Two days later, on Sunday, Ye Xing's home.
"I'm here, Ye Xing!"
No matter when, Hana Yurikawa was always full of energy.
Ye Xing led her into the living room, glanced at Hana Yurikawa and smiled.
"The three of you... have all been doing well lately?"
"Three? I came alone."
"Hmm... never mind, the other two look fine too. They seem to have put on some weight."
Hana Yurikawa didn't understand Ye Xing's words, merely puffing her cheeks in mock anger.
"Ye Xing, are you saying I'm fat?"
Ye Xing smiled noncommittally, his tone meaningful.
"Yurikawa's weight goes exactly where it should."
Hana Yurikawa tilted her head, her cute face filled with confusion.
"Have a seat first. Someone else will be coming soon."
"Okay."
Hana Yurikawa sat on the sofa and noticed an exquisite plate of pastries on the coffee table. Her face lit up with joy, but just as she reached for one, she paused and looked at Ye Xing cautiously.
"Ye Xing... can I eat one?"
"They're specially prepared for you. Go ahead."
"That's wonderful, thank you!"
Hana Yurikawa eagerly picked up a pastry, nibbling on it in small bites, her face showing an expression of pure bliss.
A few minutes later, another knock came at the door.
Ye Xing went to open it, smiling.
"Noto, you're here?"
Oda Noto's aged face showed traces of exhaustion as he looked at Ye Xing's casual, lazy expression. He sighed deeply, his tone resigned.
"This old bones of mine will be worked to death by you one day."
Oda Noto entered the living room and saw Hana Yurikawa sitting there. Noticing the intense life aura surrounding her - though he had seen it once before - he couldn't help showing surprise again.
In his entire lifetime as an exorcist, he had never encountered anyone with such extraordinary natural talent.
Though she possessed no spiritual power herself, her exceptionally strong life aura alone could harm ordinary evil spirits.
She was practically a walking, powerful ward against evil!
"Mr Oda, hello."
Though there was still cream from the pastry at the corner of her mouth, Hana Yurikawa immediately stood up and greeted Oda Noto politely.
"No need for such formality."
Oda Noto waved his hand with a smile. After sitting down, he turned to Ye Xing and spoke in a serious tone.
"After you told me yesterday, I spent a whole day and night going through records and consulting many friends. I've confirmed what you said."
"The claim about evil spirits existing in that mountain has indeed been circulating for a long time. For hundreds of years, there have been legends about a mountain god devouring passing travellers."
"As for what you mentioned... the organisation worshipping evil spirits... It's certainly possible they exist. After all, many villagers used to live in those mountains. It wouldn't be strange if some among them worshipped evil spirits as mountain gods."
After hearing Oda Noto's explanation, Ye Xing nodded noncommittally.
"I see."
Worshipping evil spirits as deities could be considered something of a local speciality in Japan.
For instance, take that Goat-Headed Deity - the little thing looks like a Cthulhu monster, but truth be told, it genuinely possesses its own shrine, regularly receives offerings, and even has two divine envoys, making it a proper deity.
"So, regarding Naruko Anjou's soul separation condition, have you found any possible causes?"
Oda Noto spoke thoughtfully.
"If it were a powerful psychic, they might be capable of such a thing, but I've never encountered anyone like that. I'm afraid such claims are merely rumours. Moreover, as you said, that Naruko Anjou is just an ordinary high school girl who doesn't even possess the ability to observe spiritual traces. That leaves only one possibility."
Oda Noto furrowed his brows and spoke slowly.
"During the incident five years ago, Naruko Anjou didn't escape completely unscathed. Part of her soul remained trapped in that mountain."
"If it were only an extremely small portion of the soul, it wouldn't affect daily life at all, and the person themselves wouldn't notice anything."
"However, even if the person remains unaware, the missing soul would attempt to heal itself, just like the human body."
"Normally, it should be the small portion of the soul that migrates towards the physical body, trying to return."
"But if the evil spirits within that mountain deliberately trapped that portion of Naruko Anjou's soul, it would cause this phenomenon - the recurring nightmare where Naruko Anjou constantly finds herself returning to that small cabin."
Although Oda Noto's spiritual power wasn't strong enough to the extent that he could fight evil spirits, this old exorcist, who had practised his craft for a lifetime, possessed an indispensable advantage compared to the members of the Supernatural Society.
That was his rich experience with supernatural incidents.
Those strange tales of ghosts and deities couldn't all be believed, of course, as people fabricated many, but neither could they all be dismissed - among them were quite a few pieces of information that held reference value.
"A portion of the soul... hmm... that makes sense."
Ye Xing nodded slightly, agreeing with Oda Noto's analysis.
Five years ago, when the three young girls - Meiko Honma, Hana Yurikawa, and Naruko Anjou - went to play in that mountain, they became targets of evil spirits.
Perhaps through mental influence, or by creating some kind of illusion, the evil spirit used methods that caused Meiko Honma to fall into the river and drown.
