After Rio Futaba and the others departed on the ferry, the previously bustling Supernatural Society was left with only three members: Haruno Yukinoshita, Kazusa Touma, and Yui Yuigahama.
Watching the ferry gradually recede into the distance until it disappeared from view, Haruno waved cheerfully and spoke as if casually mentioning, "It's a shame we could only meet briefly, but never mind. This afternoon, Ogiso-san, my adorable little sister, and Shizuka-chan should be arriving."
Yui Yuigahama, who had been smiling, froze for a moment upon hearing the last name from Haruno's mouth, cautiously asking, "Um... Haruno-san, when you say Shizuka-chan, you mean...?"
"Shizuka Hiratsuka, of course. You high school students these days are too much - on summer break and you've already forgotten your homeroom teacher?"
"No... it's not that..."
Yui Yuigahama wore a completely bewildered expression.
"Why would you invite Shizuka-sensei too?"
Seeing her adorable, dazed expression, Haruno Yukinoshita suddenly felt the urge to tease her. With an angel-like sweet smile, she uttered words akin to a demon's whisper, causing Yui Yuigahama's expression to change instantly.
"Of course, she's here to tutor you. I heard your grades are quite poor, almost failing. Taking advantage of the summer break, I specifically asked Shizuka to tutor you. Not a wasted 'Haruno-nee', right?"
Yui Yuigahama wore an expression of wanting to cry but having no tears, pitifully looking at Ye Xing with teary eyes.
"Ye Xing, I don't want tutoring..."
"What tutoring? You actually believed her."
Seeing Haruno Yukinoshita struggling to hold back her laughter, Ye Xing rubbed Yui Yuigahama's head, both amused and somewhat helplessly comforting her.
"As if she'd really come to tutor you. Even if you were willing, with Shizuka-kawaii's tendency to slack off whenever possible, making her work overtime during summer break? That's purely a joke."
Yui Yuigahama suddenly understood upon hearing this, thinking that made sense.
Given Shizuka Hiratsuka's personality, asking her to tutor during summer break?
Impossible, absolutely impossible.
Only then did Yui Yuigahama realise she had been tricked by Haruno Yukinoshita. She wanted to retaliate, but when she saw the other covering her mouth while lightly laughing, she deflated like a balloon, left sulking in silence.
"Oh? Really upset now?"
Haruno Yukinoshita moved closer to Yui Yuigahama, smiling as she put an arm around her shoulder.
"Just joking with you. I specifically asked Yukino to buy lots of snacks to bring along."
"Snacks?"
Kazusa Touma's figure appeared like a ghost instantly beside Haruno and Yui Yuigahama.
"Are there... sweet ones?"
"Of course, all kinds."
Watching this scene, Ye Xing thought, 'Truly the demon superhuman Haruno Yukinoshita.'
Kazusa Touma had strong offensive power, but her mind was still too simple. Combined with the dazed Yui Yuigahama, even together, they were no match for Haruno Yukinoshita.
...
After having lunch at Kobune Restaurant at noon, the Kofune sisters and Hizuru Minakata followed the Supernatural Society members to the ferry dock, waiting together to welcome the members coming for special training.
The first to disembark was Setsuna Ogiso.
The moment she saw Kazusa Touma, she excitedly rushed over.
"Kazusa, I'm here!"
Kazusa Touma couldn't help showing a slight smile, then somewhat helplessly pushed Setsuna Ogiso's head away from leaning on her, saying irritably.
"Alright, alright, sticking so close, it's hot enough to die."
"Because it's been so long since we last met."
Kazusa Touma looked speechless upon hearing this.
"So long... just two or three days, right? Seems to me you're saying 'long time no see' to me, but actually... you mean someone else, don't you?"
Hearing this, Setsuna Ogiso's pretty face slightly reddened, but she still ran up to Ye Xing and greeted him cheerfully.
"Ye Xing, yahallo!"
"Don't use that group language here."
