Misaka Mikoto clutched Luo Yifang by the collar. As she cursed him, her voice gradually grew quieter, until Luo Yifang could no longer hear her at all.
Luo Yifang lowered his head and saw the girl's shoulders trembling. He sighed, placed his right hand on Misaka Mikoto's head, wrapped his other arm around her shoulders, and said softly, "Sorry... I made you cry..."
Misaka Mikoto raised her head, tears at the corners of her eyes rolling down her cheeks. "I'm the one who got them killed, aren't I?"
Luo Yifang shook his head and comforted her. "How could it be you...? No matter what, the responsibility shouldn't fall on your shoulders."
"But..."
"Should the person who planted flowers be guilty when those flowers wither? The ones truly guilty are those who maliciously trample the flowers..." Luo Yifang's gaze became distant and profound. "If you keep blaming yourself, I don't think the Misaka Sisters, Shirai-san, Saten-san, or Hatsuharu-san would want to see you like this."
Misaka Mikoto stared into Luo Yifang's eyes, and her heart suddenly trembled. She hurriedly lowered her head, clumsily wiping away the tears at the corners of her eyes before kicking Luo Yifang in the leg. "Idiot, why would you say something like that at a time like this?! That's way too cheesy!"
Seeing Misaka Mikoto's reaction, Luo Yifang froze for a moment, then burst out laughing. "All right, all right, I was too... Uh, why are you kicking me again?"
"Moron! Idiot! Don't laugh! And we're still fighting, so quit talking nonsense!" Misaka Mikoto snapped, arcs of electricity flashing continuously around her body. "No matter what, this started because of me, so I have to put an end to this plan myself!"
Fine... But why were all girls like this? Luo Yifang helplessly shrugged. "If we're