Hearing these slightly pointed questions from reporters, Rio Futaba and the others watched Mai Sakurajima on stage, secretly sweating with nervousness on her behalf.
Yet the subject in question, Mai Sakurajima, facing the cameras, maintained her perfect, composed smile, answering each question with effortless grace.
"I currently have no plans for a comeback. At this stage, I wish to devote all my energy to my studies."
"Regarding my participation in Yukinoshita Construction's ribbon-cutting ceremony, I can responsibly tell everyone that I didn't accept a single yen in endorsement fees. Consider it a favour for a friend."
"As for the current entertainment industry, I'm merely an ordinary retiree and thus unqualified to comment. Please forgive me."
Watching Mai Sakurajima flawlessly handle the reporters' tricky questions from every angle with impeccable responses, Yui Yuigahama couldn't help but sigh in admiration.
"Mai-senpai... is truly amazing."
Rio Futaba adjusted her glasses, her eyes revealing complex emotions as she remarked calmly.
"Of course. She was a national-level idol actress. Handling such trivial matters is naturally no problem for her."
Even though they'd already... progressed to that stage, Rio Futaba still felt an uneasy sense of insecurity.
She thought Mai Sakurajita was too perfect.
Could she really compete with someone like that?
Could she win?
There was another thing.
Rio Futaba stole a glance at Miko Yotsuya standing beside her.
As her good friend, Miko still didn't know about her and Ye Xing... that thing.
Should she say something?
And what about Miko and Ye Xing... had they done that?
Going by how long they'd known each other, Miko had met Ye Xing first.
If Miko hadn't done it yet while she had taken the lead, Rio Futaba would feel inexplicably guilty.
But...
These things always have an order of precedence.
Perhaps we should have followed Ye Xing's suggestion back then and had all three of us together?
That way, there would be no order of precedence - completely fair.
Rio Futaba shook her head, dismissing the absurd thought from her mind.
How had she become infected with such abstract ideas, too?
After about five minutes, seeing that the Q&A session was winding down, Haruno Yukinoshita politely had the security personnel "escort" the journalists out.
When the crowd dispersed, she turned to Mai Sakurajima, whose forehead was now glistening with sweat, and smiled.
"You've worked hard, Mai-san. Thank you for helping our Yukinoshita company this time—"
"No."
Before Haruno could finish, Mai Sakurajima interrupted flatly.
"I only agreed because Ye Xing asked me to. It wasn't for your Yukinoshita company. Please don't misunderstand."
Faced with Mai's words, Haruno merely pressed her lips together in a smile.
"Mai-san, you seem to hold quite a bit of hostility towards me."
Mai didn't return the smile. Instead, she met Haruno's gaze directly and said calmly,
"Likewise."
"Hmm..."
Haruno drew out the syllable, studying Mai with amused interest before remarking meaningfully,
"You're quite interesting, Mai-san."
Haruno hadn't expected her disguise to be seen through.
She and Mai Sakurajima hadn't known each other before.
The only connection between them was Ye Xing.
And...
It wasn't a positive connection.
That Haruno would feel hostile towards Mai was only natural.
But she had always been skilled at masking her emotions.
To think she'd been seen through.
As expected of a professional actress.
"You've worked hard, Mai-san."
With this greeting, Rio Futaba and Miko Yotsuya also entered the battlefield.
Ye Xing stood nearby, watching as the atmosphere between the four women took on the quality of a meat grinder.
Where their gazes met, sparks seemed to fly.
Rio Futaba and Miko Yotsuya were just ordinary high school girls. In terms of personal combat ability, they couldn't compare to Mai Sakurajima, a former nationally renowned idol actress, or Haruno, the Yukinoshita company heiress accustomed to major scenes.
But they had one undeniable advantage.
Rio Futaba and Miko Yotsuya were comrades-in-arms who had reached an understanding - they'd even developed combination techniques during exorcisms.
To put the current situation simply:
2 VS 1 VS 1.
A three-way melee.
"Eh?"
Watching the scene unfold, Yui Yuigahama looked puzzled.
"Isn't everyone getting hot standing outside? Maybe... we could all go sit somewhere together?"
Yui couldn't comprehend the situation before her, nor why the atmosphere had suddenly grown so tense.
But her innocent remark unwittingly became the spark that ignited the battle.
"Ye Xing~"
Haruno stepped forward, intimately wrapping her arms around Ye Xing's as she smiled sweetly.
"I won't be returning to Chiba until evening. Until then, why don't the two of us go do something together?"
Mai Sakurajima's brows furrowed slightly as she looked at Ye Xing and said softly,
"Shall we... have lunch at home today? I've learned some new dishes and wanted you to be the first to try them."
Haruno went for a direct and bold approach, while Mai Sakurajima showcased her signature cooking skills.
Rio Futaba and Miko Yotsuya exchanged glances.
The duo were sweating bullets.
Rio Futaba's mind raced before she finally cleared her throat and spoke slowly.
"Captain, we wanted to discuss something with you today... about new members."
