Chapter 925: The Queen Bee's Tea Party
“Oh, right,” Shokuhou Misaki suddenly said at the office door, just as they were about to part ways. “Today’s tea party will proceed as scheduled, but the location has been changed to the Sadan Faction activity room.”
Misaka Mikoto nodded, “Got it. I’ll be there.”
“Shirai Student must also attend,” Shokuhou Misaki smiled as she looked over. “You must attend; you cannot decline.”
—You cannot escape.
Shirai Kuroko nodded stiffly, “I’ll be there.”
Shirai Kuroko knew that this time, she was attending the tea party in her own name, not as “Onee-sama’s henchman.”
As for the topic of the tea party, there was no need to guess; it was definitely related to Lin Wuming.
Such tea parties were a customary event for the Shokuhou Faction, undoubtedly the absolute home ground of the Shokuhou Queen Bee.
—It feels like I’m going to a Hongmen Banquet.
Shirai Kuroko felt her mood growing heavier.
“Well, you’ll get used to it,” Misaka Mikoto patted her shoulder again. “It’s really nothing; don’t overthink it. Focus on your classes. We’ll meet here at noon and go to the tea party together.”
“Onee-sama…” Watching Misaka Mikoto’s retreating back, Shirai Kuroko gave a helpless, bitter smile. “You say that so easily. Only you would think it’s nothing, wouldn’t you?”
After all, as the aces of Tokiwadai Middle School, only Misaka Mikoto, also a Level 5, could confront Shokuhou Misaki without changing her expression.
“Tsk, I knew once I took this step, I’d face all this…” Shirai Kuroko muttered to herself. “But when it actually comes to facing it, the pressure is indeed immense.”
Clenching her fists, Shirai Kuroko turned and walked towards her classroom.
—It’s come to this. Since such a price has already been paid, I absolutely cannot give up. I must win Lin Wuming!
As if her whole body was ignited with fighting spirit, Shirai Kuroko stormed into the classroom with a fierce aura.
Because of the powerful presence she displayed, her classmates didn't dare to approach her easily to gossip for a while.
This allowed Shirai Kuroko to quietly get through her morning classes.
At noon, Shirai Kuroko, with the resolve of going to battle, headed straight for the Shokuhou Faction’s exclusive activity room. Then, she “barged” in without hesitation.
As expected, although it was called a tea party, only Shokuhou Misaki and Hu Feng Toumi were seated at the table. Besides them, only Junko and Dolly and Taoli were serving as “waitresses.”
The topic was definitely related to Lin Wuming.
Her accurate guess made Shirai Kuroko feel a little more at ease for some reason.
“Kuroko! Seriously, why did you run ahead by yourself?” Misaka Mikoto followed closely, rushing there. “Didn’t we say to meet first?”
“Eh?” Suddenly remembering that this was indeed the case, Shirai Kuroko quickly said, “Sorry, I forgot…”
“Never mind. Since you’re already here…” Misaka Mikoto shook her head, then carefully scrutinized Shirai Kuroko. “It seems you’re really fine, which puts my mind at ease.”
Misaka Mikoto was worried that Shirai Kuroko was under too much pressure and too nervous, which was why she suggested meeting first and then coming together.
“Seriously, what kind of image do you have of my tea party?!” Shokuhou Misaki complained. “It’s not a dragon’s den or a tiger’s lair; what’s there to be nervous about?!”
“Hmph, the tea party itself isn’t scary, but the person hosting the tea party…” Misaka Mikoto said unceremoniously.
Misaka Mikoto was immune to the effects of Mental Out, but even so, in her opinion, the “Queen Bee’s Tea Party” was an occasion that required heightened vigilance and mental preparedness.
So, there was even less need to mention Shirai Kuroko, who couldn't resist Mental Out.
Although she knew Shokuhou Misaki wouldn't do anything too extreme, since it involved Lin Wuming, who knew if she might act impulsively and do something…
Just as she said before—the tea party was the Queen Bee’s home ground, in other words…
Essentially, this was also a battle!
“Well, well~ Misaka Student, Shirai Student, please come in and sit down,” Junko smiled as she greeted them, then enthusiastically announced the start of the tea party.
Junko often organized such tea parties, so she was already accustomed to the tense atmosphere between the two Level 5s; in fact, in her opinion, this was precisely proof of their “good relationship.”
Therefore, Junko showed no signs of nervousness, enthusiastically preparing tea and food.
Because of her demeanor, the atmosphere indeed relaxed, and it began like a normal tea party.
Although it was called a “tea party,” it was more accurately a “lunch party,” as it was already lunchtime and the lunch break.
To attend the tea party, the few people present hadn't eaten lunch yet, so this was a good opportunity to take care of it.
Knowing that the Queen Bee had important matters to discuss at the tea party, Junko specifically prepared easily accessible sandwiches and cakes for lunch.
However, the attention of the few people present was not on the food. After quickly filling their stomachs, they swiftly got to the main topic.
As the convener of the meeting, Shokuhou Misaki naturally spoke first.
“I only have one purpose for holding this tea party,” Shokuhou Misaki raised a finger, her expression serious. “Reflection!”
“Ah… Hmm?” Hearing a word completely beyond her expectations, Misaka Mikoto was stunned for a moment. “Reflection?”
“Yes, reflection,” Shokuhou Misaki nodded. “Yesterday’s battle with Front, we all participated…”
At the mention of this, the expressions of the several girls became solemn.
“How did we perform, what role did we play…” Shokuhou Misaki looked down at the teacup in Front of her. “Everyone was a participant, so I don’t need to say more.”
How did they perform? Although it couldn't be said that they played no role at all, the actual role they played was indeed very limited.
At least in the girls’ own eyes, they were definitely not satisfied.
It could be said that without their help, Lin Wuming would still have won; and in the initial stages of the battle, they even played a negative role.
Looking down at the bandage on her hand, Hu Feng Toumi clenched her fist tightly until the wound burst open, and blood once again stained the bandage.
“So, what you’re trying to say is…” Misaka Mikoto looked at the opposite side.
“We need to cultivate tacit understanding and practice fighting together,” Shokuhou Misaki said. “Yes, put aside your so-called dignity and unnecessary reserve, Misaka Student, we need to join forces!”
“You mean, an enemy like Front…”
“That’s right, according to my premonition, we will have more and stronger enemies in the future,” Shokuhou Misaki nodded. “Of course, strictly speaking, they should be Lin Wuming’s enemies, and as long as we can draw a clear line, we probably won’t be affected. But it’s obvious that we can’t draw a clear line, can we?”
