Meanwhile, at Yui Yuigahama's home.
"Hina, it's ready, come and try it!"
"This..."
Hina Amano stared at the dozen or so strange objects on the tray before her—uneven in size, pitch-black, and emitting a burnt smell—her expression becoming quite spectacular.
"Th-this... is the cookie you made?"
"Yes."
Yui Yuigahama smiled sheepishly.
"This is my first time making them alone. Quick, try them and tell me how they taste?"
Hina Amano looked at this plate of objects, which the other called cookies, her teeth beginning to chatter.
This stuff...
Is it really edible?
She suddenly recalled that when she first joined the Supernatural Society, she had made a promise in front of Ye Xing to Yui Yuigahama.
"When I get the chance, I must try Yuigahama-san's cooking."
In her vague memory fragments, Hina Amano still remembered the complicated expression on Ye Xing's face when he heard her say those words.
At that time, she didn't understand.
What kind of thing could make Ye Xing, who remained expressionless even when facing a ten-metre-tall giant evil spirit, show such an expression?
Now, Hina Amano finally understood.
Just like the pistol that appears in the first act of a play must fire by the third act, the polite promise she made back then had become a sharp boomerang, now gripping her by the neck.
"Well then..."
Hina Amano nervously swallowed, mustering all her courage as she picked up a piece of the charred "cookie" and brought it to her lips, wanting to cry but having no tears.
"I... I'll have some."
"Okay, please try it quickly."
Yui Yuigahama wore an innocent, sweet smile, her voice just as gentle and soft as ever.
But in Hina Amano's eyes at this moment, the other girl seemed like the most terrifying devil in the world, her words carrying the sinister undertone of an old witch poisoning Snow White.
Crunch.
Hina Amano took a deep breath, parted her lips slightly, and bit off a piece of the charred object called a cookie, which actually resembled some Cthulhu-like evil entity, producing a crisp sound.
Under Yui Yuigahama's expectant gaze, Hina Amano slowly chewed.
At first, she froze momentarily.
Extreme cuisine requires careful tasting.
Upon entering her mouth: dry, crisp, even somewhat prickly.
After careful tasting...
"It's not..."
Hina Amano looked down at the cookie in her hand, her face showing an expression of disbelief.
Yui Yuigahama asked, confused upon hearing this: "What's wrong?"
Hina Amano raised her head, her left hand involuntarily clenching into a fist as she stared directly into Yui Yuigahama's eyes, asking word by word, almost through gritted teeth.
"Why can I taste both mint and cola in this single biscuit!?"
Hina Amano was utterly stunned.
She finally understood why, whenever Yui Yuigahama's cooking skills were mentioned in the club, Rio Futaba and Miko Yotsuya's responses were always so cryptic.
"Can't say it's bad, can't say it's good. Hard to describe - you'd have to try it yourself."
So that's what they meant...
Yui Yuigahama's cooking skills had transcended the very concept of "bad taste."
What does "bad taste" even mean?
It means poorly made.
But Yui Yuigahama's cooking was something entirely different.
Hina Amano had never imagined in her wildest dreams that she could taste cola and mint mixed together in what appeared to be an ordinary biscuit!
This was nothing short of an assault on the taste buds!
"Eh? Is it not good?"
Hearing Yui Yuigahama's innocent question, Hina Amano suppressed her emotions and clenched her fists.
"Do you really think... this could possibly taste good!?"
Yui Yuigahama looked confused.
"But doesn't Ye Xing really like cola?"
Hina Amano sighed helplessly, thinking she was completely defeated by this girl.
"Can we just make normal biscuits? No more adding weird ingredients."
"But how can I do that?"
Yui Yuigahama said with a serious, earnest expression.
"Mum told me that cooking should incorporate your heartfelt feelings, so the person eating it can feel them."
Hina Amano was nearly in tears, her voice filled with genuine pleading, almost ready to kneel before Yui Yuigahama.
"Sis, I'm begging you, can we stop incorporating feelings? Let's just make normal food."
"Normal food... but..."
Seeing Yui Yuigahama's hesitant expression, Hina Amano said helplessly.
"Speaking of which, since this is for Ye Xing, why don't you just make chocolate instead?"
Yui Yuigahama's face flushed red at this, and she fidgeted awkwardly.
"That... that would make it seem... like a honmei chocolate, wouldn't it?"
Hina Amano froze.
"Eh? Isn't this honmei biscuit then?"
Yui Yuigahama also froze.
"Eh... it's giri..."
