Hi everyone, It's the author of The Lost Light here (smile awkwardly) It has been...three months, hasn't it?
Alright, I know what you was wondering, where am I in these past 3 months? Let me share you a story.
In the past 90 days...or more?...wait, was it more or less?...nevermind, continuing...While I was exhausted with two IT projects at school, my laptop suddenly gave up on me and crashed. I didn't have the change to recovery the newest chapter of TLL along with the rest of the drafts of the future arcs so it was kind of a little shocked to see my whole effort had went down the drain in less than five seconds (tears forming in eyes).
And...not to mention the projects at school also ended up in the same state (since I did them on the laptop), meaning they went down the drain, too. Shocked, broken hearted, I...got back to feet again thanks to the others in my group (this is a group project, sorry, no trolling intended =]]). It was a really wide ride.
Since now, everything is done and the new course is approaching, I have a little bit free time to write this idea and start the other three stories again.
So, to sum up my whole point. (bow my head down) Sorry for this sudden new story, but since TLL chapter 6's progress has went back to 0%. I need time to make a new draft for it again. So there you have it.
About this story: As a spin-off and as the title of the story suggests, this is what was written in that "Diary" of him. Although saying it's a Diary, please don't mind about the change of perspective, though. It's just to make the prequel of TLL more openly to characters' feelings and emotions.
Alright, enough of my nonsense rambling.
Enjoy the story~.
Disclaimer: I don't own To Aru Majutsu no Index.
Memories_of_HIM
Diary Entry #?
A_Fortunate_Christmas (1)
The snow were falling.
It fell down on the cold, solid ground and lied there.
Sometime, the tiny crystalline water was gently moved by a brief wind as it waited until the winter season passed, until the sun rose up tomorrow morning and make its existence fade away with the warm light the giant fire ball emits.
That was how the cycle of nature worked.
No.
That was what should have happened for that little crystalline water.
It didn't happen at all.
Its existence was instantly disappeared faster than how the nature has proceeded. And that happened just because of a simple drop of water fell down on top the small crystalline snow. It melted away upon the contact, along with that single drop of water.
Then, around the melting spot, several drop of waters also dripped down from above.
A small gasp could be heard, then came a heavy breathing sound, it all came from a certain boy.
"….*gasp*…..*gasp*….."
The boy grabbed his own chest and stopped his gasp as he was trying to suppress it down. Feeling like the air in his lung was making him give in to the exhaustion, he inhaled and exhaled deeply.
Several drop of waters fell down on the snowy surface once more.
The boy blinked at the ground, he brought a hand to his forehead and wept all those waters that were dripping down his face.
Cold sweat.
For some reason, cold sweat was all over his face. Even in the middle of the winter season, sweat was still able to form around his forehead.
"….."
Weeping away the sweat on his face with his sleeve next, the boy let out a small sigh. He looked around the place where he was at.
Snow was everywhere, it piled up little by little on the street.
People was walking, talking together with a cheerful, happy smile on their facial expression.
The boy then looked up to the neon lights that were hanged above his head.
Many decoration rope with more than ten colorful neon lights attached were hanged up there with many bright colors, blue, red, yellow and white. Alone, they filled up the entire place, lightened up the mood further for the citizen to enjoy the very last holiday of the year.
That's right.
Today was Christmas.
Every district in the Academy City was decorated with these beautiful, bright lights.
Every place was filled with a mood that was so Christmas-y.
Everyone looked so happy.
Everyone looked so cheerful.
That was obvious, Christmas day is the holiday for all the people around the world to take a break from their usual daily work, a meaningful festival for everyone to gather around the same table and receive gift from each other or from the legendary symbol of the Christmas itself, Santa Claus…if he truly exists in this age though.
Either way, in this world that filled with Magic and Science, who can say that Saint Nicholas isn't out there to secretly give gift to every good child around the world.
Who can deny the illusion….no…the dream that people has created from long time ago and break the happiness this day brings to them.
…..that's right.
That is Christmas.
It was meant to be like that, one of the special occasion in a year that one person could feel happy.
And yet…
…..why…?
There was still one exception, a single existence that apparently didn't seem to go along well with this great holiday.
…why didn't I feel any happy at all?
It was the boy whom life has always been messed around by the so called misfortune.
Kamijou Touma grabbed the tip of the black scarf with red, white pattern he was wearing around his neck and threw it behind his shoulder. The boy fixed the scarf to hug closer to his skin so no cold wind can sneak through any gaps and freeze his flesh down to the bone as the moisture from the sweat started to make him shiver.
The boy stood up from a bench that was covered in a thick layer of snow like a white blanket. As his hands pushed down his leg to support the weight of his body, the boy realized they was shaking slightly.
It was not due to the cold winter, the boy himself was nervous about something else.
He knew the reason, but he decided not to say it out loud. He needed to control it, to resist this terrified feeling that was slowly swelling up in his stomach.
But now he wasn't sure it he can manage it. That feeling has nearly reached its peak.
It may automatically shoot off the chart it he didn't do something to deal with it. And unfortunately, he didn't know what he should do. In fact, he is absolutely confused at the moment.
The boy let out a small sigh, his breath barely visible in a fainted smoke. He grabbed his shaking left hand with the right which was also in the same state.
Something is not right.
….this is definitely not right….
The time was in the evening. Right now, he was alone on the street in District 7.
Which was perfect.
He wanted to be alone on the street. Because ever since the morning of this day came, he could not comprehend what was happening with his life.
Something is wrong.
…..definitely wrong…..
Just why…?
Throughout the entire day….how come..?
"How come nothing bad has happened to me?"
Kamijou Touma muttered to himself in a doubtful tone.
