Chapter 74

Upon arriving at the hospital, Misaka Mikoto was already sitting on a chair, waiting for the results, while Saten Ryouko went to Hakubi Tsukumo's ward. Yes, the hospital to which Fubuki had been transferred was where Hakubi Tsukumo was recuperating.

Pushing open the door, Saten Ryouko almost bumped into someone. Looking up, she saw it was Hill.

Hill and Shizuri Tokiwadai had been taking care of Hakubi Tsukumo for the past two days. Although she was puzzled by Hill's strange behavior, Saten Ryouko did not say anything.

Hill was just about to leave, and the two of them passed each other without a word. Entering the room, Saten Ryouko saw Shizuri Tokiwadai peeling an apple for Hakubi Tsukumo.

Noticing someone entering, Shizuri Tokiwadai looked up. "It's Ryouko. What's wrong? Did you find Fubuki's family?"

"The situation is a bit complicated. We were attacked today."

"What?"

"Fubuki has been targeted. Today, after school, a classmate overheard someone talking about 'recovering' Fubuki near the Academy. And today, an unmanned mechanical armor attacked us. It just feels off." Since everyone in the room was on the same side, Saten Ryouko spoke frankly. "I'm worried that some other organization is planning something."

"It's possible," Hakubi Tsukumo naturally knew the situation, but like with the previous events, he couldn't have any "foreknowledge." So he could only give Saten Ryouko a bit of advice. "Ryouko, you can check the list of members of the Academy. Since the person appeared at the Academy, they must be related to it. Their plan is likely also related to the Academy. Investigating in this direction should yield results quickly."

"Okay."

As night fell, the group waited at the hospital for news about Fubuki. Hakubi Tsukumo's ward had another bed, so Shizuri Tokiwadai and Saten Ryouko shared a bed with Hakubi Tsukumo, while Hakubi Kuroko, Misaka Mikoto, and Shizuri Tokiwadai shared the other bed.

Although it was rare for Hakubi Kuroko to sleep with Misaka Mikoto, she didn't feel the usual excitement when Hakubi Tsukumo was nearby.

The next day, the group received permission from "Medusa" to visit Fubuki. Shizuri Tokiwadai, who was also interested in Fubuki, went along, leaving Hakubi Tsukumo alone in the ward.

After a while, Hill arrived. Hakubi Tsukumo, looking at the woman with silver hair, had many questions, but since he had been helped before, he followed her without revealing his intentions.

On the other side, the group was playing with Fubuki. "Medusa" quietly called out Misaka Mikoto. Shizuri Tokiwadai could have been a choice, as "Medusa" had seen her as a member of Protect during the chaotic times. However, since Shizuri Tokiwadai was standing inside to communicate with Fubuki, it was impossible to call her out without alerting others.

As the two went out, Saten Ryouko, who had just received some information from Hakubi Tsukumo, felt something was off and quietly followed, hiding around the corner.

"I can't cure her." "Medusa's" words were shocking, given his medical expertise.

"What do you mean by 'can't cure'? Is it a serious illness?"

"No, if it were a human disease, it could be treated."

Hesitating for a moment, "Medusa" finally revealed the truth to Misaka Mikoto, who had a similar experience: "She... is not human, but a 100% scientifically manufactured... artificial being."

"How can that be!" It was Saten Ryouko who appeared. She had known there would be some issues, but she never expected this outcome!

Seeing Saten Ryouko, Misaka Mikoto was surprised, but "Medusa" remained calm: "Analyzing the child's proteins revealed substances that do not exist in nature. Of course, she looks no different from others, and her physical functions are on par with ours. However, the problem is... every time she undergoes metabolism, a certain amount of toxins is produced in her body. If left untreated, these toxins will accumulate, leading to organ failure and even death."

"What?..." Saten Ryouko's eyes were terrifying, and if you looked closely, you could see a hint of black mist in her eyes, similar to the black aura when Hakubi Tsukumo went berserk.

"She is fine now because of the lollipops she eats, which contain components that neutralize the toxins. In other words, without those lollipops, she cannot survive. To fully cure her, we need to find the person who created her. I have a vague memory of this experiment, and it seems the Dark Side of the Academy City was involved. If you want to save the child, you must be prepared to fight the dark side of the Academy City."

"Is that so? Then I will find them."

"Ryouko..." Misaka Mikoto looked at Saten Ryouko, who seemed to have a completely different background, and didn't know what to say.

The group soon left the hospital, and Shizuri Tokiwadai returned to take care of Hakubi Tsukumo, believing that Saten Ryouko could handle the situation.

After Fubuki fell asleep, Saten Ryouko directly relayed the doctor's words and Hakubi Tsukumo's information.

"Artificially created? She can't survive without those lollipops..." This was a harsh reality for Shizuri Tokiwadai.

"Was Fubuki deliberately designed this way by the person who created her?" Hakubi Kuroko's question hit the core of the issue. If so, they would have to confront the dark side of the Academy City—the Dark Side.

"The Dark Side... Brother, how much have you been hiding from me?"

At this moment, Hakubi Kuroko recalled Hakubi Tsukumo's behavior during the Imagine Breaker incident and his unusual state during the termination of the Level 5 Ability Plan. She had a hunch about something.

"The Dark Side of the Academy City..."

"Is there really such an organization?" Shizuri Tokiwadai still found it hard to believe.

"Yes," Misaka Mikoto spoke up, "it exists. I once encountered a similar organization, and they were all unexpectedly dangerous people."

As she spoke about the Dark Side, Misaka Mikoto glanced at Saten Ryouko, now understanding that both Saten Ryouko and Shizuri Tokiwadai were likely part of Hakubi Tsukumo's Dark Side.

"To save Fubuki, we will have to enter that dangerous territory." Misaka Mikoto didn't want to involve her friends, but Saten Ryouko's current state was very concerning. If Hakubi Tsukumo were here, he might be able to calm her down, but he was still in the hospital.

"Shizuri, please look up the list of members of the Academy, including past participants, and contact the classmate who overheard the conversation."

"Okay."

"Kuroko, please go with Misaka to the security office to see if there is any news."

"Understood."

Seeing Saten Ryouko's unusual behavior, everyone felt uneasy.

"I will go to the hospital to check the analysis of the lollipops' contents."

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