What a fine day it is, just like my own mood—pretty darn good.
Bathed in the soft afternoon sunlight, Natsume Sonoko used her cloak as a makeshift bundle, cramming everything together haphazardly until she'd finally managed to create a bulky, but somewhat portable, pack.
Leaping down from a twenty-meter-high factory opening, Natsume Sonoko landed steadily on the ground, clutching her recently acquired spoils as she prepared to move to a new location.
By now, the members of the dark side who were chasing Natsume Sonoko had pretty much lost track of their target.
The girl codenamed Naru began to throw a fit, only to have her cheeks pinched by a member dressed in a sailor uniform.
Though it wasn't exactly an all-girls group—the one in the sailor suit, codenamed Seike, was actually a male high school student who loved cosplay.
"So annoying, this mission might end in failure again," Naru grumbled, looking dejected.
"She really vanished—no trace of the target within several kilometers. If she can evade my sight, she must have some kind of invisibility ability," the squad leader, a girl whose ability granted her a god's-eye view, muttered while covering one eye.
Refusing to believe it, she kept scanning the area.
"Invisibility, huh? What do we do then? If we keep failing missions, we'll drop below A-rank," Naru shivered, rubbing her head in frustration.
The competition among dark side factions was fierce.
Small teams like theirs struggled to stand out. They'd finally managed to pick up this small, unwanted job recently, but it wasn't as easy as they'd imagined.
"Our mission isn't a failure yet. If she's an ability user specializing in optics or vision, we can still borrow a thermal imager from the board. If that doesn't work, we can just buy a black cloak, turn in the mission, and call it a day," the leader said thoughtfully.
This girl, named Iizumi Rita, had been worrying herself sick over her little team.
"You're the best, leader!" Naru cheered, jumping up and hugging the petite leader affectionately.
"Seike, Yakumaru, what do you think?" Iizumi Rita turned to the other two.
"I think we should check inside the factory first."
"Um, I think so too."
About two kilometers north of Tokiwadai's School District 7 dorm, along the riverbank, someone's recently acquired spoils lay carelessly tossed in a corner of the embankment.
The banks rose over ten meters above the river, with wild grass and vines climbing up the reinforced concrete, giving the place a strong natural vibe.
Natsume Sonoko stood on the ice, hands behind her back, gazing at the sky with a faint, thoughtful expression.
"How is this possible? Where did I hide those things last time?"
Standing in the middle of the river, Natsume Sonoko peered suspiciously toward the bank, eyeing the mark she'd made earlier.
This mark looks just like the one I made before.
The items from those Skill-Out groups were numerous and messy.
Not wanting to cram them into her own case, Natsume Sonoko had simply found a spot near the dorm to stash them. To avoid losing track, she'd even left some marks—though now, it seemed those marks weren't much help.
"Weird, I remember it was right around here."
Looking up, Natsume Sonoko compared the angles between several distant buildings and the embankment, confirming her location once more.
The angle's right, the location's right, but the stuff here has vanished into thin air. It just doesn't make sense.
Just as Natsume Sonoko grew paranoid, suspecting her movements had been exposed, she suddenly heard the soft sound of footsteps.
She looked up and immediately saw a Misaka-senpai—forehead adorned with a strange goggle, holding some items that looked familiar to Natsume Sonoko.
On her back was a half-person-high violin case. She walked silently across the grassy bank on the other side of the river, seemingly unaware of Natsume-san in the middle of the stream.
The air grew still, with only the sound of flowing water rising and falling annoyingly in her ears.
Natsume, usually unflappable and steady as a rock, now felt a jolt of surprise, ignoring the ice drifting away with the current beneath her feet.
Thinking back to how Misaka-senpai had looked in the cafeteria this morning—eyes bright, inexplicably energetic, probably off to cause trouble for that Kamijou Touma-senpai—this Misaka-senpai was different.
