After leading Yui Yuigahama into the private booth, Ye Xing turned and left. When he returned a few minutes later, he was carrying two basins of hot water and two brand-new sets of toiletries.
"Wash up, then sleep."
Yui Yuigahama nodded obediently, untying her peach-pink hair from its dango bun and letting her smooth, medium-length locks cascade over her shoulders.
Once they'd finished washing up, Ye Xing tossed the toiletries into the bin and handed the basins to someone outside the door.
"Alright, take these away."
The internet café owner grinned cheerfully and made sure to close the door properly before leaving.
Seeing this, Yui Yuigahama couldn't help but comment.
"Your charisma is just ridiculous. Even during such a busy time, the owner was willing to fetch hot water for you."
Ye Xing waved his hand dismissively with a laugh.
"What charisma? Even if I had any, it'd only work on women."
Then, he pulled out a stack of banknotes from his pocket and waved them in front of Yui Yuigahama.
"This is the real charmer."
Yui Yuigahama sighed helplessly, pressing a hand to her forehead.
"Ah, right."
Now that things had settled down, the first thing Yui Yuigahama thought of was pulling out her phone.
"We need to inform the others about what just happened."
An evil spirit fused with a Gate—this was the second one after Hachishaku-sama.
As for Yui Yuigahama's relationship with Hachishaku-sama...
How should she put it?
Two words summed it up.
Not close.
It couldn't be helped. Not just her, but even Mai Sakurajima, who was still an ordinary human at this stage—unless Hachishaku-sama chose to reveal herself under Ye Xing's orders, neither of them could perceive her existence.
There was an upside to this, though.
Yui Yuigahama's impression of Hachishaku-sama remained frozen in the despair and fear she'd felt during their first encounter.
An evil spirit fused with a Gate could turn its surroundings into the Reverse World, no longer bound by the rule of "being seen," and could freely attack humans.
Ordinary humans could harm evil spirits with weapons, but only if they first observed them.
However, that was just dealing damage.
Only psychics could truly eradicate evil spirits.
If there were more giant evil spirits like the one they'd just encountered in Kyoto—or even across all of Japan...
It would be nothing short of a disaster.
Watching Yui Yuigahama's slender, pale fingers dance across her phone screen, Ye Xing couldn't help but ask curiously,
"What are you doing? Shouldn't you call them if you're informing them?"
Yui Yuigahama kept typing intently, not even looking up as she replied instinctively.
"Oh, we have a group chat."
"What about me?"
At his three-word question, Yui Yuigahama gave an awkward chuckle.
"Hehe, it's a girls-only group chat. It'd be awkward to add you."
Ye Xing wore an expression that said 'I knew it' and murmured softly.
"Let me guess, you created this group chat?"
Yui Yuigahama looked surprised.
"How did you know?"
Ye Xing spread his hands.
"In this entire club, you're the only one who'd do something this... pointlessly idle."
Yuigahama pouted and let out a dissatisfied huff.
"I'm fostering camaraderie between club members. You're a boy, so it's normal you wouldn't understand."
"Whatever."
Ye Xing moved to sit beside Yuigahama, observing as she typed a brief report about their recent battle with the giant evil spirit into the chat.
The group members didn't include Kazusa Touma, Yukino Yukinoshita, Saki Kawasaki, or Marin Kitagawa, those who had joined later. Only Rio Futaba, Yui Yuigahama, Miko Yotsuya, and Mai Sakurajima were present—the four who knew the truth about their world and formed the real exorcism squad.
Ding.
Almost immediately after Yuigahama sent her message, Rio Futaba replied:
"This is indeed a problem not to be underestimated."
Mai Sakurajima followed up in the chat:
"Hmm... I'm not a psychic, but from what you're saying, the appearance of such an evil spirit means things are about to get complicated, right?"
After a few seconds, the most experienced exorcist among them - though never officially acknowledged, she'd gradually taken on the role of vice-captain in their squad. Known as Kyoto's top poker-faced girl, the Bread Knight Miko Yotsuya (rivalling Kyoto's top exorcist, the Butter Shooter Ye Xing) offered her analysis:
"Not just complicated - downright dangerous."
"Normally, we rely on information from old man Oda and school requests to identify spiritual hotspots in Kyoto before investigating for traces of Gates."
"But now we're dealing with evil spirits like what you encountered - ones that have merged with a Gate internally, affect areas up to three kilometres, and can move freely. This means..."
Here, Miko @'ed Rio Futaba, adding a cute sticker.
"What does it mean? You explain it, Rio."
"Honestly, you're impossible."
Though she didn't use stickers, everyone in the chat could picture Rio sighing and massaging her temples in exasperation.
"A freely mobile Gate means our intelligence can no longer be completely trusted."
