Ye Xing launched another direct attack, his skill seemingly having no cooldown time - practically infinite firepower.
The output couldn't stop for even a second.
This time, the target was Mai Sakurajima.
"You... this... I..."
Faced with such straightforward words, Mai Sakurajima instantly became flustered beyond measure.
How much weight did this simple statement - "Mai Sakurajima is just Mai Sakurajima" - truly carry?
Even her younger sister and mother had forgotten her existence.
This proved that even in the minds of these two blood relatives, she, Mai Sakurajima, had become inseparable from her identity as a former nationally famous idol actress.
Precisely because of this.
When Mai Sakurajima wanted the whole world to forget about her as a nationally famous idol actress, her mother and sister also forgot about her.
Yet Ye Xing could still recognise her existence - the only person in the entire world who could do so.
Mai even felt somewhat unworthy of such treatment.
Of course, she wasn't Kazusa Touma.
Mai Sakurajima didn't have low self-esteem - she was simply astonished.
"Ye Xing... I..."
Mai couldn't find the words to respond.
Any words would feel inadequate at this moment.
She decided to express her feelings through action instead.
Leaning forward, Mai wrapped her arms around Ye Xing.
This kiss was even more passionate than the one in the hotel room.
A little-known fact.
When lips touch, it's called a peck.
Anything deeper is a proper kiss.
Mai's movements were somewhat inexperienced, but the emotions behind them burned intensely.
She closed her eyes, completely immersed in this long kiss.
Until a "snap" sound interrupted them.
"Hmm!"
Mai Sakurajima opened her eyes, her gaze filled with surprise, immediately separating from Ye Xing and crossing her arms protectively in front of herself.
"You... you... you!"
She could feel that beneath her clothes, a certain delicate and petite garment had already slipped down to her waist.
Mai Sakurajima gritted her silver teeth, her face flushed with embarrassment as she glared resentfully at Ye Xing, uttering that classic line.
"You... you... why are you so skilled at this?!!"
"Heh heh."
Ye Xing waved his right hand through the air twice, adopting the demeanour of a worldly expert as he spoke in a profound tone.
"If I can take Onimaru Kunitsuna, then a mere undergarment is nothing."
Mai Sakurajima was utterly speechless, not even knowing where to begin with her retorts.
But...
To be honest, the movements Ye Xing had just performed did seem genuinely difficult.
She hadn't noticed anything at all until the sound of fastenings coming undone had alerted her.
Such quick hands!
He might as well be a master thief!
Just as Mai Sakurajima was privately marvelling at this, Ye Xing followed up with a chuckle.
"Since they're already off, why don't we...?"
Mai could understand his implication.
After a brief hesitation, she pointed upstairs with a blush and whispered:
"Futaba is still sleeping upstairs... wouldn't this be inappropriate..."
Ye Xing cut straight through her objection, stating matter-of-factly:
"If she discovers us, we'll just invite her to join the battle."
Mai angrily slapped his chest, saying resentfully:
"What nonsense are you talking? How could Futaba possibly agree?"
Only when she saw Ye Xing's knowing smirk did Mai realise her slip, hastily explaining:
"Of course I wouldn't agree either."
"Really wouldn't?"
"Absolutely impossible."
"Hard to say."
"There's no 'hard to say' about it."
Clearly unwilling to continue this line of discussion, Mai abruptly changed the subject:
"It's already past midnight - let's sleep."
After entering the room and turning off the lights, Mai Sakurajima lay on the bed in the bedroom with Ye Xing, experiencing a novel sensation.
Although she'd stayed at Ye Xing's place for quite some time now.
This was her first time sleeping in his bedroom.
Before turning off the lights, Mai had glanced around at the room's furnishings.
Hmm...
It would be generous to call them 'furnishings'.
Just two bedside tables and a single bed - nothing else.
The blank white walls looked rather desolate.
Perhaps she should give him a gift to decorate the room?
"Speaking of which..."
The previously tired Mai found her sleepiness gone after Ye Xing's earlier words and that deep kiss.
Rolling onto her side to look at the supine Ye Xing, she said meaningfully:
"That Touma girl is quite beautiful, don't you think?"
Ye Xing answered with complete sincerity.
"Yes, she's truly beautiful."
Setting aside her icy personality,
Kazusa Touma's appearance was undoubtedly top-tier.
Long straight black hair, exquisite facial features, and a tall yet curvaceous figure.
She looked more like a model than a pianist.
Come to think of it,
Given that her mother, world-class pianist Youko Touma, was also a first-rate beauty,
With that genetic inheritance, it was only natural that her daughter would inherit her mother's striking looks.
"Hmph."
Mai Sakurajima's voice carried an unmistakable trace of jealousy.
"The girls around you all seem quite cute... none of them inferior to me."
"Is that so?"
Ye Xing responded noncommittally, pinching Mai Sakurajima's cheek.
"But right now, aren't I still sleeping with you?"
Hearing this, Mai Sakurajima's lips curled upwards involuntarily.
True.
She was undoubtedly the first - and only - woman to have shared a bed with Ye Xing.
This jealousy really was rather unreasonable.
