In the dimly lit alley, an empty soda can lay discarded by the roadside, rattling as the wind rolled it deeper into the shadows.
As the can clattered along, it caught the attention of nearly every Sister. They possessed an immense curiosity for the most trivial things, their innocence reminiscent of infants still learning about the world.
'There's absolutely no need to apologize.'
With a mere flicker of thought, Natsume Sonoko sent the can flying neatly into a nearby trash bin. Planting her hands on her hips, she spoke with fiery determination.
"You all keep saying that participating in this experiment is your only reason for existing, but those are just memories implanted in you by others. They have nothing to do with who you really are."
"Besides, searching for some grand 'meaning of existence' is pointless. Isn't the point of living to enjoy good food? As your senior with a whole twelve years of life experience, I have absolute authority on this topic. So you all need to listen to me."
Sonoko's tone grew serious.
Truth be told, she hadn't quite figured out her own purpose in life, let alone found an answer to the question plaguing the Sisters.
But was a 'reason for existing' really that important? Nobody in this world lives for some hollow, fabricated purpose. It's enough to have people who care about you, and people you care about in return.
Humans are social creatures. It's those who feel disconnected from society who start to believe they're insignificant, even neglecting their own lives.
What the Sisters needed was a chance to integrate into society. The first step was to tear off that 'lab animal' label they'd been given.
The main things keeping that label stuck were the implanted memories and the existence of the Misaka Network itself.
While the Network pooled all of the Sisters' memories, it also meant the records of over nine thousand previous experiments had become shared data they could access at will. Repeated exposure to death had numbed them, ironically reinforcing their belief that the experiment was their sole purpose.
Even a normal person, if implanted with memories of being a lab animal for so long, would be psychologically affected, let alone the Sisters, whose minds started as blank slates.
"The Dorm Supervisor's view on the meaning of survival is quite surprising, remarks Misaka 9988 thoughtfully."
The Sisters' way of addressing Sonoko seemed to vary. Some called her 'Natsume-san,' while others referred to her as 'Dorm Supervisor.'
"I have seriously considered Natsume-san's suggestion, states Misaka 9995, offering no further opinion on the matter."
"That is certainly in line with Natsume-san's style, whispers Misaka 9990, attempting to hide within the crowd and mutter to herself."
The scene descended into mild chaos as the Sisters quietly voiced their reactions to Sonoko's speech.
Just then, a dazzling golden figure made a sudden entrance.
"My, my, so this is the favor Natsume-san needed help with," she said, her voice laced with a knowing tone. "The Misaka Sisters Project. It just reeks of Academy City's usual darkness."
Walking out from the alley's depths was Shokuhou Misaki, a slender yet surprisingly well-developed figure that defied her middle school status. Her dazzling golden hair swayed as she moved, a white ladies' handbag held delicately in her hand.
A massive block of ice obstructed part of the alley, causing the air temperature to plummet. Misaki unconsciously shivered slightly, tiny goosebumps rising on her skin.
"It's freezing, Natsume-san. Could you please retract your ability for now?" Misaki couldn't help but complain, her cheeks flushed pink from the cold.
"Of course. But Shokuhou-senpai, you got here incredibly fast."
Sonoko was also surprised. She had only sent her location after leaving the Misaka Apartments.
"Well, I was quite startled to receive your plea for help last night," Shokuhou replied, a playful smile gracing her lips as the ice began to melt and the temperature quickly normalized. "So, I came as soon as I got your location. It's only been a few days, and you're already causing quite a stir, Natsume-san."
With the cold receding, Misaki finally relaxed, looking at Sonoko with an amused expression.
"So, Natsume-san, what exactly is this favor you need?"
Misaki tilted her head slightly, curious to hear the explanation.
"I'd like you to use your ability to delete the experiment memories and the… death fragments from the Misaka Network," Sonoko stated earnestly.
"My, Natsume-san, suddenly saying things I can't understand. What's this about a 'Misaka Network' and 'experiment memories'?" Misaki rubbed her chin, a strangely knowing smile playing on her lips.
"Alright, alright, I understand. But you have to let me figure out what's going on first."
Seemingly satisfied at seeing Sonoko's slightly flustered state, Misaki gracefully produced a remote control from her pocket.
The principles behind Misaki's abilities were unknown, though theories in Academy City involved bioelectricity and brain moisture. The only ones with any inherent defense against mental powers were Electromasters and other Psychics, of course, excluding the usual oddities.
But Misaki seemed to have placed a barrier or psychological hint on her own power, subdividing and weakening it. She often used a remote control to assist, and needed to point it at her target.
When Misaki wasn't holding her remote, it was usually a sign she was feeling vulnerable.
Naturally, not using the remote didn't mean she couldn't use her ability, but it seemed to place a significant burden on her, potentially leading to things like a rampage.
It was true that Misaki sometimes enjoyed pressing the remote randomly in her dorm room. Sonoko had seen her doing just that on several visits.
Pressing the remote against her forehead, Misaki suddenly pointed it at one of the Sisters and pressed a button.
A faint electromagnetic barrier flickered into existence before Misaka 9982, but it was breached in an instant. Misaki's power invaded the Sister's mind.
"Converting brainwaves into electrical signals to form a network… what a surprising masterpiece. However, Natsume-san, you might be overestimating me a little."
Placing her hands on her hips, Misaki shook her head, leaving Sonoko confused. Could she not alter the memories?
"While my ability is Mental Out, that doesn't make me a hacker. Electrical signals are already beyond my ability to interpret."
Misaki spread her hands in a gesture of helplessness. It seemed Sonoko had some extra expectations of her.