Ye Xing replied with a laugh, reaching out to pinch Setsuna Ogiso's cheek. His gaze turned towards the ferry, where Yukino Yukinoshita, in summer clothes, and Shizuka Hiratsuka, sneaking around as if guilty, were also disembarking.
"Little Shizuku, little Yukino."
Seeing the two of them coming downstairs, Haruno Yukinoshita smiled and went up to meet them, linking arms with one on each side. Anyone who didn't know better would think she was the Harem God.
"You're finally here."
Yukino Yukinoshita's expression remained calm, though her gaze lingered on Ye Xing for a moment longer than necessary. She silently withdrew her arm from her sister's grasp and said in a flat tone, "Yes."
Meanwhile, Shizuka Hiratsuka pursed her lips and leaned close to Haruno Yukinoshita's ear, lowering her voice to whisper, "Um... Haruno, you young people gathering to have fun... inviting your teacher along is a bit too..."
"Tehehe."
Haruno Yukinoshita chuckled meaningfully and retorted, "But you still came, didn't you?"
"I..."
Shizuka Hiratsuka was left speechless.
Seeing this, Haruno Yukinoshita knew her assumption had been correct.
Normally, why would a homeroom teacher crash students' summer holiday gatherings?
When Haruno called Shizuka Hiratsuka, she hadn't mentioned anything about special training - she'd said everyone was free during summer break and suggested gathering to relax.
And yet, Shizuka Hiratsuka had actually come...
The situation was quite clear now.
"Kazusa, we brought you some sweets - we bought them fresh this morning."
Setsuna Ogiso handed a small bag to Kazusa Touma, who looked inside to find butt-shaped daifuku from the shop they'd visited with Hana Yurikawa, along with some cakes and other Western-style desserts.
Sweets were Kazusa Touma's greatest weakness.
Hitogashima Island was quite similar to Itomori Town in this regard - while there was Kofune Restaurant, chef Alain Kofune was primarily a cook who didn't specialise in desserts, and the islanders didn't have much habit of consuming them either.
Seeing the sweets that Setsuna Ogiso and Yukino Yukinoshita had specifically brought from Kyoto for her, Kazusa Touma's face lit up with pure delight.
But the next moment, she glanced at Hizuru Minakata, Mio Kofune, and Ushio Kofune standing nearby, bit her lip lightly as if steeling herself, then walked over to the three of them with the bag. Her hands trembling slightly, she slowly opened the bag.
"Please have some too."
"Eh?"
Mio Kofune blinked in surprise, waving her hands. "We couldn't possibly..."
"Well, I won't stand on ceremony then!"
While her younger sister was politely refusing, Ushio Kofune had already reached into the bag and taken a box of packaged butt-shaped daifuku, smiling cheerfully. "Thanks, Kazusa!"
Kazusa Touma: "...You're welcome."
Kazusa Touma was utterly bewildered.
There was someone even more forward?
In this world, there was actually someone who could be more familiar than Setsuna Ogiso and Yui Yuigahama?
They'd skipped the 'Touma-san' stage entirely and gone straight to using her given name?
Seeing this, Hizuru Minakata also took a box of butt-shaped daifuku and gave a slight nod. "Thank you."
Just then, Shizuka Hiratsuka, who had approached nearby, stared at Hizuru Minakata standing there, first blinking in slight confusion before her expression shifted to shock.
"Wait... Futaba-san, how did you suddenly grow so tall? And your hair and eye colour have changed? Is this... is this a new ability from your increased power!?"
Hizuru Minakata: "..."
"Is it possible that I'm not that Rio Futaba classmate? My name is Hizuru Minakata."
"Eh?"
Shizuka Hiratsuka was stunned, carefully examining Hizuru Minakata with an incredulous expression, still muttering to herself.
"In this world... there could actually be two people who look so similar... really..."
To speak of Hizuru Minakata's appearance, it was completely unlike Rio Futaba's - Hizuru Minakata had a tall, slender figure, while Rio Futaba was petite. Although they both preferred tying their hair in high ponytails during combat, one had straight hair while the other had slightly wavy, long hair.
