Misaka and her 19998th sister met on the empty campus of Tokiwadai. She was a visitor. Family members were allowed on campus anytime, friends only on weekends. For Misaka, her clones were more than sisters. They carried something significant. It was almost as if they were meant to supplement her lost self. They both appeared obedient in usual school uniforms of private middle schools that displayed social status. Every detail was meant to emphasize the prestige. Furthering that notion, both their schools were under the administration of School Garden. It was an educational district in Academy City intended for students located way up the ladder of social hierarchy. Emily was the only clone enrolled in one of the five schools in the district. The five schools only admit Level 3s and above. She was the only Level 3.
"Sis." 19998 addressed Misaka.
"Good morning Emily." Emily was the name she chose. However, her clone still preferred the unorthodoxy of adopting a five digit number as a name. She agreed reluctantly, from Misaka's insistence, that she would adopt an ordinary name.
"How's school going?" Misaka asked. Taking up the big sister role, it appeared simply natural to inquire about the academic life of her siblings, whom she most deeply cared about. Emily extended all the fingers on her right hand, then spread them out, before casually rocking her hand like a boat on water. Her palms were pointing down.
"Do you remember what we discussed last time?" Misaka asked.
"Yeah… something about protecting what we love… I only remember busting some wannabe gangsters!" Emily replied excitedly as she spun around. Her legs lashed out at a forty five degrees angle. She struck air. In an immature yet surprisingly appropriate fashion in correspondence to the aura she carried, Emily mimicked the the signature move that displayed defiance, to the misery of all the vending machines in Academy City. Normally, Misaka would have become frustrated at her lack of seriousness. However, biologically Emily is only thirteen. Misaka turned fifteen in May. It hasn't been long since the clones developed basic human emotions. She was only glad that Emily seemed content and adjusted to new her life, and as for now that would suffice.
"Let's take a walk around here." Misaka said.
"It's a beautiful place." They walked towards the sports fields adjacent to the Tokiwadai dormitory building, of which the Victorian architecture shone brightly under the sun. The track field in early June smelt of flowers, freshly cut grass, and the hot polyurethane surfacing. They walked through the sports field and past the main building that housed the classrooms and libraries. After leaving the campus, they walked until reaching a square in the center of the miniature town. The ground was paved with sett and cobbles tessellated in a variety of patterns. The traditional brick architecture had flat roofs, gables, or spires, and corbels. Some entrances consisted of entablature supported by colonnades, manifesting a blend of neoclassical and baroque styles. The balconies protruded out from some of the buildings, overlooking the busy streets. It's metal balusters were surrounded by arabesque patterns. The bricks were brand new. Therefore the antiquity appeared forced and unnatural.
"Man, they built this district in such a manner just to widen the contrast between here and the rest of the city." Emily observed, staring at the distinct skyline composed of glass skyscrapers penetrating into the sky. Misaka nodded.
"Yeah, from here it seemed that the skyscrapers are miles away."
A few children were playing by the fountain in the middle of the square, they walked past it towards the path on the opposite side where there was a bus station. In ten minutes they were transported to the very center of the city. This district housed the majority of the skyscrapers, including the tallest-the Board of Directors' building. The jungle was so densely packed that they could only see the lower levels of each tower. All the lower portions of the buildings resembled each other to such an extent that they could almost be described as homogenous.
They passed a shopping mall and a hotel. It was the same shopping mall that she bought her Gekota phone, the same hotel she stayed in when she planned raids on the labs. The only characteristic of the building that differentiated it from the other was the neon signs waiting to be lit. Times have changed, and now those events has become history, merely fading memories.
"Would you like to buy some clothes, Emily? I can help you pick." Misaka offered.
"Nah I'm good, my wardrobe is stuffed actually."
"Are you sure? Aren't there any guys in your classes that perhaps…. you would like to… you know." Misaka smirked at Emily.
"Preferring specific garments with the intentions of appearing desirable towards the opposite sex are an irrelevant feature towards the Sister's mission, stated Misaka 19998." Then they laughed at Emily's mockery towards her former, robotic self.
"No, seriously, there's no need. The guys in my classes are mostly socially awkward nerds, and I'd prefer to stay away from them anyways." Emily replied. They walked into a public park and settled for some Crepe Suzette at a street vendor. It revived comforting memories from within Misaka's mind, which suffered from continuous overloading stress. Her and the group of friends would always carboload themselves. Misaka imitated the robotic voice that she has long been familiarized with.
"Perceiving such concoction of sugar and ethyl alcohol as a delicacy is detrimental towards the wellbeing of the Sisters. Comments Misaka, with a mild sense of detestation in her voice." Misaka finished with a cough. Emily laughed harder.
"You are actually better at this than I am!" Commented Emily. They sat down on a stone bench, watching more crepes being prepared in a silver pan, soaking in the golden caramel sauce. Heated Grand Marnier being poured in and lit on fire. The blue and orange flames was the final touch that brought the flavours into one harmony of taste.
"Man, I really wish they would be here." Misaka said. They, of course, refers to all her usual friends. Saten and Uiharu had to attend a makeup class. Kuroko had her regular judgement meetings.