"Pe... pet?"
Upon hearing this, Saki Kawasaki's expression changed dramatically, feeling greatly shocked.
Is this some kind of innuendo?
It must be an innuendo, right!?
A beautiful first-year high school girl with long black hair, becoming a pet for a boy the same age?
Saki Kawasaki didn't even dare to imagine what would happen next.
"Ye Xing-kun..."
Yukino Yukinoshita frowned slightly, narrowed her eyes, her voice carrying a hint of chill.
"Please don't make such misleading jokes in front of Kawasaki-san."
Ye Xing smiled, completely unconcerned as he retorted.
"Yukinoshita-san, you're following me everywhere I go, and you're even living under the same roof as me. May I ask, aside from 'pet', what other term could describe this kind of relationship?"
Faced with this question, Yukino Yukinoshita parted her lips slightly, only to find that she truly couldn't find an appropriate word to describe her current relationship status with Ye Xing.
First of all, it wasn't Ye Xing who begged her to live together.
Quite the opposite.
It was Yukino herself who didn't want to return to Chiba during summer vacation, so her mother had entrusted her to Ye Xing.
In other words.
She was the one being helped.
"Kawasaki-san, actually..."
Yukino Yukinoshita looked at Saki Kawasaki, but stopped mid-sentence, hesitated for a moment, then reluctantly nodded.
"You... can consider me as Ye Xing's pet... attendant."
Yukino Yukinoshita didn't want Saki Kawasaki to misunderstand that she had some special relationship with Ye Xing.
But explaining everything clearly would not only require a lengthy explanation but also inevitably reveal her complicated family situation and her rather difficult personality.
If Yukino Yukinoshita could easily open up to others, she wouldn't have ended up with no friends at all.
Comparing the two options...
She had no choice but to accept being this pet.
"Alright, just ignore her."
Ye Xing waved his hand and looked at Saki Kawasaki as he asked.
"So, Kawasaki-san, what did you call me out for today?"
"Well..."
Seeing how Yukino stood calmly beside Ye Xing without any discomfort, and how Ye Xing appeared completely at ease, Saki Kawasaki couldn't help but show a bitter expression.
In a certain way, these two were really well-matched.
They were both capable of doing things ordinary people couldn't understand.
Yukino could remain silent and pretend to be invisible, while Ye Xing could completely ignore her presence. But as a normal person, Saki Kawasaki found it very difficult to do such things.
"Um..."
Saki Kawasaki composed herself, wearing an awkward and embarrassed expression as she said softly.
"This semester, I've received a lot of help from you. Keika kept saying I should find time to thank you, and since today's the first day of summer vacation... would you like to get some ice cream together? My treat."
Ye Xing nodded and smiled.
"No problem."
Seeing him agree, Saki Kawasaki let out a relieved sigh, then turned a displeased look toward Yukino.
"Yukinoshita-san, when I said my treat, I didn't mean to include you."
This was supposed to be her hard-won courage for her first alone time with Ye Xing.
But then Yukino Yukinoshita had to barge in halfway.
Saki Kawasaki wasn't particularly close with Yukino to begin with. Although they were in the same club, they'd barely spoken to each other, so naturally, she didn't have a favourable opinion of Yukino right now.
"Oh, that's fine."
Yukino Yukinoshita's response was quite calm.
"Actually, I don't really like ice cream anyway."
As if.
If she'd give up staying by Ye Xing's side over something so trivial, she wouldn't be Yukino Yukinoshita.
The three of them walked along the shopping street together, this unusual combination of one boy and two girls attracting attention from passersby.
After all, both Saki Kawasaki and Yukino Yukinoshita were exceptionally striking in appearance.
One had an eye-catching light-blue high ponytail, a tall, model-like figure, and an aggressive, delinquent aura radiating from within.
The other, though slightly less impressive in physique, had exquisite features and carried herself with the noble purity of a flower blooming on a high peak.
"Young people... how wonderful youth is."
"Those two girls are both very beautiful."
