"Kira!?"
Hearing this name, the ordinary officers showed little reaction, but the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's on-site commander visibly changed expression.
To avoid public panic and opinion pressure, the investigation into the recent series of criminal deaths had been conducted secretly.
And the name Kira was the most crucial aspect of this investigation.
For this purpose, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department had even enlisted the help of the world's number one detective.
But he never expected to encounter Kira in person here.
As the person in question, Light Yagami was momentarily stunned when Ye Xing revealed his true identity.
Then, noticing the other's amused gaze, he snapped back to reality. Turning his attention back to the Metropolitan Police Department officers, his crimson eyes revealed a mix of excitement and madness.
"That's right, I am Kira!"
"Release your resentment, Emperor Sutoku!"
The moment Light Yagami called out this soul's true name - as it was raining with gloomy skies - the Metropolitan Police Department members holding flashlights saw a massive, terrifying illusory shadow projected on the wall.
"Haaa..."
A chilling sigh, completely unlike anything a human could produce, echoed through the Tokyo National Museum.
When the Metropolitan Police Department members, suppressing their fear, looked forward again, they discovered that both Mask and Kira had vanished without a trace.
Only Light Yagami's murderous voice, hidden within the darkness and rain, lingered in their ears:
"Today, all of you will die here."
Hearing this, the field commander's expression changed. Without further thought, he immediately took out the Metropolitan Police Department's dedicated communication radio, pressed the button and called out.
"National Museum has been breached! An unidentified individual suspected to be Kira has appeared. Request immediate full backup!"
"I repeat, Kira has appeared!"
...
Meanwhile, in a certain internal conference room at Tokyo's Metropolitan Police Department.
L, wearing a white long-sleeved shirt and crouching on his seat, straightened his back upon hearing the communication coming through the Metropolitan Police Department's dedicated channel.
"Kira... has appeared in person?"
The high-ranking official standing behind him also heard the message on the channel and spoke, his expression hesitant.
"This... what should we do?"
L turned his head to glance at the other man, took out a piece of chocolate from his pocket and nibbled on it, his expression calm as he said.
"What else can we do? Should we watch people at the scene die? Send backup."
"Even if they die, they should collect some intelligence about Kira's abilities before they do."
"That would be valuable."
Hearing these words, the Metropolitan Police Department official's expression changed. Clenching his teeth tightly, he nodded heavily.
"Alright, I understand."
After this period of working together, he had come to realise something.
This famous detective, who looked like an otaku, was completely abnormal.
He was practically a madman with bizarre methods.
However...
Perhaps only a madman could deal with a serial killer like Kira - someone so elusive that the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department couldn't find any leads.
After the Metropolitan Police Department official left the room, L's assistant, the old man wearing a coat and hat, approached him and said calmly.
"With that kind of wording, the Metropolitan Police Department personnel will probably take issue."
"I don't have the mind to worry about such things."
L crouched on his chair, looking at the large screen displaying the name Kira written in blood, and said quietly.
"In the process of playing chess, if you worry about the safety of every piece, you cannot win."
...
Meanwhile, within the National Museum, Light Yagami, hidden in the darkness, seemed to sense something. He looked up at the cloudy sky and murmured to himself.
"L, what choice will you make? Don't disappoint me."
Light Yagami's soul's true form, Emperor Sutoku, moved back and forth like a ghost amidst the cover of darkness and rain.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department members held their firearms but didn't dare pull the triggers.
The conditions were too unfavourable.
Not to mention that firing recklessly could easily hit their comrades.
There were also so many cultural relics around. While the display cases were made of bulletproof glass, if any damage occurred, who could bear the responsibility?
Watching the helpless Metropolitan Police Department officers who had no idea how to deal with Emperor Sutoku, Light Yagami's figure completely merged with the darkness, leaving only his pair of crimson eyes glowing brightly.
"Next, it's time for Mask's performance."
...
Elsewhere, the members of the Supernatural Society, riding their exclusive mount, the pale ghost hand, had varying reactions.
Miko Yotsuya lovingly stroked her Mikazuki Munechika, completely enchanted by it, while the renowned blade, now a pale golden hue, responded to her caresses with metallic chimes.
For some reason, witnessing this scene sparked a rather peculiar thought in both Mai Sakurajima and Rio Futaba's minds.
This Mikazuki Munechika felt...
Rather gentle?
Like a Yamato Nadeshiko-type woman?
Though upon careful consideration, swords—even famous ones like Mikazuki Munechika—probably don't have genders, right?
Hard to say.
Mai Sakurajima glanced at Ye Xing, who was sitting on the edge of the pale ghost hand with one leg bent and the other dangling in the air. She initially meant to say something, but suddenly paused.
'He's so handsome...'
This thought involuntarily surfaced in her mind, making her completely forget what she had originally intended to say.
"Hey, wake up."
Rio Futaba snapped her fingers in front of Mai Sakurajima's face, pulling the other girl back to reality from her lovesick thoughts.
