The Legend of Level 0 in Academy City

"Hmph!" Misaki Shokuhou snorted coldly, putting away the remote control. "I'll let you off this time, but if there's a next time, hehe~~"

With a strange and arrogant smile, Inoue Hideka wiped away a cold sweat. Could it be that this reckless personality made him lower his guard because Shokuhou Misaki was kind-hearted?

"Let's go~" Misaki Shokuhou took another sip of cappuccino, but didn't touch the custard tart on the table. Then she stood up and walked out.

"By the way, it doesn't seem inappropriate for a junior to treat a senior to a meal, right?" Misaki Shokuhou turned around, gave Inoue Eika a beautiful smile, and then said nothing more.

However, Inoue Hideka understood what Shokuhou Misaki meant—to let him pay the bill.

They didn't eat anything at all!

Although it was a very high-end French restaurant, Inoue Hideka had plenty of money, so he went to the front desk and ate without hesitation.

The receptionist was a rather handsome young man, whose professional smile seemed to hide a rather frivolous personality. As Inoue Eika entered her password, she heard the receptionist say in a very gossipy voice, "Young man, your girlfriend is really beautiful! Have you made up?"

"Huh?" Inoue Hideka broke out in a cold sweat; she didn't have the guts to ask Shokuhou Misaki to be her girlfriend.

Judging from the receptionist's expression, she seems to have mistaken the two for a couple having an argument.

"Where did your professional ethics go? I'll report you!" Inoue Hideka glared fiercely at the receptionist before heading to the door to find Shokuhou Misaki.

"Tch! So what if you have money! You jerk!" The receptionist spat and muttered under her breath after Inoue Hideka had walked away.

After Inoue Hideka and Shokuhou Misaki met up, Inoue said, "I'm going to get a taxi!" and ran to the street to flag down a car.

Having seen Inoue Hideka's memories, Misaki Shokuhou naturally knew that although Inoue Hideka was not short of money, she usually took the bus or walked.

This situation can only be attributed to considerations such as Misaki Shokuhou's lack of athletic ability and her pride as a young lady. Misaki Shokuhou is certainly aware of these considerations.

Misaki Shokuhou is not a bad girl, but her abilities add to her mystery, which is why almost no one understands her true nature.

Sensing Inoue Hideka's good intentions, Shokuhou Misaki could understand why Kamijou Touma considered Inoue Hideka a friend.

He's really a nice junior. Maybe we should try to avoid looking at his memories in the future.

Misaki Shokuhou thought to herself as she looked at Inoue Hideka, who had already hailed a taxi and was waving at her from afar.

They drove in silence until they stopped in front of Touma Kamijou's apartment.

Standing in the elevator, Inoue Eika sensed that Shokuhou Misaki was slightly nervous, and her posture was not very natural. Perhaps she had never seen Kamijou Touma in this way before?

Inoue Hideka smiled at Shokuhou Misaki and said encouragingly, "Don't worry! Touma is still the Touma you know!"

Upon seeing this, Misaki Shokuhou immediately turned her head to the side and stood there silently, not wanting anyone to see the embarrassed expression on her face.

The proud and aloof Misaki Shokuhou would never admit that she was nervous.

It wasn't Touma Kamijou who opened the door, but Index. According to Index, Touma Kamijou had gone shopping.

"Ah~~ It's my fault. I brought you here without asking if Touma was home." Inoue Eika said to Shokuhou Misaki with remorse.

"It's alright, I didn't really need to talk to him anyway," Misaki Shokuhou said nonchalantly, though a hint of disappointment was reflected in her sparkling eyes.

"Well! Anyway, let's sit here and wait for a while. I'll call Touma and have him come back." Inoue Eika noticed the disappointment in Shokuhou Misaki's eyes and quickly tried to distract her.

While on the phone, Inoue Hideka walked to the kitchen, took out some snacks and desserts and placed them on the table, and made three cups of black tea for herself, Index, and Misaki Shokuhou.

Misaki Shokuhou sat on the sofa in the living room, holding a cup of black tea, and looked at Index. "Is this the Forbidden Technique Index?"

Index was sitting on the sofa, snacking and watching anime on TV. Hearing Misaki Shokuhou's words, she smiled happily and said to Misaki, "Yes, that's me! But you can call me Index!"

Inoue Eigo sat on the edge of the sofa, leaning against Index, watching the two of them with a smile on his face.

