"You bastard..."
Saki Kawasaki's expression was a sight to behold - equal parts disgust and flustered embarrassment.
"Don't say such things carelessly."
As her words fell, the café's door suddenly swung open.
"Welco..."
Saki Kawasaki turned around, her greeting halting mid-sentence as she froze upon seeing the petite figure.
"Kei...Keika? What are you doing here?"
Keika Kawasaki, dressed in a little skirt, quickly approached and looked up at her sister, her adorable face clearly displaying anger.
"I knew it! You said you were going out with friends, but you're actually working part-time again!"
Facing her younger sister, Saki Kawasaki completely lost her usual delinquent girl demeanour, instead exuding a gentle, motherly warmth.
She gave a bitter smile and sighed helplessly.
"Keika, it's Saturday today, no classes. Besides, working at the café isn't tiring."
"That's not the point!"
Keika tilted her little head up, hands on hips, speaking with righteous indignation.
"You're already working part-time every day during school! And several nights, I deliberately stayed awake and found you only came home at dawn. If this continues, your health will suffer!"
Confronted with these words, Saki could only remain silent, unable to refute.
Just as Keika was about to say more, her peripheral vision caught sight of Ye Xing sitting opposite them, watching the scene unfold.
"Big brother?"
The moment she saw Ye Xing, Keika completely forgot about scolding her sister, her little face lighting up with excitement as she approached the table.
"Big brother, what are you doing here?"
Before Ye Xing could answer, Keika glanced at her sister and lowered her voice conspiratorially behind her hand.
"Could it be...are you dating my sister?"
Though she'd deliberately spoken quietly, Saki still heard her words, her cheeks flushing slightly as she protested.
"What nonsense are you talking? He's meeting someone here, he's a customer! Us bumping into each other is just a coincidence!"
"Eh? Really?"
Saki noticed how her sister's adorable face immediately fell with disappointment at these words, even letting out a sigh.
"What a shame."
Saki was speechless.
She'd come to realise that her usually well-behaved little sister would instantly transform whenever matters concerning this Ye Xing classmate came up - or even just when his name was mentioned in conversation.
It was like...like a devoted fan meeting their idol in person.
Saki Kawasaki found the situation utterly absurd.
How had her little sister, who'd only met Ye Xing once, become like this?
At that moment, Keika Kawasaki was staring at Ye Xing with such admiration that little stars practically twinkled in her eyes.
Ever since their last encounter, she'd been certain.
This was the Masked Knight hero himself!
As one of the students rescued during the Kyoto Municipal Kindergarten incident who'd witnessed the Masked Knight's heroic deeds firsthand, Keika's admiration for Ye Xing was beyond words.
If her big sister could become romantically involved with her most worshipped hero...
That would be so incredibly cool.
What a shame.
Her sister just wasn't making any effort.
Seeing Keika's expression of frustrated disappointment, Saki couldn't even muster the energy to complain.
"Big brother, can I sit next to you?"
"Of course."
With Ye Xing's permission, Keika immediately bounced into the seat, swinging her legs and humming cheerfully, completely immersed in happiness.
"Miss Kawasaki."
Ye Xing turned to Saki, her expression complicated, and smiled.
"Are you short on money?"
Saki frowned slightly, about to reply with her usual cold tone, when Keika cut in eagerly.
"Big brother, we have lots of siblings at home, so sister works multiple jobs to help support the family."
After saying this, Keika quickly added:
"And don't let her current appearance fool you - at home she's actually very gentle and virtuous."
"Her personality's good too, no bad habits."
"Very smart as well, and she's never even dated before..."
As her sister's words grew increasingly outrageous, Saki hurriedly interrupted.
"Will you stop already? Why are you telling him all this?"
"Hehe."
Keika stuck out her tongue mischievously.
"Sister, you don't have any friends. You should socialise more with your classmates."
Ye Xing delivered a pointed remark from the side.
"You want me to become your brother-in-law?"
Without hesitation, Keika nodded like a pecking chick.
"I think that would work."
"What do you mean 'work'?!!"
Saki's face flushed crimson as she held a serving tray defensively against her chest. Staring at Ye Xing's amused expression, she stammered out an explanation.
"I...I definitely don't mean that, you...don't get the wrong idea."
Keika muttered under her breath.
"Well, not yet anyway."
While Saki desperately tried to salvage the situation, her sister kept undermining her.
She simply couldn't take it anymore.
"So that's how it is."
Ye Xing nodded noncommittally before smiling at Saki.
"Miss Kawasaki, if I recall correctly, you're quite interested in sewing, aren't you?"
Saki blinked in surprise.
"How did you know that?"
"Never mind how. I just do."
Clearly not intending to explain, Ye Xing continued calmly.
"If you're confident in your skills, I can offer you a part-time job."
"A part-time job?"
Saki looked sceptical.
"It's not anything weird, is it?"
"Now that's just rude."
Ye Xing rolled his eyes.
