Hearing this, Ye Xing waved his hand with a serious expression.
"Hey, Shizuka, don't say things like that."
Before Shizuka Hiratsuka could respond, he added with a laugh,
"What's so interesting about an ordinary high school's festival? Of course they're all here to see me - was that even a question? Unnecessary."
Shizuka Hiratsuka rolled her eyes and sighed helplessly.
"Your personality... even if it's the truth, you should at least try to conceal it a bit."
Shizuka Hiratsuka wasn't stupid.
She had been teaching at Sobu High for so long and had experienced many school festivals.
During previous festivals, there were certainly students from other schools who came to visit.
But for schools like Toyogasaki High School and Shuchi'in Academy to officially send students to visit in the name of their schools, this had never happened before.
Did anyone really think they came to see the school festival and experience each class's prepared projects?
Absolutely not possible.
Shizuka Hiratsuka saw things clearly - their class's signature attraction wasn't the haunted house or band performance at all.
Class 1-A's signature project was Ye Xing himself.
He had become the must-experience attraction for beautiful girls both inside and outside the school.
At that moment, a black extended luxury sedan pulled up to the entrance of Sobu High School and slowly came to a stop.
"Long time no see, Ye Xing-kun."
Chika Fujiwara stepped out of the car door, wearing a sweet smile as she waved at Ye Xing by the gate.
Only then did she notice Shizuka Hiratsuka standing beside him and added.
"Hello, Hiratsuka-sensei."
Shizuka Hiratsuka smiled back in response.
"Welcome, Fujiwara-san."
Although they had only met once, Shizuka had a very good impression of this Chika Fujiwara. Unlike most students from Shuchi'in Academy who carried an air of superiority, she was instead very approachable and lovely.
Considering her background, such a personality was truly precious.
"Kaguya should be arriving soon, too. I'll wait here for her as well."
Chika smiled, then stood beside Ye Xing and casually asked in a soft voice.
"Ye Xing-kun, is Touma-san at school?"
Ye Xing glanced at Chika and chuckled.
"What, do you want to get hit by a piano?"
"Uh... of course not."
Chika's face darkened slightly as she quickly waved her hands and explained with an awkward smile.
"I just haven't seen her for a long time and wanted to say hello."
"She's busy right now, doing final practice for tomorrow's stage performance."
"Oh, I see."
Just as the two were talking, another extended black luxury sedan pulled up to the entrance of Sobu High School.
The driver, who had been sitting in the driver's seat wearing a black suit, opened the door, got out, and ran to the rear of the car to open the door for Kaguya Shinomiya in one fluid motion.
"Hmm..."
Noticing the expressions on Ye Xing and Shizuka's faces, Chika proactively explained with a smile.
"Kaguya's family has quite strict rules. It's better at our school, but since we're visiting your Sobu High this time... please understand, please understand."
After Kaguya Shinomiya got out of the car, the driver who had just been driving, and another man dressed in a black suit also emerged. The two flanked her on either side, constantly surveying the surrounding environment.
Noticing the students around the school entrance curiously looking their way, Kaguya maintained an expressionless face, though a complex emotion flickered in her eyes.
"Hello, Ye Xing-kun, Hiratsuka-sensei."
"You're here? Let's go in then."
Ye Xing responded casually, smiling at Shizuka.
"Shizuka-chan, please escort Fujiwara-san and Shinomiya-san inside."
"Hey hey hey, there are students from other schools here. Could you not call me Shizuka-chan? What about my dignity?"
"Alright then, single iron-fist old woman, escort them inside."
Shizuka: "...Just call me Shizuka-chan."
When Kaguya Shinomiya entered the gate, the two burly bodyguards in black suits attempted to follow her, but were stopped by Ye Xing.
Ye Xing wore a kind, friendly smile as he softly said.
"I've agreed to let Shinomiya-san and Fujiwara-san enter our school, but you two... please wait outside."
The air instantly fell silent.
One of the bodyguards frowned slightly, showing displeasure on his face, but maintained basic courtesy as he spoke in a deep voice.
"This student, we are the young lady's bodyguards. To be frank, your Sobu High School isn't a safe place. To prevent anyone from having ill intentions toward the young lady, we must accompany her at all times."
"No can do."
Ye Xing shook his head, still wearing a smile.
"This is our Sobu High School's cultural festival, not just anyone can enter. Precisely because our security measures are excellent, we can't allow suspicious individuals of unknown origin into our school."
The other bodyguard's temper was clearly not as good.
"Didn't we just tell you, we're the young lady's bodyguards, so we must..."
"What young lady?"
Ye Xing directly interrupted the other's words, the smile disappearing from his face as he spoke in a flat tone.
"I only know Kaguya Shinomiya, an ordinary first-year student from Shuchi'in Academy. The two of you entering Sobu High would only make the other students nervous. The only person who should make Sobu High students nervous is me."
"Oh, I've changed my mind."
"Don't just stand there waiting, either; you're too much of an eyesore. Go back where you came from."
