A Certain Holiday Season: Part 1: Advent
Themes: Humour/Romance/Adventure
Greetings, potential readers, or those who clicked the wrong link hoping for something else! This is a story, and it's the first one I've tried to write in quite a long time. It's also my first work not based entirely off my own thoughts: I never expected I'd like something enough to want to attempt a fanfiction of it, but here we are! I've gotten quite a bit of this down already (8 chapters as of publishing, though those mostly need a lot of editing. Seriously, the fact that I can't indent paragraph's is freaking me out), and I plan to at least double that length for the rest with the plans I have. That said, please read the following note for a few warnings.
NOTE: This contains some spoilers for the light novel up to and including NT 12, and is set directly after. Consider it an alternative take on the next book, with its writing started before NT 13 came out. Sort of a diverging path, where the current Big Bad's don't move so quickly, and there is a bit of time for relative normality in Academy City. I started writing this about 2 weeks ago; essentially because I felt Christmas would be too good a chance to pass up writing about. As far as style goes, I'm trying to blend my own personal habits with the original authors, both as an exercise to improve my own and a way to explore different methods. I try to avoid using "He said" "She said" by making it clear who is talking without that, but I understand it may be hard to follow if I make mistakes. Please, let me know if a simpler, clearer style is better. Finally, characterization is intended to be as close as possible to the light novels and anime, though to a fair degree I am investigating some of the implied though processes and internal debates behind what is readily visible. Note that major developments in NT are used to justify some character growth, in a way that I felt made sense. All input is appreciated. I reserve the right to ignore abuse, but I plan to take everything in mind when adjusting my work later. After all, what is your writing if not an attempt to speak to your readers?
Also, although I'm going to follow the author lead in always introducing characters fully, I'm assuming a fairly high level of familiarity with most characters and the general setting, plus their naming conventions. That said, I am fairly likely to get some things wrong, so feel free to let me know. Hopefully I remain accurate enough that no massive rewrites are necessary, but that is never certain, is it?
Disclaimer: if it is not abundantly obvious, I own nothing involving Toaru Majutsu no Index, not it's characters, setting, or stories. No profit is being made, no rights intending to be infringed. Kazuma Kamachi has those honours, and to him we are thankful for his work. This is just a tribute.
Format:
Normal text is narration
"Quotes for speech"
Italics for thought
Bold for emphasis, rarely used.
In all cases, a new paragraph means a new speaker or thinker. When in doubt, look for the... drought? Of text between spaces? I don't know.
Lastly, this should remain T rated throughout: it might get a little actiony-er than that rating implies, but this ain't gonna get too... touchy, even if it is fairly romantic.
Without further ado, I hope you enjoy!
NOTE:
Hello. This little addition has been written just as the final update goes live. It is a short memo to let readers know that, sometime in the coming months, I will return to edit and clean up and generally tighten this narrative. There is no deadline for completion. When this blurb is gone, the story can be considered truly complete.
Chapter 1
4:30 P.M, December 20th: Academy City
Though the evening air was chill and the sky overcast, comforting warmth filled the streets of Academy City. A light snow gently dusted its buildings and parks, drifting around street lights and decorations to shine in festive colours. Cleaning robots ensured the major paths were clear for the nearly 2.3 million students doing their Christmas shopping, but were otherwise programmed to let a thin blanket build for holiday effect. Consumerism was crammed everywhere onto the billboards of the corners stores and department centres, flashing neon promises of good cheer and better savings. The combined effect was all lost, however, on a certain Level 0, who as usual was wrapped up in his own bad luck as he ambled through his most familiar park.
"Such misfortune…" Kamijou Touma muttered to himself for not the first time that day. "…Now that I've spent so much on these supplies, I don't know what I'm going to do about a nice Christmas dinner. Index might just eat me instead..." He hung his head again and sighed heavily, shivering slightly before tucking the back of his jacket into his belt with his right hand, since the other was occupied with a small plastic bag. There was nothing he could do if Index convinced herself Touma was a roast turkey or some other traditional western food. Not even Imagine Breaker, the mysterious power in the right hand that could break any illusion, would help. And he only had 5 days before it was too late: the holidays can be a difficult time for a man without any luck. "At least Othinus doesn't eat much."
