The Legend of Level 0 in Academy City

"Inoue!"

Like a prisoner being interrogated, Inoue Hideka obediently pressed himself against the wall by the classroom door.

Just by hearing Shinjuku Rika's icy voice, one can imagine that the expression on her face must be frosty.

"exist!"

The surrounding temperature seemed to drop ten degrees Celsius instantly. Inoue Hideka couldn't help but shiver, his hair stood on end, and he instinctively straightened up.

"I've already been lenient with you regarding your various inexplicable absences a while back! I never expected that you would still dare to skip class under these circumstances! You've got some nerve!"

The chilling voice, as if squeezed out from between his teeth, made every syllable uttered by Shinjuku Rika feel like a direct blow to Inoue Hideka's heart.

Gollum~~

Trembling, Inoue Hideaki suppressed a deep-seated fear, swallowed hard to moisten his dry throat, and explained in a shaky voice:

"T-Teacher, please let me explain... There's a very complicated reason behind this..."

"Oh? So you can't give a reason? Perfect, I don't want to hear any boring explanations! In this situation, direct punishment is the most effective educational method! I hereby officially appoint you as the representative of this class and serve as the operations committee member of the Daihasei Festival."

As he spoke, Shinjuku Rika slapped something that looked like a notice onto Inoue Hideka's head.

"Ouch! Wait! That hurts!"

She's definitely a tough woman; her grip is incredibly strong.

Taking the paper off his head, Inoue Hideka complained inwardly, feeling wronged.

"Furthermore! You have to participate in every single event that's available during the Daihasei Festival! And... if you don't achieve decent results and embarrass me... hmph! You understand?"

"what?"

Watching Rika Inoue's dashing figure as he walked away, Inoue Hideka was a little dazed and confused.

Does "all available programs" mean participating in all programs without any overlap in time?

We still need to achieve good results?

Are you kidding me?

I'm powerless!

Besides, the operations committee has such a busy job!

How is it possible to participate in all projects and also serve as an operations committee member?

"What? You have a problem with that?"

Shinjuku Rikai hadn't gone far when he heard Inoue Hideka's questioning voice. He stopped and stood still without turning around.

She just tilted her head slightly, glancing furtively behind her. From Inoue Hideka's perspective, only her profile could be seen.

However, just that one eye reflecting a cold light was enough to terrify Inoue Hideka.

"No, no, no! No! Absolutely not!"

Shaking his head like a rattle-drum, Inoue Hideka decisively gave up resisting.

"Humph!"

With a disdainful snort, Shinjuku Rikako finally lifted her foot and leisurely walked towards the faculty office.

Inoue Hideka looked at the papers in her hand with a long face and a depressed expression.

At the very top are five large Chinese characters – "Volunteer Application Form".

Below is a form for completing personal information. The bottom line in small print reads:

Please arrive at the Social Activity Room of Tadashiyama University in the 7th School District at 2:00 PM on September 14th.

Could it be that no one else volunteered, so they dumped this tedious task on me?

However, speaking of which, the Daihasei Festival is just around the corner.

Time really flies!

Back in his seat, Inoue Hideka stared at the application form in front of him with a troubled expression.

I thought I could finally enjoy the festive spirit during the Daihasei Festival, but then this happened...

"Ugh!"

Feeling that a good life was getting further and further away from her, Inoue Hideka couldn't help but sigh pessimistically.

Although Haruharu Shiori and Shigeho Shigefuku, who were sitting next to her, appeared to be attentive and good students, they would occasionally glance at Inoue Eika and tell her that they were quite concerned about what the homeroom teacher had done to Inoue Eika that made her look so utterly hopeless.

Ringing~~ringing~~

As soon as the bell rang, Uiharu Kazari rushed over, placed her hand on the desk in front of Inoue Hideka, and shouted righteously:

"Inoue-kun! If you have been treated unfairly, please tell me, as the disciplinary committee member! I will definitely work with everyone in the 177th branch to seek justice for you!"

"Then, may I ask you to arrest the Shinjuku teacher? On charges of abusing a minor!"

"Oh! This is a bit... and Inoue-kun doesn't seem to have been abused at all!"

