Yotsuba hopped in front of Ye Feng, clasped her hands behind her back, and stared at him with wide eyes.
"Stare—"
Ye Feng was speechless and said flatly,"What is it?"
Yotsuba examined him seriously."I'm curious… because Ye Feng is the first stranger who's ever been able to tell the five of us apart."
After saying that, Yotsuba broke into a bright smile. She patted Ye Feng on the arm and laughed cheerfully,"Hey, hey—Ye Feng, you haven't been secretly observing us all this time, have you?"
"A peeping tom? Calling the police—"
Seeing Miku raise her phone to her ear, several black lines appeared over Ye Feng's head."Miku, please put the phone down."
"Haha…"
A sweet, cheerful laugh rang out.
Yotsuba turned serious."Confirmed. Ye Feng really can tell us apart, so I apologize for doubting you."
"I'm sorry."
"But—"
Yotsuba's cute face tightened as she crossed her arms."Peeping is not allowed. Absolutely forbidden!"
Who's peeping on you guys?!
Ye Feng covered his forehead. Each of these five sisters had her own personality, and when they were all together, it was headache-inducing.
"And you—what's your name?"
"Hmm—"
Yotsuba blinked, then suddenly smacked her forehead and grinned."Oops, almost forgot! My name's Yotsuba—Nakano Yotsuba!"
"Hey, hey—so I heard Ye Feng is the legendary top student. Is that true?"
Ye Feng rubbed his brow."It is true, but please don't add the word 'legendary' in front of top student."
"Got it!"
Yotsuba gave a thumbs-up and said seriously,"As expected of a top student!"
Ye Feng: "???"
In short, Ye Feng now knew the names of the Nakano quintuplets. After some playful bickering, the five sisters finally dropped their disguises.
Ye Feng looked over.
With asymmetrical short hair and a single earring, exuding the mature charm of a friendly older sister next door, was the eldest—Ichika.
A scheming personality, fond of teasing others.
Next was Nino.
She wore a hime cut, with truly long hair reaching her waist—the longest among the five sisters.
Black swallowtail hair accessories were tied on both sides of her hair. With her arms crossed, she looked proud and strong-willed.
She planted one hand on her hip, lifted her chin, and glared without backing down."I know you. Let me say this first—you're not allowed to bully Itsuki!"
"Nino, what nonsense are you saying?!"
Itsuki's face flushed slightly as she quickly dragged Nino away."Ye Feng, anyway… sorry for causing you trouble today…"
"Nino, hurry up!"
Then there was Miku—always wearing her Audio-Technica headphones around her neck, long hair falling past her shoulders, long side bangs covering her right eye. Quiet, withdrawn, and introverted.
"..."
Next came the girl with shoulder-length hair and a green ribbon shaped like bunny ears on her head. Her smile was bright and lively, full of energy, and she seemed easy to get along with—Yotsuba.
And finally, the meat-bun-loving Itsuki. She had long, slightly wavy wine-red hair, star-shaped hairpins on both sides, a single ahoge sticking up, puffed cheeks, and a very unhappy expression.
After getting the answers they wanted, the five sisters took their leave.
Ichika walked behind Nino, holding her schoolbag with both hands. She turned around and smiled sweetly,"Ye Feng, you'll get your reward tomorrow. Please look forward to it~"
"Hmph!"
Nino turned back and shot Ye Feng a warning glare.
"See you tomorrow, Ye Feng!"
Yotsuba smiled brightly, gave a small wave, then turned and hurried after the others.
Her skirt fluttered, revealing a fleeting glimpse of dazzling white thigh—the absolute territory appearing and disappearing.
Itsuki was unhappy—the more she thought about it, the angrier she got.
Saying her legs were thick, and that she smelled like meat buns… no girl would be happy hearing that!
Itsuki couldn't help but glare at Ye Feng, left behind a single sentence, pressed her lips together, and quickly followed the others.
"See you tomorrow, Ye Feng."
Miku's cherry lips moved slightly as she quietly followed after them.
"…Frivolous Ye Feng."
"…I mean, you were the ones who wanted to play the game!"
Ye Feng covered his forehead.
In the end, he watched the five sisters walk away. As they went, Nino naturally took the lead.
Next was Yotsuba.
Then Ichika and Itsuki.
Miku slowly fell to the very back. Ye Feng remembered that when they had appeared earlier, Miku had also been the last one to step out…
Ye Feng quietly looked at the grotesque, terrifying ghostly faces—and then noticed Miku turning back to look at him.
Ye Feng paused slightly, then smiled and waved at her.
Miku's face warmed a little as she silently withdrew her gaze.
Once the Nakano quintuplets disappeared from sight, Ye Feng looked away and raised his head toward the crack in the blue sky above…
As the five sisters walked together, dark, ominous black energy connected them to the crack.
Confirmed.
The problem surrounding the Nakano quintuplets really was related to the Boundary.
"Is this another form of invasion from the Boundary… using this kind of method?"
"So troublesome."
Ye Feng sighed, sent a message to Mafuyu, then stepped forward to follow after them.
The sun set in the west, dyeing the horizon red.
Within the crack in the sky, a faint crimson glow slowly emerged.
No one knew when the Boundary had appeared.
Aside from Hollows, which were born from corrupted human souls, the origins of other monsters—such as Void Demons—were still unknown.
In the past, as long as the monsters born from the Boundary were eliminated, the invasion into the real world could be stopped.
But now, things had changed.
The Boundary had gained a new method of invasion.
And this time, it was directly connected to humans in the real world!
If the Boundary truly began invading reality through the crack in the sky using this new method…
Then congratulations.
The day the world gets nuked might not be far off.
"Let's hope it doesn't get that bad…"
Ye Feng rubbed his temples.
Coming to Sōbu High today really wasn't a good idea—he ran into something troublesome the moment he arrived.
But if he hadn't come, he might have missed the best chance to act, causing everything to collapse.
Seriously troublesome.
Lost in thought, Ye Feng followed far behind the Nakano quintuplets, considering what excuse he could use to visit their home.
His phone rang.
Mafuyu Kirisu was calling. Ye Feng answered, and her cool yet pleasant voice came through the phone:"Ye Feng, are you okay?"
"I'm fine."
Ye Feng replied calmly, then reminded her,"Alcohol causes problems. Don't drink—if you do, no more than one beer."
Mafuyu's alcohol tolerance was honestly terrible. One beer was enough to make her dizzy, completely shattering her intimidating Ice Queen persona and turning her into someone who loved praising others.
That gap… was incredibly cute.
Mafuyu recalled something, feeling slightly embarrassed and annoyed. She pressed her lips together and muttered the two words she used most often:"…Humiliating!"
After a brief pause, her voice softened a little."Don't worry. I didn't drink."
"Be careful."
"If things get dangerous, come back."
"Stay safe."
Only when she was drunk—or at moments like this—would Mafuyu reveal her soft, kitten-like side, becoming incredibly gentle.
Because if it weren't for her, Ye Feng might never have gotten involved in such dangerous matters, so she couldn't help but feel a bit guilty.
But in truth, after hitting rock bottom, Ye Feng would have made this choice even without Mafuyu.
When the Boundary invades, no one can escape it. He didn't want to regret standing by and doing nothing in the future.
Humans are creatures that find it hard to face themselves.
Some people will never know how strong, how capable they truly are—until they're pushed to the very brink.