Ye Xing was silent.
After a long pause, he finally spoke with complete seriousness.
"Yuigahama-san, this constitutes sexual harassment."
Yui Yuigahama immediately flustered upon hearing this, waving her hands frantically.
"I... I didn't mean it like that."
"Mean what like that?"
"J-just... anyway, I didn't mean anything! Don't overthink it!"
Yui Yuigahama was frightened.
What she feared wasn't the act of staying at a hotel with Ye Xing itself.
From their interactions during this period, although he often said outrageous things, he wasn't the type of scoundrel who would harass someone. In fact, he seemed more like the ascetic type.
What Yui Yuigahama feared was the emotion in her heart—one she vaguely understood yet didn't want to acknowledge.
She...
Seemed to like Ye Xing a little.
What should she do?
If she had fallen for him from the very beginning, then even if she confessed and got rejected, it would only be she who would be hurt.
But now...
Why did these feelings grow stronger only after she had become friends with Rio Futaba, Miko Yotsuya, and Mai Sakurajima-senpai?
They had reached the point where they were almost impossible to suppress.
Yet, Yui Yuigahama didn't dare show these feelings.
If she revealed them...
How would she face Rio Futaba, Miko Yotsuya, and Mai Sakurajima afterwards?
It wasn't just about worrying over their friendship.
Yui Yuigahama might appear simple and ditzy on the surface, but she was actually quite sensitive inside.
If she mishandled these feelings for Ye Xing, it could very well become the spark that tore the Supernatural Society apart.
And if the Supernatural Society fell apart...
What would happen to Kyoto?
She couldn't become the sinner who destroyed friendships and endangered the safety of Kyoto!
"But..."
Ye Xing glanced at the station where crowds were being evacuated, speaking in a light tone.
"This really is too far from both your place and mine. Finding somewhere to stay is definitely the best option."
At this moment, Yui Yuigahama was locked in an internal struggle.
Just as Ye Xing said—
With rain this heavy, going home was impossible.
Explaining things to her mother wouldn't be a problem.
But what if the other members of the Supernatural Society found out she had gone to a hotel with him?
Was there somewhere they could stay overnight without causing misunderstandings?
Suddenly, Yui Yuigahama thought of a perfect solution and tentatively suggested,
"Should we... go to an internet café instead?"
"An internet café..."
Ye Xing pondered for a moment before nodding slightly.
"That could work too."
Internet cafés in Japan were small, private rooms equipped not just with computers but also clothes racks and beds, with manga available in the common areas.
Many anime featured scenes of characters staying overnight in internet cafés.
Ye Xing could probably guess why Yui Yuigahama had first suggested a hotel, but now changed her mind to an internet café.
This overly indecisive nature—always sacrificing her own feelings for the sake of others—was the biggest obstacle to her awakening Soul Materialisation.
Still, Ye Xing didn't voice this aloud.
To awaken Soul Materialisation, one had to confront one's true self.
He could guide her through the process, just as he had done with Miko Yotsuya and Rio Futaba.
But the final decision still lay with her.
Compared to Miko Yotsuya, who had always been afraid to face evil spirits, and Rio Futaba, who masked her true thoughts behind a facade of rationality and composure—
Yui Yuigahama's excessive kindness and constant consideration for others made her the most troublesome case of all.
Ye Xing couldn't even imagine under what circumstances Yui Yuigahama would break that gentle demeanour of hers.
Choosing to flee when encountering evil spirits, abandoning severely injured companions?
That would certainly be selfish enough.
Yet behaving completely opposite to one's pretended self doesn't necessarily mean facing one's true nature.
The real Yui Yuigahama definitely wasn't a selfish person.
Troublesome. Difficult to handle.
...
Meanwhile, Marin Kitagawa, who had just returned home and was sitting barefoot on the sofa watching anime, heard her phone on the table ring.
She picked up the call to hear Mai Sakurajima's gentle voice.
"Sorry, Marin, calling so late. Did I disturb your rest?"
Marin Kitagawa laughed breezily in response.
"No problem, Mai-senpai, I just got home myself."
"That's good."
Hearing Marin's reply, Mai sighed in relief before continuing in a slightly hesitant tone.
"Well... Marin, there's something I'd like to ask of you."
"What is it, Mai-senpai?"
"You and Kawasaki-san were planning to make cosplay outfits, right?"
Here, Mai paused briefly before continuing in perfectly composed tones, as if discussing something utterly trivial.
"I was wondering... could you make a bunny girl outfit?"
"Bunny girl?"
Marin sounded puzzled.
While bunny girl outfits were classic cosplay attire, they were... rather revealing, weren't they?
Moreover, hadn't Mai-senpai said she didn't want to participate in cosplay?
"We could make one, sure..."
Not dwelling on it, Marin asked cheerfully.
"Do you have any specific requirements, Mai-senpai?"
