July 16th, Academy City's routine physical checkup day!
"You're really holding out, huh, Yuriko?"
"Hmph~"
Samuel had just finished examining Suzushina Yuriko. Don't get the wrong idea—it was strictly professional, though Samuel, as the examiner, wasn't exactly conventional.
He was genuinely surprised. He hadn't expected Yuriko's willpower to be this strong, resisting the urge to come to him…
But…
"Ugh~"
Samuel infused another fragment of wisdom into her, pushing her closer to ascension.
Then he pulled back immediately—just a tease, waiting for her to make the move.
It was like this: Yuriko was a student scoring 90 points, aiming for a perfect 100. It was tough, and while she worked hard, her desire wasn't overwhelming.
Initially, Samuel gave her a 5-point boost, making 100 seem tantalizingly close, fueling her drive.
She stuck to her old study habits, though.
This time, he added another point, making the goal even nearer, her urgency now palpable.
Not the perfect analogy, but close enough.
"You… you… jerk…"
Yuriko suppressed the urges coursing through her. In Samuel's presence, even her consciousness felt hazy.
"Heh… Hm? Sorry, gotta go—something came up!"
Samuel's eyes flickered… he sensed a summons!
…
"Uiharu~"
A girl's call was followed by a gust lifting her skirt.
Whoosh~
Four barriers snapped up, enclosing the center, protecting Uiharu Kazari's purity… or not.
"Oh~ Light pink with polka dots today!"
"Nice, really brings out that innocent vibe!"
"Yah! Saten-san~ Committee Leader?"
"Don't look at me like that, Uiharu-chan. I'm just protecting your purity."
"But with the Committee Leader here, it's already…"
Right—Samuel always appeared at the perfect moment by Uiharu's side, raising barriers and crouching down.
"Ugh~"
Seeing Samuel's unshakable nerve, Uiharu turned to the culprit of this—and every—incident.
"Sorry! Sorry! My bad. How about I make it up by showing you my panties? Though, senpai might… uh~"
Before Saten Ruiko could finish, Samuel's hands swiftly flipped her skirt.
"Oh~ Blue-and-white stripes, the classic set!"
"Yah!!! Senpai!!!"
…
After the commotion settled.
"Seriously… how does a guy like you become Judgment's Committee Leader?"
Saten patted her skirt, exasperated, while Uiharu puffed out her cheeks.
"C'mon, don't underestimate me! I've got the skills…"
"Yeah, yeah, a Level 5, huh? So unfair that a guy like you gets to be one!"
"What's that tone? Still no change?"
"Nope, still Level 0, powerless! What about you, Uiharu?"
"Sigh! Still Level 1, weak ability. Since elementary, no change. Even my teacher said, 'Are those flowers on your head just for show? Use their blooming power to boost your ability!'"
"Uh… I wanna roast that, but cheer up!"
Saten offered a strained smile to comfort Uiharu.
"Well, even if your innate talent's lacking, there are ways to grow…"
"Senpai, you don't get it. You're a Level 5—how could you understand us? I'm Level 0, no powers at all."
Saten's tone carried a hint of self-mockery.
"If you could have a power, what would you want?"
"No question—teleportation, invisibility, wall-phasing, telekinesis…"
Saten jumped up, striking a dramatic pose.
"Wow, that's quite a list!"
"Yeah, but it's impossible. Not talking to you about this anymore, Uiharu—let's go shopping!"
"Sorry, Saten-san, I'm meeting Shirai-san today."
"Shirai? That Judgment girl, Shirai Kuroko?"
Since Uiharu often worked with Shirai Kuroko in Judgment, Saten had heard of her.
"Kuroko? Why her?"
Samuel asked, curious.
"She made my wish come true—to meet Misaka-senpai! One of Academy City's eight Level 5s, Tokiwadai's Misaka Mikoto!"
Uiharu clasped her hands, eyes sparkling like Shokuhou Misaki's, as if praying.
"Misaka Mikoto?"
Samuel recalled something but quickly dismissed it. It was just a bit of fun—after all, this was a real world!
"You know her, senpai? Bet she's another arrogant Level 5 looking down on everyone, or a weirdo like you."
Saten sounded annoyed, likely imagining Mikoto's smug face.
"Ouch! I'm right here, and you call me a weirdo…"
"Isn't it true? We don't even know what your power is… Wait, as a Level 5, do you know what Misaka Mikoto's like?"
"Well… she's definitely a weirdo. But among us Level 5s, she's probably the most normal!"
Samuel thought back to the Level 5s.
"Uh… now I'm worried…"
Saten spread her hands helplessly.
"Come with us, Saten-san!"
"Huh?"
"Let's go! Committee Leader too?"
"Sorry, she probably doesn't want to see me right now. Gotta lay low for a bit."
"??? What's the story there? Some juicy gossip? Spill it!"
"…"
Samuel looked at Saten, brimming with curiosity, unsure what to say. Admit he'd spanked Misaka Mikoto recently?
"Not answering. If you wanna know, ask her yourself. I'm outta here."
"Hey! Leaving me hanging like that's like swallowing a thousand needles!"
Samuel vanished before Saten and Uiharu, leaving her frustrated at the interrupted gossip.
"Whatever, Uiharu, let's go!"
***
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