After sensing the strange energy fluctuation in the air gradually dissipating, Ye Xing pondered to himself.
Itomori Town... Mitsuha Miyamizu, who bears the duties of a shrine maiden...
Is Mitsuha Miyamizu a psychic?
Perhaps she is.
But the scene just now, along with that faint red thread in the air - visible only to psychics - representing that deity's power, all point to one thing.
Exchanging lives with a handsome guy living in Tokyo was indeed Mitsuha Miyamizu's wish, but it wasn't the true motivation behind that deity's intervention.
To analyse the reason, one might first imagine: if nothing went wrong, and he really exchanged bodies with Mitsuha Miyamizu every few days, what would happen?
He... would live as Mitsuha Miyamizu.
In the process, he would get to know the residents of Itomori Town, and also Mitsuha Miyamizu's family.
Gradually...
He would develop feelings for Itomori Town.
"So that's how it is."
Having thought this far, Ye Xing understood the whole situation.
"A cry for help from a deity... how novel."
Whether the deity worshipped by the Miyamizu family in Itomori Town is stronger or weaker than that weather-controlling deity is hard to say - after all, Ye Xing hasn't tast... hasn't seen it.
But one thing is sure.
The deity worshipped by generations of the Miyamizu family, despite having the peculiar hobby of drinking kuchikamizake made by young maidens, belongs to the benevolent faction and truly protects all the residents of Itomori Town.
The question is.
Why didn't they approach Light Yagami?
Light Yagami is a handsome guy, too, and he actually lives in Tokyo.
This deity of yours is quite improper, too. What's the meaning of this?
Looking down on Light Yagami for being weak?
Did you have to wait until I came to Tokyo and met the condition of being a handsome guy living in Tokyo before pulling these tricks?
Did you really have to have this sense of ceremony?
What a waste of time.
Just as Ye Xing was pondering, another ripple suddenly passed through the air.
Crimson threads gathered into a cluster, slowly drifting towards him.
"Oh? Want to get tough with me?"
Ye Xing revealed a friendly smile, his eyes showing excitement.
"In that case, let me taste a part of you first..."
To his surprise, the next moment, the crimson threads gently settled on the ground, converging into a small humanoid form.
And...
It even assumed a dogeza posture.
Beside it appeared words formed from crimson threads, with crooked and messy characters.
"Please, please."
Ye Xing: "...Acting cute?"
"Please, please mwah~"
"Adding a 'mwah' at the end and using such nauseatingly sweet tone won't change anything."
"Please, please uwu~"
"I told you...it's not about the modal particles..."
Even Ye Xing felt speechless at this deity's abstract behaviour.
But upon careful thought, this was actually a good thing.
Due to his unique constitution, Mitsuha Miyamizu's soul couldn't complete the exchange with him.
Even so, this deity persistently sent Mitsuha's soul back first before coming to negotiate with him.
This was sufficient proof that the other party belonged to the benevolent faction, standing on humanity's side.
It also proved that in the deity's eyes, only he possessed the qualifications to save Itomori Town.
"Since that's the case..."
Ye Xing spoke with a smile.
"Let's talk."
"I'll do my best to save the residents of Itomori Town."
"In exchange, you must tell me how to find that weather-manipulating guy."
"How about it?"
The crimson threads scattered on the ground paused for a long time before finally moving, without wind, accompanied by clear, pleasant wind-chime sounds, forming a line of small characters.
"Contract established."
"Go to Itomori Town, find the Miyamizu family."
The next moment, the crimson threads gradually dissipated, disappearing into the air.
...
Morning, Shibuya commercial pedestrian street.
"This...is Shibuya..."
Saki Kawasaki looked at the bustling pedestrian street before her - with endless streams of people gathered together in a lively atmosphere, filled with the sounds of laughter and merchant advertisements, flanked by towering buildings - her eyes couldn't help but shine with excitement.
"Can we not act like country bumpkins visiting the city?"
Hearing Ye Xing's teasing, Saki Kawasaki snapped back to reality, her pretty face blushing as she gently bit her silver teeth.
