In Dorm Room 208, Natsu Sonoko was staring sowhat blankly at Shirai, who was currently improvising a dramatic performance.
She watched Shirai's expression shift from stunned to delighted, then from delight to aggrieved, and finally from aggrieved to downright dejected.
As Shirai hung her head, her bangs fell forward, covering her eyes. Her entire deanor shifted in an instant, taking on a poignant flavor, just like a helpless little girl with a thoroughly broken heart.
"Maybe we shouldn't have co today," Saten suddenly spoke up, watching Shirai's despondent state with a hint of guilt in her own heart.
Beside her, Uiharu also seed at a loss, only able to nod silently in agreent.
"Uiharu-san, Saten-san, please don't think that way. This has absolutely nothing to do with you," Natsu Sonoko, sensing the awkward atmosphere emanating from the two from Sakugawa, imdiately tried to comfort the unaware duo.
As for Natsu Sonoko herself, she felt no inner turmoil whatsoever. In fact, she was tempted to rip open a bag of potato chips.
'Ah, forget it. Better to just sit quietly during such a serious scene.'
Natsu Sonoko pulled her gaze away from the bag of chips on the desk, blinked, and continued watching Shirai.
No matter how many tis she saw it, Natsu Sonoko always felt she could learn sothing useful from observing Shirai.
Shirai, from who-knows-where, produced a can of red bean soup, opened it, and gulped the entire contents down in one go, just like an adult drowning their sorrows in drink.
"How can I not be jealous?" Shirai slurred, as if drunk, her face taking on a self-destructive look. She let out a long sigh and staggered a few steps, unsteady on her feet. "Onee-sama rembers everyone else's special days, yet she forgot the one-month anniversary of eting ! Kuroko's heart is shattered."
"Shirai-san—" Uiharu called out worriedly.
"Shirai-san," Natsu Sonoko also murmured, seemingly starting to get drawn into the performance.
"Today is the one-month anniversary of the day Onee-sama and I were connected by the red thread of fate!"
Shirai tossed the empty can aside and began speaking with intense emotion, her eyes hidden beneath her bangs, making her look utterly dejected.
"It was on this day, one month ago, that Kuroko and Onee-sama t by chance, by chance beca roommates, and by chance started living here together. For this entire month, we've supported each other, understood each other, eaten together, slept together, gone to school together, shared each other's joys and sorrows."
Shirai's tone was low, as if fondly reminiscing about every little detail of life with her Onee-sama.
"Right here, within this very dorm room, lies the entirety of Onee-sama's and Kuroko's life together!"
Shirai abruptly lifted her head, her pupils dilated uncontrollably, her eyes already brimming with tears. Her tone beca firm and rapid.
"But... Onee-sama... she... she doesn't even rember such an important day! It's all your fault, Onee-sama!" Covering her face with her hands, Shirai couldn't hold back her sobs, her twin tails shaking incessantly, making her look utterly pitiful.
Natsu Sonoko watched the shaking twin tails with wide eyes. According to the Stanislavski system, Shirai had undoubtedly entered so state of selfless imrsion.
'Shirai-san is a Judgnt mber, right? I never heard she joined the drama club?' Natsu Sonoko thought to herself, her mind beginning to wander a little.
"So, it's all my fault, then."
A look of utter helplessness appeared on Misaka-senpai's face. She clenched her fists, seemingly suppressing her own emotions.
"No, that's not what Kuroko ans! Kuroko just wishes Onee-sama would pay more attention to her, that's all!" Shirai looked up at Misaka-senpai with wide, watery eyes.
"Also, you've been mistaken about one thing from the very start," Misaka-senpai said, sounding rather irritated.
"You were the one who insisted on moving in here from the beginning, weren't you?"
"It wasn't by chance."
"It wasn't so 'red thread of fate,' and it has nothing to do with any of that."
"And what 'sharing each other's joys and sorrows'?!"
"It's just been you constantly making angry! My stress levels are about to go through the roof!" Misaka-senpai took a few nacing steps forward.
