The Legend of Level 0 in Academy City

Half an hour later, everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, though of course there was no more alcohol.

Saten Ruiko and Uiharu Kazari are both quite skilled at housework and take the initiative to take on the responsibility of cleaning up the dishes.

Feeling bad about constantly eating and drinking for free, Shirai Kuroko also went to help out.

Only Inoue Eika, Misaka Mikoto, and Kamijou Touma remained in the room, staring at each other, unsure of what to say.

Bored, Inoue Hideka turned on the TV and flipped through the channels one by one with the remote. At this time of day, most of the channels were just boring news, nothing interesting to watch.

Kamijou Touma, being a nice guy, sensed the unfriendly atmosphere in the room and took the initiative to speak up: "Um... Eika! Could you give me 10 yen first? It's getting late, and I need to hurry up and buy a phone, or the shop will close soon."

This wasn't the first time Touma had asked Inoue Hideka for money, and since Touma knew Inoue Hideka had plenty of money, he didn't hold back.

He casually tossed it to Kamijou as a card, saying, "There's 20 in here, you can use it."

After thinking for a moment, he frowned and said helplessly, "I'm telling you, Touma, you really don't need to pay it back. You know, your best friend is rich! He doesn't care about this little bit of money at all! Are you being so distant because you don't consider me a friend?"

Inoue Hideka is indeed wealthy. As Naruto continues to be updated and becomes more popular, the fees from the collected volumes and copyrights have far exceeded the royalties from the manga itself. He is now a multi-millionaire and will only become richer in the future.

Therefore, they are completely indifferent to material possessions like money, and they don't even know how long they will live. The story has already begun, and this world is becoming increasingly dangerous. If they accidentally die, they can't take this money with them to their coffin.

Since Touma Kamijou is the protagonist, he will definitely survive to the end. Instead of wasting this money, it's better to give it to his friend!

"While I'm glad you said that, Mr. Kamijou isn't the type to borrow money and not pay it back."

"I knew you'd say that!" Inoue Eika knew Touma Kamijou very well. He was a boy who was always called unfortunate, but he was a very principled person.

Misaka Mikoto was about to chase after Touma with the money when she suddenly remembered the manga she hadn't finished reading.

"Um... um! Can I borrow your manga for a while? I'll return it to you right away after I've finished reading it!" Misaka Mikoto said nervously, afraid that Inoue Eika would refuse to lend it to her because of their past grudges.

Chapter Twenty-Six: I Also Have Someone I Must Protect!

Seeing Misaka Mikoto's pitiful appearance, Inoue Eika couldn't resist teasing her.

"That's possible, but why should I lend it to you?"

Inoue Hideka deliberately feigned an angry expression, "I really can't think of any reason to lend you anything, since Misaka-senpai always flirts with me the moment we meet!"

Ugh, this guy is still as awful as ever!

"Then! What do you want in return for lending it to me!"

I can't help it, it's just too beautiful, I couldn't resist!

Overwhelmed with anticipation for the upcoming plot, Misaka Mikoto succumbed to the evil forces.

"Hmm... let me think... how about Misaka-senpai tries on a maid outfit?"

Inoue Hideka tentatively said, but immediately changed her mind after seeing the electric current gathering around Misaka Mikoto.

"This won't do, it seems a bit too much to ask of you, senior!"

"Then... a sailor uniform with cat ears and a tail?" Inoue Eika continued to tease Misaka Mikoto.

"You! You bastard, you did this on purpose, didn't you?"

Misaka Mikoto realized that this guy was clearly making fun of her.

"Well, well, don't be angry, just kidding. Actually, I really can't think of anything! I'll just owe you for now. Misaka-senpai, you can take the manga you haven't finished reading. I'll keep the rest for serialization."

Having had his fill of fun, Inoue Hideka spoke gently to Misaka Mikoto, a rare occurrence for him.

"Humph!"

She walked to the table, picked out the manga she hadn't finished reading, turned and ran outside. Only after she'd run quite a distance did Misaka Mikoto's loud shout echo from within:

"Tell Hei Zi that I have to go first, and let her go home by herself!"

"Huh? You just left like that!"

Inoue Hidekazu muttered to himself, already able to imagine Shirai Kuroko's frantic reaction after learning the situation.

"Huh? Why are you all alone? Where are your older sister and that... uh? and your friend?"

Hearing the door close, Shirai Kuroko curiously peeked out.

Girl, you almost accidentally revealed your true feelings!

"Your older sister went off to chase after the ape you admire!"

Inoue Hideka bluntly stated the truth, calling Touma an ape. I wonder what he thinks of me in his mind!

That's a pervert!

"Ah! Big sister! How can Big sister be alone with that ape! Ah! No! Kuroko, I must protect Big sister's chastity! Big sister's first time can only be reserved for Kuroko! I absolutely cannot let that ape defile her! Kuroko, Kuroko, I..."

Shirai Kuroko had fallen into a state of infatuation and madness, screaming wildly as her body, emanating black smoke, slowly walked towards the door.

In this state, she even forgot to use her own abilities. Inoue Hideka even doubted whether Shirai Kuroko still remembered her name.

When Haruharu Kazari saw Shirai Kuroko rambling incoherently and acting like a madwoman, she quickly reached out and grabbed her.

