Togawa Sakiko smiled faintly and did not refuse.
After a brief exchange, she had confirmed that Misaka Mikoto was exactly as Kitano Makoto described.
She was a good girl with no ulterior motives to worry about.
With a girl like that, all it took was following her own heart and speaking honestly.
False pleasantries would only backfire.
"That would be perfect," Sakiko said.
"I was only worried that I'd be disliked by the rich young ladies of Tokiwadai if I wasn't polite enough."
Mikoto laughed out loud.
"Rich young ladies? Sure, Tokiwadai Middle School does teach a few etiquette courses. But if every one of us were a rich young lady, that term would be spread far too thin."
"If anything, I'd say you're the one who seems like a rich young lady, Sakiko."
Sakiko did not want to keep going down that road.
"Then let's just talk to each other as ordinary people. Mikoto, is it all right if I call you that?"
Being called by her given name so abruptly left Mikoto a little uncomfortable.
But under Sakiko's earnest gaze, she quickly chose to accept it.
"Then I'll call you Sakiko too!"
"By the way, Sakiko, Kitano told me you came from outside Academy City. Where exactly is that?"
The two girls opened up easily, chatting about everything from hometowns to music taste.
In less than an hour, they were nearly close enough to be friends who told each other everything.
What surprised Makoto even more was that Sakiko calmly admitted she had been in a band.
Mikoto looked carefree, but she was actually a skilled violinist.
The moment she heard about forming a band, her eyes lit up with excitement.
"That sounds great. Too bad Tokiwadai doesn't allow pop rock bands, only classical orchestras."
"If I could, I'd want to try what being in a band feels like."
Seeing how brightly her eyes were shining, Makoto teased her.
"There'll definitely be a chance someday, and I think you'd have a good time if you joined in."
He meant that from the bottom of his heart.
A ball of sunshine like Mikoto in Sakiko's band would probably cut the unhinged incidents by more than half.
Hearing that, Mikoto narrowed her eyes at him.
"Are you teasing me, or complimenting me?"
"Complimenting you, obviously, Mikoto. Look at my eyes. Do I look like I'm lying?"
Mikoto studied his face carefully.
Then she noticed Sakiko watching her with a knowing glint in her eyes.
Her face went hot, and she quickly turned her head away.
"Who knows what you're actually thinking... Sakiko, what are your plans for the rest of the day?"
Sakiko shook her head slightly.
"My tour group doesn't officially start until tomorrow, so I'm free today. Mikoto, anywhere you'd recommend?"
"Me? I'm not really the right person to recommend anything. You two must already have places in mind."
By now Mikoto had no thought of competing with Sakiko at all.
After all, Sakiko was a girl with no flaws, whether in looks or in personality.
The only place she could beat her was probably her own esper ability.
But she had never once thought herself above others just because she was a Level 5.
So even though many girls at Tokiwadai admired her, she had never built up any faction of her own.
If anything, she now felt faintly inadequate.
She kept thinking it was only natural that Makoto would like Sakiko.
She really had no feminine charm to speak of. Maybe he only saw her as a girl to hang out with?
'Wait... aren't I just treating Makoto as someone to hang out with too?'
Sakiko sipped her coffee in small mouthfuls.
Her eyes caught Mikoto pinching a strand of hair at her forehead, her gaze drifting and unsteady.
It made her shoot Makoto a look.
'How long has Makoto been in Academy City? And he already has its strongest girl this unsettled?'
Sakiko still did not know that he had grown up in Academy City.
After all, ever since the two of them met, they had been busy pulling her out of danger.
Before Makoto could answer, Sakiko had already taken Mikoto by the wrist.
"Compared to Makoto-kun's eating and drinking plans, I'd rather you take me somewhere more fun."
"Isn't that right, Makoto-kun?"
Makoto blinked, momentarily stunned.
He really had not thought about how he was supposed to go on a date with Sakiko next.
You could hardly blame him. An hour ago he had still been worrying about life and death.
Mikoto glanced at him in surprise, feeling she had found a weak spot.
"What's this? So even you have moments where you don't know what to do!"
She turned to Sakiko. "I can take you two somewhere, but Sakiko... do you play games?"
She felt a little nervous saying it.
After all, battling it out in an arcade was hardly the sort of thing a rich young lady would do.
Mikoto could yell her head off at Makoto while working a joystick through a screen.
But she could not picture Sakiko doing anything like that.
"I really have never played games."
"But if you're the one inviting me, Mikoto, I'm willing to give it a try."
Hearing that answer, Mikoto broke into a happy smile.
What many people probably could not imagine was that she, always surrounded by crowds, actually had very few friends.
She did not think of herself as an esper above everyone else.
But the number of people who could treat her as an ordinary friend was tiny.
That had been her first reason for befriending Makoto.
Now there was Sakiko as well, so of course she was happy.
After that, Mikoto became Sakiko's guide for touring Academy City.
From arcades to street stalls, from the Expo Encyclopedia theme park to the underground shopping district...
By the time Mikoto had finished showing off all the places she found interesting, it was already 8 p.m.
She still wanted more, but she knew it was time to say goodbye to Makoto and Sakiko.
Then she thought about the two of them sharing the same hotel room.
She could not help feeling irritated.
What Mikoto did not know was that Sakiko had been quietly observing her all day.
By now she was certain that Mikoto really did have feelings for Makoto.
That only hardened her resolve about what to do next.
She had not discussed this with him, so she had to keep it from him as well.
So she spoke to Makoto.
"Makoto-kun, I'd like to have a little private word with Mikoto. Would that be all right?"
Makoto raised an eyebrow. It seemed odd, but he nodded.