"That boy is quite handsome too, but... what kind of combination is this?"
"Are they an older sister and brother-in-law taking their younger sister out?"
"Younger sister? Which one is the younger sister?"
"Why even ask? Obviously, the younger one is the little sister."
"How can you tell which one's younger... Oh, you don't mean age, never mind then."
Listening to the surrounding discussions, Yukino Yukinoshita appeared completely indifferent on the surface, yet she secretly glanced at Saki Kawasaki beside her before looking down at herself.
Defeated.
Completely and utterly defeated.
Yukino Yukinoshita had discovered something.
Within the talent-filled Supernatural Society where elites gathered, she occupied an unshakeable position in one particular aspect.
She was the smallest.
Yukino had originally thought that Touma Kazusa's size should be similar to hers.
But it wasn't until that time when the other girl felt too hot and unbuttoned her school uniform jacket...
That Yukino finally understood how naive her assumption had been.
Even Amano Hina, who hadn't even turned sixteen and was the youngest among them, was larger than her.
On the surface, Yukino Yukinoshita seemed completely unconcerned about such matters.
But she actually cared very much.
How exactly could she become bigger?
Not necessarily reaching impressive proportions, but at least catching up to her peers' standards?
Thinking this, Yukino Yukinoshita examined Saki Kawasaki once more.
Seeing how the other girl carried her schoolbag with one hand, casually slung over her shoulder, appearing dashing and heroic, Yukino suddenly frowned slightly and whispered to Ye Xing.
"Would you say Kawasaki-san... counts as someone with a gal-style fashion sense?"
Regarding the possible pattern in how the Sunny Doll Killer selected his target girls, Ye Xing had already explained it to the core members when they gathered earlier today.
Naturally, aside from Yui Yuigahama, who was present at the time, Marin Kitagawa was also one of the targets who fit that murderer's criteria.
But only now did Yukino realise that Saki Kawasaki...
Seemed to fit this standard as well.
"That's not the case."
Hearing Yukino's slightly worried words, Ye Xing simply shook his head.
Just as Yukino was about to say something more, Saki Kawasaki had already reached the entrance of an ice cream shop.
She quickly entered the shop, approached the counter, and looked at the menu.
"One original flavour ice cream, please."
Then she turned to Ye Xing, her face showing a rare, girlish smile.
"Ye Xing-kun, what flavour would you like?"
Ye Xing answered without hesitation.
"Coca-Cola flavour."
"Um... we don't have that flavour."
"Then evil spirits flavour."
Saki Kawasaki rolled her eyes and retorted.
"What the hell is evil spirits flavour? Don't say such crazy things with a straight face. I'll get you original flavour too, same as me."
"Your original flavour? Well, I suppose I can accept that reluctantly."
Hearing Ye Xing's heavily suggestive words, Saki Kawasaki's pretty face flushed red as she said resentfully.
"Don't say things like that in public!"
Ye Xing didn't back down.
"So you mean it's okay to say them in private?"
"That... that..."
Saki Kawasaki didn't know what to say and could only turn her gaze toward Yukino.
After hesitating slightly, she eventually let out a light hum.
"Yukinoshita-san, what flavour would you like? Since we came together, I'll treat you too."
"No need, I brought my own money..."
Before Yukino could finish her refusal, Ye Xing suddenly spoke up calmly from the side.
"Yukinoshita-san, if you want to become a true member of the Supernatural Society, you must learn how to build connections with others."
Hearing this, Yukino Yukinoshita frowned slightly and instinctively retorted.
"If it's not the kind of truly meaningful relationship I desire, but rather a hypocritical and accommodating one, I'd rather not have it."
Ye Xing looked unsurprised.
"I knew you'd say that."
Before Yukino could speak, Ye Xing waved his hand dismissively.
"I don't know what you define as a truly meaningful relationship, but if such relationships truly exist in this world, the Supernatural Society is the most likely place to find them."
Yukino wore a sceptical expression and didn't continue the topic, though she privately pondered the matter.