"An area might be a spiritual hotspot one day, but by the time we investigate, the evil spirit could have moved on - wasting our time."
"Also, Gate-merged evil spirits are significantly stronger than regular ones, judging by Dango's description."
"Though there's one detail you seem to have missed, Dango."
At Rio's last sentence, Yuigahama blinked, mentally reviewing her account but finding nothing obviously omitted.
Clearly not intending to keep them in suspense, Rio continued typing:
"At that time, there couldn't have been only three humans in that area."
"Yet only you three were pulled into the Reverse World by the giant evil spirit using the power of the Gate within it."
"Evil spirits show no mercy towards humans."
"The reason this happened isn't because it didn't want to, but because it lacked the capability."
As someone privy to insider information, Mai Sakurajima—though usually presenting herself as the perfect housewife—possessed considerable intellect. Seeing Rio Futaba's analysis, she'd already deduced the reason.
"You mean... similar to our member Hachishaku-sama, even evil spirits fused with a Gate have limitations when using this power?"
Hachishaku-sama, currently squatting behind Rio Futaba like a curious child while staring at the phone screen, nearly teared up with emotion upon hearing Mai refer to her as a member.
This was truly a first!
Finally...
Mai Sakurajima actually regarded her as a proper member of the Supernatural Society rather than just a tool.
'She's such a kind-hearted person.'
Hachishaku-sama was so moved she could almost cry.
Miko Yotsuya: "I see. So that evil spirit's power could only manage to pull Hina, Dango and Ye Xing into the Reverse World at that time, having reached its limit?"
Rio Futaba: "Hmm... we can disregard Dango."
Yui Yuigahama felt a stabbing pain in her chest.
Though Rio was stating facts, it still hurt.
At this moment, Ye Xing took Yui's phone and typed a message.
Yui Yuigahama (Ye Xing): "Judging by the behavioural patterns of evil spirits and spectres, while they do kill ordinary humans, psychics clearly hold greater allure for them."
"Perhaps we could use this to our advantage—shift from actively seeking Gates to a more passive fishing approach."
The group chat fell silent for a brief moment after this message.
Mai Sakurajima: "Ye Xing, are you with Dango?"
Yui Yuigahama (Ye Xing): "No, I am Dango."
Rio Futaba: "Heh. Dango couldn't possibly be this clever."
Yui Yuigahama suffered persecution once more.
After some brief exchanges in the group chat, Yui retrieved her phone and closed the conversation.
She stretched with a long yawn, rubbing her sleepy eyes.
"So tired... it's almost midnight."
Ye Xing nodded slightly.
"Indeed, time for bed."
"But..."
Yui glanced around the cramped private booth, pursing her lips.
"How... are we supposed to sleep here..."
"Wait a moment."
Ye Xing retrieved a brand-new notebook and ballpoint pen from his schoolbag.
Then he began sketching rapidly on a blank page.
Yui's eyes could barely keep up with his movements.
Five seconds later, Ye Xing held up the completed drawing.
When Yui focused on it, she was stunned.
Bloody hell—a diagram?
The first illustration showed Ye Xing leaning against the wall with her head resting on his lap as she lay sleeping.
In the second image, Ye Xing's posture remained unchanged, but this time she had placed her feet on the other person's thighs.
There were only two normal diagrams among them.
The ones below...
Were utterly abstract.
There was one where two people overlapped, with her lying directly on top of Ye Xing as they slept.
Another showed her lying on the futon while Ye Xing slept atop her.
And then there was the most outrageous one.
The two were in a bizarre position, their bodies facing opposite directions – her on top, Ye Xing below.
Their heads were each pressed against the other's... unmentionable areas.
Had Yui Yuigahama been less innocent, she might have recognised this position by its distinctive two-digit nickname.
"You... you..."
Yui's face flushed crimson as she bit her silver teeth in flustered anger.
"What on earth are these drawings?!"
Ye Xing waved his hand modestly.
"Ah, everyone has their talents. No need to be so impressed by my artistic skills, Yuigahama."
"I wasn't complimenting your drawing ability!!!"
Yuigahama was beyond words.
Though admittedly...
While the content of Ye Xing's diagrams was outrageous, the technical execution was surprisingly good – vivid and lifelike.
Quite professional.jpg.
"So, which one do you want to choose?"
Faced with Ye Xing's question, Yui's true desire was the position where he lay flat while she clung to him like a koala.
But when she spoke, her words betrayed her heart.
"Um... this one, I suppose."
Yui pointed to the first diagram where the head rested on the thighs, then quickly added with a gentle smile before Ye Xing could respond,
"But let's switch positions. I'll sit while you rest your head on my lap."
"After all, you've just been through a battle and must be exhausted."
"You need proper rest."