"Onee-sama! I just rembered there's an urgent matter with Judgnt! There's a new lead on the serial bombings!" Shirai's montum deflated instantly.
The previously wronged and gloomy expression on her face was replaced by one of panic as she instinctively backed away toward the door.
"Uiharu-san can vouch for ! I really do have sothing I need to take care of right now!"
"Hold it right there! You dare say sothing like that? You're really getting on my nerves!"
Misaka-senpai cracked her knuckles and strode purposefully towards Shirai.
"It's just a difference of perspective! Besides, I only wanted to simply celebrate this anniversary with Onee-sama!"
Shirai, having barely managed to escape Misaka-senpai's grasp, tried to justify herself rather unreasonably.
'There's a kind of pain that's painful just to watch. Shirai-san's tenacity is truly terrifying,' Natsu Sonoko thought to herself.
But then again, Misaka-senpai was already holding back considerably, seeing as she hadn't used her ability yet.
'Four tis in one day… provoking Misaka-senpai four tis.' Natsu Sonoko didn't know what to say. In this tiny Room 208, there actually lurked a talent like Shirai, a true 'Crouching Dragon.'
Where there is a Crouching Dragon, a 'Young Phoenix' is sure to follow. Natsu Sonoko glanced around but saw no candidate for the role of Young Phoenix. Reluctantly, she returned her gaze to Misaka-senpai.
'Thankfully it's only been four tis. If it happens once more, I think Misaka-senpai might truly lose it.' That would surely an flashes of electricity, sparks flying, wild lightning strikes, and silver snakes dancing chaotically.
Ding-dong, Ding-dong.
The intercom by the door suddenly chid, and an unfamiliar male voice ca through.
"Delivery here. Is this Room 208, Miss Shirai Kuroko's room?" The unfamiliar voice from the intercom grabbed everyone's attention.
Within Tokiwadai Middle School's School District 7 dormitory, aside from the Dorm Supervisor possessing Level 6 combat prowess, the periter surveillance and security robots were standard protective asures.
Without a student ID, staff ID, or an escort from a student residing there, ordinary people couldn't enter the Tokiwadai dorms.
Uiharu and Saten were only permitted inside because of Natsu Sonoko and Misaka-senpai.
The intercom units installed in the student rooms didn't just allow clear communication with people outside the door; they also served the important function of connecting with people who couldn't enter the dormitory proper.
The reception room outside the dormitory building housed several machines that could directly connect to the intercoms in each dorm room, allowing external personnel to communicate with the students inside.
"Yes, what is it?" Misaka-senpai asked, leaning down close to the intercom, her tone polite.
"The label says 'computer parts.' I'm not sure what specific parts they are, though," the delivery guy's voice replied through the intercom.
Hearing this, the tension that had been gradually appearing on Shirai's face vanished instantly. She seed to be sighing in relief, impressed by the shipping company's thoughtful and discreet service.
'Excellent! The seller truly lives up to its established brand reputation. So experienced, so understanding of human nature, and particularly savvy when it cos to privacy,' Shirai thought with so satisfaction. The heavy weight that had been pressing on her chest suddenly lifted.
'Very good. This is a shopping experience worth comnding.'
Natsu Sonoko sat dumbly on the bed, her gaze fixed on Misaka-senpai, who was still talking on the intercom not far away.
Unlike the relieved Shirai, Natsu Sonoko now felt her earlier conclusion had been far too hasty.
Shirai's capacity for causing trouble was truly astounding. Simultaneously, her luck didn't seem particularly great either.
'The famously nad "computer parts."' Natsu Sonoko mused that one could never forget what they looked like after seeing them once, and one taste was downright unforgettable. Even Shirai herself praised their effects after drinking them.
'Rembering that the first ti I watched A Certain Scientific Railgun, it was this very scene that hooked ,' Natsu Sonoko silently marveled at the strangeness of life.
"Who is the sender?" Misaka-senpai pressed on.
"Love and Traditional Chinese dicine and Aphrodisiac Company," the delivery guy answered honestly.
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T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, 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.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.
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