I, Kurumi Tokisaki, Am a Wanderer

The green-skinned sergeant plush was nestled snugly in Kurumi's arms.

The shop owner handing out the prize looked visibly dejected.

Was the meticulously prepared grand prize truly worth less than this sponsor-donated frog pillow?

The beautiful girl who had claimed first place merely offered an elegant "thank you" before unceremoniously stuffing the envelope containing the prize vouchers into a strange black-and-red crack, not even bothering to check if there were surprises inside.

It's fine… there's still the second place prize, the shop owner consoled himself.

This time, he had deliberately folded the corner of the "Seventh Mist" voucher, revealing the unmistakable and highly coveted floral insignia.

After all, it was the most popular boutique among young women, adored not only in the Seventh District but across all of Academy City. Surely, the runner-up would be overjoyed to receive such a reward.

And then...

"Um, shopkeeper, could I exchange these vouchers for that plush pillow instead?" Misaka Mikoto hesitated, her brow furrowed as she asked the question.

The shopkeeper felt as though an arrow had pierced his heart.

Forcing a strained smile, he replied in a voice that trembled with sadness, "Dear customer… are these prizes really worth less than a frog pillow?"

"Frog!" Misaka Mikoto's voice suddenly pitched higher. "That's Gekota! A Lovely Mitten limited-edition plush!!!"

Realizing she'd raised her voice, Mikoto quickly quieted down.

"So… shopkeeper, is it possible?" she asked in a smaller, hopeful voice.

"I'm very sorry for not meeting your expectations!" The shopkeeper bowed deeply at a full ninety degrees, tears practically dripping to the floor. "However… the sponsor only provided one plush pillow."

"Eh!!?" Misaka Mikoto froze in place, her expression turning heartbreakingly pitiful as if she might cry at any moment.

Her clear, tea-colored eyes shifted toward Kurumi. She fidgeted nervously, her toes pointing inward, and she lightly tapped her index fingers together.

"A-Ano!"

"Senpai… could I trade these vouchers with you for that pillow?" The illustrious Railgun of Academy City even resorted to using honorifics.

To Misaka Mikoto, the slight smile curling up on this beautiful girl's lips was all too familiar.

It was the same devilish grin she often saw on that busty upperclassman from Tokiwadai's second year who always acted high and mighty.

If it weren't for Gekota's irresistible allure, Mikoto would've wanted nothing more than to run away right then and there.

"Nope~~~" Kurumi rejected Mikoto without hesitation.

Holding Gekota by the back of its neck, Kurumi lightly swayed the plush to the left. Mikoto's gaze unconsciously followed.

Then, Kurumi swayed Gekota to the right, and Mikoto's eyes dutifully followed again. Watching Mikoto's reactions, Kurumi's smile became even more dazzling.

Raising her left arm to draw Mikoto's attention upward, Kurumi seized the opportunity with her right hand. She reached out and gently patted Mikoto on the head, her fingers brushing through the soft chestnut-brown hair.

"No trades. So… I'll give it to you instead." Kurumi spoke softly as she pressed the plush pillow into Mikoto's arms.

"Really?! Really, really?!" Completely unaware that she'd just fallen victim to a headpat kill, Misaka Mikoto clasped Kurumi's hand in excitement.

"Mm." Kurumi nodded, smiling.

"Thank you so much!!" Afraid Kurumi might change her mind, Mikoto quickly hugged the Gekota plush tightly to her chest.

"Well then, could I trouble you with one small favor?" Kurumi smiled, seizing the opportunity to make a request. "I'm not very familiar with the Seventh District. Could you show me around?"

"No problem!" Mikoto agreed enthusiastically, her tone as straightforward as her personality.

···

Despite Kurumi's gentle, ever-present smile, it created a peculiar sense of distance for Misaka Mikoto.

Is she intentionally trying to get close to me?

···

Does she have some sort of ulterior motive?

···

Moreover… that flawless elegance, the grace of a true noble lady, made Misaka Mikoto feel strangely uneasy.

She couldn't help but feel self-conscious about how utterly unladylike she was in comparison.

As the two walked along the road toward Seventh Mist, they came across a beautiful British Shorthair cat with blue-gray fur and bright orange eyes.

"Mew~"

The little cat rubbed affectionately against Kurumi.

As an Electromaster, Misaka Mikoto's body unconsciously emitted faint electromagnetic waves, which had the unfortunate side effect of driving cats away.

But Kurumi was different. She seemed to carry an aura that cats adored. Wherever she went, she attracted them like catnip.

The little kitten wobbled as it walked over, gently rubbing against Kurumi's slender leg beneath her skirt.

Its soft touch pressed against the black stockings covering her leg, the smooth, silky texture seemingly delightful to the kitten.

The little creature toppled onto its back, exposing its pale belly. It stretched its paws into the air, revealing its delicate, pink paw pads that bloomed like tiny plum blossoms.

