Meanwhile, outside Shoko Makinohara's room at Kyoto Municipal Hospital.
"Mmm... so sleepy."
Miko Yotsuya let out a long yawn, rubbing her eyes that were so tired they were almost tearing up, looking completely exhausted.
Mai Sakurajima sat beside her and spoke softly.
"Miko, if you're tired, you can go home and rest first. I can keep watch here by myself."
"That won't do."
Miko Yotsuya forced herself to stay alert and shook her head.
"We're both members of the Supernatural Society. For Shoko and Menma's safety, I'll hold on a bit longer."
"This isn't sustainable..."
Although Mai Sakurajima hadn't performed formal exorcisms yet, as a psychic, she knew that fighting capability would be significantly reduced when one was poorly rested and mentally exhausted.
She could still manage to hold on, having experienced numerous situations during her acting career where she had to push through despite poor rest.
But Miko Yotsuya's spirit was clearly nearing its limit.
If they encountered evil spirits at this moment, it would be far too dangerous.
Just as Mai Sakurajima was thinking this, her phone suddenly vibrated.
She walked to an empty spot in the corridor, took out her phone, and saw an unfamiliar number.
"Hello, who's this?"
From the other end of the line came a woman's relaxed, smiling voice.
"It's me, Mai-san"
"Hmm?"
Mai Sakurajima found the voice very familiar. After searching her memory, she finally spoke hesitantly.
"Yukinoshita... Ms Haruno?"
"Yes, yes, you can recognise my voice after just one meeting..."
Haruno's voice still carried laughter, but now held a more meaningful, thought-provoking tone, as if making a suggestion.
"Is it because you have a good memory, or because I left a particularly deep impression on you?"
Mai Sakurajima's eyes flickered as she replied calmly without backing down.
"Oh, I just have a good memory, that's all. After all, your sister Yukino and Ye Xing are my juniors, and we're members of the same club who see each other every day."
"Hehe, is that so..."
Haruno Yukinoshita had finally caught on.
Mai Sakurajima was being sarcastic.
After all, she was far away in Chiba Prefecture. Although she had been travelling frequently to Kyoto recently due to family business, she still couldn't see Ye Xing every day.
Haruno didn't show any signs of discouragement at Mai's remarks, her tone maintaining its usual cheerful lilt.
"Mai-san, although I'm a university student, summer holidays will be coming soon."
Mai Sakurajima replied indifferently.
"Oh, is that so? But during summer break, we have club activities every day. I'm afraid we won't have time to play with you."
"Whether there's time or not isn't for you to decide."
"You'd better not get your hopes up too high. I wouldn't want to see you crying, Yukinoshita-san."
On the other end of the phone, Haruno smiled faintly and slowly spoke.
"Mai-san, in my entire life, I've never once tasted the bitterness of defeat."
"This time probably won't be an exception either."
Mai gritted her teeth lightly, thinking that this was indeed Haruno Yukinoshita.
As expected, she was a formidable opponent.
"Alright, back to business."
Haruno Yukinoshita's tone suddenly became serious. The speed of this transition even surprised Mai, who had extensive acting experience from her child-star days.
"At Kyoto Municipal Hospital, the room immediately to the left of Shoko Makinohara's ward - I've already contacted the hospital administration and reserved it for you."
"No nurses will come for room checks, and no doctors will come asking questions."
"You can stay as long as you like. Just let me know when you don't need it anymore."
Hearing this, Mai couldn't help but pause briefly before hesitantly asking.
"Was this... something Ye Xing asked you to help with?"
"How can this be called helping?"
Haruno's tone was very relaxed.
"I'm already a member of the club, so it's only natural that I contribute."
Mai didn't even have the energy to retort.
The composition of the Supernatural Society members was becoming increasingly strange.
Mai thought about it carefully.
The only two relatively normal members in the club, who didn't have strange reputations at school...
Were Yui Yuigahama and Marin Kitagawa.
Could it be that the gyaru style came with an immunity to abstract behaviour?
Though she thought this to herself, Mai still parted her lips slightly and said hesitantly.
