One-way traffic

Accelerator didn't want to waste words with her, so he kicked her in the butt right away.

But that's true, there is indeed a lot of work to be done afterwards.

"What a hassle... I should have just not done this chore."

Even those who are number one sometimes have incredibly frustrating problems.

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

"very good."

Inside a huge building.

A woman dressed in a white robe or similar garment stood there.

Long black hair, ordinary appearance, and a white coat that can be seen everywhere.

He looks like just an ordinary researcher.

But she was indeed looking out the window at certain parts of the environment.

"As expected, the pieces are almost all here. Now, all that's left is to start the game."

"Although according to my calculations, after the game begins, unexpected pieces that don't belong to the game will probably clash with the pieces, that's okay... The more explosive the situation, the more I want to see it."

"It's almost done here too."

"Yes, that's great. ImagineBreaker isn't such a big protagonist anymore. For me, all I want is to see more widespread riots."

"What? Ghost stories? A one-man hide-and-seek...? Pfft, do you think that kind of thing, even if a real, legendary ghost came here, would be a match for us?"

pat.

She put down the device used for making calls.

"Then, the riots will begin."

The woman smiled and looked out the window.

The Yiduan Festival is about to officially open.

"I really hope that I can be even more 'Kihara' in the future."

Chapter 519 The Opening of the First Sacrifice Ceremony, and...

Just as Accelerator said, the questioning of Yuka Kamishiro and Mikoto Himeno was completely delayed until after the First Festival.

Although many people did die in the Kamishiro family's branch residence because of ghost stories, none of them were Kamishiro Yuka's family members, but merely hired bodyguards and servants.

Yuka Kamishiro's parents communicate with her every few months. Due to their long-term business, they cannot live with her in Academy City and have to travel around. Her grandmother, younger sister, older brother, and the like still live outside Academy City. In a true sense, Yuka Kamishiro is probably the only member of the Kamishiro family living here.

Even so, Yuka doesn't feel alone. Among them, Mikoto Himeno and Hatsune Miku are both important companions to her.

Then, this morning.

—This moment has finally arrived.

A massive cultural festival, offering a comprehensive overview of the event.

Amidst cheers and excited shouts, it finally officially began.

but.

"What exactly happened...it's completely different from what I expected."

Misaka Mikoto, who had just changed into her butler uniform, stood unhappily at the door.

It's not so much that they didn't want to go inside, but rather that they were afraid to go in.

There was a whole bunch of guys inside who I absolutely didn't want to see.

"My manager said we'd be doing a live performance with other Level 5 espers, but weren't we supposed to be doing it separately...? Why do we have to stand together like this?!"

It seems that the seven Level 5 superpowered individuals will have to perform together.

Of all these people, the first one is the one that Misaka Mikoto simply cannot accept. She tries her best to avoid contact with him and not meet him at all times. Although she saw him once in the Hawaiian Islands, he left her with too much psychological trauma, so it's best to avoid seeing him if possible.

Then let's think about the remaining guys.

The second and fourth... Although the second one shouldn't have any past conflicts with me, the fourth one... that mediocre woman is also a troublesome one.

The information about the sixth person is completely unknown. As for the seventh person, although I met him once during one of the most important periods of the Daihasei Festival, I still feel that he is not someone to be trifled with.

Ultimately, why would Misaka Mikoto herself think that being the third-ranked person is something to be trifled with?

"I'm so conflicted... I heard that idols from VOCALOID will also be coming, but that's at night. If it's during the day... Ugh, I can't avoid these guys no matter what!"

"Misaka-san, don't you want to be with the other espers?"

"You can't say that, it's just that, to some extent, Level 5 espers tend to have more intense personalities. Well, I admit I'm pretty much like that too..."

"I see. Well, what about me? I think that person has a rather kind and approachable personality, right?"

"Hmm, judging from my feelings... wait, when exactly did you get here?!"

Misaki Shokuhou wandered around Misaka Mikoto with starry eyes.

Fifth place: Mental Out, Misaki Shokuhou.

Like Misaka Mikoto, she is a student at Tokiwadai Middle School. However, as a Level 5 esper, her status is certainly not to be underestimated.

Even within the entire school, she was considered to be of a very large and leading level, and was often referred to as a queen or similar titles.

Moreover, this title was retained even within the idol group of seven superpowered individuals.

During this period, people have compared Misaka Mikoto, Shokuhou Misaki, and Mugino Shizuri, the only confirmed female among the three Level 5 espers, and discussed who was more famous.

Although no definitive conclusion could be reached, the title of the fifth queen had become known to all.

The third and fifth place winners are often labeled as "sister flowers" within the idol group, and they have been invited to appear together on various variety shows.

