A Scientific Urban Detective

"But doesn't it seem like Misaka-san is practically part of the Shokuhou faction already?" Shizuri Yukizari whispered.

Although the relationship between Misaka Mikoto and Shokuhou Misaki is somewhat delicate, she at least doesn't dislike the other members of the Shokuhou faction—Shizuri Yukizari could see that much.

"That's not a faction, it's just their personal relationship," Hasekura Reiri said. "Helping a friend doesn't require joining their faction."

"Friend… Shokuhou-san? But aren't they incompatible?"

"Yes, but aren't those two things not mutually exclusive?" Hasekura Reiri said with a smile. "Alright, don't stress too much, just ask casually when the time is right. Although I've dumped a lot of troublesome things on you, Shizuri-san is a freshman after all, and I hope you can enjoy your middle school life."

...

"Mizukagami-sama, no members of the Shokuhou faction went out today." Sawa Serina reported the updated information in the Mizukagami faction's activity room. "We've determined that the Shokuhou faction's off-campus activities have temporarily come to an end, and they will likely shift their focus back to Academy City."

—Why has my school life turned into a spy drama?

Faction leader Mizukagami Nagisa was spacing out. To be honest, she hadn't actually given any orders; everything was done by her subordinates autonomously.

The fact is, in order to achieve a good figure, the girls' initiative and autonomy are astonishing.

In a sense, their Mizukagami faction members are even more proactive than the all-elite Hasekura faction.

"Also," her other "confidante," Kakusaka Rinna, continued, "Three more people joined us this week. Mizukagami-sama, you can meet them when you have time."

The faction members in the activity room all puffed out their chests, showing proud expressions.

You should know that it's been two months since the start of the semester, and their Mizukagami faction is the only one still continuously gaining new members.

Because Shokuhou Misaki and Misaka Mikoto, both first-years, rose to prominence unexpectedly, the Suna faction, which had strong momentum last year, also suffered setbacks and hasn't had any new members for a long time.

As for the Hasekura faction… since last year, the number of members has remained almost unchanged. Although there have been occasional increases and decreases, it has remained generally the same.

After the third-year students from last year left, they haven't been able to restore their numbers.

Although the Hasekura faction is still the strongest in terms of overall strength, the basis for the "Eternal Princess" is the size of the faction.

So Hasekura Reiri is probably ready to say goodbye to that position.

As for the Shokuhou faction, logically speaking, they are the most influential among the freshmen who just entered this year—after all, they have two Level 5s sitting in their ranks.

However, because Shokuhou Misaki displayed an overly strong ambition, coupled with the fact that her "Mental Out" ability is intimidating, her faction has been collectively rejected by the second- and third-year seniors.

In addition, Shokuhou Misaki's method of entering the school with a "built-in team" quickly established the organizational framework of the faction, but also inadvertently turned the Shokuhou faction into a family-style organization of acquaintances.

As a result, in addition to the ardent fans, the freshmen also have a sense of aloofness towards the Shokuhou faction, which invisibly limits the joining of new members.

"However," Sawa Serina said, "According to our analysis, the Shokuhou faction's off-campus activities have generated a fairly positive response among the students—especially the freshmen."

Kakusaka Rinna continued, "If the Shokuhou faction shifts its focus to on-campus activities, it is foreseeable that they will usher in a strong expansion."

—Wow, amazing… I mean, Sawa Serina and Kakusaka Rinna, do our courses teach information analysis?

"Yes, yes, I understand." Facing the expectant gazes of her subordinates, Mizukagami Nagisa was too embarrassed to admit that she had been spacing out, so she vaguely responded.

"Mizukagami-sama, what should we do next?" someone asked. "Please give us your orders!"

"Huh?" Mizukagami Nagisa was stunned. Although she had been daydreaming just now, she had heard at least some of the content of the meeting, and it didn't seem like there was anything that required an order, right?

"Cough!" As the closest confidante to the leader, Sawa Serina immediately knew that her leader was daydreaming again. "What measures should we take to deal with the upcoming situation?"

Mizukagami Nagisa tilted her head and thought for a while, feeling it was troublesome: "We won't do anything, just leave it as it is."

A low murmur rang out in the activity room, then quickly returned to silence.

Without any dissent, all the members present expressed their unconditional support for the leader's decision!

It's just that Mizukagami Nagisa has absolutely no interest in power; otherwise, given the situation of the Mizukagami faction, she could completely become a dictator.

Mizukagami Nagisa had of course noticed this a long time ago, but she was too lazy to care, so she let it be.

Anyway, as long as she, the leader, doesn't mess around, the entire faction won't be in chaos.

—Ah, this is really troublesome…

Mizukagami Nagisa thought—I really want to find a place to lie down alone, without having to care about anything or anyone…

In order to weaken the Shokuhou faction and to prevent the other two factions from gaining Misaka Mikoto as a strong reinforcement, the three major Tokiwadai Middle School factions have all extended olive branches to Misaka Mikoto.

But as expected, Misaka Mikoto rejected all invitations; what was even more unexpected was that Misaka Mikoto is now even showing a tendency to join the Shokuhou faction!

This surprised everyone. Not "cooperation," but actually joining the "Shokuhou faction." Is Misaka Mikoto really willing? And does Shokuhou Misaki really dare to accept?

As the saying goes, two tigers cannot share a mountain. With two Level 5s together, it's hard to say whether the faction should be named "Shokuhou" or "Misaka"!

This is also one of the reasons why the three major factions are not particularly enthusiastic about recruiting Misaka Mikoto. No matter how excellent the current faction leader is, they are still a bit inferior compared to a Level 5.

This is, after all, Academy City, which focuses on esper ability development, and ability level is everything in a sense.

The leaders of the three major factions are all excellent, but compared to Level 5s, they are indeed weaker in terms of aura and reputation.

At that time, no one can say for sure whether their own faction will be renamed "Misaka."

The reason why Misaka Mikoto showed hesitation was because she was persuaded by Shokuhou Misaki.

Or rather, she compromised with reality.

After all, they now have at least ten thousand Misaka Sisters to take care of.

Misaka Mikoto would never abandon them. For this, she was even prepared to pay any price!

Including joining the Shokuhou faction and becoming a subordinate of that Queen Bee…

Of course, the actual situation is not that serious. For various reasons, Shokuhou Misaki doesn't really want to recruit Misaka Mikoto to her command.

After all, she already has enough "Misaka" by her side, so there's really no need for another one.

So, maintaining a cooperative relationship like before is pretty good.

"Shokuhou, do you have any news yet?" Misaka Mikoto has recently become accustomed to reporting to the faction's activity room and having afternoon tea.

Shokuhou Misaki blinked: "Same to you. So far, the progress is still zero."

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