Honkai: Man(Sludge) From Future

The moment Miyuki Shirogane walked out the door, he regretted it.

His head was still spinning; he couldn't believe he had actually agreed.

What was he supposed to do now? His sister and father were planning to come to the school. Would they have to take care of themselves now?

The young man felt a pang of regret for his impulsiveness.

He had never imagined that the people at the research institute saw him in that light. He never thought he'd one day become one of those legendary people who "get ahead through connections."

Miyuki still didn't know that his "connections" were entirely fabricated. He had never imagined that such a good teacher as Welt Yang would one day use such "mind games" on him.

It was clear that Noldrei was truly a villain, pushing an honest, good man like Welt to such an extent.

Miyuki Shirogane felt he should learn about the situation in the Second Academy City in the Middle East in advance. He thought it would be best to ask Hachiman Hikigaya about it first.

What? You can't rely on power and connections?

What era was this? Who still thought like that? Miyuki Shirogane figured that if everyone thought he was relying on connections, he might as well actually rely on them. Otherwise, wouldn't he be misunderstood for nothing?

When people say you have a background and connections, you'd better actually have a background and connections. Otherwise, you might be targeted by those who are jealous of you.

To avoid being secretly sabotaged for no reason, Miyuki Shirogane decided it was better to find some connections sooner rather than later.

So, Miyuki Shirogane decisively contacted his good friend, Hachiman Hikigaya.

Miyuki wanted to ask Hachiman what exactly the Stigma Project in the Middle East was like.

Hachiman Hikigaya was quite surprised to receive Miyuki's call. After all, he hadn't received his transfer orders from Academy City yet; he had only been given advance notice to prepare for the prime ministerial election in the Far East.

"Miyuki, how's Komachi? She hasn't been led astray by anyone, has she?"

Led astray? Your sister spends more time at my house than at school. Your parents are practically the most loyal subjects of Academy City; their work ethic is about to surpass that of the old folks from the Showa era. And you're asking me how your sister is?

Miyuki Shirogane raised an eyebrow. "Hasn't your sister contacted you?"

Hachiman Hikigaya said with a bitter smile, "She has, but after a while, with the distance, she got worried about disturbing me. And you know, with our time difference, it's not always convenient to talk."

Miyuki nodded. "Your sister is doing very well in her studies, and no one is bullying her. I've been keeping an eye on her situation in Academy City, so you can rest assured. I have something to tell you now, and it's related to your work over there."

So, Miyuki Shirogane informed Hachiman in advance about his temporary transfer. His job now was to go over there and understand the Stigma system of the Second Academy City.

Hachiman Hikigaya hadn't expected his friend to come here. After briefly asking who had assigned the job and confirming Miyuki's information with Principal Theresa, he told Miyuki everything about the Second Academy City.

Academy City's plans always had a magnificent and strange feel to them. After understanding what Hachiman had said, Miyuki Shirogane had a different feeling about the Second Academy City.

This sounds like someone is preparing to use the 'Infinite Tsukuyomi' for mental illness treatment...

Miyuki Shirogane thought the idea was too advanced, but it sounded very "reasonable."

Although Miyuki felt a little uneasy, he didn't think he would encounter any life-threatening danger this time. Thanks to the fact that Academy City's top combat power was ridiculously overpowered compared to the rest of the world, he wasn't worried about any trouble in the Second Academy City.

Not worried was one thing, but he still wanted to ask for more details.

"Hachiman, have you seen... I mean, have you seen the people being treated? What is their treatment process like? Or rather... have you seen anyone who has been successfully treated come out?"

Hearing Miyuki ask this, Hachiman knew he was worrying too much.

He explained with a smile, "It's only just begun, and they haven't even completely cleared out the living areas for everyone around here. Anti-Entropy's production teams are also working overtime. The new city's power lines should be buried soon. Even the Honkai Energy power plant has already been built. You don't have to worry about the people here not living well."

"Mental illness... you and I both know about it. Even Academy City took a long time to treat these people. It's not reasonable to expect them to be cured right after they've been sent here."

"Don't worry, Academy City... uh, probably... shouldn't do those kinds of things, right?"

As Hachiman spoke, he started to lose confidence himself. He had indeed seen the experimental situation inside Academy City, and it was a very shocking sight.

As a mechanically modified person himself, he knew this better than anyone.

The way you're talking, bro, I'm not reassured at all!

Miyuki Shirogane's composure was a little shaken by his hesitant attitude. He was genuinely afraid that if he went, he might never come back.

"Hachiman, you have to tell me everything honestly. I don't have your body of steel; I'm still a mere mortal. Even though I've briefly tested the Stigma Battlesuit, I've only barely passed the second stage of the trial."

Hachiman scratched his head. "I've told you everything I can. I don't know the things I can't tell you either."

"Forget it, I'll figure it out myself. Is it okay if I bring a friend over?" Miyuki sighed. He decided it was better to bring someone with him.

"It's fine, bring whoever you want. And since you're coming to develop the Second City, as long as you come, you'll be assigned a position. We're much more short-staffed here than in the Far East. By the way, who are you bringing?"

Hachiman asked out of curiosity.

"Kaguya Shinomiya, a young daughter of the Shinomiya Group. She has nowhere to go right now, so I'm having her assist me."

The smile on Hachiman's face vanished after seeing his friend.

Hachiman subconsciously glanced at his own secretary, the ever-argumentative Lord Kiyotaka Ayanokōji. Then he subconsciously glanced at the screen, at the sorrowful-looking Miyuki Shirogane who didn't look like he was getting a promotion at all.

The young daughter of a business conglomerate, and he was bringing her to work with him?

Hachiman had an epiphany. Could this be the legendary "workplace couple"?

For some reason, Hachiman suddenly lost the joy of his "humble-bragging, treading-on-thin-ice" life.

What was the use of being promoted to such a high position? Wasn't he still all alone?

His good friend was taking up his new post with a beautiful girl. And him?

Hachiman fell into deep thought. He began to suspect he had taken the wrong path in life. He felt that something about this situation was not quite right.