I, Kurumi Tokisaki, Am a Wanderer

"Ding~"

As Kurumi waited for the bus, the vending machine beside her suddenly chimed.

Clatter—

A can rolled out.

Curious, Kurumi stepped closer, then gazed at the drink in her hand, falling into deep thought.

Hot Strawberry Oden... and it's warm?

The corner of Kurumi's mouth twitched slightly. Academy City's vending machines truly lived up to their reputation.

Just looking at it made her lose the will to think, as if a faint, indescribable aura emanated from the can.

Before she could dwell on it further, the bus arrived. Kurumi boarded and left.

But just as the bus started moving, a loud, earth-shaking cry echoed from behind.

"Un... UNLUCKY!!!"

Kurumi glanced at the bizarre drink in her hand and seemed to have her answer.

...

"The board has been completely overturned, Aleister."

District 7, the fabled Windowless Building.

A voice, encompassing the full range of human emotion yet almost monotonous, teased with a hint of mockery.

"It's of no consequence, Aiwass," replied Aleister, suspended upside down in the life-support apparatus and clad in a green surgical gown. "All anomalous occurrences surrounding the 'reference point' are merely part of the natural progression."

A soul bound by laws stared deeply at the essence of existence.

"Oh? Then all of this was within your predictions?"

"..."

An eerie silence suddenly filled the air.

"Heh, is that so," the distorted female voice laughed abruptly, breaking the tension.

...

Another Sunday had arrived.

Kurumi pushed aside the clone lying in her arms.

The weather was scorching, and faint beads of sweat seemed to form on her forehead.

Pata, pata—

Barefoot, Kurumi's smooth feet padded across the floor as she pushed open the wooden door to her room.

Sitting with the posture of an old scholar, holding a newspaper in one hand and a baguette in the other, Nunotaba Shinobu turned her gaze toward Kurumi.

"Good morning," Kurumi stretched lazily, her figure framed beautifully in the hazy sunlight streaming in.

"Good morning," Nunotaba replied, her unblinking gaze fixed on Kurumi's delicate feet.

It was a calm, seemingly emotionless stare, yet also utterly direct.

"Oh my? What is it?" Kurumi tapped her right foot backward, tilting slightly to glance over her shoulder.

"Nothing," Nunotaba lowered her gaze, sipping her coffee before burying her face in the upright newspaper. However, the tips of her ears seemed to twitch ever so slightly.

"Is that so," Kurumi said, turning to head to the bathroom to freshen up.

It felt like the people around her were getting stranger and stranger.

...

"By the way, aren't you going to the research lab today?" Nunotaba asked casually.

"Nope. I've got plans to go out with someone," Kurumi replied.

"Hmm." Nunotaba nodded and lowered her head.

Originally, the research lab had arranged for Kurumi to come by yesterday, but since her clones all wanted to go have fun, and she herself had plans with Misaka Mikoto, Kurumi naturally chose to flake.

Unexpectedly, however, karma struck.

Misaka Mikoto had called to say she had something urgent to attend to and postponed their "date" by a day.

There was a faint awkwardness in her tone, as if she was dealing with some kind of problem.

Even so, having already decided not to go to the research lab, Kurumi preferred to spend the day lazing around in the dorm rather than visiting Kihara Amata.

Luckily, Kihara Amata had grown quite accustomed to being stood up and delayed, thanks to Accelerator's habitual tardiness and last-minute cancellations.

"I'll just go on Tuesday instead," Kurumi muttered to herself, pushing the schedule back a few more days.

...

"Well, I'm heading out now," Kurumi called over her shoulder, glancing at the time.

"Alright," Nunotaba replied with a smile.

Clack—

The girl shut the door behind her and left.

The slightly angled sunlight bathed the living room in a soft glow. Nunotaba looked up and noticed that Kurumi's bedroom door hadn't been fully closed.

She hesitated for a moment, then stood up, intending to shut the door.

But as she reached the doorway, she froze in place.

Inside, Kurumi's dark-haired clone lay curled up on the bed like a small cat. Her loose pajamas hung casually off her shoulders, offering little coverage and leaving most of her skin visible.

The sunlight streaming through the window illuminated her smooth, flawless skin from head to toe, casting a soft golden glow that highlighted every curve and detail of her body.

Nunotaba had seen strange things before, given her roommate's peculiar abilities, but this left her completely off guard.

She stood there, dumbfounded.

Bang!

Nunotaba slammed the door shut with such force that Moyu (the lounging clone) was startled awake, bolting upright in shock.

