Long Live Money in Anime Crossover

143 What exactly is she busy with?

While Momo and Saten Ruiko were having a friendly conversation and making final discussions about whether Saten Ruiko should sell herself to learn a trade, Misaka Mikoto, Shirai Kuroko, and Uiharu Kazari were still on their way to the 177th branch.

"Seriously, why do I have to give a statement? Why don't you just do it for me, Blackie? It's just a formality for us, right?"

"Isn't it early spring?"

Uiharu Kazari gave a wry smile and said, "Misaka-senpai, it's true that it's just a formality, but according to the rules, this is something that must be done. However, if it's Misaka-senpai, then perhaps... maybe..."

"Chuchun, you're so indecisive! How can you bend the law for personal gain just because of your older sister's request? Chuchun, don't forget we're disciplinary committee members; we must uphold our honor!"

Shirai Kuroko interrupted Uiharu Kazari, while Misaka Mikoto squinted at Shirai Kuroko and said, "Kuroko, to put it bluntly, you just don't want me to be with Momo, right?"

"what!"

Shirai Kuroko was caught off guard and stumbled. Uiharu Kazari's eyes lit up. What was going on?

At this time, because of Momo's appearance, Shirai Kuroko's image in front of Uiharu Kazari and Saten Ruiko was still relatively good. At least her yuri fanaticism and perverted attributes had not yet been revealed.

Currently, only Misaka Mikoto and Shokuhou Misaki seem to know Shirai Kuroko's true nature. Uiharu Kazari at most has a slightly strange feeling, sensing that her partner seems to have an excessively strong interest in Misaka Mikoto.

"So what if that's the case!"

Stared at by Misaka Mikoto and Uiharu Kazari, Shirai Kuroko finally shouted directly. She had been overwhelmed by Mo Mo's affairs these past two days and felt like she was suffocating.

Especially just now, Misaka Mikoto was on Mo Mo's side in every way, and the two of them looked like a loving couple. This scene made Uiharu Kazari envious, made Saten Ruiko's gossip heart burn, and made Shirai Kuroko suffer torment.

Because she was the only one who knew the truth, and the whole world had been deceived by Momo. Everyone else in the world was a fool, only she stood by the truth!

Now, Misaka Mikoto's questioning nearly caused her to explode.

However, Shirai Kuroko's sudden outburst stunned Misaka Mikoto and Uiharu Kazari. They looked at Shirai Kuroko with complete bewilderment, having no idea where her anger came from.

Besides, Misaka Mikoto's words just now were mostly a joke. After all, she came with Shirai Kuroko herself, so can't she even make a lighthearted remark?

"Kuroko..."

"what!"

Shirai Kuroko realized she had lost her composure, and abruptly shook her head, saying, "I'm sorry, Onee-sama, it's my fault. I just... don't like that guy."

Seeing that Shirai Kuroko had apologized, Misaka Mikoto, though still harboring doubts, forced a smile and said, "Well, it's nothing. You've been too tired lately, so it's understandable that you're a bit irritable."

"Alright, alright, stop looking so gloomy. We're going to your 177th branch, right? I've never been to a disciplinary committee member's office before. Chuchun, you'd better treat me well!"

"No problem, absolutely no problem, I will definitely take good care of Misaka-senpai!"

Upon hearing this, Haruharu Kazari's eyes lit up, and she said, "Ah, that's right."

She seemed to have thought of something and continued, "So, it's like we're going to hang out together. If I had known, I should have invited Saten-san too."

Haruharu Kazari's casual remark still made Misaka Mikoto nod, saying, "That makes sense. The four of us together can definitely have a lot of fun. Ah, it was my fault today too. I won't bring Momo next time. Haruharu, did you guys have a good time today?"

"No, that's not true. It's wonderful that I was able to meet Misaka-senpai today. After all, it was the bank robbery that affected us, not because of you, senpai."

"Besides, if it weren't for you being there, Saten would probably have gotten hurt."

Misaka Mikoto agreed with Uiharu Kazari's words, saying, "Yeah, I forgot about that too. Looks like he's quite useful! Speaking of which, if we really go to your place now, wouldn't that be the same as leaving Momo and Saten behind to go play with Momo?"

