A 'Scientific' Double Date Chapter 4: Of Serving the Innocents, a toaru majutsu no index/とある魔術の禁書目録 fanfic

A 'Scientific' Double Date

Original Title: Toaru Majutsu no Index/ とある魔術の禁書目録（インデックス）

Original Concept by Kazuma Kamachi

Written by: wrathie

Author's Notes: Finally, the last chapter. It was pretty difficult to write...

'O-of course I'm alright! Why wouldn't I be…'

She repeated herself again as Touma was still staring at her ever since she had showed that expression of weakness. She knew she had to control herself better, now he would think that she is just a crybaby as he passed her drink to her.

Last Order however was not paying attention to either of them and was happily chatting with Accelerator, this seemed more like a Double Date now than ever, the four of them had became familiar with one another to some extent and were chatting about random, everyday things.

But the main source of conversation was between Last Order and Accelerator and the conversation between Kuruko and Touma had dried up.

They had first talked about the weather, how they were doing in school. But it seems that neither was able to find something that they can relate to and she sighed… it was always like this, she was distant to everyone and… now even in front of a person she wanted to know so much about, she can't find a way to speak to him without embarrassing herself.

'You know, if there is something you wish to ask, feel free to, Shirai-san."

He spoke suddenly as he looked away, was she staring too hard at him and she blushed too.

'A-ah no, you just got something at the side of your face… it's gone now…'

Laughing awkwardly, she coughed to dismiss the redness on her face as she realized that she really didn't have much contact with boys around the same age as her after all. It was just the nervousness, that's all!

'Then if you don't mind, I'll start asking questions then.'

But she was not one to back away from such a good offer and she smiled.

'Why do you call my Onee-sama, Biri-Biri?'

It was a phrase that she had heard him call her and she was curious as to what that meant, it could mean many things but to her surprise he seemed to a little troubled by that.

'D-did I really call Misaka-san that… ahaha…'

Looking away, he was surely avoiding the question but that was fine, she did not want to know that in the first place. What she wanted to know was:

'Why did you… risk so much to save Onee-sama and the rest? You didn't have anything to gain… Onee-sama didn't owe you or asked you for help… why did you do all that? … your abilities might be powerful… but…'

She just didn't get it, or.. actually Shirai Kuruko knew why but she had trouble believing that someone so selfless could really exist.

He must really have no common sense for him to do so much to gain so little, or to gain nothing…

'Why did I?'

He blinked and then shrugged as the food was served, taking her plate she placed it in front of her before remarking.

'I don't know really, must there be a reason to help someone in need? What she was doing was wrong, so I had to correct her… but, those shocks were painful…'

He laughed awkwardly before he dug in, leaving her mind reeling. Was this boy really that clueless and lacking in common sense?

This was the question that had been circulating around her mind the first time she heard what had happened and she had convinced herself that there must be a reason, some reason for him to risk all of it.

If it wasn't to impress Onee-sama, it was because he had something to gain for it… or that Onee-sama had begged him to help and was too embarrassed to actually admit it.

Something, anything that can give a clue to why this boy had to go and risk his life for someone he barely knew.

That was her only hope to classify this boy, for her to understand him.

But all she achieved was to confuse herself more… again.

When will this mystery be solved? Did he really just help them because no one else wanted to? What kind of person would say that with a straight face?

Apparently Kamijo Touma could as he just dug in, leaving Shirai Kuruko stunned before she too started eating.

'Misaka Misaka is very satisfied and full, Misaka Misaka explains while feeling a little sleepy.'

She clung on to Accelerator who seemed calmer now as well and he looked at the other pair, still chatting softly. The conversation has now drifted from Kuruko asking stuff about Touma to them talking about Misaka Mikoto and the Level 5 esper seemed to prefer it that way, he was not the talkative sort.

Being on this 'date' was irritating, but at least it made him have an outlet in the form of Kamijo Touma. He did not like the boy but he couldn't hate him either, he was the one who made that experiment stop…

Even if he felt a little upset that he was not a 'Level 6' esper, he did wonder who ordered and approved this project in the first place. But all that was pushed away when he met with the 'weakling' again.