"Hmm, Index is such a good girl!" Misaki Shokuhou seemed to have a good impression of this innocent and kind child, and even her smile towards Index softened. Then she said to Eika Inoue, "This black tea is brewed very well!"

"Thank you for the compliment, senior. This is one of my few hobbies!" Inoue Eika said confidently.

After that, the group fell silent. Inoue Eika genuinely didn't know what to talk about with Shokuhou Misaki, while Index ate snacks and watched TV, completely ignoring Inoue Eika.

This situation was only interrupted by the appearance of Touma Kamijou when the door was opened with a "click".

"Eika, Index, I'm home!" Touma Kamijou greeted as he entered the house. As he took off his shoes, he suddenly noticed a strange blonde woman in the house and asked in confusion, "Eika, this... isn't she your girlfriend?"

Kamijou Touma seemed to have thought of something, and his questioning tone suddenly turned into resentment.

I was wondering why you suddenly called me back. Turns out you got a girlfriend and came to show her off.

"Ah, no! Touma, you're mistaken..." Inoue Eika retorted, but before she could finish, she was interrupted by Shokuhou Misaki.

"Yes! That's right! I'm Eika's girlfriend, my name is Shokuhou Misaki! It's Shokuhou Misaki!" As if afraid that Kamijou Touma would remember it wrong, he repeated it again.

Inoue Hideka stared speechlessly at Shokuhou Misaki, wondering what tricks this queen was up to now.

If you appear as your best friend's girlfriend, even if you can't remember her face or name, she'll still leave a trace in your heart, right?

Chapter Forty-Four: Cao Qi~~No, Little Qi

"Oh, I'm Touma Kamijou, a friend of Eika!" Touma Kamijou introduced himself, bewildered. Why did he have to say it twice? It's not like I can't hear him.

After taking a box of ice cream out of his arms and putting it in the refrigerator, Touma Kamijou asked Eika Inoue, "Eika, are you going to eat here tonight?"

Upon hearing this, Inoue Hideka glanced at Shokuhou Misaki. Shokuhou Misaki pretended not to hear and continued to sip her black tea, but Inoue Hideka could not hide her expectant look.

"Okay, let's eat here," Inoue Eika agreed, then added, "And while we're at it, let's learn about Shokuhou~~"

Noticing Misaki Shokuhou's gaze directed at her, Inoue Hideka realized that calling her "senpai" would be a slap in the face to Misaki Shokuhou, especially since she had just mentioned being her girlfriend.

"Hmm, and while you're at it, make a meal for Misaki, no, for Misaki too." Remembering the unpleasant connotations of the name Misaki from her past life, Inoue Eika couldn't get past her own conscience and promptly changed her mind.

"Oh!" Touma Kamijou looked at Inoue Hideka, who seemed a little confused, and answered without thinking before going into the kitchen to start preparing.

It's almost four o'clock now, time to cook.

"Hey, Misaki, why don't you go to the kitchen and help Touma out?" Inoue Eika just wanted to create some space for the two of them to be alone. He swore he never thought of the idea that 'Shokuhou Misaki is a rich girl, how could she possibly cook'.

"Oh? Hehe~ Eika, you really want to try my cooking?" Misaki Shokuhou put down her cup, a dangerous smile on her face, and looked at Inoue Eika with a seductive gaze.

"Ah~~ No, no need! Xiaoqi is already very tired today, let me go help!" Inoue Eika felt as if she had been locked onto by the Grim Reaper, and a chill instantly ran down her back.

After saying that, Inoue Eika ran towards the kitchen in a disheveled state, tripped on the kitchen threshold, and fell face-first at Kamijou Touma's feet.

Misaki Shokuhou chuckled as she watched Inoue Hideka flee as if she'd seen a ghost.

Touma Kamijou looked at Inoue Hideka lying at his feet with schadenfreude and laughed loudly, "Haha, I never thought you'd have a day like this, Hideka! As expected, there's always someone who can subdue another!"

Getting up from the ground, Inoue Eika looked annoyed, staring at Kamijou Touma as if he were already dead.

"Touma, do you have any last words?"

Inoue Eika's blank expression and completely flat tone startled Kamijou Touma. "Eika, Eika, calm down!"

Despite being a world-saving hero, Touma Kamijou is completely helpless against Inoue Eika, a tank without any special abilities.

