One hour later, in a hotel two kilometres from Shibuya's commercial pedestrian street.
"Really, there were so many terrifying monsters!"
"Yes, they could climb up the hotel walls and slip through door gaps! Many didn't look human at all!"
"I saw one that could stretch its neck really long, about seven or eight metres!"
The officers dispatched by Tokyo's Metropolitan Police Department listened to the guests' chaotic, almost unbelievable descriptions with sceptical expressions.
"But... we've reviewed the surveillance footage, and there were no monsters... nor what you mentioned..."
Before the officer could finish, the guests who had narrowly escaped death began speaking again.
"That's right, the woman in black mourning clothes!"
"If not for her, we wouldn't have been saved today!"
"An Onmyoji, definitely a powerful Onmyoji!"
Monsters with stretchable necks and terrifying faces?
A woman dressed in black mourning clothes, resembling an Onmyoji?
The more the Metropolitan Police Department officers listened, the more absurd it sounded.
Were they telling stories here?
However, they weren't foolish enough to think this was a case of mass hysteria.
Although the surveillance footage didn't capture any monsters or Onmyoji, it clearly showed guests and staff initially in the hotel lobby disappearing in an instant.
According to statistics, hundreds of people in the hotel had vanished without a trace, as if they had been spirited away.
"Take blood samples from the witnesses and bring them back to the department for testing."
"Take the surveillance tapes back to the department and have the forensics team examine them."
Following the police officers' line of thinking, they naturally wouldn't believe in supernatural tales about ghosts and monsters.
From a rational perspective, although this incident appeared quite bizarre, if it were caused by something like hallucinogens making the guests experience illusions, these absurd eyewitness accounts could be logically explained.
With current technological means, altering surveillance footage to make people appear to vanish instantly was also achievable.
As the guests clamoured to report the incident to the officers, Shizuka Hiratsuka stood alone to one side, her eyes revealing contemplation.
Aside from her, no one seemed to have noticed Ye Xing's presence during this incident.
Thinking about it, that made sense.
Ye Xing had been with her since entering the hotel. After reaching the top floor, although he'd exchanged a few words with the woman in black mourning attire, his voice hadn't been loud enough for others to hear.
In these guests' eyes, the one who truly defeated the monster and saved their lives was the woman wearing black mourning clothes.
As for that handsome young man?
Even if anyone remembered him, they'd only consider him another victim trapped in the hotel like themselves.
As a mature single woman, Shizuka Hiratsuka naturally wouldn't reveal anything about Ye Xing to these Metropolitan Police Department investigators.
Doing so would cause him too much trouble.
But there was one problem now...
Shizuka Hiratsuka pressed her lips together, her face showing hesitation. After wrestling with herself for quite some time, she finally took out her mobile from her pocket and dialled Ye Xing's number.
Just as she put the receiver to her ear, she heard a familiar suona melody coming from her phone.
Du du du du...
Listening to the Hundred Birds Worshipping the Phoenix suona ringtone coming through the receiver, Shizuka Hiratsuka wore an expression of speechless exasperation.
Good grief, using this as a mobile ringtone?
The moment that the suona sounded, it nearly sent her off pleasantly.
"Hey, Little Shizu, what's up?"
When the call connected, hearing Ye Xing's amused voice, Shizuka Hiratsuka took a deep breath and tentatively asked.
"Are you... finished over there?"
"Finished, why?"
"Well, you see..."
A faint blush coloured Shizuka Hiratsuka's pretty face as she fought back her embarrassment and whispered.
"This hotel definitely can't be stayed in anymore, I need to find another hotel... Since you're also in Tokyo, how about I book a room at your hotel?"
"You're quite bold."
Shizuka Hiratsuka blinked in confusion.
"Eh? It's just staying at a hotel. Besides, isn't anywhere you are very safe? What does that have to do with being bold?"
Ye Xing's voice from the other end carried meaningful undertones.
"Little Shizu, you've never been in a relationship before, have you?"
Shizuka Hiratsuka became flustered and exasperated.
"You're starting that again, aren't you?"
"I'm just mentioning casually - the most dangerous battlefield in this world, one even I find troublesome, is something you haven't experienced yet."
Then, without giving Shizuka Hiratsuka time to retort, Ye Xing continued on his own.
"Fine, come if you want. I've sent you the address and room number."
With that, Ye Xing ended the call.
Staring at the text message that popped up on her phone screen and the room number written on it, Shizuka Hiratsuka was about to put her phone away when she suddenly froze.
"Wait... wouldn't it be enough just to send me the hotel address... Why... include the room number too?"
...
Meanwhile, at the hotel where the Supernatural Society members were staying.
"Finally finished."
Miko Yotsuya sat on the sofa, looking as if a heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders as she let out a long sigh.
"I never expected that coming to Tokyo for summer vacation would lead to something like this. Fortunately, we resolved it in the end."
Rio Futaba took a sip from her coffee cup. The instant coffee in the hotel was clearly not as good as what she brewed from coffee beans, but since it was just to stay alert and drive away the chill, she wasn't being too particular about it.
