Author's Notes: And so it begins, the destruction of Kamijou Touma!
Part 4: Unprecedented Mess!
Touma awoke to a very strange sensation. Something warm was straddling him, slippery as a snake. The warm sensation continued moving upwards, until… wait.
Touma's eyes flew open. Midnight coloured eyes met hazel coloured ones. A heavy silence hung in the air for a second.
"UWAH!" Touma gave a panicked cry, pitching himself backwards and away from the intruder in his house. Brown hair and eyes, plus goggles? "Misaka… Imouto? What are you doing in my house!" he demanded hysterically as Misaka Imouto leaned forward, her neligee… wait what!
"And what are you wearing!" Touma yelled, his composure torn to shreds as Misaka Imouto, dressed or rather, undressed in a transparent, flimsy nightdress, looked at up at him.
"Misaka 10032 feels sad that her saviour has not acknowledged her efforts to please him, Misaka tilts her head wondering how she can appease his apparent bad mood," Misaka 10032 said calmly even as she arched her back in what was meant to be an inviting pose, as what one Misaka had read in a women's fashion magazine.
"This is breaking and entering, damnnit!" Touma ranted as he turned away, "and why are you wearing something so… revealing! Please put some clothes on! Omph!" Touma grunted as 10032 abruptly tackled him, sending the both of them sprawling to the ground. With 10032 straddling him. On his…
Touma's face flamed red, "What are you doing!" he cried out as he attempted to wriggle away from 10032, whom he was convinced had gone mad. "Argh! FUKOU DA!" he cursed as 10032 pressed her face against Touma's. Too close in fact.
"Misaka wants to convey her feelings to her saviour in the most straightforward manner possible," Misaka 10032 said without missing a beat, "however, recent research has shown that competition for her saviour is fierce and thus, must take drastic measures to let you know our true feelings."
"True feelings? Competition? What?" Touma stared at her blankly. Then, realization finally set in. "Wait… you… like me?"
"Affirmitive, Misaka states happily as she begins to start this physical activity that will-,"
"No way!" Touma, having regained a semblance of strength, lurched forward with a sudden movement, pinning Misaka 10032 to the ground.
"Misaka has read about this as well. Does our saviour likes to… play rough? Misaka feels strangely excited as she feels her saviour pressed up against Misaka intimately." Misaka 10032 said softly.
"Now hold up a second," Touma wheezed, his mind whirling with the relevation that Misaka Mikoto's clone actually… liked him? God, Valentine's Day was just beginning, damn it! "You. Like. Me."
"Yes. Misaka confirms."
"God, just kill me," Touma moaned as he got up, "Look, I appreciate this and all… but it's just too much to take in right now," he said dully as he looked away hurriedly, grabbing one of his winter jackets and draping it over Misaka Imouto with a light blush.
"Can I ask why, Misaka asks as she feels this strange, heavy emotion in her chest," Misaka 10032 asked as she tightened the jacket around her, "Misaka… really likes you… Touma." She grabbed him suddenly, surprised by this swell of uncontrollable emotions flooding her.
"I…" Touma floundered a second. How could he tell her that he had lost memories that fateful day, forever dooming him to live based on lies? That the current Kamijou Touma could just be a lie? Would he really bring any girl happiness like this? "It's not that I don't like you, Imouto. I'm just not ready, that's all." He said weakly.
"Misaka does not understand," 10032 whispered, her hands falling to her side limply as she felt something wet gather in her eyes, "Misaka does not understand the fundamentals of love nor of jealousy. Misaka knows that your very presence makes her happy and that seeing you with other girls makes her unhappy. That's why I came here as early as possible. I wanted you to be mine."
Touma took a step back. He had no idea how to handle this. Not to mention the fact that he had no experience with this at all. Maybe before he lost his memories he did but he had actively avoided getting into such situations as much possible. "I didn't know," he answered, vastly uncomfortable with the tension in the air, "but I… I'm not sure if I can accept this now, you know? I understand your feelings but-"
"I… understand…" 10032 interrupted, her gaze dropping from his as she staggered a little. Then, she bolted.
"W-wait!" Touma reached out to grab her arm. But he was too late. She was gone.
