Kazakiri Hyouka did not choose to leave with Lin Wuming, but instead complied with Shokuhou Misaki and Hu Feng Toumi's "pleas to stay" and remained where she was.
However, after leaving Lin Wuming, Kazakiri Hyouka quickly felt bored. Although those two "Bee" ladies showed quite strong emotions towards her, Kazakiri Hyouka herself had no interest in either of them and even ignored the hostility they displayed, choosing to leave quite straightforwardly.
"--After becoming human, it seems there are also very inconvenient aspects."
Kazakiri Hyouka reflected with a blank expression. Unlike before, when she didn't have such a clear "self-awareness," time had no meaning for her, and she wouldn't have feelings like "boredom."
"--Besides the incredibly important 'kindred spirits,' some other stimulation would be even better."
Amidst her troubles, Kazakiri Hyouka also silently yearned in her heart.
Then, her expectation was answered.
"Ah, there they are." Kazakiri Hyouka stopped walking and said as if to herself.
In this dark and deep alleyway, from some unknown moment, many extra "light sources" appeared.
They were long, strip-like green fluorescent lights, numerous like fireflies.
Even searching her memories, Kazakiri Hyouka didn't realize when this change had started; it was only when she became aware that she suddenly found herself surrounded by these fluorescent lights.
So she stopped walking, standing still and waiting for the figures surrounding her to approach.
Finally, those fluorescent lights revealed themselves--upon closer inspection, they were the faint night glow emitted from military night vision goggles.
The Misaka Sisters equipped with military night vision goggles surrounded Kazakiri Hyouka.
"Electromaster." Kazakiri Hyouka looked around. As far as she could see, there were at least over thirty of these green fluorescent lights.
But if she used other observation methods, Kazakiri Hyouka could immediately determine the exact number of opponents--one hundred and ninety-six people,
Because the alley space was limited, a considerable number of Misaka Sisters were waiting slightly further away.
Just like the expressionless Kazakiri Hyouka, the Misaka Sisters surrounding her also wore poker faces, equally silent and calm, showing no emotional fluctuations.
So the two sides quietly faced off against each other like this.
Until a special individual appeared, breaking the silence on the scene.
"I can't stand it. Are you planning to just stand here together until dawn?" A Misaka Sisters with long hair and a more mature height and build pushed through the crowd and came to the forefront of the standoff.
Misaka Worst's eyes were fierce. Although she had the same face as all the Misaka Sisters, she looked like a completely different person.
Misaka Worst was the overall commander of these Misaka Sisters, and it was most fitting for her to step forward and end this seemingly endless standoff.
The Misaka Sisters tacitly retreated, surrounding Misaka Worst like stars around the moon.
This way, it looked even more like some delinquent girl gang was looking for trouble.
"Hey, are you called Kazakiri Hyouka?" Misaka Worst looked over with narrowed eyes, "The girl who became sentient from the AIM Diffusion Field?"
"I know you," Kazakiri Hyouka tilted her head and looked over, "The sole result of the 'Third Production Plan,' the last-born Misaka Clones."
"Tsk, that's a bit irritating," Misaka Worst scratched her hair, "You, you're not doing that on purpose, are you?"
Kazakiri Hyouka continued speaking as if to herself, "Did Misaka Mikoto send you? Or was it Shokuhou Misaki's order?"
"You're really arrogant," Misaka Worst said, "Are you looking down on us? If even an AIM Diffusion Field aggregate like you can have self-will, what makes you think we can only be puppet pieces?"
"...I'm sorry, I was too narrow-minded." Kazakiri Hyouka bowed and apologized.
"Tsk, never mind, I forgive you." Misaka Worst was momentarily stunned, and her expression improved significantly.
In fact, Kazakiri Hyouka's guess wasn't entirely wrong. Today's collective action by the Misaka Sisters was indeed requested by Onee-sama Misaka Mikoto.
In order to track Lin Wuming and Shokuhou Misaki's date, Misaka Mikoto put aside her pride and specifically went to ask the Misaka Sisters for help.
The Misaka Network even specifically planned for today's collective activity, which is why it was possible for three-digit numbers of Misaka Sisters to gather in the same area without attracting the attention of unrelated passersby.
Of course, the actual situation was that, thanks to the high-tech gadgets provided by Motoharu Tsuchimikado, the Misaka Sisters' "human surveillance system" didn't come into much use.
However, this just happened to align with Misaka Worst's wishes.
After Onee-sama Misaka Mikoto forgot about this matter, Misaka Worst took her place and became the overall commander of today's "tracking and observation unit."
Misaka Worst is the aggregate of all the Misaka Sisters' negative emotions, so their actions can also be understood as a manifestation of the collective will of the Misaka Sisters.
Coincidentally, "tracking Unnamed Senior's date" was precisely what they wanted to do, so the final outcome still proceeded according to the planned schedule.
Then, as expected, the appearance of Kazakiri Hyouka was also observed...
After that, Lin Wuming was called to meet with Chairman Aleister. After losing the tracking target, Misaka Worst decisively switched targets and followed Kazakiri Hyouka.
"Nice to meet you," Kazakiri Hyouka asked, "What can I do for you?"
Misaka Worst sized up the strange girl in front of her, clicking her tongue in wonder, "I thought an existence like me was already considered abnormal, but I didn't expect there to be something even more exaggerated..."
Regardless, clones could at least still be categorized as "human" physiologically. But Kazakiri Hyouka... an existence whose classification is unknown, even Misaka Worst couldn't help but sigh in admiration.
"You are an out-and-out anomaly," Misaka Worst commented directly.
"So what?" Kazakiri Hyouka's emotions fluctuated again. Her entire person seemed to be activated, and her expression became increasingly lively, "You, a special existence among clones, aren't much better, are you?"
Misaka Worst was not angry at Kazakiri Hyouka's counterattack; instead, she clapped her hands and praised with a smile, "You're right, you're an anomaly, and I'm also an out-and-out anomaly."
Kazakiri Hyouka returned to her expressionless state and looked over, seemingly having no interest in continuing the conversation.
However, Misaka Worst continued, "So, since we are both anomalies, why don't we cooperate?"
"...Huh?" Kazakiri Hyouka was stunned for a moment, then slowly tilted her head and looked over.
Across from her, this girl with the same face as Misaka Mikoto showed an expression that would absolutely never appear on Misaka Mikoto's face.
"--A devilish smile of a successful plan combined with ambition."
