Yuigahama could feel the sensation from that particular area and understood exactly what was happening.
Though she'd never been in a relationship, she'd attended basic physiology classes.
Just like when Ye Xing had sliced his palm with Onimaru Kunitsuna during their battle with the giant evil spirit, and her shocked gasp when that golden lightning flashed afterwards.
He...
Had grown larger.
Too flustered to think clearly, Yui hastily rolled back to face him again.
Facing each other was preferable to this blush-inducing friction.
Among Japanese girls her age, Yui Yuigahama wasn't particularly petite.
At 165cm, she could even be considered tall.
But compared to Ye Xing, who stood over 180cm, she seemed small and delicate.
Right now, Yui wished she were even shorter - like Rio Futaba, who was a full ten centimetres shorter than her.
Then she wouldn't be in such an embarrassing situation.
"Ye... Ye Xing..."
Yui Yuigahama's body curled up into a ball, her eyes tightly shut, long eyelashes fluttering as her pink lips parted slightly.
"You... do you feel cramped?"
"A little bit."
Ye Xing voiced his honest thoughts without reservation.
Yui Yuigahama's figure wasn't as exaggerated as Rio Futaba's or Hana Yurikawa's, but she still had noticeable curves.
If it had been Yukinoshita in the room with him instead, it probably wouldn't have felt so crowded.
"Then..."
Yui murmured, gathering her courage to open her eyes and steal a glance at Ye Xing's face. Driven by an impulse in her heart, she made a bold move.
She edged closer, placing both hands against her chest as she gently rested her head against Ye Xing's.
With this posture and her slightly curled legs, she resembled a kitten seeking warmth by burrowing into its owner's embrace.
"Like this... it shouldn't feel cramped anymore."
"Hmm, with some minor adjustments."
As he spoke, Ye Xing extended his right arm to cushion the side of Yui's face while his other hand rested against her back.
From a bird's-eye view, the two appeared tightly embraced.
"Now there's plenty of space."
Hearing the amusement in Ye Xing's voice, Yui's face burned with embarrassment as she buried herself deeper into his chest.
Thump, thump, thump...
Yui could no longer distinguish whether the heartbeat echoing in her ears was her own or Ye Xing's.
After a few seconds, she pursed her pink lips and spoke in a voice as faint as a mosquito's hum.
"You... you're not nervous at all?"
"Why would I be nervous?"
At Ye Xing's effortlessly casual response, Yui fell silent.
His words could be interpreted in two ways.
First interpretation: He was so experienced that even being in such an intimate position with the opposite sex didn't faze him.
Second interpretation: It was because it was her... that he didn't feel nervous.
Yui felt neither interpretation boded well for her.
Between the two...
The first option was slightly better.
At least there was still a chance she could win.
Wait...
Yui suddenly realised something was wrong.
When had her mindset shifted from staying completely uninvolved—merely observing and mediating conflicts between Supernatural Society members—to personally entering the battlefield and wanting to emerge victorious?
This wasn't right.
But right now...
Resting her cheek against Ye Xing's chest, she couldn't help nuzzling lightly against him, a small smile tugging at her lips.
Never mind overthinking it. Just this once, she'd allow herself to be selfish and enjoy this moment.
...
Early next morning.
Yui Yuigahama opened her eyes, raising a hand to rub them as she yawned sleepily.
Feeling warmth against her face, she smiled before even seeing clearly.
"Sable... here to wake me up again?"
"I think you're the Sable here."
The voice in her ear instantly jolted Yui's mind awake.
Oh, right.
She hadn't slept at home last night.
Sitting up hurriedly, she saw Ye Xing still lying in the same position as when they'd fallen asleep.
The difference was a damp patch on the other person's chest.
"Awake?"
Ye Xing also sat up, smiling.
"Yuigahama, you drool in your sleep."
"Eh? That... I'm sorry."
Yui Yuigahama hurriedly took tissues from her pocket.
