"I know!"
Nodoka nearly shouted, then deflated like a balloon, sinking back into the couch.
"I justneed some time."
Another silence. Nodoka stared at her cup of milk. Its warmth was gone by now, much like her cooling enthusiasm.
"Sis"
She suddenly used a term she hadn't used in ages.
"How did you end up with Rei Ao?"
Mai clearly wasn't expecting the conversation to shift so abruptly. Her eyes went slightly widean expression that looked unusual on Nodoka's original face.
"Why're you asking?"
"Just curious," Nodoka replied with a shrug, trying to appear casual.
"You're so amazing, right? You probably had tons of guys after you. What made you pick him?"
Though Rei Ao did seem quite special himself.
Mai pondered for a bit. Then a gentle smile curved her lipsone Nodoka had never seen on that face in the mirror.
"Because in Rei Ao-kun's eyes, I'm not a 'star'I'm just Mai Sakurajima."
She spoke softly, her voice carrying a quiet certainty Nodoka had never felt before.
"When everyone else only saw 'Mai Sakurajima' the celebrity, he looked at me in a way that made me feel likejust me."
Those words were like a key, suddenly unlocking a door deep inside Nodoka's heart. A pang of emotion rose in her throat, and she felt her eyes grow hot.
"Justyourself"
She echoed the phrase in a near whisper.
At some point in the past, she too had yearned for a gaze like thatnot seeing "the idol Toyohama Nodoka," not "Mai Sakurajima's cousin," buther. Even her mother's eyes were filled with expectations and demandslet alone all the fans out there.
"Nodoka?"
Mai's worried voice pulled her back to the moment.
"I'm okay."
Nodoka quickly wiped at her eyes and forced a smile.
"Justa bit tired. I'm gonna go take a bath."
She almost fled the living room, shutting herself in the bathroom. Hot water poured down from the showerhead, drenching her face so she couldn't tell water from tears anymore.
Why? Why did that single line affect me so much?
She'd always thought becoming a celebrity was her dream. But now, that goal feltempty.
"'To him, I'm not a star. I'm just Mai Sakurajima.'"
The words echoed in her mind. She realized that all her efforts to become a star might've just been a way to earn her mother's approval, to be seen, to be valued. But Maishe already had all that fame, yet she cherished someone who saw her as normal.
Turning off the water, Nodoka looked into the mirror at "Mai Sakurajima." That face was so beautiful, so poisedcarrying countless people's expectations and fantasies. But right now, the confusion and vulnerability in those eyes were one hundred percent "Toyohama Nodoka."
Pressing her fingertips against the glass as if gently touching Mai's cheek, Nodoka whispered,
"Thenwho am I, really?"
~~~
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(Bonus Chapter) Chapter 670: A Certain Magical Index is being Hunted!
Night fell, dark as ink.
On the outskirts of Academy City's Seventh District, two figures flitted quickly under the moonlight.
"Hey, Kuroko, how much farther?"
Mikoto Misaka asked in a low voice, the night breeze lifting her short, brown hair slightly.
"Based on the intel from Shokuhou Misaki, it should be under that abandoned pharmaceutical building up ahead."
Shirai Kuroko came to a halt and pointed at a seemingly deserted structure not far away.
She wore the Tokiwadai Middle School uniform. Her twin-tails swayed in the wind, and her eyes shone with determination.
"Sis, please be careful. On the surface, it seems unguarded, but Shokuhou-senpai said the security system here is actually quite strict."
Mikoto's lips curved into a confident smile, tiny blue sparks flickering at her fingertips.
"A security system? That's basically useless against me."
Kuroko nodded knowingly and placed a hand on Mikoto's shoulder.
"Well then, let's get going."
Space distorted slightly, and the two of them vanished from where they stood. An instant later, they reappeared inside a dim corridor of the building. Kuroko's Teleportation ability was at its fullest potential in moments like this.
Mikoto closed her eyes, sensing the electromagnetic fields around her.
"Three electronic locks, two infrared alarms, and five surveillance cameras."
She opened her eyes. A tiny burst of electricity crackled from her fingertips. Instantly, all electronic devices within range were disabled.
"Done."
"As expected from Onee-sama!"
Kuroko gazed at Mikoto with admiration. Even though she'd seen Mikoto use her powers many times, it always left her in aweespecially now that they were acting together. It was exhilarating.
"Onee-sama, let me handle the next part."
They worked in perfect sync. Kuroko used her Teleportation to move them swiftly down the corridors, avoiding any potential guards. Soon, they arrived at a thick, heavy metal door.