He was still the same, ignorant in everything but at the same time, able to relate to things that were not being said. He seemed to sense the change in him and stopped treating him like an enemy.

He however, is not sure whether that is a good thing… or a bad thing. But right now, all that matter is that the child, Last Order beside him, was able to enjoy herself too. They had just gone through a tough period of recuperation and it was nice to have a small chance to relax.

Being unable to use 100% of his powers was frustrating, but at least he wasn't powerless…

'I see, that is certainly interesting, Kamijo-san. Who ever knew so many things could happen in Academy City without us Judgment knowing.'

Touma smiled bitterly, he had been through many difficult ordeals that made him wonder if it was luck or just an act of god that allowed him to leave.

From the incident of the Alchemist, the 'Sister's Project', 'Angel Fall' and many others, he had realized that his norm and the norm of others was severely lacking.

But Shirai Kuruko seems to be taking everything in with a pinch of salt, she had been exposed to magicians before… during the time where Sherry Cormwell attacked the city and as a result, they had actually something in common and he had told her a little about what he knew about Magic and she in turn had told him a little more about herself and her powers.

'But it seems that Kamijo-san is really a hidden savior in Academy City… even if you are the cause of many incidents. I wonder what the Higher Ups would do if they did know all the facts. Fufufu~ I wonder what they will pay to know that~'

Kuruko joked but it seems that it had touched a nerve as Touma's face turned dark for a moment and he looked away.

'… Ah, I'm sorry… I didn't mean to say that I would tell them that or anything…I-I'm sorry, Kamijo-san…'

She tried to apologize but the damage was done and Kuruko bit her tongue at her slip up. She had became accustomed to teasing her friends that way, knowing each other's secret was like becoming close to another person.

But that might not be the case for Kamijo Touma, the burden that he carries was perhaps too heavy for him to carry.

From Knowledge of the 'Sister's project' to 'Angel Fall' and the existence of 'Magic' in the first place, Kamijo Touma was an unstable element in Academy City and could be the person that leads to the breakdown between the Magic World and the Scientific World.

That was possible as according to her knowledge, Touma knew and were familiar with people from the Magical Faction as well as the Scientific Faction. That can be implied from how he handled the magus that she had faced and from him knowing Onee-sama.

All those factors pointed him to be a more important figure than she imagined him to be…

Whoever knew that such an ordinary high-school boy could hold so much power and unwanted influence in his hands and yet… and yet… seem so normal and optimistic all the time.

Life works in weird ways.

'Well, we're leaving… the brat seems to be needing a nap anyway.'

After the awkward silence between the two of them, Kuruko and Touma looked up to see Accelerator and a sleepy-faced Last Order clinging on his back and they had to smile at that despite Accelerator telling them to shut up.

They did look like a pair of brothers and sisters and Kuruko smiled while standing up and offering a hand to him.

'Thank you for accepting the invitation, we did not start off well, but I did enjoy the date and your company.'

She tried to be civil but Accelerator was having none of that, choosing to just snort and pay the bill that a waitress brought to him before grinning at Kuruko.

'You're quite a feisty one yourself… your remind me of that Railgun, do you know her?'

'A-ah yes, she is my darling Onee-sama~"

'Tell her that I send her my regards… and if she wants a rematch, I'm up for it at any time…'

Grinning, he took his leave while Last Order just mumbled her goodbyes while rubbing her eyes and saying she wasn't tired, really.

But at the same time, they were aware that this date has ended before it even begun. Even if Kuruko tried to ask him to stay, she probably wouldn't be able to really interact with him after all.

'… I… I think I have to go too.'

She said so lamely to him, hoping that he would want her to stay but apparently that last thoughtless remark stung too much and he just nodded his head and stood up as well.

'A… a lady would wish for the gentleman to kiss her hand as a sign of goodbye as well. I really enjoyed myself today, Kamijo-san, I hope that you would forgive Kuruko for the many… insensitive things that she said.'

It was unlike her to say such words, for her to apologize for something that… well, she had done wrong. But the haunting look of his eyes made her unable to just leave it at that. If she did, he might end up having a bad impression of her…

Wait, why did she want him to have a good impression of her in the first place?

