Due to Scorpius's recent city-wide operations, there were far fewer people walking the streets than usual.
Although Fang Li had repeatedly stressed to his subordinates that ordinary civilians must never be drawn into their conflicts, the general public didn't know that.
To the average resident, hearing reports that the city's armed non-Ability groups were clashing all across Academy City, brawling in streets and alleys alike, was an utterly terrifying notion.
After all, if gangs were fighting everywhere, who would dare to go outside for a casual stroll?
It was only natural.
Thus, in today's Academy City, aside from those confident in their own powers or those who simply had no choice but to go out, very few people were wandering the streets for no reason.
As a result, the streets had grown noticeably emptier.
On one such quiet street, Fang Li and Misaka Mikoto walked together.
They weren't walking side by side.
Unlike the situation a few days ago in that ravaged alley, this time Misaka Mikoto walked ahead, both hands clasped behind her back, her head tilted slightly upward toward the sky, lost in deep contemplation.
Behind her followed Fang Li, absently rubbing his arm, which still bore the unmistakable bite marks of a certain angry, gluttonous young girl (who had been left behind in annoyance).
At that moment, a massive airship drifted slowly across the sky.
On the underside of the ship, a giant screen was broadcasting the latest news report.
"The world-renowned diva Sylvia Lyyneheym has recently arrived at the venue for her next concert, scheduled to begin soon. Upon hearing this, countless fans gathered at the airport to welcome the diva's arrival."
As the report continued, the screen displayed footage of Sylvia emerging from the airport terminal.
Accompanied by her manager and bodyguards, Sylvia appeared in a simple outfit, wearing a hat and sunglasses, yet was instantly recognized, sparking a storm of cheers from the waiting fans.
The roaring voices nearly shook the entire airport structure.
The crowd was so dense that only a single pathway remained, cordoned off by security guards, leading straight from the terminal doors.
Outside the airport, throngs of fans had also gathered, so many that the sight alone could make one's scalp tingle.
Faced with such fervent enthusiasm, Sylvia could only offer a wry smile while lightly waving to the surrounding fans, which, of course, only made the cheering grow even more deafening.
"According to reports, after this concert, the diva will be temporarily retiring from the stage and returning to Academy City, just before the Daihasei Festival. Many are looking forward to seeing the legendary singer who once captivated the world with her songs now sweating it out on the festival's athletic fields. The city is abuzz with excitement for the upcoming event."
"It's believed that this year's Daihasei Festival will be the most lively one in Academy City's history. Let's all look forward to it together."
The broadcast ended with footage of Sylvia stepping into a luxurious stretch limousine, which slowly drove away amid a sea of waving fans.
Even then, the crowd refused to disperse, many chased after the car in groups, creating a truly spectacular sight.
Fang Li had stopped walking, watching the scene unfold on the screen. A faint, genuine smile tugged at his lips.
At that moment, Misaka Mikoto's voice drifted softly to his ears.
"That diva is actually coming back?" Misaka Mikoto stopped as well, watching the broadcast in the sky with a note of surprise. "That really is huge news."
Not only Misaka, every pedestrian who saw the report paused, then began talking excitedly, half surprised, half delighted.
Fang Li could even hear cheers rising faintly from nearby corners.
Clearly, the news that the world's top famous idol was returning to Academy City had stirred a lot of people.
Of course, Fang Li felt the same sense of excitement.
Only, unlike everyone else, his excitement wasn't because his idol was coming back to the same place. It was the thrill of a lover's long-awaited return.
Misaka Mikoto, unaware of the depth of his personal feeling, simply assumed Fang Li was like everyone else.
"I didn't expect you to be into celebrities." Misaka sounded a little surprised at first, then, as if she'd figured it out, added: "But well, for you men, someone like that is probably the perfect dream goddess, right?"
"I won't deny it." Fang Li shrugged and replied to Misaka, "So, could it be that you like the diva too?"
"I do. Honestly, I think there are fewer people who don't like her." Misaka stared at the continuing footage on the airship and said, "Her songs are captivating, but what impresses me even more is that she became the idol of the entire world in just one year. Even in this Academy City, which only values Ability ranks, there's no one who doesn't like or follow her, her fame and popularity surpass those of any Level 5. For someone without an Ability, that's genuinely admirable."
Saying that, Misaka let out a self-mocking chuckle.
"Thinking about it now, maybe that idea of mine is kind of arrogant."
Isn't it though?
Why should it be admirable that a non-Ability person attains higher popularity than Ability users?
If you truly think about it, doesn't that sound like saying Ability users deserve popularity by default, while for a non-Ability person to achieve it on their own is some kind of miracle?
In short, it's just the unconscious arrogance of those with power.
"In truth, those kinds of people are the ones really worthy of respect. We, who gained Abilities through scientific techniques, have no right to act superior." Misaka said quietly, her voice heavy. "It's one thing to earn something through hard work, then it's truly deserved. But we only had something artificially tinkered into our bodies, and that naturally comes with a terrible price."
And Misaka's price was the mutilation of the Little Sisters.
Precisely because Misaka had an Ability, precisely because she was a Level 5 super-Ability user, she was targeted, and the Little Sisters were created and sacrificed as victims.
"You know?" Misaka confided in Fang Li, her gaze fixed on the ground. "Sometimes I even feel like the person who killed those kids… was me."
"No."
Misaka turned her head, her eyes meeting Fang Li's.
"Actually, the one who killed those children was me."
Those words were filled with absolute self-guilt and searing contrition.
"If it weren't for me, those children wouldn't have been born only to be slaughtered."
"If it weren't for me, those children wouldn't have had to accept that death as something inevitable."
"All of this is because of me."
"It was I who killed those children."
(End Of This Chapter)
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