[ The staff in charge of the Daihasei Festival looked at the photos posted on the blackboard. Though it was just a simple selection process, they felt inexplicably exhausted, and some even had tears in their eyes: "This is just too perfect..."
"Everyone, you've worked hard!" a buzz-cut guy comforted them, knowing how tough it had been. Yet, as he glanced at the photos of Sogiita Gunha and Misaki Shokuhou on the wall, he couldn't help but frown slightly.
"But I can't shake this ominous feeling." ]
[ .....]
~Projection of All Worlds~
"Hahaha, you really know how to pick people! This is literally 'No-Brain' and 'No-Happy'—the best match, the ultimate combo!"
"Still picking?! We're lucky to even have people! They're all troublemakers, after all. Beggars can't be choosers—don't forget even Accelerator is busy babysitting now!"
Misaki Shokuhou—her ability is Mental Out. With a power called that, do you really think she'd listen to anyone?! And then there's Sogiita Gunha, whose ability is unknown but brimming with sheer guts. He doesn't exactly look like the sharpest tool in the shed.
These two personalities are completely incompatible!! Seeing this duo, everyone had the same thought... this sports festival is doomed.
.....
[ And so, under the gaze of thousands, Misaki Shokuhou and Sogiita Gunha stood at the center of the stadium, ready to deliver the opening pledge for the Daihasei Festival!
But just as everyone predicted, during the opening pledge, Gunha, arms crossed, forgot his lines halfway through.
"This unbreakable bond... bond?! Uh... what's next?"
After a moment of blanking out, he decided to improvise right in front of all the officials.
"Ah, forget it! Let's just crush everything with overwhelming GUTS!"
Misaki Shokuhou's smile stiffened as she tried to steer things back on track, but they ended up talking over each other, their lines completely mismatched.
However, Gunha's sheer enthusiasm took over, electrifying the entire venue. Riding the momentum, he raised his fist high.
"Let those with rotten resolve witness this! We'll turn this festival into an unforgettable memory—swear it with every ounce of GUTS!"
His ability even manifested a dazzling rainbow aura, sweeping up the crowd. In the end, Misaki Shokuhou's presence was utterly overshadowed.
By the time the speech ended, Misaki Shokuhou looked utterly deflated.
"He stole my spotlight..." ]
[ .....]
~Projection of All Worlds~
"Pfft—hahaha! Seeing Shokuhou's frozen smile is killing me! Sure, the speech was righteous, but he completely derailed it. Laughter never disappears—it just gets transferred."
"Wahaha, what a glorious trainwreck! One stuck to the script, the other went rogue—total chaos. I cringed so hard for Shokuhou."
What a spirited guy! That opening speech was pure hype, all about GUTS. And the fact that he had visual effects? Next-LV awesome.
You're definitely the protagonist here! That passionate, slightly chuunibyou speech, plus his mysterious ability—everyone's convinced Sogiita Gunha is the Star of this video.
~The Disastrous World of Saiki K. World~
Kaido and Aren exchanged glances before shifting their gaze to their classmate, Hairo, who was doing endless squats in the corner. This LV of enthusiasm was on par.
Seeing this duo, the boys in class couldn't help but think of a hypothetical pairing between Teruhashi and Hairo—before bursting into laughter at the absurdity.
"No way. If it were Teruhashi, there's no way her presence would get overshadowed."
Saiki, sitting at his desk and listening to the chatter, sighed inwardly.
"Yare yare... Esper really are just problem children."
~A Certain Magical Index World, Academy City~
"I am never teaming up with him... NEVER!"
Misaki Shokuhou's face was full of disdain. Couldn't he just stick to the script?!
But what does this have to do with the sports festival anyway?! So far, there's no sign of any conspiracy.
While the Queen of Tokiwadai was busy sulking, Sogiita Gunha, on the other hand, thought their teamwork was flawless. Pumping his fists along with the video, he roared, "GUTS!"
"That was amazing, future me! Overcome everything with GUTS!"
His sudden outburst made passersby instinctively step back. Honestly, they didn't mind the passionate, chuunibyou speech...
But could he read the room?! This was the middle of the street! That unexpected shout nearly gave them heart attacks.
.....
