Perhaps out of consideration for the Queen's physical stamina, the Shokuhou Clique's headquarters had long been situated on the first floor of the clique activity building.
In this ordinary three-story building, the Shokuhou Clique occupied an entire floor all to themselves.
Even when some of these classrooms were occasionally vacant, no students from other cliques would apply to use them—a clear testament to the authority and dominance of the so-called largest clique.
But today, this largest clique seemed to have encountered some unexpected troubles, leaving its second-in-command, Hokaze Junko-senpai, utterly overwhelmed.
"So far, we haven't caught the culprit behind this series of pranks, but we haven't come up completely empty-handed either."
"With the help of the Judgment team, we've obtained access to some of the school's high-speed cameras, allowing us to accurately capture footage of yesterday's 'White Ghost.'"
Inside the headquarters classroom, one of the Shokuhou Clique's key members, third-year Kobayashi-senpai, pointed at the holographic projection and delivered her report word by word with utmost seriousness.
On the screen, the White Ghost began to materialize from a blur too fast to see, gradually growing clearer and clearer until a strange object with a vaguely recognizable outline emerged.
"Is that… a doll?!"
Judgment member and Shokuhou Clique affiliate Makigami Komaki exclaimed in surprise.
"Exactly. We can now almost confirm that this doll bears a striking resemblance to Hokaze-san. Especially the hairstyle—it's styled in the same purple princess curls, even the bangs match how Hokaze-san wore them three months ago."
"Moreover, based on this clue and the fact that Hokaze-san was present every time someone was targeted yesterday, the prankster controlling the doll must have some connection to Hokaze-san."
Her tone growing somewhat peculiar, Kobayashi-senpai seemed to hesitate, as if holding something back.
As expected of Hokaze-san—to have such an obsessive admirer at school.
But why would they choose to carry out these concentrated pranks right after the Daihasei Festival?
"Should we inform the Queen about this?" one of the girls asked.
"No need. We'll handle this ourselves," Hokaze-senpai replied, a trace of irritation flashing across her face. So it's because of me?
Though she'd had a feeling this might be the case, no one had confirmed it until now.
In practice, Hokaze-senpai handled most of the Shokuhou Clique's affairs. It was rare for anything to require the Queen's personal attention, so no one raised any objections.
"Makigami-san, let's start by searching the database. Screen for any ability users within Tokiwadai who can remotely manipulate objects. Then we'll gradually verify their alibis," Hokaze-senpai decided promptly, maintaining her composure.
Investigating a case like this wasn't really suitable for ordinary clique members to get involved in—at most, they could help gather evidence.
But having someone with Judgment authority step in was perfectly appropriate.
"Who could it be, though?"
She sighed quietly to herself, her troubled expression somehow still looking incredibly endearing.
Running through the list of people she knew in her head, she still came up empty.
No matter what, though, she felt responsible for everyone who had been targeted because of her.
"And I was planning to invite Misaka-san and the Queen for afternoon tea…"
Her expression growing even more troubled, Hokaze-senpai pondered ruefully.
After the day the Queen had gone missing without explanation, only to return with a broken arm, she'd become acutely aware that their ability to protect her was still far from sufficient.
While they could rely on Natsume-san as a key ally, it would be even better if they could win Misaka-san over as well.
In an effort to bridge the glaring rift between the two, Hokaze Junko had recently been busy devising her own matchmaking operation.
Step one was using Indian Poker cards to simulate the blissful scenario of herself swimming in a sea of Gekota while serving the Queen. She was eagerly awaiting Misaka-san's reaction after trying it—if it awakened in her a desire to serve the Queen, that would be ideal.
"I'm already a third-year. I'll be graduating next year, and the Queen will need more, stronger guardians."
So lamented a certain older, high-ranking senpai.
Once it was confirmed that no actual ghost was involved, the Shokuhou Clique's operation lasted only until noon.
Led by Hokaze Junko-senpai, they quickly cornered both the doll impersonating the White Ghost and the ability user controlling it.
Amid the frustrated grimaces of a round-faced young girl, she was swiftly overwhelmed by the Shokuhou Clique's sheer numbers, leaving behind only a choked sob and what sounded like, "I love Onee-sama the most…"
I really wish Shirai-san could see this. Such excessive, twisted affection never leads anywhere good.
Well, at least this should take some pressure off Misaka-senpai.
But just as Hokaze-senpai apprehended the prankster, an invisible white light shot out from the doll and merged into Hokaze-senpai's body.
Almost no one noticed—but a genuine ghost girl had just made her appearance.
--+--
Meanwhile, Natsume-san hadn't gone to join the commotion.
Not only did she have to seek guidance from Misaka-senpai, she also needed to ask Shokuhou-senpai more about the Indian Poker Cards. After school, she still had to stake out various locations.
Her short twelve years of life were unexpectedly filled with work.
Truth be told, Natsume-san's interest in these Indian Poker Cards was initially just out of curiosity.
But with more and more people around her using these cards, combined with what Shokuhou-senpai had confidently stated before, she was starting to feel a sense of urgency.
From the information she'd gathered on forums yesterday, Dream Cards seemed to be classified into C, B, A, and S levels.
Strapped for cash, a certain bun-haired girl had only bought a single C-level card—but even that was enough to make her hesitate.
Even a C-level card could record a complete dream.
The difference in grades seemed to relate only to the dream's quality and effect. If you managed to get a card that carried a genuine skill, it could even produce an effect similar to direct knowledge transfer.
The method of use was simple: just press it against your forehead. These Indian Poker Cards would then use the weak electrical currents and aromatic essences embedded within to produce a hypnotic—or some might say brainwashing—effect on the human brain.
The most crucial element was the dream provider—those who could consistently supply dreams and manufacture these cards. They were called "Dream Rankers."
Natsume-san wasn't entirely sure what being a "Dream Rankers" truly meant, but one popular theory was that these individuals were heaven-sent, offering a path to fulfill wishes through dreams.
Fulfilling wishes… How enticing.
--+--
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.