Boom~
Dark clouds gathered in the sky, lightning weaving through them. Thunder roared like an angry deity, the flashing bolts their divine wrath.
The atmosphere grew heavy. Onlookers instinctively crowded to watch, but the tour guide hurriedly tried to lead her group and the child away. Few listened.
Visitors came to Academy City to witness its science and espers. The recent robber incident was eye-opening, but too brief to satisfy. Now, with two powerful espers facing off, seemingly entangled in a dispute—and a handsome guy and pretty girl to boot—the gossip was irresistible.
The guide, familiar with the city's espers and their dangers, knew better. But ignored, she could only pray the espers wouldn't actually fight, or that the Judgment officer would intervene.
"Don't cause a scene, Mikoto! Let's call it a day!"
"Hey! Are we close enough for you to call me that? I'll let you off today—I don't want to trouble others—but you will tell me where you live. I've got a score to settle!"
Misaka Mikoto crossed her arms, her sharp face tilted proudly.
"Fine, Sparky Zappy Girl!"
Boom~
She struck. A pillar of lightning crashed from the clouds, its dazzling light drawing gasps from the crowd.
Zzt~
The bolt dissipated the moment it fell, neutralized effortlessly by Samuel's electron control.
"What's with you, Sparky Zappy Girl? So worked up!"
"Jerk, don't call me that!"
"Got it, Sparky Zappy Girl. No problem, Sparky Zappy Girl."
Samuel replied with mock seriousness.
"You…!"
"Enough, Onee-sama, ape-like Committee Leader, calm down!"
Shirai Kuroko stepped in to stop the clash. She didn't know what had happened between Mikoto and Samuel, but Mikoto was clearly riled up—a fight she didn't want to see.
"Ape? Kuroko, you've gotten cheeky since growing up!"
"Tch, perverted ape Committee Leader, you're getting more childish… You used to be so reliable and mature!"
Kuroko sighed, recalling when Samuel saved her and his old demeanor. In less than a year, he'd changed completely.
"Alright, that's it! See ya, Sparky Zappy Girl~"
"Hey, you—!"
"Onee-sama, stop fooling around! Honestly, you're as immature as this perverted ape Committee Leader…"
"Who… who's like him?!"
"???"
Kuroko froze, staring at Mikoto. Her face was slightly flushed, her protests stumbling—a reaction far too big.
"No… Onee-sama, did that ape Committee Leader do something to you?"
"N-No… nothing…"
Caught off guard by Kuroko's question, Mikoto dropped her agitation, her eyes darting away, embarrassed.
"…Something's off…"
Kuroko's instincts screamed. Knowing Mikoto, a denial would be sharp and swift, not this hesitant avoidance.
"Maybe…"
Kuroko's eyes trembled, her mind racing.
"Don't… don't say it, Kuroko. It's nothing… I have nothing to do with him…"
Mikoto walked off, feigning nonchalance.
"…She's really bothered!"
Kuroko and Saten Ruiko stood together, watching Mikoto's back, both lost in thought. Kuroko's eyes held anxiety; Saten's, curiosity.
"Shirai-san… do you think senpai molested Misaka-senpai?"
Saten said, brimming with gossip.
"What? …It's not impossible… but Onee-sama's acting strange…"
Kuroko rubbed her chin, her eyes filled with worry. She'd investigate—thoroughly.
"Huh…"
Saten instinctively stepped back, unnerved by the intense aura radiating from Kuroko.
"You know Samuel?"
A voice came from beside them.
"Eh!"
"When did you get here?!"
Kuroko, startled, looked at the girl five steps away, holding a crepe.
As a Judgment member trained with Anti-Skill, Kuroko was highly alert to sudden approaches, yet she hadn't noticed this girl until she spoke.
"Just arrived! You know Samuel? The guy who just left?"
Katou Megumi took a bite of her crepe.
"Yeah… He's Judgment's Committee Leader. As a member, of course I know him!"
Kuroko replied, still wary.
"And that girl? His girlfriend, fighting with him?"
Megumi nodded toward Mikoto.
"What are you talking about? Onee-sama would never be with that perverted ape…"
Kuroko paused, reconsidering. Was it really impossible? No, it wasn't unlikely.
She knew Samuel was dating Shokuhou Misaki, his "rival," and had ambiguous ties with other girls. Yet, Samuel had the charm. Even she'd once admired him. If she hadn't dedicated herself to Mikoto, she might've fallen for him too.
"My pure, adorable, slightly childish Onee-sama who loves frogs… against a cunning, scheming, sly ape? She might not hold up. No! I'll protect Onee-sama's chastity!"
"What are you talking about?!"
Saten's mouth twitched, forcing a smile at the fired-up Kuroko.
"Huh? Where'd she go? Weird girl… Does she know senpai? Seems close to him!"
Saten scanned around, but Megumi had vanished.
"Hurry, Saten-san!"
"Coming!"
Scratching her head in confusion, Saten rushed toward Uiharu and Mikoto.
***
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