"Kitagawa-san, you're mistaken to say that."
Ye Xing suddenly became serious, standing beside the life-sized display board that was about his height as he spoke slowly.
"You said before that cosplay isn't just about physical resemblance, but more importantly, it's about your own understanding of the character, using every effort to try and recreate them."
"If I can't even understand the character's heart, even if my height and build are similar to Mask, I wouldn't be able to recreate him properly, right?"
"Since I promised to participate in the event with you, I naturally want to achieve the most perfect cosplay."
Hearing the usually flippant and abstract Ye Xing suddenly speak so seriously, Marin Kitagawa couldn't help but be stunned.
He...
Actually remembered something she had casually said so long ago, and kept it in mind until today?
Marin Kitagawa had originally thought that, given Ye Xing's personality, he didn't seem interested in things like cosplay.
She never expected that he actually agreed with her perspective.
This made Marin Kitagawa feel a joyful emotion mixed with surprise and a touch of emotion.
So Ye Xing-san could understand her love for cosplay.
At this moment, Marin Kitagawa almost felt as if Ye Xing, standing beside the display board, had merged with Mask on the board.
It was almost like they were the same person!
"If you're being this serious, Ye Xing-san, then I need to put in more effort too!"
Marin Kitagawa showed a fully motivated expression, eager to get started.
"In that case, let's find some suitable outfits today, then when we return to the hotel tonight, we can have Saki help us both get prepared, and go together to tomorrow's cosplay event! Let's go!"
...
Meanwhile, at the Yagami household.
"Brother, you're reading the newspaper again, really..."
Sayu Yagami looked at Light sitting at the table, drinking coffee while reading the newspaper with his composed demeanour, teasing him.
"Even though you're only a first-year high school student, you don't have any youthful energy about you at all. You're as serious as Dad, like a middle-aged man."
Light Yagami looked up and smiled at Sayu as he replied.
"Not as good as Ye Xing?"
Sayu Yagami's face flushed slightly as she squirmed.
"This... why are you suddenly bringing up Ye Xing's name, really... Don't say such things; he has a girlfriend."
"Oh? So you actually do have feelings for him?"
"Honestly, stop talking nonsense!"
Light Yagami wore a smile on his face, yet his eyes held no trace of amusement, as if the playful banter with his sister moments before had been nothing but a feigned emotional display.
He lowered his head to glance at a newspaper headline and pointed it out to Sayu Yagami.
"Have you heard about this?"
Sayu leaned in for a closer look and nodded.
"Oh, this case? Of course I've heard. This guy is absolutely despicable."
The front-page headline read:
"Sadistic Serial Killer Kura Miura to Stand Trial!"
Below followed basic details about the case that had sparked heated discussions among Tokyo residents.
The suspect, Kura Miura, aged thirty-seven, lived alone and was unmarried.
Just reading his charges sent chills down one's spine.
Within just two months, Miura had lured six young girls to his residence through deception and murdered them in his basement.
The oldest victim was only eight years old, the youngest merely six.
According to autopsy reports, Miura had subjected his victims to horrific torture and sexual assault before killing them.
Such appalling crimes naturally ignited public outrage in Tokyo and drew widespread social attention.
Volunteers calling for the death penalty had even launched online petitions.
But as the son of the Metropolitan Police Department's Criminal Affairs Director, Light knew that even if a death sentence were passed in Japan, the execution date would remain distant - the approval process might not even conclude before the prisoner died of natural causes.
Furthermore, suspect Kura Miura possessed official medical certification of severe mental illness from a legitimate hospital.
Although society demanded capital punishment, most people understood the trial's likely outcome would be several years of treatment in a mental institution rather than prison time.
Sayu walked into the kitchen while helping her mother prepare cooking ingredients, sighing helplessly.
"Ah, what's most worrying is that someone like this might eventually return to society."
"Who knows if he'll commit another horrifying crime after being released?"
"It's truly concerning."
Forcing a smile at her children's discussion, Mrs Yagami could only remark, "Thank goodness Soichiro doesn't work at the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department. Otherwise, this case might have triggered his high blood pressure."
Light took a sip from his coffee cup, his brown eyes flashing with a barely perceptible crimson glint as he gazed at the newspaper headline and suspect Kura Miura's photograph.
"I can understand Father's frustration - working so hard to catch a criminal, only to have them escape punishment due to flaws in the legal system. That feeling of being unable to change anything."
Wiping her hands on her apron, Sayu walked behind Light and patted his shoulder cheerfully.
"If even you think that way, brother, why not consider changing your career plans? Instead of joining the Metropolitan Police Department, why not run for parliament? That's how you truly change society."
Light responded with a faint smile.
"We'll discuss that when I'm in university."
Sayu pouted, her expression tinged with envy.
"Honestly, with your intelligence, you could get into any university you want. It's really unfair - we're both from the Yagami family, yet I'm so far behind you."
Light Yagami patted his younger sister's head and chuckled wryly.