Hina Amano was completely speechless. She let out a long sigh, patted Yui Yuigahama's shoulder, and spoke with grave seriousness.
"Yui, I need to tell you something important."
Yui Yuigahama looked at her with a blank, clueless expression.
"What is it?"
Hina Amano spoke slowly.
"You need to think carefully. Given the current situation, once you give him so-called giri chocolate or giri biscuits, you'll be stuck in a giri relationship forever. Are you really okay with that?"
"I..."
Hearing these words, Yui Yuigahama pressed her lips together, her eyes dimming slightly as she struggled, unsure how to respond.
Hina Amano quietly put down the biscuit, clenched her fist, and cheered Yui Yuigahama on.
"Anyway, first make the biscuits properly with your own hands. Then, when you give them to Ye Xing, don't overthink it - just speak your true feelings from the heart. Understand?"
Yui Yuigahama hesitated. "Then... I'll try."
"Not try - you must do it!"
...
Meanwhile, at Ye Xing's home.
Hearing the sound of the door unlocking, Saki Kawasaki had learned her lesson this time. Without waiting for her sister's suggestion, she immediately sprang up and hurried to the entryway.
"Welcome home."
"Mm, I'm back."
Seeing the look of pure satisfaction on Ye Xing's face, Saki Kawasaki couldn't help but ask curiously.
"What did you go do? You seem really happy about something."
Ye Xing showed a meaningful smile.
"I went to have some fun."
"Have some fun...?"
Saki Kawasaki repeated the strange phrase, wondering if the word "fun" could even be used as a verb like that.
Wait a minute...
Have some fun?
Saki Kawasaki's pretty face flushed red as she gritted her silver teeth, glaring at Ye Xing resentfully.
"You... you... you actually did that kind of thing!"
Ye Xing rolled his eyes and retorted.
"I don't even dare imagine what you're thinking about, but what I meant was related to part-time work."
"Part-time work?"
Saki Kawasaki was momentarily stunned, then broke into a happy smile.
"Ohh, so it was about part-time work. That's fine then."
Ye Xing shook his head and chuckled lightly.
"You really wear all your thoughts on your face, don't you?"
"Shut... shut up! What's it to you?"
Keika Kawasaki jumped down from the sofa and came over, wagging her index finger at Saki Kawasaki like a little adult.
"Big sister, you shouldn't talk to big brother like that."
Saki Kawasaki sighed and rubbed Keika's little head.
"You little traitor, always taking his side."
Keika grinned slyly.
"Hehe, we're basically family anyway."
Just then, Yukino Yukinoshita rose from the sofa and walked over to Ye Xing, speaking calmly.
"Ye Xing, I have something to discuss with you."
"Alright, let's go to the study."
...
After entering the study and closing the door properly, Ye Xing sat down and spoke casually.
"Yukinoshita-san, is something the matter?"
"Still playing dumb?"
Yukino Yukinoshita's usually calm and composed face showed rare anger as she handed her phone to Ye Xing.
He glanced down and saw it was the exact feature article in which Natsumi Suga interviewed the members of the Supernatural Society.
"What's wrong?"
"What's wrong?"
Seeing Ye Xing still looking completely unconcerned, Yukino Yukinoshita's modest chest heaved with intense emotion as she gritted her silver teeth.
"You fool, haven't you realised this feature article could make you... and others, targets of that serial killer!?"
Ye Xing maintained his smile and waved his hand dismissively.
"Perhaps I'm using this method hoping to catch a big fish?"
"You..."
Yukino was so angry she could barely speak, slamming both hands heavily on the desk with a deep frown.
"What era do you think this is? Do you still think this is some kind of game!? The other party is a genuine murderer! Even if you don't care about your own safety, you should consider Yuigahama-san, Futaba-san, Yotsuya-san, Mai-senpai, and most importantly, Amano-san's safety, shouldn't you?"
Contrary to Yukino Yukinoshita's expectations, upon hearing this, the frivolous smile instantly vanished from Ye Xing's face.
In its place was a seriousness she had never seen before, not even when he faced the teachers and students of Shuchi'in Academy.
"This is definitely not a game."
Ye Xing looked directly into Yukino Yukinoshita's eyes as he spoke slowly.
"But it can also be treated as one."
"Admittedly, this interview feature fishing method carries certain risks."
"But this is a method unanimously approved by all members, including myself."
This was the first time Yukino Yukinoshita had seen Ye Xing so serious, and she couldn't help but pause briefly before hesitantly saying after a moment.
