With this in mind, Su Mo glanced at Misaki. "Are you free this afternoon?" he asked.
"Eh?!" Misaki was caught off guard, her eyes suddenly sparkling with anticipation as she looked at him. "Is this… an invitation to a date?"
"No," Su Mo replied flatly. "I have something important to do."
"Aw…" Misaki's face fell in disappointment. "Mr. Su Mo, you really have no sense of romance. You should just say yes at times like this! Even if it's just to make a girl happy!"
"So, are you coming or not?" Su Mo pressed, as straightforward as ever.
"I'm coming, I'm coming!" Misaki sighed in defeat. "It's a good thing you know me, Mr. Su Mo. Other girls wouldn't be so easygoing!" Still, his attitude reassured her. If he were any less indifferent, there was no way he'd be able to stay calm under the constant attention of all the rich girls at Tokiwadai. In a way, that was a good thing—she wouldn't have to face so much competition.
Just as she was thinking this, Su Mo suddenly asked, "Really? I feel like Ms. Komoe, Ms. Yomikawa, and even Misaka are all pretty easy to get along with."
Misaki froze. She hadn't expected to hear so many unfamiliar female names besides Misaka Mikoto. There were people she'd never even heard of, and she realized there might be a lot she didn't know about Su Mo's life. Her expression darkened. "Mr. Su Mo, don't you think you know a few too many girls?"
He just shrugged. "It's not that bad. I know plenty of guys, too."
Su Mo, for his part, didn't think much of it.
"Besides," he said casually, "there are more female teachers than male ones in Academy City anyway. It's normal."
"..."
Misaki Shokuhou had no comeback.
Sure, she knew he was right… but it still made her feel annoyed!
Pouting silently, Misaki made a silent vow: she was going to stick to Su Mo's side the entire day.
Whether by coaxing or nagging, she was determined to figure out Su Mo's social circle. She needed to see for herself just how many potential vixens were lurking around him.
But that plan… didn't quite survive the afternoon.
In the shopping district, Misaki sat on an outdoor bench. Her eyes scanned the rows of boutiques and trendy stores, but her mind wasn't on fashion. Instead, her attention was locked onto Su Mo, who sat across from her with a relaxed smile.
That expression on his face gave her a little thrill—it was the look of someone who had successfully stolen a chicken, as the saying went.
"Hey, Professor Su~" she cooed in a syrupy voice. "Don't tell me… you just didn't have the courage to ask me out, huh?"
"You said it was something serious, but you actually wanted to go on a date with me and were too shy to admit it, right?"
"I can't believe how bashful you are when it comes to things like this. Honestly, it's kind of adorable!"
—Oh kawaii koto!
Misaki teased him with that mischievous sparkle in her eyes, her heart fluttering with genuine happiness.
After all, Su Mo had said there was serious business to handle today. She had been ready for a long and exhausting afternoon—whether it meant assisting in his lab experiments or investigating something shady in the dark underbelly of the city. Whatever it was, she was prepared.
Because it was Su Mo asking.
No matter how tough it would've been—even if it put her life in danger—Misaki wouldn't have refused. This was the man who had pulled her and her closest friend out of a desperate situation. For him, risking a little danger was no big deal.
And yet…
After meeting up in the afternoon, all Su Mo had done was accompany her as she wandered leisurely through the shopping district. He patiently watched as she picked out clothes and accessories. Now, the two of them were sitting under a parasol, enjoying the sweet desserts Misaki had been craving for days.
If this wasn't a date, then she didn't know what was.
Okay, sure, they didn't go to a movie or bring their ID cards, but everything else fit the checklist perfectly.
That's why she'd come to her conclusion: there was no "serious business" today. Su Mo had simply wanted an excuse to ask her out.
And that thought made her heart bloom with warmth.
So, he'd finally noticed her charm? Finally started seeing her not just as a comrade or a psychic, but as a girl?
Eyes full of anticipation, Misaki looked at Su Mo, hoping for a confession.
But instead, Su Mo gave her a blank look—one that screamed, What is this girl talking about now?
"Misaki Shokuhō, it's still daytime," he said flatly. "Save the daydreams for bedtime."
That didn't dampen Misaki's spirits at all.
"Oh, come on, Professor Su! No need to hide it anymore—break free of this outdated student-teacher taboo and just admit it!"
Her teasing smile never faltered. In her heart, she had already made a decision: if Su Mo confessed, she'd accept. No hesitation.
She had to seal the deal before any of those mystery girls in his life had a chance.
"..."
Su Mo sighed and gave her a sideways glance.
Then something caught his attention.
His expression turned serious. "Cut it out. Mikoto Misaka's finally here. Time to get started."
"…Huh?"
Misaki blinked in confusion, turning around—and sure enough, there they were. Mikoto Misaka and her group had arrived.
Two girls in Tokiwadai uniforms and two in Sakugawa Middle School uniforms, chatting and laughing as they walked together.
"Wait a second!" Misaki slapped her hand on the table in disbelief. "You mean there really was serious business today?!"
"And it's about that girl? Mikoto Misaka?!"
It would've been fine if this was just a simple misunderstanding. But of all people—why her?
Her expression darkened with betrayal.
"What's so great about that flatboard?" she muttered bitterly. "Don't tell me… Su Mo-sensei, you're into the toddler body type?"
Misaki began to question everything. She had spent so much effort developing her figure, thinking that would help her be seen as a proper girl in Su Mo's eyes.
And now this? Was all that effort wasted?
"You've really got a head full of nonsense, don't you?" Su Mo sighed, giving her a light flick on the forehead. "I said it was serious business."
"…Fine!" Misaki sulked, but when she saw how serious he looked, she softened a little. After rubbing her forehead, her expression turned composed.
She wasn't the type to throw a tantrum when it mattered.
If there really was something going on, then this wasn't the time to be petty.
Academy City was deep and murky. Staying afloat required more than just power—it demanded strategy.
And if Su Mo was planning something, it almost certainly involved that darkness.
She didn't need to know all the details. She just needed to do her part.
"What do you need me to do?" she asked, switching gears instantly.
If Su Mo had specifically asked her to come along, then there had to be something she could help with.
"For now? Nothing major," Su Mo replied, shaking his head. The whole "Level Upper" incident wasn't hard to trigger—they just had to wait for a couple of bank robbers to make their move.
That said…
"If you're in the mood to mess with Mikoto a little," he added with a sly grin, "you could go line up over there."
He pointed toward a nearby crêpe shop.
"Hmm?" Misaki tilted her head in confusion, then spotted the sign posted out front.
They were running a promotional event: anyone who bought a crêpe would get a free Gekota-chan keychain—a character from some kids' anime.
"Gekota-chan… That's the kind of thing only little kids like. Although, I think Junko mentioned wanting one…"
She suddenly remembered—Junko, her second-in-command in the Shokuho Clique at school, actually had a thing for childish trinkets like these. That thought alone was enough to make her grab Su Mo's arm.
"Let's line up together, then!"
"Mm." Su Mo nodded in agreement without objection.