It was Christmas and nothing bad has happened to him. For the spiky haired boy, this is surely a strange type of event that rarely occurred in his life.
Why was it strange?
Considering how often misfortune brings his life upside down every day, a day without misfortune is, without a doubt, completely abnormal.
What made it even stranger was that ever since the clock pointed at zero hour, which was the exact time when Christmas day started, good things has begun to happen to him.
The spiky haired boy scanned his surrounding and slowly placed his foot forward, watching his every steps as he walked.
He flinched when a pile of snow on top the nearby three fell down right in front of his feet instead of his head.
He stumbled backward due to accidently stepped on a frozen pond but didn't feel any pain as the soft layer of snow protect him from having a hurtful impact.
Some passerby gave him a concerned look while he lied there on the roadside.
Putting on blank face, the spiky haired boy slowly sat up and looked down on the snowy ground, his bang cover half of his face.
"Hey, are you alright?"
"That fall looks painful, can you stand up?"
Two feminine voices came to his ear, a pair of shadows went into his view. Kamijou raised up his head to look, he was about to reply back.
But…..
Before he could even utter a single word from his throat, his eyes went wide and his jaw nearly dropped at the sight.
Two beautiful onee-sans were staring at him with kind eyes, a hand extended out from one of them, offering to help the boy stand up.
"Here let onee-san help you stand up…..hm? What is with that look? Are you feeling alright?"
"…."
Voicelessly, Kamijou reached out to that hand and the two pulled him up onto his feet.
"There you go, be careful with you steps, okay."
One of the girl beamed a smile at him, the force from that smile could carry enough damage to bring out a "doki" from the spiky haired boy. Usually, that was what should have happened to him since his type of ideal girl was an older sister dorm manager.
But somehow…
"Um, why are you still looking at me like that, are you truly ok? Is your back hurt from that fall?"
A blush didn't make itself visible on the boy's cheek, his heart didn't even skip a beat either, it raced even faster than before with a chill crawled down his spine.
Kamijou shook his head at the question, the girl in front of him took that as the answer.
"Oh, you drop this."-the other onee-san spoke up as she crouched down and picked up a notebook next to him."Here."
With the same reaction, Kamijou took it and gave the two a light bow. Eventually, with nothing more to worry about, the two older girl made their way to the opposite direction of him. They didn't forget to wave back and gave the spiky haired boy a cheerful smile that filled with a Christmas-y spirit.
Kamijou weakly waved back, trying his best to make the corner of his mouth moved up a little to form a smile.
When the two onee-san had gone from his sight, the smile instantly disappeared and his arm fell down to his side.
Some random beautiful older girls had helped him.
Thinking about that, the terrified feeling that built up within him began to flare up.
Saying he was terrifying was not an exaggeration. Because as of now, that emotion was the only word that could describe best the look on the boy's face.
Kamijou's face was paled, almost as white as the thick layer of snow that covered the whole city.
Just one more push.
One more good thing or omen comes to him and surely, that feeling in his stomach will explore like an erupted volcano.
The spiky haired boy turned around, silently gulped and pat his chest lightly.
….calm down…..just calm down me. It's not like the universe is scheming something big to mess with my life later on.
That's right, be cool, be positive.
Kamijou gave himself another deep inhale and let it out as he moved his feet. The boy crossed the street in a slow pace.
The snow in some parts of the street got thicker, it had done a great job for decorating the city to suit with the theme of this special holiday.
Everywhere on the street was a fantastic sight.
Students, workers and even the researchers, everyone in this city has let themselves sink into this wonderful time of the year.
But then again, everyone except him.
He couldn't find the mood to sink into this atmosphere. Even though he had told himself that there was nothing to worry about all these good things that have and had happened to him, the boy still couldn't let his guard down.
Every time he thinks that misfortune has finally stopped messing with his life and let the fortune takes over, a big trouble always found its way to him sooner or later.
Especially when this right hand is still here.
…..as if Kamijou-san is going to let his guard down. Never, not today! Not even in a millisecond that I'll look away or accept this!
His experience with misfortune has made him well aware of its nature.
That was why, at this moment, he will always be in standby mode and prepare to face anything that his rotten luck might throw at him.
Kamijou walked and walked. At one point, he stopped and leaned against the wall, taking off his black scarf to brush off the snow on it. As he did, he stared at it for a while.
One thought resided in his mind.
…I wonder what did this scarf was made from, it really is light.
The boy didn't feel like he was touching it, yet it was there, lying firmly in his grasp.
The piece of fabric was thin, yet while he wore it, he felt so warm.
"…."
Feeling the cold was getting to him, the black spiky haired boy folded the scarf and wrapped it around his neck again. Done fixing it, he took his cell phone out to check the time.
It was nearly 7:00 p.m.
The boy let out a small sigh. Around this time, he was supposed to be in the kitchen to make dinner for the two freeloaders and that cat in his apartment.
They all would have having a warm dinner if he was there.
…...I guess Index and Othinus are probably really angry at me.
And not to mention…..
…and I still haven't bought anything as a Christmas gift for them, my wallet is so dried right now.
Kamijou opened the mail box in his phone to view the some new messages that were sent to him in the past few hours. However, before he could read the first message on the screen, his phone vibrated as a new email came.
…..Komoe-sensei?
[Kamijou-chan, where are you? Sensei can't call you at all, nun-chan is here in sensei apartment and she said something about you suddenly becoming pale and running away when she gave you her Christmas gift. Did something happened, Kamijou-chan?]
"…."
Kamijou pressed the reply button, and type a mail to send back to his homeroom teacher. But as he did so, another message came, interrupting him in the progress.
