"Stomach ache?"
Upon hearing this, Kazusa Touma immediately stood up and rushed to Ye Xing's side in three quick steps, asking anxiously.
"What's wrong? Do you need to go to the hospital? Can you still walk? I can carry you..."
"I'm fine."
Seeing Kazusa Touma's loyal dog-like demeanour and the unconcealed concern in her eyes, Setsuna Ogiso showed a thoughtful expression in her gaze, though it didn't appear on her face, as she smiled.
"Ye Xing-san, Touma-san, nice to meet you both."
Kazusa Touma's eyebrows twitched slightly upon hearing this, her clear eyes sharpening as she turned towards Setsuna Ogiso, who stood there.
"You... how do you know our names?"
Unlike other students who would have been intimidated by Kazusa Touma's sharp gaze, Setsuna Ogiso maintained her sweet smile and replied.
"Perhaps you're unaware, Touma-san, but the Supernatural Quantum Mechanics Research Society you belong to is the most famous club in our school. Not just Ye Xing-san, but every member of your club, including you, who never interacts with others, are practically household names in our school that everyone knows about."
On this point, Setsuna Ogiso wasn't lying.
The Supernatural Quantum Mechanics Research Society's reputation at Sobu High School was too enormous.
The founder of this club was Sobu High's Satan - a genius who dared to flirt with female teachers in the staff room and secured top honours for Sobu High in joint examinations.
Then there was former national-level idol actress Mai Sakurajima, Yukino Yukinoshita with the second-highest overall grades in her year, delinquent girl Saki Kawasaki, science prodigy Rio Futaba, and Hina Amano, who transferred mid-term and was rumoured to be undertaking Sunny Girl commissions.
Plus, the two gal-style duo - one leaning towards flashy, the other towards cute and charming - Marin Kitagawa and Yui Yuigahama.
And then there was Kazusa Touma herself - someone who never spoke to any outsiders, never even wrote her name on exams, directly submitted blank papers, perpetually occupied the astonishing position of last place in the entire year level, yet was never made to attend remedial classes or receive any punishment, openly given special treatment by the school administration as someone with connections.
With so many noteworthy figures gathered together, plus Saika Totsuka from the tennis club and their homeroom teacher, Shizuka Hiratsuka, tirelessly promoting the Supernatural Society, it was only natural that the members would attract the entire school's attention.
"So?"
Kazusa Touma looked expressionlessly at Setsuna Ogiso.
"What do you want?"
"Eh? What do I want..."
This question actually left Setsuna Ogiso momentarily stunned.
After thinking for quite a while, she finally showed that sweet smile that made people feel warm and friendly.
"I... I was just on the rooftop and heard your duet with Ye Xing-san, and wanted to meet the people who played that piece... As for what I want to do after meeting you, I honestly haven't thought about that."
"Oh."
Kazusa Touma only responded with a single brief word.
"You've seen us. Now leave."
Meanwhile, Ye Xing, watching the two girls conversing before him, was somewhat distracted.
A battlefield of love...
He could smell the scent of a battlefield of love.
An unrequited love song kept echoing in his mind.
It hurts, it hurts too much.
"Touma-san, was that piece just now composed by you?"
It had to be said, Setsuna Ogiso's personality was truly approachable.
If it were anyone else, facing Kazusa Touma's words that, while unintentional, clearly carried exclusionary undertones, they would have likely turned and left long ago.
Yet Setsuna Ogiso showed no trace of displeasure. Instead, she took two steps forward and asked with a cheerful smile.
Such an attitude left Kazusa Touma somewhat dazed.
This wasn't the first time she had encountered someone like this.
Even in her current state, throughout the tedious, lengthy span of her life, three people had appeared who weren't afraid of the field around her that kept others at a distance, treating her as an ordinary person.
The first was Ye Xing, who - though quite abstract - had actively spoken to her on the first day of school.
The second was Yui Yuigahama, who treated everyone with gentle kindness.
The third...
Was Yukino Yukinoshita, who had always been at odds with Kazusa Touma. Whenever they met, even if they didn't exchange sharp words, they would engage in visual sparring - a relationship both adversarial and friendly.
And now, another had appeared: Setsuna Ogiso.
"No..."
Facing Setsuna Ogiso, who wore a sweet, kind smile that seemed to radiate light, Kazusa Touma instinctively turned her face away, unwilling to meet the other's gaze. Then she raised a hand to point at Ye Xing beside her and said softly.
"He wrote it."
"Eh?"
Setsuna Ogiso walked up to Ye Xing, tilting her head slightly in a rather playful manner as she spoke with a smile.
"Ye Xing, you're really amazing! You can even compose? Then was it you who played the guitar earlier too?"
"Yes."
Noticing that Ye Xing didn't seem particularly interested in engaging with her, a faint, unusual glint flashed through Setsuna Ogiso's bright brown eyes.
This person... didn't seem to be the kind of person she had heard about.
According to school rumours, Sobu High School's Satan, Ye Xing, after establishing the Supernatural Quantum Mechanics Research Society, had not only monopolised the school's best club room but also used unknown methods to recruit many exceptionally beautiful girls.
