At first glance, she might have felt a little guilty, since some of those things really were her doing.
But by the second glance, it suddenly hit her, and a strange sense of anger bubbled up inside Natsume.
Just opening those forum threads revealed a whole slew of issues.
While a large part of the rumors about Misaka-senpai and herself weren't entirely fabricated or baseless, the way they were portrayed was just so one-sided.
To call her the biggest bully among the Judgment members? That was absolutely unforgivable. If she weren't so tied up right now, Natsume would've stormed right through the internet cables to hunt them down.
She fought earnestly against scumbags, working hard to maintain the social order and public safety of Academy City.
These posts completely ignored the context of events, chopping off the beginning and end, cherry-picking certain fragments and focusing only on the methods and process.
They showed no regard for the truth. It was irresponsible slander, pure and simple rumor-mongering.
Of course, the stuff about Shirai-san maliciously harassing Misaka-senpai was an exception—that was solid, undeniable fact. Shirai-san was guilty as charged.
But after thinking it over carefully, Natsume spotted a very serious problem here.
There was someone, or some group, secretly investigating them, and it even seemed to extend across the entire Level 5 Esper tier.
Besides the two of them, there were plenty of rumors swirling around the other Level 5s, even more numerous and varied.
Especially those posts about a certain white-haired guy—almost one in three threads was about him. 'Never judge a book by its cover,' indeed.
Someone had even posted his home address on the forum, and people were organizing group trips to vandalize his place. A certain bun-girl thought those guys were ridiculously bold.
But if that was the case, Natsume couldn't help but feel a little worried about Last Order, concerned she might get caught up in the crossfire.
This forum was different from the urban legend site she often visited, called 'Seeing is Believing.'
That site was mostly full of gossip enthusiasts chasing shadows, mixed with a few malicious types fabricating urban myths.
But it wasn't like this forum, which had such a strong sense of deliberate targeting and manipulation.
Even Misaka-senpai's gaze had grown serious. To some extent, she and Natsume were on the same page.
"They've appeared again."
Misaka-senpai frowned slightly, as if remembering something.
"Misaka-senpai, appeared again? What has?"
Natsume Sonoko, standing beside her, felt a bit puzzled and asked quietly.
"Now that you've become a Level 5, Natsume-san, you'll have to learn to endure some malicious attention. These reports are just one part of it."
"From what I know, some people believe our existence leads to a certain 'unfair phenomenon,' and they target Espers because of it."
Misaka-senpai shook her head, seeming to recall some unpleasant memories.
Just like the anti-esper Skill-Out groups, there were bound to be organizations within Academy City that specifically targeted Level 5s.
It's just that Level 5s were far too important to Academy City. The city's upper echelons almost couldn't tolerate such organizations existing, but that didn't guarantee they were entirely gone.
"An unfair phenomenon? You mean like scholarships?"
A certain bun-head's thinking was a bit naive, but not everyone focused on those things like she did.
In Academy City, scholarships were practically the least noteworthy aspect.
"Not that. While there's no direct evidence, those people believe the AIM diffusion fields emitted by Level 5 Espers somehow hinder other students' ability development."
Misaka-senpai hesitated slightly but said it anyway.
As a seasoned hacker, Misaka-senpai knew far more than a certain bun-head.
"Really? But I've been by your side all this time, Misaka-senpai, and I still became a Level 5 just fine."
Natsume Sonoko tilted her head, thinking this theory had no basis whatsoever.
AIM fields could turn into monsters or cause earthquakes, and they even led to the birth of someone like Kazakiri-san, but she'd never heard of them affecting anyone else's ability development.
It sounded like hysterical, impotent rage—blaming their own failures on others. No different from the Skill-Out groups that attacked Espers.
Besides, becoming a Level 5 wasn't just about raw power; it required approval from Academy City's board of directors. What did that have to do with AIM diffusion fields?
But now that Natsume was a Level 5, she was naturally opposed to these groups and organizations, regardless of her own personal feelings.
"I've heard that theory too, but I think it's just an excuse to escape reality."
Listening to the discussion between the two Level 5s, Meigo-senpai chimed in, sounding thoughtful.
She had also struggled with being a Level 0, but life had to go on.
As she spoke, a hint of envy flashed in her eyes, just like any ordinary student in Academy City who admired high-level Espers.
But then it quickly shifted back to her usual optimistic expression. She took small, quick steps, watching the sunlight filter through the gaps in the tree leaves.
