"...Why are you here?"
The sweet, cloying voice from behind was not what made Misaka Mikoto react first. Rather, it was Shirai Kuroko, seated across from Misaka Mikoto and able to see behind her, who reacted.
Shirai Kuroko looked up from the laptop in front of her, her expression at the sight of the person behind Misaka Mikoto utterly bewildered.
It was the sort of reaction one made when unable to tell whether someone was friend or foe.
By all rights, Shirai Kuroko, who was on good terms with Misaka Mikoto and called herself her dear sister's attendant, should not have been able to form a good relationship with that person.
However, that person had indirectly helped Shirai Kuroko last time, giving her a chance to steal a kiss from Misaka Mikoto—though the plan had ultimately fallen through. Shirai Kuroko could not see her as a pure enemy either.
But Misaka Mikoto was different.
With an annoyed expression, Misaka Mikoto did not even turn around as she spoke in extreme displeasure.
"Interrupting someone's meal with a friend without permission is the kind of behavior that gets you scolded by the etiquette teacher, Shokuhou Misaki."
The person standing behind Misaka Mikoto was none other than Shokuhou Misaki.
Moreover, Hanazei Junko, Shokuhou Misaki's second-in-command, was at her side.
"My sincerest apologies, Misaka."
Hanazei Junko merely bowed politely and said this.
"The Queen simply has something she wishes to discuss with you. She did not mean to interrupt."
Hanazei Junko's exceedingly proper wording left Misaka Mikoto with no excuse to drive them away.
"Well, we are classmates no matter what. Do you really need to give me the full force of your cold shoulder?"
With a smiling face, Shokuhou Misaki stepped forward and leaned slightly toward Misaka Mikoto's side, as though she intended