One-way traffic

"So what exactly were the methods used to accomplish this?"

"Eh?"

"Eavesdropping? Or did you detect this place using some organization's drones? You wouldn't resort to magical means for such trivial information, would you...?"

Accelerator couldn't help but frown as he looked at the person in front of him.

An ordinary high school student with spiky hair.

Kamijou Touma.

"Oh dear... It's nice that you have so many expectations of me, but I've only just gotten back to Academy City."

"...Are you trying to tell me you just happened to come here?"

"I was trying to get back to Index as soon as possible to let her know I was safe, but on the way, I suddenly heard an unprecedented noise coming from the streets. No one around me was reacting. I thought some magicians had invaded Academy City again..."

"...So all of this really is just a pure coincidence?"

In other words, this spiky-haired, powerless person in front of us just stumbled upon this incident by chance, like winning the lottery, and then incidentally resolved it?

What a load of bull... This kid, even though I've already come this far, I still can't see through him...

Accelerator sighed deeply, ignoring the Black Seabird lying to the side, and looked at the other person again.

"Uh... I remember this person over here, isn't he a world-class idol?"

"Hello...

"...So, the lady in front of me right now is really the world-class princess Hatsune Miku? I could even get her autograph without any problem, and it's the real deal, not a fake one, right?!"

"Huh, huh?"

"Eh…?"

"Ah, I guess I'll pass! Besides, idols are completely meaningless to me anyway. It's like a term that just popped out of this world; I don't understand it at all..."

…What?

"Hey, what did you just say?"

"Huh? Uh...you're not one of her fans, are you?"

"It's not that kind of thing... You know about the original world too?"

With that said, Touma Kamijou finally understood.

The original state of this world.

For this world, idols are not something that always exist. Just a few days ago, there shouldn't have been any idols in Academy City, and they certainly wouldn't have reached the level of being popular all over the world.

The second person besides Aleister Crowley, the chairman of Academy City, who knew all this, has finally appeared before Accelerator.

"...It must be because of that right hand again."

It goes without saying that you can guess.

The spiky-haired high school student in front of me may be listed as a Level 0 powerless person in his file, but his true abilities are definitely far more than that.

Accelerator, who had personally experienced combat with him, was well aware of this.

That right hand seems to be able to restore all supernatural powers to their original state, whether it's magic or superpowers.

It now appears that even a force powerful enough to influence the global landscape is powerless to shake that right hand.

The others did not retain their memories of the original world, but Touma Kamijou did because of his right hand.

The group looked at each other in surprise for a moment, and finally—

"…that."

Standing beside the two, Hatsune Miku said something, somewhat at a loss.

"What exactly is the relationship between you two...?"

"…ah?"

"Eh?"

Accelerator and Touma Kamijou looked at each other in bewilderment.

Chapter 308 Three "Heroes"

Academy City's 7th District, Idol Venue—

To allow the seven most famous Level 5 espers idols of Academy City to shine and sing here, the higher-ups of Academy City spent a lot of money to build a huge venue.

In this open-air venue, which is much larger than a typical football stadium, the idols consisting of seven ability users usually perform here. Sometimes they even collaborate with idols from other agencies, most frequently with VOCALOID.

Today, the venue here is basically booked out.

The number one ranked idol held the highest level of live performance here.

"It's really a good thing you all came. Well done, you're all a bunch of tough guys!"

pat.

Under the astonished gaze of everyone, a high-speed tornado unfolded, and the white monster stood in the very center of the venue.

She is not only the number one esper in Academy City, but also the number one strongest idol among the seven.

Accelerator held the microphone and calmly looked down at everyone below.

Today marks his first live performance.

For most people, this number of people would have created immense pressure, but for him, it was nothing more than child's play.

The number one idol then transformed into a light-smiling expression.

"But don't get me wrong."

"I'm not one of your allies... I'm just here to get your support, just to make sure you listen to my voice."

"So...everyone, listen carefully."

Despite the tone being almost like a curse, no one seemed to feel offended.

The strongest, who had taken control of the entire situation, shouted arrogantly.

