Hearing these words, Haruno felt a bitter taste in her heart.
The identity of the Yukinoshita eldest daughter was like a sword perpetually suspended above her head, leaving her breathless at every moment.
Haruno felt she was on the verge of madness.
Yet, in stark contrast to the turmoil within, her face remained as composed as ever, merely nodding slightly.
"I understand."
Haruno herself wasn't entirely sure what she truly felt for Ye Xing.
Could it be called love?
They had met only a handful of times—to call it love would be an exaggeration.
To say it was mere fondness seemed inadequate.
After all, with looks like Ye Xing's, any normal woman would naturally feel some degree of attraction to him, at the very least not dislike.
If it were merely fondness, the rational and level-headed Haruno would never have done what she did last night—pretending to be drunk and willingly giving him her first time.
Moreover, the battle in the shower after waking up proved that last night hadn't just been the effects of alcohol.
So why, then?
On her way here, Haruno had kept asking herself.
The answer she arrived at was this:
Ye Xing possessed something she had long yearned for but could never attain. That was what drew her to him.
That was true freedom—unfettered, acting solely on one's own will, even bordering on reckless abandon.
This was what Haruno yearned for above all else.
She dearly loved her younger sister, Yukino Yukinoshita.
But Haruno understood all too well.
Yukino, much like their mother, was another shackle binding her.
Perhaps Yukino herself wasn't aware of this, but regardless, that was the reality.
Haruno didn't want Yukino to bear the Yukinoshita family's burdens, so she had to shoulder them herself.
"As long as you understand."
Mrs Yukinoshita clearly had no intention of delving deeper into this topic and swiftly changed the subject.
"Have you found the Kengan fighter to represent our Yukinoshita Corporation?"
"Yes, I have."
"How much is their fee?"
Haruno sat opposite Mrs Yukinoshita and held up three fingers.
"The price I offered was thirty million."
"Thirty million?"
Even the perpetually aloof Mrs Yukinoshita couldn't help but show a flicker of surprise at this figure.
Thirty million in cash was no small sum for the Yukinoshita Corporation.
After all, they weren't a behemoth like the Shinomiya Financial Group.
Moreover, Haruno and Yukino's father, the Chiba Prefecture assemblyman, was about to begin his campaign for re-election.
If he aimed to move beyond Chiba Prefecture and climb to greater heights, substantial funds would be needed to grease many wheels.
Mrs Yukinoshita also noticed.
The thirty million wasn't the fighter's demand.
It was the price Haruno had proactively offered.
"Is he worth that much?"
Faced with her mother's question, Haruno's smile turned somewhat bitter. After a moment of silence, she finally replied.
"Let me be frank with you."
"I even think three hundred thousand, thirty million, or three hundred million—it makes no difference to him."
"He agreed to help this time only because I did him a small favour previously. This is just him repaying the debt."
Haruno truly believed this.
She found it hard to imagine that someone like Ye Xing could be swayed by her "mere" thirty million offer to help the Yukinoshita Corporation face the Kengan fighter sent by Kyoto Municipal Bank.
Perhaps this was his response to the goodwill she'd shown—increasing the exorcism fee for the abandoned building, readily agreeing to the challenging nationwide airship promotion across Japan?
This was the first time Mrs Yukinoshita had heard her daughter, Haruno, speak so highly of someone.
Her question was simple.
"Can he win?"
Haruno pressed her lips together, neither confirming nor denying.
"I don't know. The world of Kengan fighting is entirely new to both me and the Yukinoshita Corporation. But..."
Recalling Ye Xing's drunken assurance last night—that he'd absolutely crush his opponent without sustaining serious injuries—Haruno took a deep breath and met her mother's gaze squarely.
"Though I have no evidence, I believe he will definitely win."
Hearing this, Mrs Yukinoshita couldn't help but frown.
This...
Was utterly unlike anything Haruno would normally say.
Without even knowing who the Kengan fighter representing Kyoto Municipal Bank was, let alone having much understanding of the Kengan fighter circle, how could she say with such certainty that this person would definitely win?
Had she not heard it with her own ears, Mrs Yukinoshita would have found it hard to believe that Haruno—who always remained composed and rational in any social situation—would utter words that bordered on emotional impulsiveness.
Wait a minute.
Emotional impulsiveness?
Could it be...?
Noticing the subtle shift in her mother's expression, Haruno realised her earlier statement had been indiscreet. She deftly changed the subject.
"In any case, if you don't wish for Yukinoshita Corporation to get involved in this wager, then it doesn't matter either way."
"But if you want to seize this opportunity, I can assure you—he's the most likely candidate we can find to secure victory for Yukinoshita Corporation."
Mrs Yukinoshita nodded.
"Very well. We'll proceed with your chosen candidate. I'll send someone to contact Kyoto Municipal Bank and finalise the location and time as soon as possible."