"If I wanted to do anything weird with you, shouldn't you be the one paying me?"
Before Saki Kawasaki could respond, Keika Kawasaki beside her nodded repeatedly in agreement.
"Mmm, big brother is absolutely right."
"You really..."
Saki Kawasaki was too exasperated to comment.
"Anyway."
Ye Xing stood up, placing a banknote on the table.
"If you're interested, you can come find me in the clubroom on Monday. If not, that's fine too - it's entirely up to you."
After he left the café, observing Saki Kawasaki's pensive expression, Keika Kawasaki spoke with earnest sincerity.
"Big sister, cherish the opportunity."
Saki Kawasaki didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"If you like him so much, why don't you marry him when you grow up?"
To Saki Kawasaki's surprise, upon hearing this, Keika Kawasaki's little face flushed red as she fidgeted shyly.
"Well... if big brother is willing, of course I wouldn't refuse either."
Saki Kawasaki was left speechless.
...
That evening, in a Western restaurant on the shopping street.
"This place is lovely."
Haruno, dressed in an exquisite evening gown and deliberately made up for the occasion, glanced around at the surroundings before smiling at Ye Xing, sitting opposite her in casual clothes.
"Have you been here with someone before?"
Ye Xing, ever direct, nodded plainly.
"Yes, this is my second time here."
"Second time..."
Haruno murmured to herself, then propped her chin on one hand, a faint smile curling her lips.
"To be selfish for a moment... I'd like to be your first in some aspect, too."
Ye Xing took a sip from his water glass before returning her smile.
"That night at the hotel, you already were."
Haruno pressed her luscious lips together, covering her mouth as she chuckled softly.
"Your first drinking companion? I don't believe I was your first in that other regard - you were far too skilled."
"First in both."
Haruno looked genuinely surprised.
"Really?"
Ye Xing nodded: "Yes, really."
After a brief silence, Haruno gently took Ye Xing's hand resting on the table, smiling tenderly.
"Though I find it hard to believe, even if you're just comforting me... the mere thought that you'd say this makes me happy."
Having said this, Haruno continued:
"Oh, send me your bank account details."
"Sure."
Ye Xing knew this was about payment for the Kengan match.
He didn't bother with polite refusals.
This was his rightful earnings.
Winning that Kengan match hadn't just brought betting profits to Yukinoshita Construction - more importantly, it had elevated the company into Japan's top corporate circles.
That kind of status couldn't be bought at any price.
"There's one more thing I'd like to ask of you."
Hearing this, Ye Xing frowned slightly and waved his hand.
"I'm not a professional Kengan fighter. One match for you is enough - don't push your luck."
Though Ye Xing's words were blunt, Haruno noticed one telling detail.
He'd said "for you", not "for Yukinoshita Construction".
In the past, she would have brushed off such subtle implications with polite indifference, even when facing ardent pursuit from wealthy heirs.
Now though...
She seemed to be developing a case of lovesickness.
Ye Xing saying such things must mean he has feelings for me.JPG
"Not about that."
Haruno's smile faded, her expression turning serious.
"My younger sister, Yukino Yukinoshita, is in the same class as you."
"I was hoping... could you look after her a bit more at school?"
Facing Haruno's sincere request, Ye Xing nodded with a smile.
"Sure, since she's my sister-in-law after all. Looking after her is no problem at all."
Hearing his agreement, Haruno visibly relaxed.
Ever since witnessing evil spirits with her own eyes, she'd become convinced Kyoto was an extremely dangerous city.
So where was the safest place?
Haruno believed it was by Ye Xing's side.
Moreover, in her heart, her sister Yukino Yukinoshita was an extremely awkward person - appearing straightforward but actually indecisive when it mattered most, unable to make choices.
Compared to Yukino, Ye Xing gave the complete opposite impression.
Never hesitating, though often saying outrageous things, he exuded a sense of freedom unbound by anything.
The genuine article...
Haruno wasn't certain whether the thing Yukino sought truly existed in this world.
But if it did exist, then Ye Xing undoubtedly possessed what could be called the "genuine article".
She hoped Yukino would find what she had been searching for all this time.
"But..."
At this point, Haruno suddenly frowned slightly, looking at Ye Xing with a hint of wariness.
"Just don't... you know what... when the time comes."
Ye Xing understood Haruno's meaning but immediately switched to playing dumb.
"Know what?"
"Never mind."
Haruno shook her head, thinking such a thing was impossible. Her younger sister seemed completely detached from matters of romance. There was no need to mention it specifically.
"By the way, regarding Mai Sakurajima attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony tomorrow morning, that's confirmed, right?"
"Sure, I'll give her a call later."
"Hmm?"
Hearing this, Haruno Yukinoshita's eyes revealed a meaningful glint.
"Not calling her agent but contacting her directly... how intriguing."
"What's so intriguing about that?"
Faced with the suggestive undertone in Haruno's words, Ye Xing chose to counter directly.
