Chapter 64: Super-Quant Club's First Activity, The Suona Player of the Otherworld
Futaba Rio was stunned.
For the past few days, she had been pondering.
If Yoru wasn't suffering from Chunibyo, and if all the things he said to her were real...
A world filled with despair everywhere, requiring every possible means to maintain existence, chilling and terrifying to the core, teetering on the edge of destruction...
Was she really willing to face it?
To live on as a bewildered ignoramus, or to muster the courage in her heart to lift the veil covering the bloody, twisted, and terrifying world?
At this moment, Rio felt like the protagonist in that movie.
In front of her were a blue pill and a red pill. (Note: Matrix reference).
Anyway, no matter which one she chose.
The result was definitely: Pills.
Neither Yui Yuigahama nor Yotsuya Miko spoke; they just quietly waited for Rio's answer.
After getting along these past few days, they already considered her a friend.
But...
A friendship that required concealment and cover-ups made both of them very uncomfortable.
Needless to say about Yui.
Miko wasn't good at lying either; she was only good at concealing her emotions.
Someone as smart as Rio probably already guessed they were hiding something but never said it explicitly.
Could a friendship where both sides were hiding things really last?
According to Yui and Miko's emotional thinking, they naturally wanted Rio to become someone in the know.
But was that really good?
The Otherworld, evil spirits, ghosts, "Doors"—these bizarre existences were difficult for ordinary people to comprehend.
"Futaba-san, you have to think clearly."
Yui's eyes flickered, her expression complicated.
"The truth of the world is very scary."
Hearing her say this, Miko beside her couldn't help but sigh.
Yui's personality was just like this: very gentle.
Even gentle to a fault.
Always considering others before herself.
Yui herself didn't actually need to get involved in these things at all.
Even though she had been to the Otherworld Kyoto and got dragged into supernatural events, as long as she pretended not to see, just like Miko did in the past, life would continue as usual.
Speaking of which, why did Yui agree to join the Super-Quant Club without any hesitation?
Clearly, she wasn't the bold type, nor was she a lunatic like Yoru whose mental fluctuations were huge and frequent.
Even Miko, who was very close to her, couldn't figure out the reason.
Sakurajima Mai leaned against the window, listening to the conversation in the clubroom, with two words written on her face:
Lost.
No, what exactly are you guys talking about?
Mai only knew that Miko was fighting something, but she couldn't see evil spirits or the "Door" at all.
Yoru didn't explain.
And Mai didn't ask actively.
She couldn't understand the topics of these juniors at all!
Is it because I'm getting old?
"I..."
Seeing even the usually silly-smiling Yui showing such a solemn expression, Rio hesitated too.
What does the real world look like?
Seeing her indecision, Yoru spoke faintly.
"Futaba-san, the choice is in your hands. Regardless of what choice you make, this clubroom still belongs to you. This is the condition of our deal. We won't come here in the future. This place will forever be your personal 7-Up... ah no, private space. Rest assured."
Hearing this, Rio's eyes flickered behind her glasses. After a few seconds, she suddenly slammed the table and stood up with a movement completely different from her usual calm and rational image.
Bang!
This sudden slam startled Yui, making her body tremble slightly.
Miko's pupils also shrank slightly.
Two seconds later, her shoulders trembled too.
Miko's reaction had a delay. Just like preventing broadcast accidents during live streaming, her brain would first judge if the scare came from an evil spirit, then judge if she could show a scared reaction, and then decide on the body's reaction.
This ability could go on America's Got Talent.
"I..."
Rio took a deep breath, her expression becoming incomparably determined.
"I am curious!" (Note: Chitanda Eru reference from Hyouka).
Yoru thought you went to the wrong set, right?
Curious? You should go to the Classic Literature Club; this is the Super-Quant Club, hey!
"Because of curiosity, I want to observe."
Rio pushed up her glasses frame and said word by word.
"I want to observe, and I like the atmosphere here. So, please allow me to change my status from a member of the Quantum Mechanics Investigation and Research Club to a member of the Super Cumin Quantum Mechanics Investigation and Rowing Club starting now!"
After a few seconds of silence in the clubroom.
Pfft.
Miko and Yui burst into laughter at the same time.
"Hahaha, Futaba-san, did you bite your tongue just now?"
