Staring at the girl opposite her, identical to herself, Mikoto's small mouth hung open, almost speechless with shock. It wasn't that she hadn't seen this face on others before, but this one standing before her... the difference was too immense, wasn't it?

"Ah, right, Sister still doesn't know me." Noticing Mikoto's stunned expression, the long-haired girl paused briefly, but instantly recovered, offering an apologetic smile. "I apologize for startling you, Sister. I am a military clone from the LV5 Esper Mass Production Project, Specimen Number 00000. Please guide me, Sister."

With that, she slightly bowed, executing a perfect, formal gesture toward Mikoto.

"Hah? 00000?" Hearing this, the surprise on Mikoto's face deepened. As far as she knew, all the Sisters before 10030 should have been killed by Accelerator. How could a 00000 suddenly appear? Moreover, the information she had found online didn't mention an individual designated 00000 at all...

With this thought, Mikoto instinctively turned her gaze toward Lin Luo: "Lin Luo, what is this..."

"Uh, well..." Lin Luo felt a headache coming on. Zero's appearance here was completely unexpected... Logically, this girl should be in a growth tank adjusting her body. How could she just run out? Even if her body were adjusted, Yoshikawa and Hifumi should have called him. He couldn't handle this kind of sudden ambush!

"Well... the specific situation is a bit complicated, but it is correct that she is a copy of you. To be precise, she is your very first clone, but quite unique, as she was not part of the Level 6 Shift experiment. Furthermore, she possesses self-awareness and emotion. Oh, and incidentally, her ability is LV5..."

"What?!?!"

Although Lin Luo only explained briefly, the information revealed was enough to cause Mikoto's delicate frame to tremble violently. Covering her mouth, she could scarcely believe it.

"W-would Sister perhaps not believe me?" Seeing Mikoto's reaction, Zero suddenly adopted a look of deep hurt.

"No, no, it’s not that. I... I’m just a little surprised." Even though Zero hadn't participated in the Level 6 project, Mikoto, driven by her guilt toward the Sisters, quickly waved her hands in denial. Just as she was about to explain something, a voice that caused her intense internal conflict sounded from behind her...

"Sister, Sister... Two Sister-oneses?!"

With such a commotion, it was hard for others not to notice. Soon, Kuroko, Uiharu, and Saten had noticed the situation over there. When they saw Zero, the three of them froze, especially Kuroko, whose composure was almost completely shattered.

"Ah, are you friends of Mikoto? It's a pleasure to meet you all. I am Mikoto's younger sister. My name is... well, please take good care of me." Seeing Kuroko and the other two approach, Zero folded her hands in front of her, a smile playing on her lips, and executed a perfectly standard introductory bow, speaking politely. She had initially planned to state her designation, but a name like 00000 was hardly suitable for strangers.

Zero's elegant yet unforced demeanor made her appear exactly like a well-bred young lady who had received impeccable etiquette training, instantly captivating the trio. They responded almost in unison: "So... so radiant... Is this the legendary Ojou-sama?"

The most exaggerated were Uiharu and Kuroko. The former held her hands to her chest, her face filled with rapture, as if something was about to overflow, her eyes shining with pure adoration. "Ah, Ojou-sama, so beautiful..."

And the latter... Kuroko already harbored a singular desire: to transform Mikoto into a true high-society lady, striving for it constantly, yet never succeeding due to Mikoto's personality. Now, a girl appeared who looked exactly like Mikoto but possessed the genuine aura of a noblewoman. How could she not be agitated? Her breathing immediately became rapid.

"A... a ladylike Sister-onesama! Kuro... Kuroko can no longer hold back..."

The utterly depraved Shirai Kuroko’s face was contorted with excited desire, a single glistening thread of drool escaping the corner of her mouth.

"Hey, hey, you two are seriously abnormal," Saten commented, feeling immense pressure from her two companions' behavior.

Lin Luo felt the same way Saten did. He had noticed that Kuroko’s footwork had changed as she approached. Combining this with some internal impressions, he recognized it as the preparatory movement for a pounce, causing his brow to furrow deeply.

Sure enough, the next moment, Kuroko leaped high into the air, launching herself toward Zero's embrace in what looked almost like an attempt to throw herself into an arms-clasping hug...

ZZZZT

A crackle of electricity split the air. Kuroko was already blasted onto the ground the moment she jumped.

"Ooooh... Sister-onesama's loving punishment..." Kuroko lay on the ground, a blush of perverse ecstasy coloring her cheeks.