"Considering how long I've known her, she ranks before you. Nothing intriguing about it."
Haruno paused briefly before sighing in resignation.
"You're being rather blatant about your scummy behaviour, aren't you?"
"Nonsense, how is this scummy?"
Ye Xing spoke with righteous conviction.
"I love each of you equally. That's pure love."
"Well, well, 'each of you'? So there's more than two of us then?"
Ye Xing: "..."
"I'm hungry. Let's eat."
...
After dinner came the much-anticipated moment.
Inside the hotel's luxurious suite.
"G-gently..."
Haruno bit her lower lip lightly, her eyes glazed with mist as if on the verge of tears. Her exquisite evening gown lay discarded carelessly on the carpet. The only thing remaining on her body was the elegantly curved black high heels.
Her ten slender, jade-like fingers dug into Ye Xing's back. She had lost count of how many times this had been. Or rather, her mind had gone blank beyond even basic counting.
Despite complete exhaustion, Haruno mustered her strength to lean close to Ye Xing's ear. Parting her lips slightly, she whispered in an utterly seductive tone:
"Any... anywhere you want. However you like."
...
The next morning, in front of the newly constructed office building in Kyoto, commissioned under the Yukinoshita Construction name.
"Phew, it's so hot."
Yui Yuigahama wiped her forehead with a tissue while fanning her snow-white neck with her other hand, looking thoroughly overheated.
"Summer's approaching, after all," Miko Yotsuya remarked softly, handing her fan to Yui. "Here."
"Eh? Aren't you hot, Miko?"
"I'm fine."
Taking the fan, Yui looked at Rio Futaba and Miko beside her before suddenly pulling them closer with a sweet smile.
"Let's share it then."
The three girls pressed close together.
Rio adjusted her glasses and deadpanned:
"Doesn't this just make us hotter?"
Yui laughed cheerfully.
"It's fine! The breeze I make will reach all three of us anyway."
Miko sighed helplessly.
"I think you just wanted an excuse to huddle together."
"Hehe, you caught me."
The reason the three members of the Supernatural Society had gathered here was simple.
Mai Sakurajima was attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Yukinoshita Construction Company.
Although Rio Futaba saw her as a rival, she also recognised her as a fellow member of the Supernatural Society.
Naturally, they all wanted to show their support.
However...
Rio Futaba glanced around at the reporters wielding their cameras, eagerly waiting despite the sweltering early summer heat, and thought perhaps her support wasn't really needed after all.
She had underestimated the influence of the name 'Mai Sakurajima' in the entertainment industry.
"Hey, Ye Xing, Yahallo!"
When Yui Yuigahama saw Ye Xing approaching, she immediately waved and greeted him.
Only after calling out did she notice the strange reactions of the two beside her upon seeing Ye Xing.
Their faces were flushed.
Their gazes shifty.
They were stealing glances at him, as if burdened by some unspoken guilt.
Yui blinked in confusion.
What was going on?
Had something happened that she didn't know about?
"Yahallo, Yui, Miko, Rio."
Ye Xing greeted them with a smile before standing beside the Supernatural Society members.
Under the watchful lenses of reporters—even television crews broadcasting live—Mrs Yukinoshita, Haruno Yukinoshita, and Mai Sakurajima emerged from the office building. Despite wearing casual attire—just a simple T-shirt and trousers with no special styling—Mai still radiated breathtaking beauty.
"Good afternoon, everyone."
It wasn't Mrs Yukinoshita who addressed the crowd, but Haruno.
Faced with such a grand occasion, she showed no trace of nervousness, speaking with effortless grace.
"I imagine none of you came here today for us, so I'll keep this brief."
"Yukinoshita Construction Company has always operated within Chiba Prefecture."
"Some of you may have heard our name before, but I suspect most here aren't familiar with our company."
Here, Haruno paused slightly, allowing the reporters' curiosity to build before continuing with a smile.
"However, this office building marks our first venture beyond Chiba Prefecture."
"I can say with full confidence that Yukinoshita Construction Company has never been one for half-measures."
"In the future, we'll be taking on more projects, and we hope for your continued support."
"That's all."
Haruno's speech, delivered with such self-assured presence, drew applause even from reporters who'd initially shown little interest in Yukinoshita Construction.
A construction company owned by the wife of a Chiba Prefecture assembly member is making a high-profile expansion into Kyoto?
That sounded like decent news material.
But when Mai Sakurajima stepped forward, the reporters went wild. Before she could even speak, they bombarded her with questions.
"Miss Sakurajima, have you considered making a comeback?"
"Miss Sakurajima, do you have concrete plans to return to acting?"
"Why have you suddenly decided to attend Yukinoshita Construction's ribbon-cutting ceremony after announcing your retirement so long ago? Is it because of the high endorsement fees?"
"Miss Mai Sakurajima, have you considered that after a hiatus of over two years, you might no longer achieve the same level of success in today's entertainment industry?"