Note:
Once again, consider the rating and whether you really feel like reading this... stuff. It's not rated M for Mikoto! *facepalm* It's M for Mature... oh wow, it's so obvious... *rolls over*
This one is... well, let's see how this works out. PLOTZ EVERYWHEREEWRE
English is still not my native language so if you see any typos or weird words or anything, I would love you if you point it out so I can fix it. Spell check just doesn't cover all bases. EDIT: on that note, thanks everyone for pointing out all the nitpicks! I've updated the chapter accordingly (hopefully without introducing new ones). I swear FF enjoys randomly eating words and letters...
Please... enjoy?
Torture
By Cun
What am I doing?
Mikoto had her head in her hands, staring down at her desktop and not really seeing it. School had ended some time ago, and everyone else had left while bidding each other farewell like always. There was nothing unusual about it at all. In fact today, like the past few days, had been perfectly normal. Yet Mikoto still looked troubled.
What the hell am I doing? The question bumped around in her head with no appropriate answer. The days had been normal, but then again not. Even when nothing in particular happened, the feel of the days were so strange. There was no good way of explaining it, other than saying it felt like a little mouse nibbling at the corners of her innards. The uneasiness stemmed from recent, unexpected developments in her daily life that she had no idea how to address. Not long ago everything had been perfectly normal. But then... she'd been sick. Being someone who rarely caught the flu, much less actually got sick enough to warrant a stay in bed, Mikoto felt like blaming everything that had happened afterwards on that alone. But there was no denying what had happened. First there was the incident in their dorm room. Then she had completely snapped at Kuroko in a bathroom. And a few days ago she had all but forced herself onto Saten-san after downing an entire soda full of aphrodisiac.
She closed her eyes tightly. What the hell am I… THUMP! Her head slipped from her hands and her forehead banged against the desktop. "Ack!"
"Oh my, it's rare to see someone do something so stupid."
Mikoto looked up at the doorway while rubbing her smarting head. Seeing who it was that had decided to butt in, her face turned into a sour frown. "What do you want?"
Shokuhou Misaki smirked. The motion of her lips was so defined it vibrated the electromagnetic waves in the air and gave the smirk a double effect to irk the Electromaster. The blonde girl might be known as the Queen of Tokiwadai, Academy City's fifth ranked Level 5 nicknamed 'Mental Out' due to her immense telepathic powers, but she was really no more than an idiot who enjoyed picking on Mikoto as a hobby.
"I couldn't help but notice a lonely character left behind in an empty classroom, and thought I might have the ability to lift her spirits somewhat. Lo and behold, it was only Misaka-san." She shrugged, as if disappointed.
Mikoto sighed. "Just leave me alone."
Shokuhou-san's annoying smirk returned. "Did Misaka-san wake up in the wrong bed today?"
"Guh—Wha-what the hell do you mean!?"
"Oh, your face is reddening so fast! Don't tell me Misaka-san actually has shared someone else's bed lately?" Shokuhou-san looked down-right pleased.
Mikoto's stomach grew thorns inwards. "O-of course not!"
"Hmmm? I wonder what I'd find if I poked a little at the mind of that roommate of yours~"
Mikoto stood up before she realized she had even moved. "If you so much as look at Kuroko...!"
"Woah, that's scary! I wonder if I'd really have my head blown off." Shokuhou-san faked anxiety.
"You sure as hell would!"
Pout. "You are no fun, Misaka-san. I bet your cuteness ability would up tenfold if you just let yourself go sometimes."
"I don't want to hear that from you, and it's your fault I'm getting even more stressed!"
"Is that so? In that case, would you want me to give you a massage?"
"Huh?" Mikoto's expression went from angry to puzzled to suspicious in the blink of an eye.
Shokuhou-san pulled a hand through her hair with an exaggerated motion. "They say my massages are amazing."
Mikoto grimaced. "I don't want your hands anywhere near me, thanks."
"Oh, I wouldn't dream of touching such a dangerous thing of course. But I'm sure there are still some students left on the premises. Do you know how wonderful it is to be massaged by three persons at once?"
"No one would!"