"You are completely broken!" Mikoto, mortified and angry, felt utterly humiliated by Kuroko's actions in such a public display. Without another word, she pulled Zero's hand and steered her toward a nearby dessert shop, turning back to deliver a stern warning: "No one is allowed to follow until I permit it!"

Uiharu and Saten instinctively glanced at Kuroko lying on the ground and nodded vigorously, like chickens pecking grain.

As for Lin Luo, he looked utterly glum. Since this barely involved him, yet he was getting dragged into the mess, it was truly infuriating!

However, on second thought, having Mikoto and Zero spend time alone might be better, allowing Mikoto to explain the situation regarding Zero herself, saving him the trouble.

"Um, Mr. Lin Luo..." Just as he was thinking this, he suddenly felt someone tugging at his trousers. He instinctively looked down to see Kuroko having crawled over to his side at some point, her face tilted up, utterly enraptured. "What about that Sister-onesama just now?"

Hey, hey, you're changing attitudes way too fast! When did you start using such respectful titles? Weren't you just a wild monkey a second ago? Lin Luo grumbled internally.

Furthermore, the current posture between him and Kuroko was decidedly suggestive, looking exactly like a wicked scoundrel bullying a weak woman, causing passersby to stop and stare. Lin Luo could even hear one bystander murmuring, "Hey, is that girl alright? Maybe we should contact the Judgement Committee..."

Even someone as thick-skinned as Lin Luo felt his face flush red. He quickly hauled the disastrous object on the ground up, a vein throbbing on his forehead. "I say, no matter how perverted you are, you should find a secluded spot to enact your madness! You might not care about losing face, but I certainly do!"

"Waaah, Kuroko just couldn't help herself! Seeing a ladylike Sister-onesama makes the desires in Kuroko's heart erupt like a volcano..."

Lin Luo couldn't help but twitch his mouth. To utter such shameless words so openly—this despicable creature's level of perversion had reached an appalling degree.

"Um, Mr. Lin Luo, about the question from before..."

Kuroko asked again. Not just her, Uiharu and Saten had also walked over, staring at him like curious babies.

There was nothing to hide about this matter. Lin Luo stated truthfully, "Didn't I mention Mikoto's clones a few days ago?"

"The one who is an Ojou-sama?"

"Y-you mean, every single one of Sister-onesama's clones is like that Ojou-sama?"

Although both were saying similar things, Lin Luo could sense the vastly different underlying meanings. Uiharu was expressing pure admiration, while Kuroko was clearly walking further down the path of depravity...

"Not exactly. Actually, the regular Sisters are just like Mikoto—uh... flat-chested with a flat figure, and generally expressionless, basically the 'three-no' (no emotion, no speech, no expression) dark/tsundere types. This one is a special individual, so don't hold out too much expectation."

"Three-no, dark/tsundere? That’s a huge appeal point!" Kuroko’s eyes lit up with excitement, yearning in her voice. "Mr. Lin Luo, could you possibly introduce me so I can meet the Sisters?"

Not a chance in hell! Am I an idiot? Let you meet the Sisters? That would be a disaster! Lin Luo now felt a surge of relief. Fortunately, most of the Sisters had already left Academy City, and the few remaining were not easy for Shirai Kuroko to find. Otherwise, if Kuroko truly intended to search among the nearly ten thousand Misaka Sisters in Academy City, she might find a few, and given their capabilities, they might not escape her "assault."

Seeing Lin Luo refuse, Kuroko blinked, a new scheme forming in her mind. She pulled Lin Luo aside and whispered softly, "Um, Mr. Lin Luo, what do you think of Saten-san?"

"Huh?" Lin Luo was puzzled why Saten was suddenly involved and replied casually, "Um, she's great. Quite cute, brave, and upright."

"So that means you like her, right..." Kuroko smiled, and without waiting for Lin Luo to answer, she continued, "I believe she must be very grateful to you for having turned her into an Esper just now. So, if you don't mind, please allow Kuroko to broker this match for you... Oh, and I have special aphrodisiacs in my dorm. If you can get Saten to ingest them, you can 'take her down' whenever you want..."

Lin Luo couldn't help but roll his eyes heavenward after hearing this. Shirai Kuroko, you ultimate perverse yuri maniac! Do you have any sense of decency or any moral boundaries left?!

Immediately, Lin Luo's expression hardened, and he stated righteously, "Um... could I have some of that aphrodisiac first?"

P.S.: Two chapters delivered, requesting recommendation votes. I suddenly noticed someone gave a reward again; you big shots are truly amazing! It seems I can't slack on my updates either. Bowing in thanks to the two Helmsmen: Judgment Spear and First LAH.