Chapter Seventy-Three: If I Don't Fall in Love with You, Please Don't Fall in Love with Me Either

“What do you mean? I’ve always been true to myself, never pretending to be someone I’m not. Besides, I’m in a baby’s body right now, and I’m not used to it… You pervert, don’t tell me you actually have… improper thoughts about babies—”

“God gave me a perfect body, and also a sensitive heart. That’s something I’ve realized recently. Simply put, I find it hard to resist the charm of women; I easily fall for those who attract me.”

“How can you say such embarrassing things with a completely straight face? And besides, it just sounds like you’re making excuses for being a flirt.” Little Mikoto’s cheeks turned crimson, and her expression, paired with her words, perfectly conveyed her exasperation.

“To avoid letting my heart get out of control and possibly falling for you, please just be a quiet baby, at least in my presence. And secondly, don’t fall in love with me either—it would only make things more complicated.”

“Who would fall for a narcissistic pervert like you? In any case, I, Misaka Mikoto, will always be myself. I don’t care how you feel, so there!” With a fierce, almost comical expression and slightly twisted words, little Mikoto’s excitement was on full display.

His plan had worked. With the barest hint of a smirk, he knew everything he’d just said was complete nonsense, meant only to warn himself and set a boundary.

“In that case, I’ll try my best to ignore your charm and not fall in love with you,” Qi said once more, expressionless, uttering words that made little Mikoto blush furiously. “Would you like another bowl?”

“Hmph… No, I’m a baby now, I shouldn’t eat too much.” The topic of love still made little Mikoto shy, but of course, she wouldn’t swoon over the boy in front of her just because of a few words. To her, he was simply a strange person she’d just met. Yes, just that.

After a moment of silence, Qi looked up from the grilled meat and said, utterly deadpan, “Wouldn’t it be better for a baby to drink milk? Formula? Or… breast milk?”

In the quiet, ink-dark forest, faint firelight flickered in a small stream, accompanied by the sudden flash of dazzling blue light. The crackle of flames stood out in the silence.

“Do you think I’m stupid? Besides, didn’t we agree not to treat me like a baby?” After responding with a Railgun-like jolt, little Mikoto stood with her hands on her hips, glaring at the boy who had blocked her attack.

“You didn’t keep your promise to me either. And I’m only thinking about your body’s needs. Whether your mind is that of a girl or a grown woman, your body is still a baby’s. The fact that you can’t talk freely is proof enough. And don’t all babies eat formula or…? It’s just a common-sense question; there’s nothing else to it. My blank face proves it.”

“Even if you open your eyes wide and try to look sincere, I still have no idea what you’re really feeling behind that poker face. Ah—being in a baby’s body is such a hassle… Once I’m full, I just want… to sleep…” Little Mikoto’s eyelids drooped as she mumbled her last words, and in the next moment, she was about to fall asleep.

Just as Qi reached out to steady her, a burst of blue-white electricity flashed in front of her tousled hair, and Mikoto’s eyes snapped open, bright and alert.

“This is no time to sleep.” Little Mikoto shot a wary glance at the boy’s outstretched hand. In a strange place, with a stranger, how could she let her guard down and fall asleep?

Qi’s expression twitched, but he calmly withdrew his hand, stood up, and walked to a tree more than a foot in diameter. He circled it, examining it carefully, then, under Mikoto’s puzzled gaze, flicked his sleeve and a Tigerbone Demon Sword appeared in his hand.

Under the moonlight, the cold gleam of the blade swept through the tree with swift, careless strokes. The tree was swiftly transformed into neatly cut building materials. With experience, the task was quick and smooth—like pulling the trigger of a machine gun, the rapid fire of construction echoed for over ten seconds before falling silent.

Two clean, fresh wooden cabins stood opposite each other by the stream. Each was twenty-five square meters, simple and unadorned, blending perfectly with the environment. The lush green vines and leaves were their best decoration.

“Which one do you like? Take your pick—they each have a bed and a brand new quilt inside. Lock the door at night; with your vigilance, you’ll wake up at the slightest unusual sound, so sleep easy. We have a long journey ahead tomorrow.” For some reason, Qi felt a sudden urge to push up a pair of glasses in a showy gesture, though he wore none.

“Wow… Amazing. Are you a professional builder? With skills like that, you could be the best in the world—well, in my world, at least.” The look of astonishment on Mikoto’s face perfectly captured the awe of watching someone build a house in ten seconds.

“Don’t fall in love with me, and I won’t fall in love with you.” Even without glasses, Qi mimed a push against the air in front of his face, stone-faced.

“You’re overthinking things, you bizarre narcissist.” Mikoto rolled her eyes, having grown somewhat immune to his words. She walked to the door of the upstream cabin, opened it, and found a large skylight, a big bed beneath it with fresh bedding, and two windows facing the clear stream and the shadowy woods. The cabin was illuminated by a softly glowing pearl—perhaps a luminous gem.

Sleepiness washed over Mikoto again. She climbed into bed, still wearing the boy’s shirt—his oversized shirt.

Qi, meanwhile, had no such thoughts. He too lay on the bed in his own cabin, a mysterious tome floating before him. “Still no response. Who knows when that crazy person will return. What’s the connection between Miss Misaka Midori and Mikoto Misaka? Things can’t be that simple. The black cat, the Reincarnator, Reimu, the Twelve Warriors, Frieza’s soldiers… What are they all…”

Dawn’s light filtered through the gap above the stream, shining on the cabin’s diamond windows and bathing little Mikoto in gentle morning glow as she slept uncovered.

So warm. With a smile of contentment, Mikoto stretched lazily, her puzzled gaze drifting over the unfamiliar room. Memories of the previous night rushed back, and her spirits drooped a little. But as she strolled to the window, where sunlight made the glass sparkle, she looked out at the clear stream and dazzling scenery, and her energy returned in an instant.

There was nothing like this in Academy City, only towering skyscrapers and forests of steel. She’d grown up there, and even during short visits home, she’d never experienced such closeness to nature. Unable to contain her excitement, she dashed out of the cabin and hurried to the stream, eager to play in the water.