With a ribbon tied around her forehead to keep her hair in place, the strands at her temples floated backward in the gentle breeze.
As one of the laid-back participants at Tokiwadai Middle School, Natsume Sonoko fully leveraged her strengths, demonstrating formidable prowess in the first event.
"Tokiwadai's Natsume Sonoko-san has secured second place in this race with a time of one minute, fifteen seconds, and seven hundred fifty milliseconds."
The female voice from the broadcast sounded professional, announcing the achievements of a certain bun-haired girl with firm and clear diction.
"Huh? Only second place? But that was really fast."
Pursing her lips slightly in dissatisfaction, Natsume-san felt this outcome fell short of her expectations.
Unlike a typical thousand-meter race, the event was divided into multiple heats due to the large number of participants and schools, with final rankings determined by comparing everyone's times.
Truthfully, Natsume-san was confident she could finish the race in under ten seconds if she went all out—perhaps even faster.
However, bound by the silly rule that both feet must touch the ground during the race, Natsume-san had to pretend to run, laboriously swinging her legs as if she were actually stepping on the ground, which wasted a lot of time.
It was a pity the Daihaseisai didn't include a dedicated flight competition; otherwise, Natsume-san could have easily taken first place. At least in the middle school division, no one could surpass her.
Still, second place wasn't so bad, and it likely marked Natsume-san's best performance in a sports event to date.
The shifting light and shadows cast a vague, illusory haze over Natsume-san's face, obscuring her slightly winded expression.
Even though she was only swinging her legs without any real effort, the girl still seemed somewhat strained.
On the field, the overwhelming array of cameras captured artificially altered light, causing the video feeds to display her face as if pixelated or masked.
On the track, the girl who had bounded and skipped her way to the finish line now had only a blurry outline visible on screen—a very peculiar sight.
Inevitably, Natsume-san's actions would spark some unpredictable rumors, perhaps even give rise to new urban legends.
And since she was connected to Academy City's #8 Level 5, it seemed a fresh wave of complications was on the horizon.
Yet Natsume Sonoko, the one at the center of it all, appeared utterly unbothered. She was even considering submitting the story to an urban legend website.
"Sonoko-chan, for you."
A woman emerged from the crowd, smiling warmly as she handed over a bottle of water.
Having come all the way to Academy City, the woman named Tomoyo was here specifically to watch her daughter compete.
And it was truly different from an ordinary school sports festival. With all sorts of bizarre abilities on display—especially the first-place finisher, who manipulated friction to slide from start to finish—it was quite the spectacle.
Her own daughter wasn't lacking either, though her shorter legs had put her at a disadvantage; otherwise, she would have hopped and skipped her way to the finish line much sooner.
"What a shame, you were only a few seconds off."
Tomoyo-san, still immersed in the race, spoke with a tinge of regret.
"It's fine, really. Participation comes first, results second."
Struggling slightly to twist open the bottle cap, Natsume-san took a small sip. She would have preferred a sugary drink, honestly.
"Well, I suppose second place is still a result."
"I checked the schedule—all the morning events are over. So, Sonoko-chan, what are your plans now?"
The woman rested her chin on her hand thoughtfully, looking down at the bun-haired girl.
In terms of height, Tomoyo-san was clearly a larger version of Natsume-san, standing around 160 cm, similar to Reiko.
Natsume-san, however, seemed stuck in a growth stagnation, her height increasing at a glacial pace as she anxiously awaited her growth spurt.
"Plans for now?"
Natsume-san blinked, her mind suddenly feeling cluttered.
Her original plan was to take her mother around to various restaurants in Academy City and visit some landmarks, but Shokuhou-senpai's earlier words had left her unsettled.
It wasn't a feeling of time pressure, but rather a sense that there were issues needing resolution—yet she could do nothing about them for now.
Natsume-san desperately needed her intelligence network; she hated being in the dark like this.
She'd felt this way before, but the more she learned, the stronger the sensation grew.
If Shokuhou-senpai could read the memories of those in the juvenile correctional facility, they would likely uncover the mastermind behind the intermediary's faked death.
Given Shokuhou-senpai's efficiency, she should be done by noon, perhaps even in time to participate in the afternoon events, creating a solid alibi.
And once the mastermind was identified, Natsume-san, as a collaborator, would need to prepare to take action for the Sisters.
