"Shizuka-sensei."
Seeing the red threads appearing in the air, Rio Futaba's expression remained unchanged as she calmly looked at Shizuka Hiratsuka.
"Only the three of us are here today. Regarding the school trip location, we should discuss it with the other members. Of course, I believe they would also be very interested in this once-in-a-millennium comet viewing opportunity you mentioned."
Unsuspecting, Shizuka Hiratsuka nodded with a smile. "Oh, I see. Well then, let me know once you've discussed it. But please be quick - booking tickets, reserving accommodations, and arranging the itinerary all take time. With this news out, many tourists will probably flock to Itomori Town, and it would be troublesome if we couldn't find places to stay."
After saying this, Shizuka Hiratsuka stood up and glanced at Ye Xing, parting her lips as if she wanted to ask if he'd like to go out for dinner together if he had time.
But in front of her student, and her friend's younger sister... how could she, as a homeroom teacher, bring herself to say such things?
In the end, Shizuka Hiratsuka said nothing and could only leave the Supernatural Society's clubroom alone. After closing the main door, she leaned against the wall and let out a soft sigh, murmuring to herself, "Maybe... I should just resign..."
But as Shizuka Hiratsuka thought more carefully, if she were to resign, although she wouldn't need to worry about money, what reason would she have to interact with Ye Xing in the future?
She was just an ordinary young single beauty without any power, only somewhat skilled in combat techniques.
Without the identity of a homeroom teacher...
Would Ye Xing and her life ever intersect again?
...
Meanwhile, in the activity room, Ye Xing looked at the guardian deity of Itomori Town who had sent him a distress signal and spoke with a smile.
"What's the specific situation? Don't rush, sit down first... oh, you can't sit, then just speak directly."
The guardian deity of Itomori Town, unlike its usual unreliable demeanour, twisted its red threads to quickly form a passage of text.
[From my perspective, the future threads of Itomori Town, on that night half a month from now, seem to have been severed by something and vanished completely!]
Before Ye Xing could respond, the guardian deity of Itomori Town immediately added.
[But strangely, in the future I can see, not just half a month from now, but also at the three-day and one-week marks, the connection points of these thread segments have become somewhat blurred. This is likely an omen of disaster, but the specific cause... remains unclear for now.]
Ye Xing chuckled upon hearing this.
"Oh, you can predict the future?"
[I can only see symbolic threads, and only matters related to Itomori Town. True future prediction is beyond my capabilities.]
"I see..."
Ye Xing nodded and began to ponder internally.
Since the future threads seen by the guardian deity of Itomori Town symbolise the town's future, the severed thread half a month from now likely means that, just like in the original storyline, the comet passing over Japan will split, with falling fragments directly destroying the entire Itomori Town, including all its residents.
But three days? One week?
Leaving marks on Itomori Town's future threads proves that, at the very least, it must be a disaster affecting the entire town. Although Itomori Town is remote, it actually covers a considerable area. What kind of event could cause devastating damage to a town of this scale?
[By the way, there's something I need to tell you.]
As if remembering something, the guardian deity of Itomori Town twisted its red threads and added a sentence.
[Several outsiders have come to the town. Itomori doesn't often get visitors, and they don't seem to be here for work either. After arriving, they've been staying at the town's inn. I sense something strange about them, though I can't quite pinpoint what it is, but it's definitely not an illusion.]
"Strange outsiders... three disasters are enough to affect the entire Itomori Town..."
Ye Xing muttered these phrases, then turned to Rio Futaba and once again uttered that classic line.
"My beloved consort, what is your view?"
Rio Futaba took a sip from her coffee cup, furrowing her brows as she spoke.
"Although I've never been to Itomori Town, it's hard to imagine such a large-scale town being destroyed in an instant. Even psychics... neither I, Miko, nor the others could accomplish such a thing. Half-baked individuals like Tasuke Tamura and Seishu Akoya are even less capable. Perhaps only you could achieve something like this. In that case..."
Pausing here, Rio Futaba looked towards the red threads in the air.
"The threads you can see, which foretell Itomori Town's future—are they the unchangeable kind, or...?"
[It can be changed. The threads of the future I see merely indicate the most probable outcome if things remain unchanged, not some unalterable, destined fate. Otherwise, I wouldn't have come to seek Lord Ye Xing's help in the first place.]
"I see."
Rio Futaba nodded, pondering seriously for a moment before frowning slightly.
"Then, regarding those two blurred connection points in the so-called threads of future - were they there from the beginning, or did they appear suddenly?"
[They weren't originally there. The specific time they appeared... was earlier today, when they suddenly became blurred.]
"Hmm..."
After confirming this information, Rio Futaba had reached a general conclusion.
"A disaster capable of destroying an entire town... ordinary... no, aside from Ye Xing, there has never been a psychic this powerful. If we first exclude the possibility of a psychic, then the only remaining possibility is a natural disaster."
