Monday morning, Sobu High School.
"Good morning, Touma-san."
"Good morning, Ye Xing-san."
The two titans at the back row exchanged greetings before Kazusa Touma stole a glance at Ye Xing's profile and spoke in her usual composed tone.
"Actually, I'd prefer if you addressed me differently."
"What should I call you then, my beloved concubine?"
"You're asking for death."
For once, Kazusa Touma's cheeks flushed slightly as she gritted her teeth in frustration.
"Don't say such things carelessly. It could easily cause misunderstandings."
Ye Xing remained completely unfazed.
"So what if there are misunderstandings? It's nothing to be ashamed of."
Kazusa narrowed her eyes slightly, her tone growing heavier.
"Being associated with me isn't something to be ashamed of?"
Ye Xing scoffed at this.
"Come off it, you're overestimating yourself."
"I'm not bragging or anything, but your reputation can't hold a candle to mine in this school. We're not even in the same league, so don't try to ride my coattails."
Kazusa looked at him speechlessly.
Seeing his arrogant, self-assured expression, one might think he was boasting about something admirable.
But truth be told.
Ye Xing wasn't wrong about this.
At worst, Kazusa Touma was just an aloof, socially awkward oddball.
But Ye Xing's school persona was far more... colourful.
Violent delinquent. Suspected of having inappropriate relationships with multiple female students. The kept man of former national idol actress Mai Sakurajima. The scumbag who allegedly manipulated the innocent Yui Yuigahama.
Even their homeroom teacher, Shizuka Hiratsuka, granted him special privileges, sparking rumours of an inappropriate teacher-student relationship.
You've got some nerve, even targeting teachers?
He was practically Public Enemy Number One at Sobu High.
And today.
Ye Xing was about to add another negative buff to his collection.
"Hey, you."
A blue-haired beauty with a high ponytail and an intimidating aura walked straight to Ye Xing's desk after entering the classroom.
"Come outside with me. We need to talk."
Saki Kawasaki didn't bother lowering her voice.
Every student already present heard her clearly.
Instantly, the classroom fell silent.
Students exchanged glances, curiosity evident in their expressions.
A confession?
This opening line had to be a confession, right?
So Kawasaki-san likes Ye Xing's type?
Though considering both had questionable reputations, their looks were undeniably top-tier. Mutual attraction wasn't surprising.
While others speculated.
Ye Xing, the person involved, could roughly guess that Saki wanted to discuss the night he'd spotted her working at the bar, hence this first-day confrontation.
Just as he prepared to stand, Kazusa suddenly spoke coldly beside him.
"I'm in the middle of talking with him. We're not done."
Saki frowned impatiently.
"You can talk after I'm finished. This is urgent."
Kazusa stood her ground, rising to meet Saki's gaze directly.
"Mine is urgent too."
Most classmates watching this clash wore expressions of eager anticipation.
Kazusa Touma versus Saki Kawasaki.
Was this the legendary battle of the century?
Just as tensions were running high, someone suddenly called out from outside the classroom.
"The results are out!"
Hearing this, the students who had been sitting quietly immediately jumped up and rushed out.
The reason so many had come to school early today was precisely to check their exam results before first period.
Saki Kawasaki frowned slightly, hesitated for a moment, then finally said to Ye Xing:
"I'll find you at lunch."
With that, she left the classroom.
It wasn't that Kawasaki particularly loved studying.
She'd been working part-time constantly, leaving no time to study properly.
Failing to meet the passing grade would mean mandatory remedial classes after school.
If that happened, her working hours—and consequently her income—would decrease.
Within mere seconds, only Ye Xing and Kazusa Touma remained in Class A's classroom.
"Aren't you going to check your results?"
When Ye Xing asked, Kazusa Touma replied with complete calm:
"I already know. There's no need to look."
After a pause, she added:
"What about you?"
"I already know, too, so no need."
"Oh, I see."
Outwardly composed, Kazusa secretly felt a flicker of delight.
So he was just like her - academically challenged.
How wonderful.
Kazusa had always carried a sense of inferiority.
Now she'd finally found a shared flaw between them, which comforted her greatly.
...
Meanwhile, in the corridor.
"Honestly, why drag me along? It's way too crowded."
Hearing Rio Futaba's complaint, Yui Yuigahama gave an earnest smile, clasping her hands pleadingly.
"I get nervous checking alone! Besides, aren't you curious about your results?"
"Not really."
As Futaba answered, Miko Yotsuya delivered the perfect deadpan remark:
"Only borderline passers like you would be this desperate to see results, Yui."
"Hehe."
"What's there to 'hehe' about? Spend more time studying so you don't need remedial classes and miss club activities."
"Got it, got it! I'll try harder next time. For now, may the gods bless me."
"The gods' donation box got kicked in - by you, among others. No blessings coming your way."
Chatting away, the trio reached the noticeboard, which displayed the results.
The rankings that greeted them left both Miko and Yui stunned.
At the very top of the list was a name they knew all too well.
