A Scientific Urban Detective.

Chapter 1117 Accept reality
The group arrived at the "palace" by car.

Upon entering the gate, Misaka Misuzu was stunned by the luxurious interior decoration of the "palace".

Although Misaka Mikoto attends Tokiwadai Middle School, the Misaka family is not a traditional wealthy or powerful family. Seeing the undisguised luxury here, she can't help but feel a sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, mixed feelings).

She became even more worried after learning that this property belonged to Misaki Shokuhou herself.

“Mikoto,” Misaka Misuzu took her daughter’s arm, “spend a little time with Mommy.”

"Huh?" Misaka Mikoto was a little flustered and couldn't help but turn around to look at Lin Wuming, trying to seek help.

Misaka Mikoto and her mother actually have a very good relationship, and at other times she would be happy to spend time with her mother; but the situation is different now.

Due to the unexpected exposure of her "sisters," Misaka Mikoto herself was at a loss and somewhat afraid to face her mother.

But unable to find a reason to refuse, she looked back and saw that Lin Wuming was still standing at the doorway, not following her in—he was talking to Hufeng Toumi and Shirai Kuroko.

She clenched her fists, but before she could react further, her mother roughly pulled her away.

"It's in the room at the end of the corridor on the second floor." Junko Hokaze caught up and handed a key to Misaka Mikoto.

After entering the room, Misaka Misuzu finally let go of her grip, sat down on the single sofa near the balcony, and let out a long sigh of relief.

Misaka Mikoto also tried to cheer herself up and poured a glass of water for her mother.

“Just now…” Misaka Misuzu began, “There were so many Mikotos, Mom was really startled.”

“I know.” Misaka Mikoto nodded. “I was shocked when I first found out. I’m sorry for keeping it from you all…”

“It’s not that I can’t understand…” Misaka Misuzu said, “You’re the one directly involved, so the impact on you must be the greatest; and… even if we told us, there probably wouldn’t be any better solution, right? Your father might just go after Chairman Aleister to the death…”

"That's what I'm worried about!" Misaka Mikoto muttered under her breath, then continued, "Actually, I'm alright. It was Mumei-senpai and Shokuhou who discovered this secret first, and they were also the first to take action to investigate and rescue the sisters. I only found out the truth later."

Recalling everything that happened back then, Misaka Mikoto had mixed feelings, but she finally admitted, "Now that I think about it carefully, they were protecting me, weren't they? They didn't want me to suffer too much."

Just like she later kept it a secret from her parents.

After a moment of silence, Misaka Misuzu nodded: "I see. No wonder you, with your personality, could accept the relationship between Shokuhou and Mumei..."

Leaving aside the others, as a mother, Misaka Misuzu could naturally see that her daughter had a strong competitive spirit towards Shokuhou Misaki.

Both are Level 5 superpowered individuals, equally outstanding, making them destined "arch-rivals." From the perspective of "love rivals," the two are theoretically irreconcilable.

However, it was precisely because of her feelings of gratitude and guilt that Misaka Mikoto was naturally somewhat timid when facing Shokuhou Misaki.

Misaka Misuzu had been carefully observing her daughter's expression, and seeing this scene only confirmed her suspicions.

"Alright, I finally understand the complicated and strange emotional entanglements between you guys." Misaka Misuzu shook her head, revealing a wise look, and said earnestly, "Although I understand, one thing is one thing. I should be grateful, but some things can't be confused, and there's no room for compromise!"

Misaka Mikoto knew exactly what her mother was referring to, her cheeks flushed and she said in a flustered manner, "Mom, what are you saying!" Misaka Misuzu smiled, drank the water in her glass in one gulp, and returned to her usual carefree and unpretentious self: "Okay, okay, I won't say anymore... Just take what I said just as my ramblings after being frightened, Mikoto, you don't have to take it seriously."

"Huh? Mom, are you alright?" Misaka Mikoto looked over in surprise.

"It's alright, it's alright, you don't need to worry about it..." Misaka Misuzu stood up, then suddenly took off her ring and threw it at Misaka Mikoto.

Bilibili!

Misaka Mikoto never expected her mother to suddenly "attack" her, so she was completely unprepared.

However, her superpower activated on its own, and an arc of electricity flashed, striking the ring precisely.

"Oh no!" Misaka Mikoto suddenly realized what was happening and quickly withdrew the power—that was her wedding ring, she didn't want to break it.

Under the control of electromagnetic force, the ring eventually fell into Misaka Mikoto's hands. Unfortunately, although not large, a melting point did appear on the surface of the ring.

"Mom, what are you doing!" Misaka Mikoto couldn't help but complain.

Misaka Misuzu clapped her hands: "As expected of a psychic, psychic powers are so convenient and powerful. Because you're my daughter, I always overlook that..."

"Ignore what?"

“Mikoto, you are a powerful esper, and this Academy City is a city of espers—that's a fact,” Misaka Misuzu said.

She sighed softly: "The world you live in is no longer the one I know and am familiar with. You yourselves are not ordinary people. So I think it might be inappropriate to constrain you with worldly, conventional ideas from the outside world."

"Mom, you mean..." Misaka Mikoto looked over in surprise.

“Well,” Misaka Misuzu shrugged with a smile, “Although I always say that boyfriends can’t be shared, the reality is—as long as you can accept it, I have no right to interfere.”

"Don't accept it so easily!" Misaka Mikoto couldn't help but complain. "Mom, you should get some rest. You're too tired today, and you've experienced too much stress, so your thoughts are all jumbled up!"

Misaka Mikoto hasn't truly accepted this fact yet!

Although we lost the duel and thus agreed to Lin Wuming's ambition for the Crystal Palace, we are all still young at this time, and the future is uncertain.

This only avoids the worst possible outcome, ensuring that you're not eliminated, but it's far from the best result.

"It's not just me," Misaka Mikoto thought to herself, "but actually, none of us have given up our ambition to monopolize the nameless senior... right?"

Misaka Mikoto turned her head to look in the direction of the "palace" gate, her gaze seemingly passing through the walls and floors to see the people in the lobby on the first floor.

Misaki Shokuhou, Tomihime Tobi, and Kuroko Shirai surrounded Lin Wuming, discussing something, and they seemed to be getting along very well.

Misaka Mikoto suddenly lost confidence—could she be the only one who was dissatisfied with the status quo and wanted to continue to challenge herself?
(End of this chapter)