Satellites adjusted their angles in orbit, capturing light and microwaves from specific directions.
Paired with multi-angle surveillance cameras, over a dozen specially marked figures appeared one by one on the large display screen at Judgment Branch 177's office.
Speaking of which, thanks to a substantial compensation payout received after a previous encounter with magicians, this otherwise unremarkable branch office had finally scrounged up enough funds to get Uiharu some new equipment.
These suspects, identified through various means, were all tagged with something like facial recognition functionality. Using basic positioning and location comparison, their movements within the normal world could be accurately tracked.
Anyone approaching or attempting to enter key surveillance zones would trigger warnings of varying intensity sent to the flower-ringed girl at the computer, making it easier to allocate the branch's pitifully few personnel.
"Natsume-san, didn't you say before that you'd used up all your scholarship money?"
"I just knew you high-society types all have a secret stash."
Taking a sip of steaming black tea, Uiharu leaned back comfortably in her chair, enjoying her fulfilling, busy afternoon.
With the automated computer programs handling things, she didn't need to stare at the screen every second.
Her main job now was staying in contact with the girls out in the field, and chatting with a certain bun-girl who seriously lacked motivation.
It was a shame the high-grade tea she'd bought last time was, for some reason, down to its last dregs.
This troubled Uiharu a bit. At this frightful rate of consumption, her scholarship and Judgment stipend combined probably couldn't sustain this habit.
"That's not important."
"But it's definitely true that this is the last of my scholarship money."
Having bought some oden and fried meatballs from a street vendor, the detective lying in wait in the designated area was asking the vendor for extra seasoning.
Though she looked perfectly relaxed, she was actually taking her part of the job quite seriously. But even when working, one should balance labor and leisure.
"Hehe, I get it."
A light laugh came through the earpiece from Uiharu's end, as if she'd connected it to some shoujo manga trope.
Even though this was a major operation involving numerous malicious ability users, the Judgment girls didn't seem particularly tense.
Compared to the various situations they'd faced before, this incident, while complex, wasn't particularly high-risk. With a wealth of information on the targets' abilities and movements, failure was hardly an option.
"The target's here."
Natsume-san paused, not even bothering to look at the approaching figure, keeping it locked on her radar map instead.
She popped a freshly fried meatball into her mouth, a satisfied expression naturally appearing on her face, perfectly playing the part of an ordinary passerby.
'This guy's just boring. I just hope he moves a bit faster, maybe then I'll go a little easier on him. If he's this lazy even when assaulting people, he's truly got no redeeming qualities.'
"We're ready on this end too. The aerial cameras are set."
"He's about to leave the surveillance zone. It looks like this one might be a real assault incident."
Uiharu's immediate confirmation came through the earpiece. Only then did a certain Temperature-Control girl slowly vanish into an unmanned street corner.
At that moment, a certain handsome fellow who'd just stepped into a grey area felt a sudden chill down his spine, but upon looking around, found nothing.
Someone proficient in entrapment and prone to meddling—a Judgment member like that—was probably a once-in-a-lifetime encounter.
"Judgment."
"I'm arresting you for... um... assault in a public place, and maybe public nuisance or something..."
"Whatever, you're under arrest anyway."
In the dimly lit alley, a blurry figure maintained a looking down position, standing vertically on the high building wall.
The blurry figure's face flushed slightly red. She wasn't as familiar with Academy City's various ordinances and regulations as Shirai-san was, causing her Judgment authority to feel somewhat lacking.
But the next second, a pale, rosy fist slowly extended, imitating the Seventh Rank's potent psychokinetic and air shock wave punch, instantly sending the ability user who'd been bullying others flying deep into the alley.
Leaving no chance for counterattack, a pulse of air fluctuation sent a massive wave of hot air rushing into the target's mouth and nose, immediately inducing heat shock.
'I didn't even use my full strength, and you're already down.'
Retracting her fist, a certain esper girl whose chuunibyou was getting worse muttered to herself.
"Next one, Uiharu."
Natsume Sonoko said in a lowered voice, her expressionless face the very picture of lonely mastery.
"There isn't one. The others show no unusual activity for now. Let's bring this one in. If Natsume-san wants to help, you could assist in organizing this person's case records."
What she thought would be an afternoon frantically apprehending criminals turned out to be mostly spent waiting.
The attackers' assault frequency had tapered off due to the involvement of Skill-Out, something even Natsume-san and the others could sense.
Perhaps a new wave of attacks would only come after Komaba Ritoku was formally hospitalized and the news of 'Skill-Out' scaling back its operations spread further.
With the ability to reach scenes quickly, teammates to share the workload, and the attackers' merciless 'strike,' a certain bun-girl ended up spending most of her time just wandering around.
