"If you don't want to participate, then just don't," Ye Xing said with an indifferent tone, making Rio shake her head helplessly.
"If only it were that simple. Your class has the same rule, right? Everyone must participate in at least one event?"
Miko Yotsuya nodded slightly, equally resigned. "Yes. I don't even know which event to choose. Something with few spectators and preferably no running would be best."
After saying this, Miko glanced around and asked curiously, "Huh, where's Yui?"
Mai Sakurajima, who was sitting by the window, taking her lunchbox from her bag, also looked puzzled. "That's right. She's usually the first one here. Why didn't she come with you today?"
...
Meanwhile, in the teachers' office.
"Yukinoshita-san."
Shizuka Hiratsuka looked at the application form before her and sighed, rubbing her forehead. Standing before her was a beautiful girl with an unfairly cute face, long straight black hair, and an aura somewhat similar to Kazusa Touma's, yet carrying an air of aloofness.
"I can't approve your club application."
"Why?"
Yukino Yukinoshita's voice was soft but carried an undeniable firmness.
"Because..." Hiratsuka paused before continuing with a resigned expression, "Firstly, you're alone. Sobu High School requires at least five members to form a new club."
"Secondly, we're already halfway through the term. There are no spare club rooms available for new groups."
"And finally, this so-called 'Service Club'... The name is rather odd, don't you think? The club's purpose isn't clearly defined either."
Yukino's expression remained impassive as she replied calmly, "Then why were Ye Xing and Miko Yotsuya able to form a club with just two members?"
"They applied at the start of the term."
"That still doesn't explain why they could form a club with two, while I can't with one. Why?"
Faced with Yukino's relentless questioning, Hiratsuka felt a headache coming on. Though different in personality from her sister Haruno, this girl was equally troublesome in her own way.
Unable to comprehend Yukino's reasoning, Hiratsuka decided to seek an alternative solution.
"Well... there might be one way."
Yukino's eyes flickered with interest. "What way?"
Hiratsuka smiled. "Why don't you talk to Ye Xing? His club doesn't seem particularly active. If you can convince him to share a club room with you, or add 'helping students with their problems' to the Supernatural Society's objectives, I'll approve your application."
"Sharing a room..."
Yukino frowned slightly, instinctively wanting to refuse. If she could tolerate working alongside other students, she wouldn't have waited until mid-term to submit her club application.
"Ye Xing..."
Yukino hadn't spoken with Ye Xing before, but the name wasn't unfamiliar to her.
Many had witnessed him entering Sobu High School together with that senior student, Mai Sakurajima-senpai, during school hours.
Moreover, ever since the spring exams concluded recently, Mai-senpai had been frequenting the Supernatural Society's clubroom daily.
Originally, Yukino wouldn't concern herself with meaningless gossip about which girl the delinquent boys in class were targeting.
But.
The promotional airship banners for Yukinoshita Construction bore Mai Sakurajima's name.
Yukino had never asked her sister or mother about how this came to be.
Could it possibly be related to that Ye Xing classmate?
Noticing Yukino's thoughtful expression, Shizuka Hiratsuka crossed her legs, propped her chin on one hand, and added fuel to the fire.
"This is the only way. Even if you wait until next term, given the nature of your proposed Service Club, it'll likely struggle to pass approval from both the school administration and student council. Ah, whatever shall we do?"
Hiratsuka was quite skilled at stirring the pot.
Yukino's determination to establish her club was evidently firm.
Just then, a small head with peach-pink hair buns peeked through the office door's gap.
"Hello, Yukinoshita-san."
Yukino turned towards the door.
"You are... Yuigahama-san? Is there something you need?"
"Hehe."
Yui Yuigahama first chuckled sheepishly before adopting an embarrassed expression.
"I accidentally overheard your conversation just now. Yukinoshita-san, are you looking for Ye Xing? I'm a member of the Supernatural Society. Maybe we could... go together since it's on the way?"
Before Yukinoshita Yukino could respond to Yuigahama's offer, Hiratsuka immediately chimed in like a pushy salesperson hawking shoddy goods.
"That's perfect! Go on then, Yukinoshita-san. Do your best!"
"Very well."
Yukinoshita Yukino wasn't one to procrastinate.
Having decided to visit the Supernatural Society, she saw no reason to waste time.
After leaving the office, she followed Yuigahama to the Supernatural Society's door.
Facing the closed sliding door before her and hearing faint murmurs from within, Yukinoshita Yukino hesitated not at all before sliding it open.
The scene that greeted her gave her momentary pause.
Her classmate, Miko Yotsuya, and another girl with glasses and loose, grey, curly hair—whom she recalled was named Rio Futaba—sat at a table.
Meanwhile, Sobu High's most famous student, second-year Mai Sakurajima-senpai, was retrieving several lunch boxes from her bag, arranging them on the table with the gentle smile of a devoted wife.