It was said that every day after school, even before students had left, one could hear lewd sounds coming from the Supernatural Society's activity room.
Some even claimed that Class 1-A's homeroom teacher, Shizuka Hiratsuka, had secretly entered the Supernatural Society's activity room too!
Although not everyone would believe such outrageous rumours, the fact that all members of the Supernatural Society besides Ye Xing were girls - and all remarkably beautiful ones at that - inevitably made people mentally label Ye Xing as lustful.
If Ye Xing were to learn about this...
He would definitely agree.
What mastermind possessed such sharp perception?
Truly keen-eyed, able to recognise true talent.
But when Setsuna Ogiso met Ye Xing in person, she discovered he wasn't the lustful person she had imagined.
At the very least, in front of her own quite outstanding appearance, he hadn't done things like stealing glances at her chest, intentionally approaching her, or making physical contact.
In fact...
Ye Xing seemed to be deliberately keeping his distance from her?
"It was nice meeting you all, I'll be going now, then."
Setsuna Ogiso was highly emotionally intelligent. Realising she wasn't welcome staying here, she showed no displeasure, maintaining her smile as she nodded in farewell before leaving the practice room.
"I want to play the piano a bit more. Can you stay with me for a while?"
Kazusa Touma's mood hadn't really been affected by Setsuna Ogiso's sudden visit.
Admittedly, people who would actively speak to her like Setsuna Ogiso were rare.
But that was all it was.
Just someone she'd met once, who she would never see again, with whom she would have no further connection.
"Sure, go ahead and play. I'll sit here with you."
Hearing Ye Xing's affirmative response, Kazusa Touma tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, placed her ten fingers on the distinctly black and white piano keys, and said in a voice as faint as a mosquito's hum.
"Thank you."
The beautiful sound of piano playing once again filled the practice room.
Ye Xing watched Kazusa Touma playing the piano as if she didn't belong to this world, completely immersed in her performance, while privately contemplating in his heart.
Setsuna Ogiso...
This girl's appearance might be an opportunity.
The relationship between Setsuna Ogiso and Kazusa Touma was far more complicated than simply being love rivals.
In fact, the complexity of their relationship surpassed even that between Yui and Yukino.
Kazusa Touma still hadn't awakened her Soul Materialisation ability until now.
This indicated that although she was no longer as solitary as before, she still hadn't faced her true inner self.
Kazusa Touma's true inner self...
What exactly was it like?
Perhaps Setsuna Ogiso, who had a completely different personality but could connect with Kazusa Touma's heart, understand each other, and ultimately become friends, was the missing final piece of the puzzle?
This wasn't just for adding another psychic to the Supernatural Society, but also for Kazusa Touma herself.
Just then, a sudden knocking sound came from outside the music room.
Bang!
Kazusa Touma, who was playing the piano, was disturbed by the unexpected knocking and hit a wrong key. Her slender, elegant eyes immediately revealed unconcealed murderous intent.
"How dare someone... interrupt me..."
"Calm down."
Ye Xing stopped the furious Kazusa Touma, walked to the music room door, and opened it.
Standing outside was none other than Naruko Anjou.
When she saw that Ye Xing was the one who opened the door, her face first showed delight, then she cautiously asked, "Um... Ye Xing-kun, do you remember me? I'm..."
"Naruko Anjou-san, right?"
Seeing that Ye Xing not only remembered her but even knew her name, Naruko Anjou couldn't help feeling somewhat happy.
But the moment this thought emerged, she felt deeply ashamed.
'He's just a boy I've met once, yet I feel happy because of his simple words.'
'And...'
'I even had a wet dream about him...'
Naruko Anjou couldn't clearly remember everything from the dream, but she remembered one phrase.
Train bento.
When Naruko Anjou searched online, the content that appeared... was shocking.
Since she regarded everything that happened that night as a dream, she naturally assumed that the term "train bento" was something she had heard somewhere and emerged from her subconscious during sleep.
This was truly too embarrassing.
"Well... I..."
Naruko Anjou opened her mouth, only to find she didn't know what to say.
That's right.
What did she want to say to him?
She had learned from asking around that Hana Yurikawa had already left school after classes ended.
She clearly knew that Hana wasn't at Sobu High School, so why did she come looking for this Ye Xing-kun?
This...
If this Ye Xing-kun was really in a relationship with Hana...
Wouldn't her actions seem like she was trying to steal him away?
She couldn't do something like that!
"Naruko Anjou-san."
Ye Xing looked directly into Naruko Anjou's eyes, smiled, and said something completely unexpected.
"I sincerely invite you to join my mission to resurrect Meiko Honma."
"Eh? Ah? Hah!?"
Faced with such absurd words, Naruko Anjou directly displayed a triple reaction of shock, confusion, and anger.
"You..."
Naruko Anjou narrowed her eyes slightly, clenching her teeth tightly, clearly furious.
"Since you're friends with Hana, you should understand... how painful the memory of Menma is for her, for me. How could you joke about something like this!?"
