As soon as Rei Ao stepped into Shokuhou Misaki's world, she felt as if only he existed in her vision. She even forgot that Misaka #00001 was present, merely observing quietly.

Yet the Sister (#00001) was involved, because she was holding Shokuhou's hand.

"Misaka Network data shows… any pain should lessen in 37 seconds, do. Misaka attempts to provide supportive data while also feeling conflicted about comforting a rival…"

Shokuhou let out a strange, tear-blurred laugh. She no longer knew if she was sobbing or laughing. She only knew that here, all her pride as Tokiwadai's 'Queen' was being crushed inch by inch. And this was just the beginning.

…

The hallway was deserted.

Mikoto Misaka ran barefoot across the chilly floor, using the Misaka Network to ask: "Where exactly is Rei Ao now?"

[Special Dorm 2101,] Misaka #10072 immediately replied.

[But we recommend Onee-sama wait a bit because Rei Ao-sama is currently in a critical phase with Misaka #00001,]added #10086 with a blush.

"Critical…phase?!" Mikoto nearly tripped over herself.

"I don't care about that!" she shouted—then felt an inexplicable pang in her chest.

Was that jealousy? No, impossible. Why would she be jealous of her own clone?

She had no time to consider such things. Electricity coursed through her body, ready to accelerate her if needed.

[Onee-sama, Misaka #00001 just uploaded a new file titled 'A Happy Moment,' Misaka #20001 naively reminds you.]

"I'm not looking!" Mikoto shrieked, running faster and trying to block those mental images and voices.

But despite her attempts to resist, the Misaka Network's data kept flooding her mind. She could sense #00001's emotions right now—even, through shared sensation, feel that satisfaction.

"Stop… stop it…" Mikoto murmured, unsure whether she was pleading with herself or the entire Misaka Network. Her legs felt weak—maybe from all the "exercise" or from too much shocking data.

Turning a corner, she finally saw the special dorm in sight. Gritting her teeth, she forced a final burst of speed. She had to see Rei Ao face-to-face, had to demand some answers. Why was he doing this? Why become every Sister's boyfriend? Why did seeing those images hurt her heart so much?

Those few seconds ascending the elevator felt like an eternity. When it opened on the 21st floor, Mikoto practically stumbled out onto the corridor and sprinted for Room 2101. Standing at the door, she took a trembling breath, raising her fist to knock—

But the door opened on its own.

Standing there, clad only in a towel, was Rei Ao. His short black hair was still dripping water, and amusement danced in his iridescent eyes.

"I sensed you coming." He smiled in that magnetic, low voice. "Welcome to Round Two, Mikoto."

She peered over his shoulder—and saw Misaka #00001, looking blissfully content, and Shokuhou Misaki looking tense and uneasy. Shokuhou noticed Mikoto and put on a forced, mocking smile.

"Oh my, isn't that our little gorilla? Perfect timing, your girl's pretty good~"

"???"

Mikoto felt dizzy—this was all too surreal. She opened her mouth but had no idea what to say. Confront him? Thank him? Beg him for something? Rei Ao seemed to sense her inner struggle and gently stroked her cheek.

"Come in. We can talk."

His touch sent a jolt through Mikoto's entire body, making her almost forget why she'd come. A fleeting thought told her she was making a huge mistake. But she couldn't turn back now.

She stepped into another abyss.

…

Talent Workshop's corridor, midnight—so different from daytime. Moonlight slipped through skylights, tracing diamond-shaped pools of light on the metal floor.

Kanzaki Kaori tread barefoot over those fragments of light. The seven wires at her waist gave off tiny metal friction sounds. Now she'd shed the strong façade she wore by day; her brow stayed furrowed in unspoken worry.

An automatic door slid open around the corner—Dolly stumbled out hugging a Gekota plushie. Spotting Kanzaki, her pupils shrank, and she reflexively stepped back, only to catch her foot on the hem of an overly long nightgown.

"Careful," Kanzaki's body reacted before she could think. She grabbed Dolly's wrist just in time to prevent her head from hitting the wall…

Dolly pressed a hand to her chest, trying to calm her breathing. The data of honey cake flavor that #10031 was sharing through the Misaka Network suddenly lost all appeal.

"You… can't sleep, Ms. Magician?"

She noted Kanzaki's freshly showered scent. But instead of resting, Kanzaki was walking the halls.

"I'm thinking about the future." Kanzaki absently fingered the crucifix in her jeans pocket. Under the moonlight, her dark eyes looked coated in a silvery haze of confusion.

"Future…?" Dolly echoed the word with her own uncertainty. She'd been resurrected, gained many new sisters besides Misaki. Yet she'd never really lived before. She wasn't sure where to begin.

"Ms. Magician." Dolly suddenly lifted her gaze, a strange shine in her eyes that Kanzaki couldn't decipher. "If life was bestowed by someone else, does that mean the meaning of living is…?"

She trailed off, fiddling with her plush. Some odd "noise" came through the Misaka Network.

"Eek!"

Dolly yelped, and her spine arched like a bow—something intangible overwhelmed her. Kanzaki, alarmed, slid her sword partially out of its sheath, but the expected enemy didn't appear. Instead, Dolly's cheeks flushed bright red, her eyes brimming with moisture.

Even stranger, faint azure sparks crackled around her in the air.

"Loss of power control…?"

Dolly's lips parted in staccato gasps, her thighs clenching and releasing. Kanzaki stared in disbelief as a suspiciously dark patch spread across the hem of Dolly's nightgown.

"Little Misaki and Misaka… they're…" Dolly's voice strangled in her throat, each word panting with heat. A final jolt left her body spasming, arcs of electricity flickering around the back of her neck. Kanzaki had no clue what was happening, nor the cause. She sensed a buildup of electricity all over the facility. A weird chain reaction among these science-side powers?

At last, whatever it was subsided. Dolly slumped, unconscious, into Kanzaki's arms, cheeks flushed as if she'd fallen asleep.

~~~

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