"This should be it," Kuroko said, checking the map provided by Shokuhou Misaki.
"The entrance to the underground lab."
"Right," Mikoto agreed, placing her hand on the electronic lock by the door. With a flow of electricity, the device lit up.
"Beep-beep," it chimed. But the door didn't open.
"Biometric lock," Mikoto muttered, frowning.
"Knew it," Kuroko said, pulling a small device from the hidden pouch in her shorts and sticking it to the scanner panel.
"Shokuhou Misaki prepared for this. It's a 'Talent Workshop' disruptor that can mimic biological data."
After a few seconds, the metal door slid aside, revealing a descending staircase. Exchanging glances and a nod, they carefully headed down.
The underground lab was far larger than they had anticipated. White corridors lined with transparent glass walls displayed an array of sophisticated equipment. Oddly, it was completely deserted.
"It's too quiet" Mikoto muttered, eyes alert.
"Shokuhou said there should be at least twenty researchers here."
Kuroko suddenly grabbed Mikoto's arm and pointed toward a door at the end of the corridor.
"Onee-sama, I hear something coming from there!"
They hurried over to the door, and Mikoto once again shorted the lock with a burst of electricity. The moment it opened, a cold blast of air rushed outand the sight within made both of them freeze.
Neatly arranged in the room were dozens of cylindrical tanks, each holding a girl identical to Mikoto Misaka in appearance. Misaka Sisters. The girls were asleep, floating in the fluid, eyes closed as if in peaceful slumber.
Mikoto's hand trembled, her nails digging into her palm.
"Again again with this"
She spoke through gritted teeth. Kuroko noticed the color drain from Mikoto's face and gently grasped her hand.
"Onee-sama"
Mikoto shook her head and hurried to the nearest control panel. Her fingers flew across the keyboard.
"I'm gonna find out if there are any other linked labs."
Kuroko stood by her, rage simmering as she looked at the unconscious clones. These crazy scientists had hurt her beloved Onee-sama again and again, all in the name of "research." Kuroko vowed silently that she'd do whatever it took to protect Mikoto from more pain.
"Onee-sama, I've already contacted Shokuhou Misaki," Kuroko said softly.
"Her people can be here in ten minutes to safely move these Sisters."
Mikoto didn't reply; she just stared hard at the screen, as though memorizing the data. Kuroko knew she was blaming herself, convinced all this was somehow her fault.
"It's not your fault, Onee-sama," Kuroko said firmly.
"The ones at fault are those using your DNA and those heartless researchers"
Finally, Mikoto turned around, her eyes shining with a mix of anger and tears.
"But it all started with me. If my DNA map wasn't out there in the first place, this never would've happened."
Kuroko opened her mouth to argue, but a faint cry for help cut her off.
"Help me"
Both girls tensed.
"You heard that?" Mikoto asked.
Kuroko nodded.
"It came from outside."
They hurried out of the room of tanks, following the voice through the deserted street. The plea for help grew louder, accompanied by chaotic footsteps and an unfamiliar soundlike paper crackling with fire.
When they found the source, they both felt their hearts clench.
"S-save me"
A silver-haired girl in a white nun's habit was stumbling toward them, weakly calling for help.
Not far behind her, a tall red-haired man was following at an unhurried pace. He wore a black priest's robe and had a cigarette in his mouth, holding a strip of paper inscribed with strange runes in his right hand.
"Help me"
The nun spotted Mikoto and Kuroko, a flicker of hope lighting her eyes. But just as quickly, doubt crossed her face. She tried to turn away, but collapsed from exhaustion. The red-haired man halted, letting out a cold laugh.
"You sure can run," he sneered, raising the rune paper.
"But this is the end."
The paper in his hand suddenly ignited, transforming into a blade of flame that shot straight for the fallen nun.
"Stop!"
Mikoto shouted, lashing out with her right hand. A thick bolt of lightning sprang from her fingertips, colliding midair with the flaming blade.
Boom!
The resulting explosion created a shockwave that sent the nun flying. Kuroko teleported instantly, catching the girl in midair. She was unconscious, face pale from fatigue and terror.
Mikoto positioned herself protectively in front of Kuroko and the fainted nun, sparks of electricity dancing across her whole body.
Rage burned in her tea-colored eyes.
"Who are you?" she demanded. "Why are you attacking her?"
