Long Live Money in Anime Crossover

Misaka Mikoto, whose heart had sunk to the bottom, suddenly brightened up and said, "She can do it, she definitely can do it. If it's her... even if she has to beg..."

After saying that, Misaka Mikoto ran off, saying, "Um, when I get back, I'll get Shokuhou Misaki, please wait for me!"

"I will definitely bring her back!"

024 He is a good person

Is that all?

At this very moment, Misaka Mikoto's target, Shokuhou Misaki, is still in the school dormitory. Her subordinates have brought her a batch of documents, which she is carefully reviewing.

These materials will likely surprise Misaka Mikoto, as they are all about her. They are records of Misaka Mikoto's actions over the past few days, and details of what happened to her recently.

If Misaka Mikoto knew that Shokuhou Misaki, with whom she has always been at odds, was paying so much attention to her, she would probably be really shocked and then feel a chill down her spine.

After all, her whereabouts were known to others, and even the fact that she was struck by lightning a few days ago was mentioned in Misaki Shokuhou's current report.

As for the lightning strike, it was reported to the outside world as a natural phenomenon. Misaka Mikoto and the other two had already concealed their whereabouts from that incident, and only a very few people knew the truth about what happened that day.

However, since it is Misaki Shokuhou, there is nothing in the entire Academy City that she does not know, whether it is something that is in the open or something that is hidden in the dark.

"She was saved... The lightning strike that day startled even me. Did it just happen to hit her? No... it can't really be called a coincidence. She's naturally electrifying, so maybe the lightning just happened to be drawn to her."

Unwittingly, the girl discovered the truth.

"Should we say she's lucky or unlucky? Despite having so many things on her mind and being entangled in so much darkness, she still manages to stand in the light. It's truly... something to be envied."

The last sentence was a low murmur from Misaki Shokuhou, and no one else could hear it except her.

"Then what about this person, the one who saved Misaka Mikoto? Can't we find any information about him?"

Several subordinates shook their heads, one of them saying, "Information about him has always been top secret in the hospital; even the nurses who take care of him every day don't know his name."

“We also checked the library. The only LV5 ability users who could withstand that level of lightning and survive are the seventh, second, and first. But that person is clearly not one of them.”

Misaki Shokuhou frowned slightly and said, "Aren't there any Level 4 espers or similar individuals?"

"Although there are other possible candidates, we have checked the situation of those highly capable individuals one by one, and they are all living normal lives. It is definitely not this person."

"I'm sorry, we are unable to confirm his identity."

Misaki Shokuhou nodded without complaint. She knew that her subordinates, under her influence, would never slack off; if they couldn't find the information, they simply couldn't find it, which meant the person's identity was beyond their comprehension.

Looking at the thin, handsome face in the photo, Misaki Shokuhou carefully recalled every detail in her mind, but found that she had no information about this person or anyone with similar abilities.

"What exactly is this... a mysterious person, or some newly created product of an experiment...? Wait, what is this!"

Misaki Shokuhou flipped through the stack of photos, which she couldn't tell if they were taken by a nurse or someone else, when she suddenly noticed a blurry black shadow flashing by in the corner of one of the photos.

Misaki Shokuhou was genuinely surprised to see the dark figure.

"Best?"

……

"Best!"

Best had just returned to her and Misaki Shokuhou's shared dorm room when Misaki pulled her into her arms. Helpless, Best could only coldly endure Misaki's advances.

Moreover, inside the dormitory, Misaki Shokuhou unabashedly removed Best's hood, revealing two small cat ears peeking out from her silver hair beneath it.

This is why Best always wears a hood; it's not because of her abilities or personality, but because she can't hide her ears.

Although she could use her powers to prevent others from looking at her ears, constantly using her powers was a troublesome thing, so Best simply started wearing a hood all the time.

"Ha, Best's ears!"

