Here's a new chapter, after more than a month of silence!
Don't worry, I'll finish this story, I'm going to write at least three more chapters ( maybe more, if the number of reviews increase ).
I remind you that I'm Italian, English is not my mother tongue, so I'm sorry for any grammatical errors you'll find. I searched for a Beta-Reader for the last three months, but nobody seems to be interested, so I suppose you'll have to settle for it.
This chapter picks up exactly where the last one ended. Also, it will contain the cameo of a very special person.
I wish you a good reading, and I hope you'll find time to leave a review!
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Chapter 4 :
Accelerator never liked Gakuen Toshi's festivals. Useless noise, so much public money spent on superfluous passenger entertainment and pyrotechnic shows that only contributed to increasing pollution.
Before knowing Last Order, he has never attended one of these events cause these reasons. He started attending festivals only to make that child happy, even though he wouldn't admit it to anyone.
That same evening, however, he wouldn't have participated only for Last Order, absolutely not. In fact ... it was also for a girl.
For those who knew the albino, such a statement would have been more likely received with some degree of disbelief mixed with fun.
Still, this was the truth: Accelerator had a date with a girl and would accompany her to the Daihasei Festival.
This festival was a unique festive event in Gakuen Toshi, whose main entertainment consisted of a sporting event among the various schools, very similar to the Olympics. The night, instead, was dedicated to stalls and small fairground games, combined with the classic theme of fireworks shot in the starry sky.
Gakuen Toshi's number one Esper would have attended that evening in the company of nothing else than Mugino Shizuri, the fourth most powerful and feared Level 5 in the entire city.
Everything started because of the day before, after the albino suggested her to go to the festival with him solely to keep an eye on Last Order and her friend Fremea Suleivan, of which Mugino was the guardian.
He would have never imagined that things would take such a turn, since the girl intended the invitation as a real date.
Internally, Accelerator didn't know what to think. Normally such a thing shouldn't have mattered to him that much, but a part of him was more than determined to make a good impression in front of the girl who bore the nickname of Meltdowner.
Whenever Accelerator's mind became aware of this fact, the albino found himself shaking his head to get rid of those traitorous thoughts. It was impossible to make a good impression with a demanding person like Mugino, and he would have probably spent the evening under the constant teasing of the brunette.
" I must have been mad! "He repeated to himself mentally. "Just take me to the airport, put me on a plane! Quickly, soon, before I go crazy! I want to be sedated! "
And then again: "Nothing to do, no place to hise, I just want to be sedated!"
"Accelerator?" a female voice called him, interrupting his ramblings.
It belonged to a woman apparently in her thirties, with short black hair that reached her shoulders. She was Yoshikawa Kikyou, the boy's guardian, and co-guardian of Gakuen Toshi's most powerful exsper with Yomikawa Ahio, a member of the Anti-Skill.
" Are you ok? You have that far-out look in your eye" the woman continued, with an amused smile.
Accelerator dilated his pupils.
" Uh? Don't worry, it's nothing. I was just thinking"
" About what?"
" Accelerator brings me and Fremea to the Daihaisei Festival together with Mugino, this evening! Misaka says as Misaka intrudes on the speech and jump at his neck with happiness!"
Those words were from Last Order, the little girl that the Level 5 took under his wing about a year ago.
The little girl sprung on the boy like a flash, hugging him tightly.
" Mugino Shizuri? The fourth Level 5?" Yoshikawa asked, visibly surprised.
At that precise moment, a loud thud echoed along the entire length of the apartment.
" I can't believe it! Accelerator has a date with a girl!" Yomikawa yelled, who was eavesdropping the conversation a few steps from the room.
The albino seemed rather annoyed by that statement.
He snapped his tongue and answered: " I don't have a date. I asked that crazy bitch to come with me only to help me keep an eye on the brats"
"Soooo…it's a date," Yoshikawa pointed out, with a hint of malice and a somewhat mocking grin.
Accelerator squeezed both eyelids.
