"So… how did we end up with so many people?"
It was summer, the scorching sun blazing overhead, the sea breeze warm as it swept in.
The beach wasn't far from Academy City, so the group left in the morning and arrived by noon.
But Samuel hadn't expected this. The plan was for just him, Dolly, and three others. Things had spiraled.
Hayasaka Ai heard about the trip from Dolly and told Shinomiya Kaguya, who accidentally let Fujiwara Chika overhear, and… here they were.
"Sorry to intrude, Chief!"
"Making others work while you sneak off to play? That's sneaky, Chief!"
Fujiwara Chika, with Iino Miko in tow, griped unabashedly. Konori Mii had other commitments and didn't come.
"My bad, my bad. Since you're here, let's have fun!"
Samuel said helplessly.
Then… his helplessness vanished.
After the girls changed into swimsuits…
The radiant sun illuminated their fair skin, gleaming like polished jade, dazzling Samuel.
Vibrant swimsuits clung to their figures, the contrast of colors against pale skin amplifying their allure.
Shinomiya Kaguya in red, Fujiwara Chika in pink, Hayasaka Ai in black, Iino Miko and Kouzaku Mitori in one-pieces, and… Dolly and Shokuhou Misaki in school swimsuits.
"Heh~"
"Hey! You just laughed, didn't you?"
Still stinging from Samuel's earlier schemes, Shokuhou Misaki was hypersensitive to his actions. She caught the mocking smirk he shot her way.
"Nope~"
"You did laugh! You're mocking me, I know it—argh!"
Following Samuel's gaze, Shokuhou froze. She saw Fujiwara Chika splashing in the water, her movements causing a noticeable jiggle. The sight struck a nerve—a humiliation no girl could bear.
Fuming and flustered, Shokuhou swung her slender arm at Samuel's face.
But she didn't connect.
With a flicker of Teleportation, Samuel appeared dozens of meters away on the beach, flashing a taunting grin.
"Hey! Don't run, you jerk!"
Shokuhou stomped her foot in frustration.
"Misaki, come on! Join us!"
Dolly, gleefully splashing Kouzaku, called out to her.
"Hmph~ Coming!"
Shokuhou shot Samuel one last glare, his cryptic smile lingering, before running to Dolly.
"Kaguya-san, Kaguya-san…"
"Hey, Secretary Fujiwara…"
Even though Samuel brought them all, they naturally split into cliques. Dolly, Shokuhou, and Kouzaku formed one; Fujiwara Chika, Shinomiya Kaguya, and newcomer Iino Miko another.
As for Hayasaka Ai…
"Chief, there are closer coastal cities to Academy City. Why choose this one?"
Hayasaka approached Samuel, her tone probing.
Over the past year, besides Dolly, Hayasaka had spent the most time with him. She believed she understood him best.
Having seen him as both a scientist and Judgment Chief, as both a test subject and subordinate, she felt she knew him deeply.
In her view, Samuel wasn't one to take the long route unless his goal extended beyond a simple beach trip.
"Know about magic?"
Samuel smiled, watching the girls play, his question seemingly casual.
"You mean… like in anime or novels?"
Hayasaka frowned, puzzled by the sudden topic.
Samuel nodded. "Something like that. Magic exists in this world."
This wasn't just from his knowledge of the source material. He'd once apprehended a magician in Academy City—a member of a small, local curse-based sect.
His scientific mindset demanded evidence over unverified assumptions, so the "source material" was merely a reference.
Truthfully, Samuel sometimes wondered if the "Magic Gods" even existed.
But without proof of their nonexistence, he had to treat them as his ultimate hypothetical enemy.
Hayasaka stayed silent, sensing more was coming.
And there was.
"My purpose here involves magic. Science has Academy City as its global hub, but magic's stronghold is the Cross Church, primarily the Roman Orthodox Church. However, there's a local branch here—a magical sect called the Amakusa-Style Remix of Church. They're part of my goal."
"Part of?"
"Right. Besides that, I'm fishing… for a big catch."
In Academy City, inside a luxurious room…
"The Board of Directors has issued an order: infiltrate Prometheus Group's Ninth Research Institute and seize data on their Ability Enhancement Training Device. Reward: ten million USD."
A woman, her location unknown, announced the mission via screen.
"Ten million?"
The dark side group "ITEM," part of Academy City's shadow operations, reacted. While Judgment and Anti-Skill, with their espers and advanced tech, were the city's public enforcers, the dark side housed covert units like ITEM.
ITEM functioned as official mercenaries, taking any job for the right price, barring assassination of Board members.
Led by Mugino Shizuri, the fifth-ranked Level 5, Meltdowner, ITEM comprised two Level 4 espers and a skilled tool-user.
At the mention of ten million dollars, the three girls besides Mugino gasped, especially a blonde, blue-eyed girl who seemed thrilled.
But Mugino frowned. She knew what the Ninth Research Institute was.
"Hey, you're not pulling our leg, are you? That institute's director is a Board member, isn't he?"
***
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