"Ye... Xing?"
Hearing Hana Yurikawa's words, Eriri suddenly felt her head spin as the surrounding scenery blurred.
So the boy she was looking for was actually Ye Xing - the outstanding student representative who left Sobu High School today to visit Toyogasaki High School, the founder of the Supernatural Quantum Mechanics Research Society?
Which meant...
If she had just stayed at Toyogasaki High School, she could have met him without doing anything at all?
While volunteering to be her school's student representative and coming to Sobu High School for the exchange actually made her miss him?
"I..."
At this moment, Eriri felt like a complete fool.
Outsmarting herself - purely outsmarting herself.
Just then, Eriri suddenly felt something strange.
Why did the surrounding air temperature seem to have dropped slightly?
When Eriri regained her composure, she discovered that while she had been lost in thought, several girls had gathered around her, watching her with wary expressions.
After a day of classes, she had gained some basic understanding of the Supernatural Quantum Mechanics Research Society members in this class. Though she sensed the inexplicable hostility in the air, she still maintained her beautiful girl image, smiling sweetly.
"Um... is there something you all need from me?"
Miko Yotsuya stared directly at Eriri's face with her golden pupils, then exchanged a glance with Rio Futaba standing behind the other girl. Both had the same thought in their hearts.
Very well.
Now we have to guard against girls from our own school, famous self-media practitioners, teachers, the lady chef from the Western restaurant, and even you, this blonde from another school, joining the battle!?
Come, everyone can come.
Miko will take action.
"Sawamura-kun."
Miko Yotsuya stepped forward, standing close to Eriri, her golden eyes radiating an intensity that made Eriri's heart tremble.
"What business do you have with Ye Xing?"
"This..."
Eriri parted her lips as if to say something, but after pausing briefly, fell silent again.
After being rescued that day, the Metropolitan Police Department officers had explicitly instructed her that, since the case was still under investigation, she absolutely must not disclose any details about the scene to outsiders.
With Eriri's family background, she naturally wasn't worried about the Kyoto Metropolitan Police Department causing trouble - even if she talked, what could they do?
But although Eriri had poor grades, that didn't mean she was stupid.
Clearly, this request from the Metropolitan Police Department was completely unreasonable.
The perpetrator had been dealt with, the hostages successfully rescued - this should have been the Metropolitan Police Department's perfect victory. Why deliberately conceal such a great publicity opportunity?
The only reasonable explanation was that someone at the scene didn't want the outside world to know they had participated in the incident.
After a moment's thought, Eriri had already guessed that the so-called 'someone' was the boy who had saved her and the other students that day.
If she spoke carelessly...
Wouldn't that cause trouble for him?
Though Eriri could be somewhat wilful, she was absolutely not the kind of person who would repay kindness with enmity.
"Sorry..."
Eriri took a deep breath, raised her head to look directly into Miko Yotsuya's eyes, and replied with composure.
"My reason for looking for him has nothing to do with you, so I don't need to tell you."
"Is that so..."
Miko Yotsuya responded noncommittally, her golden eyes growing brighter as her right hand slowly reached to her empty waist, as if gripping something invisible. In that instant, Eriri felt that intangible pressure again, as if tidal waves were squeezing her.
"Miko!"
Just then, Yui Yuigahama suddenly approached quickly, reaching out to grasp Miko Yotsuya's right wrist. Unlike her usual sweet, gentle, and slightly silly smile, Yui's expression now appeared very serious and earnest.
"This... isn't necessary, is it?"
Eriri, Saki Kawasaki, Marin Kitagawa, Hana Yurikawa - these ordinary people without observation abilities couldn't see it, but Yui Yuigahama, as a psychic, could clearly see that Miko Yotsuya's right hand was already resting on the hilt of Mikazuki Munechika.
She was completely baffled.
Wait, is this really necessary?
Just because of a love rivalry... no, this isn't even a proper love rivalry situation, is drawing a sword really called for?
Are you planning to deal with this Eriri Spencer Sawamura like you would with evil spirits and cut her down directly?
Yui Yuigahama was utterly shocked, thinking that after all this time together, she never realised Miko Yotsuya could be this level of yandere?
"Indeed, it's unnecessary."
To Yui's surprise, Miko Yotsuya simply nodded without saying much more, the intimidating aura around her vanishing as if it had never existed. Looking at Eriri, who was trembling slightly but still forcing herself to appear calm, Miko showed a faint smile.
"Sorry, Sawamura-kun, I frightened you."
"Eh?"
This left Yui Yuigahama completely confused again.
You were just releasing killing intent, but after I said one sentence about it being unnecessary, you immediately returned to normal?
Could it be that, without realising it, my personal charm has become this powerful?
Seeing Yui's puzzled expression, Rio Futaba sighed helplessly.
This girl, though emotionally intelligent, seems rather average in intellectual matters.
This Eriri Spencer Sawamura is an outstanding student representative sent by Toyogasaki High School.
And just on Monday, Toyogasaki High School experienced an incident where armed criminals took innocent students hostage.
