Rei Ao had resurrected the dead often enough to do it out of habit. But sensing something, he frowned and muttered quietly:

"Tch. This world's pushback is a real pain."

Everyone in the world occupies the place they're meant to be. A change in that arrangement can spark a butterfly effect. Resurrecting all these Misaka Sisters who'd died in those experiments was causing a major impact—a disturbance in the phases.

Rumble!

The earth lurched, and high above, a colossal crack tore across the sky, revealing a chaotic void beyond. The ground twisted, gravity fluctuating between strong and weak—ominous signs that the world was on the brink of disaster.

Kanzaki Kaori's face tightened grimly.

"Rei Ao-san, the rules are distorting!"

She was sure it was connected to Rei Ao's displayed miracle.

"I know. Keep quiet,"

Rei Ao retorted, flicking his left hand casually.

Pop!

In that instant of stillness, all abnormal phenomena vanished—like erasing pencil marks from paper. The sky returned to its clear state, the earth to serenity, as if the earlier chaos had never happened.

"Alright, nothing to worry about now."

Rei Ao turned back to the three women, open-mouthed in shock.

"A total of 20,000 Misaka Sisters, including all who died in the experiment."

"D-died?"

Shokuhou finally managed, her voice faint.

"9,982 souls have returned," Rei Ao said with a nod.

Right then, a small figure came dashing out from among the crowd. She was tinier than the rest, with short tea-brown hair bouncing as she ran.

"Last Order is here, Misaka Misaka reports excitedly!"

She rushed up to Rei Ao without hesitation, hugging him around the waist.

"Thanks for saving everyone, Oniisan, Misaka Misaka expresses her sincerest gratitude on behalf of the entire network!"

And then, something even more stunning occurred:

All 20,000 Misaka Sisters paused at once, simultaneously taking a step forward. In perfect unison, they declared:

"Thank you for saving every member of the Misaka network, Misaka says gratefully."

Before Index, who was in shock, could register what was happening, a new development blew their minds:

"After analyzing our emotional module, we define this feeling as 'love,' Misaka #10032 confesses with a red face."

"Asking Rei Ao-sama to form a relationship beyond mere rescuer and rescued, Misaka #10086 boldly proposes."

"The Misaka network unanimously passes the 'love motion,' Misaka #20001 announces on everyone's behalf."

"?"

Rei Ao froze.

He glanced down at the Last Order clinging to his waist. She smiled happily, "Ehehe, Oniisan, this is the network's love confession, Misaka Misaka says joyfully."

He was faced with 20,000 expectant faces. Rei Ao, rarely, was at a loss whether to laugh or cry, confronted with a mass confession from 20,000 Sisters.

"Well…that's…unexpected."

"A confession from 20,000 of them?"

Kanzaki murmured, eyes widening. Index tilted her head. "Index doesn't understand. Why would they all love Rei Ao at the same time?"

"Because he gave them life and a future," Shokuhou answered softly, watching with complicated feelings in her starry eyes. Suddenly thinking of something, she began searching through the resurrected crowd in agitation.

Rei Ao noticed her distress.

"Looking for someone?"

Shokuhou's body stiffened. She turned slowly, starlit eyes flickering with uncertainty.

"…Dolly. She's not among them, right?"

Rei Ao gazed at her in silence, his iridescent pupils unfathomable.

"Dolly—Misaka Clone #0, the very first Sister," he introduced as though reading from a file.

Shokuhou's breathing grew rapid. With trembling fingers, she clutched her skirt.

"But…but you can revive her, right? Like you did the others?"

He didn't answer immediately, gently tapping Last Order's head. The girl obediently let go and rejoined the other Sisters.

"Yes," Rei Ao replied at last.

Shokuhou's starry eyes brimmed with tears. The proud Mental Out, Academy City's strongest psychic, now wept like an ordinary girl.

"Please…"

"I'll give anything—my power, my memories, my life—whatever it takes to bring Dolly back…"

She trembled, opening the chat group interface to send a trade request:

[Ding! Shokuhou Misaki has initiated a trade request!]

[Trade Content: Revive Dolly!]

[Ding! Please select trade conditions!]

"…"

Rei Ao wore a strange expression.

"You seem to misunderstand something. I never said she wasn't here."

From the start, his intention was to bring back all the Sisters, so what was one more? Especially that unique No.0. At his words, he beckoned slightly, and a single Sister approached from a short distance away. Like the others, she resembled Mikoto, but wore something akin to a hospital gown. Her eyes were shining with intense emotion at the sight of Shokuhou.

"…Shokuhou? Is that you?"

Her tone was uncertain, speaking to a Shokuhou who looked similar but more mature than the one she remembered.

Hearing the voice, Shokuhou snapped her gaze upward. The moment their eyes met, she couldn't look away again.

"Dolly…"

Shokuhou lost control, rushing forward and hugging Dolly tightly. Tears poured forth, drenching the hospital gown. Dolly confirmed that the older Shokuhou was the grown-up "little Shokuhou" she recalled. Gently stroking Shokuhou's golden hair, she murmured:

"What's wrong, Shokuhou?"

"I had such a long dream—like I drifted somewhere far away…"

Dolly spoke softly, "But now I'm back, so don't cry, okay?"

Shokuhou looked up, tears shining in her eyes, and nodded earnestly.

"O-Okay!"