After placing the get-well gift on the cabinet, Shirai-san sat up straight, leaning against the headboard.
Less than a day had passed, yet Shirai-san had already regained her energy, looking full of vitality.
Her liveliness put everyone at ease; it seemed Shirai-san was recovering quite well.
Misaka-senpai had already brought over Shirai-san's health record card. The photo on the card showed a much smaller Shirai-san, clearly taken during her elementary school days.
"If you keep recovering at this rate, you'll definitely be out of the hospital before the Daihaseisai. That's great news."
Saten-san arranged the flowers in a vase and placed it on the windowsill.
"The original hospital stay was three to five days, but it looks like I can be discharged in just three. Though I'll still need to rely on that thing for a while, and I'm not allowed to participate in the Daihaseisai."
Resting her cheek in one hand, Shirai-san cast a somewhat resigned glance at the wheelchair beside her.
Fortunately, her ability was Teleport, which made using the wheelchair relatively convenient, but it still couldn't compare to walking normally.
"All that training I did with Onee-sama went to waste. Well, at least during that time, I can still continue working as a Judgment member." Shirai Kuroko shook her head regretfully.
"Speaking of which, Shirai-san, you've been ordered to stay away from dangerous assignments," Uiharu-san reminded softly.
"It's fine. Dangerous situations don't happen every day, but Judgment patrols still need to be completed."
Shirai-san said with a nonchalant expression, sounding quite reasonable.
"Besides, the Anti-Skill teams have been busy lately, heading outside Academy City to clear out that 'Science Association,' plus preparing for the Daihaseisai. They're probably pretty short-handed." Shirai-san added after a moment's thought.
--+--
Tokiwadai Middle School, School District 7 Dormitory.
After carefully placing the Anti-Skill and hospital documents on the Dorm Supervisor's desk, Natsume and Misaka-senpai endured a long lecture.
Perhaps because their reasons were sufficiently justified, and with the Daihaseisai making severe punishment inconvenient, the incident of staying out overnight was smoothly resolved.
Even so, it wasn't without consequences. The Dorm Supervisor made it clear that she would increase patrols around rooms 208 to 210, hoping certain individuals would turn over a new leaf henceforth.
"Natsume, you may leave now. Next, I need to have a thorough discussion with Misaka about the prohibited items found in her room."
The Dorm Supervisor glanced at Misaka-senpai, whose face instantly paled, and calmly produced a few small objects from her drawer.
A light shade of lipstick, a watch-shaped cosmetics case, makeup remover...
"Dorm Supervisor, please let me explain."
Misaka-senpai's face showed an unnatural expression as she stammered, trying to find the right words.
Thud.
That was the sound of the office door closing. Two hearts leapt in unison.
Separated by just a single door, it felt like they were miles apart.
"My apologies, Misaka-senpai. There's nothing I can do to help this time."
Natsume Sonoko glanced sympathetically at the office door, almost able to picture the scene unfolding inside.
The clock ticked on and on, but the expected figure never emerged.
Natsume waited by the office door for a long while, until Tokiwadai students began trickling back from their club activities.
After chatting with a few classmates, she ran into Tsuchimikado-san, who had come here for research.
"The cake I saved for you yesterday is still here, Natsume-san. I made sure to keep it properly stored in the freezer," Tsuchimikado-san said leisurely, having faithfully completed the task entrusted to her by a certain bun-haired girl.
"That's wonderful."
Natsume-san's face immediately lit up with joy.
Having reliable friends was truly a blessing, and Natsume-san always strived to be someone others could rely on too.
"We'll start preparing dinner soon. Today's dessert is tiramisu, just how you like it, Natsume-san."
Tsuchimikado-san rested a finger thoughtfully against her lips.
Time passed indeterminately. When Misaka-senpai finally emerged, she seemed utterly drained.
She wore a strained smile as she laboriously closed the office door behind her.
"Misaka-senpai, are you alright?"
It was almost as if a dense, dark aura was swirling around the Railgun. Natsume Sonoko looked on with concern.
"No problem. Everything's perfectly okay."
Misaka-senpai braced one hand against a pillar in the hall, managing a ghastly smile.
She looked anything but okay.
The sun began its descent in the western sky, and Tokiwadai's dining hall started preparing dinner for the young ladies.
--+--
But on the other side of Academy City, a gaze, dull yet contemplative, slowly tracked the busy street not far away.
Reiko held a lunchbox filled with the latest culinary creation from Misaka 9982.
The food inside didn't look particularly dark, yet she hesitated to take a bite. Some things required courage far beyond the ordinary.
Not only was Reiko's own will strongly resisting, but even a certain bun-haired girl was currently quite hesitant.
'She can mimic things perfectly after seeing them just once, but when it comes to the Misaka Sisters, it turns into a brutal battle,' mused the bun-haired girl, who herself cooked by precisely following recipes, heat levels, and measurements.
Standing on the balcony of Misaka Apartment Building #1, Reiko's gaze remained fixed on that bustling street—more precisely, on a specific individual.
Though her face showed no expression, a feeling of gravity and oppression stirred within her.
Natsume Sonoko was still the one primarily controlling Reiko's body, but now both minds were puzzled, troubled by something that demanded their attention.
Because it was Reiko's body, she was considerably taller than her original self, allowing her to see much farther.
She wasn't usually one for gazing into the distance, but sometimes it yielded unexpected discoveries.
"That person is definitely suspicious."
"Brown-black suit, blond hair... could be someone from the Dark Side."
Given the distance, Reiko could only make out the general appearance, and her mind began speculating.
The other party seemed to have noticed Reiko's gaze, for it wasn't long before they slipped into the nearby labyrinth of narrow back alleys.
This only strengthened the conviction of Natsume Sonoko, watching from the student dorm.
This wasn't the first time this person had appeared in the vicinity. Even the relatively homebound Reiko had seen them once or twice around the area. But now it was clear they were observing the activity within this apartment building.
"Is Reiko not hungry yet? asks Misaka, pretending to casually pass by."
Misaka 9982, wearing a Gekota-themed T-shirt with her Tokiwadai uniform nowhere in sight, walked past Reiko with slightly stiff, synchronized steps.
--+--
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.