Her eyes were hollow, her expression flat as stagnant water, and her figure was slimmer than a certain Railgun's. Come to think of it, had Misaka-senpai put on a little weight lately?
Natsume Sonoko didn't stay silent for long.
The thoughts in her head flashed by, and she immediately knew the person before her wasn't Misaka-senpai.
With a bounding leap forward, she cleared over ten meters in one jump—seemingly breaking the world record for the high jump.
Of course, a cheater using abilities had no place in official competitions. After landing on the embankment, Natsume Sonoko directly blocked the path of this bewildered-looking Misaka-senpai.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Natsume Sonoko."
Hesitating for three seconds on the spot, Natsume Sonoko delivered her standard self-introduction.
Wearing the familiar Tokiwadai summer uniform, clothes neat and meticulous, gaze calm yet carrying a hint of guardedness, the girl who called herself Misaka took a step back.
"Pleased to meet you. Misaka will adhere to etiquette in this interaction, Misaka says with a serious expression." Misaka Sister bowed deeply at a precise 45-degree angle.
"No need to be so formal—it's just a simple greeting."
Startled by the solemnity of 'Misaka-senpai' before her, Natsume Sonoko hurriedly replied.
"Was the gesture not accurate enough? Misaka ponders before speaking."
"No, it's not that. Etiquette is secondary. May I know your name?" Natsume Sonoko asked earnestly. She needed to know which number this Misaka Sister was.
"Misaka has no name, only a specimen number, Misaka says with a hint of disappointment."
"Specimen number is Misaka 9982, Misaka confirms."
Breeze from the river rustled past as Natsume Sonoko and Misaka 9982 stood on the grassy bank, chatting.
At that moment, Natsume Sonoko stole a glance at Misaka 9982, her mind wandering to who-knows-what.
"Those things were hidden by me. Could you return them? I still have some use for them."
Natsume Sonoko pointed at the items in Misaka 9982's hands—the very spoils she'd acquired a couple of days ago, though she wasn't quite sure how the Misaka Sister had gotten hold of them.
"This is treasure Misaka worked hard to discover, Misaka refuses."
"Misaka asserts that ownership of treasure belongs to the discoverer."
"That won't do. Actually, these things aren't really mine either—I'm just holding onto them for someone."
Natsume Sonoko replied seriously, explaining the situation with utmost sincerity.
She reached out a hand, intending to pat Misaka 9982, but was met with a swift, emotionless counter.
Looking at her slightly reddened palm, Natsume Sonoko showed a hint of displeasure. But considering the other was just a newly emerged child, she decided to let it slide.
"It's not impossible to let you hold onto them, but you have to return them later," Natsume Sonoko compromised, thinking of a solution.
"Acceptable. Misaka has seriously considered this proposal."
To Natsume Sonoko's surprise, Misaka 9982 suddenly became more agreeable and actually accepted her condition.
By now, the sky had grown darker. Misaka 9982 stood up, preparing to head in a certain direction.
"Misaka 9982-san, where are you going?"
Natsume Sonoko stopped her, her face full of vigilance. Was she going off to participate in an experiment?
"To secure a spot at a nearby park. Misaka has nowhere else to go," Misaka 9982 turned back, speaking seriously, like a seasoned vagrant.
"Oh, going to grab a spot at the park?"
Natsume Sonoko breathed a sigh of relief. As long as she wasn't going for that experiment, it was fine.
But then a new worry surfaced—what if other Misaka Sisters were starting the experiments?
"Hey, Misaka 9982-san, you're a clone of Misaka Mikoto-senpai, right? Misaka-senpai—the one known as the Railgun of Academy City," Natsume Sonoko asked after a few seconds of consideration.
"This classmate knows Big Sister? Misaka is curious."
Misaka 9982 stopped in her tracks, her tone shifting oddly for the first time.
Due to her lack of emotion and personality, Misaka 9982 didn't find Natsume Sonoko's words strange.
Instead, she immediately latched onto the name 'Misaka Mikoto'—perhaps a testament to the inseparable bond between the Misaka Sisters and their original.
