บท 99: Coincidence ?
After Kiyama Harumi was taken away by the Anti-Skill officers, it was Selene who broke the heavy silence.
"If you have any questions, just ask."
Faced with Selene's direct question, Misaka Mikoto was momentarily stunned. All the questions she had prepared disappeared from her mind.
"..." In the end, all her thoughts turned into silence. She and Selene were just friends. What right did she have to criticize Selene's actions? Besides, in Misaka Mikoto's eyes, Kiyama Harumi's situation was not related to Selene.
After experiencing so much, Misaka Mikoto, even if she were "innocent and naive," had realized the ugliness behind the bright facade of Academy City. Although she was naive, her intelligence was definitely not lacking.
The information Selene had kept from her, and the strange things she had said before, like, "What you see in Academy City isn't necessarily the truth," and "You'll understand later on..."
Looking back now, Misaka Mikoto began to understand.
Seeing Selene still maintaining her usual calm demeanor, Misaka Mikoto sighed slightly. What Kiyama Harumi had said not long ago, "You and she are not the same kind of person," seemed to be true.
If it were her, knowing about those terrible experiments, how could she remain indifferent? Misaka Mikoto would never allow such things to exist!
At this moment, having just comforted Uiharu Kazari and seeing that the battle was over while she had only played a minor role, Shirai Kuroko felt slightly unwilling. However, seeing Selene-senpai, who had come to support them tirelessly, she still asked with concern, "Are you okay, Senpai?"
"I'm fine. After the fight, I feel even more relaxed," Selene replied, glancing at the less enthusiastic Misaka Mikoto and stretching a bit.
"If there are no more questions, I'll be going. I still have something to do. Kuroko, I'll leave the rest of the report about me to you."
"Oh, I knew you wouldn't write such things, Senpai! Well... don't worry, I'll handle it," Shirai Kuroko replied, looking as if she had expected it and sounding exhausted.
"Okay, I'll be off then. Once I finish my tasks, I'll meet you at Uiharu Kazari's hospital room... I'll leave the rest to you. Bye!" With that, Selene waved her hand and disappeared.
"Goodbye." After waving goodbye to Selene, Shirai Kuroko immediately turned her attention to her sister. "Onee-sama? Onee-sama!"
"Ah?! What?" At Shirai Kuroko's loud call, Misaka Mikoto snapped back to attention.
"Selene-senpai has already left, and you're still standing there in a daze. Aren't we going to see Saten-san?"
"Oh, okay." Although she said she understood and didn't stop Shirai Kuroko from pulling her along, Misaka Mikoto was still deep in thought. "What is this?! I didn't defeat it, so why is this troublesome thing handed to me?"
What should she do now, knowing all these things about Academy City? How should she face Selene? Should she try to change her personality or act as if nothing happened?
As for ending the friendship, Misaka Mikoto didn't even consider it. She wasn't that kind of person. In her eyes, even though Selene's views might not align with hers, and she was rather cold, she was still a good friend who had helped her!
With that in mind, Misaka Mikoto let herself be pushed by Shirai Kuroko while pondering silently.
Soon after, Misaka Mikoto and the others arrived at the newly opened road, hailed a taxi, instructed the driver to hurry, and quickly headed towards the hospital where Saten Ruiko was.
...
At the nuclear reactor experimental base.
"Those old geezers haven't given up, it seems. Look at this mission. They deliberately led Kiyama Harumi to our experimental center, and with orders to authorize the use of force against anyone obstructing the mission. Isn't it obvious they're testing us? They even brought that crazy Fifth with them."
In Kakine Teitoku's view, the dark side's mission was ostensibly to arrest Kiyama Harumi and eliminate the Imaginary Beast.
The problem was that the location was too coincidental, right next to Selene's nuclear reactor experimental base. He couldn't help but speculate maliciously.
Although it made sense, Selene knew that it was indeed somewhat coincidental. Kakine Teitoku's speculations could be seen as overthinking.
Listening indifferently to Kakine Teitoku's report and speculations, Selene was satisfied with his attitude towards her and was pleased he completed his assigned task—ensuring the experimental base remained intact!
Unlike in the original story, where part of the area was destroyed, thanks to Kakine Teitoku's participation, the fight had moved away from the experimental base, and the closest attack threatening the base was intercepted by Selene herself.
At the moment, however, Selene's attention wasn't on Kakine Teitoku but rather on another person present—a woman who surprised her.
Looking at the red-haired, scantily dressed girl, Selene was filled with memories. It had been two years since she last saw her.
"Musujime Awaki, why are you here? Is there something the Chairman wants to discuss?"
"Yes, it's the Chairman's order," said Musujime Awaki, standing properly, not daring to be disrespectful in front of Selene, who had the highest rating among spatial ability users. She remembered this clearly.
"Understood. Wait a moment, I still have some matters to deal with with Kakine Teitoku..." Selene said, snapping her fingers as a black barrier enveloped them.
Facing Musujime Awaki's slightly panicked expression, Selene spoke naturally, "Don't worry, I won't do anything to you. It's just an isolation barrier, and it'll be over soon."
Having dealt with these trivial matters, Selene refocused her attention on Kakine Teitoku. "You can collect your payment for this mission from Sebas later. I also have a new task for you—find a way to acquire more uranium and plutonium materials."
"Uranium? Plutonium? Aren't these materials used to make nuclear reactors... Hmm, it can be done, but the quantities may be limited," Kakine Teitoku pondered for a moment and asked in confusion, "And we don't really have a reason. The paperwork above won't be easy. What excuse should I use?"
"You don't need to worry about that. Just try to get as much as you can; I have big plans. The reason you can give is: expanding the scale of experiments at the nuclear reactor experimental base."
"The more, the better. Alright, you can go now." After speaking, Selene lifted the isolation barrier and slowly walked up to Musujime Awaki. "Alright, let's go."
...
At that moment, the victims of the [Level Upper] incident, including Saten Ruiko, had all woken up, much to Shirai Kuroko's delight.
"Well... it looks like you're recovering well."
Leaning against the hospital room door, Misaka Mikoto said wearily.
"Uh... did everyone save me?" Saten Ruiko, who had just woken up, was still a little confused.
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