Chunshan Villa, in the spring season.
Although the early cherry blossoms had already fallen, the late-blooming ones were in full splendor within the garden.
Layers of pink and green intertwined, the sound of the waterfall’s flow washing away the dust of the city.
“Hey… Kazama, my legs feel kinda weak.”
Kagegaya Tsubaki clung tightly to Kazama Yin’s arm, her high heels pressing into the thick red carpet that felt like it could swallow her feet.
She took each step cautiously. “This carpet… If I accidentally spill juice on it, even selling me off wouldn’t be enough to pay for it, right?”
“Calm down, Kagegaya! Show some spirit! Don’t lose face!”
Despite saying that, Kazama Yin’s hand, constantly tugging at his tie, betrayed his nervousness.
He stiffly straightened his back, trying to look like an “upper-class gentleman” who frequented such places.
But the katana, which looked somewhat out of place even under his suit pants, made him appear a bit comical.
Kazama Yin was a little surprised that the katana hadn’t been stopped by security.
Maybe it was because he was following Senior Yuki.
“You two, keep it down.”
Hanyu Suoluo walked at the back, his face still somewhat pale.
The temperament he’d cultivated from growing up in Minato Ward made him seem the most composed of the three.
That is, if you didn’t look at his eyes, which were slightly fixed from nervousness.
Yuki Asahi, walking at the front, stopped and looked back, a helpless smile curving on his lips.
“Relax, it’s just a meal.”
Yuki Asahi wore a dark navy blue suit, his long hair neatly tied back.
Although his clothes were somewhat old-fashioned, his upright posture and the deep-seated calmness radiating from his bones made him stand out conspicuously among the well-dressed socialites.
“Senior Yuki!”
Just as they entered the front hall of the banquet venue, a familiar voice called out.
Shimada Ayaka, dressed in a sharp business suit, was holding a thick stack of guest lists, sweating as she directed the on-site staff.
Beside her, Watanabe Hitomi was helping check the gift area’s inventory.
Although gift money wasn’t required, the attendees were all upper-class figures and would certainly offer gifts according to etiquette.
“Ayaka, Hitomi.” Yuki Asahi stepped forward and gave a slight nod—he still remembered these juniors.
“Great, you’re finally here.”
Shimada Ayaka let out a sigh of relief when she saw Yuki Asahi, as if she’d spotted a savior.
“Senior Saiyonji was just talking about you. If he didn’t still have to prepare in the lounge, he’d probably come out to meet you himself.”
“He’s not a kid anymore.” Yuki Asahi chuckled.
Watanabe Hitomi walked over, looked Kazama Yin and the other two up and down, and nodded approvingly. “Mm, you look the part. Didn’t embarrass the school.”
“Of course!”
At a venue of this level, seeing familiar faces always boosted the trio’s comfort level.
While they were exchanging pleasantries, a somewhat restless murmur came from the entrance.
Several men in black suits, acting as bodyguards, parted the crowd, and a middle-aged man walked in with steady strides.
The man had dark green hair, combed neatly.
Although there were fine lines of age at the corners of his eyes, his dark gold eyes were sharp and spirited, radiating an authoritative presence that inspired awe without anger.
He didn’t greet everyone with a full smile like other politicians. Instead, his eyes swept across the crowd, finally settling on Yuki Asahi.
The man walked straight over.
“This… must be the legendary Yuki-kun, right?”
The man’s voice was deep, carrying a warmth that felt like a spring breeze.
He proactively extended his hand to Yuki Asahi.
Yuki Asahi was slightly taken aback. “I am.”
He then reached out and shook the man’s hand briefly.
That hand was dry and strong, but the moment contact was made, Yuki Asahi’s intuition—the beast-like instinct honed through countless brushes with life and death—gave a faint twitch.
It wasn’t killing intent or malice.
It was an unfathomable sense of emptiness, like an abyss.
“A pleasure to meet you. I’m Gaojian Zongyilang.”
The man with dark green hair smiled and handed over a business card. “I’m currently in charge of policy review within the Liberal Democratic Party. It’s a humble position, but I’ve long admired your prowess from back in the day, Yuki-kun.”
“You flatter me, Mr. Gaojian.” Yuki Asahi accepted the card calmly, his gaze steady.
Gaojian Zongyilang wasn’t fazed by Yuki Asahi’s cool demeanor; instead, his smile deepened.
“In this era, it’s time for people like you, Yuki-kun, who possess both ‘power’ and ‘heart,’ to step forward.”
“The construction of a new era relies on the backbone of Espers.”
He cast a meaningful glance at the three students beside them.
Then he nodded politely. “All spirited young people. Japan’s future rests in your hands.”
Without lingering, Gaojian Zongyilang exchanged a few courteous words before turning and walking into the banquet hall, receiving bows and greetings from people along the way.
“Who… is that guy?” Kazama Yin muttered, watching the man’s retreating figure. “He’s got such a strong presence.”
“Gaojian Zongyilang.”
Shimada Ayaka leaned in close to Yuki Asahi and lowered her voice. “He’s the leader of the ‘New Radicals’ faction within the LDP and one of the few pro-Esper factions in the party. His position isn’t the highest, but he holds significant real power.”
“Pro-Esper?” Yuki Asahi looked at the business card in his hand, thoughtful.
“Yeah, he’s been heavily pushing a mega-project called the ‘Ladder Project’ recently.”
Shimada Ayaka pointed towards the direction of Tokyo Tower outside the window. “He’s proposed building a giant Diffusion Tower in Tokyo Bay.”
“A Diffusion Tower? Like the Light Extinguishers’ kind?” Yuki Asahi frowned slightly.
