Even as a child, she had understood that if she wanted to survive smoothly in Academy City, she needed to put on a smile and ingratiate herself with the researchers so they would like her.
But understanding was one thing...
She still hated Academy City. She hated the Board of Directors at its highest level, and she even resented the entire world. Why are you so unfair?
Some people arrived in Academy City only to immediately find themselves surrounded and adored by thousands. The researchers who decided their fates and the important figures from the Dark Side bowed and scraped before her. Why were the beautiful fantasies they could only dream of pursuing things she could simply reach out and take? Why?!
Dolly only needed them to show the tiniest shred of mercy, something that would have cost them absolutely nothing, and she could have lived. Yet those cruel experiments had continued anyway, dressed up with the lofty claim that this was simply her fate. All the negotiations she had struggled so desperately to make had ultimately mattered less than a single welcome banquet for those sheltered young ladies...
Damn it! Bastards!!
Crash—
Inside the dim room, the girl sitting in a chair abruptly shot to her feet as she watched a televised recording of Tokiwadai Middle School's team winning yet another competition at the main venue in School District 7. She wore a pink nurse's uniform and held a long whip in one hand.
Crack! Razor-sharp mercury sprayed from her hand, scattering fragments of the display across the floor as various electronic components popped and crackled.
It was as though she harbored some irreconcilable blood feud against them. Her eyes were murky, and deep within them smoldered embers of hatred and revulsion.
Although the girl could unquestionably be considered a first-rate beauty, her savage expression and gloomy aura greatly diminished that impression.
"Kouzaku Mitori, this isn't something I can decide, nor is it open to discussion. An order is an order. Recall them and cease all operations."
Inside the room, the old man sitting calmly on the sofa opened his eyes.
The old man had medium-length pure-white hair standing straight back and wore black square-framed glasses. Beneath his white lab coat was a white dress shirt with a red tie. Yes, the quintessential researcher look.
And that was exactly what he was. Although researchers who personally joined the Dark Side were rare, they certainly existed. This old man was an even rarer case. Despite being a physically powerless researcher, he had directly become the leader of the Dark Side organization MEMBER.
"..."
Her chest rising and falling from the intensity of her emotions, the nurse-clad girl named Kouzaku Mitori gripped her whip so tightly that her hand creaked.
Even after all this time, the sight of those sheltered young ladies from Tokiwadai still made Kouzaku Mitori uncontrollably irritable. It was especially bad when the camera turned toward Misaka Mikoto happily chatting with her friends or Selene warmly spending time with her family.
"Why change a plan that's already been finalized and put into motion? We've already sent our people out. If one of your bases gets attacked and you don't retaliate, how are you supposed to survive in the Dark Side from now on? With the market SCHOOL left behind after its dissolution, is there any point in a Dark Side organization that refuses to compete for it? You might as well disband."
After a long silence, she finally spoke.
"Heh. There's no need to bother with provocation."
The old man gave a displeased snort and said indifferently, "Do what you're supposed to do. Otherwise, even Kihara Gensei won't be able to protect you. Sometimes, allowing events to take their natural course is also a form of courage."
"You really are an obedient dog," Kouzaku Mitori said coldly.
"Hmph. Thank you for the compliment. Everyone makes their own choices. I want to discover the beauty hidden in the corners of the world and appreciate the aesthetics within it. So I don't care whose feet I have to prostrate myself before. Call me Aleister's dog or the Board of Directors' dog if you like."
"Besides..."
Clearly unwilling to waste any more time entangling himself with this half-mad woman, the old man pushed open the door. Before leaving, he glanced back, his icy gaze sweeping over her. "If we're talking about dogs, aren't you also a rabid cur that started biting everyone around her after being rejected?"
The girl's "glorious exploits" spoke for themselves. A mere Level 4 esper had dared to organize multiple attacks on the Windowless Building inside Academy City. If that wasn't insanity, what was?
"Here's a warning. Hound Dog, directly subordinate to the Board Chairman, has mobilized... If you want to pit hounds against a rabid dog and get yourself killed, pretend I said nothing. Whatever happens will be your personal action. MEMBER has nothing to do with it."
Watching the white-coated old man's back disappear through the doorway, Kouzaku Mitori remained standing where she was with a dark expression. She opened her palm and stared at the pendant that represented the happy memories everyone had once shared at Clone Dolly.
"Is there really no way to undo it?"
"No!"
"I have to find out for myself."
...
The main venue in School District 7.
