Toaru Kagaku no Railgun Manga Chapter 060

"Friends" (友達) is the 60th chapter of the Toaru Kagaku no Railgun manga series.

Synopsis
Shokuhou Misaki recalls her memories with Dolly, and how over a period of time, she began to become truly friends with her. Due to the suggestion of the researchers in the Exterior Project, Misaki brainwashes Dolly in order to make her think that Misaki is actually Mi-chan, her friend who had previously visited her, but who had stopped visiting after seeing the machines on Dolly's body. Dolly asks Misaki to use her powers on a certain container of liquid. Misaki refuses, giving the excuse that she was told to stop using her powers so much. Dolly is saddened. She asks Misaki about the world outside of the research facility and asks her if she can take her to see the ocean one day. Misaki says that she can in the future when she is free. Dolly is delighted at this.

The two of them play some games for a period of time. Then Dolly finishes a drink and tosses the empty bottle into the trash can. Misaki scolds Dolly for throwing her bottle, claiming that it's rude. Dolly playfully accuses Shokuhou of being unable to throw her juice bottle into the trash bin. Indignant, Misaki finishes her own drink and makes several attempts to throw the bottle, moving closer each time and only succeeding when she's near the bin. Misaki turns and realises that Dolly has collapsed, so she frantically calls for help.

The two researchers at hand discuss between themselves that they knew this would be happening to Dolly relatively soon. While lying in a bed, Dolly asks Misaki for her name: revealing that Dolly figured out that Misaki was in fact not Mi-chan. Misaki hysterically (out of sadness and guilt) tells Dolly that her real name is Shokuhou Misaki. Dolly is carried away by the researchers. Soon after, Misaki asks if Dolly will be alright. One researcher explains to Misaki that Dolly's lifetime cannot be extended anymore even with the advanced technology of Academy City and that Dolly already knew and was prepared for this.

After this incident, Misaki becomes somewhat withdrawn and behind on her curriculum. During one rainy day, she is told that Dolly has died. In this way, Misaki loses not Mi-chan's friend, but her own true friend that she had trusted.

The higher up researchers in the institute discuss Misaki's depression, and contemplate the possibility of revealing to Shokuhou that Dolly is merely a clone, a creation, so that she is not emotionally burdened. They reveal that the higher-ups (presumably of Academy City) had already removed all physical traces and evidence of the project cloning and that no one would believe testimony from Shokuhou anyway because she was a mind-controlling esper. One of the researchers decides that they will reveal this fact to Shokuhou if her depression does not improve. Another researcher explains that the Dolly Clone workshop is not some project merely handed down from above, it is instead the crystallization of their greatest wishes and desires. The researchers worry that Misaki will eventually become too powerful for their Mental Guards to be effective against her brainwashing powers. One researcher eventually says that this is not a problem because, as soon as Exterior is complete, Misaki will be disposed of anyway. At this point, Misaki is revealed to be in the room and in control of the researchers.

Misaki thinks to herself that she had used a lower level researcher during the experiments by wielding two remotes at once in order to mind control him. This lower level researcher then tampered with the other mental guards of the other researchers. By the time Misaki entered Tokiwadai she had already brainwashed all of them, which should have prevented them from leaking any information even under torture. The flashback ends and Shokuhou asks the question in the present: how did Gensei find out about Exterior?

The chapter finishes with a scene between Saten and Xochitl. Saten asks Xochitl about the details of what is happening. Just as Xochitl is about to reveal the details of the situation to Saten, Touma returns from the race intending to return the charm Saten. He notices her and heads in her direction. This puts him in a position to hear what Xochitl says to Xochitl.

Major Events

 * Misaki is revealed to have usurped control of Exterior from its original research team.

Characters
In order of appearance:
 * Shokuhou Misaki
 * Dolly
 * Saten Ruiko
 * Xochitl
 * Kamijou Touma
 * Kihara Gensei (referenced-only)
 * Kouzaku Mitori (as "Mi-chan", referenced-only)

New Characters
No new characters were introduced during this chapter.

Abilities

 * Mental Out - Shokuhou Misaki, Level 5

New Abilities
This is the first time in the series that Shokuhou has used 2 remotes at once in conjunction.

Locations

 * Academy City
 * Shinohara Liquid Metal Factory

Unanswered Questions

 * What exactly are Gensei and Mitori after?