Chapter 828 Ruiko in Action
"It's understandable," Mikoto said, speaking up for her good friend. "Since we've already accepted Saten and Haruue into Our group, it's a bit inappropriate to forget them every time we take action."
It was like this during "that incident" four days ago, and it's still like this today. No wonder they're complaining.
"It was my oversight. I'll find a chance to explain it to her later," Lin Wuming said, a bit of a headache.
Lin Wuming had indeed forgotten about Saten Ruiko and Haruue Erii.
Now, when action is needed, Lin Wuming has habitually defaulted to the core members—the few people around this dining table.
Moreover, both of these times were emergency actions where they left on the spur of the moment, and he really hadn't thought of calling anyone else.
As for whether it was dangerous or not, that consideration was secondary.
"Also," Lin Wuming shook his head and continued, "Saten provided a new clue—regarding Kihara Gensei."
"Eh? Again~" Shokuhou Misaki sprawled unattractively on the table. "Is there no end to that cunning old fox...?"
"Tomorrow is the first day of school, and Our school only has half-day classes, so I'll take the time to go check it out," Lin Wuming said. "Tokiwadai Middle School should have full-day classes, right?"
"It's not exactly classes, but there are indeed all sorts of things that need to be handled," Mikoto said, looking annoyed. "And we're not allowed to take leave."
"I can take leave," Hu Feng Homi said. "I just need to be a little forceful."
"No, it's not necessary," Lin Wuming refused Hu Feng's offer to volunteer. He knew that the 'forceful' she spoke of was truly very forceful. "We all saw today's action—it was just a decoy anyway. There's no need to make such a big fuss again."
Moreover, rather than searching for Kihara Gensei, Lin Wuming's main objective tomorrow was to keep an eye on Saten Ruiko, to prevent that highly proactive girl from acting on her own and running off to some strange and dangerous place...
As it turned out, Lin Wuming's guess was entirely correct.
The next day, the first day of school, the morning of September 1st, Lin Wuming received an email from Saten Ruiko early in the morning.
The girl said she had already arrived at the Institute mentioned in the rumors and was currently observing from outside.
Lin Wuming dared not be careless and quickly left to rush over.
Hu Feng Homi naturally followed along.
"Hu Feng, you don't need to come along," Lin Wuming said, then sent the destination to the driver's seat in front.
Lin Wuming had recently updated his special car, adopting fully autonomous driving technology, so a driver no longer needed to be on standby at all times.
After all, Lin Wuming's frequency of using this special car was not high, so there was no need to specially assign a driver, which would not only waste human resources but also might not be reliable.
"It's fine," Hu Feng Homi changed her uniform and applied makeup directly in the car. "Consider it leaving early. Once we confirm there's no danger, I'll go straight to school. I won't be late."
"Alright, then I'll have this car take you over later. It'll be faster," Lin Wuming said.
Because his Nen had not yet recovered to Level 3, Lin Wuming couldn't speed in his wheelchair as he used to, which was why he rarely used this special car.
Upon reaching the destination, what relieved Lin Wuming was that the scene was peaceful and quiet, with no abnormal situations.
Saten Ruiko was also standing safely by the roadside, pacing back and forth bored.
"Saten!" Lin Wuming rolled down the car window and called out across the road.
Noticing Lin Wuming and Hu Feng Homi's arrival, Saten Ruiko quickly waved and then ran over quickly.
After the two sides met, Saten Ruiko quickly began to explain.
Saten Ruiko also knew her actions were reckless, even alarming Lin Wuming to rush over early in the morning to meet her. Worried about being criticized, she had to defend herself a few times.
While Saten Ruiko's initiative was strong, she wasn't so reckless as to truly not know the gravity of the situation. In fact, after gaining recognition and joining the "Unnamed Faction," Saten Ruiko became much more cautious—she knew the level of danger and enemies Lin Wuming and his allies faced. After all, Haruue Erii had seriously reminded and warned her more than once, so she had to take it seriously.
But on the other hand, "innate nature" is not something that can be easily changed.
Especially her fondness for "urban legends" has become an instinct etched deep in her soul. To describe it in Saten Ruiko's own words, it's "urban legends calling to her"!
Because of this, last night, while intensely collecting information related to urban legends, Saten Ruiko discovered a new clue.
Coincidentally, the Institute the clue pointed to was precisely on a route she needed to take to school.
So, on her way to school today, without realizing it, Saten Ruiko's steps spontaneously stopped here...
Fortunately, she still maintained her rationality and remembered to send an email to Lin Wuming.
"So you haven't gone in yet?" Lin Wuming didn't dwell on the girl's explanation—coincidences might indeed have accidental factors, but they certainly couldn't be without this girl's subjective initiative.
No matter what, as long as the outcome is good.
"Of course not!" Saten Ruiko quickly shook her head. "This is a legitimate Institute that's still operating normally. How could I just barge in?"
—In other words, if it were a "abandoned" or "unregulated" Institute, she could barge in, right?
"Not going in was the right thing to do," Lin Wuming said. "It's getting late. Let's head to school first."
With that, Lin Wuming opened the car door, letting the girl get in, but he himself got out.
"Lin Wuming?" Hu Feng Homi also prepared to get out when she saw this.
"Don't worry, I won't act on my own either," Lin Wuming said. "A Certain High School is nearby. I'll just walk over later. Of course, before that, I'll investigate a little."
Saying that, he looked at Saten Ruiko again: "I'll just investigate a little under the guise of a visit. After school today, I'll take you for an official surprise visit."
This could also be considered fulfilling the girl's wish to participate in the action.
Seeing that Lin Wuming just wanted to "play with a child," Hu Feng Homi immediately relaxed and lost interest in acting together.
Saten Ruiko showed a subtle expression. She wasn't foolish; of course, she could see Lin Wuming's purpose in doing this.
It wasn't exactly anger, but she felt a bit disappointed, as it was different from what she had expected.
"Uh... let's just skip it this time, okay?" Saten Ruiko ultimately declined Lin Wuming's invitation.
A "surprise operation" that loses its novelty and mystery is no fun at all.
Lin Wuming naturally didn't insist, only instructing: "Next time you have clues, don't act on your own. Notify us, and we'll act together."
"Alright, I got it~" Saten Ruiko replied listlessly.
