Speaking of which, he would think of three things in the morning.
The drowsiness caused by low blood sugar.
The tiredness caused by the need to get up and start the day's mission.
There was one more thing —
The intense pain on the head of the Preceding Article that he hadn't felt in a long time.
The intimate contact between teeth and skull, the intense pain that seemed to break his bones. Ah, how should he put it? It was so intimate that he almost cried.
He didn't have to guess what was going on because this unfortunate situation was already one of the daily dramas.
"Morning ~ Good ~ Morning ~ Be ~ Hemp! Get up, Dangma! Inticus, I've been waiting for breakfast since 5 o 'clock! Even if the world is going to end today, please leave breakfast first! Dangma! Breakfast! Dangma! Breakfast! "
That's right, if he opened his eyes now, a hungry silver-haired nun with a bloody mouth would appear in front of him.
Inticus was desperately shaking the body of the Preceding Article, rhythmically shouting for food.
Even if he covered his head with the blanket, he couldn't resist Inticus' sharp teeth. So, the Preceding Article finally sat up helplessly, yawning and reluctantly walking to the kitchen.
"Yes ~ yes, Miss Inticus, after breakfast is ready, let Mr. Ujō continue to catch up on sleep … Ah … I can't open my eyes at all, where's the pan …?"
"Was he looking at that thing called the computer last night? Dangma's schedule is really strange recently … But as long as he can fill his stomach, long live Dangma!! "
Inticus raised her hands and cheered.
The Preceding Article squinted his eyes and took out two eggs from the fridge. He drowsily cracked the eggshells while answering Inticus's words with a muffled voice.
"I'm so sleepy … I can't finish the homework I missed a while ago … And the project Ms. Xiao Meng assigned … Snore …"
"Dangma!! The egg is flowing out! Dangma …? Eh? Are you asleep? "
…
- 7: 00am -
This was the unfortunate young man named Tōma Jōjō.
…
"Are you going out again?"
Inticus asked when she saw Lu Zhou take off his apron, put on his coat, and stop in front of the electronic clock for a while. He seemed to be confirming the schedule.
The Preceding Article said as he buttoned up his coat.
"Ah, yes. I still have a lot of things to do today … "
"That kind of thing doesn't matter! The most important thing was … he had to come back by lunchtime! Inticus, I don't know how to use that thing called a microwave oven … Furthermore, I want to eat Three-Eyed Terror Lobster for lunch! "
"Isn't that a living fossil? Don't put things from the animal introduction channel into the menu!! "
Looking at the big-bellied nun whose eyes were shining brightly, obviously looking forward to her next meal, the Preceding Article scratched his head in distress. In the end, he sighed as if he was at his wit's end with Inticus.
"… Anyway, I still called for an urgent delivery service last night. Someone will deliver it around noon. Stay at home, Inticus. "
"Oh ~ ~ Dangma is amazing!!"
Inticus hugged the Sphinx happily and rolled around in front of the TV. Although he wanted to remind her that this was completely unbefitting of a nun, the Preceding Article held back.
He glanced at his watch, sighed, and walked to the door.
(Unfortunately … Being pestered by Inticus in the morning … Although it has become a normal occurrence, and Mr. Ujō should have gotten used to this situation, he still had to sigh …)
"… Dangma."
"Huh?!"
The Preceding Article shuddered as he looked at Inticus with trembling eyes. Just as he was wondering if the other party had noticed his thoughts, an umbrella was handed over to him.
Inticus said in a serious tone.
"It's snowing outside."
"Ah … Oh, it looks like it is … No wonder I felt a bit cold this morning …"
While muttering, he took the umbrella from Inticus. The Preceding Article looked out the window. Pure white snow hung on the neatly trimmed shrubs, and even the road was covered with a layer of white snow. Only when he saw this scene did he realize that winter had arrived.
"Winter …?"
Sheung Jiao looked at the electronic clock again without feeling anything.
As if to remind him, a slowly rotating snowflake pattern appeared on the corner of the electronic clock, announcing the arrival of winter.
— — —
11: 30 AM –
…
"Sorry, I'm coming in."
After casually saying hello, The Preceding Article walked into the faculty room.
Because it was lunch break, and he was still in a resting state, The Preceding Article dared to walk around the campus without worry.
It seemed like no one was there, and the faculty room was a bit empty. Several stacks of teaching materials and some professional books were neatly placed on the table. After that, a small figure suddenly poked her head out.
