AUTHOR'S NOTES:
TOO MANY GAMES TO PLAY! Ah man, this chapter took a lot more time to type up than it should have. I guess that's what happens when you play 3 new games that just came out and do nothing else.
REVIEWER RESPONSE:
whwsms: That was not a typo actually. It will be explained in due time.
Agent Nine: Thanks a lot man I really appreciate it but I don't think this'll be on the same level as Infinite Possibility. His writing is a bit too orgasmic for me to match up to I think. And yeah to be honest, it feels pretty refreshing to not start a chapter with someone jacking off.
Brosephg: Thanks as usual Bro. While last chapter initiated a lot of events, this chapter leaves some room for imagination. It's not as eventful as you think but it does answer some questions.
AnimeLoverQ8: Once again thanks man. And as for the Infinite Possibility idea, I'll think about it.
Geust's Account: The yandere quartet sounds pretty frightening. And yeah if Touma's right arm got ripped off instead than this story would be a whole lot more different right now.
So guys I have a confession to make. I don't think I can make every chapter as long as the first two chapters were. I'm sorry but I don't have the will to make that happen. When it comes to big events yeah, but for build ups like this chapter I don't think I can. This chapter is about 4,000 words while chapters 1 and 2 were around 6,000-7,000. I can't type up as much as other writers like Darkbetrayer and QuestionMark. I don't really have any other excuse other than the fact that I watch a lot of anime and play a lot of games. While that sounds really selfish, I really want to emphasize that this is just a hobby and I type this because it's fun.
With that out of the way, let's start off the chapter!
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Slicing of Life [4]- NEGATIVE ARC
"Tell me Osamu Yuki. Are you prepared to face yourself?" Satan questioned with a grievous visage.
"Myself? How can there be two of me?" Osamu asked, mostly to himself.
"No, I'm not you. And you're not me." The other Osamu said in a snarky manner. "Honestly, I'm rather glad that you're such a pathetic piece of shit Osamu Yuki. I thought that I'd be forced to exist inside you until your body died out. But being out here on my own without being held back feels wonderful."
"What the hell are you talking about?!" Osamu asked, his eyes welling up from frustration.
"I'm another part of you Osamu though I like to disregard that aspect of ourselves. Being connected to someone like you is… degrading to say the least. You waste each day away in that sordid abode you call your home without the slightest idea of what you're truly capable of. What you've always been capable of." The other Osamu said with a blank expression.
"I see…" Osamu whispered quietly. "There's no way you can be a part of me then. The days I spend in that apartment doing reviews and lazing around give me the only sense of joy I'm entitled to feel."
"Is that so? If that's what you truly think then my pity for you has just grown by leaps and bounds." The other Osamu replied with a short chuckle.
"Pity? Hah! You truly are an imposter. If you truly were a part of me, you'd sympathize with my sole vicinity of happiness!"
"What makes you think I'm the imposter Osamu? Doesn't that make you the imposter?" The other Osamu suggested sternly.
"H-huh?" Osamu stuttered, taken aback.
"Just because you were the one in control of our body doesn't make you any more 'real'. If anything, that alone makes you just as 'fake' as me." The other Osamu laughed.
"What bullshit are you spouting?! Of course that makes me real! I was in control of myself!"
"Were you really? Sure you could move with your own feet, grab with your own hands and eat with your own mouth but that doesn't mean anything. In the end Osamu Yuki, you're just as 'fake' as me because you endlessly ran away. You ran away from everything that even slightly challenged you. You cooped yourself up in that miserable apartment because you lacked the courage to face the outside world! I couldn't even impact your movement or decisions because you kept me chained within the depths of your heart that's plagued by cowardice!" The other Osamu shouted.
"Shut up!"
"Is that all you can say? How pathetic. You've never been good with words Osamu Yuki and you've never been good with your fists either. It truly is contemptible. While I'm 'fake' because I was sealed inside of your heart without any choice of my own, you're 'fake' due to your own lack of action. Disgusting." The other Osamu spat out in scorn.
"What the hell did you expect from me?! I'm a Level 1 with the most worthless ability in Academy City! And after what happened with Adagaki, how was I supposed to stand up on my own two legs?! How was I supposed to fight back against the city that's agonized me since I was born?!" Osamu roared out in agony.
