The spacious room was bathed in natural light, and opening the window instantly lifted one's spirits.
The corridor wall adjacent to the room had been painted with blue waves and seagulls, evoking the feeling of standing by the ocean.
"Even if they painted the sea here, all you'd really see is a wall."
"Seeing the actual ocean in Academy City isn't exactly easy."
Taking a bite of the sweet bread Dolly had prepared, Shokuhou-senpai let her gaze linger on the room's decorations as she murmured thoughtfully.
She had originally come to discuss the Indian Poker matter with Natsume-san, but the moment she arrived, all her motivation for work vanished, and her attention turned entirely to Dolly.
If she wanted to take Dolly and the others outside Academy City to see the ocean or the polar auroras, they'd have to wait until the next vacation at the earliest. And even then, she had no confidence that the Board of Directors would approve such a request from an esper.
As for leaving the city without authorization—well, they'd probably run into a retrieval team within days, one specially assembled to deal with the Mental Out ability.
No matter how much confidence Shokuhou Misaki had in her own powers, she wasn't sure how long she could hold out against something like that.
"Such a realistic way of thinking really suits a middle schooler, Misaki-chan."
"I'd say even a painted sea on the wall isn't so different from the real thing."
A slight smile playing on her lips, Dolly spread her arms wide in front of the mural, radiating enthusiasm.
"What am I going to do with you?"
A fond expression softened Shokuhou-senpai's face as she gently ruffled Dolly's hair.
"If we can't go to the ocean just yet, we can always ride the roller coaster at the amusement park in District 6, visit the zoo to see the hippos, or have French cuisine in District 4. The important thing is that we're all together."
"Ah, and when I say 'all,' I definitely include Sonoko-chan. Because anyone Misaki-chan calls a friend is my friend too."
Dolly's expression turned suddenly earnest—her thoughts always so straightforward.
The memories she'd inherited were filled with painful experiments and expressionless researchers. She had no parents or relatives; from birth, her existence was meant only to serve experimental purposes. It was only when Mitori and Misaki were around that her world gained any color.
Those were the memories Dolly cherished most now—the times when all three of them could be together.
But the long periods of loneliness and the pervasive coldness of that environment had also given Dolly a peculiar sensitivity to others' emotions, a trait that had carried over to her current self.
Even though Sonoko-chan was far away back then, she'd still been happy about Dolly's awakening. She was someone truly reliable.
"Huh? Me?"
"Well, if I'm suddenly invited to the amusement park and the zoo… I'd be happy to go."
Caught off guard by Dolly's expectant gaze, Natsume Sonoko flustered for a moment, though a wave of joy rose in her heart.
But she quickly composed herself, thinking about how to maintain a mature and steady image in Dolly's eyes.
The Sisters could all communicate through the Misaka Network. If she agreed too eagerly, it might damage the dignified impression she'd worked so hard to build among them.
That was the persona Natsume-san aimed to project to the Sisters—the authoritative, mature Dorm Supervisor. It was an image she'd carefully modeled after the actual supervisor of her own student dorm.
"But, you see, I might not always have free time."
"Look, Dolly, I'm a Judgment member. Every day I work hard to protect this city everyone lives in, to uphold order. This green shield represents a serious responsibility."
"But if it's something Dolly wants, I'd be glad to make time to go with you."
Who knows what words popped into her head then—Natsume-san rambled on without much logic.
She even pointed proudly to the green shield emblem on her arm, successfully drawing a curious look from Dolly.
"Sonoko, I don't recall you working hard to protect the city every day."
"But the Sonoko I know is certainly an excellent Judgment member."
Shokuhou-senpai stretched lazily, commenting with clear amusement about a certain ponytailed girl.
The prerequisite for becoming a Judgment member was never about ability, but the courage to step forward and protect others despite the dangers.
With Sonoko in their ranks, Judgment had gained even more deterrence—that was the immense value a Level 5 esper brought.
"Really? Sonoko-chan, you're amazing!"
Dolly's face immediately lit up with admiration, and she seemed to accept this characterization without question. It looked like Natsume-san's mature, dignified image among the Sisters was secure.
Two chairs were placed by the sunny window. And yes—two cups of steaming milk tea sat beside them.
It would be strange for Tokiwadai young ladies to discuss matters without something to drink.
Though this new apartment hadn't yet been stocked with the black tea the young ladies usually drank, milk tea was just as good. Anything sweet was fine by Natsume-san.
"By the way, Shokuhou-senpai, did you hear about what happened yesterday?"
"That 'White Ghost' or whatever—it gave Hokaze-senpai and the others so much trouble."
Having already gulped down half of her scalding milk tea in one go, the girl who clearly didn't care about food temperatures suddenly brought it up.
Though the school was buzzing with rumors, it seemed Shokuhou-senpai hadn't gotten involved at all.
Still, the prankster had been caught by noon today—apparently a second-year student.
The punishment involved apologizing to every person who'd been pranked, plus two weeks of cafeteria cleaning duty.
"Of course I knew."
"But it's not something I could just step in and handle."
A hint of resignation showed on Shokuhou-senpai's face as she took a delicate sip of milk tea.
"After all, I'm just like Sonoko—I can't bring myself to turn down others' goodwill, especially when so many people mean well."
"Everyone needs their own place, their own sense of purpose. If I finished all the work myself, Hokaze and the others would feel disheartened."
Shokuhou-senpai's gaze drifted toward the window as she spoke calmly.
In this concrete jungle, few things could warm people—apart from a hearth, perhaps it was human connection.
With an ability like Mental Out, most people held no secrets from Shokuhou-senpai.
Yet she never used her power to trample on others' feelings. Instead, she treasured every sincere gesture, no matter how small.
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T/N: If you want advance chapters, you can find it at [email protected]/AspenTL