Before he made it halfway along the parks path, Touma overheard a familiar Kiai[1] and the sound of what could only be a vending machine surrendering to abuse. Softly smiling ,he took a slight detour to find Misaka Mikoto holding two cans in front of her second favourite victim. She regarded each closely with her back to Touma, clearly undecided between the two, but hadn't yet noticed his approach. Looks like she can't make up her mind, he thought to himself. Maybe I could help? I should probably let her know I'm coming, though, or I'm liable to get attacked again. That might save me a good bit of trouble, seeing as I'm her other favourite target…
Touma's quiet planning and good-natured obliviousness had its usual consequences. While considering how to avoid surprising her, he had managed to stroll within a foot of Mikoto. Just before bumping into her he stopped and recognized the danger. Oh crap. I'll step back a little bit, then-
Of course, by then it was too late, for Mikoto had just taken her own step backwards. Without looking she was going to turn and bump straight into Touma, who could only foresee disastrous consequences. Caught between countless bad decisions he predictably made the worst, freezing in place and shouting a little too loudly a warning.
"Oy, Biribiri!?" Touma raised his hands to block her from completely crashing into him, but his plans were foiled. Instead of continuing towards him Mikoto jumped a foot away in surprise, blushing brightly with a loud meep and some stray arcs of current. As she recoiled, both cans she had been carrying launched into the air, and for a moment time froze.
H-h-him!? Here!? What the Hell!? …Oh-?
Oh boy, now I've done it, I've – Hmm?
Each noticed the cans at the same time.
My drinks! I…wait, I can't let them hit him! That'd be so embarrassing! I've got to-
If those spill I'm fried! But if I save them… maybe I too will be saved!? I've got to-
Mikoto had thrown the drinks both up and towards Touma, well over his head. He reached up to catch them while staggering slowly back like an outfielder, just as Mikoto dashed forward arms outstretched. Both of them were looking up, and not at each other. Touma just for a second got his hands on the drinks, when a certain scientific railgun slammed into his chest.
…Eh?!
…Uh oh.
Once again the drinks flew into the air, thrown this time by Touma's fall. He landed hard on the park's walkway, with Mikoto's face squarely in his chest. She lay sprawled over him, completely crimson, and even Touma couldn't repress a blush. His left arm was locked under her body, and he was only partially propped up by his right. For a brief instant their eyes met, and Touma knew the face of his demise. But before the sparks could fly…
…His eyes flickered up again, and the shock on his face turned to determination. The sudden transition was enough to make Mikoto hesitate. He looked like he had countless other times, when she or others had been in danger. When he had thrown away his own safety to protect another's smile. Oh… A-a-ah, what I am thinking?! I'm furious at him, damnit! B-but, is he actually w-worried about m-m-!"
With a flash his right arm reached up behind her head, and his brave smile was all Mikoto could see. Her heart skipped a beat as she could only assume he was moving in for intimacy. W-w-what? L-l-like this?! But but I'm not bracedforthis, thisishappeningsofast,butbuthe'sso-huh..?
A solid thump behind her head distracted Mikoto once again. It hit her in a flash: he had caught one of the drinks that had fallen: she had been so anxious she hadn't even noticed with her powers the tin can barrelling down. Touma had seen the danger and as usual acted decisively to protect those he cared about. However, equally in character was his failure to consider his own safety. One can had been caught, but the second made a perfect landing directly on his forehead.
As the cloud of snow stirred by their collapse settled and the dented can rolled awkwardly down the walkway, Touma blinked away a few tears to grin bravely at Mikoto's wide eyed stare.
