Bang, bang, bang!
Gunfire erupted in rapid succession, shattering the quiet of the street with deafening cracks. Panic rippled through the nearby crowd in an instant.
In just three or four seconds, the middle-aged researcher had emptied his entire magazine, his face twisted with something between desperation and hysteria.
Bursts of brilliant fireballs bloomed in midair like dazzling fireworks, filling the air with the sharp tang of gunpowder.
Thankfully, the bullets contained copper—well within the range Natsume Sonoko could defend against.
"You little brat! Don't you dare ignore me!"
Only after finishing his volley did the researcher realize his target wasn't even looking at him. Instead, her gaze was fixed somewhere behind him.
Like a phantom dropping from the sky, a new figure suddenly appeared on Natsume Sonoko's mental radar, instantly stealing her full attention.
"So it's you, Amai Ao. That revolting face of yours really does leave an impression."
"Still alive despite drowning in debt—and now you've even found a chance to turn things around? How disgustingly lucky."
Hands tucked deep in his pockets, an unnaturally pale figure stepped out from the shadows. His trademark villainous grin stretched wide as he greeted his old acquaintance with mock warmth.
"Well, well. Didn't expect to run into you here of all places. And look—two Level 5s, just like that. Last time, you gave me quite the headache, Eighth."
Accelerator's smile faded as he strolled forward at a leisurely pace, though his eyes kept drifting toward Misaka—clearly not in good shape.
"The… Eighth?"
A flicker of confusion crossed Amai's face—then his eyes bulged wide in horror. The pistol slipped from his trembling fingers and clattered to the ground.
"Lucky bastard," Accelerator sneered, stomping down hard on the fallen gun until it shattered into pieces. Amai stumbled backward, eyes wide with terror.
"Aaah—!"
Frantic and disoriented, Amai bolted toward the street, desperate to escape both Accelerator and the unseen girl. But after only a few steps, his face flushed crimson. He clutched his throat, coughing violently—then collapsed, motionless, already unconscious.
"Oh no—he saw us."
The moment Accelerator appeared, Natsume Sonoko scooped up little Misaka and activated her ability. Both of them shimmered into transparency.
Good thing they were on solid ground—she could still slip away if she played her cards right.
A quiet victory for the cautious.
But that didn't mean she'd let the researcher off easy. He'd fired over a dozen rounds at her—did he really think she wouldn't retaliate?
Just as she prepared to vanish with Misaka in her arms, a low, venomous voice cut through the air.
"If you run, I'll go straight to Tokiwadai's dormitory and tear it down myself. Don't blame me when it's rubble, Eighth."
Accelerator's face twisted into a snarl, his glare locked onto the empty air nearby.
Natsume Sonoko froze mid-step, bewildered. That threat… actually hit home.
She wouldn't bat an eye if it came from anyone else—but this was Accelerator.
"What do you want?" she called out, deliberately distorting the air around her voice so its source couldn't be pinpointed. She never skimped on refining every trick that kept her hidden.
"Put the brat down. Then you can leave." Accelerator's tone was blunt, his wicked grin impossible to miss.
"No. She needs a hospital—now."
"Tch. What a meddlesome little princess. But do you even understand what you're meddling in?"
His lips curled in annoyance, and he rolled his shoulder with an impatient flick.
"Hand her over. If you don't, you'll regret it for the rest of your life. Someone implanted a virus in her. Once it activates, every single Misaka clone worldwide turns into a mindless killing machine."
His voice remained sharp, but the usual mockery had vanished—replaced by something far more serious.
The sky had deepened into twilight. Stars blinked awake, and the moon peeked over the horizon with a slender silver rim.
Normally, this was Natsume Sonoko's favorite time of day—dinner time. But right now, dinner didn't matter. She trailed after someone through the streets, nerves taut as piano wire.
She held little Misaka close, growing more anxious as the girl's forehead grew hotter by the second. Around them, the air subtly shifted, siphoning away excess heat to keep her temperature stable.
Ahead, Accelerator moved at breakneck speed—faster than most cars—dragging the unconscious researcher behind him like luggage.
Natsume Sonoko didn't dare fly. Not with him around.
Instead, twin blades of ice formed beneath her feet, and a powerful gust surged at her back, propelling her forward like a figure skater gliding across the city.
After their tense exchange, she'd reluctantly agreed to his terms—but only under one condition: she'd be the one to care for Misaka.
Meanwhile, Natsume Reiko had already mobilized her computational power, ready to handle any emergency. And with the dense network of underground pipes nearby, a well-timed explosion could buy enough confusion—and time—for a clean escape.
She vaulted over a stalled car with a graceful leap, landing smoothly on the pavement.
Only then did she notice Accelerator had stopped in front of a research facility.
"We're here, Eighth."
He spoke to the empty air, a faint smirk playing on his lips.
As if in answer, a sharp gust whipped past him.
How amusing. This Eighth had guarded against him every step of the way—yet still followed him here.
What was her name again? Natsume Sonoko, right?
Just like Kikyou had said—some pampered greenhouse flower somehow managing to beat him. A miracle?
Maybe. Or maybe only the two of them truly knew.
Standing before the laboratory's entrance, Natsume Sonoko frowned at the wreckage. The front door had been torn clean off—definitely not standard procedure. Even Heaven Canceller's lab required a keycard.
Inside, a woman in a white lab coat stood speaking quietly with Accelerator.
"Sorry about the door," the woman said, approaching with a steaming cup of coffee. "Accelerator tore it off earlier."
She paused at the threshold, clearly aware someone invisible was present.
"Could you please hand over Last Order? We only have four hours before the virus triggers."
Her expression held just the right amount of urgency as she nodded toward the empty space.
And right on cue, Last Order's form materialized in the room—still floating slightly, as if cradled by unseen arms.
"Where's the equipment? I'll carry her in myself. And if anything goes wrong during treatment…" Natsume Sonoko's voice emerged, soft but edged with steel, "I'll hold you personally responsible."
The researcher—Kikyou—blinked in surprise, then offered a warm, genuine smile.
"Of course. Follow me."
Rumors about the Eighth circulated among researchers, but the personality assessments had been frustratingly vague.
Nearby, Accelerator's brow furrowed slightly, clearly displeased by Natsume Sonoko's warning.
Once Last Order was settled into the cultivation tank, Natsume Sonoko, under Kikyou's guidance, carefully fitted the learning-device components onto her.
With the tank sealed shut, little Misaka-senpai floated peacefully in the greenish fluid, an oxygen tube feeding gently into her mask.
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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.