Meanwhile, at the Shinomiya residence.
"Young Mistress, a call from the main family."
Kaguya Shinomiya looked at the mobile phone handed to her by the maid, first took a deep breath, then raised her hand to stroke her cheek. Through this method of psychological suggestion, she calmed her emotions before accepting the phone. Only after the maid left did she bring the phone to her ear and speak softly.
"Father."
On the other end of the line was none other than the current head of the Shinomiya conglomerate, Gan'an Shinomiya.
Kaguya Shinomiya had mentally prepared herself to receive severe criticism and punishment.
Rashly going to another school without any bodyguards, and not returning until this late hour.
All these actions completely violated the status of the Shinomiya family's eldest daughter.
"Today... you went to Sobu High School?"
To Kaguya Shinomiya's surprise, there wasn't the slightest trace of anger in her father's voice.
"Yes, father."
"Who are you going to see?"
Kaguya Shinomiya hesitated for a moment before ultimately deciding to tell the truth.
"A boy... named Ye Xing."
"That boy who ranked first in the joint exams? The one who surpassed Shuchi'in Academy in the last joint examination?"
"...Yes."
Nearly half a minute of silence passed on the other end of the line before Gan'an Shinomiya finally spoke slowly.
"Hmm... According to my subordinates' reports, Sobu High School's cultural festival ends tomorrow evening, correct? Be careful and come home early."
Hearing these words, even the typically aloof Kaguya, who rarely showed her emotions, was stunned, completely unable to believe her ears.
Did her father mean... she could still go to Sobu High School tomorrow, and moreover, go without bodyguards and move freely?
Throughout her entire life, Kaguya had never heard her father say such things.
"I... understand."
"Mm, I'm hanging up."
...
After ending the call, Gan'an Shinomiya, who was in another residence in Kyoto—the Shinomiya family's main estate—heaved a deep sigh before coughing twice.
"Terminal illness..."
The current head of the Shinomiya family, though still in his prime, wore a sickly pallor on his face.
"Ye Xing... an interesting person..."
Gan'an Shinomiya's desk held documents precisely about Ye Xing.
He hadn't sent anyone to tail him because, according to information from the double agent Ai Hayasaka, this youth named Ye Xing and those around him possessed a strange, almost eerie counter-surveillance ability. Even the professionally trained Ai Hayasaka had been discovered, so Gan'an Shinomiya naturally wouldn't take such a risk.
He didn't regard the other party as an enemy, but rather... as a potential escape route prepared for Kaguya Shinomiya.
Of course, this was merely a consideration. After all, things like being top in Japan's unified exams or defeating all first-year geniuses at Shuchi'in Academy only indicated talent for becoming exceptional in Gan'an Shinomiya's eyes. At present, he was just an ordinary high school student.
It wasn't until this morning that Gan'an Shinomiya was truly startled.
As the current head of the Shinomiya family, he knew perfectly well that Soichiro Yagami wielded unshakeable authority within the Metropolitan Police Department.
Moreover, Soichiro Yagami was just over forty years old. At such an age, becoming the actual power holder in the Metropolitan Police Department indicated boundless prospects, with opportunities to advance to high-ranking positions in Japan's National Police Agency.
And such an impressive figure would actually attend Sobu High School's cultural festival? Even when the Shinomiya family's bodyguards clashed with that student named Ye Xing, he didn't conceal his support at all, directly backing Ye Xing?
This was what truly moved Gan'an Shinomiya.
Given Soichiro Yagami's current reputation, age, and qualifications, it was only a matter of time before he rose to a high rank in Japan's National Police Agency.
Even a behemoth like the Shinomiya conglomerate couldn't afford to offend such an important figure.
This connection made Gan'an Shinomiya curious, and it was the most important reason he agreed to let his daughter, Kaguya Shinomiya, continue participating in Sobu High School's cultural festival tomorrow.
Perhaps he had underestimated that youth named Ye Xing.
...
The following afternoon, backstage at Sobu High School's auditorium, in the changing room.