Then, the person who resolved that incident was Ye Xing.
Now, Eriri has come to Sobu High School in search of Ye Xing.
The logical chain here is quite apparent.
Eriri is one of the Toyogasaki High School students rescued by Ye Xing.
When a golden-haired twin-tailed mixed-race beauty with fair porcelain-like skin came to Sobu High School looking for Ye Xing, Miko Yotsuya certainly felt somewhat jealous, but she definitely wouldn't go so far as to want to use Mikazuki Munechika to slay the other girl.
She wasn't Yuno Gasai, after all - how could she possibly be that yandere?
Though she didn't know why, Eriri seemed to be already aware that Ye Xing had been involved in that incident.
Miko Yotsuya wanted to frighten the other girl a little, using it to test whether she could keep secrets.
This was precisely why Rio Futaba and Hina Amano showed no intention of stopping her.
Only Yui Yuigahama was foolish enough to actually believe Miko Yotsuya was about to start cutting people down.
"However..."
Miko Yotsuya spoke up with a smile.
"Ye Xing isn't here today, and probably won't be back today either. We're about to leave, too. Your school's teacher is waiting for you, so please head back first."
"Is that so..."
Hearing this, Eriri appeared somewhat disappointed, but couldn't very well say outright that she wanted to wait longer. As the talented beauty painter from prestigious Toyogasaki High School, waiting around for a boy like some loyal dog would be far too embarrassing, wouldn't it?
"Hmph, it's not like I really wanted to see him anyway! I just happened to be visiting Sobu High School. In that case, I'll take my leave!"
Eriri huffed angrily, then immediately left Class 1-A's classroom, departing together with the others from Toyogasaki High School.
Watching her retreating back, Hina Amano pursed her lips and looked towards Miko Yotsuya, lowering her voice as she asked.
"Miko... wasn't Ye Xing supposed to return today to practice with Touma-kun for the school festival performance? Why did you say..."
"Do you really want her to meet Ye Xing?"
Miko Yotsuya countered the question with a calm tone.
"A professional exorcist telling a little white lie now and then is perfectly acceptable."
...
Two days later, on Friday evening, the Sobu High School music room.
"No... no."
Words that sounded rather suggestive were in fact completely unrelated to anything of that nature.
After running through another rehearsal with Kazusa Touma holding her bass alongside Setsuna Ogiso and Ye Xing, the emotions she had been suppressing finally erupted at this moment.
"It's always just slightly off... nowhere near good enough..."
Kazusa Touma frowned deeply, her pale, slender hands clenching tightly as she murmured to herself.
"This... simply isn't enough..."
Setsuna Ogiso stood nearby, maintaining a smile on her face though her eyes revealed traces of disappointment and gloom.
To be honest, after practising their collaborative piece, White Album, to this level, while they couldn't claim guaranteed first place at the school festival, a top-three finish was certain.
For Setsuna Ogiso, the coordination between the three had reached sufficient tacit understanding, even outstanding for a high school band at this stage, and was quite an excellent performance piece.
But in Kazusa Touma's eyes, this level was still completely inadequate, far from satisfactory.
"Something's missing... what exactly... is lacking..."
Hearing Kazusa Touma's murmuring, Ye Xing set down his guitar and spoke up with a light laugh.
"Missing the keyboard?"
Kazusa Touma blinked in momentary confusion before suddenly understanding.
"That's right, the keyboard! If we add synth accompaniment in this section... the entire piece would become much fuller!"
Setsuna Ogiso didn't understand these professional arrangement matters well, hesitantly saying,
"In that case, would Kazusa need to play the keyboard... and then we find another bassist? Would we have enough time for that?"
Kazusa Touma had clearly considered this too, frowning deeply as she pondered solutions.
Though she and Ye Xing had achieved perfect harmony during their first performance together, bringing in another person would definitely not produce the same effect.
Adding a fourth member to their original trio meant all their previous adjustments would need to be redone from scratch, plus they'd have to consider the new member's bass skills and playing style - essentially starting over completely.
There were only just over two weeks left until the school festival began.
Plus, if she rearranged the piece herself... that would eat into their practice time too.
Not enough time, completely insufficient.
Kazusa Touma didn't need careful calculation to know this timeframe was utterly inadequate for both adding new arrangements and getting accustomed to a new member.
Moreover...
Would the delicate understanding they had worked so hard to cultivate among the three of them be broken by adding another member?
There were no suitable candidates around anyway, and even if there were, Kazusa Touma didn't want another person joining the band.
Having herself, Ye Xing, and Setsuna...
Should be enough, right...
Just then, Ye Xing suddenly spoke up.
"I can handle the arrangements. As for the bassist..."
Ye Xing looked at Kazusa Touma and smiled.
"Kazusa, why don't you handle both keyboard and bass yourself?"
"Eh?"
Hearing this, Setsuna Ogiso couldn't help but stare in astonishment.
"One person holding two positions? Even if the bass and keyboard parts don't conflict... isn't that too much?"
