Chapter 12 - It’s common for a researcher to be also a strange person

12. It’s common for a researcher to be also a strange person

“―――Then, move the number from here, and you’ll get the answer.”

『”Oooooo! As expected of the king of math!”』

“Nah, I’m not the king of math”

Atsushi taught mathematics to Yuri while responding to the joke.

The place? Of course, Atsushi’s house.

A two-story single-family home, an ordinary house that you could find everywhere. And they were studying in the living room.

Alone.

Just two of them.

Yeah, Atsushi’s parents are currently on a business trip. They’re away.

Normally, a girl would be anxious or wary when she heard that, but rather, Yuri was relieved saying, 『”I’m glad.”』

For her, having a conversation with the person she meets for the first time seems to be quite tense. If possible, she doesn’t want to interact with others too much. Therefore, the fact that Atsushi’s parents were absent was something good for Yuri.

…… However, as expected, coming to a house where only a man inside could be said as careless.

Or, perhaps she was looking down on Atsushi…? No one knows at this moment.

『”Even so, it’s surprising, that Atsushi-san is so good at mathematics.”』

“I’m not good at it. My dad… he’s a university teacher. He sometimes taught me, that’s why I can do math…”

『”Eh, so Atsushi-san’s father is a university professor? Isn’t he amazing!!?”』

“Amazing huh… I wonder if that’s the case… He seems to be an ordinary university professor.”

『”???” 』

Yuri tilted her head.

Atsushi continued his words with a serious face.

“… What my father teaches in university is what they called as psychology. Especially, something related to psychic powers. Ah, but it’s not like he’s doing research on psychic powers, but it’s about what kind of psychology a person who believes in psychic power has and what kind of environment such a person lives.”

Atsushi’s father wasn’t researching about psychic powers, but the emotions of humans who believe that psychics exist.

Hearing that, Yuri was leaning to the side more and more, as if she had a big question mark on her head.

『”Ehmm, but there are other people who have supernatural powers like me and Atsushi-san, right?”』

“Yeah. Psychics exist… My dad understands that too. He understands that but he shows a negative reaction. After all, the general public doesn’t recognize psychic powers. Under such circumstances, what can make people believe in psychic powers? Their thought process…  he’s researching such things. “

『”Ummm… that’s also, a strange thing to research…”』

“It’s okay to say that he’s a weirdo. He’s aware of that. Even now, he’s still investigating a religious group with my mom.”

『”A religious group?”』

As a strange word came out again, Yuri continued to ask more questions.

『”Why are university professors investigating a religious group?”』

“As I said not long ago, my dad is studying the thought process of people who believe in psychic powers. Amongst a lot of religious groups out there, there are some which have members with supernatural powers like pulling out paranormal phenomena. But a most of them are scams, and so, those who are deceived by them are also the subject of my dad’s research. “

『”Aaah, I see”』

For someone who was researching the thought process of those who believe in psychic powers, such religious groups might be a blessing.

『”But why is your mom with your dad?”』

“My mom is a former ‘magician’. The magic she does is just the simple one, but she’s a genius who can see through the magic of others.”

『”Aaaah, so she’ll judge whether they are genuine or not, is that right?”』

“That’s right. So, depending on the result of their investigation, they might crush that religious group. In fact, my dad and mom have crushed some suspicious religious groups together. And, from there, strange rumors spread. They started getting requests from those who heard it. That’s why they’re sometimes in charge of investigating religious groups. Now, they even get requests from the police secretly.”

Normally, it’s supposed to be a police job, but when a request comes from someone who has been deceived or has a relative who is a believer, my parents would go to investigate, and sometimes crushes the group in the end.

However, there are also “Rare Cases” among them, which is why my mom also go together with my dad…

Atsushi noticed that Yuri had a serious face.

“What’s wrong?”

『”Ah, nothing… it’s just, I wanted to joke about it, but for sure we live in such an extraordinary world…”』

“Extraordinary huh… For someone who can be called as that to say such a thing. A disappointing beautiful girl who is using the club room almost by herself and like to play alone there. The appearance is perfect, but in truth, she is just a super shy person. Moreover, she got a bad score in test and need to take an exam retake. This kind of person, I’ve only saw such a person in manga and light novels.”

『”Ehehe, really～? So, am I like a manga or a light novel heroine?”』

“And that positive thinking… Really, in a sense, you’re really amazing.”

She’s not good at talking directly with people, and even though she said that she’s an introvert, sometimes, she’s positive for some reason.

Considering all of her traits, I can only say that she’s a mysterious creature.

“Alright, the break is over. Let’s continue.”

『”Eehh～, let’s take a break longer～. At least, until we play three matches in “Evil-Masked Blade” game… “』

“We, are going, to continue, now, okay?”

『”O-Okayy…” 』

Seeing Atsushi’s eyes, Yuri was frightened but consented in what he said, and so, the study session was resumed.