"I'm planning to destroy the 'Artificial Talent Room,'" Shokuhō said directly. Since they were communicating within the mental plane, she didn't have to worry about eavesdroppers. "Before that, I want to double-check if there's anything I might have missed."
Kobayashi didn't need to say anything—ever since seeing him, Shokuhō had already been gathering the information she needed.
Her calm, straightforward attitude left Kobayashi speechless, though he had no way to intervene.
Since Shokuhō wasn't concerned with his identity as a "traveler," nor did she probe into the so-called "original story" in his mind, Kobayashi didn't care if she accessed some of his memories.
After all, even if he tried to resist, her Mental Out ability would make it futile.
For anyone other than another esper with a similar ability, facing Shokuhō's mind-reading was essentially impossible.
Looks like it's time to start practicing "mental shielding."
Resigned, Kobayashi emptied his mind and let his thoughts drift aimlessly.
Since this is a novel-world scenario, perhaps some tactics from another story might actually work…
"Don't worry, Nana-senpai. I'll be careful. I'll only check the information I need~" Shokuhō said, smiling gently while sipping her honey water.
"When will you take action? Do you need me to do anything?" Kobayashi focused his mind and asked seriously.
He was already regarded as the "nemesis of illegal experiment facilities," and the children in the Artificial Talent Room were, through the story, people he already knew. If he could help, he was more than willing to assist in their escape.
"That's right~" Shokuhō replied. "The exact timing hasn't been decided yet, but when we prepare to act, I'll call you beforehand after all, if there's trouble, you call the hero for help, right?"
Aside from revisiting his memories to fill in gaps, the main reason Shokuhō risked sneaking out to see Kobayashi was to seek help—or, more accurately, to seek confidence.
Leading a group of twelve- or thirteen-year-old girls out of an illegal experiment facility, even completely dismantling the entire research institute, and arranging a safe, peaceful life for them all afterward…
Even as a Level 5 esper with Mental Out, the task was overwhelmingly difficult. After all, Shokuhō herself was still just a twelve-year-old girl.
She didn't know what kind of mindset or resolve her memory-version self had had to accomplish all that.
Honestly, the pressure she felt now was already heavy.
The reason everything had gone so smoothly so far, and even better than in the original story,y was that she had been able to see the "future" in advance and plan the best strategies accordingly.
But without that "guide" …
The more she knew, the scarier it felt.
Strictly speaking, the "enemy" she faced wasn't just the Artificial Talent Room, or Koru Jiho, or even the scheming; in it was Academy City itself, ruled by Chairman Aleister.
Shokuhō understood that ever since she had glimpsed Kobayashi's secret and verified it, she was destined to work alongside him in keeping the secret of the "traveler" and the "original story."
Otherwise, countless people would become interested in the "future," and both Kobayashi and she would be subjected to all kinds of unpredictable actions.
From that perspective, Shokuhō and Kobayashi were already allies, fighting in the same trench.
So, before launching the final operation, the anxious Shokuhō came to the Family Sde, to meet Kobayashi.
She wanted to fill in the gaps, seek confidence, and lock up her "treasure trove" of information to prevent it from being stolen.
Shokuhō knew Kobayashi would help her. Even if he couldn't, the mere presence of someone like him was enough to give her immense confidence.
As expected, Kobayashi nodded. "No problem. Just let me know in advance. Stay safe."
"Hmph… so, I guess we'll be causing some chaos again, right?" Torahachi muttered from the side.
Hearing the two of them speak in their cryptic, almost riddle-like conversation left her bewildered and annoyed.
But at least she understood the conclusion: just like last time, she and Kobayashi would go back to the Artificial Talent Room and rescue Shokuhō and the other test-subject children.
"Don't worry. We'll save all of you," Torahachi promised. "Just like back at 'Black Moon Technology'!"
"Mm, thank you so much, Torahachi-san~."
Torahachi snorted and said nothing further. She knew her own strengths and weaknesses, and saw no reason to fight over them.
"Alright," Shokuhō judged the timing, finished her sweetened honey water, and spoke again, "I won't keep you any longer. I need to get back quickly~."
She jumped down from the chair and headed toward the door.
At that moment, the phone rang again.
"Ugh!" Torahachi sighed heavily and habitually answered.
"Who is it? What do you want?!" she snapped, stiff and dry.
"Help? Of course, I know it's helpful. Everyone who calls wants help, so what exactly is the situation?" Torahachi barked, no patience for pleasantries. "If it helps, at least start by introducing yourself!"
Her bad mood clearly spilled over onto the unlucky caller.
It was a girl on the line, who, surprisingly, didn't hang up despite being intimidated by Torahachi's attitude. She obediently followed Torahachi's instructions and began to introduce herself.
"Okay, my name is… Otokawa Raifu …"
Hearing her actually start to introduce herself, Torahachi was surprised and immediately put the phone on speaker. "Nana-Kun, this one seems serious!"
From experience, anyone scolded by her would usually hang up, even if it was a trivial request.
But this girl had endured the pressure, following Torahachi's "procedure" to the letter. Clearly, she genuinely needed help.
"Otokawa Raifu!" Kobayashi froze at the name, then immediately recalled a relevant event from his memories.
Shokuhō, on the other hand, let out a small "huh?" and glanced up quickly.
Alright, she saw it again, huh?
Kobayashi couldn't help but marvel silently. The "queen bee" really kept her ability active at all times, watching him like a hawk.
(End of Chapter)