Uiharu finished tying her hair up just as Haruue finished brushing hers.
Haruue sat properly at the low table in Uiharu's dorm, her cheeks already puffed out comically, stuffed full of crepe she'd somehow managed to eat in an instant.
The crepes were a recent purchase by Uiharu, who had also returned with several bags of rice. Ever since Haruue had moved in, Uiharu found herself making trips for groceries every few days. She'd even bought a new rice cooker because the old one simply couldn't make enough for two.
Life was manageable, though. Uiharu was a Level 1, Haruue a Level 2; their scholarships were enough to cover food.
After all, not every school was like Tokiwadai Middle School, covering both room and board. Many students found their scholarships barely covered living expenses.
"Banri says she's living in a big white house now," Haruue mumbled around a mouthful of crepe, tilting her head.
"There's a teacher she trusts most, a doctor who seems a bit grumpy but really cares about them, and a very nice older sister who cooks really well. She says she's very happy."
A grumpy doctor… like Heaven Canceller? Shouldn't the teacher be Kiyama? The thought flitted through Natsume Sonoko's mind.
"And… she also told me that the sister who cooks so well is named Natsume Sonoko. It sounds just like your name." Haruue hesitated before continuing.
"Eh? What a coincidence!" Uiharu exclaimed, surprised.
"It's possible," Misaka chimed in, also sounding startled but quickly offering a logical explanation. "With so many people in Academy City, there are bound to be some with the same name."
"Onee-sama, Uiharu, you're both being a bit slow on the uptake." Shirai nearly stumbled, letting out an exasperated sigh as she looked at the two.
"Natsume-san. It's definitely you, isn't it?" Shirai narrowed her eyes slightly, leaning down to peer directly into Natsume Sonoko's face. This was the intuition of a Judgment member.
"Could it really be you, Natsume-san? But how would you know Haruue's friend?" Uiharu asked, puzzled.
Since you've asked so sincerely, I'll generously tell you.
Wait, that's off track. Natsume Sonoko had no intention of hiding it anyway.
The more people who cared about Banri and the others, the safer they'd be.
"That's right. The nice Natsume Sonoko she mentioned is me. And I really do cook well."
Feeling a bit self-conscious under Misaka and the others' stares, Natsume Sonoko surrendered immediately, declaring it with conviction.
"Now I'm having doubts again. The only flaw is the 'cooks well' part. Natsume-san, are you sure you can cook?"
This time, it was Shirai who seemed skeptical, even as Misaka and Uiharu seemed ready to believe it.
"Of course! Don't look down on me, Shirai-san," Natsume Sonoko retorted, slightly miffed.
"Anyway, Natsume-san, how did you come to know Haruue's friend?" Uiharu asked, her face full of curiosity as she placed a plate of fruit on the low table.
Natsume Sonoko took an apple from the fruit plate, bit into it, and then continued. "It's a long story. It all goes back to the Level Upper incident. We already know the mastermind behind Level Upper was a woman named Kiyama Harumi. She…"
--+--
"Natsume-san, there are some parts I still don't quite understand," Uiharu admitted somewhat apologetically.
"That's perfectly normal. After all, there are some things you weren't directly involved with," Natsume Sonoko paused.
"So you're saying the sudden disappearances from the previous Child Error incidents were actually caused by this Kiyama Harumi trying to awaken her students?"
Before Natsume Sonoko could even mention Child Errors, Shirai had already connected the dots.
"If Haruue can already communicate with Banri, that means the awakening was successful," Misaka said suddenly, seeming to understand as she turned to look at Natsume Sonoko.
"Mmm, you could say it was successful."
Natsume Sonoko nodded. In truth, it was only half-successful. It would only be truly successful once she gave the data to Kiyama-sensei and the others.
But Natsume Sonoko had a slight worry—were the materials she had obtained missing anything?
"Then, Natsume-san, can you take me to the big house Banri mentioned? I really want to see her."
Haruue, who had been quiet until now, finally spoke up after a moment's wait.
"Of course. But I need to ask Kiyama-sensei's opinion first." Natsume Sonoko tossed the apple core into the trash and thought for a moment.
It was already noon. Uiharu went to prepare lunch, washing a full rice cooker's worth of rice. With plenty of ingredients in the dorm, there was no worry about going hungry.
In the meantime, Natsume Sonoko managed to get in touch with Kiyama Harumi and the others.
"Fine. Since they're friends of both you and Banri, I can trust them."
Kiyama Harumi was in the middle of cooking lunch herself. Natsume Sonoko hadn't managed to hire a maid yet, so meals were still her responsibility for now.
"Failed again. Guess we'll order takeout." Kiyama silently slipped her phone back into her pocket, staring expressionlessly at the half-burnt steak before letting out a soft sigh.
"Everyone, come eat!"
Back at the Sakugawa Middle School dorm, Uiharu had already set four dishes and a soup on the table, calling everyone over.
"Coming, coming!" A slightly shy smile appeared on Natsume Sonoko's face as she sat down at the low table with eager anticipation.
"Wow, braised pork today!"
"Let's eat!"
--+--
Full and satisfied, Natsume Sonoko sat comfortably on the floor, a content smile gracing her features.
"Natsume-san, when can we go see Banri?" Haruue asked, tugging gently on Natsume Sonoko's sleeve almost as soon as the meal was over, her concern evident.
"How about right now?" Natsume Sonoko stretched, twisting her waist a little, and said with a laugh.
They boarded the train from Sakugawa Middle School station, and after four or five stops, arrived at the Independent Research Institute in District 7.
Natsume Sonoko pulled an ID card from her pocket, swiping it to open the main gate before leading everyone to the third floor.
"When did you become a researcher?" Shirai asked, her expression odd as she glanced at the ID card in Natsume Sonoko's hand.
"Banri." The elevator doors opened, and Sonoko spoke suddenly.
A small girl in a patient gown was leaning against the railing. She turned around, her face immediately lighting up with joy upon seeing Sonoko.
"Sonoko! Sonoko-neechan!" Banri exclaimed happily.
"You're friends of Sonoko and Banri. You're welcome here, but please try to keep the noise down." Wearing a white lab coat, Kiyama Harumi approached slowly, a stack of empty takeout containers in her hand.
--+--
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.