Chapter 60: High-Ponytail Futaba, The Mysterious Person Stalking Futaba
Yoru wasn't surprised at all by the measures taken by the Metropolitan Police Department.
Since the appearance of the "Door," the crime rate in Kyoto had skyrocketed, and the scale of crimes had become increasingly alarming—escalating from ordinary robbery and brawls to murder and even serial killings.
If they didn't come up with a solution soon, Kyoto would turn into Gotham.
The continuously breeding ugly crimes and the filthy obsessions deep in people's hearts became nutrients, making the power of evil spirits even stronger.
After their power increased, the number of humans that evil spirits could manipulate and possess grew, and the evil deeds they guided humans to commit intensified.
This was simply a vicious cycle.
If the police's cleanup operation was effective this time, maybe it could curb this cycle.
For the Super-Quant Club, whose goal was to remove "Doors" and eliminate evil spirits, this was also a good thing.
Moreover, through the announcement from the Kyoto Metropolitan Police, Yoru could confirm his long-held suspicion.
Currently, within Sakura Prefecture, "Doors" had only appeared in Kyoto.
Otherwise, if crime rates in other cities were also skyrocketing, how could they spare manpower to reinforce the Kyoto Metropolitan Police?
As for the fact that the news reports about the Kyoto Municipal Kindergarten incident two days ago completely omitted mentioning him, Yoru had anticipated this long ago.
On one hand, the only person who saw Hachishaku with his own eyes was Soichiro Yagami.
For someone as rigid and upright as him, he probably still suspected that the scene back then was a hallucination.
After all, the existence of evil spirits would cause unimaginable shock to any normal person's worldview.
On the other hand, if the police told the truth, public opinion would definitely explode.
Your dignified Kyoto Metropolitan Police Department was helpless against a group of kidnappers and had to wait for a mysterious person to save the day?
Admitting his existence was equivalent to admitting the police's incompetence.
This was something no one in the police department, from top to bottom, would agree to.
Of course, Yoru didn't intend to gain fame or anything like that. The police concealing his existence actually meant they couldn't investigate him with great fanfare, lest the news leaked out.
It could be considered a good thing.
"Yahallo."
Hearing this familiar greeting, Yoru knew who had arrived.
"Yahallo, Yuigahama-san."
Yui Yuigahama yawned, looking like she hadn't slept well. She rubbed her eyes and tried to cheer up.
"Reporting to you: The number of commissions received by Mr. Oda has decreased a lot recently. Occasionally, there are a few individual ones, which I've already sent to Miko for confirmation."
"Is that so..."
Seeing Yoru looking thoughtful, Yui asked puzzledly.
"Isn't the decrease in supernatural events a good thing?"
"No."
Yoru shook his head and said softly.
"Yuigahama-san, remember one thing."
"What?"
"Our opponents are those intelligent monsters. The evil spirits that only act on instinct are just pawns under their command."
The more he encountered supernatural-related events, the more Yoru felt that the appearance of the "Door" and the Otherworld wasn't that simple.
Although he entered the Otherworld to explore every day, Kyoto was still a big city, even if not comparable to Tokyo.
Until now, his overall exploration progress was probably not even one-thousandth.
Based on the intelligence obtained so far, Yoru could roughly analyze the following points:
Even in the Otherworld Kyoto dominated by evil spirits, there exists a certain order to maintain balance.
The Slaughtering Ghost he encountered last time played a role similar to a scavenger, preventing the density of evil spirits from becoming too high.
Relatively powerful evil spirits with independent thinking and intelligence know the function of the "Door" and know what methods to use to accelerate its opening.
The Rokurokubi and the Hannya Ghost were both valid proofs of this argument.
The most important point.
Regardless of who it was, Yoru urgently needed someone—a trustworthy person who could keep a secret—to awaken the ability of Soul Manifestation again under his own witness.
He needed to verify one thing.
Is it only possible to awaken the ability in the Otherworld?
No, that could only be said to be the surface meaning.
Investigating the principle, the question should be...
Is it as Futaba Rio analyzed: one must complete the process of "Perceiving Existence" and then face one's inner self and soul directly to awaken the ability?
Or are Miko and I just special cases?
If it was the former, then everyone would be happy.
As long as the Super-Quant Club continued to exist, over time, even if unexpected changes occurred with the "Door" and the Otherworld, the number of assistants like Miko around him would increase.
But if it was the latter...
Yoru glanced at the sparse number of students chatting in groups of two or three in the classroom, and Yui, who was standing in front of him tilting her head adorably.
Then this would be a bit tricky.
....
The morning classes passed quickly.
Yoru was anxious today. He woke up five minutes before the lunch break and even listened to the class for five minutes.
Exhausting my mind, worrying about Kyoto, unable to sleep peacefully—please be aware.
During lunch break, Miko and Yui went outside the teaching building to eat bento with several other girls.
