If they both originated from the same soul, was there some inevitable connection between the two?
Natsume-san rarely pondered such lofty questions, but she couldn't help letting her imagination run wild a little at a time like this.
Well, whatever happened in the past probably had nothing to do with who she was now.
Following her usual train of thought, Sonoko believed that troublesome matters were best kept to a minimum; it was far better to spend each day laughing and having fun.
She already had her hands full with the troubles surrounding her, plus she had to find time to look after the Misaka clones, preventing any shady characters who might pop up from who-knows-where from causing trouble.
"My imagination's pretty vivid, but suddenly bringing up something from fourteen years ago is kinda hard to wrap my head around. I just feel like... I've seen you somewhere before."
She couldn't help but rub her head, an awkward yet polite smile appearing on Natsume-san's face.
"So only the feeling remains? How pathetic."
A faint curve touched Ladylee's delicate doll-like face, as if she'd remembered something, before it quickly became expressionless again.
"But I no longer need your help with that matter. I've already found a replacement for you, and success is very near."
As soon as the words were spoken, Ladylee swung her cloak, wrapping it tightly around herself. Holding that wooden bow, she walked out the door without a backward glance.
Natsume Sonoko felt confused, sensing there was more to her words than met the ear.
Their brief exchange hadn't yielded any concrete information, leaving Natsume-san to fill in the blanks with her own speculation.
Just then, the phone in Natsume-san's pocket buzzed.
Looking up, she saw Misaka-senpai standing at the end of the corridor leading to the exhibition hall.
Tsuzuri-sensei and Saten-san were chatting enthusiastically with Arisa, while Komoe-sensei was carefully examining the contract documents, searching for any loopholes.
Uiharu had her head resting on Shirai-san's wheelchair, waving towards Natsume-san with a smile.
"Sorry I'm late!"
Realizing everyone had been waiting for her, a blush suddenly spread across Natsume Sonoko's face.
Forget all that inexplicable stuff; there were more immediate things worth her attention right now.
Whether it was a past life or a life before that, it made no difference to Natsume-san. All those memories were just... there, neither increasing nor decreasing.
"It's fine."
"But wasn't that person just now the legendary Gothic Lolita Beauty President?"
Saten-san's face lit up with curiosity, adding all sorts of imaginative elements, seemingly recalling a certain urban legend.
"Actually, she's just a robot. I checked her over carefully just now," Natsume-san said with a serious air, clearly also aware of the rumors about the Gothic Lolita President being a robot or something similar.
"Really?" Uiharu immediately grew tense.
"Of course... not."
The main venue for the press conference wasn't inside this building, but located in a shopping mall in School District 7.
After finishing the contract signing at the headquarters building here, they still needed to head to School District 7.
--+--
Firmly rejecting the suggestion of joining the cheer squad on stage, Natsume-san wore a resolute expression, ignoring the advice of the staff beside her.
It was just as troublesome as the earlier conversation.
Cheerleaders were supposed to clap, cheer, and liven up the atmosphere from below the stage, not dress up in fancy clothes and perform on it.
If anyone tried to make Natsume-san stand on a stage, the price would be an inexplicable meteorological disaster striking the shopping plaza, forcing the event to halt prematurely.
"I wouldn't have guessed, Natsume-san, you're quite the shy one."
Sitting in her wheelchair, Shirai-san leaned her head closer, looking Natsume up and down.
"None of your business."
Natsume Sonoko had learned to treat Shirai-san's words as background noise, remaining calm and composed no matter what was said.
"An opportunity like this is rare, you know? To appear on the news together with my onee-sama."
Placing her hands back on the wheelchair, Shirai-san let out a sigh, speaking with a hint of dejection.
Quite fitting for Shirai-san's usual style, Natsume Sonoko couldn't help but glance at her a few more times.
Somehow managing to connect everything to Misaka-senpai could be considered Shirai-san's unique skill.