"Seems like although you're acting calm, you're actually very nervous, right?"
"I can't, I'm dying of laughter."
...
Watching the two girls laughing holding their bellies, Rio's cheeks blushed slightly. She pushed up her glasses, forcing herself to maintain composure.
"A-Anyway, as long as you understand what I mean."
"In that case, let's begin."
"Begin what?"
Yoru didn't answer Rio's question directly but called out softly.
"Manifest, Hachishaku."
As his voice fell, a tall woman in white, nearly three meters tall with her head almost touching the ceiling, suddenly appeared in Rio and Yui's field of vision.
"Hol... Holy crap!?"
Even Rio, who was usually the calmest and most rational, always unfazed by events, was shocked into pupil constriction upon suddenly seeing such a monster appear in the clubroom.
Yui opened her mouth slightly, stared blankly for a while, then forced a smile and waved to Hachishaku.
"Um, um, Yahallo?"
"Yahallo."
To Yui's surprise, Hachishaku-sama actually waved back and responded with a smile.
Looking closely.
Hachishaku was quite good-looking. Good figure, fine skin, dignified and beautiful features, with a hint of shy timidity like a girl who hadn't seen people much.
Just this height...
It was a bit too exaggerated.
Why is she even taller than the last time we met?
"Are you thinking about why Hachishaku is taller than last time?"
Yoru saw through Yui's thoughts and chuckled.
"See? This is the personal spirit career development achieved after joining the company. What do you think, Little Hachi?"
"Boss is right."
Seeing Hachishaku acting so respectfully, Yui was speechless.
It's only been a few days.
Hachishaku has been trained by Yoru to be this docile?
It made Yui doubt if the one standing in front of her was the disheveled, sharp-toothed female ghost from before.
Just looking at this scene, one might really think it was a company where employees and bosses helped each other with a promising future.
The reason for Hachishaku's body size surging again was simple.
She devoured quite a few evil spirits during this period, so her power naturally increased.
Although Hachishaku's base as an evil spirit wasn't great—belonging to the lower-middle tier of monsters who didn't dare kill openly and could only use schemes—Yoru was an excellent exorcist who knew how to utilize spirits well.
Little Hachi might not be great now, but having merged with the "Door," she was worth cultivating.
After devouring other evil spirits and increasing her own power, she could better control the "Door" inside her and even unlocked a new ability.
That is, regardless of Ouma-ga-toki (Twilight) or Oujin-no-toki (Dawn), as long as Hachishaku wrapped them with her power, she could allow ordinary humans to travel between the two worlds through the "Door" during these two time periods, just like spirit mediums Yoru and Miko.
Of course, the cooldown for opening a "Door" at any location was still seven days.
And Hachishaku's current limit was wrapping up to three ordinary humans with her power. Any more would risk losing control.
Evolving to this extent today was inseparable from the careful cultivation of the Super-Quant Company and Boss Yoru.
This was a win-win for the company and the employee.
Exploitation? What exploitation?
It's not exploitation if wages are paid!
Yoru took out his phone and checked the time on the screen.
Good, almost 5:30 PM.
Time's up.
"Alright."
Yoru stood up and waved his hand.
"Fantastic Expedition Team, move out!"
Yui whispered: "Aren't we called the Supernatural Investigation Squad?"
Miko whispered back: "Whatever, let him call it whatever he wants."
After saying this, Miko suddenly froze and said incredulously.
"Wait, the departure you mentioned... don't tell me everyone is going to the Otherworld Kyoto together?"
"Exactly."
Yoru nodded and added.
"You two remember to send a text to your families saying you're staying at a friend's house tonight."
Yui and Miko didn't hesitate and nodded in agreement directly.
"Okay."
Although the current Hachishaku could allow ordinary people to travel through the "Door" during both time periods, if the time exceeded 7:00 PM (the end of Ouma-ga-toki), then even spirit mediums like Yoru and Miko would have to wait until 5:00 AM Oujin-no-toki to return to the real world.
It wasn't easy to gather everyone to go to the Otherworld together.
They couldn't just stay for less than two hours and come back, right?
Spending the night out required informing the family.
Seeing Yoru only asking Yui and Miko to call home but not taking out his own phone, Rio asked curiously.