"Let me wipe it for you."
"No need."
Ye Xing waved his hand, then said meaningfully,
"If you're going to wet my clothes next time, I'd prefer it to be with something else."
"And preferably not in this location."
...
That noon, in Sobu High School's staff room.
Looking at Ye Xing seated before her and the cute twin-tailed girl standing beside him, Shizuka Hiratsuka wore a complicated expression.
"This... is quite troublesome."
She'd already heard Ye Xing's account of events.
Setting aside Sobu High's admission standards...
Hina Amano had no documentation whatsoever - just a name, without even parental consent forms. How could she possibly enrol?
"Shizuka, what do you mean by that?"
Ye Xing gave Hiratsuka a wary look, frowning slightly.
"Such familiar opening lines... are you trying to sexually harass me?"
"Me harass you?"
Hiratsuka rolled her eyes.
"I'd be thanking heaven and earth if you didn't harass me."
Then her expression turned serious as she sighed.
"This really is difficult to arrange."
"If it's difficult, then I'll just—"
"Stop right there."
Hiratsuka didn't need to hear the rest to know what Ye Xing would say.
"Transfer to Shuchi'in Academy? Transfer to Advanced Nurturing High School, is that it?"
"No."
To Hiratsuka's surprise, Ye Xing shook his head with a smile.
"Not just me. I'll take the entire club with me. Goodbye, Sobu High."
"Hiss—"
Hiratsuka drew a sharp breath.
"Ye Xing, you're truly vicious."
Ye Xing responded with a friendly smile.
"Shizuka, remember it was you who insisted on placing Yukinoshita and Touma in my club."
Hiratsuka frowned deeply, clearly frustrated.
She hadn't anticipated being hoisted by her own petard like this.
Students like Marin Kitagawa, Miko Yotsuya, Yui Yuigahama or Saki Kawasaki transferring wouldn't matter much.
But...
Kazusa Touma, only daughter of world-renowned pianist Youko Touma; Yukino Yukinoshita, second daughter of the Yukinoshita family; former nationally famous idol actress Mai Sakurajima; and Rio Futaba, science prodigy from a wealthy family.
Without exaggeration...
These four students accounted for about 30% of Sobu High's current prestige.
Ye Xing was even more critical.
He represented 60%.
If these five transferred to Shuchi'in Academy simultaneously, how could Sobu High's administration survive the scandal?
Yet as Ye Xing said...
Problem students Kazusa Touma and Yukino Yukinoshita had been subtly guided into the Supernatural Society by Hiratsuka herself.
She'd truly woven her own shackles.
"Even so..."
Hiratsuka rested her chin on one hand, looking troubled.
"We still need parental consent forms."
Ye Xing smiled.
"I'll handle that."
"You?"
Hiratsuka looked puzzled.
"Are you her guardian?"
"I'm her father."
As soon as these words were spoken.
Silence fell over the office.
Hina Amano's expression was a sight to behold, clearly struggling between speaking up and holding back.
How had she... suddenly acquired a godfather?
Still, for the sake of enrolling at Sobu High School, she had no choice but to endure it.
"You're her father?"
Shizuka Hiratsuka wore an expression caught between laughter and exasperation.
"Then who's her mother? Don't tell me it's Mai Sakurajima, hmm?"
"Not quite."
Ye Xing pointed at Shizuka Hiratsuka sitting across from him and smiled.
"You can be her mother."
Shizuka Hiratsuka's face turned slightly red as she replied with a hint of fluster.
"You... stop talking nonsense!"
"Anyway."
Ye Xing leaned back in his chair, chuckled, then suddenly straightened up and looked at Shizuka Hiratsuka as he spoke slowly.
"No matter what method we use, she must be enrolled. Otherwise, I'll transfer with all the members of the Supernatural Society. I'm not joking with you."
Faced with Ye Xing's sudden seriousness, Shizuka Hiratsuka felt somewhat at a loss.