"Still, we don't know what kind of earth-shattering disaster those three evil spirits - Māra, Nuribotoke, and the one devoured by the Slaughter Demon - were trying to create by joining forces."
Mai Sakurajima smiled lightly and said softly.
"Preventing disasters from happening is exactly the goal of our actions, isn't it? This outcome is already quite good."
Yui Yuigahama puffed out her cheeks, looking somewhat displeased.
"I wanted to join the exorcism too."
"There, there."
Mai Sakurajima gently patted Yui Yuigahama's head and smiled warmly.
"This was a special situation where someone needed to stay at base. We'll definitely take you along next time."
"You promise?"
"Don't worry."
Miko noticed that Hina Amano had been sitting there quietly without joining the discussion, and couldn't help but ask with concern.
"Hina, are you alright? Did controlling the weather consume too much of your power?"
Hina Amano snapped out of her thoughts, unconsciously pulling her sleeves down further as she forced a faint smile.
"I'm fine, just a bit tired."
"In that case, you should go back to your room and rest first."
"Mm, okay."
After Hina Amano left, Rio Futaba and Miko exchanged glances, their expressions turning serious.
Rio Futaba adjusted her glasses and looked towards Ye Xing, who was sitting there.
"You must have sensed Hina's abnormality, too, right? How much time does she have left?"
Before Hina Amano joined the Supernatural Society, the core members had already learned from Ye Xing that the more Hina used her abilities, the closer she would get to becoming the living sacrifice needed to restore standard weather patterns.
Until finally, she would be taken away by the gods in the sky - what's commonly known as kamikakushi.
Hina Amano was still hiding the changes in her body, unaware that the other members had known the truth even before she joined.
"It's hard to say."
Ye Xing shook his head and spoke seriously.
"If she took off all her clothes and let me examine her carefully, then I could probably determine the approximate time."
"You..."
Hearing this, everyone present - Mai Sakurajima, Miko Yotsuya, Rio Futaba, Yui Yuigahama, Kazusa Touma, Saki Kawasaki, and even the young Menma - couldn't help but blush.
"What kind of outrageous talk is that!?"
"That's just how it works. Based on the size of the area where her body's colour is changing, we could probably determine..."
"Alright, that's enough from you."
Mai Sakurajima glanced at Menma standing there with an innocent expression and quickly stopped Ye Xing from continuing.
Then, she frowned slightly and said,
"Last time you went to see Godmother Granny, didn't she mention she has a friend who's a psychic that could help? Should we go check it out?"
"Let's rest for a while first. After the Tokyo trip ends, you all return to Kyoto first. I'll go alone."
"That works too."
Listening to the members' conversation, Saki Kawasaki, who had joined most recently, looked confused and couldn't help asking curiously,
"What exactly is this about Amano? Are we going to fight something?"
"Nothing major."
Ye Xing waved his hand casually, speaking in a light tone.
"Just killing a being called a god."
Saki Kawasaki nodded subconsciously.
"Oh, so it's just that, just killing a..."
Halfway through her sentence, Saki Kawasaki realised something was wrong, her beautiful light green pupils trembling.
"You just said, kill a god?"
"Right."
Ye Xing nodded, while Miko Yotsuya added from the side,
"It's not really a true god, just a powerful evil spirit that can control the weather across Japan."
Looking at Ye Xing's relaxed expression and Miko's calm face, which remained unchanged even as they discussed such an outrageous topic, Saki Kawasaki felt, in that moment, that she was the abnormal one.
These two...
Aren't they being too calm!?
We're discussing killing a god right now!
Come to think of it, are there any records in Japanese legends of humans successfully killing gods?
Seeing Saki's complicated expression, Yui Yuigahama patted the back of her hand understandingly, empathising,
"Saki, I know how you feel right now. I thought the same when I first heard it. Don't worry, you're normal - it's Miko and Ye Xing who aren't."
Even now, Saki Kawasaki still wore an expression of disbelief, murmuring,
"You... really want to kill a god?"
Rio Futaba pushed up her glasses and nodded seriously.
"Other than this, there's no other way to save Amano."
"Anyway."
Ye Xing stood up, concluding the evening's discussion.
"Since things have reached a temporary conclusion, everyone should get some proper rest. We've finally come to Tokyo, so we should relax a bit. Alright, head back to bed early."
"Okay."
The other members showed little reaction, standing up and leaving Ye Xing's room to return to their own rooms to rest.
However, Mai Sakurajima's eyes flickered as she sat steadily on the sofa, showing no intention of leaving at all.
Her long, beautiful legs clad in black tights were crossed, her small feet in hotel slippers unconsciously swaying. With her arms crossed over her chest, she wore a meaningful expression, her gaze fixed on Ye Xing's face as if trying to discern something.
Or perhaps she had already discerned something.
"Junior."
Mai Sakurajima maintained her gentle smile, her drawn-out tone carrying a subtle chill.
"Aren't you going to choose someone to share your bed tonight?"
Ye Xing waved his hand, showing no flaws as he said with complete seriousness.
"Hey, after all, we just finished the operation, you're all tired. Going back early to rest is what really matters, unlike me, with such good stamina."
"Is that so?"