"You know, if you actually put in the effort, you wouldn't be any worse than me."
"I'm going upstairs to study now."
When he reached the second floor and returned to his room, Light looked at the newspaper in his hands. The brown in his eyes became increasingly tinged with crimson as a strange smile curled at the corners of his mouth, murmuring to himself.
"To change society... we don't need politicians."
"What we need... is Kira."
...
That evening, in Rio Futaba's hotel room.
The four psychics - Rio Futaba, Miko Yotsuya, Mai Sakurajima, and Yui Yuigahama - were sitting together, chatting idly.
"You know..." Yui sighed from the sofa, nibbling on a bag of barbecue-flavoured crisps she was holding.
"I've had my Kiyohime devour several evil spirits before, but it doesn't seem to have improved her strength much. Is it because my talent isn't good enough that this is happening..."
Then, Yui Yuigahama looked towards Rio Futaba, Miko Yotsuya, and Mai Sakurajima with curiosity.
"You're all so strong now, so your true souls must have devoured many evil spirits, right? Roughly how many?"
"Um... well..."
Seeing the complicated expressions on the faces of Mai Sakurajima, Rio Futaba, and Miko Yotsuya, Yui Yuigahama was momentarily stunned before quickly waving her hands to explain.
"Ah, did I ask something private that I shouldn't have? Sorry, sorry, I didn't mean to."
Rio Futaba adjusted her glasses. Normally calm and composed, she now seemed hesitant when faced with this question.
"Devouring evil spirits... isn't really a sensitive issue. We have indeed had our true souls devour quite a few evil spirits during exorcisms, but the main reason for our increased strength... this..."
Rio Futaba opened her mouth but hesitated, unsure how to phrase it.
Devouring evil spirits?
Hmm...
That is indeed one way for the true soul to grow stronger.
However...
Being infused not only makes you stronger and faster but also enhances your physical constitution.
Didn't you see during the exorcism mission a few days ago? Not only the strongest Miko Yotsuya, but even Rio Futaba and Mai Sakurajima could jump from several-meter-high rooftops without batting an eye?
While normal devouring of evil spirits does strengthen the true soul's abilities...
The psychic themselves remains merely human flesh, becoming the fatal weakness when facing evil spirits.
There's only one way to change this aspect, which is...
But how can we possibly say that!?
"Ahem."
Seeing both Rio Futaba and Miko Yotsuya blushing slightly with somewhat embarrassed expressions, Mai Sakurajima, who considered herself the leader of this group, felt the heavy responsibility on her shoulders. She stepped closer, took Yui Yuigahama's potato chips, then grasped the other girl's hands, speaking with genuine sincerity.
"Dango, do you really want to know?"
Seeing Mai Sakurajima's serious demeanour, Yui Yuigahama felt somewhat flustered but nodded, speaking cautiously.
"Could it be... very dangerous?"
"Dangerous... it is somewhat dangerous indeed."
Mai Sakurajima seemed to recall something, her face slightly reddening as she spoke.
"A few times during the process of increasing my power, I lost consciousness."
Miko Yotsuya nodded slightly, adding in a voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz.
"I... I was the same, reaching my limit of endurance..."
Hearing this, Yui Yuigahama's pupils dilated in shock.
Putting Mai-senpai aside for now.
Even Miko Yotsuya - the strongest among them, the only one in the Supernatural Society besides Ye Xing who could eliminate evil spirits head-on without relying on her true soul - would lose consciousness from being unable to endure the process of increasing her power!?
What kind of brutal training was this!?
Heavy is the head that wears the crown.
Was this the price one had to pay to become strong? Enduring such torment?
The gentle Yui Yuigahama, with her strong empathy, gripped Mai Sakurajima's hands in return, speaking in a heavy tone.
"Mai-senpai, I can't even imagine how much suffering you've all endured to become stronger."
"Suffering..."
Mai Sakurajima pursed her lips, glancing at Rio Futaba and Miko Yotsuya beside her, her expression complicated.
"It's not exactly painful, actually... it's quite... you know."
"You know? Know what?"
Seeing Yui Yuigahama's clueless expression, even someone as straightforward as Mai Sakurajima couldn't openly discuss her nighttime activities with Ye Xing with others.
Especially since Miko and Futaba were right beside them.
"Well... maybe you should call Ye Xing instead..."
Mai Sakurajima forced down her embarrassment, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
"He... he's more knowledgeable about these matters."
"I see."
Yui Yuigahama looked as if she'd suddenly understood.
Of course, when it came to exorcism matters, Ye Xing was the most professional.
So that method for rapidly increasing power was something he'd developed?
How impressive.
Yui Yuigahama thought to herself that since she'd made up her mind, she couldn't let herself fall behind the other members of the Supernatural Society anymore.
She had to catch up.
"Alright, I understand, Mai-senpai."
Yui Yuigahama eagerly stood up, pulling out her phone from her pocket as if about to dial Ye Xing's number right in front of everyone.
