I, Kurumi Tokisaki, Am a Wanderer

The shapely legs wrapped in black stockings pressed tightly together, and Yumiya Rakko gripped the pen in her hand firmly.

Even at the private Shidarezakura Academy, she was considered an uncommon beauty.

That slightly timid demeanor only made her more endearing.

She longed for friends and to be liked by her classmates, but she lacked the courage to even strike up a conversation.

"Sister~~"

A soft, sweet ringtone echoed.

Yumiya hurriedly pulled her phone out of her Guagua Froggy-themed bag, carefully glancing around to ensure she wasn't disturbing anyone before answering the call.

"—The mission begins." A hauntingly enchanting voice spoke.

"I... I understand!" Hastily gathering her belongings, Yumiya bolted out of the classroom.

"Rakko-chan is so cute, isn't she?"

"Yeah, yeah, and she's got such a great figure."

"Just like a bunny."

After Yumiya left, the other girls in the room began whispering about her.

Contrary to her self-perception as timid and unremarkable, she was actually quite well-liked.

Yumiya dashed down the stairs, her timid, rabbit-like demeanor gradually transforming.

Mission... mission...

She repeated the word to herself, her expression growing colder and sharper by the moment.

—I am the hunter.

...

Rikuto trailed Kurumi and her companions from a distance, stealthily shadowing them.

Looking at the map on her phone, she was almost certain of Kurumi's destination—the world-class amusement park in the Sixth District.

Rikuto exhaled deeply. This time, she was determined not to lose them.

She had put immense effort into tailing them along the way, narrowly avoiding losing track of them several times. Thankfully, she had always managed to "luckily" spot Kurumi-senpai again.

As Kurumi, Mikoto, and the others bought their tickets and entered the park, Rikuto quickly chased after them.

However, she hit a snag at the automatic ticket machine. Just as she was about to swipe her card, people kept cutting in front of her, stealing her spot.

Rikuto was so anxious she was almost in tears. Kurumi's figure was about to disappear from her sight. Silently muttering to herself, "I'll make up for it next time," she vaulted over the barrier.

...

As one of the world's top-tier amusement parks, it was naturally filled with countless couples openly showing their affection.

Shirai Kuroko looked on enviously. She had imagined herself and her onee-sama in a similar situation.

"This place will do." Kurumi turned back, smiling warmly.

Shirai glared at Kurumi like a vengeful spirit.

At an outdoor café, the group casually chose a table. Mikoto sat down with a huff and began tending to the swollen bump on Kuroko's head.

"You... when are you ever going to learn?" Mikoto scolded.

"Onee-sama... Onee-sama is so gentle with me," Kuroko murmured, clearly not paying attention to Mikoto's words.

She mumbled dreamily, "As expected, onee-sama does care about Kuroko after all!"

But the moment her eyes fell on Kurumi, who was smiling warmly at them nearby, Kuroko's face fell.

"This woman…"

Scheming woman, sneaky cat!

Kuroko silently cursed Kurumi. On such a beautiful day, she had even gone so far as to shirk her duties and hand her work over to her colleagues, all for a chance to spend time with her onee-sama. And yet, this woman had to ruin her perfect day.

"If the sneaky cat had even a shred of conscience, she wouldn't be interfering with Kuroko's date with onee-sama," Kuroko grumbled loudly enough for all three of them to hear.

"What nonsense are you spouting now!" Mikoto Misaka smacked away Kuroko's wandering hand.

"As I thought... in front of this sneaky cat, Kuroko... Kuroko has no place anymore." She pretended to sob dramatically.

Ignoring Kuroko's self-directed performance, Mikoto turned to Kurumi and asked, "What are you looking at, Kurumi-senpai?"

"A little kitten, a bit silly but kind of cute," Kurumi replied with a light laugh.

"A little kitten... silly? Cute!?" Mikoto froze for a moment, her face suddenly turning a bright shade of red. "I-I-I…"

Kurumi shifted her gaze back from behind Mikoto, aware that the girl had likely misunderstood her comment. But she chose not to explain. Mikoto's flustered expression was simply too amusing to interrupt.

"Let's go; it's our turn now." Kurumi gestured towards the approaching bunny-maid attendant, calling Mikoto and Kuroko to follow.

...

Rikuto continued to tail Kurumi and her group, joining in on whatever rides they chose.

But her attention constantly darted around as she tried to locate that person from before.

After shakily stepping off what was billed as the world's fastest roller coaster, Rikuto's legs trembled beneath her.

She couldn't believe how terrifyingly bold Kurumi-senpai's choices were—always seeking out the most thrilling attractions. While Mikoto and Kuroko managed just fine as a group of three, Rikuto, following alone, had to suffer in silence.

She was already faint-hearted, and doing this solo only made it worse. Rikuto even started to suspect that Kurumi had spotted her long ago and was deliberately torturing her.

But... that couldn't be possible. Kurumi-senpai was such a considerate person.

Rikuto conveniently ignored all the times Kurumi had mischievously teased her before.

"Let's go! Next up is this one!" Kurumi raised the map in her hand. "The world's tallest vertical drop roller coaster!"