"The Preceding Article -chan! Are you finally willing to come to school? I thought you encountered some problems recently, and I was thinking about whether to do another home visit … something like that! "
Xiao Meng -sensei energetically waved the teaching materials in her hand and spun around in her office chair.
Because the tall mountain of books blocked her figure, The Preceding Article did not notice the existence of the petite teacher. So at this time, he screamed, and the stack of books in his hand fell to the ground and scattered on the ground.
"Really … Xiao Meng -sensei, don't scare me like that." The Preceding Article complained while squatting down to clean up.
"You scared The Preceding Article -chan? I'm sorry, I didn't do it on purpose ~ But I've been waiting here for The Preceding Article -chan, didn't we already talk on the phone before? "
Xiao Meng -sensei tapped her shoulder with the teaching materials and said with a smile.
"Ah … So that's why teacher put away the ashtray? The one that's always here … "
The Preceding Article just doubtfully gestured with his hand and was met with Xiao Meng -sensei's fierce reaction.
"Don't say it out loud, The Preceding Article -chan!! Even if I'm a teacher, I still want to leave a good impression on the students! Why did you have to expose it! "
She probably minded the students seeing her slovenly appearance, drinking and smoking like a middle-aged uncle. Xiao Meng -sensei's face flushed red, and desperately pushed The Preceding Article's shoulder.
"Ah? Eh? Sorry! "
Realizing that he poked the teacher's sore spot, The Preceding Article hurriedly raised his hand to cover his mouth, and then whispered.
"By the way, Xiao Meng -sensei …"
"Yes?"
Xiao Meng -sensei looked at The Preceding Article with tears in her eyes. Seeing that innocent look, even he couldn't bear it, so The Preceding Article awkwardly moved his eyes away.
"… I've finished reading all the psychology books that the teacher told me to read. I've finished writing my thesis, and I've also completed my homework and handed it in to the teacher."
"So?"
The Preceding Article carefully moved his eyes back to Xiao Meng -sensei's face, and then quickly bounced away as if he was electrocuted. He said in a stuttering voice.
"… Can I … take a leave of absence for today?"
Xiao Meng -sensei's cheeks puffed up.
Not good! This expression is really not good!
The Preceding Article screamed in his heart, and at the same time, he forced a smile, trembling with fear as he watched Xiao Meng -sensei's expression change.
Xiao Meng -sensei stared at him for a while, and then asked with a smile.
"The reason?"
"Limited … Limited time sale!! It's a limited time sale for Apple!! "
The Preceding Article immediately replied, and a tragic look appeared on his face. Even if he rehearsed it countless times in advance, when he really spat out this stupid reason, his face still burned.
(… Why did I choose the reason to buy Apple! This kind of completely unreliable thing, as an educator, how could I agree …)
A drop of cold sweat slid down from The Preceding Article's forehead, and he made a silly smile while maintaining a bowing posture.
"… Okay."
"Eh?"
Receiving an unexpected answer, The Preceding Article raised his head in a daze. Xiao Meng -sensei smiled and shook the pen, gently said.
"What's wrong? Do you think the teacher won't approve? The Preceding Article -chan should be very busy recently, the dark circles under your eyes are coming out … For such a hardworking Preceding Article -chan, it would be too unfair to not give him a chance to rest. "
Although the dark circles under his eyes were the result of the pressure of the psychological counseling paper assigned by Xiao Meng -sensei, The Preceding Article -chan still wanted to raise his hands, roll on the ground twice, and shout: "Teacher Xiao Meng -chan is the highest!!"
Attacked by this feeling of joy, The Preceding Article -chan's whole body was in high spirits, and he once again sincerely bowed, full of energy.
"Then, thank you teacher."
Xiao Meng -sensei crossed her arms and thoughtfully closed her eyes.
"You don't have to thank me, but in contrast …" She smiled and waved her hand, and made a farewell gesture to The Preceding Article -chan.
"— Remember to leave an apple for the teacher, Mr. Preceding Article -chan."
The Preceding Article -chan wryly smiled, and quickly walked out of the teacher's room.
… Really, did he see through my little scheme again?
— — —
…
11: 22 AM —
…
"Yo, isn't this Ah Shang? Long time no see meow ~ "
Just as he heard the familiar voice and the very distinctive style of speech, The Preceding Article -chan's body suddenly shook. Originally, he had walked around the school twice to finish the procedures and preparations before leaving, but he didn't expect to meet his bad friends here.
He didn't even need to turn his head to be able to accurately identify who it was, so The Preceding Article -chan said sullenly.
