One-way traffic

The passing of Misaka Mikoto and Shirai Kuroko, Tokiwadai's ace and the second-ranked Level 5 esper, caused chaos among the passersby.

"Wow! Look, it's my idol!!"

"One of the idols of the only six Level 5 espers in Academy City, I remember it's... Misaka-sama, right!"

"Wow, that's amazing! I remember the atmosphere when she sang with Kakine-sama at a live show last time was incredible!"

"Sixth place, Shokuhou Gunba, is not bad either! But I still prefer fourth place, Misaki Shokuhou! Ahh—third place, Mugino-san, is also great!"

"Haha...Speaking of which, the fifth one...I've hardly ever seen him perform."

Passersby cheered and discussed the scene, and the appearance of Misaka Mikoto sparked a riot.

It even started to attract the attention of the security guards.

"No, even if things don't get any worse, it shouldn't warrant the attention of the security guards! And what kind of idol would you be coming to see me like this!"

"Just shut up and run away with me!!"

This was the helpless voice of Misaka Mikoto as she suddenly gripped Kamijou Touma tightly.

Othinus, perched on his shoulder, sighed helplessly, cursing, "That's why I said you humans are really crazy in modern times," while nearly being left behind by Touma Kamijou's high-speed run.

"Wait—slow down, human! I barely managed to escape your calico cat's pursuit, I don't want to end up as a bloody pulp!"

"The Demon God wouldn't get hurt over something like this, and I've been keeping a close eye on you, Otti-chan!!"

"What the hell is that title?! I am the invincible God of War!!"

The group became embroiled in a quagmire of conflict, and then, by accident, bumped into someone on the roadside.

"Whoa-!"

Misaka Mikoto accidentally fell to the ground.

"Ouch... Ah! I'm so sorry! Are you alright?"

"…It's fine."

Approaching them was a girl wearing a cloak, but whose long blue hair could be vaguely seen.

She nodded slightly, and Misaka Mikoto nodded as well, but the girl pulled her cloak down slightly so they couldn't see her face, and then left.

"strangeness…"

"What's wrong, Misaka?"

"No... I just felt that girl looked a bit like Hatsune Miku, the world's most popular idol..."

"Huh?! How could such a big idol possibly come to our Academy City!"

"So it's impossible. I'm just guessing. Besides, I heard that the world-class idol girl will be coming to our Academy City on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day!"

"Wow~ That's really interesting."

However, for Touma Kamijou, getting home as soon as possible to feed the hungry Index was the top priority.

However, immediately afterwards...

Above the beautiful night sky, several even more beautiful streaks of light exploded.

"--what!"

The group gathered together and looked up at the sky.

"Look, it's fireworks!!"

"Wow—Christmas is coming soon, so there have been a lot of fireworks going off lately."

"I've finally found you, big sister... How could you abandon your important manager, Kuroko, and come to a place like this to go on a date with a man! Kuroko, I'm so heartbroken!!"

"Eh? Wait—wait, Kuroko, you waaaaaah!!"

In a harmonious atmosphere, even more beautiful fireworks continued to bloom in the sky above Academy City.

Couples watched all this from the riverbank; some confessed their love to each other, while others shared a more passionate kiss.

Mothers with their children, fathers with their children, friends, best friends... all sorts of people are enjoying the upcoming Christmas season.

Even in Academy City, which is made up of science.

During this time, I will also be enveloped in this absolutely wonderful atmosphere.

Everyone lived in happiness and anticipation for Christmas.

————————————————————————————

boom--! !

In a hotel room where no one can see you.

A beautiful young girl in a brown cloak trembled as she dropped what she was holding to the ground.

"No...this is absolutely wrong!! It shouldn't be like this at all—!!!"

Large tears streamed down the girl's face.

Her previously tied-up pigtails have now completely transformed into a waterfall of long hair, cascading down her back.

But she couldn't control her feelings.

The girl knelt on the floor of the room, her trembling hands pounding against the soft bed.

"Why...why doesn't any of you remember him...he sacrificed everything he had to achieve! Why doesn't any of you remember him?!"

I could no longer suppress my emotions.

Hatsune Miku.

Clearly, everything in this world, the happiness of people in any country and any corner... was obtained with great difficulty by that person through all their hard work.

So what does this mean?

Do they not even remember that person's name—or even his existence?!

What is this? !

What exactly does this mean?!

"No...! I don't want this!! Why can't you come back... Why am I the only one who remembers all of this?! Why... why are you torturing me like this..."

She clutched the pillow tightly, tears streaming down her face, and her constant screams attracted the attention of the waiters outside the door.

"Excuse me, miss, are you alright...?"

"Leave me alone...!!"

boom--! !

The moment the girl raised her hand, her overwhelming spiritual power materialized into a tangible impact, crushing the door shut.

Immediately, the sound of a waiter fleeing in panic came from outside the door.

But even if you vent like this... what's the point?

She cried for an unknown amount of time before she finally came to her senses.

...Three hours have already passed.

She curled up listlessly on the carpet, while outside the window, the sounds of the city's people anticipating and celebrating Christmas still echoed.

Only that person.

He will never, ever come back.

There is no longer any possibility... it's true, even being remembered by others is impossible.

Even Last Order, Yomi River, Yoshikawa, and the Extra Individuals... who are they?

Yes, that's right.

Even he himself could hardly remember his name anymore.

It seems to be... four characters...

"Accelerator...accelerator..."

Hatsune Miku murmured the name she didn't know at all, but would never forget.

No.

Never...forget...

Chapter 706 The White Wings Continued by the Girl

…ah.

How long has passed?

I have no idea how long I've been here.

Hatsune Miku blinked, her lifeless eyes fixed on the only electronic clock in the room.

One o'clock in the morning.

Normally, I definitely wouldn't wake up at this time.

…usually.

What does "usually" mean? When exactly?

She recalled once again that memory that had filled her with utter despair.

When Miku returned to this world, everything returned to normal.

Everything in the world was the same as it had been the day before, as if nothing had changed, as if the black holes and monsters that had appeared in the sky above the earth before were all just fake.

Whether it's the magic faction or the science faction, everything has returned to the normal world.

That's right.

Everyone's daily life has returned to normal.

The only thing missing is that one person.

He was just one person, insignificant, so insignificant compared to the more than six billion people in the world.

Wouldn't it be a worthwhile thing to bring peace to the whole world by sacrificing just one person?

No, that's not true.

No, that's not it... It can't be like that at all, it absolutely can't be like that, right?! If it were okay like this, then that would be the problem!!

She remembered, she remembered everything she saw in that place, and she remembered the unease she felt at the time… Yes.

The dream I had back then was like a premonition, perfectly depicting the scene where Accelerator sacrificed his life to protect her, Last Order, and the world.

The world has indeed returned to normalcy for everyone.

But... there's no way to ever restore Hatsune Miku's daily life.

This must be a dream, just a ridiculous and unacceptable nightmare.

Close your eyes and sleep; everything will be back to normal when you open them again.

"…ah."

The girl did this countless times, more than she could count herself.

I've finally realized that this is reality.

His tear ducts were almost completely dry, his eyes were lifeless, and he probably couldn't even find a reason to stay here any longer.

It's okay, I'm still a world-class idol, and I still retain the power from the system.

So, my life hasn't changed at all...

My beloved family and friends, they're all here. It's okay...

"...How could I possibly accept this!"

Can't accept it.

Hatsune Miku was very clear about her feelings, and she could no longer control herself.

Her life is now inseparable from Accelerator.

"We must...bring him back..."