It's true that everything has its counter!

"What a misfortune~~~"

The boy's usual daily screams came from the kitchen.

"Index, how about you come sit with me?" Inoue Eika asked Index, who was sitting on the sofa.

The dinner prepared by Kamijou Touma was laid out on the table. After Inoue Eika sat down, he invited Index to sit with him on the side, hoping that Misaki Shokuhou and Kamijou Touma could get closer together.

After all, that's the real reason we came here today!

"Ah, no, it's fine if Index and I sit together." Touma Kamijou quickly retorted, since it's normal for couples to sit close together.

"Touma, shut up!" Inoue Eika put on a blank expression to scare Kamijou Touma.

"Hehe, shouldn't friends get along amicably? You can't do this, Eika!" Misaki Shokuhou sat down opposite Inoue Eika with a smile, her smile carrying a strong sense of threat. Once again, Inoue Eika felt a chill run down her spine.

"Hmph!" Inoue Eika snorted coldly, turning her head away from Shokuhou Misaki. "I'm trying to help you! And you're just going to protect Touma like this?!"

"Index wants to sit with the blonde, Touma, move aside!" Unexpectedly, Index ignored the two and sat down next to Misaki Shokuhou.

Well, now nobody's goal has been achieved.

The atmosphere at the dinner table began to turn strange.

Inoue Hideka was still sulking while eating, Shokuhou Misaki was slightly disappointed to have missed this rare opportunity, Index kept eating, and Kamijou Touma was confused about what had happened and why the atmosphere had suddenly turned so cold.

The four of them finished their dinner in this awkward atmosphere.

Touma Kamijou naturally cleaned up the mess on the dining table. Inoue Eika stood at the door to say goodbye to Index, and then left with Misaki Shokuhou.

As soon as they stepped out of the elevator, Inoue Eika looked at Shokuhou Misaki and said, "Misaki~ Ah, no! Shokuhou-senpai, shall I take you home?"

Inoue Hideka wanted to slap himself. How could he still be so used to it? Wasn't this just asking for death?

"Hmph!" Misaki Shokuhou first let out a cold snort to express her dissatisfaction before continuing:

Do you really think that someone like me, a level 5, needs protection from someone with no abilities like you?

"Hey~~ Shokuhou-senpai, don't deliberately ignore my memories!" Inoue Eika looked at Shokuhou Misaki helplessly.

"Recently, a system called 'ability reduction' has started circulating among armed abilityless individuals. You'd better be careful. Although I'm utterly useless as an abilityless person, you might need someone like me to protect you right now!"

"I don't need a piece of trash like you to protect me!" Misaki Shokuhou said willfully, and started walking towards the Academy Garden.

"How dishonest of you!" Inoue Eika quickly followed up with Shokuhou Misaki. "But, Shokuhou-senpai, why did you admit it back then?"

Inoue Hideka refers to the question Kamijou Touma asked Shokuhou Misaki if she was Inoue Hideka's girlfriend.

"Hehe~~Who knows?" Misaki Shokuhou gave a bitter smile, but didn't continue.

Looking at Misaki Shokuhou like this, Inoue Hideka couldn't help but feel sad. Does she also hide under the covers and cry secretly in the dead of night?

Seriously! Why did that hippo guy have to create such a tragic character?!

They walked in silence. Inoue Eika safely escorted Shokuhou Misaki to the entrance of the schoolyard. Shokuhou Misaki didn't even say goodbye to Inoue Eika and went straight inside.

After watching Misaki Shokuhou walk through the gate, Inoue Hideka turned and walked towards her dormitory.

Back in his dorm, looking at the closed door, Inoue Hideka suddenly remembered that he had given the key to Misaka Mikoto earlier that day, and he didn't have the key on him now.

I knocked on the door a few times, but there was no response. It seems that Misaka Mikoto has already gone back.

What should we do now?

Inoue Hideka stood at the dormitory entrance, looking troubled. After thinking for a moment, she decided to go to Saten Ruiko's place to get the spare key.

If all else fails, we could stay overnight there, right? We're a couple now anyway.

Misaki Shokuhou returned to her dorm, sat on her bed, holding a silver whistle in her hand, and smiled happily.

I'm in a rare good mood today, the first time since last summer vacation! And it's probably because... I saw him again!

Chapter Forty-Five: They've gone too far!