If one had to point out similarities, it would only be that they both wore glasses and both had remarkably impressive bust sizes.
But appearance wasn't the most important thing.
The key was their aura.
Rio Futaba and Hizuru Minakata's auras were so similar that when Shizuka Hiratsuka first saw Hizuru, she didn't even suspect they were different people; instead, she immediately jumped to the conclusion that spiritual power could actually affect one's appearance.
"Ah, really now..."
Hizuru Minakata raised her hand to adjust her glasses frame, letting out a soft sigh.
"I really don't see how I resemble that Futaba-san at all."
"Similar... truly similar..."
Seeing this familiar gesture and hearing this familiar, utterly helpless sigh that sounded like someone dealing with an idiot, Shizuka Hiratsuka nodded in deep agreement.
They were far too alike.
After exchanging introductions and settling their luggage in the hotel rooms, Yukino Yukinoshita looked towards Ye Xing, who was sitting there and quietly inquired.
"You mentioned special training - what exactly does that entail? Let me state clearly that physical endurance is my weakness."
"Don't worry, it has nothing to do with physical strength."
Ye Xing waved his hand dismissively, smiling meaningfully.
"This is purely about tempering one's willpower."
...
Later that same day, gazing at the pitch-black mountain forest before her, Yukino Yukinoshita's face showed rare traces of panic, and her voice began to tremble.
"This... this... do we really have to go in..."
"Correct."
Ye Xing explained with a smile.
"The rules are simple - you hide, I seek. You can't hide together; you must separate."
Listening to the rustling of grass in the wind around them, the sounds in this dim atmosphere like the moans of resentful spirits, even the psychics Yui Yuigahama and Haruno Yukinoshita were sweating profusely.
This... was too terrifying, wasn't it?
Just as they were thinking this, they heard Ye Xing add.
"Oh, and to achieve the maximum effect of willpower training, I won't appear before you in my true form. As for what image you'll see me as... well, look forward to it."
This deliberate omission made terrifying images involuntarily surface in everyone's minds, further increasing the pressure.
Mio Kofune cautiously asked.
"And if we get caught..."
"Getting caught means you'll get... oh no, I can't copy punishment mechanics from eroge."
Ye Xing thought for a moment before showing an amiable smile.
"If you get caught, you'll find out what happens when the time comes."
"I'll give you fifteen minutes to hide, then we'll begin."
After saying this and seeing everyone still frozen in place, Ye Xing waved his hand.
"What are you still standing around for? Hurry up and go!"
Hearing this, although the girls were somewhat reluctant, they had no choice but to comply.
This mountain area wasn't just forest - there were also some dilapidated structures left over from Hitogashima Island's past, now uninhabited.
Shizuka Hiratsuka moved alone through the forest, listening to the occasional sounds around her with an expression that seemed about to cry.
Wasn't this supposed to be summer holiday fun together?
How did it become special training?
More importantly, why do I have to participate in this training?
I'm not even in the Supernatural Society!
Among those participating in the training, only Hizuru Minakata and Kazusa Touma, whose mental fortitude differed from that of ordinary people, could maintain their composure while acting alone.
Half an hour later, in the woods beside a dilapidated wooden cabin.
"Hiding here... should be fine..."
Yukino Yukinoshita hid in the woods, her usually calm and composed face now unavoidably showing signs of panic and tension.
She certainly wasn't foolish enough to hide directly inside that wooden cabin.
Whether this was a game of playing spectres to catch people or special training, and with punishments for being caught, Ye Xing definitely couldn't go all out. Otherwise, forget about lasting the entire night within the limited mountain area - even if the range expanded to the entire Hitogashima Island, the members wouldn't last ten minutes.
Yukino Yukinoshita now understood why Ye Xing had said this was purely a test of willpower, having little to do with physical strength.
Hiding in the pitch-black mountain forest late at night, constantly on edge like a startled bird, wary of every rustling sound - the string in her mind had long been stretched to its limit.
