The word "guardian" carried a weight far heavier than she'd imagined.
Natsume Sonoko was utterly unprepared—well, except when it came to reading manga and devouring sweets. Those, she was always ready for. But this? This was different.
At just twelve years old, was she really supposed to take on the responsibility of raising Reiko all by herself?
The thought pressed down on the girl with the round bun hairstyle like a ton of bricks. Still, she had no intention of shirking her duty.
She'd already made a deal with Kiyama-sensei: in exchange for borrowing the bio-computer's processing power, Natsume would be responsible for Reiko's care and upbringing.
Her mind wandered, tumbling into its usual spiral of overthinking. But the spiral only lasted a few seconds before a crying sound snapped her back to reality.
"Waaah— Aaah..!"
The infant's wails echoed directly inside her mind—not through her ears, but perceived by her consciousness itself. It was like someone had set up a loudspeaker in her head, looping the sound on repeat.
"Um, I don't understand what you want," murmured Natsume, her own face creased with helplessness.
Flustered and unsure what to do, she grew distracted even while walking, barely registering the conversation between Misaka-senpai and Shirai-san nearby.
What was she supposed to do? In matters like this, a certain bun-headed girl had zero experience.
She'd never even taken care of a cat or dog—except for occasionally feeding that black cat that always came looking for her.
Feeding…?
As Reiko's cries continued, an idea suddenly lit up Natsume's eyes. The panic on her face eased a little. Right—baby food! The supermarket should have some, and when it's on sale, the price gets cut in half.
It was a bit strange that a city full of students would sell baby food, but then again, the shelves here stocked everything under the sun.
But Reiko seemed more like a… oversized baby. She was sturdier than a certain bun-head, and her digestive system seemed fully developed. Would baby food be weird for her?
Maybe shaved ice or takoyaki would be better?
After a moment's thought, Natsume Sonoko settled on a compromise: milk.
And not just any milk—Musashino Milk! Nutritious, tasty, helps you grow tall. Even that petite teacher from a certain high school swore by it.
'Reiko' stood up—controlled, of course, by Natsume herself. But now a new problem arose: how was she supposed to feed Reiko?
"I remember buying some Musashino Milk earlier."
'Reiko' slipped past the Misaka sisters and began rummaging through the fridge in the kitchen.
Inside were mostly easy-to-prepare foods: self-heating bento, sushi, and of course, milk.
Ever since the Misaka clones started receiving support from Misaka-senpai, every one of them had climbed out of poverty into a comfortable life—Reiko included.
"Well, the simplest way is to just drink it."
'Reiko' set the milk aside, washed the tears and sniffles off her face at the sink, and then opened the Musashino Milk packet.
Gulp, gulp.
So sweet. So good.
Natsume found herself unable to stop; in no time, her stomach felt full.
"Ahh…"
The bun-head let out a comfortable sigh, closing her eyes as if savoring the moment. The sensation of drinking milk was relayed back to her own body, too.
And just like that, Reiko's consciousness quieted down. Reiko could also sense the sweet taste of milk, and it made her own awareness stir slightly.
After licking the leftover milk from her lips, Natsume noticed the change in Reiko. So she likes milk, huh?
"Mi… milk," Natsume said, suddenly remembering something she'd seen on a parenting show. She decided to try teaching Reiko a word.
"Mi… ik," Reiko's consciousness seemed to pick up on Natsume's intent. After a long pause, she attempted to mimic the sound.
"...Good enough."
Natsume nodded, satisfied.
It was about 30–40% similar. Not bad for a beginner.
When Natsume withdrew from Reiko's body, the little one's own consciousness took over again.
But Natsume left a fragment of her awareness behind—partly to maintain the various calculations running in the bio-computer, and partly to keep looking after Reiko.
Reiko's sudden emergence had caught her completely off guard. Natsume was still figuring out how to interact with her.
In her view, aside from things a baby couldn't do alone—like eating or using the toilet—she should minimize control over Reiko's body. Let Reiko learn to crawl and walk like any ordinary child.
"Just now, Reiko asked me to take care of Reiko herself. I do not quite understand. Misaka 9982 appears to be experiencing logical confusion," remarked one of the sisters, watching Reiko roll around on the blanket, seemingly having forgotten how to get up.
Misaka 10000 crouched down curiously, reached out, and gently tugged Reiko's bun-style hair. A Gekota-like semicircular smile appeared on her face.
--+--
After finally finishing the evening cleanup at the restaurant, she said goodbye to Tsuchimikado-san with a wave and started back toward the dorm.
The bun-headed girl, feeling the ache in her back, stepped out of her room holding a stack of application forms. She needed the dorm supervisor's signature.
There she was—the supervisor, in her familiar ladies' suit, the light glinting off her black-rimmed glasses and reflecting on the dorm's polished floors.
Natsume Sonoko hid in a corner, taking deep breaths and trying to psych herself up with an 'I've been through worse' mantra.
Gritting her teeth, she called out to the supervisor patrolling the lobby.
Following Shirai-san's suggestion, all three of them had to submit outing applications. If approved, they could stay out until 11 p.m.
For a dorm that lights out at just past nine, that was practically the dead of night.
"Outing application after curfew? And for tomorrow, no less. Let me think… how many of these have I seen today?" The supervisor adjusted her glasses, set the form down, and noticed most of the fields were already filled in.