Touma groaned, debating the logic of running after her now. Even if he did catch up to her, what could he say? That he was sorry? That he could not respond to her feelings because he did not know himself at all?
He slumped, hanging his head in defeat as he walked over to his table. A simple heart-shaped box lay on the table, wrapped nicely in red paper and a single golden ribbon. "To my precious person, huh?" Touma read aloud sadly as he sat down wearily.
Truth be told, Touma had been feeling fragmented ever since he had lost his memories. Of course, he had lied to himself that it had not mattered, that his memories lay within in heart. In truth, he was afraid. He was afraid of what he had been, of what could have been. He did not know what kind of person he was nor did he know about the people around him anymore.
In essence, Kamijou Touma had been living a lie. He helped people not just because he had to help them, he helped them also because he wanted to discover himself. He wanted to follow his heart, for that was where his memories lay. But there was something empty there. Something that was temporarily filled when he saw the looks on the people whose world he had saved.
That's when he knew. He was lacking something. Or rather, he was missing something that would make him whole. And yet, what was it that he was truly looking for? Love? A purpose in life?
Maybe.
Glancing once more at the chocolates on his table, Touma picked it up gingerly, "I guess… this would be my first Valentine, huh? Or at least… for this Kamijou Touma that is living a lie." He smiled sadly.
"God, I hope this day doesn't get any worse," he prayed as he got to his feet, his emotions frayed and ragged. "I don't think I can handle too much right now."
*** On the way to school
"Misaka Imouto!" Touma called out as he finally spotted the errant clone. She stood alone, facing an open lake, dressed in her Tokiwadai school uniform with his jacket still wrapped snugly around her.
She turned at his greeting and Touma was stunned to see tears on her face. Guilt welled up in him and he took a hesitant step forward.
"I thought I might find you here," he said huskily as he came to stand beside here.
"Forgive me," Misaka 10032 whispered softly, "Misaka should not have done that in the morning. Misaka would like to apologize."
"There's nothing to apologize about," Touma said, his expression serious. "Listen. I know what I said was probably stupid and it hurt. I'm sorry. But I'm really conflicted right now. There's still so much that I don't know yet, so…"
He clasped her hand tightly with a small smile, "So I can't accept you right now. Nor anyone else. But I care for you a great deal. And until I really find myself… I can't accept your feelings, I'm sorry."
"I understand," Misaka 10032 responded as Touma finally let go of her hand, "but I… Misaka would like to say… that Misaka will wait for you. She will wait for you to find his true self. Maybe then, you can give Misaka your true reply."
Touma smiled genuinely this time, a smile that warmed Misaka 10032 to her heart.
"Thank you, for helping keep this illusion alive. I… oh crap, gonna be late, gotta go! Fukou Da!" he yelped as he finally realized how late it was, "I'll see you around, Misaka Imouto! And thank you for the chocolates!"
As Touma took off with blinding speed, Misaka 10032 caressed the arm that he had clasped gently with a small smile on her blushing face. "I will wait for you… Touma. But this does not mean that Misaka will quietly let other girls come close to you, Misaka vows as she swears to monitor him in secret."
*** Outside School
"Whew, still have some time to spare – eh?" Touma felt an ominous presence. He ducked just as a girl dressed in a cheerleaders uniform leapt out of nowhere and tried to tackle him to the ground. "UWAH! Lessar!"
"TOUMA!" Lessar squealed happily, "I found you at last!"
"Lessar! What are you doing here?" Touma demanded, though he probably had a good idea to exactly why she was here. She was the only one whose advancements he had noticed… because she made no effort to hide them at all.
"To seduce you of course! I've even got your Valentine's present right here!" Lessar replied happily as she took out the box of chocolates from her clothes or thereof, "So come on! Let's skip school! I've got today's activities all planned out!"
"No." was Touma's simple and elegant reply.
Lessar shivered at the cold reply, "TOUMA! You are so cruel! Playing hard to get," her lips curled into a sly smile, "But I like that in a guy." She arched her back in what was supposed to be a sexy pose and revealing as much skin as possible.
"Who's playing hard to get?" Touma's voice came from behind her and Lessar facefaulted as she realized that Touma had moved on without her and wasn't even looking back!
"Touma! You can't do this to me!" Lessar whined.
"Why not?" Touma asked bluntly.
