Natsume-san had neatly pieced everything together, though she lacked solid evidence, so it could only be treated as a harmless guess.
Fortunately, everyone was willing to hear Natsume-san's perspective, which made a certain bun-haired girl feel quite accomplished.
'See, everyone, the suggestion I came up with is really useful, isn't it?' she thought.
"Thank you for your input, Natsume-san, but there's a rather significant hole in your theory."
Leaning back in her wheelchair, her right leg still wrapped in bandages, the Judgment girl cleared her throat before speaking unhurriedly.
"From what I understand, the space elevator officially began operations a month ago. It's just that they've been running safety checks and haven't opened it to the public yet. Functionally speaking, there's no basis for claims about 'preventing its official operation or opening'."
"On the contrary, I think it's more likely the work of the space elevator's competitors. They kidnapped Meigo-senpai because they found out in advance she was a performing guest."
"The goal was to disrupt the opening ceremony and create chaos. The mastermind behind this might be connected to certain airline companies."
Shirai-san looked up at someone, easily pinpointing the issue in Natsume-san's logic.
Although she loved picking on a certain bun-haired girl, most of the time she was just stating the facts, leaving Natsume-san with little recourse.
"I see! So if we combine Natsume-san's and Shirai-san's theories, this is actually a case of corporate sabotage targeting the space elevator's opening ceremony, and Meigo-senpai just got caught in the crossfire."
Saten-san seemed to have a sudden epiphany.
"That is a definite possibility."
"I've heard about similar things online. For example, Gekota has a rival called GeroGero Frog."
Misaka-senpai nodded in agreement, appearing to be someone who also enjoyed browsing forums and reading random posts.
Ever since she'd been caught with a Gekota charm on her bag, and recently became obsessed with collecting Gekota finger puppets, Misaka-senpai had stopped hiding the fact that she was a Gekota fan.
Natsume-san, however, was starting to feel a bit uncertain now.
She had been so confident that there wouldn't be any issues, and even Shirai-san hadn't raised major objections.
But then Shirai-san had thoughtfully plugged a hole in her argument, successfully steering everyone's attention in a different direction.
"I've compiled a list of all the companies in competition with the Orbit Portal Company."
The tiny computer in Uiharu's hands continued to whir, flooding the screen with a dense list of company names. Leading the pack was Kongou Airlines.
It was surprising just how many aerospace industries this one company was involved in. If it hadn't been established relatively recently and gone through bankruptcy and acquisition, it might have become a prestigious name in the aviation world, just like Kongou Airlines.
An almost-aerospace giant whose main business was elevators… there was only one like it in the entire world.
As soon as she finished speaking, everyone crowded around to look. Natsume-san craned her neck too, not wanting to be left out.
Looking over this long list of companies, it did seem plausible upon reflection. However, Natsume Sonoko leaned more towards the theory involving magic.
But just like the urban legend Saten-san mentioned, there was no concrete evidence.
'Then again, could an aerospace company even hire mages? And so many of them at once?'
The more she thought about it, the more uncertain Natsume-san felt.
It seemed her hopes of being the group's strategist were pretty much dashed.
"With this many companies, finding the person behind it is like searching for a needle in a haystack."
Shirai-san shook her head.
It looked like they had to go back to the original plan: start by investigating the fallen Orion and the Orbit Portal Company for clues.
"Speaking of which, I've been wondering for a while now… where's Komoe-sensei?"
Meigo-senpai looked around, hesitated for a moment, then asked with some concern.
"Komoe-sensei isn't with you?"
Natsume-san was taken aback for a second, then quickly realized.
Even though she had her 'thermal radar' running in her head, the area was crowded, and she'd been busy chatting. She hadn't even noticed Komoe-sensei had wandered off.
Even though Komoe-sensei was thirty years old, smoked, drank, permed her hair, and drove a car, Natsume-san and the others couldn't help but worry about her.
It was hard to say whether Komoe-sensei should be touched or annoyed by that.
Backtracking over two hundred meters, the group finally spotted a flustered Tsukuyomi Komoe on the sidewalk.
It seemed her phone had died. Komoe-sensei was holding the black-screened device, spinning in place anxiously.
"Poor thing, did she lose her way back? Let's contact the local Judgment members for help."
"The nearest Judgment branch seems to be the one at Sakuragaoka High."
A few passing students were discussing the situation. Soon, someone pulled out their phone to report it. Judgment from Sakuragaoka High would arrive on the scene in five minutes.
Her helpless pacing finally stopped as Komoe-sensei's eyes landed on Natsume-san and the others rushing back.
"Thank goodness! I finally found you all. I just stopped to chat with an acquaintance for a moment, and then I couldn't find you anymore."
Komoe-sensei looked incredibly relieved, her voice trembling slightly with emotion.
They brought Meigo-senpai and Komoe-sensei back to Judgment Branch 177.
Until Yomikawa-sensei came to pick them up, they would be under the care of the Judgment members.
Honored to be serving as a Judgment member herself, Natsume-san was also tasked with ensuring their safety.
"I can't just go back by myself. Until Yomikawa and Tessou get here, I'll take care of Meigo-san myself."
Komoe-sensei hopped back onto the sofa in Branch 177, declaring with utmost seriousness.
'Don't let her appearance fool you,' she seemed to imply, 'I've studied all sorts of women's self-defense videos. My combat skills might even be better than Natsume-san's.'
"Komoe-sensei, would you like some Musashino Milk?"
Natsume Sonoko deftly retrieved a carton of Musashino Milk from under Konori-senpai's desk, then snagged a few paper cups from Uiharu's station.
This definitely wasn't petty theft—Natsume-san had properly informed Konori-senpai beforehand. Well, she'd told her after the fact, at least.
"Here you go, Meigo-senpai."
She handed the last cup of milk to Meigo-senpai, then picked up her own with satisfaction.
Natsume-san really loved drinking milk. Not only was it good for protein absorption, it also promoted bone growth.
"This… this can't be right."
Gathered around the computer just four or five meters from the sofa, Uiharu and the others were reviewing some materials.
But at that moment, Uiharu's pupils dilated, her eyes glued to the monitor.
"This photo's timestamp says 1870… and the location is Paris."
Uiharu said, shocked, her finger pointing at one person in the picture.
It was an old black-and-white group photo featuring, among others, a famous French astronomer of the time and his assistant.
The person Uiharu pointed to was dressed in Victorian-era British clothing, but Natsume-san could tell at a glance—she looked nearly identical to the loli president she'd encountered earlier.
"So the urban legend about the immortality experiment is true," Saten-san murmured beside her.
--+--
T/N: 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.