"Dual roles..."
Unlike Setsuna Ogiso, Kazusa Touma was seriously contemplating, murmuring to herself.
"It's quite difficult... but perhaps... it could be done..."
"Not 'perhaps' or 'could be'."
Ye Xing interrupted Kazusa Touma's words, looking directly into her eyes with complete confidence.
"If it's you, you can definitely do it."
Kazusa Touma froze for a moment at these words, then tilted her head, a faint blush spreading across her pale cheeks. She reached up to brush aside the black hair by her ear, her tone both awkward and somewhat defiant.
"Hmph, of course. If it's me... I can definitely do it. 'Perhaps' and 'could be' were just me being modest."
Seeing this scene, Setsuna Ogiso couldn't help but chuckle behind her hand, teasing lightly.
"Kazusa, you're clearly happy about it, aren't you?"
"Don't say strange things, Setsuna."
"Alright, alright."
Setsuna Ogiso wore an expression of understanding without spelling it out. Looking at the gradually darkening sky outside, then at Ye Xing and Kazusa Touma before her, she smiled and said.
"Shall we call it a day for today's practice?"
"Yes, that's enough."
Kazusa Touma put away her bass and spoke calmly.
"Ye Xing and I could keep playing, but we have to consider your voice. If we maintain this intensity, your voice might be ruined before the school festival even starts. Then we wouldn't be able to perform. Let's stop here for today."
"In that case..."
Setsuna Ogiso walked up to Kazusa Touma, smiling brightly.
"Kazusa, would you like to come to my house?"
"Your house?"
Kazusa Touma frowned slightly, but before she could voice her refusal, she saw Setsuna Ogiso's utterly innocent, expectant expression. She couldn't bring herself to refuse, couldn't bear to see the other girl's disappointed face after being turned down. She could only sigh softly and say reluctantly.
"I can play for a while, but let's be clear - I'm not staying overnight."
"Okay!"
Hearing Kazusa Touma agree, Setsuna Ogiso beamed with joy, then turned to Ye Xing, speaking graciously.
"Ye Xing, why don't you come too? Since we formed the band, the three of us have never hung out together."
Ye Xing nodded, smiling.
"Fine by me. Though the playing I have in mind isn't the same as yours, if we play your way first, perhaps later we can play my way."
Setsuna Ogisi looked slightly confused, then laughed helplessly.
"What are you talking about... You're saying strange things again."
...
Half an hour later.
"Setsuna, could you get the door for me?"
"Of course."
Setsuna Ogiso stood up and went to open the door. Her mother entered carrying two trays laden with meatballs, smiling as she placed them on the table. Looking at Ye Xing and Kazusa Touma sitting cross-legged on the floor, she couldn't contain her joy.
"I won't disturb you young people. Take your time chatting."
After her mother left the room, Setsuna Ogiso looked towards Ye Xing and Kazusa Touma, spearing a meatball with her fork and bringing it to her mouth.
"By the way, though we've only just arrived, it's almost eight o'clock now. Shouldn't you two call your families? You could tell them you're playing at a friend's house, so they don't worry?"
Ye Xing picked up his glass and took a sip of iced barley tea before replying with a smile.
"I'm an orphan. No family to contact."
"Er..."
Setsuna Ogiso hadn't expected Ye Xing to give such a reply, and her smile froze instantly. Before she could speak, Kazusa Touma immediately added.
"I'm from a single-parent family. My mother isn't in the country, and I live alone. No need to report either."
The air fell into complete silence.
Setsuna Ogiso smiled awkwardly, already sweating profusely.
Seriously...
Just what kind of band is our band...?
An orphan guitarist, lyricist and arranger, a cold bassist and keyboardist from a single-parent family, and a lead vocalist with both parents alive and a harmonious family...
Putting these three options together was practically like an elimination question!
She completely didn't fit in at all!
"Um... sorry... I..."
"Why are you apologising?"
Kazusa Touma frowned slightly, looking somewhat puzzled as she speared a meatball and proactively brought it to Setsuna Ogiso's lips, saying calmly.
"It's not your problem. There's no need for you to apologise at all. Neither Ye Xing nor I care about such things."
Setsuna Ogiso breathed a sigh of relief and, like a pampered pet being fed, obediently opened her mouth and bit down on the meatball Kazusa Touma had offered her.
Immediately after, Kazusa Touma speared another meatball and once again brought it to Setsuna Ogiso's lips.
The latter smiled and waved her hand.
"Kazusa, you should eat too. No need to be so polite."
"Heh."
Ye Xing, watching this scene, had already seen completely through Kazusa Touma's thoughts.
"She obviously doesn't like eating this kind of thing, but your family specially made it, and she'd feel bad not having any at all, so she's using this method to cover it up, right?"
Kazusa Touma glared at Ye Xing, withdrew her hand, and stuffed the meatball on her fork into Ye Xing's mouth, retorting angrily.
"You talk too much."
"Eh, seen through, getting flustered."