Shokuhou-san looked puzzled, as if she did not cope with that. Then she gave a light shrug. "Well, I won't poke into your private business, since I rather fancy my head where it is." The blonde made a light turn on her heel. "You should practice your ability to keep your face neutral, Misaka-san."
With what might have been a friendly wave of sorts, the girl continued down the hallway.
Mikoto looked at the doorway until she could no longer hear her footsteps. Then she huffed and looked down at her desk again. Gritted her teeth. "What the hell…" Her hands clenched into fists. What the hell should I do? She almost contemplated stopping Shokuhou-san and asking her opinion, but quickly shook that notion out of her head. The blonde psychic would just poke fun at her, besides, there was no way she could tell her everything. There was no reason for Mikoto to consult an idiot in the first place. I know what I need to do. I need to talk it out with Kuroko. And apologize to everyone. Mikoto glared at nothing in particular, settling her mind. It was time to get a move on. Right… Just as she decided on her next course of action, a new person appeared in the doorway.
"Ah, Misaka-san!"
It was one of her classmates, looking relieved to see her there. "I'm so glad you haven't left yet! I'm sorry to ask you so abruptly, but could you please help us out?"
"Aah, I'm sorry, I have something I need to do." Mikoto smiled at her in apology.
She looked devastated. "I-I see..."
Looking so troubled, there was nothing much to do. Mikoto sighed. "I guess I can always spare a few minutes."
The girl lit up. "Really!? Thank you so much! It's over at the music room, I promise it won't be long!"
Mikoto followed the girl out of the classroom, and didn't notice the figure in the end of the hallway, whose smirk grew tenfold at seeing them leave.
XXX
Kuroko was a zombie. Her skin was rotting, her brain shriveling, her muscles drying up till she could barely move her legs. That was how she felt after three days of no physical contact with her Onee-sama.
That wasn't the only reason. They had barely spoken to each other at all during that time. In the morning, they would take a shower and dress, each on their own, with no words exchanged. Mikoto skipped breakfast in the dorm and went straight to school, during which they didn't see each other at all. After school, Onee-sama did whatever it was she did, and Kuroko had Judgment duty. Even that felt differently than before. Uiharu was extremely nervous around her, and every moment spent in the office had Kuroko wonder what her roommate was up to at that very moment.
The last few days had been a sickening roller coaster of emotions. She had battled rage and tears, desires to throw Saten-san off a cliff, and then she wanted to yell and scream at Onee-sama or molest her in her sleep. In the end, she was completely exhausted. That a human being was capable of feeling so many different things in such a short time span was proof of how complex they are, but Kuroko did not have the joy of exploring that from a scientific viewpoint.
Onee-sama did not hurt Saten-san at all. She had mulled it over thousands of times, and still it stood unanswered in her mind. What did it mean? Did Onee-sama enjoy the time with Saten-san on a whole different level? Did she secretly harbor feelings for Saten-san that Kuroko could not hope to match?
Don't be stupid, Kuroko. It was because of the aphrodisiac. Onee-sama was not being herself.
Those words rang across her mind for the umpteenth time as well. If only she could believe them. Onee-sama may have been delirious, but she was still conscious and the reactions had still been the same. The only difference was the severity of her ability. And neither had she snapped at Saten-san the same way she did at Kuroko after their first time. There was a smarting throb in her head at the thought.
Kuroko felt betrayed, abandoned, thrown away like an unwanted pet. The fact that they were not speaking only made it worse. Was Onee-sama tired of her? Did she plan on giving Kuroko the silent treatment until she crumbled and sought permission to change rooms? The thoughts swam in Kuroko's mind restlessly, breaking her down from within.
She thought she was walking, but after a minute she registered that she was simply leaning on the wall, staring at nothing. She couldn't stay here all day; there was Judgment work to take care of. Maybe writing a few more reports would take her mind off of things. But that was an empty wish, which was probably why she couldn't seem to move at all. I finally shut down… ah, well.
"Hm?" A gentle voice broke into her reverie. "My, aren't you Misaka-san's roommate?"
