Haruno blinked in surprise, then shook her head with a wry chuckle, fishing two 2000-yen bills from her purse and placing them in Ye Xing's palm.
"Fine, since I was late, I'll reimburse you. Happy now?"
"Hey, what's this supposed to mean?"
Ye Xing adopted an exaggeratedly serious expression.
"The soda was 3360. You gave me 4000. What exactly are you scheming?"
Haruno sighed in amusement.
"Consider it payment for keeping me company a little longer with drinks and conversation?"
Ye Xing rolled his eyes.
"Then where's my 640?"
By now, Haruno had grown accustomed to his manner of speaking and fired back without missing a beat.
"640's plenty. Don't forget, I'm still the client's liaison here. Think of it as a kickback for humouring me with drinks and chat."
"You're right, that makes sense."
Listening to the conversation between Ye Xing and Haruno, Saki Kawasaki, who was wiping glasses with her back turned to them, couldn't help feeling curious.
What exactly was the relationship between these two?
She wasn't deliberately eavesdropping, but given their proximity, it was inevitable that she would catch fragments of their conversation - including the name "Yukinoshita".
That was an uncommon surname.
Saki immediately recalled there was a classmate called Yukino Yukinoshita in her class.
She said "recalled" because she rarely remembered anyone's name.
The reason Yukino Yukinoshita's name stuck with her was simple.
She was beautiful.
Hearing it once made it unforgettable.
What was the relationship between this beautiful, mature-looking woman who appeared college-aged and Yukino Yukinoshita?
Or perhaps the more important question...
What was her relationship with Ye Xing?
Meeting alone in this intimate bar atmosphere and calling it just friendship...
Who would believe that?
Saki wasn't normally the type to pry into others' private affairs.
But Ye Xing was an exception.
For some reason, ever since her younger sister, Keika Kawasaki, happened to meet him on the street that one time, she had kept asking about Ye Xing.
This frustrated Saki.
How would she know anything about Ye Xing? They'd never even spoken at school.
All Saki knew about Ye Xing was the rumours - bringing guns to school, threatening female students, arrogant behaviour, public fights - all those bad reports.
She had no intention of sharing these things with her sister.
After all, Saki herself didn't have the best reputation among classmates either.
She knew better than anyone how unreliable rumours could be.
What Saki couldn't understand was why her sister, having only met Ye Xing once, became so obsessed with asking about him.
Because he was handsome?
Probably that was it.
...
Two hours later.
"Mmm..."
Haruno drained her glass, her face flushed with intoxication, eyes glazed over with a hazy mist.
"Another one."
"That's enough."
Ye Xing set down his glass.
"You're drunk."
"I... I can keep going."
Looking at Haruno, who could barely articulate her words now, Ye Xing hadn't expected things to develop this way.
Initially, they were just casually chatting.
The conversation somehow turned to family matters.
Though "chatting" mainly meant Haruno talking while Ye Xing listened.
After all, he had no family.
For some reason, Haruno - who was usually so cautious and adept at social situations - became remarkably unreserved when talking to him.
She poured out everything - from childhood expectations and pressures, her mother's teachings, the weight of the Yukinoshita name, and most importantly...
Her complicated feelings toward her younger sister Yukino - that mixture of caring affection tinged with jealousy and envy.
She practically laid her soul bare.
Ye Xing could guess why Haruno was saying all this.
Her upbringing had been nothing short of high-pressure.
When everyone around you holds exceedingly high expectations, those expectations cease to be mere hopes—they become invisible shackles binding you.
Haruno was a true genius in every sense of the word.
And beyond being a genius, she had no other choice.
As for why she chose to share these thoughts with him...
Perhaps it was because Haruno couldn't find anyone else to confide in.
Ye Xing had no connection to the Yukinoshita family, nor to the sisters' father, who served as a member of the Chiba Prefectural Assembly.
Agreeing to represent Yukinoshita Construction in the competition wasn't really about the payment—it was more about repaying a personal debt to Haruno.
Perhaps, just like with Mai Sakurajima.
Haruno knew only one person who treated her simply as "Haruno," rather than "the eldest daughter of the Yukinoshita family."
Hence...
Speaking freely.
The key was—why was she downing glass after glass while talking?
With his current physical constitution, even high-proof alcohol felt no different from water.
Honestly, when he first saw Haruno Yukinoshita in this state, Ye Xing had been genuinely intimidated.
Turns out after all this...
She couldn't hold her liquor either.
"Alright, let's get you home."
After settling the bill, Ye Xing shook his head helplessly at Haruno, who couldn't even stand properly, and reached out to support her.
As if her legs had lost all strength from drinking, Haruno slumped directly into his arms.
"You've really let the alcohol get to you."
Helping Haruno out of the bar, Ye Xing reached the elevator doors on that floor and gave her a slight shake.
"Hey, where do you live? How should I get you home?"
Haruno didn't respond, only rummaged through her bag for a while before her slender, pale fingers pinched a hotel keycard, waving it before his eyes.
