"Damn it..."
Muttering a curse, I shut down my PC. It wouldn't be difficult if I could find something with just a quick search, but after a week of research with no results, I was starting to feel discouraged.
Ever since I saw Misaka Mikoto - or rather, Misaka Imouto (Sister) - with the night vision goggles on her head at dusk, I had been working day and night to gather information.
If that girl was out there, it meant that the horrific experiment I couldn't even bring myself to talk about might have already begun. If so, I had to stop it.
But it's not easy to get information.
I don't have any advanced information-gathering skills. In fact, I'm probably not much different from who I was before I came to this world. All I can do is ask Professor Google.
I've had Kurumi, Riko, and Jeanne look into it, but the situation is not looking good.
Until now, the incidents have always come to me, but this time, it was my turn to chase after them. I guess this is what it's supposed to be like, but it's frustrating when things don't go as I planned.
In the original story, Touma was really drawn into the incident, meeting Misaka Imouto and stumbling upon the aftermath of an experiment, a situation that should have never happened. He was in the zone.
I wish I could move through this incident just as smoothly.
"What should I do...?"
I'm starting to want to resort to the last resort: confronting Mikoto directly. I know where she is. It's not impossible. It's a different story whether she'll talk to me honestly.
Comparing this to the original story again, there's a huge difference in my relationship with Mikoto. In the original "A Certain Magical Index," Touma and Mikoto were in a playful, bickering relationship before this incident.
They were not exactly on good terms, but Mikoto trusted Touma enough to see him as a kind of safe place. She confided in him more than she did with her roommate and partner, Shirai Kuroko.
"Well, that might be a bit of a misunderstanding."
It's pointless to argue about who she trusted more, Touma or Kuroko. The feelings she had for the two of them couldn't be the same.
Getting back on topic, the question is whether I'm in Touma's position. The answer to that is a definitive "No."
The connection is too weak.
I've only met her a handful of times. I never even got to experience the typical bickering events.
So I'll just show up out of nowhere and ask about the Sisters experiment? It's so suspicious it's laughable.
Maybe if I explained things very carefully, it would work out, but would Mikoto, who is mentally exhausted from trying to stop the experiment, even listen to me calmly?
That's why it's the last resort.
So, until then, I need to come up with a plan and take action. I need to, but...
"Right now, I can't do anything."
And so we're back to the beginning.
To be honest, I'm at a dead end. When I read the original story, I sometimes think that the dark side is pretty sloppy, but reality is not that easy to fool.
And as usual, without any results, it was time for dinner.
I was called by Asuna, who was on cooking duty, and I went to the living room where everyone was waiting.
Actually, the investigation into this incident is being conducted with a limited number of people. Specifically, Riko, Kurumi, and Jeanne. The reason is that adding more people won't necessarily solve anything. And the content of the incident is so gruesome that we want to solve it with only those who have the mental fortitude for it.
Asuna, who is right in front of me, is one of the girls who doesn't know about the incident.
As always, I'm acting as if nothing is wrong. I'm creating a peaceful atmosphere that makes you think that calm days are just passing by.
However, my heart was filled with a growing sense of frustration.
---------
What changed the situation was an email that I received.
I don't know how she got my address, but the email was sent to my personal device, not my Sixth Division contact device.
The email was simple, with only the message written in a concise style. If it were handwritten, it would definitely be a scribble.
"Please come to Room - at 12:00 AM tonight, alone.
I will tell you what you want to know.
Claudia Enfield"
When I received this email, which was a little too blunt for a late-night rendezvous, I couldn't help but look at the name again. I never thought she would be the one to approach me.
But this was a golden opportunity. I quietly slipped out of the house.
The address she specified was in the high-class apartment district on this island.
I arrived at the apartment building, but of course, the door was secured with an automatic lock. I couldn't get in unless I buzzed the room and she opened the door from the inside.
I entered the room number.
"Claudia? It's Yozuki."
"Yes! I've been waiting for you. Exactly five minutes early. A man who is punctual is wonderful."
"Well, you're on a higher floor, so it's going to take me five minutes to get to the room."
"Hehe, it's not good for a woman to have a man come too early. It's better to come exactly on time."
"Is that so..."
It seems I won't be able to win an argument with Claudia. I'll just admit defeat and have her unlock the door.
I took the elevator to the upper floor.
I don't know what kind of technology they're using, but it's completely silent. At this hour, there's no one else getting on or off.
"..."
When it's this quiet, I can't help but think about the information Claudia is going to give me tonight.
I would laugh if it turned out to be a different matter from the Sisters experiment. I should be safe in assuming that's the only option.
There's no point in wondering how she knows I'm looking into this. It would be foolish to have such doubts about Claudia, Captain Yagami, and Tatenashi-san.
She doesn't have any ill will, I hope. I'm a new asset to the Sixth Division. Why would she call me to her room to harm me? As long as Claudia doesn't wish for the world to end, I should be fine.
So, is she giving me the information out of goodwill? Or is there some ulterior motive? What's in it for her?
I have a few ideas.
As I was pondering, I arrived at the designated floor.
It was silent even after I got out of the elevator. I couldn't hear a sound from any of the rooms. There's no way there aren't other people living in such a nice apartment building, so they must have gone to great lengths to soundproof it.
It's also possible that Claudia owns the entire floor.
Well, it doesn't matter right now.
I have a room number. I can't be late now that I'm here.