"An...annoying, I've never been to Tokyo before. Of course I'd find it lively when seeing it for the first time, I'm just admiring it."
Ye Xing surveyed the bustling crowd around them and casually laughed.
"I still prefer Kyoto."
"Eh? Why?"
Saki Kawasaki couldn't help but show a slight smile as she teased.
"Could it be that you're the type who prefers quiet environments? I wouldn't have guessed."
"Not really."
Ye Xing smiled and shook his head, looking directly into Saki Kawasaki's eyes as he said softly.
"Because in Sobu High School's first year in Kyoto, there's my favourite classmate, Saki Kawasaki."
Saki Kawasaki was momentarily stunned by his words, and when she processed them, her entire face flushed deep red, steam practically rising from her head.
"Th...this...you...you..."
"Alright, let's go."
Having just executed a direct attack without even a skill cooldown, Ye Xing smiled nonchalantly and walked straight ahead.
Saki Kawasaki pursed her lips, her face flushed red, and silently followed by his side.
Shibuya's commercial pedestrian street was filled with many young people of outstanding appearance and fashionable style.
Although both Ye Xing and Saki Kawasaki's looks were quite eye-catching, they only attracted some curious glances, nothing more.
As they walked, Saki Kawasaki looked at the shops lining both sides of the street and the large screens displaying advertising slogans, feeling almost dazzled, unsure where to rest her gaze.
Tokyo really is different from Kyoto...
"This shop looks quite nice."
Hearing Ye Xing's words, Saki Kawasaki snapped back to reality, realising she had unconsciously followed him into a women's clothing store.
"Hello, may I ask which of you is shopping for clothes?"
Facing the smiling shop assistant, Ye Xing returned the smile and said.
"Of course it's her, unless it's me?"
"Understood."
Before Saki Kawasaki could react, Ye Xing had already swiftly seated himself on the rest sofa in the women's clothing store, casually waving his hand.
"Go ahead and choose, buy whatever you like, I'll pay."
"Eh? That doesn't seem appropriate..."
Seeing Saki Kawasaki's hesitant expression, Ye Xing said carelessly.
"It doesn't matter. Besides, if you dress better, it can provide me with emotional value and please my mood. That counts as an important part of club activities."
"Tch, such an arrogant guy, does he think he's an emperor?"
Saki Kawasaki muttered quietly under her breath, but didn't continue being polite with Ye Xing, instead following the shop assistant to the women's section to pick out clothes she liked.
"Hmm, this one... seems a bit too flashy... this one is a bit too revealing..."
Saki Kawasaki carefully considered which clothes to buy, eventually seeking the shop assistant's advice.
"Do you have anything that's not too revealing and not too flashy?"
"Well... judging by your style..."
The professional competence of shop assistants in clothing stores on Shibuya's busiest commercial street was naturally beyond doubt.
The assistant examined Saki Kawasaki's delicate features, her tall model-like figure, and her aloof, unapproachable aura, then smiled and suggested.
"How about something with a more neutral style? It should suit you quite well."
"Neutral..."
Through the gaps in the clothing racks, Saki Kawasaki stole a glance at Ye Xing sitting idly by the shop entrance, pursed her lips and said with shimmering eyes:
"I... don't really want to dress in an androgynous style."
"Oh, I see now."
Seeing Saki Kawasaki's expression, the shop assistant immediately understood.
It seemed the relationship between her and the boy sitting at the entrance wasn't romantic.
But there was definitely some underlying interest.
Only in such situations would someone refuse androgynous styling.
Was she hoping he would see her as a romantic interest?
"I understand."
The shop assistant showed a knowing expression and said softly:
"In that case, let me recommend this outfit..."
...
Twenty minutes later.
"So slow."
Ye Xing sat on the sofa by the shop entrance, observing the crowds passing through the pedestrian street.
Twenty-one minutes and twenty-seven seconds had passed since they entered the shop.
Converted, that was 1,287 seconds.
During these 1,287 seconds, 713 pedestrians had passed through Ye Xing's field of vision.