"Tsk..."
Ye Xing took the keycard, an ominous premonition creeping into his heart.
'Why does this scenario feel so familiar?'
'Could it be? Is it possible? Don't tell me...'
...
After escorting Haruno Yukinoshita into the hotel room, Ye Xing gave the place a once-over.
'Hmm, not bad. A very exquisite suite that makes both my heads spin.'
'But...'
Ye Xing glanced down at the completely wasted Haruno.
'I don't have a habit of picking up unconscious women.'
He helped Haruno to the bedside, then, with one direct, rough motion, tossed her onto the bed.
As for things like washing her face, taking off her shoes, or tucking her in?
Bullshit, mate.
Getting her back here is already going above and beyond.
Just as Ye Xing was about to leave, Haruno—who had seemed completely out of it—suddenly propped herself up.
Then she did something shocking.
Haruno Yukinoshita's pale arms wrapped around Ye Xing's neck, her eyes hazy with intoxication as her lips lightly brushed his ear. In a tone both seductive yet oddly shy, she whispered:
"Tonight... could you stay with me a little longer?"
Ye Xing frowned slightly, remembering he'd originally planned to visit the Reverse World tonight to devour some evil spirits.
This is quite the dilemma...
No, actually it's not.
The Reverse World will always be there.
With things like this happening, how could he not go for it?
Ye Xing immediately turned the tables, pressing Haruno down onto the soft bed.
Haruno smiled, crossing her long, beautiful legs as she kicked off her shoes.
Then, her slender trousers-clad legs began gently rubbing against Ye Xing's sides. She licked her lips, then brushed them against his cheek before unabashedly whispering:
"Turn off the lights."
With a click of the switch, the hotel room plunged into darkness.
Only the faint moonlight illuminated two overlapping figures.
Haruno bit her pink lower lip, letting out a suppressed cry of pain.
...
A whole night of taijutsu training.
Calling it taijutsu training wasn't an exaggeration at all.
This type of exercise tests not only stamina but also explosive power and mental composure.
When Haruno awoke from sleep, the first thing she saw was a sliver of sunlight peeking through the curtains.
And Ye Xing, sitting in a chair watching the morning news, bathed in that sunlight.
The alcohol from last night had slowed Haruno's reactions by half a beat.
It took several seconds before she realised her current situation.
Her heart skipped a beat.
Seeing that Ye Xing didn't seem to have noticed she was awake, Haruno quickly closed her eyes, pretending to still be asleep.
She felt utterly exhausted.
Haruno remembered perfectly well what had happened after Ye Xing brought her back to the room last night.
All that nonsense about drunken mistakes and morning-after amnesia? Just excuses.
If you're truly drunk enough to black out, you wouldn't have the energy for that sort of thing in the first place.
Haruno remembered every single detail.
She even remembered every single position they'd used with perfect clarity.
It seemed...
Quite a few had been employed.
Haruno's delicate face flushed crimson as she maintained steady breathing, pretending to still be asleep while her mind raced furiously.
What should she do?
Haruno wasn't the type to be coy about such matters.
What was done was done - and she'd been the instigator - with no regrets on her part.
But now... how should she face him?
The sound of a news broadcast reached Haruno's ears.
"Regarding yesterday's break-in at Kyoto Municipal Museum, the Metropolitan Police Department issued an official statement this morning confirming no exhibits were damaged or stolen, including the famous sword Onimaru Kunitsuna."
"This fortunate outcome amidst misfortune once again demonstrates the Kyoto Metropolitan Police Department's rapid response capabilities and Director Soichiro Yagami's composed leadership during emergency criminal incidents."
...
Meanwhile, at the Metropolitan Police Department.
Watching the broadcast with tired, complex emotions was Soichiro Yagami, who hadn't slept all night.
Just as Mask had said.
In the official announcement, Onimaru Kunitsuna hadn't been stolen.
Though Soichiro wasn't certain this was the right approach, he'd had no other choice.
When the director of the Kyoto Municipal Museum arrived at the scene and saw the empty vault, his expression changed immediately.
With years of investigative experience, Soichiro could clearly see the truth.
Mask had indeed taken the genuine Onimaru Kunitsuna.
Despite the museum director's precautions, even against their own police department, this legendary sword had still been lost.
What happened next, however, completely surprised Soichiro.
The museum director, police superiors, even Kyoto's senior officials - while never stating it outright - all conveyed the same suggestion.
"Onimaru Kunitsuna holds no practical value, merely serving as a spiritual symbol. If the original is gone, then the flawless replica in the display case becomes the original."
Recalling these words and the four-character directive from his superiors - "For the greater good" - Soichiro had no choice but to play along.
Simultaneously, he felt an unexpected sense of relief.
Perhaps his decision to assist Mask had been correct after all.
Onimaru Kunitsuna had chosen its new master.
Perhaps only in Mask's hands could this legendary sword realise its true worth.
Rather than remaining a replaceable spiritual symbol - just another cold weapon.
