"Eh?"
The Matchmaking Deity stared at Saika Totsuka, standing at the doorway - with his fair skin, adorable features, silver short hair, slightly flushed cheeks showing some shyness, and petite figure - and couldn't help but open her mouth wide with an incredulous expression.
"This... this is a boy? Oh my goodness..."
The Matchmaking Deity had the same thought as Mitsuha Miyamizu when she first followed Ye Xing into that high-end café and saw the exquisite desserts.
So this is how it is.
This is the big city?
Not only is there a Harem God with red threads hanging like a Christmas tree, but there are also boys who look like cute girls from every angle?
Indeed, the simple folk customs of Itomori Town can't compare to those of a big city like Kyoto.
"Ye Xing... who are you talking to?"
Hearing Utaha Kasumigaoka's puzzled question, Ye Xing waved his hand and casually replied.
"Nothing, I'm just being delusional."
"Huh? Is that so...?"
Utaha Kasumigaoka frowned slightly, feeling something wasn't quite right.
Based on her understanding of Ye Xing, whenever he was actually being delusional, he always had that self-assured, justified attitude that would make observers doubt themselves and even feel like they were the abnormal ones.
But now... Ye Xing actually admitted he was being delusional?
Did that mean he actually wasn't being delusional, but was genuinely communicating with something ordinary people couldn't see?
"Eek..."
Thinking this, Utaha Kasumigaoka couldn't help but shudder.
Ye Xing looked toward Saika Totsuka, standing at the doorway, and spoke with a smile.
"Saika, what did you want to see me about?"
"Well... actually, it's nothing really."
Saika Totsuka appeared somewhat bashful, his face slightly flushed as he spoke softly.
"I was just thinking, since you usually spend time with your club members, and this time the girls can't stay together... and you normally... don't really have many male friends, I thought you might feel lonely staying alone. So I wanted to invite you to come chat with me and the other classmates in our room."
Hearing this, both Utaha and Eriri felt a jolt in their hearts. Looking at Saika Totsuka's bashful expression, mixed with some shyness yet carrying expectant eyes, the same thought flashed through both their minds.
What high-level tactics!
Fortunately, although this Saika Totsuka looks like a cute girl, he's actually a boy...
Wait, no!
Precisely because he's a boy who looks like a cute girl - that's what makes him most dangerous!
After eliminating the various inconveniences caused by gender barriers, his appearance still maintains its appeal to males.
This is the terrifying aspect of a male maiden.
"Chat? No thanks."
Facing Saika Totsuka's invitation, Ye Xing just waved his hand dismissively without any interest, firmly refusing.
"Boring. Not going."
"Eh..."
Saika Totsuka was taken aback for a moment, then cautiously probed.
"Is it that you don't want to be with the other classmates? Then how about... I move here to keep you company?"
"That won't be necessary either."
Ye Xing replied with a smile.
"Don't worry about me. You should go enjoy this rare school trip. I'm not lonely at all - I have these two keeping me company, don't I?"
"Well... alright then."
Saika Totsuka's feelings toward Ye Xing were one hundred percent pure friendship. Seeing two girls in the other's room, while marvelling at Ye Xing's good luck with women, he also felt somewhat relieved, and simply turned to leave.
Only after Saika Totsuka had left did Eriri, like an angered chihuahua, stare intently at Utaha Kasumigaoka standing there, baring her canine teeth. This action didn't add any intimidation to her at all, instead giving her a foolishly cute appearance.
"You scheming, sharp-tongued woman, what are you doing in Ye Xing's room so late at night? Hmm?"
"Hehe."
Utaha Kasumigaoka retorted with a contemptuous laugh.
"I should be asking you, you flat-chested little blonde, what are you doing in Ye Xing's room in the dead of night?"
Before Eriri could respond, Utaha Kasumigaoka said something that dramatically changed the other's expression.
"Could it be... you want to share those erotic doujinshi you drew with Ye Xing?"
"You... you... you..."
Looking at the sweating, panicked Eriri, Utaha Kasumigaoka smiled mischievously and spoke softly.
"You didn't think I didn't notice you at that comic convention last time, did you? The famous artistic genius girl, appearing near a stall selling erotic doujinshi, looked quite familiar with the stall owner... So this is the hobby you have behind everyone's back."
Eriri hadn't expected Utaha Kasumigaoka to suddenly expose her like this. She was completely flustered, stammering and not knowing how to respond. After struggling for a long time, she finally managed to squeeze out one sentence.
"You... you... you're blackmailing me? Careful, or I'll expose that you write romance light novels at school too!"
"Go ahead and expose it."
To Eriri's surprise, Utaha Kasumigaoka simply shrugged with an indifferent expression and smiled.
"What I write are proper light novels, without any erotic content. Unlike you, little blonde... that's harder to say, isn't it?"
Eriri gritted her teeth in frustration, her gaze looking as if she wanted to devour Utaha Kasumigaoka whole. However, her petite stature, contrasted with Utaha's, who was both more imposing and physically larger than her, created the helpless image of a tiny Chihuahua barking fiercely at a large dog.