'It really is nothing, Shirai-san, I was probably too immature in the first place.' He smiled and as she requested, took her hand kissed it softly before bowing to her stiffly. He was obviously not used to doing things this way and it was no doubt embarrassing in a family restaurant like this.

But he did it nonetheless and it made her feel happier, like it was salvaging a little of her pride as well.

'Thank you for today, Kamijo-san… Then I'll be taking my leave.'

She bowed and left the restaurant, leaving Kamijo Touma still sitting in the restaurant and finishing his drink.

'Misaka 10032 believes the experiment is over, Misaka 10032 reports.' Sitting in their hideout, Misaka 10032 looked to Mikoto who had strangely became quieter over the last hour.

She had been listening in on their conversation and like Kuruko, she had realized that Kamijo Touma had embroiled himself in many different and dangerous situations and is in the cross-fire of both the Scientific World and the Magical World.

She had seen first-hand what Magic could do, she was at the scene where a gigantic golem was reduced to rubble and the extent of damage just shocked her… but didn't she come into contact with magic earlier?

There was the incident where a fake Unabara Mitsuki fought with Touma and that was the time where Touma had made the promise to protect her and her 'world'. She had probably mistaken his underlying reasons for doing so but after hearing what he had told Kuruko, of the many differences between magic and science, she began to fear that perhaps Touma was afraid that because she was associated with him, she would be targeted as well.

'… h-how dare he… I'm not a child…'

She wasn't a child, she didn't need his protection… he has to look after himself too. Was he aware how many girls he has surrounded himself with? If he made that irresponsible promise to everyone, he is going to burn out…

But, Mikoto did wish and secretly pray that promise was made for her only and that to him, she was special. Even a Level 5 Esper wanted to be treated like an ordinary girl and have an ordinary romance after all.

'I can… take care of myself.'

But can she really do that without hurting or risking the people around her? It was the same situation that she had faced when the realization of the 'sister's project' struck home.

It made her feel even more awkward about her feelings for Kamijo Touma all of a sudden, all the time, he was carrying all this burden without telling her. He could have decided it to be too dangerous for himself and for his associates but he still went ahead to save her and her 'sister's in the process.

Upon learning that they can be targets just to get back at him, he went ahead to fight and oppose the force that wanted to kill her by herself, hiding it from him.

If she had not been in the vicinity, he would have died… and yet, he still… still made that promise to protect her.

Geez…. Kamijo Touma, must you make me so confused about you?

'Onee-sama, Onee-sama, Misaka 10032 wishes to speak urgently'

Bringing her out of her confused thoughts, Mikoto turned to look at her sister who pointed out that Accelerator and Last Order were under attack by a group of random school punks.

'Should we intervene, Onee-sama? Misaka 10032 asks with concern, Last Order is the system administrator…'

Even so, wasn't Accelerator the strongest Esper in the city? He'll be fine right?

'Is there something different, 10032-chan? They should be able to handle it by themselves right?'

'Allow Misaka 19090 to speak, Onee-sama, Misaka 10032… Misaka 19090 detected strange signals that are jamming our transmissions with the System Administrator, Last Order… they might have some ability to generate waves that negate or temporarily disrupt our connection, this would mean that Accelerator might not be able to use his powers effectively, Misaka 19090 explains in concern.

Last Order might be in danger, Misaka 19090 urges Onee-sama to allow us to act.'

'Tsk… but if we do… your identity will be revealed, I don't want that to happen.'

Even if the 'sister's project was now suspended and the 'sisters' were allowed to live their lives, they generally tried to avoid being in public or be seen together in a group.

That rule was not a fixed one of course, Mikoto had been on outings with her 'sister's but generally they only went out as a pair, being called twins were still something one can call plausible in the real world.

But for all her sisters to be seen in one time, that would no doubt lead to the exposure of the 'project' and all her sisters being taken away from her.

'Kuruko is heading in that direction as well, she has apparently being alerted by Last Order's scream, Misaka 10032 reports with growing concern.'

