Chapter 934 Rumor?
“Tell me, was it you who caused this?!” As soon as class ended, Misaka Mikoto immediately rushed to Shokuhou Misaki’s classroom, shouting without regard for her image.
“What are you talking about…” Shokuhou Misaki pressed the remote control with a helpless expression, freezing the students who were watching the commotion.
“You clearly look down on my ability, yet you still hope to use it for help.” After doing all this, Shokuhou Misaki continued, “You’re truly hypocritical, Misaka Student.”
“Who dares to look down on your ability…” Misaka Mikoto mumbled, but Shokuhou Misaki’s words were indeed correct—she did hope that Mental Out could erase people’s related memories, which was why she dared to shout so recklessly.
“Haven’t you heard that rumor? It says that Our declared war on Senior Nameless and will have a decisive battle during the Great Ba Xing Festival!” Misaka Mikoto spoke rapidly.
Just before class, Misaka Mikoto heard this news from two teachers.
However, it was already class time, so Misaka Mikoto had to return to her classroom and endure until now.
Of course, she wasn't idle during class either; she had been using her own methods to investigate.
But unfortunately, because this “rumor” was mainly spread within Tokiwadai Middle School and it was currently class time, Misaka Mikoto couldn't find any valuable clues online.
—After all, those young ladies were also in class.
Her investigation yielded no results, so Misaka Mikoto went straight to Shokuhou Misaki’s class after school.
Not only because her Mental Out was more suitable for investigating such matters, but also because—Misaka Mikoto suspected that this rumor was very likely released by Shokuhou Misaki.
Because during the tea party at noon, Shokuhou Misaki had hinted at something like “Senior Nameless is Our common enemy.”
Shokuhou Misaki sighed heavily, not bothering to hide the disdain on her face: “Calm down, Misaka Student. I’ve already investigated the matter thoroughly~”
“Investigated thoroughly… when?”
“Just now.” Shokuhou Misaki said calmly, looking at the figures in the classroom that remained frozen in their previous postures, “What do you think I activated my ability for?”
“Then tell me, who started the rumor?” Misaka Mikoto asked.
“Out of principle to protect personal privacy, I won’t reveal specific names.” Shokuhou Misaki put her index finger to her lips, making a “shushing” gesture.
Misaka Mikoto, upon hearing this, couldn’t help but roll her eyes, feeling it was quite ironic coming from the person most skilled at prying into others’ privacy.
But even more ironically, from the facts, Shokuhou Misaki was indeed correct; she truly protected people’s privacy.
Shokuhou Misaki was like an information black hole that only observed but never spoke; no gossip or rumors were ever heard to have originated from her.
This was also why, after more than a year of actual interaction, the students at school had an increasingly better impression of her.
—So what if the Queen saw your secret? As long as she doesn’t tell, it’s as good as not being spied upon!
Human adaptability is truly that strong.
Of course, it’s also possible that it just hasn’t been discovered yet.
But no matter how Misaka Mikoto complained inwardly, Shokuhou Misaki continued: “The cause of the matter is actually very simple—someone eavesdropped on Our tea party conversation, but they didn’t hear everything, and combined with their own imagination and association, it ended up like this…”
Looking at Misaka Mikoto in front of her, Shokuhou Misaki blinked: “But I can’t exactly blame them, after all, even Misaka Student, who directly participated in the tea party, came to the same conclusion.”
Shokuhou Misaki’s mockery made Misaka Mikoto a bit awkward, but she quickly composed herself and continued: “Since it’s a misunderstanding, let’s clear it up quickly.”
“However, such a misunderstanding seems to suit people’s preferences,” Shokuhou Misaki said, “Even if Our publicly refute it, I’m afraid no one will believe it, right? No, it might even backfire!”
“I know that, of course,” Misaka Mikoto said depressed, “That’s why I specifically came to you.”
“I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you.” Shokuhou Misaki said, “I won’t intervene.”
“Just let the rumor spread?” Misaka Mikoto frowned deeply, “What good does that do you?”
“No,” Shokuhou Misaki shook her head, “You should think of it this way—what good does it do me to painstakingly eliminate the rumor?”
Without waiting for an answer, Shokuhou Misaki continued: “Or rather, Misaka, do you think such a rumor has any harm for Our?”
“Of course there’s harm. If it reaches Senior Nameless’s ears…”
“Do you think Senior Nameless would believe it? Or is the trust between Our so fragile?” Shokuhou Misaki looked at her meaningfully.
Shokuhou Misaki’s words were quite cutting, directly blocking all of Misaka Mikoto’s rebuttals.
“Well, I can understand your concerns, Misaka,” Shokuhou Misaki pressed the remote control again, “But the best way to deal with rumors is to ignore them.”
The scene in the surrounding classroom instantly “came alive,” and the noise of the break filled the entire space.
The surrounding students observed the interaction between the two Level 5s with interest, quietly guessing the purpose of Misaka Mikoto’s sudden intrusion.
“Let’s go visit Senior Nameless after school today!” Shokuhou Misaki announced publicly, smiling at Misaka Mikoto.
...
Leaving the classroom that wasn’t hers, Misaka Mikoto was still full of doubts.
Shokuhou Misaki’s final display seemed to be proving to others that she and Senior Nameless had no ill will, but something still felt off.
What made Misaka Mikoto even more frustrated was that Senior Nameless’s schedule after school today was already set—Shirai Kuroko had invited him yesterday to the Disciplinary Committee Branch 177 to boost morale.
She was quite quick.
Misaka Mikoto was hesitating whether to also go to the One Seven Seven Branch.
Because she was friends with Shirai Kuroko and Haruue Erii, and also on good terms with Kogawa Meiwei, Misaka Mikoto often showed up at the One Seven Seven Branch, making her a regular there.
But she wasn’t a Judgment, after all, and forcing her way in now felt a bit unjustified.
—Ultimately, it was because Senior Nameless was involved that a simple and pure matter became complicated, wasn’t it?
For a moment, Misaka Mikoto even truly felt that the rumor was right.
“Senior Nameless… is indeed Our ‘enemy’.”
