Shizuka Hiratsuka pressed the pause button on her remote, leaning closer to the television to carefully examine the long nail in Mask's hand on the broadcast replay.
First, this was a sharp nail approximately thirty centimetres long - not something one would encounter in daily life.
Upon closer inspection, Hiratsuka noticed the nail's surface was remarkably smooth, reflecting cold glints of sunlight.
"Where exactly... have I seen something like this before..."
Hiratsuka felt certain she'd seen this type of nail somewhere before, experiencing a strong sense of familiarity.
After struggling to recall for some time, a memory suddenly surfaced in her mind - from the first day of school, when she'd barged into the club room and encountered Miko Yotsuya and Ye Xing for the first time.
"Wait..."
Hiratsuka finally remembered.
The silver nail she'd confiscated from Ye Xing that day was almost identical to the one in this broadcast replay, differing only in length.
"That thing... I think it's still in my office."
Shizuka Hiratsuka made up her mind to return to Sobu High School tomorrow and retrieve the confiscated silver spike from her drawer, intending to compare it with the rebroadcast footage from Kyoto City Television.
She had only seen a nail made of pure silver twice.
Once was in Ye Xing's hand, and the other time was during the television broadcast of Mask.
According to rational analysis...
Wielding the same weapon, both possessing rather abnormal abilities...
Could it be that Ye Xing and Mask were the same person?
Shizuka Hiratsuka didn't have any particular thoughts about this.
She simply wanted to satisfy her curiosity, wondering if her most accomplished student, while playing the role of an exorcist...
Was simultaneously playing the role of Kyoto City's hero.
...
Later that same day, at Ye Xing's home.
"Finally, it's over."
With the exception of Marin Kitagawa, who remained unaware of the truth, the members of the Supernatural Society had gathered together once more.
"Yes, it's over."
Hearing Yui Yuigahama's words and seeing her current adorable, slightly foolish smiling expression, Mai Sakurajima found it impossible to connect the sweet, charming girl before her with the cold, ruthless exorcist who had fought against the Ushikubi-no-Onna that day.
Rio Futaba, who was usually rational, calm and never flustered, had found her Soul Materialisation power affected by her inner confusion and hesitation while Ye Xing was trapped in the Reverse World.
Meanwhile, Yui Yuigahama had performed beyond her normal capabilities due to the anger in her heart.
This was the difference brought about by each person's individual personality - it couldn't be said which was better or worse.
It only proved that Ye Xing held an important position in both their hearts.
"Our members..."
Rio Futaba looked at everyone sitting in the living room and sighed softly.
"If we're going to have supernatural incidents of this scale happening regularly from now on, our current society size is ultimately still too small."
Haruno Yukinoshita leaned lazily against the sofa, taking small bites of the delicate cake in her hand as she chuckled lightly.
"Don't count me in, I have no intention of joining your society."
Yukino Yukinoshita couldn't help but frown slightly at these words.
"Sister... you've seen the destruction evil spirits can cause... Only psychics can..."
"No."
Haruno interrupted Yukino Yukinoshita, stroking her adorable younger sister's long hair as she smiled.
"As the eldest daughter of the Yukinoshita family, I must inherit our family's company. Besides, I'm still attending university in Chiba and can't normally stay in Kyoto. Moreover, my abilities aren't strong enough to provide you with any effective help, so it's better not to count me in."
Hearing Haruno's words, Yui Yuigahama cautiously spoke up.
"Actually... at the beginning... none of us were strong..."
Rio Futaba seemed to want to interrupt Yui Yuigahama, but ultimately remained silent.
She genuinely didn't like Haruno Yukinoshita.
There were many reasons - Haruno's attitude of seeming to have everything under control while treating others like NPCs to be manipulated, measuring everyone's value while appearing friendly yet actually being condescending.
That sarcastic way of speaking with hidden barbs.
And most importantly, being a rival in the battlefield of love.