"… Doomimon."
The blonde teenager with sunglasses casually patted The Preceding Article's back, and said in the same voice as usual.
"What's wrong, Ah Shang? This kind of sad expression, don't tell me you were asked by Xiao Meng -chan to write a psychological counseling paper, have been rushing homework day and night since three days ago, and have to get up early in the morning to make breakfast — Ah Shang's expression is simply saying 'unfortunate' … this kind of feeling meow. "
"How did you guess all of it?!"
Facing the surprised The Preceding Article, Doomimon proudly pushed up his sunglasses.
"Not only that, meow, is Ah Shang planning to cook Three-Eyed Terror Lobster for lunch?"
"How did you even know about my conversation with Inticus?!! Also, can you stop talking about Three-Eyed Terror Lobster?! "
Just as The Preceding Article was violently complaining, an arm naturally went around his neck and rested on his shoulder. The face that made The Preceding Article the most angry came over.
"You took two weeks off, and when you came back, you already forgot about us two bros? How was your honeymoon? You said you had dark circles because of rushing homework, but in fact, it was because of last night's incident with a girl, so you couldn't sleep …? "
That's right, the person who said this was The Preceding Article's bad friend, one of the three big idiots, Blue Hair Earring.
In sharp contrast to Blue Hair Earring's cheeky smile, The Preceding Article's face was getting darker and darker. It seemed that he finally couldn't stand the atmosphere, and the Preceding Article said in a low voice.
"Hey, Blue Hair Earring, like you said just now, we're bros …?"
Blue Hair Earring whistled and snapped his fingers. "Of course! We're bros recognized by the whole school, no, the whole city! "
Shua!!
The Preceding Article pointed at Blue Hair Earring with an unquestionable momentum. Because of the sudden incident and his shocking momentum, Doomimon and Blue Hair Earring both subconsciously took a small step back.
The Preceding Article looked at Blue Hair Earring bitterly.
"If that's the case, why did you lie to me that the Winter Triangle is the Winter Hexagon!! Deceiving the ignorant me with a lie, can you still be called a real brother?! "
Blue Hair Earring's forehead was covered in fine sweat.
Even so, he forced himself to be calm, straightened his chest, and replied.
"You don't understand, a little mistake in a love story sometimes won't reduce the favorability, but will make the other party closer to you!! Now, the perfect blonde guy is no longer popular! Who cares if it's a triangle or a hexagon, as long as you can get the girl's heart!
Wouldn't it be a success then?! "
Both sides were aggressive.
After a long time, The Preceding Article sighed, put down the hand that was pointing at Blue Hair Earring, and then said somewhat helplessly.
"… Forget it, if this continues, it will evolve into an exchange of love experience with Blue Hair Earring … Let's go back before the limited time special starts."
Under Blue Hair Earring's surprised gaze, The Preceding Article picked up his bag and walked toward the school gate.
Blue Hair Earring, who was still in the position of hands on his waist, pointed at The Preceding Article's back in surprise and asked Doomimon next to him for confirmation.
"… Ah? Huh? That's it? "
The Preceding Article looked particularly dull today, and even his back showed a sense of heaviness. This caused him and Tu Yumiemon to be suspicious, but at the same time, they also had sympathy for the previous one.
Doomimon patted Blue Hair Earring's shoulder, and then quickly chased after The Preceding Article's back.
"Ah Shang, where are you going now meow?"
While trotting, he shouted at The Preceding Article. Hearing Doomimon's shout, The Preceding Article stopped.
He glanced at Doomimon and said.
"Sold for a limited time."
The Preceding Article kept his head slightly turned, and his back was still facing Doomimon. His voice was indifferent and without any emotional fluctuations, as if he was just stating the most basic fact.
Doomimon had sensitively noticed that The Preceding Article's heart seemed to be gradually building a layer of estrangement. He wanted to separate others from himself, and he wanted to completely separate reality from his heart.
But the blonde spy didn't say anything. He just had the usual hearty smile on his face. He waved his hand and said.
"Then, I won't bother Ah Shang meow ~"
If this was Tōma Jōjō's determination and belief, then no one could convince him.
Doomimon stood in place until The Preceding Article's figure completely disappeared from sight, then he slowly put down his hand.
Although there was still a bright smile on his face, the eyes behind the sunglasses already flashed with a sharp brilliance. Like an eagle hovering in the air looking for food, Doomimon whistled.
Then, he took out his phone.
