No discernible emotion showed on Saki Kawasaki's face - neither jealousy nor anger at being betrayed by a close friend.
This only made Marin Kitagawa feel worse.
Had Kawasaki loudly condemned her for falling for the same person her friend did, she wouldn't have felt this suffocating weight pressing on her chest, making it hard to breathe.
Just as Marin felt her brain growing starved of oxygen, nearly choking, Kawasaki suddenly uttered words she never expected to hear.
"Hmm... I've known for a while."
"Known... for a while?"
"Correct."
Saki Kawasaki turned around, looking at Marin Kitagawa with a complicated expression as she spoke softly.
"From the time you went to the cosplay event with Ye Xing... no, even earlier, from when he went with you to buy cosplay outfits, I could tell."
Marin Kitagawa parted her lips slightly, hesitating to speak.
She thought to herself that she had only realised she had fallen for Ye Xing last night. For Saki Kawasaki to say she had noticed back in Tokyo was just too...
Saki Kawasaki seemed to see through Marin Kitagawa's thoughts and spoke slowly.
"Sometimes, what you can't see yourself, those close to you can detect immediately. Perhaps this is what they call 'the onlooker sees most of the game'."
Marin Kitagawa nervously licked her lips, thinking that the main issue now wasn't when she had started liking Ye Xing.
That wasn't important.
Whether earlier or later, she would still have ended up letting Saki Kawasaki down.
"I'm very angry."
Hearing Saki Kawasaki say these words, Marin Kitagawa nervously closed her eyes, slightly lowered her head, clenched her hands at her sides, and mustered her courage to speak.
"Saki, I know this is wrong of me. You can scold me if you want, hit me if you must, even never speak to me again or remain friends with me, but..."
Marin Kitagawa took a deep breath, opened her eyes, and looked directly at Saki Kawasaki before her, speaking with determination.
"Only when it comes to liking Ye Xing, I won't back down."
A famous great man, known as the God of Harems, once said:
Love triangles, faction rivalries, and romantic competition aren't entirely negative.
Sometimes, they can be healthy competition.
Like when children eat - if one person eats alone, they eat slowly because they know that whether they eat fast or slow, or take breaks, the food will still be there, it won't disappear.
But if two people, three people, five, six, seven, eight people all want to eat from the same bowl...
That's different.
You have to fight for it.
If you don't fight, you won't get to eat.
The same principle applies to matters of the heart.
For a girl like Marin Kitagawa who had never been in love before, expressing her true feelings was an embarrassingly difficult thing to put into words.
But if she didn't express them now, she might not only lose Saki as a friend, but also have to watch her best friend get together with the person she liked herself.
Hesitation means defeat.
"Why are you making that face? What's this about scolding you, hitting you..."
Saki Kawasaki walked up to Marin Kitagawa, looking at her resolute expression, and sighed slightly.
"How could I blame my best friend just because she developed the same feelings as me? I am very angry, but that's just my personal feeling. It doesn't mean that you liking Ye Xing is a fault."
Upon hearing Saki Kawasaki's words, Marin Kitagawa showed a touched expression, her eyes glistening.
"Saki... I..."
"Alright, no need to say more."
Saki Kawasaki waved her hand, a slight curve appearing at the corner of her lips.
"You and him, me and him - it doesn't affect the relationship between you and me. I want to continue being friends with you, that's decided."
Just as Marin Kitagawa revealed a smile again and was about to say something, Saki Kawasaki immediately added with seriousness.
"But you absolutely must not let Keika know about this. If she finds out, she'll probably get angry."
"Mm, don't worry."
After clearing things up, both Saki Kawasaki and Marin Kitagawa's moods returned to normal.
"By the way, let's buy some things while we're out shopping."
"Buy what?"
Seeing Marin Kitagawa's puzzled expression, Saki Kawasaki sighed and facepalmed.
"Honestly, what's with your memory? Didn't you ask me to make that wedding dress outfit? I've finished it, but I can't do anything about the high heels, choker, and small accessories like lace lingerie. We'll just have to see if we can find suitable ones."
Hearing this, Marin Kitagawa finally remembered that there was indeed such a matter.
Before summer vacation began, both Mai Sakurajima and Miko Yotsuya had approached her, saying they wanted custom sleepwear.
The bunny girl outfit for Mai-senpai had been completed and delivered long ago.
But Miko Yotsuya's requested wedding dress was too difficult, and it was only now that Saki Kawasaki had finally finished it.
"Alright, let's hurry up and go. After we buy everything, we can deliver it to Miko."
Marin Kitagawa and Saki Kawasaki left home together.
...
