"Is that so?"
Ye Xing smiled indifferently.
"I was actually thinking of having you write a report criticising Mask and Chief Yagami, just like the other media outlets. But it seems you wouldn't agree to that now?"
This statement directly stunned Natsumi Suga on the other end.
What exactly did he mean?
Not only telling her not to write reports supporting Mask, but even... wanting her to write those completely unfounded, fabricated conspiracy theories criticising Mask and Soichiro Yagami, just like those unethical media outlets?
The problem was... aren't you Mask yourself?
Wait.
Natsumi Suga suddenly remembered that she had only assumed Ye Xing was Mask herself based on some clues and her own wishful thinking.
Could it be that she had made a mistake?
Ye Xing wasn't Mask after all, just as that report claimed - Ye Xing never considered Mask to be any kind of hero?
"This... I..."
Natsumi Suga hesitated for a moment before finally asking in a small, uncertain voice.
"Are you... really the person I think you are?"
"Not important."
Ye Xing didn't give a direct response, only saying with a smile.
"Anyway, don't write any reports. Take some time off and relax."
"Alright... I understand."
After hanging up, Ye Xing noticed all the members were staring at him and couldn't help but laugh.
"Why are you all looking at me like that?"
"Hmph."
Mai Sakurajima's voice carried a faint hint of jealousy.
"Miss Natsumi Suga is really quite loyal, wanting to write a report supporting Mask in this kind of media environment. If public opinion doesn't reverse later, this would be betting her entire career prospects."
"Little Mai, there's meaning behind your words."
Ye Xing shook his head and replied casually.
"If any of you were in her position, you would... no, you absolutely would make the same decision as her, right? What's so noteworthy about that?"
"Yes, of course we would."
Miko Yotsuya nodded, her golden eyes fixed on Ye Xing as she said meaningfully.
"But our relationship with you... It seems Miss Natsumi Suga wants to have that kind of relationship with you, too."
"Hey, we're discussing serious matters now, let's not talk about this."
Seeing Ye Xing's attempt to change the subject, Miko Yotsuya rolled her eyes and didn't press further.
There was no helping it - everyone had already guessed what was happening.
That Miss Natsumi Suga was so beautiful, plus she was a supporter of Mask, and after spending time together during both the fireworks festival and school festival, her personality seemed quite good too. Although she wasn't a psychic, she could indeed be considered part of the Supernatural Society.
With the Harem God's natural charisma, things developing to this stage was inevitable.
When Natsumi Suga was even willing to stake her newly started, promising media career to continue supporting Mask at such a time, what more needed to be said?
Just wait for her to join, that's all.
Meanwhile, after hearing the conversation between Ye Xing and Natsumi Suga, Rio Futaba seemed to suddenly think of something, frowning slightly as she said thoughtfully, "You're not letting her write the report... Could it be that the enemy's purpose this time..."
"Exactly." Ye Xing nodded, his smile fading as he spoke in a calm tone. "Whoever made Seishu Akoya become a psychic, the mastermind should understand that relying solely on that guy's abilities - though his close combat skills are strong - isn't enough to defeat me."
"What's important isn't Seishu Akoya's combat ability, but his identity as the Director of the Metropolitan Police Department's Mobile Unit."
"Seishu Akoya caused such a huge commotion, and our entire battle process was recorded by bystanders. The mastermind can use the footage to gauge my approximate combat strength... However... Seishu Akoya and I are too far apart in ability, so there's hardly any valuable reference information. At most, they can only determine that my close combat skills are strong. That objective has failed."
Hearing this, Rio Futaba suddenly understood. "No wonder you didn't use Onimaru Kunitsuna or any special abilities when fighting Seishu Akoya - you were hiding your trump cards."
After saying this, Rio Futaba paused briefly before continuing, "Then the mastermind's second objective... was to cause chaos in Kyoto. After all, this time the enemy fighting Mask isn't an ordinary person, but Seishu Akoya, the Director of the Metropolitan Police Department's Mobile Unit, who has considerable public recognition."
"This forces the Kyoto Metropolitan Police Department to respond, preventing them from continuing their usual policy of ignoring the situation."
"Either they make public that Seishu Akoya killed police officers, as a Metropolitan Police Department member losing control and killing his colleagues would have unimaginable consequences in public opinion."
"Or they cover up what happened with Seishu Akoya... at the cost of labelling Mask as a vicious criminal who murdered Metropolitan Police Department members."
Hina Amano bit her teeth lightly upon hearing this, looking furious. "What a vicious scheme... How despicable!"
Mai Sakurajima responded noncommittally, "The opponent's main target probably isn't just putting pressure on the Metropolitan Police Department. Most likely, they want to use this psychological warfare to affect Mask himself."
Saying this, Mai Sakurajima glanced at Ye Xing sitting there and shook her head with a wry smile.
"If those people understood Ye Xing's character, they'd know that so-called psychological tactics would be completely useless."