"Surely you must understand Osamu Yuki. Compared to others, your suffering is nothing." The other Osamu stated as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"So what?! I don't care about what other people are going through! My despair is already too much to deal with…"
"I don't blame you for that Osamu Yuki. Since we were one, I know the pain you're still going through very well. What I DO blame you for however is how you weren't catering to your true desires."
"True desires? Didn't I just tell you? The lifestyle I had until recently was something I loved, something I enjoyed."
"Stop lying to yourself! You know what I'm talking about don't you? What you truly want… is vengeance. Vengeance against those that have tormented you." The other Osamu stated coldly, making Osamu noticeably flinch.
"Really? Vengeance? What's the point of someone like me trying to commit to revenge if I'm bound to fail in the process?"
"Does that really matter? All that matters is that you live for something. Don't you agree?" The other Osamu questioned.
"Do you really think so? Is something so contemptible really worth living for…?" Osamu asked mostly to himself as he clenched his fists.
The other Osamu didn't even blink.
"I don't know. That's something you should ask yourself. Not me." The other Osamu said.
Osamu grimaced.
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Awaki quickly teleported out of the way and Tsuchimikado dodged rolled to the side to avoid the incoming lightning bolt.
"Woah, hey calm down!" Tsuchimikado yelled out almost jokingly.
Misaka ignored the blonde's outburst and directed her gaze towards the red twin tailed exhibitionist that had a smug grin on her face.
"Misaka! What are you doing?!" Touma shouted in alarm
Saten, Kuroko and Uiharu were at a loss for words.
"…You don't remember. This bitch almost killed Kuroko. You never saw her face then, but you were the one who saved Kuroko that one time after the series of experiments." Misaka said quietly.
"Saved her? What are you talking about?" Touma asked in genuine curiosity. He really couldn't remember the incident Misaka was talking about.
"Never mind." Misaka sighed. "Just answer this question." Misaka faced Awaki. "Why are you here?"
No one said a thing.
Saten and Uiharu were understandably appalled and Kuroko was obviously on guard. Touma still sat on his hospital bed with a perplexed expression on his face and Tsuchimikado just sported small grin.
"Why do I have to answer you?" Awaki asked stoically, further fuming Misaka's rage.
"Why you…!" Misaka took her iconic coin out of her pocket and prepared to fire her signature Railgun.
Everyone gasped; even Awaki was shocked by this action.
"H-hey, are you seriously going to fire that off in a hospital?" Awaki asked hesitantly.
Misaka grunted and gritted her teeth as her grip on the coin tightened.
Everybody wanted to stop her but the astonishment from the sudden action stunned them into stillness.
Everybody except for one person of course.
Touma got out of his hospital bed and pushed Misaka away with his free right arm.
Misaka fell to the ground and Touma did as well but he regrettably wounded his left arm further in the process.
"Augh!" Touma grunted in agony as his recently reattached left arm sent incredible receptors of pain.
"H-hey!" Tsuchimikado was the first to take action as he ran to Touma to pick him back up.
"I'm going to take him to the doctor. You girls can continue with your little scuffle here if you like." Tsuchimikado spat out sourly as he left the room whilst supporting Touma with his arm.
A stark silence took place for a while.
"….You see what you did there don't you? You really have to keep your anger in check." Awaki stated coldly.
"T-this this isn't my fault!" Misaka screamed. "It's because you showed up out of the blue! What made you think that I'd be able to hold back my rage when seeing you?!"
"You really are just a child. How incredibly selfish." Awaki sighed as she began to walk away.
"Where do you think you're going?!" Misaka shouted with wrath.
"Somewhere where I can breathe."
When Awaki left, Misaka sunk to the floor and her friends didn't know what to do.
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"Am I alright doc?" Touma asked Heaven Canceller. He and Tsuchimikado were in a temporary guest room.
"Hmm… yeah you're alright. You'll just have to stay here overnight is all." Heaven Canceller answered expressionlessly.
"What?! Damn it, now I have to call Index, Itsuwa and Othinus…" Touma lamented.
"Anyway, I have to get going now. You're not my only patient you know." Heaven Canceller remarked jokingly as he left.
"So Kami-yan, what're you going to do?" Tsuchimikado asked with a small smile.