This was the first time he had spoken to her in such a commanding, condescending tone.
Strangely enough...
It felt kind of exhilarating?
"Well..."
After a moment's thought, Shizuka Hiratsuka finally smiled faintly.
"Actually, I could talk to the school about it."
Then she quickly added.
"But you'll have to give me some leverage, won't you?"
Before Ye Xing could respond, she hurriedly clarified.
"New leverage, mind you. Don't bring up being first in the joint exams or the spring exams again."
Hina Amano, who had been listening with an indifferent expression, was startled when she heard "first in the joint exams."
Joint exams?
Which joint exams?
Could it be... the nationwide exams in Japan?
Seriously?
This abstract, supernaturally gifted student, Ye Xing, was first in the nationwide exams?
No wonder he was so confident about getting her into Sobu High School after learning about her special circumstances.
In response to Shizuka Hiratsuka's words, Ye Xing replied nonchalantly.
"What leverage? Taking down Shuchi'in Academy? No problem."
"Wait, no, no, no!"
Shizuka Hiratsuka was taken aback and quickly waved her hands.
"Oh, not that? Pity."
Ye Xing's expression remained calm.
"In my eyes, that private Shuchi'in Academy is nothing but a bunch of pretentious weaklings."
Shizuka Hiratsuka was dumbfounded.
Seriously?
Have you always been this arrogant?
You've really outdone yourself this time.
Shizuka Hiratsuka had once told Mafuyu Kirisu that if Sobu High School and Shuchi'in Academy took the same exam, Sobu's average score would be crushed.
But when it came to which school would produce the top scorer, she thought Sobu might not necessarily lose.
The key phrase being "might not necessarily."
What kind of statement was Ye Xing making?
This wasn't "might not necessarily lose" – it was "definitely would win."
Too arrogant.
Seeing Shizuka Hiratsuka frozen in silence, Ye Xing continued.
"In ancient times, there was Guan Yu slaying six generals through five passes. Today, I, Ye Xing, can punch Shuchi'in Academy and kick Advanced Nurturing High School with ease – this is no empty boast, but child's play."
With a complicated expression, Shizuka Hiratsuka murmured.
"I... really don't know how to respond to that. Maybe we should go back to our original topic."
"Fine. So what leverage do you want?"
Shizuka Hiratsuka tapped the table lightly with her fingers as she spoke slowly.
"I can talk to the school about enrolling Hina Amano first, but you must promise to break school records in all three events you participate in during Thursday and Friday's sports festival."
"No problem."
Seeing Ye Xing agree without hesitation, Shizuka Hiratsuka beamed.
The ugly face of a scheming adult.jpg.
"Alright then, I'll take Miss Hina Amano here to complete the enrolment procedures immediately."
"You should come along too."
...
Meanwhile, in the Supernatural Society's clubroom.
Today's weather: Light rain.
Today's battle report: None.
With the protagonist absent all afternoon, what battles could there possibly be?
Everyone was occupied with their own activities.
Yui Yuigahama, who was usually lively and often discussed fashion with Marin Kitagawa, was uncharacteristically quiet today.
She kept stealing glances at Rio Futaba.
Then, at Miko Yotsuya and Mai Sakurajima.
Yui Yuigahama's current demeanour perfectly embodied one phrase:
A thief has a guilty conscience.
The members had naturally noticed Yui's unusual behaviour.
Yet even the people involved—Miko Yotsuya, Rio Futaba, and Mai Sakurajima—couldn't understand why she was making such expressions.
It wasn't that these three were obtuse.
They lacked crucial information.
What exactly was the current battle situation?
Ever since encountering Ms Haruno Yukinoshita at the Yukinoshita company's opening ceremony, Mai Sakurajima, Miko Yotsuya and Rio Futaba had developed a strong sense of danger.
No internal conflicts - first, they needed to unite against an external threat.
As for Kazusa Touma?
