Mash-up Anime World: Creating the SCP Foundation to Contain Anomalies-Chapter 311 - 305: Ayumi Otosaka and Shouko Nishimiya

Reaching out, Haruto gently ruffled Shouko's hair, which had grown longer since they last met. A faint smile played at the corners of his lips.

"Seeing you again, Haruto-nii, I'm really happy!"

Shouko enjoyed the head pat and spoke clearly.

"Oh? You're not mad at me, Shouko? It's been so long since we last saw each other."

Haruto asked with a smile.

He had, after all, whisked her away back then — it was a bit of a scummy move.

After flirting with her, he never showed up again. But Shouko simply shook her head gently.

"Seeing you again, Haruto-nii, I'm really happy!"

The girl repeated her words, as if emphasizing them. Clearly, she held no grudge against Haruto.

Haruto let out a soft sigh.

Shouko tilted her head.

"Haruto-nii, is something troubling you?"

Haruto whispered, "It's just that you're so innocent and adorable... I feel unworthy."

Hearing this, Shouko giggled.

She nuzzled her head into Haruto's palm affectionately.

It was obvious she had changed.

The old Shouko would likely have panicked upon hearing those words, nervously insisting she didn't deserve it.

But now, she could accept Haruto's affection and reciprocate it wholeheartedly.

Seeing this growth, Haruto truly felt happy for her.

And relieved.

After their affectionate moment, Shouko seemed to suddenly remember that someone else was nearby.

Her fair cheeks instantly turned red as she hid behind Haruto.

Ayumi Otosaka, who had been spectating the scene like a drama, even whistled playfully.

"Ayumi!"

Shouko muttered a small protest.

It was obvious the two were friends.

Seeing this, Shunsuke spoke up directly,

"I'll go make the public announcement and release the vote. We should have the results within three hours. President Haruto, please wait a bit. I'll be right back, and I'll leave my little sister in your care."

Haruto smiled and nodded.

Then, Shunsuke quickly walked off toward the main building of Star Sea Academy.

Once he was gone, Ayumi leaned in curiously.

"Big brother, are you the legendary President Haruto?"

Haruto nodded, a bit confused by the way this energetic girl phrased it.

"Legendary? What do you mean?"

When Haruto asked, Ayumi flashed a mischievous smile.

Behind Haruto, Shouko frantically waved her hands, trying to stop her best friend's nonsense.

But of course, it didn't work.

"Because my brother and Shouko talk about you all the time! They say you're super amazing and kind! Especially Shouko! Every time she mentions you, stars sparkle in her eyes..."

Her words were cut off by Shouko covering her mouth.

Normally, Shouko wouldn't act so physical and playful. But right now, her shyness left her no choice.

She clamped her hand over her best friend's mouth while sneaking peeks at Haruto's expression.

She was afraid he might look disgusted or annoyed.

But Haruto was smiling happily.

Shouko breathed a sigh of relief—then blushed even more.

After the playful chaos of the girls quieted down—

Ayumi broke free and continued,

"And I know you're the one who saved us all. I've always wanted to meet you in person and thank you."

Back then, Ayumi had also been one of the captives in the Superpower Research Facility.

Because her brother had awakened a powerful ability, it was believed his sister would also have great potential.

And speaking of being saved, Shouko also looked at Haruto with heartfelt gratitude.

"Mhm, I've received your thanks, Ayumi."

Haruto nodded solemnly.

Brushing it off casually would've made the girl feel ignored.

Unlike in the gray adult world—where thanks are often mere flattery and pushed aside—hers felt deeply sincere.

"Shouko, let's show big brother around the academy!"

Ayumi suggested.

Shouko nodded immediately and looked to Haruto with hopeful eyes.

Of course, Haruto had no reason to refuse.

And so, guided by the two girls, the three of them strolled through Star Sea Academy. Among the students passing by, there were people from all over the country. Haruto even saw some superpowered students from the Eastern Himalayas.

One girl from the Eastern Himalayas left a strong impression on him—

Because her ability was "Courage."

Powers born from puberty syndrome were usually projections of the heart—deeply tied to one's thoughts and desires.

Like Mai Sakurajima.

Her life as a celebrity had invaded her private life, making her wish to completely disappear from everyone's view.

That desire gave birth to her unobservable existence.

As for this girl whose ability was courage—

She must have wished for the strength to stand up against injustice.

"Big brother, what was that announcement and vote about?"

While walking, Ayumi snuck up beside him and asked curiously.

"It's about a change in the educational model and possibly relocating. We recently discovered a city—"

"A city that uses science to guide and develop superpowers. It's a city for espers."

"The vote is to decide whether Star Sea Academy should relocate there, for all of you to receive proper superpower training."

"What about you, Ayumi? How would you vote?"

After explaining, Haruto asked casually.

But upon hearing the question, Ayumi's mood noticeably dimmed.

"Um... I... I don't really know."

She replied hesitantly.

Shouko looked at her best friend, clearly worried.

Seeing this, Haruto fell silent for a moment before turning serious.

"Is something troubling you? Or is there something you don't want to say?"

He asked frankly.

For an energetic girl like her to suddenly grow quiet—there had to be a major reason.

Ayumi twisted her fingers around the hem of her clothes, unsure how to speak. Shouko tugged her sleeve and whispered something into her ear.

After some internal struggle, Ayumi finally looked at Haruto and spoke,

"My ability... it's dangerous. I'm afraid I'll cause trouble for everyone."

Just like her brother, Ayumi's ability was very powerful.

It was called Collapse—capable of disintegrating and destroying everything around her.

Pure destructive power, extremely hard to control—anything within sight could be reduced to ruin.

During her time at the Foundation, Ayumi had once lost control of her power.

That incident nearly leveled an entire residential sector.

Fortunately, the Foundation responded quickly, and there were almost no casualties. But after that, Ayumi developed a deep fear of her own power. So when the topic of developing powers came up, she had grown hesitant.

Haruto shook his head.

"Developing abilities is done gently, with lots of knowledge to support it. We've handled far more dangerous abilities before. Don't worry—since we brought up this idea, it means we're prepared to handle the risks and responsibility."

"Besides, you wouldn't want your power to go out of control again and hurt your friends, right?"

Hearing that, Ayumi nodded seriously.

Haruto smiled.

"In that case, try to take control of it. It's your power—it's a part of you. Don't be afraid of it."

Ayumi nodded again, no longer showing the same fear and hesitation as before.

Watching from the side, Shouko couldn't help but feel a sense of déjà vu.

Back then, she had been saved in much the same way.

"Oh, right—here's a gift for both of you."

Saying this, Haruto rummaged through his Kamui space.

He pulled out a protective charm and a pendant.

The charm he handed to Ayumi, and the pendant he hung around Shouko's neck.

The two girls were surprised to receive gifts out of the blue—but their surprise quickly turned into joy.

"Receiving a gift the first time we meet... feels kind of wrong... hehe."

Ayumi said, yet clutched the charm tightly in her hand.

That charm was actually a Itomori Guardian Talisman.

Originally, it was a local good-luck item from Itomori Town. But this one was special—it had a connection to the Itomori God.

If disaster struck nearby, the Itomori God would sense it and offer protection.

As for Shouko, she blinked her bright eyes at Haruto.

Her gaze was full of question—wondering if it was really okay for her to accept such a precious gift.

Haruto pinched her cheek gently in response, the meaning clear.

That pendant's gem was a rainbow stone he had previously obtained from the Clockworks/Universal Converter.

He felt it perfectly matched the transformed and radiant Shouko.