"That's right. Misaka-senpai is my friend. Since you're her clone, in a way, you're my friend too."
"So, I'd like to invite you to stay at my place tonight," Natsume Sonoko said, the idea forming quickly in her mind.
"Also, if there are any other clone Misakas, my place is open to them too." Suddenly remembering something, Natsume Sonoko patted her chest, making a bold promise.
"Really? If so, Misaka expresses gratitude on behalf of all other homeless Misakas."
Misaka 9982 showed a grateful expression—though it looked pretty much the same as her usual blank face—and completely abandoned her plan to head to the small park.
"At this stage, there are twenty-four Misakas wandering around School District 7 outside the research institute. They are Misaka 9977, Misaka 9978, …, Misaka 10000. Misaka has counted them all," Misaka 9982 stated expressionlessly.
Standing silently, Natsume Sonoko felt a bit awkward. She seemed to have overestimated her capabilities.
Supporting one or two Misaka Sisters might be manageable, but twenty-plus was completely beyond her means.
It wasn't just about living space—even food would become a problem.
"Misaka 9982-san, how do you all usually get by?" Natsume Sonoko nodded, then asked curiously a moment later.
Though the Misaka Sisters were clones, they still needed normal metabolic functions like regular humans and had to replenish energy from food.
"Using this thing called yen. Misaka receives research funds from the researchers."
Misaka 9982 pulled out a 10,000-yen bill and a handful of loose change from her pocket.
Before long, more than ten Misakas had gathered by the small riverbank, with a few others still on their way. It reminded Natsume Sonoko that the Misaka Sisters seemed to share some kind of network.
Still, Natsume Sonoko hadn't expected Misaka 9982 to actually summon them all.
Perhaps the underlying reason was that the Misakas were facing their first economic crisis since leaving the research institute.
According to them, several experiments had been canceled recently, and in the past few days, there had been no experiments scheduled at all. This meant the research funds, which should have lasted until the experiments began, were now insufficient.
It also indirectly showed that Natsume Sonoko and that unknown entity's actions were having some effect.
"Why have you called us here? Misaka 9988 asks curiously."
"The experiment scheduled for today was canceled. Additionally, research funds have been depleted. Misaka 9977 expresses disappointment."
"Misaka 9980 protests the amount of research funds and asks if Misaka 10000 can lend some."
"The experiment site has been occupied by unauthorized persons. Misaka 9985 expresses anger."
"..."
Astonished by the scene before her, Natsume Sonoko's mouth hung slightly open. The feeling was surreal.
One Misaka-senpai meant one dose of 'zap zap'; more than twenty meant over twenty doses—enough to make this die-hard Railgun fan feel a little lightheaded.
If she brought one Misaka Sister to Shirai-san to ask for sponsorship, she might just drain Shirai-san's savings dry. Rumor had it Shirai-san's family was quite wealthy.
Quietly amazed, Natsume Sonoko maintained a listening posture.
"About that experiment you mentioned earlier—can't you just not go?" Natsume Sonoko asked with concern.
"It is the purpose of Misaka's existence, Misaka 9977 states seriously."
Listening to the Misakas' lively discussion about the meaning of their existence, Natsume Sonoko could only give up.
"Alright then," Natsume Sonoko nodded helplessly. It seemed the Misaka Sisters' mindset was deeply ingrained. Changing it would take time.
If the experiments were to start, Natsume Sonoko felt she might have to resort to some physical shock therapy to help the Misaka Sisters get a good night's sleep.
In short, under her watch, no one was going to participate in that evil experiment. Absolutely not.
As for changing the Misaka Sisters' perspective, Natsume Sonoko suddenly thought of Shokuhou Misaki-senpai.
Maybe Shokuhou-senpai could help erase that absurd sense of purpose from the Misaka Sisters' minds. But with the network in their heads, the effect might be significantly reduced.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, 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.