A moment later, a thoroughly confused Mikoto was pulled by Sakiko onto a pedestrian bridge.
The two of them looked down at Makoto, who was buying crepes for the three of them.
"Sakiko, what is it? If you need my help, just say the word!"
Mikoto patted her chest.
It was the only possibility she could think of, and she would soon regret saying it.
Sakiko spoke politely but seriously.
"Then I won't hold back... You have feelings for Makoto-kun, don't you?"
"Ah!"
Mikoto jumped back a step in fright.
Her face was full of the shock of being found out, and her cheeks quickly turned red.
It was pure instinct, and only afterward did her reason catch up. She hurriedly waved her hands.
"Sakiko, you've got it wrong. Kitano and I only met recently. We're just ordinary friends."
"I just owe him three favors, and then I hang out with him."
"I buy him some clothes, treat him to meals, book a hotel for him..."
Mikoto's voice got quieter as she went on.
Each of those things on its own had felt perfectly justified at the time.
But saying them all in one breath, she could not shake the feeling that something was off.
This was no longer even a question of whether she had feelings for Makoto.
No wonder Sakiko had misunderstood.
At that thought, Mikoto simply pressed her palms together and bowed her head in apology.
"Sorry. I'll keep my distance from Kitano from now on..."
The moment she finished, a faint bitterness spread at the edge of her mouth.
'Is this what defeat tastes like?'
Sakiko gently raised a hand and held her arm, smiling.
"Don't be nervous. I'm not here to blame you."
"Makoto-kun and I never made any promises to each other. I just have something to ask of you."
Mikoto stared at her, dumbfounded, her head full of questions, and could not help asking.
"Sakiko, I don't really understand."
Sakiko turned to look at the bright night view in the distance and carefully weighed her words.
She already considered Mikoto a friend she could trust.
So she wanted to speak without deceiving her any more than she had to.
"There's a problem with me, and it can't be cured. The journey ahead is dangerous."
"I may not get another chance like today, spending time like this with Makoto-kun and with you."
The confusion on Mikoto's face turned to alarm in an instant.
"Are you sick? Then I can take you to the best hospital in Academy City!"
Sakiko shook her head.
"There's no need, Mikoto. My... family has already consulted Academy City's scholars and experts."
"There's no miracle cure for the danger I face."
Mikoto's face was full of unwillingness, but she did not press further.
She believed Sakiko would not lie about something like this.
Besides, as a child she had seen for herself patients that Academy City could not cure.
For that, she had even handed over her own DNA sample.
Right now all she felt was regret over her own selfishness.
She had spent the whole day dragging her sick body around to keep her company.
It made Mikoto want to apologize properly.
But Sakiko beat her to it.
"Thank you, Mikoto. I had a wonderful time today. Having a new friend like you is truly my good fortune."
Mikoto did not know what to say for a moment, so she simply spoke her mind.
"Same here."
Seeing that Mikoto had accepted her story, Sakiko moved on to the next step.
"Mikoto, there's something I'd like to ask you. I don't know if you can agree to it."
"Tell me. If it's something I can do, I'll help for sure!" Mikoto's eyes lit up.
Sakiko took a few seconds to weigh her words before speaking.
"If you see Makoto-kun suddenly sinking into a low mood, please pull him back up."
"I know this request might be a little underhanded. But it's the only thing I want to do right now... Please."
With that, Sakiko bowed to Mikoto.
Sakiko did not know whether she would come back alive from the world of One Piece this time.
By now she no longer feared death itself.
Her whole heart was already tied to Makoto.
She truly did not want to see him sink into despair because she vanished.
If he gave too much for her sake, he might not be able to handle the challenges ahead.
She would never accept that, even in death.
That was the real reason she had asked Mikoto for help.
In her eyes, Mikoto was a powerful Level 5 esper.
Academy City's publicity claimed she could match a small country single-handedly.
With an esper like that protecting him, Makoto would surely never face any risk in the real world.
Makoto had not heard Sakiko's words.
If he had, he would have told her sincerely that the waters here run too deep for her to handle.
Mikoto hurried to lift her by the shoulders, her tone matter-of-fact.
"Sakiko, you don't have to beg me like that. Kitano and I are friends already. If he's in danger, of course I'd help."
"This has nothing to do with... with whether I have feelings for him. You don't need to worry about that."
"Just keep doing... whatever it is you are supposed to do with Kitano."
Mikoto forced out a smile, feeling sour inside.
She felt sympathy for Sakiko's hardship.
And even more embarrassment at being asked something like this.
'Does Sakiko really think I'm the type to lash out when my feelings aren't returned?'
Sakiko could naturally tell that her request had embarrassed Mikoto.
But her time might be running short.
She could not let her own presence cost Makoto a powerful ally.
Fortunately she had already thought of a way to smooth over the awkwardness.
She smiled as she spoke.
"Sorry, Mikoto. I've caused you trouble. I'm just too worried about Makoto-kun."
"You don't have to treat this as a burden. Just keep spending time with him at your own pace."
"Mm, I promise you!"
The two girls looked at each other and smiled.
Having said out loud the thing each of them minded most, their relationship instantly grew closer.
By the time Makoto walked over with the crepes, the two were already staring at him and whispering.
Makoto was genuinely curious. "What on earth were you two talking about?"
Mikoto took the crepe in the flavor she liked and waved him off.
"Don't ask so many questions about secrets between girls! Also, it's getting late. Hurry back."
"And Kitano, you'd better treasure Sakiko. If you dare make a good girl like that cry, I'll never forgive you!"
To reinforce her threat, Mikoto pulled out an arcade token and waved it around.
She looked ready to fire her railgun.
…