Academy City's Weather Report! (Toaru) Chapter 274: Academy City Weather Report! - 274

Natsu-san had neatly pieced everything together, though she lacked solid evidence, so it could only be treated as a harmless guess.

Fortunately, everyone was willing to hear Natsu-san's perspective, which made a certain bun-haired girl feel quite accomplished.

'See, everyone, the suggestion I ca up with is really useful, isn't it?' she thought.

"Thank you for your input, Natsu-san, but there's a rather significant hole in your theory."

Leaning back in her wheelchair, her right leg still wrapped in bandages, the Judgnt girl cleared her throat before speaking unhurriedly.

"From what I understand, the space elevator officially began operations a month ago. It's just that they've been running safety checks and haven't opened it to the public yet. Functionally speaking, there's no basis for claims about 'preventing its official operation or opening'."

"On the contrary, I think it's more likely the work of the space elevator's competitors. They kidnapped igo-senpai because they found out in advance she was a performing guest."

"The goal was to disrupt the opening ceremony and create chaos. The mastermind behind this might be connected to certain airline companies."

Shirai-san looked up at soone, easily pinpointing the issue in Natsu-san's logic.

Although she loved picking on a certain bun-haired girl, most of the ti she was just stating the facts, leaving Natsu-san with little recourse.

"I see! So if we combine Natsu-san's and Shirai-san's theories, this is actually a case of corporate sabotage targeting the space elevator's opening ceremony, and igo-senpai just got caught in the crossfire."

Saten-san seed to have a sudden epiphany.

"That is a definite possibility."

"I've heard about similar things online. For example, Gekota has a rival called GeroGero Frog."

Misaka-senpai nodded in agreent, appearing to be soone who also enjoyed browsing forums and reading random posts.

Ever since she'd been caught with a Gekota charm on her bag, and recently beca obsessed with collecting Gekota finger puppets, Misaka-senpai had stopped hiding the fact that she was a Gekota fan.

Natsu-san, however, was starting to feel a bit uncertain now.

She had been so confident that there wouldn't be any issues, and even Shirai-san hadn't raised major objections.

But then Shirai-san had thoughtfully plugged a hole in her argunt, successfully steering everyone's attention in a different direction.

"I've compiled a list of all the companies in competition with the Orbit Portal Company."

The tiny computer in Uiharu's hands continued to whir, flooding the screen with a dense list of company nas. Leading the pack was Kongou Airlines.

It was surprising just how many aerospace industries this one company was involved in. If it hadn't been established relatively recently and gone through bankruptcy and acquisition, it might have beco a prestigious na in the aviation world, just like Kongou Airlines.

An almost-aerospace giant whose main business was elevators… there was only one like it in the entire world.

As soon as she finished speaking, everyone crowded around to look. Natsu-san craned her neck too, not wanting to be left out.

Looking over this long list of companies, it did seem plausible upon reflection. However, Natsu Sonoko leaned more towards the theory involving magic.

But just like the urban legend Saten-san ntioned, there was no concrete evidence.

'Then again, could an aerospace company even hire mages? And so many of them at once?'

The more she thought about it, the more uncertain Natsu-san felt.

It seed her hopes of being the group's strategist were pretty much dashed.

"With this many companies, finding the person behind it is like searching for a needle in a haystack."

Shirai-san shook her head.

It looked like they had to go back to the original plan: start by investigating the fallen Orion and the Orbit Portal Company for clues.

"Speaking of which, I've been wondering for a while now… where's Komoe-sensei?"

igo-senpai looked around, hesitated for a mont, then asked with so concern.

"Komoe-sensei isn't with you?"

Natsu-san was taken aback for a second, then quickly realized.

Even though she had her 'thermal radar' running in her head, the area was crowded, and she'd been busy chatting. She hadn't even noticed Komoe-sensei had wandered off.

Even though Komoe-sensei was thirty years old, smoked, drank, perd her hair, and drove a car, Natsu-san and the others couldn't help but worry about her.

It was hard to say whether Komoe-sensei should be touched or annoyed by that.

Backtracking over two hundred ters, the group finally spotted a flustered Tsukuyomi Komoe on the sidewalk.

It seed her phone had died. Komoe-sensei was holding the black-screened device, spinning in place anxiously.

"Poor thing, did she lose her way back? Let's contact the local Judgnt mbers for help."

"The nearest Judgnt branch seems to be the one at Sakuragaoka High."

A few passing students were discussing the situation. Soon, soone pulled out their phone to report it. Judgnt from Sakuragaoka High would arrive on the scene in five minutes.

Her helpless pacing finally stopped as Komoe-sensei's eyes landed on Natsu-san and the others rushing back.

"Thank goodness! I finally found you all. I just stopped to chat with an acquaintance for a mont, and then I couldn't find you anymore."

Komoe-sensei looked incredibly relieved, her voice trembling slightly with emotion.

They brought igo-senpai and Komoe-sensei back to Judgnt Branch 177.

Until Yomikawa-sensei ca to pick them up, they would be under the care of the Judgnt mbers.

Honored to be serving as a Judgnt mber herself, Natsu-san was also tasked with ensuring their safety.

"I can't just go back by myself. Until Yomikawa and Tessou get here, I'll take care of igo-san myself."

Komoe-sensei hopped back onto the sofa in Branch 177, declaring with utmost seriousness.

'Don't let her appearance fool you,' she seed to imply, 'I've studied all sorts of won's self-defense videos. My combat skills might even be better than Natsu-san's.'

"Komoe-sensei, would you like so Musashino Milk?"

Natsu Sonoko deftly retrieved a carton of Musashino Milk from under Konori-senpai's desk, then snagged a few paper cups from Uiharu's station.

This definitely wasn't petty theft—Natsu-san had properly inford Konori-senpai beforehand. Well, she'd told her after the fact, at least.

"Here you go, igo-senpai."

She handed the last cup of milk to igo-senpai, then picked up her own with satisfaction.

Natsu-san really loved drinking milk. Not only was it good for protein absorption, it also promoted bone growth.

"This… this can't be right."

Gathered around the computer just four or five ters from the sofa, Uiharu and the others were reviewing so materials.

But at that mont, Uiharu's pupils dilated, her eyes glued to the monitor.

"This photo's tistamp says 1870… and the location is Paris."

Uiharu said, shocked, her finger pointing at one person in the picture.

It was an old black-and-white group photo featuring, among others, a famous French astronor of the ti and his assistant.

The person Uiharu pointed to was dressed in Victorian-era British clothing, but Natsu-san could tell at a glance—she looked nearly identical to the loli president she'd encountered earlier.

"So the urban legend about the immortality experint is true," Saten-san murmured beside her.

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T/N: I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.

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