But Rio Futaba felt that her personal opinion of Haruno was one thing, while information about Soul Materialisation abilities and various details about psychics, including methods to quickly increase power, were another. Since Haruno had already awakened her Soul Materialisation and become a psychic, she naturally had the right to know all these things.
Moreover, there was the most important point.
Exorcism was very dangerous.
After awakening spiritual power, regardless of whether Haruno Yukinoshita wanted it or not, she would inevitably encounter evil spirits while in Chiba.
Rio Futaba wasn't so selfish as to deliberately conceal methods to increase power just because she disliked Haruno.
Besides...
What difference did it make?
Haruno and Ye Xing had already...
There was no difference.
"Oh, that thing you mentioned."
Although Yui Yuigahama hadn't made her meaning explicit, Haruno had already guessed what the other wanted to say, a bewitching smile curling at the corners of her lips.
"I learned about it when consulting Ye Xing about spiritual power matters. No need to spell it out specifically."
Yukino Yukinoshita looked curious.
"What are you two talking about?"
Haruno ruffled her younger sister's hair, watching her confused expression as she spoke with a smile.
"You don't understand anything, little Yukino."
Rio Futaba sighed, steering the conversation away from this topic and back to serious matters.
"Anyway, recruiting new, trustworthy members with the potential to awaken spiritual power, and helping more existing members awaken their abilities, is the only way to prevent manpower shortages like we encountered this time."
"Speaking of current psychics..."
Mai Sakurajima glanced at Shoko Makinohara sitting there, then at Yui Yuigahama with her dazed expression, pondering thoughtfully.
"According to the Godmother Granny's tarot reading... The Hanged Man, Death... if these two cards symbolise Yui and Shoko, and they've both awakened spiritual power, could the final Moon card also represent someone with the potential to awaken spiritual power, someone qualified to join the Supernatural Society and become our ally?"
Hearing this, the members present began discussing.
"The Moon card?"
"Let me see... instability, anxiety, confusion... Do we know anyone like that around us?"
"These tarot predictions are just too vague. If we're being honest, most of us here have experienced feelings of instability, anxiety and confusion at some point."
"Or perhaps this Moon card doesn't predict a person, but rather the event we just experienced?"
"It's really difficult to find an answer..."
After watching the members discuss for some time without reaching any conclusion, Yukino Yukinoshita glanced at Ye Xing sitting there. Noticing he didn't appear to be thinking at all, but rather looked completely confident, as if he'd already thought of someone, a sudden idea flashed through her mind.
"The Moon... could it be Kaguya Shinomiya?"
"Kaguya Shinomiya?"
Kazusa Touma frowned slightly, speaking slowly under everyone's gaze.
"Who?"
"Huh?"
Everyone looked bewildered, and Yui Yuigahama took the initiative to explain with a smile.
"That student from Shuchi'in Academy. Try to remember - when you were competing with that Chika Fujiwara on piano, she was standing right there."
"Chika Fujiwara?"
Kazusa Touma's face remained completely expressionless as she parted her lips slightly.
"Who is Chika Fujiwara? I don't know her."
Yui Yuigahama opened her mouth as if to say something, but ultimately could only shake her head helplessly.
This was Kazusa Touma.
It was already quite impressive that she could remember every Supernatural Society member's name.
For people she didn't care about, Kazusa Touma couldn't even be bothered to remember them.
"Kaguya Shinomiya..."
Hearing Yukino Yukinoshita connect the Moon card from the tarot reading with Kaguya Shinomiya, Miko Yotsuya nodded in agreement.
"That Kaguya Shinomiya is suffering from Adolescence Syndrome indeed fits the definitions of instability, unease, and confusion. Moreover, her name clearly connects with the mythological tale of Princess Kaguya, perfectly aligning with the Moon card."
"Kaguya Shinomiya..."
As the chief strategist of the Supernatural Society, Rio Futaba immediately began contemplating seriously upon hearing this name, murmuring to herself.
