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In a special room in the Talent Workshop.

Mikoto Misaka curled up under the covers, fine beads of sweat still clinging to her short brown hair. She stared at Shokuhou Misaki—who was lying against Rei Ao's other shoulder—her pupils roiling with complicated emotions.

She never imagined she'd end up like this with her longtime rival…

"What are you looking at?"

Shokuhou's cheeks flushed as she spoke, her voice hoarse. Yet her gaze still showed that familiar headstrong attitude.

"Let me make it clear—I won this time!"

Zzt!

Sparks danced across Mikoto's bangs.

"Who'd even compare themselves with you, you starry-eyed freak? And I'm not comparing anything—this kind of stuff! I'm thinking about my sisters!"

Her voice suddenly faltered. At her side, the thoroughly exhausted Misaka #00001 was already sound asleep, making soft, kitten-like snores.

Rei Ao slid his left hand beneath Mikoto's tense back, his iridescent pupils glimmering faintly in the darkness. He said nothing. Before either girl could speak further, the door suddenly slammed open with tremendous force.

"Rei Ao-san! Look at Dolly—"

Kanzaki Kaori rushed in carrying a flushed-faced girl in her arms. Her white miniskirt barely covered her as she froze in place upon seeing the scene in front of her.

The still-sleeping Dolly in her arms let out a sweet moan, unconsciously squirming due to the Misaka Network's shared sensations.

Mikoto and Shokuhou's faces both turned bright red, and they scrambled to pull the sheet over themselves. Rei Ao, still groggy, propped himself up lazily. He glanced at the unconscious Dolly and instantly saw the problem.

"It's an overload of nerve signals from the high-level Misaka Network syncing. A bit of rest and she'll be fine."

His gaze shifted to Kanzaki, whose cheeks were burning red.

"And you, the female pope of the Amakusa-style, running around in such skimpy sleepwear…"

"S-so sorry!"

In her fluster, Kanzaki nearly tripped over her own feet as she pivoted to leave. Just as she was about to exit, Rei Ao spoke without turning around:

"Don't worry about Laura. She'll no longer be coming for you."

Those words froze Kanzaki in her tracks. Slowly, she turned back.

"You…did something to the archbishop…?"

"Relax, I didn't kill her. Just put a collar on her."

Rei Ao smiled, making a tightening gesture. In the air, a translucent silhouette of a lacy leather collar shimmered.

"Like this."

Beneath that lacy façade lay the real collar.

"She's mine now. I've told her not to bother you any further."

"Clang!"

Kanzaki's Seven Heavens Seven Swords fell to the floor. Her expression was indescribably complex. He'd helped Index, neutralized future threats… She hadn't realized how many times he'd come to their aid.

"I… I truly don't know how… how to thank you…"

"Heh."

Rei Ao waved dismissively.

"It was nothing, but if you really want to thank me, offering your body wouldn't be too bad."

"…"

He was obviously joking. But recalling the chat group, as well as the fact Mikoto and Shokuhou were here paying their "debts," Kanzaki bit her lip. Abruptly, she used her foot to close the door, then walked to the couch and set Dolly down on it. Under the three pairs of eyes, she undid the ribbon in her hair—her long, jet-black locks cascading like a waterfall.

The Saint's eyes flickered anxiously as she looked at him.

"I…don't know anything about things like this…so please…forgive me."

"You're…serious?"

Rei Ao asked, doubtful.

"This is my promise," she said resolutely.

Rei Ao—who'd seen it all—wasn't that surprised. His attitude shifted smoothly, and he crooked his finger with a mischievous grin.

"All right then—let me teach this inexperienced Saint what human pleasure really is."

…

A sakura-filled morning in April.

At a certain crossroads under a cherry tree, a short-haired girl with a headband pulling back her bangs waited, occasionally glancing around for someone. Her name was Tainaka Ritsu. As usual, she waited for her good friend Akiyama Mio. She tapped her toes to some rhythm, anticipating the tall, straight-haired girl who was always so punctual.

But today, Mio was late.

"Mio, you idiot… Did she go to school early?" Ritsu mumbled, checking her watch. There were still five minutes until the agreed time. The spring breeze blew, dropping a stray sakura petal on her short hair. She brushed it off absentmindedly, eyes scanning the end of the street.

Finally, she saw the familiar figure of Akiyama Mio walking slowly her way. In the morning light, Mio's black hair swayed gently, still glossy. But something was off—her head was bowed, her stride heavy, like she was weighed down by something invisible.

"Mio! Over here!"

Ritsu waved energetically, face beaming her usual bright smile.

Mio raised her head. A flicker of emotion passed through her eyes but quickly dulled.

"…Oh," she replied softly—so quiet the spring breeze almost blew it away.

"Huh?"

Ritsu's smile froze, her waving hand dropping by her side.

"What's up? Didn't sleep well?"

She stepped closer, searching Mio's face for answers. There were faint dark circles, but more worrying was the cloudiness in her eyes. She'd never seen her friend so distant before.

"…Yeah, a bit,"

Mio avoided Ritsu's probing gaze, fingers twisting the hem of her skirt.

Ritsu frowned, worried. Something about her friend's behavior was off, but she didn't press it. Instead, she slung an arm around Mio's shoulders and declared jovially, "Then after school, I'll buy you some strawberry cake for an energy boost! Tsumugi said there's a new sweets shop by the station."

Usually, Mio's eyes would light up at the mention of desserts, but today she only offered a faint nod.

"Thanks…but I'd rather head straight home today."

Ritsu's steps faltered. Her concern deepened. In all the years she'd known Mio, she'd never seen her so listless or aloof. While Mio was shy and introverted, she'd never treated her friends with such distance.

~~~

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