~~~
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Chapter 671: Scientific Railgun vs Rune Mage Stiyl
Nighttime in the Seventh District always carries a peculiar kind of quiet.
"Hey! What do you think you're doing to that girl?!"
Mikoto Misaka's voice rang clearly in the deserted streets.
The red-haired manStiyl Magnussuddenly looked up, surprise flashing in his eyes.
"'Disperse Bystanders' should still be in effect"
he muttered under his breath. Then, frowning, he glanced over at the two girls who had appeared out of nowhere.
"I'm asking you a question!"
Mikoto's fingertips crackled with bluish-white electricity as she slowly advanced.
Kuroko also snapped to high alert, her fingers resting on the metal needles strapped to her thighs.
Stiyl's gaze swept over them, pausing briefly on the school emblem of Tokiwadai on Mikoto's uniform.
"So, you're espers from Academy City"
He let out a short laugh.
"This doesn't concern you. Leave now."
"You think I could ignore someone passed out on the ground right in front of me?"
Mikoto closed the distance to about ten meters, faint arcs of electricity forming a barely visible barrier around her.
"Kuroko, make sure that girl is safe."
"Understood, Onee-sama!"
Kuroko immediately teleported away with the unconscious nun.
"What?!"
Stiyl's eyes widened. He snapped his fingers, igniting the paper card in his hand with flames.
"Your opponent is me!"
Mikoto swung her right hand, releasing a bolt of lightning at Stiyl. He leapt back, conjuring flames at his former location to block the attack.
"This is my final warning"
Seeing his target vanish to who-knows-where, Stiyl was out of patience, his expression darkening. Pulling more rune cards from inside his coat, he growled:
"Hand over that nun, and you can leave unharmed."
"Hah?"
Mikoto raised an eyebrow.
"You really think a threat like that will work on me?"
Stiyl said nothing further. Flicking his fingers, he scattered several cards. In a flash, the entire street was illuminated by firelight! Countless fiery serpents surged from the cards, attacking Mikoto from all directions.
"Watch out, Onee-sama!"
Kuroko reappeared alone, evidently having secured the nun somewhere safe. She gasped at the sight of the fire.
"Hmph!"
Mikoto stood firm, giving nothing more than a simple snap of her fingers. A violent electromagnetic field burst out from her in all directions, twisting and shredding every incoming flame serpent. Still, she frowned slightlythese flames weren't being generated from the man himself, but rather from those strange cards.
"You're not an esper, are you?"
Mikoto murmured, narrowing her eyes.
"So how do you have these flames"
Suddenly, realization hit her.
"Y-you're a magician?!"
"Huh?"
Stiyl's eyes flickered with shock. How does a person on the science side know the word 'magician'?
"Well, doesn't matter how you found out. Looks like we won't be settling this nicely"
He gazed at Mikoto with a grim expression.
"I am Stiyl Magnus, a magician under the Anglican Church's 'Necessarius' special unit. My magic name is 'Fortis931.' Let this prove why I am the strongest!"
Declaring his magic name signaled that he would fight at full strength. As a rune master of the Anglican Church's special unit, Stiyl had fully deciphered the 24 existing runic letters and even developed 6 new runes. He was particularly adept at flame magic.
Stiyl gave Mikoto no time to process. He formed a quick hand seal, chanting an ancient incantation. The embers on the ground began to rearrange themselves, coalescing into a gigantic fist of flame that smashed toward Mikoto.
"Tch!"
Mikoto was momentarily shocked to confirm he really was a magician. She'd heard Rei Ao mention the existence of magic, but she'd never truly believed it until nowand it made a big impression. Still, this was no time for questions.
She sprang backward. From her pocket, she pulled out a coin. Pinching it at her fingertips, she aimed at the flaming fist.
Railgun!
Accelerated by electromagnetic force, the coin tore through the air with a blazing orange trail, piercing the fiery fist and heading straight for Stiyl's face.
"!!"
Stiyl hastily jerked his head aside. The coin, trailing fierce wind, grazed past him. The resulting blast left a scorched black streak on the pavement. He stared in disbelief.
"A science-side esper this strong?"
"Looks like your flames can't handle this,"
Mikoto said with a confident smirk, brandishing a few more coins in her hand.
"Now tell mewhy are you after that nun?"
"Hmph."
Stiyl gave a cold chuckle. Though taken aback by Mikoto's power, he had no intention of losing. He suddenly hurled an entire stack of rune cards into the air. They arranged themselves automatically, forming a complex magic circle. Intense magical energy flared, distorting the air around them.