"I've heard she excels not only academically but also in archery, tea ceremony, sports, and many other areas, making her the most outstanding among girls her age. Such a talented individual, if she truly awakens Soul Materialisation abilities and becomes a psychic, certainly possesses the qualifications to become a professional exorcist."
Haruno Yukinoshita added, smiling from the side.
"Another point is that the Shinomiya conglomerate's connections and financial resources could expand your information channels. After all, our Yukinoshita company's main operations aren't in Kyoto, while the Shinomiya group's influence covers the entire Japan."
Hearing her elder sister use this familiar tone once again to evaluate the value of Kaguya Shinomiya's family background, Yukino Yukinoshita showed displeasure on her face.
"Haruno, you're doing it again..."
Haruno Yukinoshita knew what her sister was referring to, but she didn't respond directly. Instead, she looked towards Ye Xing sitting there, pursing her lips into a charming smile.
"As brother-in-law, don't you have an obligation to explain things to your little sister-in-law?"
Ye Xing appeared utterly bored: "Explain what?"
"Stop playing dumb."
"Sigh, fiiine."
Ye Xing glanced at Yukino sitting there and spoke calmly.
"Yukinoshita, I've told you before that the relationships between members of the Supernatural Society are the closest to being genuine, but not the overly idealised version of genuine that you define."
"Idealised?"
Upon hearing this term, Yukino Yukinoshita's expression grew somewhat complicated.
Because she had heard exactly the same evaluation from her elder sister, Haruno.
Put nicely, it was called being overly idealistic and detached from reality.
As for the less pleasant terms, Yukino had heard them too.
Childish, foolish, naive, delusional.
If it were anyone else commenting on Yukino's pursuit of the "genuine", she wouldn't have reacted at all, not even feeling the slightest ripple in her heart.
Those who had already succumbed to false relationships, whom she defined as trapped by "illusions", naturally wouldn't believe that "genuine" things existed in this world.
Because if they did, they would have to admit that false compliance and mutual exploitation weren't the only ways to establish relationships.
Rather, they simply lacked the ability to find genuine ones.
The highly self-regarding Yukino Yukinoshita had long stopped caring about these people's behind-the-back discussions - it was just a waste of time and emotion.
Except that Ye Xing was the sole exception.
Yukino Yukinoshita wasn't certain whether genuine things existed, but she could be one hundred percent certain that this guy Ye Xing was the farthest from what she defined as illusion in her heart - he didn't even come close to touching it.
He never bothered to accommodate others, saying whatever he wanted to say, even surpassing her own bluntness to reach abstract levels.
Moreover, it appeared that Ye Xing's actions had no particular reason behind them, nor were they driven by any special interests.
Precisely because of this, something Yukino Yukinoshita herself hadn't realised was...
This founder of the Supernatural Society, whom she had initially regarded as a challenge target, had unknowingly become one of the few people in this world capable of influencing her thoughts.
"Just as you said during our first conversation," Ye Xing spoke calmly.
"Only those who are inherently excellent and possess sufficient outstanding talent can truly help others."
"By the way, we've saved Kyoto City multiple times... let me count... just considering this instance alone, we prevented a major earthquake, which could be considered as saving half of Kyoto's residents. This should align with your definition of helping others."
At this point, Ye Xing paused and looked directly into Yukino Yukinoshita's eyes.
"Becoming a member of the Supernatural Society... isn't child's play. Every aspect must be taken into consideration, even if it sounds realistic or hypocritical to you - that's simply the reality."
Yukino Yukinoshita remained silent, unsure how to refute him.
Or perhaps deep down, she knew Ye Xing was right.
When she first joined the Supernatural Society, Yukino Yukinoshita's goal had been to help every student at Sobu High School who encountered difficulties within her capabilities.
In the end...
How did it come to protecting Kyoto?
Yukino's self-derived theory about "genuine things" and "counterfeits" was ultimately just the personal perspective of a sixteen-year-old high school girl.