Meanwhile, in a certain part of Kyoto, Miko Yotsuya, who was carrying out an exorcism mission with Yui Yuigahama, and Rio Futaba, who was conducting another exorcism investigation dozens of kilometres away with Mai Sakurajima, simultaneously furrowed their brows and spoke the same words.
"Strange..."
"What's strange?"
Hearing Mai Sakurajima's question, Rio Futaba adjusted her glasses and observed their surroundings.
Kyoto during the day was very lively, with a continuous flow of pedestrians.
"It seems like something is watching us..."
Due to her experiences in middle school, Rio Futaba was particularly sensitive to external gazes, which was one of her specialities.
As for Miko Yotsuya, because her soul's true form, Hyakume, was naturally inclined towards reconnaissance, counter-reconnaissance abilities were naturally included. That's why she could sense the gaze coming from somewhere unknown.
But Mai Sakurajima and Yui Yuigahama felt nothing at all.
"Is it just your imagination?"
Hearing Yui Yuigahama's words, Miko Yotsuya shook her head. A hint of vigilance appeared in her golden eyes as she softly said, "Ye Xing said that professional exorcists should never dismiss their intuition as imagination. They must always verify it repeatedly."
"Open your eyes, Hyakume."
Hyakume, wearing a kimono with a thin cloth covering her eye area but with eyes growing on her wrists, appeared behind Miko Yotsuya.
She didn't need Miko to tell her what to do - they were connected mind-to-mind.
Hyakume opened over a dozen eyes on her body's surface, observing from various angles for a long time before closing them again and replying in a gentle voice, "There are very faint traces remaining. I can't determine whether an evil spirit was truly nearby or if it's just my imagination. After all, this place is so remote - it's normal for traces of evil spirit power to linger."
"I see..."
Miko Yotsuya had called out Hyakume, yet the ominous premonition in her heart refused to fade.
It had been over half a month since the Sunny Doll Killer incident concluded.
Even summer vacation was already halfway over.
Could Kyoto City, which had been plagued by frequent supernatural occurrences, remain this peaceful for so long?
Were the evil spirits frightened after being slaughtered by Ye Xing?
Impossible.
Even Ye Xing was far from capable of intimidating all evil spirits within a city's scope into inaction without lifting a finger.
Then there was the news Tamamo-no-Mae mentioned - numerous evil spirits disappearing from the Reverse World, suspected to have gathered in Kyoto City's real world, preparing for an all-out assault...
Miko Yotsuya felt that beneath the surface, invisible to the Supernatural Society members, a turbulent current was brewing, ready to sweep through all of Kyoto.
Just as she was lost in thought, her phone suddenly rang from her pocket.
Miko took it out and glanced at it, her fair face immediately flushing crimson.
Yui Yuigahama, watching her reaction nearby, couldn't help but feel curious.
"Miko? What's wrong?"
"I-It's nothing."
Miko stared at the text message from Marin Kitagawa, contemplating internally.
'The clothes are ready...'
She wanted to use them tonight.
But... she didn't live alone... and based on past experience, she knew she wouldn't be able to stop herself from screaming loudly. She couldn't go to Ye Xing's place either, since Shoko Makinohara and Kazusa Touma were still there...
Yet... Miko truly couldn't resist any longer.
At this realisation, she suddenly understood she'd fallen into a mental trap.
While on the surface she appeared to be an ordinary high school girl,
In reality, she was a professional exorcist with substantial income.
Why not just book a hotel room and call Ye Xing?
It wasn't like she couldn't afford it.
But there remained one critical problem.
Miko felt somewhat frightened.
After all, during their last stay at a Tokyo hotel, she had glimpsed Ye Xing's true capabilities.
As the saying goes,
When Miko's physical fitness was at an ordinary person's level, she thought Ye Xing was just somewhat stronger in stamina.
But after her own physical abilities had improved significantly, she realised he had actually been quite gentle before.
Recalling that night in the Tokyo hotel - passing out three times, her voice growing hoarse from screaming, her body nearly falling apart - Miko genuinely felt intimidated.
'Me challenging Ye Xing alone?'
'Seriously?'
With this thought, Miko's gaze shifted toward Yui Yuigahama.
Sensing her meaningful stare, Yui instinctively took two steps back, asking cautiously,
"Miko... why are you looking at me like that?"
"Yui."
Miko approached Yui Yuigahama with a sweet smile.
"Let me treat you to a hotel stay tonight."
...
Meanwhile, in a café.
"So beautiful..."
Mitsuha Miyamizu couldn't help but marvel at the exquisitely crafted dessert before her. Though expensive, its appearance clearly made it worth the price, and she felt almost reluctant to eat it.
But soon, she realised she'd worried unnecessarily.
"Eh? Eh?"
Mitsuha tried to pick up the fork beside the plate, only to find her hand passing right through it.
"Eh!?"
