crash she caused, she was right back where she started. He had never learned who she was hoping to attack after getting them all on her side.

Could it be?

Could another Handcuffs criminal still be out there? Was that Frillsand #G, or was it someone else? Was that why the Anti-Skill Negotiator had been fighting to gather all the criminals riding that train?

But that still didn’t answer what Frillsand #G had been doing and he hadn’t even met this Kihara Hasuu. And didn’t this gap in information suggest there was some greater depth to the 29th’s dangers?

“That’s right. And speaking of that ghost..”

Things had worked differently from Alice’s world. If she hadn’t been involved in the Overhunting’s crash, then why had she attacked his group?

If he couldn’t come up with an answer, maybe he was looking at this all wrong.

For example, what if she hadn’t been trying to harm them at all and they simply hadn’t been strong enough to withstand her presence? What if she hadn’t meant any harm and had only been appearing to them to ask for help?

“Someone out there still needs help.” New Board Chairman Accelerator gave the answer. “Her name’s Risako. I can’t give you a passing grade if you haven’t found her yet. So get out there and rescue her from Kihara Hasuu.”

Part 21

At the District 7 hospital, the ICU’s visiting rules differed from the ordinary hospital rooms, but not for a good reason. An ICU patient’s condition could worsen and lead to death at any time, so they visitors were never restricted.

Takitsubo Rikou had only left her seat for a short while.

Only five minutes at the most. But when she returned, she found the ICU bed empty.

“Hamazura?”

Between the Lines 4

A voice whispered deep in the darkness below Academy City.

No one knew these depths even existed.

But was this really a voice? It was a lot like starting to find meaning after listening to any long, drawn-out noise, like a deep groan.

“You are weak, which places a greater burden on those around you.”

The words felt like a physical blow as several faces appeared and disappeared in the back of the young girl’s mind.

..The doggy she had met in the sewers and never seen again.

..Vivana Oniguma who had protected her from that big muscle man and later been reported dead.

..Drencher Kihara Repatri who had fallen to a bullet before her eyes.

..The older delinquent boy who had brought her and Sodate-chan to the surface and then been shot by a grownup.

“This will keep happening.”

The girl curled up and held her head in her hands so she couldn’t hear anything.

So she failed to hear the female voice that was weaker than the first voice but still tried to reach her. A grinding sound dragged her away from salvation. The sound of gears locking together and turning a chain.

“If you want to avoid any further sacrifices, you have no choice but to change yourself. Risako-kun, your only option is to make yourself strong.”

At first, that might sound reassuring.

But that was all the more reason to be cautious. The more reassuring the suggestion, the harder it was to emotionally reject it even if it made no sense.

“So use me. As a Kihara, I can make you the strongest person in the entire dark side.”

Whether they were natural or artificial, ghosts did exist.

Ironically, that had been proven by Frillsand #G, who most wanted to protect this young girl.

In other words, death wasn’t necessarily enough to put an end to a true villain’s villainy.

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

Kamijou Touma: The girl’s teacher. He teaches her all sorts of things.

Accelerator: Academy City’s biggest VIP.

Shirai Kuroko: Judgment girl. She can teleport.

Kihara Hasuu: A bad guy. Like, really bad.

Risako: A lost bunny.

Rakuoka Houfu: Fugitive. Muscular combover guy. Captured.

Hanatsuyu Youen: Fugitive. Uses chemicals.

Benizome Jellyfish: Fugitive. A camera lady. Captured.

Tessou Tsuzuri: A bad Anti-Skill lady. Captured.

Rakuoka Nodoka: A cat ears lady. Captured.

Frillsand #G: An Academy City ghost.