Days before Yuki received the letter, everything was peaceful in Tokiwadai, where the Ojou-samas eagerly awaited a special day.
The Tokiwadai summer festival is an event that occurs once a year, and the Tokiwadai dormitory opens its doors to the public.
This dormitory, praised by many as a paradise where men are strictly prohibited, was the time when all the guests could enter and have a good view...
Every year, this event is very important for Tokiwadai and has left a good impression on the public. This year was expected to be the same. Unfortunately, not everything is as it seems...
"A festival in conjunction with the other dormitory?"
Mikoto, who was reading, opened her eyes...
Tokiwadai was divided into two dormitories, one for normal students and one for true Ojou-samas from rich families. Mikoto, belonging to the middle class, was not qualified to sleep in the other dormitory, and every year, the normal dormitory would be in charge of the festival event.
But due to other factors, the other Ojou-sama dormitory wanted to participate in this festival. Likewise, upon reading the content of what would be the main event of the festival, sparks began to flicker around Mikoto...
"Shokuhou!!..."
Mikoto didn't have to be a genius to know who was responsible for such a change in the festival, especially the main event of the Festival...
'A fair competition between both dormitories.'
It seemed they would carry out various events for the Ojou-samas to participate in and showcase their talents, as well as to choose the Queen of Tokiwadai.
Upon reading such nonsense, it was clear that only someone like Misaki would plan something like this.
The summer festival was supposed to entertain the guests and show a harmonious relationship between students, showcasing their talents, not a competition among them.
Unfortunately, there was nothing Mikoto could do; the board had already approved the event, and with the remaining time, all the Ojou-samas went into action. After all, the prizes were quite juicy, especially the first prize...
'First Prize: A romantic dinner with the Joker...'
They were using a criminal and famous figure as the first prize, but what was even stranger was that the Board had approved this prize and even advertised to make this event bigger. Likewise, Anti-skill and Judgment were silent...
And the Ojou-samas' reaction?
Needless to say, each one of them entered into a frenzy; the Joker is a very famous public figure in this city. From his songs to his magic tricks, this Clown was an idol to many people, and as a prize, the Ojou-samas' eyes sparkled.
Of course, Yuki was not aware of this; being at home as a Hikikomori, he was not interested in the outside world. Otherwise, he would not hesitate to file a lawsuit...
The following days were noisy at Tokiwadai with all the girls signing up for the event. Of course, Mikoto ignored it.
It wasn't worth it; she wasn't going to play Misaki's game, and she wasn't interested in the prize either. To Mikoto, the Joker was just a clown. Apart from bothering Kuroko, the Joker meant nothing to her...
So she was quite calm, although she was a little annoyed that the festival had been ruined by this. This also made her sigh with relief; otherwise, she would have been pushed to play a recital with her violin.
"Misaka-san, are you going to participate?"
Days after the official announcement of the event, one day before the main event, Mikoto was again in the family restaurant with Saten, Uiharu, Kuroko, and of course, Yami, who was also invited...
The five girls enjoyed a milkshake and discussed what would be the next big event. Likewise, the group of girls was surprised to learn that Mikoto would stay out of it...
"This is just another one of that woman's games; I'm not going to participate..."
Waving her hand, Mikoto continued to sip her milkshake, while the girls shared looks, thinking it was a shame. Mikoto was surely one of the favorites for the event; however, upon thinking about it a bit, they understood Mikoto. She already had a boyfriend, so a romantic dinner with the Clown was not attractive to her, not to mention that Yuki might get angry if he saw her dining with another man...
"What a pity... I want to participate..."
Unfortunately, only the Ojou-samas were allowed to participate in this event, so Saten sighed in defeat; she wanted to join...
"Shirai-san, are you going to participate?"
Since Mikoto was going to stay out of it, Uiharu and Saten thought Kuroko would too, especially since she hated that Clown to the core, so she surely wouldn't participate...
How wrong they were...
*Splat
"I'm in... I'm going to do it! I'm going to win that contest!"
Hitting the table with her hand and clenching the other, Kuroko's eyes were burning with passion. She still didn't forget what happened that day, how that Clown stained and humiliated her. This was her chance for revenge, although she knew she couldn't win against the Clown, there were many ways to get revenge besides force.
"Eh?"
Of course, the girls didn't think the same. They were amazed by the positive response and even opened their mouths. It was supposed that Kuroko hated the Clown, but...
Why did it suddenly seem like Kuroko's cheeks were red when mentioning him?
This made these girls' minds start to wander, and some bold idea came into their heads, making them smile with a deep meaning...
Kuroko has always gone out to hunt the Clown, and she has never given up, but who knows...
Maybe this is just an excuse for Kuroko, and she doesn't really hate the Joker. On the contrary, she was in love, and this was a way to see him...
Women's imagination is powerful, with just one sentence from Kuroko, these girls filled in the blanks.
"What envy~..."
"Hm, tomorrow will be an important day for Tokiwadai..."
Uiharu and Saten sighed; tomorrow at this time at Tokiwadai would surely be bustling. After all, Tokiwadai has the most refined women in Academy City, not to mention two Level 5s. Likewise, these girls are cute. Only a fool would miss such an important event...
*Bip
"Yami: Misaka-san must participate..."
Suddenly, the holographic chat screen blinked in front of Mikoto, and she tilted her head as she read the message...
"Hm?"
Mikoto looked at Yami, and her eyes showed clear doubts. They were facing each other, yet Yami communicated with her using the chat room, which was quite unusual.
"Mikoto Misaka: What's up, Yami-san?"
Still, Mikoto decided to respond through the chat room; she was quite smart and guessed that there must be a reason why Yami sent her this message, not to mention that she wanted her to compete.
"Yami: Misaka-san must enter the contest..."
"Mikoto Misaka: Why?"
There was nothing for Mikoto in the contest; there was no reason to compete, much less with Misaki there. However, Yami had a determined look and still pressed on.
Mikoto couldn't understand it...
"Yami: Misaki Shokuhou... She must not win..."
"..."
Mikoto didn't respond but sighed; she understood now. Yami and Misaki didn't get along. It was clear that day at the pool. Mikoto understood her feelings, but as someone who had to endure Misaki Shokuhou for more than a year, she had developed techniques to ignore her; otherwise, there would be no peace between them.
"Mikoto Misaka: I know Misaki is unbearable, but it's better to ignore her..."
Shaking her hand, Mikoto smiled bitterly and continued to speak; she never thought the day would come when she would have to give advice on how to avoid Misaki Shokuhou.
"Yami: No, that's not it..."
However, Yami shook her head...
"Mikoto Misaka: Huh? Not it?..."
"Yami: Misaka-san must win; she must definitely do it...."
Mikoto frowned; she was still not understanding Yami, but it was to be expected. After all, Yami's strong suit was never conversations, and she was doubting a lot about what she wanted to say. Her hands clenched, and her gaze became confused...
However, after taking a deep breath, she calmed down; it seemed she had made a difficult decision....
*Gulp
Mikoto swallowed, and the chat screen blinked again...
"Yami: Misaki Shokuhou must not win... Because Yuki-san is the Joker..."
"What?!!"
This news was like a bomb for Mikoto; the milkshake in her hand was crushed, electricity began to flicker, and she stood up abruptly.
---
TN: Now a bit more drama and we'll get to the ending of dis arc iirc