The way of speaking was similar, the physique was similar, and even that unique energy was exactly the same.
Moreover, in every incident where Mask was involved - except for the Onimaru Kunitsuna case at Kyoto City Museum - all other incidents had people who were connected to this student, Ye Xing, in some way or another.
Indeed, after the previous amusement park incident, Soichiro Yagami had conducted an investigation.
Among the hostages at Kyoto Municipal Kindergarten was a student named Keika Kawasaki, whose older sister Saki Kawasaki was a first-year student at Sobu High School along with Ye Xing. Not long after the kidnapping incident, she had joined the Supernatural Society led by him.
Marin Kitagawa, who was involved in the train incident, was also a club member.
During the amusement park terror attack, Saki Kawasaki, Keika Kawasaki, and Ye Xing himself were all present.
Regarding the Sunny Doll Killer incident, just days before that serial killer was brought to justice, Natsumi Suga from that Suga Editing Studio had conducted an interview with the Sunny Girl herself.
And Hina Amano, legendary as the Sunny Girl, was also a first-year student at Sobu High School and a member of the Supernatural Society.
Through his investigation, Soichiro Yagami discovered that, according to Hina Amano's family situation - with both parents deceased, leaving only herself and her younger brother - she should have been sent for adoption, let alone having any enrolment procedures processed.
Yet somehow, Sobu High School had enrolled her without seeking parental consent.
Then there was the previous incident at that Tokyo hotel where hundreds of people went missing. Soichiro Yagami had obtained relevant information from the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department.
After cross-referencing, he indeed found something.
Among the hotel guests was one Shizuka Hiratsuka, a first-year teacher at Sobu High School who happened to be the homeroom teacher for Ye Xing and the other Supernatural Society members.
Every clue pointed to the truth.
This student Ye Xing...
Was Mask.
But...
Even knowing this, what could be done?
Soichiro Yagami looked at Ye Xing, who was sitting there conversing with Toka Takanashi and others, his expression growing heavy.
Should he confront him directly?
If this student Ye Xing really was Mask, then judging by his character, he would openly admit it.
And then what?
Should he report it to the Metropolitan Police Department or not?
Although Soichiro Yagami disagreed with Mask's extreme methods, as his accomplice, he shared the same ideals.
Even putting that aside, he had personally witnessed the astonishing power possessed by Mask and the psychic beside him.
Informing the Metropolitan Police Department to arrest him?
How was that any different from sending his own subordinates to their deaths?
If that was the case, why know at all?
If he heard a definitive answer from Ye Xing's own mouth, then, as the Criminal Affairs Director, Soichiro Yagami would be caught in the dilemma of whether to report it or not.
But as long as it wasn't one hundred percent confirmed, he didn't need to make that choice.
Yes, this was self-deception.
But Soichiro Yagami could only choose this path.
Thinking this, he calmly entered the devastated Western restaurant, watching the Metropolitan Police Department members gathering clues around the large truck, and cleared his throat twice.
"Ahem, everyone, stop for a moment."
After all the Metropolitan Police Department members had ceased their activities, Soichiro Yagami spoke in a deep voice.
"This case doesn't require much attention. Revoke that truck driver's licence, then handle it according to normal traffic accident procedures and close the case."
"Yes, Chief Yagami."
After all Metropolitan Police Department members had left, one officer remained standing in front of the large truck.
"Chief Yagami, please take a look at this."
Soichiro Yagami quickly walked over and saw the two extremely obvious, deeply indented palm prints on the truck's surface, his expression involuntarily changing.
He nearly swore aloud.
Damn!
How could this guy leave such obvious evidence!?
Anyone could tell this wasn't normal at a glance!
Soichiro Yagami gritted his teeth and spoke to the officer in a lowered voice.
"Forget what you saw. These are just marks from accidental impact, understand?"
The officer wasn't stupid either. Seeing Chief Yagami's serious expression, he immediately understood.
"I understand. I'll take my leave then, Chief Yagami."
"Wait."
Soichiro Yagami stopped him, his brow furrowed tightly.
"You haven't taken any photos for evidence, have you?"
"Not yet."
"That's good. You may go."
After the officer left, Soichiro Yagami walked to the front of the truck and looked at the two deeply indented palm prints. While marvelling at Ye Xing's superhuman strength, he couldn't help but sigh.
"This kid... could he be testing me on purpose?"
Soichiro Yagami took a pack of alcohol wipes from his pocket, opened it, and carefully wiped the two palm prints and the surrounding areas to ensure no fingerprints remained.
After completing this task, he still felt somewhat insecure. Glancing around, he spotted a metal stool by the freezer door, likely used to reach items on higher shelves.
Soichiro Yagami lifted the stool with one hand, took a deep breath, then smashed it forcefully against the two indented palm marks.
Clang, clang, thud...
Criminal Investigation Director, Kyoto's most square-jawed Soichiro Yagami, was sweating profusely while destroying all evidence inside the wrecked restaurant freezer.
World Famous Painting.JPG.
...