"Eheh…Happy holidays?…Uhm, Biri-biri… Are you…Why are you… Laughing!? …Such misfortune."
After they had both recovered sufficiently (him from the swollen lump on his brow and her from side splitting laughter), Mikoto collected the drinks from Touma. Still smiling a little stupidly, she chuckled while comparing them once again. The dented can was hot cocoa, while the other was warm apple cider. As he finished brushing the snow from his backside, she tossed him the chocolate which he caught this time in his right hand.
"Well idiot, I guess you're good for something after all. You made my choice a lot easier."
"Well, you know I'm just glad I could help and all. No harm no foul, right?" Touma could only chuckle, though his forehead was still throbbing. "I'm sorry I scared you, by the w.-eh?" His lopsided grin and momentary sense of safety were both shattered by Mikoto's sudden light show as she readied an attack. Reacting quickly to her strike, he interposed his Imagine Breaker be belatedly realizing his mistake. The electricity was weak, but it was enough to charge the hot chocolate can he still firmly held. Its temperature quickly soared, blowing itself open in a fountain of molten delight. Mikoto noticed and stopped her strike, but the damage was done.
"AH AH AH AH Hot hot hot hot…" Touma began passing the syrupy can back and forth between his bare hands, before settling on putting it down on the cool ground.
"You did NOT scare me!" She shouted, equally embarrassed by his choice of words and her own sudden outburst. "I-I was just startled, that's all! When you SHOUTED right NEXT to me!" Her finger pointed accusingly at Touma, who could only sigh in acceptance.
"I-I was trying NOT to startle you! Honest! And besides, can't you sense threats and people around you and stuff?! How'd I even get that close without you knowing, anyway?"
"Well you didn't do a very good job, Idiot! And while I can sense threats, that doesn't work on you and your hand! And even if it did, it's not like you're a threat anyway." Her tirade lost steam, trailing off into a murmur as she glanced aside, sipping her warm cider.
Touma paused momentarily: not a threat? Did that mean she finally realized he didn't want to duel her? It was risky, but he had to pursue this chance.
"Not a threat? Well… that's go-"
"Since I beat you last time, I don't have anything left to prove, do I?" She smugly raised her eyebrow and made a peace sign, seemingly unaware of how cute she looked as she did. Touma remembered back to Denmark a few weeks prior, where he had fought her and nearly the entire world for the right to save a smile, and couldn't help grinning lightly along with her. That day and his experiences just before had been the roughest time of his remembered life, but since it was over he could look back and just be grateful it worked out in the end.
"I guess you're right. Man, that's a relief. It'll be nice not having to worry about being fried anymore. Maybe now you can treat me like something more than a target, right? …Right,Biribi-eh!?" Once again Touma had spoken without thinking, and Mikoto had conjured up an aura of electric destruction in response to his words. He readied Imagine Breaker and braced himself, thinking furiously all the while. How do I manage to keep doing this!? I'm so confused! W-was it calling her Biri-biri again!? Maybe!? How do I fix THIS one!?
Unbeknownst to Touma the younger girl was similarly panicked, though for a different reason. Mikoto was caught in a whirlwind of thoughts and doubts, as she parsed what Touma had so casually said. L-l-like more than a t-target? What do THAT mean!? Does he… he think I've been ch-ch-chasing after him!? Does t-that idiot really suspect-! Is he implying he wants me to stop… or that I've already hit!? Oh gosh oh gosh oh gosh oh-
"M-Misaka-san, I'm sorry! Really, I didn't – I don't – Just, please, be careful, there are people around!" Grasping at straws, Touma had noticed that they had begun to draw a crowd. No one had been around in the initial accident, but the subsequent commotion had awoken curiosity in more than a few.
