Shizue Izawa: "Why do I feel that what Frieren just said was really strange?"

Shinoa Hiiragi: "You don't just feel it—it is strange. Frieren's gotten way too dirty lately."

Frieren: "Haha, we're all friends here, right? No harm in being a little more uninhibited."

Yomogawa Ayame: "Uh, I don't really mind… but Mio and the others have only just joined us."

Mio Akiyama: "…"

Already beet‑red, she couldn't bring herself to speak.

"B‑big…"

She suddenly thought of Rei Ao back then—

"Uuugh!!!"

Pulling the blanket over her head, Mio still had no idea how to face the others.

Mikoto Misaka: "Darn you, Rei Ao—every time I look for you, you just bully me!"

Rei Ao: "Oh? Why do you sound so jealous, Mikoto? Don't tell me you're itching all over?"

Akame: "Maybe the itch isn't in her heart… but somewhere else—."

Mikoto Misaka: "Waaaahhh!!!"

Mikoto Misaka: "Quit joking around!"

Pressing a hand to her lips, thighs clamped tight, Mikoto—face scarlet—glared at the chat window and hurriedly changed the subject.

Mikoto Misaka: "I'm saying, you're the Board Chairman of Academy City—are you just going to loaf around and ignore the city's development?"

Rei Ao: "Heh. I trust you girls. Besides, I really don't care about Academy City; the only things I care about are you."

Frieren: "Wow, straight‑up romantic."

Hijiri Kasuga: "So heart‑fluttering~"

Mikoto Misaka: "U‑ugh, I—I get it!"

Mikoto Misaka: "B‑but if you care, why don't you—"

Miko Yotsuya: "Hm? Why'd you suddenly stop?"

Bibi Dong: "Hehe, she wants Rei Ao to pay attention to her."

Inori: "That's longing."

Mikoto Misaka: "N‑no it's not!"

Rei Ao: "Got it. I'll come over later, give my starving Mikoto just a tiny bit of passionate love."

Mikoto Misaka: "Y‑you're spouting nonsense! L‑love and all that—I don't need it!"

Rei Ao: "Really? Then I won't come."

Mikoto Misaka: "Huh?"

Stella: "Hmph. Totally wrapped around his finger."

Marcille: "S‑scary."

"Onee‑sama, you…"

Kuroko Shirai looked at her elder sister with an odd expression; Mikoto's cheeks were turning so red they were almost bleeding.

She'd read every line in the chat.

She never imagined Onee‑sama could be that thirsty.

Although…

Kuroko shifted her legs awkwardly—she was pretty much the same.

Ever since she'd been "broken in," there was no going back!

…

A ripple in space appeared.

Awaki Musujime returned with Mugino Shizuri's squad and the captured, subdued Kouzaku Mitori.

Awaki Musujime: "We're back~ Mission accomplished, target taken alive."

She reported in a relaxed tone.

Every eye in the office instantly focused on them.

Mikoto Misaka, Misaki Shokuhou, Kuroko Shirai, Kazari Uiharu, and Ruiko Saten all looked over.

Mikoto's gaze settled first on Kouzaku Mitori—tattered and filthy, yet still glaring like a wounded lone wolf.

This was the culprit.

She stepped forward.

Mikoto frowned slightly, her tone probing. "Are you the one behind the bombing?"

"Name? And why destroy the research center? It was supposed to be abandoned."

Mitori, forced to kneel by Mugino's rough grip, hair in disarray and half‑covering her face, stayed silent—

—as if a soulless statue, ignoring Mikoto completely.

Her hollow gaze swept the spacious, luxurious office that symbolized Academy City's highest authority,

carrying deep‑seated hatred and icy despair.

This is the enemy's lair…

Yet—

when her eyes finally lifted to Mikoto Misaka's face, looking down at her—

!!!

Her pupils dilated.

Time seemed to stop.

Kouzaku Mitori trembled violently, as if struck by lightning.

Her violet eyes widened to the limit—filled with disbelief, ecstasy, and a hope on the verge of collapse.

That face…

The face that had appeared in her dreams countless times, smiling warmly…

"Do… Dolly?!!"

A hoarse, cracking cry brimming with endless longing and pain exploded like thunder in the silent office.

In everyone's stunned gaze—even Mugino's—

Mitori suddenly burst forth with astonishing strength, wrenching free of the less‑than‑tight restraint!

Like a madwoman, she flung herself at Mikoto!

Kuroko Shirai instantly activated her teleport.

Kuroko: "Onee‑sama, look out!"

She moved to intercept.

Ruiko Saten shouted, "Danger!"

Kazari Uiharu: "Senpai!"

Hearing the cry, Misaki Shokuhou's lazy expression froze; her starry eyes contracted, and the remote control slipped from her hand onto the sofa.

Electricity crackled around Mikoto the moment Mitori lunged.

She could feel the speed and force, and the overwhelming wave of sorrow—and… joy?

There's no hostility!

In a split second, Mikoto decided: she neither counter‑attacked nor dodged; she merely braced herself.

The next instant, Mitori reached her.

No attack came—

instead, a trembling, desperate hug!

Mitori clung to Mikoto with all her strength, squeezing hard enough to choke her.

Face buried in Mikoto's shoulder, scalding tears soaked her collar.

Her body shook violently, whimpering like a wounded animal.

"Dolly… Dolly!!!"

Again and again she cried, voice hoarse and broken—ecstatic at regaining what was lost, yet full of long‑pent‑up grief.

"You're alive! You're really alive! Thank goodness… truly thank goodness… sob…"

Dead silence filled the office.

Bewilderment appeared on many faces.

Do they… know each other?

Yet Mitori was shouting Dolly, not Mikoto Misaka.

For the moment, no one disturbed the fragile girl.

Only her heart‑rending sobs echoed through the room.

~~~

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