As expected of Tokyo's busiest Shibuya commercial pedestrian street, the foot traffic was truly terrifying.
Yet among these 713 pedestrians, none had made Ye Xing sense anything unusual.
Indeed.
Trying to find the powerful evil spirit - or spirits - hidden in this area through such methods was still quite difficult.
Even if lurking within human bodies, according to Rio Futaba's analysis, targets possessing intelligence comparable to humans wouldn't casually wander the streets.
"Um..."
Just as Ye Xing was pondering, Saki Kawasaki's slightly awkward voice came from behind.
He turned to see Saki Kawasaki wearing a black dress paired with a short jacket, her hair still in a high ponytail, but her demeanour had softened considerably with the change of clothing.
"What... what do you... think?"
"Hmm, very nice. It suits you well."
Hearing Ye Xing's unreserved praise, the shop assistant breathed a sigh of relief while observing Saki Kawasaki's expression - both shy and tinged with awkward delight - and couldn't help thinking:
'Youth is wonderful indeed.'
...
After paying and packing the new clothes, as Ye Xing and Saki Kawasaki were about to leave the shop, the assistant suddenly caught up with them and handed over an exquisite small box, smiling:
"Sir, this is a complimentary gift with your purchase. Please accept it."
Ye Xing opened the box to find a silver necklace inside - not particularly expensive-looking but quite exquisite.
"Pity. Would've been better if it were a nail. My tools are almost used up."
"Uh..."
Hearing this, the shop assistant's expression stiffened.
Silver nail?
She glanced furtively at Saki Kawasaki and, seeing her completely unsurprised expression, felt shocked.
Young people these days...
Were they already playing such games?
Wasn't the taste a bit too heavy?
But thinking carefully...
It seemed that among those special interest groups into wax dripping and ball gags, there was precisely this type of girl who appeared strong but actually wanted to be dominated.
So terrifying.
"That... this necklace is for women."
The shop assistant gave Saki Kawasaki a suggestive look as she said this.
Saki Kawasaki didn't understand at first.
Only after the shop assistant had turned and returned to the shop did Saki Kawasaki finally realise what was happening. Looking at the small box in Ye Xing's hand and the women's necklace placed inside, her delicate face instantly flushed bright red.
So that's what it was.
No wonder the shop assistant had handed the box to Ye Xing instead of to her.
She was actually playing matchmaker!
Saki Kawasaki looked at Ye Xing, her exquisite face showing bashfulness and shyness as she pursed her lips and spoke softly.
"Um... could you help me put it on?"
"Hmm... sure."
Ye Xing smiled and nodded, taking the silver necklace out of the box. He unfastened the small clasp, holding each end in his hands as he reached around Saki Kawasaki's long, pale neck.
An intimate act like putting on a necklace naturally involves some skin contact.
Saki Kawasaki's skin tone was the very pale type.
Yet now it showed a shy, light pink hue. Instead of holding her head high as she did at school, making others afraid to approach her, she kept it lowered, timidly.
"All done."
Hearing Ye Xing's amused voice, Saki Kawasaki felt the cool sensation of the necklace against her neck and collarbone. Whether it was psychological or the lingering warmth from their recent physical contact, she could still feel the temperature of his palm on her skin. The corners of her lips couldn't help but curl into a slight smile as she raised her head.
"Does it look good..."
Halfway through her sentence, Saki Kawasaki noticed something behind Ye Xing and instantly froze.
A terribly familiar voice came from that direction.
"Kawasaki-san, and... Ye Xing?"
Hearing that familiar voice, Ye Xing already knew who was standing behind him.
He turned his head to look at Shizuka Hiratsuka, who wore an expression of shock in her casual clothes, and remarked:
"Shizuka-chan, what's your role in this Tokyo trip? Why are you making an appearance?"
Shizuka Hiratsuka shook her head helplessly and sighed.
"I'm the one who finds this ridiculous. How could such a coincidence happen?"
"Stalker?"
"Not at all."
Shizuka Hiratsuka adopted a defeated expression, but Saki Kawasaki could clearly see the obvious flash of delight in the other woman's eyes when she saw Ye Xing.
