Chapter 23: A New Collaborator
Upon hearing this, Yui Yuigahama puffed up her cheeks angrily like a hamster hoarding food for winter. She took a fierce bite of the bread in her hand and mumbled incoherently.
"You shaid wha%*&(@!#)"
Seeing Yui looking like she was about to choke, Yotsuya Miko shook her head helplessly and handed her a bottle of water.
"What did you say? Swallow first before speaking."
"Th-Thank you."
Yui took the drink, gulped down a mouthful, and patted her chest as if she had just survived a disaster.
"Phew... I almost thought I was going to die just now. I felt like I saw a ghost."
"There are no ghosts right now."
"Huh?"
"Oh, nothing."
Yui Yuigahama had a carefree personality, so she didn't pay much attention to Miko's odd remark. Instead, she looked toward the corner of the classroom and asked curiously.
"Eh, by the way, where did Yoru-kun go today? How come he disappeared as soon as lunch break started?"
"Crap!"
Hearing this, Miko froze for a moment, then, as if remembering something, shot up from her seat.
"Crap, crap, I completely forgot."
She didn't even have time to explain to Yui before rushing out of the classroom, heading straight for the open area between the school buildings.
Usually, this was where students ate their bento and rested during the lunch break.
But today, contrary to the usual quiet, it was extremely lively. Tables and chairs were set up everywhere, and people were holding banners and shouting slogans through megaphones.
"Any students want to join the Basketball Club? Basketball Club~"
"Does the Tennis Club have any new members wanting to join? Our goal this year is to make it to the nationals!"
"Anime Appreciation Club~"
"Literature Club, any students interested in literature?"
....
That's right.
This Friday lunch break was the club recruitment event prepared by Sobu High for the newly enrolled first-year students.
Freshmen interested in joining clubs to enrich their extracurricular lives, and clubs looking to recruit new members, were currently in the process of selecting each other.
As soon as Miko arrived at the venue, she received enthusiastic invitations from several upperclassmen.
"Excuse me, want to join the Literature Club?"
"No, no, no, our Anime Appreciation Club is the best choice for a relaxed atmosphere!"
"Just mentioning, I'm just mentioning, our Girls' Tennis Club's results are good enough to compete with Shuchiin Academy. If we win the championship, it adds a lot of points for university entrance exams."
"Girls should play volleyball! Join our Volleyball Club!"
"Join the Track and Field Club and shed the sweat of youth with us on the track!"
...
Facing the enthusiastic invitations from the upperclassmen, Miko could only force a polite smile and wave her hands to decline.
"I already have a club."
"Is that so? What a pity."
Hearing that she had already joined a club, the upperclassmen looked regretful and shook their heads as they walked away.
Although the official recruitment for new members started today.
There were also clubs that acted quickly and desperately needed new blood, secretly recruiting freshmen on the very first day of school.
What a pity.
Pushing through the somewhat crowded throng, Miko looked at the rather desolate stall in the distance. It consisted of only a table, two chairs, and a banner with crooked handwriting that was obviously written hastily. She sighed and walked over slowly.
"Yoru-kun, I'm here."
Yoru, who was sitting behind the table playing on his phone, didn't even lift his head when he heard Miko's greeting. He simply said faintly:
"Here? Then sit."
After sitting down, Miko glanced at her own location, then looked at the enthusiastic upperclassmen not far away. Her eyes revealed a hint of helplessness.
Compared to the upperclassmen over there warmly greeting new students...
This stall Yoru set up, plus the banner fluttering in the breeze with smudged ink...
Miko felt like this didn't look like a club recruiting new members.
It looked more like a charlatan setting up a stall to tell fortunes.
Coupled with the crooked words "Supernatural Quantum Mechanics Investigation and Research Club" on the white banner.
If anyone actually wanted to join right now, Miko wouldn't feel joy.
Instead, she would want to ask if there was something wrong with their head.
"Yoru-kun, can we really... recruit anyone like this?"
Hearing Miko's doubt, Yoru looked up and flashed a confident smile.
"Miko-san."
"Hmm?"
"You have to believe in the bond between you and me!"
Yotsuya Miko: "...."
She shouldn't have expected to communicate with Yoru in a normal way.
If there was one highlight of this stall...
It was Yoru when he wasn't speaking.
Tier 0 Meta — Mute Yoru.
Would a lovestruck girl come to learn about this club just to hit on him?
Is that really possible?
Even if there is, recruiting such a member wouldn't be meaningful, right?
Just as Miko was thinking this, a soft, flat, and monotone girlish voice rang out.
"Is this place the Supernatural Quantum Mechanics Investigation and Research Club?"
Miko turned her head and saw a girl standing in front of her. She had long, wavy gray hair cascading over her shoulders, a petite figure, and wore a white lab coat over her school uniform. She wore glasses and had an expressionless face.
Someone actually wants to learn about this club?
Besides Yoru, is there another "expert" (weirdo)?
"Um, yes, yes."
Seeing that Yoru had no intention of introducing them, Miko hurriedly stood up, suppressing the embarrassment in her heart.
"We are the Super... Supernatural, Quantum Mechanics, Investigation and Research Club."
"Mmhmm."
The girl responded noncommittally, pushed up her glasses, and glanced at Miko.
"Do you understand quantum mechanics?"
"Uh..."
Miko thought Yoru came up with the club name, not me, so she could only answer honestly.
"Um... I don't really understand it."
The girl nodded slightly, then turned her gaze to Yoru sitting behind the table.
"Do you understand quantum mechanics?"
"I don't understand it either."
The girl sighed, looking as if she had expected this.
"As I thought... I was too naive to think that there would actually be people in school interested in quantum mechanics. Excuse me for disturbing you."
Just as she was about to turn and leave, Yoru suddenly chuckled and spoke.
"Please wait, Futaba Rio-san."
"Hmm?"
Hearing him call out her name, Futaba Rio frowned slightly.
"You know me?"
"Of course."
Yoru nodded and smiled.
"Please join our club."
Hearing Yoru's blunt request, Miko couldn't help but look conflicted. Can she really agree to join with just this method?
To her surprise, Futaba Rio pushed up her glasses and spoke slowly.
"Neither you nor she understands quantum mechanics, so you cannot discuss topics that interest me."
"So, what benefit is there for me to join this club?"