Under the astonished gazes of everyone from Toyogasaki High School, the red sports car came to a screeching halt before them, executing an extravagant drift, accompanied by the shrill notes of the suona and the harsh sound of tyres scraping the ground.
"Hello, everyone."
The instrument was withdrawn from the window, and the car door slowly opened. Ye Xing, dressed in black casual wear and wearing a smile, stepped out of the vehicle. He waved a greeting to the dumbfounded crowd from Toyogasaki High School before uttering shocking words.
"I'm here for an inspection."
"Inspection..."
Hearing this term, not only Utaha Kasumigaoka but everyone else from Toyogasaki High School felt an indescribable sensation.
Wasn't the word 'inspection' typically used by superiors when dealing with subordinates?
"You must be Ye Xing, right?"
As the top student at Toyogasaki High School, Utaha Kasumigaoka sized up Ye Xing and stepped forward, speaking calmly.
"Quite a flashy entrance, I must say. It's my first time seeing someone play the suona from a sports car. Are you deliberately trying to intimidate us?"
Utaha did have a sharp tongue, but she didn't use it on everyone or in every conversation.
Otherwise, it wouldn't be called a sharp tongue—it would just be plain rudeness.
"Intimidate? No, no, no."
Ye Xing waved his hand with a laugh.
"Towards your Toyogasaki High School, I only have sincere encouragement. After all, you're still quite far behind our Sobu High School. I'm all about being friendly with people."
"You..."
Utaha narrowed her eyes slightly and let out a cold snort.
"Ye Xing, while you may be a genius, I've maintained the top grade ranking since I enrolled. Your excessive arrogance is rather unpleasant to witness."
"Eh?"
Hearing Utaha's words, Ye Xing looked as if he'd heard some fantastical tale, his expression one of bewilderment.
"Miss, you don't actually think... just because you're first in your school and I'm first in mine, that we're on the same level, do you? Isn't it you who's being arrogant here?"
Utaha sneered twice.
"Hmph, quite the sharp tongue you have there."
"Not really, just stating facts. Miss 'Top of One School,' please don't try to compare your frog-in-a-well achievements with mine—the unified exam champion who effortlessly crushed Shuchi'in Academy's first-years."
Shizuka Hiratsuka, who had just stepped out of the car, overheard the exchange between Utaha and Ye Xing and sensed the atmosphere filled with tension. She couldn't help but shake her head in resignation.
Typical of you.
Not even twenty seconds out of the car and you're already showing off?
However, Shizuka didn't oppose this behaviour.
Nominally, this was a friendly exchange between two schools, and Toyogasaki High School and Sobu High School maintained reasonably good relations.
However, since these were two different high schools, there naturally existed a sense of competition and rivalry between them, each wanting to outdo the other and bring honour to their own institution.
Could Sobu High School's administration possibly be unaware of Ye Xing's personality?
What they wanted was precisely someone unapologetically arrogant!
And Shizuka Hiratsuka clearly wasn't the type to play peacemaker either, merely standing by with an amused smile as she watched quietly.
"Ye Xing, I'm Utaha Kasumigaoka, a second-year student at Toyogasaki High School and this year's student representative."
Utaha Kasumigaoka first introduced herself this way, then met Ye Xing's gaze directly without backing down an inch, responding with remarkable firmness.
"Furthermore, I've maintained the top academic position in my year since enrollment..."
Ye Xing interrupted dismissively.
"With the qualifier - merely the top student at your Toyogasaki High School."
Utaha gritted her teeth with an unyielding expression, abruptly changing tack.
"I also write scripts for the drama club, and performances based on my scripts have won awards in national competitions across Japan."
"I ranked first in Japan's joint entrance examinations."
"I... I..."
Utaha wanted to continue arguing, but she suddenly realised...
She had run out of accomplishments.
Maintaining first place since enrollment?
Her opponent had achieved first place in Japan's joint examinations, even defeating all first-year students from Shuchi'in Academy in the unified tests - effectively making him the academically strongest student in their entire year.
Although Utaha believed her abilities weren't inferior to his, faced with such astonishing achievements, any further stubborn arguments would be like a mantis trying to stop a chariot or a mayfly shaking a giant tree.
A sharp tongue was an attribute only those in a dominant position could properly wield.
Just like Yukino Yukinoshita when she first joined the Supernatural Society, Utaha currently couldn't find any point from which to launch a verbal attack against Ye Xing.
"You... you..."
Utaha remained silent for a long while, unable to find suitable words yet unwilling to admit defeat, and could only stubbornly persist.
"Aside from academic results, what else do you have?"
"Oh."
Contrary to Utaha's expectations, Ye Xing seemed to have been waiting for this very question, his face lighting up with excitement.
"Kasumigaoka, you've finally asked the right question."
"What else do I have besides academic performance?"
"Since you've asked so sincerely, I'll generously enlighten you!"
Had Miko Yotsuya and the others been present, they would have recognised this familiar demeanour and tone from Ye Xing immediately.
Here we go again.
Standing at the entrance of Toyogasaki High School with arms crossed, Ye Xing slowly began speaking.