But that doesn't mean Misaka Mikoto enjoys being with her.

"What...what are you doing?!"

"Oh? Aren't we relatives and friends? Can't we ask about each other's situation?"

"What's going on?! Those 'sister flowers' labels are just things fans added themselves. I have absolutely no respect for people like you—!!"

"Alright, alright~ Anyway, Misaka-san has changed her clothes, right?"

"Hey? Wait, wait a minute, you idiot—!!!"

Ignoring her feelings, Misaki Shokuhou, who had also changed into her official uniform, pushed Misaka Mikoto from behind into the hall.

Everyone still in the hall turned to look at her.

"Um... well, I... hello everyone, haha..."

Looking at the several Level 5 espers in front of her, Misaka Mikoto smiled, unsure of what to do.

"What? The third guy is only arriving now?"

Mugino Shizuri glanced at her indifferently.

"Even idols are this oblivious? Seriously... their innocent nature just won't fade away."

"Say what?! Even in a situation like this, you still have to argue with me?!"

"No, no, you were in third place and I was in fourth. Even when we weren't idols, we had all sorts of conflicts, right? Besides, it's precisely because we're idols that we should compete with each other even more, right?"

"What…?"

"...What, you don't actually think that being an idol is some kind of idyllic, childish life, do you?"

Misaka Mikoto's astonished expression made Mugino Shizuri laugh cruelly.

"Listen up, idols aren't as simple as you think."

"...!"

"Even in ancient times, or even the Middle Ages, the conflicts between idols have always been brutal battles of iron and blood, understand? As the third and the fourth, you and I have faced our destined fate from the very beginning—Hey!!"

Before she could finish speaking, the door to the room was suddenly flung open, interrupting her passionate words.

"Stop talking nonsense, fourth person... I can hear your shameful remarks even from outside."

"Are you... looking for trouble?! The second one?!"

"No... I mean, although we are idols, we have never experienced anything like competition."

Kakine Teitoku walked in looking bored. He casually picked up a glass of cola from the table in the hall and said as he drank it.

"First of all, I've never been interested in idols. Do you really think we all do this for a specific purpose? Don't make me laugh. Let me make this clear from the start: I've never been interested in being an idol—"

bang——

"...Why are there so many people?"

A slightly somber voice came through.

The next second, Accelerator, Hatsune Miku, and the others walked in.

"Perfect timing! Number one! Today I'll show you, you bastard, that I, Kakine Teitoku, will surpass you and become the true number one idol in the idol world!!"

Upon seeing Accelerator appear, Kakine Teitoku immediately shouted at him with such fervor.

"...Just now, that guy said he had absolutely no interest in idols, right?"

"That's true, isn't it?"

Mugino Shizuri and Misaka Mikoto exchanged speechless remarks.

Of course, things quickly went wrong.

Misaka Mikoto stared blankly at Accelerator.

She swallowed hard, trying her best not to tremble. Of course, since she had already met him once, the situation was much better than last time.

Accelerator realized something was wrong after seeing Misaka Mikoto.

"Hatsune, remember to call me when the show starts."

"Huh? Ah... okay..."

Without saying another word, he tactfully walked out of the room.

The entire scene was enveloped in a slightly strange atmosphere.

"Yo!! Everyone, long time no see! It's finally our turn, the seven of us, to put on a massive live show!!"

Xiao Banjunba rushed in from behind with great enthusiasm.

As a result, he witnessed this scene as soon as he entered the room.

The atmosphere became even more awkward.

"Huh? What's going on? The atmosphere's gotten so gloomy... Did I just not make a grand entrance enough?!"

"No, I don't think it's that kind of problem at all."

Kakine Teitoku made a casual remark, while also glancing at the third person not far away.

Misaka Mikoto shook her head, pretended nothing was wrong, and ran to the side, picking up a drink and starting to drink.

"That guy, there must be a lot going on between him and the number one player."

Other voices came from around me.

Mugino Shizuri, also holding a glass of cola, looked at the other person and spoke slowly.

"It's more like a miracle that this kind of event can still be held now. Seven level five superpowered individuals, each of them has their own intolerable points with each other, but even so, the few of us have been able to maintain this state so far, which is hard for even me to believe."

"After all, it's something that's publicly shown to the public. As an idol, you probably wouldn't want your image to be ruined."

Misaka Mikoto probably thinks so too.

Although I really dislike seeing the person in first place in this kind of place, I still consider him an idol.

As an idol, one will ultimately have to consider the bigger picture and all sorts of things that are going on for them.

"That's what I said... but afterwards I had a really bad feeling about it."

Kakine Teitoku looked at the live performance that was about to begin with a dangerous thought.

Seven Level 5 superpowered individuals.

Next, we will perform a live concert together.