When faced with something as monumental as the entire Kyoto incident...
Yukino's concepts were completely crushed before they even had a chance to be applied.
"Let's stop here for today."
Hearing Ye Xing announce that they could disband, and noticing Kazusa Touma sitting motionless on the sofa, gazing at her as if wanting to say something, Yukino Yukinoshita suddenly remembered she had a prior arrangement with the other girl and quickly spoke up.
"Futaba-san, Yotsuya-san, Amano-san, Yui, Sakurajima-senpai, you've all expended too much energy and need to return home to rest as soon as possible."
"And Makinohara-san, along with that little girl Menma you mentioned, whom I can't see, also needs proper rest. Let's stick to the original plan and trouble Mai-senpai to look after them."
Then, Yukino Yukinoshita turned towards Saki Kawasaki and spoke calmly.
"Kawasaki-san, you haven't returned home for quite some time. Although your parents have been informed, you should still go back to reassure them and check on your little sister."
Finally, Yukino Yukinoshita looked towards Haruno, who was sitting there with a faintly mocking smile, and said with slightly pursed lips and a hint of nervousness.
"Sister... I... would like to have a private conversation with you after we return home."
Hearing Yukino's words, Kazusa Touma's sharp, elegant eyes finally showed a trace of softening and gratitude.
Truly worthy of Yukinoshita-san.
She really keeps her word.
Just as Yukino had said, Rio Futaba, Miko Yotsuya, Hina Amano, Yui Yuigahama, and Mai Sakurajima had all been through battles, expended their energy, and needed proper rest.
Although Shoko Makinohara and Menma hadn't experienced combat, mental exhaustion was inevitable.
And as bodyguards for this human and spirit pair, if they left, Hachishaku-sama would certainly follow.
As for Saki Kawasaki, not returning home for a week during Kyoto's turbulent period must have worried her family greatly.
And the most difficult to handle, the hardest to persuade - Haruno - happened to be a siscon.
Yukino Yukinoshita had single-handedly created the perfect situation for Kazusa Touma to be alone with Ye Xing.
War goddess!
"Well... alright then."
The members of the Supernatural Society weren't foolish; they could tell that Yukino Yukinoshita's actions were deliberately creating an opportunity for Kazusa Touma.
After all, they had been staying at the Touma residence all this time.
With over half of summer vacation remaining, and Kyoto's evil spirits likely to quiet down for a while after this exorcism incident...
Since Ye Xing had just returned...
Everyone could take turns. If Rio Futaba and the others were to stay with him in their current state of exhaustion...
It would probably be difficult to fully satisfy Lord Ye Xing.
...
After leaving Ye Xing's residence, the Yukinoshita sisters and Saki Kawasaki departed, while Mai Sakurajima returned to her own home with Menma, Shoko Makinohara, and Hachishaku-sama. Yui Yuigahama, who hadn't been home for a long time, also left first.
Only Miko Yotsuya and Rio Futaba remained, walking shoulder to shoulder along the night streets.
"That guy..."
Miko Yotsuya's golden eyes shimmered, a slight smile appearing on her face as she murmured.
"He really is a hero who saves everyone."
"Hero?"
Rio Futaba curled her lips and couldn't resist retorting.
"If he heard that, he'd probably vehemently deny it, wouldn't he?"
"He's just a tsundere."
Miko Yotsuya said with a laugh.
"Like Ye Xing, I also possess the ability of Domain Expansion, so I understand it better than you do."
"This is also an ability derived from Soul Materialisation, representing the user's true inner self."
"If he weren't a true hero..."
"Why would you awaken a domain that offers no personal benefit, whose only effect is to trap evil spirits and prevent their escape - something that provides no advantage in combat?"
Rio Futaba remained silent for several seconds before speaking softly.
"Perhaps Ye Xing wants to devour..."
"All the evil spirits in the world."