To simulate the First-Ranked esper's ability and achieve effects similar to Vector Manipulation, beyond microscopic-level observation methods, understanding how the opponent's ability operates is the most crucial part.
If it were merely about altering the direction of objects' movement, Natsume Sonoko could already indirectly achieve this through her Personal Reality by interfering with particle motion, even if the method still seemed rather crude.
The actual mechanics of Vector Manipulation must share some similarities with Natsume-san's control over particles.
However, due to differences in Personal Reality, the methods of interference vary wildly, giving rise to completely different ability types.
It's a real shame we couldn't keep that Vector Manipulation calculation outfit from Kihara Gensei.
According to Shokuhou-senpai, that thing was reclaimed as an important asset of Academy City.
Otherwise, Natsume Sonoko would have had new material for reference.
Along with that, they probably also reclaimed an old man incapable of normal thought and an artificially hypertrophied brain that was destroyed prematurely.
Judging by Academy City's familiarity with an ability like Vector Manipulation, it's highly likely they conducted extensive research and reverse-engineering on Accelerator's thought processes.
There's probably a whole host of shady secret experiments hidden away, similar to the Level 6 Shift Project.
If she could get her hands on that data, Natsume-san's development of a Vector Manipulation-like ability wouldn't just be a pipe dream. At the very least, she could gain some of the opponent's reflection properties.
Just like every other morning, she froze a row of annoying alarm clocks. Waking up early always left her feeling groggy.
Fortunately, thanks to her excellent self-discipline and the looming threat of the dorm supervisor's wrath, she managed to drag herself off the sofa, however reluctantly.
'So exhausting. I don't wanna go to school.'
Once Shokuhou-senpai takes control of the student council, she absolutely must have a serious talk with the school and the dorm supervisor about wake-up times.
It'd be best to move class start times to nine o'clock or something, and they should definitely scrap the rule about having to get up early on holidays too.
Setting aside those impractical daydreams, Natsume-san's spirits seemed to lift a little, as if she'd found her next goal.
"Aah."
Standing before the familiar mirror, Natsume-san checked her clean teeth with concern. Maintaining cleanliness is a lady's most important etiquette.
Besides staying clean, taking care of her skin was also paramount.
Today was a bright, sunny day, so Natsume-san made sure to apply the sunscreen provided by the school, her small face already flushed a healthy pink.
Once fully prepared, she opened the door to find Juufuku-san already waiting for her outside.
"Good morning."
Smiles appearing on their faces, the two girls greeted each other warmly.
"Have you noticed? Shirai-san looks really strange today."
Poking the girl with the bun hairstyle who was queuing for food in the cafeteria, Juufuku Miho remarked in an odd tone.
"Eh, probably got locked out of the dorm again last night, I suppose."
Blinking slightly, Natsume-san turned her gaze suspiciously towards Shirai Kuroko, who was eating alongside Misaka-senpai not far away, and voiced her uncertain guess. Her mind had been too full of thoughts last night to pay attention to what happened with Shirai-san.
"Is Shirai-san always that... brave?"
A look of surprise naturally appeared on Juufuku Miho's face.
Having been at Tokiwadai Middle School for nearly a month now, Juufuku-san was gradually getting used to life in the Tokiwadai dorm.
She had a general understanding of the dorm supervisor's style: no punishment if you don't make mistakes, but severe consequences if you do. Even the two Level 5s tread carefully and kept their heads down around her.
--+--
Seeing Shirai-san, who seemed to have lost all her dreams, first thing in the morning in the dorm cafeteria was a stark contrast to her usual, perpetually... energetic perverted self.
Misaka-senpai didn't seem to be in great shape either, eating while gritting her teeth and thinking about something, radiating a peculiar aura.
Casting a somewhat weird glance at the unusual duo, Natsume-san and the others then carried their trays over and sat down beside them.
'Probably only Natsume-san can sit so nonchalantly next to a displeased Railgun,' Juufuku Miho couldn't help but think to herself.
Though she also knew the Railgun, the other girl's status as a Level 5 still had a significant impact on her.
"This is a complete nightmare!"
Slamming her hands on the table, Misaka-senpai stood up with immense presence, drawing numerous puzzled looks from around.
"My apologies!"
Her face instantly flushed red. Finally fully shaken out of her morning grumpiness, the young lady known as the Railgun quickly came to her senses and apologized rather awkwardly to the surrounding students.
"So, let me get this straight, Misaka-senpai. You used an Indian Poker card called 'Gekota Paradise,' ended up being coerced by adorable Gekotas into dressing as a maid and serving Shokuhou-senpai?"
Pricking up her ears, Natsume-san finally pieced together what had happened from Misaka-senpai's explanation.
The term 'Indian Poker' was not unfamiliar to Natsume-san. In fact, having seen the term so much last night, she'd developed a bit of a reflex to it. Setting down her cutlery, she summarized the situation.
'Holding Gekotas hostage to command Misaka-senpai?'
It seemed Misaka-senpai had emerged from the sorrowful mood she was in before, which was undoubtedly good news.
However, the fact that her dream involved scenes of dressing as a maid and serving Shokuhou-senpai, and that it was categorized as an orange 'good dream' card, meant the original dreamer must have been quite strange too, possessing the potential to become another Shirai-san in some aspect.
'Too terrifying. Academy City is truly a place where dragons and tigers hide.' She really wanted to know who created that Gekota Paradise.
At that moment, in another Tokiwadai dormitory cafeteria, Hokaze Junko-senpai sneezed violently.
'Did I catch a cold? I need treatment right away. I mustn't spread it to the Queen,' the certain purple-haired princess-curl senpai thought with serious concern.
"So, Misaka-senpai used that thing too."
The next second, Natsume Sonoko's mind began whirring.
'So many people are using them, and aside from some morning grumpiness, there don't seem to be any bad consequences. Was I making a mountain out of a molehill?'
"And also, what's wrong with Shirai-san?"
Pointing at the teleporter who was mechanically shoveling breakfast into her mouth, Natsume Sonoko voiced her question.
If Shirai-san lost her motivation, who would handle all that Judgement work?
Would the frail Uiharu have to shoulder all that workload alone?
This was a crisis even more significant than those Indian Playcards. Natsume-san subconsciously overlooked the fact that she herself was also a Judgement member.
"I'm not really sure either. I just woke up and found her like this."
Frowning, Misaka-senpai also spoke with puzzlement.
She'd opened her eyes to find Shirai Kuroko half-kneeling by her bedside, looking like a salted fish that had lost its dreams. 'Did I say something in my sleep?'
Resting her chin on her hand, Misaka-senpai unconsciously pursed her lips.
After a while, unable to reach any useful conclusion, she finally attributed it to Shirai-san reflecting on her past perverted behaviors and consequently finding her conscience.
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon!
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
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If you guys wanna check it out.