AIM Diffusion Field refers to the faint power unconsciously emitted by espers in all directions. The fluctuation is extremely weak—only high-level espers can faintly sense it; otherwise, it can only be detected through precise instruments.
Originally, as a Level 0, Saten Ruiko's AIM Diffusion Field was nearly nonexistent. Yet now, Misaka Mikoto could clearly sense a wave of it emanating from her body. Though faint, it was undeniably there. This meant—
"So that means... Saten-san succeeded..." Misaka Mikoto's voice trembled with excitement, as if she herself had just leveled up. Selene, appearing beside her in a flash, immediately covered her mouth.
Seeing Misaka's reproachful eyes, Selene released her hand and whispered, "Keep quiet. Saten's at a critical moment right now. Don't disturb her."
Then Selene gestured for everyone in the room to step outside, leaving Saten Ruiko in peace.
Everyone understood Selene's meaning and quietly exited the hospital room—everyone except Shirai Kuroko.
Watching Kuroko still smirking in her perverted daze, Selene sighed helplessly. "You're still planning your twisted schemes even now?" With a flick of her hand, she teleported Kuroko out before the girl could even react.
Stepping out of the room, Selene sealed it with a soundproof barrier—only to see a chaotic scene before her eyes.
"Uh..."
Misaka Mikoto and Shirai Kuroko had collided headfirst, both tumbling to the floor. Under Uiharu Kazari's strange stare, Selene swore silently that this time—it really wasn't on purpose. It was an accident...
...
Half an hour later, as the AIM Diffusion Field's fluctuation inside the room surged once more, Selene and Misaka exchanged glances. "She did it!" They rushed in with the others.
At that moment, Saten Ruiko opened her eyes. Joy filled her face as she trembled, looking down at her hands. "I... I'm an esper now?!"
On her palms floated a visible swirl of air currents—fragile, yes, something that could easily be dispersed with a wave. But still, it was a beginning.
Every journey begins with the first step. "I did it!" Realizing what had happened, Saten jumped from the bed, ran up to Selene, and bowed deeply at a perfect ninety degrees. "Selene-senpai, thank you so much! I don't even know how to repay you..."
Seeing her so sincere, Selene chuckled softly and lifted her with a gentle stream of air. "It's fine. I promised I would, and I always keep my word. If you want to thank someone, thank Misaka—she even fought another Level 5 for your sake."
"Oh—Misaka-senpai, thank you so much..." Saten turned toward Misaka to express her gratitude, but Misaka quickly pulled her into a light hug. "We're friends, right? Helping each other is what friends do!"
As the room filled with warmth and laughter, Uiharu Kazari puffed her cheeks in mock anger, looking every bit like an adorable dumpling. "It's always just Saten-san... So unfair! Saten-san's too sneaky!"
"Huh?" Saten blinked, confused. "What are you talking about, Uiharu? What do you mean 'again'?!"
"Last time at the School Garden, and now with the [Level Upper] incident—you always get the good stuff! It's not fair!" pouted Uiharu as she playfully threw herself at Saten, tiny fists tapping lightly against her chest.
"How about... I use [Level Upper] too?" Uiharu muttered wistfully. "I want to raise my ability level as well..." She didn't mean any harm, but envy still tinged her voice.
Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, before Saten could even respond, Uiharu turned and dove straight into Selene's arms, nuzzling her affectionately. "Uuu... Senpai, I want to use [Level Upper] too! I want to raise my level!"
"Uh... hey—" Selene froze, wincing slightly as Uiharu rubbed against her. It wasn't that she disliked her; it was just... uncomfortable. I'm always the one doing the teasing—when did I start getting teased like this? And why the chest, of all places?!
"Hm? Who just said they wanted to use [Level Upper]?!" At those words, Shirai Kuroko—who had been spacing out in her perverted scheming—snapped back to reality. Hearing Uiharu Kazari's dangerous idea, she immediately yanked her away from Selene and subdued her with practiced precision.
"Phew..." Selene let out a long sigh of relief, patting her chest. That feeling just now had been way too awkward—she truly wasn't used to it!
Watching Uiharu's cheeks get squished mercilessly in Kuroko's grip, Selene couldn't help but feel oddly satisfied. Yep, when it comes to handling Uiharu, Kuroko's the ultimate countermeasure. Truly, one thing subdues another.
A moment ago, Uiharu had thrown herself into her arms, rubbing against sensitive spots—it had left Selene flustered, unable to push her away too hard, yet too conscious to just let it happen.
"Uuu... Kuroko-san, I was wrong! I'd never think such a thing—it was just a joke!" Uiharu pleaded incoherently under Kuroko's grasp.
Suddenly—
"Uiharu!"
Aerokinesis—activate!
↑ Rising ↑ Air ↑ Current ↑
"Ahaha! Pink bear panties today, huh? How cute~"
"Wahhh! Saten-san, what are you doing again?!"
"Sorry, sorry! It's just been so long since I've done this—I couldn't help myself!" Even though she apologized, the look of satisfaction on Saten Ruiko's face as she scratched her head made it clear she felt no remorse whatsoever.
"Ugh... Saten, that way of using your power... You've defeated me." Seeing how eagerly Saten tested her newly awakened ability, Selene was utterly speechless.
All she could think was—As expected of you, Saten-san.
Seeing Saten's expression of 'I know I was wrong but I'd do it again,' Uiharu puffed out her cheeks, pouting like an angry pufferfish. "Uuu, I'm mad now!"
Clapping her hands and taking a deep breath to calm down, Saten looked at the sulking cutie before her and smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry, Uiharu. I just wanted to test it out a bit... uh... my bad. Forgive me? I'll treat you to anything you want today."
"Deal!"
In an instant, Uiharu's anger vanished, replaced by a bright smile as she hugged Saten happily—completely forgetting she had just declared she'd 'never talk to her again.'
"Honestly... Saten, are you an idiot? Using your esper power for something like that!" Kuroko huffed, clearly unimpressed. "There's nothing to envy about such use."
"Well then, that's that. I've still got some matters to take care of, so I'll be off for now..." Selene said at last, waving slightly as she turned to leave.