Meanwhile, on the shopping street.
Miko watched as Ye Xing casually fastened the longsword to his waist, making no effort to conceal it, and couldn't help whispering a warning.
"Isn't this a bit too brazen? What if someone notices..."
Ye Xing waved a hand dismissively. "Do you see anyone staring at us?"
Miko glanced around and nodded.
"Yes. Quite a few people are looking at you."
"That's because I'm handsome, not because of the sword."
"Er..."
Narcissism is a detestable trait.
Yet Ye Xing's plain, matter-of-fact self-admiration left Miko Yotsuya speechless.
It was true.
Those stealing glances at Ye Xing were mostly women, their gazes lingering on his face rather than noticing the long sword at his waist.
"I suppose you're right. I was overthinking it."
Miko thought this made sense.
In Kyoto, where otaku culture thrived, especially along this bustling shopping street, people in cosplay outfits were a common sight.
Ye Xing's complete lack of concealment regarding the long sword was actually the normal approach here.
Put another way.
Even if he tried to hide it, the sword's length made that utterly impossible - and would only arouse more suspicion.
After leaving the commercial district, Miko eyed the long sword at Ye Xing's waist and asked curiously:
"So, how will you get home later? If you can't take trains or buses, you'll have to walk, right?"
"What are you talking about?"
Ye Xing gave Miko a puzzled look as he untied the sword from his waist and handed it to her with one hand.
"How to get home with this thing is your problem to solve."
"Huh?"
Miko stared blankly at the proffered sword.
"Why... wait, you're giving this to me to take home?"
"Obviously."
Ye Xing's tone brooked no argument.
"This sword is a special spiritual object. First, we need to verify whether it can deter evil spirits and spectres to some degree. So it must be held by someone who can see those things. You know my situation - you're the only one who can shoulder this responsibility."
Miko hesitated visibly, uncertain what to do.
Only she and Ye Xing could clearly see those "things".
Though Oda Noto was also a psychic, he could at best perceive faint illusions - nowhere near their level.
To test the sword's deterrent effect required someone with Mystic Eyes.
Otherwise, how would they know if evil spirits and spectres were being repelled?
Ye Xing's situation was special.
He didn't need to do anything particular or possess any spiritual objects.
Ye Xing himself was enough to make evil spirits and spectres keep their distance.
The proof was that after Miko entered Sobu High School today, she hadn't seen a single "thing" all day.
For someone living in constant fear like her, this rare respite had been blissful.
So if Ye Xing carried the sword, it would be impossible to test properly - ordinary evil spirits and spectres wouldn't dare approach him anyway.
But there remained one crucial problem.
Miko gently bit her lower lip, her conflicted gaze lifting to meet Ye Xing's before she finally spoke:
"Ye Xing... can I trust you?"
"That's for you to decide."
Ye Xing's smile faded, his expression turning uncharacteristically serious.
"If you have reservations, you can still back out now. The choice is yours."
Ye Xing knew exactly why Miko hesitated.
In the other person's home, there was... something hard to describe. Neither 'spectre' nor 'evil spirit' seemed quite accurate. It should probably be called a spirit.
If that were all, it wouldn't matter.
Miko Yotsuya had encountered hundreds, if not thousands, of evil spirits and spectres before.
The problem was that the spirit lingering in her home belonged to her father, who had passed away not long ago.
If she took this longsword back and it didn't work, that would be one thing.
But if it really did banish her father's spirit, would she ever be able to see him again?
This was what made her hesitate.
The two stood silently, facing each other at the exit of the shopping district, inevitably drawing curious glances and whispers from passersby.
"Are they breaking up?"
"Looks like it."
"Ah, youth."
"Love triangle? Caught cheating?"
"Let's just go shopping. I'm exhausted after work today."
After a long silence, Miko pressed her lips together, her golden eyes gradually filling with determination as she slowly reached out to take the longsword Ye Xing offered.
"I've made my decision."
Miko took a deep breath and explained in detail how her father's spirit had been wandering their home since his death.
Struggling to calm the complex emotions in her chest, she spoke with firm resolve.
"Though it's hard to let go... please rest assured. I'll take responsibility and personally send my father to his next life."
"Er..."
Ye Xing's expression became rather complicated as he replied awkwardly.
"I... admire your resolve to place duty above family, but have you perhaps misunderstood something?"
"Huh?"
Miko blinked in confusion.
"You... weren't planning to destroy my father's spirit?"
"When did I ever say that?"
Ye Xing waved his hands helplessly.
"Your father isn't an evil spirit, poses no threat to humans, and isn't affected by a Gate. Why would I bother destroying him?"
Only then did Miko realise.
She'd misunderstood.
She'd assumed that since Ye Xing had devoured hundreds of evil spirits after awakening his special abilities, he must harbour intense hatred towards such beings.
Coupled with his earlier statement on the train:
"I don't get involved in matters unrelated to evil spirits."
Miko had naturally concluded that Ye Xing would decisively act against anything connected to evil spirits or spectres.
This was what had made her hesitate and stammer.
Turns out it was all her own wild imagination? Ye Xing never meant anything of the sort?
"I... um... that is..."
Even the usually stoic Miko flushed crimson with embarrassment at her earlier dramatic declaration, wishing she could vanish into the ground.
Mortifying. Absolutely mortifying.
She'd gone from cool resolve to looking like a complete fool spouting nonsense.
Seeing Miko like this, Ye Xing couldn't help but chuckle before sobering again.
"Though there is one thing you got right."
"This situation can't continue like this."
"As long as the Gates within Kyoto continue appearing, one day your father too will be affected by them, transforming from a harmless spirit into a terrifying evil spirit."