Natsume-san was surprised to find that, aside from the slight anxiety brought on by her Judgment duties, she didn't feel much different from usual.
This was probably the illusion of slacking off at work caused by having too little to do.
The lingering sense of slacking off still drifted in her mind when Natsume-san's expression shifted slightly, noticing something new.
"Freshly arrived Indian Poker! Want a card, miss? You can truly experience someone else's dreams."
"If you have quality requirements, I've got S-rank cards right here."
By the roadside nearby, a bald middle-aged stall owner tried to put on a kindly smile, aiming to appear more approachable.
If nothing else, just the sight of Tokiwadai Middle School's uniform signaled a big spender.
In all of Academy City, the students from the School Garden were known for having both money and a willingness to spend it, with Tokiwadai's young ladies being the cream of the crop.
Unfortunately, today's potential 'big spender' clearly wasn't falling into the trap of consumerism. She didn't even know what Indian Poker was, though her economic situation was the real limiting factor.
Natsume-san, standing nearby, frowned slightly, finding the cards before her somewhat familiar.
The smooth card surfaces displayed different hues, feeling like a special metal-like material, with the simplified CD disc pattern on the back giving a very sci-fi effect.
After thinking for a moment, some obscure memories surfaced. Wasn't this the thing she encountered last time with Shokuhou-senpai? So it was called Indian Poker.
'Is it something from the Americas?' Natsume-san seemed to lack common knowledge in this area.
But one thing instantly put Natsume-san on alert. She remembered Shokuhou-senpai saying these things contained a brainwashing power.
Although the degree of brainwashing was very limited, roughly equivalent to the intensity of a dream.
But the limits of this thing were still unclear. Maybe it was just limited by the materials or was a deliberately neutered version. So, there was a possibility it could develop into something capable of directly brainwashing others.
"Is this stuff... legal?"
She couldn't help feeling curious, but she wasn't very good with words, and Natsume-san finally managed to squeeze out that question.
Of course, Natsume-san had no intention of confiscating the vendor's goods. Firstly, Judgment members didn't have that authority, and secondly, she had zero interest in doing so.
--+--
Time soon came to evening.
For some reason, the day seemed to have passed quicker. Being busy just felt different from being idle all the time.
The night wasn't gloomy like the daytime had been. With the dark clouds that had loomed over Academy City dispersed, the moon shone brightly amidst sparse stars.
Although Natsume-san had spent most of the day dealing with the Skill-Out assault cases, she'd also learned about some unexpected events through her phone.
Today, during club activities at Tokiwadai Middle School, there had been several consecutive prank-like assault incidents.
A suspected ghost had attacked multiple members of the Shokuhou Clique, throwing water balloons, bottles, and sticking small cards on people's backs, also affecting some students not in any clique. It felt more like a prank than an actual assault case.
This ghost was dubbed 'The Fluttering White Shadow' by the many Tokiwadai students who witnessed it.
Regarding this sudden, unfamiliar ghost, a certain bun-girl had a sense of déjà vu.
However, she stated emphatically that this ghost had absolutely nothing to do with her. She had a solid alibi—she'd swiped her card and left right after school.
And reportedly, the case was now being closely followed by Makigami Komaki and Moritaka Chisato from Judgment Branch 003.
Hesitating for a moment in front of the student dormitory, a certain bun-girl stood under the yellowish light, casting a long shadow.
After arranging a suitably well-behaved smile on her face, Natsume-san walked briskly into the main entrance under the Dorm Supervisor's gaze.
No need to swipe her card to enter anymore. The security level for the Daihasei Festival had been returned to normal, and the ID card verification at Tokiwadai Dorm had been rescinded.
It seemed the Dorm Supervisor wasn't too fond of such troublesome measures either, preferring to station herself at the entrance instead. Perhaps it was more effective for ensuring students kept proper hours.
Similarly, the number of security robots patrolling near the dormitory had been significantly reduced. Maintaining that level of patrol intensity was just too extravagant.
"Three minutes left."
"Also, I don't want to see anyone loitering in the hallways after lights out."
The Dorm Supervisor adjusted her glasses, shifting the glare on the lenses, looking down at the exceptionally well-behaved girl.
"Yes, Dorm Supervisor!"
The firm reply echoed around. Natsume-san was always very pragmatic.
Finally back in her own Room 210, Natsume Sonoko let out a sigh of relief.
As if remembering something, she pulled out an orange Indian Poker card from her pocket.
That bun-girl hadn't been able to resist her curiosity and had bought one with her meager remaining scholarship funds.
--+--
T/N: I have a 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.