The following days passed quietly. Ren would have lunch with Shokuhou Misaki at noon, and her little group had already accepted the presence of this male teacher.
At the same time, they were curious about the relationship between the two, since the names alone made it clear they weren't real siblings. Recently, Shokuhou Misaki had been acting strangely.
She would show hostility toward any girl approaching Ren and jealousy toward any girl talking to him, as if it were written plainly on her face.
On the way home that day,
"Ren, you're looking pretty pleased with yourself," she said.
"Pleased with what?" Ren didn't understand why she was angry.
"All the girls at Tokiwadai Middle School are beautiful, and they all like you so much, Teacher Ren," Shokuhou Misaki emphasized his name deliberately.
"Like me? They're just passionate about math. After all, you espers release your powers through calculation—it's quite different from Gemstone or magic," Ren explained.
In his past life, at a school with slightly worse conditions, no one would have gone to a teacher with such questions.
"Hmph."
"By the way, Misaki, are you jealous?"
"Huh? Jealous of you? No way," Shokuhou Misaki quickly denied.
"Then… do you want to sleep together again tonight? It's been a few days," Ren suggested.
"L-lolicon… pervert," Misaki blushed furiously. She remembered that night and realized she had really liked Ren's suggestion. She missed that feeling.
Ren smiled but didn't say anything more, guiding her all the way back to the artificial human lab.
"Welcome back," Misaka Number One said, mimicking a scene from TV as she bowed toward them.
"Um… who is she?"
"I am Misaka 8790 reporting to Researcher Ren. I am very interested in Researcher Ren and happy to be able to be near him," Misaka 8790 introduced herself.
"Wait, why are you here?" Ren felt a little annoyed. One Misaka was enough, and now there were three of them.
"Researcher Ren is Misaka's guardian. Doesn't Researcher Ren want me? I am very sad about this," Misaka 8790 said.
"Number One, aren't you in the Misaka Network?" Ren asked, looking at Misaka Number One.
"The Misaka Network? Misaka is confused by this," Misaka Number One replied, her expression showing curiosity. She had gradually learned to manage her micro-expressions.
"Is that so? Then Misaka Number Two, I accept you," Ren said casually. He didn't mind—if she wanted to observe, then observing was fine.
"I am Misaka 8790. Misaka wishes to correct Researcher Ren," Misaka 8790 countered.
"How many of you have been produced so far?" Ren asked.
"I am the newest. The others are still being developed," Misaka 8790 explained.
"Tonight, we'll add one more—extra portion for dinner."
"Yay!" Dolly raised her hands in agreement. Recently, she had grown fond of the meals Ren made.
"Can Misaka also eat? Misaka is uncertain," Misaka 8790 asked.
"Of course. Since I'm taking care of you, it'll be the same as Number One," Ren said, patting her on the head.
"Misaka is grateful. Other Misakas are envious of Misaka. Misaka cannot help but show happiness," Misaka 8790 continued.
"Ugh, another Misaka. I clearly hate that one, so why are there so many around me?" Shokuhou Misaki muttered in frustration.
"Does she dislike me?" Dolly asked, feeling a little lost.
"Of course not. I like you the most," Misaki quickly reassured her.
"That's great!" Dolly smiled brightly. Compared to the two Misakas, her emotions were far more expressive.
"Does she dislike Misaka?" Number One asked, her head lowered in a forlorn expression.
"Honestly, Ren, it's all your fault," Misaki said, glancing at him.
"?"
Ren didn't respond. He started preparing dinner for the four little ones.
Meanwhile, Misaka 8790 shared her joy within the Misaka Network. Even though Number One hadn't joined them, they all carried Number One's memories. They knew Ren had saved them and treated them as living beings.
When she spoke, the other Misakas chimed in, expressing their envy.
Shokuhou Misaki felt extremely frustrated. At school, she had hated that particular Misaka, and now this situation…
Not to mention Dolly, both of these Misakas had the same short hair as the one she disliked, making her even more uncomfortable.
After dinner was ready, Number One and Dolly ate heartily. Having lived here for a while, they had already gotten used to this life. Misaka 8790, however, remained somewhat reserved.
"Let's start eating."
"Misaka will begin. Misaka thanks Researcher Ren," said Misaka 8790, bowing slightly before starting. Soon, her eyes lit up as she began competing with Dolly and Number One over food.
Seeing this, Ren breathed a sigh of relief. His little ones were getting along harmoniously.
"Ren, you're teaching Misaka, but you're not interested in her, right?" Shokuhou Misaki asked unexpectedly.
"I have several versions of Misaka here. I'm not interested," he replied.
"Heh," Misaki gave him a disdainful look. Forgetting about Dolly for a moment, these newly created Misakas were practically wild animals.
"Brother Ren is interested in Misaka. Misaka is very happy," Number One and 8790 said in unison.
"Misaka Number Two, where are the other Misakas?" Ren asked on Misaki's behalf, though he already had an idea.
"I am 8790. The others are kept in research facilities around the world. Seven remain in Academy City. Misaka corrects Researcher Ren's mistake in calling her by the wrong number," explained Misaka 8790.
"Around the world? What's going on?" Misaki looked at Ren sharply. If the Level 6 Shift had been stopped early, why were they still creating clones? Was there a flaw in the plan?
"Misaka doesn't know either… it's just…" 8790 looked a bit confused.
"These arrangements were made by the chairman of Academy City. The project isn't finished yet," Ren sighed.
"Not finished?" Misaki frowned. Then defeating Number Two had no meaning at all?
Ren gave her a subtle look. This wasn't something to discuss here. Misaka's lifespan was short; it was enough for them to live happily without unnecessary worries.
Misaki understood his intention and didn't press further.
After dinner, Number One voluntarily started clearing the plates. She wanted to be useful in this home. Dolly, meanwhile, went to the television and immersed herself in anime, which she had grown obsessed with recently.
That night, Misaki changed into her pajamas and came to Ren's room, noticing he was still awake. "Ren, why did you say it's not finished?"
"You already know about the magic side. Now, the scientific side and the magic side are in opposition. The Misaka sisters will be sent all over the world under various pretexts," he explained.
"What's the purpose?"
"Artificial Heaven, constructing a global AIM network."
"To expand Academy City across the world? To counter magic?" Shokuhou Misaki was also a Level 5, extremely intelligent, and understood immediately.
"That's right. Magic isn't that simple. There are defenses even against your mind-controlling abilities," Ren explained to Shokuhou Misaki. He knew she would inevitably get caught up in this conflict and couldn't let her remain unaware.
**********
Support me on my patreon and read upto 20 early chapters.
patreon.com/PirateKing24