[Ah! Sensei've just got an idea, how about you come to sensei's apartment? We are having a Christmas celebration here, nun-chan has already sat in the kotatsu to eat the hot pot.]
….hot pot, huh…at least those three has something to eat now.
[The authorities of the city decided to not to apply the curfew today so everyone can enjoy this holiday to the fullest. Sensei has already prepared a ton of delicious food in the kitchen so why don't you come here to enjoy this time with us. There will also be an exchanging gift session after this.]
"….."
A small gap formed on Kamijou's mouth, slowly, it turned into a thin smile.
[And don't forget, if you are having any trouble right now, you can always come here to consult it with sensei. Sensei will try her best to give you advices, let the bad things go away to welcome the good things of the holiday and the next year.]
That smile on his face dropped instantly when he read the last line of the message. "Next year" didn't seem to relevant much with the rest of the content.
Oh wait, that was not the point.
….sensei, even if you tell me that. Right now, I'm scared of having those good things come to me.
He really wanted to type that into his reply, but that would be rude to his teacher.
Welcoming the good fortune is no different from welcoming bad luck. Out of the six billion people in the world, only Kamijou was the one that suit with the term.
The boy, whom life has always been filled with misfortune, looked up to the dark sky for a moment, thinking about something. The black color it carried was painted by many white dots. The snow kept falling down softly alongside with the gentle, cold breeze that flew pass the street.
Letting the air out of his lung, his breath, which was formed into a fainted smoke, entered his view. Kamijou's blue eyes darted back to the screen and the spiky haired boy started typing a reply.
….Sorry, sensei…..but right now…..I….
[I just want to spend this Christmas day alone]
With that, the boy turned off his phone.
….
…
…..
[A few minutes ago]
Inside a two stories building in District 7….
"Uuuu~, just when I was expecting Touma would give his Christmas present to me, he suddenly burst out the room and ran away for no reason."
A certain nun in white habit pouted cutely as she picked some meat in the hot pot that placed in the middle of the kotatsu table and placed it into her bowl before chewing it.
Sphynx the cat was lying lazily next to her side with its head popped out from the table's heavy blanket, the calico cat seemed to have finished its dinner early and went to enjoy the warm from the heat source under the wooden table.
Othinus was also there, leaning on the smooth fur of the cat that was three time her size. Since she and Index was in one side of the kotatsu alone, she was hidden from everyone's views. Either way, it was also a good thing that the cat didn't have any intention to "play" with the former Magic God.
But still, the blonde haired fairy didn't feel a bit comfortable though. Just like Index, she was bothered by the act of the black spiky haired boy. Seeing him ran away and left behind their Christmas present to him, it was truly a surprised when he suddenly acted like that.
"What kind of Christmas gift did you gave him?"-across the table, a girl in a shrine maiden outfit asked in a soft voice.
"It's a-"
"Wait, wait! Nun-chan, don't say it! We don't want to ruin the mood of the exchanging gift time."-A loli teacher quickly interrupted the conversation in attempt to prevent spoiler."L-let's keep the secret to ourselves until then, alright?"
"…u-um."-Index nodded at the word and starting digging in the ingredient in the pot. Only a moment later, she stopped and put the chopstick down."Touma…I wonder why did he suddenly went off like that, he doesn't seem to be in trouble."
The nun's small voice seemed to reach others ear as they all stopped eating and diverted their gaze at her.
"So you don't know why he ran away?"-another girl with dark red haired put up a question as she stared at one of the red boxes wrapped in a matched color ribbon that placed near a small, decorated Christmas tree."Has he opened the gift you gave him yet?"
"No, Touma hasn't opened it. I don't know why, but when I gave it to him, he just kept looking between me and my gift frantically for some reason."
"…."-the dark red haired girl blinked at the nun's word. Then, she rolled her eyes, placing her right elbow on the table and rested her chin on the palm."I see, so it wasn't because of the gift then."
Musujime Awaki muttered quietly under her breath.
"What do you mean it wasn't because of the gift?"
Those words didn't go unnoticed, however. Himegami Aisa, the girl in the shrine maiden outfit, has heard it.
"Heh? Ah…..no, nothing of the sort."-the girl flinched as she didn't expect her friend to catch that. Knowing all eyes in the room has changed direction from Index to her, the dark red haired girl let out a cough to ease the awkwardness."A-anyway, what happened after that?"
"After that?"
Index halted her own voice and looked down at the former Magic God, who was leaning on one side of the calico cat. The three residents of the room had no idea what the young nun was doing so they waited.
Noticing the look Index gave her, Othinus fixed her witch-liked hat and looked back at the nun. The blonde haired fairy didn't say a word and she just shrugged.
Index then shifted her view to the bowl that was full of the delicious ingredient from the hot pot. She gazed at her own bowl and started telling shortly after as her memory of that moment appeared.
"After that, Touma suddenly put the gift down and went to the door, putting his shoes on….."
"…"
"And then….."
"….and…..then?"-Komoe repeated the word as she listened very closely.
"He turned around to look at the gift with his face somehow really paled at the time."-the young nun placed a finger on her lip."I think I saw Touma's mouth moved a little, hearing him whisper something like this is so confusing and then he just burst the door and ran off."
"Eh? Kamijou-chan ran off just like that?!"-Komoe was confused.
"Nothing serious happened?"-Musujime was confused.
"?"-Himegami didn't have any reaction to that. Instead, many question marks just danced on her head when she listened to the story, she was also confused.
As everyone in the room remained in silence to give some thought about the strange behavior of their spiky haired boy, the Christmas-y atmosphere began to fade away. Realizing this, Komoe-sensei clapped her hand to get the girls attention.
She was not going to let the cheerful mood of the celebration be disturbed.
