This is the salon in School Garden designated by Tokiwadai, where Michibata Saku-san works.She pushes afros every visit, but aside from that, she's great, Shika advised her childhood friend.
Since it was Seiri's first offense and the incident was stopped before it began, there was no need to report to Judgment. Sneaking into School Garden was an issue, but manageable. Convinced, Seiri turned herself in.
Now…
"Ugh…"
From the moment Shika moved, nullifying Dummy Check until her form reappeared—the eyebrow saga was a mystery—but Mikoto Misaka, watching the lecture-turned-advice from the sidelines, pressed her palm to her forehead in exasperation.
Her childhood friend, as if it were second nature, smiled effortlessly.That smile, a poker face of superalloy strength, could deflect even a Railgun.Seeing through the mask beneath was nearly impossible without exceptional insight, certainly beyond a middle school girl meeting her for the first time.
Shika's heat-resistant smile could stay intact even in anger (though when it vanished, that was truly terrifying).Mikoto, at age five, had seen Shika's mother, Shina, rage at her own mother, Misuzu, over a dispute with her husband, learning then that a smile could be fearsome and that the Kamijou (formerly Ryujin) women were a force.
Yet, Shika once said, "Someone told me my smile alone makes people happy," and she beamed so genuinely that her heart seemed pure (though Mikoto suspected some darkness).
To most, her childhood friend's expressions embodied the ideal of a refined, graceful Yamato Nadeshiko, as if straight from Tokiwadai's textbook.Her charm could trigger love at first sight, a one-hit KO.
"Seiri-san?"
Another victim fell today.Maika Tsuchimikado, a maid-in-training, jokingly called it Kamiyan Disease, infecting those punched or lectured by Shika, who remained oblivious.Seiri, dazed by Shika's presence, snapped out of it when Shika peered into her unfocused eyes with concern.
"Huh?""I didn't throw you that hard, but are you okay? You might've hit your head, and your AIM field feels… off."
Seiri, realizing Shika was focused on her, hurriedly fixed her gaze forward.Shika's expression was serious yet kind.
(She cares so much about me…)
She was supposed to hate Tokiwadai princesses, but this fluttering in her chest…!
"You should go to a hospital…""No, it'll settle once you step back, Shika-san."
It was care, not malice.Mikoto recalled her roommate, who'd been riled up about missing a chance to be with her "Onee-sama" due to work from Uiharu's cold.Shika was even more intense, layers beyond.
"Um… may I call you Kamijou—onee… Kamijou-senpai?""Of course. But I'd be happier if you called me Shika.""S-so forward, calling you by your first name…"
Seiri's eyes glistened feverishly, her voice hoarse.Shika grew concerned, but Mikoto saw her old roommate in Seiri—initially shy but quick to heat up. It was time to intervene.
"Shika-senpai, meeting you today changed my life.""Hehe, did it now?"
Shika met Seiri's fervent gaze with senior composure.
(She's usually so sharp but oblivious to this… She promised to hang out with me today…)
It was a familiar sight, but an indescribable feeling swirled in Mikoto—irritation mixed with discontent.
(If you care so much about her, just go be with her…)
Wait, what did I just say? Jealousy?No way… I got over that in elementary school.I'm not like Kuroko or Usukinu-san, into that kind of thing.If my childhood friend were a guy… no, anyway.It's like a dog getting annoyed seeing its owner pet another pup…No, no, no! I'm not a tsundere loyal dog!Ugh, I know it's weird, but I'm annoyed, so maybe I'll zap her later instead of biting…What am I thinking, Misaka Mikoto?!
As she wrestled with her thoughts, relieved it wasn't a guy…
"May I write you a letter?""Sure, I'm worried about that odd AIM field. Any little thing is fine."
Seiri's gaze, now bordering on worship, mixed with something more, but Shika, oblivious, missed it.Mikoto realized it was too late.
On the Way
The scorching sun began to show its face.As the summer hues intensified, the Seventh District basked in radiant light, reflecting off surfaces like silver dust, boundless in its brilliance.
"Phew, classes are finally over!"
After school, Ruiko Saten, a lively girl with long black hair, stretched her stiff body and called out to her friend, Uiharu Kazari, who wore a mask due to a cold.
"Only a month until summer break!"
Saten dreamed of the upcoming vacation, her first long break since starting middle school.Ignoring the word "homework," nothing could be more exciting.Time flies when you're having fun, so she debated planning meticulously or going with the flow.
"How about hitting Seventh Mist after school?""Hmm…"
Uiharu pondered.Usually, her afternoons were spent on Judgment duties, but her senior, Konori Mii, had told her to rest due to her cold.Coordinating schedules was tough, often interrupted by sudden calls.But she needed to recover…
"Uiharu, you always wear the same underwear. Time to get new ones for summer!" Saten teased, flipping up Uiharu's long skirt to briefly reveal her undergarments.