Sitting opposite her, Ye Xing seemed to have long anticipated this situation and chuckled lightly as he teased.
"I say, Miyamizu-san, you seem rather confused about your current circumstances. You're a spirit now—a ghost. How could a ghost possibly eat anything?"
Hearing that these exquisite pastries were right before her, yet she couldn't eat them, Mitsuha Miyamizu's face fell with disappointment. She lowered her head and muttered quietly.
"How could this be... That's too cruel..."
Just then, the hero made his entrance.
Red threads appeared like spectres, swiftly forming a sentence on the table.
"Mitsuha is currently a spirit, so she cannot affect the physical world in any way, which naturally includes eating."
Then, this abstract deity from Itomori Town abruptly changed the subject.
"However, if there happens to be a special hero present - not entirely human, possessing spiritual qualities, capable of affecting both realms - who feeds Mitsuha... hehehe, then she'll be able to taste it."
Seeing this message from the Itomori Town deity, Ye Xing had ample, concrete reasons to suspect this bastard was doing it on purpose.
"This... having Ye Xing-kun feed me... this is just too..."
Though Miyamizu Mitsuha said this, her gaze towards the exquisite pastry was filled with reluctance, pitiful longing, and deep anticipation.
"Sigh, you really are hungry, aren't you?"
Ye Xing understood Miyamizu Mitsuha's expression all too well.
Wasn't this exactly the same look he had when encountering powerful evil spirits?
He never expected to see his own expression mirrored on a beautiful girl's face.
Commonly known as.
Getting an appetite.
"Fine, I'll feed you."
Watching Ye Xing scoop up a piece of cake with a spoon, then seeing the lightly sweet cream on the cake's surface and the rich, fragrant chocolate coating, Miyamizu Mitsuha swallowed hard. Her appetite ultimately overcame her shyness, and she slightly parted her lips to eat the cake.
It melted in her mouth.
"So delicious... I'm so happy..."
Miyamizu Mitsuha wore an expression of complete immersion in happiness, as if she had no regrets left in life.
"I'm glad you like it."
Ye Xing smiled gently, his tone soft.
"Miyamizu-san, I happen to have a friend who's very skilled at making pastries. When I visit Itomori Town next time, I'll bring you some of her creations. I guarantee they'll provide an unprecedented experience that even this cake can't begin to compare to."
"Really?"
Hearing Ye Xing use such exaggerated terms to describe them, Miyamizu Mitsuha couldn't help but show an expectant expression, smiling sweetly.
"Then I'll trouble you, Ye Xing-kun."
"No problem, we're friends. Eat as much as you want, there'll be plenty."
...
That evening, in a luxury hotel in Kyoto City.
"Miko..."
Yuigahama Yui held her room card, looking at Miko standing in the doorway of the opposite room with a puzzled expression.
"Why did we get two rooms? Aren't we staying together? And why did we come to this hotel anyway? If we wanted to chat and sleep together tonight, we could have gone to my place."
"Yui, listen carefully."
Yotsuya Miko walked up to Yuigahama Yui, took her hand, and gazed directly into her eyes with her golden pupils as she slowly spoke.
"What we're about to face is an extremely powerful opponent."
"Opponent?"
Yuigahama Yui tilted her head, feeling somewhat confused, thinking it should be 'enemy' instead.
This was probably the first time she'd heard such a gentle term as 'opponent' come from Yotsuya Miko, who normally harboured intense hatred towards evil spirits and spectres.
Shouldn't it be called an enemy?
"An evil spirit?"
Yotsuya Miko didn't answer the question; instead, speaking slowly.
"Anyway, Yui, just wait in your room. You'll understand when the time comes, alright?"
"Okay."
Watching Yui Yuigahama nod with a dazed expression before entering the hotel room opposite, Miko Yotsuya let out a long sigh of relief.
Sorry, Yui...
Wait, no.
What exactly was she apologising for?
Wasn't this actually a reward?
Miko Yotsuya reconsidered her perspective.
She wasn't setting a trap for the innocent and adorable Dango that would leave her exhausted, hoarse, and eyes rolling back.
Rather, she was preparing a surprise gift for her.
Things that couldn't be accomplished alone...
Required finding partners to collaborate with.
This was the true purpose of the Supernatural Society's existence!
As the member who had known Ye Xing the longest, Miko Yotsuya's greatest concern had finally come to pass.
Her personality was gradually becoming more abstract, too.
...
Ten minutes later.
Yui Yuigahama, who had been sitting waiting in the room, suddenly heard knocking at the door.
Her eyes flickered, the light-pink hair tie holding her bun glowing with a brilliant light, ready to extend at any moment and transform into armour forged from spiritual power.
Step by step, Yui Yuigahama approached the door to the room, took a deep breath, and slowly opened it.