"Then, then ~ before Ah Shang goes to the 'limited time sale', as a close friend, it seems that I have to do something ~"
On this harsh winter day where undercurrents were surging, a cold storm was quietly brewing.
— —
…
— 4: 07 pm —
— —
"The PPK pistol, portable terminal, and the cost of your little nun's food and lodging in our house — a total of 1.327 million won, you don't have to give me the change."
Yoshikawa tapped on the paper with a ballpoint pen, and then as if she remembered something, she added another sentence.
"By the way, the pen you took that day is a 21k gold tip, a precious metal pen engraved by Master Yamashita. Because it's a limited edition, the market price can be auctioned up to 20,000 won — add that to the account, right?"
"You're lying, right?! Mr. Ujō is already in debt?! And that pen … 20,000 won … damn it! Why did it become like this ah ah ah!! "
The unfortunate young man named Tōma Jōjō was holding his head and crying on the ground. Because of the huge expenses incurred from keeping Inticus at his home in Huang Quan River for the past two weeks, this fact made him miserable.
The Preceding Article pathetically rummaged through the money in his pocket, but except for the poor 1,000 won that he carried with him, he had nothing left.
Yoshikawa looked at him and leisurely took a sip of coffee.
"Although Ai Sui doesn't want you to pay back the money, but how should I say — — recently in order to collect weight loss equipment, I accidentally became a bit tight on money, and it's not good to make you feel like you owe us."
"In short, you want me to pay back the money?!"
The Preceding Article painfully scratched his head and said dejectedly with his head down.
"Ah … it's my fault that I owe you money, but Mr. Ujō has no other source of income other than the student's monthly allowance …"
"Kun Ujō, do I look like a loan shark to you?"
Yoshikawa showed an amiable smile.
"Oh oh oh oh, Miss Yoshikawa is obviously much more amiable than a loan shark! Although I do owe a huge amount of debt, the interest and deadline can be slightly relaxed …? "The Preceding Article's eyes flashed with a bright light.
Yoshikawa smiled and nodded, then nodded.
"So, you can pay me back at any time. Not only that, I also have a few ways to raise money, are you interested? "
"Huh? There's a solution? "The Preceding Article raised his head in surprise.
At this moment, Yoshikawa waved her hand and said to the door.
"Come in."
The person who opened the door was Misaka Sister, the individual known as 10032.
She was holding a list in her hand. After looking at the Preceding Article expressionlessly, she turned her gaze back to the paper.
"So, Misaka began to talk about how to pay back the money in a short period of time — the following are a few plans. This is the most detailed and feasible plan that has been discussed by all the members of the Misaka Organization. That's what the Misaka Organization said.
"Oh, I'm so touched, Misaka Sister!! You're all good people!! "
The Preceding Article lay on the ground with tears in his eyes. If it was possible (if he didn't want to be accused of sexual harassment), he wanted to immediately get up and hug the Misaka Sister's thigh.
The Misaka Sister began to calmly read out the contents of the list.
"Plan One: Take 30% of the Tōma Jōjō's monthly allowance, which will take about 224.5 months, which is 18.7 years, to pay it back. Misaka suggested. "
"Mr. Ujō has become a weird uncle, okay?! And 6,000 yen a month … It's going to be hard for me too!! "
The Misaka Sister glanced at the sweaty Preceding Article and continued to read.
"Because 18.7 years is too long, Misaka suggested Plan Two. The market price for a pint (437ml) of blood in the US is 337 USD, so you can earn about 100,000 yen. The illegal price of a liver is 15700 USD, and a kidney is 262900 USD … "
“Stop！ Stoppppp！ Don't say anymore ahhhhhh!! Mr. Ujō's entire body is going to be covered in cotton wool, and there won't be any organs left!! "
The Preceding Article's cries filled the room. He repeatedly hit his head on the ground, and was so distressed that he almost cried out loud.
Yes, he was wrong.
Yoshikawa and the Misaka Sister weren't angels who wanted to pull him out of hell, but — —
"Devils, you're a bunch of devils who are trying to push me into the lava!" The Preceding Article gritted his teeth.
The Misaka Sister tilted her head and stopped reading. She looked at Yoshikawa as if she was asking for advice. Yoshikawa shrugged and said.
"That, Kun Ujō? Making money is not as easy as you think. If you underestimate this point, you can only say that you are an idiot who is dreaming of getting rich.
pains,no
You've heard of the phrase 'gains,' right? "
The Preceding Article turned his head and said unwillingly.