"Won't they be angry when they find out later?"

Uiharu Kazari quickly shook her head, saying, "Saten-kun wouldn't be that petty, and someone as gentle as Senpai definitely wouldn't be angry. Maybe they're still together right now, like Senpai is probably taking Ruiko home?"

Upon hearing this, Misaka Mikoto awkwardly pinched her hair, clearly somewhat displeased as she recalled that scene, and said, "Hmm... given his personality, he'll probably do that, since Ruiko was frightened... Eh, Kuroko?"

Halfway through her sentence, Misaka Mikoto suddenly realized that someone was missing from her side. Turning her head, she saw that Shirai Kuroko was a few steps behind two people and stood there stunned.

"Kuroko, what's wrong? What happened?"

"Hey, Kuroko, Kuroko!"

Misaka Mikoto thought Shirai Kuroko was lost in thought for some reason, but then she noticed that Kuroko's whole body was trembling. Her head was slightly lowered, and the shadows obscured her expression, making it impossible for Misaka Mikoto to see her face.

"It's nothing, nothing at all!"

However, at this moment, Shirai Kuroko raised her head with her usual smile on her face, but at this moment, Misaka Mikoto felt that the smile was very fake.

"What's wrong? Can't you tell me or Chuchun what's wrong?"

"Yeah, Shirai-kun, you don't look like you're alright!"

Shirai Kuroko blinked and said, "Is it that obvious? Actually, I suddenly remembered something urgent that I had to deal with. I had to deal with it, so I was very sad that I couldn't stay with my sister!"

"Big sister, you're not angry with me, are you?"

"Urgent matter? Is it work-related again... You disciplinary committee members are really something, how come you have so many things to solve? Are there no adults in this Academy City?"

Misaka Mikoto complained. She had noticed how tired Shirai Kuroko had been these past two days. At first, she thought Shirai Kuroko was just being dutiful, but now she was starting to suspect that Academy City was deliberately exploiting child laborers.

"Haha, after all, urgent matters are urgent matters. Well then, in early spring, please entertain my elder sister well. I'll go take care of this matter right away. Goodbye!"

After saying that, Shirai Kuroko vanished in a flash, leaving Misaka Mikoto and Uiharu Kazari dumbfounded.

"She's gone... Misaka-senpai, what has Shirai-san been up to these past few days? We haven't seen her around at all, and she's even doing a terrible job as a disciplinary committee member. Could she be having some kind of trouble?"

Misaka Mikoto was surprised by Haruharu Kazari's words and exclaimed, "Huh!"

"Isn't Kuroko busy with the disciplinary committee? She's been working herself to the bone these past few days. If I hadn't forced her to rest yesterday, I wouldn't have been surprised if she had fainted at any time!"

Now it was Haruharu Shiori's turn to be surprised. She said, "That's impossible. Our branch hasn't had much work these past few days. We only had one task: assisting in the investigation of the bombing prank."

"An explosion prank?"

"Yes, an ability user uses graviton acceleration to make aluminum objects explode in order to amuse others. However, he is only at the LV2 level, so we only need to be temporarily careful. After all, an LV2 ability cannot hurt anyone unless it is in hand."

Hearing this, Misaka Mikoto frowned and said, "That's strange. What exactly is Kuroko doing...?"

As she thought about it, Misaka Mikoto's eyes lit up, and she said, "Hey, Haru, does Branch 177 have computers?"

"Yes, I do, but what are you going to do, Misaka-senpai?"

"Of course, it's to secretly check what Kuroko is doing! Don't underestimate me just because I have electrical abilities; I can manipulate electronics and hack into them! I'll use your computers to secretly track Kuroko!"

Uiharu Kazari felt dizzy listening to this and said, "This won't do, Misaka-senpai, this is against the rules!"

"Alright, alright, don't be so inflexible. Besides, it's me doing it, not you. Look, Hei Zi has clearly run into some trouble these past few days and still wanted to talk to us. As her friends, shouldn't we care about her?"

