A Scientific Urban Detective

"Unnamed senior's true strength is no less than a level 5!" Misaki Shokuhou made a startling judgment. "Besides~ it's not a life-or-death battle. Without either side getting serious, there's no way Unnamed senior could lose."

Despite Misaki Shokuhou's confidence in Lin Wuming, Lin Wuming himself wasn't so carefree.

Honestly, he didn't want to fight Misaka Mikoto at all—for whatever reason.

Or rather, if he could, Lin Wuming didn't want to fight any level 5.

However, when Misaki Shokuhou came to his house for dinner last week, she had already predicted that this scene might happen at any time—a showdown between Lin Wuming and Misaka Mikoto.

From then on, Lin Wuming knew that he probably couldn't avoid it, so he had to prepare early...

Until today, when he suddenly received a call from Misaka Mikoto inviting him out, Lin Wuming knew that the moment had finally arrived.

Half an hour later, Lin Wuming arrived at the shopping street where he and Misaka Mikoto had first met.

"Time really flies..." Lin Wuming sighed sincerely, then sighed heavily again before looking around, searching for Misaka Mikoto's figure.

When Lin Wuming found her, he saw the brown-haired girl in Tokiwadai Middle School uniform squatting in front of a store, intently watching the gashapon machine placed at the entrance.

Misaka Mikoto, finally wearing her classic outfit, made Lin Wuming feel much closer to her. The solemn atmosphere of coming to participate in a "duel" dissipated a lot, making Lin Wuming's mood much lighter.

——Indeed, only when paired with the Tokiwadai Middle School uniform is she the "genuine" Misaka Mikoto...

As if escaping from reality, Lin Wuming muttered inexplicable thoughts in his heart while maneuvering his wheelchair closer.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Misaka-san."

"No, I'm the one who should apologize for suddenly calling you out." Today's Misaka Mikoto seemed very polite. She stood up and bowed slightly to Lin Wuming. "Unnamed senior's Disciplinary Committee work must be very busy. Thank you very much for coming."

This polite and formal Misaka Mikoto made Lin Wuming feel a little uncomfortable, as if he had encountered a Misaka sister with a number code in advance.

However, as the saying goes, "courtesy before force." Lin Wuming felt that Misaka Mikoto was practicing this rule. He had a feeling that the more polite she was now, the harder she would fight later.

"By the way, what are you doing squatting here..." Lin Wuming decided to find another topic to talk about to probe the girl's thoughts—maybe she wasn't here to fight?

But following Misaka Mikoto's gaze, Lin Wuming immediately understood—it was a Gekota-themed gashapon machine.

That made sense, no need for further explanation.

But Misaka Mikoto still introduced it with great interest, her expression becoming much lighter and more lively: "This is the latest series of Gekota family figures, with the theme of sports meet. There are a total of thirty-nine different sports event character gashapons, as well as twenty-one types of venues and sports equipment gashapons! This is the hottest series of figures right now, but it's very difficult to collect them all."

Lin Wuming nodded and then said, "I know about this too. It's been mentioned in the forums. It's said that the highest progress so far is only thirty-one out of sixty, still far from complete."

Out of habit, Lin Wuming still maintained the activity of regularly collecting Gekota series rare peripherals and often lurked in forums and official website information.

Therefore, he could barely keep up with this topic of a senior Gekota fan.

Sure enough, Misaka Mikoto's expression became even more delighted when she heard Lin Wuming's response, and she quickly asked, "So how many has Unnamed senior collected?"

"Me? None at all." Lin Wuming shook his head. "I haven't started collecting this series of peripherals yet."

"Why?" Misaka Mikoto asked, but then muttered, "Well, that's fine too."

Lin Wuming shook his head and explained, "I don't like the gashapon method. It's too much like buying lottery tickets. The returns are not controllable at all. It's said that the big shot who collected thirty-one has actually drawn hundreds of gashapons!"

Although Lin Wuming wasn't short of money now, he couldn't stand such waste.

Misaka Mikoto suddenly blushed a little. She didn't respond, but squatted down, took out a coin, and immediately drew one.

Taking the gashapon from the dispensing slot, Misaka Mikoto stood up and handed it to Lin Wuming.

"Since Unnamed senior hasn't started collecting yet, then I'll give you this one." Misaka Mikoto said triumphantly, "Anyway, you don't have to worry about duplicates."

"Huh? Why?" Lin Wuming was confused, but he still took the gashapon. "Thank you."

"After all, we are both Gekota series enthusiasts," Misaka Mikoto said. "Just consider it an exchange of learning."

"What kind of learning is this..." Lin Wuming complained. "Moreover, I was planning to buy a complete set at a premium after someone collected the entire set."

Although the price would definitely not be low, it was much more economical than drawing gashapons endlessly. Lin Wuming never believed in luck.

"Things you didn't collect yourself have no soul!" Misaka Mikoto insisted and urged, "Open it and see."

So Lin Wuming opened the eggshell and poured out the contents.

It was a Gekota in an archery pose.

"Ah! The thirty-second one appeared!" Misaka Mikoto exclaimed, "A rare item that only has a two percent chance of being drawn!"

A look of joy and regret appeared on the girl's face.

Lin Wuming reached out his hand: "Want it back?"

Misaka Mikoto gritted her teeth, turned her head and refused: "No, since I said I'd give it to you, then it's Unnamed senior's collection!"

"Are you... really willing?" Lin Wuming asked.

"It's no big deal. Since I can draw it once, then I can definitely draw it a second time!" Misaka Mikoto, already a little high, squatted down again and took out a coin.

Lin Wuming was a little helpless, but he didn't disturb the girl's interest. After putting away the rare gashapon with a two percent chance of being drawn, he stepped aside and quietly watched the girl waste money.

"Ah! I almost forgot the main thing!" The bangs on Misaka Mikoto's forehead suddenly flashed with electricity. With great willpower, she ignored the gashapon machine in front of her and stood up again.

"Unnamed senior!" Misaka Mikoto stared at Lin Wuming's eyes very seriously and solemnly. "I gave you the precious archery Gekota, so I hope you can answer a question for me."

"Is this... some kind of bribe?" Lin Wuming asked.

"No, it's just an exchange. An exchange of information," Misaka Mikoto said seriously.

The true motive is revealed. Lin Wuming exclaimed in his heart, "It's finally here."