Twenty minutes later.
A girl's voice, brimming with vitality, rang out.
"Yahallo, Ye Xing-kun!"
Both Oda Noto and Godmother Granny's expressions changed the moment this orange-haired girl stepped into the shop.
The radiance of her life aura...
Was blindingly bright!
Like a beacon in the darkness that all malevolent spirits would flee from!
Even these two experienced exorcists had never encountered such an overwhelming life aura before.
Meanwhile, Mai Sakurajima's thoughts upon seeing Hana Yurikawa were exactly the same as her first impression.
So big.
Really big.
How could they be this big?
Mai looked down at herself, then back up at Hana, who was nibbling on a daifuku mochi with cream smeared around her mouth, wearing an innocent, dimpled smile.
Aren't those about to burst?
This is ridiculous...
"Hana Yurikawa-san."
"Just call me Hana!"
Hana bounced over to Ye Xing - and it wasn't just her body that bounced, two particular areas jiggled noticeably with each step.
Mai bit her silver lip lightly, feeling a pang of something unpleasant.
This outrageous figure combined with Hana's harmless, sweet and innocent face...
The destructive power was simply too strong.
Fortunately, she didn't seem particularly close to Ye Xing.
Otherwise, there'd be another formidable rival to contend with.
"Do me a favour."
Faced with Ye Xing's request, Hana nodded without hesitation, smiling brightly.
"Of course! We're friends, after all."
Ye Xing pointed to the three face-down tarot cards on the counter.
"Flip them over for me, one by one."
"No problem!"
Before Godmother Granny could stop her, Hana had already flipped the first card.
"Wait, you shouldn't—"
Seeing Godmother Granny's complicated expression, Hana tilted her head in confusion.
"Did I do something wrong, Granny?"
"Well, not exactly..."
Godmother Granny clicked her tongue, her expression conflicted.
"It's just that I usually reveal them slowly, not this quickly."
"Eh? Does that change which card comes up?"
"Well... no, it doesn't make a difference."
Godmother Granny sighed helplessly, lamenting inwardly.
'I must be getting old.'
'Why don't young psychics these days have any sense of ceremony?'
Shaking her head, she turned her gaze to the table - and her face changed the moment she saw the revealed card.
"Death!?"
Though this card had appeared before during their time in Wakayama City...
Its meaning now was entirely different.
Last time, Ye Xing had posed a question about the identity of the next potential collaborator.
The three drawn tarot cards had only provided symbolic clues about their identity.
But for this question—what the Supernatural Society would encounter in the future—the Death card could very well represent its simplest, most fundamental meaning.
Death.
A member of the society would die.
Godmother Granny forced a smile and waved her hand dismissively, trying to explain.
"This... the Death card doesn't necessarily mean literal death. It could also mean you'll face a life-or-death choice in the future, or that someone around you might... well, you know..."
She couldn't smooth it over.
No matter how she spun it, the Death card's revelation on this matter couldn't be interpreted as anything good.
Either the members of the Supernatural Society would face mortal danger...
Or someone close to them would be on the verge of death.
Hard to sugarcoat that...
"Death, huh..."
Facing the overturned Death card, Ye Xing's expression remained as indifferent as ever.
For the members of the Supernatural Society, death wasn't exactly a novelty.
If he had to rationalise it—
Exorcism itself was an engagement with "death."
What was there to be shocked about?
Still...
To confirm his suspicions, Ye Xing turned to Oda Noto.
"Any rumours of supernatural incidents in Kyoto lately?"
Though Oda Noto hadn't received any commissions recently, as a veteran exorcist in the field, his sources were extensive.
"Supernatural incidents, eh..."
Oda Noto lit a cigarette and took a deep drag.
"Setting aside the obviously exaggerated, fake-sounding ones... Hmm... There is one worth noting."
As if suddenly remembering, his furrowed brows relaxed, and a smile crept onto his aged face as he flicked the ash off his cigarette, speaking leisurely.
"Rumour has it that in Kyoto Municipal Hospital, several inpatients have recently reported seeing figures wandering the corridors late at night."
"They say the faces of these wanderers match those of patients who died that same day."
"But since these so-called spirits haven't caused any trouble, no one's commissioned an exorcism. It's just hearsay for now."
After listening, Ye Xing gave a noncommittal nod.
Spirits visible even to ordinary people?
Well, hospitalised patients weren't exactly in peak condition either.
Why had hospitals always been hotspots for supernatural incidents?
On one hand, hospitals were places where people frequently died.
On the other hand, those who went to hospitals were already weakened by illness.
From a psychic's perspective, their life auras were diminished.
Under certain conditions, they might indeed perceive the spirits of the deceased.
The question was—
Wasn't the frequency of these incidents a bit high?
Not just one inpatient, but many had seen them—and more than one spirit was wandering around?