"Now now, everyone, let's not think too much about this. Maybe Kamijou-chan is having some issues that he cannot resolve. Let sensei call and invite him to join us, that way we will know why he did this and we can help him to clear his mind. How about it?"
The young nun smiled and nodded at the great idea the loli teacher gave out.
Othinus had no comment….
No, even if she had one, she still can't let it out as that might bring trouble to her identity and the boy. The former Magic God just quietly nodded her head thoughtfully to herself.
The other two girls seemed to have arrived at the same agreement, too.
"Please do."-Himegami spoke up with her usual soft tone. It wasn't so often that she could have the chance to spend the time with the boy. Since now the golden opportunity has come, she had to get a full grab of it, especially when today was Christmas day.
"I don't mind if we have one more person to join in the fun."-Musujime glanced back at those red boxes near the Christmas tree again. This time, a grin flashed on her face as one particular gift reflexed in her eyes. "Besides, it would be easier to give him the present this way."
"Hm? You have Christmas present for Touma, too?"-the nun asked with a little surprised lingered in her emerald eyes.
"We all have one for him."
Musujime answered and that caused the nun to lean forward with her curiousness rising.
"What are you going to give to him?"
"That's a secret, remember?"
Himegami nodded in agreement at the girl words. Like Komoe-sensei had said, it would be best to save it for the last moment.
As everyone all followed with the idea, Komoe stood up from the kotatsu and went to reach her phone on a futon placed in the corner of the room.
"Well then, while sensei call him, in the meantime, you three just keep enjoying the meat, there is plenty of food in the kitchen so help yourself out."-the teacher flipped up her phone and the screen turned bright."….etou…..Kamijou-chan's number is….."
Komoe mumbled the number of the boy while her fingers continuously pressing those buttons to find him in the phone address book.
Meanwhile, back in the kotatsu table, the flow of the conversation seemed to have headed in a different direction. It was no longer about the fun of this small celebration party, it was about a certain spiky haired boy.
Although…there was an obstacle that kept the conversation from progressing.
"Say, you really don't need to stuff that much of the food into your mouth, eat it slowly or you'll be choking."
Musujime sweat dropped at the way the nun in white habit knocked all the ingredient from the bowl into her mouth in one beat.
"~ut ish is elicish~."
"We can't understand what you said."-Himegami said, still monotone as usual.
The nun swallowed, speaking out loud in high spirited.
"All of this is really delicious, I've been restraining myself from eating too much for an entire day! This morning and lunch, I only ate a little bit of the food for this meat!"
"How little?"
"Heh?...um…."-putting down her bowl, Index looked up the ceiling, searching in her memory of the amount of food she has consumed in the last 10 hours."Three cups of rice, two bowls of ramen and some extra takoyaki Touma received from our neighbor next door."
"That's your standard of little?!"
"Why did you had to do that?"-asked the girl in the miko outfit.
"There is this article in a book I read some time ago. It wrote that if a person feels hungry, their appetite will increase and the food will become a lot more delicious when they eat."
The two girls nodded, somewhat getting the idea of the nun.
"I tried to do so and it did worked. Everything is so delicious!"
Index wasn't aware, those words of her has brought a blank look to the former Magic God. From under the heavy blanket of the kotatsu, Othinus raised an eyebrow at the young nun.
There wasn't anything wrong with what the nun said but the girl just didn't know, she had no idea that when it comes too food, her bottomless stomach is always active.
Everything is delicious to her, even when she feels hungry or not.
Othinus and the boy knew that fact quite well.
So…
What the nun had done is no different than normal.
Even so, true to her words, she did had self-constraint from digesting more food than usual, which was rarely happened.
"Lately, Touma has been complaining non-stop about how his fund keeps decreasing and he told me that I shouldn't eat too much to….keep my weight balanced."-for some reason, the young nun muttered at the last part while pouting. "So I decided to help him by eating less than usual."
Othinus rolled her eyes next to this statement.
In reality, the young nun has just only started that in today.
Then again, Index's needed for consuming food was still high compared to a normal person. Therefore, it doesn't make any different whether if she eats less or not, Kamijou's fund will still decrease in a very regular way.
Such a pity for the boy.
"Since today is a really special time of the year, I've made a present for Touma to cheer him up for all the time he took care of me."
Hearing this, something sparked up in the former Magic God's head.
That was not a normal Christmas gift, the nun in white habit was trying to move a step forward so it seemed.
Othinus didn't realize that until now and she didn't know why. Somehow, to her, this rang up a dangerous warning in her mind. Is this feeling what they call the sense of being left behind?
"Oh?"-Musujime's eyes slightly widened, amused."So your gift is a handmade then?"
Index proudly puffed her chest out with a broad smile formed on her lip. The dark red haired girl took that as a yes.
"It took a lot of time to finish it."-the silver haired nun continued as she clasped both hand before her chest and closed her eyes, that broad smile now becomes so calm."So I prayed to Saint Nicholas, hoping that Touma will accept my gift and he will also give me his."
"Didn't you just tell us that he left your present with you and ran away?"
Index flinched and cracked like a rock fell onto her.
"Ah! T-that was unexpected, I didn't know Touma would do something like that!"
"Maybe you should ask him that first when he comes here."-Himegami raised a hand as she voiced out her opinion.
"Umu~."
The nun nodded then switching her focus back to the hot pot, she picked up her bowl and started eating again. At the same time, the loli teacher returned to her placed in the kotatsu with the phone in hand.
She looked concerned.
"This is strange, Kamijou-chan doesn't pick up the call, sensei has sent to him some emails and he had yet to reply to them, too."-Komoe reached to her beer and poured it into a glass."I hope he didn't get involved into any trouble."