"Are you like me, parents busy with work, living alone?"
"No, I have no parents."
"Ah this... sorry, I didn't mean to."
"It's fine, it's fine. There's a guy in Gotham City who went into an alley with six legs and came out with two; my situation is nothing compared to that."
Rio definitely wouldn't understand this hell joke (Batman reference). Even if she did, she probably wouldn't laugh.
After all, Yoru's situation wasn't much different from Batman's, except for the lack of a sexy butt chin.
"As for Sakurajima Mai-san..."
Yoru looked at Mai, who was leaning against the window, looking blank and completely unable to keep up with the conversation.
"After eating, you can go back, or stay in the clubroom a bit longer if you like. Whatever you prefer."
He had realized something over the past two days.
You don't say, really don't say.
Mai's Adolescence Syndrome was truly a bit marvelous.
Not just ordinary people like Rio and Yui, or spirit mediums like Miko.
Even spirit bodies like Hachishaku and Hyakume couldn't perceive Mai's existence.
This is damn confusing.
Science is the best way to break superstition?
The key is, Rio's Quantum Mechanics and serious Quantum Mechanics aren't the same thing.
Just bringing Mai's case out could make an episode of Approaching Science.
Former national idol beautiful girl, why did she become an imperceptible invisible person?
Is it the loss of morality, or the distortion of human nature...
Wait, that doesn't seem to be the opening line for Approaching Science; that's the one about the sow getting pregnant at the village entrance.
In short, Mai's situation was special.
Hachishaku couldn't "cognize" her existence, so naturally couldn't activate the power of the "Door" to bring her into the Otherworld.
Temp worker Sakurajima Mai.
Duty: Guarding the Super-Quant Clubroom door.
Wage: Three meals a day.
Accomodation (One day) not realized yet; currently only three meals.
"Alright, let's start."
"Eh, eh!?"
Before Rio could react, Hachishaku activated the power of the "Door" and pulled her, Yui, Miko, and Yoru into the Otherworld.
For Yoru, Hachishaku merged with the "Door" was a fast pass to shuttle between the two worlds.
But Hachishaku's truly special feature was:
She could allow ordinary humans like Yui and Rio, who couldn't "cognize" the existence of another world, to enter the Otherworld.
After less than a second of dizziness, what appeared in front of Rio was a scene that overturned her worldview.
A dark red crescent moon hung in the sky.
The place she stood still looked like Sobu High, still the Super-Quant Clubroom.
The problem was, outside the window was dim.
In the distance, one could see rolling viscous black mist, with vague twisted things flashing within, making one's hair stand on end just by looking.
"Where... is this place?"
Hearing Rio's question, Yoru chose to answer in the most direct way.
"This is the base camp of the Demon King's envoys, the other end of the Demon King Army's supply point."
Rio walked to the window, repeatedly confirming the scene in front of her. Incredulity showed in her eyes behind the lenses as she murmured.
"So, you really aren't a Chunibyo. Another world... actually exists."
With her extraordinary rational mind, Rio accepted the reality before her within seconds.
Moreover, she was cross-referencing all the information Yoru provided with the scene in front of her in her mind.
"Are you okay? Futaba-san?"
Hearing Yui's inquiry, Rio turned around, nodded slightly, then looked at Yoru and spoke calmly.
"Regarding the protagonist awakening an ability, I should have told you that 'Cognition' is the primary prerequisite."
"Correct."
Yoru shrugged and smiled.
"Then, this condition has been met."
Without hesitation, Rio understood immediately and continued.
"In other words, as long as the change in 'Cognition' is achieved—transforming the thought of the 'Enemy' from 'invincible, can only flee' to a target that can be 'eliminated'—one should be able to awaken."
Yui and Miko looked at each other, confusion in both their eyes.
Did you understand?
I didn't. Did you?
I didn't either.
Two streams of Clear Stupidity collided, forming an ocean of confusion and question marks.
Yui and Miko weren't actually stupid; it was just that Yoru and Rio's thinking speed was too fast for normal people to keep up.
"You just got in, and you're already considering awakening an ability?"
Rio didn't deny it, nor admit it, just saying noncommittally.
"I just want to consider every possibility. Besides, wasn't needing me to provide ideas the purpose of your inviting me to join the club initially?"