"—Listen to my song, you lowlifes!!"

Fireworks, lights, followed by countless cheers.

Pure white and purple glow sticks flashed continuously below, representing the first place.

Under such a magnificent display of light, the grandest stage has officially begun.

—

"Okay, that's fine for today."

After leaving the venue through a special device, the person in charge in front of him spoke to him very respectfully.

"You've worked so hard! It's your first live performance, yet you've managed to create such a huge impact. You truly deserve to be called the number one idol!"

"Let's skip the formalities and pleasantries. Where is the lounge?"

"Just walk straight down the corridor and turn left. Oh, by the way! We'll also be arranging a second live performance later. Please make your decision once the time is ready!"

"Okay, you can leave now."

After watching Accelerator speak so ruthlessly, the person in charge finally wiped the cold sweat from his forehead after he slowly walked away.

"Ah... what a terrifying person. Most of the other idols' personalities are just commercial personas they put on, but this one's personality is actually his true self...!"

In the black corridor with walls made entirely of sound-absorbing material, Accelerator slowly walked in, following the white light.

This is my own lounge.

"One side!"

Then, suddenly, another figure emerged from beside them.

A world-class heiress capable of shaking the entire idol industry.

"His first concert was such a success! I watched the whole thing, he was so cool! He was really so handsome!"

"Shouldn't you be a seasoned veteran in the idol industry? How come you're acting like a complete newbie now?"

"...They're complimenting you, why are you so insensitive about this..."

Despite Hatsune Miku, dressed in casual clothes, pouting and complaining in front of him, Accelerator remained unmoved.

"It doesn't matter anymore, I really don't want to be tempted by this kind of thing."

"So, how does it feel to sing on stage?"

The girl in front of him stared intently at him again, asking with great anticipation.

Even Accelerator could see the emotions in the other person's eyes, and he couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement.

"...It's so-so, not bad at all."

"Right! I told you that being an idol and being able to sing your own songs in front of everyone is a very happy thing!"

"Yeah, I sang for almost an hour and a half, and all I can think about right now is going to the bathroom."

Ignoring Hatsune Miku, who was once again stunned by his own words, he simply opened the door to the lounge.

For idols, the dressing room is very professional and luxurious.

This place is like a personal space. Whether it's before or after the live performance, people usually spend some time here, whether it's putting on makeup or doing other things.

Therefore, basically no one can get in here without the idol's permission.

…except for some exceptions among exceptions.

"Whoa!! This, this is the idol's room?!"

"Well, I think it's probably best not to touch other people's things..."

"In other words, we already came in without permission, and if we keep moving around like this..."

"Stop nagging, you two! Besides, I didn't touch anything, I just took a quick look. Hmm... Oh! So, the cosmetics here are all exclusive to this company?!"

In front of Accelerator, Hamazura Shiage, Kamijou Touma, and a little girl with blonde hair dressed in white were in his lounge.

The first two looked at each other helplessly, while the latter excitedly ran around the room.

He twitched the corner of his mouth, and Hatsune Miku behind him also froze on the spot after entering.

"Hatsune."

"Wha, what?"

"If I call the police now, they can probably put these guys in jail right away."

——————————————————————————————————————————

This is the idol's dressing room.

then.

The blonde girl, dressed in white, cleared her throat and sat down at one side of the table.

"Ahem, well then, let's get back to the main topic."

Sitting in front of the girl were three other people.

Hamazura Shijo, Kamijou Touma.

And Accelerator, who had just taken off his idol uniform and was only wearing a black and white arrow-shaped shirt.

Three heroes from different fields have officially come together here.

Click. But then, the door was opened.

Hatsune Miku entered the room carrying a plate of black tea and a cup of hot coffee, along with a large pile of desserts.

"Um... if you don't mind, please enjoy these first."

"Oh? She seems quite virtuous."

The blonde girl smiled as she took the cup, filled it with black tea, picked up a piece of pastry, and after enjoying it, she showed a very pleased expression.

"Hmm, you have the potential to be a good girlfriend, or even a good wife."

"Eh? Wife, wife—?!"