But then Natsume-san's eyelid twitched. At some point, a camcorder had appeared around Shirai-san's neck—it definitely hadn't been there when they arrived.
"Alright, an injured person should stay put and rest properly."
Already changed into a pretty dress, Misaka-senpai deftly fastened the button on her collar.
While there weren't many occasions in daily life that required wearing such clothes, Tokiwadai Middle School's etiquette classes had covered the basics.
And the very second before Misaka-senpai stepped onto the stage, the red light on the camcorder around Shirai-san's neck lit up.
A somewhat unsettling smile spread across Shirai-san's face as she maneuvered her wheelchair, searching for the best filming spot, all traces of her earlier dejection completely gone.
"Boss, how much for this one?"
Instead of blending into the crowd, Natsume Sonoko bought an Arisa support headlamp from a corner of the shopping mall. The English letters spelling 'Arisa' on it even lit up.
It was still daytime now; it would be even more fun when night fell.
Natsume-san spent a pretty penny on her favorite one, finally satisfied as she put it on her head. Now it really felt like she was part of the fan club.
"Everyone, I'm Arisa! Thank you for all your continued support!"
The speakers perfectly captured Meigo-senpai's voice, her optimistic and cheerful tone echoing throughout the entire plaza.
"Starting already?"
Natsume-san switched on her headlamp, her head beginning to shine brightly, arguably even more dazzling than Shokuhou-senpai's usual sparkle.
As a new, shining presence, she stood out just by being there. It didn't take long for an acquaintance to spot her.
"Natsume-san, you came too!"
Hanazono-san also wore a support headlamp, smiling a little sheepishly.
"Oh, that's right, don't you have club activities today?"
Remembering something, Natsume-san turned her head, the changing colored lights from her headlamp casting shifting blue and white patterns on Hanazono Mei's face.
"Actually, I took the day off to come here."
As she said this, a blush crept onto Hanazono-san's face.
Playing hooky to see her favorite singer, only to run into the second-year Misaka-sama and several classmates from her own year—what a coincidence.
"Speaking of which, the space elevator's opening ceremony is tomorrow. Did you get an invitation, Natsume-san?"
Suddenly remembering something, Hanazono-san asked, blinking.
"Of course."
Natsume-san pulled out her phone, swiped a couple of times, and a series of barcodes and digital numbers appeared on the screen.
However, because she applied a bit late, her number was past the five-thousand mark.
Now that she thought about it, quite a few people from Tokiwadai were planning to attend.
Juufuku-san, Wannai-san and the others, and probably a few upperclassmen too.
As for Kongou-senpai, she didn't seem too keen on the space elevator.
Which made sense, considering the space elevator was poised to become one of Kongou Airlines' biggest competitors.
An elevator that could go directly into outer space would have a massive impact on the aviation industry.
Buzz... Zap...
In such a formal setting, someone was actually doing some welding.
Natsume-san's eyes stung from the repeated flashes of light. Fortunately, the light on her own head wasn't weak either, making it a fair match.
The lights around the press conference venue lit up, casting multicolored spotlights onto Meigo-senpai.
Dressed in her pretty dress, Meigo-senpai looked poised and graceful, waving enthusiastically to the crowd with her fingers spread wide.
She also wore a hat on her head—not a support headlamp like Natsume-san's, but a medieval-style witch's hat, making her look like a beautiful witch girl.
Misaka-senpai, who was usually so tomboyish and boisterous, now wore a strained smile, her hands clasped tightly together as she stood stiffly at the edge of the stage, her gaze lowered, unsure where to look.
In contrast, Uiharu, who usually seemed soft-spoken and introverted, was holding onto Saten-san's arm, confidently facing the countless reporters, seeming to rather enjoy herself.
"Saten-san, isn't this fun? It's such a shame Natsume-san didn't come up."
Clenching her fist, Uiharu declared with surprising vigor.
"Actually, I just feel really nervous."
Just as uncomfortable as Misaka-senpai, Saten-san wore an awkward expression.
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.