"I know … I know that too. But! That's too much to pay!! Is there no third way? A way to quickly raise money without having to replace all of my organs …!! "
Yoshikawa laughed.
She waved three fingers in front of The Preceding Article's eyes.
"Of course there is."
"Huh?"
"800 yen an hour, you can work here for the time being," Yoshikawa knocked on the thick pile of documents on the side, took a sip of coffee, and said. "It's just filling out an application, even if you only have a high school degree, you should be able to do it."
Indeed, this was a much gentler way than extracting all of his blood and organs to exchange for money. It didn't sound like it would do any harm.
The Preceding Article blurted out without thinking. "I'm willing!!"
Because he was too excited, The Preceding Article's sudden sense of relaxation went to his head. He laughed happily, but didn't notice the movements of Yoshikawa and Misaka Sister.
Yoshikawa and Misaka Sister looked at each other and gave each other a high five. At that moment, the two revealed a smile of success.
Then, they said in a low voice.
"— — Plan Tong."
— —
…
— 6: 10pm —
…
Because it was winter, the sky darkened particularly quickly.
It was only 6: 10pm, but it was already dark everywhere. The dark blue sky flashed with the light of a lone star, and the cold air swirled above the city.
Warm yellow lights gradually emerged on the streets, accompanied by the melodious English songs played in the shops. Pedestrians slowly walked in the fluttering snow.
The Preceding Article walked step by step in the snow, as if he was aimless. He stared blankly at the colorful shop signs.
Then, he stopped helplessly.
White smoke came out of his mouth, and the cold air poured into his lungs. He stood alone on the street. He wanted to take a step forward, but he stopped halfway and hesitantly took it back.
At this time, a familiar voice sounded in his ear.
"… What are you doing here?"
The Preceding Article didn't turn his head. He just said with some confusion.
"The limited time sale … It's over."
He rubbed his hands and looked regretfully at the empty shop. As if he didn't know where to put his hands, he blew a breath of hot air into his palms.
"I originally planned to rush out to buy things in the morning, but I didn't expect to be delayed by Yoshikawa and Misaka Sister for so long … By the time I got here, the special sale was already over. How unfortunate …"
A plastic bag containing apples was extended in front of him, and the Preceding Article paused for a moment. He turned his head to look at the tea haired girl next to him. Mikoto Misaka stared at him unhappily and complained.
"I knew an idiot like you would say that, take it!"
The Preceding Article took the plastic bag in a daze. The apple looked very fresh. When he opened the bag, a fresh and sweet fragrance rushed out. There were still tiny bits of snow remaining on the fruit.
He looked at Mikoto. The tea haired girl's shoulders were covered with a thin layer of snow. She probably didn't have an umbrella and had been waiting here for a while.
— In order to wait for him, who would appear at any time, Mikoto had been standing here the whole time.
…
"I, I just passed by. I'm not standing here just to wait for you!"
Not sure if it was because of the cold, but Mikoto's face was flushed red. She roughly shoved the plastic bag into the arms of the Preceding Article and turned to leave angrily.
Suddenly, as if she remembered something, Mikoto turned her head and shouted at the Preceding Article.
"Ah, you — the bus fare, the money for the apple, and the compensation for leaving me alone, you have to pay it all back!!"
— She didn't really want the Preceding Article to pay off these debts, but it was just an excuse to help him.
Even if this feeling couldn't be reciprocated.
Even if this guy couldn't understand her feelings at all.
Mikoto turned her back on him, hiding her tearful face. The complicated and sad feelings were decisively erased by her in the next second. She returned to the original Mikoto Misaka.
But she still wanted to cry.
Because at that moment, the guy called Shangjue Touma, who didn't understand romance, gently pulled her sleeve.
"Misaka, you … are really an idiot."
The Preceding Article said with a smile.
"I don't want … to be called that by a real idiot."
Mikoto choked and lowered her head.
Then, in the next second, the Preceding Article's palm covered her head and gently rubbed it a few times.
Behind Misaka, he said.
"Thank you. And — "
"I'm leaving."
His last sentence was suddenly swept away by the sudden cold air, and his voice disappeared in the hazy night wind.
Mikoto quivered and quickly turned her head. The temperature on top of her head had disappeared without a trace, and there was no one behind her.
In the bustling crowd, no one stopped walking.
The boy named Tōma Jōjō seemed to have evaporated in the air, leaving no trace. He suddenly disappeared just like that.
— It was as if he had never existed.
— —
…
When he passed by the bus stop, he didn't choose to get on.