Natsume-san's feelings toward the Sisters were complicated. Initially, she wanted to help Misaka-senpai, but it later evolved into sympathy for the Sisters themselves.
After living with them alongside Reiko for so long, it had blossomed into genuine friendship—perhaps mixed with a sense of responsibility as their self-appointed dorm supervisor.
No matter what, Natsume-san couldn't simply stand by and do nothing.
"Let's go to a Western restaurant for lunch. I know a place that's cheap and really good."
Pushing her thoughts aside, Natsume-san spoke distractedly.
"A Western restaurant? But this morning, Sonoko-chan, you said you'd take me for the maid-san's special bento and onigiri. That maid-san might still be waiting for you."
Blinking, Tomoyo-san offered a gentle smile, her tone thoughtful.
Having studied psychology, she could tell the girl's mind was wandering.
"Ah! I almost forgot."
Natsume-san snapped back to reality.
She had pre-ordered some onigiri and bento from Tsuchimikado-san and needed to pick them up on time.
She heard Tsuchimikado had left early this morning—hopefully everything went smoothly.
"Then let's have a picnic at Civic Park today."
Thinking of the onigiri, Natsume-san declared with certainty.
One consciousness, but two bodies capable of independent action.
Natsume-san was immensely grateful for Reiko's existence, allowing her to handle two things at once.
Yet even two bodies didn't feel like enough sometimes—there was still so much she needed to do.
On the other side, Reiko was already in motion, their minds perfectly synchronized.
However, Reiko seemed to have abandoned her plan to follow Misaka-senpai, instead heading back to the Misaka Apartments.
While Misaka-senpai's safety was a concern, she was, after all, a Level 5 esper fully capable of protecting herself.
Natsume-san felt the Sisters needed Reiko more right now. It was best to persuade them to cancel their outings these next few days and stay safely within the Misaka Apartments and dormitory.
--+--
Dressed in simple casual clothes and common sneakers, she looked no different from any ordinary tourist.
Reiko hadn't received a Tokiwadai summer uniform, so she always wore clothes bought by Natsume-san.
The small wardrobe in the Misaka Apartments was filled with colorful outfits, mostly Reiko's, showing a distinct trend toward Saten Ruiko's style.
A rare hint of urgency crossed her typically blank face as Reiko quickened her pace, hurrying back from the competition venue where Misaka-senpai was.
She was still worried.
She should have confirmed the full situation with Shokuhou-senpai earlier. That senpai had been secretly busy with so many things.
And the Sisters' curiosity was boundless. They'd discussed the Daihaseisai with Reiko before—today, they would definitely be tempted to wander around.
Honestly, this love for excitement probably came from a certain Railgun—a trait etched deep into their DNA.
Especially Misaka 9982 in her dorm, who was organizing her Gekota collection just last night. Who knows what she was planning.
Reiko's movement speed was slow, at least in Natsume-san's opinion.
Even using her ability to accelerate, she only reached about the speed of a cleaning robot—sufficient for getting around, but not exactly fast.
"Good morning, Reiko. I heard you went out early. Misaka 14530 expresses curiosity regarding your sudden return."
Near Misaka Apartment Building 1, Natsume-san encountered a Sister sitting on the grass, basking in the sun. Several other Sisters lay motionless nearby.
It seemed the Sisters had developed a habit of sunbathing some time ago.
Lately, some had taken it further, tanning their skin dark to express their individuality.
The emotional program implanted was gradually taking effect, mending parts of the Sisters' emotions, making them more like ordinary girls. But fully developing human emotions would require time.
"That's not important right now! I have urgent business. Everyone needs to stay inside the dorm."
Reiko immediately put on a stern expression, drawing the Sisters' collective gaze.
This was unlike the usual Reiko.
After a moment's thought, Natsume-san and Reiko simultaneously reached a decision. She would tell the Sisters part of what she knew, urging them to remain in the apartments and dormitory.
Shokuhou-senpai only said not to tell Misaka-senpai for now—she never said anything about keeping it from the Sisters.
If the Sisters cooperated with Natsume Sonoko and the others, many problems could be avoided. After all, Natsume-san's favorite strategy was delegating tasks.
This was something only Natsume-san could accomplish. While Shokuhou-senpai worked tirelessly for the Sisters, she wasn't actually close to them.
As for Misaka-senpai, she remained unaware, so Natsume-san had to step in herself.