Science Subjects: 1st: Ye Xing (Class 1-A) 2nd: Rio Futaba (Class 1-D), Rizu Ogata (Class 1-F) 3rd: Yukino Yukinoshita (Class 1-A)
Humanities: 1st: Ye Xing (Class 1-A) 2nd: Fumino Furuhashi (Class 1-B) 3rd: Yukino Yukinoshita (Class 1-A)
English: 1st: Ye Xing (Class 1-A) ...
Miko and Yui exchanged glances, both rubbing their eyes simultaneously.
Were they seeing this right?
Ye Xing ranked first in science, humanities and English?
"But... he never pays attention in class?"
Rio Futaba remained completely unfazed.
"Ah, right, you two don't know yet."
"Know what?"
"Ye Xing ranked first in the national mock exams for our year across all of Japan."
"Huh!?"
Rio Futaba turned around, looking at the stunned expressions of Yui Yuigahama and Miko Yotsuya, adjusting her glasses.
"Why are you so surprised? Compared to his other abilities, being academically gifted is probably the least remarkable thing about him, don't you think?"
'That does make sense,' Yui Yuigahama and Miko Yotsuya thought to themselves.
However, matters like spiritual power, evil spirits, and Soul Materialisation were ultimately just extracurricular activities.
After all, their primary occupation was still being high school students.
On top of that, Ye Xing usually acted lazy and never mentioned studying—who could have guessed this guy was actually a genius capable of ranking first in all of Japan?
It was genuinely a bit shocking.
"But..."
Yui Yuigahama finally let out a relieved sigh after confirming her own grades had reached the passing mark.
"Yukinoshita-san is amazing too, ranking third in both humanities and sciences, and top five in English."
Miko Yotsuya nodded in agreement.
"And Rio, coming in second for science—truly a genius."
"It's nothing special."
Futaba Rio showed no trace of pride, speaking plainly.
"I was always first in middle school. I didn't expect to only tie for second this time."
Yui Yuigahama and Miko Yotsuya exchanged glances and sighed helplessly in unison.
Was this the humblebragging of geniuses?
By the time they parted ways with Futaba Rio and returned to their Class A classroom, most of their classmates had already arrived.
Spring break had just ended, and many still looked half-asleep.
The focus of everyone's attention, however, was clearly on Ye Xing in the corner of the room, with hushed discussions swirling around him.
"Did you see the results list?"
"No, did you fail?"
"No, seriously, you didn't see? Ye Xing—that Ye Xing—ranked first in humanities, science, and English!"
"Seriously? No way."
"It's true. The results are already posted."
"I thought he was slacking off, but turns out he didn't even need to pay attention in class."
"Ugh, so jealous. I worked my ass off and didn't even make the top hundred."
Normally, Yukino Yukinoshita, who also ranked near the top of the year, would have been a subject of discussion.
But since she already carried herself like a model student, the class was far more intrigued by Ye Xing, who slept through lessons yet aced three subjects.
Of course, the chatter wasn't just about Ye Xing.
A small group of students were also pointing and laughing at Kazusa Touma.
"Dead last in the year."
"I saw zero marks in every subject. Even if you just guessed the multiple-choice, how could you score that badly?"
"With grades and attitude like that, she should be suspended or expelled, right?"
Kazusa Touma showed no reaction to the comments—whether indifference or displeasure—because she was already asleep.
Normally, Ye Xing would have been dozing off by now, too.
But today, he had something else to do.
Under the gaze of his classmates, he stood up and walked straight towards a girl with long, golden hair, the ends dyed a soft pink, adorned with glittery nail art, and a stylish black choker—her overall style, much like Yui Yuigahama's, leaned into the gyaru aesthetic.
She didn't seem nervous when he approached, simply smiling sweetly.
"Ye Xing-kun, did you need something?"
Ye Xing returned a polite smile.
"Kitagawa-san, I wanted to ask you about some cosplay-related things."
"Eh?"
Marin Kitagawa was momentarily stunned before her face lit up with excitement. She clasped her hands together enthusiastically.
"Ye Xing, are you interested in cosplay?"
A spark of excitement flashed in Marin's eyes as she scrutinised Ye Xing's entire figure from head to toe.
Of course, she wasn't some perverted girl.
Marin was simply contemplating.
Since the first day of school, she'd had this thought.
With Ye Xing's excellent physique, wouldn't he look good in any outfit?
He was practically born for cosplay!
However, Marin had assumed that, given his personality, he probably wouldn't be interested in cosplay.
Moreover.
Ye Xing always went to the clubroom during breaks and lunchtime, leaving immediately after school. He seemed quite busy, so she hadn't dared disturb him.
Unexpectedly, he was now bringing up the topic of cosplay himself.
This made Marin's heart race with excitement.
"Not just me."
Ye Xing smiled and pointed at Miko Yotsuya and Yui Yuigahama nearby.
"These two are also interested in cosplay!"
"Eh, really!?"
Faced with Marin's delighted inquiry, Miko and Yuigahama could only nod awkwardly with forced smiles.
