The Reason It Must Be Done 1/2

Meanwhile, at the AIM Analysis Laboratory, in Kiyama Harumi's office:

"I see, even that young girl we met last time was affected..." Kiyama Harumi's expression remained unchanged, but she let out a soft sigh. Seeing Uiharu Kazari's guilt, she couldn't help but comfort her, "Perhaps we can request to use the Tree Diagram to find a way to decode [Level Upper]."

"Huh? If it's that supercomputer, there will definitely be no problem!!" Hearing this, Uiharu Kazari seemed to find a new path, instantly lifting her spirits. "I'll notify Selene-senpai and the others right away."

The "Tree Diagram" is Academy City's pride, the most powerful supercomputer in the world. It is recognized as a super high-performance parallel computer that no one will be able to surpass in the next 25 years. By inputting the correct data, it can make completely accurate predictions (simulations) of the future.

In theory, by predicting the movement of all air molecules on Earth, it can accurately predict the weather. Therefore, the weather forecasts made for Academy City are not "forecasts" but "prophecies," not possible events, but completely certain events.

In the eyes of ordinary people, the "Tree Diagram" is constantly calculating the weather. Due to its powerful performance, it is targeted by various organizations. Using its security as an excuse, the General Director Council launched it on the artificial satellite "Vega 1" to be stationed above Academy City.

But is that really the case? Although Uiharu Kazari is not clear, Selene is well aware of the intricacies, as she has access to its use.

The true purpose of the "Tree Diagram" is never to analyze meteorological data but to predict and calculate research experiment results, such as the Railgun Mass Production Project and the Absolute Ability Evolution Project.

Looking at the excited Uiharu Kazari, Kiyama Harumi inexplicably thought of her students, and her mood couldn't help but fall, "It would be great if we could get approval..."

"Huh? What did you say, Kiyama-sensei?"

"It's nothing... You shouldn't blame yourself too much either, go and take a little rest. I'll make some coffee..." For no reason, Kiyama Harumi felt a bit down, slowly standing up, as if a little lost.

"But... this is no time to be leisurely; Saten-san, she..." Uiharu Kazari seemed a bit anxious. Even with Selene's assurance, she firmly believed Saten Ruiko would wake up.

However, Uiharu Kazari also wanted to contribute and not just sit idly by.

"So..." Seeing Uiharu Kazari's anxiety, Kiyama Harumi lightly patted her shoulder, "That's why you should rest well. If your friend wakes up, and you collapse, won't it be a case of looking after one thing and losing another? Also, submitting the application and obtaining the analysis results both take time..."

"Don't worry; everything will end well." Kiyama Harumi's tone unusually revealed a trace of determination. It was unclear whether she was convincing herself or Uiharu. After speaking softly, she pushed the door open and left.

"..." With the sound of the door locking, Uiharu Kazari gradually fell silent. She couldn't help but think of her best friend, Saten Ruiko. She felt utterly useless, unable to do anything, and tears unconsciously welled up in her eyes again.

Quickly wiping away her tears, Uiharu Kazari knew it was not the time to be sad. She had to pull herself together, just about to get up to find Kiyama Harumi when "Hmm?"

Suddenly, Uiharu Kazari's sharp eyes caught sight of a corner of white paper exposed in a nearby cabinet, "This is... synesthesia?" Just the little bit of material exposed instantly captured her attention.

Her sixth sense told her there must be some crucial clue within.

Then, after spreading out and examining the many papers on synesthesia and related research materials in Kiyama Harumi's cabinet, Uiharu Kazari had a bad hunch, and her forehead involuntarily began to sweat. "All these papers and materials are related to synesthesia..."

Uiharu Kazari understood; she had been deceived by Kiyama Harumi. Evidently, the lying Kiyama Harumi must be aware of this incident, and she might even be the mastermind behind it!

And she had foolishly reported every clue she found to her...

Uiharu Kazari's face suddenly showed regret. "...Why? No, I have to tell everyone..." However, before Uiharu Kazari could send a message,

"This won't do, you can't just browse through someone else's research so casually..."

Seeing Kiyama Harumi push open the door, Uiharu Kazari knew she couldn't escape. With a pained expression, she asked, "Why?"

"Well..." Kiyama Harumi sighed softly, "Because I have reasons I can't avoid."

"Lies! What reason could justify controlling nearly ten thousand lives?!" After shouting, Uiharu Kazari's voice gradually lowered. "I'm so stupid, it's all my fault! Trusting you is what led to this, it's all my fault! Saten-san was..."

"I'm sorry..." Watching the self-blaming girl in front of her, Kiyama Harumi sighed deeply. She knew that nothing she said would be of any use now. No matter what, the fact was that she had used Uiharu Kazari.

"I promise, everything will end perfectly." Kiyama Harumi slowly walked over, her expression extremely complex, filled with pain, recollection, and confusion. After speaking, she directly knocked Uiharu Kazari out, "I'm sorry, please rest for a while."

Looking at the girl who had fallen to the side, Kiyama Harumi seemed to see her students, and her expression suddenly became conflicted.

If possible, I wouldn't want to do this, but I have no choice!

Twenty-three applications for the "Tree Diagram," all met with rejection and delays, not a single one approved!

I don't want to wait any longer; I don't want to regret for the rest of my life! For the sake of those children, even if it means letting them run in the sunlight just one more time, I'm willing to fall into hell! I have no regrets!

So, I'm sorry...

Opening her eyes again, her gaze became resolute. Kiyama Harumi knew she didn't have much time left, and the security officers would come to arrest her soon. She had to speed up.

After quickly moving Uiharu Kazari to her car, Kiyama Harumi looked at Uiharu Kazari, wearing a flower headpiece and sleeping in the passenger seat, and couldn't help but think of her students.

Taking out the only remaining copy of the [Level Upper] treatment program, she held it tightly, and then the subtle nostalgic expression on her face gradually disappeared, and her gaze regained determination.

Whether for her students or for the precious friendship Uiharu Kazari displayed, Kiyama Harumi vowed, "Once I achieve my goal, I promise everything... will soon be over! No one will be sacrificed!"

After taking a deep breath, she started the engine, and the blue Lamborghini drove out of the parking space, heading towards the "light" at the underground parking lot's exit.

"Children... wait for me, your teacher..."

"...will definitely save you!"

"This time, the teacher will use her own methods, definitely! The teacher will keep her promise!"