"Kazusa, how do I look? Pretty?"
Looking at Setsuna Ogiso wearing a white performance dress skirt, her chestnut twin tails tied with white hairbands, and adorned with an exquisite, gorgeous pure white neckpiece resembling a wedding necklace, Kazusa Touma nodded, revealing a slight smile.
"Yes, very pretty."
"Right, right? This outfit is too beautiful!"
Setsuna Ogiso appeared extremely happy as she turned towards Saki Kawasaki, standing there, running over to give her a big hug.
"Thank you, Kawasaki-san, I don't even know how to thank you properly!"
Saki Kawasaki, suddenly embraced, seemed somewhat flustered and smiled somewhat sheepishly.
"It's nothing, as long as the size fits. I heard you were performing on stage, and since I can make clothes, I thought I might be able to help somehow. Though I didn't take measurements, fortunately, it fits well when worn."
"Thank you for the gift, Kawasaki-san."
"Just call me Saki."
Saki Kawasaki had never quite understood why Ye Xing had suddenly decided to form a band, nor why he had brought in Setsuna Ogiso – someone he hadn't interacted with much before and who had no connection to supernatural incidents.
At first, she thought he just wanted to expand his harem, but now it seemed...
That might still be part of it, since he called himself the Harem God, but the main reason was likely Setsuna Ogiso's unique qualities.
Her personality, her appearance, her charisma...
She was practically an angel radiating light!
Unlike Yui Yuigahama, who was also gentle and sweet with her own charming personality, Setsuna Ogiso was the type to take the initiative in social situations. Rather than Yui's accommodating and sometimes deceptive approach, Setsuna leaned toward active engagement.
That was why Setsuna Ogiso had managed to become friends with Kazusa Touma in just a few days, reaching the point where they called each other by their first names and could even stay overnight at each other's homes.
The ultimate weapon against Kazusa Touma – Setsuna Ogiso.
"Touma-san."
Saki Kawasaki looked toward Kazusa Touma, who was standing there tuning her bass, pursed her lips with a complicated expression, then turned away as if she didn't care.
"I've prepared your stage outfit too."
"Mhm..."
Kazusa Touma responded softly, then added in a somewhat awkward tone.
"Well... thank... thank you."
"Don't mention it."
Saki Kawasaki tried to maintain a steady voice, pretending to be indifferent.
"As members of the same club performing on stage, this is the least I can do. Consider it a surprise gift. It's in that box – take it out and try it on so I can see if it fits."
"Okay, sure."
No matter how much they fought within the club, no matter how often they engaged in their sarcastic battlefield of veiled conflicts, they were still part of the same club. They knew the truth about this world and moved forward together... to borrow Ye Xing's words, they were closer than friends – you could call them family.
Since Kazusa Touma was going to perform on stage, Saki Kawasaki naturally wanted to show her support.
Ten minutes later.
"Uh... It's a bit tight."
The outfit Saki Kawasaki made for Kazusa Touma was a black performance costume that complemented Setsuna's, designed to highlight her figure. It even came with a black choker and a black hat. Compared to Setsuna's softer attire, this one leaned more toward a punk band member's look.
There was just one problem.
"Are you... that well-endowed?"
Saki Kawasaki stared wide-eyed at Kazusa Touma, who was frowning and constantly adjusting her clothes, and at the dazzling pale swell of her chest.
Good grief, Kazusa Touma had been hiding such impressive assets.
She had originally thought Kazusa was the same type of barren wasteland as Yukino Yukinoshita. Who would have guessed she possessed such astonishing proportions?
"Let me get you a chest binder."
Seeing Kazusa Touma flustered and clearly uncomfortable, Saki Kawasaki quickly retrieved a peculiar cosplay tool from her bag and began helping Kazusa adjust her outfit.
Setsuna Ogiso sat to one side, watching Kazusa Touma's expression of speechlessness and Saki Kawasaki's apologetic smile as she soothed the other's emotions and helped straighten her clothes. A warm smile lifted the corners of Setsuna's lips, yet her eyes betrayed a hint of melancholy.
