On her way out, Selene couldn't help but shake her head, thinking about the speech Shirai Kuroko had just given to Kaitabi Hatsuya. It was a comforting lie, a gentle illusion.
From what Selene knew, the Academy City slogan—"Anyone can become an esper through effort"—was far from the truth. In reality, before students even participated in the Power Curriculum Program, their potential ability limits had already been determined through aptitude assessments.
A student's maximum attainable Level was dictated by their innate aptitude—what the city called their "Parameter List." Based on these results, Academy City distributed its development resources accordingly.
Data on low-level espers with the potential to become higher-level ones was easily obtainable with minimal budget. For instance, long before Misaka Mikoto reached Level 5, researchers had already collected her DNA map for the Railgun mass-production project—because she possessed the "aptitude" to become a Level 5.
When Selene exited the Seventh Mist building, the Anti-Skill officers finally arrived, setting up security lines around the scene. She couldn't resist muttering, "Seriously, these guys never seem to show up on time."
"Selene-senpai!"
"Hm?" Hearing her name, Selene turned lazily. "Uiharu. You really can't keep doing things like that. If we hadn't been here today, you might've lost your life."
The speaker was, of course, Uiharu Kazari. Hearing the admonishment in Selene's tone, she bowed her head sheepishly. She knew she had been reckless—without Selene and the others, she wouldn't have survived that explosion. Her voice was sincere as she said, "I'm sorry. I'll be more careful next time."
"Alright, just keep that in mind." Selene wasn't sure if Uiharu would actually learn from this, though. Her gut told her that if something similar happened again, Uiharu would still act the same way.
"Uiharu!!"
The sharp voice of Shirai Kuroko echoed through the street. It seemed she had finished dealing with Kaitabi Hatsuya and was now storming toward them, radiating fury.
"I've told you so many times not to handle dangerous situations alone! What if Onee-sama and Selene-senpai hadn't been there?! What would you have done then?! You scared me half to death!" she scolded, hands on hips, glaring furiously at Uiharu, who was standing obediently like a scolded child.
"I'm sorry, but thanks to Selene-senpai, I'm totally fine, see? And besides, why is it okay when you do it, but I—mmph!" Before she could finish, Uiharu found her cheeks being grabbed and mercilessly squished by Kuroko.
"You still dare to talk back?! Do you think Selene-senpai and Onee-sama will always be there to save you?! And come on, be realistic—you know the difference in our Levels!"
"Ow ow ow! I get it, I get it!" Uiharu whimpered.
She knew her own limitations well enough. Kuroko, a Level 4 Teleporter, could easily escape in an emergency. Uiharu, on the other hand, was a Level 1 with a temperature preservation ability—completely unsuited for combat. If left on her own in a dangerous situation, she'd be helpless.
Technically, she wasn't even on duty that day—it was her day off. But her sense of justice wouldn't allow her to stand by and do nothing. Even if it meant breaking protocol, she couldn't just watch people get hurt.
Though she wanted to defend herself, seeing Kuroko's furious expression made her shrink back and apologize earnestly, promising not to (dare to) do it again.
"Hmph! As long as you understand. But... it's over now." Kuroko's expression softened, and she suddenly pulled Uiharu into a tight hug. "Thank goodness you're alright, Uiharu..."
When she'd realized that the bomber's targets were Judgment officers—and that Uiharu was the only one stationed in the area—Kuroko's heart had nearly stopped. The thought of losing her terrified her. Luckily, fate had been kind: with two Level 5s nearby, disaster had been averted.
As Selene watched the touching scene between the two friends, she suddenly felt someone tug gently at her leg.
Looking down, she saw the little girl from before—the one with short twin-tails, wearing a pale aqua dress—bouncing on her feet before wrapping her arms around Selene's thigh. "Big sister from Tokiwadai, thank you for saving me!" the child said sweetly, her voice soft and adorable.
"No need to thank me." Selene smiled gently and patted the little girl's head.
"Hmm, looks like she really likes you," Misaka Mikoto said, raising an eyebrow. "First time meeting you and she's already hugging you. I've never gotten that kind of treatment."
"It's called charisma," Selene replied with a teasing grin before smirking slyly. "Speaking of which, where's your boyfriend? Not going to introduce him to Kuroko?"