Who could possibly resist such a sight? Certainly not Kurumi, who was an unapologetic cat lover.

Beaming with joy, Kurumi crouched down and gently picked up the kitten, cradling it tenderly in her arms.

Under the sunlight, Kurumi's smile was clean and radiant, resembling the warmest glow of a tranquil afternoon.

Perhaps… only when she was around cats could Kurumi show such a bright and unclouded smile.

Watching this rare, unguarded expression, Misaka Mikoto felt her nervous vigilance melt away.

At the same time, there was a flicker of envy in her heart.

She had tried countless times to feed the stray cats that gathered behind her dormitory, but every time, they would scatter before she could get close, leaving her alone with an unopened can of cat food.

Her electromagnetic abilities inevitably emitted faint electric waves, making her an unwelcome presence to cats.

This was her fate as an Electromaster.

All Mikoto could do was watch enviously as Kurumi hugged the kitten, gently scratching its chin, stroking its ears, and pinching its soft, pink paw pads, her face brimming with pure delight.

···

Then, to Mikoto's astonishment, Kurumi took her hand, smiling as she guided her to crouch down beside her.

Holding Mikoto's hand, Kurumi lightly pressed it against the kitten's fur.

Although the faint electric waves caused the kitten's fur to stand on end and its eyes to flash with a hint of fear,

The scent of Kurumi's soothing presence and the warmth of her gentle embrace prevented the kitten from bolting.

With her fingertips touching the kitten's soft, pink paw pad, it felt as though Mikoto was shaking hands with the little creature.

For an instant, a deep sense of fulfillment surged through Mikoto.

As the sun began to set, painting the sky with hues of gold and orange, the two girls exchanged a smile—soft, warm, and crystal-clear.

···

"Kurumi-senpai, I'll leave you here." Hugging her precious Gekota plush, Misaka Mikoto escorted Kurumi to the bus stop near the School Garden.

The two exchanged email addresses.

Despite her cheerful and straightforward personality, Misaka Mikoto didn't actually have many friends.

Most of the time, aside from the hours spent in designated research institutions conducting experiments and analyses, she preferred to lose herself in manga at a bookstore rather than engage in social activities.

Many people admired her from afar, but few dared to approach. The overwhelming brilliance of her Level 5 status cast her in a light that felt untouchable, almost alien.

That radiance created distance.

"Thank you, Misaka." Kurumi placed her left hand over her right and lowered them in front of her skirt, the perfect picture of a demure and elegant young lady.

She bid Mikoto farewell with a gentle smile.

At that moment, Mikoto realized that this upperclassman wasn't putting on airs or pretending to be polite—this was simply who she was.

Though Kurumi exuded a kind of wild, almost maddened indulgence in certain settings—like when they played games—her usual demeanor was that of a kind and graceful person.

"Let's play games together next time."

"Mm, next time," Kurumi replied, smiling as she boarded the bus heading for the Eighteenth District. "Goodbye."

"Goodbye."

—

After returning to Tokiwadai Middle School, Kurumi immediately fell into a shut-in mode.

After all, if she thought about it… it had been such a long, long time since she last had the chance to indulge in games.

She made a decision: when she eventually left Academy City, she would take with her a whole arsenal of gaming consoles, a solar-powered generator, and every game she could get her hands on.

Dressed only in a tank top and panties, Kurumi proclaimed her descent into depravity.

She had seemingly forgotten about the school director who eagerly awaited her return.

Experiments? Classes?

Nope!

If Accelerator could procrastinate all the way to graduation, why couldn't Kurumi Tokisaki do the same?

However… unlike Accelerator, who had to participate in all sorts of experiments to enhance his abilities and secure enough scholarship funds, Kurumi had absolutely no such obligations.

Furthermore, the Director-General of Academy City, hidden away in the windowless building in the Seventh District, had no intention of involving this ace card in his plans just yet.

Lazy days were always joyful yet fleeting. Even when idling with her clones, time seemed to fly by in the blink of an eye.

Before she knew it, the weekend was approaching once again.

Kurumi had almost forgotten she had a roommate, as Nunotaba Shinobu hadn't returned even once over the past few days.

It seemed likely that she had been staying at the laboratory full-time.

If the information gathered by her clones was correct, the organization Nunotaba Shinobu belonged to was none other than S Pharmaceutical Corporation.

Kurumi wasn't particularly concerned about how she would get close to the [Level 6 Shift Project] team if Nunotaba never returned.

Even if she didn't pursue Nunotaba's connection, she could still approach the team through Accelerator.

—

In the early morning…

Kurumi sat at her desk and turned on her computer.

Today was a special day.

A legendary hacker had declared their intent to challenge a system guarded by the "Gatekeeper."

The announcement had been made long ago, and the online hacker community was eagerly awaiting this showdown.

Kurumi was watching closely as well.

After all… the so-called "Gatekeeper" in question was none other than Uiharu Kazari herself.

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