A simple idea led to a simple outcome. Once certain key points clicked into place, even the most tangled problems began to reveal their underlying logic.
"If we consider Kazakiri-san as a highly complex, unconventional form of Personal Reality, then I think I can roughly figure out what the people behind the scenes have done to her."
Natsume-san furrowed her brow in concentration, then suddenly grabbed Index's arm as if struck by inspiration, speaking with renewed energy.
By breaking free from a human-centric perspective and setting aside the low-level physical vessel of flesh and blood, Kazakiri-san's existence became much easier to comprehend.
Wasn't she similar to what Natsume-san had once imagined an AIM thought-body might be like? A state where, upon becoming a Level 5, one might potentially use their power field to separate their consciousness from their physical form.
However, unlike the controlled or influenced thought-bodies associated with certain special espers, Kazakiri-san didn't possess a human body at all. Her vessel was the very Phase that supported all AIM diffusion fields.
"So it's that simple after all. We went in a huge circle just to come back to this. Kazakiri-san is essentially an esper who has a Personal Reality but lacks a human body."
"The essence of an esper is an ordinary person developing a Personal Reality, with the brain then providing the power to interfere with the reality of the universe. In truth, while espers have level distinctions, Personal Realities themselves aren't inherently superior or inferior—they're just different worldviews."
Natsume-san couldn't help but mutter to herself, not particularly concerned whether Index understood. She just felt a surge of confidence as she looked towards Kazakiri Hyouka again.
"The mastermind simply needs to treat her like any other esper, feeding various 'equations' to her 'Personal Reality' via the 'brain,' to precisely control Kazakiri-san's actions."
"That way, even though Kazakiri-san can think, has emotions, and possesses a personality, she can still be controlled by some hidden puppeteer, just like how an esper uses their abilities via their Personal Reality."
"Plus, Kazakiri-san wouldn't even need computational power herself; she'd just be a mindless output machine, kinda like how I was basically a tool when Reiko-chan was carrying me around... Eh, don't mind that last part."
"However," the bun-girl interjected, laying out her reasoning methodically for the two girls, "since Kazakiri-san possesses self-awareness, deviations and accidents are probably inevitable."
"Therefore, to maintain a certain level of stability, the people behind the scenes wouldn't want her to come into contact with the equations themselves. And lacking that crucial knowledge is precisely why Kazakiri-san can't even maintain her own existence."
Once they started considering Kazakiri-san from an esper's perspective, Natsume-san's extensive experience immediately paid off, making her train of thought clearer and smoother.
Setting aside for now the question of whether a disembodied Personal Reality consumes energy when used, Kazakiri-san—likely supported by the AIM Phase—clearly wouldn't have that problem.
Her inability to manifest properly in the real world was purely because certain people didn't want her to.
"Even if you refuse to let Kazakiri-san go, it doesn't matter now. Since we've figured out your little game, it's only a matter of time before we nail down the details."
"Once we identify the 'equations' and the 'method of transmission,' solving the problem becomes easy."
The bun-girl suddenly clenched a fist, her previously formal posture relaxing as she stood up, speaking with fierce determination.
As long as no one poured cold water on her ideas or pointed out any obvious flaws, Natsume-san felt pretty confident in her deductions—especially under the gaze of two pairs of eyes, one curious, the other admiring.
If the mastermind hiding in the shadows tried to send any information to Kazakiri-san via the 'brain,' they would never escape the perception of a certain bun-girl.
Unless they weren't using the two channels of the AIM diffusion field and the real universe at all.
While Natsume-san had never tried reading information directly from AIM field energy before, she knew the field could contain consciousness and data. Therefore, she could interpret them through the field Phase itself.
As long as the information sent by the other party could be understood by the field Phase itself, then Natsume-san could naturally understand it too. There was no clash of worldviews between her and the field Phase.
"Sonoko-chan, so cool!"
Index's mouth hung open in delight as she enthusiastically praised the bun-girl, who seemed to strike a pose every now and then.
She still didn't really understand, but simply helping to set the mood was enough.
"Heh, it's not that cool, really."
Natsume-san smiled sheepishly; she was still as susceptible to praise as ever.
--+--
"Sonoko-chan, I can't see Hyouka anymore."
Index followed closely behind the bun-girl, voicing her worries.
Her head kept turning to glance into the distance, as if hoping to catch a glimpse of Kazakiri-san's familiar form. Unfortunately, they were now nearly three hundred meters away. Even without buildings and crowds blocking the view, she'd probably only see a tiny speck.
Not to mention the other girl was just a semi-real, hologram-like existence.
"Index, the most important thing when executing a plan is to remain calm."
"Peering around everywhere looks far too suspicious. You have to remember, Academy City is full of surveillance cameras and all sorts of robots. You need to learn to blend in. In crowded places, you might even run into an overeager Judgment member asking if you need help."
"Besides, just relax. Whatever they try to do to Kazakiri-san won't escape my eyes."
Standing near a telephone pole at a street corner, directly facing the entrance of a food stall, the twin-bunned girl spoke seriously while holding a steaming container of food.
"I understand. I trust you completely, Sonoko-chan."
Index nodded emphatically from behind.
Even with the gauze wrapped around Sonoko-chan's eyes, her earnest tone made it impossible to doubt her.
To find a way to save Kazakiri-san, the two girls had decided to divide the work, each contributing their strengths to their small team.
Natsume-san was in charge of investigation and taking the initiative. Index handled logistics and morale boosting.
On the science side, Natsume-san was undoubtedly the main force; even Index with her 103,000 grimoires couldn't compare here.
"Some bad people are controlling Kazakiri-san. To rescue her from them, gathering intelligence is our first priority."
"To force them to reveal enough information, we have to first blend in perfectly, appearing as harmless passersby."
The bun-girl took a bite of the stir-fried noodles provided by the logistics department—i.e., Index—and raised a finger, speaking with utmost seriousness.
--+--
T/N: If you want advance chapters, you can find it at [email protected]/AspenTL