"T-then let Kuruko handle it for now, I'll head over there myself now!'

'I'm from Judgment, all of you are now under arrest for attempting to assault a normal civilian!'

Pointing to the armband that she had worn on her way here, Kuruko glared at the bunch of thugs that had surrounded Accelerator and Last Order, the young child clinging on to him as the albino boy just clicked in frustration.

There was something wrong, she felt it instinctively the moment she stepped into the alleyway when she heard Last Order's unmistakable scream.

Why would she scream when the Strongest Esper is with her?

'Hah? A girl from Judgment?'

The punks, all holding an assortments of bats and pipes and numbering around 10 of them, surrounded and seemed to grinning at Accelerator. The albino boy was strangely calm, but he was snarling a little like an animal trapped in a corner. Kuruko knew of Accelerator's powers, Vector change should be able to redirect all attacks back to their originator but why was Accelerator looking like he was unable to do so.

Did the injury that he suffered caused him to be unable to do that?

'Good timing, you can watch and be our witness as we defeat the 'Strongest' Level 5 Esper in the City eh?'

The thugs laughed while Accelerator just pulled Last Order closer to him, it seemed that even he has nothing to say and he was at their mercy, something he must really hate to admit.

'And then after which, we'll have you for 'dinner', neh? She looks kind of cute.'

His vulgar words caused any chance of pardon from her to be revoked and she scoffed.

'Honestly, I lost count on how many thugs like you tried to catch me, but failed… shall I add your names to the list?'

She smiled confidently and with her abilities, made the nails hidden near her legs to pop up between her fingers.

'Shall we make it fast then?'

Winking at Last Order, she disregarded the warning that Accelerator made as she teleported into their midst, ready to start cleaning the thrash.

'Eh?'

There was the sound of static, a jarring sound that caused her to lose her concentration and she misjudged the distance of her teleportation by a few feet, landing behind them while covering her ears.

W-what on earth is this sound? She didn't hear it from over at the other side!

'Fool~ Do you think we weren't ready for you, Shirai Kuruko-san?'

One of the punk remarked as he approached her, swinging the metal pipe that she narrowly avoided. This is bad, whatever that sound is, it is jamming her thoughts and making it difficult for her to concentrate.

As her powers required her to concentrate to judge distance, this meant that her ability is useless in this situation!

'Heh… with our without my powers, I can still take care of punks like you…'

She tried to brave it through but to be honest, that jarring sound was making even the hair on her skin stand and as a result, she had difficulty even standing straight, not to mention fighting off those thugs.

'Oh really? We'll see about that~'

'Hurry Onee-sama, Misaka 10032 is very worried about Kuruko. Neither she nor Accelerator had came out of that area… Misaka 10032 reports with growing concern.'

Her emotionless voice made it easier to calm down as Mikoto ran down the flight of stairs towards the alleyway where the ambush has taken place.

Whoever planned it was throughout enough and clever enough to negate Accelerator's power and at the same time be able to nullify or prevent Kuruko from settling things quickly and easily… all the more making her very worried.

'Kuruko!'

She tried dialing her number but all she got was the message that the phone she was trying to contact was out of service.

'D-damnit!'

This was really turning bad and she wondered if she should allow the 'sisters' to help her as well before she dismissed that thought. If they were able to jam their signals, who knew what would happen if they entered that area…

'… T-touma…' That's right, if it's Touma… he can help!

'Onee-sama, allow Misaka 15555 to speak, Touma is heading to the area as well, should we stop him? Misaka 15555 asks in concern.'

Hah… just as expected from him and despite herself, Mikoto still smiled as the nervousness faded away. Just having him there was as good as having the situation resolved.. she hoped..

'No, let him go, 15555-chan… I think, this might be an Interesting 'Scientific Experiment' too, right? Touma will protect Kuruko and Last Order, he definitely will.'

And despite herself and the danger, she laughed again when Misaka 10032 replied affirmative.

'Understood Onee-sama, Misaka 10032 shall declare the start of the experiment.'

'Ah!'