When it prepared to target Naruko Anjou, it was harmed by Hana Yurikawa's powerful life aura, ultimately only managing to retain a small portion of Naruko Anjou's soul as it watched the two escape from the mountain.
Precisely because she lost a small portion of her soul, Naruko Anjou's memory of that day became blurred, leaving only the deeply ingrained, unforgettable fear carved into her bones.
All the logic connected.
Seeing Ye Xing's thoughtful expression, Oda Noto cautiously said.
"You're not... planning to pick another fight, are you? Although we call that thing an evil spirit, technically speaking, it's a proper mountain god... isn't that a bit reckless?"
"Mountain god?"
Ye Xing seemed amused, unable to hold back his laughter.
"Just managing that measly patch of mountains, and it dares call itself a god? The deity controlling the entire weather system of Japan was shattered by me anyway! In my view, that petty mountain god is merely putting up a straw target for sale - waiting to be taken. Let this Kyoto's number one eroge shooter go and have a proper encounter with it!"
Oda Noto wore an expression of utter speechlessness.
"You've really reached the peak of arrogance, kid."
Then, Oda Noto sighed and spoke with grave concern.
"Anyway, you need to be careful. This old man doesn't want to be sending off the young while keeping his white hair."
...
The following afternoon, after school ended, Kazusa Touma was in the specially prepared piano practice room at Sobu High School.
"Recently... you haven't spent much time alone with me."
Hearing Kazusa Touma's slightly plaintive words and seeing her pitiful, puppy-like eyes, Ye Xing could only comfort her gently.
"Hey, aren't I here with you now?"
"Then can I stay at your place?"
"You want to stay at my house? Well, that should be fine."
Seeing Ye Xing agree, Kazusa Touma's face lit up with joy.
She was so easy to please.
"By the way."
Kazusa Touma placed her slender, pale fingers on the distinct black-and-white keys, speaking softly with her head lowered.
"During that joint exam at Shuchi'in Academy before, you promised we'd perform a duet together. If you're willing... I could try composing a piece... Though combining the suona with piano won't be easy, I'll do my best to attempt it."
Ye Xing looked surprised at this and asked with a smile.
"Oh? You can compose too?"
"No, I've never composed before. Like my mother, I'm just a performer."
Kazusa Touma said this first, then lifted her head to look at Ye Xing, her slender, elegant eyes carrying a barely concealed tenderness.
"But for you... to perform together with you, I'm willing to work hard and learn."
"I'm genuinely touched by your sentiment."
Ye Xing first responded seriously, then shrugged.
"But I don't just play the suona. Actually, I can compose too."
"Eh?"
Kazusa Touma blinked in surprise, asking curiously.
"You don't just play suona? Then... can you play guitar?"
"I know a bit."
"Then... why don't you play guitar instead of the suona?"
"See, that's where you don't understand."
Ye Xing began explaining with complete seriousness.
"If I look cool playing guitar, people would just say 'a guy who plays guitar is cool'."
"But if people still think I'm cool while playing the suona, that proves I'm genuinely cool."
"No need to say more - those who understand, understand."
Kazusa Touma pondered this carefully and thought... it actually made sense.
Setting aside the artistic merit of the suona as an instrument and its status compared to the guitar...
When it came to looking cool, the suona was indeed inferior to the guitar.
Despite the negative buff of swaying head and body while playing suona, reminiscent of wedding or funeral processions, Ye Xing could still make people feel he had charm while playing it - that truly proved his quality.
The key question was, why?
One could only say, it's quite abstract...
"About the composition matter, I've actually already decided on the piece we'll perform together."
Ye Xing walked up to Kazusa Touma, pulled a musical score from his chest, and placed it before her with a smile.
"I wrote this specifically for you. I think it should suit you quite well."
Kazusa Touma glanced down at the score, her brow slightly furrowed as she murmured.
"There doesn't seem to be any piano parts in this... but... bass should work too."
Kazusa Touma stood up and walked to the corner of the practice room, retrieving a bass guitar from an instrument case.
Unlike her elegant, beautiful self when playing piano, Kazusa Touma, holding the bass guitar, seemed much more dashing and spirited.
"Did you bring your guitar?"
Ye Xing smiled, reaching out into the empty space beside him.
"A true musician..."
A jet-black guitar materialised in his hand.
"...is always prepared to play."
Kazusa Touma pressed her lips together in a faint smile, unable to suppress her amusement.
"You never miss an opportunity to show off."
Kazusa Touma adjusted her bass, her expression turning serious.
"Well then... let's begin our first duet."
The pleasant sounds of guitar and bass intertwined, forming a gentle, serene melody that drifted out through the half-open window.
...
Meanwhile, on the rooftop of Sobu High School.
"Eh? This is..."
A girl with shoulder-length chestnut hair, matching chestnut eyes, a beautiful face, a slender yet curvaceous figure that seemed like a painting come to life, wearing black knee-high socks, couldn't help but pause upon hearing the faint strains of music.
"Today... there are two people..."
