Hearing Kazusa Touma's words, Shouko Nishimiya couldn't help but hesitate. After remaining silent for a few seconds, she finally mustered her courage to speak.
"To... Touma-san, thank you."
"Huh? That's it?"
Kazusa Touma looked somewhat impatient, crossing her arms in front of her chest as she looked at the timid Shouko Nishimiya, letting out a light hum.
"I thought your voice would be really strange. Although the accent is a bit awkward, isn't this perfectly normal? It's nowhere near as weird as you said, to the point of being incomprehensible."
Seeing Kazusa Touma's attitude and hearing her words, Shouko Nishimiya was momentarily stunned, then a complex expression appeared in her eyes.
After entering high school, Shouko Nishimiya hadn't experienced any bullying incidents. After all, she was in the same grade as Ye Xing. From the day Ye Xing enrolled at Sobu High School, the entire school had been dominated by him, achieving equality for all beneath him.
However, although there were no verbal insults or physical conflicts, and even the surrounding classmates were very patient with her, Shouko Nishimiya didn't like this environment.
When everyone looked at her, what they saw was only a disabled girl with hearing impairment who needed to be handled with care, rather than Shouko Nishimiya herself.
Excessive gentleness and consideration actually made Shouko Nishimiya feel like she was being tormented.
In such an environment, she naturally hadn't been able to make any friends and had been trying to avoid communicating with others as much as possible.
Kazusa Touma's unfriendly, even somewhat impatient, attitude instead gave Shouko Nishimiya a sense of relief.
"Kazusa."
Just then, Setsuna Ogiso approached from the other end of the corridor, first greeting Kazusa Touma.
"Kazusa, let's have lunch together."
Kazusa Touma shook her head and said softly.
"I'm going back to the classroom to continue sleeping."
"That won't do at all!"
Setsuna Ogiso lectured Kazusa Touma with an air of mature authority.
"Look how thin you already are. If you don't eat properly, you'll become malnourished."
"Malnourished?"
Kazusa Touma said flatly.
"I think I'm developing quite well."
"Um..."
Setsuna Ogiso stole a glance at Kazusa Touma's chest, then looked down at her own, finding herself unable to refute the statement.
She simply couldn't understand - Kazusa Touma stayed up late every night, kept irregular hours, and never ate properly. Before joining the Supernatural Society and having Mai-senpai cook for them, she'd just buy convenience store ready meals to get by. With such poor nutritional intake, how could she still develop so... fully?
If she actually ate properly and got enough sleep, wouldn't she have the potential to even rival Hana Yurikawa?
"Touma-san."
Hana Yurikawa emerged from the classroom, white cream still clinging to the corner of her mouth. In one hand, she held a half-eaten long bread roll, while with her other hand she offered an identical, unopened one, smiling.
"Here, I'll share this with you. I bought it on my way to school - it's cream-filled and really delicious."
"Hmm..."
Looking at the bread Hana Yurikawa offered, Kazusa Touma wanted to refuse, but hesitated.
She had to acknowledge this airheaded, well-endowed, cute girl's taste in sweets.
If Hana Yurikawa said it was particularly delicious, it was definitely worth trying.
Just then, Setsuna Ogiso noticed Shouko Nishimiya standing there. She tilted her head in confusion before speaking up with a smile.
"Could it be... you're Shouko Nishimiya-san?"
Shouko Nishimiya parted her lips slightly as if to say something, but ultimately just nodded without making a sound.
"Perfect, let's eat together then."
Hana Yurikawa chimed in enthusiastically, directly grabbing Kazusa Touma's hand while Setsuna Ogiso took Shouko Nishimiya's, and the four of them walked forward together.
"Eh?"
Shouko Nishimiya let out a slightly confused, adorable sound as she watched Hana Yurikawa and Setsuna Ogiso chatting and laughing ahead of her, and Kazusa Touma, who, despite her impatient expression, had laughter shining in her clear, beautiful eyes. A complex feeling stirred in her heart.
Is this... what friends are like?
...
Meanwhile, at Itomori Town Middle School.
"Mitsuha."
"Mitsuha?"
"Mitsuha!"
Hearing the calls by her ear, Mitsuha Miyamizu finally snapped back to reality. Seeing her friends, Sayaka Natori and Katsuhiko Teshigawara, stare at her with exasperated expressions, she forced a faint smile.
"Sorry, I was thinking about something."
"Really, you're like you've lost your soul. Should we find someone to perform an exorcism on you?"
"Are you stupid? Mitsuha's family are shrine maidens - why would she need to find someone for exorcism?"
"Tch, then what do you suggest we do?"
"In my opinion..."
Sayaka Natori said this as she gently nudged Mitsuha Miyamizu with her elbow, wearing a meaningful expression.
"I heard you came to school this morning with a really handsome boy. Boyfriend? He didn't seem to be from our school."
"Don't... don't say nonsense. What boyfriend? It's not like that."
Mitsuha Miyamizu blushed and hurriedly shook her head, turning her face away as she nervously fiddled with a strand of her hair, murmuring.
"Just... just a friend."
"A friend?"
