Chapter 33: Yui Yuigahama's Supernatural Commission
Yoru nodded thoughtfully.
"Mmhmm, go on."
Futaba Rio stirred her coffee, the glass rod occasionally making a crisp clinking sound against the inside of the beaker.
"What I'm about to say might sound absurd, but it falls within the scientific scope of quantum mechanics. In certain situations, human subjective perception can influence reality. I don't know if you've heard of an experiment called Schrödinger's..."
"Schrödinger's Catgirl? Heard of it, heard of it."
Rio looked speechless: "It's called Schrödinger's Cat. But since you've heard of it, I won't elaborate."
She picked up the beaker, took a sip of the steaming coffee, and held it with both hands as she spoke slowly.
"Perhaps whether the 'Protagonist's' ability awakens or not depends on the 'Protagonist's' own perception of the enemy."
"I understand. The reason the other 'Protagonist' hasn't awakened the ability to fight the enemy is because, in her perception, she has no intention of fighting the enemy."
"Eh? You understand what I mean?"
Seeing Yoru immediately grasp her point, a look of surprise and astonishment appeared in Rio's eyes.
She had been wondering how to use the simplest language to explain her thoughts.
Unexpectedly, Yoru understood right away?
"It's not hard to understand. Of course I get it."
As the saying goes: Indecisiveness leads to Quantum Mechanics.
Even for something like "Adolescence Syndrome," Futaba Rio could provide a principle that at least sounded scientific.
Her analysis was worth trying.
Besides, frankly speaking.
Evil spirits, spirit mediums, the "Sight," and the manifestation of the soul were inherently idealistic concepts.
Linking them to subjective perception in quantum mechanics might just be an effective solution.
"Thanks a lot, Futaba-san."
Yoru took out a chocolate bread he had just bought from the school store and placed it gently on the table.
"For you."
Rio glanced at the chocolate bread wrapped in plastic and said faintly.
"Do you take me for a child?"
"If you say so, then yes. I won't argue."
Seeing Yoru turn and walk toward the laboratory door, Rio hesitated for a moment, then finally couldn't help but speak up.
"Um..."
"What's up?"
"If you guys want to come to the clubroom normally, you can come whenever. I don't mind."
Rio's impression of Yoru was that of a very handsome boy who suffered from severe Chunibyo and loved to act crazy.
Logically, she wasn't good at dealing with such people.
No, to be more accurate, Futaba Rio wasn't good at dealing with anyone.
But in her brief two conversations with Yoru, she didn't feel any of the restlessness she felt in the classroom watching classmates chat enthusiastically while being excluded, nor the awkwardness of not finding a topic.
It was very relaxing.
That was how Rio felt when interacting with Yoru.
She hadn't expected it herself.
Do I unexpectedly get along well with this Chunibyo boy?
"Sure. We'll come when we're free."
Yoru didn't play Tsundere, as that archetype was out of meta.
After a simple reply, he returned to the Class 1-A classroom.
Just as he sat down on his "Protagonist Seat," before he could start sleeping, Miko ran over hurriedly and whispered.
"When are we going to deal with that S-Rank 'Door'?"
Yoru yawned and waved his hand.
"At this stage, fighting that snake spirit while simultaneously dealing with the 'Door' is very difficult to achieve."
"Then what should we do? You said the power of the 'Door' will continue to grow. Won't it be even harder to solve later?"
Facing the anxious Miko, Yoru simply said nonchalantly.
"Can't be helped."
Miko stomped her foot in frustration.
"How can you not be anxious at all?"
"Being anxious is useless. If being anxious helped, I would have been anxious long ago."
Just as Miko wanted to say something more, Yui Yuigahama suddenly bounced over to them and greeted them cheerfully.
"Yahallo!"
Facing this peculiar greeting, what is Yoru's choice?
"Yahallo?"
"Hello, Yui-san."
"Acting cute? Are you sick in the head?"
Yoru decisively chose the fourth option.
"Speak human."
Beside him, Miko was speechless, thinking as expected of you.
To speak such harsh words to the adorable and likable Yui Yuigahama.
"Uh..."
Hearing "speak human," Yui looked a bit embarrassed and smiled awkwardly.
"Um... there's something... actually, several things I want to ask you two for help with."
"Go ahead."
"Didn't you start some kind of supernatural investigation club? The classmates have heard about it, so they want to ask you to investigate some things related to that."
Yoru asked puzzledly.
"Why don't they come themselves?"
Hearing this question, Yui pouted. Do you have no idea what your image is in school?
Of course, she couldn't say that out loud, so she laughed awkwardly and changed the subject.
"They're a bit shy. Since I've talked to you a few times, they asked me to pass on the message."
"I see. Tell us then."
"There are a few incidents."
Yui put on a mysterious look and whispered.
"Last Friday, a classmate left his bag in the classroom. When he realized it, it was already past 11 PM. When he came back to school to get it, guess what he found?"
It had to be said, Yui had a talent for storytelling. Miko listened nervously.
"What happened?"
Yui glanced left and right, a subtle movement creating a more mysterious atmosphere.
"Someone was playing the piano in the school in the middle of the night! And the music sounded filled with a lingering resentment. It must be a vengeful spirit haunting the piano!"
"That scary?"
Unlike the astonished Miko, Yoru rolled his eyes and glanced at Touma Kazusa, who was sound asleep on the desk next to him.
Others might not know, but how could he not?
Vengeful spirit my ass. That was just Touma Kazusa practicing piano in the music room after school.
Kazusa practiced very hard. She practiced late at school, then continued practicing at home until morning, not sleeping all night.
Otherwise, why would she fall into a baby-like sleep for the entire day as soon as she arrived at school?
One look and I can tell it's pure nonsense.
Seeing Yoru looking uninterested, Yui hurriedly spoke again.
"There's more, there's more."
"This one is about me. Every day at 1 AM, my dog Sablé starts barking incessantly. He used to be very well-behaved and never did this. This must count as a paranormal event, right?"