"About?"
"About your harem obviously! It's growing by the second! Now even Musujime has been infected by your dreadful disease!" Tsuchimikado announced in mock horror.
"I should've known…" Touma sighed. "That you would spout this bullshit again."
'Who is Musujime? It sounds like I should know who that is.'
"It's not bullshit Kami-yan! It's real life!"
"…Just leave me alone."
"Alright alright." Tsuchimikado complied as he started to head towards the door.
"Before I go though, there is something you should know." Tsuchimikado said seriously.
Touma immediately picked up on his tone.
"Is it about something on the magic side?!"
"Yeah. I was just talking to the superior of Necessarius and she told me some rather unnerving news." Tsuchimikado admitted. "A family that has long been dormant has begun to take action and we have reason to believe that they might invade Academy City soon."
"A dormant family?"
"You don't need to know about the specifics now but just keep your guard up Kami-yan." Tsuchimikado finished cryptically as he walked out.
"….Something dangerous always seems to happen." Touma said to himself as he tried to his best to make the next couple of hours pass by swiftly.
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"Maybe you're right. To be honest, I don't want to give up on my life yet." Osamu admitted as he gave a sheepish grin.
"Oh? And what prompted this sudden change of heart?" The other Osamu asked in delighted surprise.
"…I don't know. I can't explain it. Maybe I'm just a coward that doesn't want to stay in hell but for some reason revenge seems appealing to me." Osamu explained.
"Hmph. Well that's a pretty half-assed response but I guess it works." The other Osamu laughed.
"Are you really determined to leave Osamu Yuki?" Satan asked cautiously.
"Yeah. When I was talking to the other me, I felt this… courage that I can't properly explain. I don't care if it comes from false cowardice or anger but I think that talking to myself gave me the strength I need."
Satan stifled a chuckle.
"Well if you say so. I'll get the portal to get back to Earth ready in a couple of minutes. For now, you should probably converse with your other self a bit more." Satan advised as he walked over to his wife Esdeath.
Osamu was approached by his other self.
"So 'me', what do you plan to do when you back to the real world?" The other Osamu asked inquisitively.
Osamu sighed.
"…I don't know. I guess that in order to take revenge on Adagaki I'll have to find a way to get closer to her."
"Closer to her?" The other Osamu yelped out in astonishment. "How the hell is that going to happen? Even if you were somehow able to get close to her, she would avoid you just as you've avoided her these past couple of months."
"Maybe you're right but I don't have any other options right now. I don't even know HOW I'll get revenge on her." Osamu grimaced.
"That sounds pretty difficult but at least you have an objective now." The other Osamu said. "Before you go though Osamu, you're going to have to accept me back into your body."
"Uh sure but how do I do that?"
"You just gotta grab my hand." The other Osamu answered as he outstretched his right arm.
"Alright." Osamu outstretched his right arm as well and planted it within the firm grip of his other half.
As soon as he did that, the other Osamu got enveloped in a shimmering light that ventured within Osamu's chest.
"I see. It all makes sense now. The reason I didn't do anything these past couple of months wasn't just because I enjoyed creating content for my Utube channel but it was because 'this' part of me was entrapped by the chains of the past. But now that I've come to terms with it-"
"Osamu Yuki, the portal is ready!" Satan announced.
Osamu turned around and saw a large blue light in the shape of a circle.
"Thanks Satan. I don't know why you granted me this opportunity but I appreciate it." Osamu said as he stepped inside of the transient light.
"You don't have to call me by that title. It's a bit too stiff for me to be honest. Just call me by name, Tatsumi." Satan reintroduced himself. "As for that opportunity, you shouldn't thank me. You should thank whoever gave me that message."
"Right. Whoever that is." Osamu muttered.
"I'm sure you'll find out who that person was in due time Osamu Yuki. With your newfound resolve, that outcome is inevitable."
The blue light started to fade.
"Goodbye Osamu Yuki. While I doubt we'll meet each other again soon, I wait for that day. Farewell." Satan said goodbye to Osamu as he waved back and the blue light faded.
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One day passed and things were surprisingly not all that different.
Touma got back to his dorm the following afternoon which made him miss another day of school much to his chagrin.
Index, Itsuwa and Othinus were understandably appalled and worried but Touma reassured them that he was fine and the situation he was involved in didn't warrant any worry.
