Chapter 397: There's Only One Way Out
Returning the entire world to the past required vast amounts of energy, but it would prevent the creation of parallel timelines. Additionally, everyone would return just before the first sister's death. They wouldn't deny their existence, but they would save all 20,000 sisters. Yuki would have the space and time to create a more subtle and elaborate plan to ensure Mikoto's daily life remained unaffected.
The only problem was the immense amount of energy needed to send everyone back in time. Yuki, in his current state, was unable to achieve such a feat.
"....."
Mikoto fell silent. The three options presented different outcomes. The first option seemed good, but Mikoto's conscience wouldn't allow it. The deaths of over 10,000 sisters would haunt her forever.
The second option was even worse. Mikoto might regret donating her DNA, but she didn't want to deny the existence of the Sisters. That would be selfish, and there would be no difference between her and Accelerator. She would be worse than Accelerator and Aleister, as she wouldn't give all 20,000 a chance to live.
There was only one way out.
There was only one happy ending.
"Mikoto Misaka: Please, Uchiha-san, help me save the sisters... all of them."
Looking at Mikoto's hopeful face, Yuki didn't hesitate. A smile formed on his face, and he knelt on one knee, kissing Mikoto's hand.
"It will be my pleasure, my lady~"
[Elohim]
*Tick, Tack
Entering his astral suit, Yuki no longer worried about UNDER_LINE. His energy surged, materializing a spark gun aimed at Mikoto's head.
"Do you trust me?"
Mikoto was surprised. Yuki had knelt and kissed her hand like a gentleman one moment, and the next, he was pointing a gun at her head.
(TN: Muricaaaa)
"Yes, I trust you, Uchiha-san."
However, Yuki was her only ally at this moment. He wouldn't harm her, and she trusted Yuki.
Because of that, Mikoto smiled happily, with small tears running down her eyes.
*Bang.
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"Onee-sama!"
Kuroko was clutching her head, witnessing the unimaginable. Mikoto was here because of a man. She had only looked away for a few seconds, and when she glanced back at the alley, Mikoto already had a man in front of her.
She didn't know where he came from or who he was, but Kuroko felt the danger emanating from him. He had a strange outfit she hadn't seen before. But what worried Kuroko the most was something else.
(He's handsome!)
Although she was somewhat distant from the duo, Kuroko could clearly see the guy's face. He had unique features that girls adore—jet-black hair and, most importantly, heterochromatic eyes, giving him a dreamy look. Not to mention his height and that damn smile...
(Ahhh!)
Kuroko couldn't look directly at him, even starting to hit her head against the wall.
(No! It's impossible. This guy can't be Onee-sama's boyfriend! No matter how handsome he is, Onee-sama loves Kuroko!)
With her forehead swollen from the hits, Kuroko peeked again to see the interaction between the two. However, as soon as she saw what was happening, she began hitting her head against the wall again.
(No!! Impossible! Onee-sama! Onee-sama! This can't be true!)
Kuroko's mind stopped for a few seconds. Her brain refused to process what she had just seen. Her beloved and incredible Onee-sama was kissing a man.
This was impossible. She wanted to quickly use her ability and teleport the guy three meters below the ground. However, she couldn't.
From her perspective, Mikoto was pressed against the wall, her hands gripping the guy's clothes tightly. Her Onee-sama was clinging tightly to her new boyfriend and clearly didn't want to let him go.
This meant Mikoto was more than pleased with this kiss, and surely, if Kuroko interrupted this moment, Mikoto would hate her for the rest of her life.
And this was the worst thing that could happen...
(Hick.... Onee-sama... Hick....)
With teary eyes, Kuroko could only watch as the couple kissed and embraced intimately. She really wished this was just a nightmare.
Unfortunately, no matter how much she pinched her cheek, she didn't wake up.
This was reality...
(Onee-sama is starting to walk the path of adulthood!)
Unable to bear it any longer, Kuroko turned her gaze to the sky. She recalled all the happy moments she had with Mikoto. Surely, these happy moments were about to change, and Mikoto would replace her with her new boyfriend.
Before she knew it, Kuroko's gaze became empty, and a small ghost began to emerge from her.
The shock was so great that even her Level 4 supercomputer brain stopped working.
*Bang
"Onee-sama!"
Suddenly, she heard the sound of a gunshot. This made Kuroko jump in terror, as she imagined the lovebirds being attacked by criminals. As a member of Judgment, it was her duty to arrest such criminals.
(No, wait... This is good!)
With an idea in mind, Kuroko regained her spirit, as this was a good opportunity to intervene with the couple without Mikoto hating her.
(I'm coming, Onee-sama!)
With that in mind, Kuroko equipped her Judgment armband and ran to the alley.
"Stop there, criminals! Is this Judgment?..."
Kuroko didn't finish her words when disbelief crossed her face.
In front of her was the handsome guy, dressed in a black and red gothic suit, holding a spark gun. But more importantly, Mikoto lay on the ground unconscious.
No genius was needed to figure out what had just happened. Mikoto had been shot by her boyfriend.
"So, the little mouse has decided to show itself~"
Smiling, Yuki looked directly at the pigtailed girl. From the start, he detected her presence. He knew that Mikoto was being watched not only by UNDER_LINE but also by this girl.
" Ahhhhh! "
Suddenly, a piercing scream came out of Kuroko's mouth. The shock was too much for what she had just seen. She didn't know if Mikoto was alive or dead, but she could see that she had been harmed.
"You filthy bastard! What did you do to my Onee-sama?!"
"Onee-sama? Are you talking about Mikoto? Oh, I understand now."
Nodding, Yuki began to piece things together and soon figured out why this girl was so hostile.
(You have good friends, Mikoto.)
As a friend of Mikoto, Yuki would let her go. There was no need to involve her in this problem.
"Mikoto is fine, but I don't have time for games now. It's time to begin."
"What? Wait!"
Without giving Kuroko a chance to react, Yuki sank into the shadows. He needed to do his part.
"Onee-sama!"
On the other hand, Kuroko teleported instantly, hoping to track down the culprit.
Unfortunately for Kuroko, entering the shadow dimension required Yuki's permission or possessing a power greater than his to forcefully open a rift in that dimension.
Unfortunately, Kuroko didn't possess such power.
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TN: I know I know my update speeds have gotten slower I'll post a lot of chapters tomorrow. Promise!