Shirai Kuroko's greatest wish right now was to kick that ape's head clean off, because he had made her miss the chance to enjoy such a romantic scene of flying through the sky together with Onee sama.
Even though that ape possessed incredible abilities, she would absolutely protect Onee sama. Suddenly her eyes flashed and her heart began to race. Yes, this was also an opportunity. It was a chance to openly cling to Onee sama.
Hehe, hahaha, hehehe... You did not expect this, did you, ape? You have accidentally created the perfect opportunity for me.
Seeing Misaka Mikoto giggling to herself while drool almost slipped from the corner of her lips before she quickly sucked it back with a slurp, Shirai Kuroko immediately put on a serious expression.
In an instant, her figure disappeared from the spot. After several rapid teleportations, she reappeared behind Misaka Mikoto, wrapping her arms around Mikoto's neck while crying out in a sweet and clingy voice.
"Oh my, Onee sama actually left poor Kuroko behind..."
"Eh!" Misaka Mikoto froze as goosebumps rose across her skin. She looked completely helpless and replied matter of factly, "You were the one who refused Arata senpai's kindness. I did not abandon you, Kuroko."
"But seeing Onee sama flying in the sky made me so jealous, Kuroko. I already regret it. Onee sama, please take me with you so we can fly romantically together," Shirai Kuroko pleaded in a pitiful and sugary voice.
"Um..." Misaka Mikoto raised an eyebrow and looked at Shirai Kuroko suspiciously. "You are not planning something perverted again, are you?"
"No, no, absolutely not. I, Shirai Kuroko, swear to God." Shirai Kuroko shook her head rapidly.
"Fine then. But if you try anything strange, I will throw you down," Misaka Mikoto said seriously.
"Mhm." Shirai Kuroko nodded quickly like a chick pecking rice. Then she tightly interlocked her fingers with Misaka Mikoto's hand. Her lips curved into a slightly eerie smile as she looked toward Arata with a provocative expression.
Arata simply smiled, thinking to himself that Shirai Kuroko, this junior, was truly entertaining.
Half an hour later, the five of them arrived at the game center and reluctantly returned the bamboo copters to Arata.
"Thank you, Arata senpai," Saten Ruiko said with a bright smile. Today, thanks to Arata senpai, she had experienced the sensation that normally only esper ability users could feel. Now that the feeling had disappeared, the sense of loss in her heart became even stronger.
After that, the four of them continued playing in the arcade until they ran out of game tokens. Only then did they decide to go home, and by that time the sky had already begun turning dusky.
Most of the time in the arcade had been spent by Arata and Misaka Mikoto playing games. Saten Ruiko and Uiharu Kazari were not particularly interested in arcade games. Instead they were more curious about things like boxing strength testers and weight measuring machines. By the end of it all, Misaka Mikoto had accumulated quite a large number of arcade coins.
Those coins were probably destined to be used later as ammunition for her Railgun.
Afterward, they parted ways with Misaka Mikoto and the others.
"Hmm. I feel so happy today. Right, Uiharu?" Saten Ruiko stretched lazily and yawned, showing a carefree optimism that did not really match that of an ordinary middle school student.
"Yes, especially the flying. I did not expect Academy City to already have such small flying machines. I wonder how long it will take before they become available for civilians. I am really looking forward to that," Uiharu Kazari said.
"Arata senpai is amazing. He even managed to get his hands on experimental prototypes." Saten Ruiko skipped happily as she moved closer to Arata and spoke in a cheerful tone.
"Well, it is mainly because I have a good relationship with the research director," Arata replied with a smile.
Saten Ruiko blushed slightly and handed the gift bag she had been carrying to him with both hands.
"Senpai, this is a return gift for you. It is just something from the claw machine, so please do not mind it."
Arata smiled gently and accepted the gift without opening it, since opening it on the spot would be very impolite.
"This is the first time a girl has given me a gift."
Saten Ruiko scratched her head in embarrassment.
"Senpai, this is my gift too. Please, please accept it." Uiharu Kazari nervously offered her gift with both hands in a shy and humble manner.
"If you ever need my help in the future, feel free to contact me," Arata said with a smile as he stored the gifts into the golden ripples of the Gate of Babylon before turning around and waving goodbye.
"Senpai is so gentle. A guy like that must have a lot of girls who like him. And he is even a Level 5. It is almost like he is an idol," Uiharu Kazari said while looking at Arata's departing back.
"Could it be that Uiharu has already fallen for Arata senpai?" Saten Ruiko teased mischievously into Uiharu's ear.
"No, no, no!" Uiharu Kazari immediately denied it, her face turning red.
"Relax, I was just joking. What happened today felt like a dream. I have decided that only Uiharu's panties can bring me back to reality. Hooray." Saten Ruiko declared cheerfully before creating a sudden updraft.
"Aaaaah! Saten!" Uiharu Kazari screamed as if her cheeks were on fire, tears forming in the corners of her eyes.
"Hmm. Today's design has a strawberry pattern. It really suits Uiharu."
...
"Seriously, Saten." Uiharu Kazari puffed out her cheeks and spoke with slight annoyance.
"Sorry, sorry." Saten Ruiko scratched her head. "But just like Misaka senpai and Arata senpai said, she is cheerful like a boy and does not seem like a typical refined girl at all."
"But... that Shirai-san does not seem to be doing very well with Misaka senpai, right?" Saten Ruiko said with her arms crossed, gossiping with a serious tone.
"How so?" Uiharu Kazari asked.
"Well... Uiharu, you are still too innocent. Shirai-san obviously wants to have a yuri relationship with Misaka senpai. But Misaka senpai has such a tomboyish personality that she is naturally quite troubled by it." Saten Ruiko patted Uiharu's shoulder with a very mature expression.
"Ah, ah, ah...Shirai-san!" Uiharu Kazari covered her face in shock with both hands.
...
Just as Arata was about to head home, the research institute contacted him.
"I apologize, Arata. The date for your ability test has arrived. I tried contacting you earlier, but your phone had no signal. I only managed to get through now. I wonder if you are ready?" the research director said helplessly.
"Testing my ability once a week? I do have time," Arata replied.
"There is another matter I need to discuss with you."
"What is it?"
"Your ability data has been taken by the Advanced Status Affiliated Research Institute, and it seems the higher ups have silently approved of this action. Therefore the research institute responsible for testing your abilities next time has been changed."
...
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