Hearing this, the bodyguard who had spoken first turned his gaze to Shizuka Hiratsuka inside the school Gate and said in a deep voice, "This teacher, you should be reasonable..."
"Don't talk to me about it."
Shizuka Hiratsuka adopted a completely unbothered attitude, waving her hand casually.
"Since he's said you can't enter, then don't enter. Talking to me is useless, I'm just a single old woman, I don't know anything."
Sensing the tension in the surrounding air growing increasingly intense, Kaguya Shinomiya pressed her lips together, a hint of dejection showing in her dark red eyes. She turned and walked to Ye Xing's side, speaking softly.
"I'm sorry, Ye Xing, I didn't think this through properly. I shouldn't have come to disturb your Sobu High's cultural festival. I'll leave now, my apologies."
For Kaguya Shinomiya, who always held herself to strict standards, she wouldn't entertain the idea that the current situation was caused by Ye Xing's refusal to allow her bodyguards into Sobu High. As usual, she placed all the blame on herself.
She had been too naive, thinking that by leaving Shuchi'in Academy, she could enjoy an ordinary student's life.
Within Shuchi'in, she was Kaguya Shinomiya, an outstanding first-year student.
But once she stepped outside Shuchi'in Academy's gate, she became the eldest daughter of the Shinomiya conglomerate, where every word and action had to be considered for its impact on those around her.
Of course, even within Shuchi'in Academy, the so-called freedom and relaxation were only relative.
That things had developed into this situation was entirely due to her own lack of foresight.
Kaguya's eyes showed some dejection as she thought to herself that she remained ultimately immature and unqualified to bear the title of the Shinomiya family's eldest daughter.
Hearing this, Ye Xing's expression didn't change at all; he only said in a flat tone, "You want to leave?"
"I..."
Kaguya parted her lips, but seeing how Ye Xing was looking at her, she found herself completely unable to speak a deceptive lie, and could only say quietly, "I... I don't want to leave... but... I should leave."
"Don't understand."
Ye Xing smiled, completely unconcerned.
"If you don't want to leave, then just don't. I truly can't understand your way of thinking; no wonder you developed a mental illness."
Hearing this, the two bodyguards could no longer restrain themselves. They stepped forward, attempting to separate Kaguya Shinomiya and Ye Xing, who were conversing, intending to escort their young mistress into the car and away from this troublesome situation.
"Hmm?"
But the moment these two bodyguards stepped across the entrance gate of Sobu High School, Ye Xing's hands were already resting on their shoulders.
"Didn't I say you weren't allowed to come in?"
"You brat..."
Just as the two bodyguards were about to say something, they felt an intense pain shooting through their shoulders. The sound of bones creaking within made their expressions change abruptly. Fortunately, they clenched their teeth tightly; otherwise, they would have almost cried out in pain.
Looking at Ye Xing standing before them, they wondered how a mere high school-aged boy could possess such fear-inducing grip strength?
As bodyguards assigned to protect Kaguya Shinomiya, these two were certainly no pushovers. Gritting their teeth, enduring the pain in their shoulders, they reached out and grabbed Ye Xing's forearms, their five fingers similarly tightening, wanting to teach this arrogant young man a lesson.
But the next second, they realised something was wrong.
No matter how much force they exerted, even to the point where their faces were turning red, Ye Xing's expression and gaze showed no change whatsoever. Even the hands resting on their shoulders were gradually increasing pressure at a steady, slow pace that they could clearly feel.
"Hiss..."
Even though these two bodyguards had undergone professional training, faced with this excruciating pain that felt like their bones were being crushed, they couldn't help but gasp sharply, their facial features contorting in agony.
"To be honest, you're really quite foolish."
Ye Xing glanced at the black car parked at the school gate, then looked back at the two bodyguards, whose faces were distorted with pain, speaking with a light laugh.
"If she had come alone, in this campus full of high school boys and girls, at most she'd get a few extra glances for being good-looking. Beyond that, nobody would know her true identity."
"But you lot - driving such a conspicuous vehicle, wearing black suits as burly bodyguards, constantly calling her 'young lady' - it's like you're afraid people won't figure out who she is."
"Honestly, I'm starting to suspect you might be moles."
"And..."
At this point, Ye Xing increased the pressure in his hands again.
"If you can't even handle an ordinary high school student, I have serious doubts about your capabilities as bodyguards."
Just then, a somewhat resigned middle-aged man's voice came from outside the school gate.
"Ye Xing, that's about enough. It's your school's cultural festival today - no need to make too big a scene, right?"
Hearing this, Ye Xing put on an expression of serious consideration before smiling and releasing his grip.
"Fair point."
The moment he let go, the two bodyguards immediately collapsed onto the ground, gasping for breath. Even though it was currently cool autumn weather, the white shirts beneath their suit jackets were completely soaked with sweat. The intense pain in their shoulders was so severe that their vision began to blur.
Ignoring the bodyguards slumped on the ground, Ye Xing looked toward the school gate and smiled.