Moreover, the Sisters possessed a simplified version of an electromagnetic barrier.
While it couldn't withstand high-level mental control like Shokuhou-senpai's, it could protect against lower-level telepaths attempting to read their memories.
Even if someone tried to extract this information from the Misaka Network, they would first need to locate a Sister to transmit or extract data.
They'd also need to simulate brainwaves similar to the Sisters', convert those into electromagnetic waves, know how to connect to the Misaka Network, bypass its firewall, register an account—and avoid getting banned by a certain loli administrator.
So, the risk of this intelligence leaking was minimal.
"I have some bad news. There are bad people outside who want to harm you. Their exact motives are unclear, but it likely involves restarting the experiment."
"So, until our beloved Dorm Supervisor resolves this issue, everyone should stay inside."
With a serious expression, Reiko spoke confidently.
Though the enemy's true intentions were uncertain, based on Natsume-san's understanding, this was the most likely scenario—it wasn't like they wanted to hijack the Misaka Network's computational power.
It felt never-ending. A faint sense of oppression settled in Natsume-san's heart.
The specter of the Level 6 Shift Project still loomed over them all. As long as the researchers behind it remained determined, it could resurface unexpectedly.
So, would this be the final battle to end that experiment for good?
"Understood. Misaka 14530 easily comprehends Reiko's message."
As soon as she finished speaking, the surrounding Sisters sat up, their blank eyes fixed on Reiko.
The Sisters were undoubtedly intelligent. The moment Natsume-san spoke through Reiko, they seemed to grasp the gravity of the situation.
"Indeed, Reiko, what is the true nature of your relationship with the Dorm Supervisor? Misaka 10032 detects unusual connections from your phrasing."
Misaka 10032, with a black cat perched on her head—likely the same one that frequented Natsume-san's dorm—now looked plump and glossy, clearly well-fed.
"Today, Reiko resembles Natsume-san even more. Misaka 10015 attempts to extract further information through verbal inquiry."
Another Sister tilted her head, a hint of curiosity on her face.
The topic seemed to be veering off course. Reiko lowered her head in thought, considering whether to have her main self come over. But Natsume-san was busy currently, heading to Tsuchimikado's location to retrieve her lunch.
Come to think of it, Reiko's relationship with the Sisters was unique.
Due to the self-imposed restrictions Natsume-san had placed, she rarely interfered with Reiko's body unless necessary.
Thus, Reiko was often cared for by the Sisters—like a younger sister to them.
Indeed, as their "little sister," Reiko lacked sufficient authority. Perhaps the main self needed to step in.
--+--
People always find reasons for their actions—it seems ingrained in human nature.
Natsume-san was currently in a conflicted state.
She wanted to rush to the Misaka Apartments immediately, yet she didn't want to leave her mother's side. Fortunately, things tended to work out in Natsume-san's favor, allowing her to stay and handle her business.
"Tsuchimikado-san, your business is really booming."
The bun-haired girl's voice was full of admiration.
In a shaded corner near the main venue, Natsume-san easily spotted the little maid resting under cover, her maid outfit and the white cylindrical robot she sat on making her stand out.
It was, after all, the busiest day in Academy City.
Even with over fifty pre-made meals, she had sold out quickly. The simple display hanging around her neck was now severely understocked.
In just one morning, this little maid had earned half a month's worth of scholarship money. With six more days like this, it was a golden opportunity for commercially-minded students to make a fortune.
Truly, Academy City was brimming with opportunities; earning living expenses seemed almost effortless.
"Of course. I did extensive research last year. While the main venue has more competition, demand is also much higher than elsewhere. After careful consideration, I decided to set up here."
" Doing the right thing in the right place, persevering through difficulties—that's the true spirit of a maid."
Tsuchimikado-san nodded matter-of-factly, speaking with utmost seriousness.
Selling bento and onigiri on the street might seem simple, but there was a lot to consider.
While there were many mobile vendors near the main venue, the combat power of a maid school graduate was simply unmatched compared to these part-time student sellers—it was a complete and utter victory. Even with competition, there was no need to worry.
"Wow, that's really impressive."
Natsume Sonoko's face showed genuine praise; she had no doubts about Tsuchimikado's culinary skills.
"Naturally. When it comes to cooking, I have no rivals."
Tsuchimikado-san broke into a proud smile, tilting her head back slightly with satisfaction, her eyes narrowing, though her tone remained leisurely.
