The brown-haired girl pushed her way through the crowd and stopped beside Kobayashi's wheelchair. The other children instinctively stepped aside, clearly treating her with respect.
That was only natural—she was a Level 3 esper, the highest-ranked ability user among all the "test subjects."
"Big Brother Nana," the girl asked, "you awakened an ability, too? Is it… a really strong one?"
Kobayashi didn't recognize her, but his gaze softened as he looked at the bandages wrapped around her head.
"Yes. I'm a Level 3 telekinetic now."
He then turned slightly toward Toumi. "And this onee-san here is a Level 4 high-tier esper. Don't worry—we're strong. We'll definitely get everyone out."
More than anything, Kobayashi was trying to steady their nerves and bolster the children's confidence.
Saving them had been a decision made on the spot. Before entering this room, he hadn't even considered it—let alone prepared any sort of detailed plan.
So there was only one realistic option.
Open the way, let the children escape on their own.
Holding off the pursuers and giving them a proper "pre-battle pep talk"—that was all Kobayashi could do.
"Is everyone here?" he asked. "If anyone's missing, get them immediately. We're preparing to escape!"
At that moment, the brown-haired girl suddenly spoke up, panic flashing across her face.
"This is really bad! Gang Ringo-san and Kōru Jihō-san were taken away just now. The teachers—no, the researchers—are all in the laboratories below. It feels like something really terrifying is happening down there!"
"Below…?" Kobayashi looked toward the far end of the room, where another massive door stood.
The moment he heard Gang Ringo's name, a scene from the original story surfaced in his mind—followed immediately by the image of a girl who had died in an "experiment."
Kōru Jihō.
A complete tragedy.
Her death had been utterly meaningless. Even by the standards of illegal human experimentation, it had been nothing but pointless waste.
Back when he'd first seen that scene, it had left him seething with regret.
If this really is that experiment from the original story, then no matter what, I have to save them!
"Where are they?" Kobayashi asked urgently. "Behind that door?"
The children nodded in unison.
"The exit upstairs is already open, and there aren't any serious enemies left up there," Kobayashi said decisively.
"Once you gather everyone, head straight up. Run out of the building in one go, then get to a crowded street."
He stressed each word carefully.
"Don't split up. Move as a group. Head toward places with lots of people—and shout for help as loud as you can!"
The children looked confused and overwhelmed, but they trusted the Big Brother Nana, who had returned alive. Years spent in the laboratory had also conditioned them to obey orders instinctively.
They memorized his instructions and prepared to act at once.
"You're going to save Gang Ringo-san and Kōru Jihō-san, right?" the brown-haired girl asked again.
"I'll come too. I'm Level 3!"
Kobayashi finally looked at her properly.
"You're a Level 3… That's impressive. And I appreciate your courage," he said sincerely.
"But you don't need to come fight with us."
"What? Why not? My ability is really strong!"
"You have a more important mission," Kobayashi said firmly. "Protect everyone and lead them out."
He continued, his tone steady and persuasive.
"I know you're strong—that's why I'm trusting you with something this difficult. Even if there aren't many armed guards upstairs, what if there are? And everyone here is still a child. Even ordinary adults would be dangerous."
"So when that happens," he said, meeting her eyes,
"You'll be the one to defeat them and lead everyone to safety."
"I understand," the girl said solemnly, nodding hard.
"I'll lead everyone out together."
"One more thing," Kobayashi added.
"Inside this building, anyone who tries to stop you is an enemy. Don't hesitate—take them down. Once you're outside, shout for help together. But only trust adults wearing dark blue uniforms. Don't trust anyone else. Do you understand?"
He repeated the key points loudly, only relaxing once he saw all the children nodding while reciting them under their breath.
"Alright—move!" he urged.
"Before the people upstairs realize what's happening!"
The children surged past him in a wave, small bodies rushing toward freedom.
Soon, only Kobayashi, Tora-hachi Toumi, and their hostage—Section Chief Hayashiki—remained in the room.
"You… you're starting a rebellion!" Hayashiki exclaimed, utterly stunned.
He understood all too well: no matter what happened to Kobayashi next, if those test subjects escaped and were exposed to the public, the Dark May Project was finished.
Illegal experiments were labeled illegal for a reason—they couldn't be brought into the light. Every researcher involved knew that perfectly well.
Even with powerful backers behind them, in a situation like this, those financiers would abandon them without hesitation.
—After all, Academy City had no shortage of illegal experiments. One more or one less made no difference. There was no reason to waste effort saving this one.
"Enough talking," Kobayashi said coldly.
"Take us down."
"I can't," Hayashiki shook his head.
Seeing Torahachi Toumi raise her blade again, he hurriedly explained:
"That door leads to the most confidential area of the entire project. Once an experiment starts, it can only be opened from the inside. Or with the highest-level access card. My clearance isn't enough!"
Kobayashi and Toumi exchanged a glance, both seeing the same worry in each other's eyes.
At this point, Hayashiki had no reason to lie.
Which meant he was telling the truth—they couldn't enter the lower laboratory.
"If we waste any more time, Kōru Jihō-san…" Kobayashi felt his chest tighten with anxiety.
"Kobayashi," Torahachi Toumi suddenly asked, "Do you remember that girl?"
"I don't remember her," he replied, scanning the room for anything usable,
"but I know about her."
—If I use telekinesis to drive a heavy object like a battering ram, maybe I can break the door…
"What kind of answer is that?" Toumi muttered as she stepped forward.
"If it's just the lock, I can probably break it."
At that exact moment—
The massive door in front of them suddenly opened.
A squad of fully armed security personnel filed out in formation.
The team captain, exiting first, immediately spotted the unusual pair before him—
A blonde, blue-eyed girl.
And No. 007, sitting in a wheelchair.
There was no doubt about it.
These were their targets.
(End of Chapter)