Misaka Mikoto failed to notice the dangerous atmosphere between Fang Li and Ezali.
She merely looked at Fang Li, who had suddenly appeared, then at Shirai Kuroko, who had fallen from the sky. As though she had realized something, the corner of her eye began to twitch.
"Kuroko..." With an extremely forced smile, Misaka Mikoto asked, "Don't tell me you were actually watching from nearby this whole time?"
"O-Onee-sama..." Shirai Kuroko remained sprawled on the ground, covering her nose as cold sweat streamed down her face. With a dry laugh, she said, "K-Kuroko merely felt that, as Onee-sama's attendant, I had a duty to protect Onee-sama from the shadows..."
A vein had already popped out on Misaka Mikoto's forehead, but with Ezali beside them, she could not afford to act too rudely. So she crouched down and seemingly concernedly helped Shirai Kuroko to her feet.
"Then thank you very much for your concern, Shirai."
Misaka Mikoto's voice was tightly restrained with anger, while the hand gripping Shirai Kuroko's shoulder steadily dug harder into her slender flesh.
Shirai Kuroko's youthful, pretty face began to twist. She was clearly in immense pain, yet could only force a smile that looked even worse than crying.
"O-Onee-sama's loving discipline... is a little beyond what Kuroko can endure..."
Shirai Kuroko was on the verge of tears.
Still pinching Shirai Kuroko with her fingers, Misaka Mikoto shifted her gaze toward Fang Li and Ezali.
Yet the two had been staring at each other the entire time. Though both wore smiles, there was not the slightest hint of amusement in their eyes.
More accurately, Fang Li's gaze was full of amusement. Only Ezali's eyes held none at all.
Seeing Fang Li and Ezali facing off, Misaka Mikoto paused. After hesitating for a moment, she cautiously spoke up.