Shirai Kuroko twisted her body with some effort despite hanging upside down.
When she saw Haruto behind her, an awkward smile immediately appeared on her face.
If, during the moment she was about to teleport just now, she had realized that the person here was Haruto, she definitely wouldn't have acted rashly.
Not only had he done her and her "Onee-sama" a favor before, but in that bank robbery incident, the skills he displayed were far beyond her reach.
"Uh… there must be some misunderstanding."
Kuroko spoke as such.
She wanted to directly use her ability to teleport away, but Haruto clearly understood her powers very well.
As a Level 4 spatial ability user, Kuroko's self-teleportation required extremely precise calculations.
Otherwise, it could cause unimaginable disasters.
Thus, during the calculation process, she could not be disturbed by any external force. For example, any continuous physical pain or sensations would disrupt her calculations.
That was why Kuroko was particular about her underwear choices.
Although she was often called a pervert for buying risqué lace lingerie, the truth was that Kuroko didn't actually care much about the style.
For her, comfort came first.
Cute, childish underwear was often thicker and of poorer texture, and the friction on her skin during movement would distract her.
That was the real reason.
And right now—
Haruto had grabbed her by the ankle, applying a steady but moderate pressure.
The sensation gave her a slight sense of compression and discomfort—enough to disrupt her ability use, but not enough to injure her.
For the first time, Kuroko was left wanting to cry without tears.
She had never thought her power could be countered like this.
"Oh? A misunderstanding? Funny… you seemed pretty enthusiastic when you were yelling 'gorilla' just now."
Haruto smiled kindly—but it was the kind of kindness that made Kuroko shiver.
Well, she couldn't be entirely blamed for being rash. After all, a male suddenly appearing in Tokiwadai's back garden?
Anyone's first reaction would be to think he was an intruder—a pervert.
Helpless, Kuroko turned her pleading gaze toward Misaka Mikoto.
"Anyway, I'll apologize on her behalf. Just put her down first."
Mikoto said this, and Haruto finally let go.
The moment Kuroko was released, she used a short teleport to land safely—showing just how refined her control of her ability was.
It was clear that her mastery had reached an extraordinary level, though limited by her brain's calculation capacity and natural talent, she couldn't go further.
Once on the ground, Kuroko immediately hid behind Mikoto.
This normally brash, scheming, and perverted girl was now acting rather meek.
The sight made the gathered Tokiwadai ladies click their tongues in amazement.
After all, Kuroko's reputation preceded her—known as "the most dangerous spatial teleporter among Judgment," feared by male members as the embodiment of "yuri," "pervert," and "devil."
This was the first time they had seen her look like she'd met her natural enemy.
"Anyway, before we cause a bigger scene, take me out of Tokiwadai."
Haruto spoke helplessly.
Faintly, the sound of footsteps came from the gate—drawn here by the noise in the garden.
Kuroko finally realized the situation and stepped forward to take him away.
But just like last time Haruto came to Academy City—
"Wait!" ×2
Two hands reached out.
Thus, all four people in contact were teleported together.
Kuroko's teleportation range was different from Awaki Musujime's, so it took several jumps to leave Tokiwadai entirely.
They finally arrived in a back alley in District 7.
The other two passengers were, of course, Shokuhou Misaki and Misaka Mikoto.
After several jumps, Misaki's face had gone slightly pale.
She leaned on Haruto, looking ready to collapse—clearly not used to physical strain.
As a psychic, she had seriously neglected physical training.
Haruto supported her and gently patted her back, silently wondering if he should make her do some basic exercise in the future.
At this moment, Kuroko curiously asked:
"So, why were you in Tokiwadai anyway?"
Before Haruto could answer, Misaki quickly said:
"I invited Haruto to the back garden for a tea party."
Kuroko noticed that this "queen," normally at odds with her Onee-sama, was actually dressed in a maid outfit right now.
By this time, it was already getting dark.
"You girls probably still have curfew, so I'll see you tomorrow."
Haruto waved.
The three Tokiwadai girls had to be back in time for room checks.
That Tokiwadai dorm supervisor was said to be terrifying.
"See you tomorrow… wait, are you here for the Daihasei Festival?"
Kuroko asked in surprise.
To her, Haruto seemed like someone too busy saving the world to come to an event.
But Misaki tugged at Haruto's sleeve.
"Are you staying at a hotel? I'll stay with you!"
Given how her "strategy plan" today had been interrupted multiple times, she decided to have an extra round.
"Hey, it's not Daihasei yet—the dorm curfew hasn't been lifted!" Mikoto protested, still pure and conservative about such matters.
"Please, a dorm supervisor? I can just use my ability to deal with that," Misaki said dismissively.
"Shameless!"
Kuroko, as a Judgment member, also stepped in to scold.
But Haruto nodded.
"Yeah… it's still too early for that."
Even though Misaki's figure was remarkable, she was still a middle schooler.
Better to follow the school rules.
Hearing this, Misaki's expression fell—how could this happen?
Her perfect plan was supposed to be foolproof!
While she was sulking, Haruto brushed aside her bangs and gently kissed her on the forehead.
"Good night."
He waved and left.
Misaki, slow on the uptake, touched her forehead a moment later and smiled brightly.
Nice.
Kuroko and Mikoto, however, felt like they'd just been force-fed dog food.
It was choking.
The three then used Kuroko's ability to return to the dorms.
Without Haruto as a bridge, the "queen" and "princess" didn't speak to each other and went their separate ways.
Back in her room, Mikoto lay on her bed, her expression strange.
The scene from just now replayed in her mind.
Having attended all-girls' schools since elementary, this was the first time she had personally seen an act of affection between a couple.
Even though it was only a forehead kiss, the gentle nature of it made it easier to stir a girl's heart—especially when the one doing it was the person who had once saved her.
Back during the Sisters incident, she didn't even dare think about what she would have done without Haruto.
Would she have just stood by and watched twenty thousand clones die?
Just the thought made her shudder.
But now, the boy who saved her was showing affection to someone else.
It left her feeling… a little sour.
At this point, Kuroko came over.
"Onee-sama, do you want to start your own strategy? I have some trump cards ready—like 'computer parts' or 'special victory lingerie.'"
It took Mikoto a long moment to respond.
"Who'd want to go after that guy!"
She almost shouted it.
But everyone knows—the louder the denial, the more suspicious it sounds.
Kuroko nodded.
Mm. Confirmed.
Onee-sama was probably in love.
If it were any other man, Kuroko would have already "removed him from existence."
But if it was Haruto…
Kuroko fell silent in thought.