Mrs Yukinoshita trusted Haruno's judgement.
Moreover, she didn't hesitate for even a second about participating in this wager.
At worst, they'd have to donate the newly renovated office building to Kyoto City for free, causing Yukinoshita Corporation's plans to expand beyond Chiba Prefecture to fail.
Climbing to greater heights was always a gamble.
The reason Mrs Yukinoshita had grown the company to its current scale was precisely because she'd chosen the right answers when faced with one challenge after another.
This time would be no exception.
...
Meanwhile, at Soichiro Yagami's home.
"Father, welcome back. You must be tired from work."
As soon as Soichiro Yagami stepped into the entryway, Light Yagami approached, taking his father's bag.
"Light."
Soichiro looked exhausted as he removed his shoes and glanced around the living room.
"Where are Sayu and your mother?"
"Oh, they went shopping. Said they'd eat out."
"Why didn't you go with them?"
Light scratched his head with an almost sheepish smile.
"I thought since you weren't home, and I don't really enjoy shopping, I might as well stay in and study more. Even though I ranked first in the school this time, I can't afford to slack off."
"Hmm, good."
Soichiro nodded approvingly, patting Light's shoulder in praise.
"I'm glad you think that way."
"Yeah. After all, I aspire to join the Metropolitan Police Department, just like you, someday. To achieve that, I need to work twice as hard."
Once Soichiro settled onto the sofa, Light poured him a cup of tea and sat beside him, asking casually,
"This was an unexpected work incident, right? I already explained it to Sayu—she understands how hard you work. If you have important matters to attend to, don't worry about Mother and Sayu. I'm here."
Hearing his son speak so sensibly and maturely at such a young age filled Soichiro's heart with warmth.
He let out a heavy sigh, forcing a faint smile as he waved his hand.
"It's fine. I don't have any work scheduled for the next few days. The higher-ups have approved my leave request."
"That's great."
Light Yagami wore a smile on his face, though his thoughts told a different story.
He had, of course, already seen the news about the break-in at Kyoto City Museum.
His father's sudden overtime must have been related to this case.
As for who was responsible, was there even any doubt?
Though there were no on-site photos this time, Light was absolutely certain that the boy—whose real name he still didn't know, who had alternately called himself Mitsuha Miyamizu and Makoto Ito—was undoubtedly connected to the incident.
For some reason, he had a gut feeling.
If it was that person's doing, failure was impossible.
The truth was likely far from what the Kyoto Metropolitan Police Department and the museum had publicly claimed.
The genuine Onimaru Kunitsuna had probably already been stolen.
As for why they were concealing this fact, Light could guess a few reasons.
It also explained the conflicted, helpless look in his father's eyes.
Now, Soichiro Yagami had said he'd applied for leave, and the higher-ups at the Metropolitan Police Department had approved it.
This meant the department either had no intention of investigating further or, at present, had no leads to pursue.
A clean job indeed.
As Soichiro Yagami's son, Light knew all too well just how formidable his father's investigative skills were.
Yet even he was powerless against that guy.
Truly worthy of someone walking the same path as him—someone aiming to eradicate evil and change this corrupt world.
What Soichiro Yagami didn't know was that his perfect son—the one he was so proud of, the one all parents envied, the one who aspired to join the Metropolitan Police Department—had already defected in secret.
...
Meanwhile, at Ye Xing's home.
After dinner, Yui Yuigahama and Miko Yotsuya had gone home first.
It was spring break, after all, and they couldn't stay out too late.
Only Rio Futaba, Mai Sakurajima, and Ye Xing remained in the living room.
"Mai-senpai."
Rio Futaba, watching Mai—who had taken off her apron and now sat cross-legged on the opposite sofa with effortless grace, as if she were in her own home—asked casually, "It's almost eight o'clock. Won't your family worry if you don't head back soon?"
Mai smiled in response and countered, "What about you, Futaba-san? Aren't you going home yet?"
Rio removed her glasses and replied flatly, "I live alone. I can stay a bit longer."
A faint, unreadable flicker passed through Mai's eyes as she maintained her flawless smile. "What a coincidence. I live alone, too."
"Then how late does Mai-senpai plan to stay?"
"And how late do you plan to stay, Futaba-san?"
Rio's expression remained as calm and indifferent as ever.
Mai's face still wore that sweet, enchanting smile—one so perfect no one could find fault with it.
Neither girl showed any unusual expression.
Yet the atmosphere in the living room grew inexplicably tense.
Rio had come today with no intention of leaving.
If Ye Xing wasn't coming to her place, then staying overnight at his house would do just fine.
What a coincidence.
Mai had no intention of leaving tonight either.
She was already accustomed to staying over. Towels, toothbrushes, and spare clothes – Ye Xing's home had everything prepared for her.
The current problem was...
