Kobayashi's Esper level had inexplicably risen, and the evaluation pointed toward a possible connection with the "Dark May" Project.
Even if it was only a possibility, the researchers present immediately became energized.
No matter what the truth was, even if only to secure more funding in the future, they absolutely could not afford to let such a valuable experimental subject slip away!
Once that realization set in, everyone in the conference room found their breathing growing heavier.
The middle-aged man rubbed his temples and spoke again, "So now, let's calmly and carefully conduct the final vote—how exactly should we deal with experimental subject '007'?"
Was there really any need to choose?
The project leader had deliberately used the term experimental subject to refer to Nana—his stance was already clear.
Everyone present was a core member of the project. Whether for academic achievement or personal gain, they were already deeply bound to the Dark May plan.
"Then let the vote begin," the middle-aged man said with a smile, clapping his hands lightly.
…
After a week of hospitalization, Kobayashi completed his discharge procedures. Escorted by Yomikawa Aiho in a police vehicle, he returned to what would be his "home" for the foreseeable future.
His injuries had stabilized. Aside from still needing a wheelchair for mobility, with the assistance of his telekinetic ability, he was almost no different from an ordinary person—at least in daily life, there was no inconvenience at all.
Ever since the case had been "solved," he hadn't encountered Heaven Canceller again, which left Kobayashi feeling slightly disappointed.
Of course, that was probably because his injuries weren't severe enough to warrant the attention of such a big shot. Or perhaps his own self-healing ability made Heaven Canceller's intervention unnecessary.
After taking a brief look at him that day, Heaven Canceller had decisively turned around and gone to treat Doctor Sakurai instead.
Compared to Kobayashi, Doctor Sakurai had truly had one foot in the grave. Due to massive blood loss and missing the optimal rescue window, although she was no longer in mortal danger, she still showed no signs of waking up by the time Kobayashi was discharged.
Torahachi Tomitsu visited Doctor Sakurai in the hospital every day, and would usually stop by to check on Kobayashi as well.
"Bye-bye. I'll come visit when I have time," she said during their farewell at the hospital entrance.
Though rather than saying goodbye to him, it sounded more like she was speaking to Yomikawa Aiho.
"You're welcome anytime!" Yomikawa replied cheerfully.
…
Shokuhou Misaki got out of bed and left her room, following a route she was already thoroughly familiar with toward the laboratory.
As a talented chosen one, she enjoyed a certain degree of "privilege" within the institute. For example, no one required her to wake up early—she could sleep as long as she wanted.
It was 8:30 in the morning. By this time, the other children in the institute had long since gotten up and begun their daily studies or cooperation with their respective research projects.
Though it was some distance away, as Shokuhou walked down the corridor, she could already hear loud, booming noises coming from the adjacent auxiliary building.
"Such diligence…" she yawned softly, murmuring to herself.
She knew exactly who was responsible for that racket—Hanokaze Junko, from the neighboring Second Research Lab's "Ideal Ability" project.
She was also currently the highest-ranked esper in the entire Talent Workshop, having just recently advanced to Level 4.
Considering that Shokuhou herself had concealed her true ability level, Hanokaze Junko appeared to be the only Level 4 on the surface and had thus been receiving considerable attention from the researchers lately.
"She was serious to begin with," Shokuhou thought lazily as she walked, a faint sneer forming in her heart.
"Trying even harder to live up to their expectations, huh? What a shame… no matter how hard she works, she's destined to never take that final step and become a Level 5."
With her ability to effortlessly read the researchers' thoughts, Shokuhou had long since known the truth: due to limitations in resources and funding, the adults had already given up on further cultivating Hanokaze Junko, deciding to cap her growth at Level 4.
Yes, Esper development was the core objective of any research institute—but even such goals were constrained by material gain.
In the end, it all came down to funding and resources. With limited resources, sacrifices had to be made.
The Talent Workshop had the backing of the Kihara family, making it relatively well-funded among research institutions. It oversaw three research labs, each theoretically allocated enough resources to cultivate one Level 5.
Even so, it was still impossible to cover everything. Resources were always insufficient.
Just like the Third Research Lab's "Internal Evolution" project, where Shokuhou Misaki was based, once it was decided that she would be fully cultivated, another equally talented girl, Mitsuari Ayu, was abandoned.
Hanokaze Junko's situation was much the same. The Second Research Lab's "Ideal Ability" project, as its name suggested, focused on developing an "ideal universal ability," something that had nothing to do with Junko's Rampage Dress ability.
Her rapid growth was, in truth, an unexpected windfall for the institute—something entirely outside the original plan.
Which meant that the resources she could receive were extremely limited.
In fact, the researchers directly responsible for managing Hanokaze Junko were already well aware of this reality. For various reasons, however, no one had ever told her this cruel truth.
"What a pitiful girl," Shokuhou muttered. "Should I go and tell her the truth in advance? Tell her not to keep trying so hard…"
She suddenly stopped in her tracks, a thoughtful expression appearing on her face.
"In advance… why did I say that? It's almost as if… I've already seen the future."
In truth, Shokuhou knew the reason.
Kobayashi.
Within the memories she had seen from him, there was also the figure of Hanokaze Junko.
In the future…a future that existed in Kobayashi's mind, Hanokaze Junko would become her closest friend and subordinate. Gentle in personality, but terrifyingly strong—a true combat pillar of the future Shokuhou Faction.
"Mm… the Shokuhou Faction…" she muttered.
"Why would I ever want to do something so troublesome?"
Just as Misaka Mikoto always appeared alongside her name (or rather, the other way around), that curly-haired girl, Hanokaze Junko, seemed almost bound to her existence as well. The two of them were practically inseparable.
Even though she couldn't yet be sure whether Kobayashi's memory information was true or false, having thought this far, Shokuhou Misaki decided she would go take a look at her possible future underling.
(End of Chapter)