[System Message: 'Curly Hair,' 'Shark-Faced Guy,' 'Scarlet Snake Fairy,' 'Book Artist,' and 'This is an Actor' have joined the live broadcast room.]
Book Artist: "Hey, Anran-san is already here?"
This is an Actor: "Yes. I noticed Ruiko-chan was hosting a live broadcast the moment I arrived."
[System Message: 'Angel of the Hidden Rain Village' has joined the live broadcast room.]
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "Wow, Ruiko-chan is actually broadcasting?"
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "Konan is here too. Did Master Anran notify you?"
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "Yeah, Anran-san and I only got up a short while ago. We almost missed the beginning."
Book Artist: "What do you mean? You two only woke up a short while ago? Are you..."
At that exact moment, Eriri's mind instantly flooded with dozens of illicit scenarios straight out of an adult doujinshi—clichés like 'midnight trysts' and 'intimate morning greetings' flashed across her consciousness. Gradually, her entire face began to flush crimson.
Curly Hair: "Hey, now this is truly monumental news."
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "Oh, indeed. Actually, it wasn't just the two of us; Miss Kushina was there as well."
Book Artist: "Kushina-san was there too?!"
Shark-Faced Guy: "?"
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "?"
Curly Hair: "You guys... you guys are already indulging in something that extreme?! If Minato knew about this, his head would completely explode, wouldn't it?!"
Book Artist: "It would definitely explode."
What on earth does any of this have to do with Minato?
Konan was utterly bewildered at first. However, as she carefully reviewed the chat logs, realization finally dawned on her. She quickly typed: "Wait, it is absolutely not what you are implying! What I meant was... Kushina-san, Anran-san, and I happened to wake up at the same time."
Book Artist: "I understand. I completely understand."
Curly Hair: "Say no more, I understand perfectly."
This is an Actor: "Senior Konan, I believe it would be best to cease your explanations. Let us focus on the broadcast. Where is Ruiko-chan? @Skirt-LiftingManiac"
Ruiko had been entirely engrossed in the gossip circulating within the group chat. It was only when the luminescent screen floating before her eyes trembled slightly that she noticed Aizen's message drifting across the interface.
"Cough, cough." After clearing her throat with two dry coughs, Saten Ruiko addressed the camera lens: "Right now, I am standing directly outside the gates of the Mizuho Research Institute."
Shifting her posture, she allowed the front entrance of the facility to come into clear view on the screen.
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "What exactly are you wearing, Ruiko-chan?"
From Konan's perspective, there was something distinctly peculiar about Saten Ruiko's attire. Instead of her customary blue-and-white school uniform, she was clad entirely in black. Furthermore, she wore a baseball cap pulled down low, its long brim casting a shadow over her features that made her look remarkably like a burglar.
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "She likely dressed that way for convenience."
Book Artist: "To put it plainly, she simply doesn't want her actual face captured by the security cameras."
This is an Actor: "A research institute... Ruiko-chan, are you planning to assist Misaka Mikoto in causing a disturbance?"
"You really are incredible, Anran-san. You deduced it instantly." A look of genuine surprise crossed Saten Ruiko's face.
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "Why go to such lengths? You must be aware that it is a futile effort, correct? These individual research facilities are by no means the root cause of the issue."
Book Artist: "Of course she knows, but Misaka Mikoto doesn't. This silly girl is simply putting herself on the line for her friend."
Ever since Aizen had subtly advised her to keep a closer eye on Misaka Mikoto, Ruiko had made it a point to seek out the electromaster whenever she had spare time. During those interactions, she had caught Mikoto covertly searching for classified data regarding the 'Level 6 Shift Project' on multiple occasions. Ruiko's sharp intuition told her that Mikoto was planning something incredibly dangerous.
Naturally, Ruiko had no intention of letting her friend walk blindly into harm's way, which eventually led to a direct confrontation between the two. Mikoto adamantly refused to abandon her crusade to dismantle the laboratories, while Ruiko maintained that infiltrating them alone was far too reckless. Ultimately, the two girls reached a compromise: they would execute the operation together.
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "What a foolishly sweet child."
"Hehehe." Saten Ruiko scratched the back of her head, offering no rebuttal to the affectionate labeling. She understood perfectly well that the group's teasing was merely a reflection of their genuine care and concern for her.
"Ruiko, everything is clear on this end."
At that moment, Misaka Mikoto's figure materialized within the live stream.
"Sorry about that. It took me a bit longer than expected to override the electronic security locks."
She, too, was attired in an identical ensemble of black clothes and a low-slung baseball cap. Standing side by side, the two girls looked as though they were wearing a matching set of accomplice outfits.
"It's fine." Saten Ruiko shook her head, then exhaled a deep breath toward the invisible screen. "Everyone, we are making our entry now."
"Ruiko? Who exactly are you talking to?"
Mikoto stared at her, thoroughly perplexed, an underlying trace of unease suddenly creeping into her thoughts. From her perspective, Saten Ruiko appeared to be actively conversing with the empty air.
Curly Hair: "She's rattled! This Misaka Mikoto looks completely spooked! To think an individual of her age is still terrified of ghosts... what a coward! Hahahaha!"
Book Artist: "That exact description applies flawlessly to you, Gintoki."
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "Indeed. Considering how paralyzed by fear you become around the supernatural at your age, you hardly possess the standing to ridicule anyone else."
This is an Actor: "Ruiko-chan, there is an abyss directly ahead of you."
Just as Saten Ruiko prepared to cross the threshold into the facility, Aizen's text swept across her vision once more. The warning caused her to flinch, her expression freezing instantly.
Shark-Faced Guy: "Ah, Mr. Aizen is indulging in his dramatic flair again."
This is an Actor: "No, I am merely stating an objective reality. The Underhanded Broadcast network ensures that Aleister possesses virtually no blind spots within Academy City. The anomalies Ruiko-chan has exhibited recently—along with a power that conforms to neither science nor magic—have naturally captured his attention."
Book Artist: "This..."
This is an Actor: "When confronted with an anomalous variable like Ruiko-chan, Aleister will inevitably seek to test her parameters. The encounter between Misaka Mikoto and the Misaka Sisters is highly unlikely to be a mere coincidence."
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "Does that mean this entire research institute might actually be a trap?"
This is an Actor: "Take another step forward, and you may find yourself plummeting into the deep. Tell me, Ruiko-chan—are you truly prepared?"
Hesitation.
At this precise juncture, Saten Ruiko's expression betrayed her inner conflict. She was, after all, merely a middle school student; the weight of the situation naturally frightened her. Yet, as she watched Misaka Mikoto's silhouette begin to fade into the dim interior ahead, she steeled her resolve and took a definitive step forward.