"What if she really can't handle it on her own and can't hold on anymore, and we're still not there? Wouldn't that be too late?"

Hearing this, Uiharu Kazari's resolve wavered, and seeing this, Misaka Mikoto quickly pulled Uiharu Kazari forward with a grin, saying, "We're helping Kuroko, okay? Don't be so stubborn!"

"Misaka-senpai, you clearly have a happy expression on your face!"

"Also, don't pull me, I'll lead the way. It's that way, we've gone the wrong way!"

……

Shirai Kuroko left Misaka Mikoto and Uiharu Kazari, frantically moving in the direction where the group had just separated. Her face was extremely gloomy, and fear and anger were churning within her.

Because she thought of something.

Since that bastard Momo is a madman who dared to lay a hand on Misaki Shokuhou and dared to create a clone of his sister to humiliate her, what else wouldn't he dare to do?

I'm afraid that anyone who catches his eye in the entire Academy City will not be given up on.

This is Shirai Kuroko's current view of Momo, so when she realized that Saten Ruiko and Momo might be alone together, she couldn't help but feel anxious.

Shirai Kuroko remembers that Momo was much more enthusiastic towards Saten Ruiko than towards Uiharu Kazari. What does that mean?

For an ordinary person, this might mean they just want to make friends, but for Mo Mo, in Shirai Kuroko's eyes...

Mo Mo... could it be that he's taken a liking to Saten Ruiko?

Author's Note:

Second update

144 The Enraged Kuroko

Saten Ruiko stared blankly at the neural connection device in Mo Mo's hand. She tried to look away, but couldn't.

Because in that place, there lies the power she has always dreamed of, and a way for her to become a power user.

All of this was so close to her; she could obtain it simply by reaching out her hand, surpassing the vast majority of people in Academy City and becoming someone others envied.

After becoming an ability user, she was no longer powerless. When she wanted to do something, her first concern was no longer whether she had the power to rush in and make things worse.

Her own ideals, her family's expectations, the gaze of others, and the admiration of the entire Academy City—all of this was laid out before Saten Ruiko, all she had to do was reach out her hand.

Moreover, according to Momo, this is just a greeting gift; once she becomes a Heroic Spirit, she will likely enjoy even greater power.

After all, the greatness of that power that she simply couldn't resist or question was something Saten Ruiko had felt the first time she touched it.

Only… Saten Ruiko reached out her hand.

However, Saten Ruiko also knew very well that after she reached out her hand, she lost herself. Or rather, the right to her own self fell into Momo's hands.

Mo Mo's previous actions, while making Saten Ruiko dissatisfied and resentful, also served as a reminder to her that the decisions she was about to make would affect everything about her.

If she could give up everything for this power, then she should also be prepared to be accepted by Mo Mo.

This is what Saten Ruiko is facing now, and it's what Saten Ruiko believes Mo Mo deliberately put on this act to tell her.

Faced with all this, Saten Ruiko hesitated.

She couldn't possibly not hesitate. She was just a girl who had graduated from elementary school only half a year ago. Now she was asked to decide everything in her life. How could she not hesitate?

If she were an impulsive and naive girl, she might have been able to gamble everything on her feelings without hesitation. However, when it came to Saten Ruiko, she thought a little too much.

"It's a difficult decision."

Mo Mo was not surprised by Saten Ruiko's hesitation. He smiled slightly and said, "Didn't you expect that you thought you could give everything for this power, but when you were actually given the chance, you found that the power didn't seem to be that important?"

Mo Mo's words, though seemingly meaningless, struck a chord with Saten Ruiko. She nodded, confirming Mo Mo's statement.

"I've become a Heroic Spirit... Then everything I have now, my friends, my life..."

"If you wish, you can keep all of this as it is. I will also do my best to keep the entire Academy City as it is, but the final outcome will depend on the results of my efforts."

Saten Ruiko was taken aback and asked, "Is something about to happen in Academy City?"

“That’s right. In the future, no matter who wins or loses between me and the other side, Academy City will never be the same again. That’s something that can’t be avoided, and even I can’t change it.”

"What exactly happened... I understand, but I'm not qualified to know yet, right?"