"Because I'm serious about you!"
"I already petitioned my non-interest."
"It doesn't count!"
"Why not!"
"Because I refuse to accept it!"
"… too bad."
"HEY!" Lessar stomped her foot in frustration, "you can't just ignore me!"
"…."
Lessar finally noticed she was alone at the school entrance. "Argh! You piss me off so much sometimes, Kamijou Touma! But…" she licked her lips in a decidedly predatory manner, "that's what I like so much about you, hehehe…"
She made a movement to jump but a hand snaked out from nowhere, grabbing her with surprising force. "Ngh! What? It's the flat chest!" she gasped in shock, then paused, "Wait, something is different?"
"Misaka feels incredibly angry at your actions, Misaka declares that she is… 'pissed', yes, that is the word," Misaka 10032 said flatly even as sparks began to fly from her body.
"Your eyes look scary today, flat chest!" Lessar taunted, before rapidly paling as she realized that Misaka 10032 had grabbed her bare arm.
A Certain High School's students winced as a bloodcurdling scream tore through the morning atmosphere. Shrugging, they decided that it would be best not to investigate the source of unimaginable pain… especially Kamijou Touma.
Meanwhile, Touma was not having an easy time. Simply because he was currently backed into a wall with over four classrooms worth of girls clamouring for him to accept their chocolates. "Erm… I need to get to class, girls?"
"Touma is mine!"
"He's mine you bitch!"
"No, he's mine!"
Touma scratched his head in defeat as the armies of girls turned on one another, beginning an epic catfight… that he had no desire to watch. "Ano… Himegami, you're not going to assault me, are you?" Touma asked as Himegami walked up to him from a corner of the school he had no idea existed. How did she do that again?
"Where did she appear from?"
"How did she get through the barricades?"
"HOW COME TOUMA NOTICED HER!" the ambigous background girls lamented in unison before resuming their appropriate catfights.
"Ano… Kamijou-kun?" Himegami greeted softly with a reddish tinge on her cheeks. Touma paled, not another one?
"Please… accept my chocolates!" she declared loudly as she held out a box of chocolates wrapped in pink paper and a red ribbon. Her declaration resounded throughout the entire school and everyone, yes everyone's jaw dropped. A teacher walking by let go of her marker.
Komoe-sensei lost all colour.
Fukiyose grinned.
Aogmai Pierce stared.
Tsuchimikado blinked.
Everyone poked their heads out of the classroom to look out at the field, their lessons forgotten.
"Who's the hottie?" all the male classmates wondered simultaneously.
"NOOO, she got to him first! And who's she?" all the females wailed in unison.
"Oh… um… thanks, Himegami," Touma breathed a sigh of relief that she wasn't taking any radical methods like… everyone else. "Does every girl in this school like me or something?" he asked no one in particular as he respectfully accepted her chocolates with both hands.
"Kami-yan has another one, it seems," Aogami Pierce said in a resigned tone.
"Not just that, look," Tsuchimikado pointed.
Everyone turned to look around. Except that there were only males looking, the females were all gone. Wait, that means…
"He's attracted upperclassmen!" one male student yelled.
"The most attractive cheerleaders…"
"The shy girl with glasses…"
"The teachers…"
"ALL HIS FAULT!" all the males in A Certain High School berated as one as they turned to glare at Kamijou Touma with increasingly venomous looks.
Touma began to sweat. The glares of a thousand scorned men drilled into his back, while the gazes of a thousand lovestruck women attacked him from the front. More females were arriving by the swarms. Oh, crap…
"Kamijou… TOUMA!" the school screamed.
"ARGH! FUKOU DA!" Touma wailed as he ran for his life.
***About 30 minutes later
"Yep, Kami-yan. I told you today is your lucky day," Tsuchimikado Motoharu commented as Touma finally sank into his chair. Outside, the hallways, fields, classrooms and staffrooms were filled with broken bodies of defeated students, male and female.
"Just shut up," Touma muttered under his breath.
"Heck, if Fukiyose hadn't stepped in, you and that miko girl, Himegami would have been trampled to death, with the females gouging her eyes out and the males unmanning you," Aogami pointed out with a creepy smile that told Touma that he frankly would not mind the result at all.
"Some friends you are," Touma scowled.
