Chapter 62: The Signal Gun

“What’s wrong, Shiren? You’ve got the look of someone who just heard something unbelievable.”

“Ah, no, um…”

“…Ah. Are you that surprised I didn’t immediately leave Academy City the moment I found out it was false information? You see, for a magician, I’m actually relatively understanding toward the science side. I’m even occasionally entrusted with diplomatic roles.”

For me, it was more like—Wait, this is the Daihaseisai arc, right? Or how can such a massive divergence happen right from the start!? Or what could have caused this…? My mutterings were loaded with a mix of emotions, but of course, none of that would be conveyed to Stiyl-san.

Not that I’d want him to understand—if anything, that would be a problem—so I didn’t bother to rephrase. Still… wow, Stiyl-san, you’re surprisingly casual in your dealings with Academy City, huh? In the original timeline, I feel like he’d have said something more along the lines of, “To me, as a magician, this place is practically enemy territory.”

“Of course, part of it is just to observe the situation… But I already understand why they went so far as to use false information to keep the Saint away.”

“Huh? Stiyl, what do you mean by that?”

“This is as far as I can tell an outsider like you. Be grateful—after all, I’m going out of my way to explain to you that ‘this is none of your business.’”

“I’m not sure I follow, but you mean you’ve already taken measures for this situation, Stiyl-san? Does Kamijou-san know about this too?”

“…I haven’t told that esper. We have Kanzaki on our side. I don’t see any reason to rely on the science side.”

Wait, Kanzaki-san is here too!? Well… I guess that makes sense. If the Stab Sword turned out to be false, there’d be no reason to pull her back. In fact, if the ‘Saint’ they went out of their way to drive away with false info is available, of course they’d deploy her.

And now Stiyl-san’s stated purpose is “observation”…? So he sent Kanzaki-san in because it would bother the opponent, but it’s not expected to turn into a major incident?

That would mean… the Croce di Pietro situation either already fizzled out or has been resolved?

《Shiren. Come to think of it, wasn’t that Daihaseisai incident one where, even without Kamijou and the others taking action, the so-called Croce di Pietro plan failed simply because of the fireworks parade?》

《…Ah.》

Could it be… the Roman Catholic Church realized that? I don’t know how, but they are magical experts. They’d know exactly how much light is enough to interfere with magic.

If they noticed the fireworks parade, calling the whole thing off wouldn’t be strange at all. Sure, the Remnant incident still happened, but we’ve been doing all sorts of things ourselves. Small differences cropping up here and there wouldn’t be unusual.

It wouldn’t be unusual, but…

…Wow. Just a small mismatch like that can determine whether or not a major incident even happens…

“Well then, I’ll take my leave here. If I stay with you two, there’s a risk I might run into that girl.”

Leaving me—still quietly unnerved by this divergence in history—behind, Stiyl just said his piece and briskly walked away.

But still… why go so far as to lure Stiyl into Academy City with false information? Sure, the Stab Sword was fake, and in the original timeline it was actually the Croce di Pietro incident, but… if that’s no longer happening and instead there’s some other matter requiring “observation,” then… what could it be?

I can’t help but worry. Is it really okay to just leave this alone…?

《Shiren. Shall we investigate?》

While I was sitting there groaning in thought, Reicia-chan offered the suggestion.

《The way Stiyl phrased it… it’s suspicious. It’s possible he thought, ‘Shiren has sharp instincts, so it’s better to give her some partial information and claim it’s fine rather than try to dodge the question.’》

《…Ah, yeah.》

True. Stiyl-san would definitely dislike involving noncombatants aside from Kamijou. We’re technically noncombatants, so it’s not impossible he’s lying to keep us out of it.

But even if I went after him now, I doubt I’d find him, and even if I did, he’d probably just deflect my questions…

《Fufu, Shiren, you’re too naive. Going and asking directly isn’t the only way to get information.》

《…Reicia-chan, you have something in mind?》

《Of course!》

Reicia-chan replied with complete confidence.

《If we can’t get the info from Stiyl, then we just get it from someone else. For example…》

《For example?》

I was starting to get the idea, but I asked anyway to confirm her conclusion.