"Eh... Ye Xing?"
When she saw Ye Xing standing outside, Yui Yuigahama couldn't help but freeze for a moment.
The next second, she instantly understood everything.
After all, while Dango might seem airheaded, she wasn't actually stupid.
Well then.
So the powerful opponent Miko mentioned was Ye Xing...
He did seem quite powerful indeed.
At this moment, Yui Yuigahama had only one thought.
Thanks, Miko.
"Yahallo, Yui."
Ye Xing smiled.
"I'm here to assist your cultivation..."
Before he could finish speaking, Yui Yuigahama had already risen on her toes, stepped onto his shoes, wrapped her arms around his neck, and delivered a long, deep kiss.
The battle was about to begin.
Meanwhile, Miko Yotsuya, peering through her door's peephole, saw Ye Xing enter Yui Yuigahama's room and breathed a genuine sigh of relief.
To be honest, using Dango's help to avoid falling unconscious herself wasn't Miko's main reason for doing this.
The primary reason was...
Yui Yuigahama was very popular, had a lively, adorable personality, and was among the earliest members to join the society.
Yet she only managed to join the harem group when they travelled to Tokyo at the end of the first semester.
Regarding this situation, not just Miko Yotsuya, but even Rio Futaba and Mai Sakurajima felt somewhat apologetic towards Dango.
Letting her go first today could be considered a form of compensation.
As she thought this, Miko Yotsuya opened the bag she carried and carefully changed into the bridal outfit, carefully crafted by Saki Kawasaki, along with various accessories Marin Kitagawa had purchased from the shopping street that morning.
Marin Kitagawa was, after all, a gyaru with excellent fashion sense.
White stockings, white high heels, plus a white lace choker.
If one word could describe Miko Yotsuya's outfit, it would be holy.
If another word was needed...
Lewd.
Strange, isn't it?
Sometimes clothing that appears completely holy can carry an inexplicable lewdness.
Miko Yotsuya originally thought she would have to wait at least one or two hours before hearing a knock at her door.
But when the knocking came, she specifically checked the time before opening the door for Ye Xing.
Seventeen minutes.
No... Dango... you...
You only lasted seventeen minutes?
Utterly humiliating.
"That outfit looks quite nice on you."
Hearing Ye Xing's compliment, a hint of shy awkwardness flickered in Miko Yotsuya's golden eyes as she turned her face away and murmured softly.
"Well... you see..."
"When I discussed it with Marin, I specifically made a special request for detachable skirt panels... that way... they're less likely to get torn..."
Ye Xing nodded and smiled.
"I see."
Seeing how calm and composed he appeared, as if he hadn't expended much energy at all, Miko Yotsuya decided this time she needed to employ some strategy.
If she went head-to-head, she would quickly be defeated.
It seemed she could only use that move.
Since she was wearing high heels, Miko didn't need to stand on tiptoes to gently press a kiss to Ye Xing's lips.
Then, she pulled him to sit on the edge of the bed, tucked her blue-black hair behind her ears and tied it up with a hairband to avoid inconvenience while eating later, before slowly kneeling on the floor, lowering her head, and parting her pink lips.
...
Forty minutes later.
"I... I can't take it anymore..."
Tears glistened in Miko's eyes, her entire face had taken on a dazed expression, her body had gone as soft as mud, yet she still responded instinctively.
This is bad.
Ye Xing seemed different today.
The gap in strength between the enemy and the ally was too great, the enemy's offensive was too fierce, and her side couldn't hold out any longer.
What Miko didn't know was that this was all thanks to the Supernatural Society's current, and only, external member - Marin Kitagawa.
A cute-looking girl had been sleeping on his lap for several hours, her face oriented toward that sensitive area, continuously breathing orchid-scented breaths...
Simply put.
Ye Xing had been holding back with great difficulty.
Tonight marked the first joint operation between Yui Yuigahama and Miko Yotsuya.
But with Ye Xing moving between the two rooms, launching fresh assaults the moment the girls' cooldown periods ended and their consciousness showed any signs of recovering clarity...
The Supernatural Society witnessed its first complete defeat in a joint operation since its establishment.
...
Three days later, at 6 PM, inside an abandoned building somewhere in Kyoto.
"A rare Gate has appeared..."
Ye Xing murmured to himself as he gazed at the Gate before him, which was approximately forty percent open.
At that moment, a strange sensation suddenly arose within him.
Among the beings he had contracted with, one was currently in a life-or-death crisis, causing the power of this contract to weaken significantly.
It wasn't any member of the Supernatural Society, but...
Ye Xing looked at the slightly ajar Gate before him, emitting thick black mist, his smile fading as he whispered to himself.
"Something has happened to Tamamo-no-Mae."