"!?! Wha—?!""Hmm, pale pink polka dots today. Same as five days ago. Got a rotation going?""In public, with guys around?! What are you doing, Saten-san?!""As your best friend, I gotta make sure you're wearing panties.""I am, Saten-san!""Sorry, got carried away. Wanna see mine as an apology?""No thanks.""Then I'll buy you some! Something flashy and frilly.""No thanks!""Same old panties make it seem like you've given up on being a girl, Uiharu.""Fine, I'll go!"
It wasn't a bad cold, and a break sounded nice.She felt bad for her colleague covering her shift, but maybe she'd bring a souvenir…
"—Oh! Misaka-san!!"
Uiharu waved energetically, like a puppy, spotting someone.Saten followed her gaze.
"Hm?"
The woman turned at Uiharu's call.Beautiful, with no need for makeup, short hair adorned with a floral pin, she exuded vitality yet a refined detachment.Her uniform—the same Tokiwadai one Saten saw yesterday—confirmed it.But she raised a hand casually.
"Hey, Uiharu-san! That your friend?""Yes! We're going shopping—"
Saten yanked Uiharu aside.Uiharu admired Tokiwadai girls (or fantasized about them), but she was just an ordinary student at an ordinary school, not an elite.
How did she know a Tokiwadai girl?
"Hey! She's wearing a Tokiwadai uniform! You know her?""Well… through Judgment, indirectly… and she's not just any Tokiwadai girl."Uiharu wagged her finger proudly."Level 5!""Level 5?!"
Level 5—the pinnacle of ability users in Academy City.With a dramatic pause, like a quiz show host, Uiharu pointed at her.
"The city's top electromaster, the Railgun, Misaka Mikoto!!""No way… the Railgun?"
Only seven Level 5s exist, their identities heavily guarded, but their monikers are legendary.Mikoto Misaka, third-ranked, Tokiwadai's Ace Princess, rose from Level 1 to 5—a rare feat teachers held up as an example for Level 0s like Saten.Her signature move, the Railgun, was iconic.
"I saw it live the other day," Uiharu boasted.
Using electromagnetic force like a linear motor, Mikoto fired a game center coin at three times the speed of sound, effortlessly blasting a charging car.It looked like a simple flick, but it required complex calculations and precise control, all done before the coin hit the ground.
"They say Level 5s rival armies, and she did that with one hand," Uiharu gestured animatedly, infecting Saten with her excitement.Overwhelmed, Saten grabbed Mikoto's hand.
"I'm Ruiko Saten!! Uiharu's best friend!!""Uh… nice to meet you," Mikoto said, slightly taken aback but returning the handshake.
"Tokiwadai's got this aura. I saw someone yesterday—exposing a liar, taking down a Level 4 with a slick kick! I only saw her back, long black hair tied with a ribbon. Maybe she's the urban legend, the 'ability user who doesn't use abilities,' aka—""Oh, that might be—"
Another Tokiwadai girl approached, waving.
"Mikoto-san, sorry to keep you waiting. I handed Seiri-san to Anti-Skill—oh, who're they?"
Saten's heart skipped a beat.Bathed in dappled sunlight, the girl in Tokiwadai's uniform seemed to glow.Her flawless skin, untouched by the sun, and flowing hair moved gracefully in the breeze.And her smile…
(…like a holy mother's…)
Saten was captivated, her heart nearly stolen.She'd never seen a "holy mother," but the girl's ethereal presence was otherworldly.Her ribbon swayed at her waist…
"She's the one," Saten whispered.
Mikoto made introductions."This is Uiharu Kazari, Kuroko's colleague, and her friend, Ruiko Saten. And this is my senior and childhood friend, Shika Kamijou.""Nice to meet you, Saten-san, Uiharu-san. If you have any troubles, come to me—I'll help as your senior. Oh, and call me Shika," she said, flashing that mesmerizing smile, calming their hearts.
Her voice matched the one from yesterday.
"Saten-san, about yesterday…?""You're that Tokiwadai girl from yesterday!""Yep, I remember. Meeting again so soon is quite the coincidence.""The policewoman from back then!" Uiharu suddenly piped up.
Policewoman?Saten tilted her head.Academy City's security was handled by Judgment and Anti-Skill, not regular police.
Shika nodded in recognition."That was you, Uiharu-san? Congrats on becoming a Judgment member. Konori-san says you're an excellent operator.""Ehehe, thank you," Uiharu bowed deeply, almost excessively, her head staying down—likely to keep from fainting with excitement.
Being remembered and praised by Shika clearly overwhelmed her, her gaze wavering as she clenched her teeth.
Uiharu's admiration for Tokiwadai girls was intense; a direct hit might knock her out.They'd met before, it seemed, but a policewoman?What was that about?
Curious, Saten's expression must've shown it, as Shika answered smoothly.
"School Garden offers role-playing job experiences. You can borrow Anti-Skill-grade equipment.""No, there's no policewoman job. That's just your cosplay hobby," Mikoto interjected."It started when you, at five, begged your big sister for a magical girl meeting—""Don't spill my dark history like a greeting!" Mikoto lunged to silence Shika, her face red with genuine embarrassment.
Her reaction, so unlike the stoic Level 5 image, felt relatable, hinting at their bond.Uiharu later explained that Shika had once been a Judgment instructor and solved a minor case.