That day, Shokuhou Misaki felt the warmth of her friends' care. Dolly gave her everything, and even the unresponsive Misakas responded to any request. It made Misaki feel truly happy.
She had seen the darkness of Academy City, yet within that darkness, she discovered two lights: one was Dolly, the other was Ren. At first, she thought Ren was just like everyone else.
It wasn't until she observed how he treated Dolly that her opinion changed. He didn't go out of his way to please her; everything was natural. Except for his loli obsession, everything else seemed fine.
Now, Misaki no longer considered that a flaw. After all, she was very clear about her own feelings, especially after today's attack, which reaffirmed them once again.
The next day marked the first day of summer vacation. Everyone prepared early. Misaka didn't wear her uniform—she wasn't a student at Tokiwadai Middle School—but instead wore Dolly's clothes.
"This is so blatant… Won't Mikoto see us?" Misaki felt a little awkward. At school, they were rivals; at home, she was friends with her clone. It all felt strange.
"It's fine. When all the Misakas are spread across the world, Misaka Mikoto will find out sooner or later." Seeing the three identical girls still changing, Ren comforted the girl beside him.
"Ren, Misaki, we're ready." Dolly put on her cap and looked perfectly in character. The Misakas changed into casual clothes but still wore their goggles on their heads.
The four of them set out, naturally with Ren driving. The three little ones stared at the scenery outside, amazed. Although Misaka 8790 had these memories implanted, seeing them in reality was still different.
She quickly shared her joy with the Misaka Network, letting all the other Misakas watch.
They arrived at the mall. With summer vacation starting, many students were out, and the streets were crowded. The four of them became the most eye-catching sight on this street.
Three identical girls, plus the other two who were also beautiful—passersby couldn't help but glance at them.
"Shirai-san, triplets?"
"Does Misaka Mikoto-senpai have sisters? I haven't heard that before." Shirai Kuroko was curious; she would soon be attending Tokiwadai herself.
"They're all really pretty."
"Kazari, let's go. During summer vacation, we only show up when there's a crowd like this." Shirai Kuroko stood firm in her sense of justice.
"Okay." Uiharu Kazari quickly followed.
"What are we buying today?" Dolly was excited about going out.
"Buying…" Misaki hesitated. She remembered Dolly's situation; she'd probably want a modest swimsuit.
"Swimsuits." Ren tapped her hat.
"Swimsuit…" Dolly's mood instantly sank. She was self-conscious about her body, especially the ugly scar that ran across it.
"It's fine. We'll have the place to ourselves anyway. Since when have I or Misaki ever cared?" Ren smiled.
"Mm." Even though Ren said that, she still couldn't shake her own insecurities.
Without another word, Ren picked her up and slung her over his shoulder. "Let's go. Time to have some fun and buy clothes."
"Ren… you're so tall." Dolly's mood shifted quickly, brightening as fast as it had darkened.
The four of them headed swiftly toward the mall. Misaki put a hand to her forehead, feeling slightly out of place among them.
Watching two Misakas wearing goggles and another with long hair, Misaki couldn't help but follow along.
They first went to the arcade. Misaka 8790 completely dominated the games. Having been trained extensively and enhanced by knowledge shared across the Misaka Network, her skill far surpassed that of Dolly or Misaka Number One.
"8790, you're amazing!" Dolly exclaimed, her character dying again on the screen.
"Hehe, receiving praise makes Misaka happy," 8790 said stiffly, though it was progress in showing emotion.
"Why does Misaka succeed while I don't?" Misaka Number One asked 8790, confused that a fellow clone could outperform her so easily.
"The Misaka Network explains this differently than Number One," 8790 replied.
"The Misaka Network?" Number One repeated, puzzled.
As the game went on, the crowd around them grew. With the three Misakas and their exceptional skills, it was impossible not to draw attention.
Meanwhile…
"Today's prize is for winning in Arcade," Misaka Mikoto arrived at the mall, excited for the game.
Passing the arcade, she noticed a crowd gathered around a girl with honey-colored hair in a uniform, and a tall math teacher. Mikoto had known they were close, but she hadn't expected them to be this intimate—like on a date.
Then she saw a girl with long hair, looking exactly like her—no, identical.
"Who is she?" Mikoto wondered, unable to think much as she rushed into the arcade.
"Huh? Mikoto-san?" Misaki noticed Mikoto approaching from the entrance.
"Misaki, how did she—" Misaka Mikoto didn't finish her sentence before she saw another Misaka sitting in front of a game console. Three of them. The young girl was momentarily disoriented.
The two Misakas at the console stood up and approached Mikoto.
By now, more onlookers had gathered. Four clones in one place—it was naturally drawing attention.
"You…?"
"Mikoto-san, shall we find a quiet place to talk?" Ren spoke first.
"Alright."
Mikoto took a deep breath. She had countless questions but knew this wasn't the place to ask them. The purpose of her visit seemed to fade from her mind.
The six of them soon arrived at a dessert café and found a corner to sit. Mikoto looked at Ren. "Ren-sensei, can you tell me… who exactly are they?"
Following Mikoto's gaze, Dolly, Misaka Number One, and 8790 all lowered their heads. They understood that their original self didn't seem fond of them.
"Misaka-san, you should remember—you provided your genes to Academy City."
Ren's reminder jogged Mikoto's memory. She recalled seeing others struggle to survive and, upon hearing from the doctors that she could help, she hadn't hesitated to donate her genes.
Looking back now, it seemed it had all been a deception. To know the full purpose, she had to ask Ren, a researcher directly involved.
"Ren-sensei, please, tell me everything." Mikoto lowered her head in respect for the clones.
"Misaka Network, Artificial Heaven." Ren avoided mentioning the "Level 6 Shift" or any extreme plans. Mikoto didn't need to know that. Her kind nature shouldn't be exposed to such matters—this was Ren's judgment.
"ZXC741 ASD852 QWE963. Misaka confirms experiment codes," 8790 recited a string of numbers.
"Huh?" Mikoto's brow furrowed in confusion.
Ren soon responded with another set of codes, hoping they hadn't changed. Having Misaka explain was the most direct and effective method.
"Researcher Ren, shall we speak here? Misaka confirms others are unrelated to the experiment," 8790 said, glancing at the others.
"Go ahead," Ren signaled.
Mikoto's expression turned serious as she stared at the clone, determined to uncover the truth behind it all.