Nagatenjouki Academy, one of Academy City's five premier schools, boasts a reputation nearly on par with Tokiwadai Middle School.
Within the city's educational hierarchy, it sits at the very apex of high school-level institutions.
If all went normally, Natsume-san would probably attend Nagatenjouki after finishing her three years of middle school, since the treatment for students there was also the best.
It wasn't clear about Misaka-senpai and the others, but the likelihood of them going there was quite high too.
So here was this first-year middle school girl, her mind already wandering to thoughts of high school in the future.
At this current stage, however, the school had fallen completely behind Tokiwadai in terms of ability development.
To this day, it still hadn't produced a single Level 5 esper. You could say their harvest was utterly barren.
Meanwhile, Tokiwadai Middle School, boasting three Level 5 espers, had already overpowered last year's Daihaseisai champion to become this year's hottest favorite.
Of course, the number of Level 5s didn't decide everything. A slacker player like Natsume-san probably wouldn't be scoring many points.
And as for a certain blonde girl, according to the Daihaseisai rules prohibiting bringing in unrelated items, she'd likely just be there to make up the numbers.
"So amazing, as expected of Misaka-senpai."
Blinking, Natsume Sonoko gazed with some surprise at the developments on the screen.
Holding two red sandbags, Misaka Mikoto nimbly dodged several oncoming attacks and, under the cover of the two girls behind her, charged into the Nagatenjouki Academy crowd.
By this point in the match, only a little over ten people remained unelected.
Tokiwadai's remaining numbers were actually lower than their opponents', but with the intimidating presence of the Railgun, it somehow looked like they were the ones surrounding the larger force.
Swinging left and right, attacking from front and back, three or four balloons popped in quick succession, instantly balancing the numbers between the two sides.
Accompanied by a faint crackle of electricity, the senpai's feet found purchase on the surrounding walls.
Although some of her offensive abilities were restricted, it didn't hamper her much. With the weapons in her hands, she could handle this Nagatenjouki team.
"Direction Confusion!"
"Light Dispersion!"
The Nagatenjouki team reacted immediately. Two Level 4 espers struck together, seemingly aiming to disrupt Misaka-senpai's movements.
While they might lack Level 5s, Nagatenjouki wasn't short on Level 4s; they even had more than Tokiwadai.
But to everyone's surprise, the abilities were directed at the other Tokiwadai girls.
The clustered Tokiwadai students were immediately hit by the effects of darkness and visual disorientation.
The two girls following Misaka-senpai instantly lost their attack targets, and the other small teams found themselves in the same predicament.
The successfully strategizing Nagatenjouki Academy launched their counterattack the very next second, scattering and fighting independently.
Several sandbags arced slowly through the air. A few Tokiwadai girls, before they could even play their part, had the balloons on their heads destroyed.
In the brief moment of stunned hesitation, a look of extreme displeasure flashed across Misaka-senpai's face.
She reached for the sandbags in the small basket on her back, only to find just one remaining.
"What an astonishing turn of events! Nagatenjouki Academy held their hidden trump card until the very last moment, defeating everyone except Misaka Mikoto in one fell swoop!"
The commentator's voice echoed from the large screen.
In the time it took for Natsume-san to process her surprise, the Balloon Hunter contest rushed towards its conclusion.
By the time the match ended, only Misaka-senpai remained from the Tokiwadai young ladies, while Nagatenjouki Academy still had four participants.
According to the rules, the team with more members won, granting Nagatenjouki Academy the final victory.
"Damn those guys."
Watching the departing Nagatenjouki team, a certain Railgun was clearly in a sour mood.
But it was, after all, just one match. After taking a moment to compose herself, it wasn't such a big deal.
'It's Natsume-san. Is she here for me?'
Resting her chin on her hand, Misaka-senpai pondered with some interest.
Her gaze shifted to a spot not far away, where a girl in a brand-new Tokiwadai tracksuit was waving in her direction.
She remembered—wasn't Natsume-san's match supposed to start very soon?
--+--
The sky was blue, the air smelled sweet.
Today, Academy City was overflowing with small vendors; you could find all of Natsume-san's favorite snacks.
"I see. So their original opponents all got collectively sick from bad food, which is why they had to rematch."
Natsume-san found it rather unbelievable, a box of freshly bought takoyaki still in her hand.
"I heard they all visited a roadside stall, leading to a suspected mass case of food poisoning. They might be stuck in the restroom all day."
Misaka-senpai said with clear dissatisfaction.
Even during the Daihaseisai, these temporary food vendors had to maintain strict quality control. People getting sick from bad food was just unacceptable.
"Food poisoning?"
Natsume-san couldn't help but look down at the takoyaki in her hand, muttering under her breath.
"Actually, there's something I've been hesitating about whether to tell you, Senpai."
She set the food poisoning matter aside for now—having eaten half, there was no turning back anyway.
Organizing her thoughts carefully, Natsume-san looked up at Misaka-senpai.
She had already decided to tell her, but now that the moment was here, she faltered slightly, wondering if she should mention how Shokuhou-senpai had passed the buck.
"What is it?"
"It's about the Sisters. Actually, it's somewhat related to Shokuhou-senpai as well."
Natsume Sonoko bent the light around them, rendering the two of them invisible. She felt it was wiser to be discreet.
"There's a mastermind searching for the Sisters, attempting to take them for their own purposes. Shokuhou-senpai discovered this, and she plans to act privately..."
"So, you see, Misaka-senpai, you're in great danger right now."
Her face slightly flushed, Natsume-san spoke softly.
She still felt a little guilty about only telling Misaka-senpai now.
"I understand."
Misaka-senpai straightened up, her expression turning serious. One hand reached out and gently grasped the 'bun-head' girl.
"While I'm not sure exactly when she managed it, one thing's for certain: that Shokuhou Misaki modified your memories, Natsume-san."
"I've heard that modified memories always leave a sense of incongruity. With a Level 5's processing power, if you search your memories hard enough, you're bound to find clues."
Sparks of electricity crackled around Misaka-senpai, a clear sign of her anger.
She knew Natsume-san had no way to defend against Mental Out.
Everyone at Tokiwadai knew the two second-year Level 5s had a terrible relationship. It was the kind where not talking upon meeting was fine, but one word would inevitably lead to a fight.
Not long ago, Misaka-senpai had been warned by that very girl not to expand her influence within Tokiwadai, leaving her fuming with pent-up frustration.
And now, that person hadn't just tampered with Natsume-san's memories, but also used her to speak of the Sisters' existence.
So, was this another new form of warning, one that involved both her friend and her sisters?
For Misaka-senpai, the biggest logical flaw here was the idea that Shokuhou Misaki would choose to protect the Sisters—something she found difficult to comprehend.
From that angle, Misaka-senpai's conclusion was simple.
"Eh? No, that's not it."
"Misaka-senpai, you've got it wrong."
--+--
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.