"Chief Yagami, you came too? What brings you here?"
Soichiro Yagami, dressed casually, replied in a serious tone.
"Nothing much, just..."
Just as Soichiro Yagami was halfway through his sentence, a familiar, smiling voice interjected.
"Ye Xing, long time no see."
"Light."
Seeing Light Yagami dressed in casual wear with a smiling expression, Ye Xing asked curiously.
"What brings you all the way from Tokyo?"
Light shrugged, his face showing a warm smile.
"I wanted to check out your school's cultural festival, and besides, I've been wanting to see you."
"After all this time apart, you're still this cheesy with your words."
After this initial complaint, Ye Xing moved closer to Soichiro Yagami, lowering his voice but maintaining a volume that Light could clearly hear, making him look exasperated.
"Chief Yagami, your son's sexual orientation isn't quite normal. When you have time, you two should really have a proper father-son talk. I know it's awkward, but there's no helping it - that's part of being a father's responsibility!"
Light cut in with an exasperated expression.
"Don't say nonsense to my father. He's a serious person - what if he actually believes you?"
"Still denying it? Oh, I get it, my mistake. Such sensitive topics should be left for discussions between you and your father."
Light shook his head helplessly and looked at his father, asking with a smile.
"Have you known Ye Xing for a long time?"
The moment Light Yagami asked this question, the atmosphere in the venue grew inexplicably tense.
Soichiro Yagami suddenly realised the current situation had become rather complicated.
If his own son was indeed Kira - the much-discussed figure in Tokyo who'd been punishing criminals - then he should logically know Mask.
However, while Soichiro strongly suspected that Mask and Ye Xing were the same person, he hadn't received direct confirmation or conclusive evidence.
As for Ye Xing, he knew Soichiro was unaware that Light was Kira, but did Light know his father was one of Mask's collaborators?
Aside from Ye Xing, every word exchanged between Soichiro and Light required careful consideration, lest they reveal information that, from the other's perspective, they shouldn't possess given their respective positions.
It was overwhelmingly complex, like layers upon layers of pastry.
Soichiro approached the two bodyguards and spoke in a grave tone.
"Gentlemen, this is Sobu High School's cultural festival today. Those without invitations truly cannot enter."
"Well..."
The two bodyguards from the Shinomiya conglomerate naturally recognised Soichiro Yagami. Hearing his words, they hesitated briefly but still insisted, "Chief Yagami, it's not that we're being unreasonable, it's just..."
At this point, one bodyguard recalled Ye Xing's comment about them being as foolish as moles. Though resentful, he had to admit the other man had a point. Struggling to his feet, he lowered his voice and whispered a few words to Soichiro.
Learning that the Shinomiya family's eldest daughter had come to attend Sobu High's cultural festival surprised Soichiro.
However, after glancing at Ye Xing standing nearby and recalling his earlier actions, he immediately understood the other's stance. Without hesitation, he replied sternly, "I understand your concerns, but as the current head of criminal investigations, attending the festival with my son, surely that should suffice?"
"But..."
Before the bodyguards could respond, Soichiro continued, "Or are you suggesting you don't trust the Metropolitan Police Department's capabilities? Let me be blunt - given your current dishevelled state, had someone truly intended harm towards your charge earlier, they would have succeeded already. Therefore, please return to wherever you came from."
Hearing Soichiro's words, the two bodyguards broke out in cold sweat.
The situation had completely exceeded their expectations.
Why would the head of criminal investigations attend an ordinary high school's cultural festival?
Moreover, Soichiro Yagami wasn't just any criminal investigations chief, but the most influential figure in the Metropolitan Police Department, holding all substantive authority.
"Still not leaving?"
Ye Xing glanced at Kaguya Shinomiya beside him and smiled.
"Miss Shinomiya, it seems time for you to make a decision."
Normally, given her status as the Shinomiya family's eldest daughter, Kaguya's wisest choice would be to leave with her bodyguards, abandoning her childish, naive plans.
Yet at this moment, she suddenly felt an urge to cast everything aside and indulge in willful behaviour just this once.
Kaguya Shinomiya took two steps forward and spoke calmly.
"Please return first."
Hearing their young mistress's words, the two bodyguards said nothing more, turned around and got into the black car to leave.
They weren't foolish - they knew that when Kaguya Shinomiya herself insisted, it was best not to say anything further.
If they left, at worst, they might face criticism, with termination as the most severe consequence.
But if they were to conflict with Chief Yagami of the Kyoto Metropolitan Police Department...
That was a consequence they couldn't possibly bear.
Watching the two bodyguards drive away, Kaguya Shinomiya breathed a sigh of relief and couldn't help but reveal a faint smile.
Even if she faced severe criticism when she returned home, she didn't care.
As long as today she could be like an ordinary girl and spend time with her friends, that was enough.
Just then, Chika Fujiwara spotted a golden twin-tailed figure hiding outside the school gate, paused momentarily in surprise, then showed an excited expression as she quickly went to meet her.
"Eriri!"