In Dorm Room 208, Natsume Sonoko was staring somewhat blankly at Shirai, who was currently improvising a dramatic performance.
She watched Shirai's expression shift from stunned to delighted, then from delight to aggrieved, and finally from aggrieved to downright dejected.
As Shirai hung her head, her bangs fell forward, covering her eyes. Her entire demeanor shifted in an instant, taking on a poignant flavor, just like a helpless little girl with a thoroughly broken heart.
"Maybe we shouldn't have come today," Saten suddenly spoke up, watching Shirai's despondent state with a hint of guilt in her own heart.
Beside her, Uiharu also seemed at a loss, only able to nod silently in agreement.
"Uiharu-san, Saten-san, please don't think that way. This has absolutely nothing to do with you," Natsume Sonoko, sensing the awkward atmosphere emanating from the two from Sakugawa, immediately tried to comfort the unaware duo.
As for Natsume Sonoko herself, she felt no inner turmoil whatsoever. In fact, she was tempted to rip open a bag of potato chips.
'Ah, forget it. Better to just sit quietly during such a serious scene.'
Natsume Sonoko pulled her gaze away from the bag of chips on the desk, blinked, and continued watching Shirai.
No matter how many times she saw it, Natsume Sonoko always felt she could learn something useful from observing Shirai.
Shirai, from who-knows-where, produced a can of red bean soup, opened it, and gulped the entire contents down in one go, just like an adult drowning their sorrows in drink.
"How can I not be jealous?" Shirai slurred, as if drunk, her face taking on a self-destructive look. She let out a long sigh and staggered a few steps, unsteady on her feet. "Onee-sama remembers everyone else's special days, yet she forgot the one-month anniversary of meeting me! Kuroko's heart is shattered."
"Shirai-san—" Uiharu called out worriedly.
"Shirai-san," Natsume Sonoko also murmured, seemingly starting to get drawn into the performance.
"Today is the one-month anniversary of the day Onee-sama and I were connected by the red thread of fate!"
Shirai tossed the empty can aside and began speaking with intense emotion, her eyes hidden beneath her bangs, making her look utterly dejected.
"It was on this day, one month ago, that Kuroko and Onee-sama met by chance, by chance became roommates, and by chance started living here together. For this entire month, we've supported each other, understood each other, eaten together, slept together, gone to school together, shared each other's joys and sorrows."
Shirai's tone was low, as if fondly reminiscing about every little detail of life with her Onee-sama.
"Right here, within this very dorm room, lies the entirety of Onee-sama's and Kuroko's life together!"
Shirai abruptly lifted her head, her pupils dilated uncontrollably, her eyes already brimming with tears. Her tone became firm and rapid.
"But... Onee-sama... she... she doesn't even remember such an important day! It's all your fault, Onee-sama!" Covering her face with her hands, Shirai couldn't hold back her sobs, her twin tails shaking incessantly, making her look utterly pitiful.
Natsume Sonoko watched the shaking twin tails with wide eyes. According to the Stanislavski system, Shirai had undoubtedly entered some state of selfless immersion.
'Shirai-san is a Judgment member, right? I never heard she joined the drama club?' Natsume Sonoko thought to herself, her mind beginning to wander a little.
"So, it's all my fault, then."
A look of utter helplessness appeared on Misaka-senpai's face. She clenched her fists, seemingly suppressing her own emotions.
"No, that's not what Kuroko means! Kuroko just wishes Onee-sama would pay more attention to her, that's all!" Shirai looked up at Misaka-senpai with wide, watery eyes.
"Also, you've been mistaken about one thing from the very start," Misaka-senpai said, sounding rather irritated.
"You were the one who insisted on moving in here from the beginning, weren't you?"
"It wasn't by chance."
"It wasn't some 'red thread of fate,' and it has nothing to do with any of that."
"And what 'sharing each other's joys and sorrows'?!"
"It's just been you constantly making me angry! My stress levels are about to go through the roof!" Misaka-senpai took a few menacing steps forward.