"But... we've already deduced that the Sunny Doll Killer's actions stem from belief in that so-called Sunny Girl legend. With just a bit more time, we could..."
"Could what?"
Before Yukino Yukinoshita could finish, Ye Xing directly interrupted.
"Without new cases occurring, it means no new clues will emerge."
"Moreover, with five cases already having happened and the Metropolitan Police Department still unable to find the killer's weakness, what's the point of continuing to wait?"
"Waiting for him to make a mistake? That's far too naive."
Yukino Yukinoshita frowned and pursed her lips.
"So you're willing to stake your life and Yuigahama-san and the others' lives as bets?"
"Bets?"
Hearing this word, Ye Xing smiled and shook his head, speaking slowly.
"Yukinoshita-san, do you think this is a life-or-death gamble? I'm afraid you've misunderstood."
At this point, Ye Xing stood up and spoke arrogantly, leaving Yukino Yukinoshita feeling quite conflicted inside.
"That so-called Sunny Doll Killer is already in a hopeless situation."
"When he loses only depends on when he takes the bait."
"Our Supernatural Society will never fail."
"We will win."
...
The next evening.
"My, it's been raining all day, hasn't it?"
Yuigahama's mother drew the curtains and glanced at the rainy sky outside, resting her hand on her cheek, her expression worried.
"Really, it's been raining every day. I can't even hang the laundry out to dry."
Yuigahama's mother sighed, then noticed the exquisite box on the table and asked curiously.
"Eh? Did you buy some snacks? Let me try one."
"No!"
Just as Yuigahama's mother reached out her hand, before it could even touch the box, Yui Yuigahama snatched it into her arms like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
"Eh? Oh my, ara ara?"
Yuigahama's mother wore a sly smile, covering her lips as she chuckled softly.
"Could it be... this is for Ye Xing-kun?"
Yui Yuigahama blushed deeply and responded in a quiet voice.
"Mhm..."
"Giri chocolate?"
"Hon... hon... hon..."
Yui Yuigahama's face turned completely red, utterly unable to utter those two words. After a long moment, she suddenly sighed with a dim expression.
"Mum, I'm worried... what if what I made isn't good enough? What if Ye Xing-kun dislikes it... what should I do then?"
Yuigahama's mother shook her head, stepped forward and stroked her daughter's head, speaking gently.
"Don't worry, Ye Xing-kun won't dislike it. What's important is the feelings contained within this gift, not the taste itself, understand?"
With her mother's encouragement, Yui Yuigahama visibly gained more confidence and nodded.
"Mhm, I understand now."
"Since you understand, shouldn't you go deliver it?"
"Eh?"
Yui Yuigahama glanced out the window and hesitated.
"But... it's still raining..."
Yuigahama's mother laughed.
"Once you've made up your mind, you should act on it, Yui. Don't hesitate!"
"Okay!"
Yui Yuigahama thought to herself that she had hesitated for long enough. It was time to cast aside all other concerns and express her true feelings.
Just like Yumiko Miura had told her.
Friendship that requires pretending and careful maintenance isn't worth that much to begin with.
Moreover, Yui Yuigahama didn't believe that the bonds among Supernatural Society members were so shallow or easily broken.
Continuing to hide things unilaterally would instead be an insult to the feelings between members.
"Well then, Mum, I'm heading out!"
Yui Yuigahama put on her shoes and was about to push the Gate open to leave.
Seeing this, Yuigahama's mother quickly picked up the delicate box from the table and handed it to her daughter, chuckling helplessly.
"What's the rush? You forgot the very thing you're taking. Here, and an umbrella too."
Yui Yuigahama took the box and umbrella, then ran towards the elevator.
Yuigahama's mother waved from behind, wearing a gentle smile.
"Be careful on your way."
"I know."
...
Meanwhile, unnoticed by both Yuigahama's mother and Yui Yuigahama, on the rooftop of a tall building opposite their apartment...
A man wearing a black hoodie, his face covered by an old, yellowish mask that revealed only a pair of eyes filled with malice and distortion, was monitoring the apartment exit through his binoculars.
When he saw Yui Yuigahama emerge in casual clothes, holding the exquisite box and an umbrella, a crazed, excited light flashed in his eyes.
The man extended his left hand, catching the rain falling from the sky. He lifted his head to gaze at the overcast clouds, his bloodshot eyes unnaturally dilated.
"Soon... soon I shall offer you a sacrifice!"
Then, he pulled an old-fashioned mobile phone from his pocket and dialled a number.
"Hello, this is Kyoto City Television's hotline. How may I assist you?"