The thought of further public embarrassed cut Mikoto's display short, but things still didn't seem adequately resolved to her. Eventually the crowd dispersed as Touma apologized dramatically for the unintentional light-show, but not before Mikoto noticed something. It wasn't that cold out, so why was Touma shivering so visibly? His jacket seemed thick enough from the side, but…
"Hey, idiot." Touma stiffened, and turned to face Mikoto. "No, turn around. Face away. I want to see something. "
Her deadpan tone frightened Touma to no end. Wh-what is this? Is she trying to get a sneak attack in!? And she's just asking me to let it happen?! That is… is just so unfair! She wouldn't actually do something like that… right!? I thought she said she doesn't even want to fight any more! He was almost in tears at the injustice in the world, but he also knew better than to hesitate too long. He slowly turned away and tried to brace himself for the worst. At least I NEARLY made to a hospital-less Christmas…
"Did you tear your jacket when you fell just now? It's in tatters! How could that little fall have possibly done that!?" She pointed with distress to his back. Three long rips had been made straight through the cheap fabric of his fall coat, with one particularly jagged tear reaching over halfway to Touma's neck.
Mikoto's questioning at first confused then relieved the boy. He leaned forwards to rest his hands on his knees and gave a loud, life-affirming sigh.
"No, no." He straightened up before turning to face Mikoto's surprised look with an easy smile. "That was from before. This isn't the first accident I've had today. Can you believe it?"
"I believe it." Her immediate emotionless response prompted another sigh and deflated all the relief he had felt moments before. "So, what happened?"
"It's kinda embarrassing… I was heading out to school as normal. But before I could leave I came under attack by… an irate house-guest for not having any bacon in the fridge, who chased me out to my balcony. I tried to cross over to Tsuchimikado's apartment as an escape route, when I fell in between my railing and his to land on a different balcony on the floor below. My jacket got caught on a loose nail as I went, and there you go! Eheh." The whole time Touma was explaining, Mikoto felt something was amiss. House guest? Who was that? But more directly obvious was the hole in Touma's story.
"That explains one rip, but there are two more. Did you fall all the way to ground floor or something?" She raised an eyebrow again, and Touma knew once again he was in for it. He wasn't going to lie, but he had really wanted to avoid this part.
"No no! Uhm… I landed on that other balcony below, and as I got up… There happened to be a young woman in her room, in a state of… well… SHE WASN'T NAKED I SWEAR!" He leaned back as Mikoto was clearly beginning to threaten violence. "I was there completely by accident, and a little dazed from my fall! I thought to ask for help, but she thought I was some sort of pervert-"
"You say that like you're not." Mikoto's harsh words cut deep into Touma's psyche, but she relented. "Continue."
"Eheh… Well, then she came at me with a knife-"
"A KNIFE?! Are you okay, you damned idiot?! What were you thinking?!" Touma was once again on the defensive for entirely different reasons, and he still had no clear idea why.
"I'm fine, fine: really! And I wasn't thinking about anything else than getting away! Luckily my jacket had fallen over my face: it made it hard to see, but protected both my innocent identity and my skin. She only got a few swings off before I climbed back up to Tsuchimikado's place. So… There you have it! I had to wear it like this throughout the last day of class… It was a little chilly out too… Eheh…" Touma shivered theatrically in an attempt to lighten the mood. In reality, after both his stints in Russia during World War 3 and Denmark during "World War Touma"[2] he felt the weather in Academy City was practically balmy. However, Mikoto had already latched onto a deeper issue.
At the best of times, she felt that Touma was usually underdressed. He always wore the same cheap clothing, and she had never even seen him in anything warmer than his current blazer. If that idiot's shivering so hard now, what will he be like during a cold snap, or a blizzard? Who will – I MEAN WHAT, w-what will keep him warm? It's not like he hasn't helped make me feel warm, s-so I'd just be returning the favour… When I was cold… As she was thinking, Touma had picked up his now lukewarm cocoa and the small bag he had been carrying.
"H-hey… what's in the bag? And why is it labelled 'Scientific Arts and Crafts?'"