"It's called diplomacy, Kami-yan, nya~" Tsuchimikado said smugly as he leaned back in satisfaction. Little did Kami-yan know that all the female acquaintances that had expressed a remote interest in him had been called to Academy City, courtesy of the tickets he had mailed out to them and the permission he had acquired from the Board of Directors through blatant blackmail and intimidation (Thank God Accelerator was in GROUP). Of course, Laura Stuart had obligingly agreed to sponsor the tickets for the females in Necessarius.
"You think this is bad? You ain't seen nothing yet," Tsuchimikado said to himself with an expression so positively evil that Touma could not repress a shiver.
"Hah, I have to admit, Fukiyose was pretty scary~" Aogami pointed with a smile so perverse that Touma felt yet another chill run down his spine. Why was he friends with these two again? Though Aogami did have a point, Touma thought privately to himself as he recalled exactly how that went down.
After being cornered (again), Touma and Himegami were feeling decidedly trapped. Himegami was feeling dizzy, partially because of the remarkable speed that Touma had taken off, partially because Touma was holding her hands in an iron grip that was decidedly intimate and incredibly warm. Something that did not go too well with the general female populace.
Of course, the fiery looks from both genders were enough to make Himegami pray.
A bellow resounded in the corridor and masses of students suddenly rocketed off into the field as an unstoppable force rippled through the school. Mass mayhem overtook the mob and Himegami heaved a sigh. A God called Fukiyose Seiri had answered her prayers… and HOW!
Students fell in droves as Fukiyose scolded, punched, swatted aside and intimidated every student in her path. Even the usually stoic teachers cried tears of relief has Fukiyose demolished the entire crazy mob in a record time of 5 minutes and 27 seconds, something that would make Anti-Skill weep in shame at their own pathetic records.
Finally, the Juggernaut called Fukiyose stepped up to Kamijou Touma, much to the delight of the male (half dead) populace, with a deadly expression. Touma gulped, taking a step back as Fukiyose reached behind her. Fukiyose was not known as the Iron Wall Fukiyose for nothing, she was the only one supposedly immune to the infamous Kami-yan disease!
Was she taking out a weapon? Another sports drink? Good heavens, a sword to castrate him? "Mercy, Fukiyose!" he begged even as his mind screamed, "FUKOU DAAAAA!"
"Here, your chocolates," Fukiyose said calmly as she shoved a box of chocolates into Touma's chest.
Touma's jaw sagged, his eyes turning white.
Himegami blinked as the world grinded to a halt.
"What? Stop staring and accept it, idiot!" Fukiyose scowled as she delivered a powerful uppercut that knocked Touma out.
The male populace broke into a loud, boisterous cheer that would have been more appropriate for a World Cup Final deciding goal as Fukiyose knocked Kamijou Touma out… that was immediately silenced as Fukiyose shot them a death glare that knocked them out with her sheer awesomeness. Of course, the fact that she had given him chocolates had, sadly not been noticed.
Of course, that was the one good thing out of the many disasters that was in the making.
"And that, was how I got back without much trouble," Touma muttered as he nursed his swollen jaw gently. He had conveniently left out the parts of Fukiyose shoving the chocolates in his chest. Due to the unfortunate reasons that were sitting beside him right now, one with blue hair and the other with bright yellow.
"Fukiyose-chan is the only girl immune to your disease as of now, Kami-yan. At least mankind has some hope!" Aogami said with tears on his face.
"Is that supposed to be a good thing?" Touma deadpanned as his face hit the table in exhaustion.
"Of course! No matter what kind of girl appears, be an Ojou-sama, a Maid, a pettanko, a tsundere or any other type at all, all have fallen for you!" Aogami declared dramatically as he pointed an accusing finger at Touma.
"Oi, I didn't ask for that, you know? Fukou da," Touma reminded Aogami.
"Hmph, that excuse is lame. You've only just started to be a good boy. Why, in the past, you used to be a player!"
"I did?"
"You have forgotten already! Alas, such is the fate of one who is never without female companionship!" Aogami lamented sadly.
"That's completely missing the point," Touma grunted, "Oi, I was asking you a question!"
"Ah, forget it, I can only blame myself! Why did I make you my wingman! When I, Aogami, am the leading man!"
