As time passed, the moon rose higher and higher.
By now, it was past curfew for every school dormitory. It was impossible to enter anymore.
Even the number of pedestrians on the streets had begun to dwindle. Only autonomous robots remained, patrolling and cleaning, making the surroundings feel rather desolate.
Fang Li carried Shokuhou Misaki on his back as he returned to School District 7.
"......"
Silence spread between the two of them.
This was the complete opposite of the noise and chaos in School District 21.
This time, neither of them spoke.
Especially Shokuhou Misaki.
As she recalled what had happened today and the twisted nature of the Deadlock members, Shokuhou Misaki's mood inevitably grew heavy.
After the incident, Fang Li had summoned Anti-Skill, who arrested all the members of Deadlock and sent them to reformatory facilities.
Given what those people had done, they probably wouldn't be released again.
But that wasn't what Shokuhou Misaki was concerned about.
She was truly concerned about a terrifyingly serious issue that had been raised:
(Does the AIM Diffusion Field I emit really affect others, controlling them?)
This was the only point where Shokuhou Misaki wavered.
If so, was the person giving her warmth right now also approaching and helping her because of that?
Had she unconsciously emitted an overly strong AIM Diffusion Field while wandering the streets aimlessly because she had lost her memories and didn't know what to do? Could this field have subtly interfered with Fang Li's mind, causing him to seek her out, treat her to food, and help her investigate things?
Although Fang Li said that it benefited him as well, he never explained how.
Could it be...just an excuse?
Was she really controlling this person without realizing it?
As soon as Shokuhou Misaki thought that, she felt the back that had just been so warm suddenly turn ice-cold.
"What should I do?"
She was completely lost.
At that moment, Fang Li finally spoke up.
"A bunch of scum born out of resentment toward the strong—don't tell me you actually took what they said seriously?"
His words were as sharp and direct as ever.
Before Shokuhou Misaki could respond, Fang Li continued without hesitation.
"Stop overthinking nonsense. I've never heard of an AIM Diffusion Field having that kind of massive impact. Otherwise, this city would've fallen into chaos long ago."
Setting everything else aside, if the AIM Diffusion Fields of Lightning System Ability users could produce tangible effects, the city's power generation would have collapsed long ago.
After all, Academy City relies primarily on wind power. Wind turbines can be seen spinning everywhere.
If the AIM diffusion fields of Lightning System Ability users were strong enough to have real physical effects, the electromagnetic fields and waves they released would have disrupted the operation of wind turbines long ago. They would have destroyed all electrical appliances, instruments, and machinery and turned Academy City into a ghost town.
"This is something you can understand with just a little bit of thought," Fang Li said irritably. "I never expected the Tokiwadai Queen—someone so skilled at manipulating people's hearts—to get hung up on something like this."
In the end, they were just a group of people desperately searching for excuses for their actions—excuses beyond saving.
That was what Fang Li wanted to say.
But Shokuhou Misaki didn't accept it.
"...Have you really never thought about it?" Shokuhou Misaki asked softly. "Never thought that you might actually be under my control, and that's why you approached me?"
Fang Li answered Shokuhou Misaki's question without hesitation.
"Sorry," He said calmly. "I honestly never thought that."
Shokuhou Misaki froze on the spot.
Why?
How could this person be so certain?
Was he really not worried at all that something like that might be happening?
Didn't he worry at all that the person he was helping might be controlling him?
Did he not have even the slightest doubt?
Why was that?
Seeing through Shokuhou Misaki's thoughts, Fang Li let out a slow sigh.
Should he tell her that, even if his Enemy Detection skill didn't react, the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception would still see the Lines of Death and warn him if there really were some invisible power attacking him?
In other words, Shokuhou Misaki's doubts were unnecessary.
At that moment, Fang Li spoke as if nothing were wrong.
"If you had already interfered with my mind, then I'd have to consider whether you're a pervert."
"Hah?" Shokuhou Misaki's eyes widened.
"P... Pervert?"
"Isn't that right?" Fang Li said casually. "If I were being unconsciously controlled by you, everything I did would be something you unconsciously desired. In that case, wouldn't stripping off your clothes and examining your body earlier also be something you were secretly craving?"
Shokuhou Misaki's expression froze instantly.
"What? Don't tell me you actually have that kind of desire?" Fang Li recoiled as if shocked, speaking with obvious disgust. "I never thought you were that kind of person. You're not even fully developed yet, and you're already that thirsty?"
"Stop talking nonsense by yourself!" Shokuhou Misaki finally exploded. "I don't have that kind of perverted drive!"
"Then isn't that fine?" Fang Li immediately changed the subject, his tone relaxed. "The person who understands you best is yourself. Since you know exactly what kind of person you are, don't imagine things that aren't there."
Shokuhou Misaki was left completely speechless.
Still, Fang Li's words genuinely made her heart relax.
However, another doubt soon began to surface within her.
Yes.
If she knew what kind of person she was, there would be no need to worry about meaningless possibilities.
But... what kind of person was she, really?
Having lost her memories, Shokuhou Misaki didn't know who she was anymore.
Then... could her past self still be influencing things from her subconscious?
"......"
Shokuhou Misaki silently clenched her hand, thinking this far.
In her palm was a remote control, which she had picked up without realizing it.
(There's no time to hesitate anymore…)
At that moment, she had to confirm her memories.
(Even if I lack experience and my mind ends up in chaos, it doesn't matter.)
If she didn't resolve this matter, she felt she would have no future.
Combined with the loss of her past, she would truly be left as nothing more than an empty shell.
(Only this moment...)
Shokuhou Misaki raised the remote control and pointed it at her head.
("I must... confirm myself...")
The next second, she pressed the button.
(End Of This Chapter)
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