"True."
Just then, everyone suddenly heard a burst of music mixed with resentment, desolation, loneliness, and many other meanings drifting faintly from outside the clubroom window.
"Oh? Interesting."
Compared to the three female members whose faces changed upon hearing this desolate music, Yoru showed a look of interest.
He had been to the Otherworld so many times, but this was the first time he encountered such a thing.
Question: What does a player want to satisfy most when entering an RPG game world?
That's right, curiosity!
The anxiety and desire to explore when triggering a quest for the first time.
Especially if the quest wasn't fixed but randomly triggered...
That was simply perfect!
"Super-Quant Squad, charge!"
As his voice fell, Yoru had already rushed out of the clubroom with swift steps.
Those who knew thought he was going to investigate a sudden supernatural event.
Those who didn't might think he was a starving ghost crawled out of hell who saw a grilled steak.
Too impatient.
"This guy... I really don't know how to evaluate him."
Watching Yoru leave the clubroom, Miko sighed helplessly and massaged her forehead. Scanning Yui, Rio, and Hachishaku standing there, she pursed her lips and said.
"Let's follow him."
"Mmhmm, let's go."
Although it was her first time entering the Otherworld, the curiosity in Rio's heart had suppressed the fear of the unknown.
A world that looked like Kyoto but was completely different.
Why did such a place exist?
Did it have anything to do with Quantum Mechanics?
What role could "Cognition" play here?
Rio was very curious.
...
When they followed the sound all the way to the school gate of Sobu High, they saw a very bizarre scene.
On the dim road outside, a long convoy was walking slowly.
Every evil spirit in it wore pale clothes, following their positions, walking neither fast nor slow.
In front of the carriages, there were no horses pulling them. Instead, wheels with heads growing in the center rolled forward on their own. (Note: Wanyudo/Wheel Monk).
About a dozen monsters that looked most like humans—not evil spirits, but harmless ghosts—held various instruments in their hands.
That resentful and miserable tune was played by them.
"Is this... a wedding procession?"
Looking at the paper-like pale character "囍" (Double Happiness) pasted on the carriage, Yui, Rio, and even Miko with the strongest mental fortitude felt a chill all over their bodies.
The evil spirits and ghosts in the procession didn't see them, just walking forward on their own.
"This looks very bad."
Miko pursed her lips tightly and looked at Hachishaku beside her.
"What do you think?"
Hachishaku parted her lips slightly, emitting a very soft, slightly timid voice.
"I think it's best not to provoke these things."
Yui and Rio were shocked simultaneously.
"You can speak?"
"Of course."
Hachishaku looked innocent and bewildered.
"Of course I can speak."
Yui and Rio thought that makes sense.
They had heard some stories about Hachishaku-sama.
She was a monster who mimicked the voices of deceased relatives to lure children out and kill them.
If she couldn't speak, how could she mimic?
They just didn't know Hachishaku's voice was so soft, like a gentle young married woman.
"Wait."
Rio frowned slightly and scanned the surroundings.
"Where is Yoru?"
Hearing this, Yui and Miko reacted.
Right, where did Yoru go?
He came out before them; why was he nowhere to be seen now?
Could it be... something happened to him?
Just as the three girls were worried, they suddenly heard a voice carrying a smile coming from the convoy.
They looked up and saw that Yoru had unknowingly mixed into the wedding procession, standing right in the middle of those dozen ghosts.
What shocked them even more was:
Black mist condensed in Yoru's hands, rapidly forming the shape of a double-reed woodwind instrument.
"Could it be..."
Toot toot toot.
The three girls watched dumbfounded as Yoru tried blowing the instrument a few times, producing sharp but melodious sounds. After nodding with satisfaction, he said to the surrounding evil spirits and ghosts.
"Hello everyone, I am the new Suona player."
"For this joyous day worth celebrating, I bring you a famous piece from Kyushu (China): Song of the Phoenix ."
"Thanks for the support."
As his voice fell, Yoru raised the Suona.
Toot, toot, toot-toot-toot~
The high-pitched and cheerful sound of the Suona resounded through the Otherworld Kyoto. (Note: Suona is often used in Chinese funerals/weddings, known for its piercing sound).