Even if the snow was heavier, he didn't plan to give up walking.
Gradually, he moved away from the street that was surrounded by warm lights, moving his two legs that had long been frozen to the point that they could no longer feel. He kept walking, and he kept walking.
As if he had suddenly stepped into the darkness of an eternal night, his whole body was shrouded in a misty darkness. He couldn't see anything, but he didn't want to use his eyes to confirm or identify something.
The snow fell on his body, accumulating a thick layer. The coldness and numbness gradually wrapped around his body like a poisonous snake spitting out its tongue. He even had the illusion that his body no longer belonged to him.
Walking past the guard room that he had passed by countless times, the dim yellow light didn't bring him any warmth.
Lifting his stiff neck, he looked up at the building. Then, from his pocket, he took out a piece of crumpled paper that was soaked with snow.
[Dear, Your Excellency Tōma Jōjō.]
With slow, heavy steps, he reached the corner of the street. In front of him was a small corridor where bicycles and motorcycles were parked. He squeezed through it with difficulty, and on the way, he fixed the vehicle that was tilted.
[I don't know when you will be able to read this letter. Perhaps when you open it, it will be a few weeks or months later, but I still hope that you can understand the meaning of this letter.]
He walked into the dimly lit hall. A modernist oil painting hung on one side of the wall, and on the other side was a dusty Mount Fuji. In the empty room, only his footsteps were exceptionally clear.
[The Ranking Floating Plan, this is a plan by part of the upper management of Academy City. In a sense, it is an extremely evil activity. In this plan, the original residents of Academy City will be ranked according to Lv.
0 to 5 will be divided into six levels, and once the higher level is successfully challenged, the original ranking will be adjusted accordingly.]
He pressed the three elevator buttons and waited for the chance to go upstairs.
Following a clear ding, the elevator door slowly opened. He walked into the elevator and pressed the button for the sixth floor with familiar movements.
The sixth floor of the general hospital was the inpatient department.
[Once the plan is implemented, the original order and system of Academy City will probably collapse. Even though I personally hope to see this happen, as expected — — I still can't forgive the implementation of this evil plan that took away my mother's life.]
[I don't expect you to do anything, and I'm not against anything that you're about to do. I'm just telling you the truth, that's all.]
His hand that held the letter fell limply to his side. Most of the words were unreadable due to the soaking. But at the last line of the letter, the sender's name was clearly written.
[— — Tsurugi.]
Tōma Jōjō was once Academy City's greatest enemy.
He explained the situation of the "Ranking Floating Plan" in the letter, and through this letter, Akira Jojo confirmed a fact: There will be an unprecedented riot in Academy City.
Almost everyone in Academy City will be fooled by this plan, and they will do their best to raise their level. Those without abilities will challenge Lv.
1, and Lv.
1 will challenge Lv.
2, this kind of vicious event will eventually gather at the highest level of Academy City — — Lv.
5.
Then, the biggest target, the target that everyone in Academy City wants to kill — — -
"I don't even need to think about this."
He walked out of the elevator. He was already at the 6th floor.
It was a quiet hallway with only a few small lights on. There was a small blackboard hanging by the side of the hallway that seemed to be written with precautions for health care in winter. A few large snowflakes were drawn on it. Next to the blackboard was a row of neatly arranged wheelchairs.
Everything was extremely familiar to him. Nothing had changed, it was still the same.
He walked through the hallway, but this time, he purposely walked lightly. The apple in his hand was jumping around restlessly in the plastic bag, as if it was anxious and uneasy.
He stopped in front of a hospital room without a door number and walked in.
…
Black. Black. Black.
In the hospital room without lights, the oppressive colors rushed in like a tidal wave.
Even though there were a few neon lights coming in from outside, the darkness that couldn't be illuminated still filled the room.
His hand stopped at the switch, but he didn't press it.
Then, he spoke.
"I … thought about it for a long time."
Facing the silent darkness, he seemed to be talking to himself.
"I was thinking — — whether or not meeting you was the wrong choice. Starting from the 14th until the 27th. To be honest, this kind of development has become too illogical, and I don't want to see it anymore. "
He leaned against the wall.
"Is this really okay? What kind of consequences will there be? When I realized it, I was already thinking about it. Maybe I'm regretting that the person who came with me was you, but … it's already too late. You're undoubtedly a predestined existence. You're really an existence that can disturb people's thoughts. "
He laughed lightly, then tilted his head.