As she said that, her phone shook.
Komoe took it and looked at the screen, it was a message from the spiky haired boy.
"Oh, Kamijou replies to my email."-the teacher press a button to view it.
Index, Musujime and Himegami all turned their eyes toward the loli teacher and waited for a response. Othinus had also quietly made her way to the next corner of the table to listen as Sphynx has fall asleep. She was still hiding herself from view, of course.
Komoe stared at the text in the phone's screen. She blinked at first, slowly, her eyes widened, big gap was formed on her lip.
"Ehhhh?!"
The teacher gasp loudly in bewilderment which startled the girls, the iris in her eyes was shaking.
"S-sensei, is something wrong?"-Musujime was the first to ask.
"Kamijou-chan…."-Komoe's lip moved, her voice was filled with worry.
The three leaned toward her, feeling somewhat nervous by the sudden change in her tone and her reaction from reading the boy's message.
Komoe turned the phone to show them the text on the screen.
"Kamijou-chan said he wants to spend this Christmas day alone!"
"WHAT?!"
….
….
…
"…."
A faint smoke breathe out from his throat. The boy fixed the tip of the black scarf wrapped around his neck and pulled up to his mouth, covering it.
Flipping from page to page, Kamijou stared down at the notebook placed on his lap. A pencil was held in his right hand, the tip of the tool touched the flat surface of the page.
So far, the tool hasn't moved, his hand hasn't moved, there was no word in the page where he was at.
It was empty.
The black spiky haired boy started to write some words in but he stopped midway. In the next few minutes, this action repeated and repeated.
Currently, Kamijou was sitting on one of the benches in a familiar park of District 7. To his left, the infamous vending machine that used to swallow his 2000 yen whole can be seen.
There was no one here besides him.
Compared to the lively atmosphere out there, the place was quiet. He can still hear the noise of people chatting and some traditional Christmas music in one of the store echoed in the air. But the sound was enough not to disturb anyone in this park.
Kamijou rubbed the side of his head with the pencil's rubber like a student found trouble in solving a difficult assignment as he went deep into thought and recalled of today events.
Having no more idea comes to mind, the spiky haired boy closed the notebook and put it back into his pocket.
Then, he looked around. The area was devoid of people, only a few individuals walked through here. Even in this special holiday, the park wasn't that much different from those normal days.
Putting both hands into his coat's pocket, the boy stood up from his seat and moved toward the vending machine. He took out his wallet beforehand as he went near it.
Kamijou's blue eyes darted to each of the drinks showed behind the glass to search for his choice. The boy picked out some coins in his wallet and inserted it into the small gap.
Unexpectedly, his hand suddenly stopped when half of the coin has gone in. Something was on his mind, he has just realized something.
…wait, now that I think about it. What if this thing swallows Kamijou-san's money like last time? Does that means misfortune will come back to kick me in the guts and whatever that makes all the good things happened to me until now will disappear? Will it put an end to this chilling feeling in my stomach?
Kamijou was contemplating against the "fortune" of his life.
One way to find out.
Without hesitation, Kamijou inserted some coins into the gap and selected his choice of drink. He folded his arms and waited for the drink to fall down in the open compartment near the machine's foot.
"Hm?"
Nothing came out.
The spiky haired boy pressed the button again and the result was still the same. Trying another attempt, the boy pushed the button multiple times and still nothing.
He pulled the small crank near the insert gap to get back his money and it was no use, either.
So…
…..it stole my money….
Somehow, the boy found himself relieved at this circumstance. That would be meant that the universe didn't scheme anything big against him and make his life a mess with all the good fortune that happened to him from this morning.
….I know I should feel regret about this. But oh well, at least Kamijou-san won't have to-
A small "clang" hit his ears.
The boy's thought was cut short and his body froze as he heard a noise coming from the vending machine. Slowly, Kamijou glanced down at the opened gap where the drink often fall out and his jaw dropped.
One can of soft drink was in there, the one he selected.
…it actually came ouuuuuttttttt?!
Shocked, mouth agape and cold sweat started streaming down his head, Kamijou took the drink from the gap and stared at the machine intensely.
This is unreal, he thought.
….why didn't it drop the drink when I press it the first time? It's broken, right? This cannot be luck, can it? This is just a coincidence, isn't it?!
That feeling in his stomach rose up again.
Kamijou's eyes to the drink in his hand, the boy noticed his fingers were slightly shaking. Putting the drink down, the boy slapped his own cheek with both hands and shook his head to discard the "negative" thought.
….no, no, no! Coincidence! That's right, this is just a coincidence, there's nothing to worry about, it's not like good things will happen forever to this Kamijou-san. Misfortune will find its way to me sooner or later. Yup, don't let your guard down me. You don't know if the universe is planning to throw one hell of a bad luck event onto my head at the end of the day or not. Don't be sway by this trivial matter.
Don't be sway…..
Despite saying that to himself, that terrified feeling kept boiling inside Kamijou.
So…
One thought instantly came to him.
The (un)fortunate boy made a sudden ninety degree turn and sprint with all his might toward a nearby tree that has snow covered most of it top.
With the fast momentum, he jumped head on and kicked the tree real hard in the trunk. The shock from that attack caused all the snow around its top to fall off.
Gritting his teeth, Kamijou's head shot up to see the heavy pile of snow that was falling upon him. He stood straight, shut his eyes off and waited for the impact.
A loud pattering sounds were heard.
The area around the tree was painted in white as the heavy pile of snowflake hit the ground.
"…"
Except for one spot, it was where Kamijou was standing.
Kamijou's eyebrow twitched, his face now carried the same color like these snow as if blood was being drained from him.
