Students in Academy City had almost no nightlife, strictly confined to their respective dormitories.
Even during the Daihasei Festival, by around ten in the evening, it was already time for everyone to part ways.
While other schools might have been a bit more relaxed, for Tokiwadai students, this curfew was already quite generous.
Under the deepening night, the crowd around them gradually thinned.
Misaka-senpai hadn't returned to the dormitory today; she bid everyone farewell and left.
She'd been mysteriously absent for most of the day and was probably worrying over how to explain it to her mother.
Fortunately, the place they were staying wasn't far, so Natsume and the others could watch her until she entered the hotel.
After that small parent-teacher meeting yesterday, the woman named Misaka Misuzu had specially applied for an outing permit for her.
Misaka-senpai was allowed to stay out during the Daihasei Festival—she just needed to check in regularly with the Dorm Supervisor.
Since this was permitted under dormitory rules, Shirai-san seemed rather downcast. After all, it meant she wouldn't be sharing a room with her beloved Onee-sama for a whole week.
But this arrangement was probably necessary for Misaka-senpai too. Perhaps it would help her gather her thoughts, soothe her sorrow and anger, and regain her courage to face life.
Today's incident wasn't truly over—its ripple effects would continue to surface in their lives. Some things, once they happen, whether good or bad, leave irreversible consequences.
Blinking, Natsume found herself lost in thought. She kind of wanted that kind of outing privilege too.
As much as she loved her own dorm room—a single with all sorts of security measures, two neatly made beds hiding enough snacks and entertainment to hibernate through winter—she still occasionally wished she could spend a night outside.
But she didn't dare let her mother and the Dorm Supervisor meet. If that happened, her "good girl" image in her mother's eyes would probably shatter.
Knowing the Dorm Supervisor, she'd definitely bring up how Natsume had damaged dorm property and stayed out overnight multiple times—all to reinforce her authority in Tokiwadai's dormitory.
The main difference between her and Misaka-senpai was probably just the stash of forbidden cosmetics. Not that it mattered much—Natsume rarely bothered with makeup anyway.
In the constant, possibly even humidity-controlled environment, her skin had always been perfectly fine.
Shirai-san accompanied Uiharu and the others back to Sakugawa Middle School's dorm.
With Misaka-senpai gone, she didn't feel particularly motivated to return to Tokiwadai's dorm either. As usual, she'd probably cut it close and rush back at the last minute.
With any luck, they might even see Shirai-san cooling her heels outside the door again tonight.
Kongou-senpai and Wannai's group also returned to the School Garden. Since they all lived in different dormitories, before long, only Juufuku-san remained walking back with Natsume Sonoko.
Stars had emerged in the sky, and the fiery, silver-blossoming effects from the fireworks had long vanished. The surroundings were so quiet they could hear the rolling wheels of cleaning robots.
Somewhere out of sight, a boy named Kamijou Touma might have just thwarted another city-threatening disaster, while a girl named Himegami Aisa preserved her life because she received medical care in time.
Countless people were striving to live their lives—everyone was the hero of their own story. Even if their paths never crossed, their lives were still intertwined within this city.
"Natsume-san, you seem a bit distracted."
"Is it because of your injuries?"
Walking quietly along the path back to the dorm, Juufuku Miho worriedly poked Natsume, who was wearing an unusual expression.
Normally, Natsume seemed somewhat spacey, her mood hard to read. But now her lips were pressed slightly together, as if pondering something.
Juufuku Miho didn't know what had happened to Natsume Sonoko that afternoon. She only knew that Natsume had skipped her own event, and when she showed up again, she was wrapped up like a half-finished mummy.
Though Natsume disliked sports, she never shirked what she felt needed to be done—she was a stickler for rules. For instance, she never skipped P.E. class, a stark contrast to a certain Mental Out.
But today, she'd vanished without a word. It was truly worrying.
Juufuku Miho wanted to do something, but she didn't even understand what was going on.
Still, this time she'd managed to get contact details from Uiharu and the others, and had formally met first-year Shirai Kuroko. She wanted to become part of Natsume's circle.
"Eh, well, it's partly because of the injuries, but there's a bit more to it."
Snapping back to reality, Natsume met the other girl's gaze and nodded slightly.
She'd used Judgment duties as an excuse when explaining to Juufuku and the others, so only those involved actually knew what happened.
Her mind, however, was still occupied with thoughts of Misaka-senpai and Kihara Gensei—though now her attention was forced onto those conspicuous bandages.
Her sleek black hair cascaded neatly over her shoulders, meticulously arranged to avoid being scolded by the Dorm Supervisor for an unkempt appearance upon returning.
But what worried her more was how to explain her injuries to both the Dorm Supervisor and her mother.
Even if they only looked serious, if the Dorm Supervisor decided to dig deeper, she wouldn't know what to do.
"So troublesome. Maybe I should just stay out tonight—it's not like it'd be the first time."
Annoyed, she ruffled the long hair that kept falling into her eyes, feeling torn.
But being a well-self-regulated honors student, she quickly shook her head and dismissed the idea. Staying out would have even worse consequences.
"An esper expecting special treatment in the dorms? In your dreams!"—probably the Dorm Supervisor's exact words.
Besides, Natsume's medical records had likely already landed on the Dorm Supervisor's computer.
"You really don't need to worry so much, Natsume-san. The Dorm… Supervisor is actually quite reasonable."
Juufuku Miho clasped her hands in front of her, thoughtfully recalling something. While Natsume and others used almost sycophantic honorifics, most students simply called her "Dorm Supervisor."
Juufuku got along fairly well with her. Strict, yes, but she genuinely cared about them.
It was troublemakers like Misaka and Shirai, who constantly caused dorm incidents, who received "special attention."
Natsume was relatively well-behaved, always respectful—but as a Level 5, she still ended up on the Dorm Supervisor's radar.
However, as a recent transfer to Tokiwadai, Juufuku remained somewhat naive, unaware just how terrifying someone who could defeat a teleporter in one move and make Railgun cry truly was.
"Speaking of which, is there some event at the dorm today too?"
Natsume Sonoko blinked, completely unaware.
In the distance, she could already make out the small garden of their dorm—her usual route for sneaking out via the window.
The trees were adorned with pretty lights, and even the patrolling security robots had been decked out with LED lights by mischievous students.
"It is the Daihasei Festival, after all. Seems the Dorm Supervisor is being a bit more flexible this year."
Juufuku Miho remarked earnestly, smiling as they passed an especially flamboyantly decorated security robot.
There seemed to be more security robots around the dorm than usual. In the dim evening, their lights drifted like a starry sea descended to earth.
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T/N: 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.
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