Something was off here.
Ye Xing filed this away for later.
Then, he turned to Hana Yurikawa and said calmly,
"Flip the second card."
"Mm, okay."
Hana Yurikawa didn't understand the meaning of the tarot cards, but she could tell from Godmother Granny's words that the first card she'd drawn didn't seem to portend anything good.
This made her feel guilty.
For the second one, she must try harder!
Hana took a deep breath and slowly revealed the second tarot card placed on the table.
Seeing the image on the second card, Godmother Granny froze momentarily before exhaling in relief.
'Thank goodness...'
'At least it's better than the last one...'
Wait, that wasn't quite right.
In this reading, nothing could be worse than the Death card.
The bad news: the worst had already been drawn.
The good news: everything else would be better than this.
Rock bottom had been reached.
Godmother Granny slowly began her analysis.
"The Moon - this card has many meanings, but primarily represents confusion and uncertainty."
"Drawing this card suggests your club members may face certain choices on your future path."
Ye Xing looked thoughtful and countered:
"Could this Moon card represent someone our club might encounter in the future?"
Godmother Granny paused, then laughed.
"That interpretation could work, but it would have to be someone who'd have contact with all your club members, not just one individual."
"I see."
Ye Xing thought that if his speculation was correct, there was only one person who could represent the Moon card.
Not only her confused and uncertain background, but even her name perfectly matched the Moon.
"Now, the third card. Reveal it."
"Okay."
Hana Yurikawa took a deep breath and slowly turned over the third tarot card.
What appeared was the card Ye Xing most wanted to see.
The Hanged Man.
"This card... this card signifies..."
Before Godmother Granny could finish, Ye Xing waved his hand to interrupt.
"I know. Self-sacrifice and devotion, right?"
"Oh, you're quite knowledgeable."
"I know a little."
Ye Xing exchanged glances with Mai Sakurajima standing nearby.
Both could guess that if this revealed tarot card represented someone, it must be...
Yui Yuigahama.
To be precise, Saki Kawasaki - who worked hard to ease her family's burden - or Yukino Yukinoshita - who helped others by doing what she believed was right - could also fit the definition of the Hanged Man.
But.
Neither matched as perfectly as Yui Yuigahama.
"Thank you."
Ye Xing first nodded to Godmother Granny, then smiled at Hana Yurikawa.
"Good work, Yurikawa."
"I told you, just call me Hana."
"Alright then, good work, Hana."
Mai Sakurajima subtly pinched Ye Xing's waist and whispered with a smile.
"You actually called her that?"
Ye Xing smiled back.
"Don't worry, I'll call you that later, too."
Mai's face turned bright red as she lightly spat.
"Yurikawa is still here, don't say such things."
"Her?"
Ye Xing glanced at Hana Yurikawa's innocent, clueless expression.
"She won't understand. It's fine."
...
One hour later, at Ye Xing's home.
Mai Sakurajima said her matter wouldn't begin until nine o'clock, leaving two hours of free time.
She suggested informing the Supernatural Society members about the tarot reading results first.
Mai didn't want her personal affairs to delay sharing this information.
After all...
Among the tarot results was the Death card.
Yui Yuigahama sat on the sofa, swinging her legs.
"Lately, your home has become our second club room."
Rio Futaba was in charge of making coffee.
Mai Sakurajima prepared snacks.
Hina Amano assisted Mai.
Kazusa Touma sat beside Ye Xing.
As for Yui Yuigahama...
It was better not to assign her any responsibilities.
"The reason I called everyone here is simple."
After everyone had settled, Ye Xing leaned back on the sofa and explained the tarot reading.
He looked thoughtfully at Rio Futaba.
"My concubine, analyse this for your emperor."
"Really, you always dump the troublesome work on me."
Rio muttered a complaint before adjusting her glasses and addressing the group.
"Let's start with the first tarot card."
"Death. This card represents demise."
"Based on what Mr Oda said about the frequent supernatural incidents at Kyoto Municipal Hospital, we can draw a high-probability conclusion."
"That Kyoto Municipal Hospital is likely the location represented by the Death tarot card regarding our future actions."
Here, Rio Futaba paused, pursing her lips slightly as if contemplating something.
After nearly half a minute, she took a sip of coffee before continuing.
"But I don't believe the Death card's revelation indicates the presence of a Gate there."
"Otherwise, other known areas should have appeared in the divination results too."
The Supernatural Society hadn't removed all the Gates within Kyoto.
During their sweep, Miko Yotsuya and Rio Futaba had deliberately left a few sparsely populated areas with temporarily low danger levels.
This served as backup for entering the Reverse World when needed.
As Rio Futaba said.
Even if there were a Gate in Kyoto Municipal Hospital, its danger level couldn't be very high.
After all, there hadn't been mass casualties.