Furthermore, the connection between the Sisters and the Misaka Network was two-way, allowing for uploads and downloads, but it was mostly limited to things like memories. Influencing the entire Misaka Network from the outside wasn't something the individual Sisters could achieve.
"I see…"
A wave of disappointment washed over Sonoko. Her plan had failed again. Why did she think 'again'?
"Then, please, just make them forget the memories related to the experiments."
"That would be ineffective, states Misaka 10000, expressing gratitude for your efforts while feigning indifference." One of the Sisters, who had been silent for a while, spoke up.
"She's right, it would be useless. It seems they can back up their memories. They'd just download them again."
Misaki shrugged, not seeing much use in Sonoko's plan. In that sense, the Sisters were actually partially immune to her abilities.
"While my relationship with Misaka-san isn't the best, and I'm not particularly interested in her troubles," Misaki said, crossing her arms over her chest, "if it's a request from you, Natsume-san, I might be able to offer some professional advice."
When it came to memory and consciousness, Shokuhou Misaki was indeed an expert. She could control consciousness, evoke various emotions like joy or anger, but that was based on her direct control.
"Your idea of erasing their experimental memories is correct in principle, Natsume-san," Misaki explained slowly. "However, changing their perception of themselves as lab animals can only be done by the Misaka clones… the Sisters themselves."
"What's needed isn't complicated. They need to feel that others care about them, that they aren't seen as lab animals. The emotional capacity they lack can develop gradually over time."
"Fortunately, it seems they've met some very kind people and have already started developing feelings of dependency. But these feelings aren't strong enough yet to overwrite their 'lab animal' programming. They need a stronger stimulus."
Misaki paused suddenly, her expression dimming slightly as she saw a familiar figure in one of the Sister's memories.
Collecting herself, she smiled again.
"Actually, that part is simple too. They just need someone willing to risk everything for them. I believe Misaka-san is certainly capable of that. Of course, the prerequisite is that the Level 6 Shift Project must be terminated. To psychologically break free from the 'lab animal' identity, they must first be freed from it in reality."
Sonoko then remembered how Misaka 9977 had acted strangely after hearing that Misaka Sister had taken her place in the experiment.
"But I've been curious, where is Misaka-san right now?" Misaki suddenly asked.
"Misaka-senpai has taken Misaka 9977's place. She's participating in the experiment with Accelerator," Sonoko said quietly.
"Accelerator is a monster. It seems Misaka-san is even bolder than I imagined."
A faint, surprised smile touched Misaki's lips. She had no counter for Accelerator either.
"But your plan surely doesn't end with just inviting me, does it, Natsume-san? I sense something a little different about you today." Misaki said with a laugh.
Although she hadn't used her mind-reading on Sonoko, she could tell something was different.
Though she couldn't quite pinpoint what, exactly.
Just then, the Sisters around them began to grow restless. The scheduled time for the experiment had arrived, yet the researchers were nowhere to be seen.
"According to the experiment substitution protocol, if a Misaka unit cannot reach the site, the unit with the next highest serial number shall substitute and commence the experiment, states Misaka 9978 with a blank expression."
This development was within Sonoko's expectations.
She had already learned many details about the experiment from the Sisters, though sometimes they would earnestly ask for relevant passwords or demand she solve some cipher.
But even if she didn't provide the password, the Sisters would often 'accidentally' leak information. That was Sonoko's impression after spending time with them.
The Sisters were crying out for help. At least, that's what Sonoko believed, convinced she could never solve those ciphers on her own.
That's why the Level 6 Shift Project had to be stopped.
"You can't. The experiment already has a participant," Sonoko shook her head, preparing to block Misaka 9978's path once more.
"According to the regulations for experiment interference, Misaka will now—"
In unison, all the Sisters donned their goggles, moving with the precision of a well-trained army as they began to fan out.
Faint electrical currents began to gather. The collective power of so many Sisters was not a force to be taken lightly.
But before they could finish reciting the protocol, they collapsed like dominoes, one after another, from the nearest to the farthest, all in the blink of an eye.
"How decisive of you, Natsume-san."
Little stars seemed to twinkle in Misaki's eyes, though she didn't look particularly surprised.
"Such precise control. Natsume-san, you really are the top candidate for the next Level 5, aren't you?" Misaki said with clear anticipation.
"...Huh?"
"Well, I'll be going now. Hokaze is waiting for me. Even though I wasn't much help this time, I'll be looking forward to your next request, Natsume-san."
Following Misaki's gaze, Sonoko saw a Tokiwadai student with curled, princess-style purple hair standing at the alley's far end. Misaki waved in that direction.
"Not at all! Just you coming here was a huge help to me," Sonoko said, her cheeks tinged with pink.
As the light seemed to recede from around her, a girl slightly taller than Sonoko appeared at her side.
The unconscious Sisters levitated into the air. With careful control of their positioning, Reiko ensured none of them were exposed.
Splitting her focus, Sonoko had Reiko guide the floating Sisters back towards their dorm.
Meanwhile, Sonoko herself set off in the opposite direction, her destination the battlefield where Misaka faced Accelerator.
--+--
In District 7, inside a half-constructed high-rise, the temporary guardrails used during construction were still in place, and exposed steel reinforcement bars were scattered everywhere.
"Hey, you're not wearing goggles," growled Accelerator's menacing voice. A barrel-thick bolt of lightning shot towards him in response, only to be blocked by a single arm.
"The output's increased. So the original decided to show up today. Doesn't matter. Maybe this'll finally be interesting."
Sitting on the top floor, Accelerator glanced with mild interest at the approaching Railgun. His eyes held no particular emotion, not even annoyance.
Slowly rising to his feet, the dust on his clothes fell away automatically before he could even brush it off. Lifting his head, he cracked his neck as if warming up.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.