A Scientific Urban Detective

Although they were "allies," the so-called alliance between Misaki Shokuhou and Saten Ruiko was more about mutual restraint, preventing the other from ruining their plans.

At best, it was just mutual exploitation. As for mutual support... that was never part of the equation from the start.

Saten Ruiko needed to find a way to awaken Haruue Erii, while Misaki Shokuhou had her own things to do and didn't want to meddle in other people's affairs.

In fact, if Saten Ruiko hadn't been a major antagonist in the "Entrance Arc" of the original story, Misaki Shokuhou wouldn't have bothered wasting her time and energy on her. Besides, she didn't know how to wake Haruue Erii up, so even if she wanted to help, she was powerless.

Through this conversation, the two faction leaders reaffirmed their tacit understanding of "non-interference," and then... they each went to do their own thing.

Saten Ruiko cooperated with Kiyama Harumi to find a treatment plan and used her faction's power to invest in upgrading Kiyama Harumi's simple "home laboratory" into a proper laboratory, even equipping it with all the necessary instruments and equipment.

The Saten Faction was originally famous for its "charity and good deeds," so Saten Ruiko's call for her members to donate in the name of "saving children who are comatose due to unknown causes" was not a violation of the faction's purpose.

In addition to faction donations, Saten Ruiko also made full use of her identity and abilities to attract more investment from outside the school...

It could be said that all of Kiyama Harumi's needs were met except for applying for the right to use "Tree Diagram Designer."

As for Misaki Shokuhou, our Queen Bee was also working hard to manage her faction and the companies she controlled.

In other words, she was also trying to make money and gather resources—in order to achieve financial independence as soon as possible and be able to support ten thousand Misaka sisters on her own.

Always relying on Chairman Aleister, and having the Nameless Senior work for him, was not a long-term solution.

Of course, Misaki Shokuhou and Saten Ruiko's actions could not be concealed from the other two major factions.

One was a first-year, and the other a second-year. Although young, they were both incredibly vigorous.

This put a lot of pressure on Hasekura Reimei and Mizukagami Nagisa, the third-year seniors.

Therefore, every move of the Saten Faction and the Shokuhou Faction was closely watched.

For some reason, the Shokuhou Faction was one thing, since they had always had a habit of off-campus activities; but since Saten Ruiko's "disappearance" and return, even her Saten Faction had begun to actively engage in off-campus activities.

Moreover, the purposes of their two factions' activities were surprisingly consistent—fundraising, attracting investment, opening companies... in the end, it was all about making money!

"After all that, is the alliance between the two of them actually a business partnership?" Hasekura Reimei couldn't help but complain.

"Even if it's just a business partnership, you won't have the chance to become the Eternal Princess, will you?" Mizukagami Nagisa was as listless as ever. "Or are you thinking of forming an alliance to oppose those two juniors?"

"That's a very reasonable suggestion," Hasekura Reimei nodded seriously, "but it's meaningless. Don't think too much, Mizukagami-san. Today is just a chance encounter, so we're just having tea and chatting together."

Saying that, Hasekura Reimei looked at the other two people sitting at the same table: "Look, just like Misaka-san and Shionokouji-san, let's enjoy the peaceful time."

The leaders of two factions, Tokiwadai Middle School's only Judgement member, plus a Level 5 with an ambiguous identity and affiliation... the composition of this table was indeed quite complicated.

Mizukagami Nagisa sighed inwardly—this was another form of "trouble," and it felt like dealing with it seriously would be a headache.

So, as Hasekura-san said, let's just treat it as a normal chat...

"Speaking of which, Misaka-san," Mizukagami Nagisa looked at the girl sitting on her left, "don't you... have to participate in faction activities?"

"Faction..." Chewing on a snack, Misaka Mikoto showed a moment of confusion. "Ah, the Shokuhou Faction! But I'm not a member of the Shokuhou Faction."

"Are you still denying it at this point?" Even Mizukagami Nagisa, who had no interest in factions, couldn't help but complain.

"Really, I haven't joined any faction," Misaka Mikoto explained casually.

Because people always thought she was a member of the Shokuhou Faction, she had given this explanation many times, and it had almost become a conditioned reflex.

"I can vouch for that!" Shionokouji Ruri Havensward, who was sitting opposite Misaka Mikoto, raised her hand and said, "Little Mikoto, like me, is a free agent without a faction!"

Hasekura Reimei said, "Although that's true, Misaka-san and Shokuhou-san are so close that it's normal for people to misunderstand. After all, the fact that you two Level 5s are acting together is already well known."

"Huh? I'm close to her?" Misaka Mikoto rolled her eyes. "How did this rumor start! If it weren't for..."

If it weren't for the "Sisters"...

But the "Sisters" couldn't be easily exposed, so Misaka Mikoto said, "Rather than cooperating with Shokuhou, it would be more accurate to say that the two of us and Nameless Senior are acting together, right?"

"Ah, is that Lin WuMing Senior?" Remembering the boy she had met once, Hasekura Reimei said, "There is indeed such a rumor—'The Shokuhou Faction has three Level 5 combatants,' or something like that."

"Actually, it's just Shokuhou that girl," Misaka Mikoto said.

"But no matter what, you guys are really close," Mizukagami Nagisa said, "and that 'Hero-sama' is very famous recently."

It seemed like a topic had been opened, and the four people present nodded together.

Lin WuMing was already very famous—as a "hero."

But after this incident, his reputation went to the next level.

Previously, only some students recognized Lin WuMing's "hero" title, but now, he suddenly gained widespread support from the blue-collar class.

Because "Lin WuMing killed Chairman Sherbin."

"After all, Lin WuMing Senior... punished the evil chairman," Hasekura Reimei carefully chose her words, deliberately avoiding words like "killed."

To be honest, compared to the real fighting and killing in the outside world, their school's "factional struggles" seemed very gentle and even childish.

And thinking that Misaki Shokuhou was deeply involved in such a major event as "sanctioning the Chairman of the Board of Directors," Hasekura Reimei couldn't help but sigh in her heart.

In comparison, the two sides seemed to be on completely different levels.

Thinking about how the Saten Faction was also actively launching activities outside the school...

"Perhaps we can't limit our vision to the inside of Academy City," Hasekura Reimei said thoughtfully.

Thank you to book friend 20210708182401053 for the monthly ticket support!

Thank you to book friend 20221119171201385 for the monthly ticket support!

Thank you to Ulu Turtle and Fat Rabbit for the monthly ticket support!!!

Thank you to Splendid Star River for the monthly ticket support!!