As she spoke, Yui knelt in the traditional Japanese feminine posture, her face slightly flushed as she lifted her skirt slightly to reveal soft, pale thighs. Fighting down her embarrassment, she lowered her eyes and murmured tenderly,
"Please... go ahead."
How could anyone resist this?
Unlike Miko Yotsuya or Rio Futaba, Yui Yuigahama hadn't undergone any evil spirit power baptism – she was just an ordinary high school girl.
If she maintained this kneeling position until morning...
Wouldn't her legs be completely numb?
He couldn't possibly allow that.
"Yuigahama."
Without hesitation, Ye Xing lay down across Yui's thighs, looking thoroughly comfortable.
"Your legs are very soft."
At these words, Yui's face turned crimson. In her flustered, blank-minded panic, she did something even she hadn't anticipated.
In the blink of an eye,
The Supernatural Society's mascot, Dango, grabbed the hem of her skirt with both slender, pale hands and pulled it down.
This was an instinctive reaction of embarrassment, trying to cover her thighs.
But Yui overlooked one crucial detail.
There was currently a head resting on those soft, white thighs.
Now covered.
Ye Xing's first thought:
'Hmm... The fragrance of a maiden.'
His second thought:
'Oh ho, Yuigahama... you're wearing cartoon ones?'
The air froze in that moment.
A few seconds later, when Ye Xing emerged from beneath the skirt again, he saw Yui Yuigahama's delicate face flushed crimson, her eyes brimming with tears, presenting a pitiful image of pear blossoms bathed in rain.
Faced with Dango's current expression, what would Kyoto's top exorcist choose?
-Actively comfort her, displaying his gentle side.
-Play dumb.
-Make a phone call to consult the miraculous Rio Futaba - "Futaba it, and you'll know."
Ye Xing's choice was...
"Yui, I can't believe you'd do such a thing! I'm so disappointed in you!"
"Eh?"
Though tears still streaked Yuigahama's face, she was utterly bewildered by Ye Xing's righteous indignation, his mournful sighs and heartbroken expression.
Before she could speak,
Ye Xing chose to take the initiative.
"Since the day we met at the Supernatural Society, we've always worked together in harmony, trusting each other completely."
"I truly never imagined you'd try to take liberties with me! This is enough to darken the heavens and incense both gods and men!"
Confronted with this verbal onslaught, Yuigahama opened her mouth but couldn't muster a single word of rebuttal.
Though his words sounded outrageous,
There was actually some twisted logic to them.
The position had been her choice.
She'd been the one to suggest Ye Xing rest his head on her lap.
She'd been the one to cover him with her skirt.
All her own doing.
Given Yuigahama's personality, she couldn't possibly blame Ye Xing for seeing her... that area, when it was clearly her own fault.
The cover was already in place.
Could she really fault him for instinctively turning his head?
"Ah, this is terrible now."
Ye Xing shook his head with a sigh, patting Yuigahama's shoulder with an expression of complex emotions.
"Now that I've seen there, you're going to get pregnant."
Yuigahama looked utterly exasperated, unable to resist retorting:
"I may lack experience in these matters, but I'm not that stupid."
"Oh, so you're not that stupid after all. That's fine then."
After this bout of teasing, Yuigahama's tears turned to laughter as she lightly swatted Ye Xing's shoulder.
"What would you have done if I really believed you?"
"Isn't it obvious? I'd have to take responsibility, of course."
Hearing Ye Xing deliver this shocking statement in such a matter-of-fact tone left Yuigahama stunned.
If she pretended to be dumb now...
Would there still be time?
"Alright, it's getting late."
Ye Xing waved his hand and lay down against the wall, beckoning to Yuigahama.
"Let's sleep together. It might be a bit cramped, but we can just about fit two people here."
Yuigahama bit her lower lip lightly, hesitated for a moment, but ultimately complied obediently.
She realised this was the only solution.
Once lying down, Yuigahama noticed Ye Xing remained in his side-sleeping position with his back to the wall.
This resulted in their faces being nearly pressed together.
"You... turn around."
"No."
Faced with Ye Xing's blunt refusal, Yuigahama gazed at what she considered the most handsome face she'd ever seen, feeling the palpitations in her chest grow stronger and her heartbeat accelerate rapidly.
She could sense the atmosphere in the room gradually becoming more intimate.
"If you won't turn around... then I'll turn instead."
Yui Yuigahama forced herself to appear calm as she laboriously rolled over, intending to present her back to Ye Xing.
Midway through this manoeuvre, she realised the room was too narrow to complete the turn without making physical contact with him.
Yui Yuigahama found herself stuck in an extremely awkward position.
That particularly prominent part of her anatomy - more pronounced than most girls her age - pressed firmly against an unmentionable part of Ye Xing's body.
The more she struggled to turn, the more their bodies rubbed against each other.
It was almost like...
Flirting?