The incident at Nijo Castle, where Bai Yaxin under the Manranyama Consortium committed numerous crimes, was exposed to the public, sparking a wave of discussions throughout Japan.

In the seemingly calm and peaceful city of Kyoto, an uncontrollable monster like Bai Yaxin was lurking.

Everyone, from office workers to freelancers, from sanitation workers to architects, from students to retired elderly, was talking about this incident.

The media spared no effort in condemning Bai Yaxin, and even his daughter, Bai Xuyu, was subjected to various speculations. People believed the apple never falls far from the tree, and the father and daughter were accused of being in cahoots.

When the media tried to track down Bai Xuyu, they found no trace of her anywhere.

It had been a long time since she had been to school.

After asking teachers and classmates, no one seemed to know much about Bai Xuyu; she always seemed detached from the crowd.

Her residence was deserted as well.

According to the apartment manager, no one had been seen coming or going for months.

It seemed like Bai Xuyu had vanished from the face of the earth.

As for Bai Yaxin, there were rumors circulating that he had died.

Others claimed to have seen Bai Yaxin abroad.

But rumors remained just rumors.

The latest official intelligence still stated, "Bai Yaxin is on the run."

Subsequently, the media, commentators, and netizens redirected their criticisms towards the government, law enforcement, and the police.

The widespread criticism and condemnation accused them of incompetence, corruption, and turning a blind eye, nurturing a monster like Bai Yaxin.

Amidst the barrage of criticism, there were those who spoke out of turn, and others who were arrested for their extreme actions.

The entire incident continued to escalate for a week before gradually fading from public view.

People are forgetful by nature.

Things unrelated to them, no matter how outraged they were at the time, were soon forgotten.

For example, an airplane that went missing.

Or a patient who stabbed a doctor to death.

In the end, if the fire didn't reach their own homes, people would soon forget.

It's only when the fire finally reaches their own homes that they realize the indifference of their neighbors above and below is what they were once guilty of.

The officials, cadres, and policemen suspected of colluding with Bai Yaxin ultimately remained just that - suspects with no further developments.

The next Bai Yaxin might already be in the making.

But that would be a matter of several years, even decades, later.

Thirteen deaths, nine seriously injured, forty-seven arrests, the temporary closure and rectification of all entertainment venues under Bai Yaxin's management, the confiscation of various drugs, prohibited knives, firearms, and deadly weapons, the disbandment and arrest of some members of the Kuroda Group, as well as a more thorough investigation into the Manranyama Consortium, these were the interim results of the Nijo Castle incident in Kyoto.

The subsequent judicial processes would be long and easily forgotten.

As for the information about Manranyama Souren, Chongzong, and others, they were protected by Dojou Kazuaki and shielded from the media to spare them from further harassment.

Peace was restored to Kyoto.

A month later.

Member of the Kyudo Club: "Senior Katagiri, thank you for your hard work!"

In the Kyudo Club activity room at Kyoto Donhon Middle School, they had just finished a day of practice.

Due to some prior engagement, Katagiri Mai had to leave first, bidding farewell to her junior members.

She was always uncomfortable with such respectful treatment.

In response, she turned back and nodded gently, bowing slightly.

(In a low voice) "Thank you, everyone, for your hard work."

Due to her shyness, she could never speak up loudly.

She tried her best.

After speaking, she quickly scurried away.

— (I really miss the days when Senior Yui was here.)

While walking, Katagiri Mai thought to herself.

During Yui Sugi's time there, all the attention was on her, allowing Katagiri Mai to hide on the sidelines and enjoy the tranquility.

With Yui Sugi now in the high school department, Katagiri Mai had become one of the few seniors.

Being in the spotlight made Katagiri Mai uncomfortable.

— (I wish I could just advance to the high school department quickly... then I could follow Senior Yui again.)

But with a year still to go before advancing, Katagiri Mai felt quite hopeless.

To calm her emotions, she had been frequently running to the high school department after club activities recently.

Today was no exception.

As Katagiri Mai stepped out of the school gate, a nimble beast that had been perched on the fence for some time leaped lightly and landed on her shoulder.

"Anna, thank you for coming to pick me up!"

Katagiri Mai turned her head to look at Anna, who immediately rubbed her face against Katagiri's, displaying an affectionate gesture like a couple.

Amongst cats, characters as dominant and affectionate as Anna were truly rare.

Thus, the girl and the cat boarded the bus and, after about ten minutes, arrived at the high school department (Donhon Municipal High School).

On the bus, students from other schools saw Katagiri Mai sitting quietly like a painting and attempted to strike up a conversation with her as they approached. But as the student neared, Anna growled softly, her bristled back, and raised fur immediately deterred the student.

Upon arriving at the high school department, Katagiri Mai, from a distance, spotted Chongzong Uesugi at the school gate.

Having recovered from the injuries sustained during the Nijo Castle incident, Chongzong had grown a lot since then, appearing more mature and physically toned.

He seemed more like an adult now.

Although Katagiri Mai harbored a tiny desire to wave to Chongzong and call out, "Senior Uesugi!" she couldn't bring herself to make such a gesture in public.

Even in private, she found it difficult.

She was just too shy.

While lost in such thoughts, another girl emerged from the school gate, exchanged greetings with Chongzong, and engaged in conversation.

That girl was Yui Kurashige.

Dressed in the middle school uniform, she carried a stack of books, likely coming to the high school library to borrow some.