"Are you sure Kamijou-kun? I'm here to protect you! You can just ask for my help!" Itsuwa implored with a certain ferocity that she rarely showed to other people.
"Thanks Itsuwa but you should probably not get involved with science side affairs. Besides, I've gotten involved in much worse incidents than this." Touma said determinedly.
Itsuwa was a little taken aback by this.
"W-well… if you're sure…." Itsuwa trailed off uncertain.
"Human, I don't think you understand the severity of what she's saying." Othinus jumped in.
"H-huh?" Touma stuttered. "She was sent here to keep an eye on me right but she can't get involved with science side conflicts right? I know that it's her job to look out for me but I don't want her to get in trouble for my sake."
Othinus sighed.
"You truly have no understanding of others emotions do you?"
"W-what?"
"Nevermind." Othinus went back to sipping tea from her miniature cup.
After that, the day progressed as it normally would with Itsuwa there begin the only difference. It was only when Touma got a phone call that events would once again go in an unexpected direction.
"Hello?" Touma answered.
"Ape, you have to come to the 177th Judgment Branch." A familiar annoyed voice spat out through the phone.
"W-what? Why are you calling me, Shirai?" Touma asked flabbergasted.
"I just told you. Come here now." Kuroko then promptly hung up.
"Such misfortune…" Touma muttered.
"What's wrong Touma?" Index asked in a legitimately concerning tone.
"I just have to meet up with someone. Hopefully it won't be long." Touma answered briefly.
"Human, are you sure that you should be going out after what happened yesterday?" Othinus asked.
"Well, it sounded urgent so I should probably go. See you guys later. Thanks again for cooking Itsuwa!" Touma said as he left the apartment.
And once again, that apartment was devoid of Touma Kamijou.
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When Touma arrived at the 177th Judgment Branch thanks to the directions that Kuroko told him, he was greeted by a rather peculiar sight.
"Aogami?! Why are you here?!" Touma exclaimed.
Aogami was handcuffed and was sitting on a nearby chair. Also, for some reason, an elegant crown stood atop his head.
"I see you're finally here ape." Kuroko said coldly.
There was also a girl with glasses in the room that was drinking a carton of milk. Touma didn't know who she was.
"Why did you arrest my friend?" Touma asked accusingly.
"I think you probably know. It has to do with the perverted 'festival' he runs." Kuroko responded. "A female student from your class reported it to Judgment and we took him in on the spot."
"I-I see…" Touma said in acceptance.
"You should be grateful that he's only getting off with a week suspension."
"Really? Oh well that's not that bad right Aogami?"
Aogami stayed silent and his eyes were closed.
"Oh, I think he's sleeping. He was really exhausted when we brought him in." The girl with the glasses added.
"Okay…" Touma said awkwardly. "But is this really why you called me here?"
"I see you're quick on the uptake." Kuroko started. "I called you here to ask you more about what happened yesterday. Surely you know that I didn't buy that half-assed story right?"
Touma sighed.
"Alright I'll tell you. There's no point in keeping it to myself I guess."
Touma took a deep breath before he started.
"So all that I told you about yesterday was true but there are two important things I should probably tell you. Firstly, the rouge members of NEGATIVE made this sort of program called the Level Downer. From what I learned, it causes those with AIM fields to collapse and lose all of their strength."
"Level Downer…" Kuroko muttered.
"It sounds eerily similar to 'that' incident doesn't it?" The girl with the glasses said in a hushed tone.
"'That incident'?" Touma repeated confused.
"She's talking about the Level Upper incident. You remember it don't you? You've at least heard about it from Onee-sama or someone right? It was a pretty catastrophic incident." Kuroko clarified.
"Level Upper? Sorry no, the name's not familiar to me." Touma said.
'Maybe it happened before I lost my memories or when I was out of Academy City for the magic side. I'm not entirely sure.'
"Well whatever. That doesn't really matter now. But are you sure that's what it's called?"
"Yeah, remember when the Quaint Café got attacked? The game controller in that guy's hands is apparently the trigger they use to activate it."
"I see… that's some very valuable information. Anything else?" Kuroko asked once more.
"The plain white masks they use reflect the signals sent off by the Level Downer. That allows Espers above Level 0 to use their powers effectively." Touma recited from memory.