Sayaka Natori wore an expression of apparent disbelief as she leaned over Mitsuha Miyamizu's shoulder, smirking.
"Where are they from?"
"Ky... Kyoto."
"Kyoto, huh..."
Sayaka chuckled lightly as if making a suggestion.
"It takes quite a while to get here by train from there, with several transfers along the way. Would an ordinary friend go through all that trouble just to come see you? Come clean—is this your online crush? You're something else, Mitsuha, keeping secrets even from me, your childhood friend?"
"I—it's not like that, actually..."
Halfway through her sentence, Mitsuha Miyamizu paused and thought carefully, a contemplative look crossing her face before she nodded.
"Well, actually, that's exactly it. You've seen right through me."
Mitsuha Miyamizu had thought of something.
If there was someone among the recent arrivals to Itomori Town, or even among the local residents, who intended to create a disaster, then Ye Xing's sudden appearance in Itomori Town needed a plausible reason. Otherwise, as the other party had said this morning, it could easily alert the enemy.
Actually, if it were anyone else, such caution might not be necessary. Although Itomori Town wasn't large, outsiders frequently came and went.
The problem was that Ye Xing's appearance was far too conspicuous.
Moreover, Mitsuha Miyamizu was not only the town mayor's daughter but also the shrine maiden of the Miyamizu family—a well-known figure in both the town and school. Since so many people had seen Ye Xing escort her to the school gate this morning, it was better to be cautious.
"Eh? Really?"
Sayaka Natori was taken aback when Mitsuha Miyamizu actually admitted it outright, then immediately adopted a gossipy expression.
"Eh, eh, is he really your boyfriend? Then tell me quickly—is he still in school or already working? How old is he? How did you meet? How far have you gone?"
This barrage of questions, especially the last one, made Mitsuha Miyamizu's face flush bright red with embarrassment and irritation.
"What do you mean, how far have we gone... We haven't done anything yet!"
"What about the other questions? Hurry up, I'm dying of curiosity!"
"Hmm..."
Mitsuha Miyamizu tilted her head slightly, thinking carefully.
"It seems... he's a high school student like us..."
"Seems?"
Sayaka Natori looked sceptical.
"I mean, as his girlfriend, not even knowing whether your boyfriend is studying or working is a bit much, don't you think?"
Mitsuha Miyamizu had no retort.
During the few times she had appeared in Kyoto in her spiritual form, she had been too busy admiring the elegant café surroundings and enjoying the delicious pastries. Besides, Ye Xing was always meeting someone to discuss matters, and she didn't want to interrupt, so she just focused on eating before returning to her own body.
They really hadn't discussed these topics.
Mitsuha Miyamizu suddenly realised something.
Her knowledge of Ye Xing seemed limited to him being an exorcist with special powers who usually operated in Kyoto under the identity of Mask and had made a deal with the god enshrined by the Miyamizu family for generations to save Itomori Town from a meteor disaster.
That was all. Nothing more.
She seemed...
To know nothing about him at all?
...
Meanwhile, at Miyamizu Shrine.
Hitoha Miyamizu, who was braiding a cord, heard a knock at the door. She removed her reading glasses, stood up, and went to open it.
"It's you?"
Seeing Ye Xing at the door, Hitoha Miyamizu—though she had only met him once—recognised him immediately. After all, this was the person whom the god enshrined by the Miyamizu family for generations had personally given a revelation about, instructing her to treat him well and stating that he would kill a god. Even if she wanted to forget, it would be difficult.
"Grandmother Hitoha, hello. I've come again."
Hitoha Miyamizu nodded, a kindly smile appearing on her face.
"Come in first. I'll pour you some hot tea and bring some snacks. We can sit and talk."
After they had seated themselves at the table, Hitoha Miyamizu studied Ye Xing sitting opposite her and slowly began to speak.
"Since you've appeared here, and Japan's weather has returned to normal, that proves... You succeeded, right?"
"Right."
Ye Xing nodded with a smile.
"That fellow has been eliminated."
"Such a thing... was actually possible..."
Hitoha Miyamizu murmured to herself, unsure how to process this.
Initially, she had thought this young man, Ye Xing, was just speaking nonsense to her, or perhaps he was serious but would ultimately be destroyed by the gods.
She never imagined he would actually succeed.
"You've come this time... for the comet that will pass over Itomori Town fourteen days from now, correct?"
"So you already knew, grandmother."
"Not exactly knew, more like figured it out."
Hitoha Miyamizu took a sip of tea and spoke slowly.
"Twelve hundred years ago, a meteorite fell in this place. That huge lake was formed as a result."
"Over two hundred years ago, a sudden fire burned down the original shrine, along with all the ancient texts and records stored inside."
"As time passed, even we Miyamizus, as a shrine maiden family, have forgotten why we hold the god-worshipping ceremonies. We've even forgotten the meaning of our existence as shrine maidens and that of the god's existence."
Here, Hitoha Miyamizu changed her tone.
"But when I saw the news report on television saying that a comet would pass by in fourteen days, and that our Itomori Town would be the closest point along its path, I understood. This is the meaning of the god's existence, and our Miyamizu family's purpose - to save Itomori Town from calamity."
