Seventh Pharmaceutical Research Center.
"Continue the experiment? But there is already a candidate who can reach Level 6 in 67 days. Why continue the clone production?" a researcher asked, puzzled.
"Could it be... the Board doesn't just want a Level 6? Maybe they want Accelerator to become the second Level 6?"
The middle-aged Project Leader cleaned his glasses, his expression grim.
"The goal of the System is to create a mind that can understand the Will of Heaven. Perhaps one isn't enough."
"Then what about this Takahashi Yuuya? Why is he interfering?"
"He's likely an irregular element. Maybe he wants to prevent Accelerator from reaching Level 6 before him," the Leader theorized. "It's a race."
"So what do we do? We can't touch him. The Dark Side unit SCHOOL refused the purge, and ITEM hasn't made contact yet."
"We continue," the Leader said in a deep voice. "The Board's order is absolute. If we stop, we become liabilities. And in Academy City, liabilities are purged to maintain secrecy."
"But the test subjects..."
"We can't raid Heaven Canceller's hospital. That place is a sanctuary," the Leader admitted. "But a hospital can't house 10,000 clones forever. Eventually, they will have to move them. We will recapture them then."
"Production continues. Don't stop the assembly line."
...
Heaven Canceller's Hospital. Corridor.
Yuuya watched through the observation window as the Sisters were lowered into the fluid-filled tanks. He sighed deeply, looking genuinely disappointed.
"I thought they would be naked," he muttered, covering his face with one hand. "I didn't expect them to be wearing surgical gowns. Why the gowns? It's completely unnecessary!"
"Seeing the Sisters is the same as seeing Misaka Mikoto... I really missed a huge opportunity."
Heaven Canceller shook his head, looking at the boy with a mix of amusement and exasperation.
"They are teenage girls. Of course they wear gowns. It's called medical ethics. Besides, they would be distressed if they were exposed."
"They're naive! They have no common sense! They wouldn't mind if we looked!" Yuuya argued shamelessly. "It's about the aesthetic!"
(Of course, he wouldn't actually do anything to them in their condition. But complaining about it was a matter of principle.)
"Hmm~ It must be puberty," the doctor diagnosed dryly, clasping his hands behind his back. "Adolescent Fantasy Syndrome. Boys your age are always full of impulses. I suggest you learn a musical instrument or take cold showers to sublimate that energy."
"Don't worry, Doc. I was just venting. I won't bother you anymore."
Yuuya grinned, his lips twitching. He waved goodbye and walked down the hall, hands behind his head.
He headed toward a private ward.
Click.
He opened the door.
Inside, Misaka 9982—the clone he had saved yesterday—was sitting up in bed.
On the tray table was a standard hospital dinner. Or rather, what was a dinner. She was shoveling spoonfuls of rice into her mouth with mechanical efficiency. Her cheeks were puffed out like a chipmunk, and there were grains of rice stuck to her face.
Hearing the door open, she turned to look at him.
Her expression was blank, her eyes unfocused, but her mouth was full.
Thump.
Yuuya felt his heart skip a beat.
'This... This gap moe is irresistible.'
"Oh. It's dinner time already." Yuuya smiled, pulling up a chair. "This is your first time eating real food, right?"
In the labs, the Sisters were fed via intravenous drips or tasteless nutrient paste blocks. They had never tasted salt, sugar, or fat.
"DO, Misaka has consumed solid food three times prior," 9982 corrected, swallowing hard. "However, Misaka is concerned. This meal deviates from the nutritional standard. The caloric density is erratic."
She stared at the empty bowl.
"Standard meals? That paste isn't fit for humans. You'll be eating delicious food from now on. Slow down, no one is going to take it."
Yuuya laughed, reaching out to wipe a grain of rice from her cheek. She smelled of antiseptic and soap.
"Tonight's nutrient intake... possesses unique sensory data," 9982 analyzed seriously.
"The carbohydrates (rice) contain a localized sweetness. The protein (meat) is seasoned with sodium and lipids, creating a refreshing stimulus. The calcium solution (milk) is high viscosity."
She gave him a thumbs up.
"Misaka praises the hospital's nutrient formulation without reservation. DO, Misaka notes a critical flaw: The quantity is insufficient."
"You can analyze food like a scientist, huh?" Yuuya looked at her with admiration. "I was going to offer to bring you something from a restaurant, but if you're full..."
"Misaka has completed the primary caloric intake," 9982 stated instantly. "However, the gastric storage capacity is at 80%. There is allocated space for 'Dessert.'"
The other Sisters in the room (the ones resting from the tanks) turned their heads in unison to look at Yuuya.
"Huh? I thought you were worried about deviating from the data," Yuuya teased, stroking his chin.
"Do not be deceived by Misaka's appearance. Misaka possesses high-level processing power for menu selection. DO, Misaka concludes that the 'Chef's Cooking' mentioned by the male is an optimal data source."
"DO! Misaka has already pre-selected the menu based on smell."
"Oh~ Of course, no problem," Yuuya grinned mischievously.
He raised his index finger.
"But I don't work for free~ You'll need to pay something first."
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