Life's hard enough as it is—no sense letting good food go to waste.
The Tsuchimikado seafood bento was a delight: fragrant dried shrimp scattered like tiny gems, delicate shreds of squid woven through the rice, and peeled shrimp and caviar arranged into a cheerful, smiling face.
None of the ingredients were particularly excessively luxurious, but under Tsuchimikado's skilled hands, they came together in a way that made the mouth water. Truly, she was the kind of person Natsume Sonoko had always admired.
"So good," she murmured, the flavors still lingering on her tongue.
Not one to waste a single grain, Sonoko cleaned the bento box until it shone. Lately, her appetite had been growing—and to her, that felt like a good sign.
As she set her chopsticks down with a satisfied sigh, a pleasant laziness washed over her. All she wanted was to stay right there in her seat and not move an inch.
"Tsuchimikado-san, thanks for the bento. I think I'll just rest here a bit—I've been running all over the place since this morning."
She glanced toward Tsuchimikado, who was, as always, immaculate in her maid uniform, looking bright and energetic.
Tsuchimikado was pacing slowly around the dining hall, a tray in hand as she practiced her maid skills. Lunchtime was nearly over, and only a few stragglers remained.
"Of course, you may. But it's not good to stay seated right after a meal. A little movement helps with digestion and keeps your stomach happy."
Tsuchimikado came to a stop beside Sonoko, a thoughtful expression on her face.
The afternoon sun streamed brightly through the windows, casting a warm patch of light across the table.
"Natsume-san, the Midsummer Festival is coming up soon," Tsuchimikado said cheerfully, resting her chin in her hands as she took the seat opposite. "I heard Misaka will be performing on stage this time."
"Oh? Really?"
Sonoko looked up from her phone, where she'd been idly scrolling through various posts. A flicker of surprise showed in her eyes.
"Mhm. Shirai-san told me. She's the one who suggested it, and even the Dorm Supervisor approved."
Tsuchimikado nodded earnestly, her big eyes full of sincerity.
"But… does Misaka-senpai know about this?" Sonoko picked up on the loose thread in Tsuchimikado's words and voiced it quietly.
"...Well, I'm not sure about that. But I'm certain Misaka will do just fine!" Tsuchimikado replied with another firm nod.
"True enough. Misaka-senpai did get a perfect score in music class."
Sonoko recalled the end-of-term exam results from not long ago. Among the second-years, Misaka-senpai and Shokuhou-senpai always left the rest of the students in the dust.
As for Sonoko's own results… she'd only scored a tiny bit higher than Shirai-san.
"By the way, there's also a charity auction at the festival. Is there anything you plan to donate, Natsume-san?"
Tsuchimikado turned her gaze fully on Sonoko, clearly curious.
"Eh, there's something like that too?"
"Yes. And all the proceeds will be donated to the 'Child Errors'."
"I see. Since it's for a good cause, I'll donate a set of manga that's practically out of print here in Academy City."
After a moment's hesitation, Sonoko made up her mind, mentally estimating the value of the books.
She loved this series so much she'd bought two complete sets. Donating one felt right—like she was doing her part for charity.
Back in her room after leaving the cafeteria, Sonoko gathered the manga she planned to donate. She wrapped the stack tightly with packing string—fifteen volumes in all, each one as good as new.
No exaggeration—in Sonoko's mind, the full set was worth at least twenty thousand yen. These were volumes you could hardly find anywhere else in Academy City. Truly one of a kind.
To prepare for the Midsummer Festival, a temporary planning committee had been set up in the student dormitory. Surprisingly, Shirai-san was one of its organizers.
One of the activity rooms in the dorm's main hall had become the committee's headquarters.
"Natsume-san, I think the starting bid is a bit too high. Two thousand yen would be more appropriate."
A third-year student offered this advice with a gentle smile.
"But these are out-of-print…"
Sonoko frowned, clearly unhappy with the price adjustment.
"Alright, fine. Two thousand it is."
In the end, she didn't argue further and accepted the decision with a reluctant nod.
"Oh, and Natsume-san," the senior called out just as Sonoko was about to leave.
"For the festival, everyone's supposed to wear a maid uniform. If you don't have one, you can get one custom-made by the sewing club. Their work is really quite good."
"Thank you, I'll keep that in mind."
[Thank you so much for inviting me, Natsume-san. I already received the invitation to Tokiwadai's Midsummer Festival, but are you sure it's alright for me to come?]
A message from Juufuku Miho popped up on Sonoko's phone, accompanied by a buzz.
[It's no problem at all, Juufuku-san. The more, the merrier! And just between you and me—Misaka-senpai will be performing!]
Standing in the middle of the exchange plaza, ignoring the blazing sun overhead, Sonoko quickly typed back.
[Really? The Railgun herself will be there?]
[Yes, it's absolutely true!]
Somewhere else, a certain Misaka-senpai, preoccupied with her own thoughts, suddenly sneezed. She wondered if a new flu was going around.
[Natsume-san, what are you up to right now?]
[I'm waiting for someone—I'm supposed to meet Uiharu and the others here at the exchange plaza. Oh, they're here! Gotta go!]
Tucking her phone into her pocket, Sonoko waved toward a small group approaching in the distance.
"Um, hello."
The girl named Haruue Erii spoke softly, her head tilted slightly to one side. She held a half-eaten melon pan in one hand and had a somewhat dreamy, dazed look about her.
"Hehe, let me introduce you! This is my new roommate, Haruue Erii. And this is Natsume Sonoko from Tokiwadai. She'd been away from Academy City and just got back the day before yesterday."
Uiharu held Erii's hand as she made the introductions, smiling warmly.
"Hello, Haruue-san."
Sonoko found herself growing a little shy, too. The moment she laid eyes on Erii, a chain of memories clicked into place, bringing more details to the surface.
Just like the collective emergence of RSPK Syndrome—this was all part of the Railgun storyline.
Sonoko's soul-memories were growing clearer. Unlike the completely unfamiliar Index plot, she could still dredge up bits and pieces about Railgun if she concentrated.
"Erii just moved in, so she's still missing some clothes and daily supplies. We're here to go shopping—what's a holiday without a good, long shopping trip?"
Saten Ruiko pumped her fist with determination, then grabbed Sonoko's hand and pulled her into the bustling exchange plaza.
"So we're here to shop…"
Sonoko's expression tightened slightly, probably as she thought about the state of her savings.
"I don't really need to buy anything myself. I'll just tag along," she added.
"Erii, this one would look great on you."
Sonoko studied Erii's figure with growing enthusiasm, then held up a light-green dress against her to check the fit.
"Really?" Erii's face held that same dazed look, as though she hadn't quite processed it.
"I think so too." Saten stepped back to get a better view, nodded in approval.
Even without a single coin in her pocket, Sonoko found herself getting into the spirit of things. There was something satisfying about helping someone else pick out clothes.
As a poor student condemned to wear Tokiwadai's uniform year-round, her only fashion outlet was living vicariously through others.
"I'm not so sure. I think something in pink would suit Haruue better." Uiharu shook her head in disagreement.
Just then, Sonoko fell silent. She stood completely still, her expression shifting.
"What's wrong, Natsume-san?"
Uiharu looked at her, puzzled by the sudden change.
"The ground… it's shaking. And it's getting stronger."
No sooner had the words left Sonoko's mouth than the tremors intensified violently.
--+--
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.