Facing Naruko Anjou's questioning, Ye Xing didn't feel offended.
After all, she was an ordinary person unaware of the existence of evil spirits. If he were in Naruko Anjou's position and suddenly heard such words, he would also feel outraged.
If she weren't angry, it would only indicate a weak character.
"Hey."
While Ye Xing would consider these things, Kazusa Touma was different.
She didn't know the cause of the matter, and even if she did, she probably wouldn't care.
Kazusa Touma directly stood up and quickly walked over to Naruko Anjou. With her tall stature, exquisitely beautiful face that carried a hint of chilliness, and her condescending cold gaze, she could be described as overwhelmingly intimidating.
Naruko Anjou instinctively took two steps back, clenching her teeth tightly.
"You... who are you?"
Kazusa Touma didn't answer Naruko Anjou's question; instead, speaking coldly.
"You're not allowed to speak to him like that."
Naruko Anjou frowned slightly, thinking to herself what kind of people these Sobu High School students were...
How could this beautiful girl with long black hair act like some kind of delinquent?
"Naruko-san."
Ye Xing spoke softly to inquire.
"Do you really believe that every time you return to that mountain, it's just a dream?"
Hearing this, Naruko Anjou's expression instantly changed.
She had already sensed something was wrong.
If it were really a dream, why would that small wooden cabin become increasingly dilapidated over time?
Deep down, Naruko Anjou had actually discovered the truth, but her worldview didn't allow her to easily accept such things contrary to common sense.
"I... I..."
"Let me warn you first."
Ye Xing didn't mince words, stating his plan directly.
"I'll keep it brief - in my operation, you'll only serve as bait."
"Although you can't clearly remember the evil spirits in the mountain, you should still be able to recall the fear you felt back then."
"Let me be direct with you - as an ordinary person, if you follow me back to that mountain, although I'm confident I can protect you, there's still a risk of you unfortunately dying."
"Regarding the truth about Meiko Honma, that is, Menma's resurrection, you can ask Hana Yurikawa."
"Whether to participate in this operation or not, I hope you can give me your answer by Friday. Whatever choice you make is your freedom."
After saying this, without waiting for Naruko Anjou's response, Ye Xing spoke to Kazusa Touma behind him.
"Let's go, Kazusa."
"Mm."
Watching the two leave the performance room directly and disappear around the staircase corner, Naruko Anjou slightly parted her lips, appearing somewhat lost.
If all of this were false... then so be it.
But Hana Yurikawa hadn't been in contact with her for five years, yet she'd deliberately sought out the place where she worked part-time and immediately began asking about that day...
It seemed highly likely that this boy named Ye Xing truly possessed some kind of special ability that set him apart from ordinary people.
Could Menma... possibly be revived?
But... to return to that great mountain?
Intense fear once again surged in Naruko Anjou's heart, plunging her into a state of agonising indecision.
...
Meanwhile, after leaving school together with Kazusa Touma...
"That girl called Anjou something..."
Kazusa Touma seemed to be pondering something as she spoke softly.
"You need her?"
"Yes, just as I said, I need her to act as bait."
"Then... will she agree?"
"I think..."
Ye Xing smiled faintly as he slowly replied.
"She will."
Hearing this answer, a complex expression appeared in Kazusa Touma's eyes.
"To willingly risk her life for a friend who died five years ago, undertaking such a dangerous task... I find this kind of emotion difficult to understand."
Ye Xing chuckled lightly and countered.
"How can you find it difficult to understand? If I were Menma and you were Naruko Anjou, wouldn't you make the same choice?"
Kazusa Touma nodded, pressing her lips together.
"Yes, even if there was only a one percent chance, I would definitely give my all, even if it meant risking my life, to try and save you."
At this point, Kazusa Touma suddenly changed the subject, her clear eyes hinting at awkwardness and shyness.
"But... we're not friends."
"That's right, we're not friends."
Ye Xing raised his hand and ruffled Kazusa Touma's hair, watching as she straightened her hairstyle like a little kitten while glaring at him reproachfully, then said with a smile.
"We're family."
...
Four days later, on Friday afternoon, at the entrance of Sobu High School.
"An-chan!"
Menma, wearing a little white dress, spotted Naruko Anjou waiting at the school gate for Ye Xing to finish classes. Her adorable face lit up with excitement as she rushed forward and clung to Naruko's back like a koala.
"Hmm?"
Naruko Anjou frowned slightly and murmured to herself.
"Why do I suddenly feel... so heavy? Haven't I been resting well lately..."
Menma studied Naruko Anjou's face, maintaining her innocent smile while a trace of melancholy flashed in her eyes.
"An-chan... you've grown up, and become so beautiful..."
Just then, Naruko Anjou saw Ye Xing, in his Sobu High uniform, walking out of school with another girl with short twin tails.
Gritting her teeth, she quickly approached Ye Xing, clenched her fists, looked directly into his eyes, and wore a determined expression.
"Ye Xing."
"I... want to participate in the operation."