"Oh, this?" Touma unconcernedly raised the bag and waved it around at his head level. "There's no way I can afford a new coat right now, so I had to buy some thread, needles, and a few patches."
"Y-you can sew!?" Mikoto sputtered into her cider. Just how worldly IS this idiot?! I already know he can cook[3] better than me, how the hell am I supposed to-
"Not really… I can darn socks, but that's the most I've done. But I have to try fixing my jacket: it'll be a cold winter otherwise! Though even then it'll still be full of holes…" Touma hadn't thought to be embarrassed about trying to sew his own jacket until he heard Mikoto's response. I guess that isn't a very manly thing to do, huh? She must find it silly. Eheh, well, that's just another reason I've got no luck with the ladi- eh? His self-deprecating thoughts were interrupted by Mikoto's expression. It very clearly wasn't one of disdain or even good humour, but instead was full of concern.
"You can't possibly wear that over Christmas! Especially if you're not confident in your sewing skills! You deserve a new one, a really nice warm one!" Mikoto realized belatedly that her blush had been building alongside Touma's, but her embarrassment quickly got the best of her. "I-I-I mean, it's what anyone deserves! It's not like you're special or anything!"
Touma was touched, just as he always was when Mikoto volunteered herself willingly to help him out in his problems. What is with this girl? I just never understand. Half the time she's trying to fry me, the rest she's a dedicated, thoughtful friend. Why are things so complicated all the time? He couldn't help but smile, grateful for her concern if nothing else.
"I wouldn't mind one like that myself, but it's difficult. I've got a lot of mouths to feed, and not a lot of money to do it on. There's no way I can afford a new coat." Touma came very close to teasing Mikoto about how rich she was again, but decided he had been attacked enough times today as it was. After his ordeal with Othinus, it seemed some limited self-preserving social skills were finally awakening in him.
Mikoto meanwhile had once again noticed Touma referencing other people living with him, but ignored it for now as she couldn't pass up this chance to make a move. He basically just asked me for help, right? But he's too damned proud and selfless to accept a really nice gift-
Except that it was almost Christmas. Well, this makes the cookies redundant, but… An eerie grin flashed over Mikoto's face, but it was gone so quickly Touma wasn't quite certain it had been there at all. She was very clearly trying to play it cool, but as usual it came out as pure aggression.
"You still owe me, you know!" The outburst took Touma aback, and he raised his hands in supplication.
"W-what for? Did I do something else? Recently, I mean?"
"For scar- STARTLING me, idiot!"
"I already apologized, Bir- I mean, Misaka-san, what more do you want?"
"That's NOT good enough!" She shouted before glancing all around in embarrassment. To cover her face she took a sip of her cider, not realizing that it had like Touma's cocoa heated up due to her frequent charges. As she spat out a little and blew cool air onto it, Touma reflected once more on his luck. Of course it's not. Damn it, what to do then? What made her happy last time? …Maybe something like that penalty game thing again? That was so… awkward though… For both of us… But it did make her happy, and she got us both those Gekota pendants… Hmmm…
Crap crap crap, how do I say this? Mikoto blush only grew and as she plotted. How can I convince him to do this?! This won't work if I just tell him, he'll totally suspect-
"S-say, Mikoto…" Touma's use of her first name and halting tone shook her from her reverie.
"Eh?!"
"P-perhaps… to make it up to you, we could, you know, or I-I could, maybe… just do what you want me to do for an e-evening?" Crap crap crap I hope this works. If I guessed this wrong, I'm a good as dead. Sorry mom, sorry dad, I leave everything to Sphinx! …Do they even know I have a cat? Problem for later.
Silence fell over two of them alongside the muffling evening snow as the last shreds of dusk faded to night. Mikoto had never expected that kind of offer from Touma and it threw her into disarray, careful battle plans discarded in the face of what seemed like total surrender.
"…What are y-you offering…Exactly?" What what wait what? Did I hear that? Could he… is he offering a… d-d-date!? Does he think I… want that!? WHAT!?