"Roommate?" Kuroko's voice was as dry as a piece of burnt wood. "Ah, yes… to Onee-sama, I'm just her roommate…" Nothing more, perhaps even less.
Someone came up beside her. "Are you alright there?"
"Yes… I'm fine." Kuroko answered with the enthusiasm of a mushroom.
"You don't look fine. Ah!" The person seemed to have realized something. "Don't tell me you're actually depressed because of something Misaka-san did?"
Kuroko's ears twitched. Slowly, she raised her head and looked at the person who had intruded on her wallowing depression. It was a beautiful girl with white stockings and gloves. From her shoulder dangled a fashionable purse.
Kuroko frowned. "That attire is against school regulations."
The girl blinked in surprise. Then she chuckled, complete with raising a fine hand to her lips. "That's so cute! Wait, you're a Judgment member, are you not? No wonder."
Kuroko huffed at that tone of voice. "So? What can I help you with?" There was something familiar about the girl, but she couldn't be bothered to make her brain work at the moment.
"I thought it was strange how the usually energetic Misaka-san seemed so troubled, but maybe you actually possess the ability to know?" The blonde girl smirked. Her well-formed lips made it seem so natural, yet the stars in her eyes sparkled mischievously. Kuroko suddenly felt like she should be wary around this person.
"Why would Onee-sama be troubled?" She asked, almost on auto-pilot. Though she wanted nothing more than to leave, some part of her was unwillingly curious about what the girl was saying.
"Why, hmm?" The girl put a finger to her lips and cocked her head. "Can it be even her roommate does not know?"
Kuroko's stomach twisted into a tight knot. "Maybe I do not!" She barked, trying to cover up her unease. "I do not follow Onee-sama's every movement throughout the day!"
"It was as if she was waiting for someone… surely, I was certain it would be for her roommate, but it appears I was mistaken."
Kuroko ignored the troublesome tilt of her stomach. "There is no reason for her to wait for me. I was on cleaning duty and have other things to attend to than being her babysitter." Saying those words was like chewing cactus, but she clenched her jaw against the unpleasant feeling.
The girl looked puzzled. "Is that so? Ah, now that you mention it, I did see her meet up with another girl."
Kuroko's heart skipped a beat, and her hand clenched around the handle of her schoolbag.
She's lying. That was her first thought, and she wished it to be true. However, there was no reason for this girl to lie, was there? Then did that mean... Her breath hitched. Then, she slowly exhaled, trying to calm down. Why am I reacting like this? No matter if Onee-sama did leave with someone; it is none of my concern. For what purpose was another topic entirely; surely it was not for some kind of… romantic rendezvous… Her stomach turned uncomfortably, and she chastised herself. That is ridiculous! And even if it was true… what did that have to do with Kuroko? Her hand clenched the schoolbag even more tightly. Onee-sama could do whatever she wanted. It wasn't like Kuroko had a say in her decisions anyway. The Ace of Tokiwadai always did things her own way, never consulting with anyone. Not even her own roommate.
"Say, aren't you the least bit curious to know what she's up to?" the girl leaned in closer, and Kuroko automatically pulled back.
Kuroko frowned. "I'm fine, thank you."
The girl regarded her expression for a second, and then straightened. "Hmm? I think they were headed for the music room." As if answering a spoken question, she then seemed to find the conversation to be over, brushing past Kuroko on her way to the exit. "If I were you, I would go check it out." Her parting words held no significant tone or volume; it was more like a second thought, added as a side-note to the main topic. Yet Kuroko stiffened, eyes widening. I would go check it out… Kuroko turned around, wanting to ask the girl what else she had seen, but the blonde had already exited the main doors. Kuroko stared at the doors as if she would suddenly come jumping back in and reveal it all to be a joke. Part of her wanted to leave right this instant, another to heed the girl's words. A third one snickered at her indecision. You just want to flee, is that it? How can you even think yourself worthy of Onee-sama's attention with that kind of determination?
A cold feeling spread in her chest. Her heart throbbed painfully. It's not that… she tried to reason with the voice. It doesn't matter how determined I am, Onee-sama still won't open up to me… she's still cold towards me… and now, Saten-san has… Her insides twisted. What a weak excuse. Was she going to use Saten-san as a reason to avoid seeing her Onee-sama? Her shoulders rose in tension. The next second, she was gone from the spot, only a whirl of air speaking of her ever being present.