At this moment, Yui Yuigahama and Miko Yotsuya once again recalled the words Ye Xing had spoken back when they were at the McDonald's where Hina Amano worked.
Not being swayed by external praise or criticism - that was the willpower needed to accomplish anything.
Until now, they hadn't fully understood the meaning of these words. After all, from the day Mask first appeared, public opinion in Kyoto had been overwhelmingly positive, reaching almost deified status until recently.
It was only at this moment that Yui Yuigahama and Miko Yotsuya finally understood - just because you're doing the right thing doesn't mean the outside world will support you.
Public opinion was something so fragile and unreliable, something that could reverse at any moment, completely worthless.
That's precisely why Ye Xing's mindset wouldn't waver in the slightest, even as public attitude toward Mask shifted from support to suspicion.
"There are two more points."
Ye Xing spoke slowly.
"I've searched - Seishu Akoya is just a soulless shell. As for where his soul has gone... I probably don't need to say, you should already know."
Rio Futaba frowned slightly and murmured.
"I see... So his and Tamura's Soul Materialisations aren't true Soul Materialisation, but twisted creations formed at the cost of their own souls shattering and distorting... No wonder..."
After saying this, Rio Futaba sighed.
"So, since Seishu Akoya has no soul, you couldn't retrieve any valuable information from his memories, right?"
"Correct."
"Is it a coincidence... or does the enemy know about your special ability... and is deliberately countering you... Probably just a coincidence."
Rio Futaba thought to herself that Ye Xing's ability to seize the most profound memories of someone's life while devouring their soul was known only to the members present here.
Just from watching the television broadcast footage, one couldn't determine he possessed such an ability.
And the internal members of the Supernatural Society would absolutely never betray them.
In that case, could it only be a coincidence?
"Rather than coincidence, I have a more appropriate term to describe it."
Ye Xing smiled indifferently.
"Perhaps this is a necessary trial on the Fool's journey - fate."
After saying this, Ye Xing paused slightly before continuing.
"And the most important point, the fundamental reason why I didn't let Natsumi Suga write the report."
"Under such public opinion conditions, if anyone still publishes statements supporting Mask, the mastermind behind this can narrow down the scope and identify Mask's collaborators among these people - or even those who know Mask's true identity."
Hearing this, Rio Futaba showed a strange expression and adjusted her glasses.
"You're saying the enemy has already guessed that Mask has collaborators within Kyoto, and came up with this strategy to kill three birds with one stone? Combined with that special ability to create psychics..."
Ye Xing nodded and smiled.
"Facing an enemy with such outstanding intellect and unpredictable abilities is rather troublesome."
"Will we lose?"
"No, we will win."
As today's discussion finally concluded, Kazusa Touma, who had remained silent throughout, suddenly spoke up.
"Ye Xing, I've made plans with Setsuna tomorrow to visit a hot spring inn outside Kyoto. You're coming with me."
Hearing this, before Ye Xing could respond, Mai Sakurajima frowned slightly, her expression displeased.
"You've monopolised him for days already. Must he accompany you on the weekend, too?"
"Hmm?"
Kazusa Touma glanced expressionlessly at Mai Sakurajima and said calmly, "Mai-senpai, your exorcism commission remains unresolved, and there's been no progress regarding Kaguya Shinomiya's Adolescence Syndrome either, correct?"
"Well..."
"The same applies to Futaba-san, who needs to address Adolescence Syndrome matters. Yotsuya-san has exorcism commissions to handle. Amano-san has accumulated Sunny Girl requests. Yuigahama-san must attend supplementary lessons with Yukinoshita, especially with midterm exams approaching."
Kazusa Touma swept her gaze across the room's members and stated flatly, "As for Hachishaku-sama and the others? That goes without saying. Have I forgotten anyone?"
Hearing Kazusa Touma's words, the members fell silent, unable to refute.
It was true.
Members of the Supernatural Society were typically very busy, and even on free weekends, they had their own matters to attend to—this could be considered work, after all, as exorcism commissions offered substantial rewards.
Kazusa Touma, the War Goddess, had directly named them one by one, leaving them speechless.
"Therefore, the most demanding duty—the arduous task of accompanying Ye Xing to relax—shall be undertaken by me, as I have the least to do."
Observing Kazusa Touma's composed demeanour, Mai Sakurajima and the others were somewhat stunned.
Truly worthy of the War Goddess, to possess such an overwhelming presence.
They had originally assumed that during Supernatural Society meetings, Kazusa Touma was always spacing out, absorbing nothing.
Yet now, she had recounted their respective weekend obligations as effortlessly as listing treasured possessions—how could this be considered not listening?
Kazusa Touma had long gathered all necessary information, waiting for the critical moment to deliver a fatal blow.
Terrifying, truly terrifying.
"Going with Ogiso-san?"
Ye Xing looked rather reluctant.
"Can't it just be the two of us? I'd rather not bring her along."
"Heh."
Kazusa Touma saw right through Ye Xing's scheme and let out two cold laughs.