The man's voice was raspy and grating.
"I have a news tip."
"What kind of news tip might that be?"
With a strange laughter in his voice, the man slowly spoke.
"In one hour, at nine o'clock tonight, the Sunny Doll Killer himself will appear at the Suga Editing Studio. You can look up the location yourselves."
Hearing this, the operator on the other end clearly paused before cautiously asking.
"This... how do you know that?"
A look of intense pleasure surfaced in the man's eyes as he enunciated each word clearly.
"Because I am the Sunny Doll Killer."
...
Meanwhile, Yui Yuigahama, who had just arrived at the train station, heard the announcement that train services were suspended due to the heavy rain.
"This... how could this be..."
Yui Yuigahama pressed her lips together. Even with an umbrella, the left shoulder of her clothes had become slightly damp from the relentless downpour.
For some reason.
Although it had been raining frequently lately, today's rainfall was exceptionally heavy, as if the gods themselves were enraged.
"What... should I do..."
Yui murmured to herself, clutching the cookie tin in her right hand more tightly as her eyes gradually filled with determination.
"Never mind all that!"
Gritting her teeth, Yui held the umbrella with her left hand while protecting the cookie tin against her chest with her right, then hurried out of the train station.
Her home wasn't too far from where Ye Xing lived - only about four or five kilometres away.
But as the rain intensified, strong winds began to whip around her.
Rather than using the umbrella to shield herself from above, Yui now held it more like a shield against the wind-driven rain.
Even so, she carefully protected the cookie tin, not allowing a single drop of rainwater to splash onto it.
Due to the sudden torrential rain, the usually bustling street was completely devoid of pedestrians.
Only the occasional passing vehicle illuminated Yui Yuigahama's struggling form as she pressed forward through the storm.
She had considered taking a taxi, but hadn't seen a single one.
"Huff... just keep going."
Yui Yuigahama muttered to herself.
"I've already walked... huff... about two hundred metres..."
Just as Yui was struggling forward, she happened to glance back and suddenly noticed a mysterious figure wearing a black hoodie and a yellowish mask following closely behind her.
Even through the curtain of rain, the other's bloodshot pupils radiated a chilling sense of fear and distortion, making her shiver.
Yui Yuigahama froze for a moment before instinctively quickening her pace.
But she discovered that whenever she walked faster, the other person matched her speed.
The distance between them never exceeded five metres.
"Who... who are you!? Why are you following me!?"
Though Yui Yuigahama had already guessed the answer in her heart, she forced herself to remain calm and asked this question.
"Who am I?"
The hooded man stopped walking, his gaze fixed on Yui Yuigahama with a strange, almost artistic appreciation.
He spread his arms wide, standing in the torrential rain, his voice distorted with madness.
"I am the saviour who will bring sunny days to this world!"
Then, the man's eyes locked onto Yui Yuigahama's face as he slowly spoke.
"And you will become one of my artworks, leaving your mark on human history!"
"No..."
Watching the man approach step by step, Yui Yuigahama retreated two steps. Her already weak legs grew even more powerless from tension, causing her to stumble and fall to the ground.
The delicate cookie box she had been holding fell to the ground, its contents scattering everywhere.
"No."
Yui Yuigahama bit her silver teeth lightly, staring directly at the person before her. Having already guessed his identity in her heart, she mustered all her courage.
"You... you're just a psychologically twisted serial killer, nothing more than that!"
"What did you say!?"
Hearing this, the man's emotions clearly spiralled further out of control.
As a serial killer, what he enjoyed most was the sense of achievement from seeing how his actions changed the weather across all of Japan.
From this feeling, he could also obtain a sense of pleasure, as if everything was under his control.
But now, everything he had done was being completely denied by this prey?
Not only that, but in that so-called special report, they had shown such a dismissive attitude towards all his efforts?
"That writer... and you... and that Ye Xing..."
The man extended his right hand, and Yui Yuigahama could clearly see many greyish-black spots on the back of his hand, disgusting to look at.
"You should all become sacrifices!"
Just as the man's hand was about to touch Yui Yuigahama, a clear, pleasant sound like wind chimes suddenly echoed in her mind.
Accompanying this sudden sound, what appeared before her was a reassuring black silhouette.
Burning black flames stood on the street amidst the pouring rain.
A pure, profound black made the sound of raindrops hitting the ground grow quiet in that moment.
The man's wrist was caught directly.
He looked up, and what met his eyes was a pure black mask, and those black eyes showing no trace of pity, even more deranged than those of a serial killer like himself.
"Got you."