"Setting aside academic achievements, I'm also the record holder for three events in Sobu High's sports festival, the nemesis of problem students, founder of the Supernatural Quantum Mechanics Research Society, the master of suona performances for both weddings and funerals, lead guitarist, arranger and lyricist for Sobu High's famous band, representative Kengan fighter for Yukinoshita Construction, the Satan of the tennis court, kazoo master, and the man who conquered Sobu High."
Hearing this lengthy list of titles, Utaha's lips parted slightly, utterly lost for words.
However, Ye Xing's verbal onslaught was far from over.
"And also, the strongest exorcist who restored Japan's weather to normal, the divine nemesis whose name makes deities dare not cry at night, VIP member of the Reverse World buffet restaurant, the one who breaks through the defences of the iron-fisted single old woman."
The several titles in this final sentence directly stunned everyone at Toyogasaki High School.
Exorcist? Divine nemesis? And what kind of place was this Reverse World buffet restaurant?
Was he starting to talk nonsense?
When Shizuka Hiratsuka heard the last title, a flush of shame and anger appeared on her pretty face. She lightly bit her teeth and glared hatefully at Ye Xing standing there.
This boy was making fun of her again.
Though no names were mentioned...
But with the three labels of iron-fisted, single, and old woman, who else could it be but her, Shizuka Hiratsuka?
"This boy... how hateful, actually calling me old... I'm clearly not old at all..."
Meanwhile, Utaha Kasumigaoka no longer had the aggressive demeanour she displayed when they first met. She had completely wilted.
Though she didn't understand some of Ye Xing's titles, the ones she could understand were enough to prove their worth.
Becoming the record holder in three events at the school sports festival in his first year proved he was equally skilled across the board.
Composing and writing lyrics for the band, serving as guitarist, the suona he played when arriving in the sports car, and being the Satan of the tennis court...
Utaha Kasumigaoka was left speechless.
Seeing their student representative at a disadvantage, the principal of Toyogasaki High School quickly stepped forward, smiling awkwardly.
"Ms Hiratsuka, Mr Ye Xing, on behalf of Toyogasaki High School, I welcome you both. Shall we... perhaps go inside first?"
"Very well."
As a teacher, Shizuka Hiratsuka was quite pleased to see Ye Xing overpower Toyogasaki High School's representative student, but she couldn't show it on her face. Maintaining a polite smile, she nodded and gave a brief response.
"Then please follow me, both of you."
The principal of Toyogasaki High School wiped the sweat from his forehead and walked into the school with the other teachers and students.
He was already drenched in sweat.
Just as expected, this student, Ye Xing, was exactly like the rumours he'd heard - a special individual who marched to his own drum and possessed a personality completely different from ordinary people.
To act so arrogantly right at the entrance of someone else's territory...
Truly worthy of being the student who defeated that young lady, Kaguya Shinomiya. The pressure he exerted was simply overwhelming.
...
Meanwhile, at Sobu High School.
Eriri pretended to admire the school environment, wearing a smiling, friendly, and cute expression that naturally inspired goodwill, though in truth she had no interest in any of it whatsoever.
She had come to Sobu High School for just one purpose.
To find the boy who had saved her that day.
'Not the student representative... hmm... that makes sense actually.'
Eriri pondered to herself, thinking that since that boy hadn't become Sobu High's student representative, he probably wasn't the type with exceptionally outstanding academic results.
For some reason, she felt inexplicably relieved.
If someone that handsome, with the ability to take down several armed thugs bare-handed, also had grades good enough to be a student representative, that would simply be too unreal.
Even when drawing manga, Eriri wouldn't dare create such a perfect character.
"This is our teaching building. This floor contains first-year classrooms, club activity rooms, and similar facilities."
Mai Sakurajima was introducing the school to the teachers and students from Toyogasaki High School when she gestured to Yukino Yukinoshita beside her and smiled.
"This Yukino-san here is the second-ranked student in comprehensive grades among our first-years at Sobu High. She's maintained this position consistently - she's an excellent student."
"Mai-senpai, there's no need to mention that."
Yukino's expression showed no particular change, though a complex light flickered in her eyes as she spoke softly.
"It's only second place. There's no particular need to mention it."
Hearing this, Eriri couldn't help but silently complain, wondering if all Sobu High students were this arrogant.
Coming second in the entire year in every exam, and that's not worth mentioning?
Putting on airs?
Yukino was speaking truthfully - in her view, never having achieved first place, never having beaten Ye Xing even once, she truly wasn't worth mentioning.
But to the teachers and students from Toyogasaki High School, these words sounded somewhat... no, completely like boasting in disguise.
A certain teacher at Toyogasaki High School felt a competitive urge rising within him and couldn't help but speak up.
"Well, second in the year is certainly impressive, but our Sawamura-kun here, while not outstanding academically, is a genius in the art club. She won an award at an art exhibition right after enrolling - she's the face of our school."
"Teacher, you're too kind."
Eriri responded with her usual perfect girl image, sounding slightly embarrassed, though her sidelong glance peeked at Mai Sakurajima and Yukino Yukinoshita as she thought triumphantly to herself.