On the other end, Mai lightly touched her chest, suppressing nervousness as she replied with studied casualness.
"Preferably something semi-transparent that shows off the figure. Not for wearing outside - just as sleepwear."
"Er..."
Marin frowned slightly.
Semi-transparent?
Bunny girl?
Figure-hugging?
This sounded more like lingerie than cosplay.
Though finding it strange, Marin didn't press further, simply nodding in agreement.
"Alright, I'll bring it to you when it's done, Mai-senpai."
"Thank you, Marin."
After hanging up, Marin stared at her phone screen, murmuring thoughtfully.
"What exactly is Mai-senpai planning...?"
Marin agreed primarily because she got along well with Mai - they could even be called friends.
Moreover, they were clubmates.
A semi-transparent bunny girl outfit wouldn't be difficult to make, with its few simple details making it ideal practice for Saki Kawasaki's beginner sewing skills.
Besides...
Marin hadn't forgotten that both materials and Saki's payment came from the Supernatural Society's activity budget.
How could she refuse?
Before Marin could set her phone down, another call came through.
Upon answering, it was almost the same opening line as Mai Sakurajima's, except this time it came from Miko Yotsuya.
"Marin, are you free right now? There's something I'd like to discuss with you."
"Of course I'm free, go ahead, Miko."
Although Miko Yotsuya possessed exceptionally strong mental fortitude, her acting skills were far inferior to those of Mai Sakurajima, a former nationally renowned idol.
Her voice carried a hint of awkwardness as she cautiously asked, "Marin, if I were to cosplay and wanted outfits that suit me... what style would you recommend?"
Hearing this question, Marin Kitagawa couldn't help but smile.
She'd actually considered this matter the first time she saw the members of the Supernatural Society.
This was an essential skill for any excellent cosplayer.
Marin replied almost without hesitation, "For you, Miko, I'd recommend going for a cute style. After all... how should I put it? You have this special, delicate and pitiable aura about you."
Truth be told.
Marin was genuinely talented in this regard.
She could instantly recognise that Miko's appeal lay precisely in that delicate, pitiable yet somehow provoking desire to tease her mercilessly.
"A cute style..."
On the other end of the line, Miko glanced down at her bright yellow sweater and sighed faintly.
'Is my fashion sense perhaps too outdated?'
'Maybe that's why Ye Xing hasn't taken things to the final step with me?'
"Then... any specific outfit recommendations?"
Before Marin could answer, Miko added in a small voice, "Preferably something with... less fabric."
This single sentence nearly overloaded Marin's brain CPU.
What was going on?
First Mai-senpai, now Miko Yotsuya.
Why did all the Supernatural Society members make such peculiar requests?
Logically speaking, shouldn't first-time female cosplayers prefer outfits with more fabric that covers them more thoroughly?
Since when did requests like this exist?
If Marin hadn't spent so much time with the Supernatural Society members and found them all quite decent people, she might have started suspecting whether this club had some... unusual internal activities she wasn't aware of.
"Well... there are some options."
Marin Kitagawa turned on her laptop screen, typed a few words into the search bar, then took a photo with her phone and sent it to Miko Yotsuya's email.
"This is the bridal outfit... well, the wedding dress for a certain anime character. It's mainly white and light pink, really pretty, though the fabric's a bit skimpy."
To be honest.
Miko didn't hear a single word Marin said after that.
The moment she saw that picture of pure white stockings paired with white high heels—an ensemble that looked both sacredly elegant and undeniably sexy—and heard the word "wedding," her face flushed crimson and her mind went completely blank.
"Mhm, I want this one!"
"Er..."
Marin's expression turned complicated.
"You... want to cosplay in this outfit?"
"Huh? Of course not."
"Then what do you need it for?"
Miko was momentarily stumped by the question. After a long pause, she came up with a clumsy excuse.
"I... I'll wear it as pyjamas."
Marin didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "You're using it as pyjamas too?"
Miko blinked. "Too?"
"Never mind."
Realising her slip, Marin quickly brushed it off.
Mai-senpai had requested a semi-transparent bunny girl outfit—what for, she didn't know.
But one thing was certain.
Since Mai-senpai had entrusted her with this, it meant she trusted Marin.
There was no way Marin would reveal this to anyone else.
Not even to Miko, a fellow Supernatural Society member and close friend. Absolutely not.
"Well... making it shouldn't be a problem, but this outfit has lots of small accessories and the process is quite complex. I can't guarantee how long it'll take—depends on how quickly Saki's skills improve."
"No rush."
Miko wasn't in a hurry.
As long as she got it eventually.
She even considered ordering a set for Rio Futaba as well.
But upon reflection, given Futaba's personality, she'd probably be too embarrassed.
Besides...
Considering Futaba's figure, the outfit... would indeed be challenging to make.
...
Meanwhile.
Having left the underground train station, Ye Xing and Yui Yuigahama huddled beneath a small umbrella, braving the torrential rain.