"I don't know! Something like that penalty game thing from last time, maybe... O-or something else! R-really, I don't know! It's just an offer; it can be whatever you want!" I'm not dead yet. Could this really be working? No sparks yet … okay. J-just play it easy… Try to give her what she wants…
Normally when faced with a similar scenario, Mikoto's embarrassment had made the direct expression of her goals and feelings impossible. But just this once, for the first time since she had met Touma, something had changed. He's just g-going to GIVE ME what I w-w-want!? W-ait... what d-do I want…? The silence resumed for a few moments more, until Mikoto hesitatingly responded.
"….O-okay…Come shopping with me on the 23rd. I-I've just realized I've g-got to do some last minute Christmas shopping, and YOU'RE GOING TO HELP ME, GOT IT IDIOT!?" Mikoto's aggressive nature finally won through, though she managed to refrain from shocking anyone named Kamijou Touma.
"Yes yes! I promise!" Well, this could be worse… especially since I'm not the one paying for anything.
"M-Meet me at 4 o-clock, at the entrance to the Dianoid! Don't be late, or… you'll regret it, I promise!"
"Yes yes! I promise again!" Oh. Now it's worse. Touma was already having flashbacks to the last time he had visited that high-class hellhole of a mall. The glitz and glam hadn't even been the worst part, considering the magical attack by St. Germaine. Still, things had quieted down in the weeks that had passed, and the boy seriously doubted something would happen again in the same place. Advertisements for the mall had been running non-stop on cable, promising that the mall's security had been improved beyond belief. The boy had no idea if the campaign was working, but if there was ever a good time to go the Dianoid, it was probably now. Plus he only had one girl, not two like last time, dragging him around. However, that one girl was Tokiwadai's railgun, who was in a league of her own when it came to causing trouble.
Without knowing, Touma and Mikoto shared a sense of embarrassed foreboding mixed with hesitant hope. For now the specifics remained different, but the emotions were the same. Without realizing it they had remained starting at each other for almost a minute, silently. Moments before Mikoto realized she ought to be freaking out, Touma smiled his most winning smile.
"I promise, Bir- I mean, Misaka-san… and I-I'm looking forward to it! So… so I'll see you then. Thanks for the cocoa…" Touma trailed off as he took a sip, waving goodbye as he turned with the craft store bag in his other hand.
"Y-you're welcome!" Mikoto couldn't bring herself to wave at his retreating back, but instead took off the opposite direction at a faster pace. She held the cider can to her smiling lips, starting to shake a little with nerves. Well, that's an improvement over "Biri-biri" I guess.
As he walked, Touma reflected on how much better that had gone than he expected. He was still cold, but he felt a little warmer. Must be the cocoa, I guess. He walked a little longer, before stopping suddenly. Mikoto had mentioned something about Christmas presents. Something deep and heavy settled in his heart, and the light grin he wore faded into stark horror. Glancing down at his cheap phone's clock confirmed his fears. It was 4:49 on December 20th, and Kamijou Touma had not even begun to do his Christmas shopping. He had been so busy lately, but that was still no excuse.
"…3 times in 20 minutes? This may be a record, even for me, but… Such misfortune."
[1] A Kiai is basically a martial arts term, for the cry or breath of air one lets out with a major strike. I would have put "chaser" instead, but it didn't flow as well and it's not clear she ALWAYS say it that way.
[2] World War Touma is my term, but I feel like it's something Touma might relate to. He did essentially fight every magical and most of the scientific super-powers. Besides, now I can imagine him as the Hulk (World War Hulk, in case you're wondering) and that makes me laugh. "SMASH PUNY ILLUSIONS!"
[3] I don't exactly remember if she has direct experience with his cooking, but seeing as she knows he always buys ingredients and things and is always bumping into him, I assumed she figured it out. Plus, she is sensitive about her own lack of skills, to a degree (remembering the cookies she made before).