Wincing in pain as she blocked a kick to her side with her bag, Kuruko scrambled to her feet as she tried to get out of harm's way… or more specifically out of the range of this annoying sound that was making it impossible for the two of them to use their powers.

Even Accelerator was grunting in pain at being beaten up by the punks, apparently savoring the sensation of being able to touch the strongest esper and him unable to fight back.

'Bloody cowards!'

He cursed back as he tried to shield Last Order, who was huddling in his protective arms as he just endured the pain at being kicked multiple times.

Kuruko however, had managed to take down one of them, pinning him to the wall with her nails before being targeted as one who would cause trouble.

This caused her defeat as she was now cornered in one corner while to the back of her was Accelerator. Somehow they had planned this ambush and they were unable to fight back.

If only she had made Touma walk her home or waited for Onee-sama…

'That's all you got, girl?'

The punk leered down at her, panting and wheezing with several bruises on her hands and legs from blocking their attacks. But she can't keep up anymore, the noise was causing a painful headache and for the first time she noticed that the punks had earplugs stuffed in their ears. That was probably why they were able to withstand this noise.

'Discourse, that is my ability.'

One of the punks stepped out from the shadows but unlike everyone else, he had a couple of speakers placed on his hands and he smiled, showing broken and yellow teeth that caused Kuruko to flinch at the sight.

He was surely a disgusting man.

'I am able to generate noise around the general location of my area and as you can feel and appreciate, it does wonders for disrupting other esper's abilities, especially those that require… mental and thought processes to activate.'

That was why they were able to render her ability useless, anyone who needs to activate their ability would be affected… but since hers and Accelerator needed focus to use their abilities, they were more disadvantaged than others.

'Oh, no use calling for help… I can jam signals by overpowering all resident frequencies around me too… they probably won't hear anything unless I allow them too…'

That might explain why Accelerator was unable to warn her, it was not a matter of pride, his voice was probably muffled. Last Order screaming was probably a stroke of good and bad luck for them.

'Now then, my sweet… what shall we do to you… after we dispose of those other two? Hmm?'

Walking closer to her, the other punks backed away as he stepped ever closer to her and when the resonance was too overwhelming for her she heard a familiar voice calling out for him to stop.

'Huh?'

'I said stop… punk.'

Looking up with tears clouding her vision, Shirai Kuruko saw the boy, Kamijo Touma standing there while flexing his arms. He didn't look like the traditional savior, indeed he looked kinda warned out with several thugs lying around at his feet, but right now Kuruko didn't care, he was her savior.

'Huh? How did… oh I get it, you were with this Judgment Girl… you must be an esper too…'

'Ah!'

Kuruko tried to call a warning to him but she was slapped so hard that she only saw stars, clutching her cheeks at being hit by one of the thugs.

'C'mon, we'll take you on!'

He saw Red, he really saw Red when he saw Kuruko being hit like that and of course, Accelerator being beaten up for no reason whatsoever. He had saw Kuruko running down the alleyway when he had wanted to return home and although he wanted to ignore her, the date earlier had made it difficult for her to imagine that a girl like her is a member of Judgment.

That and someone shot a rubber bullet at his feet when he tried to leave…

… It was probably the 'sister's idea for him to follow and he had slowly made his way down there…

Only to see Kuruko being beaten up and he had rushed towards those punks, punching a couple of them before they knew what had happened.

'Tsk!'

He wasn't looking for a fight and he would have ran away if it wasn't for the fact that they had Kuruko in their hands, he didn't want to know what they planned for her and that's why he had to fight.

But the moment he got close he was overwhelmed by a loud and irritating sound that made him flinch and sweat. It was like a mix of the worst metal music with claws on a chalkboard, it was that bad and Touma endured a punch to the face and a kick to the gut before he recovered and fought back.

Naturally, 8 against 1 wasn't the best of odds but they had made a critical miscalculation…

They had assumed that Touma was a High level esper and is not a street brawler, but the truth was that Touma was exactly the opposite. He was a level 0 esper and thus is proficient in fighting, probably better than those punks as he took them out one by one.