"Well, just kidding! It's just that I'm being asked to be an operations committee member for the Daihasei Festival and participate in all the events I can!"

Inoue Hideka, who was originally teasing Uiharu Kazari, clenched her teeth and forced out the word "that's all" at the end.

"Oh, is that so... Yeah, right! That would be incredibly busy!"

"Yeah, yeah! If possible, Haru should be nicer to me lately! I might die of exhaustion before the Daihasei Festival ends!"

"That's... such a pity! Don't worry, Inoue-kun! I'll take care of your body!"

"Ugh... How can I not worry about this! Haru, you really are naturally cunning!"

----------

During her time at school, Inoue Hideka finally regained some of her energy.

No longer as listless as he had been since that day, he decided to bury his feelings for Misaki Shokuhou deep in the corner of his heart.

During the break, he joked with Uiharu Kazari and, through the way the other students addressed him, finally learned Fujiwara's true identity.

At lunchtime, I treated Fujiwara Masaga to a nice meal at a nearby family restaurant to express my gratitude for the previous rescue.

And so, the day passed.

When Inoue Eika arrived home in the evening, Saten Ruiko had already returned and was preparing dinner in the kitchen.

The Last Order muttered some incomprehensible words and circled around Accelerator's room.

Accelerator, seemingly under a state of reflex, lay in bed ignoring Last Order, whether truly asleep or feigning sleep.

Inoue Hideka said he was used to it.

Reaching the kitchen doorway, he said to Saten Ruiko inside:

"Saten! Shokuhou-senpai will be coming tonight, so I'll have to trouble you to make an extra dinner."

"Okay! No problem! Leave it to me!"

Saten Ruiko seemed to be in good spirits, at least much better than yesterday.

However, if we continue to let her torment her body, she will probably faint again in a few days.

"Yes! Thank you for your hard work, Saten!"

"Well, Yinghua, this sudden politeness isn't like you at all!"

Knock knock knock!

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

Inoue Hideka was a little excited and hurriedly went over to open the door. Sure enough, it was Shokuhou Misaki who came!

The thought that his memories were about to return made Inoue Hideka even more excited.

Chapter 206 Another Method of Recovering Memories

"Hey, Shokuhou-senpai, come with me for a moment."

Inoue Hideka led Shokuhou Misaki to her room, and after closing the door, she whispered:

"This may put you in a difficult position, senior, but I still have to say it... Please help me look through Saten's memories. I want to know why she is so eager to improve her abilities! Only in this way can we truly help Saten!"

"Well……"

Misaki Shokuhou sat on Inoue Hideka's bed with her legs crossed, frowning as if she was somewhat unwilling.

"Alright! After all, I don't want Saten-chan to continue like this!"

"Okay, thank you very much, Shokuhou-senpai!"

Leaning against the table, Inoue Hideka smiled and spoke to Shokuhou Misaki.

Knock knock knock!

There was another knock at the living room door. Inoue Hideka rushed out, muttering to herself:

"It must be Touma who's here..."

"Hey! Eika, is Saten alright? I was thinking of going to the hospital to check on her, but I didn't know which hospital she was in... Huh? She's already back?"

Touma Kamijou looked at Eika Inoue with concern, then suddenly caught sight of a familiar figure busy in the kitchen and asked in confusion.

"Yes, Saten is much better now. I'm sorry to have worried you."

"Wow! Kurohime is finally alright! I can't eat any of Touma's cooking anymore! Kurohime, you can't get sick again!"

Index ran into the kitchen, tugging at Saten Ruiko's clothes, her face showing the same worry.

Everyone knows that this kind girl genuinely cares about Saten Ruiko, and it's not just about the food, as she claims.

"Okay, Index, thank you! I'll be careful!"

Misaki Shokuhou did not follow Inoue Eika out; she remained seated on the edge of the bed, looking around Inoue Eika's room.

But he reached into the bag at his waist and pulled out a remote control.

"By the way, Touma, feel my head, is there something there? I feel a little uncomfortable."

"Huh? Touching me again? Yinghua... I felt something was off last time... You don't actually have some weird fetish, do you?"