A Scientific Urban Detective.

Chapter 1003 This is bad, we're about to be exposed!
Perhaps that was just a special item that Mikoto equipped on a whim—which is quite in line with that girl's interests.

Misaka Misuzu had no doubt that what she had just seen was her daughter, Misaka Mikoto.

Thinking this, Misaka Misuzu took out her phone to make another call, but after tilting her head and thinking for a moment, she put it away again.

"That girl is definitely hiding something from me. Even if I call her, she won't admit it, right?"

Misaka Misuzu was certain that she and Mikoto had made eye contact just now, and the other woman must have seen her too; but even though she had clearly seen her mother, she still disappeared without hesitation... This was obviously her deliberately avoiding her!

Then she recalled how Mikoto had spoken vaguely and unclearly during their previous phone call.

As a mother, Misaka Misuzu could easily guess that her daughter was hiding something from her!

"Hmm... Misaka Misuzu pondered, stroking her chin. "What other secret could she possibly have? After thinking it over, it can only be related to that 'nameless senior,' right?"

Aside from the existence of that suspected boyfriend, Misaka Misuzu couldn't think of anything else Mikoto might be hiding from her.

Although Misaka Mikoto has never directly admitted it, a mother naturally knows her daughter best.

—In daily phone calls and emails, the presence of the "nameless senior" is far too high. In fact, in most cases, he is almost the only opposite-sex person that Mikoto mentions, making it really hard for people not to notice.

Next, let's continue to think divergently based on this premise.

"Is the reason Misaka Misuzu doesn't have time to pick me up right now because she's with that 'nameless senior'?" Misaka Misuzu made some unfounded connections, then her eyes lit up with interest.

"This girl actually kept it a secret from her mother, so don't blame me for taking action on my own!"

At that moment, the road closure was lifted, and Misaka Misuzu crossed the road without hesitation and walked to the other side.

Unfortunately, too much time has passed, and the "Misaka Mikoto" we just saw is nowhere to be found.

Somewhat unwillingly, she searched around and suddenly noticed a narrow alley between the two buildings.

“Hmm…” Misaka Misuzu nodded thoughtfully, “It’s a place Mikoto would go.”

She was not completely unaware of her daughter's daily activities; the school had specifically mentioned her daughter's hobby of cracking down on delinquent teenagers.

So, Misaka Misuzu arrived at the entrance of the alley and tentatively peered inside.

Coincidentally, at the corner at the end of the alley, a head also peeked out cautiously.

"Ha, got you!" Misaka Misuzu laughed. "You're still too young, Mikoto!"

Misaka Misuzu strode forward without hesitation and walked into the alley.

Meanwhile, the person opposite, "Misaka Mikoto" wearing black equipment, quickly withdrew her head, like a frightened little animal, and fled.

When Misaka Misuzu went to look for her, she naturally found no one there.

"Oh dear..." Misaka Misuzu sighed, shaking her head, "What is that girl Mikoto thinking? What's the point of continuing to run away now?"

Now that she was certain the person was ahead, Misaka Misuzu didn't hesitate any longer and continued chasing after them.

However, Misaka Misuzu underestimated the complexity of the alleys in Academy City; as she walked, she suddenly realized that she seemed to be lost.

No, to be precise, Misaka Misuzu was confused by Misaka Mikoto, who was "leading the way." Although this alleyway seemed somewhat intricate and maze-like at first glance, it was actually not that complicated.

These alleys are essentially partitions between different buildings. In accordance with the urban planning of Academy City, the alleys are basically straight lines, which is quite neat and tidy.

Even though she was an outsider unfamiliar with this place, Misaka Misuzu quickly grasped the pattern.

If she wanted to leave this alley, she could do so at any time; however, Misaka Misuzu was completely bewildered by her elusive daughter.

Misaka Mikoto seems to have the ability to teleport or create clones, always managing to peek out from unexpected places or deliberately reveal weaknesses.

It was like playing hide-and-seek with her.

At first, Misaka Misuzu didn't think anything of it, but as time went on, she began to realize that something was wrong.

—What's going on? I have this feeling... like there are a lot of Mikotos in this place?
Of course there are many "Misaka" here, because there is a "Misaka House" nearby where more than a hundred Misaka sisters live!

Misaka Misuzu has practically reached the very doorstep of the Misaka Sisters' base!
In fact, it wasn't just Misaka Misuzu who was puzzled; the Misaka Sisters were also extremely anxious at this moment.

As instructed by their elder sister, they must never reveal themselves to their mother!
Therefore, when Misaka 8746, who was just about to leave, saw Misaka Misuzu on the other side of the road, she immediately retreated and chose another route to leave.

At the same time, after receiving the alarm, all the sisters of "Misaka House" immediately took action and prepared to be temporarily transferred and evacuated to other places.

But they didn't expect that Misaka Misuzu would suddenly decide to go into the alley!

At this very moment, the Misaka Sisters were preparing to evacuate.

While evacuating and relocating, the Misaka Sisters also had to be careful to avoid Misaka Misuzu, which inevitably led to mistakes and some unexpected problems.

Therefore, Misaka Misuzu's feeling was actually correct—there are indeed many Misakas in this area.

Misaka Misuzu wasn't stupid; she finally realized what was going on and began to understand that something was wrong.

At the same time, alarms were sounding throughout Misaka Networks, with the highest level of alert issued across the entire network.

—The existence of the Misaka Sisters may soon be exposed to Mother!

Misaka Mikoto was participating in a competition at the time, so she completely missed the latest news.

In the end, Lin Wuming made a decisive decision and took action.

—I can't wait around downstairs at the Family Side any longer; I have to get there and meet up with Misaka Misuzu right away!
Fortunately, Lin Wuming was already moving around, observing whether there were any other suspicious people or events that needed to be dealt with promptly during the event.

Now that there was something more important to do, Lin Wuming naturally turned around without hesitation and headed towards the location of "Misaka House".

And then, unsurprisingly, I got lost.

Between the blocks, the narrow alleys formed by large buildings crisscross, weaving together the "maze" where Lin Wuming is now.

"Damn it!" Lin Wuming couldn't help but curse, "I almost forgot I had this debuff!"

(End of this chapter)