"Natsume-san, how did you end up in this state?"
"Just an accident. Ran into a bit of trouble while escorting an upperclassman back."
"I see. But the Dorm Supervisor is in the main hall right now."
"It's fine. The Supervisor's abilities have their limits."
After expressing sincere thanks to Juufuku-san, Natsume Sonoko decided to circle around to the back of the student dorm.
Having thoroughly memorized the dorm's layout, and with the numerous security measures being ineffective against her, Natsume Sonoko always managed to slip back into her room unnoticed.
Because of the Daihasei Festival, the Dorm Supervisor was especially keyed up today, so Natsume-san didn't dare use the main entrance.
To deal with special situations like this, Natsume-san often 'forgot' to close her window.
Stepping quietly down from the windowsill, Natsume Sonoko landed steadily beside her desk, a spare tracksuit already in her hand.
Thanks to Juufuku-san's help, her time management wasn't a complete disaster. Now, all she had to do was tidy herself up and hurry to the event venue. Everything could still get back on track.
As for teaming up with Misaka-senpai, she could start working on that now.
Brushing the dust off her clothes, Natsume-san dialed Misaka-senpai's number.
"Was today lucky or unlucky? Well, since I managed to bring Shokuhou-senpai back safely, I guess it counts as lucky."
She took off the charm from around her neck and carefully placed the Gekota accessory from her elbow onto the shelf.
It seemed people always ended up thinking about things in the shower. Natsume Sonoko's mind wandered to the day's fortunes.
But this had nothing to do with those TV horoscopes—her room didn't even have a television.
"Moshi moshi, this is Misaka Mikoto. I can't answer the phone right now…"
The showerhead stream washed over her head, rinsing away the annoying grime.
Hearing the voice from the phone, Natsume-san blinked.
She'd almost forgotten. They weren't allowed to bring unrelated items during events, and the Balloon Hunter event had a long duration—it probably wasn't over yet.
"With Misaka-senpai there, they're definitely taking first place in Balloon Hunter."
"I'll just have to find Misaka-senpai after the event ends. Besides, my own event is starting soon. What a hassle, everything's piling up. The Daihasei Festival was already busy enough."
The shower's temperature was just right.
No matter how hot the water was, by the time it reached Natsume-san's skin, it felt warm and pleasant. But her thoughts had drifted somewhere else entirely, her face blank, revealing nothing.
"But do I really still have the mind to compete? After everything that's happened, including the danger Misaka-senpai and the others are in, it's not completely resolved."
Natsume-san thought about how a certain blonde senpai had tried to pass the buck, and then about her first event this afternoon—the troublesome Scavenger Hunt. The scales in her heart were slowly tipping.
Even though passing the buck had failed, Shokuhou-senpai was already exposed to the mastermind.
But as long as the enemy couldn't rule out the possibility that Misaka Mikoto was also involved, the attack might not target just one person. It could very well happen in two places at once.
Remembering this, Natsume-san finally sped up, squeezing out Tokiwadai Dorm's special shampoo, her head quickly piling up with lather.
The spare tracksuit still had the manufacturer's tag attached, which a certain bun-haired girl tore off forcefully.
She'd had this outfit for over half a year, but this was the first time she was wearing it.
Stepping seriously onto the windowsill, Natsume-san's gaze extended to several kilometers away. In the unobserved, invisible world, she always felt a sense of peace.
"If I can't make it in time, I'll just call in sick," Natsume-san thought.
She had originally planned to participate properly, but now she was changing her mind.
At the very least, she had to warn Misaka-senpai about the potential attack.
But shortly after Natsume-san stepped out the window and took to the sky, a strange expression grew increasingly pronounced on her face.
About two kilometers from her dorm, quite a few Anti-Skill armored vehicles were parked.
"What's going on?"
Natsume Sonoko pursed her lips as she flew over, her eyes fixed on the activity below.
This was a rare sight. In the area near Tokiwadai's dorms, Anti-Skill teachers didn't come around often.
The School Garden had the best public safety in District 7, followed closely by Natsume-san's area.
This was probably related to 'financial power'—the security facilities around Tokiwadai's dorms were undoubtedly top-notch.
One by one, metal boxes of unknown purpose were being carried out of a building. The Anti-Skill teachers visibly relaxed.
"These new version evolution drugs can spread through spores in the air. Although the spores die extremely quickly after being removed, they cause terrible lesions if inhaled. Has this stuff already spread here?"
Natsume-san recognized the leading Anti-Skill member—it was the always-busy Yomikawa-sensei. But right now, Yomikawa-sensei was frowning slightly, a trace of confusion on her face.
"Captain, the infected members' mental states have stabilized."
Her golden partner, Tessou Tsuzuri, emerged from the building with her head bowed, unable to completely hide her fluster.
"Understood."
Yomikawa Aiho nodded, speaking softly. She was considering whether to request air filters for her Anti-Skill subordinates.
"The activity of this batch is even stronger. Just who is conducting this research? This isn't simply being imported from outside anymore. It seems more like a second-generation, developed version."
Yomikawa-sensei looked up, her expression unsettled as she pondered.
"Are those… tentacles?"
Flying mid-air, Natsume-san's movements noticeably stalled.
Watching the several Anti-Skill teachers being carried out below, she saw they had something… extra attached to their backs.
Crimson tentacles writhed in the air, causing quite a hassle for the others transporting them.
'Those are the tentacles Konori-senpai mentioned last time, right?'
They looked like the same things. Thinking this, Natsume-san's curiosity faded because she already knew.
Hesitating for a few seconds, Natsume-san turned and continued flying towards her intended destination. She still felt Misaka-senpai was more important.
Landing steadily, Natsume-san arrived at the Balloon Hunter event venue.
The Balloon Hunter area was vast—a specially designated block of buildings, necessary due to the large number of participating schools and students.
Teams were formed by school, and the goal was to pop the balloons on the heads of every other team.
But it was nearly over. The scenes inside were being broadcast live on the large screens outside.
On the screen, Misaka-senpai was followed by two other second-year students, forming a three-person infantry formation.
It looked like a small triangle, with each person responsible for attack, cover, and support.
The other Tokiwadai students had formed several more small triangles. Grouped together, they formed a larger triangle, currently closing in on the last team hiding in the gaps between buildings.
"So this is the result of the training?"
Natsume Sonoko couldn't help but recall the week-long training sessions.
Besides physical endurance, the P.E. teacher had taught them a few simple tactics for the larger events.
She had originally thought Misaka-senpai and the others would go it alone like in previous years.
But there was a surprise. The event format had changed last minute. Nagatenjouki Academy from District 18 had been grouped with Tokiwadai Middle School.
It was rare for high schools and middle schools to be grouped together, but not impossible.
--+--
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.