"Rejoice, for the birth of a new king!"
Listening to Ye Xing's seemingly delirious proclamation, Yui didn't find it abstract this time—instead, she thought it sounded rather cool.
It wasn't Ye Xing who'd changed.
It was her.
"Come under here properly."
Yui tugged at Ye Xing's sleeve, pulling him firmly under the umbrella. With the gentle reproach of a devoted wife, she murmured, "Look, your hair's all wet. You'll catch a cold tomorrow."
Ye Xing's response was characteristically blunt.
"I don't get colds."
"Huh?"
At first, Yui was startled by this statement.
Then it dawned on her.
Right.
With Ye Xing's superhuman physical capabilities, how could he possibly catch a cold?
Her concern had clouded her judgment.
Blushing slightly, Yui quickly changed the subject with a soft sigh. "Honestly, why did it have to rain so heavily all of a sudden today?"
Ye Xing answered as if stating the obvious. "Because of that Hina Amano situation, of course."
"Sigh."
Yui Yuigahama sighed on the surface, but in her heart, a thought flashed by that even surprised herself.
Thanks to the new member, Hina Amano, for the gift.
Just then.
A sudden gust of wind caught the pitifully small umbrella in Yui Yuigahama's unprepared hands and sent it flying into the air.
"Eh..."
Before the rain could sweep onto Yui Yuigahama's face, Ye Xing reached out his right hand and said softly,
"Umbrella."
In an instant, a large black umbrella appeared in Ye Xing's hand, blocking all the rain that was about to hit Yui Yuigahama.
"Eh?"
Yui Yuigahama froze for a moment before stomping her foot a few seconds later, biting her silver teeth lightly as she said,
"If you could make an umbrella, why didn't you say so earlier?"
"Hmm? So it's my fault now? Don't shift the blame, alright."
At times like these, Ye Xing was nothing if not unapologetically confident.
"You didn't ask me. You were the one who said you brought an umbrella and then invited me to share it with you, wasn't it?"
"Uh..."
Yui Yuigahama thought back.
Well, that was indeed the case.
Ye Xing didn't stop there, pressing his advantage relentlessly.
"Tell me, isn't this your fault?"
Yui Yuigahama tried to weasel her way out with a cute act, sticking out her tongue and smiling sheepishly.
"Sorry, my bad."
"Alright then."
Ye Xing smiled and pulled Yui Yuigahama a little closer to him.
"Since you're cute, I'll forgive you for trying to shift the blame."
Yui Yuigahama's pupils shrank in shock, her heart skipping a beat.
The surprise she felt now was even greater than when she'd seen the giant evil spirit's pupil appear outside the window.
Did Ye Xing just say...
That she was cute?
The straightforward, no-frills attack had struck again.
Yui Yuigahama's fragile defences were breached.
Even in the cold wind, she could clearly feel her cheeks warming up slightly.
...
When they arrived at a nearby internet cafe, the owner at the counter looked at Yui Yuigahama and Ye Xing with a polite smile.
"Only one single booth left."
"Eh?"
Yui Yuigahama looked puzzled.
"How can that be, boss? It's not even the weekend today."
Ye Xing raised his hand and ruffled Yui Yuigahama's dango hairstyle, prompting her to cover her head with a cute little whimper.
"Are you stupid? Everyone's hiding from the rain."
The internet cafe owner nodded repeatedly.
"This handsome guy is right. Because of the rain, all the booths are full today."
Yui Yuigahama thought she'd really tied herself up in knots this time.
If they'd gone to a hotel, at least there would've been twin rooms.
But now, only a cramped single booth remained.
Yet... what was this faint sense of delight in her heart?
Was it really tying herself up in knots?
If so, then so be it.
"We'll take it till tomorrow morning."
"Got it."
After taking the money, the owner led Yui Yuigahama and Ye Xing to a small booth at the very back, his expression suggestive as he said,
"If you two need anything during the night, please keep it down and don't disturb the other guests."
Clearly, the owner had misunderstood.
Ye Xing understood.
Yui Yuigahama didn't.
Only after the owner left did she tug at Ye Xing's sleeve with an innocent, clueless expression and ask:
"What did he mean by 'try to keep the noise down if anything happens at night'?"
Ye Xing replied very bluntly:
"It means doing the deed."
"Do... the deed?"
It took Yui Yuigahama several seconds to process this, her face flushing crimson instantly.
She stole a glance at Ye Xing beside her.
Here?
Tonight?
Could it be...
No, Dango, you must restrain yourself!
Only when Yui Yuigahama and Ye Xing entered the private booth together and saw its layout did she realise one thing.
The single booth was less than five square metres in size.
Inside was just a table with a computer on it.
Next to it, on a small cabinet, were manga.
The futon took up the rest of the space.
Spending a night alone with Ye Xing in such a cramped room...
Yui Yuigahama felt like crying.
Could she really keep her composure?