The first meeting between Shokuhou-senpai and the Sisters began with the researchers' experimental needs.
In that cold, sterile research facility, two girls came to know each other and became close friends. That bond, tangled and complex, persisted for years, as if waiting all this time for another reunion.
"Her name was Dolly. When I first met her, her body was already failing. I was assigned to her side, merely playing the role of her friend, Mitori, so she could complete the remaining experiments."
Shokuhou-senpai's voice sounded beside me, carrying a faint, unplaceable tremor. It was clear this matter affected her deeply.
Natsume-san rarely saw Shokuhou-senpai so visibly shaken, and a heavy, oppressive feeling welled up in her chest.
"As the first prototype, Dolly's value was theoretically immense, yet she was still just disposable experimental material."
"Dolly's body was already riddled with holes from accommodating the experiments. But to squeeze out the last bits of research value, the researchers conducted a series of high-stress observational tests in her final days. That's why she broke down before even reaching her projected lifespan limit."
Staring blankly at the Sisters below, Shokuhou-senpai seemed to recall many things, the stars in her eyes dimming noticeably.
It had started as just a task assigned by the researchers. But when she witnessed Dolly's death with her own eyes, Shokuhou Misaki realized she had long since come to see the other girl as a precious friend.
And yet, she had cooperated with the researchers in deceiving her, indirectly hastening Dolly's death. The heart-wrenching pain of that realization crushed the young Shokuhou Misaki of that time.
Those dim, lightless memories clung to her starry pupils, which could see into people's hearts, and once formed the foundation of this Mental Out ability user's earliest worldview.
In this city, anything without value is discarded, regardless of whether it's cherished by someone.
"Senpai... do you want revenge too...?"
Somehow, Natsume Sonoko found herself nervously clenching her fists, her breath growing rapid.
She didn't want to see another senpai fall into that kind of tragic pursuit.
Natsume-san knew she had no grounds to dissuade her—in fact, a part of her supported the idea—but she just couldn't accept that potential future.
"Revenge? What are you thinking, Sonoko-chan?"
Shokuhou-senpai seemed momentarily speechless. She looked silently at the tense, bun-haired girl before her and suddenly laughed.
In a sense, her revenge was already complete. The former Ideal was reduced to ashes, and parts of its facilities had even become the blonde girl's private property.
"Besides, I'm not Misaka-san. I don't let anger dictate my actions so easily. Some things require compromise, not confrontation. Actually, I wanted to ask you for a favor, Sonoko-chan. I want to find Dolly and Mitori, to find the real Mitori, before she launches her next attack against the Board of Directors."
"I deceived Dolly, so I want to bring the real Mitori back. To atone for the mistakes I made in the past."
Her pupils shining with light, Shokuhou-senpai spoke each word deliberately. Her serious expression, bathed in sunlight, was strikingly beautiful.
"Dolly... she's still alive?"
Natsume-san was taken aback, her voice uncertain.
She was struggling to keep up with Shokuhou-senpai's train of thought, but the literal meaning seemed clear.
"Just yesterday, I found some new information within Kihara Gensei's memories. The research institution at the time used Dolly's cells to create another sister."
"Before Dolly's body gave out, the institution conducted one final test experiment to assess the feasibility of memory sharing within the Misaka Network. After that experiment, everything of Dolly's was transferred into that new body."
Taking a deep breath, Shokuhou-senpai was unusually unable to contain her joy.
With the same memories and experiences, her personality was replicated, and various emotions gradually developed.
Could the transferred Dolly then be considered the same person? Can two identical flowers exist in the world?
Natsume-san felt a bit dazed, her mind seemingly drifting into agnosticism.
But soon, she arrived at her own answer.
Natsume-san thought that perhaps souls truly exist in this world, and that the soul is the essence of a person.
Therefore, the one bearing all of Dolly's attributes couldn't possibly be Dolly, but rather another, familiar stranger.
She could understand Shokuhou-senpai's joy, but she also felt a pang of sorrow for a potential truth.
"In that case, let's hurry and go, Senpai."
Lifting her head to gaze at the girl before her, Natsume-san made the suggestion softly. She more or less understood Shokuhou-senpai's feelings now.
As for Dolly's friend, Mitori, it was most likely Kouzaku Mitori.
That lunatic seemed to have a side to her unknown to others.
Just like Misaka-senpai, once that dark side of the heart is unleashed, you might not even recognize yourself in the end.
If she encountered a similar situation, would she have the courage to seek revenge against everything? Natsume-san couldn't help but wonder.
Under the clear sky, the miniature tornado behind the girl shimmered, constantly refracting the light around it.
--+--
Leaving the Misaka Apartments, Natsume Sonoko carried Shokuhou Misaki, covering the distance across several school districts, heading towards an area where a large gathering of armed Skill-Out groups was reported.
"The Exterior can only be logged into by one person at a time. After both I and Kihara Gensei lost control of the Exterior, the current user became Kouzaku Mitori."
"And until she voluntarily relinquishes control, even I cannot seize it. And up to now, Kouzaku Mitori has maintained a firm grip on the Exterior."
Aboard the 'Sonoko Express' flight service, a certain blonde girl's mobility received an unprecedented boost, though she spoke with a slight breathlessness, clearly unaccustomed to the sensation of high-speed travel.
However, considering Shokuhou-senpai's notoriously poor physical stamina, the bun-haired girl was careful to control the acceleration, preventing any potential mishaps.
During the flight, Shokuhou-senpai had explained the nature of the Exterior to her bun-haired chauffeur and confirmed that Kouzaku Mitori was their target for this operation.
"So, Kouzaku Mitori plans to use that Exterior to attack the Board of Directors."
Natsume-san said, somewhat surprised.
Although her plan in cooperation with Kihara Gensei had failed, the girl in the purple nurse uniform seemed to have devised another method.
"According to the information I've obtained, armed Skill-Out groups from multiple school districts have gathered in Academy City's District 1, the place crowded with administrative agencies."
"If it's not a spontaneous gathering by those Skill-Outs, then it can only be Kouzaku Mitori's doing."
"However, armed Skill-Outs alone couldn't possibly breach any of the Board of Directors' institutions. It's more likely a diversion to cover her next move."
Shokuhou-senpai stated.
--+--
T/N: 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.