Looking at things through the lens of a team-building exercise completely changes the feel of it all.
To strengthen the ties between Judgnt and the broader student body, foster a harmonious environnt, and address the worsening issue of student bullying in Academy City, the Judgnt 177th Branch, with the enthusiastic—and sowhat whimsical—Natsu Sonoko as the lead planner, had been holding repeated discussions trying to hamr out a feasible plan.
"Is this really our lazy, good-for-nothing Natsu-san we're talking about?" Saten Ruiko's eyes sparkled with curiosity, seemingly unaccustod to the other girl's firm and resolute tone.
It had to be said, a serious Natsu-san was a different person altogether.
Especially when she widened her eyes, trying to look more stern—the whole effect just ended up veering off into sothing else entirely.
Even though that certain bun-haired girl always hung around the Judgnt office, the most she ever did was either sneak sips of Konori-senpai's Musashino Milk or help Uiharu brew black tea.
It almost made you think she was just there to freeload.
Alright, if you ignored Natsu-san's usual unreliable antics as a Judgnt mber, you could occasionally find a few shining qualities. And right now, Natsu-san seed to be glowing from within.
"Cooperate with 'Skill Out'?" Manually dimming the office's overly bright lights, finally stopping soone's forehead from glaring, Uiharu Kazari's expression grew even more puzzled.
Judgnt's view of ard Skill-Out groups was generally negative, given they often had to deal with cases involving them.
Even Misaka-senpai shared a similar opinion, what with the frequent troublemaking delinquents she'd zap until they smoked.
But Uiharu was, after all, a thoughtful girl.
Watching her friend make such a fuss, she knew it couldn't be without reason; it seed she'd genuinely thought of sothing.
As for Natsu-san suddenly becoming diligent, Uiharu wasn't surprised at all. This was the Natsu-san she knew.
The girl who, if sothing weighed on her mind, would push through any hardship or danger to take action.
From resolving the Level Upper incident to rescuing Edasaki Banri, from treating Febrie to participating in both Level 6 Shift projects.
Whether it was Accelerator, Move Point, or Kihara Gensei, Natsu-san had stubbornly dragged her lazy body through each fight to the very end, perfectly embodying the phrase 'a young lady's looks, a laborer's fate.'
It's just that this ti, the people involved were strangers or those she had little connection with. But from Uiharu's perspective, there was no real difference.
"Mhmm, I think the root of it all lies in the word 'trust.' Most of the ability-less are attacked in narrow alleys or near old buildings, places where ard Skill-Out groups usually operate. In other words, the victims of these attacks actually include mbers of these very groups."
"So, if we can get the help of these ard Skill-Out groups, it'd definitely be much better than running around like headless flies. This 'ga' is currently confined to District 7, but I think it'll spread eventually. We have to react beforehand."
Nodding decisively, Natsu-san spoke with complete seriousness, looking every bit a proper Judgnt mber when she was like this.
"But didn't Uiharu just ntion that these attackers avoid 'Skill Out' mbers? They wouldn't need to worry about the attacks at all," Saten-san cut in, also very invested in the matter.
"No need to worry about that. The group has actively taken in so of the attack victims themselves."
"Plus, with victims among them, they'd definitely know who's targeting the ability-less." After thinking for a mont, Natsu-san explained.
The two girls beside her were montarily stunned. They hadn't found this kind of information in the Anti-Skill database, but hearing Natsu-san say it made it sound utterly believable.
"If that's the case, we could try to follow those people and film evidence of them attacking others."
"Or even catch them right at the scene." Saten-san's interest was instantly piqued, her eyes lighting up as she spoke with excitent.
This situation affected the entire ability-less population, especially students in District 7. Saten-san herself was one of the potential victims.
"Speaking of which, is there any way we could borrow those spherical caras?" Changing the subject, Natsu-san asked with so concern.
If they had those, they wouldn't need to run over themselves whenever sothing happened. A typically lazy move, just as you'd expect.
"If you an the kind used during the Daihaseisai, I happen to know where to find so."
The door suddenly swung open, and Shirai Kuroko walked into the Judgnt office looking utterly dejected, followed by a certain Railgun.
She'd finally waited for her beloved Onee-sama to return, but for so reason, the gentle and considerate Onee-sama of before was gone.
She'd rely hugged Onee-sama from behind, yet Onee-sama had used a 100,000-volt shock without hesitation. Did Onee-sama not love her anymore?
Thinking this, the image of her honorably retired wheelchair floated vaguely before Shirai Kuroko's eyes.
Actually, using a wheelchair wasn't so bad. At least she got to see the gentle Onee-sama then.
"We actually helped out at an e-magazine company yesterday. They have usable flying cara devices there." After a mont's thought, Misaka-senpai spoke up.
-- --
"To think you'd want us to cooperate with those delinquents. I don't know how you ca up with this idea."
"It's so naive. We're practically mortal enemies with them, in a sense." Walking along the bustling street, Shirai Kuroko couldn't help but mutter, seeming rather skeptical of soone's plan.
Among the ard Skill-Out groups, or delinquents in general, Shirai Kuroko's reputation was particularly fearso, to the point where 'ruthless' didn't quite cover it.
Then again, whenever Natsu-san voiced an opinion, this twin-tailed girl instinctively objected—it was practically a tradition by now.
But as she glanced at the two Tokiwadai girls chatting animatedly nearby, the twin-tailed girl's face fell completely.
"Eh? Such a change happened? Was it because of the previous Level 6 Shift experint?"
Completely ignoring the twin-tailed girl whose jealousy was on full display, Natsu-san stared at her senpai in surprise, even forgetting about the whole 'Judgnt-civilian cooperation' matter.
Even though the final evolution had been halted, so elusive changes had occurred in Misaka-senpai.
"Other things are manageable, but before, I'd only unconsciously emit weak electromagnetic waves. Now, though..."
Misaka-senpai shook her head helplessly, clearly troubled by the changes affecting her daily life.
Even without any intention of using her ability, electric charge would unconsciously gather around her body, and a mont's carelessness could result in a small-scale discharge.
In other words, Misaka-senpai had been turned into a human-shaped battery.
-- --
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.
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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