"You sound like a certain sky pirate," Touma pointed out as he gave up on asking more questions while Aogami went into yet another rant.
"So, Kami-yan, you've taken to carrying a plastic bag to carry all your gifts?" Tsuchimikado asked slyly.
"I just happened to bring one," Touma replied. And it was technically true. Though how a plastic bag he did not remember stuffing into his pocket got there was beyond even his understanding.
"Uh huh. Well, I hope I don't see you in the hospital this week then, Kami-yan," Tsuchimikado finished with a knowing grin that made Touma's hair stand on end.
"You know something I don't, don't you?"
"Why, whatever makes you say that, nya~"
"That smile! That speech! It's only too obvious!"
"I think Kami-yan is letting the stress get to him, nya~"
"Stop saying nya!"
*** Judgement Branch 177
"Ah, Shirai-san! You're… EYAH!" Uiharu gave a frightened scream as Kuroko entered the office with a colourless skin tone, black smoke rising from her skin and her eyes glazed and unfocused. Her twintails were unkempt and pointed and her expression was visibly traumatised.
"She's meeting someone. She's… meeting… chocolates… boy… NOOO! ONEE-SAMA!" Kuroko suddenly wailed as she slammed her head against the wall repeatedly with a sudden movement, making Uiharu wince in fear.
"Ano… Shirai-san?" Uiharu took a tentative step forward when the Level 4 teleporter suddenly tackled her to the ground with a blank expression.
"Onee-sama… why have you gone to meet that barbarian… WHY! UIHARU! ANSWER ME!" she demanded, shaking the poor girl wildly.
"I… don't… know… uwah! Shirai-san!" Uiharu protested even as the room began to spin around her, her life flashing before her very eyes…
Then, Kuroko stopped, slumping over in defeat even as she repeated, "Men. Men. Die. Die. Onee-sama. Onee-sama…"
"I think Shirai-san has lost it…" Uiharu whispered softly as she took her seat shakily, "Shirai-san? I think you should take a look at this?"
The Level 4 staggered to her feet, planting her face limply on the table, "What could be more important than me finding Onee-sama…"
"According to this, a large battalion of nuns has barricaded a road to a high school," Uiharu said.
"A bunch of nuns… barricading… wait, what?" Shirai blinked, her eyes returning to normal as the words sank in, "a bunch of nuns have barricaded a road? What nonsense is this?"
"It's true! A Judgment member even asked them to move but they refuse to budge at all!" Uiharu confirmed with a equally bewildered expression.
"And their reason for cosplaying on a Valentine's Day?" Kuroko asked blandly.
"To corner a guy for their leader," Uiharu answered with a straight face.
"Let me get this straight. A bunch of nuns, in the hundreds (!) have barricaded a road so that they can catch this boy for their leader… and give him her chocolates? Is that right?" Kuroko asked softly.
"I think so."
"ARGH! What is this world coming to! Barricading a street for a barbaric man! This is an outrage! What's so great about men!" Kuroko demanded as she slammed her fists on the table, "Even cosplaying as nuns! Have they no shame!"
"I think that's a bit odd coming from you, Shirai-san…" Uiharu thought to herself privately as she remembered Kuroko's… tasteful underwear.
"This I cannot allow! I cannot allow such atrocious behaviour! And if I run into that ape, I'll KILL HIM TOO!" she bellowed as she teleported, leaving an ominous silence in her wake.
Uiharu gulped.
"I hope you weren't serious about that last part, Shirai-san…"
***After School
"Ah, Himegami!" Touma greeted as they were leaving school. Himegami blushed, wondering if she should convey her true feelings now. Maybe she could take this chance to… confess?
"Ano… Kamijou-kun…" Himegami stammered.
"Hn?" Touma looked at Himegami's serious expression and paled. Was she… going to confess too? God, was Tsuchimikado and Aogami right? Did he really have so many girls that liked him?
"I… I… li… I hope you like the chocolates!" Himegami sputtered.
Touma blinked, before his expression broke into a smile, "Don't worry, Himegami. As long as it's your gift, I'm sure it'll taste great."