"Y-yes... we're interested, very interested."
They knew this 'cosplay interest' was just an excuse.
The real reason was that during Rio Futaba's last operation, they'd encountered two major problems with disguises, hence needing related knowledge.
Still, learning about it wouldn't hurt.
They weren't particularly close with Marin Kitagawa, but they exchanged casual greetings sometimes. They knew she had a bright, cheerful personality and good reputation in class.
Though she usually dressed like a gyaru, her face was actually quite sweet and innocent...
Wait a minute.
Miko suddenly realised something was off.
Marin Kitagawa was both beautiful and had such a good personality...
If she taught them cosplay, wouldn't that give her opportunities to interact with Ye Xing?
This was like inviting a wolf into the house! A complete invitation for trouble!
But then again.
They genuinely didn't know anyone else in their year who did cosplay.
And there was one crucial requirement.
Whoever taught the Supernatural Society members about disguises had to be female, preferably someone they already knew.
With all these conditions, their only option seemed to be their classmate Marin Kitagawa.
Miko frowned slightly, thinking it probably wouldn't be that bad.
Sure, Ye Xing was handsome.
But Marin Kitagawa was also an exceptionally attractive girl, rumoured to have many admirers in their year.
Surely just teaching cosplay wouldn't make her fall for Ye Xing?
He wasn't some succubus who would make anyone he interacted with fall for him.
Impossible, absolutely impossible.
Hearing this, Marin smiled even more brightly and said enthusiastically,
"Then I'll explain everything in detail during lunch break!"
"Alright, no problem."
Having resolved the disguise technique issue, Ye Xing returned to his seat.
Just as he sat down, Shizuka Hiratsuka entered the classroom.
The other's gaze lingered on him for a moment, then rested briefly on Kazusa Touma, who was sprawled across her desk, sleeping with a small pillow.
Just as the classmates were expecting this usually blunt-tempered female teacher to deliver a harsh reprimand to Touma, the grade's bottom-ranked student who'd submitted blank papers in every subject, Shizuka Hiratsuka spoke in an indifferent tone.
"Class begins."
Seeing that Hiratsuka showed no intention of criticising Kazusa Touma, the students couldn't hide their surprise.
Seriously? Not even a single mention?
If she'd tried her best and come last, that would be a matter of ability – forgivable without criticism.
But Kazusa Touma slept through every lesson and deliberately submitted blank exam papers!
Yet Teacher Hiratsuka didn't say a word about it?
This special treatment was far too blatant!
Ye Xing had already anticipated this outcome.
There was simply no helping it. As the saying goes:
"It's not the scarcity that troubles people, but the inequality."
Sobu High School granting Kazusa Touma privileges wasn't problematic in itself.
After all, her mother, Youko Touma, was a world-class concert pianist – practically the face of Japan, even the world, on the international stage.
Things like Yukinoshita Construction Company, Chiba prefecture assembly members, or diplomats' daughters...
None of them could compare to Kazusa Touma's family background.
With Youko Touma's global fame, even those four great financial groups would have to show her deference.
Given such pedigree, combined with Kazusa Touma's own piano talents, granting her special privileges wasn't unreasonable at all.
Yet human nature remains uncontrollable.
While she might enjoy privileges, other students would inevitably resent it.
Ye Xing had once received similar treatment.
But after achieving top grades in every subject – that overwhelming academic dominance – no one dared question his privileged status anymore.
...
Soon, lunch break arrived.
Following the routine, the group gathered in the clubroom.
Mai Sakurajima was already seated inside, having placed four lunch boxes on the table.
Seeing Ye Xing and the others enter, she smiled and said:
"Everyone's here? Let's eat first."
As the Supernatural Society's top chef – indeed, its only member who could cook – Mai Sakurajima had taken responsibility for preparing everyone's lunches.
Behind her glasses, Rio Futaba's eyes flashed with something unreadable as she observed Mai's sweet smile and graceful demeanour.
'A truly formidable opponent,' she thought to herself.
What's this called?
This is called taking the dominant position.
At this stage, Mai Sakurajima was still just an ordinary person.
In school, she was the kind of outcast who was both talked about by everyone yet simultaneously ignored by all.
The role of image ambassador was beyond her reach.
Besides, that position had already been taken by Yui Yuigahama.
By taking the initiative to prepare lunchboxes for the club members, Mai Sakurajima demonstrated her value on one hand.
On the other hand... when you accept someone's food, it's hard to compete with them later.
And most importantly...
Ye Xing was eating meals prepared by Mai Sakurajima every single lunchtime.
How could anyone compete with that?
Can't win, can't silver, no strawberry conscience, all exhausted.
Just as Mai Sakurajima sat with legs crossed, radiating the confident, dismissive attitude of the undisputed queen, the clubroom door slid open quietly.
What entered her vision was a fashionably dressed girl with delicate, adorable features that rivalled her own.
"Excuse me, is Ye Xing here?"
Mai's eyebrows furrowed slightly.
Another challenger?