And, just as I expected, she declared:

《Someone who can’t keep secrets—like that spiky-haired idiot.》

…In the end, isn’t this just another way for Reicia-chan to steer things toward involving Kamijou-san no matter the circumstances? Still, she’s not wrong—he’s a pretty solid source of intel—so I couldn’t really argue.

First Chapter – No “Cooper’s Shop Wind” Will Blow – Psicopics.
Chapter 51 – Signal Gun – Girl’s_Struggle.

“That thing? Yeah, I heard about it too! Kaori might’ve been the one who told me.”

So, we came to verify it.

Apparently, Kamijou-san was in the middle of preparing for his event, so we found Index sitting in the student spectator stands and asked her. From the sound of it… Stiyl’s story really was true.

The student spectator stands were basically the kind you’d see at a school sports day—like those blue tarps parents spread out to sit on. Just a sheet of blue vinyl laid over the ground; not exactly the height of comfort. But I guess at a regular high school like Kamijou-san’s, people don’t fuss over such things.

The public seating at least had tents set up for sun protection.

“Kanzaki, you say?”

Reicia-chan repeated the name in response to Index’s testimony.

Having gotten what we came for, we decided—since we were already here—we might as well watch Kamijou-san’s event. We sat down next to Index, listening to more details.

Time-wise, it would be tight if we stayed to the end, but if we took the Jagged Edge shortcut, we’d make it in plenty of time.

“Yeah. This morning, I was with Touma and we just happened to run into Kaori.”

Munching happily on the Academy City “specialty” (self-proclaimed) maid bento we’d brought as a gift, Index continued:

“She said the info about a deal for a magical item called the Stab Sword was fake. So she and Stiyl investigated to find the truth, and the results just came in a little while ago.”

“We heard that much from Stiyl too.”

“Oh, so you met Stiyl. Then did he also tell you about the Roman Catholic Church sending in spies?”

“…Spies???”

Wait—first I’ve heard of that.

Stiyl-san completely glossed over that part. I guess he decided us science-side folks didn’t need to know. But if he’s telling Index—because she’s on the magic side—and that info ends up leaking to us anyway, then what’s the point of that “discretion”?

“Yeah, probably. …Guess Stiyl didn’t tell you. The Roman Catholic Church was planning to sneak in an observation spell network across Academy City during all this chaos so they could monitor its activities permanently. And to draw obvious attention from the Anglican Church, they spread the fake story about the Stab Sword deal.”

…No way.

Of course it’s not true—but apparently the Roman Catholic side has decided to frame it that way.

If they really could plant an observation spell system in Academy City, it’d give them a huge advantage in future intelligence battles. And if—for whatever reason—they had to cancel the Stab Sword plan at the last minute, this would make a perfectly respectable excuse.

“I’m honestly not inclined to believe that story. But from your perspective, Index, do you think there’s any hidden angle? Anything you sense as a magic professional?”

“Well… I’m a pro when it comes to magic, but not when it comes to guessing people’s hidden motives… Still, I don’t think you need to worry. Kaori’s bad at lying—if she were lying, you’d notice right away.”

“…Could you perhaps reproduce exactly how she said it?”

“‘In short, it means the Roman Catholic Church is scattering observation-type spy spells throughout Academy City. Most likely, even letting it be known the Stab Sword was a decoy is part of their plan—to use a Saint for something so trivial, draw the Anglican Church’s attention… and then, most likely, do something outside of Academy City instead.’ …That’s about how she said it. And my memory is perfect, so I’m not wrong!”

“…Hm.”

Listening to Index’s reenactment, Reicia-chan nodded quietly.

…That was a spot-on impression. The voice was still Index’s, of course, but the tone, inflection, and speech patterns were exactly Kanzaki’s. Even her expression—complete with Kanzaki’s signature slight frown—was dead-on, and honestly kind of cute.

Perfect memory really is amazing… I want it too. Mainly for preserving my original-work knowledge from degradation.

“If that delivery was truly ‘perfect,’ then I agree—it doesn’t seem like she was hiding anything.”

Huh? Reicia-chan, were you just now analyzing Kanzaki-san’s emotions through that Index recreation? That’s… a pretty dexterous thing to pull off…

《It seems she’s in a mood where she can focus on the competition without worry.》

《That’s a relief. If something else happened while we were in the dark, that’d be a huge problem.》

Yeah, seriously.

