Tokiwadai Middle School Dormitory, District 7.
Unlike the strictly guarded and visitor-restricted School Garden, our student dormitory actually allowed outsiders to enter, though external personnel were typically limited to certain lobby areas.
In one corner of the lobby stood a video phone for contacting students inside the dorm. Delivery personnel usually used this to speak with students in their rooms.
However, once you obtained access permission from a student inside, or were directly escorted in by one, those entry restrictions no longer applied.
Of course, the internal students were responsible for this; the ever-present security robots and surveillance systems faithfully recorded everything.
If you were unlucky enough to run into the Dorm Supervisor, you'd probably have to fill out a stack of access forms.
But this situation was a bit different from what Misaka-senpai and the others were facing. As one of the student representatives, Misaka Mikoto seemed doomed to the tragic fate of having her parents called in.
Time kept ticking away relentlessly.
The memory of a certain Railgun being caught for possessing contraband still felt fresh, and her multiple instances of staying out all night and damaging public property had finally steeled the Dorm Supervisor's resolve.
This made a certain bun-haired girl equally apprehensive, as her own record was only slightly better than Misaka-senpai's.
Thankfully, she'd always been obedient to the Dorm Supervisor—when sneaking out through the window at night, she considerately waited until after room checks were done.
Truth be told, Misaka-senpai's mother was quite a beauty, looking as young as a college student barely past twenty, with fair, glowing skin.
If you looked more closely, she resembled a grown-up version of Misaka-senpai.
Well, in every aspect.
In Natsume-san's view, this mature version of Misaka-senpai seemed rather amused, staring intently at her blushing daughter.
This parent had just arrived in Academy City. Not only could she enter Tokiwadai's dormitory, but she was even granted access to the most mysterious place—the Dorm Supervisor's office. This was truly unexpected.
"I was originally planning to come tomorrow."
"But I got a call from your dorm teacher a few days ago, so I decided to come early. Seems you haven't been behaving well at school, Mikoto-chan."
She wore a light gray long-sleeved shirt, slim dark trousers of thin fabric, and a pair of comfortable flats.
The clothes looked simple at a glance, but it was obvious they were from some high-end brand—not that Natsume-san would recognize which one.
With the family's signature short, neat haircut and features strikingly similar to the Railgun's, this woman, Misaka Misuzu, a current 'over-age' university student, rested a finger on her lips, a thoughtful smile playing in her eyes.
Though returning to university at her age was a bit late, learning was never truly delayed. She was genuinely excited about gaining knowledge at university.
"Ugh, don't take this so seriously," Misaka Mikoto said, flustered and annoyed.
A trace of displeasure timely appeared on the certain senpai's face.
She had originally planned to take this troublesome woman to a hotel, but her mother had headed straight for the dormitory the moment she spoke—clearly premeditated.
Misaka-senpai strongly suspected this unreliable mother was here to laugh at her misfortune.
"Don't worry, Mikoto. This is my first time being 'called in.' I'm actually quite looking forward to it. I definitely won't be angry."
As if completely unaware of her daughter's concerns, Misaka Misuzu tried her best to put on a mature act, her face even showing a hint of eagerness.
"This isn't something to be happy about! And whatever you do, don't say anything weird to the Dorm Supervisor!"
Misaka-senpai replied listlessly, some of her hair starting to stand on end.
She was well aware of her mother's unreliability, but there was nothing she could do about it.
"Of course I know that. Mikoto's a big girl now after all."
Nodding with some seriousness, Misaka Misuzu patted her collarbone as if giving her guarantee.
"Misaka-senpai is so pitiful."
Natsume Sonoko had, at some point, already walked into the dormitory lobby. She watched the two arguing incessantly at the entrance, feeling a bit speechless.
She quietly skirted around Misaka-senpai and the others, avoiding plunging the Railgun into an even more awkward situation.
But just as she prepared to swipe her card to enter, a surprised voice came from behind Natsume-san.
"You must be Sonoko-chan, right?"
Misaka Misuzu's attention seemed to be drawn over, blinking with curiosity as she stared at the certain bun-haired girl.
"Huh?"
"You know me, Auntie?" Natsume-san froze for a moment before turning back in surprise.
"Though I am at the age to be called 'Auntie,' it still stings a little to hear it."
"Don't pretend to be young when you're already thirty," Misaka-senpai couldn't help but facepalm, her cheeks flushing red.
So embarrassing, and in front of her kouhai too.
Natsume-san's worries had instantly materialized.
"Though it's our first time meeting, I actually ran into your mother on my way to Academy City."
"We chatted for a long time, so of course I heard about you, Sonoko-chan. You're at Tokiwadai, just like my little Mikoto."
After a moment's thought, Misaka Misuzu replied.
"You know, you look just like your mother."
Saying this, Misaka Misuzu circled the bun-haired girl a few times before stating with certainty.
"Though she doesn't seem too skilled at driving. I left her in the dust in no time."
A pleased expression immediately appeared on her face; Misaka Misuzu seemed particularly interested in things like street racing.
"Huh?"
Natsume-san tilted her head, her thoughts failing to keep up.
She immediately pictured a certain female driver frantically stomping the accelerator while gripping the steering wheel cluelessly.
But since when did her mother learn to drive?
And leaving driving aside, it was so late now—what if she missed the last station closing time?
Well, even if she did miss it, it'd be fine. Natsume-san could just fly out to pick her up. They could handle the paperwork the next day.
Natsume-san had stayed out all night multiple times before, then retroactively submitted proof afterward. She was quite familiar with the process.
(Let's set aside Natsume-san's glorious history here—good kids shouldn't imitate this.)
The Dorm Supervisor's footsteps arrived somewhat belatedly. She gave a strange look to the bun-haired girl lost in her inexplicable joy.
Under Misaka-senpai's worried gaze, the two rather 'mature' young women quickly found common ground, and the atmosphere suddenly became lively.
"Nice to meet you. Are you Misaka's older sister?"
"Lots of people say that, but I'm actually her mother."
"Really? Are you serious? Do you have some kind of amazing skincare secret?"
This was a rare show of curiosity from the usually fierce Dorm Supervisor.
--+--
T/N: 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.