On the way out, Selene thought about the chicken soup Shirai Kuroko fed to Kaitabi Hatsuya and couldn't help shaking her head, thinking it was a kind lie.
According to her understanding, contrary to the Academy City's claim that "anyone can gain superpowers through effort," the potential of students is determined before they participate in the superpower development program. Their maximum ability level is calculated beforehand.
This potential level is determined by the students' qualifications, known as "aptitude." Therefore, Academy City allocates development resources according to the students' "aptitude" levels.
Information related to low-level ability users who may become high-level users can be obtained with minimal budget. For example, during Misaka Mikoto's childhood, before she reached Level 5, researchers collected her DNA map for the Railgun mass production plan because she had the "aptitude" to become a Level 5 esper.
Upon exiting the Seventh Mist shopping mall, the police officers finally arrived and set up a perimeter, beginning to process the scene. Selene couldn't help but mock them, noting that it seemed they never arrived at the scene first.
"Selene-senpai!"
"Hm?" Hearing someone calling her, Selene slowly turned her head, "Kazari! You can't act like this. If we weren't here, your actions could have cost you your life."
It was Uiharu Kazari, and she knew she had been reckless this time. If Selene and the others hadn't been there, she wouldn't have survived the explosion. So Kazari was very sincere in her attitude. "Sorry, I'll be careful next time."
"Okay, just be careful." Selene didn't know if Kazari took her warning to heart, but she believed that if a similar situation arose, Kazari would make the same mistake again.
"Kazari!!!"
At this moment, Shirai Kuroko's scream could be heard. It seemed that she had finished dealing with Kaitabi Hatsuya and was angrily coming over to confront Kazari.
"Really! How many times have I told you? Don't handle such dangerous things by yourself! If Onee-sama and Selene-senpai weren't there, what would you have done? I was so worried!" Watching Kazari respectfully accept her criticism, Shirai Kuroko crossed her arms, her face full of anger.
"Sorry, but thanks to Selene-senpai, see, I'm completely unharmed! Also, why can't I do it, but Shirai-san can... oof!" In her humbled state, Kazari hadn't finished speaking before Shirai Kuroko pinched her face and pulled.
"You dare talk back! Do you even assess the situation? Do you think Onee-sama and Selene-senpai can save you every time? Besides, do you know your own level compared to mine?"
"Sorry! I understand my mistake..."
Kazari was aware of her strength. Shirai Kuroko, a Level 4 teleporter, could quickly escape danger, while she was just a Level 1, with no combat abilities and likely to be caught unprepared if encountering danger alone.
Kazari knew her actions were wrong this time. She was technically on vacation, lacking Judgment authority, but her sense of justice wouldn't allow her to ignore a dire situation.
While Kazari wanted to retort to Shirai Kuroko's reprimand, seeing her angry state, Kazari relented, sincerely apologizing and promising not to make the same mistake again.
"Hmph! As long as you know your mistake, but it's over now..." Shirai Kuroko's expression softened when Kazari apologized, and she hugged her tightly. "... I'm just glad you're okay, Kazari."
Learning the target was Judgment, and Uiharu Kazari was the only member in the area, Shirai Kuroko's heart was heavy, fearing Kazari would be hurt. Luckily, with two Level 5s around, she didn't know how else to cope if they weren't there.
While Selene admired the deep friendship between Shirai Kuroko and Kazari, she noticed someone approaching her.
Looking closely, it was a short, twin-tailed little girl in a light blue dress. She skipped over and hugged Selene's leg, thanking her in a sweet voice. "Thank you, Tokiwadai's big sister, for saving me."
"No need to thank me." Selene smiled warmly and gently patted the little girl's head.
"Hmm, it seems she likes you quite a bit." Misaka Mikoto raised an eyebrow. "To think she would hug you on first meeting; I've never gotten that treatment."
"That's called affinity." Selene glanced at Mikoto, then gave a strange smile, "Where's your old flame? Why don't you introduce him to Kuroko?"
"He left long ago, and who's an old flame! Uh..." Seeing Selene's strange smile, Mikoto knew things would turn sour. Being labeled with Kamijou Touma as her flame turned her into a "steam princess."