Click click—

Watching Kurumi excitedly lead the way, Rikuto metaphorically turned to stone, her world crumbling into gray fragments.

Wait!

Just then, she caught sight of her—the black-haired, twin-tailed girl.

She'd found her.

...

With a demeanor entirely different from her usual timid self, Yumiya Rakko trailed Kurumi.

She blended seamlessly into the crowd. Her gaze, expression, and posture were all flawlessly natural. Any hint of self-doubt was gone.

Calm and terrifying, like a lynx closing in on its prey.

As a product of the artificial workshop, Yumiya Rakko was the only Level 0 within their ranks. Her presence in the dark organization School owed to her unique talents.

She was their sniper.

However, this mission wasn't about taking down the target but rather gathering every piece of information related to them and reporting back to her superior.

How boring.

Scanning her surroundings for clues, Yumiya came to an unbelievable realization.

She was being followed.

It was almost laughable—her, a master of concealment, being tailed so effectively that she couldn't shake her pursuer.

Who was it? What was their goal?

Yumiya had no idea.

Turning and weaving through the amusement park, she finally slipped into a remote corner. Scanning the area with her sharp eyes, she confirmed there was not a single soul in sight. Yet the feeling of being watched lingered.

A reflective ability user? Or someone controlling animals?

Yumiya pondered, opting for a simple test.

"Come out! I see you!"

To her shock, a pink-haired girl with two bun-like pigtails emerged before her eyes.

...

Good grief. How can someone be this dumb?

Hidden in the distance, Kurumi facepalmed as she watched the scene unfold.

Leaning back slightly, Yumiya Rakko flicked her right wrist, her eyes sharp and vigilant as she focused on Rikuto.

From within her sleeve came a faint click-click sound, like the turning of gears or the cocking of a mechanism.

Yumiya raised her right wrist slightly, curling her four fingers, her index finger lightly bent as though resting on a trigger.

She didn't know who this girl was, but she recognized the school uniform she wore.

—Nagatenjouki Academy.

The same school as her target.

These ability users are really such a pain, Yumiya thought bitterly. All her painstakingly honed concealment techniques couldn't compare to their innate abilities.

...

Standing before the twin-tailed girl, Rikuto nervously bit her lip, her demeanor uneasy.

Yumiya, on the other hand, had assumed a battle-ready stance. She preferred to savor her prey's struggles, but this place was too dangerous. Just nearby were two Level 5 ability users, one of whom was the newly crowned No. 1.

She began to consider whether she should end this quickly.

But then, Yumiya noticed Rikuto's face suddenly change, her expression one of shock, as though she had seen a ghost. Rikuto's wide eyes were fixed on something behind Yumiya.

Trying to trick me into looking back? Yumiya sneered. She wouldn't fall for such a simple ploy.

And yet—

Tap.

A hand lightly rested on Yumiya's shoulder, accompanied by a low, seductive, and alluring voice greeting Rikuto from behind her.

"Yo, little Rikuto~~~ Is this your friend?"

Yumiya's body froze instantly, a cold sweat soaking through the back of her shirt. Her whole body trembled slightly.

When did they get here? How did I not notice!?

Rikuto's sudden appearance had already been a shock, but now this—another person, even more dangerous.

She hadn't sensed the slightest hint of anything unusual.

But this presence behind her was leagues beyond the pink-haired girl she had been tracking. It was terrifying.

...

Kurumi emerged from behind Yumiya, stepping gracefully toward Rikuto.

Yumiya could only watch the elegant, poised figure walking away from her. Cold sweat continued to drip down her back, and a chill seemed to settle over her.

She had never experienced such an overwhelming sense of dread. It was as if she were a delinquent student who hadn't done her homework and had suddenly found herself face-to-face with the dean of discipline.

Her vision blurred with confusion. She slowly raised her right arm, aiming at Kurumi's back. A faint glint of cold steel gleamed from her sleeve.

On her wrists, Yumiya wore custom-built, modified sniper gear. The devices could be dismantled and reassembled on the fly with the flex of her wrist, firing gas-propelled projectiles from her sleeves to eliminate targets.

Her left arm was for long-range engagements, her right for close combat.

The girl walking away from her was slender, her figure graceful. Her black lace dress was slightly open at the back, revealing smooth, radiant skin and the delicate outline of her shoulder blades.

But it was precisely this girl's back that bore an invisible weight—a presence so oppressive it felt like a mountain pressing down on Yumiya's chest, leaving her immobilized.

Her index finger twitched, and a pained whimper escaped her throat.

A foreboding premonition screamed in her mind: If she pulled the trigger, she would be the one who died.

For the first time, Yumiya Rakko understood the immense gap between a Level 0 and a Level 5 ranked No. 1.

Her expression darkened, and after a tense moment, she slowly lowered her hand.

Our boss has really picked an impossible target this time...

Emerging from her shadowy world, Kurumi walked toward Rikuto with a warm smile, her demeanor as gentle as a spring breeze.

"Kurumi-senpai..." Rikuto's expression was blank, her gaze dazed like a bewildered fawn.

