Astral Buddy 20

Chapter 20

01

Top right: Volume 3 goes on sale July 26!!

Margin: Shokuhou is in a good mood as she speaks with...Kuroko!?

Title: Chapter 20
Credit: Author: Kamachi Kazuma
        Art: Nogi Yasuhito
        Character Designs: Haimura Kiyotaka

SFX: Grin grin

Misaki: I can't believe you would contact me.
Misaki: Interested in leaving your Onee-sama and joining me?
Misaki(small): Finally.
Kuroko: No, I am not.
Kuroko(small): That will never happen.

02

Kuroko: This is part of my investigation.

Misaki: I see.

Misaki: About Houjou?

Kuroko: I am glad you understand.

Kuroko: As you have guessed, I would like you to tell me...
Kuroko: everything you know about her and the Tokiwadai incident.
Kuroko: Shokuhou.
Kuroko: ...-san.
Kuroko: I believe you are a central figure to this case.

Misaki: Don't bother with honorifics.
Misaki(outside): Let's keep it friendly☆
Kuroko: My apologies.

03

Kuroko: Shokuhou Misaki.
Kuroko: I am well aware she is dangerous and she is also Onee-sama's rival.
Kuroko: I hate relying on her.
Kuroko: But this is my duty, so I must.

Misaki: So there's the give.
Misaki: But what's my take ability?

Kuroko: I was getting to that.

Kuroko: But...
Kuroko: information and money...
Kuroko: would not work as bargaining chips with you.
Kuroko(outside): And money is against the rules anyway.

Kuroko(thought): Roundabout negotiations against the strongest psychological esper would be folly.
Kuroko(thought): I need to be straightforward.
Kuroko: I was honestly unsure what I could offer...
Kuroko: but I did find an answer.

04

Kuroko: Myself.

Misaki: Hm?

Kuroko: In exchange for the information you provide...
Kuroko: I will work for you.

Misaki: Oh, so you WERE here to join me❤
Misaki(outside): Welcome
Kuroko: ONLY TEMPORARILY.

05

Misaki: You'll do anything I ask?
Label: Shoku
Kuroko: Yes.
Label: Kuro

SFX: Reach

Misaki: That is a unique offer ability...
Misaki: but to be blunt...
Misaki: I can do that myself with this.

Kuroko: I will obey you of my own free will.
Kuroko: Doesn't that hold some value to you?

Misaki: Oh?
Misaki: So you remembered.

Misaki: That was before summer break, wasn't it?
Misaki(flashback): Your rarity ability...
Misaki(flashback): would shine brightest with me.

Misaki: Not a bad idea.
Misaki: But...

06

SFX: Place

Misaki: I am...
Misaki: serious.

Misaki: How about we start out as friends?
Misaki: I want to know more about you.
Kuroko: Huh?

Kuroko: Wh-what are you talking about now?

07

Misaki: Misaka-san...
Misaki: does not really need you.

Misaki: Of course.
Misaki: That is not limited to you.

Misaki: Misaka Mikoto generally does not rely on others.
Misaki: Part of that is her not wanting to get you involved...
Misaki: but she also thinks it is faster to solve everything on her own.

Misaki: And in fact...
Misaki: it is.

08

Misaki: Meanwhile,
Misaki: my policy ability is different.
Misaki: An individual's true value...
Misaki: shines brightest within a group.

Misaki: You have the finest of shines.
Misaki: You are a noble pure white platinum.

Misaki: You can frame a diamond like me better than anyone.

Misaki: You would be a prize.

Misaki: I, Shokuhou Misaki,
Misaki: want you,
Misaki: Shirai Kuroko.

09

Misaki: Okay?

SFX: Whoosh pop

Misaki: Did I freak you out?
Kuroko: No.
Kuroko(small): That was a reflex.

Kuroko: I do not need you to tell me...
Kuroko: Onee-sama does not need help.

Kuroko: She can...
Kuroko: run any distance all on her own.

10

Kuroko: But if...
Kuroko: she gets tired while running and sits down to rest...

Kuroko: I want to nestle up to her.

Kuroko: Because that is my role and my pride.

Kuroko: I took that a little too seriously.
Misaki: Hmm.

11

Misaki: Powerful feelings like that...
Misaki: can sometimes summon a miracle.
SFX: Whisper

Misaki: Nothing can stain platinum.

Misaki: Well.
Misaki: I will accept that as a compromise just this once.
Kuroko: Then...

Misaki: But do not regret this.
Misaki: When you are working for my clique...

12

Misaki: You must call me "Queen"...
Misaki: in front of your Onee-sama❤
Junko: The Queen has found another understander.

Misaki: So is it a deal?
Kuroko: What are you-
Misaki: You said you would do anything, didn't you?☆
Kuroko: Gh!?

Kuroko: I shouldn't have said that.
Misaki: My, how exciting☆ Time for a trial clique experience.
Misaki(outside): I can't wait☆

Misaki: And it probably will not be long...
Misaki: before I have you do some work for me.

SFX: Crackle
Text: The give-and-take deal has been made despite the great sacrifice involved!!

Box: To be continued next issue. The September Issue goes on sale Saturday, July 27!!