But then Ye Xing said something that made Mai Sakurajima blush furiously.
"Ah... if only we could turn this 'sleeping' into a verb."
Though inexperienced, Mai understood exactly what Ye Xing meant by that verb.
Pursing her lips, her eyes misting slightly, she whispered in reply.
"After... after we finish this busy period, when Futaba and the others aren't around, when it's just the two of us... would that be alright?"
"No problem."
Ye Xing fully understood that with Rio Futaba just upstairs, it would be far too embarrassing for Mai Sakurajima, mature in appearance but pure and easily shy at heart.
It was only a matter of days anyway; no need to rush.
At any rate, the bunny girl outfit absolutely had to be unlocked.
What came next, however, was something Ye Xing hadn't anticipated.
Her face slightly flushed, Mai stole a glance at a certain area beneath Ye Xing's blanket before speaking shyly.
"Um... I've heard that in these situations, it's very uncomfortable for boys if they have to... hold back. So maybe... I, I could..."
By the last few words, her voice had become as faint as a mosquito's hum.
"I... I could help you with it."
"Gladly."
Ye Xing was no eunuch - naturally, he wouldn't refuse such an offer.
But after saying this, Mai Sakurajima first tentatively reached out her hand, then froze mid-motion, completely at a loss.
Noticing this, Ye Xing asked curiously:
"What's wrong?"
Biting her silver teeth lightly, Mai replied bashfully:
"I... I don't know how to do it."
"That's perfect."
"What did you say?"
"Oh, nothing. I said, if you don't know how, I can teach you."
Mai nodded slightly, biting her lower lip before speaking softly like a startled rabbit:
"Then... then I'll leave it to you."
"No problem."
Adopting a gentle, instructive tone, Ye Xing smiled:
"First, come closer, then part your lips slightly, and then..."
...
Early next morning.
"Good morning, Mai-senpai."
When Rio Futaba came downstairs, rubbing sleepy eyes, she found Mai Sakurajima had already prepared breakfast on the table.
"Good morning, Futaba-san."
Mai smiled flawlessly, gesturing to the coffee and carton of milk on the table.
"I wasn't sure which you prefer in the morning, so I prepared both."
In that moment, Rio Futaba felt an overwhelming pressure - like a mistress facing the legitimate wife.
A sense of crisis stronger than anything she'd ever experienced surged through her.
This Mai Sakurajima...
Wasn't she just too perfect!?
Her flawless appearance, former status as a nationally renowned idol actress, starring roles in multiple morning dramas, and being recognised by over ninety per cent of Japan's population - these were all well-trodden topics.
The key point was that only after interacting with her did Rio Futaba realise that Mai Sakurajima had such a pleasant voice, a gentle and generous personality, and excellent culinary skills.
To be honest, the only saving grace was that she was also a girl.
If she were in Ye Xing's position, Rio suspected she would have already fallen for Mai Sakurajima long ago.
After much deliberation, the only advantage Rio could identify was her awakened Soul Materialisation ability that allowed her to fight alongside Ye Xing - something Mai couldn't do.
But...
Mai's inner yearnings had once triggered an Adolescence Syndrome that made her completely imperceptible to the entire world.
Rio was certain that Mai also possessed the potential to awaken Soul Materialisation abilities.
What would happen if Mai Sakurajima actually awakened them?
Her sole advantage would vanish completely.
The enemy was too formidable.
She needed reinforcements.
While contemplating this, Rio walked to the table and sat down.
Without hesitation, she chose the freshly brewed coffee over the carton of milk beside it.
Pushing the milk carton towards Mai Sakurajima, Rio put her glasses back on and said softly:
"Mai-senpai, you should drink this."
Before Mai Sakurajima could respond, Ye Xing pushed open the door and emerged from the first-floor bedroom.
"She's already had some."
"Oh, I see."
Rio Futaba didn't notice how Mai's pretty face instantly flushed red when Ye Xing said this, nor how she shot him an angry, embarrassed glare.
All Rio knew was that the breakfast Mai had prepared smelled absolutely delicious.
Gazing at the steaming bowl of miso soup before her, Rio couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
It was all miso soup.
Some people's versions might as well be potions, while others' could make even someone not particularly gluttonous like herself want to devour every last drop.
How could the gap between people be so vast?
After some consideration, Rio revised her earlier thought.
Requesting teammate support only worked if the teammates could actually help.
When she added up herself, Yui Yuigahama and Miko Yotsuya...
Why did it feel like the disadvantage only grew larger?
...
In the blink of an eye, Saturday arrived.
Ye Xing's main activities these past few days have been:
Dining in the Reverse World.
Taking Miko Yotsuya and Rio Futaba to dine in the Reverse World.
Dining alone in the Reverse World.
Regardless.
Eating was the priority.
There was only one day left before spring break ended.
Yui Yuigahama wore a troubled expression.
It wasn't that she wanted to keep playing.
Mainly because the first day back at school would inevitably involve grade announcements.
She hadn't been particularly diligent with her studies lately, having joined the Supernatural Society.
Though even without joining, she probably wouldn't have spent her free after-school hours studying anyway.