"The Floating Ranking Plan is a chance for those at a lower level to challenge those at a higher level. Normally, everyone in Academy City would be thinking about how to level up and climb up, right? Then, the final goal is — — to become the strongest in Academy City, Accelerator. "
He locked the door behind him, and his tone suddenly became firm.
"But, this time, there's a problem."
"Academy City's goal is to take back Accelerator, and use it as the ultimate weapon to suppress the situation. As long as Accelerator isn't defeated, Academy City's leading position won't change. But, Accelerator was indeed defeated before, by Tōma Jōjō. "
There seemed to be a subtle aura fluctuation in the darkness in front of him. This was keenly noticed by him, but he only sighed and continued speaking indifferently.
"In other words."
"As long as we announce that Tōma Jōjō once defeated Academy City's strongest, we'll be able to focus all hatred on Tōma Jōjō. This way, Accelerator won't have to leave. "
"— — Replace Accelerator and become a sacrifice."
This time, the air in the room suddenly twisted, the black mass began to unevenly twist, disintegrate, and reform, as if some kind of strong emotion was transmitted through the air.
Then, he turned on the light switch.
He said to the other end of the darkness.
With a vicious tone, with the angriest emotion he's ever felt.
"— — Do you think I'll let you do that? Powerless. "
In front of Accelerator who turned on the light switch, Preceding Article sat on the edge of the bed with a shocked expression.
The white light spilled down from above, illuminating the two people in the room.
The white-haired, red-eyed superhuman who had entered the room a few seconds ago was still in the position of turning on the light.
And the hedgehog-headed teenager who had been listening to Accelerator's words in the dark.
Preceding Article lowered his eyes. "Looks like … you already know?"
"Ha … Who do you think I am?" Accelerator replied bluntly.
Just a few days ago, Preceding Article had already made up his mind to replace Accelerator and leave.
Today, after going through the procedures to leave school, and saying goodbye to Mikoto Misaka, he passed by the general hospital because he was worried about Accelerator, who was still unconscious, so he went to take a look, but he didn't expect Accelerator to leave him an empty bed.
Preceding Article quietly sized up the first person.
Although his entire body was still covered in bandages and he looked weak, his sharp eyes and ferocious expression were all releasing an invisible pressure.
"I thought you already left," Preceding Article said.
"That's why I came back to beat you up."
Accelerator walked over with a cane and said with dissatisfaction.
"Clench your teeth."
"Huh?"
Before Preceding Article could react, Accelerator held the edge of the bed with one hand, and then — —
He raised his crutch and mercilessly swung it at Shangjo's head.
The sudden hit from the heavy object dazed him for a moment, and Preceding Article let out a muffled scream. But because he was in the hospital, he could only hold his head and roll on the ground, groaning a few times.
"You're going to kill me!! If you really want to hit me, please wrap the cane in a blanket before hitting me!! "
He was kicked by Accelerator. "Who the f * ck cares."
To be honest, the first person didn't seem to be too ruthless. Although he seemed to be extremely angry, he would intentionally or unintentionally restrain his strength. But — — for a patient who hadn't even recovered from a serious illness, even if he didn't restrain his strength, it wouldn't cause any actual harm.
After a long time, as if he was tired of it, Accelerator stood up and walked to the bed with an unhappy expression and sat down.
Preceding Article let out a sigh of relief and slowly sat up. He rubbed the place where he was kicked just now. Fortunately, it was just a bruise, and there wasn't much of a problem.
Suddenly.
In the silent ward, the first person spoke.
"… … There are 11 days left."
Preceding Article's expression gradually became serious. He replied.
"Ah, there are only 11 days left."
11 days, the number of days left before the floating ranking plan really began, and at the same time, it was also — — a decisive countdown.
I'm afraid that because of this plan, an all-out war with the Magic Faction will break out. No matter how he placed the pieces, he couldn't avoid the most dangerous situation.
Originally, he wanted to bear all of this on behalf of the first person, but since his intention was discovered, there was no other way. Preceding Article's troubled sigh, then he heard Accelerator say.
"I want to leave here."
Suddenly, Accelerator said.
"Where are you going?" Preceding Article's reflexive asked.
The first person hesitated for a while, as if he was hesitating whether to say it or not.
"A place very far away."
Saying it was the same as not saying it.
But as long as he got an answer, it would be a very meaningful thing.
"That place," Preceding Article asked again, "Do I know it?"
At this time, Accelerator stood up from the bed and walked to the door with his cane.
