"So it really is you who's making Fubuki act weird!"
Tatsumaki had heard enough. She'd discovered that Fubuki obtained a power even stronger than hers through some sort of "physical trade" with Rei Ao. That was cheating!
She was about to flare up when she noticed Psykos in the middle of performing a servant's "duties."
A single glance made Tatsumaki's cheeks burn red.
"What—what on earth are you doing?!"
Psykos completely ignored her, calmly focusing on her work. Seeing that Rei Ao had no objections, she grew even bolder. Her actions made Tatsumaki's heart thump with horror, and even Fubuki hadn't expected Psykos to go this far.
As for Rei Ao himself, he clung to the principle that if he wasn't embarrassed, then the embarrassment fell on everyone else.
Leaning back on the sofa, he was calm and unruffled—occasionally casting a challenging look at Tatsumaki.
"If you envy Fubuki's power, we can make a deal," he offered.
"I do not envy her!!!"
Tatsumaki snapped, face red with rage. She turned around, trying to block out the sounds by covering her ears.
"I'd never sell my body for power!"
"Oh dear, what a pity."
Rei Ao sighed dramatically, then shifted his gaze to Fubuki.
"Fubuki, mind if I use your couch?"
"…"
Fubuki's eyelid twitched as Psykos adjusted her posture, taking it up a notch on said couch.
Aren't you already using it? Then why even ask?!
In the end, she just gritted her teeth.
"Whatever. Suit yourself."
And so Rei Ao really did as he liked—not only using the couch but also using Psykos. Watching from the side, Fubuki's face grew heated.
She witnessed "enthusiastic to the point of begging for mercy," and various, shall we say, "poses reminiscent of riding a bicycle." The whole scene left her unsettled, reminding her of how wretched she herself must have looked during her own time with Rei Ao.
Meanwhile, Tatsumaki kept her back to them, hands clamped over her ears, never once turning around. Still, she stayed in the room, as if she herself wasn't quite sure why.
Some time later, Fubuki couldn't hold back.
"Rei Ao… don't you think Psykos is about to…die?"
She was watching Psykos so thoroughly drained, it looked like she might lose consciousness any second.
"Relax. I know my limits—she won't die. You didn't die, right?"
He sounded almost offended she'd question his "expertise."
"A-hem…"
Fubuki choked at his blunt remark.
"But… but…"
She still had more to say, though her eyes kept darting away.
Rei Ao eyed her suspiciously.
"Why the face? If you've got something to say, spit it out."
"Heh heh… Master," Psykos suddenly chimed in, breath ragged, "I think the President here is…jealous~"
"Oh?"
Rei Ao narrowed his eyes. He pulled Psykos along by her silky hair, approaching Fubuki.
"D-don't come any closer!"
She tried to protest, but her words made no difference.
"Fubuki, what do you think of what Psykos just said?"
"Uh…"
Fubuki wanted to deny it, but her body's reaction betrayed her.
"I—"
Before she could speak, Psykos grabbed her shoulders and pressed her down so that her face was inches away from the point of contact.
"See, President? The Master prefers me. I win!"
"…"
Fubuki got the picture. Rei Ao hadn't expected newly minted Psykos to be so daring, either. But her words, more than her actions, really pushed Fubuki's buttons.
"You said you won against me?"
A vein popped on her forehead. Having spent her life chasing after strength, Fubuki was especially sensitive to any suggestion she was second place in anything.
"Don't joke with me. Obviously Rei Ao prefers someone with my kind of classic beauty—why would he possibly choose a promiscuous skank like you?"
"Ah, but the proof is right here, and you're still refusing to face reality?"
Psykos flaunted her connection with Rei Ao.
"See this? This is how the Master shows his feelings for me!"
"…"
Fubuki's face darkened as she wiped some damp spots from her cheeks. She glared at Rei Ao, eyes burning.
"Rei Ao, who's better—her or me?"
Rei Ao curved his lips into a mysterious smile.
"Sorry, right now I'm feeling Psykos more. After all, I can barely recall your taste."
"…"
Fubuki stood there for a few seconds, silent, before abruptly shoving Psykos aside on the couch and grabbing Rei Ao by the collar.
"Right now—this instant—I'm going to settle the score with her!"
"Hey, you said so yourself. Don't blame me if I go all out."
Faced with such an open invitation, Rei Ao was more than ready to oblige. As for Tatsumaki, she was still like a wooden puppet, unmoving.
…
Late Night
Tokiwadai Middle School's girls' dormitory.
Click.
Wearing a coat, Mikoto Misaka carefully opened the door and stepped out quietly. After locking up, she tiptoed away into the night.
In the darkness, Kuroko Shirai opened her eyes.
"That's the fourth time."
She'd long noticed Mikoto's unusual behavior. This was the fourth time she'd seen her dear "Onee-sama" sneaking out.
Combined with Mikoto's constant distraction throughout the day, Kuroko surmised her sister must be facing some big trouble. And she wasn't about to sit idly by any longer.
Kuroko got up at once; it turned out she hadn't changed for bed at all, waiting precisely for this moment.
She grabbed the small steel arrowheads she habitually carried and teleported to the rooftop.
Moonless night, gusty wind.
From up high, she spotted Mikoto sprinting through the streets below. She'd never seen her sister figure so desperate.
"Onee-sama, what on earth is going on?"
Deep worry clouded her eyes. Even Uiharu and Saten had sensed something off about Mikoto, yet Mikoto herself thought she'd hidden it well. The more she tried to conceal it, the more Kuroko fretted.
"Onee-sama, this time I'm going to find out whatever it is you're doing. And I will help you!"
With that resolve, she used her teleportation power to hop between rooftops, following Mikoto from on high, determined not to lose sight of her in the night.
~~~
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