"Really now, your Soul Materialisation ability is charm, yet you end up getting charmed yourself first?"
"Sorry, sorry."
Mai Sakurajima clearly felt somewhat embarrassed, especially since this was during a club activity.
She looked toward Ye Xing sitting there, her gaze becoming somewhat complicated as she sighed with emotion.
"That Kira's mental state doesn't seem quite normal either?"
Ye Xing turned his head, his eyes filled with confusion.
"Where does this 'either' come from? Do you have mental problems too?"
Mai Sakurajima rolled her eyes and said irritably.
"My mental state is perfectly normal. I was talking about you!"
"Oh, I see."
Rio Futaba let out a long sigh of relief and asked Ye Xing.
"Speaking of which, I'm really surprised he actually agreed to your crazy plan - using himself as bait to deal with the entire Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department alone, while we can focus on exorcising in Shibuya's commercial pedestrian street."
Ye Xing smiled lightly and replied.
"Don't be fooled by his usual rational, gentle, and perfect appearance. In reality, he's a complete madman and gambler."
"Similar to you?"
Hearing Rio Futaba's question, Ye Xing shook his head, watching as Shibuya's commercial pedestrian street gradually approached before them, and slowly stood up.
"Madman, perhaps."
"But, I never gamble."
"After all, I don't fail."
When Ye Xing stood up, Mai Sakurajima noticed something and couldn't help but ask curiously.
"Eh? Where's the Onimaru Kunitsuna you always used to wear at your waist? Did it skip work today?"
"Skip work? If it dared to skip work, I would have optimised it long ago."
Mai Sakurajima sighed helplessly, looking at Ye Xing, who spoke with a capitalist tone, and complained.
"In some strange ways, you're much more mature than me, a former idol actress."
"If it's not skipping work, then where did it go?"
Ye Xing casually waved his hand in reply.
"Oh, I arranged for it to stay at a hotel."
"Huh?"
Hearing this, Miko Yotsuya, Mai Sakurajima, and Rio Futaba all couldn't help but freeze for a moment.
At this critical moment, when the Supernatural Society was facing its most dangerous situation since its establishment, Ye Xing actually sent his weapon to stay at a hotel?
This shouldn't be right, wasn't he always advocating for cautious exorcism...
No, the main point should be - a sword, staying at a hotel?
Quite the luxurious lifestyle.
Just at that moment, Ye Xing suddenly seemed to sense something and looked toward a specific direction in the distance.
"As expected... It's begun."
He turned to look at Miko Yotsuya, Rio Futaba, and Mai Sakurajima, saying calmly.
"Then, according to the original plan, Miko is responsible for searching for traces in this surrounding area. Mai and Futaba, you two are responsible for guarding the Gate in the commercial pedestrian street. If there's any unusual movement, eliminate it."
"Understood."
...
Meanwhile, two kilometres away from the commercial pedestrian street, in room 2806 on the upper floors of a hotel.
"It's already seven o'clock..."
Shizuka Hiratsuka raised her wrist to check the time on her watch, murmuring to herself with a visibly unsettled expression.
"Really, this guy..."
Shizuka Hiratsuka rose from the bedside. Though she had nothing particular to do, she couldn't help pacing restlessly around the room, feeling utterly unable to settle down.
Will he come?
Ye Xing... will he really come?
If he does, what should I do?
Ambiguous scenes flooded Shizuka Hiratsuka's mind.
Immediately realising this was inappropriate, she shook her head repeatedly, trying to erase these images while muttering to herself.
"No, Shizuka, you're a teacher, he's your student, just a first-year high schooler... This is absolutely unacceptable... At the very least, wait until after graduation... No, no! Absolutely not!"
Shizuka Hiratsuka took deep breaths, hoping to calm her nervousness, yet remained unsettled.
Her rationality told her that teacher-student relationships and their age gap were absolutely forbidden boundaries.
But.
In her heart, there was another voice—small yet persistent—whispering:
"Yes, yes, yes, if you want it, then it's fine. Nobody would know anyway..."
Tormented by indecision, Shizuka kept pacing around the room.
...
Meanwhile, outside her door, in the corridor of the hotel's twenty-eighth floor...
A woman stood silently, clad in black mourning attire. Her straight black hair cascaded down to her waist, obscuring her features. She was slender and tall.
To ordinary eyes, there was nothing outside the room.
But if a psychic were present, they would clearly see piled at the woman's feet dismembered flesh—chopped into pieces, stacked together, varying in colour but all emanating dark Qi.
"The twenty-seventh..."
From behind the curtain of black hair, the woman's eyes gleamed with a chilling sharpness.
She resembled nothing less than a human-shaped blade.
"Master... should be arriving soon..."
...
At that moment, inside the room, Shizuka Hiratsuka heard her phone ring.
Seeing the number—saved since the first day of school but never dialled —receiving its first call today, Shizuka grew tense and cautiously answered.
"Hello..."