“Reicia, why are you so suspicious of what Stiyl and the others are saying? Is there something you’re worried about…?”

“But of course. Kanzaki is here in Academy City, you know? Stiyl aside… I’m well aware of just how strong a ‘Saint’ is. Isn’t it only natural to be cautious?”

“…You know, you might have a point, Reicia.”

Wow. Reicia-chan just lied as easily as breathing… If it were me, I’d stumble over my words for sure. As expected of a bona fide villainess.

《Shiren, are you thinking something rude right now?》

《Perish the thought, Reicia-chan-sama.》

《Chan-sama… Somehow that irritates me.》

Eh!? That’s the part you’re hung up on!?

“Oh—short hair.”

At that moment, Index pointed and called out to Misaka-san. …Misaka-san? Wait, she shouldn’t be here at this time…

“Uh—ah… You guys… what a coincidence.”

Oh, she’s here.

Well, I guess it makes sense. From Misaka-san’s perspective, this is her beloved Kamijou-san’s event. Of course she’d come watch. And like us, she can get around quickly using her abilities.

“Short hair, you’re cheering for Touma too?”

“Hah!? Wh-wh-why would I be cheering for him…!”

“Shiren and I are cheering for Touma. Right, Shiren?”

“Well, it’s not like that’s the main reason, but… since we’re already at the stadium, might as well. Shiren did say she wanted to watch.”

“R-Reicia-chan!? What on earth are you saying all of a sudden!?”

This girl… She just dropped a completely false statement out of nowhere! Don’t just sign me up for things like this! I just got Index to lift her “love rival” designation on me…!

《By the way, Index still considers you a love rival, Shiren.》

《Eh? Why? We cleared up the misunderstanding during the welcome-back party.》

《……Virgin.》

《T-That’s cruel!?》

《That’s why you need me around, Shiren.》

“…Ahem. Speaking of which, wasn’t Kamijou-san’s event pole-toppling? If I recall, the opposing school was an elite school, so it’s probably turning into a tough match…”

Partly to change the subject, I threw that out there.

I’d looked it up earlier out of curiosity—the school Kamijou-san’s up against really is an elite one. His own high school is nothing special, so I just hope they haven’t lost the will to fight before it even starts…

“…You sure know a lot about this, don’t you?”

“Oh! Touma’s coming out!”

At her words, all of us turned our eyes toward Kamijou-san.

I’d been worried he might have already lost the will to fight, but—

“…Wh-what’s with that intensity…!?”

What we saw there were the faces of true warriors.

Centered around Kamijou-san, a line of students stood shoulder to shoulder. Every single one of them wore an expression of absolute seriousness. Not one of them stood there expecting to lose.

Things like difference in strength levels, or matchups—none of that mattered here. What mattered was standing up for something important. It was the profile of a hero fighting for something beyond himself.

(Wh-why is he being so serious!? W-what exactly is he planning to order me to do for my punishment game…!?)

Misaka-san was muttering something, but for me, this bizarre sight had finally jogged my memory of the “proper” timeline.

Right—Kamijou-san and the others had gotten fired up after someone insulted Komoe-sensei. Yeah… maybe they can’t fight for their own sake, but if it’s for someone they care about, they’ll stand right up. That’s Kamijou-san’s class for you.

Alright.

“Do your best, Kamijou-saaan!”

“Touma—! Go get ’em!”

To help boost morale, I cupped my hands and called out an energetic cheer. Kamijou-san noticed our voices, glanced our way just once, then raised a clenched fist high in the air.

“I’ll win.”
The words themselves didn’t reach us, but his gesture made the message clear. Man… unnecessarily cool.

“…Short hair, you’re not going to cheer?”

“U-uh, I… I mean… we’re… enemies! The only reason I even came here was, you know… for reconnaissance, and… uuu…”

Misaka-san really is adorable…

《Shiren! This is your chance! If we cheer our hearts out here, we can leave Misaka in the dust!》

《And you never waver, do you, Reicia-chan!!》

And with that, the signal cannon announcing the start of the event roared through the air.