Just then...
Tap... tap...
Unconcealed footsteps sounded from nearby.
Yukino's expression changed as she quickly covered her mouth to prevent herself from crying out, even holding her breath.
In the dim night, she finally saw clearly - a monster with hands like sharp claws, wearing a blood-stained mask, slowly approaching the small wooden cabin.
At this moment, Yukino's mind went completely blank.
Was that Ye Xing?
Or... had she encountered a real spectre?
Wait, calm down.
Since Ye Xing was here, there shouldn't be any evil spirits or spectres appearing nearby.
Then... that person must be Ye Xing in a different attire?
But... this disguise was way too realistic!
Bang!
Just then, a loud crash came as Yukino saw Ye Xing, dressed as the monster, kick out and shatter the wooden cabin's door.
She almost cried out, barely managing to suppress it, but still unconsciously let out a small breath.
"Hmm?"
Ye Xing seemed to have heard her faint exhalation, immediately turning around and walking step by step toward Yukino's hiding spot.
Tap... tap... tap...
Listening to his footsteps approaching, Yukino tightly covered her mouth, not daring to breathe, crouching behind the tree as her body began to tremble slightly.
Along with it came the sound of metal claws scraping.
Yukino's mind went blank, feeling her heart was about to leap out of her throat.
Ye Xing seemed to be deliberately toying with her, circling the edge of the forest but never actually approaching her hiding place.
This was the real torture.
True fear wasn't the moment of being caught, but teetering on the edge of discovery again and again.
Yukino was almost on the verge of tears.
Aren't you supposed to be like Marin Kitagawa, playing those... what are they called... yes, aren't you into eroge? Why have you switched to horror settings?
Just then, Yukino suddenly heard eerie, low chanting.
If Hina Amano had been here, she would have immediately recognised this as the same strange chanting from when those monks sat together at Shitennō-ji Temple last time.
Copyright?
What bloody copyright? Ye Xing had killed them all - just copying and using it directly.
After persisting for over ten seconds, just as Yukino Yukinoshita had reached her limit, nearly unable to hold her breath any longer, her mind growing hazy from oxygen deprivation, Ye Xing suddenly turned and walked into the distance. The eerie chanting gradually faded until it vanished altogether.
"Hah... Hah..."
Yukino Yukinoshita gasped for air, her heart finally settling as her chest heaved violently, feeling as if her heartbeat had reached its absolute limit.
Fear, it was truly terrifying.
She had originally thought that since it was Ye Xing doing the chasing, and knowing he wouldn't harm her, what was there to fear even if caught? It would be just like those so-called tests of courage events - boring.
But when it actually happened, Yukino Yukinoshita realised she had been far too naive.
Even knowing it was Ye Xing, even knowing there would be no consequences if caught, she still felt fear and tension.
These emotions affected her ability to think clearly and control her bodily movements.
Though Yukino strongly resisted this special training, she had come to understand that if she wanted to become a psychic, this kind of training to temper her willpower and mental fortitude was inevitable.
Ye Xing had been quite gentle this time. She recalled that when Miko Yotsuya, the first member to join the Supernatural Society, underwent training, she had faced actual spirits and had to force herself to eat a boxed lunch while being watched by a group of evil spirits.
Just then, Yukino Yukinoshita caught a glimpse of a dark shadow beside her from the corner of her eye.
She instinctively turned her head, and what met her eyes was a blood-stained mask and twisted eyes filled with bloodshot veins.
Yukino's pupils contracted in shock. She let out a gasp as her whole body stumbled backwards several steps before collapsing to sit on the ground.
"Scared that easily?"
Seeing Ye Xing remove the mask and lightly tease her, Yukino remained silent for several seconds before raising her hands to wipe randomly at her face. Though she knew it was embarrassing, she couldn't stop herself from making sobbing sounds.
"Wah... Waaa..."
Seeing Yukino's pitiful appearance actually left Ye Xing at a loss.
"Wait... are you crying?"