The relationships between members of the Supernatural Society were indeed quite peculiar.
Even before she joined the club, she found it strange.
While she could understand the others - even Rio Futaba, who wasn't originally in the same class, was at least in the same year - how did Mai Sakurajima, who was a year above, come to interact with Ye Xing and join this club?
Was it like Saki Kawasaki and Marin Kitagawa, who received help from the Supernatural Society?
But Yukino Yukinoshita couldn't imagine what kind of difficulties Mai Sakurajima, a former nationally famous idol actress, could possibly have that would require seeking help from a junior student.
"Here are your three vanilla ice creams."
Saki Kawasaki took the three cups of ice cream from the shop assistant, thanked her, and then handed one to Ye Xing with a gentle smile.
"Try it, the ice cream here is really good."
After Ye Xing accepted it, Kawasaki turned to Yukino Yukinoshita, who was standing there and handed her an ice cream with a slightly annoyed tone.
"Here, yours."
After taking the ice cream, Yukino suddenly said something shocking that Kawasaki hadn't anticipated.
"Kawasaki-san, you were originally planning to have a date with Ye Xing-kun today, weren't you?"
"Eh... I... well..."
Seeing Kawasaki so nervous she could barely speak properly, Yukino Yukinoshita said calmly.
"Your reaction proves I'm right."
"Please rest assured, there are inconvenient reasons for me living in Ye Xing-kun's house and being alone with him, but personally, I have no romantic feelings towards Ye Xing-kun whatsoever. I'm not your rival."
Rather than appearing relieved upon hearing Yukino's words, Kawasaki's eyes widened in shock as she murmured.
"You... what did you say? Alone together?"
"Eh?"
Yukino hadn't expected Kawasaki to react this way.
She glanced at the boy beside her, the meaning in her eyes quite clear.
"She doesn't know you live alone?"
Ye Xing rolled his eyes in response, the meaning equally evident.
'I'm not some walking human artillery piece. How could I possibly bring every girl I know back home? Well then, come on, tell me how we should handle this situation now?'
Yukino didn't understand how Ye Xing could convey such a long speech - complete with difficult terms like 'walking human artillery piece' - just by rolling his eyes.
She only knew one thing.
She'd messed up.
"Alone... alone..."
Saki Kawasaki kept repeating this word, her eyes losing focus.
Ye Xing stepped forward and asked with genuine concern.
"Are you alright, Kawasaki? Having an epileptic fit?"
"You... you're the one having a fit!"
Saki Kawasaki gritted her silver teeth, looking quite furious.
"How could you let Yukinoshita live in your house? This... this... a boy and girl alone together, problems will arise!"
Ye Xing nodded, appearing quite agreeable, then smiled.
"Well then, why don't you come too?"
Given Saki Kawasaki's personality, she would normally directly retort or even resort to physical confrontation when faced with such an absurd question.
But now...
Saki Kawasaki actually seemed to genuinely consider it.
Seeing her like this, Yukino Yukinoshita felt quite helpless.
Damn.
Another new victim.
"Well... I can't go."
Though Saki very much wanted to say yes, she truly couldn't.
"I have my little sister to look after at home, so I can't go."
Ye Xing smiled in response.
"Then bring your sister along too."
"Eh?"
Saki Kawasaki thought about it carefully...
This actually seemed like a viable solution?
Putting aside other considerations...
If Keika Kawasaki learned she was going to stay at her favourite big brother's house, she'd definitely agree with cheers and excitement.
Her parents happened to be away on business during this period, too...
It seemed... she really could go?
Saki Kawasaki scooped some ice cream into her mouth. The cold sweetness helped calm her thoughts as she cautiously tested the waters.
"Then... shall I go home and discuss it with my sister first?"
"Alright."
Ye Xing nodded, then continued.
"By the way, if I remember correctly, Marin Kitagawa also lives alone. You might as well call her, have her pack her things, and she can come along tomorrow, too."
"Wait..."
Both Saki Kawasaki and Yukino Yukinoshita were stunned.