As expected, the second-year classroom was completely empty. Kuroko was nearly about to conclude that the blonde girl had been playing tricks with her after all, when she noticed a schoolbag hanging on the side of one of the desks. A green Gekota figure dangled from it.
It was as if Onee-sama had left her a mocking hint, asking her to take care of the menial tasks, expecting Kuroko to come retrieve her things for her while she enjoyed herself elsewhere. It was infuriating and absolutely intolerable. Kuroko teleported forward, picked up the bag and then moved on down the hallways.
The music room… a member of the music club? Insecurity and anger gushed together to a frightening mix. Someone she knows due to her violin play? A fellow classmate she is really good friends with? Or is it random? The last thought was both relieving and horrible. It meant Onee-sama had not been hiding anything from Kuroko, and a random person would have a harder time competing with someone well-established like herself. But it also meant that Onee-sama was happy no matter who it was. It made Kuroko seem like an expendable, and that was even worse.
I won't accept it like this, Onee-sama! Fire churning in her gut, Kuroko moved onwards.
XXX
"Thank you so much, Misaka-san!" The girls bowed their heads towards her, and Mikoto waved it off.
"No worries, it's the least I could do."
"Sorry for prolonging your stay," her classmate said, looking thankful. "We really thought we'd have to leave without being able to do anything…"
"No, no, it's no problem, really." Mikoto assured them as she left the room. As she closed the door behind her, she let out a small sigh. Who knew they wanted help lifting such a heavy thing? The girls belonged to the music club, and they had ordered a new sound amplifier. However, the thing was so propped full of advanced functions and performance-upping parts, it weighed way too much. The girls had been unable to lift it up to the second floor, and so Mikoto's classmate had thought about using magnetism.
At first I was sure that moron had mind controlled them into doing something weird… She scratched her head and sighed. Then she smiled, relieved. I guess she's not completely bad after all. So - I just need to go get my bag and I guess I'm out of here. I need to come up with a way to make up with Kuroko—hm? Her thoughts were cut off mid-sentence as she sensed the electromagnetic waves suddenly rebounding from above her. She raised her gaze on instinct – only to have something slam into her face from above.
XXX
By the time Kuroko reached the music room, Mikoto was already exiting. Kuroko had to stop for a second at the far end of the hallway, as if jinxed by the sight. Her roommate sighed lightly, looking content. And at seeing that, the jinx gluing Kuroko into place turned into rage. With a snarl she did not recognize as a sound from her own throat, Kuroko teleported Mikoto's school bag into the air. Naturally Mikoto noticed it, but by the time she looked up, the bag was already falling. It struck her right in the face.
With a string of incomprehensive swear words, Mikoto clasped her hands to her face and bent over.
This was the one opening Kuroko would get. She did not waste it. At the speed of a heartbeat, she appeared next to her roommate. Kuroko was one of the few people who could even get close enough to do anything before defensive measures activated. Furthermore, her Onee-sama did not randomly lash out at people. Though with recent events fresh in mind, Kuroko did not take that for granted any longer.
She swung her school bag with both hands, aiming for Mikoto's head.
"Wha—!?" Mikoto noticed the attack and raised her body just in time to avoid the strike. Kuroko released her hold on the bag and let it fly, instead grabbing onto Mikoto's arm. The next moment, Mikoto's back hit the wall, knocking the air out of her. A row of silver spikes pierced her shirt and blazer, sticking into the wall behind her. Using the same technique as she served unruly thugs in the back alleys, Kuroko trapped her with deadly precision.
It took a second for Mikoto to regain her senses and realize who the attacker was.
"What the heck? Kuroko, what are you doing?" She could easily pull out the spikes with magnetism, but Kuroko was already in front of her, pushing another spike into her chin from below and trapping her in that position. There was still no guarantee that Onee-sama would not simply electrocute her, but she could not be certain that Kuroko would not manage to teleport the spike or push it upwards before she collapsed. So they were stuck in a deadlock.