[ With the opening ceremony over, the events began. Unlike a typical sports festival, this was a global broadcast where students from all over Academy City competed as school representatives—every participant was an esper.
Kongou Mitsuko teamed up with Railgun for the three-legged race, and the "Wind God & Thunder God" duo dominated, taking first place.
During the break, Uiharu and Saten met up with Misaka. As they chatted, Misaka's mother, Misuzu, showed up.
The conversation quickly turned to Misaka's gossip with a certain spiky-haired boy, prompting a flustered Misaka to excuse herself under the guise of changing clothes.
Meanwhile, Wanizuka and Awatsuki mistook the Misaka sisters (#10032) for Misaka and lent her a gym uniform, dragging her into the Balloon Hunter event. By the time Misaka caught up, she decided to roll with it, observing from afar. ]
[ .....]
~Projection of All Worlds~
"Damn... this isn't just a school sports festival—it's a battle of gods!"
"Gotta admit, mother and daughter look so alike. Like two peas in a pod. Well... except for one certain area."
The stark contrast in their chest sizes taught the audience a new idiom: "Inheriting the father's chest." Why'd she have to get that from her dad?! What a tragic tale.
~The Disastrous World of Saiki K. World~
"This!!"
Saiki Kusuo, usually poker-faced, finally showed a flicker of longing. A sports festival where espers could use their powers freely? That sounded amazing.
No fear of exposure, no worry about accidentally sending someone flying—because everyone was an esper. A sports festival tailored for psychics? Way too considerate.
"But... that Misaka clone showed up again. Could she be tied to this incident?"
With how unique the Misaka clones were—and the fact that thousands still existed—it wasn't far-fetched to think someone might exploit them.
.....
[ Seeing that Misaka's sister was enjoying herself, Misaka decided to leave her be, hoping she could savor this rare celebration. She then headed off for cheese fondue with her mother, Misuzu.
Later, while buying drinks, Misaka groaned at the endless line. With all of Academy City's attention on the festival, the crowd was insane.
"So many people..."
Just then, Kamijou Touma, returning from the restroom, spotted her and assumed she was queuing for the bathroom.
Ever the helpful guy, Touma offered to buy her a drink.
After he left, Misaki Shokuhou arrived, phone in hand.
"Maintain surveillance. Keep watching her," She ordered before hanging up—then noticed Misaka standing there.
Without hesitation, she swooped in to tease her.
"Ara~... Taking it easy during lunch, Misaka-san?"
"Taking it easy?!" Misaka deadpanned. What else was she supposed to do during lunch—train in some deserted spot?
Shokuhou sighed.
She loathed physical activity.
"As if. I used my ability to cancel all my afternoon events."
As they bickered, Touma returned, arms full of drinks.
"This should be enough, right? All tea..."
The moment Shokuhou saw him, her playful demeanor vanished.
She froze, her expression darkening.
Touma blinked at the unfamiliar girl in Tokiwadai's uniform.
"And this young lady is...?"
"A schoolmate," Misaka muttered, reluctant but polite.
Touma's gaze naturally drifted downward a few dozen centimeters, landing on that area.
"...A schoolmate, huh."
Shokuhou, still silent, suddenly spoke—ignoring his stare.
"Nice to meet you, Kamijou-kun." ]
[ .....]
~Projection of All Worlds~
"Shokuhou really has a thing for Misaka, huh? Can't resist teasing her every time."
"Hahaha, Kamijou's reaction is so honest. If it were me—"
"Calling it now—Kamijou and Shokuhou have history! Is this because of his memory loss from the Dragon's Breath incident?!"
The stark shift in Shokuhou's demeanor when Kamijou appeared raised eyebrows. Did he forget her because of his amnesia?
But that didn't add up. Even if he didn't remember, wouldn't she know him?
Why say "nice to meet you"? They've definitely met before. Hmm... smells like tragedy brewing.
~A Certain Magical Index World, Academy City~
"Huh?! Do I know her?!"
Kamijou Touma (pre-amnesia) scratched his head. Even with his sky-high EQ, he wasn't buying Shokuhou's forced act.
But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't place her—just a vague sense of familiarity.
"Yes... Nice to meet you."
Meanwhile, Shokuhou buried her face in her arms; her usual radiance dimmed.
.....