Is this... the end, then?
The three of them would go their separate ways after today's performance.
Once the school festival concluded, the relationship between the three band members would revert to what it had been before.
Kazusa Touma and Ye Xing would remain members of the Supernatural Society, well-known figures within the school.
And she herself... would still be that friendless, solitary Setsuna Ogiso.
Their paths were never meant to cross; it had all been just a coincidence.
"Setsuna."
"Hmm?"
Hearing Kazusa Touma's voice, Setsuna belatedly looked up to meet Kazusa's beautiful face, now wearing a gentle smile.
"Let's go on stage together."
Facing the hand Kazusa extended towards her, Setsuna took a deep breath and resumed her usual warm, sweet demeanour, grasping Kazusa's hand firmly.
"Yes, let's go on stage together."
Setsuna had made up her mind.
Even if this was the final day, the final performance...
She would give her absolute best to bring this brief yet beautiful journey to a perfect conclusion.
...
Meanwhile, in the auditorium's front row.
Shizuka Hiratsuka and Mafuyu Kirisu sat chatting together, while various members of the Supernatural Society occupied the remaining seats. Though many seats remained empty, no one sat in them—not even the second row was occupied.
Besides these school affiliates, the front row also included Haruno Yukinoshita, an outstanding graduate of Sobu High School; Natsumi Suga holding a camera; Eriri and Utaha Kasumigaoka, representative students of Toyogasaki High School; Chika Fujiwara and Kaguya Shinomiya from Private Shuchi'in Academy; Setsuna Ogiso's parents and younger brother.
And Naruko Anjou, with her orange curly twin tails and gal-style fashion, looking somewhat timid and out of place.
Wait...
Just what kind of place is this?
Naruko felt like a rabbit that had accidentally stumbled into a tiger's den, trembling with fear.
She had only accepted Hana Yurikawa's invitation, thinking she'd skip school today to come watch Ye Xing's band perform at Sobu High School.
But who were these people sitting around her!?
Natsumi Suga, the famous media personality from Kyoto whose articles regularly garnered hundreds of thousands of clicks?
Kaguya Shinomiya, as in the Shinomiya heiress from the Shinomiya conglomerate?
And that pink-haired girl who looked really cute, with proportions almost rivalling Hana Yurikawa's—surname Fujiwara?
As in the Fujiwara family of Japan's former prime minister? And from Private Shuchi'in Academy? Could they be relatives?
What kind of lineup is this?
Thinking this, Naruko's gaze shifted to the far left of the front row. To ordinary eyes, it appeared empty, but in reality, it was occupied by a tall woman in white, a woman wearing a mask with voluminous wavy hair, and her friend Menma.
Seriously, even ghosts come to concerts?
And that square-faced middle-aged man sitting alone without speaking to anyone—if I'm not mistaken—should be the Metropolitan Police Department's Criminal Affairs Director, Soichiro Yagami, who frequently appears on television?
What in the world is going on here!?
Clearly, the reasons students didn't dare approach the front row weren't just the Supernatural Society's intimidating presence, but also the fact that these guests' identities were too extraordinary.
"The next performers... um... first-year students Kazusa Touma, Setsuna Ogiso, and Ye Xing, a three-person band, please take the stage."
After saying this, the host hurried offstage.
The moment Setsuna Ogiso and Kazusa Touma stepped onto the stage hand in hand, the auditorium fell into complete silence, punctuated by soft gasps of surprise.
After all, both of them possessed exceptionally striking appearances, and, dressed in the performance outfits specially made by Saki Kawasaki and illuminated by the stage lights, they looked so beautiful and dazzling that people in the audience almost felt unable to look directly at them.
"Where's Ye Xing... where did he go?"
Setsuna Ogiso scanned the stage but couldn't find Ye Xing, her expression changing as she spoke.
"Don't tell me... he's not coming today?"
"Impossible."
Kazusa Touma shook her head with complete certainty.
