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Still at the shopping mall, shortly after the near-failure of Gekota's selfie session, Misaka and Aska are back to their old ways: arguing over trivial matters.
Misaka: "This Gekota hat is so cute! Chika will love it!"
Aska: "She'll look stupid."
Misaka: (glaring) "Oh, sorry, I forgot you're a fashion expert with a hair style... like a mop brush!"
While they're busy teasing each other, Chika, who's been attracted to the colorful balloons near the toy booth, slowly moves away. She stands alone for a moment, her eyes sparkling.
Then, someone approaches. A man in a white lab coat. His smile is friendly. Polite. Almost too perfect.
??: "Hello, little girl. Are you alone? Are you lost?"
Chika blinks. A little confused. A little curious.
Chika:"Eh? Misaka doesn't—"
Too late. A gentle touch on her shoulder. A strange wave runs through her body. The world fades slowly. Her legs go limp. In a matter of seconds, she was swept away, silent in the crowd.
A few minutes later...
Misaka: (sighs) "Besides, you don't know anything about cute style. That's why Chika is—"
She stops.
Misaka: "...Chika?"
She looks to the right. Empty. To the left. Nothing.
Misaka: (panicked) "Chika?! A-Aksa, she's not there!"
Aska raises an eyebrow, initially indifferent. "Maybe she's looking at toys. That kid likes to get lost."
But Misaka doesn't wait. She immediately approaches the nearest balloon guard.
Misaka: "Excuse me, There was a little girl—brown hair, wearing a big shirt—see where she went?"
The balloon seller thinks for a moment, then nods.
"Ah, yes, she was walking with a man. Wearing a white coat, like a doctor. Going that way."
Instantly, the air changes. Aska's face stiffens. His gaze sharpened sharply, like a wild animal smelling blood.
Aska: (flat, almost whispering) "White coat... Damn. Amai Ao bastard."
Misaka: "Who? Do you know him?"
Aska: "I saw him earlier. I thought he was just a scientist playing around. But if he's the one who took Chika..."
His hands clenched. His breathing was heavy.
Misaka: "Wait. That scientist? The one involved in the Sister Project?! Don't tell me... he still has something to do with that experiment!"
Aska didn't answer right away.
The realization hit Misaka like a physical blow. Fear for Last Order mixed with a surge of anger.
