A deep-seated weariness clung to her entire body, her already sparse muscles still aching. These past few days, she'd been barely getting by, relying on her clumsy self-massage to ease the soreness.
She couldn't help but twist her ankle slightly. Natsume Sonoko's body relaxed a little as a thin layer of air enveloped her, lightening her weight and relieving the pressure on her feet.
Walking back to the student dorm, Natsume Sonoko found herself turning to look at Misaka-senpai, a thread of worry weaving through her thoughts.
Had something happened to Shirai-san?
But Shirai-san was a Judgment member, and a Teleporter to boot. Even if that annoying ponytailed girl tried to cause trouble, she'd have a hard time pinning Shirai-san down.
"Kuroko, where are you now?"
Finally getting through on the phone, they both let out a sigh of relief. It seemed nothing was wrong on Shirai-san's end.
Misaka-senpai, who had been visibly worried, immediately pressed the person on the other end, her face full of tension.
"Onee-sama, Kuroko is working right now. As for my exact location, I'm not quite sure myself."
Shirai-san's voice paused for a moment.
"Although my work is mostly finished, there are still a few loose ends to tie up here. I'll have to cut my chat with Onee-sama short for now."
The familiar, slightly aristocratic tone came through the line, though it always carried an extra note of affection when directed at Misaka-senpai.
"I see, understood."
"Well then, Sonoko, let's head back to the dorm."
After hanging up, Misaka-senpai stood still for a few seconds before turning back to face Natsume Sonoko.
"Okay."
A slightly dazed expression crossed Natsume's face. It was rare to hear Misaka-senpai call her simply 'Sonoko'; usually, she used a more formal address.
Natsume could be a bit serious at times, but she didn't really mind this more intimate form of address. Index and Febrie both called her that, and even Banri called her Sonoko-neechan.
Speaking of Banri, she and Haruue-san had both transferred into the first year at Sakugawa Middle School.
Because she'd been asleep for several years, her grades were behind the average student's, but with help from Uiharu and Haruue, she was catching up now.
As for Haruue-san, she was currently attending a Judgment training camp. She'd even moved out of Uiharu's dorm room and was now sharing a room with Banri.
A sudden strong wind swept across the ground, stirring up the scattered leaves. It seemed to carry a faint, almost illusory strand of song within it.
The gust was strong enough to lift the skirts of the unfortunate girls nearby, but it met its Waterloo when it reached the Tokiwadai Level 5 duo, failing to even rustle a single hem.
Natsume hovered ghost-like just a millimeter above the ground, ensuring she wouldn't step on any ants or the like.
"I think I hear someone singing," Natsume remarked, her ears always keen. She glanced around curiously.
This straight road led towards the 'windowless building.' Just two blocks ahead was the external dormitory for Tokiwadai Middle School in District 7.
Rumor had it the city's Board Chairman lived in that strange building, but no one had ever seen him on any occasion, as if he didn't exist at all.
Under the shade of a roadside tree stood a girl wearing a casual long dress and jeans, a brimless hat with a bird emblem perched on her head.
She was too far away to make out her features clearly, but she looked to be about fifteen or sixteen.
Set up in front of her was a microphone and speaker, the kind used for street performances.
The electronic keyboard she used was connected to a computer, capable of not only producing a variety of instrument sounds but also recording the performance in real time.
Neatly arranged in front of this equipment were some pre-made CDs and a small sign with the name 'ARISA' on it.
CDs weren't really popular in Academy City anymore, but dedicated music enthusiasts still bought them, much like how Natsume loved collecting various manga.
Even if she'd already read everything online, she couldn't resist buying the physical volumes. She'd stuff them into a box after buying them, never quite sure when she'd take them out again.
Natsume's original plan had been to grab a snack in the park and then check out the convenience store or the underground shopping street.
Even though her scholarship as a newly-minted Level 5 hadn't arrived yet, she still had a decent amount of savings in her bank account.
"Arisa, huh? Sounds pretty nice," Natsume Sonoko found herself murmuring as she walked.
Compared to whatever song by 'Ichi-Ichi-Ichi' was trending online right now, this Arisa's music was unexpectedly easy to listen to.
"Are you interested in Arisa, Natsume-san?" Misaka-senpai asked, sounding a bit distracted.
"Not really. It's just that I heard Hanazono-san mention her before," Natsume replied, shaking her head honestly.
--+--
Tokiwadai Student Dormitory, District 7.
Perhaps due to the approaching Daihaseisai, the Dorm Mistress's management had become increasingly strict.
While entering and exiting the dormitory gates didn't require something as extreme as facial recognition, every entry and exit now required ID or fingerprint verification.
The names of those who had returned would then be displayed on a screen near the Dorm Supervisor's office in the lobby.
This 'clock-in, clock-out' system would probably last until the end of the Daihaseisai.
Or, if the Dorm Mistress took a liking to it, it might become a permanent feature. It really felt like a storm was brewing.
Setting aside the suddenly stricter dormitory, the number of security patrols in Academy City had also increased in preparation for the Daihaseisai.
As around the School Garden area, the number of autonomous security robots had nearly doubled. Even the number of security robots around their own dorm had started to increase.
"Shirai-san still isn't back yet."
Following Misaka-senpai to the front of the Dorm Mistress's office, Natsume Sonoko checked the list of students who had returned to the dorm. Shirai-san's name wasn't on it.
There was a path leading directly from the Tokiwadai lobby to the dining hall.
Just as Misaka-senpai had said, a large three-tiered cake was set up in the dining hall today. However, because they were a bit late, the top tier was already completely gone.
"Sorry, Natsume-san. I just remembered something important."
Natsume had taken two generous portions from the large cake and set them on the table.
But they hadn't been eating for long when Misaka-senpai spoke up, her voice full of apology.
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.