Returning to the Drive Armor, after Lin Wuming left, only girls remained.
However, without Lin Wuming, who could keep the situation in check, the atmosphere on the scene became even more tense.
Mugino Shizuri's dissatisfaction with Misaka Mikoto was almost palpable; she would unconsciously glare at Misaka Mikoto, as if looking for trouble.
Having crossed paths more than once, Misaka Mikoto was well aware of her attitude, and coupled with Misaka Mikoto's naturally competitive personality, she naturally would not give an inch.
The two Level 5s, Railgun and Atomic Destroyer, faced each other from a distance.
It wasn't until their respective companions couldn't stand it and stepped forward to mediate that they finally put aside their differences for the time being.
"Seriously, how troublesome..." Misaka Mikoto felt a wave of exhaustion and couldn't help but complain.
After all, she was the Third-ranked, so she didn't have much of an opinion of the Fourth-ranked Mugino Shizuri. The confrontation just now was merely because she didn't want to lose her momentum.
—Anyway, even if she backed down, it wouldn't satisfy the other party, so she might as well go head-to-head and not give an inch.
At least doing so would make her feel much better.
Shokuhou Misaki, ranked fifth, watched the entire scene unfold, with no intention of getting involved.
"Stop gloating," Misaka Mikoto complained as she approached Shokuhou Misaki, "Why did you let Senior Wuming leave? If he were here, I wouldn't have to work so hard."
Shokuhou Misaki didn't answer directly, but lifted her chin, gesturing for Misaka Mikoto to look ahead.
At this moment, the Item quartet was gathered around the crystal found in the Drive Armor's cockpit, seemingly conducting an investigation.
Misaka Mikoto followed her gaze, utterly confused: "Speak up, I can't hear your thoughts..."
"Sigh..." Shokuhou Misaki let out a long sigh, looking as if she was disappointed, "Misaka, what do you think of the other side, those four girls?"
"The other side... the Item quartet? They're pretty good, even though they're a Dark Side Organization." Misaka Mikoto had no prejudice against them. "Oh, Mugino Shizuri doesn't count, she's quite annoying."
In Misaka Mikoto's eyes, Frenda was very cute, Kihara Saiai was very cool, and Takitsubo Rikou's lazy demeanor easily made people feel close to her.
And all of them were beautiful girls above average, almost too good for a Dark Side Organization; they could totally become idols and debut as a group.
Even Mugino Shizuri, whom Misaka Mikoto had the most prejudice against, was actually a great beauty as long as she didn't speak.
For example, right now, perhaps because she had nothing to do, Mugino Shizuri was quietly lost in thought.
A stylish long dress perfectly outlined her figure.
Just by looking at this scene, who would have thought that this beautiful girl was actually the leader of a ruthless Dark Side Organization?
She even had more of a noble young lady's aura than the Tokiwadai students.
—Come to think of it, she's only a high school student, just a few years older than me. About the same age as Senior Wuming... Huh?
Misaka Mikoto suddenly realized, turning sharply to look at Shokuhou Misaki.
From their aura, among the girls Senior Wuming knew, it seemed only Shokuhou Misaki and Mugino Shizuri wouldn't look out of place standing beside Senior Wuming.
As for everyone else—including Misaka Mikoto herself—whenever they were with Lin Wuming, there was always a feeling of "an adult accompanying a child."
"I see," Misaka Mikoto said, looking at Shokuhou Misaki, "So that's why you let Senior Wuming leave..."
The competition was already fierce enough; there was no need to add any more inexplicable competitors.
Shokuhou Misaki, however, didn't admit it, instead giving her a glare: "Don't let your imagination run wild, Misaka Student~ The other side is a Dark Side Organization, and Senior Wuming is a 'Hero'; they are on two different sides, darkness and light. If Senior Wuming were discovered associating with a Dark Side Organization... it would have a bad influence."
"Is that really true?" Misaka Mikoto didn't believe the explanation. "Hmph, you're saying one thing but meaning another."
"It's true," Shokuhou Misaki explained with a smile, "Unlike Misaka Student, who only thinks about fighting, I'm good at manipulating information. So I couldn't be clearer about the importance of information power—never underestimate the power of information and rumors; you'll suffer for it."
Misaka Mikoto fell silent; when it came to professional matters, she really couldn't refute Shokuhou Misaki's words.
Unlike Lin Wuming, who held the title of "Hero," Misaka Mikoto and Shokuhou Misaki, although also Level 5s, wouldn't have much of a problem if they collaborated with a Dark Side Organization.
After all, they were "ordinary citizens."
"Oh, Kuroko!" Misaka Mikoto suddenly remembered that there was still a "partner of justice" present.
Shirai Kuroko had been by Misaka Mikoto's side the whole time, so she had heard everything Shokuhou Misaki said.
"Don't worry, I'm not in a high position like Senior Wuming," Shirai Kuroko said calmly, "As an ordinary Judgment, I don't know anything about Dark Side Organizations. Today, I'm simply acting in my capacity as a Judgment."
"Speaking of which," Misaka Mikoto looked at Shokuhou Misaki again, "Is it really okay to just hand over the key evidence to them? Although we agreed to act together, I... just feel a bit unwilling."
Misaka Mikoto had no ill feelings towards Item, but she was inevitably provoked by Mugino Shizuri's attitude.
In short, she didn't want to lose!
"Hmph, who do you think I am?" Shokuhou Misaki said proudly, "I've already thoroughly examined it before giving it to them."
"Any findings?" Misaka Mikoto quickly pressed.
"We'd like to know too," at this moment, Mugino Shizuri and her three companions also walked over, "What clues has the famous Queen Bee found?"
Mugino Shizuri seemed to be in a good mood, presumably having made some discoveries as well.
"First, tell us what you've found," Shokuhou Misaki looked at Takitsubo Rikou, "Your Ability Tracking should have found something."
"Yes, it has." Takitsubo Rikou nodded, then raised her hand to point in a certain direction, "Over there, the ability user who operated this Drive Armor is in that direction."
"We're ready to act immediately," Mugino Shizuri said, "A quick battle, root them out. What about you?"
Shokuhou Misaki uttered a single word: "Study."
"Study Corporation—it's said to be one of the Anti-Skill's equipment suppliers," Shokuhou Misaki introduced, "Their most important product is the Drive Armor."
"You mean, this Drive Armor... the company called Study is the one that attacked Frenda?" Mugino Shizuri said, raising an eyebrow.