Since Yui said that Miko's image in school wasn't very good, Student Miko decided to change.
Student Miko Has a Communication Disorder....
Sorry, wrong set. (Note: Komi-san reference).
Anyway, Miko decided to make more friends.
At the very least, so that when other students had supernatural-related commissions, they would think of communicating with her without feeling a barrier.
Of course, Yoru didn't want to stay in the classroom, so he went to the Super-Quant Clubroom.
"Good afternoon..."
When he slid the door open, his greeting stopped halfway.
Under the midday sunlight outside the window, Futaba Rio, wearing her usual white lab coat, had her hands behind her head, tying her long gray curly hair into a ponytail.
The most lethal part was:
Her pink lips were gently holding a pale green hair tie. Her movements in combing her hair looked unskilled; even using both hands, she seemed a bit flustered.
Seeing Yoru appear at the door, Rio's movements stiffened slightly.
After a few seconds of silence, she let down her hair, allowing it to drape over her shoulders. With her left hand, she took the pale green hair tie from her mouth and naturally stuffed it into the pocket of her lab coat. Her tone was flat and natural.
"You're here? Want coffee?"
"I'll have a cup."
Yoru sat opposite Rio. Watching her take out two beakers, pour black aromatic coffee into one, stir it gently with a glass rod, and hand it to him.
The air was quiet.
"Did you... see it?"
"See what?"
"Don't play dumb."
"Yes, I saw it. Saw it clearly."
Hearing this, Rio's eyes flickered. After a moment of silence, she asked softly.
"Do... do you think it looked good?"
"Hmm... how should I put it?"
Yoru responded noncommittally, his brain running at high speed.
What does she mean?
Has the battle of wits with a death question between geniuses started already?
If I answer "It looks good," Rio might ask:
"Are you saying my usual hairstyle doesn't look good?"
If I answer "It doesn't look good," Rio might ask:
"Are you saying I can't pull off a high ponytail?"
After thinking carefully, Yoru suddenly realized.
Why am I struggling with this crap?
Futaba Rio isn't some 'Little Fairy' (XXN - Slang for unreasonable/entitled women); why would she deliberately pick a fight?
Wouldn't answering honestly solve everything?
"I think both hairstyles, combined with your outstanding temperament and cute face, look very good."
Hearing these very straightforward words, Rio's hand shook, almost spilling the coffee in the beaker onto the table.
Her eyes narrowed slightly behind her glasses as she stared at Yoru and spoke slowly.
"You... don't tell me you have... towards me...?"
"Futaba-san, you are a bit too confident."
"Then it's fine."
Rio remained calm and composed. From beginning to end, her expression didn't change at all.
However...
Yoru watched Rio's constant stirring motion. With an expression that was hard to hold back but still held, he spoke slowly.
"Futaba-san, what are you stirring? That's an empty cup."
Rio looked down. Her fair cheeks turned red rapidly at a speed visible to the naked eye.
"I... I know. This is a ritual to make coffee taste better... It's, it's Quantum Mechanics. Yes, that's right, it's the latest research theory in Quantum Mechanics. The principle is very complex, so I won't explain it to you."
"I see. I am enlightened, Master Futaba."
Rio glared at Yoru resentfully, barely calmed her mind, and poured herself a cup of coffee too.
The clubroom became quiet again.
Seeing Yoru just sipping coffee and scrolling on his phone, Rio couldn't help but speak up to break the silence.
"Spring exams are coming up next Wednesday. Do you know?"
Yoru nodded nonchalantly.
"I know. What about it?"
"Since you know, why aren't you studying hard in your spare time?"
After saying this, Rio added, trying to cover up.
"Of course, I'm not concerned about you. It's just that if you, the Club President, fail the exams, the school might revoke the usage rights of the clubroom or even disband the club. I find staying here quite comfortable."
"Fail?"
Yoru looked like he wanted to laugh.
"Futaba-san, your worry seems a bit superfluous."
Rio frowned slightly, vaguely realizing that things might not be as simple as she imagined.
"Seeing you like this... could it be you are very confident in your grades?"
"Does that even need asking?"
Yoru shrugged and yawned.
"I am the number one in the entire Sakura Prefecture in the joint entrance exam for this batch."
"Oh, number one..."
Rio nodded subconsciously. After a few seconds, she reacted belatedly, her pupils dilating in shock.
"Number one? Joint exam? Number one in the entire Sakura Prefecture!?"
"Eh, didn't you know? Oh right, I seem to have never told you guys."
Seeing Yoru looking very calm, Rio confirmed incredulously.
"You? Joint exam, achieved first place in the entire Sakura Prefecture?"
Yoru cupped his hands in a gesture of mock modesty, looking slightly embarrassed, but his tone had no intention of being humble.
"That's right, it is I."
Rio took a deep breath, her expression complicated.
"Then, why did you come to Sobu High instead of Shuchiin Academy or Advanced Nurturing High School?"
