Hearing this, Yuigahama puffed up her cheeks angrily like a hamster storing food for winter, taking an aggressive bite of her bread before mumbling indistinctly.
"Wha' you munch sayin' crunch?"
Seeing Yui Yuigahama looking like she was about to choke, Miko Yotsuya sighed helplessly and handed her a drink.
"What were you trying to say? Swallow first before speaking."
"Th-thanks."
Yuigahama took the drink and gulped it down, patting her chest as if she'd narrowly escaped death.
"Phew... I really thought I was going to die just now. I swear I saw ghosts."
"There aren't any ghosts here now."
"Huh?"
"Never mind."
Yuigahama was the carefree type, so she didn't dwell on Miko's odd remark. Instead, her gaze drifted to the empty seat in the corner of the classroom as she asked curiously,
"Hey, where's Ye Xing today? He always disappears during lunch break."
"Oh no!"
Hearing this, Miko froze momentarily before suddenly standing up as if remembering something urgent.
"Oh no, oh no, I completely forgot."
Without even saying goodbye to Yuigahama, she hurried out of the classroom and made her way to the open area between several school buildings.
Normally, this was where students ate their lunches and relaxed during breaks.
But today, instead of its usual quiet atmosphere, the place was bustling with activity. Tables and chairs were set up everywhere, banners hung between them, and people were shouting slogans through megaphones.
"Any students interested in joining the basketball club? Basketball club!"
"Anyone want to join the tennis club? Our goal this year is to compete in the championships!"
"Anime Enthusiasts Society!"
"Literature Club! Any students who love literature?"
That's right.
This Friday's lunch break was Sobu High School's club recruitment fair for new students.
First-year students looking to join clubs to enrich their school life, and clubs eager to recruit new members, were currently engaged in mutual selection.
As soon as Miko arrived, she was immediately approached by several senior students.
"Hey, want to join the Literature Club?"
"No, no, our Anime Enthusiasts Society has the most relaxed atmosphere!"
"Just putting it out there - our girls' tennis team can compete with Shuchi'in Academy. Winning championships gives big boosts for university applications!"
"Girls should play volleyball! Join our volleyball club!"
"Join the track team and let's sweat together on the running field!"
Faced with their enthusiastic invitations, Miko could only force a polite smile and decline with a wave.
"I've already joined a club."
"Oh, what a shame."
Hearing this, the seniors looked disappointed and then moved on.
Although today was the official recruitment day, some clubs that were desperate for new members had already been secretly recruiting since the first day of term.
What a shame.
Pushing through the crowded area, Miko sighed as she spotted a particularly lonely-looking club booth in the distance - just one table, two chairs, and a clearly hastily-made banner with crooked handwriting. She walked over slowly.
"Ye Xing, I'm here."
Ye Xing, who had been playing on his phone behind the table, didn't even look up when Miko greeted him, merely saying flatly, "You're here? Then sit down."
Miko Yotsuya sat down and glanced at her current position, then looked over at the enthusiastic seniors nearby, her eyes revealing a hint of helplessness.
Compared to those upperclassmen warmly welcoming new students...
The stall Ye Xing had set up, coupled with this banner fluttering in the breeze with its smudged ink...
Miko couldn't help feeling this didn't resemble a club recruiting new members.
It looked more like a charlatan setting up a fortune-telling booth.
Add to that the crooked characters on the white banner spelling 'Supernatural Quantum Mechanics Research Society'...
If anyone actually wanted to join right now, Miko wouldn't feel joy.
She'd want to ask if they'd hit their head or something.
"Ye Xing, do you really think... we can recruit anyone like this?"
Hearing Miko's question, Ye Xing looked up with a confident smile.
"Miko."
"Yes?"
"Have faith in the bond between us!"
Miko: "..."
She really shouldn't have expected to communicate with Ye Xing like a normal person.
If there was one redeeming feature of this stall...
It was Ye Xing when he wasn't speaking.
Version T0—Mute Ye Xing.
Would any love-struck girls come to learn about this club just to chat him up?
Would they really?
Even if they did, recruiting that sort of member would be pointless, wouldn't it?
Just as Miko was thinking this, a soft, monotone girl's voice spoke up.
"Is this the Supernatural Quantum Mechanics Research Society?"
Miko turned to see a petite girl with long grey curly hair draped over her shoulders, wearing glasses and a white lab coat over her uniform, her face completely expressionless.
Someone actually wanted to learn about this club?
Another expert besides Ye Xing?
"Ah, yes, that's right."
Seeing Ye Xing wasn't volunteering any information, Miko quickly stood up, suppressing her embarrassment as she said:
"This is the Super... Supernatural Quantum Mechanics Research Society."
"I see."
The girl responded noncommittally, pushing up her glasses as she glanced at Miko.
"Do you understand quantum mechanics?"
"Er..."
Miko thought to herself that Ye Xing had named the club, not her, so she could only answer honestly.
"Well... not really."
The girl gave a slight nod, then turned her gaze to Ye Xing behind the table.
"Do you understand quantum mechanics?"
"I don't either."
The girl sighed, looking unsurprised.
"As I thought... how naive of me to expect anyone at this school would actually be interested in quantum mechanics. My apologies."
Just as she was about to leave, Ye Xing suddenly spoke up with a light laugh.
"Please wait, Rio Futaba."
"Hmm?"
Hearing him say her name, Rio Futaba frowned slightly.
"You know me?"
"Of course."
Ye Xing nodded with a smile.
"Please join our club."
Hearing Ye Xing's blunt request, Miko's expression became complicated. She wondered if anyone would actually agree to join in this way.
But contrary to her expectations, Rio Futaba adjusted her glasses and slowly replied.
"Neither of you understands quantum mechanics, so you can't discuss topics that interest me with me."
"Then what benefit would joining this club offer me?"