Only a small pile of snow fell onto his hair, a really small one.
He could have got bury under that heavy layer of cold dust and yet he didn't, the snow was scattering around him.
Just what did that mean then?
Kamijou looked down at his own feet, letting the bangs cover his paled face. He turned around, walking back to where the drink was with his shoulder drooped down. He picked up the drink and opened it. The boy didn't notice, his hand was so shaking that some drops fell out.
…c-c-c-calm down…this is just a coincidence….JUST A COINCIDENCE! Don't let this get to you…..don't let this get to you…..
The boy inhaled deeply and drank the whole thing in one beat, in hope that this would temporarily calm himself down.
Throwing the empty drink into a garbage basket, Kamijou made his way back to the lively street.
In that exact moment, before he could even place one step on the road stair, a shadow overlapped him. Due to the street was decorated with many lights, the shadow it reflected from behind covered him whole.
Kamijou blinked at the figure standing on top the road stair, he recognized that person.
The short chestnut haired that stuttering in a passing breeze.
The flower shape hairclip that emphasized the cuteness of its owner.
The familiar Tokiwadai winter uniform inside a brown coat that hugged the small, athletic body of a girl.
Misaka Mikoto, the third ranked level 5, was up there on the top stair, looking down at him while panting heavily as if her stamina has run out. For some reason, there was fire burning in her eyes.
"Biribiri?"
"….you…..so this is where you are…."-Misaka spoke in between her breath."Why can't I call your number at all, you idiot?! Just what have you been doing this entire time?!"
Electric spark started flying out from her bangs.
Kamijou instinctively took a step back as he saw that and before he could manage to respond to her question, another figure came into his view.
From behind Misaka, behind the shining light of the street, another girl in Tokiwadai winter uniform appeared. That girl clumsily grabbed hold of the metal railing and leaned on to support her exhausted body with one hand placing on her chest. Her chocolate haired waved gently in the air and from just a glance, it brought up a fluffy feeling like her hair was made of from cotton candy.
Like Misaka, she was also panting heavily as if the two has just come back from a really fierce race. The chocolate haired girl then shifted her vision to the spiky haired boy and in that moment of eye contact, the spiky haired boy could swore that he saw a mixture of fire burning with determination in that eyes of her.
"Mitsuari?"
Hearing the boy called out to a different name, Misaka widened her eyes and turned her head to the side, which Mitsuari also did the same, and the two girl stared at each other. The exhaustion must have made them unaware of the other person.
Kamijou thought maybe it was just his imagination, but somehow, he could see lighting sparks between those stare of them.
Were they in some kind of a rivalry competition or something?
No, more importantly.
Why did the air look so tense around those two?
Is this it?!
Has misfortune finally took form and came to get him?!
"Stand aside, I found this idiot first."
"No, even if you are a level 5, you don't have the right to order me."
The stare grew more intense. Kamijou took another step back and this time, he slowly turned around to get away from the invisible aura those two were emitting.
It was so intense that he felt like the snow under their feet were almost melting.
However, as he turned back he saw two girls, who were also wearing the same Tokiwadai winter uniform, ran toward him from two different directions. None of them seemed to be in a good shape as they all had this exhausted look on their face.
Seriously, does Tokiwadai's oujo-samas are having a competition right now, the boy wondered.
One girl stopped and bent down as she reached him, placing her hands on the knee to support her upper body's weight. Her purple, ringlet curly haired spread around her thin waist as she leaned down to take a short break. In one of her hand was a pink gekota shape cell phone, it was flipped up and the screen still displayed the calling icon. The girl was holding the call and had no intention of hanging it up.
"Ka…"-the girl tried to spoke but the exhaustion stopped her.
Kamijou looked at her in confusion, not knowing what these ojou-sama were doing. The purple haired girl then straightened her gesture and took a deep breath before saying.
"Pardon me, Kamijou-sama. The Queen is looking for you."
"Heh? Shokuhou?"
"Yes, the Queen was trying to contact you but you didn't answer to her call, so we were asked to find you."-the other ojou-sama chimed in as she made it to his place."Now, if you please come with us."
She went behind him and gently pushed his back to force him move.
"W-wait. I can't-"
"H-hey! Leave him be, I got to him first! There is something I need to tell to that idiot!"
Saying that out loud in panic, Misaka quickly taking her steps down the road stair and toward the boy. From the tone of her voice, it sounded urgent.
However, Mitsuari rushed past her and stood in between the boy and the two members of Shokuhou's clique which surprised the girls.
"You are not going to take Kamijou-kun anywhere. If the Queen wants to talk to him, then tell her to do so by her own abilities."
"My apology Misaka-sama, Mitsuari-sama."-the purple haired girl calmly spoke."But we won't go against the Queen's request, she has been wanting to see this gentleman ever since the holiday started. There are many things she wants to discuss with him."
"Then so do I, I also have many things I want to say to him and it's important to me."
…..hang on, what is going on?
Kamijou widened his eyes in bewilderment as he listened to their argument. As he watched, Mitsuari suddenly turned around to face him which startled the boy. For some reason, her cheek slowly turned red. Her small lip opened but no voice came through as she tried to say something yet could not.
The chocolate haired girl then shook her head and grabbed his right arm.
"Kamijou-kun, come with me, I need to tell you something."
Before Kamijou could have time to react, two pair of hands grabbed hold of his left arm and pulled.
It was the two members of Shokuhou's clique.
"Kamijou-sama, please make haste. The Queen is waiting."
….what is with this development?!
Kamijou's mind was occupied with many question marks, he felt like the feeling in his stomach is on edge. It was about to erupt.
This strange development wasn't over yet, though.