Hitoha Miyamizu put down her teacup, a kind smile appearing on her aged face.
"However, I'm old now, and no longer a shrine maiden. Yotsuha is still so young. Ye Xing, I'm entrusting the hope of saving Itomori Town to you and Mitsuha."
Ye Xing nodded and replied with a smile.
"No problem."
"So, did you come to see me today because you need help with something else?"
"Not exactly."
Ye Xing took a sip of tea and first commented,
"Not as good as iced cola."
Hitoha Miyamizu frowned slightly.
"Drinking too much soda is unhealthy. Tea is better. Don't think just because you're young now, when you get older..."
"I won't grow old."
"Eh?"
Hitoha Miyamizu was taken aback by this. She had been about to say that everyone grows old someday, but then she remembered - this was someone special who had slain a god.
Perhaps he really wouldn't grow old?
"Anyway, drink less of those carbonated drinks. They're not good for your health."
"Alright."
Ye Xing responded noncommittally, then spoke softly.
"I didn't come to see you this time. I'm waiting for someone here."
"Waiting for someone? Waiting for wh..."
Just as Hitoha Miyamizu was halfway through her sentence, they suddenly heard knocking at the door.
"Please go inside the room."
Seeing how serious Ye Xing looked, Hitoha Miyamizu didn't hesitate much, since this was someone who had established cooperation with their family's god. But before entering the room, she sighed and said.
"Move carefully, don't tear my house down."
"Got it, don't worry, I guarantee not a single trace will remain."
Only after Hitoha Miyamizu entered the room and closed the door did Ye Xing stand up and walk to the entrance, opening the main door and instantly switching to an enthusiastic smiling face.
"Hello, welcome to Miyamizu Shrine."
Standing at the door was a rather plain-looking woman around thirty years old, dressed quite ordinarily.
Seeing that the person who opened the door was actually male, she couldn't help but frown slightly.
"Is this... Miyamizu Shrine?"
Ye Xing maintained his friendly smile and said softly,
"Are you deaf? I already said this is Miyamizu Shrine, and you're asking again? You should go buy a hearing aid."
Hearing such unfriendly words, the woman didn't show any anger, merely replying flatly,
"I heard the Miyamizu family are shrine maidens. How could there be a man here?"
"Are you alright, auntie?"
Ye Xing looked at her as if she were an idiot, speaking with complete confidence.
"Tell me, if there were no men, how would the Miyamizu family have children? Do you think this is the Kingdom of Women where you can get pregnant just by drinking water?"
"Are you a live-in son-in-law?"
"That's right."
Ye Xing lied without changing his expression.
"I am Miyamizu Xing, fiancé of Mitsuha Miyamizu, the current generation's shrine maiden of the Miyamizu family. I'm alone here today. If you have questions, come inside first."
"Alright."
After the woman entered and sat down, Ye Xing looked her over and asked casually,
"I'm local, but I don't seem to have seen you before. Are you a tourist? Or have you been transferred here for work?"
"A tourist, here to see the comet."
"Oh, the comet."
Ye Xing picked up his teacup and blew on it, chuckling as he said,
"The comet that won't pass for another fourteen days - isn't it a bit early to come so many days in advance?"
The woman replied expressionlessly,
"I just resigned, so I'm currently unemployed. I thought I'd come see this rare comet before looking for my next job, to change my mood."
"I see."
Ye Xing nodded noncommittally and smiled.
"Did you come alone? Or with friends?"
Hearing this, the woman showed impatience, frowning deeply.
"Mr Miyamizu, I came to consult about some matters. Let's end the small talk here."
"Then ask away."
"Mr Miyamizu, I'd like to know what kind of deity exactly your Miyamizu family has worshipped for generations. Also, do you only have this one shrine? I heard from people in town that you offer kuchikamizake to the deity - where is that stored?"
Facing this series of questions from the woman, Ye Xing took a sip of tea, maintaining his smile but not answering a single word.
After nearly half a minute, the woman finally narrowed her eyes and said,
"Mr Miyamizu, I'm asking you questions."
"Hmm, I heard you."
Ye Xing spread his hands, adopting a completely uncooperative attitude.
"You ask your questions, but I never said I would answer."
"You..."
A cold killing intent appeared in the woman's eyes as she slowly said,
"You'd better answer my questions. Now."
"Oh, are you threatening me now?"
The moment Ye Xing's voice fell, a wisp of red thread suddenly materialised in the air, forming a sentence.
[Confirmed, she did come alone.]
"OK."
In that instant, Ye Xing noticed the woman's gaze shifting towards the direction of the red thread. He was now certain - she was a psychic.
If she were just an ordinary tourist, faced with his utterly dreadful and aggressive attitude, she would have turned and left immediately. Why would she endure the anger just to ask about some strange tales related to deities?
And that woman clearly knew things had taken a terrible turn.
But before she could react, her vision spun wildly before plunging into complete darkness.
After cleanly severing the woman's head with a single strike, Ye Xing didn't hesitate - he immediately reversed his grip on Onimaru Kunitsuna and plunged the blade tip into the head that had fallen to the ground, following his standard procedure for dealing with evil spirits as he murmured.
"First one."