"You... what exactly do you want by threatening me like this?"
Faced with Eriri's questioning, Utaha Kasumigaoka merely smiled and put on a thoughtful expression.
"Hmm... what do I want? I don't know yet. I'll tell you after I've thought it through."
"You..."
"Kasumigaoka-san, that's enough."
Ye Xing, who had been observing quietly until now, suddenly spoke up.
"I hope you can keep Eriri's secret."
"Oh?"
Hearing Ye Xing address her as Kasumigaoka-san while using Eriri's given name directly, Utaha's eyes flickered twice, though she maintained her smile.
"Is this the repayment you want for helping me during the fire incident last time?"
"You can interpret it that way."
"I see... alright then."
Utaha nodded with an unconcerned attitude.
"I owe you a favour. Using this matter as an exchange seems like an equivalent transaction. This way, we're even, right?"
"Yes, we're even."
Though Eriri didn't know what had happened between Ye Xing and this scheming, sharp-tongued woman who exuded an erotic and vulgar aura, upon hearing this, she couldn't help but show a triumphant expression.
"Hmph, since you're even now, why don't you leave quickly? Waiting to have supper together?"
"Heh, as expected of the brainless little blonde."
Utaha crossed her arms in front of her chest and chuckled in retort.
"Precisely because the debt is repaid, it proves that my staying here isn't just about returning a favour, but because I'm genuinely interested in Ye Xing-kun himself."
"You... you..."
The brave yet weak Eriri Spencer Sawamura once again retreated with a reddened face.
Unlike Utaha Kasumigaoka, she couldn't calmly say something as embarrassing as being interested in a boy.
Because of this...
In a direct confrontation, Eriri could never win against Utaha Kasumigaoka.
However, her sense of defeat didn't last long before she silently comforted herself.
Heh.
So what if you're quick with words?
Do you know Ye Xing's true identity?
Eriri, winning big time.
"So, what exactly do you two want?"
Hearing Ye Xing's question, Utaha Kasumigaoka spoke up first.
"You took on my commission. After reading the novel I wrote, you must have some thoughts, right? Any kind is fine. I'd like to discuss them with you."
Eriri stared at Utaha Kasumigaoka in shock, with only one thought in her mind.
You... How despicable!
Although Eriri knew that one of the Supernatural Society's club activities involved helping students resolve difficulties, she hadn't expected that even non-Sobu High School students could submit requests.
Damn that Kasumigaoka... Her schemes run so deep. This is clearly a case of ulterior motives – pretending to build roads while secretly crossing the pass!
Facing Utaha Kasumigaoka's determined offensive, Ye Xing replied with complete honesty.
"I haven't read it."
"Eh?"
Utaha Kasumigaoka frowned slightly at his words.
"Didn't your club accept the commission I sent?"
"We did accept it, but I didn't have time."
After saying this first, Ye Xing continued with a smile.
"However, I passed it on to another member who also possesses considerable literary accomplishment. She's somewhat afflicted with literary pretentiousness herself, so she should be able to provide valuable comments after reading your work."
"No, that won't be necessary."
Utaha Kasumigaoka shook her head, turned around and walked straight towards the door.
"When you have time, I hope you'll still make an effort to read it. What I want is only your opinion on the novels I write. Other people's opinions are irrelevant to me."
Watching her carefree departing figure, Eriri frowned slightly, thinking to herself, 'This strange, scheming girl – sometimes I really can't figure out what's going through her mind.'
"Um... Ye Xing..."
Though feeling somewhat bewildered, Eriri had ultimately achieved her initial goal of being alone with Ye Xing. She turned around, lowered her head and spoke softly.
"So... do you have any plans... tomorrow morning?"
Ye Xing made a sound of surprise and replied with a light laugh.
"You've asked at just the right time. I actually don't have something on tomorrow morning."
"Then..."
Eriri spoke cautiously.
"Well... since it's a rare school trip... would you like to go out together... and explore around Osaka?"
Ye Xing nodded.
"Sure, we can do that when we're free."
"Really? That's great."
Eriri beamed with joy, then realised she was showing her emotions too openly. With slightly reddened cheeks, she tried to cover up with a tsundere attitude.
"Well... then call me when you're free. If I'm available too, we can go out together. Don't keep me waiting too long, hmph."
After Eriri also left the room, the Matchmaking Deity tugged at Ye Xing's sleeve with an expression like she'd discovered new territory.
"Wow, you're really amazing."
"What makes you say that?"
The Matchmaking Deity spoke with complete seriousness.
"I've never seen a male with so many red threads wrapped around him. Of course, in all my years of existence, I've seen those scumbags who date two or even three girls at once, but the red threads wrapped around them are extremely faint and semi-transparent, as if indicating they'll end up with unresolved relationships."
Pausing here, the Matchmaking Deity carefully observed Ye Xing's wrist and sighed with emotion.