Misaki Shokuhou saw Best's ears and, as if they were precious treasures, reached out to grab them. However, Best, who usually allowed Misaki Shokuhou to be close to her, suddenly shuddered and pushed Misaki Shokuhou's shoulder, saying, "Don't touch them."

"Hey, just once, okay, Best? We're so familiar with each other, can't I just touch you once?"

"No means no!"

Despite Misaki Shokuhou's persistent pleading, Best remained steadfast in her principles. Only when she saw a hint of dissatisfaction in Best's eyes did Misaki Shokuhou stop.

"Alright, alright, I won't touch you anymore. But Best, in return, you have to tell me why you went to the hospital."

As she spoke, Misaki Shokuhou took out a photo and pointed to the dark figure in the corner of the photo, saying, "This must be you, Best."

"It's one thing for you to run around in your cat form all the time, but lately you seem to be a regular at the hospital. Tell me, Best, what's your relationship with this boy? Do you know him?"

"If you don't tell me..."

Misaki Shokuhou pretended to wipe away tears and said, "I'll be sad, you know!"

"Photographs?"

Best looked at the photo, a hint of helplessness in his eyes, and said, "How annoying technology is."

"There's nothing we can do about it. Best's abilities can easily interfere with everyone around him, but they don't seem to work very well with these mechanical devices."

"After all, Best's abilities are similar to mine; we both influence other people's minds, which is why we're good friends, isn't it?"

Best did not deny that the reason she and Misaki Shokuhou were so familiar with each other was not only because Misaki Shokuhou had a deep obsession with her ears, but also because of the power Best displayed to the outside world.

In the public's perception, Best is a Level 4 psychic-type esper. Unlike Misaki Shokuhou's precise control, Best's ability is wide-area interference, disrupting the mental cognition of people within a wide area.

For example, if Best were standing here, no one would look at her if she wanted to, and even if they did, they would be indifferent and forget about it as soon as they turned their heads.

Of course, she can also make everyone pay attention to her, so that even from a distance, people can see the short Best in the crowd at first glance.

However, this is only Best's apparent ability in Academy City, and it is also her capital to enter Tokiwadai. As for her true identity, even Aleister cannot guess it. Perhaps only Nagato Yuki knows.

Best's abilities naturally piqued the interest of Misaki Shokuhou, a queen of mental abilities. Unaware that she was being targeted by Misaki Shokuhou, Best's secrets were discovered by Misaki Shokuhou.

For example, Best can transform into a cat form, or have cat ears in its human form.

This made Best so peculiar that Misaki Shokuhou became even more interested, especially in Best's physical transformations. These were completely different abilities, even a transformation between a human and a cat, which could no longer be described as abilities.

Faced with Misaki Shokuhou's relentless pursuit, Best was helpless. Although she was certain that she would not be affected by Misaki Shokuhou's abilities, unless she completely exposed her identity, Best's abilities would be useless against Misaki Shokuhou.

Having no other choice, Best, too lazy to use his true abilities, simply gave in to Misaki Shokuhou. Misaki, whose investigation yielded no results, became even more curious about Best, and the two gradually developed their current relationship.

As for how it turned out this way... it's probably because Misaki Shokuhou's cat-loving nature awakened, and Best gradually felt that being petted wasn't such a bad thing.

Of course, the ears are an exception.

However, it's also possible that Misaki Shokuhou saw a reflection of her past in Best, a past marked by conspiracies and hardships caused by her abilities. The difference is that she overcame these obstacles and became the Queen of Tokiwadai, while Best became a monster that was neither human nor cat.

Especially after Bestie experienced a past that even Misaki Shokuhou couldn't have imagined, she was still able to maintain such a pure and innocent appearance, which aroused a heartfelt protective instinct in Misaki Shokuhou.

Protect Best, protect this little cat who looks somewhat like her.

Undoubtedly, Misaki Shokuhou's perception was seriously flawed, but this did not prevent the two, who had good chemistry, from gradually becoming a well-known inseparable duo throughout Tokiwadai, which could only be described as inseparable.

