Kanzaki Kaori stood in place, her long hair swaying in the night breeze.

"You don't understand what you're meddling in," she said. "Index is—"

"I don't care what she is!"

Mikoto Misaka cut her off.

"All I see is a girl who's been attacked, someone you people have hurt—even tried to kill!"

At those words, Kanzaki Kaori's expression flickered with turmoil. The hand gripping her sword trembled slightly.

"We're… trying to protect her."

"By killing her?" Mikoto let out a cold snort. "Touching way to protect someone."

Just then, police whistles sounded in the distance.

Realizing that the "Bystander Dispersal" effect had worn off and that attention was gathering, Kanzaki turned toward the source of the sound, then back to the three girls.

"This isn't over," she said in a low voice. "You've been caught up in a conflict far beyond your understanding."

Before her voice even faded, she vanished into the darkness, leaving only a few drifting leaves behind.

Stiyl took one last look at them and limped away.

Mikoto exhaled heavily, her legs nearly giving out. Kuroko quickly supported her.

"Onee-sama! Are you alright?"

"Just… a bit drained."

Mikoto forced a smile. "That woman's speed was… not human."

Misaki Shokuhou walked over, her face still pale.

"Who in the world did you provoke? My ability was completely ineffective on her."

"They're—magicians," Mikoto said, her voice low.

"Magicians?"

Both Kuroko and Shokuhou were momentarily at a loss. Their first reaction was disbelief—no way such a thing could exist. But nothing about Kanzaki Kaori's immense power fit any known science-side esper abilities.

Kuroko frowned.

"We should report to Judgment and Anti-Skill."

"No," Mikoto shook her head.

"It's not that simple."

She looked at Kuroko.

"Let's take that girl with us."

"Right!"

Kuroko teleported away and returned, cradling the unconscious nun.

Shokuhou Misaki narrowed her eyes.

"That's the girl who dragged you into this weird mess?"

"Mm," Mikoto nodded. "She was being hunted by that red-haired magician named Stiyl. Of course we had to help her."

"You…"

Misaki began but trailed off, exasperated by Mikoto's righteous streak. At last, she sighed.

"Figures I'd end up cleaning up after you. Fine, let's get out of here."

…

Inside the Windowless Building…

Aleister watched on the floating screens as the three girls dashed toward an abandoned research facility. His inscrutable gaze caught a faint glimmer.

[They'll die in the coming events,] Aiwass said bluntly.

[Facing a Saint from the magic side, even two Level 5s have no chance.]

"Death is data as well," Aleister said calmly.

"But I believe Misaka Mikoto will deliver some surprises."

[Crowley, what exactly are you hoping for?]

Aiwass asked.

Aleister was silent for a moment, then spoke slowly,

"When science reaches its zenith, and magic touches its source…if the two should meet, the sparks might illuminate the path we've sought."

On the screens, Mikoto Misaka pushed open a rusty door, her figure resolute beneath the moonlight. A subtle, almost imperceptible smile curved Aleister's lips.

"Let's see what sort of 'miracle' the Railgun can create."

…

3:27 a.m.

Moonlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling window onto the rumpled sheets.

Yukinoshita Yukino lay with her face buried against Rei Ao's shoulder, her slender fingers tracing vague circles on his bare chest. A faint blush still lingered on her pale skin, her jet-black hair cascading like a waterfall over Rei Ao's arm.

"You're too much!"

Yukino's voice was a soft rasp. She lifted her head slightly, her obsidian eyes glistening with unshed tears as she glared at Rei Ao.

"Too much!"

Rei Ao chuckled in a low voice, twisting a lock of her hair around his finger. Under the moonlight, his features looked especially cool and sharp, with a stoic edge to his jawline—yet his eyes held an unusual warmth.

"Weren't you the one who wouldn't let me leave?"

He lowered his voice on purpose, his lips nearly brushing her earlobe.

"Yukinoshita, your acting could use a little work."

"You!"

Yukino's ears went bright red. She tried to thump his chest in anger, but her body was so drained that it looked more like a playful tap.

"Don't say that!"

"Mn… enough… mmm…"

A soft, incoherent mumble came from the other side of the bed, drawing both their attention.

They turned to see Mabel curled in the messy sheets. Usually brimming with energy, she now slept like a small, curled-up kitten, although her brow was creased as if her dreams were troubled.

Yukino's expression turned even more forlorn. She reached out gently to smooth Mabel's furrowed brow and murmured, "Look what you did…"

She couldn't help recalling that moment; she'd truly feared Mabel might die. And dying that way would be humiliating, wouldn't it?

"How is that my fault?"

Rei Ao shrugged helplessly. His gaze lingered on the marks on Mabel's exposed shoulder.

"Shouldn't you blame yourself, Yukino? After all, Mabel took everything on for you—I remember it very clearly, she—"

"Shut up!"

Yukino clapped a hand over Rei Ao's mouth, her cheeks burning.

"Don't you dare say that again…"

She couldn't stand recalling those messy images—too many intense memories.

Just then, a special notification chimed in Rei Ao's mind. At once, his expression grew serious, the warmth in his eyes replaced by alertness.

"What is it?"

Sensing his shift, Yukino sat up at once, banishing her embarrassment.

"A distress call in the chat group."

Rei Ao gently pried Yukino's hand away. A flicker of blue light passed through his pupils. A translucent screen spread out before them both, and he and Yukino shared the view. Yukino immediately pulled on a robe from the side of the bed. She understood how important the chat group notifications were.

"It's Mikoto," Rei Ao said.

~~~

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