"Shirai-san, calm down. Misaka-senpai probably just needs to talk to Kamijou-senpai. Besides, you won't find her even if you chase after her now!"

Ignoring Shirai Kuroko who was amusing herself, Inoue Eika looked at Saten Ruiko, who had already finished cleaning up.

"Saten, it's past the official dismissal time now, I'll take you home. As for Haru, Shirai-san, make sure you get Haru safely back to her dorm before you're free to do anything else!"

While saying this, she didn't forget to remind Shirai Kuroko that Uiharu Kazari's abilities were completely useless in combat, and it was very unsafe for her to go back to the dormitory alone. She believed that given Shirai Kuroko's character, she wouldn't leave Uiharu Kazari alone and go to find her older sister on her own.

"Speaking of which, does Saten have any plans for tomorrow?"

The streetlights were already on, and there were very few pedestrians on the road. To avoid getting bored, Inoue Hideka started a conversation.

"In early spring, I greatly admire the young lady's life and said that I must visit the schoolhouse in person. I asked Shirai to introduce me to it. So we made an appointment to visit the schoolhouse tomorrow."

Saten Ruiko still looked preoccupied, answering Inoue Eika absentmindedly.

At this point, even Inoue Hideka noticed that Saten Ruiko was acting strangely; she seemed to lack energy when eating.

Could it be that Saten is jealous because he was so busy teasing Misaka Mikoto that he neglected her?

No, no! Saten Ruiko is not that kind of petty woman.

Moreover, the two haven't officially started dating, so there's no reason for the jealousy to be.

Why is that?

"By the way, maybe it's just my imagination, Saten, are you unhappy?"

Inoue Hideka looked at Saten Ruiko with concern and said.

"So it's because I always make you cook and I never do the dishes that you hate me now?"

As Inoue Eika spoke, she made a funny face, as if she had been hit hard, in an attempt to amuse Saten Ruiko.

"No, that's not true!"

Saten Ruiko quickly denied it, seemingly believing Inoue Eika's expression.

"I... I just... I'd never get tired of cooking for Inoue!"

Saten Ruiko smiled, but beneath the smile lay hesitation. She was unsure whether she should ask him directly. Everyone has their own privacy, and would Inoue be unhappy if she interfered too much?

But. . .

"Hey, Inoue!"

Not far from Saten Ruiko's dormitory, Saten Ruiko stopped, lowered her head, clenched her fists, and finally decided to ask.

"I want to know what dangerous thing you're doing. Can you tell me?"

"Huh? Dangerous? Saten, I don't understand what you're talking about," Inoue Eika said, puzzled.

"Don't lie to me, Inoue. What dangerous thing are you doing? Can't you tell me? Aren't we... best friends?"

Saten Ruiko's eyes were glistening with tears, and she was about to cry. She was really worried, and she didn't want to see Inoue Eika covered in injuries one day.

"Huh? Saten, calm down. Think about it, I'm with you almost every day, right? How would I have time to do anything dangerous?"

Inoue Hideka and Saten Ruiko were indeed basically together all the time except when they were sleeping.

"..."

"Then, what about those things under your bed?"

Saten Ruiko remained silent for a moment before speaking, not because she believed Inoue Eika's explanation, but because she wanted to hear Inoue Eika's explanation clearly.

"Phew! You mean that one?!"

Hearing Saten Ruiko's words, Inoue Hideka finally breathed a sigh of relief. He was so worried when he saw Saten Ruiko was about to cry, but when he heard that it was about this matter, he couldn't help but relax.

"That's for treating training-related injuries, you know? You almost saw it a few times," Inoue Hideka said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Saten Ruiko finally felt relieved. She had always known that Inoue Eika was training, but she had never thought about it in this way.

"A training-related injury?"

After muttering something, Saten Ruiko continued:

Why is Inoue training so relentlessly? Isn't it good enough as it is? Does Inoue have some higher ambition?

Inoue Hideka clenched his fist upon hearing this. Yes! Why was he risking his life?

We've already gotten rid of the crisis caused by bad habits, haven't we?

Why continue training?

"Hey, Saten! Don't let my appearance fool you..."

Looking at the insects gathering under the streetlights in the distance, like moths drawn to a flame, Inoue Hideka said firmly:

"Although I don't have high-level superpowers, great strength, a large force, or a powerful background, there are still people I have to protect!"

After saying that, he smiled and stared intently at Saten Ruiko.

Reflected in her eyes was the figure gazing at the streetlight, that deep gaze, and that smiling face that turned around. Saten Ruiko felt her heart being touched, as if it had melted, and she deeply engraved the figure in her heart.

Whether the future brings joy or sorrow, it will linger.

Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Seventh Mystery

Early in the morning, Inoue Eika followed Saten Ruiko, Uiharu Kazari, and Misaka Mikoto out of boredom. Misaka Mikoto had invited Uiharu Kazari and Shirai Kuroko, who were busy with the Void Explosion case recently, to relax. She invited them to go shopping at the Seventh Mist.

This is where Inoue Eika's role comes into play. Having been completely betrayed by Saten Ruiko, she recommends helping to retrieve the items. Misaka Mikoto and the others unanimously agree, thinking that free labor is no excuse to waste it.

It's said that Shirai Kuroko wanted to continue her investigation, so she didn't come.