Meanwhile, outside the restaurant.
Soichiro Yagami had already given the order that, after the medical examination, Ye Xing and the others could leave normally.
After all, whatever people did in the freezer - whether holding orgies or having barbecues - was their own business. These individuals were innocent victims caught in a traffic accident, not the ones driving the truck.
"About the exorcism payment..."
Toka Takanashi had overheard Ye Xing's conversation with the Criminal Investigation Director. Though she didn't understand why he needed to conceal the exorcism matter, she didn't dwell on it, merely stating calmly.
"I've already paid Mr Noto in advance."
"OK."
Ye Xing waved with a smile.
"In that case, we'll be off now. Remember to give us a five-star rating."
"Wait a moment."
Just as Ye Xing prepared to leave with Kazusa Touma, Shoko Makinohara, and Yukino Yukinoshita, Toka Takanashi stopped him. Her red eyes revealed complex emotions, as if struggling with something, before she finally took out her phone.
"Shall we exchange contact information?"
"Sure."
After exchanging contact details with Toka Takanashi and walking further down the street, Yukino Yukinoshita looked towards Ye Xing with his casual smile and spoke softly in a slightly awkward tone.
"So you just gave her your contact information when she asked for it?"
"Ah, Yukinoshita-san, that's not quite right."
Ye Xing waved his hand, his expression serious.
"I had a very important reason for exchanging contact details with that Miss Takanashi."
"Oh?"
Yukino Yukinoshita raised an eyebrow curiously.
"Could it be that this exorcism mission isn't over yet?"
"Oh, that? That's already finished."
Ye Xing gave an answer that surprised Yukino, the seriousness instantly vanishing from his face as he smiled.
"Of course it's because she's beautiful."
Yukino Yukinoshita: "You..."
Poor Yukino Yukinoshita, completely manipulated by Ye Xing.
...
Seven days passed in the blink of an eye.
Regarding Hayasaka's situation, the Supernatural Society still hadn't received a response. After all, judging from Kaguya Shinomiya's symptoms, she wasn't in immediate danger of dying.
During this period, when members were away from Kyoto, although Tamamo-no-Mae and Hachishaku-sama took turns patrolling, they were missing Miko Yotsuya - their important reconnaissance-type ability user - so their efficiency wasn't particularly high.
Oda Noto had accumulated a large pile of exorcism requests, all requiring urgent attention.
There was also another reason that was difficult to mention aloud.
The cost of living in Tokyo... was genuinely quite high.
To summarise in one sentence:
The club's activity funds were almost depleted.
Admittedly, among the members were Kazusa Touma, Yukino Yukinoshita, Mai Sakurajima, and Rio Futaba - wealthy young ladies who didn't need to worry about money at all.
But when going out together, it wasn't possible to let them pay for everything, and the other members felt too embarrassed to spend their money.
This was what they called keeping things separate.
As for Hina Amano, she hadn't participated in the Supernatural Society's group activities during this period, even missing two meetings.
She spent every day doing only one thing now.
Working.
Working desperately.
Although no one said it outright, all the members understood why Hina Amano was doing this.
No one could guarantee that the plan the Supernatural Society had so carefully prepared for so long, with all members who had awakened Soul Materialisation mobilising together, would definitely succeed in eliminating that weather god.
After all, although the other party wasn't exactly virtuous, they were a genuine deity capable of influencing the weather throughout Japan.
If the plan failed...
Hina Amano would disappear.
She wanted to leave enough money for her younger brother before she disappeared, ensuring that even if his older sister vanished, he could still live normally.
Regarding Tokyo, after Light Yagami publicly executed the criminal, the incident sparked a heated debate.
Procedural justice versus outcome justice.
Online support was almost entirely skewed toward Kira.
After all, for a criminal who committed such a horrifying case of raping and murdering young girls, had a history of mental illness, was unlikely to receive the death penalty, and had hopes of returning to society to commit more crimes - for Light Yagami's philosophy, this was practically the perfect evil to display before the public, something that must be sanctioned.
Most crucially, during the television broadcast, all viewers clearly heard L's direct provocation against Kira.
But Kira didn't respond aggressively.
Seemingly lost.
Actually, won overwhelmingly.
This strong demeanour of treating provocation with indifference and disdain while steadfastly adhering to one's own principles further caused Kira's popularity to surge once again.
As Light Yagami made his first public appearance in the image of Kira, people also discovered something.
Kira and Mask had once appeared together on a commercial street in Kyoto City, jointly eliminating a violent gang.
The fact that these two mysterious heroes actually had a cooperative relationship sparked even more heated discussions among the citizens of Japan.
This is what a high-profile collaboration typically entails.
...
That morning, at Ye Xing's home.
"Yukinoshita."
Kazusa Touma, who had slept until noon, emerged from her room rubbing her eyes. Spotting Yukino Yukinoshita sitting alone on the sofa, she asked expressionlessly.
"Where are Ye Xing and Shoko Makinohara?"