Miko blinked in surprise before nodding repeatedly.
"Ah, yes, that's right."
At that moment, Ye Xing once again felt the terror of being caught in a long-absent battlefield of emotions.
Of course.
He also felt the softness pressing against his arm.
Haruno really had a stubborn personality - exactly like her younger sister Yukino Yukinoshita.
Even though she'd struggled to get out of bed and walk this morning.
Her mouth was truly unyielding.
Three branching options appeared before Ye Xing's eyes:
-Spend dating time with Haruno Yukinoshita before she returns to Chiba.
-Experience cosy domestic life with Mai Sakurajima at home.
-Discuss the Supernatural Society team's next moves and new member candidates with Rio Futaba and Miko Yotsuya.
Option one might unlock dating CGs. Option two might unlock apron-only CGs. Option three might unlock... pleasant times with three psychics CGs.
What a difficult choice...
At this moment, Ye Xing wished desperately for time reversal - the so-called load-save function.
Wouldn't that let him choose all three options?
A game without save points at branching paths...
This world truly is a trash game.
Faced with three routes, Ye Xing made an unexpected choice.
"Ah, Yuigahama-san, didn't you say earlier you wanted me to come over for dinner?"
"Huh?"
Yui Yuigahama, who'd been spectating, blinked in surprise at suddenly being dragged into the battlefield.
But...
Ye Xing-kun seems really troubled?
Thinking this, Yui immediately displayed her natural acting skills, offering an apologetic smile to Mai and the others.
"Sorry, everyone, I actually made plans with Ye Xing-kun earlier to have dinner at my place today. My apologies."
Yui Yuigahama was a kind person.
She didn't want to see Ye Xing distressed, nor everyone arguing.
So telling a little white lie...
Probably wasn't that bad?
"I see."
Hearing Yui's words, Mai was the first to respond.
"Well, alright then."
In this moment, Mai displayed the composure of someone who considered herself - or at least acted as - the main heroine.
Are you the main heroine?
Mai Sakurajima: I think I am.
Too much restraint would backfire.
While Mai wanted to cling to Ye Xing every moment, she understood his free-spirited nature disliked being controlled.
This was the so-called retreat to advance.
Besides.
Wasn't this exactly the kind of person she'd fallen for?
"Oh... I see..."
Haruno studied Yui briefly before releasing Ye Xing's arm with a smile.
"If that's the case, we'll talk next time."
Rio and Miko also nodded after exchanging glances.
"Well, since it's a promise with Yui, I suppose there's no helping it."
Yui Yuigahama knew she'd succeeded.
But why...
Why did she feel so hollow about it?
Listening to Mai Sakurajima and the others speak, noticing their relieved expressions, Yui felt like crying, but couldn't even muster the tears.
Why did their words feel loaded with hidden meaning?
So Ye Xing had promised Yui Yuigahama? That's fine then.
The unspoken implication.
Just Yui Yuigahama - nothing to worry about.
As for Yui's own feelings...
She stole a glance at Ye Xing beside her.
Love... that was still too strong a word.
Thinking back carefully.
The two of them had never actually spent time alone together.
Though they saw each other daily, it was only now that Yui realised.
Beyond superficial interactions, she didn't really know Ye Xing at all.
...
When they finally left the Yukinoshita Construction office building, Yui exhaled as if a weight had been lifted.
She turned to Ye Xing with a goofy smile.
"Okay, I helped you escape! Shall we part ways here?"
To Yuigahama Yui's surprise, Ye Xing shook his head and spoke earnestly.
"Yuigahama-san, lying isn't good. If I said I'm coming to your place for dinner, then I'm coming to your place for dinner."
"Eh!?"
Yui hadn't expected Ye Xing to actually intend to eat at her home. Her cute face showed panic as she stammered:
"B-but... I haven't prepared anything at all."
"No preparations? That's perfect. If you'd prepared, I wouldn't dare come. Let's go, let's go."
...
Only after bringing Ye Xing home did Yui remember something.
Her mother had gone shopping today.
No one to cook dinner was a minor issue - this was her chance to showcase her skills.
The real problem was...
They'd be alone together.
"Um... Y-Y-Ye Xing-kun."
Realising this, Yui became visibly flustered and nervous.
Ye Xing, however, remained completely at ease.
Just then, a small dog came wagging its tail and leapt straight into his arms.
"Woof woof!"
"Well hello there, little buddy."
Ye Xing affectionately stroked Sable's head like reuniting with an old friend.
"Long time no see."
"Woof woof!"
Sable's tail wagged so vigorously that it nearly became a propeller.
Yui suddenly had the strange feeling...
That she was intruding?
"Your mother's not home today."
Ye Xing glanced around the empty house before sitting on the sofa with Sable, showing no signs of discomfort.
"I'll just laze around here then."
"Mm... okay."
Yui was so nervous she didn't know what to say.
She didn't even understand why she felt this way.
It didn't seem to be because of Ye Xing himself.
What worried Yui was...
If Futaba and Miko found out about them being alone together...
That would be disastrous.