"Alright, Cao Qi, I have something to ask of you."

Misaki Shokuhou was taken aback and said, "What? Does it have something to do with the whole boy? Hey, Best, are you really interested in him?"

Misaki Shokuhou's question was just a joke. After all, with Best's temperament, aside from eating and sleeping, the only thing that kept her active was her missions in the Anbu. How could she possibly be interested in a boy...?

"Ah."

However, Best nodded without hesitation.

Misaki Shokuhou was petrified.

Petrified, Misaki Shokuhou struggled to pick up the secretly taken photo, looking at it again and again, but still couldn't see what it was about him that attracted Best. Was it simply because he was handsome?

Best isn't such a vulgar girl!

Is it really because Best likes this clean-cut style?

"Um, Best, can you tell me why?" Misaki Shokuhou asked cautiously.

"He is a good person."

"what?"

Seemingly thinking that Misaki Shokuhou hadn't heard her clearly, Best repeated, "He's a good person, and Misaka Mikoto is a good person too. He was seriously injured while saving Misaka Mikoto, and now he needs your help."

Misaki Shokuhou blinked, pondered these words several times, and found that they indeed had no implied meaning; they were all the most straightforward words.

It couldn't be simpler.

"Just because he's a good person, you want to save him?"

Best nodded and said, "I saw what happened that day. He's a good person and very brave. I want to see what kind of person he will be after he recovers."

Best could not possibly say that she was deeply interested in what kind of person this manager was, since her superior had had some minor conflicts with the SOS Brigade because of their different attitudes towards the manager.

In Best's memory, the administrator of their world, the one who sacrificed himself for the entire world, was an indescribably good person.

Misaki Shokuhou seemed thoughtful and said, "So, Best, you're interested in him?"

"Ah."

025 For him, are you willing to give up your dignity?

Best's expression remained calm, while Misaki Shokuhou's lips twitched slightly.

Perhaps the dazed Best didn't realize what was happening, but Misaki Shokuhou was quite clear about what would happen when a girl became interested in a boy.

Misaki Shokuhou's expression turned serious, as if she was thinking. After thinking for a long time, Misaki Shokuhou did not fly into a rage like Shirai Kuroko because of Misaka Mikoto's situation. Instead, she showed a mature yet warm smile.

Unlike people like Shirai Kuroko and Misaka Mikoto who live in the sunlight, she is a victor who has crawled out of suffering and darkness. Therefore, compared to Shirai Kuroko and Misaka Mikoto, Shokuhou Misaki actually cherishes everything in front of her more.

Therefore, she understood even more clearly what it meant when Best, who seemed uninterested in everything, suddenly expressed interest in someone.

This means that Best might finally step into the light and out of the shadows of the past. The prerequisite is that the person Best is interested in is reliable, trustworthy, has sufficient ability, and can live up to Best's expectations.

For this reason, Misaki Shokuhou wouldn't mind using her abilities to thoroughly examine the boy who also interests Best. If necessary, she could even use her abilities to make the boy reliable, trustworthy, and someone who wouldn't let Best down.

Of course, if she's not capable enough, Best still has her older sister who can protect her, right?

“Since he’s someone Best is interested in, I’m determined to wake him up no matter what. But before that, I need to make sure he’s a good person. If he really is a good person, a clean person, then Best can play with him later, okay?”

"it is good."

Seeing Best still looking so dazed, Misaki Shokuhou felt both helpless and amused. She was helpless because it seemed that she had to worry about everything about Best. She couldn't even imagine how Best had gotten to where she was before she met her.

The funny thing is, how long will it take Best to understand what she herself is thinking?

Just as Misaki Shokuhou was about to take another opportunity to flirt with Best and express her love for her, she suddenly heard arguing outside the door. One of the people arguing had a voice that Misaki Shokuhou recognized very well.