Thus, the Death tarot card wasn't related to whether Gates existed.
"Then what would be our reason for going there?"
Rio Futaba murmured thoughtfully.
"Could it be... this card represents not an event, but someone we'll encounter..."
Hearing this, all members except Mai Sakurajima felt uneasy.
A person representing death...
Sounded terrifying indeed.
"Let's set this aside for now - we'll know when we investigate."
Without dwelling on the first card's meaning, Rio Futaba continued.
"The second and third cards..."
She adjusted her glasses while looking at Yui Yuigahama.
"These could represent two separate matters, or just one."
Not just Rio Futaba.
Both Miko Yotsuya and Mai Sakurajima turned their gazes towards Yui Yuigahama.
The latter blinked in confusion, shifting uncomfortably.
"W-why are you all looking at me?"
"Isn't it obvious?"
Rio Futaba rarely smiled.
"Only you fit the definitions of both these cards."
The overly kind Yui Yuigahama, who always considered others, matched the Hanged Man's definition.
Moreover, her role in the Supernatural Society vaguely aligned with the Moon's meaning.
Uncertain, conflicted - not a leading position, but supportive.
"Eh?"
Yui Yuigahama looked utterly perplexed.
"But isn't this about the Supernatural Society's future path? What does that have to do with me?"
Even Miko found her denseness exasperating.
"Haven't you always wanted to become a psychic?"
Miko sighed, massaging her temples before patting Yui's shoulder with a smile.
"The major event affecting our society that would appear in tarot divination can only be your Soul Materialisation awakening."
"Oh, I see..."
Yui murmured noncommittally at first.
Several seconds later, realisation dawned. Her face froze momentarily before she grabbed Miko's shoulders in excitement.
"Really really really?"
"Urgh."
Miko Yotsuya's head was being shaken so vigorously by Yui Yuigahama that it nearly left afterimages.
"Stop shaking me, I can't take it anymore"
When Yuigahama finally stopped, Miko wore an expression of someone who'd narrowly escaped disaster and said irritably.
"It's just awakening Soul Materialisation ability, yet you're this excited. So lacking in composure."
Yuigahama attempted to deflect with cuteness, sticking out her tongue with a silly grin.
"Hehe."
Amidst this collective hysteria, the only consistently calm member of the Supernatural Society, Rio Futaba - Ye Xing's chief brain substitute - spoke coolly.
"Yuigahama, don't think it's that simple."
"You were present when Miko awakened."
"The tarot cards suggest you'll awaken soon, which means you'll likely encounter the same dangerous situation Miko and I faced during our awakenings."
"Don't celebrate too early."
"If you die, it won't just match the Moon and Hanged Man cards - Death would correspond, too. Three tarot cards for one person, complete set."
Futaba's words made the previously excited and joyful Yuigahama shrink into herself.
She had a point.
Futaba wasn't targeting Yuigahama - they were friends.
When discussing supernatural matters, she'd noticed Dango's slightly dimmed, disappointed expression, knowing she also wanted to become a psychic.
But exorcism was ultimately dangerous work where one wrong move meant death.
The reason no Supernatural Society members had been lost yet was entirely because of Ye Xing - an exorcist more terrifying than the evil spirits themselves - covering their backs.
As the most rational member, Rio Futaba had to make Yui Yuigahama realise the danger of the situation.
...
Eventually, a peaceful night passed.
After receiving a phone call, Mai Sakurajima announced that tonight's plans were cancelled.
She seemed relieved, yet also somewhat disappointed.
None of the members asked why—after all, everyone had their own difficulties.
An unexpected situation arose for Ye Xing.
All the members present, except for Hina Amano, refused to leave his house.
Especially Kazusa Touma.
She even skipped her never-interrupted piano practice, insisting on staying.
What left Ye Xing most speechless was...
If you're staying, then stay.
When it came to staying up late, Mai Sakurajima and the others were no match for Kazusa Touma.
The key point was that she outlasted everyone until they retreated to the guest rooms on the second floor to sleep.
But then why didn't you come in yourself!?
After all that fuss...
In the end, nothing was gained.
For the first time in his life, Ye Xing tasted the bitterness of defeat.
...
Thursday morning, Sobu High School.
"It's finally starting."
Shizuka Hiratsuka, wearing a long tracksuit, stood beside Ye Xing and patted his shoulder.
"Don't forget what you promised me—you'd better give it your all."
"My all?"
Ye Xing stretched lazily and walked slowly to the starting line of the 100-meter dash.
Under the gaze of countless students from all three grades at Sobu High, he and the other competitors assumed their starting positions.
"Shizuka..."
Bang!
As the starting pistol fired, Ye Xing shot forward like a comet, leaving the other competitors several body lengths behind from the very start, leaving Shizuka Hiratsuka with just one sentence:
"Dealing with them doesn't even require my full effort."