Chapter 298 Has the World Changed? Utterly Confused

Ruiko Saten said she was going to pick up a friend.

And she really brought two university students?

Takumi and Bronya didn't look like high school or middle school students at all. No matter how you looked at them, they seemed like college students—or even working professionals. Their aura was extraordinary.

Especially Bronya. From a distance, she looked exactly like a corporate executive.

"Uiharu! I'm here!! Happy birthday."

Ruiko Saten excitedly led Takumi and Bronya over to where Uiharu Kazari was seated, then handed over a small gift box.

Looking at the gift, Uiharu was utterly baffled.

"Thanks... Ruiko, these two are?"

Uiharu curiously looked at Takumi and Bronya.

"These are my friends. This is Big Brother Takumi, and this is Sister Bronya. They're from outside Academy City."

Seeing her confusion, Ruiko quickly introduced them.

"Hello there. It's our first meeting, and I didn't bring much. Here, this is something I made myself."

Smiling, Takumi handed over his gift.

"Eh?"

Uiharu was even more bewildered. Was this really okay? After all, it was their first time meeting.

Likewise, Bronya handed her a laptop.

"This is also one of his products. It's a quantum laptop. I heard you're good at hacking. I am too. Having a better laptop will definitely improve your skills."

Listening to this, Uiharu was even more confused—shocked, even.

"Uiharu, go on and accept it. These are all made by Takumi himself. Haven't you always wanted my terminal? He made that too."

Ruiko smiled warmly at her, encouraging her to take the gifts. Her own terminal device had long been eyed by Uiharu, but she always used the excuse that it was a prototype from a friend—not yet mass produced.

Now there was a perfect chance to give her one.

"Eh? Takumi made it?"

Snapping back to reality, Uiharu's face was filled with shock. She knew just how powerful that terminal was—it could function as a full computer.

Was this big brother really that capable?

He made all these things?

Absolutely stunned.

"That's right, I made them all. There's a terminal and a laptop inside. You won't need to worry about energy. They're always absorbing solar energy, so use them as much as you want. No need to worry about power."

"Also, there's an AI in there. You should know that. Ruiko probably told you."

Takumi explained cheerfully. To him, Uiharu was just a kid.

Hearing his explanation, Uiharu's eyes lit up.

"I know, I know! I've talked with Prometheus. It's amazing! Takumi, you're incredible. Since you can create an AI, you must be really good with electronics, right? Can I ask you some questions?"

Once she started talking about tech, her energy shot up, and she started asking away.

"No problem. Ask whatever you like. I specialize in electronics. And Sister Bronya here does too."

He treated her like a little sister.

Hearing that, Uiharu got even more excited, chirping out her questions.

Takumi answered every one.

Bronya occasionally chimed in to supplement.

Seeing the three chatting away, Ruiko decisively ordered food—some of the restaurant's best dishes.

At the same time, she took out her phone and messaged Kuroko. They were just waiting on Kuroko and Mikoto Misaka now. Those two were on their way. It was all planned out.

Today was Uiharu's birthday, and everyone had decided to celebrate it together.

Kuroko's reply came quickly. They were almost there.

Seeing the reply, Ruiko breathed a sigh of relief. Good. They're coming.

She looked over at Uiharu. At this moment, she was happily chatting away, asking all sorts of questions.

When the conversation paused, Ruiko spoke up:

"Uiharu, open your present. Inside, there's a superpower awakening potion."

"You've always been curious how my powers developed so fast, right? That potion is what unlocked my potential. So, I got one for you too."

Ruiko finally revealed what her gift was.

Hearing that, Uiharu froze.

"Eh? A superpower potion?"

Utter shock.

Something like that?

She looked at the small gift box on the table and hurriedly opened it. Inside, she found a vial of blue liquid.

Her eyes widened.

"Where did this come from? Did a lab develop this? It can increase superpowers?"

She was completely shaken. Was this real? Why wasn't there any news about it?

So many shocks in one day.

Was something like this really just casually handed out?

"It's from Takumi too. He especially prepared it for you."

Ruiko smiled as she pushed all the credit onto Takumi. It was true anyway—he made all these things.

"Huh?"

Uiharu was totally dumbfounded again. Takumi again?

Is this real life?

While she was still processing it all, Kuroko Shirai and Mikoto Misaka finally arrived.

"Uiharu, Ruiko!!"

Kuroko burst in with an enthusiastic wave, her face oddly flushed.

If you looked closely, you might even notice her hair was a bit singed. Probably got electrocuted again.

Behind her, Misaka Mikoto looked thoroughly annoyed, glaring at Kuroko. Clearly, something had gone down again.

Poor Kuroko.

"Kuroko, Mikoto, you're here! Let me introduce you. These are Takumi and Sister Bronya."

Seeing them arrive, Ruiko was visibly thrilled.

At her words, both Kuroko and Misaka turned their attention to Takumi and Bronya.

They both froze for a moment.

University students?

Their reaction was the same as Uiharu's. They assumed Takumi and Bronya were college students at first glance.

"Nice to meet you, senpai."

Mikoto quickly composed herself and politely greeted them like a proper young lady.