Mikoto realized that as well. "Wh-what's going on? Kuroko?"
Kuroko glared at her chin, not willing to meet her eyes and melt into that alluring aura. "Not only do you play with our hearts, but now you've resorted to taking advantage of our fellow schoolmates as well…" It was not a question. She did not require an answer.
"W-What are you talking about?"
"Don't play innocent with me, Onee-sama!" Kuroko had to fight to keep focus due to their closeness, which made her all the more furious. "First there's Saten-san, and now this? How far are you willing to take this, Onee-sama?"
Mikoto's eyes widened. "A-Are you implying I was—!? What the hell is wrong with you!?" She suddenly remembered the words of a certain blonde. Did that idiot do something!? The anger flaring at that thought surged through her head and momentarily blinded her. When I find her I'll—
"Don't move, Onee-sama."
Kuroko's level tone of voice cut into the glowering heat gathering in Mikoto's mind, and she realized she had been about to pull out of the capture. However, Kuroko was still standing in front of her, spike below her chin. Mikoto gritted her teeth.
"Did she do anything to you, Kuroko!?"
Kuroko growled and pressed the spike into the joint of Mikoto's chin and throat, scraping against the soft skin. "Who has done what? Please, Onee-sama, enlighten me. Perhaps you are referring to what happened a few days ago?"
"Nnh—" Mikoto's hands fisted, though she looked taken aback. Kuroko twirled the spike around lightly.
"Let us avoid creating a big scene, Onee-sama. You wouldn't want your precious new friends to find you in this situation, would you? They might become jealous."
"Kh—" Mikoto's heart shrank in her chest, creating a painful knot. "I just helped them—"
"Oh yes, Onee-sama being the Good Samaritan as always." Kuroko interrupted cheerfully. "Just like how Saten-san helped you?"
The tension between them rose.
Mikoto's throat felt thicker as an unsettling coldness crawled across her back. "I wouldn't—"
"That is not going to cut it, Onee-sama." Kuroko sternly interrupted her again. The spike in her hand pressed against Mikoto's throat and made it obvious she wasn't here to play.
So what did she want? Kuroko had no time to think about that. She had some unspoken desire hidden inside her. She wanted Onee-sama to apologize. Wanted her to cry. Wanted her to smile and embrace Kuroko, wanted her comfort. But… she did not want to be toyed with. She would not accept Onee-sama's actions with Saten-san or anyone else. If even Kuroko couldn't receive her feelings… The rage in her chest stung against her ribs as it kept growing.
Opposite her, an unpleasant fear seeped into Mikoto. Is she… is she really serious? Does she really think I did… anything to those girls? She glanced over at the door to the music room. Or is this really that idiot's fault after all? A rock hit the bottom of her stomach, and she glanced down. I'm horrible, trying to pin Kuroko's feelings on something like that. Her hands loosened up. This was not a problem she could fire her Railgun at or solve by beating someone up. She felt like someone was messing around with her, but who? Who was responsible for the situation they were currently in?
Wasn't it Kuroko who started this!? But she was the one who continued. You hurt Kuroko so much, and then you involved Saten-san. She bent her head as a rush of guilt ran through her. "I didn't mean to do it, Kuroko!"
Kuroko slammed a hand into Mikoto's chest with surprising force, making Mikoto cough for air. In that split second, Kuroko moved, sticking the spike up into her mouth and assuming an even more dangerous position than before. Mikoto stiffened. If she closed her mouth, she'd be pierced. Her fingers twitched, but – no. She could not use her ability here.
"If you wish to speak, Onee-sama, please make sure the words are worth it."
There were but a few centimeters between them. Kuroko's hand still rested on Onee-sama's chest, knuckles almost touching her own chest due to their closeness.
Mikoto swallowed, and the spike scraped against the inside of her mouth. W-what do I say? Was there anything to say? She wished all of this would go away, that none of it had ever happened.
"I…" She started, but dwindled off. I shouldn't have let her stay that day. I should have forced her to go meet Uiharu-san and Saten-san. I should have shocked her more fiercely. I should have knocked her unconscious. I should have yelled and screamed and hurt her so much she'd never want to touch me again.
