Shokuhou Misaki had long since understood the importance of the Exterior Brain. And through the fragments of memory she had seen from Kobayashi, she now knew for certain that this "weakness" of hers had ultimately been exploited.
Kihara Gensei.
That wretched old man from the Kihara family was the real reason Shokuhou Misaki had been acting with such extreme caution.
The Exterior Brain had already entered its final adjustment phase. Judging from the "original storyline" contained within Kobayashi's memories, that old monster had almost certainly already embedded a backdoor program capable of seizing control of it.
Ironically, due to the enemy's airtight secrecy, Shokuhou herself didn't even know where the Exterior Brain was located. Even Kobayashi's memories contained no information on the matter.
To eliminate this hidden danger—to wrest the Exterior Brain back from Kihara Gensei—she could not leave this place. In fact, she had to continue maintaining the normal operation of the Third Research Facility's Internal Evolution project.
To ensure her promotion to Level 5 and to locate and reclaim the Exterior Brain.
That was the true reason Shokuhou Misaki kept such a low profile and refused to expose herself.
Of course… There was no need to tell Keisaku Mitaru these rather selfish motivations.
The researchers responsible for Dolly's daily care were also trained as medical staff, possessing professional biological expertise. Under their all-out efforts, Dolly's complexion gradually improved, finally pulling back from the brink of death for now.
Just as Keisaku Mitaru-san let out a sigh of relief, Shokuhou Misaki's voice suddenly echoed inside her mind.
"They're here! Take Dolly and get out—now!"
At the same time, a detailed route map was forcibly implanted into her consciousness.
Keisaku Mitaru-san realized she could move again.
"Eh? What? Is it"
"Don't hesitate. Run!" Shokuhou Misaki snapped.
Before Keisaku could react, the researchers had already started sprinting down the corridor, pushing the gurney at full speed.
Keisaku hurried after them, following the route displayed in her mind toward the institute's main entrance.
"Stay sharp, Keisaku!" Shokuhou Misaki urged. "If anyone blocks your way, you'll have to take them down yourself!"
"But I've never been in a fight before!"
"Then just smash them with your Liquid Shadow already! Honestly, do I really have to teach you even that?" Shokuhou complained—according to the memories, you were terrifyingly strong in combat, you know.
Hidden in the shadows, Shokuhou Misaki did not show herself. However, through surveillance cameras and electronic systems, she maintained complete awareness of everything happening in and around the Talent Workshop.
Moments earlier, she had seen it on-screen.
From the far end of the road outside the research building, a wheelchair came hurtling toward them at absurd speed.
There was no need to guess who it was.
Kobayashi.
And so, Shokuhou Misaki moved as well.
The plan to rescue Dolly and Keisaku Mitaru-san everything would be decided now.
Five minutes earlier, Kobayashi had received Keisaku Mitaru-san's desperate phone call while he was in the kitchen.
He never doubted its authenticity for a moment. Without hesitation, he made his decision.
He would save Dolly.
Just as Shokuhou Misaki had once teased him, Kobayashi harbored a deep fondness for the Misaka series of characters—after all, Misaka Mikoto was the "true" heroine.
And among all the Misaka variants, the sisters as a whole possessed an impact and appeal that rivaled even the Railgun herself.
If there was one regret that weighed most heavily throughout the original story, it was the tragic fate of the Misaka Sisters.
And Dolly, the prototype—Unit Zero—was the very beginning of that tragedy.
She was the first sacrifice of the Mass-Produced Ability User Project, and later, the Level 6 Shift Project.
Even if a backup known as "Dolly" existed, that did not mean Kobayashi could calmly accept her death.
If he now had the chance to save a girl who was destined to suffer… how could he possibly turn away?
Releasing the pots, knives, and vegetables he had been manipulating with telekinetic arms, Kobayashi turned off the stove and left the kitchen.
"Nana-Kun, what's wrong?" Yomikawa Aiho asked at once, noticing the severity of his expression. "Was that phone call the reason?"
Torahachi Toumi was already on her feet, walking toward him naturally.
"So where are we going this time?"
Unlike Yomikawa Aiho, Torahachi had seen this version of Kobayashi before—back when he decided to storm Black Moon Technology.
The aura radiating from him now was unmistakable.
A soldier, marching toward the battlefield.
"This time, I'll go alone."
Before he could finish, a cold laugh cut him off.
"Without me navigating, you'd get lost the moment you step outside. Or what,t this situation isn't urgent enough that you can afford to wander around?"
"..."
Kobayashi fell silent, then finally nodded.
"…You're right."
"Wait—something's wrong here." Yomikawa Aiho-sensei sprang up from the sofa. "Nana-kun, you're going out again?"
"Yes."
"Don't forget—you're still under supervision!"
"I know," Kobayashi replied calmly. "That's why I'm reporting my destination."
He explained everything to both Yomikawa Aiho-sensei and Torahachi Toumi, where he was going, and what he intended to do.
After checking the exact location ofthe Talent Workshop on her phone, Torahachi nodded confidently.
"Got it. I know the route."
"Then let's move!" Kobayashi said without hesitation.
"Hold on, that's in District Two, right?" Yomikawa Aiho-sensei said urgently. "It's too far. I'll drive you—"
"No time. Every second counts. I'm going at full speed!"
He slid open the balcony door—
And drove his wheelchair straight off the balcony.
"Nana—!" Yomikawa Aiho-sensei cried out, but she was a second too late to stop his suicidal leap.
Torahachi Tohmi burst out laughing and jumped after him.
Catching up midair, she grabbed the handles at the back of the wheelchair and skillfully hung on.
As if sliding down an invisible chute, the wheelchair plunged from the thirteenth-floor balcony all the way to the street below—then shot forward at breakneck speed.
"Damn that brat… never gives anyone peace of mind!" Yomikawa Aiho-sensei could only watch them disappear.
Then she grabbed her phone and rushed out the door.
"Yomikawa-senpai!"
From next door, Tessou Tsuzuri burst out in a panic. "I just saw your Kobayashi-kun jump off the building!"
"I know!" Yomikawa barked as she hurriedly pulled on her dark-blue Anti-Skill uniform. "Get everyone who's home. All of them. We've got an operation!"
(End of Chapter)
https://patreon.com/Omarfome
If you are enjoying the story and want to read 50 chapters ahead of schedule, join my Patreon.