'Ah…'

Some of the punks broke away after seeing their comrades being beaten down and they scattered, leaving just that single Esper standing there, Kuruko and Accelerator behind him and Touma wiping away the sweat on his forehead as he glared wordless at him.

'N-no way, aren't you an Esper? You must be affected by Discourse, why aren't you affected?'

Panicking, he turned his powers stronger, causing Kuruko and Accelerator to flinch in pain as they covered their eyes. But Touma was unfazed, in fact he got even angrier as he rushed at him, ready to punch his lights out.

'Oi oi, I never said I'm an esper, I'm like you, a Level 0!'

Saying so, he punched him straight in the face, causing him to stagger a few feet back as Touma continued his 'attack', swinging his right hand to his stomach as he continued.

'This is for Shirai-san!'

'U-ugh! W-why are you defending them? Isn't she from Judgment? Don't you understand that they are just oppressing us? All the high level Espers are the same! Are you in love with this brat!'

He managed to block the punch and push Touma back, who just scoffed and readied his fists again while Kuruko just watched on in awe and a mixture of embarrassment.

'That has nothing to do with it, whether I'm a Level 5 or a Level 0 doesn't matter at all! What matters is that I see you hurting them while they just did nothing! What gives you the right to do that to them?'

Swinging his left arm at him, the punk blocked Touma's punch and punched him in the stomach in retaliation, making Kuruko call out in panic.

'Are you playing hero? And did they really do nothing? They had my cousin arrested for the injuries caused to him by Accelerator! He didn't do anything to deserve it either! Get your facts right, punk!'

'…'

There was silence between him and Touma as they circled each other, Accelerator looking on with a mixture of hatred and apprehensiveness when Touma blocked the deadlock.

'Even so, Even so, Last Order is innocent… isn't she?'

Swinging, this time Touma caught him in the side, causing him to be knocked against the stone wall but he lashed back with a kick along with another taunt.

'My brother is innocent too! What did he do to deserve it! What gave them that right to throw him into prison?'

'He attacked me, that's what he did.'

Accelerator suddenly growled as he stood up, shaking as he tried to stand without his cane, Last Order clinging on to him as he tried to fight the effects of the sound along with his injuries.

'I didn't do anything and he attacked me… and he got hurt because I defended myself… If you have issues with that, come and find me…. Leave the brat alone!'

He snarled and the thug seemed to be stuck in a corner when he suddenly laughed and pointed at Accelerator tauntingly.

'The winner gets to say whatever he wants, who knows whether you are saying the truth… If that's the truth, than why did Judgment arrest him?'

'Because, that is Judgment's job… if he is causing a disturbance in the neighborhood, we have the right to arrest him…'

Getting up slowly, Kuruko leaned against the wall as the thug seemed unable to reply to their explanations.

When did this go wrong? When did this person in front of him get swallowed in his own hatred till he started to destroy his own future, his own hopes and dreams to end up in this state?

'Oi, if you have given enough excuses, it's time for you to take one more punch from me.'

Touma spoke again as the thug turned to him and as he raised his hands up to defend himself, he explained why he had to do so.

'What I can't forgive, is that like them, even though you worked so hard to get this kind of power, you ended up hurting the innocents around you!'

Scoring a direct hit on the shocked thug, Touma knocked him flying and in the process, that jarring noise disappeared and Touma sighed as he rubbed his sore fist.

'… You have the power to change that misconception, change your brother's fate by just supporting him… and yet, all you wanted to do was to take revenge and begin hurting people again. I can't forgive you for that…'

Mikoto arrived a moment later while dragging the bodies of the few thugs that had ran away and she immediately was followed by a few members of Anti-skill who proceeded to arrest the individuals while Mikoto checked Kuruko for any injuries.

For once, Kuruko did not hug her Onee-sama tightly and after a small hug, went over to Last Order to see if she was alright, nodding to Accelerator who just shrugged and hobbled off with her.

Lastly, she walked towards Touma, who was speaking with the members of Anti-skill on what had happened with Mikoto looking on.

'Ah, Shirai-san, I'm glad you are fi-'

But what she did was to slap him in the face so hard that her hands hurt and then grabbed his collar, pulling him close to her face and she whispered dangerously to him with Mikoto and the Anti-skill member looking on in shock behind them.

