In A Certain Classroom at Tokiwadai Middle School.
It was already the last period on Friday afternoon, with the beloved weekend just around the corner.
Sonoko Natsume was scribbling away at her desk while listening to the lesson, managing to finish all the homework assignments—even those the teacher hadn't yet assigned—in about ten minutes.
As usual, Sonoko was a master of time management. When it was time to study, she studied diligently, never wasting a single moment.
"Natsume-san, the exams are in just a week. Would you like to review together at the library today?" Her classmate, Wanō, cautiously leaned over and asked in a soft voice.
"Review? Ah, I've been really busy lately, so I can't make it."
Sonoko set down her pen, a hint of apology on her face. She really had been swamped these days, often returning to the dormitory just before curfew.
Although Tokiwadai had a packed curriculum, only a few subjects actually required formal exams. Many courses were graded directly based on classroom performance. The ones that did have exams were subjects like Japanese, Mathematics, and Physics.
Considering this was only the first test upon entering middle school, the content wouldn't be too extensive. For Sonoko Natsume, it wasn't particularly challenging.
"I see, Natsume-san, you really have it tough." Wanō nodded, sighing with understanding.
This period was Physics. The teacher raced through the material, flipping over a dozen pages in just a few minutes. The entire thick textbook would be finished in just a few classes.
Sonoko listened while cross-referencing the content in her head, and time slipped by unnoticed.
As soon as class ended, Sonoko, unburdened by club activities, hurried out of the school gates.
Lately, because she was leaving so quickly, she often ran into Shirai Kuroko.
Just then, Shirai was adjusting her appearance—straightening the armband of the Judgment officer, smoothing her hair and letting it fall neatly behind her shoulders.
"Shirai-san, try not to be late again tonight."
Hearing a familiar voice, Shirai Kuroko turned to see someone clutching her schoolbag, rushing past.
"None of your business! What have you been up to lately, you meatball-head? Always so secretive." Lately, Shirai had noticed this girl always cutting it close to curfew, and she couldn't help but feel curious.
"I've got my own things to deal with."
The daily routine of being tested at the research institute was incredibly monotonous, yet she didn't dare slack off, conscientiously cooperating with the researchers.
She couldn't take any of the institute's documents with her, but no one stopped her from bringing her own notes. Her days were spent studying and jotting things down.
Likewise, this institute wasn't equipped with a supercomputer, let alone access to calculation quotas from the top-tier Tree Diagram supercomputer. This was a bit of a letdown for Sonoko.
It seemed this institute wasn't very high up in Academy City's research hierarchy. The resources invested in this student, Kaito Ito, were quite limited.
The reason the institute was being shut down was because this same Kaito Ito had had an accident.
During a combat experiment arranged by the institute, which took place on a school rooftop, he was struck in the head by a blunt object manipulated by a magnetic ability user.
"Ito, come here for a moment. This machine can simulate the operational trajectories of certain abilities. Use it today to calibrate your ability's accuracy." Called over by Researcher Asuka, Sonoko hastily put down the materials in her hands and went over.
"Alright, Ms. Asuka. Is this how you use this machine?"
Sonoko stared somewhat bewildered at the unfamiliar instrument, forcing a calm expression while asking cautiously.
Just as Sonoko was busy being a test subject, her phone in the schoolbag rang. A glance showed a message from Uiharu.
"Natsume-san says she's sorry, she can't make it right now because she's busy."
The group sat around a booth in the family restaurant. Uiharu set down her phone, looked up at everyone, and relayed the message.
"Don't you all think Natsume-san has been acting a bit strange lately? The moment school's out, she vanishes."
Shirai Kuroko bit her straw, chin resting on one hand, a thoughtful look on her face.
"You all feel it too? Now that I think about it, I haven't seen Natsume-san for about a week."
Uiharu said seriously, a trace of sudden realization dawning on her face.
"Me too. Ever since that sukiyaki outing, it's been ages since I last saw Natsume-san." Saten chimed in, squinting slightly as if stating a profound truth.
"It's not that exaggerated. Kuroko, you used to skip out often too, didn't you? Maybe Natsume-san really is busy. I think everyone's being a bit too sensitive."
Misaka Mikoto sighed, stirring the ice water with her straw, feeling the discussion was making a mountain out of a molehill.
"Onee-sama! When Kuroko was absent before, it was for the anniversary of our red-string-connected fate! It wasn't for no reason!" Shirai reacted strongly, standing up from her seat with a peculiar gravity, which only drew stares from the surrounding patrons.
"You still dare bring that up? Just thinking about it makes my blood boil." The iron fist of Misaka's destiny came down on Shirai's big head, causing even her twin tails to droop instantly.
Retracting her fated fist, Misaka's expression softened a bit, but she seemed distracted.
"Onee-sama, I just got a message. They say Anti-Skill has revoked the arrest warrant for Kiyama Harumi."
Shirai, ignoring the throbbing pain in her head, hurriedly spoke up. A message had just popped up on her phone: Academy City had officially decided to cancel the warrant for Kiyama Harumi's arrest.
"Kiyama Harumi… wasn't she the creator of the Level Upper?" Misaka thought back carefully before speaking.
"It's true, I received the same message." Uiharu, sitting nearby, also sounded surprised.
"It says they're dropping the charges of intentional assault and resisting arrest, but retaining the charge of researching hazardous materials, though they won't prosecute for now." Shirai said, somewhat puzzled.
"How can they do that?"
"My guess is they're trying to lure Kiyama Harumi out so they can capture her in one fell swoop." Misaka thought for a moment, then stated with conviction.
Back at the Thermal Energy Research Institute, Sonoko Natsume had just stepped down from a machine when Researcher Asuka pulled her aside.
"What is it, Ms. Asuka?" Sonoko gave the researcher a curious look, but then noticed the stars in Asano's eyes.
"Oh, it's Shokuhou-senpai." Sonoko said, a hint of realization dawning.
"I have some rather bad news. I've learned through certain channels that the board has decided to transfer the researchers here ahead of schedule. That means this institute's closure date has been moved up. Natsume-san, you have roughly until the weekend."
Shokuhou's voice, speaking through Asuka's body, carried a tone of regret.
"So soon? I understand."
--+--
The weekend always passed in a flash.
By Monday, Sonoko Natsume, sitting atop a cleaning robot, gazed somewhat wistfully at the now empty building.
In just one morning, all the equipment and personnel had been relocated—shipped off to who-knows-where—leaving only an old, vacant structure behind.
Located in a bustling part of District 7, the building would likely be quickly bought and turned into a café or some other shop.
"Even though I'll miss this place, at least I managed to go through all the useful data."
Moving forward along the current road, Sonoko directed the robot onward.
Her current destination was to submit her application to leave Academy City. The specific location was the District 7 administrative office of the Board of Directors.
She'd heard the Board's headquarters was that windowless building in central District 7, but that place had no entrances or exits to speak of, and certainly no reception or administrative staff.
Under normal circumstances, students and others had to handle their affairs at the administrative offices scattered throughout Academy City.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.