And then her own voice answered, and that was exactly what you did, wasn't it?
Her insides twisted uncomfortably, and that's when she noticed the light of disappointment in Kuroko's eyes. Something flared in Mikoto's chest at that. Without a second thought, she bit down on the spike, the steel ripping open the skin of her mouth, coppery blood flowing over her tongue. She spat the spike out and bent her head, not wanting to see the look on Kuroko's face.
"I'm really sorry, Kuroko! I hurt you a lot and no matter how I look at it I did something unforgiveable, and if I could I'd go back and erase it all, I didn't want any of this to happen and I want to make it up to you but I have no idea how and now I've made everything even worse and even Saten-san and Uiharu-san were—"
She was forcefully interrupted by the younger student leaning up and placing her lips fiercely on hers. Kuroko hadn't planned it; it was like her body couldn't resist. Tasting those lips was more wonderful than she'd imagined — coppery, sweet and spicy. She indulged herself in the taste for a few seconds, grasping onto Mikoto's blazer. When she felt that the tension had been lowered to a comfortable level, she pulled back just enough to let some air between them. She stroked Onee-sama's sides lovingly, satisfied when it produced a slight shiver. Onee-sama looked dazed, which was very fitting.
"It's my first time kissing Onee-sama." Kuroko purred. "Did you like it?"
Asking something like that was like offering her head to the guillotine with a 50% chance of it falling down. But right now she had nothing to lose.
"Kuroko…"
"Yes?" Her fingers trailed up Mikoto's sides again, like a slow torture machine.
"What… are we doing?"
Her fingers stilled. "What do you mean, Onee-sama?"
"Is this some kind of revenge for me hurting you?" She clenched her hands and looked down at the floor, as if feeling unworthy of meeting her eyes. "I… I really regret everything that's happened… If I could go back and stop it I'd do so."
Kuroko hesitated for a second.
"Onee-sama… are you saying…" …you regret everything we've done? But she had seemed to enjoy it, despite the confusing circumstances. Even when she got angry at Kuroko, she had been so full of lust. Was it all...?
Mikoto's shoulders tensed. "I'm really sorry, Kuroko! I don't know what's going on and I just want it to stop!"
Kuroko's hands fell to her sides and she pulled back slightly. She stared at Onee-sama's chest, thought about the wonderful adventure of exploring her body, and how Saten-san had claimed it for herself. The thought did not even produce a reaction, she was too numb. Was it all fake? Was Onee-sama just playing around? No, that did not feel right either. Then, was this… Onee-sama's way of shielding Kuroko from the truth? By saying she regretted everything, was she trying to avoid telling Kuroko what she truly felt?
"Then what about Saten-san?" She didn't want to ask, but her mouth spoke on its own. "When Saten-san kissed you… did you like it then?"
Mikoto blushed fiercely. "Don't go and compare it like that!"
There was a stab in Kuroko's heart, and her veins filled with ice.
"I see… I guess…" Kuroko's voice cracked, "I guess I'm not worthy of being at your side after all…" Her shoulders rose in tension. "Onee-sama… you enjoyed it so much with Saten-san… yet you only get angry with me…" Don't try to protect me like this. She would much rather hear the truth, even if it was horrible.
"What the hell are you saying?" Mikoto sank against the wall, as if all the strength left her. Kuroko looked away, eyes stinging. "No…what the hell am I doing…?"
Surprised, Kuroko looked back at her. Onee-sama's eyes were glossy, as if she too was fighting back tears. A strange new feeling unfolded in Kuroko's chest. "Onee-sama?"
Their eyes met for a second, and Kuroko had to resist throwing herself at the older girl right then. Her entire body longed for the contact, but…
Onee-sama averted her gaze once more. "You didn't even cry back then." She closed her eyes. "I don't get it… I don't…" All the tension in her body returned full force. "I don't get it at all! What the hell is going on!?" She strained against the spikes holding her in place, but not because she actually planned on breaking free. "I really liked it, really really liked it, and that scares me! Am I becoming some kind of creepy pervert? I don't want to hurt anyone, so please—!" She hung her head, feeling ashamed.