...

Kurumi and Misaka Mikoto had agreed to meet in the Seventh Mist shopping complex in District 7.

Because it was the weekend, the area was bustling with students coming and going.

Most were groups of girls chatting excitedly or couples strolling arm in arm. Of course, there were also some, like Kurumi, sitting on the benches inside, waiting for their companions to arrive.

As Kurumi sat there fiddling with her phone...

Tap, tap—

A pair of small, brown leather boots stopped in front of her.

Noticing Kurumi's lack of reaction, the person standing before her grew impatient.

"Hey!" A voice as sweet as honey rang out.

Kurumi raised her head to look. Thigh high white lace stockings, paired with Tokiwadai's signature pleated skirt, blouse, and light summer cardigan.

Her gaze trailed upward to see the unmistakable golden hair and star-like eyes of Shokuhou Misaki.

"Oh my, my, does little Shokuhou need something from me?" Kurumi said as she closed her phone.

"Lit...tle..." Shokuhou Misaki faltered, biting back her words.

But she quickly recovered, her lips curling into a sly, radiant smile. "Not at all. I just wanted to thank you for your... assistance the other day~."

With her syrupy queen-like smile, Shokuhou Misaki leaned forward, her overly-developed figure looming close. It was enough to make anyone question whether she was truly just a middle schooler.

Shokuhou wasn't the type to let others take the upper hand. The moment she spotted Kurumi in the Seventh Mist, she had immediately walked over.

Still, from the way Shokuhou's gaze lingered, Kurumi felt like she wasn't the one being looked at—it was as if Shokuhou was seeing someone else through her.

And Kurumi could guess why Shokuhou had approached her... It was likely because of Misaka Mikoto.

"No need to thank me," Kurumi replied lightly.

Just then, an angry shout echoed from the entrance of the Seventh Mist.

"Shokuhou Misaki!!!"

"Well, well... It seems we'll have to continue our conversation another time," Shokuhou Misaki straightened up, her gloved finger lightly tapping her lips. Her eyes narrowed slightly, as if savoring some pleasant thought.

"You! What are you doing here?!" Misaka Mikoto marched between Shokuhou Misaki and Kurumi, blocking the way.

Shokuhou Misaki formed her hand into the shape of a gun, pointing her finger at Misaka Mikoto while the other hand reached into her bag.

Misaka Mikoto stared at her with intense vigilance, sparks of electricity seeming to crackle faintly at her temple.

"Hah? Why wouldn't I be here?" Shokuhou Misaki chuckled lightly.

"Shokuhou Misaki!!"

"Misaka-san~~"

As if long-time rivals meeting once again, Misaka Mikoto and Shokuhou Misaki squared off, the tension between them palpable. Sparks seemed to fly in the air.

Zzzap—

Narrow arcs of blue-white electricity crackled from Mikoto's bangs, mesmerizing the onlookers.

"Look, look! It's the Queen and Misaka-senpai!"

Arguments between Misaka Mikoto and Shokuhou Misaki were practically a hallmark of Tokiwadai Middle School. However, seeing such a spectacle outside the School Garden was a rarity.

The moment these two opposites crossed paths, an intense chemical reaction always seemed to ignite.

Unlike Misaka Mikoto, who radiated hostility with furrowed brows and a combat-ready stance, Shokuhou Misaki appeared far more relaxed.

Her lips curved upward into a smirk, and her starry eyes sparkled with teasing mirth.

Shokuhou stepped forward with a light chuckle, executing a perfectly intentional shoulder-bump that sent Misaka Mikoto stumbling aside.

Aside from her natural electromagnetic shield, which protected her brain, Misaka Mikoto didn't maintain a constant state of calculation to turn her body into a walking electric weapon.

Her eyes widened in disbelief.

After all, Shokuhou Misaki was typically the epitome of a "Tokiwadai Queen," exuding elegance and refinement.

For her to pull off such a crude move? Misaka could hardly process it.

You...! Misaka clenched her fists, momentarily regretting that she hadn't inherited her mother's more endowed genes.

"Now then, Kurumi-senpai,"

Shokuhou clasped her hands together and gave a sweetly formal bow toward Kurumi. Her syrupy tone practically dripped with mockery.

"Let's meet again sometime."

She turned slightly, casting a sly glance at Misaka Mikoto, her amber eyes narrowing in amusement.

"Goodbye~ Misaka-san," she added, her honey-colored hair swishing as she turned her head, walking away with her entourage.

