Huddled together, the three oddballs were whispering about who-knows-what.
After taking a quiet sip of hot water, a glimmer of understanding dawned in Misaka's eyes.
So that's how it is. Natsume's really something else.
By raising Accelerator's body temperature and disrupting his calculations, she'd achieved the ultimate victory without even fighting—just like the highest principle of military strategy.
Paired with Natsume's usually vacant expression, it gave off a real "still waters run deep" kind of vibe.
Nunotaba Shinobu gave a slight nod as well, though she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.
As mentioned before, Accelerator's greatest strength wasn't his Vector Manipulation, but his mind and computational ability.
Even if Natsume's idea, combined with her own ability, was effective, it would require immense computational power to pull off—something a certain bun-headed girl, whose last physical exam still pegged her at Level 4, clearly didn't have.
Natsume had only briefly explained the situation. As someone who considered herself a good student, she felt a little awkward explaining how to pick a fight with someone.
In the end, fights between espers weren't much different from street brawls between delinquents—just with a lot more flash and bang.
"So one of Accelerator's weaknesses is his own humanity," Misaka mused to herself, her dark face thoughtful. "But if you put it that way, since Natsume was able to defeat him, she must be at Level 5."
Watching as both Misaka and Nunotaba quieted down, Natsume breathed an inward sigh of relief. She lifted her gaze to the rising sun outside.
Morning already. Guess it's time for breakfast.
Her thoughts began to wander, spreading out like the sun's rays.
With all her worries gone, being an ordinary student without a care in the world sounded just perfect.
Maybe on the way back she could stop by the convenience store and pick up a manga. One thing after another had kept her busy lately; it'd be nice to unwind and lose herself in a story.
Come to think of it, it was about time for Banri and the others to be discharged from the hospital. She'd nearly forgotten—she still needed to properly thank Kiyama-sensei.
If it hadn't been for Reiko last night, things could've ended badly when Natsume ran into Accelerator.
"Now that the Level 6 Shift Project is over, I'll take responsibility for tracking the follow-up arrangements for the Sisters," Nunotaba Shinobu said, rising to her feet with a serious expression.
The end of the project didn't mean the Sisters would automatically gain their freedom. There were still complicated procedures ahead—asset transfers, restructuring, and more.
Given the Sisters' unique nature, there was even a risk they could be disposed of as scrap or surplus inventory.
"As compensation for the Sisters, I'll return to the research institute and install an emotional programming package for them. It may not make up for their lack of normal emotional development, but it should help their emotions mature more quickly."
Nunotaba's face remained expressionless. She didn't dwell on how Accelerator had been defeated, nor did she share the bun-headed girl's sheer delight that the project had been scrapped.
From this moment on, there was still much she could do—and her time was growing short again.
"Compensation?" Sonoko Natsume muttered under her breath.
"Yes, compensation. I played a part in this project. I need to atone for my own sins."
Nunotaba made no attempt to hide her involvement in the darker parts of the experiment, her tone resolute.
She had been a key participant in both the Radio Noise Project and the Level 6 Shift Project.
Everything she did now, she considered atonement. She could still remember the pure, innocent look on that first Sister's face the day she stepped out of the research facility.
Both Sonoko and Misaka fell silent as they watched Nunotaba walk away.
"Well, we should head back too," Misaka said, pulling herself together and turning to Natsume, who was still on the sofa.
"But I don't think I can walk."
Natsume tried to stand, only to find her left leg wouldn't quite obey. Her face instantly took on a look of pure innocence.
She reached up and touched her forehead—the bump from yesterday was still red and tender.
Turns out, when she'd fallen at the entrance of the abandoned apartment building, she hadn't just bruised her head. She'd also banged up her left knee. Luckily, it wasn't too serious.
And so, aboard District 7's most common mode of transport, two cleaning robots rolled side by side, sweeping the ground as they carried their uninvited guests back to Tokiwadai Middle School Dormitory.
Before returning to the dorm, the two stopped by Misaka Apartments to check on the Sisters, change clothes, freshen up, and tend to their injuries with some first-aid supplies.
Once everything was in order, Misaka led Natsume forth, setting out resolutely on the final leg of their journey back.
"Misaka-senpai, I'm kind of nervous."
The bun-headed girl looked uneasy, her face unusually pale, as if she'd just remembered something dreadful.
According to dorm regulations, both Sonoko Natsume and Mikoto Misaka had clearly broken the rule against staying out overnight.
With every step closer to the dorm, Natsume's mood soured again, clouded by a sense of impending doom.
"It's fine. We'll just make up an excuse," Misaka said, trying to sound reassuring. Riding a cleaning robot was a brand-new experience for her, too.
"In my experience, 'circumstances beyond our control' works best in situations like this." She'd had a whole year more practice dealing with the dorm supervisor, after all.
"That's a relief."
Natsume nodded hesitantly at Misaka's advice.
--+--
"So, in other words, both Natsume-san and Misaka-senpai have been sentenced to three days of cleaning the cafeteria."
The shining beacon of maidliness, Tsuchimikado Maika, blinked curiously as she watched Misaka pushing a mop across the cafeteria floor.
As for Natsume, owing to her limited mobility, she'd been assigned a rag and was now diligently wiping down tables.
Wringing out the cloth with perhaps more force than necessary, Sonoko Natsume's face was a mask of despair.
For three whole days—morning, noon, and night—she and Misaka-senpai would be stuck cleaning the cafeteria.
Not that she minded helping Maika out, but definitely not under circumstances like these.
Still, when she caught sight of Misaka's earnest, focused expression, the gloom faded from her face. No matter what, the fact that everyone was safe and sound was the best outcome they could've hoped for.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.