But this wasn't the most critical part, as a particular vinegar jar overheard it.
"Haha..." Selene wanted to laugh when a terrifying aura emerged from behind, like Cthulhu's tentacles wrapping around her.
"Ah!!! Onee-sama!!!" Hearing the explosive news, Shirai Kuroko was filled with resentment, her hair flailing like Cthulhu's tentacles, her eyes flashing and voice both sinister and frightening.
The next moment, Shirai Kuroko abandoned her sibling, clinging to Misaka Mikoto and screaming, panting heavily, "Which ape?! I'll kill him, how dare... wow... Onee-sama doesn't want Kuroko anymore... boo hoo..."
Amid the public spectacle, Misaka Mikoto was embarrassed, her voice trembling, "Kuroko! Get off me!"
"No! Onee-sama!! Onee-sama!!! Ah~"
Their antics caught the crowd's attention, even drawing curious glances from the police officers on duty. For Misaka Mikoto, this was a "social death" moment. "Kuroko, stop it!"
"Ah~ I won't! Accept Kuroko's love, Onee-sama..." Although Mikoto felt utterly embarrassed, Kuroko didn't share this sentiment, seemingly enjoying herself, making pig-like noises, "Kuroko's body forever... hehe oh oh hmm hmm..."
...
How terrifying, seeing Shirai Kuroko's crazy and sick love for Mikoto, Selene couldn't help but feel embarrassed.
She knew Shirai Kuroko was different from others in some aspects, but she didn't expect her to be so "shameless" in public.
"Uh... Miss, are your classmates always like this?" Even the old gentleman Sebas was a bit astonished by the scene: Young people, so daring.
"This... should, probably, be it."
Meanwhile, the little girl next to her was watching with bright eyes, repeatedly exclaiming "wow" as if discovering a new world.
Seeing this, Selene ignored the little girl's protest and covered her eyes, "Kids shouldn't watch this stuff; be careful not to get eye strain."
Shirai Kuroko, in general, was usually normal. Although she became flirty when Mikoto was present, she took her work very seriously.
This could be seen when she would defy some of Mikoto's decisions for the sake of Judgment work, reflecting her principles and concern for others.
Shirai Kuroko was indeed a good girl... a shame! A pervert!
Thinking of this, Selene sighed.
After a series of exchanges, Shirai Kuroko returned to normal, but her gaze carried a hint of sorrow, like a jilted woman.
"Did you tell her?" Seeing Mikoto finally recover from "steam princess" mode, Selene approached, making faces.
The atmosphere had become too awkward earlier, so Selene had quickly slipped away with the others, only returning when the crowd dispersed, fearing being associated with a pervert.
"How dare you ask! Isn't this all your fault?!" Hearing Selene's carefree inquiry, Mikoto felt Selene was terribly wicked; how many times had she been set up by her?
"You disloyal person, running away at the first sign of trouble!"
At this moment, the little girl ran over, full of questions for Mikoto after listening for a long time, "Why does the twin-tailed sister call you Onee-sama?" She pointed at Selene, "Is this big sister your senpai?"
"She calls me that herself, nothing I can do." Mikoto picked up the little girl, giving Selene a resentful glance, as if to say, "even a child speaks better than you."
With a sly grin, Mikoto pointed to Selene, "We're in the same grade. Why do you think she's our senpai?" Mikoto hadn't realized the girl's next words would deal her a significant blow.
"Then why does this big sister look so much older than you? And why are you so short and flat?"
A cracking sound could almost be heard as the girl's innocent words left Mikoto stunned.
After placing the girl on the ground, Mikoto knelt down in a dejected manner, body gray with despair, "I'm sorry for being so inferior..."
"Ah, you don't need to be like that; I didn't choose to grow like this, you know, it's in the genes. You..." Selene's comfort seemed futile, even counterproductive.
Finally, seeing no improvement, Selene had no choice but to escort Mikoto back to the dormitory.
And thus, a day where only Mikoto and Shirai Kuroko suffered (psychological trauma) came to an end.