"He already left! And what do you mean 'boyfriend'?! Ugh..." The instant Misaka saw Selene's mischievous smile, she knew she was in trouble. Hearing Kamijou Touma being referred to as her 'boyfriend' made her instantly transform into the "Steam Princess."
But that wasn't the real problem—because a certain human-shaped vinegar jar had overheard it.
"Hahaha..." Selene was just about to laugh when she suddenly felt an ominous chill behind her, as if Cthulhu's tentacles were writhing through the air.
"AAAAAAAH! ONEE-SAMA!!" Hearing the explosive revelation, Shirai Kuroko's entire aura darkened. Her hair flared like wriggling tendrils, and her voice turned icy and terrifying.
A moment later, Kuroko abandoned her sense of shame and teleported straight onto Misaka, clinging to her and screaming dramatically while panting heavily. "Who is it?! Which filthy ape?! I'll kill him! Onee-sama, how could you... Waaaah! Onee-sama doesn't want Kuroko anymore...!"
In full public view, Misaka's face turned bright red as she tried to pry Kuroko off. "K-Kuroko! Get off me!"
"No! Onee-sama! Onee-samaaa!! Aaah~!"
Their chaotic scuffle drew everyone's attention. Even the Anti-Skill officers in charge of crowd control turned to stare in disbelief. For Misaka, this was the ultimate social death. "Kuroko! Cut it out already!!"
"Ah~ No! Onee-sama, accept Kuroko's love~!" While Misaka's embarrassment reached critical mass, Kuroko looked positively thrilled, squealing with delight. "Kuroko's body belongs to you, Onee-sama~ heehee~ ohhhh~"
...
It was terrifying, really. Watching Kuroko's unrestrained and obsessive display of affection made even Selene break into a cold sweat.
She knew Shirai Kuroko had... unusual tendencies, but to act like this in public was beyond comprehension.
"Um... Milady, are your classmates always like this?" Even the refined Sebas looked both amused and helplssess. Youth these days... truly fearless, he thought.
"This... probably, maybe, kind of, yes," Selene replied awkwardly.
Meanwhile, the little girl beside them watched with sparkling eyes, clearly fascinated. "Wow..." she whispered, as if she'd just discovered an entirely new world.
Seeing that, Selene sighed and quickly covered the girl's eyes. "Children shouldn't be watching things like this—you'll grow eye pimples."
In fairness, Shirai Kuroko was usually normal. Despite her tendency to lose composure whenever Misaka was around, she was serious and responsible when it came to her duties.
Her integrity was clear from the fact that she could even oppose Misaka when Judgment principles were at stake. She was, in essence, a good girl... unfortunately, also a pervert.
Selene couldn't help but sigh at the thought.
After a few crackle zaps and some loud cries, Kuroko eventually returned to her senses—though her expression now carried the melancholic air of a heartbroken lover abandoned by fate.
"Did you tell her yet?" Selene whispered, sidling up to Misaka, who had just finished recovering from her "Steam Princess" mode.
Having fled the scene earlier to avoid being dragged into the chaos, Selene now returned once the crowd dispersed, pretending nothing had happened.
"You've got some nerve asking that! This is all your fault!" Misaka snapped, glaring daggers at her. "You always pull this crap and then run away the moment things go south!"
Just then, the little girl trotted up, her head full of questions. "Big sis, why does the twin-tailed lady call you Onee-sama?" she asked innocently, then pointed to Selene. "And is this big sister your senpai?"
"That's what she insists on calling me. I can't stop her," Misaka said, picking the girl up while shooting Selene a withering glare as if to say, Even a child talks more sense than you.
Smiling awkwardly, she patted the girl's head. "We're actually in the same year. Why did you think she was our senpai?"
The girl blinked innocently and tilted her head. "Because she looks so much older than you! You're short and flat."
Crack. The sound of Misaka's soul shattering was almost audible.
Setting the girl down, Misaka collapsed to her knees, her body fading into a grey aura of despair. "I'm so sorry for being such a disappointment..."
"Ah, come on... don't be like that. It's not like I chose to grow this curvy. Genetics, you know?" Selene tried to comfort her, but her words only made it worse.
In the end, with no other choice, Selene helped escort the emotionally broken Misaka back to the dorm.
And thus ended a day in which only Misaka Mikoto and Shirai Kuroko suffered—both physically and psychologically.