"It's not a ... Tch ... never mind" he muttered, bringing a hand to his face.
" Don't swell your hopes too much, Kyokou. Knowing him, he will make her run away before the snap of midnight" Yomikawa broke in, crossing both arms in front of her chest.
After hearing these words, Last Order's eyes lit up with childlike joy.
" But then he would bring her the crystal slipper back. It would be so romantic! Says Misaka as Misaka imagines the scenario"
Accelerator wanted to throttle them with his own hands, but he restrained himself thanks to Yoshikawa, who put a hand on his shoulder.
" Come on, don't be like that. Since you will be in good company ... you should follow the tradition of the festival and wear a yakuta"
" Excuse me?"
" It's the tradition, Accelerator. Remember that you will be in company, you would look bad if you didn't wear it" the woman continued, with an apparently innocent smile. All under the astonished gaze of the albino.
" I have someone tailored for boys. Let's see if they suit you" Yomikawa proposed, leaving the room. The reason she kept that kind of male clothes was very simple: she was a woman in search of a husband, and kept several clothes for when she would get married. Unfortunately for her, ten years were past since she set herself such a goal, yet she still didn't managed to find a companion.
The woman arrived with three yakutas, and, after a test of a few minutes, both she and her friend opted for a kimono with a black lining and with white inlays that not only matched the esper's hair, but they also created a good contrasted with the dark background.
They also made sure to comb his thick rebellious hair, so that the strands didn't cover his eyes.
Last Order looked at the teenager from head to toe.
" Accelerator, you look great! Misaka exclaims as Misaka compliments about your new look"
"I feel like an idiot ..." the boy said, looking at his dress with a touch of disgust.
Yomikawa waved her right hand contemptuously.
" Come on, don't be so picky. You're going out with a beautiful girl, not to the bar!"
And, after saying that, the woman proudly wiped the small tears that began to come out of her eyes.
" Accelerator has a date, I'm so proud of him. I miss adolescence ... parties, beers and nightclubs…dancing with pretty boys to the sound of Bee Gees…" she muttered with a more depressed tone.
The albino preferred not to comment on the sentence of his guardian, not only because he was tired of reiterating that it wasn't a date, but also because at any moment she would have curled up in a corner to meditate on her own condition of single woman.
Finally, the fateful time came.
It was exactly 8:00 pm. In the main square of Gakuen Toshi, Accelerator and Last Order were waiting patiently for the arrival of Mugino and Fremea.
The boy crossed his arms over his chest and began to beat his left foot impatiently.
" Don't worry, she will come. Says Misaka as Misaka tries to calm you down"
" Uh? What are you talking about, brat? I am calm"
" You're wondering if she'll come. I can see it from your posture and your tapping on the grounf. Says Misaka as Misaka performes a careful analysis of your behaviour"
" Tch ...listen carefully, brat, it's not like you think. I simply want her to help me keep an eye on you and your annoying friend. I just need her for this and nothing else!" he replied warmly, while the little girl just smiled.
At that precise moment, a female voice called their attention.
Accelerator turned to identify where it came from and what he saw forced him to hold his breath: a rosy face with freshly flushed cheeks, a lively tea-colored hair gathered in a soft bun and a violet flower on the left side of her head.
Mugino Shizuri, the fourth Level 5… was beautiful. No…she was more than beautiful. She was breathtaking.
The long pink kimono fell on the soft and shapely curves, coming to touch the sidewalk, and a pretty fur-lined hem was wrapped around her slender neck.
Around the thin waist there was a golden ribbon that held her dress, while on her back there was a striking bow with an orange and yellow union.
With slow and graceful movements, the girl continued to smooth imaginary folds on the dress. The wide sleeves edged with blue and gold moved along with her limbs like a mystical aura emanating by the Level 5.
The complete picture was that of a young woman, beautiful and elegant, wrapped in a bright kimono with cheerful floral motifs.