Kuroko had stiffened completely. For a few seconds, she just stood there, looking at Onee-sama as if trying to decipher a piece of Ancient Egyptian art. There were no guidelines to deciphering her Onee-sama however. There were scientists who had devoted themselves to understanding her power, but when it came to her thoughts, Kuroko was the one closest to cracking the code. It had to be so; no one else had been with Onee-sama for so long, and in so close a relationship. Kuroko just had to trust her instincts. Onee-sama was as easy to read as a children's book. Her body language betrayed all her feelings; one just had to look for it. This realization hit Kuroko just now, even though she already knew.
A soft smile landed on her lips suddenly, even while her eyes burned from unshed tears. Onee-sama, you are so silly. She raised a hand and stroked through her distressed Onee-sama's hair.
"Onee-sama…" trailing her fingers down below her chin, she raised Mikoto's head and looked into her eyes. There was a surprised light in them, as well as apprehension. "That's just like you." Kuroko stroked over her lips with a thumb. "You always think about others before yourself. So…" she leaned in until their lips were just millimeters apart, "…let's take care of you now."
There was a surge of tension in the air. Kuroko was unable to tell whether it came from their bodies or Onee-sama's ability, but was intrigued to see her expression go from surprised to realization to sinful blushing.
"Y-You don't mean—!" She started to talk, but Kuroko stopped her with a finger to her lips.
"I am talking about your wound. It must be hurting, no?"
"Huh?" She had obviously forgotten. Sometimes her ability to ignore pain was worrisome. It wasn't like it was a serious wound, but unless cleaned properly it could get infected. Kuroko removed the spikes trapping Onee-sama to the wall, and then picked up the one on the floor. The sight of blood made her gut coil. She was ashamed of herself. I didn't really expect her to bite down on it so harshly.
"Kuroko, I…"
"No, Onee-sama, please do not say anything more." Kuroko wiped the spike and the floor with a handkerchief, and then stood up again. Smiled. Mikoto's cheeks turned a fine shade of pink. "Now let's go to the infirmary and have that wound cleaned."
She turned around, but Mikoto suddenly reached out and grabbed her wrist. Kuroko stopped, but didn't turn. An unspoken tension lay between them, and her gut coiled again. Onee-sama… please don't.
"…what happens next?"
Kuroko's shoulders quivered. "Onee-sama, you are not supposed to ask that."
"What does that even mean? After all… this, what am I supposed to do? Are we just going to ignore it and go on like nothing happened? What should I do? Tell me, Kuroko!" The grip of her hand increased in force with every word, and Kuroko bit back a wince when a smarting throb shot up from her wrist. Mikoto realized what she was doing, and let go of her hand.
"I-I'm sorry. I just want to know if this is going to be the end of it, you know."
Kuroko's heart stung. "Do you want it to end?" She did not look at her Onee-sama, scared of what her expression would look like.
"Nh—?" Onee-sama was surprised. Was that good or bad? Kuroko did not know. She wanted to shake the other girl into giving a clear answer. To choose. She turned her head slightly and glanced at Onee-sama out of the corner of her eye.
"I don't… know…" she clenched tightly at her fringe, as if to prevent herself from going under. "I don't know! I don't know! I don't want to hurt anyone!"
Kuroko gritted her teeth.
Suddenly, her face was all up into Mikoto's, eyes flashing with anger. Mikoto pulled back, unsettled. "Onee-sama, if you do not want to hurt anyone, then you should just refrain from doing so, no?"
"Wha – what—" completely astonished at first, Mikoto's expression soon turned into a sneer. "It's not that easy!"
"It seemed easy enough when you had fun with Saten-san!" That was it. It was the most unfair and difficult accusation she could serve. The effect was predictable. Onee-sama would snap at her and punish her. That was how it would always be.
So when Mikoto suddenly averted her gaze, Kuroko was astonished.
No, she was disgusted. Onee-sama was not supposed to crumble from something like this. Her Onee-sama, the strongest Electromaster, the Level 5 Railgun and everyone's idol. She was not this weak!