Though Yui often seemed airheaded, she was actually quite emotionally intelligent.
She'd long noticed how Futaba, Miko, and even Mai-senpai all had feelings for Ye Xing.
If this continued...
How would it all end?
Yui cherished her precious friendships with Miko, Futaba, and the other members of the Supernatural Society.
She feared losing those bonds.
How could she maintain them?
What could she possibly do?
The truth was... she could do nothing.
Thinking this, Yui suddenly remembered something she'd long wanted to ask.
Today's rare opportunity of being alone with Ye Xing seemed perfect.
"Ye Xing-kun, there's something I want to ask you."
Before Yui could continue, Ye Xing preemptively replied:
"I don't dislike gentle girls, but rather than someone gentle to everyone, I prefer a girl who's gentle only to me."
Yui blinked, then laughed helplessly.
"Who said anything about that? Though..."
She tucked a strand of peach-pink hair behind her ear, smiling sweetly.
"Don't worry, my gentlest side will always be reserved for... for everyone."
Her smile then faded slightly, eyes showing a hint of melancholy as she sighed.
"I just wanted to ask... when will I be able to awaken my Soul Materialisation ability?"
"That's simple."
Upon hearing Ye Xing's response, before Yui Yuigahama could even feel happy, she saw him take out his phone to check the time, then chuckle lightly.
"It's half past eleven now. At five in the afternoon, I'll just find a Gate and toss you into the Reverse World. If you don't awaken, you're done for. Simple as that."
"Uh..."
Yui Yuigahama hesitated, biting her lip before finally nodding firmly.
"Okay."
"Okay what okay?"
Ye Xing was dumbfounded, laughing incredulously as he teased her.
"Have you lost your mind?"
"But... but..."
Yui murmured dejectedly.
"Can someone as weak and ordinary as me really keep walking this path with everyone?"
"Tch, listen to yourself."
Ye Xing waved it off casually.
"You're the face of our Supernatural Society, shouldering an incredibly important duty."
"Really?"
At these words, the previously gloomy Yui's eyes lit up with hope again, as if her whole world had shifted from monochrome to colour.
What a sweet girl, so easily cheered up with a few words.
"Really."
Ye Xing nodded solemnly, meeting Yui's gaze as he spoke slowly.
"I have standards. I don't lie to idiots."
Yui was speechless.
"However, there is indeed a very significant responsibility that needs to be entrusted to you now."
Hearing this, Yui's spirits lifted instantly, and she nodded repeatedly.
"If it's something I can do, I'll give it my all."
"Good."
Ye Xing smiled meaningfully before continuing.
"In our class, there's a student called Yukino Yukinoshita..."
...
The next day at noon, just before lunch break at Sobu High School.
"Ahem."
Shizuka Hiratsuka had already put away her textbooks.
She rapped the lectern with her knuckles, surveying the students before her as she spoke slowly.
"As you all know, starting this Thursday, we'll have a two-day summer sports festival."
"You should all understand what our goal is, correct?"
At Hiratsuka's loaded question, the classroom fell briefly silent.
Eventually, it was Ye Xing's voice from the back row that broke the quiet.
"Eighth place is safe, seventh place is ambitious."
Hiratsuka frowned slightly, retorting irritably.
"None of that nonsense. There are only eight classes in our year - what do you mean 'safe eighth' or 'ambitious seventh'? Watch out for my iron fist of justice."
"Alright then."
To the class, this exchange between Hiratsuka and Ye Xing seemed no different from flirtatious banter.
All this talk about iron fists of justice.
Yet no one's ever seen those fists actually land on Ye Xing.
Heh. Is this the privilege that comes with good looks and being top of the year?
How enviable.
"Back on topic."
Hiratsuka raised a hand, her white lab coat fluttering dramatically.
"As Class A, we have only one goal!"
"First place!"
"Therefore, every one of you must sign up for at least one event."
Here, Hiratsuka's gaze landed on Ye Xing by the window in the back row.
"Ye Xing, you're going all out - sign up for three."
"Oh, alright then."
Without arguing further, Ye Xing replied indifferently.
"Let's do the 100-metre dash, shot put, and high jump."
"Alright, it's settled then."
Shizuka Hiratsuka quickly agreed, as if afraid Ye Xing might change his mind.
Without missing a beat, she continued,
"As for which events to sign up for, you can discuss it among yourselves during lunch break. There are also a few team events where one person can participate in multiple. As for the selections... I'll decide this afternoon. That's all for now. Class dismissed."
...
By the time they arrived at the Supernatural Society's clubroom, everyone except Ye Xing wore gloomy expressions.
Especially Rio Futaba. Though she wasn't from Class A, she had clearly received the news before class ended—the summer sports festival would be held on Thursday.
"Sports festival... what a hassle."
Futaba wasn't worried about her physical stamina.
After all, ever since... that incident, her physique had improved.
But since it was a sports festival, she'd have to wear a gym uniform.
Rio Futaba didn't want to wear that outfit in public.
After all, it was too... conspicuous.