Yukino and Kazusa had lived together for a period earlier in the summer holidays, before the Sunny Doll Killer was eliminated. Having spent another seven days together this time, with Yukino Yukinoshita now becoming an inner member who joined Ye Xing's daily exorcism operations, the atmosphere between them wasn't as hostile as initially.
Of course, this only extended to everyday conversation - going out alone for meals or shopping remained rather unrealistic.
"They've both gone out."
"Where to?"
"Makinohara-san took Menma and Hachishaku-sama out shopping. Though I can't see them, I heard Hachishaku-sama has formidable combat abilities. Ye Xing approved, so there shouldn't be any issues."
Kazusa Touma sat on the sofa, maintaining a person's width of distance from Yukino Yukinoshita. Unwrapping a milk candy from her pocket, she placed it in her mouth and said flatly.
"I don't care where she went. The important thing is Ye Xing."
"He went for an interview."
"Oh."
Hearing Kazusa's single-syllable response, Yukino Yukinoshita frowned slightly. After a long silence, she ultimately couldn't resist asking.
"Don't you want to know who he went with for the interview, or who's interviewing him?"
"Doesn't matter."
Kazusa Touma shook her head, her expression as unreadable as ever.
Yukino Yukinoshita sighed softly, her gaze complex as she watched Kazusa curled up on the sofa.
"Honestly, I truly don't understand. You were willing to throw yourself in front of that truck for him, yet now you act like this... I know what's called romantic feelings, but they don't seem to manifest like yours do."
Hearing the word "romance", a faint blush coloured Kazusa Touma's pale, delicate cheeks as she immediately denied it.
"We're just friends."
Yukino Yukinoshita had always been blunt, and this moment was no exception.
"Those words probably wouldn't fool anyone except yourself."
"I..."
Kazusa lowered her head at this, wrapping her arms around her legs as she curled up on the sofa. Her clear eyes revealed profound loneliness.
"For someone as worthless as me, just being able to stay by his side is enough... Giving everything for him - that's all I have to offer..."
"You're far too insecure."
Hearing this, Yukino Yukinoshita frowned slightly, as if pondering something.
This was the first time she realised Kazusa Touma harboured such deep insecurities.
Yukino finally understood why, despite such obvious behaviour, the other girl refused to acknowledge her feelings for Ye Xing.
Intense inferiority made Kazusa Touma's attitude toward Ye Xing border on subservience.
Yet...
Without even establishing a romantic relationship, she would sacrifice her life for another person, expecting nothing in return...
Kazusa Touma's feelings for Ye Xing perfectly matched Yukino Yukinoshita's definition of what constituted genuine love.
The key was that she always felt something wasn't quite right.
Was this truly what a genuine thing meant...?
"Touma... no, Kazusa."
Yukino Yukinoshita rose from the sofa and walked over to Kazusa Touma, speaking slowly.
"If you're willing, I can help you."
Kazusa Touma lifted her head and murmured, "Help me... with what?"
Yukino Yukinoshita tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and replied calmly, "Speaking of which, you crossed paths with that guy on the very first day of school, yet here we are with half the summer break already gone, and there's been no progress. If you keep holding onto these thoughts and remain stagnant, there will come a day when you drift further and further apart from him."
"If that's the case..."
Kazusa Touma muttered to herself, gritting her teeth lightly, her hands unconsciously clenching.
"I... can't accept it."
Yukino Yukinoshita had expected this reaction and said indifferently, "Then, let me help you. This will be the first commission independently undertaken and completed by Yukino Yukinoshita of the Supernatural Society: to help the daughter of a world-class pianist resolve the longstanding knot in her heart."
Kazusa Touma pressed her lips together, not giving a direct answer but responding with action instead.
She pulled a piece of milk candy from her pocket and gently placed it in Yukino Yukinoshita's hand.
"If you take my candy, then you must see this through to the end."
"No problem."
...
Meanwhile, at Suga Editorial Studio.
"Ye Xing-kun."
Natsumi Suga, dressed in a strappy top and hot pants, opened the door. Upon seeing Yexing standing outside, she greeted him with a smile, then glanced to his side.
"Eh, that girl named Marin Kitagawa didn't come with you? I invited her too."
Yexing replied casually, "She caught a cold today and can't go out."
"Oh, it doesn't matter."
Natsumi Suga led Yexing inside, smiling as she spoke. "After all, the person I really wanted to interview was just you. Inviting Kitagawa-san along was only because I thought you might feel nervous being alone with me."
Yexing sat on the sofa and chuckled lightly. "You're overthinking it. If anything, you should be the one worried about feeling nervous alone with me."
"Don't underestimate me. I'm a professional writer, you know."
Natsumi Suga laughed in response, then sat opposite Yexing and said eagerly, "Shall we begin now?"
"Sure."
"Then the first question..."
Natsumi Suga leaned forward slightly, resting her chin on one hand, her eyes fixed intently on Yexing's face as she spoke slowly.
"Ye Xing-kun, as someone who has cosplayed as Mask, what are your personal thoughts on Mask?"