Seeing this, Mai Sakurajima quickly stopped her, saying cautiously,
"Um... you'd better arrange to meet him and talk privately alone."
Miko Yotsuya stood up and walked over to Yui Yuigahama, patting her shoulder. Under Yui's confused gaze, she cheered her on:
"Go for it, Dango!"
...
After returning to her room, Yui Yuigahama took out her phone, took a deep breath, and said to herself,
"Go for it, Dango!"
Only then did she dial Ye Xing's number.
After the call connected.
"Ye Xing, are you busy right now?"
"Oh, Yui. No, I'm not busy. What's up?"
Just as Yui Yuigahama was about to say something, she heard a series of roars and howls coming from the other end of the line.
"Stay still."
Following a dull, meaty impact sound, everything went quiet again.
Yui Yuigahama asked hesitantly,
"What are you doing?"
Ye Xing replied with laughter in his voice,
"Nothing much. Didn't we say we'd take it easy during this period? I had some free time today, so I came to sample some of Tokyo's local speciality foods."
"Ah, well..."
Yui Yuigahama knew that what Ye Xing called "speciality foods" definitely weren't things like ramen, barbecue, or sushi.
However, she'd already figured it out long ago.
Compared to reasons such as protecting Kyoto City or safeguarding innocent people, Ye Xing's motivation for becoming an exorcist was much simpler.
Whether it was eating evil spirits or eliminating them.
Ye Xing simply liked and enjoyed the process.
He really wasn't quite right in the head.
Yui Yuigahama shook her head helplessly, not dwelling on it too much, and got straight to the point:
"I want to become stronger. Mai-senpai said you know a special training method?"
"Special training... well, you could call it training, I suppose."
Ye Xing gave a noncommittal response, then suddenly his tone turned serious:
"But are you mentally prepared for it?"
"Not just your body, but even your spirit will face extremely severe challenges. It's not just about pushing your physical limits, but also about tempering your willpower. Only by overcoming all of this can you become stronger."
"That amazing!?"
Yui Yuigahama gritted her teeth, wearing an expression of grim determination.
"Yes, I'm prepared!"
"Alright then, I'll send you the address. Come find me."
"Okay, see you soon."
After hanging up, Yui Yuigahama was about to head straight out when she suddenly caught sight of the suitcase sitting in the corner of her room.
She recalled what her mother had told her before she left.
"Yui, once you realise your true feelings, you should cast everything aside and charge forward boldly. Sometimes gentleness isn't enough - you need more courage!"
Yui Yuigahama paused, her face showing hesitation as she murmured to herself.
"Would it be strange... to dress up specially..."
"Not strange at all."
"Eh?"
Startled by the voice from behind her, Yui Yuigahama turned around and, after seeing who it was, patted her chest in relief before speaking with mild annoyance.
"Honestly, why did you come out on your own?"
Kiyohime swayed her snake tail while looking at Yui Yuigahama with an expression of exasperation.
"You, you... don't you understand what your problem is?"
"Always overthinking things, hesitating endlessly, having too many thoughts but too little action, suppressing your true feelings."
"It's precisely because you repress your obsessions too much that I came into existence. Seems like you don't understand this at all."
Yui Yuigahama froze for a moment before speaking uncertainly.
"But..."
"No buts."
Kiyohime waved her hand, cutting off Yui Yuigahama's words directly as she laughed.
"Since you brought such beautiful clothes, wouldn't it be a waste not to wear them? And the earrings - put them on quickly. Don't forget the lipstick either. Hurry, hurry! You don't want Ye Xing to wait too long and get a bad impression of you, do you? Go for it!"
Under Kiyohime's persuasion, Yui Yuigahama reluctantly changed into a rather mature outfit - a white sleeveless top paired with a black knee-length skirt, and put on the small, exquisite golden earrings.
"Will this... look good?"
Yui Yuigahama examined her reflection in the mirror, seeming somewhat at a loss.
"Very good, very good indeed."
Kiyohime nodded with satisfaction before her form dissipated into the air, leaving behind only one final sentence.
"Hurry up and go."
...
Meanwhile, in another room on the same floor.
Marin Kitagawa sat cross-legged on the bed, playing with her light golden hair that had pink-dyed ends as she carefully counted the small accessories laid out before her, speaking to Saki Kawasaki as she did so.
"Let me tell you, when I went to Akihabara with Ye Xing this morning..."
"Please, give it a rest."
Saki Kawasaki wore an expression of helplessness as she sighed, resting her forehead in her hand.
"You've said this at least five times since you came to find me an hour ago. I get it - Ye Xing's philosophy on cosplay resonated with you, right?"
"Yeah, I never expected him to be so interested in cosplay. He even remembered something I casually mentioned so long ago."
Saki Kawasaki glanced at Marin Kitagawa's fair skin, delicate features, and curvaceous figure, instinctively wanting to say one thing.
Are you sure Ye Xing is interested in cosplay, and not you?