None of these people mattered.
Yukino's gaze went to the figure seated by the window—Sobu High's second most famous student, someone from her own class with whom she'd never exchanged words.
The vibrant early summer sunlight spilt across the clubroom's slightly worn floorboards.
Beneath slightly overgrown black hair was a face so handsome that even the aloof Yukinoshita Yukino found herself looking twice.
The Sobu High uniform seemed elevated simply by being worn on his well-proportioned, upright frame.
His dark eyes gazing out the window perpetually carried an air of languid indifference.
Yet in the depths of his gaze, Yukino could vaguely sense something distinctly different.
"Yukinoshita-san."
Hearing the door open, Ye Xing withdrew his gaze from the window and turned towards Yukino Yukinoshita, standing at the entrance, offering a slight smile.
"Can I help you?"
Just as Yukinoshita parted her lips to explain her purpose, a tall, well-proportioned girl standing over 170cm strode confidently into the clubroom. Her pale blue high ponytail accentuated her striking presence.
"I'm here."
"Kawasaki-san."
Ye Xing gave a slight nod in greeting.
The other members of the Supernatural Society looked puzzled.
Wasn't this... Kawasaki Saki from Class A?
Did she know Ye Xing, too?
"Since you're here, please take a seat."
Despite the crowd in the clubroom, Kawasaki Saki maintained her usual expressionless demeanour, sitting at the table's far corner - as distant as possible from Futaba Rio and Miko Yotsuya.
"Ye Xing-san, I came here to..."
Just as Yukinoshita began speaking, another beautiful girl entered the clubroom.
"Eh? There's so many people today?"
Marin Kitagawa blinked in surprise upon seeing Yukinoshita at the door and Kawasaki already seated. But true to her nature, she didn't dwell on it.
Besides, Marin was already quite familiar with the Supernatural Society members - she just hadn't officially joined yet.
She promptly sat beside Futaba and Miko.
Having been interrupted twice now, Yukino's brow furrowed slightly, yet she persisted.
"Ye Xing-san, I wanted to..."
"Excuse me."
Interrupted yet again, even the normally composed Yukinoshita was nearing her limit.
Turning sideways, she recognised the newcomer.
Kazusa Touma didn't even glance at Yukino as she strode into the clubroom.
After scanning the room briefly, she pulled a spare chair over beside Ye Xing and gracefully seated herself.
Ye Xing couldn't help asking curiously:
"Touma-san, what's this about?"
Kazusa replied impassively:
"I'm resting. Didn't you tell me to reduce practice frequency to protect my hands?"
"Then why must you sit right next to me?"
The Supernatural Society members leaned forward curiously at this question.
Kazusa's answer was simple:
"Because I want to."
Ye Xing had no rebuttal: "Fair enough."
He then turned to Yukinoshita, still standing by the door, and smiled:
"Yukinoshita-san, please have a seat too."
Yukino raised her pale right hand to tuck a strand of black hair behind her ear.
Those familiar with her would recognise this gesture - an unconscious tell when she'd resolved to take action.
Smoothing her school skirt, she slowly took the seat directly opposite Ye Xing by the window.
"Ye Xing-san."
Yukino Yukinoshita got straight to the point.
"I hope to share the clubroom with your Supernatural Society."
Shizuka Hiratsuka had given her two options: either integrate the Servicing Club's principle of helping other students into the Supernatural Society, with Yukino directly becoming a member, or simply share the clubroom.
Clearly, Yukino Yukinoshita preferred the latter.
"Share the clubroom?"
Hearing Ye Xing's light chuckle and slightly dismissive tone, an ominous premonition crept into Yukino's heart.
"On what grounds?"
Those three simple words made Yukino pause.
"On what grounds...?"
"Yes, on what grounds?"
Ye Xing leaned forward slightly, interlacing his fingers and resting them beneath his chin, striking a classic Gendo Ikari pose.
"You want to share our clubroom—so what can you offer us in return?"
Yukino had prepared for this question on her way here and answered without hesitation.
"During my free time, I can assist you in solving problems, and—"
"Hold it right there."
Ye Xing lacked the patience to hear her out and cut her off rather bluntly.
"Since you seem unaware, let me enlighten you."
He stood up, first pointing to Rio Futaba seated at the table.
"This is Rio Futaba, second in the grade for science, who's been studying quantum mechanics textbooks since her first year."
One by one, he introduced the members of the Supernatural Society.
"This is Mai Sakurajima, former nationally renowned idol actress, who remains unflappable even when surrounded by reporters and also happens to be an excellent cook."
"This is Miko Yotsuya, whose nerves of steel could remain unshaken even if Mount Tai collapsed before her—Sobu High School's top poker face."
"This—"
When he pointed at Yui Yuigahama, Ye Xing paused briefly before continuing.
