Chapter 22

Today's atmosphere was somewhat unusual. In the meeting room of the 7th School District's Ethics Committee headquarters, all the branch ministers of the 7th School District were seated quietly. A girl stood on a high platform, announcing the latest information.

"The explosion caused by the gravitational particle acceleration observed by the satellite has been officially classified as a malicious attack, named 'Void Burst.' After searching the library, only one person with the required ability level was found, but they have an alibi. The abilities of the others are not strong enough. The power and range of the Void Burst are continuously expanding, and no correlation has been found in terms of time and location. Although we have investigated the items left behind, no clues have been found. To prevent the next victim, we need to work with the security officers to strengthen vigilance and resolve the incident. Note that the explosive devices have evolved from aluminum cans in trash bins to items that are easy to overlook, such as stuffed animals or children's bags. Everyone must be cautious."

"Boring." An unexpected voice came from Shirai Tsukuyomi, who was attending the meeting in place of Konori Mii.

A few people on the side frowned and looked at Shirai Tsukuyomi, and the girl on the platform was also displeased. "Shirai, do you have any better ideas?" Although everyone was somewhat annoyed with Shirai Tsukuyomi, her name was well-known in the 7th School District.

"I say, just monitor all the gravitational particle accelerators, regardless of their level. We'll find the culprit in a day. This passive defense is laughable."

"Shirai, we don't have the authority to monitor others. Please stop your dangerous thoughts."

"Dangerous?..." Shirai Tsukuyomi muttered. "A bunch of naive people." Then she walked out of the meeting room, ignoring the reprimands behind her.

The meeting ended in discord.

On the other side, Misaka Mikoto's head was about to explode from what Shirai Kuroko had said, but she picked up the Ethics Committee armband that Shokuhou Misaki had left behind.

Holding the Ethics Committee armband, Misaka Mikoto encountered an unfamiliar Ethics Committee member and had the idea of impersonating one to experience the life of an Ethics Committee member and show her junior that she could also handle the tasks.

Unfortunately, the first task Misaka Mikoto received was to sweep the ground... Misaka Mikoto was stunned. "Is this what the Ethics Committee does? Is this their job?"

To avoid being exposed, Misaka Mikoto had to pick up the broom and start sweeping. At that moment, a passerby threw a ball of paper, and when Misaka Mikoto tried to stop them, they threw an empty drink can. Annoyed, Misaka Mikoto stomped her foot and electrocuted the person. Just as she was feeling smug, someone tapped her lightly from behind.

"You can't do that! You can't use your ability recklessly!" the Ethics Committee member scolded Misaka Mikoto.

"But..."

"No buts! Maintaining order and using force are two different things!"

After imagining being mocked by Shirai Kuroko, Misaka Mikoto decided to complete her task. "I'll try my best! I'll do my job seriously!"

Unfortunately, being an Ethics Committee member wasn't as easy as she thought. Today, Misaka Mikoto experienced various failures.

Whether it was guiding people or helping with tasks, she either arrived too late or failed to solve the problem. She even mistakenly interrupted a couple on a date in an alley.

In the end, Misaka Mikoto had to admit that she wasn't cut out for the job of an Ethics Committee member.

During a break, the Ethics Committee member who had been guiding her asked, "Is the training different from the real situation?"

"Yeah, to be honest," Misaka Mikoto's tone was weak, "I didn't realize I was so bad at reading maps, understanding situations, and being tactful."

To comfort Misaka Mikoto, the Ethics Committee member admitted that they were also bad at reading maps, which slightly lifted Misaka Mikoto's spirits.

At that moment, a call came in, requesting help to find a lost children's bag.

Thinking back to what Shokuhou Misaki had said earlier, Misaka Mikoto assumed the bag was a bomb from the Void Burst incident and immediately started searching with the Ethics Committee member.

After searching through the gaps in buildings, riverbanks, under bridges, and in trees, they still couldn't find it.

At this moment, Misaka Mikoto encountered someone she didn't expect.

"Shirai! What are you doing here!"

"I'm looking for the bag. Since you're impersonating an Ethics Committee member, you should know."

Misaka Mikoto was startled, remembering she wasn't an actual member. "You... you don't..."

"Don't worry, I don't care. Let's find the bag first."

"Okay." With that, Misaka Mikoto continued searching, a thought suddenly occurring to her. "If even Shirai is involved, the situation must be serious." She sped up her search.

At that moment, a bullying incident occurred on the street. Two people were beating up a thin young man. Misaka Mikoto ran over, "What are you doing?"

Seeing Misaka Mikoto, the two people sneered. "An Ethics Committee member... nothing much." They left, saying a lie everyone knew. Misaka Mikoto had to suppress her anger; she was an Ethics Committee member now.

From behind, Shirai Tsukuyomi's voice came. "You two, I'm the Ethics Committee member, Shirai Tsukuyomi. You've heard of me, right?" Her calm gaze fixed on the two. "Either you report to the Ethics Committee yourself, or I'll take you there. What do you say?"

In the 7th School District, no one was unfamiliar with Shirai Tsukuyomi's name or her ruthless methods. "We'll go ourselves!... We'll go ourselves!" They ran away as if avoiding a plague.

"You're... quite impressive," Misaka Mikoto had to admit that sometimes people like Shirai Tsukuyomi had a stronger deterrent effect. As they talked, the young man who had been bullied walked away, his eyes filled with hatred, unnoticed by anyone.

Shirai Tsukuyomi watched the young man walk away. [I hope you don't do anything to make me angry, Void Burst culprit.]

Finally, they arrived at a park where the bag was reportedly located.

Seeing the numerous children playing, Misaka Mikoto was worried. "This... this isn't a joke..."

They split up to search for the pink bag. Ignoring the teasing from elementary school students, Misaka Mikoto soon saw a dog carrying the bag. She immediately sped up and used an electric shock to stop the dog, but the bag was thrown into a nearby pond.

Misaka Mikoto used her electric ability to stimulate her muscles and instantly appeared above the pond, grabbing the bag. However, she lost control and started falling.

Misaka Mikoto closed her eyes, bracing for impact, but she fell into a warm embrace. Opening her eyes, she saw that Shirai Tsukuyomi had caught her.

"Th... thank you."

"No problem, friends help each other." Shirai Tsukuyomi put Misaka Mikoto down. Seeing Shirai Tsukuyomi's smile, Misaka Mikoto felt a strange sensation. She shook her head and handed the bag to Shirai Tsukuyomi. Seeing Shirai Tsukuyomi's nonchalant behavior, she couldn't help but ask, "Is it okay to handle it so casually? We should call the bomb disposal team!"

"You're overthinking it."

"Huh?"

Soon, Shirai Kuroko and Shokuhou Misaki arrived with the child who had lost the bag. They saw Misaka Mikoto looking dejected.

"Onee-sama?"

"Misaka?"

Then they noticed the armband on Misaka Mikoto's arm. "Onee-sama, I warned her so many times."

Her identity was exposed. But Misaka Mikoto didn't care; hearing the child's "Thank you" made her smile beautifully.

In the evening, in her dormitory, Misaka Mikoto thought about everything that had happened today and sighed, "Being an Ethics Committee member is really tough."

[Shirai Kuroko and that person—Shirai Tsukuyomi—work like this every day.]

Thinking of Shirai Tsukuyomi, Misaka Mikoto shook her head. [Why am I thinking about her?] Then she fell into a deep sleep.

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