Selene couldn't have cared less about the resentment certain people in Academy City held toward her.
Who the hell are you? You're not a collaborator like Aleister. You're not a friend with an important role like Kamijou Touma. You're not a best friend like Misaka Mikoto, whom I built a relationship with before I rose to prominence. And you're not my dog. I don't have the slightest interest in wasting my attention on anyone else.
"How about leaving the party preparations to Mother? They're all classmates and friends your age. This isn't some corporate conference like the ones Karl and Sel attend. This is a family gathering. Sebas is excellent in every way, but he's simply too serious and formal."
"...Mm, fine. I don't mind. I'll have Aoki and Shuji Matsuzaki hand the work over. Mother, you can take charge of everything afterward. I'll just enjoy myself."
As for how to escape Katy's teaching mode, hadn't Villian herself provided Selene with the perfect excuse?
While proactively admitting her mistake and settling the tedious arrangements with Katy in just a few sentences, Selene casually mentioned that Villian's elder sister, the Second Princess, had also arrived in Academy City. Almost imperceptibly, she shifted the topic toward how she ought to receive guests who had traveled such a long way.
And naturally, Katy "fell for it."
Or rather, Katy quite happily followed the conversation in exactly the direction Selene wanted. She wasn't bothered by the little flashes of helplessness her daughter openly displayed because that was simply part of how mother and daughter interacted.
"Mm, all right. Leave it to Mother. I was planning to arrange for you and Villian to get better acquainted anyway. Selene, you really should learn some proper ladylike etiquette from Villian. Oh, right, Villian just mentioned that her elder sister came as well. Our two families have a relationship stretching back a very long way. It's about time you younger generations started getting to know each other too."
"And those two adorable girls... Their names were Uiharu... Uiharu and Saten, right? Where are they? I saw them come over and talk to you on the field just now."
"Oh, them. Uiharu had Judgment business to deal with, and Kuroko is over there too. As for Saten, she's gone off searching for urban legends again. She'll come back once she's done."
Curiosity welled up in Katy's eyes. "Urban legends in Academy City? Ooh, what kind? Mother is curious. Just hearing about them sounds interesting."
"That... They're not much different from the ones outside. They just have the extra veil of supernatural abilities draped over them. They're not particularly useful. For the details, you can ask Saten after she gets back from exploring. She's the expert in that field."
Selene rubbed her forehead.
It wouldn't be entirely accurate to say urban legends were all fake. Some were largely true. Many had actually been inspired by real events before being embellished over and over as they spread among people, eventually evolving into entirely different stories.
Whether one believed them or not was ultimately a matter of personal judgment.
For example, Saten Ruiko had specifically come to the main venue in School District 7 to investigate an urban legend known as "Shadow Metal."
According to rumor, it was a metal nonexistent in nature that could only form when the abilities of dozens or even hundreds of espers were activated. As a result, there was only a chance of obtaining it during massive athletic festivals such as the Daihasei Festival, where huge numbers of espers gathered together. Because of its rarity, it could supposedly fetch an extremely high price on the black market.
And School District 7, which possessed the highest concentration and quality of high-level espers, especially at athletic venues involving famous schools, was naturally one of the favorite hunting grounds for explorers of this sort.
"Um, Senior Selene, Balloon Hunter is about to begin. Are you going to participate?" Just as Selene was wondering how to escape Katy now that her curiosity had been piqued, a gentle female voice faintly reached her ears, sounding rather shy.
Following the voice, Selene saw two younger students standing somewhat timidly beside the stairs not far from the spectator aisle.
"Oh, you're Kuroko's classmates. Awatsuki and Wannai from the swimming club..."
"Mm, yes, Senior. I'm Awatsuki Maaya."
Seeing that Selene approached them gently and even handed them water, without any of the imposing air the rumors described, the long, straight black-haired Awatsuki Maaya immediately relaxed. She bowed slightly and nodded.
"I'm Wannai Kinuho." Wannai Kinuho, who had short, wavy brown hair, bowed as well.
Oh, it's you two. The anti-Newton trio.
"Where's Kongou Mitsuko? Together with the junior Kuroko keeps talking about, aren't the three of you rather famous among the first-years?"
"Not really."
Wannai Kinuho smiled somewhat bashfully. "As for being famous, I think we just happened to get caught up in a few incidents and were a little more active than most." Especially Kongou, the girl silently added. Her reputation for always being the first one attacked and sent to the hospital is admittedly a little unfortunate.