"Pfft."
Tomoyo-san maintained her gentle smile, but a fair hand involuntarily covered her mouth.
Another friend of Sonoko-chan's? Her confident demeanor was quite endearing.
"Are you Natsume-san's older sister?"
Tsuchimikado-san tilted her head, slightly dazed and curious.
Walking alongside Natsume-san, and with their striking resemblance and similar age, it was a natural assumption.
"I'm Sonoko-chan's mother. She told me she has a maid friend who is an excellent cook."
Stepping closer, Tomoyo-san observed the girl sitting on the cleaning robot with keen interest.
"Hello, Natsume-san." Tsuchimikado-san suddenly seemed a bit nervous.
"Tsuchimikado-san, I'm here to pick up my lunch." Her mind divided, Natsume-san spoke somewhat absently.
Although Tsuchimikado-san's usual goods were various types of bento, she had made time to prepare some particularly delicious-looking onigiri for the bun-haired girl's special request.
There's no such thing as a free lunch, and certainly no free onigiri.
Pulling some change from her pocket—withdrawn earlier for such occasions, as relying solely on her card was inconvenient—Natsume-san paid.
"Well then, thank you for your patronage, Natsume-san."
A satisfied smile appeared on Tsuchimikado-san's face as she naturally handed over the reserved items—goods she had specifically set aside.
During their practical training at Tokiwadai Dormitory, the maids received substantial stipends. Outside of training, however, tasting their skills required appropriate payment.
"Hehe, I've always eaten your cooking, Tsuchimikado-san, but this is the first time trying your onigiri."
The bun-haired girl blinked, looking at the exquisite onigiri in her hand with excitement.
She had initially considered buying a bento, but they seemed sold out. Fortunately, her pre-ordered onigiri were still available.
"Then you must savor them properly. To make the best onigiri, I visited several supermarkets specifically to select the most suitable rice."
Tsuchimikado-san nodded with a sense of pride, her expression serious. Her approach to ingredient selection was as meticulous as her cooking skills.
These onigiri, specially prepared for a certain someone, had taken considerable time and effort; they were no less challenging to make than a bento. She wondered why Natsume-san had suddenly craved onigiri.
"That sounds complicated."
Natsume-san replied hesitantly; she had no concept of ingredient selection.
Indeed, nothing worthwhile was ever easy.
"The transaction is complete. I need to prepare for tomorrow's ingredients now. The supermarket near Shirai-san's place has been having discounts lately, so I can save a bit more money."
"Of course, if you need to place an order for tomorrow, remember to notify me before evening."
Removing the simple display from around her neck, Tsuchimikado-san rubbed her sore neck with a slight grimace.
It was essentially just a wooden plank hung around the neck—quite practical for mobile vendors like her.
Tsuchimikado-san sat serenely on the white cylindrical robot, but it suddenly spun in place a few times; the cleaning robot beneath her seemed to have detected garbage nearby.
Yet, like a skilled rider, Tsuchimikado-san merely shifted her weight slightly, using gravity to block the sensor's connection to the alleged trash, calming the robot once more.
Even Natsume-san couldn't match this maid's experience in handling such transportation.
In many ways, this little maid was Natsume-san's senior.
"Alright then, we'll be on our way too."
Nodding, Natsume-san considered for a moment before speaking.
There happened to be a civic park near the main venue. Though crowded today, it would suffice for a picnic.
Natsume-san felt a bit regretful. If the space elevator were open to the public, having a picnic there would have been amazing.
--+--
Aside from the increased crowds, the civic park was just as Natsume-san remembered.
Sitting on the grassy lawn, Natsume-san slowly chewed the onigiri made by Tsuchimikado-san, her eyes occasionally drifting toward the woman beside her.
It seemed the flavor suited her mother's palate.
Tsuchimikado-san truly was among the elite of maids—worth every penny.
After finishing the last onigiri, Natsume-san contentedly rubbed her stomach.
Having shooed away some bothersome insects and disinfected the grass—causing it to yellow slightly—the culprit lay lazily on the lawn.
But her eyes were slightly open, staring at the blazing giant in the sky, part of her mind always with Reiko.
"Sleeping right after eating will make you sick."
Seeming to disapprove, the woman gently patted Sonoko's arm, murmuring softly.
"It's fine. I have a second-year senpai who's always lazy, never exercises, and loves high-calorie sweets, but she's still perfectly healthy."