Ye Xing's amused voice came through.
"Hey, Shizuka, why are you talking like that?"
Shizuka's face stiffened, and she reverted to her usual tone.
"Like what? Don't be ridiculous!"
"If you want to, I suppose I could reluctantly agree."
"What do you mean 'want to'... you rascal!"
Being a grown woman, Shizuka immediately grasped the innuendo in Ye Xing's words.
"You... how dare you tease your teacher!"
"Just pointing out—it's summer break now."
Hearing summer break, Shizuka conceded the point.
Outside of school...
She and Ye Xing weren't teacher and student.
Just a young man... and a not-so-young single woman.
With that thought, Shizuka hesitated, then cautiously asked:
"So... are you coming up?"
"Up? I suppose I could."
"Alright, I'll come down to get you."
Though Shizuka appeared rough around the edges, she was actually quite considerate.
She figured a high schooler like Ye Xing would feel lost and awkward navigating such a hotel alone.
In such circumstances, how could one let the other person ride the elevator alone?
Going down to the first floor to meet Ye Xing would not only avoid such awkwardness but also provide an opportunity to earn some extra goodwill points.
After all, during their time at Sobu High School, it felt less like she was taking care of him and more like Ye Xing, the student, was looking after her, the teacher.
"Hmm hmm hmm~"
Shizuka Hiratsuka tidied her long hair, humming an unknown tune as she walked briskly out of the room, entered the elevator, and pressed the button for the first floor.
"Strange..."
As the elevator descended, Shizuka tightened her collar and murmured to herself.
"It's July, so why is it so cold at night...?"
Shizuka felt an inexplicable chill in the air, to the point that even her exhaled breath condensed into white mist.
Was the hotel's air conditioning turned up too high?
How odd.
When she reached the first-floor lobby, the elevator doors opened to reveal Ye Xing standing right outside.
"Eh? You already found the elevator entrance?"
"Of course."
Seeing Ye Xing's completely relaxed and carefree demeanour, Shizuka was taken aback for a moment before shaking her head with a self-deprecating smile.
She had truly lost all ability to think calmly.
Who was he?
This was Ye Xing – the social terrorist who, after defeating Shuchi'in Academy students in the joint exams, voluntarily demanded to give a victory speech.
Nervous? Awkward? Ill at ease?
How could she possibly associate those three words with him?
Perhaps...
When you care too much, you lose your composure?
Shizuka collected herself and forced a calm tone.
"Well then, come in."
"Alright."
Ye Xing responded casually before stepping into the elevator.
Watching the floor numbers rise on the display above, his eyes revealed thoughtful contemplation.
Meanwhile, Shizuka felt the air grow even colder.
"Speaking of which, judging by the lobby just now, this hotel seems to have pretty high occupancy rates?"
Hearing Ye Xing's words, Shizuka assumed he felt somewhat awkward being alone with her and was making small talk. A faint smile touched her lips as she thought, 'Despite his appearance, he's unexpectedly pure-hearted.'
"Yes, it's quite close to the bustling Shibuya shopping district after all."
After replying, a peculiar thought suddenly surfaced in Shizuka's mind.
Rare to see Ye Xing shy for once, why not turn the tables?
Always being caught off guard by him, today, shouldn't she take the upper hand for once?
Thinking this, Shizuka Hiratsuka quietly leaned closer to Ye Xing, pressing her lips to his ear and speaking in an extremely seductive tone.
"It's so cold today, and it's pouring outside... why not... stay overnight at my place?"
Watching Ye Xing's flickering gaze and silent response, Shizuka was feeling triumphant when she suddenly noticed something odd.
His expression...
Didn't seem to be embarrassment?
But rather a strange mix of excitement, madness, pleasure, and anticipation?
Shizuka had never seen Ye Xing like this before.
When she spent time with him, he always seemed unmotivated, confident, and bored.
Did he become like this because of her words?
It didn't feel like it.
Just as Shizuka was puzzling over this, she suddenly heard a "ding" sound.
The elevator doors slowly opened, revealing the familiar floor.
Shizuka composed herself and smiled.
"We're here, let's go out."
Just as Shizuka took her first step, she suddenly heard a "clang" from above.
She instinctively looked up, and what met her eyes was a twisted dark purple face.
"You can see me!"
Faced with this sudden, terrifying sight, even Kyoto's number one iron fist, Shizuka Hiratsuka, felt her entire body plunge into an ice cellar, instantly frozen in place with fear.
Just as that dark purple terrifying face opened its wide mouth and was about to bite Shizuka's slender snow-white neck, its head was suddenly grabbed by a hand that reached out from the side.
Then.
Bang!
Ye Xing pulled the evil spirit's head, forcibly dragging it out from the elevator shaft, then slightly tightened his fingers, crushing its head into a mass of black Qi.
Under Shizuka's shocked and horrified gaze, still processing what had just happened, he casually clapped his hands with a disgusted expression.
"So weak, I can't even be bothered to eat it."