"Kongou is already down below getting ready. Senior, are you participating in Balloon Hunter?" Awatsuki Maaya added at the right moment.
"Balloon Hunter." Hearing that, Selene seemed to think of something and narrowed her eyes thoughtfully as she looked toward the formation of students from the opposing school now entering the stadium.
"Senior?" Wannai Kinuho asked curiously. "Is something wrong?"
"Not really. I just found a... Hmm, how should I put it? A clown."
In an instant, Selene locked onto a chubby, somewhat simple-looking boy with short brown hair standing on the field and searched the Bank, turning his entire background inside out.
A member of the Dark Side, Baba Yoshio.
...
The food street in School District 7.
Arisa was getting along splendidly with Ferdinand.
Sure enough, becoming eating and drinking buddies was one of the easiest ways to build a relationship.
With his elder sister busy and his mother equally occupied, Ferdinand had been dragged around by Arisa. He had only been sad for a little while before becoming completely lost in the joys of eating, drinking, playing, and having fun, abandoning his initial lack of cooperation.
At this point, he was practically Arisa's little shadow. He followed behind her, eating whatever Arisa ate.
If there was one regret...
Burp—!
He couldn't eat anymore...
He stared at Arisa, who was still feasting away without the slightest sign of fullness, her stomach remaining perfectly flat. Then he looked down at his own round little belly.
Ah, I'm so unwilling to admit defeat!
Still, his good upbringing had taught Ferdinand that everything required moderation. He had already indulged far too much today. Eating any more would only harm his body. More importantly, he was already so stuffed that no matter how delicious the food placed in front of him might be, he simply had no appetite left.
"Big Sister Arisa, how much longer are you going to eat? I want to go to that street over there."
Wearing a little vest with its buttons undone, Ferdinand pointed toward the arcade street across the road, where neon signs advertising video games and manga stood upright everywhere.
"Hmph, hmph—!"
Arisa lifted her little head and forcefully exhaled through her nose. Then she bit down on the takoyaki in her hand in one gulp and proudly rubbed the little boy's head. The smugness in her sky-blue eyes was practically overflowing.
I won!
She unilaterally declared victory in her heart.
So this is what it feels like to be called Big Sister.
"Just a second... Big Sister will take you there!" Arisa said indistinctly while chewing the takoyaki in her mouth.
As they walked, Arisa's expression suddenly hardened. There were fewer and fewer pedestrians along the road, and by the time they reached the arcade street, not a single person remained. Some inexplicable form of energy particles continuously interfered with her sense of direction, and she instantly moved the confused Ferdinand behind her.
Which bastard has a death wish?!
The next instant, boom, boom—!
A thunderous explosion erupted. One blast followed another without end. Cracks spread across the destroyed storefronts, while shattered fragments of the buildings, scorched red-hot and wreathed in flames, sprayed in every direction.
"Armor below, human body above."
Amid drifting pale-white powder, golden light burst outward. All the smoke and dust was swept away in an instant, leaving only Arisa standing before the storefronts that had been reduced to ruins. From the heart of the wreckage, a somewhat short, gaunt Caucasian man with sunken cheeks stepped through the raging flames, dressed in a green robe.
Clang!
Terra of the Left tossed aside the severed head of a Security Robot and glared darkly at the completely unharmed enemy of God before him. "Lidvia was at least somewhat useful."
He continued speaking arrogantly to himself, "No traces of magical spells, and no devout faith either. So she's merely a heretical esper. She can be killed!!"
As a believer of the Vatican's Roman Catholic Church, Terra of the Left might have looked like one of Satan's apostles, but he was actually an exceptionally devout saint. Everything he did was supposedly for the sake of equally saving all humanity throughout the world.
However, he did not consider anyone outside the Roman Catholic Church to be human, nor did he believe they deserved salvation. His only target was Ferdinand. After confirming that Arisa bore no traces of magical spells and was not a believer, Terra of the Left attacked without the slightest hesitation.
"Human body below, flour ab—"
"Get lost!"
Before the enormous white blade of light could fully form, crackle—!
Rampaging lightning exploded. Even the air shrieked as it was violently compressed aside. In a fraction of an instant, a fist wrapped in sky-blue lightning smashed directly into Terra of the Left's face.
Boom!
A massive spray of stones erupted from the ground, while shattered debris and splintered wood rained down from the air.
"You ugly bastard! Who the hell are you, standing there yammering nonstop?! You're annoying as hell!"