"Where… is this place?"
Kuroko Shirai had been tailing Mikoto Misaka for quite some time, watching as Mikoto disabled security cameras with electricity and then broke into an unfamiliar building.
What is Onee-sama doing?
However one looked at it, destroying cameras and trespassing on private property was illegal. But Kuroko trusted her "Onee-sama"—there had to be a good reason.
Wasting no time, she followed Mikoto through the same damaged entrance.
"!!!"
What Kuroko saw floored her: mechanical equipment lay in ruins, and people in white lab coats lay scattered across the floor, unconscious.
"Aaargh! Damn it, open fire—open fire!!!"
From somewhere nearby, frantic shouts erupted, followed by…gunshots!
Guns?! This is serious!
Alarmed, Kuroko rushed toward the sound.
Bzzt! Bzzt!
Blue electric arcs crackled over an area facing Mikoto Misaka. Opposite her, a group of armed men were opening fire. Bullets bounced harmlessly off her lightning.
A wave of current destroyed their guns and delivered a perfectly measured shock, knocking out the gunmen without killing them.
"Damn… another decoy!"
Mikoto muttered through clenched teeth. She had already wrecked four different labs that she'd discovered were involved in the Misaka Sister project—only to find them all emptied out, with no sign of the Sisters.
Every time, it was the same: leftover researchers, armed guards, and bits of destroyed machinery. She was certain the place hadn't been like this before. But now that she'd arrived, it was like someone had cleared out everything important in advance.
Her fear deepened. It's like an invisible hand is watching my every move, she thought.
Aleister…the chairman of Academy City…
This seemed the most likely explanation and was exactly what Rei Ao had warned her about: the greatest threat. She felt a sense of profound powerlessness.
"Onee-sama!!!"
A familiar voice made Mikoto whirl around.
"Kuroko?!"
She stared at her roommate, dumbfounded.
"Wh-what is going on here?"
When Kuroko arrived, all she could see were unconscious people scattered around and Mikoto still standing.
"Bee-bee-beep!!"
A siren blared from outside. Mikoto's face paled.
"Not good—it's the security forces!"
"Kuroko, you need to go first. I'll explain later!"
She tried to shoo Kuroko away, but Kuroko seized her by the hand.
"No, Onee-sama—I'll take you with me!"
Activating her Teleport ability, she whisked them both away. By the time the security detail stormed in, the two girls were long gone.
…
A Dark Alley
Kuroko and Mikoto reappeared in a dimly lit side street.
"Onee-sama, are you alright?"
Kuroko asked in concern.
"I'm fine."
Mikoto shook her head. Feeling relatively safe, she then asked:
"Why were you there, Kuroko?"
Kuroko pursed her lips.
"Shouldn't I be asking you that, Onee-sama? You've been sneaking out of the dorm at night lately, day after day you're so preoccupied… Even Uiharu and Saten can see something's off about you. I was worried—so I followed you to find out what's happening."
"…And then…"
It led to the scene Kuroko had just witnessed.
"Onee-sama, why did you attack that facility?"
"I…"
Mikoto's expression twisted with guilt and pain.
"I'm sorry, Kuroko. I look like a criminal, don't I? But—"
"Onee-sama is no criminal!"
Kuroko clasped Mikoto's hand, speaking sincerely:
"I know you must have a reason. Please—tell me, won't you?"
"…"
After a moment's hesitation, Mikoto decided not to hide it anymore.
"Alright, I'll tell you. Let's go back first."
"Mm!"
With Kuroko's Teleportation, they quickly returned to their dorm room. Finally, Mikoto revealed all her burdens.
"G-god!!!"
Hearing such a dark story for the first time overwhelmed Kuroko. In that moment, she realized how sinister Academy City could be—behind its sparkling facade lurked twisted, fanatical scientists who were in control.
"I'm sorry, Kuroko…"
Mikoto's voice trembled with pain.
"I have to destroy all these research labs to prevent any more Misaka Sisters from being born!"
She clenched her fist, feeling utterly helpless. Up to now, she hadn't been able to stop anything. She also dreaded dragging others into it—her friends, or even Rei Ao. Aleister was someone even Rei Ao had been wary of.
"Onee-sama…"
Kuroko gazed at her best friend with sorrow. She could imagine the torment Mikoto was going through. Each Sister—treated as a mere tool—was a knife slicing into Mikoto's gentle heart. But how could they oppose the city's deep shadow? Kuroko was just a Judgment officer. Beyond them lay a chasm of darkness.
Yet…
"Onee-sama, I'll help you!"
Kuroko's eyes gleamed with determination. She couldn't let her beloved friend and sister figure go into the abyss alone.
"Kuroko…"
Mikoto wanted to refuse. It was too dangerous; even she, a Level 5 Esper, could be in peril, let alone Kuroko.
"I'm not afraid, Onee-sama,"
Kuroko insisted.
"We're best friends, right? I can't just watch you suffer alone!"
"Kuroko…"
Tears nearly filled Mikoto's eyes.
After they calmed down a bit…
"Onee-sama, let's think about what to do next. If there's really an eye in the sky anticipating your every move, we're at a huge disadvantage."
From hearing Mikoto's stories of repeatedly finding labs emptied out, Kuroko quickly grasped the gravity of it.
"We're missing a more efficient, more accurate source of intelligence," she concluded.
"Information…?"
Mikoto mulled it over, recalling a certain individual.
"If it's her, then maybe…"
~~~
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