"But you're different. Most of the red threads wrapped around you are healthy red, and several have even formed strong knots. Even the few lighter-colored ones only indicate developing relationships. I've never seen so many fates gathered around one person – it's truly incredible."
"Impressive, right?"
"Yes, impressive."
"That's the true value of the Harem God."
"Ha... rem?"
Seeing the Matchmaking Deity's confused expression, Ye Xing explained with complete seriousness.
"The so-called harem means treating every member equally - in other words, it's pure love between one and many."
"Ordinary people don't have the ability to accomplish such a feat because they can't maintain absolute rationality to keep the scales balanced."
"But I'm different."
"Even the slightest hint of a conflict, and I can immediately detect it, swiftly eliminating it in its cradle."
The Matchmaking Deity nodded with partial understanding, asking curiously.
"Then... is this so-called harem created out of lust?"
"Ah, you've hit the nail on the head there."
Ye Xing firmly shook his head, speaking with righteous conviction.
"This is all for world peace! Think about it - to protect the world's safety, we need more psychics standing on humanity's side. When they all fall for me, no matter who I choose, it would hurt the others and potentially create devastating conflicts. Wars between girls can be truly terrifying."
"To protect the world's safety in this no-win situation, only I, the Harem God, through my keen insight, absolute rationality, and direct attacks that pierce through defences, have finally found a path to the future!"
"This is the ninja way of Kyoto's number one eroge player!"
...
While Ye Xing was explaining his harem world salvation theory to the ignorant Matchmaking Deity, in the Supernatural Society members' rooms on the other side.
The atmosphere in the room was quite oppressive.
Marin Kitagawa, Saki Kawasaki, Yukino Yukinoshita, Hana Yurikawa, and Shoko Makinohara, who had come along this time, all found the extremely serious expressions on Mai Sakurajima and the others rather strange.
Marin Kitagawa, unaware of the truth, thought the others were just in a bad mood. But internal members like Saki Kawasaki were already wondering if some supernatural disaster had occurred in Osaka to make Mai Sakurajima and Miko Yotsuya wear such expressions.
"Let's draw lots..."
Watching Rio Futaba bring out a cardboard box with an opening on top, along with her furrowed brows, exceptionally serious expression, and look of grim determination, Saki Kawasaki and the others felt their hearts sink further.
Drawing lots?
Could it be like in the movies, where they draw lots to decide who undertakes some suicide mission?
In this somewhat oppressive atmosphere, Mai Sakurajima and the others drew several slips of paper from the box and opened them one by one.
"Hmm..."
Miko Yotsuya opened her slip, her golden eyes flickering slightly.
"I've been chosen."
Next, Rio Futaba pushed up her glasses, her face slightly flushed as she whispered.
"I... I've been chosen too."
"Eh?"
Miko Yotsuya blinked in surprise at this, questioning.
"Why were two people chosen?"
"Of course because I put two slips in."
Rio Futaba scanned the members before her, speaking slowly.
"Among you, who has the confidence to challenge that guy alone? You'd be... well, you know what would happen..."
Even the War Goddess Kazusa Touma could only choose silence in response to Rio Futaba's question.
She had indeed tried to take on the boss solo before.
At first, Kazusa Touma could barely adapt to Ye Xing's intensity.
But later she realised she had been far too naive.
This boss was the type that grew stronger with each battle!
And tonight...
Bear in mind, Ye Xing had been in Itomori Town for a full fortnight.
Assuming during those two weeks he hadn't...
Wouldn't that make him even stronger?
Who would be foolish enough to challenge him alone, risking being bedridden throughout the entire school trip?
"But still... both of us together... it's just too..."
Seeing Miko Yotsuya's hesitation, Yui Yuigahama patted her shoulder and made an encouraging gesture, shaking a clenched fist.
"Miko, you have to believe in the bond between you and Rio!"
"Dango... you're getting more and more abstract..."
"Eh? Am I?"
"Yes"
...
Later that evening, in Ye Xing's room.
"Ara, seems like it's time for me to go out for a stroll and make myself scarce~"
Seeing the Matchmaking Deity smiling and making moves to voluntarily leave, Ye Xing spoke with utmost sincerity.
"Actually, you could choose to join too."
"No no no, I can't handle it."
The Matchmaking Deity waved her hands repeatedly with a lingering fear expression.
"Please let this minor deity rest for a few days, I really can't take it. Besides, I don't get jealous - I quite enjoy watching you with other girls... how should I put it, I don't know how to describe it."
"Understood, a shipper."
"As long as you get what I mean. Well then, I'm off for a wander~"
No sooner had the Matchmaking Deity left than the door slid quietly open.
Ye Xing turned to see Miko Yotsuya wearing that classic white wedding dress battle outfit - clearly a new one, since he'd torn the last one.
Meanwhile, Rio Futaba was dressed in a maid outfit with black stockings, even wearing a cat-ear hair accessory.
Noticing Ye Xing's gaze, Rio Futaba's face flushed bright red. She let out a light humph and said somewhat awkwardly,
"You... well, you did save the world again... so we should still reward you."