She had no interest in what was happening, focusing solely on Ye Xing.
Therefore, Mai and the others couldn't comprehend why Yui was behaving this way.
The reason was simple:
Yui was several versions behind.
She still thought they were in the internal competition phase.
In reality, the external battlefield had been established long ago.
Without needing to discuss it, Mai Sakurajima, Rio Futaba and Miko Yotsuya had already formed an unspoken alliance against Haruno Yukinoshita.
The version difference was too great to connect to the current battle situation.
Meanwhile, Saki Kawasaki and Marin Kitagawa sat together discussing cosplay outfits.
Saki Kawasaki appeared as cold as an iceberg.
In truth, she was too embarrassed to express her gratitude to Ye Xing openly.
Handmaking clothes aligned perfectly with her interest in tailoring.
Moreover, tailors who could create cosplay outfits commanded respectable fees—certainly better than part-time jobs.
Saki still remembered how her first conversation with Ye Xing hadn't been particularly friendly - one might even say aggressive.
The memory still made her cringe with embarrassment.
How could she repay his kindness while also apologising?
Saki shook her head slightly, deciding her immediate priority was completing those two... semi-transparent bunny girl and bridal outfits.
Marin hadn't explained clearly, only saying they were for a friend.
But Saki couldn't shake the feeling...
Was this 'friend' currently sitting in this very clubroom?
...
Half an hour later.
Ye Xing brought Hina Amano to the clubroom, having her briefly introduce herself to the members.
Of course,
Before entering, he'd already explained to Hina:
The matter of spiritual power was considered privileged information; only the five core members—Mai Sakurajima, Yui Yuigahama, Miko Yotsuya, Rio Futaba, and Kazusa Touma—were permitted to know.
The remaining three—Marin Kitagawa, Yukino Yukinoshita, and Saki Kawasaki...
Were, of course, just ordinary club members.
"A new member?"
Only after Hina Amano had taken her seat did Yukino Yukinoshita, who had been engrossed in reading a light novel, lift her gaze to Ye Xing and ask calmly.
"Yes, a new member."
"Very well."
Yukino gave a slight nod.
"Now, you're three requests ahead of me."
Ye Xing shook his head with a wry smile.
"Yukinoshita, are you really competing with me now?"
Hearing this, Yukino frowned slightly, set down her light novel, and nodded with utmost seriousness.
"Naturally."
Yukino's attitude towards Ye Xing was worlds apart from how she had treated Hachiman Hikigaya in the original storyline.
But that was to be expected.
Though Hachiman's grades were decent, his appearance and social standing placed him at a disadvantage in everyone's eyes.
In contrast, Ye Xing was the top student in their year, strikingly handsome, and, while his reputation wasn't flawless, it was less about him being ostracised by classmates and more about him keeping them at arm's length.
Moreover, on his very first day in the club, he had swiftly and flawlessly resolved the troubles of two students.
Subconsciously, Yukino had already positioned herself at a lower standing compared to him.
As the saying goes:
"Yukino, you're the challenger here."
Before Ye Xing could respond, Kazusa Touma, seated by the window, cast a glance at Yukino Yukinoshita and scoffed lightly.
"Yukinoshita-san, competing with him? How arrogant of you."
Kazusa Touma disliked Yukino Yukinoshita.
This aversion had deepened ever since the day Yukinoshita joined the club and spouted that nonsense about how those with exceptional talents ought to help others.
Facing Kazusa's remark, Yukino remained composed as she replied.
"Touma-san, as the second-ranked student in overall grades, it's only natural for me to compete with the top-ranked student."
"Given that you're the very last in our year—the only one with zero marks—I suppose you wouldn't understand."
Just as Kazusa disliked Yukino...
Yukino, who despised privilege, harboured no fondness for Kazusa either—someone who openly flaunted her privileged status.
Two tsundere long-haired beauties.
A direct confrontation was inevitable.