One-way traffic

"As long as everyone is willing to wear Santa Claus costumes..."

"Tsk, to put it bluntly, they just want us to be like clowns holding up billboards, right?"

Mugino Shizuri pursed his lips, his tone gradually becoming impatient.

"Does it really have to be this pretentious way of creating this so-called atmosphere?"

"Ah... well, this is an order from higher-ups, so I don't really have any... options..."

"Isn't it pretty good?"

Compared to the fourth person's disdain, the fifth person seemed quite interested in it.

Misaki Shokuhou had her hands behind her back, as if she was imagining something.

"All we have to do is put on those clothes, and whatever we do after that doesn't matter. Isn't that just like our daily lives?"

"That's true, but... but walking around in a Santa Claus costume with so many people watching..."

"Oh dear~ Misaka-san is still shy after all. But I don't think there's much difference between the women's and men's Christmas outfits. Hmm... I feel like Misaka-san could even wear the men's style without any problem?"

"What kind of nonsense is that?!"

With just a few words, Misaka Mikoto was immediately enraged by Shokuhou Misaki in front of her.

The third girl had bright blue sparks flashing above her head as she gritted her teeth.

"Alright! Then let me show you that even I have my own charm!"

"Hmm~ This is really something to look forward to. Let's have a contest to see who can wear this outfit until dawn!"

"Let's... let's compete then!"

From an angle unseen by everyone, Misaki Shokuhou secretly gave the host an OK sign, which immediately put the host at ease. The host thanked the fifth girl with a nod of gratitude.

"It's not that I can't do it, it just feels too naive."

"Alright! I'll take on the role of Santa Claus. Since Santa's job is to give gifts to people, I'll be the one to instill courage in everyone! Wearing this costume to help others will surely help more people understand the meaning of courage!"

Although Mugino Shizuri was somewhat dissatisfied, she hesitated for a moment before deciding to put it on.

Meanwhile, Xiaoban Junba had planned to wear this outfit from the very beginning.

So, in the end, all that's left is...

"Yes, it's a Christmas outfit, right?"

Upon hearing this voice, the host felt a jolt in his heart.

That was Kakine Teitoku, the second-ranked member of Academy City.

If it's that kind of guy, let him wear a Christmas outfit in front of other people and walk down the street or something...

That's obviously impossible.

"It's over, it looks like we're going to fail because of him this time..." That was all the host could think.

"I see, then I'll wear it."

"So it still doesn't work. I'm sorry—!! Huh?"

As if thinking he had misheard, the host blinked immediately.

"Huh?! You, do you even know how to dress like that?! That outfit, that Santa Claus costume—"

"You talk too much nonsense, or are you deaf and didn't hear what I said?"

The second young man glanced at him briefly, and with just that one simple glance, the host immediately dared not say anything more.

"That's all. Well, you don't need to worry about me going back on my word. I have no reason to."

"No, no! How could I possibly have such a thought! Thank you so much..."

Although it's unclear exactly what happened, but...

For the host, Kakine Teito's agreement to his request meant that one of the two most difficult problems had been solved.

however.

I doubt anyone noticed that.

Despite the host's hurried thanks, Accelerator noticed something that no one else had paid attention to.

The second-ranked member of Academy City, Kakine Teitoku.

When he said those words, the expression on his face seemed different from usual.

It seems to look more complicated.

Even without observing the subtle changes in his inner thoughts, this can still be analyzed.

And it's likely that only Accelerator realized this.

"So, Mr. Accelerator...?"

Now that everyone has reached a conclusion, the only person left is the one in front of us.

The first one, Accelerator, also had to put on this Santa Claus costume, just like the other Level 5 superpowered beings.

"...This is really troublesome."

For him, this was nothing, because Accelerator didn't particularly care about other people's opinions.

He just felt that his behavior was stupid.

but…

Unlike the others, Accelerator already knew from Hatsune Miku that he would be wearing a Santa Claus outfit all day long before he arrived here.