"Why... why are you inviting Marin Kitagawa?"
"To hang out."
Ye Xing said this as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"My house has plenty of empty rooms. We spend every day together at school anyway, and now that summer break has started, we might as well hang out together."
Yukino Yukinoshita's eyes showed doubt.
"Is that really all there is to it?"
Ye Xing countered: "What else would it be? A party?"
As he said this, his gaze swept over a particular part of Yukino's body, his eyes filled with pity as he patted her shoulder, his tone uncharacteristically gentle.
"Don't worry, I definitely wouldn't invite you to a party."
"You..."
Before Yukino could launch her attack, Ye Xing continued speaking to himself.
"Oh, right, since we're here anyway, come with me to a place."
...
Ten minutes later.
"Yahallo, old man."
Seated upright behind the counter, Oda Noto, who was smoking a cigarette, let out a heavy sigh even before looking up upon hearing the familiar voice.
When he raised his head and saw Saki Kawasaki and Yukino Yukinoshita following behind Ye Xing, his expression showed no surprise as he remarked flatly,
"Changed again?"
"Ah, come on, don't put it like that."
Ye Xing directly sat down in front of the counter, behaving quite unceremoniously as he replied with a smile,
"It's not a change, it's an addition."
Oda Noto carefully examined Saki Kawasaki and Yukino Yukinoshita standing there, then gave Ye Xing a thumbs-up while lowering his voice,
"Good lad, impressive."
"Back in my day, when I was young..."
Before Oda Noto could begin reminiscing, Ye Xing waved his hand to interrupt,
"Do you know anything about the legend of the Sunny Girl?"
Oda Noto sighed helplessly and muttered quietly,
"Really treating me like an encyclopedia? But... the Sunny Girl..."
Oda Noto seemed to be recalling something, and only after a long pause did he slowly speak,
"There is indeed such a legend, but it should just be a legend... right?"
Oda Noto's tone was initially quite certain.
But upon second thought.
As the most powerful exorcist he had ever seen in his life, if Ye Xing was here asking about the Sunny Girl...
Then could the so-called Sunny Girl really be just a legend?
Though Oda Noto was getting on in years, his mind remained sharp, and he instantly connected this with Japan's unusually strange weather recently, and the Sunny Doll Killer, who had committed multiple crimes in Kyoto City.
Plus, there has been a recent circulation of legends about the Sunny Girl within their circle.
Thinking of this, Oda Noto's expression instantly changed.
"You mean..."
"Wait a moment."
Before Oda Noto could finish, Ye Xing turned to look at Yukino Yukinoshita standing there and said flatly,
"Yukinoshita-san, may I ask what your thoughts are after hearing this?"
Faced with this question, Yukino suddenly experienced a very peculiar feeling.
It was as if her path of fate had split into two completely different roads at this moment.
And the dividing line between these paths depended on whether she could provide the answer Ye Xing wanted.
"Sunny Girl... legend..."
From the name Sunny Girl, Yukino could roughly guess that it was probably a supernatural story related to the weather.
"Old sir, I'd like to ask..."
Before Yukino could finish her question, Oda Noto suddenly showed a touched expression.
"Oh my, this young lady is quite polite. Please sit, please sit."
Old sir.
What an amiable and kind form of address.
Especially when compared to "old man," it felt even more intimate.
Yukino didn't sit down but went straight to the point,
"The so-called Sunny Girl is a special person who can restore normal weather and stop the rain, correct?"
Oda Noto nodded.
"Correct."
"Since she's called Sunny Girl, does that mean such people are always female?"
"Correct, and they must be pure, unblemished maidens."
Hearing this, Yukino Yukinoshita had already guessed the truth, but to confirm her suspicion, she asked with a grave expression the most crucial question,
"Then, if we find the Sunny Girl, how do we make the weather... return to normal?"
Oda Noto slowly spoke, uttering a word that made both Yukino Yukinoshita and Saki Kawasaki's expressions change.
"Human sacrifice."