Hmph, impressed now?
Be completely awed by my artistic talent!
Winning awards at public art exhibitions as a first-year high school student - compared to such achievements, mere exam rankings are completely insignificant.
"Oh."
To the surprise of all Toyogasaki High School teachers and students, including Eriri, faced with such an astonishing background, Yukino Yukinoshita appeared completely uninterested, responding with just one brief word.
Although Mai Sakurajima wore a smile, her words clearly carried a dismissive tone, as if humouring a child.
"Is that so? Sawamura-kun is truly impressive."
Seeing the reactions of Mai Sakurajima and Yukino Yukinoshita, Eriri's worldview, life perspective, and values all experienced some shaking at this moment.
Why did they show absolutely no surprise upon hearing this?
Could it be that all the praise, compliments, and admiration she had received before were just everyone conspiring together to humour her?
Was winning awards at art exhibitions during the first year actually quite common and not worth mentioning at all?
While Eriri was lost in these wild thoughts, Mai Sakurajima, Yukino Yukinoshita, and Mafuyu Kirisu had already led the Toyogasaki High School teachers and students to the entrance of a club room.
"This place is the most important location in our Sobu High School."
Hearing this, Eriri looked up and saw a wooden plaque above the door, its surface covered with a long line of text.
"Supernatural... Quantum Mechanics... Research Society?"
Eriri read the words on the plaque, her expression hesitant.
This... is the most important place in Sobu High School?
The most important location in a prestigious high school wasn't some elite class's classroom, nor the principal's office, meeting room, or other places that could determine the school's future, but rather a student club room?
And these words came from Mafuyu Kirisu, who was a teacher.
Didn't this mean that Sobu High School's administration placed a student-run club above the school leadership and the institution itself?
Not just at Toyogasaki High School - you couldn't find such a thing even if you searched through all the high schools across Japan.
What kind of club was this, exactly?
"Would you like to come in and have a look?"
Hearing Mai Sakurajima's smiling inquiry, Eriri couldn't suppress her curiosity and nodded.
"If it's not too much trouble."
"Please follow me inside."
Mai Sakurajima pulled open the club room door, revealing to Eriri a space larger than an ordinary teacher's office with excellent natural lighting.
Inside was only one long table, several chairs arranged around it, a few bookshelves, all clean and tidy - completely unlike the usual mess of ordinary student club rooms.
On the long table were even two laptops, a coffee brewing apparatus, and several beakers like those used in chemistry classes.
It looked completely unlike a high school club room, more like some kind of secret base.
What surprised Eriri most was that the club room wasn't empty.
A beautiful girl with long black hair was sleeping with her head on the table.
"Sakurajima-senpai, who is this..."
Yukino Yukinoshita and Mai Sakurajima exchanged glances, with the former sighing slightly before walking over and gently patting the sleeping girl's shoulder.
"Why are you sleeping here?"
Kazusa Touma lifted her head, first rubbing her eyes as if not fully awake, then revealing an impatient expression as she glanced at the teachers and students of Toyogasaki High School standing outside the activity room. Her gaze lingered particularly on Eriri at the front before she spoke coldly.
"You're... disturbing me."
Kazusa Touma carried an innate air of intimidation, and, coupled with her current bad mood, even a glare from her made Eriri break out in cold sweat.
Mai Sakurajima gave a helpless smile and turned to face the teachers and students of Toyogasaki High School, explaining with a smile.
"This is... our classmate Kazusa Touma. Like Yukinoshita and myself, she's also a member of the Supernatural Quantum Mechanics Research Society."
The reason Kazusa Touma was sleeping in the activity room was quite simple.
Ye Xing wasn't here today.
Her daily routine of sleeping in the classroom was actually just a pretext to secretly watch Ye Xing sitting beside her while pretending to sleep.
Since he had gone to Toyogasaki High School today, what would be the point of her sleeping in the classroom?
Better to enjoy blissful, undisturbed sleep in the empty activity room.
"But... shouldn't Kazusa-san be attending classes?"
Hearing Eriri's question, Mai Sakurajima smiled awkwardly.
"Well... Kazusa-san is a piano prodigy, so we tend to be more lenient about her academic performance."
"Prodigy?"
Upon hearing this, Eriri froze for a moment, then her face lit up with excitement.
Here was her chance.
Although this Kazusa-san played piano while she painted, they were both prodigies! Surely she would understand the significance of winning an award at an art exhibition during her first year of high school!?
"Hello, I'm Eriri Spencer Sawamura."
Eriri first introduced herself, then continued with a smile.
"So... Kazusa-san, as a piano prodigy, you must have won many awards, right? When I entered school last semester, I just won an award at an art exhibition, though my academic performance isn't great either..."
Before Eriri could finish, Kazusa Touma interrupted flatly.
"Awards? Oh, I suppose there were such things. But I never paid attention to what specific awards they were. I only remember that every time I participated in a piano competition, I came first."
After saying this, Kazusa Touma looked at Eriri and asked in a matter-of-fact tone.
"Were you... also first?"