"If you want to laugh, just laugh. No need to hold back."
"Hey, what kind of person do you take me for? I just want to spend time alone with you. Ogiso-san is a bit... in the way."
"Please, for my sake, bring Setsuna along too. Is that acceptable?"
"Fi~ne, since it's the lovely Kazusa's request, I'll reluctantly agree."
"Pfft."
Kazusa Touma whispered.
"How shameless."
...
Meanwhile, at Osaka Municipal Hospital.
The nurse who had just entered the ward saw that Rikka Sakuragawa wasn't sitting on the hospital bed as usual. Instead, she was dressed in normal clothes and pulling a suitcase, which made the nurse ask in confusion.
"Eh? Sakuragawa-san, what are you..."
Rikka Sakuragawa smiled, her entire being carrying a peculiar yet somewhat elegant, sickly beauty.
"I'm being discharged. Thank you for your care during this time."
"Oh... alright."
Watching Rikka Sakuragawa's retreating figure as she pulled her suitcase out of the ward, the nurse's expression turned somewhat complicated.
Her usual duties only involved taking care of the other's daily needs - things like check-ups and blood tests were handled by specialists.
Based on her observations, this Miss Rikka Sakuragawa's mental state wasn't poor. Though her body was sickly thin, it seemed to be simply due to malnutrition and anorexia. She would be better off in psychiatry rather than undergoing physical examinations.
Most importantly, every time this nurse interacted with her, she would feel an indescribable, chilling sensation.
As if the one sitting on that hospital bed... wasn't human, but a monster wearing human skin.
...
Elsewhere, in Tokyo.
"A member of the Metropolitan Police Department's mobile unit was killed by Mask in full public view..."
Light Yagami sat behind his desk, browsing through news on his computer screen, his brown eyes revealing thoughtful contemplation.
"If the serial murders in Tokyo and this incident in Kyoto are both deliberately orchestrated by the same person, then this is truly..."
At this point, a flash of crimson light appeared in Light Yagami's eyes, and even a slight smile surfaced on his face.
"Extremely exciting. Daring to challenge both Kira and Mask simultaneously? Interesting, truly interesting."
Light Yagami took out his phone, dialled Ye Xing's number, and spoke with a smile.
"What are your thoughts on this?"
"My thoughts?"
Ye Xing's voice from the other end of the line sounded relaxed.
"I'm currently pondering a very serious question - if the three of us sleep in the same room when we go to the hot spring tomorrow night, whether I can keep my composure."
"That's so like you."
Light Yagami chuckled, thinking it was exactly as expected.
Pressure from public opinion?
For his father, Soichiro Yagami, it might indeed be quite stressful, but trying to pressure Ye Xing? That was practically a joke.
"I've thought of something."
Light Yagami restrained his smile and slowly began to speak.
"If... the enemy can transform targets who meet certain conditions into psychics... then there's one person who, if they awakened spiritual power, would be far more troublesome than someone like Seishu Akoya."
"You mean that famous detective?"
"Correct."
Light Yagami nodded.
"He already saw my soul's true form last time. I once considered following in my father's footsteps and joining the Metropolitan Police Department, so I'm quite proficient in deduction as well."
"Deduction isn't a process of slowly loading progress. For a detective of his calibre, he only lacks an opportunity. If he became a psychic, he wouldn't even need to use that power - simply understanding the relevant rules would be enough."
"Of course, this assumes the mastermind with transformation ability knows about this mysterious detective's existence."
Light Yagami's reasoning was indeed sound.
L's mind was excellent, even monstrously intelligent - surpassing even Light Yagami himself.
After all, L excelled at meticulous deduction, while Light specialised in performance and manipulating people. Though both possessed high intelligence, their focuses differed.
If, as Light said, L actually obtained spiritual power, he wouldn't need that power at all. Simply learning the operational rules of spiritual power, knowing about the existence of Gates and the Reverse World within Tokyo - that alone would be sufficient.
"Should we kill him? That shouldn't be difficult for you, right?"
Hearing this question, Light Yagami considered it seriously.
From a rational perspective, even without spiritual power, L was highly dangerous. If he gained spiritual power, he would become an extremely formidable opponent.
Killing him directly, denying him that opportunity, was indeed the most convenient option.
"No."
Light Yagami shook his head and replied with a smile.
"Killing him would mean I've lost. L isn't an evil person. Recently, some within the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department have begun wavering, and Kira's supporters in Tokyo are gradually increasing."
Ye Xing replied indifferently.
"Then you could make him die mysteriously without leaving any traces. No one would know you did it anyway."
"I could indeed do that, but no one would know? No, someone would know."
Light Yagami shook his head meaningfully.
"At the very least, I would know. I don't want to break the principles and goals I've set for myself. That would make me like Seishu Akoya - justice gone out of control."
"My pride won't allow me to degenerate to that state."
"When everyone supports Kira and no one cares about the identity behind the mask, I won't need to do anything - L will have already lost."