Saten Ruiko and Uiharu Kazari blinked and looked at each other.
"Pfft. Senpai, you're exaggerating. I know what a Kongming Lock is. It's mentioned in elementary school history textbooks. They were supposedly introduced from China around the Edo period. They were basically used to trick children into thinking there was treasure inside. You really do still treat us like kids."
Saten laughed and accepted the gift anyway. Just a few days ago, Arata had only been evaluated as a Level 1 Telekinesis user. That was probably why he never showed the superiority complex that high level espers sometimes had. It felt nice.
I wish I could suddenly become an esper too.
Even Uiharu is an esper, even if she's only Level 1. But what exactly is an esper?
The teachers have explained Personal Reality and AIM diffusion fields countless times, but the theory still feels abstract and distant.
"I'm not lying. If Saten-san really wants to know the secret inside, you can contact me. Just not now." Arata winked playfully.
"Oh." Uiharu blinked, holding the palm sized Kongming Lock carefully with both hands.
"Senpai, are you here alone?" Saten asked innocently. She clearly remembered seeing him holding a girl's hand earlier.
"No. I came with a junior." Arata smiled. He still did not know Kaibi Gokusai's full objective, but her behavior so far had been genuine enough. At the very least, spending time with her had been enjoyable.
He glanced behind Saten and saw Kaibi Gokusai walking over, smiling and waving two water park tickets in her hand.
"So she's not your girlfriend?" Saten asked with blatant curiosity.
"Ahem. Not at the moment. Just a friend."
"Huh?" Saten stiffened when she heard a voice behind her.
The blonde girl she had seen earlier was now standing there, smiling calmly.
"I'm not Arata-senpai's girlfriend yet, classmate," Kaibi Gokusai said gently, though a subtle calculation flickered in her eyes. Another girl close to him?
"S-sorry. I didn't mean to speculate." Saten scratched her head awkwardly. Not yet? So they were still in that ambiguous phase?
"It's fine. I'm not that petty. What's your name? Are you senpai's friend?" Kaibi Gokusai asked softly, subtly adjusting the psychological distance between them with her ability.
"My name is Saten Ruiko. This is only the second time we've met senpai, so I guess we're acquaintances." Saten answered cautiously, glancing at Arata. This girl felt strangely approachable, almost like Uiharu.
"Nice to meet you, Ruiko. I'm Kaibi Gokusai."
"Nice to meet you too."
"Arata-senpai, let's head to the water park." Kaibi Gokusai smiled, waving the tickets.
"Do you two want to join us?" Arata asked Saten and Uiharu.
"Of course. We only came out to buy drinks because we were thirsty. Now we can play water volleyball together. I've never played that at a water park before." Saten pumped her fist enthusiastically.
"Today is surprisingly lively. It almost feels like I'm on a date with three girls." Arata laughed casually.
Saten and Uiharu both turned red instantly.
"Senpai, I don't mind, but if you say things like that, Uiharu will get too embarrassed to play." Saten said boldly.
"I'm not shy. That's not what you meant, senpai." Uiharu protested in panic.
"Let's go. I'm going to relax properly today." Arata stretched his arms.
Ever since obtaining the system and gaining multiple abilities, his mind had been in a constant state of heightened calculation. Being surrounded by ordinary joy and chatter felt strangely grounding.
"He really is different…" Kaibi Gokusai watched him with a faint smile.
Because it was Sunday and the weather was scorching, the water park was crowded. The splash of water and cheerful noise filled the air.
They tried nearly every attraction, including water volleyball and high speed slides, and took plenty of photos.
Later, wearing a swimsuit, Kaibi Gokusai sat resting near the pool when a faint vibration came from the communication device disguised as a bracelet on her wrist.
Her expression shifted slightly.
A mission from the Dark Side?
"I'm sorry, senpai. I suddenly feel unwell. I can't continue today. I'm really sorry." Kaibi Gokusai stood and bowed lightly.
"What? Are you sick? Do you need to go to the hospital?" Saten asked with concern.
"It's nothing serious. I just need to go home and rest. I'm sorry to cut things short." She spoke quickly.
"It's fine. Your health comes first. Let us know if something's wrong." Arata said calmly.
"Hmm." Kaibi Gokusai stepped closer to him and lowered her voice. "Arata-senpai, don't delete my contact information."
"Relax. You're interesting company. I've placed a spatial marker on you. If you encounter danger, contact me immediately. Your line of work isn't exactly safe." Arata replied quietly, using Telekinesis to subtly direct the sound so only she could hear.
Her pupils contracted slightly.
So he knew.
Which meant he was aware of Academy City's Dark Side.
"Thank you, senpai." She smiled playfully, masking the tension.
After that, she left the water park.
Arata continued playing for a while longer. Around four in the afternoon, he said goodbye to Saten and Uiharu.
"I didn't expect my first real encounter with a Dark Side operative to be her. I assumed it would be someone like Kakine Teitoku or Mugino Shizuri. She's smart. She wants to secure me as a backer."
Arata walked out of the amusement park and looked at the photo on his phone.
In it, Kaibi Gokusai clung to his arm, pressing close while making a V sign with her fingers and smiling brightly.
Protecting a girl like that would not bother him.
Most members of Academy City's Dark Side are people who cannot live ordinary lives because of distorted personalities or irreversible circumstances. A smaller number are dragged in due to debt, coercion, or threats.
"Once I reach Level 6, I'll restructure Academy City's Dark Side entirely and burn the unnecessary parts to ashes." Arata's lips curved into a cold smile.
He had not killed anyone yet, but mentally, he was already prepared.
Beep beep. His phone began to ring.
...
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