"Considering Itomori Town's geographical environment, what kind of natural disaster could it be... mountain floods, or perhaps... an earthquake?"
"Earthquake..."
Rio Futaba's expression changed.
"Could it be... that strange white Gate capable of causing earthquakes has appeared in Itomori Town too?"
"There's only one way to find out."
Ye Xing stood up with a smile, then looked towards Yukino Yukinoshita, who appeared confused and unable to observe the presence of Itomori Town's deity, unaware of who Rio Futaba was speaking to.
"Yukino, remember to tell Shizuka-kawaii tomorrow that I need to take leave, half a month to start with."
"Wait a moment."
Seeing Ye Xing heading towards the club room door, Yukino Yukinoshita stood up with a slight frown.
"If you're going to Itomori Town, you'll definitely encounter danger. Having Futaba and the others accompany you would be a more reasonable choice."
Rio Futaba chimed in agreement.
"That's right. This involves supernatural events after all. Do you really intend to act alone?"
"Don't worry."
Ye Xing smiled dismissively.
"It's just a minor matter. As for the school trip location, tell Shizuka-kawaii we shouldn't go to Itomori Town - choose somewhere else instead."
After Ye Xing left, a trace of concern appeared in Yukino Yukinoshita's eyes as she spoke softly.
"Three disasters capable of destroying an entire town... What exactly are they? Why has no one ever told me about this?"
"I only just found out myself. As for what kind of disasters they are, Ye Xing never told us, and I don't know exactly..."
At this point, Rio Futaba suddenly remembered what the guardian deity of Itomori Town had said about the thread representing Itomori's future completely breaking at a specific point in time.
Half a month later.
And according to astronomers' predictions, when the comet passes over Japan, the best viewing location - which is also where the comet will be closest - is precisely Itomori Town.
"Could it be... this guy..."
A terrifying speculation surfaced in Rio Futaba's mind.
Could the terms of the deal Ye Xing made with Itomori Town's guardian deity be...
To shatter the meteor falling from the sky?
...
One hour later.
After visiting Yui Yuigahama, Ye Xing, carrying a lunch box, had already boarded a train heading toward Itomori Town, moving with remarkable speed.
'The game is beginning.'
Although Ye Xing hadn't explicitly told Rio Futaba and Yukino Yukinoshita, he had a hypothesis in mind.
If he could confirm that those outsiders who went to Itomori Town were artificially transformed psychics like Seishu Akoya and Tamura Kai, then he could determine something very important.
Until the comet passed over Itomori Town, split into fragments, even astronomers hadn't detected any danger. If the mastermind had sent pawns to Itomori Town early, there was only one explanation.
Besides transforming specific qualified targets into psychics through some method, the other party likely also possessed the ability to foresee disasters.
'However, I still have many trump cards up my sleeve.'
Ye Xing took out his phone and dialled Gan'an Shinomiya's private number.
After a few seconds, the other party answered, and the first words were...
"Explain to me, what exactly is this NTR Dojo?"
Hearing Gan'an Shinomiya's voice barely containing his anger, Ye Xing chuckled and retorted.
"What, you want to play it too?"
"Who would want to play something like that!!!"
Gan'an Shinomiya nearly choked on his breath.
"Oh, not playing? Then why are you asking?"
Hearing Ye Xing's completely unapologetic tone, Gan'an Shinomiya's hand holding the phone began to tremble.
"Something like this... how could you tell... never mind, what's the reason for your call?"
"Your Shinomiya conglomerate has some influence in political circles, including the Metropolitan Police Department, correct?"
"That's true... but it depends on what exactly you want to do. I cannot agree to overly excessive demands."
"It's not excessive. I just hope that over the next half month, you can use your influence to keep the Kyoto Metropolitan Police Department in its current state, without selecting the next Criminal Affairs Director. If the higher-ups make any decisions, notify me immediately upon learning about them. That's all."
"That's all?"
Hearing Ye Xing's requests and that final 'that's all' delivered in such a casual tone as if it were completely insignificant, Gan'an Shinomiya coughed twice, shaking his head with a wry smile.
"Connections are something that can be depleted, too. Reporting a message afterwards is one thing, but forcing the Kyoto Metropolitan Police Department to delay appointing the next Criminal Affairs Director for half a month? That requires mobilising considerable connections and paying a significant price. What do you intend to offer in exchange?"
"Exchange?"
Ye Xing chuckled dismissively.
"Just to mention, someone installed listening devices in Kaguya's bedroom, though I've already removed them."
"What?"
Upon hearing this, Gan'an Shinomiya's expression shifted sharply, his brow furrowing deeply as he thought: How dare these people be so bold? I'm not even dead yet, merely reducing public appearances due to illness, and they already dare to plant listening devices in my daughter's bedroom.