The albino's cheeks tinged slightly red in front of that show, but he was quick to hide it. He greeted her with a nod, while his eyes rested briefly on the one who was accompanying her. A petite girl of just ten years, with long blond hair and blue eyes, with foreign features.
Fremea wasted no time and joined Last Order with an ecstatic smile, a gesture that was returned by the small clone.
After greeting each other, the couple of little girls left for the various rides, leaving the two pseudo-parents alone.
Once they were at a safe distance, Last Order gave her friend a wary look.
" Do you think it will work, Fremea? Even if they're keeping an eye on us, they're still alone. Says Misaka as Misaka asks you to confirm"
" It will work, don't worry. We just have to keep a safe distance" the blonde replied cheerfully. " My sister told me that this is how couples are born. At least I think ... basically, she said a lot of things, but I didn't understand much. Adults can be really strange"
Meanwhile, the two Level 5s began to walk side by side, remaining silent for a while. They were both embarrassed because of the unusual situation. Neither of them has ever participated to a real date, they were not the kind of people who chose to try their hand in such activities.
After what seemed an endless time, Mugino decided to break the ice.
"Well, well…you've dressed up and everything" she commented with reference to his look. Then, she crack a mischievous grin, " Did you do it for me? How sweet…"
" Wait, what? I didn't do it for you!" the albino retorted bitterly. " They forced me"
" The great Number One… forced to dress well? How adorable"
"What , are you the sarcasm champion tonight?"
" I always am. Do you feel uncomfortable? I was just trying to make conversation, that's all. But apparently ..."
"You look great" the esper said, interrupting her.
Mugino's eyes popped in surprise.
" W-what ?"
" You look really good. This yukuta really suits you" the albino repeated, looking away.
At that point, the cheeks of the brunette turned slightly red, and this time he couldn't hide it.
A victorious smile formed on the boy's face.
" Oh, sorry, am I making you uncomfortable?"
"G-go fuck yourself, you idiot! Don't try piss me off with these mental games" Mugino snarled through clenched teeth.
If possible, Accelerator's smile seemed to get bigger.
" Why? What are you gonna do ?" he asked with a mocking tone.
At that point, the embarrassment was quickly replaced by anger. Without wasting time, the Meltdowner grabbed him by the collar and brought him close to her face.
" Listen to me very carefully, snowflake. Don't push me just because you're The Strongest, I can kick your crippled ass any time I want"
" Then go on, bitch!" the boy continued, with a decidedly more sadistic tone of voice.
The girl's face became furious and three spheres of intense green light appeared behind her, ready to be thrown against the albino.
" Um, excuse me ..." a voice next to the duo whispered, which prompted the couple to turn around abruptly.
" What?!" they exclaimed in unison, while their angry eyes rested on the rather confused figure of a stall owner. Apparently, it looked like one of those classic stalls where you had to shoot at targets and hit them to win a prize.
The manager was an old man, rather tall, with white hair pulled back, a neatly trimmed mustache and a pair of sunglasses. Which surprised the duo of esper, since it was evening.
He wasn't Japanese, he looked American. Foreigners were certainly not new to Gakuen Toshi, but they were usually limited to transfer students.
" A beautiful couple like you shouldn't fight like this" the old man warned, with a little smile. " What about trying my game to cool the spirits? I offer!"
" We are not a ... couple" """"Mugino snorted, crossing both hands in front of her chest.
Accelerator snapped his tongue.
" In fact. Moreover, I don't want to waste time with a childish game"
" Mph, you only say that because you know you're gonna lose" the girl commented with a scornful tone.
The albino slowly turned his head.
" Excuse me?"
" You got it right, Number One. I'm quite convinced that you're just afraid to loose against me" the brunette continued, with an impertinent smile.
The other Level 5 squeezed both eyelids.
" Tch..as if I could lose against a girl. Against you, then ... absurd!"
" Egocentric and even male chauvinist. Tell me something ... do you act all big and powerful to compensate for a certain lack down there?" Mugino said with a mischievous voice.