"Does that even need asking?"
Yoru's expression and tone made Rio start to doubt herself—did she say something ridiculous just now?
Think about it carefully.
Isn't this a very normal question?
Sakura Prefecture's number one—why not go to Shuchiin Academy, hailed as the cradle of future talents, or Advanced Nurturing High School, hailed as a springboard for social classes where any dream can be realized with enough ability?
Although Sobu High is okay.
But after all, it's not Shuchiin or Advanced Nurturing.
"Think about it."
Yoru analyzed seriously for Rio.
"With my score as the number one in the Sakura Prefecture joint exam, if I went to Advanced Nurturing or Shuchiin, although I would be considered elite, there have been many students who achieved first place in the joint exam in the history of these two schools, right?"
"That is true."
Rio nodded slightly, acknowledging this.
Rather than saying there had been many students who achieved first place in the history of Advanced Nurturing and Shuchiin...
It was better to say:
Geniuses who could get first place in the provincial joint exam would only consider these two schools as their options.
Compared to these two schools, other high schools were utterly crushed in terms of campus environment, faculty strength, connections, and future development.
In the history of Sakura Prefecture, Yoru might be the only student who achieved first place in the joint exam and chose a third option besides Shuchiin and Advanced Nurturing, right?
"Therefore."
Yoru shrugged, acting as if it were only natural.
"With my grades, coming to Sobu High makes me a VIP in the eyes of the school administration. As long as the requests aren't outrageously absurd, the school will give me preferential treatment."
Before Rio could answer, he added.
"The so-called special preferential treatment includes this clubroom."
Hearing this, Rio had only one thought.
Aren't you being a bit too real?
It's fine to think about this kind of thing internally, but to say it so openly?
Unspoken rules, unspoken rules.
It's called unspoken because everyone knows it but it can't be brought to light.
However...
Rio tried to think from another perspective.
If she were the administration of Sobu High and learned that the number one student in the provincial joint exam chose to enroll in Sobu High, what would be the reaction?
Bringing honor to the humble house.
Glorifying the ancestors.
Punching Shuchiin, kicking Advanced Nurturing!
Sobu High, when will you be number one in Sakura Prefecture?
Right here, right now!
"However..."
Rio examined Yoru, puzzled.
"I never see you studying. Can you still maintain such grades?"
"Hmph, piece of cake."
"Don't be boasting now."
"This is where you don't understand, Futaba-san."
A look of nostalgia and emotion suddenly appeared in Yoru's eyes as he spoke slowly.
"Can you imagine a school life where classes start at 6:30 AM every day, end at 11:00 PM, with only a 20-minute lunch break and no recess between classes?" (Note: Reference to extreme schooling like Hengshui High School in China).
"How could such a thing exist?"
Rio shook her head like a rattle-drum.
"Forget about a school; this has completely exceeded the physiological limits of humans, right? There can't be such a place."
"You are too naive, Futaba Rio."
Yoru shook his head, looked at the scenery outside the window, and spoke slowly.
"I competed with tens of millions of peers in such an environment, fought a bloody path on a single-plank bridge, and became a Hero who stood out after hundreds and thousands of battles!"
Rio: "...."
After a few seconds, she gave the most precise retort of her life.
"Listening to your description, that doesn't sound like a Hero."
"It sounds like an evil ghost that crawled out of the Eighteenth Layer of Hell, right?"
Hearing this, Yoru nodded in deep agreement.
"Mmhmm, the difficulty is about the same."
Rio sighed helplessly and massaged her forehead. Naturally, she thought Yoru's speech just now was a result of a Chunibyo episode.
How could there be a school where one sleeps only seven hours a day and has barely any rest time?
How is that different from hell?
However, Chunibyo aside.
Rio didn't doubt Yoru's claim that he joined this school as the number one in the Sakura Prefecture joint exam.
This way, many things made sense.
For example, why the club could be established initially with only two members, Miko and Yoru, failing to meet the minimum requirement of five members.
And why, despite the club's unclear purpose and unknown activities, they were allocated such a well-located, sunny clubroom.
"By the way, there's something..."
For the first time, a look of nervousness and hesitation appeared on Rio's usually calm and rational face. After hesitating for a few seconds, she parted her lips and said.
"When I go home recently, I always feel... someone is watching me."
"Stalking?"
Hearing this word, Yoru frowned slightly.
"Did you see clearly who it was? When did it start? Are they stalking you every day?"
"Eh..."
Rio didn't expect Yoru's response to be so serious. She thought he would come up with some abstract words again upon hearing her request.
"Um... I'm not sure either. It's just a vague feeling. Maybe because of my past experiences, I'm more sensitive to others' gazes."
"This is too serious."
Yoru looked righteous and slammed the table heavily.
"Don't worry, Futaba-san. Today, I, the Unruly One chosen by the heavens, will escort you home."