Chapter 84

The next morning, Amai Toki went to the place in the Science City where missing persons were detained to erase their memories. Considering that Amai Toki had no self-defense capabilities, Misaka Mikoto accompanied her.

Shizuri and Shirai Kuroko watched the magician in the room. Although the magician was already under Amai Toki's control, there could still be unexpected situations.

Saten Ruiko, on the other hand, went outside. If the "Return of the Winged" people attacked again today, she was responsible for protecting the innocent civilians.

With nothing to do on the beach, Saten Ruiko decided to go to a milk tea shop to taste the coconut juice from the origin. She walked along the coastal road leading to the vending stalls.

Just as she was about to reach the location, Saten Ruiko stopped. The flowing air currents told her that there was a figure in the grass beside the path. At this time, it seemed suspicious for someone to be alone in such an uninhabited place.

So, Saten Ruiko focused her attention, and the outline of a girl appeared in her perception, along with a peculiar sensation.

This peculiar sensation was a new ability that Saten Ruiko had gained after her transformation on August 31st. She could detect a special power different from ESP, which was present in the invader Sherry and the pendant on Kihara Aisa's chest—magic power.

The magician who appeared here at this time was most likely a member of the "Return of the Winged."

At this moment, the magician hiding in the grass also sensed something was wrong. The girl in front of her had stayed there for too long.

In an instant, a figure darted out of the grass and lunged at Saten Ruiko, intending to subdue her. However, just half a meter away from Saten Ruiko, the figure was blown away by a violent gust of wind.

Saten Ruiko did not use excessive force, just enough to blow the magician away. The violent gust of wind still felt like a heavy hammer to the magician.

"Cough, cough... You are..." Upon closer inspection, the magician was a girl wearing clothes similar to those of the indigenous people of the Americas, with long, wavy black hair, piercing black eyes, and brown skin.

"Hello, magician of the 'Return of the Winged.'"

!!!

The girl's eyes widened, and she struggled to get up, looking at Saten Ruiko with caution.

"I am Saten Ruiko, an ability user from the Science City. I am just here for sightseeing and have no intention of getting involved in your conflict with the Science City." Saten Ruiko introduced herself directly to avoid further conflict.

If it were the old Saten Ruiko, she might have been conflicted about who was right and who was wrong. But after joining Protect and seeing many of the Science City's secrets, Saten Ruiko had become more open-minded. Sometimes, it was not necessary to determine who was right or wrong; it was enough to follow her heart.

The girl was initially skeptical but, seeing Saten Ruiko's smile, she thought about it. If Saten Ruiko were an enemy, she would have already been captured by the "staff" by now. So, Saten Ruiko's words were likely credible.

"I am... Shiki Tōru, as you said, I belong to the 'Return of the Winged.'"

The girl thought for a moment, hesitated, and then asked, "How do you know about these things?"

"One of your companions attacked us yesterday and is now in our custody. Don't worry, we haven't done anything to him (really?), and we won't hand him over to the people here. If you want, you can come with me, and we will hand him over to you—after our leader returns."

Although she was reluctant to admit it, in matters of dealing with outsiders, Amai Toki was more skilled than her. So, this matter was temporarily handed over to Amai Toki, and Saten Ruiko could not release the magician without permission.

"Okay, but..." The girl looked down at her clothes.

Saten Ruiko immediately understood why. In the Science City, the girl's attire was too conspicuous and would certainly draw attention.

"Wait here. I'll go buy you a swimsuit. If you trust me, tell me your measurements."

"84, 45, 81."

Saten Ruiko's face darkened. Amai Toki was an exception among junior high school students, so it was understandable that she couldn't compare. The director from the morning of the previous day was an adult, so it was also understandable that she had a better figure. But the girl in front of her, who looked about the same age, had a better figure in every aspect.

Of course, the girl was actually a few years older than Saten Ruiko, but Saten Ruiko didn't know that. With a grudge in her heart, Saten Ruiko spent a long time at the swimsuit shop, picking out a particularly revealing swimsuit.

Shiki Tōru, without any doubt, took the swimsuit bag from Saten Ruiko and went to change. Only after changing did she realize... a gemstone bikini... Why this kind of swimsuit?

Shiki Tōru glared at Saten Ruiko in anger and embarrassment. "Didn't you feel ashamed when you handed it to the cashier?"

"Hehe, be careful. If you move too much, you might expose yourself. Unlike my zipper bikini, this one doesn't have much fabric. One wrong move, and... hehehe..."

Shiki Tōru couldn't understand why she had been targeted, but her main goal was to rescue her captured companion, so she didn't argue with Saten Ruiko.

As Saten Ruiko brought Shiki Tōru back to the hotel, Amai Toki had completed the memory modification of everyone, making them forget everything that happened here. As for those who had already been "processed," Amai Toki didn't bother with them.

Back at the hotel, Amai Toki raised an eyebrow upon seeing Saten Ruiko and a girl in a gemstone bikini. She probably guessed the girl's identity; the only non-"staff" person who could be here at this time was a member of the "Return of the Winged" coming to retrieve their captive.

Shiki Tōru began negotiating with Amai Toki, while Saten Ruiko noticed Misaka Mikoto's unhappy expression and approached to ask.

"Misaka, what's wrong?"

Misaka Mikoto gritted her teeth. Seeing the miserable state of the captives who had not yet been "processed" and thinking about those who had already been "processed" made her very upset. But what could she do? This was not the Science City, and she had no authority to punish the managers here.

After hearing Misaka Mikoto's response, Saten Ruiko smiled gently. "Misaka, you must remember that you are a Level 5 in the Science City. In a sense, you represent the Science City. If the Art City wants to analyze magic and oppose the Science City, they are the enemy of the Science City. If you want, you can sink this place to the bottom of the sea. Misaka is just too kind to be as ruthless as the people here."

"Is there no other way to punish them?"

"Perhaps there is, but it's not up to us to decide."

"No, it is up to us." A voice that no one expected rang out, and a figure walked in from the door.

"Luna!"

Yes, it was Shirai Tsukuyomi. After leaving Britain, Shirai Tsukuyomi traveled overnight by sea and finally arrived here just before noon, just in time to hear Saten Ruiko and Misaka Mikoto's conversation.