The Railgun Quartet and the ITEM Quartet Gather

"Is there something I can do for you, sir?" Therestina asked with a gentle smile when she saw Rod walking toward her.

Yet inwardly, she was rather delighted. Even such a handsome man with Rod's bearing had come over to strike up a conversation with her—her charm truly could no longer be concealed.

"Have you eaten?" Rod asked with a light chuckle.

"Not yet. Are you inviting big sister here to dinner with you?" Therestina replied with a seductive smile. If Rod had not known her true nature, he might actually have given it some thought.

"If you haven't eaten, then eat my fist."

"Wha—!? Pwah!" Before Therestina could recover from her shock, a fist slammed into her abdomen. Intense pain erupted from her stomach; her eyes rolled back, and she fainted, foam occasionally spilling from her mouth.

Everyone who witnessed this was utterly dumbfounded. They had never expected things to take such a turn. What was this? Failed pickup attempt, so he switched to kidnapping?

"Who are you!?"

"Release Lady Therestina!"

The members of the mobile unit instantly gathered around, raising their weapons at Rod.

With a slight flick of his finger, invisible slashes suddenly appeared like a spiderweb, shredding the mobile unit's mechanical armor to pieces and leaving only a group of terrified members collapsed on the ground.

Rod brought Therestina before Kiyama Harumi and tossed her onto the floor like a piece of junk.

Shirai Kuroko was the first to lash out.

"Who would have thought that you, you bastard old man, were so desperate that you wouldn't even spare an old hag like this?"

Thud! Another iron fist struck, and Kinuhata Saiai wore a gleeful expression.

"Takitsubo, check whether she has any Body Crystal on her," Rod instructed.

Takitsubo Rikou nodded lightly at those words, then activated her ability. Squatting down, she reached out, undid Therestina's blouse, and began searching.

"Body Crystal? Could it be...!?" Upon hearing that, Kiyama Harumi's body began to tremble. She looked at Rod with an excited expression.

Rod nodded and said, "This woman is Kihara Gensei's granddaughter. She should be carrying the ability Body Crystal of the First Sample. You need that First Sample to develop a vaccine and wake those children."

"Found it." Just as Rod finished speaking, Takitsubo Rikou found the First Sample and handed it toward him.

Rod merely gestured with his eyes for her to give it to Kiyama Harumi, and Takitsubo Rikou turned to hand it over to her.

Trembling, Kiyama Harumi extended her hands and held this sudden First Sample. At that moment, hope was born. Excitement, joy, and countless other emotions gathered into tears that would not stop flowing.

Clutching the First Sample tightly, Kiyama Harumi crumpled to the floor, her lips repeating the same words.

"They can be saved... those children, finally... Thank you, thank you..."

The three Railgun girls exchanged looks, then smiled in relief.

As expected of the old man. I knew I hadn't misjudged him... Cough, cough, cough. There might have been a slight misunderstanding, but the result was good in the end.

Misaka Mikoto's pretty face flushed slightly as she glanced at Rod, then she guiltily turned her head away.

"Uiharu, investigate this woman. Her full name is Therestina Kihara Lifeline, and there should be records of her crimes. Kuroko, call back the Anti-Skill officers who just left."

"Uh, you really do know how to order people around." Watching Uiharu Kazari, who looked brimming with confidence and eager to get started, Shirai Kuroko complained weakly, though she still contacted Yomikawa Aiho.

A short while later, Yomikawa Aiho returned with evidence of Therestina's crimes, arrested her, and loaded her into a vehicle. She then complained to Rod speechlessly.

"Was that really necessary? It's not like I'm trying to boost my performance record."

"Just tell me whether you're taking her or not," Rod said with a light smile.

"Hah, fine, I get it." Yomikawa Aiho sighed helplessly, then led her team away once more.

(Therestina: "Seriously? I got GG'd before I'd even appeared for one chapter?")

"As for what comes next, Kazakiri Hyouka, you should stay with Kiyama Harumi for now. Kiyama can use your calculation ability to speed up the vaccine's development, and she can teach you some everyday knowledge while she's at it."

As he mentioned everyday knowledge, Rod looked suspiciously at Kiyama Harumi. He wondered whether this older shut-in woman—researcher—would pass her habit of taking off her clothes on to Kazakiri Hyouka. Seemingly seeing the distrust in Rod's eyes, Kiyama Harumi could not help blushing, and she said awkwardly, "I'll do my best to teach this child."

"Write down this number—Heaven Canceller. Have him help you gather the children from here on out. He'll make arrangements for you." Rod pointed at Heaven Canceller's number and indicated that she should record it.

Once the arrangements were more or less complete, Rod saw off Kiyama Harumi and the somewhat reluctant Kazakiri Hyouka. Just as he was about to turn and leave, Misaka Mikoto grabbed the hem of his clothes.

"Come have dinner with us, old man. Saten has woken up too."

"Sure, there's still time. Mugino, you all come along too. Kinuhata, go pick up Frenda. She should be awake by now." Rod glanced at his phone before speaking. There was still some time before the next act began.

Inside a family restaurant, The four Railgun girls and the four members of ITEM were gathered together. Rod sat in the middle, with Misaka Mikoto on one side and Mugino Shizuri on the other.

Uiharu Kazari, Saten Ruiko, Frenda, Kinuhata Saiai, Takitsubo Rikou

Shirai Kuroko, Misaka Mikoto, Rod, Mugino Shizuri—roughly arranged like that.

Frenda sat together with Saten Ruiko, and the two excitedly discussed their newly awakened abilities.

"Hehe, I can see through even more things now. These eyes can see through everything!" Frenda said with overflowing confidence. Unable to stand it, Kinuhata Saiai grabbed her cheeks and tugged them, warning her viciously, "Even if you can see, don't go looking everywhere. Or I'll beat you up."

"Hmph, I don't get what you're talking about!?" Frenda babbled in rebuttal.

"I'd advise you not to look at Mugino's either. Remember the hole in the base last time?" Takitsubo Rikou offered an example.

The three of them pictured the enormous hole at the base, making Frenda nervously swallow.

"You'd better save your ability for missions. Otherwise, I'll make sure you die horribly." A vein bulged on Mugino Shizuri's forehead. Frenda had seen through her underwear last time—her winning underwear, no less. The fact that she hadn't sliced this girl in two already was restraint enough.

"I... I understand." Frenda sat up straight, her trembling body making her fear perfectly clear.

"Thank you, Rod." Saten Ruiko raised a glass of juice toward Rod, wearing a bright smile.

"This is what you deserve. Your heart answered you, just as I said before."

"Believe in yourself." "Believe in myself, right~?" The two spoke at the same time. Ruiko blinked, stuck out her tongue, and looked playful and adorable.