As spring break drew to a close, the Supernatural Society faced an extremely difficult practical problem.
Indeed.
Mai Sakurajima had missed her exams.
Originally, she had intended to take them, but because teachers couldn't perceive her existence, they never gave her test papers.
Moreover.
Even if Mai had actively taken an exam paper, the moment she wrote her name, the paper would become unobservable - just like her very existence.
This wouldn't normally be a big issue.
A former nationally famous idol actress with an over 90% recognition rate, choosing to study at your Sobu High School, was an honour for the institution.
So what if she missed some exams?
Dare to expel her?
The crux was that Mai didn't want to enjoy such privileges.
During her first year, she'd enrolled late due to unfinished work commitments, making it hard to integrate into school life.
If she were to miss exams now without facing any disciplinary action from the school, how would that look?
Mai wasn't concerned about others' opinions.
She simply wanted to completely sever ties with her former identity as actress Mai Sakurajima.
To that end, she absolutely refused to leverage her past fame for any special treatment.
Ye Xing had only one assessment of Mai's approach:
She was making problems where none existed.
Wasn't life itself built upon privileges?
The good-looking, the exceptionally talented, the skilled, even the popular -
Everyone enjoyed privileges of some sort.
Of course, Ye Xing merely offered this observation without interfering with Mai's decisions.
At worst, she could take make-up exams.
Today, however, Ye Xing had other plans.
To say it's related to the Supernatural Society, it is.
To say it's unrelated, it could also be.
It depends on what happens next.
"Ito-kun."
Dressed in casual clothes with brown hair loosely cascading down, Light Yagami—wearing a friendly smile—spotted Ye Xing leaning idly against a wall in the shopping district and immediately quickened his pace to greet him warmly.
Ye Xing glanced down at his phone and replied casually.
"You're here?"
"Yes, I am."
It was Saturday, and the shopping district was bustling with people.
The sight of two handsome high school boys—Light Yagami and Ye Xing—standing together quickly drew the attention of many passersby.
"Everyone's looking at you, Light," Ye Xing teased with a light chuckle.
Faced with this remark, Light maintained his smile, shaking his head slightly before speaking softly.
"A bunch of vulgar people. I have no interest in them. The only one I see right now is you, Ito-kun."
Hearing this, Ye Xing frowned and delivered a series of responses Light had never anticipated.
"Damn, can you not be disgusting?"
"How can you say something so revolting to another guy with a straight face?"
"If you've got nothing better to do, get yourself checked at a hospital when we're back in Tokyo. I think you might have some mental issues."
This verbal barrage left Light momentarily stunned.
No one had ever spoken to him like that before.
At this thought, Light's smile widened, and he gazed directly into Ye Xing's eyes as he slowly said,
"As expected, you're different from everyone else. You're the kind of person who can—"
"Stop."
Before Light could finish, Ye Xing raised a hand to cut him off.
"If you've got something to say, say it quickly. Don't waste my time."
Light showed no trace of irritation, merely smiling faintly as he replied,
"Of course. Since I invited you out, I wouldn't do something meaningless."
With that, he took out his phone, pulled up an online map of Kyoto, and pointed to a location on the outskirts.
"Do you know this place?"
Ye Xing glanced at the screen and answered indifferently.
"Yeah. About 24 minutes by taxi. If you catch the train immediately, it'd take around 18 minutes."
Light blinked in surprise.
He hadn't expected Ito-kun to know Kyoto so well.
Just by pointing out a spot on the map, he could instantly estimate the travel time from their current location.
Light admitted to himself that even as someone who'd grown up in Tokyo, his familiarity with the city paled in comparison.
He refused to believe this was a mere coincidence.
Clearly, the other had put in serious effort.
Reading the subtle shift in Light's expression, Ye Xing could roughly guess what he was thinking.
Light's assumption wasn't wrong.
This wasn't a coincidence.
But it wasn't the result of hard work, either.
The reason Ye Xing knew Kyoto's transport system so well was simple.
He had devoured several evil spirits who'd been taxi drivers in life.
"No need to be so surprised."
Ye Xing waved a hand, his expression calm and unbothered.
"Not only do I know the travel time between any two locations in Kyoto, I even possess an astonishing secret that ordinary people could never grasp in their entire lives!"
This was the first time Light Yagami had heard Ye Xing speak in such a solemn tone since they'd met, sparking his curiosity.
"What earth-shattering secret?"
Ye Xing glanced around to ensure no one was eavesdropping before beckoning Light closer.
"Come closer and I'll whisper it."
Intrigued by his mysterious demeanour, Light obediently leaned in.
Ye Xing patted Light's shoulder and lowered his voice:
"I know the location of every club in Kyoto, including which offers the best quality and which gives the best value for money."
"Eh?"
Light blinked in confusion.
"That's your earth-shattering secret?"
"Of course there's more."
Ye Xing revealed an enigmatic smile before continuing slowly:
"Several establishments even offer so-called 'family discount packages'."
"As the saying goes: 'Hunting tigers requires brothers; going to battle needs father and son'."
"My suggestion? Take Chief Yagami along to relax together."
"It might even help treat your mental issues - make you spew less disgusting nonsense."