No luggage, nothing at all. No other traveler would have done as casually as the first traveler. But Preceding Article didn't find it strange, because Accelerator's white figure was unusually thin, as if he would be buried in the darkness in the next second.
The first person looked at him with red eyes and said.
"I don't know."
After saying this, he took a step forward.
Without hesitation.
As if he wouldn't look back, he stepped out.
Preceding Article stared blankly at the gradually disappearing figure at the door.
To his surprise, right before he left, that calm voice rang out once more.
"But, if you follow me, you'll know."
Hearing this, the hedgehog-headed teenager hurriedly stood up from the bed and strode to the door.
Unfortunately, there was no one in the dark corridor of the hospital, only the elevator's light was shining alone.
[He should have left. Accelerator.]
Preceding Article's thought, stood there helplessly, and his eyes slowly moved to the window.
All of a sudden, he felt a gaze on him.
Looking down, Preceding Article's saw the first person of Academy City standing in the snow looking at him. His face was expressionless, but his eyes seemed to be flickering with a strange emotion.
After noticing that Shangjo's gaze had shifted over, Accelerator slowly said a few words. Looking at his lips, Preceding Article's words were barely recognizable.
"But … it's … not … possible."
He was stunned.
Accelerator was telling him: "It's impossible."
[He couldn't have followed me, he couldn't have left everyone else behind.] Inticus, Sphinx, Mikoto Misaka, and many others around him, he couldn't have left them behind.
[Why … would I think that?]
Preceding Article's anger suddenly rose. He wanted to rush down and grab the first person's collar to question him.
But he didn't do that. Instead, he stood there and watched the white figure disappear into the white snow.
"A place very far away."
Preceding Article's thought back to what Accelerator said, so he also looked into the distance. Reflected in his eyes were the rolling mountains and the dark sky, as well as the tranquil lights.
Nothing seemed to have changed. Academy City operated as usual, and 2.3 million people breathed as usual.
Did I change anything?
Probably not.
The white monster still chose to carry everything on his own.
If there was a change, perhaps what he changed was "change."
The sun was still the same, the moon was still the same, and the stars were still the same.
No matter how much he changed, some things would always remain here.
But.
Something was slightly different.
Preceding Article's thought back to the dazzling stars in the sky. They seemed hazy and ethereal, yet also seemed right in front of him. There were stars tonight. That was a fact that he finally noticed.
Then he remembered the 14th, the night when he and Accelerator were drinking coffee and chatting in the park. He remembered the 20th, the night when he dragged the first one out of the secret passage. He remembered the nights when he was chased by Kamikawa, wandering in the Third District of the Barren Plains, and spending the nights beside the collapsed minaret.
There had never been a night with stars as bright as tonight.
Perhaps something in his heart had already changed, or perhaps in some undetectable corner.
Could this be called chaos, or disorder?
Perhaps …
"It's not like that."
Preceding Article's thought softly to himself.
He took a shaky step forward, then began running.
His goal was the elevator, downstairs, the distance, and Accelerator's back. It was still not too late to chase after him. As long as he wanted to, the story would continue and never stop.
Seiji ran into the snow.
Cold, dry air rushed into his lungs, and the sometimes bright and sometimes dim starlight reflected on his body.
The scenery before him changed, and the starry night continued. Preceding Article's steps were forceful, and he felt like he was about to become one with the wind.
'How could it be impossible?'
No matter how dangerous or difficult it was, as long as he wanted to do it, as long as he had the intention, there was nothing he couldn't do when two people were together.
Gradually, he felt tired all over his body, but Preceding Article's heart was in high spirits. He thought.
'What should I say after I catch up?'
For example, "It's not like that at all." "You're wrong." Or something incongruous like "What a nice day."
But the thing he wanted to say the most was …
"Accelerator!"
Preceding Article's shout gradually slowed down.
Under the pitch-black sky, a figure stood in front of him in the pure white snow.
That was a slender and pale figure that belonged to the strongest in Academy City.
The first person wouldn't turn around, but she would stay where she was and wait for him to arrive.
Preceding Article's slow walk forward with a myriad of thoughts in his mind.
All the sadness, joy, joy, and anger of the past welled up in his heart. During this one month of time together, he felt both long and short, both painful and happy. So what if he had the Ranked Floating Plan? So what if he was forgotten, rejected, and hated by the world? Preceding Article's thoughts were no longer on it. For him, from now on, this would be a story of two people, not a single person's battle.
And now, he was going to use the same line he said on the night of the spire again.
"… I've come … to find you."
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