Apparently, this was the straw that broke the camel's back.
" Ok, I've had enough! I accept the challenge" the albino growled, before reaching out to the old man. " Give me a fucking gun!"
The man smiled with satisfaction.
" Excellent young man, this is the spirit. Here is one for you ... and one for the pretty young lady" he said placing the above-mentioned weapons in the hands of the respective Level 5s.
Accelerator glanced briefly at the Meltdowner.
" Please, ladies first"
"Aw, how nice of you" she replied, then pointed the gun at the targets.
She took a deep breath ... and fired a total of twelve shots.
All with an almost unnatural precision, probably derived from the constant use of her powers.
Accelerator had to admit that this girl had an almost divine grace in everything she did, even at shooting.
In the end, Mugino managed to hit nine targets.
" Not bad" the albino commented, receiving a proud smile in exchange.
" I'm a mercenary, Number One. Although I almost always rely on my power, I also learned some tricks with firearms. You never know when they will come in handy"
An intelligent course of action, the boy thought.
It was his turn.
With superb craftsmanship, the albino hit all twelve targets in less than a minute. The months spent at the shooting range yielded results that far exceeded the initial expectations of the Level 5, also due to his ability to perform complex calculations.
The brunette was incredibly impressed by such a show of skill, so much that she let herself go in a completely dazed look.
" That was incredible, young man! I've never seen anything like that" the elder saltimbanco comment, with an ecstatic smile. " For the beard of Odin, here is your prize"
And, after saying that, he handed a large stuffed tiger into the Level 5's hands.
Accelerator stared oddly at the stuffed animal. He has never participated to such activities, he considered them too childish. However, he had to admit that it was strangely liberating.
Meanwhile, the old man took a quick bow.
" I hope to see you again in the future, enjoy the rest of the evening" he said with that apparently timeless smile.
The Level 5's pair returned the gesture and began to walk away.
At the same time, still facing them, the stall holder greeted them with a resounding " Excelsior!"
Accelerator briefly launched a glimpse at the man.
" That guy was a really weird old man" he commented with a raised eyebrow.
Beside him, Mugino found herself in agreement with the evaluation of the albino.
" Yes, but he was a nice person. In the end we didn't have to drop a single yen" she said with a shrug.
Then, she set her eyes on the figure of his companion, who still held the stuffed animal in his hands.
" You know…usually, the prize won is given to the girl" she declared with a mischievous grin.
Accelerator stared at her strangely.
" Eh? And why should I do that? I was the one who won it"
" Sometimes you can be such a child. What would you do with it? I'm pretty sure your brat only like frogs"
Internally, Accelerator could not help but agree.
A part of him wanted to give her that toy. The other part thought that, if he did so, she could misunderstand the gesture. Or maybe he was acting too paranoid.
"Tch ... okay, take it" he said gruffly, handing the stuffed animal into the Meltdowner's hands.
The girl's eyes widened in surprise.
" You're too kind, Number One" she commented with a little smile. " However ... I have to refuse. I think he's better with you. After all, it's an animal that looks like you ... tiger"
For some reason, it seemed to Accelerator that Mugino's smile has become more genuine, more sincere and honest.
Unconsciously he found himself blushing, but he tried to hide it in every way.
They remained silent and continued to walk with relative tranquility, casting occasional glances at the surrounding area to make sure that Last Order and Fremea were nearby.
This until they came across a band performing for the public. It was one of those neighborhood complexes, made up of boys between the ages of 14 and 20, who played covers of famous songs for the joy of the public.
The song they were playing was quite famous, taken directly from a very popular american movie.
The Number Four recognized it instantly and, enchanted by the notes of that music, she began to hum the words.
Accelerator stared at her with the corner of his eye.
" Look at that ... the proud Meltdowner who knows the words of the main theme of Dirty Dancing. Who would have thought it?" he said with a teasing grin.
Almost like a signal, the brunette suddenly stopped.