After a moment, she looked up at Natsume, who sat perfectly still.
Seated on one of the dorm's lounge sofas, Natsume kept her hands neatly pressed on her skirt, knees together, back straight, face full of seriousness.
"Including Shirai and Misaka, you're the third one today, Natsume. I know you're close with them, so I assume you're going together—to some 'friends' book club,'" the supervisor said coolly, her expression hardening.
Tokiwadai Middle School didn't have a homeroom system, but for students like Natsume Sonoko, the dorm supervisor was practically their homeroom teacher.
"First, staying out all night with that lame excuse about the underground mall closing before you could leave. And now you're getting bold again?"
The supervisor's words were sharp and deliberate. She'd seen right through the flimsy story Misaka-senpai had come up with.
Natsume's fingers fidgeted slightly, tugging at her skirt. Her heart felt heavy, and a strained, awkward smile flickered across her face.
Miscalculation. She should've come to get the supervisor's signature before Misaka-senpai and Shirai-san did. Regret washed over her.
"I'm truly sorry. But I really am going to the book club tomorrow. I've already promised everyone. I hope you'll allow it, Ma'am."
Natsume stood up and spoke earnestly, her bun swaying slightly. Sincerity was written all over her face.
The supervisor's expression was unreadable. She studied Natsume for several seconds.
Just when the bun-head thought she'd be rejected, the supervisor spoke again. "Alright, I'll allow it."
"Thank you, Ma'am!"
Natsume's face instantly brightened.
"No thanks needed. Actually, aside from this, there's another matter I need to discuss with you."
The supervisor wasn't done. She continued, "Is there something else?"
Natsume's expression shifted uneasily. The supervisor wanting to talk about something else? That sounded scary.
"Actually, it's good news for you, Natsume. It might even be of great benefit to Tokiwadai Middle School as a whole."
The supervisor got straight to the point, immediately capturing Natsume's attention.
Oh, good news? That's a relief.
"I've only just been informed by the school. Since the semester hasn't started yet, they asked me to relay this to you." The supervisor spoke slowly, a hint of something unusual in her eyes.
"What is it?"
Natsume Sonoko grew curious. Why was the supervisor being so cryptic?
"The school has received word from the Board of Directors. According to a decision made in their latest meeting, an additional slot for Level 5 assessment has been created. The reason being… a student with the potential for Level 5 has emerged once again in Academy City."
The supervisor's tone was odd, her eyes scanning the lazy, easy-going bun-head who never seemed to take studying seriously.
Sure, this student was usually well-behaved and acted like she'd seen a ghost whenever their paths crossed, but… Level 5? It was hard to imagine.
"Eh?!"
Natsume's mind went blank. She blinked her large, bell-like eyes in confusion.
Why was the supervisor telling her this? Could it be… this Level 5 assessment slot was meant for her?
Thinking it over, Natsume Sonoko had a feeling it might be true.
Others might not know the identity of the unknown individual who'd fought Accelerator, but the Board of Directors surely had their ways. Even with her hiding, there was just too much evidence.
Whether she was that person or not, the simplest way to find out was to test her.
Still, Natsume felt a thrill.
Level 5!
Ever since she first stepped into Academy City, becoming a Level 5 had been her dream—the dream of every student undergoing ability development, really.
Among the more than two million people in Academy City, only seven could become Level 5. Level 4 was impressive too, of course, but there were hundreds of those. And the scholarship for a Level 5 would at least double.
"You don't seem very surprised, Natsume."
The supervisor watched her expression, a little puzzled.
"This slot was communicated directly to Tokiwadai's principal by Director Kaizumi Tsugutoshi. And he specifically named you, Natsume. During your next physical, you will undergo the special assessment for Level 5. Of course, only if you're willing."
Natsume listened intently, her face still dazed.
Hearing the supervisor's confirmation, her heart gave a sudden thud.
So it really is for me.
Strictly speaking, Natsume wasn't sure if she had what it took to be Level 5. Last time, she'd only managed to hold her own against Accelerator because Reiko was with her.
If they only considered her own computational ability, it was close—but not quite at the normal standard for Level 5. If she were ranked Level 5, she might just lower the average computational power of the group.
"A Level 5 physical is essentially tailor-made. It's far more rigorous than a standard check-up, especially for the assessment."
"Normally, there are two types of Level 5 examinations."
"One focuses on the ability user's strongest and most proficient application of their power. For example, Misaka's ability is Electromaster, but her official title is 'Railgun' for that reason," the supervisor continued.
"Since the test focuses on your most skilled techniques, the requirements are stricter. Destructive power, accuracy, firing speed, sustainability—all are crucial."
"The other type is a comprehensive assessment. It goes beyond a standard physical, evaluating range, maximum output, reaction speed, deviation values, and more. It's meant to gauge the depth of ability development, including lateral derivatives. Both types require you to go to a specialized research institute."
After finishing her explanation, the supervisor took a document from a nearby counter and handed it to Natsume. It was the printed assessment form, very different from a normal physical—on the front page, the words "Academy City Confidential Document" were stamped.
"So, Natsume, what are your thoughts?"
The supervisor's gaze fixed on Natsume Sonoko as soon as she finished speaking.
--+--
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.