The bun-haired girl replied nonchalantly.
Although that senpai was starting to develop a slight belly, Natsume-san was confident it wouldn't happen to her—such was the confidence of the #8 Level 5. She was prepared to battle any enemy named 'fat.'
And with Academy City's advanced medical technology, minor health issues were nothing to worry about.
She conjured up a list of justifications, but ultimately obeyed and sat up.
After all, opportunities to listen to her mother were rare.
Counting the days, only six remained.
Although the Daidouji Group planned to invest in Academy City, such commercial ventures took time. Finalizing all procedures and permits would likely take over a month.
They were still in the initial stages of purchasing a building, with price negotiations ongoing.
Natsume-san looked forward to the laboratory the Daidouji Group would prepare for her, but she anticipated her mother's move to Academy City even more.
Some things were developing in her favor, while others threatened to disrupt her life. Caught in between, Natsume Sonoko felt a surreal sense of illusion, as if life were merely a series of tragedies and comedies.
Lost in thought, Natsume-san gazed blankly at the woman before her.
"What is it?" Tomoyo-san leaned back, resting her hands on the grass.
"Nothing."
Snapping back to reality, the bun-haired girl quickly shook her head.
"Sonoko-chan, you've been distracted since morning. Is something wrong?"
Hesitating slightly, Tomoyo-san gently touched Natsume-san's forehead.
She couldn't hold back any longer; Tomoyo-san sighed inwardly.
"Huh? Is it that obvious?"
Natsume-san's tone was uncertain.
"Well... a small issue came up, but I can handle it. It'll be a piece of cake."
"Don't underestimate me, Mom. I'm Academy City's proud #8 Level 5. Oh, how about we watch Arisa's performance this afternoon? She's a huge star here."
The bun-haired girl was rambling.
--+--
Discussions about Meigo-senpai continued elsewhere in Academy City. A certain time management master always sought to utilize every spare moment, striving to make everything proceed according to plan.
An arrogant notion, yet naive.
No one could truly control everything; one could only constantly adjust plans and goals based on unfolding events.
Having experienced much, Natsume-san understood this well. Right now, she was merely taking preventive measures that seemed crucial—whether they'd be effective remained unknown.
Finally explaining her intentions clearly, faced with the Sisters' characteristically blank expressions, Reiko's stern facade finally cracked.
"It's true! If you don't believe me, you can call the Dorm Supervisor, though she's busy right now and might not answer immediately."
Reiko grew anxious; she genuinely wanted to prevent the Sisters from going out.
If simply banning outings could nip everything in the bud, Natsume-san would be the first to agree.
But just like when Misaka-senpai raided those research institutes, it was only a temporary solution. Ultimately, Natsume-san and the others would have to step in.
Fortunately, their side had three Level 5s—their chances were high. Natsume-san considered this a minor issue, even boasting about it to her mother.
Perhaps even that annoying Accelerator could be recruited.
Her mind brimming with ideas, Natsume-san would only select a few, keeping the rest as backup plans—a valuable lesson learned from a certain teleporting senpai.
"I do not particularly wish to watch the Daihaseisai events. Staying in the room might be a better choice. Misaka 10032 lifts the kitten to attract attention while secretly showing a disappointed expression."
"Today is Academy City's sports festival. Quietly watching the broadcast offers a different way to participate. Misaka 14530, after contemplation, adopts an optimistic perspective."
"Huh? What's so interesting about a sports festival? Those things are so bor—"
Reiko's breathing hitched slightly, her mind racing.
Remembering something, she caught herself just in time, nearly saying something she shouldn't.
Could the Sisters not participate in the Daihaseisai?
Right. Although the Sisters wore Tokiwadai uniforms, they didn't belong to any school, thus couldn't officially participate.
Due to their status as clones, the Sisters were destined never to attend school or live normal lives like ordinary people.
They might even bear the label of 'Academy City Assets' for life.
But through everyone's efforts, they had won the right to live freely within Academy City, protected by its rules.
"Actually, the Daihaseisai isn't exactly boring, but it's not that fun either."
Retracting her previous statement, Reiko muttered softly, drawing curious looks from the Sisters.
How strange. Why was Reiko speaking so quietly all of a sudden?
But what was the Daihaseisai really like? Misaka 10032, still holding the black cat, drifted into thought.
--+--
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.