Chapter 138: 100% Sunny Girl, Kyoto Train Suspension Incident
"Tonight?"
Yoru glanced at Rio, Miko, and Mai, who were already packing up and ready to leave.
The weekend arrangement for these three was simple.
One of them would stay in Kyoto City Hospital, accompanying Makinohara Shoko and Menma, while the other two would team up to scout the surrounding area.
In this process, Rio and Miko, who had more exorcism experience, could also lead Mai to adapt to the rhythm of fighting evil spirits.
Although the three of them had no relationship with Makinohara Shoko before.
But according to the main purpose of the Super-Quant Club, protecting the innocent in Kyoto city and eliminating strangeness was the most important thing.
Moreover, Mai, Rio, and Miko didn't want to see such a young Makinohara Shoko die because of evil spirits.
"Free is free."
Hearing Yoru's noncommittal answer, Amano Hina took out her phone, handed it to him secretively, deliberately lowered her voice, but it contained unconcealable joy.
"Yoru-san, the webpage you made finally has a commission."
"Is that so? That's pretty good."
Yoru took the phone. Displayed inside was exactly the commission for the Sunny Girl ability he created for Amano Hina.
This was something he had promised before she joined the Super-Quant Club.
Using the ability to bring sunny days, let Amano Hina undertake commissions from others, thereby obtaining enough remuneration for herself and her brother to live on.
"Raining again..."
Looking at the rain already starting to fall outside the window, Yoru picked up his school bag with one hand and smiled at Amano Hina.
"Let's go then."
"Wait a minute."
Seeing the two intending to leave, Yukino, who was reading a light novel, put the book into her bag, stood up slowly, and said faintly.
"I want to go with you too."
"You?"
Yoru glanced at Yukino with a half-smile.
"Do you know what we are going to do?"
"Yoru-san."
Yukino's tone had no fluctuation.
"Please don't underestimate me too much."
"Very impressive, Pingno (Flat-no)."
"It's Yukino. Remembering the name of a fellow club member shouldn't be difficult with your memory as first in the grade, right?"
"Hehe, being sarcastic with me now? Come if you want."
While following Yoru and Amano Hina leaving the school, Yukino was also thinking secretly.
Yoru didn't hide from other Super-Quant Club members when making that commission interface.
She had also seen the content on it.
100% Sunny Girl?
Turning rainy days into sunny days?
Yukino had only one thought.
Boring Chunibyo.
If it were just the Chunibyo fantasy of adolescent boys and girls, Yukino had no interest in understanding.
But undertaking commissions and asking for monetary remuneration from others, the nature of this matter was different.
Speaking seriously, this could be criminal behavior.
Yukino followed today just to see what exactly was going on.
If it was really swindling money from others, she would strike heavily, speak frankly, and maximize aggression.
However...
Looking at Yoru holding an umbrella, walking a few steps ahead of her, chatting casually with Amano Hina, Yukino hesitated again.
Although there was no deep contact, after getting along during this period, she felt the opponent wasn't someone who would tell such lies for a little money.
Yukino's rational thinking made it hard for her to believe that a "Sunny Girl" who could control the weather existed in this world.
But with her understanding of Yoru, she couldn't find any other explanation.
Yukino wasn't stupid.
On the contrary, she could achieve second place in comprehensive scores. If not for the monster Yoru, she would be first.
Yukino was a very smart person.
Unfortunately, due to her inner resistance, she completely didn't understand the business conducted by Yukinoshita Construction Company in Kyoto city, nor did she have the idea to understand.
Otherwise, just combining that unfinished building with frequent accidents, the acquaintance between her sister Haruno and Yoru for unknown reasons, and this kind of supernatural commission...
Yukino could vaguely approach the truth.
....
This first commission was contacted by the person in charge of a flea market.
After arriving at the designated location by train, Yukino looked at those scattered small stalls displaying various goods, showing very curious eyes like a kitten seeing a cat teaser stick.
"Haven't seen it, right? First time seeing it, right? Fresh, right?"
Hearing Yoru's three consecutive questions with a teasing tone, Yukino coughed twice, sorted out her expression, and said faintly.
"I'm just observing because it's my first time coming to such a place."
At this time, the person in charge of the flea market, an old man with white hair and bent back, walked over slowly.
"Are you that online... Sunny Girl?"
At this time, Amano Hina seemed very nervous, stammering, unable to say a word.
Finally, Yoru took over the conversation.
"Yes."
"Sigh."
The old man sighed heavily. Although his eyes were skeptical, he still maintained a kind and amiable smile on his face.
"Actually, inviting you here is just for good luck. Look at this weather."
He extended his hand, pointing to the cloudy sky that had already started to rain lightly.
"Our conditions here are limited. If it keeps raining, not only will fewer customers come, but the goods will also get damp, very troublesome."
"Is that so..."
Looking at the frowning old man, Amano Hina nodded with a very serious expression.