" S-shut up. It's just famous, that's all. You, on the other hand…how the hell do you know that movie?"
The teenager shrugged.
" I live with a thirty year old woman at the constant and desperate search for a husband. She devours movies like these every single day. By now I know almost all of them. Titanic, Ghost, Dirty Dancing ... a lot! I never imagined that someone like you could like the genre" he commented, amused.
The cheeks of the girl turned red. He caught her.
Yes, she liked romantic movies, it was one of her biggest shame.
When she was little she dreamed of finding a special person like those depicted in the aforementioned movies. Someone who came to visit her in the middle of the night, to kidnap her from her golden cage ... finally making her free.
But growing up she abandoned that childish goal. This was also because of her parents, who imposed absolute seriousness.
With a loud snort, she muttered: "Yes, I love this kind of movies, okay? Are you happy now?
" Extremely"
" Fuck you!"
Mugino walked away, unwilling to endure such an embarrassment.
The albino looked at her for a moment and thought that maybe he went a little too far. Somehow he offended her.
He shook his head, thinking about how ridiculous a similar concept was. They often took insults from each other, they were used to it, so it was absurd that she lost it for so little.
With a mental sigh, the albino limped over to her.
" Ohi, what's the problem with you? It was just a joke" he said with a slight frown.
Before the brunette could respond, she noticed a blur with the corner of the eye.
She tilted her head slightly, while a soccer ball crossed the space separating the pair of Level 5s.
Few seconds later, a child crossed the undergrowth that bordered the park, his face adorned with an expression of panic.
" I'm sorry, I didn't do it on purpose! We were playing and ... we didn't hit anyone, did we?" he asked with a worried tone.
Accelerator just rolled his eyes.
" No, don't worry. Go to play away from here, brats, before seriously hurting someone" the albino answered. Then, with a clever footwork, he kicked the ball right into the infant's arms.
The child, struck by that demonstration, thanked him heartily and returned to where he came from.
Accelerator turned his gaze towards Mugino ... and froze. The girl was staring at him with an intensity that the albino has never seen before.
Unknown to the Level 5, the Meltdowner's mind was racing a thousand.
At the exact moment that Accelerator hoisted that soccer ball from the ground ... she received a sort of flashback. The memory of a summer of ten years ago, which now seemed lost.
She was like reliving that moment once again. She ran away from home and, in this same park…she met a strange child. A little, thin and white-haired individual. And the eyes ... his eyes, red as blood.
There was no doubt. The child who extended his hand to her in friendship years ago, who treated her like a person. That same child that her parents forbidden to see ... was in front of her, now grown up.
" It's…it's you" she whispered with a weak voice, approaching a step. How could she forget him?
She gasped internally. She knew very well how that happened.
She buried that memory in the deepest recesses of her mind, unable to bear any more the faint hope of a normal life. Time passed, accumulating dust and suffering on that heartbreaking memory.
Accelerator stared at her strangely.
"Eh? What the hell are you talking about?"
" Ten years ago ..." Mugino took another step towards the esper, " two children played together in this same park. Then it started to rain. He offered to take her home, protecting her from the rain ..."
Accelerator raised an eyebrow. Where the hell was this going?
Then ... the vision of the Level 5 was filled with a sudden flash.
There was his younger self, flanked by the thin figure of a little girl. She had long brown hair that reached up to her shoulders and hazel eyes.
The esper's eyes seemed lit up with understanding
" The boy accompanied her to her home, and they promised that they would still play together" he whispered to himself, before turning his gaze to Mugino. " So you remember ..."
In response, the girl merely nodded.
At that point, the expression on Accelerator's face was replaced by a mask of pure anger.
" That day I waited for you ... why didn't you come back?" he hissed through clenched teeth.
Mugino winced, looking away. " My parents. My father forbade me to see you. I tried to oppose him and he ... well, he hit me"
The albino dilated his pupils, while the Meltdowner chuckled bitterly.