Rio Futaba didn't want Mai Sakurajima to know she planned to stay at Ye Xing's place. After all, with just a single man and woman sharing a room, given her thin-skinned personality, she simply couldn't bring herself to say it out loud.
However.
Mai Sakurajima had no such reservations.
"Futaba-san..."
Just as Mai was about to lay things out plainly and make Rio retreat in defeat, the doorbell suddenly rang.
Ye Xing stood up and went to open the door, only to find someone he hadn't expected standing outside.
"Good morning."
Kazusa Touma wore simple black trousers and a black short-sleeved shirt. Since she was going out at night, she'd added a short jacket.
After greeting him, she brought her pale, slender hands together and blew warm breath into her palms.
"Touma-san?"
Ye Xing had thought the person at the door might be Light Yagami or Haruno.
He never expected it would be Kazusa Touma.
"How did you know where I live?"
Kazusa's expression remained impassive as she replied calmly.
"I asked Hiratsuka-sensei. When she heard I needed to see you about something, she told me directly."
Hearing this, Ye Xing thought to himself that this Shizuka Hiratsuka truly wouldn't give up until she was forced to.
If Kazusa had come at any other time, it might have been fine.
But...
With the entryway as the dividing line, this was two completely different worlds.
In the living room, a silent battle was already underway.
Of course, Ye Xing couldn't just leave Kazusa standing outside either, so he stepped slightly aside.
"Come in first."
"Alright."
As Kazusa stepped through the door, her eyes immediately fell upon the can of Pepsi placed on the entryway shelf.
A complex emotion flashed through her eyes, but she said nothing about it, instead turning her gaze towards Mai Sakurajima and Rio Futaba sitting in the living room.
"Who are they?"
Player Kazusa Touma has joined the battle.
"Let me introduce them."
Ye Xing led Kazusa through the entryway into the living room.
"This is Mai Sakurajima, our senior by one year at Sobu High School."
Hearing his introduction, Rio thought this was completely unnecessary.
Even someone as socially withdrawn as herself had heard of Mai Sakurajima's name.
How could Kazusa Touma, as a student of Sobu High, not have heard of her?
Unexpectedly, upon hearing Mai's name, Kazusa didn't even shift her gaze, keeping her eyes fixed on Ye Xing as she offered just a single word in response.
"Oh."
Mai was momentarily stunned by this reaction.
Ye Xing knew that, given Kazusa's personality, she probably genuinely didn't know Mai.
After all, in Kazusa's life, there was only the piano – everything else went unnoticed.
But Mai and Rio's interpretations were more complicated.
What did this "oh" mean?
Could it be that Kazusa actually did know Mai, but had already sensed the tension in the air and was preparing for battle, unwilling to show surprise before her opponent?
What incredible composure!
She wouldn't even allow herself to be at a disadvantage in terms of presence.
This was a formidable rival indeed!
"This is Rio Futaba. And she's Kazusa Touma, my classmate and desk partner."
Ye Xing led Kazusa Touma to sit on the sofa. Before he could speak, she spoke first in a calm tone.
"You have a club that deals with supernatural incidents, right?"
"Correct."
"Good. I have a request."
At the word 'request', Rio Futaba and Mai Sakurajima exchanged glances, instantly understanding each other's thoughts.
Let's postpone our argument.
Business comes first.
"Oh?"
Ye Xing looked genuinely intrigued.
"What kind of request is it?"
Kazusa Touma didn't hesitate and spoke directly.
"The piano in my house keeps playing by itself. Oh, and I live alone, so there's no possibility of someone else playing it."
Hearing the familiar line about living alone, Rio Futaba felt somewhat conflicted but still asked, "When did this start happening?"
Kazusa Touma glanced at her, thought for a moment, then replied calmly,
"Probably... before the term started."
"Huh?"
Both Mai and Rio were stunned.
Wait, before the term started?
That's at least over a month ago!
Just listening to Kazusa's description made the two girls feel creeped out.
Living alone, with a piano that plays by itself.
Wouldn't the normal reaction for any girl be to get terrified, move out immediately, and seek an exorcist?
How could she wait over a month before coming here?
"Then... why did you only mention it now?"
Facing Rio's confusion, Kazusa said softly,
"At first, it didn't bother me. The piano only played when I was asleep. But these past few days, when I play, it feels like someone else is pressing the keys alongside me. It's affecting me now, so I came to seek Ye Xing's help."
Rio didn't notice, but Mai, who had experienced Adolescence Syndrome before, had met Kazusa Touma.
She caught a subtle detail in Kazusa's words.
She came to seek 'Ye Xing's' help, not the 'Supernatural Society's' help.
Was this a veiled message to her and Rio?
As in, 'You two are in the way, leave. I only want Ye Xing'?
Mai frowned slightly, thinking to herself. Kazusa Touma appeared quiet and aloof on the surface.
Who would have thought she'd be such a formidable opponent with tactics like this?
Today's battle won't be easy.