Unexpectedly, lighting strike shoot out from a certain chestnut haired girl, it hit the ground near her feet.
"All of you…"-Misaka took a step toward them, her dark grumbling caused the clique to release the boy. Mitsuari, however, stood her ground and didn't let go."Let him go! That idiot is going to have a talk with me first."
"No way, I told you. You don't have the right to order me."-her grip on the boy's arm tightened.
"Um, c-could someone please explain to this Kamijou-san what is happening? I don't think I can keep up with this situation."
"You!"-Misaka pointed a finger at him as she approached."Just where have you been gone to this entire time, huh?! Your phone was turned off and you weren't there in your apartment, do you have any idea how troublesome and how worry I was when I can't get in touch with you?!"
"Why do you need to find me?"
The dense spiky haired boy asked something that was oh so obvious. Misaka slightly stumbled on her feet at this question.
"…y-you….today is Christmas! What else do you think why I want to find you?!"-she said that to him, a tingle of pink also started visible on her cheek and it slowly spread.
The boy suddenly went quiet at the mentioning of the holiday's name.
What else?
Why does she wants to find him?
Today was Christmas, of course. But what else does she, Mitsuari and Shokuhou want to find him?
…is this….
The boy gulped.
….just like…Index…?
Kamijou's blue eyes shifted forward, the image of Misaka Mikoto reflected clearly on his iris. Next, it came to Mitsuari and the two girls of Shokuhou's clique.
Finally, it reverted back to his feet….
The others went silent, patiently waited for his respond. It was then that they all noticed the expression on the boy.
"Hey, w-what's wrong with you? Why are you look so pale?"-Misaka asked, worry filled her tone.
True to her words, cold sweat was dripping down his forehead like river. His skin was painted white, bloodless…..again.
"Kamijou-kun?"-Mitsuari called the boy but he didn't answer, as she grabbed his arm, there was something else that she noticed from the boy, too.
For whatever reason, he was trembling.
"…ne, Misaka…."
"?"
"You said you want to find me because it's Christmas, right?"
"..uh…um…y-yeah, so what about it?"-Misaka stammered a bit while looked away, maybe that boy has finally broke out from that usually thick skull of his.
"Were you…..were you guys planning to give me a Christmas gift?"
Kamijou spoke, still looking down.
Has the denseness finally broke?
Or…..
"..ugh…ah..it's…..it's not like….."-now the chestnut haired girl blushed. After noticing the clique of her rival and the chocolate haired girl were watching her, she regained her composure."Well, since it's Christmas so….so…."
The girl stammered again as she tried to let out those words that could raise her embarrassing meter to maximum. In the end, she still couldn't finish her sentence.
Kamijou, eventually, lifted his head up a little and let out a very long sigh.
"I hear that, you! Don't sigh at me like that just because I couldn't say it!"
She was wrong, that was not what the boy was sighing at.
"This is so confusing."
Four "Eh?" were heard.
"Mitsuari, can you let go of my arm?"-a deep voice escaped the boy.
Although hesitating, Mitsuari reluctantly let go just like he asked and it motionlessly fell to his side. The four girls stared at the boy in wondering as he looked up to the sky.
In his eyes, there was a sharp glint as they saw.
"….is wrong…"
"?"
"What is wrong with this scenario that looks like it comes out from those games of Aogami!? There is no way my misfortune would treat me like thiiiiissssssssss!"-like a boiling lava blew out from an enraged volcano, he yelled on the top of his lung.
Everyone was startled by his sudden outburst. Before the girls realized what the boy had just done, he has already more than 10 meters away from them.
"Ah! Kamijou-kun!"
"Hey! Where are you going?!"
"Kamijou-sama?!"
That's right! Run, Kamijou Touma!
Run away with that unsteady mind of yours which will grow more confusing and unstable by all these (un)fortunate events of your life.
Run away with that terrifying feeling in your stomach that will only become fiercer as the universe mess with your mentality.
This (un)fortunate day has yet to come to an end.
And so…..
With a speed that faster than the wind, the black spiky haired boy has completely disappeared from everyone's sight.
….
…..
….
Meanwhile, inside the Tokiwadai Internal Dormitory of School Garden…
"hm~, hm~."
A certain young lady with blonde hair was humming happily as she placed the spoon into a delicious pancake and slit a small piece. Elegantly, she slid the spoon underneath the small cake and put it in to her mouth, tasting the sweet flavor of the high quality dessert.
After done eating, she stood up from her seat and stretched both arms, which were covered in a pair of white gloves that adorned with spider web pattern, above her head to release the sore stress from her shoulder.
….now then~….
Shokuhou Misaki moved to her bed and her starry eyes looked down at the stuff she placed on the sheet. On that large bed, there was a red box with it cap was wrapped around by a golden ribbon mixed with some red color patterns.
Next to that box….was a costume.
The design was pretty much made to hug close to the wearer's body, revealing more skin. A pink skirt was slit and separated on two side so the front and the back was widely opened. Behind the back of that costume, attached two white wings and a short, round tail.
In addition to the "revealing" costume design, a bunny ear was also added in to make the wearer more appealing.
The famous Bunny Maid costume.
A mysterious smile entered Shokuhou's expression as she grabbed the costume and stood in front of a full-length mirror. Taking a good look at the costume, the young lady pressed it against her well-endowed body then looked the reflected image of herself in the mirror.
"...hm~…"
As the image of her wearing the costume flashed through her starry eyes. A tinge of pink slowly formed on her cheek and it didn't stop. Slowly, it spread across her face.
…oh~, Shokuhou Misaki, you've become bolder today~.
The girl shifted her view down at the costume, one hand brought to her soft lip, touching it.