'Never, do that again.'

'A-ah… Hai~'

Saluting the girl, Touma was off her hook and he, along with the Mikoto and the rest of Anti-skill, just stared as she made her way to the transport that was about to bring the thugs back.

'…'

'What do you want, Judgment Girl…'

'… This all started because you felt injustice towards Judgment's decision… right?'

Showing a level of maturity that surprised Mikoto and all present, Kuruko closed one eye and handed her a card, it was the number of the 177 branch of Judgment, her branch and she continued.

'We will look into it again and your complaints will be heard. For now, just repent on your actions… and come back a better man. Your abilities are very interesting, perhaps a Level 3… with hard work, perhaps you might even surpass Onee-sama and me.'

Flicking her hair back, Kuruko left the man who called out to her awkwardly.

'Wait, why… why do you still do this? After what I did to you.'

'You did nothing to me…'

Kuruko sighed as she walked away.

'Showing anger and frustration is part and parcel of life, Judgment's work is to help the people and maintain Law and Order of Academy City. To do that, we need to understand the people too… from the ordinary citizens of Academy City to the strongest Esper, we all live in the same city, desho?'

Turning back to face him, Kuruko smiled and bowed to him.

'I'm from Judgment, I serve the people, it is my job to listen to people's wishes and complaints, to share their joy and their sadness. This is my job… so if you have any more complaints, come to talk to us instead of making such a ruckus, alright?'

'That was quite a speech you made there, Kuruko.'

Commenting and praising her partner, Misaka Mikoto felt that Kuruko had indeed changed and she wondered what had brought on that change in her.

That was unlike her, even if she is dedicated to the job at Judgment, she had never heard of her saying or trying to understand the people like what she had proclaimed earlier.

'Geez… I might get a earful from Konori-Senpai when she hears of my words… but I still think that's what we should do… Onee-sama agrees right? We should recruit more Level 0 or 1 Espers to be closer to the people~'

She wouldn't admit it but she was a little impressed by how Kamijo Touma had rushed in to save her, even if it was none of his business, she was still thankful.

Most importantly of all, she was touched and struck by his words and their underlying meaning: If they had the power, why don't they use it to help others, to help themselves. Even he, a Level 0, a normal person could make a difference if they tried.

That was probably what he meant when he punched the punk, he was labeled as a Level 0, but that didn't stop him from wanting to help people, from trying, from doing what he thought was right.

Yes, the punk did indeed do what he thought was right but his method was wrong, he chose the path of hurting people around him…

But the boy, Kamijo Touma was different. Instead of choosing to hurt others, he chose to stand up for others, he chose to stand up for people who wanted but failed to make a difference… he was not someone special, but if he could help others, why not do that?

If his actions can alleviate the pain of others, if his actions were 'right', he would do it.

So that is the something 'special' that Onee-sama and her 'sisters' meant…

Even if things were something blurred, like what had happened earlier, the punk was not wrong, but neither was he right too.

One can say that he acted in defense of his friends and that he did that because his friends were attacked.

But was it really because of that?

Kuruko didn't really know whether what he did was wrong or right.

Beating up people was wrong…

But it seems that his inner sense of what is 'right' and 'wrong' didn't fail him this time… and oddly, she wanted to make sure that what he did was never 'wrong'. He had came close to be in the wrong when he punched and beat up the gang who wanted revenge for 'injustice'…

'… geez… he really is a troublemaker, isn't he?'

Speaking to her Onee-sama, Kuruko smiled in a way that Mikoto had not seen her do so. She obviously was recalling something important to her that she didn't know about.

Why do I feel betrayed all of a sudden?

That small secret memory, of her kissing him in the lips briefly as they leaned together earlier would be something she would cherish.

'Neh, Onee-sama…'

'Yes, do you want dinner?'

'The 100%... can I change it to 99%? Ahaha~'

'Eh…? Kuruko?'

Author's Notes: Who knew it took me so long to wrap this up.. and Mikoto wears shorts, not bloomers.. OOPS! _