Yes, "again."

During family meals, Katagiri Mai often heard Yui Kurashige sharing her daily experiences with Kazuaki Dojou. She frequently mentioned visiting the high school library for books.

Yui Kurashige: "There are some books that are only available in the high school department, so I have to go there to borrow them."

Reflecting back now, Katagiri Mai understood the mystery therein.

It seemed that what's only available in the high school department wasn't just "some books," but also "someone."

Realizing this, Katagiri Mai completely abandoned the idea of greeting Chongzong Uesugi.

Even her internal appellations shifted from Senior Uesugi to Chongzong Uesugi.

The estrangement between people always started with using their full names (laughs).

— (I'll go in after they've moved further away from the school gate.)

Katagiri Mai watched from the distance.

Unexpectedly, Anna leaped off her shoulder, gracefully scampered, and then hopped onto Chongzong Uesugi's shoulder, gently brushing his mouth with her tail.

Of course, it was gentle.

Chongzong Uesugi was startled at first but then followed Anna's direction and laid eyes on Katagiri Mai.

— (Anna, you clumsy sidekick...!!!)

Katagiri Mai had no time to hide and could only stand there awkwardly.

She managed a slightly awkward smile.

The kind of forced smile that barely reached the eyes.

"Sister Katagiri, why are you here?"

Carrying books, Kurashige Yui hurried over, surprised and delighted to see her "sister" (unrelated by blood) there.

"Um... I came to... ask Yui for some advice."

Katagiri Mai answered in a very soft voice, her secret discovered, making her extremely embarrassed. She clasped her hands tightly, head slightly lowered, avoiding too much eye contact with Kurashige Yui.

The two of them started chatting briefly.

"Long time no see, Katagiri."

Chongzong approached as he spoke.

Anna, who was seated on his shoulder, then leaped gracefully back onto Katagiri Mai's shoulder, appearing weightless with agile movements akin to a floating feather.

"Um..."

As Chongzong approached, Katagiri Mai's expression immediately darkened, giving off the feeling that Chongzong owed her a lot of money and hadn't paid it back yet.

This made Chongzong feel somewhat innocent. Why did she immediately become upset as soon as he arrived?

However, upon reflection, every time he saw Katagiri Mai, it seemed like she was always unhappy.

— (I must have accidentally offended her at some point, right?)

— (But if I ask her, she probably won't tell me, right?)

Chongzong struggled for 3.1415 seconds, then decisively gave up.

"You guys go ahead and chat, I have something to do at the Kyudo Club, so I'll be off first~"

It's better to flee than to fight a losing battle. Chongzong turned to leave, but...

Kurashige Yui grabbed his sleeve.

"Eh? The Kyudo Club? Isn't Sugi Yui senpai also in the Kyudo Club?"

"Uh, yeah, what about it?"

Chongzong instinctively answered, unsure of Kurashige Yui's intentions.

"Well, that's perfect. Katagiri-neechan also wants to go to the Kyudo Club to find Sugi Yui senpai, why don't you two go together?"

"I'm in a hurry to get home and cook, so I'll just take the bus~"

With that, Kurashige Yui casually patted Katagiri Mai's shoulder, then left on her own.

Leaving Chongzong and Katagiri Mai standing awkwardly at the school gate.

— (Oh no, I'm done for.)

Chongzong frantically calculated in his mind. From the school gate to the Kyudo Club, he had to cross a 100-meter plaza, then traverse three teaching buildings, enter the club activity complex, climb three flights of stairs, walk fifty meters down a corridor, before finally reaching the Kyudo Club activity room.

— (Oh my, that's really far!)

Then calculating the time it would take, if Chongzong went alone, he could walk briskly and arrive in about three to five minutes. But now, walking with a junior, they would have to match each other's pace, meaning it would take at least fifteen minutes...

— (Oh my, that's really long!)

Meanwhile, Katagiri Mai was also in a dilemma.

— (Kurashige, why did you have to push me together with this guy!)

— (Oh no, am I going to be left alone???)

— (Wait! There's Anna!)

— (But Anna can't speak human language!)

— (Oh, what should I do!!!)

— (Anyway, let's divert the topic with Anna!)

Katagiri Mai turned to look at Anna.

Anna was napping on her shoulder.

— (...)

— (Anna, you're a lousy teammate!!!)

"So, shall I take you there? Katagiri-san?"

At this point, Chongzong broke the awkward silence and asked Katagiri Mai proactively.

— (Ah, that question was too good!)

— (All I have to say is I know the way, I'll go on my own, so we don't have to be alone!)

Katagiri Mai practically cheered for her genius!

So, Katagiri Mai replied, "Um."

— (What?)

— (Wait, that's not how I was supposed to answer!)

— (Why won't even my mouth obey me???)

Due to excessive excitement and shyness, Katagiri Mai's bodily coordination skills momentarily experienced some issues (laughs).

And so, going with the flow, Chongzong took Katagiri Mai with him to the Kyudo Club activity room.

By the way, along the way, the two only exchanged one sentence.

Sugi Chongzong: "Today, the weather is pretty good."

Katagiri Mai: "Um."

Also worth mentioning, the two of them walked together for six minutes and three seconds, much faster than Chongzong had anticipated.

After all, they seemed to be focused on walking as if in a race.

Commentator Anna remarked that there was hardly any bumpiness along the way and awarded Katagiri Mai a five-star rating as the driver.