Though the "Seventh Mist" was a renowned shop, District 7 wasn't lacking in boutiques. Meeting Misaka Mikoto again wouldn't benefit anyone.

Outside the store, Shokuhou Misaki paused to look through the glass wall at Kurumi.

Kurumi was smiling gently, like a true noblewoman, and appeared to be consoling Misaka Mikoto.

"Your Majesty..." one of Shokuhou's subordinates called softly.

Shokuhou Misaki turned and left.

She had no faith in abstract concepts like "emotion" or "trust."

Only by peering into people's minds and watching their thoughts could she feel secure.

This was why she treated Misaka Mikoto with such wariness—her mind was beyond Shokuhou's reach.

And as for Kurumi... In her mind's eye, Shokuhou once again saw that blood-soaked, nightmarish figure. It was madness personified, trampling all opposition.

"The School Garden is my territory," Shokuhou muttered to herself.

"Let's go... to Olla Podrida."

It was a Spanish-style restaurant famed for its creamy puddings, renowned throughout District 7.

"Your Majesty, I must remind you once again," her subordinate said with a stern expression.

"You've already exceeded your dessert allowance for the week."

Shokuhou stumbled, letting out a cute yelp of protest.

...

"Kurumi-senpai."

Misaka Mikoto, still frowning slightly from her earlier encounter with Shokuhou, greeted Kurumi.

"That woman..." Mikoto hesitated, wanting to warn Kurumi to stay away from Shokuhou Misaki. She was dangerous.

But then Mikoto realized that, to Shokuhou, Kurumi might actually be the more dangerous one.

That memory of Kurumi, blooming like a sinister, demonic flower, still lingered in her mind—a vision so intense it bordered on evil.

Strangely, though, Mikoto didn't feel alienated by Kurumi. On the contrary... she found Kurumi even more captivating.

"Let's go," Kurumi said with her usual warm smile, taking Mikoto's hand.

Her cool, soft hand rested in Mikoto's palm.

Click, click—

Even though they'd held hands several times before, Mikoto's neck stiffened, and her face turned faintly red.

Honestly, it was strange. Since this person had moved in, they'd held hands plenty of times, but it had never felt like this before.

It was almost... like a siren's enchantment.

Kurumi and Mikoto stepped onto the escalator. Kurumi explained something about Shokuhou Misaki, but Mikoto seemed distracted.

Sensing this, Kurumi leaned in close to Mikoto's ear, exhaling softly.

Kurumi liked to call this her "shy awakening technique," and it was clearly very effective.

"Nyah~!"

"K-Kurumi-senpai!" Mikoto pressed herself against the side of the escalator, exclaiming in surprise.

"Oh my, that's dangerous," Kurumi said with a smile, pulling Mikoto back by the waist.

"Kurumi-senpai, doing that all of a sudden... it tickles," Mikoto muttered, her hands instinctively wrapping around her waist as she bit her lip. "And also, what were you even trying to do just now?!"

"Eh? I just noticed that Mikoto changed her perfume recently," Kurumi said with a playful smile.

"Ugh... Actually, Tokiwadai doesn't allow us to wear makeup or perfume," Misaka Mikoto grumbled. "Last time I went out with Senpai, I just secretly sprayed a tiny bit."

"Today, because of some... issues, I didn't use any," she admitted.

"It's okay~" Kurumi's finger lightly tapped her lips as she noticed Mikoto's slightly deflated mood. "Mikoto, just like this, is perfectly fine."

"Ah... Ara?" Misaka Mikoto froze, dumbfounded.

...

"Anyway, let's not talk about that. What do you feel like buying today, Mikoto?" Kurumi asked, her skirt swishing as she stepped in front of Mikoto.

"I... I don't mind buying whatever. Besides, Tokiwadai doesn't allow us to wear casual clothes," Mikoto sighed, gesturing at her school uniform.

As a prestigious private academy, Tokiwadai went to great lengths to ensure the safety of its students.

Its uniforms were one such measure, custom-designed using the most advanced technology from Academy City. Calling them "armor" wouldn't be an exaggeration.

"Is that so?" Kurumi tilted her head thoughtfully before pointing behind Mikoto. "Then how about we go there?"

"Huh? Huh? Huh?!" Mikoto turned to look where Kurumi was pointing, and her eyes widened in shock.

In bold letters, the sign read:

Seventh Mist — Lingerie Section.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

40 Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon: 

Patreon.com/DaoOfHeaven