"Even though I'm just a Level 0, if I had abilities, I probably wouldn't be able to focus all my energy on singing like I do now. That version of me… I don't think she'd feel happy at all."
Placing her hands gently in front of her, interlocking her fingers, a sweet smile suddenly appeared on Arisa's face.
"Meigo-senpai..."
A certain bun-head was momentarily stunned, and even Misaka-senpai fell silent.
Natsume had started from Level 0 too, so she could understand the feelings of lower-level Espers, but she felt somewhat powerless to change it.
She couldn't explain why her own computational power kept growing endlessly while many classmates remained stuck at Level 0. Maybe it really was unfair.
But fairness… who could really say what that was?
Meigo-senpai was a bit of an exception, though. She filled the void left by her lack of ability with singing, making it hard to sense any disappointment or resentment in her.
"And my grades aren't good either; I'm practically at the bottom of my year. My only real skill is singing. So when I saw Natsume-san asking for my autograph earlier, it really encouraged me. It made me feel that even if all I can do is sing, I can still let everyone feel my heart."
She honestly admitted her shortcomings, her smile growing even brighter as she tilted her head, looking particularly lively.
"Really? Actually, I'm... I really love your songs, Meigo-senpai. Please keep doing your best."
Natsume swallowed the part about getting the autograph for Saten-san and, for once, wore a serious expression.
"Meigo-senpai, everyone's gathering around."
Just then, Misaka Mikoto-senpai said with some surprise, noticing many people converging on their location.
But the main attraction wasn't the two Level 5s; it was the seemingly ordinary but incredibly talented songstress, Arisa.
'It's wonderful,' Natsume thought inwardly, 'to be able to always do what you love and have so many fans supporting you.'
"Everyone, I'm Arisa! I'm really happy to be here today for this street performance."
After nodding to the two Tokiwadai students, the senpai waved to the crowd around them.
Not a hint of stage fright, poised and photogenic, coupled with that lovely voice—a certain bun-head thought Meigo-senpai was more suited to be the oath-taker for the Daihasei Festival than any Esper.
"Misaka-senpai, you don't have any plans today either, right?"
Natsume Sonoko turned back to look at Misaka-senpai, turning the earlier question back on her.
As the electronic keyboard began to play, producing a solemn, beautiful sound reminiscent of a pipe organ.
"Touma, Touma, over here!"
A familiar voice called from the crowd. Index, wearing her white nun's habit, pulled the master of skipping class, Kamijou Touma, into the vicinity.
"Sonoko!"
With sharp eyes, she spotted the bun-head buried in the sea of people and grew even more excited.
"Natsume? So you're here too, Misaka."
Kamijou Touma also noticed a certain Railgun, saying with some surprise, though his voice was a bit too loud, instantly drawing the attention of those nearby.
"Be quiet, Kamijou-senpai."
Seeming annoyed by the disturbance, Natsume Sonoko took Index's hand and said with displeasure.
"See, Touma never knows how to read the mood," Index agreed, nodding.
"Sorry, sorry."
The electronic keyboard's intro soon ended, and Arisa's voice rang out in everyone's ears.
Natsume didn't know how to describe Arisa's singing; she just found it incredibly pleasant, something that could make people patiently listen.
It was far better than anything she herself managed in music class.
--+--
"I didn't expect it to get so late already."
After listening to Meigo-senpai's street performance at the plaza and then rushing to buy discounted goods before the supermarket closed, they realized upon exiting that the sky had already darkened.
Throughout it all, Natsume hadn't forgotten her duty to protect Misaka-senpai's safety, diligently carrying out the 'wait-for-the-rabbit' plan in her head.
Even for a Level 5, getting ambushed could be dangerous, so close protection was essential.
The discounted items at the supermarket today were also a bit different from what she'd imagined. Instead of snacks like potato chips or candy, it was fresh produce like eggs, cabbage, and strawberries.
Not wanting to waste the opportunity, Natsume bought ten boxes of strawberries right away, about thirty percent cheaper than usual.
This made Kamijou Touma, standing nearby, silently swallow hard. These Tokiwadai young ladies were really something else. That much money could buy eggs for a whole month.
In Academy City, fruit wasn't extremely expensive, but it wasn't exactly cheap either.
"Index, these are for you."
Just after leaving the supermarket, Natsume Sonoko placed two of the boxes into Index's hands.
Living in Kamijou-senpai's household, where nutrition mostly consisted of eggs and soy products, and having to work part-time at the supermarket just to get by, Index's life wasn't exactly comfortable.
--+--
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.