Inside the light screen, Misaka Mikoto's trembling yet defiant "We walk different paths, we cannot work together" still echoed, her resolute departing figure frozen in the frame. In reality, online opinion had split into two sharply opposed camps.
One side empathized and passionately rallied to her cause:
'Mikoto did the right thing! Why should she bow to him?! That high-and-mighty jerk who tramples people's dignity —he's clearly no good!'
'Stand with Mikoto! A person lives for pride, a tree lives for its bark! If you'll do anything for money, how are you different from a walking corpse?!'
'I cried —Mikoto really… she held her bottom line! No matter how hard the road ahead, at least her heart is bright! I'm a fan for life!'
'That guy in the chair is infuriating! What does he mean "nothing but her ability"? He's insulting ordinary students and young people too, right? We also have dreams and principles!'
'Exactly! I feel attacked! Support Mikoto for not yielding to evil! This isn't about money —it's about principles!'
These viewers were mostly younger, still clinging to campus idealism, or sensitive to real-world authority and oppression. They easily resonated with Mikoto's emotions, seeing her choice as a defense of dignity and belief —a tragic yet heroic stand.
The other camp, mainly viewers with more life experience, sighed and weighed pros and cons:
'Ah, silly girl—utterly foolish!' posted an ID labeled 'Workplace Veteran', heartbroken. 'She has no idea what she just turned down!'
'+1 to above. You're all cheering, but have you thought it through? The man behind the chair casually offered four hundred thousand gold! Know what that means? Kuchiba Hiro's bounty is only fifty thousand! It shows this guy isn't on the same level as ordinary Transcendents! He's either the one "baking the cake" or the one "dividing the cake" —a true big shot who controls resources and rules!'
'Spot on! When such a heavyweight offers an olive branch, even rudely, it's recognition and opportunity! Countless people would kill for that! Mikoto just kicked away the ladder to heaven!'
'It's not just four hundred thousand gold —it's a seat at the table! Following a boss like that, even as his "blade," grants access to resources, intel, and connections she'd never touch alone. She missed the fastest elevator to a higher class!'
'In the end, she's too steeped in student thinking, valuing "self-respect" over real benefit and long-term growth. In society, bowing sometimes lets you leap higher. This wasn't holding her bottom line —it was cutting off her own future.'
Some comments stayed cool and neutral:
'Nothing to regret —it's personal choice. To catch a boss's eye and get a seat at the table, you pay a price: freedom, dignity. Misaka Mikoto refused, choosing a harder road that may feel better in her heart. That's all.'
'She picked her path; she'll bear the consequences. Just hope she won't regret it. The roughness of reality will teach her soon enough.'
The online uproar thrust Mikoto's choice into the storm. Supporters praised her integrity; detractors called her foolish. Either way, the decision etched her stubborn, naïve, pride-heavy character—and foreshadowed the price she'll pay for her "persistence." This transcendent world won't treat her gently just because she's "clean."
The light screen continued… (The heavy double doors shut behind Misaka Mikoto; the room fell silent, only sandalwood smoke and distant city noise lingering.
A slim boy in a black suit —Ogino Hikaru —slipped in like a shadow, stopping three paces behind the tall-backed chair and bowing slightly.
'Boss'. His voice was clear and steady, betraying no ripple. 'She refused. Shall I dispose of her? A rare specimen like Railgun… letting her go is a waste.' A faint covetousness for top-grade "material" laced the final words.
Behind the tall chair, silence lingered. Then a crisp, authoritative voice rang out, laced with undeniable mockery and deeper calculation:
'Ogino, your thinking still needs improvement.'
"Feed is cast for the fish. It circles the pond, and its nourishment returns to our waters. Why jump in and dirty your hands fighting stupid fish over scraps?"
He likened Transcendents like Mikoto to fish in a pond—strife and temptation were mere feed, while he sat rod-in-hand above, watching them struggle. To him, her refusal was just a fish refusing the bait and calling it "freedom."
Ogino Hikaru lowered his head, humble. 'Yes, I understand'.
He then made his request: 'Boss, I'd like to request leave for a while.'
The chair shifted; the man behind seemed to turn his head, shadows sketching a sharp jawline.
'Oh? Going to… settle a score?' The tone was flat, yet saw straight through Ogino's hidden purpose.
Ogino didn't deny. His face stayed calm, but something settled in his eyes. 'Yes'.
After a brief silence, permission came from behind the chair:
'Go'.
Then, with scrutiny and warning, as if staging a play:
'I'll be watching. Hope you give me a good… show.'
'If you perform poorly, don't follow me anymore.'
'Yes.' Ogino bowed again and silently left the room, as unnoticed as when he arrived.)
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