Chapter 28

Because of the mysterious attack on the power equipment last night, the seventh school district experienced a major blackout, causing many facilities, including traffic lights, to fail today. Therefore, the traffic in the seventh school district was entirely left to the discipline committee to maintain.

"Who in the world would be so bored as to attack the power facilities? Are they out of their minds?" A discipline committee member, whose vacation was ruined by this incident, complained. Just then, Misaka Mikoto happened to pass by and, hearing this, also felt furious, but since the incident was indeed her doing, she had to endure it.

At this moment, Shirai Kuroko appeared behind Misaka Mikoto with a serious expression. "Onee-sama, something's happened!"

The two rushed to the Suwa Medical Institution in the seventh school district, discussing the incident along the way.

"Is Jietori Shiso in a coma?"

"The details are unclear. He suddenly... during the interrogation by the security officers."

"What's the cause?"

"It's not clear... There's no physical damage to his body; he's just unconscious."

"No physical damage?" "Didn't your brother...?"

"There's a very skilled doctor in Academy City named 'Medusa.' Reattaching limbs is easy for him; I've sent people there several times." Shirai Kuroko didn't want to bring up this dark history, but to prevent Onee-sama from misunderstanding, she had to say it.

"Could it be a psychological impact?" Misaka Mikoto suggested another possibility. This time, Shirai Kuroko didn't object, which was why she came to Misaka Mikoto instead of Shirai Tsukuyomi. Last time, Shirai Tsukuyomi's psychological damage to Jietori Shiso was quite severe. When his limbs were reattached, all he could say was "demon... demon..."

Upon arriving at the hospital, they found that due to the blackout, only emergency facilities were operational. The emergency power supply was reserved for surgeries and critical patients, making Misaka Mikoto feel somewhat guilty. However, this wasn't the time to think about that. After consulting with the doctor, the two didn't receive any good news. When Misaka Mikoto suggested the possibility of psychological damage, it was immediately rejected.

"If it were psychological damage, he would have been brought here immediately, not after showing some signs of recovery and then suddenly fainting." Hearing this explanation, both of them sighed in relief. Subconsciously, they didn't want Shirai Tsukuyomi to be the culprit. "Strangely, patients with the same condition have been brought in one after another this week."

Hearing this, the two were stunned. They were even more shocked when they saw that several key figures from recent incidents were on the list of comatose patients. It seemed they had discovered something significant.

"The Imagine Breaker must be the problem!" This was the common thought of both of them.

"Frankly, the current situation is beyond the capabilities of our hospital's equipment and staff, so we've invited an expert in brain physiology from outside."

At that moment, a person approached. "I kept you waiting. I'm here at the invitation of the Suwa Medical Institution—" Seeing the person, Misaka Mikoto was very surprised! This was the person she had helped find a car for last time.

"—Kazari Shizuno."

After waiting for a while, Kazari Shizuno finally finished her work. When she came out, she saw the two girls on the hospital bench. "You're still here..."

"We have some questions for you."

"That's fine, but it's too hot here." Misaka Mikoto's face twitched again; this wasn't the first time she had been indirectly criticized today.

In a café, the three of them sat down to discuss the "Imagine Breaker."

"Imagine Breaker, what kind of system is it? What does it look like? How is it used?" If Shirai Tsukuyomi were here, he would have to admit that Kazari Shizuno's acting skills were top-notch, as she was the real culprit behind all these incidents.

"I don't know." Faced with Kazari Shizuno's questions, Shirai Kuroko had no choice; the fact was that the discipline committee had found no clues.

"In short, you believe that this thing might be related to the comatose students, right?"

"Yes, I think that since it can enhance abilities, it's likely a system that interferes with the brain." This hypothesis hadn't been shared with anyone else yet, given the unknown nature of the Imagine Breaker. "So, if we find the Imagine Breaker, we'd like to ask you, the expert, to help investigate it."

"No problem. As a brain physiologist, I'm very interested." For Kazari Shizuno, this method could easily clear her of suspicion, as long as she didn't encounter Shirai Tsukuyomi. Thinking of Shirai Tsukuyomi, Kazari Shizuno felt a headache. Last time, it seemed like she was seen through, and after checking Shirai Tsukuyomi's background, she found him even more troublesome.

"Then it's settled. If you find the Imagine Breaker, bring it to me." Kazari Shizuno got up to leave but ran into the person she least wanted to see.

"Hey, isn't that Teacher Kazari? What are you doing here?"

!! Last time they met, Kazari Shizuno didn't introduce herself! And the "teacher" title... "Do you know something..." Her low voice revealed nothing of her thoughts.

"No, I don't know anything." With a sly smile, Shirai Tsukuyomi ignored her. "Kuroko, the traffic management in the seventh school district is short-staffed. Go there quickly. According to Tear, Shizuri is sick. Without Shizuri in charge, the traffic is in chaos."

"Yes, I'll go right away. See you later, Dr. Kazari." Using her ability, Shirai Kuroko quickly left. Kazari Shizuno gave Shirai Tsukuyomi a deep look and then left. Misaka Mikoto, seeing Shirai Tsukuyomi's casual demeanor, felt a surge of anger: "Do you know? Jietori Shiso..."

"I know," Shirai Tsukuyomi said nonchalantly, "he's just in a coma. What a pity."

Misaka Mikoto was speechless. If she probed into what Shirai Tsukuyomi found pity in, the conversation might turn very unpleasant, so she remained silent.

"Then it's settled. I have to go to work. See you, Misaka." Shirai Tsukuyomi somewhat understood Misaka Mikoto's state. After all, she was the kind and innocent Misaka Mikoto. It would take time for her to understand him, but he didn't need anyone's understanding.

Misaka Mikoto watched Shirai Tsukuyomi leave, wanting to say something but unable to. She sighed and left.