Not surprising, really.
After all, Ye Xing was Sobu High School's most outstanding student, so it was only natural that his homeroom teacher would be fond of him as her pupil.
"Speaking of which, Shizuka-chan."
Ye Xing suddenly moved closer, staring intently at Shizuka Hiratsuka's face.
The latter froze for a moment, her gaze unconsciously evading his as her hands nervously played with her own long hair.
"Wh-what is it?"
"You're staying at a hotel here in Tokyo?"
"That's right."
Shizuka Hiratsuka pointed towards the hotel building not far away, beyond the shopping street, and smiled.
"I'm staying right there. It only takes about ten minutes to walk here."
"Eh?"
Saki Kawasaki glanced at the hotel building in surprise.
"Staying there... must be quite expensive, right?"
After all, Saki Kawasaki was a professional who had worked as a bartender in the executive bar of a top-tier hotel, so she naturally had some understanding of the hotel industry.
Actually, the most important factor determining hotel prices wasn't the quality of the rooms, but the location.
The hotel where the Supernatural Society members were staying, though also located in the bustling city centre, was undoubtedly considerably cheaper compared to the one just a ten-minute walk from Shibuya's commercial pedestrian street.
While checking in, Saki Kawasaki felt a pang of distress upon seeing the room rates.
Could Shizuka Hiratsuka, an ordinary high school teacher, afford such a place on her salary?
"She's a rich second-generation heir, no need to worry about that."
After saying this, Ye Xing suddenly reached out towards Shizuka Hiratsuka.
"Little Shizu, today's my birthday."
"Eh? Your birthday is today?"
Shizuka Hiratsuka froze for a moment, hesitating.
"I don't remember it being today..."
"Just treat it as such, and give me a birthday present."
Thinking Ye Xing was acting spoiled towards her, Shizuka Hiratsuka felt an inexplicable delight, surprised that someone of his character would have such a childish moment. The corners of her lips lifted as she said.
"Fiiine then, what birthday present do you want?"
"Please give me your hotel room number, thank you."
"Ah?"
Hearing this, Shizuka Hiratsuka's pupils trembled violently, her face showing panic.
"This... that... why... why do you want my hotel room number?"
Ye Xing looked completely unashamed.
"To come find you to play when I'm bored at night."
Shizuka Hiratsuka's face flushed bright red.
Play?
Play what?
What exactly did Ye Xing mean by 'play'? She didn't even dare to imagine.
Her body moved faster than her thoughts.
"2... 2806..."
"OK."
Ye Xing patted Shizuka Hiratsuka's shoulder and smiled.
"Then I'll contact you later, bye-bye, Little Shizu."
Only after Saki Kawasaki and Ye Xing's figures had gradually disappeared into the distance did Shizuka Hiratsuka snap out of it, mumbling blankly.
"Eh... wait a moment... I didn't even get to ask what relationship those two have..."
...
Meanwhile, after crossing the commercial pedestrian street, Saki Kawasaki touched the necklace at her collarbone and looked curiously at Ye Xing beside her.
"Found anything yet?"
"More or less."
Ye Xing said in a flat tone.
"The Gate's opening degree has reached about ninety percent."
"Eh? That fast!?"
Saki Kawasaki had heard about it from Rio Futaba and Miko Yotsuya.
The so-called Gate was a passage connecting the real world and the Reverse World.
Once the opening degree exceeded seventy-five percent, the surrounding area would begin to be affected.
If it reached over eighty percent, like the Gate in that abandoned building, then areas of the real world would begin merging with the Reverse World.
If a remote, uninhabited place like that abandoned building merged with the Reverse World, it could at most be called a dangerous ghost realm where entering meant certain death.
But if this commercial pedestrian street in Shibuya merged with the Reverse World, allowing evil spirits to slaughter humans freely without the prerequisite of observation.
Saki Kawasaki turned around, looking at the bustling, laughing pedestrians before her, but what appeared in her mind was a scene of mountains of corpses and seas of blood.
At that time...
This place would be hell.