"Please come with me, Miss Katou Megumi."
Samuel wore a faint smile, his eyes glinting with the calm assurance of someone holding all the cards.
If I were the one in control, that must feel great!
Katou Megumi couldn't help but think, but alas, she was the one cornered.
Though she couldn't control her ability, she sensed it being fully suppressed.
"It's not about wanting to—it's just that I can."
Doubts crept into her mind. Samuel was clearly a powerful esper. If she followed him, what if he tried something…
She didn't think herself particularly attractive (a misconception born from her ability's long-term isolation), but she knew the rule: girls (and boys) must protect themselves when out and about.
"An interesting ability, capable of affecting me even slightly. Very intriguing…"
Samuel wasn't acting out of kindness. If he were, he wouldn't have that "victory assured" expression.
"Uh… well…"
Katou, feeling cornered, still tried to resist.
"Don't worry, I won't do anything to you. If I wanted to, I could've done it right here."
It was true. If Samuel had ill intentions, Katou knew she'd have no way to fight back.
"Stop right there!"
An unexpected voice cut through.
A petite, charming girl crossed the street toward them, her refined face radiating unyielding righteousness. Her expression was stern, her gaze locked onto Samuel.
Sunlight bathed her, casting her as a savior angel.
At least, that's how Katou saw her.
The girl stepped up to Samuel. Barely five feet tall, she tilted her head back to meet his eyes without a hint of retreat. It was almost comical, but her presence was undeniably strong.
Samuel observed her closely: chestnut hair tied into twin tails with ribbons, cascading over her shoulders. Her lovely face was serious but not harsh, adding a touch of endearing contrast.
Notably, she wore a Judgment armband on her right shoulder and a Shuushiin Academy uniform.
"I'm Iino Miko, a Judgment officer. What are you doing?"
Iino stared at Samuel unflinchingly, her question sharp.
"An esper… Electromaster?"
Samuel sensed her AIM Diffusion Field, less potent than Katou's, likely Level 3.
This explained why his Mental Out field hadn't affected her.
Similar abilities shared similar AIM Diffusion Fields, and Samuel was most familiar with Electromaster fields.
Though only a Level 3 Electromaster, she wasn't swayed by his "suggestion-level" barrier.
Using force on her raised two concerns:
First, it might make Katou even warier, confirming Samuel as a villain.
Second, Electromasters were resistant to Mental Out. Forcing his computational capacity on her could harm her, and as a Judgment officer, she was technically an ally.
"Hey! I'm a Judgment officer, handling official business!"
Really, Samuel wasn't a bad guy. Telling the truth was easiest, and if that failed, he could pull rank.
"Which branch are you from? I haven't seen you around here. Regulations prohibit cross-district enforcement. Or… are you an imposter?"
Iino's eyes narrowed, electric currents slithering like snakes across her body.
He might be an imposter?
Katou's heart jolted, her gaze on Samuel growing more cautious. She felt lucky she hadn't gone with him, imagining restricted-level scenarios.
"I'm a headquarters patrol officer with authority across all districts. Here's my ID code—scan it."
Samuel pulled back his armband, revealing a QR code.
In tech-savvy Academy City, Judgment officer details were stored in such codes.
Iino diligently pulled out her phone and scanned it.
Samuel's photo and information appeared…
"Chief… Chief Officer?"
Iino gasped, stunned.
"Chief Officer? He's some kind of official?"
Katou's mind, influenced by negative portrayals of officials in dramas, conjured new restricted-level scenarios.
"Even as Chief Officer, you must explain your actions. I heard this student say she didn't want to go with you, and you threatened her."
"Exactly, that's right…"
Katou silently cheered Iino on.
She admired Iino's courage. Samuel was clearly her superior—likely her top boss—but she showed no fear or hesitation.
"Well done. Questioning even your superiors takes guts. Academy City thrives because of Judgment officers like you, ensuring harmony. I'm pleased. For residents' safety, anyone posing a threat, no matter their status, should be questioned or stopped."
"Hehe… it's nothing…"
Iino scratched her head bashfully, her stern demeanor turning cute.
??? Where's your fire from a second ago? Don't melt just because he praised you!
"Chief, what's going on?"
Iino asked earnestly, not one to overlook potential danger just for a compliment.
"It's like this…"
"I see. My apologies for the interruption."
"Hey, hey, hey…"
Katou was speechless. What was with this Judgment officer? How could she trust him so easily?
"Miko, want to come along?"
"No, I need to patrol the streets."
Katou was beyond exasperated. It was probably best Iino didn't come, or they might end up in a restricted-level blockbuster: Chief Officer, Judgment Girl, and "Criminal".
"Wait… Miko, what's happening?"
Another voice joined the scene…
***
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