"Rainy days are indeed inconvenient."
"Yes."
The old man nodded and smiled at the three people in front of him.
"So, please."
Amano Hina pursed her lips, hesitating slightly.
"Then... let me try."
"Not try."
Yoru added faintly from the side.
"You must do it. If you can't control the ability, you should understand what the consequences will be, right?"
Hearing this, Amano Hina's eyes revealed a bit of fear deep inside.
Spirit mediums would become the primary targets of evil spirit attacks, including special ability users like her.
The most powerful and twisted evil spirit the Super-Quant Club had encountered so far happened to be that ten-meter-tall Titan Evil Spirit fused with a "Door" that Amano Hina first saw.
The terrifying scene at that time gave her nightmares for several nights.
Always seeking protection from others...
This wasn't Amano Hina's character.
If her brother hadn't happened to be out playing that day, if Yoru hadn't happened to be present...
The consequences would be unimaginable.
To continue living and for her brother's safety.
Amano Hina knew she not only needed to control this power...
But also needed to become stronger.
As the person involved, Amano Hina understood Yoru's meaning.
But to Yukino, who didn't know the truth...
Why does this feel like a threat?
Yukino frowned, leaned close to Yoru, and lowered her voice.
"Although I don't know the specific situation, but... can Amano-san really do such a thing?"
"Of course."
Yoru held the umbrella for Amano Hina with one hand, looking at her closing her eyes, clasping her hands together praying, and replied softly.
"She can enter the Super-Quant Club because of this specialty."
"Hmm?"
Hearing this, Yukino frowned.
"Then according to this, I can enter the Super-Quant Club also because you think I have value in some aspect?"
"You think too much."
Yoru glanced at Yukino and smiled.
"You can enter the Super-Quant Club because you have a beautiful sister; purely entered through the back door."
"You..."
Yukino bit her silver teeth lightly but didn't know how to refute.
She joined the Super-Quant Club for a while now.
But until now, she hadn't made any contribution.
In contrast, Yoru, counting the matter of making the club webpage, plus Amano Hina, Kawasaki Saki, Marin, was already ahead of her by four commissions.
This was indeed quite a gap.
Yukino's competitiveness hidden in her heart was thoroughly stimulated.
Just as she wanted to open her mouth to say something, a ray of bright light suddenly fell on the wet ground.
Yukino raised her head, seeing the scene in the sky, her face changing in shock.
"This is..."
The heavy dark clouds originally covering the sky were dissipating at a speed visible to the naked eye.
After the clouds disappeared, the sun's rays fell on the ground together with the light rain that hadn't stopped yet.
Centered on Amano Hina, the rainy weather in this area changed to sunny weather at an extremely fast speed.
"Rain... stopped?"
Looking at the area in front of her returning to sunshine, the dark clouds in the sky dissipating as if they had never appeared, Yukino's pupils dilated.
At this moment, she seemed to see unusual brilliance emitting from Amano Hina who closed her eyes and clasped her hands in prayer.
Rain... actually really stopped!?
"Phew..."
Amano Hina wiped the sweat from her forehead. Looking at the people showing joy because the rain stopped, although feeling a bit tired, she couldn't help smiling.
"I... really did it."
The market manager old man walked over with a kind smile, took out a thick envelope from his bosom, and handed it to Amano Hina.
"Little girl, this is the agreed remuneration."
"Eh?"
Looking at the thickness of the envelope, Amano Hina froze for a moment, waving her hand hurriedly.
"No... this seems much more than the agreed price, right?"
The old man smiled and handed the envelope forward again.
"Looking at your outfit, you should be a high school student? Our market opens until the end of this weekend, so this isn't money for one commission, but the full remuneration for three days."
"This..."
Amano Hina looked at Yoru first. Seeing him nod slightly, she took the envelope from the old man's hand and smiled sweetly.
"Then... thank you very much."
"Eh, I should be the one thanking you."
The old man looked at the stall owners showing joy and spoke slowly.
"Sunny days always make people feel better."
....
After finishing the day's affairs and returning home, Yukino, who always maintained a rational and calm appearance, sat directly on the floor without even taking off her shoes.
"What... exactly is going on..."
Yukino didn't believe that Amano Hina closing her eyes to pray and then the rain stopping, the weather turning sunny, was a simple coincidence.
100% Sunny Girl?
Esper?
How can there be... in this world...
Wait a minute.
Yukino suddenly thought of something.
The full name of the Super-Quant Club... seems to be called, Supernatural... Quantum Mechanics Investigation and Research Club?
She roughly knew what quantum mechanics was; in the clubroom, she occasionally saw Rio reading professional books on quantum mechanics.
But supernatural...
Could it be that this club name wasn't chosen randomly?
But really related to the supernatural?
While thinking so, Yukino took out her phone.
As soon as she opened it, a pop-up news item caught her eye.