The situation is as follows with Hatsune Miku.

"Waaaaah, I really want to see it!! Please make an exception and change it to the Santa Claus version for me, okay~"

Therefore, in conclusion, even if Accelerator feels this is foolish, the actual situation is beyond his control.

If I don't do it, this guy will definitely do something even stupider to me, just like he did the night before.

Even the number one person couldn't stand being tortured like this every day.

"You're such a busybody, I'll do as you ask."

"Really?!"

"On the condition that you stop assigning me all sorts of ridiculous tasks, understand?"

That way, at least we can report back to our superiors!

The host nodded gratefully, looking as if he was about to cry.

Even Accelerator couldn't help but purse his lips.

Anyway, whatever this guy thinks, they each have their own ways of doing things.

——————————————————————————————————

That's the situation.

Immediately after leaving the host, Accelerator was forced to change into what was supposedly a Santa Claus costume.

"puff…"

Then this situation occurred.

He and Hatsune Miku were walking down the street when... they unexpectedly ran into an acquaintance.

A wicked girl with long black hair, dressed in a revealing black outfit.

She was covering her mouth with her hand, trying her best to keep her voice from leaking out.

The sound of laughter.

"Pfft, hahahaha—!!! What kind of outfit is that?! You think you deserve to be number one like that?!"

Black Night Seabird was one of the new Dark Side members that Accelerator had once subdued.

This guy, although he still believes he is in the so-called dark realm, is basically no longer the same as before.

Otherwise, Accelerator would never have encountered her on the street at this time.

"...What brings you here, you brat?"

"Oh dear, I only intended to come and see those weird idols that Academy City has put together, but I never expected to see such an interesting scene, hahaha!!"

The more the seabird talked, the more it felt the urge to burst out laughing.

Accelerator even had the urge to slap the brat to death.

"Have you laughed enough? You want me to kick you across the Atlantic Ocean, don't you?"

"Alright... say what you want, I finally see clearly what Academy City is up to these days."

After a burst of laughter, the seabirds in the dark gradually calmed down.

"So, you really have become like this?"

Her tone then began to turn somewhat sarcastic.

"You foolish little devil who thinks he has completely escaped pure darkness and has returned to the light."

The dark side of Academy City, that gloomy aura, ruthlessly emanated from the girl.

She is an assassin who will drag everything into the abyss.

It is a realm that takes pleasure in slaughter, and whose very existence symbolizes darkness.

The white-haired, red-eyed ability user standing before him was once the strongest in this dark world, a king who stood atop countless mountains of corpses and seas of blood.

Now, this king has retired.

Then it's time for me to inherit the throne of this dark world...!

"Little Night Sister is so cute~"

"Varied…?!"

The moment this thought crossed her mind, the seabird was suddenly hugged from behind.

Her face immediately turned red with embarrassment.

"No, don't touch me like that!! Who are you?!"

Although the other person's voice didn't sound hostile, but—

Although they were clearly very slender hands, the Black Seabird felt that she couldn't break free no matter what she did.

She was even about to use her abilities, but a strange power remained firmly locked onto her.

Accelerator, who witnessed all of this, sighed helplessly.

"Stop it."

"Hehe~ It's rare to see her, I have to say hello properly!"

Only then did the darkness see clearly who was holding it.

A girl wearing a blue and white striped long dress and with long, light blue twin ponytails.

At the same time, she is also a world-renowned idol singer.

"...You bastard."

The seabird's expression immediately turned displeased.

However, she was also keeping an eye on Accelerator's actions, because she knew that the woman in front of her named Hatsune Miku was Accelerator's partner.

If they were to lay a hand on her, the First One would certainly not let them off the hook either.

Although she was reluctant to admit it, without any equipment to assist her, she simply could not possibly defeat Accelerator, the prototype of her ability, with her own strength.

but--

Get rid of all that messy hostility in your head.

pat.

Accelerator curled his lip and pointed a finger directly at the Black Night Seabird's forehead.

"pain--!!"