"Well... thank you."
Haruno chuckled on the other end of the phone.
"You're really not very straightforward, are you? Compared to Ye Xing, you're far behind."
After saying that, Haruno Yukinoshita hung up the phone before Mai Sakurajima could counter.
...
Meanwhile, at Rio Futaba's home.
[Regarding today's sudden train malfunction in Kyoto City, Director Soichiro Yagami of the Metropolitan Police Department's Criminal Investigation Bureau, together with Kyoto's train maintenance and operations manager, has issued a statement.]
[This incident was caused by a low-probability accidental malfunction due to continuous heavy rainfall in recent times, and was not the result of human sabotage.]
[The train station manager sincerely apologises to the public and states that they will learn from this incident, strengthen daily train maintenance and upkeep, and prevent such events from recurring.]
[That is all.]
"How hypocritical."
Listening to the news report on television, Rio Futaba, who was boiling water in the kitchen, commented softly.
"Can't really say that."
Ye Xing sat on the sofa, watching Soichiro Yagami's serious expression on the TV screen, and chuckled lightly.
"Even if ordinary people were armed with firearms, if they got dragged into the Reverse World, they'd only meet their end."
"From that perspective, preventing public panic and keeping citizens' emotions within stable boundaries is the wisest choice."
Rio Futaba brought two bowls of instant noodles and two freshly brewed cups of coffee to the coffee table, then sat down beside Ye Xing.
"You think this approach is right?"
"I wouldn't know about that."
Ye Xing took a sip of his coffee and pointed at the news report on the TV screen.
Rio Futaba followed his finger and saw footage of the rescued passengers being shown.
"All I know is that because of our actions today, hundreds of people, including Saki Kawasaki and her younger sister, as well as Marin Kitagawa, get to keep living. That's enough for me."
"Huh"
Rio Futaba adjusted her glasses, studying Ye Xing's profile with interest as she said meaningfully.
"That doesn't sound like something you'd say."
Ye Xing waved his hand dismissively and replied matter-of-factly.
"I was just stating a fact that would give you a sense of accomplishment. Of course, I don't care about innocent people's lives myself - I just want to eliminate more evil spirits."
Rio Futaba covered her mouth with a light laugh and muttered quietly.
"Hmph, such a tsundere"
"Calling me a female brat, are you?"
"You... you're the brat here!"
Rio Futaba didn't understand what 'female brat' meant, but she knew her height was relatively short among people her age.
Sometimes when she went out with Yui Yuigahama and Miko Yotsuya, it almost looked like older sisters taking their younger sister along.
Seeing Rio Futaba's flustered expression, Ye Xing ruffled her hair and teased.
"It's fine, being small is cute too."
"You... you jerk..."
Rio Futaba gritted her silver teeth, about to say something, when she suddenly heard a soft snap.
The underwear thief Ye Xing once again demonstrated his superhuman skills.
With one hand, he wrapped his arm around Rio Futaba's waist, pulling her petite body into his embrace.
With his other hand, he slowly slipped under the hem of her clothes and began exploring upward.
"Mmm..."
Rio Futaba couldn't help but let out a soft moan. She was essentially sitting directly in Ye Xing's lap now, her lips slightly parted, cheeks flushed, breathing lightly.
"The instant noodles... haven't been eaten yet..."
Ye Xing kissed Rio Futaba's snow-white, smooth neck, trailing up to her earlobe.
"Forget the noodles, I'm not hungry. It's time to feed you instead."
"W-Wait, let me take off my glasses."
"Don't remove them. I want you just as you are - the bespectacled beauty."
...
Sunday, Kyoto Municipal Hospital, in the ward next to Shoko Makinohara's.
"So that's how the Reverse World came to be..."
After hearing Rio Futaba's report, the internal members of the Supernatural Society all wore thoughtful expressions tinged with concern.
Mai Sakurajima sat cross-legged, her long yet shapely calves encased in grey stockings, swaying in the air.
"If that's the case..." she began, resting her chin on one hand as she looked seriously at the members before her.
