Hearing this, Miko's heart sank, and she murmured,
"If that's really the case, then this so-called Gate is truly dangerous."
Miko had extraordinary mental resilience and a sharp mind.
She immediately realised that if the ability of evil spirits to disguise themselves as humans was indeed caused by this "Gate," then for psychics like her, it would be nothing short of a catastrophe.
The evil spirit that had disguised itself as Shizuka Hiratsuka earlier had no flaws in its appearance—or at least, none that Miko could detect.
The most troublesome part was that if even she couldn't tell the difference, no matter how cautious she was, there would inevitably come a time when she mistook an evil spirit for a human.
If that happened, the consequences would be unthinkable.
She couldn't possibly rely on Ye Xing to arrive in time to save her every single critical moment.
With this thought, Miko finally made up her mind, her eyes reflecting solemn determination as she spoke slowly,
"I want to see it—the Gate you mentioned. Is it nearby?"
"Yes."
After receiving Ye Xing's confirmation, Miko nodded slightly.
"Alright. Then after the last class ends, once school is over, I'll have to trouble you to take me there."
"No problem."
...
When the two returned to the classroom together, Miko noticed the other students eyeing her and Ye Xing with intense curiosity.
She knew they must have misunderstood the nature of their relationship.
But right now, Miko really didn't have the energy to care about such trivial matters.
Her biggest concern was how she could continue to survive if evil spirits gained the ability to disguise themselves as humans.
Everything else would have to wait.
When the bell for class rang, Shizuka Hiratsuka, clad in a white lab coat and yawning, walked into the classroom right on time.
She stretched lazily, her expression one of utter boredom.
"Well, as per tradition, before school ends after this class, we need to elect class representatives. Any volunteers?"
At Shizuka's question, the students below responded enthusiastically.
"I, XXX, officially nominate myself for class president!"
"I vote for XX—he's the people's choice!"
"If you ask me, it should be..."
...
Plenty of students raised their hands to voice their opinions.
But without exception, the names they called out were never their own.From this "better you than me" attitude, it was clear that being a class representative wasn't considered a desirable position among the students—rather, it was something they'd rather avoid.
Sitting in the corner of the classroom, Ye Xing remained silent, adopting an aloof and detached demeanor as he stared blankly at the scenery outside the window.
He simply couldn't believe that any of his classmates—or their teacher, Shizuka Hiratsuka—would elect him as class representative.
Given the outrageous rumors circulating about him at school, how could he possibly be chosen as a class representative?
Responsible for what? Firearms management? How to become famous on the first day of school? One hundred rules for eliminating the supernatural?
Actually, come to think of it...
The last one might actually work.
But with a little common sense, it was obvious there wouldn't be a committee member assigned to such a thing.
Shizuka Hiratsuka could clearly see that the students were just fooling around, not seriously considering candidates, and could only shake her head helplessly with a sigh.
"I understand that it's only the first day of school, and none of you are familiar with each other yet. Asking you to vote directly would indeed be asking too much."
At this point, Shizuka paused, then changed her tone.
"In that case, let's do this: today is Monday. We'll hold the election by this Friday after school."
"But let me make this clear—by then, everyone must cast a vote and give a reason for their choice."
Shizuka swept her gaze across the students in the classroom, then clenched her slender, fair right hand into a fist and waved it in front of everyone.
If anyone dares to cause trouble, they'll face the sanctions of my iron fist."
As soon as these words were spoken, the seated students burst into laughter, filling the classroom with a cheerful atmosphere.
Only Ye Xing knew that Shizuka's "iron fist sanction" was no joke.
This female teacher was an expert in martial arts who loved reading passionate comics.
Her punch wasn't something an average student could withstand.
After class ended, Ye Xing didn't linger for even a moment, immediately leaving the classroom with Miko Yotsuya.
Watching their retreating figures, Touma Kazusa stood in the hallway, pausing for a moment with a complicated look in her eyes. Her gaze eventually settled on the can of Pepsi gripped in Ye Xing's right hand.
...
Miko first went to the staff room to see Shizuka.
Though the latter didn't understand why Miko hadn't come during the previous break but waited until after school, she didn't dwell on it. She simply reconfirmed the events of the morning in the clubroom.
Since Ye Xing had been present earlier, Shizuka worried that Miko might not have been able to speak freely, which was why she asked again now.
Miko's answer remained the same—covering things up with a slightly clumsy lie.
...
After leaving Sobu High, Ye Xing led Miko several hundred meters away, seemingly wandering aimlessly.
Miko wanted to ask questions, but the words died on her lips.
After all, Ye Xing had saved her from the evil spirits.
If she started questioning him so soon after leaving, would he think she didn't trust him? Or that she lacked patience?
Just then.
Ye Xing stopped in his tracks at the entrance of a dark alley and pointed inside.
"It's in there."
"In there?"
Miko peered into the depths of the alley and couldn't help but frown.Not because she saw many evil spirits.
On the contrary.
This alley was far too "clean."
Not even the smallest, most harmless spectres could be seen.
If not for Ye Xing's words, Miko Yotsuya might have even thought that this alley concealed an ancient shrine enveloped in Spiritual Power.
"Come in. Brace yourself."
Hearing Ye Xing's words, Miko took a deep breath, suppressing the tension in her chest, and obediently nodded before stepping into the alley.
The moment her foot crossed the threshold, her expression instantly changed.
Miko's golden pupils trembled as she stared at the scene before her, disbelief coloring her voice.
"W-what is this place!?"
The instant she stepped into the alley, the previously ordinary surroundings underwent an unbelievable transformation.
The darkness at the alley's depths writhed as though alive, stretching to blot out the sky.
A thick, black mist—similar to what evil spirits emitted, but far more concentrated—spread throughout the entire alley.
Though Miko couldn't smell anything, just standing in this environment made her feel suffocated, as if she couldn't breathe.
And at the very end of the alley stood an old, weathered wooden door, slightly ajar.
Through the crack, all Miko could see was pure darkness, exuding an aura of emptiness.
Ye Xing's expression remained calm—after all, this wasn't his first time seeing such a sight—as he spoke softly.
"That is the Gate."