Soichiro was thinking about Onimaru Kunitsuna.
But deep down, he knew.
His own situation was no different.
...
The news report reached beyond Kyoto.
In Ukiyo-e Town, within traditional wooden houses.
"Hmm..."
A withered, diminutive old man watched the broadcast while sipping from a steaming teacup.
His body appeared entirely human.
Yet the back of his head extended unusually long, creating a somewhat comical appearance.
This elder was named Nurarihyon, from the Nura Clan.
Despite his appearance, he was the leader of the yokai.
In the tales of the Hyakki Yagyō, the leader of all yokai recorded therein was none other than him.
Though a yokai, Nurarihyon had realised centuries ago.
As humanity's development and progress continue, there will soon be no place for yokai in this world.
To counter this, he established the Nura Clan, aiming to unite the power of yokai to preserve their kind's survival.
"Kyoto..."
Standing behind Nurarihyon was a tall man with half his face obscured by long hair, his features bearing an eerie quality.
The man inquired respectfully.
"What shall we do?"
Nurarihyon watched the news report on television, his aged face flickering with concern.
"Those who'd take such risks to steal Onimaru Kunitsuna are either money-crazed lunatics... or exorcists who know the sword's true value."
"Since the Metropolitan Police Department's statement mentions neither killing nor arresting the perpetrators, it must be the latter."
"I suspect Onimaru Kunitsuna has already been stolen, though Kyoto authorities are keeping it quiet."
Having lived for centuries, the great yokai could discern the truth from the news broadcast's scant details.
Yet he remained puzzled.
In this day and age, could there still exist an exorcist so powerful that even the Metropolitan Police Department's cordon couldn't stop them?
"Gyūki."
"Here."
Nurarihyon stood, his eyes flashing with a vigour belying his aged appearance.
"Gather our forces. We depart for Kyoto."
"Yes, chief."
Gyūki asked no further questions.
His loyalty to Nurarihyon, the yokai leader who founded the Nura Clan, was absolute.
An exorcist?
Centuries ago, during the age of rampaging monsters, Nurarihyon had carved his path through bloodshed alone, uniting yokai to establish the Nura Clan.
Though this was now an era where yokai must hide their presence, capable exorcists had likewise grown increasingly rare.
The chief could not possibly lose.
...
Meanwhile, in a hotel room.
Haruno Yukinoshita finally steeled her resolve.
"Good morning."
The moment she spoke, she realised her throat was hoarse and painful.
After all, she'd been screaming for so long last night.
"You're awake?"
Hearing Haruno's voice, Ye Xing stood up with a smile.
"Since you're up, I'll take my leave now."
"Wait a minute."
Seeing Ye Xing actually preparing to leave just like that, Haruno quickly spoke up.
"About last night... it was just an accident, there were no feelings involved. Don't overthink it."
"Overthink it?"
Ye Xing spread his hands indifferently.
"If you say so. I won't argue."
For some reason, seeing him so calm and composed, as if he'd been through this countless times before, made Haruno feel somewhat indignant. She couldn't help but snort lightly.
"I'm a mature university student. Last night was just about relieving some built-up stress. I hope you're not being too naive about this."
"Is that so?"
Ye Xing smiled noncommittally.
"Are you saying it wasn't your first time?"
Hearing this, Haruno's pretty face turned slightly red, but she maintained her composed tone.
"Of course not."
"Who are you trying to fool?"
Ye Xing walked to the foot of the bed and sat down, looking at Haruno with an amused expression.
"From your clumsy movements, it's obvious you had no prior experience. Besides, there's one decisive piece of evidence."
Though Haruno felt indignant at these words, she was also extremely curious.
"What decisive evidence?"
"This."
Ye Xing picked up two items from the floor that instantly made Haruno blush crimson - holding one in each hand, he dangled them like yo-yos.
The bottom piece was made of black silk.
The top piece was black lace.
Though the colours matched, the styles were clearly different.
"There's only one truth."
Ye Xing uttered this classic line from the elementary school detective, analysing with great seriousness.
"If you'd planned this in advance, you'd definitely have worn matching underwear."
The evidence was irrefutable.
The suspect, Haruno Yukinoshita, had no rebuttal. Red-faced, she snatched the underwear from Ye Xing's hands, biting her silver teeth in frustration.
"You... you..."
"Getting flustered now."
Seeing Ye Xing's still-teasing smile, Haruno felt a surge of inexplicable anger. After finally suppressing it, she spoke.
"Turn around. I'm going to shower."
"Tch, I've already seen everything worth seeing. What's the point?"
Despite saying this, Ye Xing still turned around.
Haruno leapt out of bed with remarkable speed and quickly disappeared into the bathroom.
Looking at her dishevelled hair and slightly flushed face in the mirror, she couldn't help but sigh.
Last night's version of herself...
Had been so unlike her usual self.
Wait a minute.
Haruno looked down at her underwear and suddenly remembered a detail.
Last night, hadn't Ye Xing...
Unfastened her bra with just one hand?