely peculiar atmosphere in the room, the red thread clearly understood the situation. After leaving just this one sentence, it instantly dissipated and disappeared.
Leaving only Hina Amano standing there and Ye Xing sitting by the window, alone together.
"Um... I..."
Hina Amano's face carried a shy blush as she lowered her head, not daring to look into Ye Xing's eyes. She spoke cautiously:
"Fo... for the sake of saving the world... th... this can't be helped, right? But I'm still a bit nervous, so..."
Ye Xing stood up and walked over to Hina Amano, speaking with a smile:
"It seems it's still up to me, the Harem God, to save the world."
"Mmm..."
Hina Amano responded softly. Although she knew this was just acting, feeling Ye Xing's presence made her heartbeat instantly quicken.
Mustering her courage, she actively took Ye Xing's hand, as if using all her strength, and whispered:
"Actually... I don't feel resistant to it either..."