A Scientific Urban Detective

If she hadn't been paying close attention, Kiyosumi Yukari would have almost missed the fleeting news announcement.

However, similar news programs would replay on a loop, so it wouldn't be difficult to notice if one was determined.

Realizing this, Kiyosumi Yukari couldn't help but marvel. News involving Tokiwadai Middle School students rarely appeared in social news.

It was more likely to appear in financial and political commentary or even sensationalist tabloids.

But overall, due to the influence of the Tokiwadai Group and the students' families, most media outlets were careful to protect the personal information of these young ladies and would not easily release any information to the public.

If Lin Wuming hadn't already been recognized as the 'bane of illegal experimental institutions' and also held the position of a Judgement member, and if this time he had done a good deed that was correct and just, and harmless to Tokiwadai Middle School's reputation, perhaps even this one sentence wouldn't have appeared in the news report?

Furthermore, the entire news report only mentioned that Lin Wuming had recently become active again, taking proactive measures to crack down on illegal organizations and destroy illegal experimental institutions.

As for who exactly the Tokiwadai Middle School student accompanying him was, not a single word was mentioned.

Similarly, the specific illegal experimental institutions that were destroyed by the 'hero' and what crimes they had committed were not mentioned in the news report.

The whole thing was a headless and tailless 'three-no news' (no source, no date, no details).

But it was understandable, after all, many of the real 'illegal experiments' in Academy City were already so heinous that they had to be prohibited from being publicly disseminated.

Otherwise, once made public, it would inevitably cause huge turmoil and even shake the foundation of Academy City!

If it weren't for Lin Wuming's actions being too frequent and high-profile this time, with numerous witnesses, it would have been meaningless to just block the news, so it was better for the authorities to release some information to guide public opinion in a limited way.

Otherwise, this scene probably wouldn't have been seen in the news program.

"The news report only mentioned destroying illegal experimental institutions," Sadan Shitasu stopped paying attention to the television and turned to Kiyosumi Yukari, "but the information I obtained through the faction's channels shows that the truth may be more than that—because it can't explain why the Shokuhou faction is so deeply involved in the incident."

Lin Wuming was a 'hero', so it was perfectly justified for him to destroy illegal experimental institutions, there was absolutely no problem with that. But why did Shokuhou Misaki and Misaka Mikoto participate in the whole process, even at the cost of violating school rules?

Could it be that their relationship with Lin Wuming was already that good?

"Yukari," Sadan Shitasu said, "I don't want to know the truth, but I want to ask you a favor."

"Sister-sama, please speak."

"Help me find out from Misaka Mikoto whether what Lin Wuming and they have been doing recently is the same as what the news reports say, or rather, how big is the discrepancy between the two."

"You don't need to know what they specifically did?" Kiyosumi Yukari confirmed, "Just inquire about the difference between the facts and the rumors?"

"Yes," Sadan Shitasu nodded, "This is very important, please be sure to confirm it."

"Okay, I will," Kiyosumi Yukari nodded, "Please rest assured, Sister-sama."

If it wasn't about finding out specific information, then the difficulty of the task would be greatly reduced. Kiyosumi Yukari felt that, with her current relationship and intimacy with Misaka Mikoto, it shouldn't be a problem to inquire a little during casual chats.

"Also," Sadan Shitasu instructed, "be careful not to expose yourself, just contact Misaka Mikoto, and be sure to avoid the others in the Shokuhou faction, especially that Shokuhou Misaki, her ability—is very troublesome."

This "Empress of the Health Room" showed a rather apprehensive expression.

"Mental Out" might not be too strong in direct combat, but for someone who was secretly plotting something, it was undoubtedly the most troublesome type of ability.

Kiyosumi Yukari was also very aware of this, swallowed her saliva, and nodded very seriously: "I will avoid her."

After the exchange, Kiyosumi Yukari left through the window.

Sadan Shitasu returned to the teachers' lounge and turned off the television.

Finally, the surrounding environment returned to complete silence.

Sadan Shitasu sat on the sofa and fell into deep thought.

She was almost certain that there was a gap between the news reports and the rumors outside, and the truth.

It was said that Lin Wuming had a close relationship with the Anti-Skill, and he was also a Judgement member himself, so he could be said to have the protection of both major official law enforcement agencies at the same time.

Recalling Lin Wuming's "dark history" in urban legends… Sadan Shitasu suspected that the vaguely skipped parts in the news reports were not only to maintain the image of Academy City, but also to "cover up" for Lin Wuming!

If this guess came true…

"Then it would be interesting~" Sadan Shitasu muttered to herself.

If Lin Wuming's influence and face were really that great—even the Anti-Skill unconditionally supported him—then it could almost be said that he could do whatever he wanted.

Therefore, if it was in the name of "Lin Wuming", perhaps some things would be much easier to do.

The next day, Kiyosumi Yukari brought back the information she had inquired about.

—The news reports and the actual truth did have a large discrepancy, and the truly key information was completely hidden.

Although she didn't know what information was being hidden, Sadan Shitasu had already clarified what she wanted to verify.

"Then the next step—" Sadan Shitasu fiddled with the panda doll and said softly, "How can I get their superpowers?"

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Sadan Shitasu wanted to use Lin Wuming's influence, but she didn't want to become their companion, because Shokuhou Misaki was troublesome.

So, the thing to do was very simple—make people think it was done by Lin Wuming's group.

…

"In other words, Misaka-san really didn't join the Shokuhou faction?" Hasekura Reiri asked.

Kiyosumi Yukari nodded: "Yes, the two level 5s are just in a cooperative relationship—precisely for their recent activities outside of school."

"Also," Kiyosumi Yukari added, "the relationship between Misaka-san and Shokuhou-san… doesn't seem to be very good, because Misaka-san always complains about Shokuhou-san."

"That's not surprising, their personalities are somewhat incompatible, and they are both level 5s, so it's normal to have occasional disagreements and arguments," Hasekura Reiri said, "Kiyosumi Yukari-san!"

Suddenly hearing the faction leader call her name, Kiyosumi Yukari immediately stood at attention: "Yes!"

"Don't be nervous…" Hasekura Reiri smiled and waved her hand, "I just want to ask you a favor."

"Eh?" Kiyosumi Yukari thought to herself, could it be that she also wants to inquire about information?

Hasekura Reiri said: "Although I think it's a waste of effort, but since you have a distance advantage, let's try it anyway…"

"Kiyosumi-san, please try to win over Misaka-san and ask her if she has any intention of joining my faction," Hasekura Reiri said.

"Eh? But…"

"I know, I said it just now—it's probably a waste of effort," Hasekura Reiri said, "But I guess the other two families should be doing the same thing, even if it's just to maintain the status quo, we must do something."

"Eh? Can it be understood as… as long as Misaka-san doesn't join the Mizukagami faction and the Sadan faction?" Kiyosumi Yukari asked.

"Yes, that's right, so don't feel pressured," Hasekura Reiri said with a smile, "You don't have to be too deliberate, just be friends with Misaka-san as usual."

"Then," Kiyosumi Yukari thought for a moment and then asked, "What about the Shokuhou faction? Should we also dissuade Misaka-san from joining?"

Hasekura Reiri shook her head: "She won't join the Shokuhou faction, and Shokuhou-san can't possibly include her in her own faction either. I've talked to those two level 5s, so I can be sure of this."

"But they are now…" Kiyosumi Yukari muttered, Misaka Mikoto's current state, other than not admitting it in name, what's the difference between her and joining the Shokuhou faction?