" Usually I didn't cry, I was used to violence and their too high expectations ... but that time I cried. I went to my room and cried like never before"
" I'm sor ..."
" No, don't do that" she interrupted him abruptly, before he could complete the sentence. " I could have found a way to stem it all, but I was weak ... a simple scared child. If I could go back in time ...
" It's not necessary to self-pity yourself" the other said, placing a hand on her shoulder.
Mugino started staring at him strangely and Acelerator released a sigh.
" I could have done something too. I could have looked for you, but I did nothing. I was afraid, afraid that that day was just a dream, and so I chose to forget. After ten years ... here we are. Shit, life can be really ironic" he commented with an impassive voice, looking up at the sky.
Unconsciously, Mugino leaned her head over the albino's shoulder. He let her do it and they both stood still and stared at the stars.
" I'm sorry I left abruptly, before" the girl said, breaking the calm of that moment. " The fact is that ... I opened up to you, I told you practically everything about my life. Somehow I thought that, showing me weak for the umpteenth time, you would have decided ..."
"Don't talk bullshit," he snapped, forcing her to stop. "I told you yesterday, didn't I? Your parents were pieces of shit, but you're the Meltdowner. You are unique, nobody else is like you"
Then, almost without realizing it, the Level 5 ran a hand through the brunette's hair.
" You are special, because you are like that. It's a truth that Irealized only a short time ago. What are you? Good or evil? Strong or weak? It's irrelevant. You can only be described by the word ... you"
Mugino enjoyed the delicate but at the same time decisive touch of the esper.
" You really became a philosopher, eh? " she whispered blissfully. " Usually, I would kill anyone who tried to use this kind of shit with me. But with you...it's different. These words sound so genuine from your mouth. It's fucking creepy"
At that point, the dark sky vault was decorated with the bang of fireworks, which with their bright shapes and the thousand colors enchanted the eyes of the people scattered throughout the area.
Even the two Espers couldn't escape this artificial spell.
"They are beautiful," she commented. " I've never liked fireworks, but I don't know why ... now I find them wonderful"
" Then there are two of us" the albino murmured.
At the same time, the girl raised her head to look into his eyes and he did the same.
They stared at each other for what seemed an interminable time. And then Mugino found herself mirrored in those blood-red irises, and felt trapped there. Meanwhile, Accelerator seemed to get lost in the sweet features of the Level 5.
He didn't know how it happened. A moment ago they were just staring at each other, and then she was bending toward him.
For a fraction of a second Accelerator wondered if, by kissing her, he would break the spell between them ... but it was too late to come back. And when the lips of the two Espers met, he was sure he could have live a hundred years and visit all the countries of the world, but that nothing could have equal the intensity of that moment. The moment he kissed Mugino Shizuri for the first time.
It was certainly not a long kiss, like those seen in the movies, but in its own way… it was wonderful. Every single contact was magnificent, intoxicating. Shizuri's lips were warm and pleasant. Accelerator calmly savored every second of that moment, as he pulled the girl's face closer to his with a quick wave of his hand.
The brunette didn't object and continued to kiss him tenderly, almost as if she no longer wanted to do anything else.
Everything was perfect. The girl has never experienced such euphoria in sharing her feelings with someone, not until that moment. And it was beautiful, she thought.
After that seemingly endless contact, they broke away and looked at each other again, happy to see the joy reflected in each other's eyes.
The Meltdowner gently stroked his snow-white hair. For the first time in her life she felt really happy, and she leaned her head against the albino's chest, hugging him.
Accelerator let her do that and returned the hug.
A strange, but extremely pleasant feeling enveloped him. It was as if, holding that magnificent creature in his arms, he felt stronger and weaker at the same time. He felt euphoric ... and that terrified him.
The future was uncertain, completely out of his control. But maybe that was not a bad thing. Because for the first time, after countless years of torment and suffering ... Gakuen Toshi's Number One esper finally felt in peace.
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Yes, the old man was Stan Lee. I miss him a lot!
All reviews are welcome ;)