The lights were dimmed just enough not to be too bright, probably to match the time. I walked down the corridor, which was as soft and plush as a high-quality carpet, and arrived at the door without getting lost.
I rang the doorbell.
Now, which will it be: a snake or an oni?
"Welcome, Shou. I've been waiting for you."
"Wha... Claudia."
What appeared was a beautiful woman in a bathrobe.
A refreshing scent wafted from her, as if she had just gotten out of the bath.
I could feel the temperature and humidity rising around Claudia, which told me that this was the right time for her to be in that state, that she had really just gotten out of the bath.
In other words, she had just gotten out of the bath.
I don't know if she took a bath or a shower for my visit, but either way, she had washed her body, purified herself, and was fully prepared.
Wait, was this what she meant by "a woman's preparation" at the entrance!? Was she aiming for the moment when this attack would be most effective?
Claudia had a full smile on her face, but my eyes were involuntarily drawn to the valley between her breasts, which was slightly lower than her face.
The bathrobe had long sleeves and legs, so it didn't expose much. But her chest, the part that should have been hidden first, was provoking me. No, is it just that her size prevents it from being contained?
Is it Claudia's etiquette to greet a guest in such a forbidden attire?
"Hehe, what's wrong, Shou? Please, come in."
"Ah, oh, yeah, I will."
It might not be a big deal at this hour, but it would be terrible if someone saw me.
In that one moment, Claudia completely got the upper hand.
Claudia is smart. This must have been a calculated move to throw me off.
I was led to a small, round table in the bedroom, just big enough to hold two teacups, and sat across from Claudia.
It was near the window. From this room on the top floor of a tall building, I could have seen a beautiful night view. If only it were a little earlier.
At this hour, when the date was about to change, I couldn't fully enjoy it.
The room was dimly lit. It was the kind of light you'd have for the last moments before going to bed.
"This isn't the first time you've been in a woman's room, is it? Don't be so nervous."
"Ah... I don't know. I might have not been in one that often."
It's more often that they come to my room for... stuff.
"Oh! Is that so? I thought you were in a relationship with one of those women. Or is it a platonic relationship where you don't go to each other's rooms yet?"
"Y-You're that curious?"
"I'm a girl, you know. I'm a little interested in my colleagues' love lives."
As I was flustered by her unexpected forwardness, I was easily deflected. Or so I thought.
"W-Wait a minute...!"
Claudia leaned forward. She took my right hand in hers.
The overwhelming mass of her chest came closer. Of course, I made sure my gaze was on Claudia's face. I absolutely couldn't let her know.
Maybe all my struggle was part of Claudia's plan. Claudia, who didn't seem to care at all, said something outrageous with a smile on her face.
"Then... do you want to date me?"
"Huh!?"
"Just kidding."
What a heart-stopping joke.
"I'm sorry. I just wanted to tease you a little. But I don't dislike it, you know, with you. Do you really want to date me?"
"You're joking again..."
"Hehe, now, how about that?"
Even when she says it with the same unchanging smile, I can only take it as a joke.
I'll stop relaxing here. It's time to get serious.
"Now, there's a reason I called you here tonight."
Claudia handed me a stack of about 10 documents.
"What you want to know is in there."
"..."
I silently took the documents and read them.
When I finished, I placed the documents on the table and let out a deep sigh. It was exactly as I had expected. There were no differences on the surface.
The "Absolute Ability User Evolution Project" Level 6 Shift.
This was the incident I had been chasing and the name of the experiment.
An experiment to turn a single Level 5 esper into a Level 6, a god. For that, countless "Sisters" would be sacrificed. It was a damn awful experiment.
"Ha..."
"...I was surprised at first. I didn't know why you were looking into this."
"I happened to meet a Sister. When I was with her sister. They looked so similar that it was strange. I figured if they were twins, it would come up with a little research."
What I said was reasonable. It seemed to satisfy Claudia.
"So, what will you do?"
"What will I do...?"
Of course, I'm going to take action. Is there any other option?
Is she implying that my response will determine what happens next? In this case, if I meddle carelessly, I'll get into trouble.
"Um, are you misunderstanding something?"
"Huh?"
However, Claudia's reaction was different from what I expected.
I didn't feel any hostility from her.
"When you move to solve this incident, I will help you. If you feel like you can't do it, then forget about tonight."
"Hmm...?"
This is really different from what I was expecting. What? She'll help me?
"Did you forget? I am, and you are, a Bureau member now, you know? We can investigate these kinds of incidents."
This Academy City floats on the high seas, not belonging to any country's territory or waters. In other words, the laws of no country apply here.
However, it's not a lawless zone. There's an organization that can exercise public authority across nations. That is the Bureau.
The Bureau has the authority to enforce the laws that the nations have decided on, regardless of the region in the world.
Killing people, even clones, is definitely a reason for arrest.
Unlike a Butei, I have a big backer who will support me.
"The Sixth Division is also starting to get a grasp on this experiment. Executive Officer Testarossa and Executive Officer Lanster have begun their investigation."
"And you're saying I should join them?"
"No. Do as you please. There might be methods that are 'difficult to do' when others are present, right?"
"..."
Did Claudia get this information from the Sixth Division's investigation? Or did she get it through some other means?
Doesn't Claudia know? That this incident isn't something that can be solved with a simple investigation or arrest.
Who the ringleader of this experiment is and who is participating in it.
But this is a glimmer of hope. I can't refuse it here.
"Of course. I'll solve this incident."
--------------------------------------------
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