"Does this mean if Kyoto residents collectively experience fear or panic due to some event, it would cause more powerful and difficult-to-handle evil spirits to appear in the Reverse World?"
Rio Futaba nodded slightly. "According to the current pattern, yes."
"Then..." Mai Sakurajima gazed out the window at the pouring rain, pursing her lips as worry surfaced on her pretty face.
"This bizarre weather isn't a good sign."
Hearing this, Hina Amano quickly spoke up. "What if I make the weather clear?"
Miko Yotsuya shook her head. "It wouldn't mean much. You can't use your ability continuously for twenty-four hours - you'd exhaust yourself to death. It would only be a temporary measure."
Ye Xing, sitting by the window, casually remarked, "Perhaps we could try..."
Before he could finish, Mai Sakurajima, Miko Yotsuya, and Rio Futaba simultaneously interrupted, "No perhaps! No trying allowed!"
Hina Amano looked puzzled. From the first part of Ye Xing's sentence, it seemed like some method to enhance her abilities. Why wouldn't Mai Sakurajima, Miko Yotsuya, and Rio Futaba let him finish? Could this power-enhancing method have serious side effects? Hina didn't understand but didn't dare ask, being the most junior member in the Supernatural Society.
"Back to business," said Miko Yotsuya, her cheeks slightly flushed at seeing Rio Futaba and Mai Sakurajima share her intense reaction. She cleared her throat to change the subject.
"So if the Reverse World is composed of humanity's negative thoughts, then the evil spirits living there, and that Tamamo-no-Mae..."
"Exactly as you suspect," Rio Futaba nodded calmly.
"Tamamo-no-Mae isn't the true legendary Tamamo-no-Mae."
"Both she and the other evil spirits in the Reverse World are materialisations of Kyoto residents' negative emotions toward certain things."
"Just like our Soul Materialisation."
"Except Tamamo-no-Mae believes she's the legendary Tamamo-no-Mae. Judging by her behaviour, even her memories are false, perfectly matching the legends - which is actually the most abnormal aspect."
Hearing Rio Futaba's words, Miko Yotsuya's golden eyes flickered several times as she glanced at Hachishaku-sama squatting idly in the corner, lowering her voice to say.
"In that case... Hachishaku-sama, she..."
"We can verify this now."
Rio Futaba looked towards Hachishaku-sama, squatting in the corner, and called out softly.
"Hachishaku-sama, come here for a moment."
"Mm, alright."
Hachishaku-sama nodded very obediently, walked over slowly, and squatted down beside Ye Xing.
Seeing her actions, Rio Futaba frowned slightly but still asked gently.
"What were you doing before you met us?"
Hearing this question, Hachishaku-sama showed hesitation on her face, secretly glancing at Ye Xing.
The latter waved his hand casually.
"Just answer whatever they ask you obediently."
"Okay, I understand."
Hachishaku-sama nodded obediently, then answered timidly.
"I... before meeting you all... I, I was killing humans, especially children."
"Is that so?"
Just when Hachishaku-sama thought Rio Futaba would show anger upon hearing about her past crimes, she instead saw the other party merely adjust her glasses before posing a question that caught her completely off guard.
"Then what were the names of the children you killed?"
"This... this..."
Hachishaku-sama struggled to recall memories from her mind, parting her lips, but after a long while, couldn't utter a single word.
She suddenly realised something.
It seemed she didn't actually know many human names at all.
Apart from the members of the Supernatural Society, Hachishaku-sama only knew one name - that little girl who lived in the same apartment building as Yui Yuigahama.
The problem was that she hadn't actually killed her either.
"Not even one name?"
Rio Futaba looked directly into Hachishaku-sama's eyes, her tone flat.
"Before killing children, don't you disguise yourself as their deceased relatives and call out their names?"
"This... I..."
Hachishaku-sama tried hard to remember, but her mind remained completely blank.
Rio Futaba showed an expression of confirmation, looking at the members of the Supernatural Society as she said calmly.
"It appears this is the case."