Back then, the Second Superpower Outbreak Incident was triggered by the combination of a Shock Core, a Diffusion Tower, and that Esper named Ayaka, leading to those nearly apocalyptic two weeks.
“Using the abilities of several specific high-ranking Espers as a core, the tower amplifies their power and converts it into clean energy for the city, or some kind of wide-area calming field.”
Shimada Ayaka explained. “It’s more ambitious than the Light Extinguishers’ version, but with state oversight, there’s no chance of something like that happening again.”
Yuki Asahi frowned, remaining silent for a long time before finally speaking. “Hopefully, it’ll be a good project.”
Just then, another wave of exclamations rose from the banquet hall entrance.
At the door, a woman in a pale purple off-shoulder dress was walking in, arm-in-arm with another woman of intellectual grace.
The pale purple dress perfectly accentuated her excellent figure, and her iconic pink curly hair was casually draped over her shoulders.
Although she wore sunglasses, the dazzling aura unique to an idol was impossible to hide.
The captain of the idol group “Southern Cross,” Makino Yuzuha.
Of course, as a somewhat past-her-prime idol, she wasn’t the one drawing the gasps.
The one drawing them was the smaller blue-haired woman beside her, Imai Yayoi.
“Oh… oh my…”
Unexpectedly, Hanyu Suoluo’s hands began to tremble as he quickly pulled an autograph board from his pocket. “It really is Miss YUZU…”
“Eh, so you really are a fan of Southern Cross?” Kagegaya Tsubaki teased. “That’s so old-school.”
“Yo! Yuki! Ayaka-chan!”
Makino Yuzuha took off her sunglasses, revealing her vibrant pink eyes, and completely ignoring the stares of the surrounding guests, she waved happily and ran over.
“Long time no see, everyone!”
“Yuzu-chan, mind your image. This is a wedding venue.”
Imai Yayoi shook her head helplessly, walking over slowly and giving a slight bow to Yuki Asahi.
“Long time no see, Yuki-kun. You look much better than the last time we met.”
Yuki Asahi looked at his former comrades, his gaze softening.
“Hehe, seeing everyone here puts my mind at ease.”
Makino Yuzuha threw an arm around Watanabe Hitomi’s shoulder. “I thought a politician’s wedding would be boring, but it turned into a class reunion!”
“Um… Excuse me…”
A weak voice came from below.
Makino Yuzuha looked down and saw Hanyu Suoluo holding up his autograph board with both hands, his face red.
“I’m… I’m your fan! I’ve bought every album Southern Cross has released! Could I… could I…”
“Eh? A student from Dexun School?”
Makino Yuzuha generously took the autograph board and scribbled her signature on it. “Of course! Want me to write something else?”
“If possible, please write ‘Wishing you success in your studies!'”
Hanyu Suoluo felt like he might faint from happiness.
Kazama Yin and Kagegaya Tsubaki watched their usually calm and composed friend turn into this mess and couldn’t help but cover their faces.
“What a disgrace…”
“What are you brats making all this noise about?!”
Just as the atmosphere was heating up, a voice as stern as a disciplinary teacher’s inspection came crashing down like cold water.
The three juniors’ bodies instinctively stiffened, snapping to attention.
“Y… Yuanteng Sensei?”
Endou Yuma, dressed in a black suit and wearing his signature reflective glasses, stood behind them with a dark expression.
He didn’t have his teaching baton, but the pressure he exuded was no less intense.
“Shouting in a solemn place like a wedding, what kind of behavior is that?!” Endou Yuma pushed up his glasses, his gaze sweeping over the three.
“Ugh…” The trio let out a groan of despair.
“Alright, Endou, let them off today.” Imai Yayoi stepped in with a smile to smooth things over. “It’s a festive occasion… Why don’t we go find Saiyonji?”
Inside the lounge.
Saiyonji Saori was adjusting his montsuki hakama in front of the mirror.
When the door opened and he saw everyone filing in, a genuine smile bloomed on his face.
“You’re here.”
“Congratulations, busy man.”
Makino Yuzuha unceremoniously plopped down on a sofa and grabbed some wedding candy from the table. “This is really the adult world now.”
“Congratulations.” Yuki Asahi walked over and patted him on the shoulder.
“Thanks, Yuki.”
Saiyonji Saori looked at this room full of old friends, along with the three juniors following behind them.
He suddenly felt a bit dazed, as if time had flowed back to some noisy afternoon in the activity room.
“It’s a shame…”
Saiyonji Saori’s gaze swept over the group and dimmed slightly. “Someone’s still missing.”
The air in the room stagnated for a moment.
Everyone knew who he was talking about.
Kaori Onishi, due to interference from the rift over North America, hadn’t been able to return to Japan before the wedding.
And… Jiang Jian Yue.
That name was like some kind of taboo. Though no one spoke it, it weighed heavily on everyone’s heart.
“Onishi-nee said she’ll definitely come if she can make it back in time,” Shimada Ayaka said softly.
“As for… the others.”
Makino Yuzuha stopped eating the candy, her eyes lowering, her voice tinged with gloom.
“Maybe the chances of us all gathering together will really get fewer and fewer from now on.”
“Everyone has their own path to walk.”
Imai Yayoi said gently. “As long as we remember each other, it’s not a true parting.”
Yuki Asahi looked out at the bright sunlight through the window, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the button on his sleeve.
“Yeah,” he echoed softly. “As long as we’re still alive… there’s still hope.”
“Alright! Today’s a happy day! No more gloomy talk!”
Saiyonji Saori took a deep breath, put on his spirited smile again, and clapped his hands.
“Let’s go! Don’t keep the bride waiting!”
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