Hearing what was usually a solitary, somewhat lonely yet resilient piano performance transformed into a perfectly synchronised guitar and bass duet, as if their souls were connecting, the girl murmured to herself.
"Who could be playing together with Touma-san...?"
...
Five minutes later.
As the song ended, a rare smile appeared on Kazusa Touma's face.
"This piece is really beautiful. What's it called?"
"White Album."
"White Album..."
Kazusa Touma pursed her lips and murmured.
"This name somehow feels inexplicably sad..."
"Sad?"
Seeing Kazusa Touma's melancholic expression, Ye Xing just smiled, his black guitar instantly transforming into a suona.
"Don't worry, mate. I'll play a suona version for you."
"Doo doo doo doo doo doo, doo doo doo!"
The melancholy that had enveloped Kazusa Touma's heart upon hearing the song's name was instantly swept away by the festive sound of the suona.
Watching Ye Xing playing the suona with complete abandon and full immersion, she couldn't hold back anymore, bursting into laughter that made her clutch her stomach, tears even forming at the corners of her eyes.
"Haha... you... really..."
Sitting at the piano bench, Kazusa Touma rested her chin in one hand, watching Ye Xing play the suona. Her clear, beautiful eyes revealed tender affection as she murmured in a voice so soft even she could barely hear it, her cheeks slightly flushed amidst the suona's sound.
"It's precisely because you're like this... that I like you..."
...
Meanwhile, at the entrance of Sobu High School.
Naruko Anjou, dressed in a gyaru style, mustered her courage to approach a girl walking out alone.
"Um... excuse me, classmate, do you know Hana Yurikawa? She's a first-year."
"Eh?"
The stopped girl paused for a moment, then shook her head.
"Sorry, I'm a third-year student. I don't know much about first-years."
"I see..."
Naruko Anjou looked somewhat disappointed, then seemed to remember something. Without much hope, she asked almost instinctively.
"Then what about a boy? Black hair, black eyes, very handsome, about 180cm tall. Do you have any impression of him?"
Naruko Anjou didn't expect to get an answer.
After all, this was a third-year student. Even when she mentioned Hana Yurikawa's name, the other girl didn't recognise her. Without even knowing the boy's name and just describing his appearance, how could the other person possibly know?
Unexpectedly, upon hearing Naruko Anjou's description, the third-year girl first paused, then cautiously asked.
"How handsome... is this boy you mentioned?"
"How handsome... well..."
Naruko Anjou showed signs of embarrassment, but to find Hana Yurikawa and that boy, she had to endure her shyness and speak quietly.
"Hmm... extremely handsome, the best-looking I've ever seen... and with a great physique too..."
What Naruko Anjou didn't expect was that after hearing her words, the third-year female student's expression changed dramatically, even instinctively taking two steps backwards.
"You... the person you're looking for... couldn't possibly be Ye Xing, could it..."
"Ye Xing?"
Although Naruko Anjou noticed the third-year student's unusual reaction, she didn't pay it much mind, simply smiling generously.
"Do you know him, classmate? Could you trouble yourself to take me to him?"
"Well... um..."
The third-year student shifted sideways.
"He... he... he should be in the club activity room, or the piano practice room. As for the exact... exact location, you... You can ask someone else when you get there... I have urgent matters to attend to and need to leave now!"
With that, the third-year student fled as if running for her life.
Watching the retreating figure, Naruko Anjou scratched her head, her face full of confusion and bewilderment.
What's going on...
Are Sobu High School students really this arrogant?
Did she look down on me because she saw me wearing a third-rate school uniform, thinking I'm some inferior student?
But even then, she shouldn't have run away at the sight of me, right?
Really, more pretentious than Shuchi'in Academy?
Naruko Anjou lightly bit her teeth, feeling somewhat dissatisfied in her heart. But to uncover the truth of the matter, she had no choice but to brace herself and enter Sobu High School.
To her surprise, every student she encountered along the way reacted as if they'd seen a ghost upon hearing her description of that Ye Xing classmate, with not a single person willing to lead her to him.
Even someone as thick-skinned as Naruko Anjou realised something was wrong.
When she mentioned Hana's name, regardless of whether the other person had heard of Hana Yurikawa or not, their attitude was at least normal.
So it seems...
The problem lies with that Ye Xing?
But he didn't seem like an unpleasant person - on the contrary, he was quite good-looking. Why would Sobu High School students avoid him like the plague?
How strange.
...
Meanwhile, outside the practice room.
Knock knock knock.
Hearing the sudden knocking, Kazusa Touma frowned slightly, wondering who could be so tactless as to disturb her alone time with Ye Xing?
"Come in."
The practice room door slowly opened, revealing a beautiful girl with tea-coloured hair who entered with a sweet smile.
"Sorry to disturb you. My name is Setsuna Ogiso."
Kazusa Touma looked somewhat impatient and was about to respond when she noticed Ye Xing beside her, wearing an expression so complicated it defied description.
"What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing."
Ye Xing waved his hand dismissively.
"It's just that when I see you two together, that melody starts playing in my head, and it gives me a bit of stomach ache."