This Hachishaku-sama was a spectre formed from the impressions of all Kyoto residents about the Hachishaku urban legend.
And in the urban legend, it only mentions that Hachishaku-sama likes to kill children, without mentioning the names of the victims.
Because of this, the Hachishaku-sama formed from collective impressions naturally wouldn't know the names of the children she supposedly killed.
Because she had never actually done those things—they were just false memories.
Then Rio Futaba spoke again.
"Next, let's discuss matters concerning Kawasaki-san and Kitagawa-san..."
"Wait a moment!"
Before Rio Futaba could finish, Hachishaku-sama suddenly stood up.
But because her stature was too tall, her head directly hit the hard ceiling, letting out a pained cry like a wounded small animal as she hugged her head and squatted down, wearing a pitiful expression with tears welling in her eyes.
"Oww... that hurts... sob sob."
Ye Xing commented from the side.
"You've been acting rather foolish lately."
Hachishaku-sama crouched on the floor with a pitiful expression, tearfully gazing at the members of the Supernatural Society, speaking with both grievance and anger.
"Are we just going to skip over the topic about me?"
Rio Futaba nodded without hesitation.
"What else?"
"Can't you pay more attention to me! I'm suffering from... what's that word again..."
Hachishaku-sama pondered for a long moment before suddenly exclaiming with realisation.
"That's right, an identity crisis!"
Hina Amano and Yui Yuigahama couldn't hear Hachishaku's words, but Mai Sakurajima, who had awakened her spiritual power, deeply understood Hachishaku's sentiments.
Her Adolescence Syndrome was partly caused by a lack of identity and self-recognition as well.
Mai Sakurajima completely empathised with Hachishaku-sama's current state.
Yet Ye Xing showed no leniency towards Hachishaku.
"Why do you have so many issues? Who has time to deal with you? Do you want to be gagged again?"
Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, Hachishaku-sama's face lit up with excitement.
"So if I keep talking, will you gag me? Then I'll keep talking."
Rio Futaba sighed helplessly, massaging her forehead.
"Please, can you all act normally?"
"Back to business - Kawasaki-san and Kitagawa-san have now witnessed evil spirits with their own eyes. What should we do now?"
Although Rio Futaba seemed to be asking for everyone's opinion, all members, including herself, turned their gazes towards Ye Xing, who was sitting by the window.
"Why is everyone looking at me?"
Facing the stares of the girls, Ye Xing waved his hand.
"The condition for becoming an internal member isn't just having witnessed evil spirits - one must be able to provide assistance and possess value."
"My standards have never changed."
"Currently, Marin Kitagawa and Saki Kawasaki haven't shown me any value they possess."
After Ye Xing finished speaking, the room fell into brief silence.
After a while, Mai Sakurajima looked at him with some scepticism.
"So you mean Kawasaki-san and Kitagawa-san aren't pretty enough?"
"Huh? What nonsense are you talking about? We're the Supernatural Quantum Mechanics Research Society, not my harem society. Appearance isn't part of the recruitment criteria."
"Oh, so they're not your type?"
"I told you, that's not the issue."
Listening to everyone's cheerful conversation, Yui Yuigahama maintained her usual sweet smile, occasionally nodding in agreement, yet her eyes revealed a hint of gloom.
People who possess value... can join the Supernatural Society.
Yui Yuigahama looked at the members before her. Except for Kazusa Touma, who couldn't make it today due to an emergency, every internal member of the Supernatural Society possessed unique abilities.
As for her current self...
Did she really still have a place here?
On the muted television nearby, a news broadcast was playing that everyone seemed to have overlooked.
[The criminal known by the public as the 'Sunny Doll Killer' has committed their fourth crime.]
[The perpetrator shows a preference for female targets, with all victims being middle school and high school female students.]
[The Metropolitan Police Department urges girls in this age group to minimise going out late at night and avoid walking in remote, unpopulated areas.]
[Director of Criminal Investigations Soichiro Yagami solemnly promises to deploy the full resources of the Metropolitan Police Department to swiftly bring the perpetrator to justice and restore safety and peace to Kyoto City.]