Taxis in Academy City were expensive.
Ridiculously so, in fact.
Given the current circumstances, however, Natsume Sonoko found herself in need of a more conventional mode of transport.
After some deliberation, she decided to splurge and hailed one.
Not long after Natsume and her companion got into the cab, a driverless bus, its fare roughly a twentieth of the taxi's, cruised past the stop.
"To Queen's Avenue in District Seven, please, driver-san."
Clearing her throat with a touch of formality, Natsume Sonoko put on a serious face, trying her best to look like a seasoned taxi-user.
"But Sonoko-chan, the hotel I booked is near Central Plaza Road in District Seven," a pleasant voice chimed in right by Natsume's ear.
Ms. Tomoyo set aside her phone, which was recording video, and pulled out a brochure from her suitcase that had been handed out at the station entrance.
It listed the events and schedule for the Daihaseisai, along with designated open areas within Academy City—primarily school locations and some public facilities open for visitors.
Naturally, as a restricted area, School Garden wasn't mentioned.
"We're not heading to the hotel. It's dinnertime, and I happen to know a lovely family restaurant," Natsume Sonoko declared with a firm nod, seemingly intent on taking full charge of a certain lady's entire itinerary within Academy City.
Though the Daihaseisai kept her busy, Natsume Sonoko was a master of meticulous time management, always able to carve out some free moments.
Her earlier claims of being swamped had been a bit of an exaggeration.
The truth was, Natsume Sonoko was something of an unremarkable, laid-back participant at Tokiwadai Middle School.
Of course, taking charge of the itinerary meant spending money, and Natsume Sonoko was prepared to cover most of the expenses.
Even with her bank account balance dipping below one hundred thousand yen, she wasn't worried. If funds ran short, she could always borrow a bit from Misaka-senpai or the others.
Her circle of friends might lack many things, but little rich girls certainly wasn't one of them.
Misaka-senpai and Kongou-senpai were obvious examples. Shirai-san received Judgment allowances, and Meigo-senpai earned a decent income as a pop singer.
Even Juufuku Miho-san, who had only recently become a Level 3, had a cool million in savings.
Don't ask how Natsume Sonoko knew that.
Tokiwadai students didn't have many necessary expenses. Clothes, meals, utilities, and accommodation were all taken care of. Money was meant for specific, important uses.
Besides, scholarship day was just around the corner.
"Is that so? I'm sure Sonoko-chan's recommendation will be wonderful."
"Though, I must say, I was rather looking forward to Sonoko-chan's own cooking. You did mention your culinary skills on the phone before," Ms. Tomoyo's eyes widened slightly, brimming with curiosity, though her face remained its usual smiling picture.
"My cooking's… passable, I suppose. We do have the occasional cooking class at school," Natsume Sonoko replied, seeming a little distracted, as if she'd only just remembered mentioning it.
It was probably that day at Dr. Heaven Canceller's research institute, after she'd cooked for Banri and the others, that a certain bun-haired girl had called her mother to exchange cooking tips afterward.
Her grades in the school's cooking classes were always decent, even if there weren't many sessions per semester.
Cooking, it seemed, was just a matter of memorizing recipes and heat levels. Natsume Sonoko appeared to be walking the path of a culinary copy master.
In stark contrast to a certain copy master, the Ms. Tomoyo beside her was exceptionally skilled at making food, especially Italian cuisine.
"Really? I look forward to tasting it, then," Ms. Tomoyo said, her eyes curving into happy crescents, her tone filled with anticipation.
--+--
In front of the family restaurant in District Seven that Natsume Sonoko frequented.
Watching the taxi drive away, Natsume Sonoko felt her personal funds take another hit, but thankfully, they were still holding up for now.
"Welcome!" A waitress greeted them with a smile. The two girls, one taller and one shorter, both nodded in polite return.
Natsume Sonoko was always polite to others—a habit learned from her mother—though her demeanor was decidedly less pleasant towards people she disliked.
The restaurant was packed today, with almost every seat taken. But Natsume Sonoko's luck held.
The moment they stepped inside, she spotted a table that had just been paid for and was being cleared.
"The boxed lunches and steaks here are quite good," Natsume Sonoko suggested softly, picking up a menu shortly after they were seated.
Suddenly, she looked up, her gaze involuntarily drifting towards the restaurant's entrance.
A girl stood there, seemingly debating whether to leave after failing to find an empty seat.
"Then I'll have the..." Ms. Tomoyo began, but her words trailed off as she noticed the bun-haired girl had already stood up without her realizing.
A moment later, Natsume Sonoko returned, enthusiastically leading a somewhat hesitant-looking girl back with her.
The girl had twin tails, with the rest of her hair cascading down to her waist, and she carried a black instrument case.
The most telling feature was the uniform of the private Shidarezakura Academy.
When her hand was suddenly grabbed, she had tried to bolt. But faced with the infamous, 'Villainous' #8 of Academy City, the girl quickly abandoned any futile resistance.
It just went to show a certain someone's intimidating aura had grown considerably.
The girl from the dark side, Yumiya Rakko, who had recently taken a liking to dining here, had been precisely captured by Natsume Sonoko's 'Master Ball' while searching for a seat.
Come to think of it, this was also the very place Natsume Sonoko had treated her to a meal last time.
Natsume Sonoko wasn't quite sure how to interact with this senpai, as they lived in completely different worlds.
One belonged to the ordinary world of students, the other lurked in pitch-black shadows, cold and terrifying.
Even so, that didn't mean Natsume Sonoko would pretend not to know her, like she might with Accelerator.
In her heart, she hoped that one day, this senpai could escape her work in the dark side.
While their relationship couldn't be called close, they were barely acquainted.
Truth be told, Natsume Sonoko had always found it strange. This senpai always seemed to subtly avoid her within School Garden. Otherwise, their relationship might have at least developed into that of occasional acquaintances.
"Mom, this is my senpai from Shidarezakura Academy. She helped me out a great deal before," Natsume Sonoko introduced with seriousness.
"...Hello, Auntie. I'm Yumiya Rakko," she said, her voice soft and gentle. In this state, Yumiya Rakko seemed no different from any ordinary girl.
Yet, as soon as she finished speaking, a wave of inexplicable nervousness washed over Yumiya Rakko.
"Rakko-chan then! It looks like there aren't any other seats free, so let's eat together, shall we?" Ms. Tomoyo said with a warm smile.
--+--
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.