"This is Yui Yuigahama, who's very cute."
Yui looked on the verge of tears, once again subjected to such treatment.
So, in Ye Xing's eyes, her only merit was being cute?
Little did she know, the "persecution" she felt was something Miko and the others envied deeply.
They wished Ye Xing would call them cute, too.
"Now then..."
Ye Xing slowly walked to the table, resting his hands lightly on its surface as he locked eyes with Yukino Yukinoshita.
"Yukinoshita-san, with such members at our disposal—and with me, the top student in all three subjects, as the Captain—what exactly can you, Yukino Yukinoshita, offer our Supernatural Society?"
Yukino Yukinoshita was left speechless.
She thought carefully...
In both liberal arts and sciences, she ranked third in her grade.
Among the eight classes in Sobu High School's first year, third place was already an outstanding achievement.
If ranked by combined scores in liberal arts, sciences, and English, she was even second in the entire grade.
But...
In the end, she was still only second.
Standing before her now was the undisputed top student of Sobu High School's first year—first in three subjects individually, first in overall grades, and peerless by any measure.
The academic prodigy, Lord Ye Xing.
How could she possibly refute that?
Sports?
Sports had always been Yukino Yukinoshita's weak point, so there was no need for her to bring it up and embarrass herself further.
Watching Ye Xing oppress Yukino with his words and domineering presence like a tyrant, the others in the clubroom couldn't help but feel somewhat sympathetic.
Just as Yui Yuigahama was about to say something, an unexpected development occurred.
Yukino Yukinoshita also stood up, meeting Ye Xing's gaze head-on without backing down.
"Perhaps you're not wrong, but I don't agree with your way of thinking."
"A person's true worth can't be simply summarised with a few words."
"Human value is only truly demonstrated when helping others."
"If your Supernatural Society ever had the intention to help others when it was first established, then I believe I can contribute meaningfully to this club."
At this point, Yukino paused slightly before speaking slowly, word by word.
"Precisely because we possess outstanding abilities, we have an obligation to help those who can't overcome difficulties through their own efforts alone—not just act for ourselves."
"I see."
Faced with Yukino's argument, Ye Xing merely gave a noncommittal nod before returning to his seat by the window.
Then, he looked at Mai Sakurajima and the others with a light laugh.
"Well then, it's your turn to share your thoughts."
Mai Sakurajima, Miko Yotsuya, Rio Futaba, and Yui Yuigahama exchanged glances.
In the end, it was Miko Yotsuya who spoke first.
"I... agree with Yukinoshita's perspective. Helping those trapped in desperate situations, who can't escape even after exhausting all their strength—that's my goal too."
Ye Xing had already informed them about the Supernatural Society's temporary suspension of its activities recently.
As someone who had once been in such dire straits herself, Miko understood that sense of powerlessness all too well.
Eradicating evil spirits and protecting Kyoto meant helping others.
That objective naturally took precedence above all else.
But since there were no immediate tasks in that regard for now, helping those around them wasn't a bad alternative either.
The second to speak was Rio Futaba.
She only said three words.
"I agree."
Mai Sakurajima and Yui Yuigahama's approval was evident from their expressions, too.
After all, every member of the Supernatural Society had experienced helplessness before and could deeply empathise with the need for assistance.
Once all members had voiced their stances, every gaze in the clubroom converged on Ye Xing.
Was the Supernatural Society a democracy?
No—it was an absolute dictatorship.
Others' opinions could only serve as references.
Even their teacher, Shizuka Hiratsuka, held no authority to interfere in decisions regarding new members.
The final say rested solely in Ye Xing's hands.
"In that case..."
Ye Xing stood up, smiling at Yukino Yukinoshita.
"Welcome to the Supernatural Society."
"Alright..."
Yukino only realised something was amiss halfway through her response.
Eh?
Hadn't she only intended to share the clubroom?
How had it ended with her joining outright?
Still...
As Yukino Yukinoshita looked at the Supernatural Society members, she thought to herself.
Having people who shared her beliefs... wasn't so bad after all.
Perhaps the Supernatural Society wasn't just some frivolous club formed on a whim, as he'd originally assumed.
"Hey, I want to join too!"
Marin Kitagawa raised her hand with an eager expression.
"Fine, you can join too."
Ye Xing didn't hesitate, immediately nodding with a smile.
Marin had been coming every day anyway, and she'd genuinely helped solve two major problems regarding costumes. She might as well already be considered a member.
At that moment, Kazusa Touma suddenly stood up and walked over to Ye Xing, saying calmly:
"I want to join too."
"Alright, you're in."
As Kazusa joined with Ye Xing's approval, the clubroom fell into brief silence.
Saki Kawasaki, sitting by the door at the far end of the table from everyone else, felt their gazes on her. Her usually icy, expressionless face showed rare signs of flustered discomfort.
"I... I think I'll pass?"