She glanced at Yumiya behind Kurumi, watching the private school girl lift her arm, the cuff of her sleeve aimed directly at Kurumi's back.

Anxiety filled Rikuto's face.

But before she could warn her, she felt a sudden weight on her head.

Kurumi raised both hands, gripping Rikuto's twin buns, and began to playfully shake her head.

"Little Rikuto came here to play and didn't even tell me~ I'm so heartbroken~"

"No... It's not like that!" Rikuto stammered, panic setting in. Despite being shaken dizzy, she frantically waved her hands in protest.

"Oh, right. Is that your 'friend' over there?" Kurumi leaned in closer to Rikuto.

Rikuto snapped out of her daze and hastily tried to warn Kurumi that this was the stalker she had mentioned before—the dangerous one.

But before she could get the words out, Kurumi had already turned her head, her smile widening as she extended a hand toward Yumiya in invitation.

"Want to come play with us?"

"W-wait, Kurumi-senpai!" Rikuto panicked immediately, her senpai's actions baffling her.

"I know, I know," Kurumi said, leaning her head toward Rikuto. "It'll be fine."

However, the scene didn't come across as intimate or tender.

As Kurumi leaned toward Rikuto, the flustered girl instinctively activated her ability. Though her hands could still feel the contact, her senses reflexively ignored it, and suddenly, it felt like the secluded space was empty except for Kurumi and Yumiya Rakko.

Kurumi gave a resigned laugh. Letting go of Rikuto, she returned her gaze to Yumiya, who now looked visibly confused after Rikuto had seemingly vanished into thin air.

"I…" Yumiya murmured, her mind clouded by an inexplicable sensation, as if something vital had been hidden from her. She hated this feeling—it reminded her of the likes of Shokuhou Misaki or Aiho Yomikawa.

But what truly caught her off guard was Kurumi's invitation. For a moment, it felt like an eternal winter had melted into the brilliance of spring sunshine.

She couldn't recall ever being invited by anyone before, and to think her first invitation came from… her mission target?

Yumiya's mind spiraled with chaotic thoughts.

After all, her superior's instructions were simply to gather information and report on the target.

"C-could I make a quick call to confirm?" Yumiya stammered nervously, leaving Kurumi struggling to suppress a twitch in her expression.

If this is the state of everyone in the dark side, then the entire organization is doomed, Kurumi thought.

...

With her back to Kurumi, Yumiya crouched in the shadow of a tree, cautiously pulling out her phone from her Gekota-themed bag. She dialed a special number, and an ethereal, almost hypnotic ringtone echoed faintly, like the siren song of a distant ocean.

For a long time, no one picked up.

Yumiya stole a glance back at Kurumi. Her posture, huddled on the ground and trembling slightly, was nothing like her usual hunter's demeanor. She seemed more like a peeled lychee—soft, trembling, and vulnerable enough to stir a mischievous impulse.

Kurumi, watching the scene from a distance, felt a complex tangle of emotions.

She had met other figures from the dark side before, like the delinquent-looking Mugino Shizuri of the "Kihara Clan," and the infamous "Hound Dog," who had been completely routed by the dormitory matron of Tokiwadai Middle School.

Now, this sniper from the dark organization "School" seemed more like a meek, hapless weakling.

Kurumi couldn't help but worry about the future of Academy City's dark side.

Aleister, you've worked too hard…

Finally, after an extended wait, the call connected.

"What's up, little hunter?" A languid and slightly teasing female voice answered, accompanied by the indistinct murmur of a man in the background.

"Wait—are you out again?" Yumiya exclaimed, her voice loud enough to make Kurumi blink in surprise.

"How many times do I have to tell you? This isn't what you think!" the girl on the other end retorted, her tone flustered. In the background, the man's voice became clearer:

"One ten-thousand-yen bill, right? I'll leave it here. You seem busy."

"And you say you're not out working? You're literally taking money!" Yumiya's timid demeanor vanished as she protested loudly.

"Hah?! What I do with my Measure Heart doesn't count as that kind of work!" The girl sounded indignant, as though her face was flushed with embarrassment.

This girl, known as "Measure Heart," was also a member of the dark organization "School." She frequently used her abilities to engage in "conversations" with clients at hotels, earning a bit of side money. Of course, it was strictly limited to chatting.

"Anyway, what do you need?" Measure Heart muttered, clearly irked.

Despite her frustration, Yumiya couldn't help but hesitantly add, "You know… if you need money, you can always ask me."

"Tch… I'm just doing it for fun."

"If it's fun you're after, you can find me too…" Yumiya's voice trailed off into an almost inaudible whisper.

"Spit it out already! If you don't talk, I'm hanging up!" Measure Heart's voice turned sharp, clearly wanting to drop the topic.

"I… I've been spotted by the target," Yumiya finally confessed in a barely audible murmur.

"What?!" Measure Heart's tone shifted instantly, becoming serious. "Can you escape? Do you need backup?"

"N-no… The target just invited me to play," Yumiya replied, sounding almost embarrassed.

"…What?!?"

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