Himegami's heart raced even as she lowered her head with a heavy blush, "As I thought… I couldn't do it…"
"Well, I'll be seeing you around, ok? Gotta go grab some stuff," Touma said, hoping to extricate himself before things got worse: Himegami looked as if she were on the verge of fainting.
"Ok," Himegami said softly as she watched him go. "I… really like you… Kamijou-kun…"
***On the road
"Is it just me or does the road seem strangely empty?" Touma wondered to himself as he looked around him suspiciously. Looks like there were only nuns here. He continued on a just a fraction of second.
Wait, only nuns?
He spun to see two nuns coming at him with frightening speed. "UWAH!" he dodged their lunges, breaking into a run down the street. Again. That's it, he was officially declaring Valentine's Day as "WORST DAY EVER!"
The nightmare began with a horrifying start. Nuns poured out of the buildings, alleys and everywhere else that could squeeze a human in. "What the heck is going on!" he asked hysterically as the nuns chased after him.
His eyes widened in horror as a bunch of nuns barricaded the road on all 4 sides and his frantic grasp of the situation revealed that they had cordoned off the area entirely much earlier.
"Oi, Kamijou Touma!"
"Agnese! What's going on? I thought we were allies?" Touma demanded as he spotted the leader of said group of nuns walking forward.
"We are. We just… didn't want anything interrupting our private time together," Agnese said with a light blush.
"Private… what?" Touma took a step back, looking around at the nuns staring at him with somewhat… fond looks. Oh, God, surely you wouldn't be that cruel…
Would you?
Oh wait, he negated any of his blessings anyway!
"Fukou da…" he sighed to himself, "And you sealed off this area? Where are all the cars, the people? The stores are still open!"
"My nuns can patronize those stores," Agnese said stiffly.
"Agnese, you didn't say anything about that!"
"Sister Angelene!"
"She never bothers to inform us of the important details anyway…"
"Sister Lucia! Did you bring your entire force to Academy City!" Touma asked in disbelief.
"Well, we were sponsored by Archbishop, so it's free anyway!" Agnese said with a blush as she crossed her arms over her chest.
"Uh huh… Tell me again why I'm spending private time with you? I thought you disliked me!" Touma pointed out.
"Ano, Touma-san… Agnese is never honest with herself…" Sister Angelene admitted, wrangling her hands in discomfort.
"What! You're one to talk, you like him too!"
"We nuns cannot lie about such things," Lucia added.
"Not another one! Besides, you wanted to cosplay for him too!" Agnese blabbered.
"No I did not!" Lucia denied hotly.
"Did too!"
"Did not!"
"He's trying to get away!" Angelene interrupted, pointing as Touma took off with dizzying speed, evading capture so much skill that Agnese could not help but be impressed. However…
"After him! Maim him if you have to!" Agnese roared, "He can't get to the other women!"
"What? What kind of capture order is that!" Touma yelled back as he began dodging magical blasts that were aimed to maim. Wait, that didn't come out right. "If you like me, then why are you trying to kill me! And what's this about other women? You're making me sound like a guy with a huge harem!"
"Kill you? I just want to immobilize you because you're trying to escape for no reason! Stop running!" Agnese demanded.
"Escape for no reason! You're using lethal force for a confession! That's wrong on so many levels! ARGH! FUKOU DAAAA!" Touma cried out as he ran for his dear life. Again.
"TOUMA!"
"Shit, it's Itsuwa!" Lucia cursed.
"Don't curse, it's unbecoming of you," Agnese scolded, "Stop her! Rain hell if you have to!" she barked to her subordinates.
Lucia narrowed her eyes, "And you say I'm unbecoming…"
"Touma, grab my hand," Itsuwa called out as she landed on a car.
Touma grabbed her hand as she took a small marble and tossed it on the ground.
*POOF!*
"Smoke grenade!"
"*Cough*, find… *cough*… them!"
"Where did they go!" Agnese scowled as the smoke cleared to reveal what she already suspected. They were gone.
"They couldn't have flown. That boy negates magic," Lucia said.
"Then they must have used a natural magic leyline to ease their transportation?"
"Impossible, this is Academy City! No leylines can be activated here!"
"Argh!" Agnese stomped her foot, "Spread out and find them! Neutralize all targets that will be likely to confess to him! I haven't even given him my chocolates yet, sheesh!"