"He never lets people down. There's no way he'd drop the ball at a time like this."
Just as Kazusa Touma finished speaking, Ye Xing, wearing casual clothes, walked onto the stage from the other side.
"He's finally here."
Setsuna Ogiso breathed a sigh of relief and picked up the microphone, preparing to introduce the band members, when she saw Ye Xing scanning the audience as if searching for someone. Then he raised his microphone and addressed the guests below, smiling.
"Hello everyone, I'll skip the self-introduction. Next, please enjoy the suona solo I've prepared for you."
"Eh?"
Not only were Setsuna Ogiso and Kazusa Touma stunned, but the people in the audience were equally confused.
Wasn't this supposed to be a band performance?
Why had it become a suona piece, and a solo at that?
While everyone was puzzling over this, Ye Xing had already raised his suona and begun playing.
Du du du du!
It was that classic piece, Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix.
What makes something a classic?
A classic is something that, even after hearing it a hundred times, you can still thoroughly enjoy it on the hundred-and-first listening.
Watching Ye Xing start playing directly, Kazusa Touma shook her head with a wry smile, pulled the still-dazed Setsuna Ogiso, and sat down directly on two chairs on the stage, whispering:
"He probably wants to get abstract again. Well, it is the school festival after all, let him have his fun."
"Um... alright then."
Although Ye Xing had disrupted the original programme order, the staff of Sobu High School certainly had no intention of stopping him.
Besides, this suona piece was actually quite impressive, and everyone was starting to enjoy themselves.
This is what real music looks like.JPG
Five minutes later, as the piece Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix concluded, Ye Xing set down his suona, followed by enthusiastic applause from the audience.
"Bravo!"
"Excellent!"
"As expected of Ye Xing, truly multi-talented!"
"The King of Suona!"
"The strongest suona player on Earth!"
Kaguya Shinomiya sat in the front row, watching Ye Xing on stage, waving and smiling at the audience while listening to the cheers around her, and couldn't help but sigh helplessly.
His personal charm... or rather, his subtle influence, that is, his leadership, was practically SSS-tier!
With just Ye Xing alone, he had managed to make the entire population of thousands of teachers and students at Sobu High School become... abstract.
What was this?
A born leader, though definitely of the abstract variety.
When the thunderous applause from the audience finally subsided, Ye Xing pulled another instrument from his chest.
"Next, please enjoy a kazoo piece called Unravel, performed by Class A first-year student Ye Xing - that would be me."
Everyone was stunned.
Wait, you're going again?
Boo-boo-boo-boo doo-doo-doo-doo dee-dee-dee-dee!
Before anyone could react, an admittedly abstract yet strangely catchy kazoo melody filled the auditorium.
Over the next ten-plus minutes, Ye Xing performed a kazoo solo, a trumpet solo, an accordion solo, and, finally, a hulusi solo.
The auditorium audience was utterly dumbfounded.
Good grief, are you putting on a talent show here?
A high school student, while maintaining the top academic results in the entire school, could actually master so many different musical instruments and play them all quite well?
Is this some family heirloom skill?
"This guy..."
Yukino Yukinoshita massaged her forehead and sighed helplessly.
"He really goes all out with the abstract antics at times like these. I don't even know how to respond."
"Going all out?"
Haruno patted Yukino's head meaningfully.
"You haven't seen Ye Xing's true full power yet. Of course, I hope one day you'll get to witness it, and then fight alongside your big sister."
"What are you talking about..."
Just as Yukino was halfway through her sentence, the auditorium doors were suddenly pushed open.
In the quiet atmosphere, under everyone's watchful eyes, a mature woman with short black hair, features somewhat resembling Kazusa Touma's, and a smiling expression walked in slowly, the crisp sound of her high heels echoing on the floor.
"Am I late?"
Hearing Youko Touma's words, Ye Xing glanced over at Kazusa Touma, who was sitting there stunned by her mother's sudden appearance, then looked back at Youko Touma and said with a light laugh.
"No, you're just in time."
"The performance is only just beginning."