"Really? That sounds extremely dangerous. I'm going to have to call Uiharu in for some help…" Kuroko said under her breath.
"Is that all?" Touma asked. He didn't like being questioned like this.
"Yes you're free to go. And please try to not get involved any further. For your own safety at least."
"I can't make any promises." Touma admitted.
Just as Touma was about to walk outside, the girl with the glasses and carton of milk called out to him.
"Hey wait." She requested causing Touma and Kuroko to look at her.
"Shirai told me about what happened at the café so this is really confusing me. If they used the Level Downer on you, how come you didn't collapse like everybody else?"
'Crap! How the hell do I explain this?'
"Uh, it's my power. It's kind of hard to explain and I'd rather not talk about it." Touma said quickly.
"O-okay, if you're uncomfortable talking about it that's fine."
"See ya!" Touma said a bit too loudly as he left and closed the door a bit too forcefully.
"He's obviously hiding something." The girl with glasses remarked.
"Yeah but that's not completely relevant to our investigation right now."
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As Touma started his trek back home, he began to dwell on some things.
'How am I gonna deal with NEGATIVE? They're probably going to be after me since one of their leaders was in contact with me. I don't want to ask for help and get other people involved…'
As Touma continued to think, he bumped into a blonde girl who was walking past him.
"O-oh sorry!" Touma rapidly apologized.
The blonde girl was about to say something but when she looked at Touma's face, her face went pale and her eyes widened.
"Hey are you alright?" Touma asked in worry.
"I-I'm fine." The girl said. Her starry eyes were still wide in shock.
The blonde girl then ran away even though she was terrible at it.
"W-wait!" Touma called out.
He was a bit too slow however as the girl quickly turned into a corner and went out of sight.
"That was… strange."
"What was strange?" A familiar female voice said from behind him.
"AH!" Touma yelped in alarm. "Oh it's you." Touma breathed a sigh of relief.
"Did I really scare you that much?" Awaki chuckled. "And why is it that you never call me by my name?"
"Your name…you know come to think of it, I don't think I know what your name is. Sorry, with everything going on I might've forgotten." Touma admitted shamefully.
"Really? That's kind of awkward." Awaki laughed.
"Yeah it is."
"My name is Awaki, you can just call me that."
"Oh alright Awaki." Touma greeted.
After that, the two Espers began to walk together.
"What happened with Misaka yesterday?" Touma asked.
"Oh that? Nothing really. I just walked out of the room and she sunk to the ground. Not sure what her problem was."
"Really? From what Misaka said, it sounded like you did something pretty bad." Touma remembered wearily.
"Well I started something but nothing really came out of it. I don't know why she still holds a grudge when nothing terrible came out of that incident."
"You should apologize." Touma said suddenly.
"W-what?" Awaki stopped in her tracks. "Apologize for what? She should be the one apologizing to me after yesterday." Awaki said frigidly.
"Yeah I guess…"
'How can I say this in a way that she'd understand?'
"Uh, if you apologize to her that would at least somewhat keep her off your back right? Wouldn't it be nice not having to worry about her attacking you if you ever ran into each other again?" Touma said in a reprimanding tone that was unlike him.
"Hmm… I didn't think about it in that way but yeah you're right. That would give me less problems." Awaki accepted.
"Good you go do that then."
"Yeah, let me try to find her so that I can get this over with. See you later."
"Yeah you too."
'Is it just me or have I been running into a lot of girls recently?... Nah I must be over thinking it. All the girls I run into don't like me anyway.' Touma thought like a dumbass as he walked back to his dorm.
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When Osamu Yuki opened his eyes, he was back in his apartment. How? He had no idea but he was glad that he didn't wake up in the middle of the street where he was shot.
"It looks like Akari isn't here. That at least gives me time to think of an explanation as to what the hell just happened." Osamu told himself as he got up from his bed.
"My body feels really grimy. It was probably because of Hell now that I think about it. I guess I'll go take a shower."
Osamu grabbed his towel and entered his bathroom. As he turned on the light and got in the tub, he saw himself in the mirror from the corner of his eyes.
"It really feels weird to be back here like nothing ever happened….wait… what?!" Osamu shouted.
His hair was white.
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