"What happens if we run into Kanzaki-san?" a nun asked timidly.
Agnese turned to look at the nun gravelly, "You run."
*** On top of a building…
"What's with everyone today? Have they all gone crazy?" Touma muttered to himself as he accepted a wet handkerchief from Itsuwa gratefully. "Thanks, Itsuwa, you really saved me out there. Today has been quite an eye-opener for Kamijou Touma."
Itsuwa blushed at Touma's thanks, seating herself beside him as close as possible as he wiped his sweat.
"Ano… Touma," Itsuwa began.
"Hn?"
"I… really… um… like you!" She confessed as she held out her chocolates to Touma.
"Another one! Is every female that I know in love with me?" Touma moaned to himself even as his mind whirled from yet another confession. Gently accepting his present, he scratched his head as he leaned back a little.
"I… don't know what to say," he admitted softly as his expression became more serious. "I guess I've been quite dense huh? There were so many girls that were reportedly having a crush on me that I tuned them all out. So I…"
"Shh…" Itsuwa held a finger to Touma's lips, effectively silencing him, "I… just wanted you to know, my true feelings. I don't know if you really like me or any other girl but I… just wanted to say it out. I don't want to lose to anyone but as long as you know then I…" she leaned over him and the two tumbled over in a heap.
Touma's face flamed red as he felt Itsuwa's notable assets press against his chest, even as her face leaned against him intimately. "I…" he looked away uncomfortably, "I'm sorry. But I'm not ready."
Itsuwa's face reddened as she sat up hurriedly, "N-no! That was an accident, I…I…"
Touma's face broke into a gentle smile, "Don't worry about it, Itsuwa. Kamijou Touma isn't the kind of person to be dishonest about his feelings. I… honestly don't know what I feel for you. I care about you but as I said to someone else… until I truly find myself… I can't give you a reply."
"I understand… Touma must have his own problems too, right? That's why you can fight so hard for us, why you can always move on… because that problem is what keeps you going, is it not?" Itsuwa said softly.
"Ha, you sound like you know me all that well," Touma laughed lightly but Itsuwa could see a faint glimmer of pain beneath his smile. That same smile that he used when he stood against William Orville and Terra of the Left. That same bitter smile. Why? What was he hiding?
"Touma… I..." Itsuwa held his arms, "I want to share your troubles. Won't you share them with me?"
"I…"
"Ah, so there you are, I was wondering why Agnese was making such a ruckus down there," a calm voice greeted as Itsuwa turned to face her adversary. Her Priestess-sama, Kanzaki Kaori.
"Kanzaki! You're in Academy City too!" Touma gaped. Kanzaki was dressed casually this time. She had tied her hair differently this time, with a pink ribbon adorning the top. And was she… wearing a kimono? Wow.
"Priestess-sama!" Itsuwa squeaked, marvelling, yet despairing at how gorgeous her superior was in that simple kimono.
"Itsuwa," Kanzaki replied.
A moment of silence passed as the two females stared at each other.
"Is Priestess-sama here to confess to Touma as well?" Itsuwa asked bluntly.
Kanzaki's face visibly reddened, "N-not really." That was one point to Itsuwa for sheer audacity.
"Confess?" Touma felt as if he had been hammered. Hard. Here was a gorgeous onee-san type that just fit his criteria! He shook his head, what was he thinking? She was strong enough to fight of an angel for crying out loud. She would snap him like a twig! And she liked him!
The stress of the first half of the day finally got the best of Kamijou Touma. His eyes rolled back and he fainted dead away.
End of Part 4!
A/N: Part 4 is over! Part 5 will be pretty much of astronomical length, so be prepared. To be frank, I'm not sure how I did this chapter. Did I do the characterization right? Is the humour ok?
I'm not used to writing fics with humour, so if it comes off as forced, I would like to apologize.
The part where Touma agonizes over being himself is something I drew from the part where he decided to lie to Index about losing his memories. He can't accept her because he does not know who or what he is. Therefore, he does not want to be with her because he himself is currently living a lie and relationships can't be built on lies.
I actually find the whole memory loss thing to be an important plot point. I'm certain our resident Doctor Gekota has left out an important detail somewhere…
Oh well. I'll be working hard on Part 5, so reviews will be very much appreciated. ^^