"Onee-sama! I just remembered there's an urgent matter with Judgment! There's a new lead on the serial bombings!" Shirai's momentum deflated instantly.
The previously wronged and gloomy expression on her face was replaced by one of panic as she instinctively backed away toward the door.
"Uiharu-san can vouch for me! I really do have something I need to take care of right now!"
"Hold it right there! You dare say something like that? You're really getting on my nerves!"
Misaka-senpai cracked her knuckles and strode purposefully towards Shirai.
"It's just a difference of perspective! Besides, I only wanted to simply celebrate this anniversary with Onee-sama!"
Shirai, having barely managed to escape Misaka-senpai's grasp, tried to justify herself rather unreasonably.
'There's a kind of pain that's painful just to watch. Shirai-san's tenacity is truly terrifying,' Natsume Sonoko thought to herself.
But then again, Misaka-senpai was already holding back considerably, seeing as she hadn't used her ability yet.
'Four times in one day… provoking Misaka-senpai four times.' Natsume Sonoko didn't know what to say. In this tiny Room 208, there actually lurked a talent like Shirai, a true 'Crouching Dragon.'
Where there is a Crouching Dragon, a 'Young Phoenix' is sure to follow. Natsume Sonoko glanced around but saw no candidate for the role of Young Phoenix. Reluctantly, she returned her gaze to Misaka-senpai.
'Thankfully it's only been four times. If it happens once more, I think Misaka-senpai might truly lose it.' That would surely mean flashes of electricity, sparks flying, wild lightning strikes, and silver snakes dancing chaotically.
Ding-dong, Ding-dong.
The intercom by the door suddenly chimed, and an unfamiliar male voice came through.
"Delivery here. Is this Room 208, Miss Shirai Kuroko's room?" The unfamiliar voice from the intercom grabbed everyone's attention.
Within Tokiwadai Middle School's School District 7 dormitory, aside from the Dorm Supervisor possessing Level 6 combat prowess, the perimeter surveillance and security robots were standard protective measures.
Without a student ID, staff ID, or an escort from a student residing there, ordinary people couldn't enter the Tokiwadai dorms.
Uiharu and Saten were only permitted inside because of Natsume Sonoko and Misaka-senpai.
The intercom units installed in the student rooms didn't just allow clear communication with people outside the door; they also served the important function of connecting with people who couldn't enter the dormitory proper.
The reception room outside the dormitory building housed several machines that could directly connect to the intercoms in each dorm room, allowing external personnel to communicate with the students inside.
"Yes, what is it?" Misaka-senpai asked, leaning down close to the intercom, her tone polite.
"The label says 'computer parts.' I'm not sure what specific parts they are, though," the delivery guy's voice replied through the intercom.
Hearing this, the tension that had been gradually appearing on Shirai's face vanished instantly. She seemed to be sighing in relief, impressed by the shipping company's thoughtful and discreet service.
'Excellent! The seller truly lives up to its established brand reputation. So experienced, so understanding of human nature, and particularly savvy when it comes to privacy,' Shirai thought with some satisfaction. The heavy weight that had been pressing on her chest suddenly lifted.
'Very good. This is a shopping experience worth commending.'
Natsume Sonoko sat dumbly on the bed, her gaze fixed on Misaka-senpai, who was still talking on the intercom not far away.
Unlike the relieved Shirai, Natsume Sonoko now felt her earlier conclusion had been far too hasty.
Shirai's capacity for causing trouble was truly astounding. Simultaneously, her luck didn't seem particularly great either.
'The famously named "computer parts."' Natsume Sonoko mused that one could never forget what they looked like after seeing them once, and one taste was downright unforgettable. Even Shirai herself praised their effects after drinking them.
'Remembering that the first time I watched A Certain Scientific Railgun, it was this very scene that hooked me,' Natsume Sonoko silently marveled at the strangeness of life.
"Who is the sender?" Misaka-senpai pressed on.
"Love and Traditional Chinese Medicine and Aphrodisiac Company," the delivery guy answered honestly.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.