Mai Sakurajima stood up, walked behind Ye Xing, and placed her fair, soft hands on his shoulders, smiling sweetly.
"It's fine, I didn't do much today either, not sleepy at all. Let me give you a shoulder massage first?"
"Oh, is that really necessary?"
Ye Xing rarely showed such polite demeanour.
"Mai-senpai, you've worked so hard - I'd feel bad for you. You should go back and sleep."
Seeing his tone and expression, Mai Sakurajima's eyes flickered, confirming her suspicions in her heart.
'This guy definitely has some scheme.'
It was obvious - he was trying to send her away!
'Something's definitely wrong.'
"Feel bad for me?"
Mai Sakurajima leaned close to Ye Xing's ear, speaking softly with a laugh.
"Tonight, I'm not really keen on returning to my own room."
"But..."
Ye Xing looked genuinely troubled.
"Forgive my bluntness, Mai-senpai, but you'd have trouble letting me enjoy myself to the fullest."
"You!"
Mai Sakurajima's pretty face flushed red. She initially wanted to storm off in anger, but upon second thought, wasn't Ye Xing saying such infuriating things precisely to make her leave?
The more he acted like this, the more she couldn't let him succeed!
Today, Mai Sakurajima would see exactly who dared to join this battlefield!
"Enjoy yourself to the fullest..."
Mai Sakurajima struggled to maintain her gentle smile as she spoke softly.
"Then I promise you, tonight you can do whatever you want, alright?"
What surprised Mai Sakurajima was that the moment her words fell, Ye Xing - who had just been showing hesitation and seemed to be hiding something - immediately nodded.
"Great, it's settled then. I'm sure a mature senpai who used to be an idol actress wouldn't do something as childish as going back on her word, right?"
Looking at Ye Xing now, where was any trace of concealment?
Mai Sakurajima froze for a moment before realising.
'Oh no, have I fallen into his trap?'
'So this was where he was waiting for me?'
"Little Mai."
Ye Xing stood up, reached out to pinch Mai Sakurajima's fair, delicate cheek, and chuckled lightly.
"You're still a bit green."
As the saying goes, cleverness may overreach itself.
Mai Sakurajima thought she alone had seen through Ye Xing's evasiveness.
Little did she know.
This was bait specifically prepared for her, Mai Sakurajima.
Having spoken the words, Mai Sakurajima's stubborn personality made it naturally impossible for her to go back on her promise.
"However..."
Looking at the blushing Mai Sakurajima, Ye Xing changed the subject.
"I did actually arrange to meet someone."
Hearing this, Mai Sakurajima frowned slightly, a hint of coldness flashing in her eyes.
"In your room?"
"Yes."
"A woman?"
"Yes."
"Hmph."
Mai Sakurajima lifted her chin, gave a light snort, and sat back down on the sofa, deliberately choosing a spot directly facing the room door.
"Then I'll supervise you on behalf of Miko and the others, and supervise that woman of unknown origins, too, to prevent her from having any improper thoughts about you. I'll sit right here and see if she dares make any rash moves."
Looking at the bristling Mai Sakurajima, who carried the aura of the main wife, Ye Xing chuckled teasingly.
"Oh, you're quite fierce?"
"Of course."
Just then, the room door was suddenly knocked gently.
"She's here."
As Ye Xing went to open the door, Mai Sakurajima moved extremely quickly, taking a mirror from her bosom to fix her hair, adjusting the cute rabbit hair accessory in her hair as if straightening a phoenix crown.
At the same time, she straightened her skirt, striving to face the upcoming challenge with the most perfect posture.
Mai Sakurajima wanted to see for herself.
Just what kind of person would come to Ye Xing's room this late at night.
Was there even any need to think about it?
They were definitely up to something else!
They were lusting after Ye Xing's body!
For the members of the Supernatural Society, and to establish her absolute dominance, Mai Sakurajima was prepared to display her commanding presence today, something she hadn't done in a long time.
"You're here? Come in then."
Hearing the sound of Ye Xing opening the door and his amused tone, Mai Sakurajima felt even more jealous.
"Mmm..."
Hearing this woman's somewhat shy, timid voice made Mai Sakurajima's anger flare even more.
What was she playing at?
Coming to a boy's hotel room this late at night, and still putting on this coy act?
Oh ho, a professional?
Mai Sakurajima took a deep breath, and the acting skills she had honed as a professional actress came into play at this moment.
She stood up, smoothed down her skirt, and on her exquisite, beautiful face, she put on a polite hostess smile, though her eyes held a warning chill.
"Ye Xing, you have a guest? Why didn't you tell me in advance?"
Mai Sakurajima was extremely professional - with her first sentence, she used the term "guest" to establish the hierarchy between herself and the other party, while this gently reproachful tone also declared her sovereignty over Ye Xing.
She was practically a genius in these battlefield-like situations.
Mai Sakurajima, a flawless offensive!
But when she walked to Ye Xing's side and clearly saw the visitor's face, all the mental preparation she had made earlier completely collapsed.
Mai Sakurajima's pupils dilated in shock as she said with slight panic, "Ms... Ms Hiratsuka... How could you..."