It seems it's time to deliver some proper warnings.
Noticing Gan'an Shinomiya's silence on the other end, Ye Xing spoke calmly.
"Mr Shinomiya, I've never been one for borrowing. This request I'm making now is simply you repaying the favour you owe me."
Gan'an Shinomiya closed his eyes briefly before nodding, his voice grave.
"I understand. Your request will be fulfilled."
"Good."
After ending the communication with Gan'an Shinomiya, Ye Xing immediately dialled another number.
"Yagami, I need you to analyse someone's criminal psychology for me."
Without hesitation, Light Yagami replied from the other end.
"Alright, send me the relevant information then."
"Already sent."
"Right, I'll review it and call you back when I'm done."
"OK."
After hanging up again, Ye Xing finally had time to glance at the crimson threads floating in the air beside him.
The Itomori Town guardian deity quickly formed words with red threads, its tone fawning:
[Lord Ye Xing, you've worked hard. Truly the chosen one, hero of salvation, greatest Harem God in history, natural enemy of relationship conflicts...]
"Enough now. Aren't you worried about typing so fast you'll tie your threads into knots?"
Ye Xing teased first, then sobered up and spoke seriously.
"I know our original agreement was to save all of Itomori Town, but now..."
[No need to explain.]
Before Ye Xing could finish, the Itomori Town guardian deity swiftly replied with red threads:
[When we made our deal, I only knew Itomori would face a disaster in the future, but not the specific timing or nature of the threat. Under those circumstances, your agreement to try saving Itomori already exceeded my expectations. Now the situation has grown more complicated.]
[Our original deal was for you to resolve one disaster, not three.]
[All I hope is that you'll save as many residents of Itomori as possible. As for the town itself... don't concern yourself.]
Reading the final line, Ye Xing murmured softly.
"Are you certain? I don't fully understand the rules governing deities like you, but without the ancient shrine inheritance and the annual rituals, your very existence might fade away."
[It doesn't matter.]
The Itomori Town guardian deity's threads swayed, forming another message.
[As the guardian deity of this town, my purpose for existing is to protect the safety of its people. If I were to prioritise my own continued existence over the lives of those who worship me, what kind of deity would that make me? Wouldn't that be putting the cart before the horse? As the saying goes, 'preserve the people and lose the land, both people and land can be preserved; preserve the land and lose the people, both people and land will be lost.' Even if I truly disappear like this, it would merely be my repayment as a guardian deity to those who have revered me over these thousands of years. You need not concern yourself with this matter.]
Ye Xing nodded upon hearing these words.
Just look at this - what does it mean to be a true deity?
This is a true deity!
What kind of things is that Weather God of yours, or whatever Mountain God? Hmm?
Look at the perspective of Itomori Town's deity - this is what you call a guardian god.
"You're quite philosophical about it."
Ye Xing first murmured softly, then looked seriously at the red threads before him as he slowly spoke.
"However, I promised to protect all of Itomori Town, and naturally, that includes you within the entire town. Even if one disaster becomes three, that promise still stands."
[Lord Ye Xing...]
The Harem God activated his skill - the ultimate direct attack that ignores defence and deals fatal damage, even against a true deity!
...
Meanwhile, in Tokyo City.
Light Yagami sat at his desk, carefully examining every detail of the extremely detailed information Ye Xing had sent him, complete with annotations from Supernatural Society members' speculations about the incident, muttering to himself.
"Even he... would find this opponent troublesome..."
Although Light Yagami and Ye Xing didn't communicate frequently or meet often, as like-minded companions, he still understood the other quite well.
To put it nicely, Ye Xing was someone who knew how to delegate appropriately.
To put it bluntly, he would avoid work whenever possible - after all, with advisors like Rio Futaba and Yukino Yukinoshita in the Supernatural Society acting as his brain substitutes, he generally didn't bother thinking about these matters.
Light Yagami didn't oppose this approach, nor did he consider Ye Xing lazy. On the contrary, he might be the only person who understood why the other acted this way.
Sometimes, members of a group needed to prove their value in their areas of expertise - not just for the team's harmony and stability, but also so that members themselves could have a sense of purpose, avoiding the insecure feelings Yui Yuigahama once experienced.
In most situations, Ye Xing might not need Rio Futaba and Yukino Yukinoshita's assistance, but if he never needed them when the time came, it would be too late.
And this time...
This guy had actually become uncharacteristically serious.
"Interesting, truly interesting."
Light Yagami chuckled to himself as he began comparing the information Ye Xing had sent, speculating about the mastermind's personality and psychology.
...
Meanwhile, in Osaka City, within a dim apartment.
Rikka Sakuragawa watched the television news report about a comet that would pass over Japan in half a month, commenting indifferently.
"A meteor that destroys an entire town... What kind of existence would be born from a disaster of this scale... How curious."