…I wonder if he like this costume I bought online….
Mental Out's movement stopped as the thought in her mind began to take a different route, a very wild thought that luckily was still in the "safe zone".
...
Inside the dark room of a certain apartment, with the window curtain fully opened to reveal a calm night with beautiful snow falling down from the heaven, the room was lightened up with a faint light from the full moon above. On the bed next the window, two person were timidly exchanging gaze at each other.
At one point, they looked straight into the eyes but the spiky haired one broke the eyes contact first and scratched his red cheek sheepishly with a finger, as if he was trying not to defile the beauty in front of him with the animal instinct that was on the verge of revealing itself through his stare.
The beautiful young lady smiled at him, her cheek was also painted with a faint red color as she aware he was attracted not only to her but also the Bunny Maid costume she was wearing. Of course, the embarrassment was slowly rising up within her but she tried her best to hold it down and not to show it to him.
Without a word, Shokuhou moved closer to the boy. She raised her arm which covered in white gloves and tenderly touched his reddened face, turning his eyes toward her.
"My Prince, please don't look away, I'm wearing this for you."-the Bunny Maid blonde haired girl spoke, her voice was small, almost like a whisper."Do you dislike it?"
"…no…."-the boy answered, his voice was also having the same amount of volume."…it's just…..you look so cute, Shokuhou. I feel like my heart is racing madly when I look at you…..this is…..quite embarrassing for me to say but…..."
"…but….?"
The boy didn't continue his word, instead, he leaned forward and touched Shokuhou's cheek with his right hand. The girl could felt her face starting to burn hot as Kamijou caressed her bare white skin.
"All this time, I've never realized there is this beautiful angel right beside me and now she is so close to my grasp, she saved me from the brink of death once and yet I forgot everything about her."-the boy put on a warm smile."I really am a hopeless idiot, am I?"
"…..Touma…..."
The two stared deeply, passionately into each other eyes.
Silence filled the air as no more word was spoke. Then, slowly, Kamijou leaned forward further with his upper body lifted up, his hand which was caressing Shokuhou's cheek went behind her head to help her lie down gently on her back. The girl's long blonde haired spread on the bed sheet as she did so with the bunny ear on her head lightly waved at the movement.
Shokuhou's heart raced, her starry eyes glittering dreamily as Kamijou's manly gaze reflected her blissful expression. It felt like those gaze of the boy was piercing deep into her very soul.
"…..Shokuhou…."
"….yes, Touma?"
"I think I've just realized another thing about you, can I say it?"
"….um…."
"Suki dayo, Misaki."(I love you)
Shokuhou Misaki widened her eyes, little by little, tears appeared in the corner of her starry eyes now also shining beautifully. Happiness overflowed in the girl's heart.
"….me too….Touma…daisuki…"(I really love you)
Consciously, the Bunny Maid blonde haired girl wrapped her arm around the spiky haired boy neck.
"…..Misaki…"
"….Touma…..please be gentle…."
Knowing what that meant, the boy lowered his face. Now, his face was so close to Misaki that he could feel her breath and the sweet honey aroma flowing around her.
Misaki closed her eyes and lifted her head up a little.
Kamijou's face moved in closer, closer and closer…
Eventually….
Their lip tou-
Knock Knock Knock!
Shokuhou jumped at the sudden knocking sound and her mind snapped back to reality, the girl looked around her room in dazed.
Not knowing how she was still here, the girl shifted her vision back to the mirror in front of her. It was until this that she noticed her face was pure red and her skin was burning hot.
Realizing everything happened back then was just her wild fantasy, the maiden in love shook her head frantically in embarrassment. The Bunny Maid costume was left to fall down on the floor as Shokuhou held her cheek with both hands, her heart was still beating very strong.
The knocking sound occurred again, it came from outside the door that lead to her room.
The blonde haired girl hurriedly put away the costume, almost stumbled to the floor while she did so as she hasn't calm down yet from that bold thought of her.
After covering the Bunny Maid costume with the bed sheet, Shokuhou flicked a few strands of her hair over her shoulder and gained back the composure of the Queen of Tokiwadai.
"You can come in."-her voice now held a strong force behind it.
The door opened and a member of her clique walked in, halting her steps as she went through the door. There was this troubled look on her face.
"What's the matter? Have you found him?"
"..um…yes...my Queen, we have found that gentleman just as you have requested."-the girl filled the detail to her words."We found him in the park of School District 7…..but…um..."
Misaki blinked at her, wondering why did she stopped her own words midway.
Could it be that something has happened to him, the girl worried.
"Did something happen to him?"-more force was put into her words.
"…eh?...ah…no….that gentleman is doing fine, my Queen. It's just that when we found him, Misaka-sama and Mitsuari-sama were there and they also had the same intention as you."
"I am well aware of this possibility, when it comes to him, Misaka-san and Ms. Ant will do everything in their power abilities to put one step closer to him if one of us decides to make a move, our rivalry has always been like that. What else happened after that?"-Misaki was about to reach her hand at one of the remotes in her bag and read the girl's memories to get a full view of the story.
"We….we did persuaded the gentleman to come with us and they also did the same. But….before we could successfully do so…he…."-the girl placed a finger to her lip, thinking of how to explain the circumstance right to her Queen.
"?"
"Kamijou-sama suddenly screamed and he ran away, saying something like wanting to be alone in today Christmas."
…..Eh?
Author's note: And that's the end of the first part of his (un)fortunate day.
So what do you think about it?
Review the chapter if you please, I would love to hear your opinion (Cough)last part(Cough). Anyway, I'll see you later in the next note of either Diary or The Lost Light.
P.S: Ahh~, finally get to sleep.