[Kyoto City Underground Train Sudden Failure, All Stations Temporarily Suspended, Resumption Time Undetermined.]
"Suspended? Sudden failure?"
Yukino frowned, thinking when I just came back by train, there was nothing wrong.
Moreover, today's rain wasn't that heavy.
What kind of failure could reach the severity of suspending all stations?
....
Meanwhile, underground in Kyoto city, inside a train tunnel.
"How could such a thing happen..."
Marin and Kawasaki Saki looked at the pitch-black carriage, listening to the panicked running sounds of passengers in their ears, somewhat at a loss.
"Marin, does your phone have signal?"
Marin took out her phone to check and shook her head.
"No."
"Mine neither."
Kawasaki Saki looked at the zero signal bars on her phone, looking troubled.
Marin looked at Keika sitting between them swinging her calves. Even though she was scared herself, she squeezed out a smile, rubbed Keika's small head, and comforted.
"Keika-chan, don't be afraid; it will be fixed soon."
"Mmhmm mmhmm."
Keika nodded obediently.
"Marin-oneechan, I'm not afraid."
"Mmhmm, that's good."
Marin smiled gently, looking at the carriage where lights were completely extinguished, relying only on passengers' phone flashlights for lighting, and sighed.
"Don't know when it will be fixed, and no reason given. How can a train stop halfway? Really..."
She and Kawasaki Saki originally agreed to take Keika to the shopping street to see materials needed for making Cosplay costumes, then have dinner together.
Unexpectedly, just after picking up Keika, they encountered such a thing.
"Eh... that is?"
Keika lay on the train window, seeing bursts of black mist rising outside.
Kawasaki Saki and Marin glanced at it, not caring too much.
"Just dust in the tunnel, right? It's fine."
Other passengers didn't think much either.
But the expression on Keika's small face changed instantly.
She had seen this black strange mist.
It was in that Kyoto Municipal Kindergarten incident.
At that time, those gunmen kidnappers also had this looming black mist on them.
Keika didn't know what this was, but she felt in her heart that this time was dangerous.
She didn't hesitate at all, taking out her phone directly.
Seeing this, Marin froze for a moment.
"Eh? Keika has a phone too?"
Kawasaki Saki nodded, smiling reluctantly.
"Mmhmm... because my parents are busy with work, and I used to be away from home often, so I bought her a phone to contact me in emergencies, but just a flip phone, no entertainment functions."
"But..."
Before Marin finished, Keika exclaimed in surprise.
"My phone has signal."
"Hah?"
Marin and Kawasaki Saki looked at each other, then looked down at the smartphones in their hands.
Flip phones are just awesome.
While the two girls were stunned, Keika had already dialed the number.
After connecting, she had a happy smile on her small face.
"Hello, Big Brother~ it's me."
Hearing this address, Marin and Kawasaki Saki knew who she called.
"Mmhmm mmhmm, I am on the train."
Keika nodded. Just as she wanted to say something, she glanced at her sister and Marin, sneaked to the side, covered her mouth, and whispered a few sentences.
"Mmhmm mmhmm, I'm sure."
"Our location is near Kiyomizu-Gojo Station."
"Mmhmm mmhmm, okay."
After Keika hung up and sat back, Kawasaki Saki sighed helplessly holding her forehead.
"When did you keep Yoru's phone number?"
"Last time at the hospital."
Keika looked innocent and ignorant, asking back.
"Sister, didn't you keep it either?"
Hearing this, Kawasaki Saki blushed slightly, appearing somewhat flustered, pretending to be calm.
"I... I, why would I keep his phone number? Stop talking, sit obediently; too many people, dangerous."
"Mmhmm mmhmm."
.....
On the other side, Yoru, walking alone on the street preparing to go to the Otherworld to feast, murmured to himself.
"Sigh, can't go to my favorite buffet restaurant again today."
"Forget it."
"Eating anywhere is eating."
Yoru took out his phone, dialed Rio's number, and told her the whole story.
Rio, Miko, and Mai, who were in Kyoto City Hospital, had also seen the news of the train suspension.
At this time, adding Keika saying there was looming black mist in the underground passage.
Undoubtedly, this was a strangeness-related event.
"Hmm..."
Rio looked through the small window of the ward at Makinohara Shoko sitting on the bed staring blankly out the window, thought for a moment, and looked at Miko and Mai.
"Three of us, send one to go?"
"Then you go."
Hearing this, Mai didn't hesitate at all, speaking directly.
"My power isn't strong enough; better one of you two go."
Miko nodded, looking at Rio.
"Then Rio go."
Rio froze, puzzled.
"But, in terms of combat power alone, you are obviously more..."
Miko blushed slightly, leaned close to Rio's ear, and whispered.
"Last time during the experiment, wasn't I ahead of you?"
"So this chance to act alone with Yoru is yielded to you."
"Go quickly."