"Onee-sama!" Kuroko grabbed her collar and pulled her close. Mikoto gritted her teeth, but did not resist.
"Then do whatever you want, Kuroko. I… won't fight you."
What was with this detached Onee-sama? Kuroko's jaw clenched. "What do you mean, do whatever you want? Are you offering yourself to me as some sort of sex toy, Onee-sama?"
Mikoto's face turned a bright shade of red, but she still refused to meet her eyes. Kuroko pulled her even closer and glared into her eyes, challenging her to look back. "What's this ridiculousness? Where is my Onee-sama who recklessly charges ahead into every situation? Don't tell me she was crushed by her own guilt!"
"Stop that…" Mikoto closed her eyes, which only made Kuroko angrier.
"Onee-sama!"
"I said stop it! Your heart is beating so fast I can't keep up!" She placed a hand on Kuroko's chest, right between her breasts.
"In that case, why don't you just make it stop?" Kuroko growled, leaning into the hand as if wanting to have it pierce through her ribs.
"Don't be stupid! I don't know what to do with you anymore! What the heck do you want!?"
"I want—" Kuroko started heatedly, but then hesitated. What did she want really? She pulled back slightly, and lowered her gaze. Really, it was a fair question. And the answer was so obvious. She drew a deep breath. "I want… I want Onee-sama to be happy."
"Eh?" Now Mikoto looked at her.
Kuroko's shoulders tensed and this time, she refused to look Mikoto in the eye. "If you're the most happy with ignoring it all, or being together with Saten-san… then that's fine."
"Shut up." Mikoto's voice turned dreadfully serious. "Shut up… just shut up!" Her voice rose to a shout and she grabbed onto Kuroko's hand which still held her collar. "Why are you making this even more difficult? Please just… go back to how it was before. When you always tried to grope me or kiss me – that way, I know how to react!"
Kuroko's heart sank. "If… if going back to how it was before is what Onee-sama wants…" But she wasn't sure she could even do that. After all this, how could they go back and pretend like nothing happened? But if that was the only way for Kuroko to be able to stay with her Onee-sama…
Mikoto clenched her eyes shut and tightened her grip on Kuroko's arm. "That's not what I meant!"
"Huh?" Kuroko's eyes widened.
Mikoto looked troubled, biting her lip. Then, she slowly let go of Kuroko's arm, her hands falling to her sides listlessly. "I don't know. Sorry. I guess this isn't making any sense. I just… I don't want to hurt you, but at the same time… at the same time…"
Kuroko stared at her. "You… want to, after all?" That was possibly the most frightening and intriguing thing she'd ever heard.
"I didn't say that! It's just – you seemed to like it, and I just… damn." She pressed a hand into her forehead, a tortured look in her eyes. "I'm sorry, I – I just need to think. It's all so—" she was about to back off, but Kuroko reached out and grabbed her hand. You seemed to like it…
"…" She mouthed the words she wanted to say, but her voice didn't really come out.
Mikoto looked confused. "What?"
"…try it…" Kuroko barely raised her voice at all.
"Try… what?"
"Onee-sama's electricity… try using it on me." She was not sure what she was asking for. Her memory of that scene in the bathroom was so chaotic and clouded. She had been hurting, yes… but in the end… Onee-sama's love was so intense. Kuroko hadn't hated it. She hadn't shunned it or cursed it. She had enjoyed it so much, that when she saw Onee-sama and Saten-san together, she had despaired. She hadn't wanted to share it. Neither did she want Saten-san to experience the same pain; only Kuroko should have to suffer for the pleasure of staying with Onee-sama. Only Kuroko could withstand her love. So when Onee-sama had refrained from hurting Saten-san, it had all shattered to pieces.
But there was one important factor at play that time: Onee-sama had been affected by an aphrodisiac. She might have been able to enjoy anything at the time, no matter who did it or how it happened. Perhaps it was a good thing that it had ended up being with Saten-san, after all.
This time, there was no aphrodisiac. Onee-sama was fully sober, and yet... there was this string of emotion between them. What did Kuroko like? She had been overjoyed to find out about Onee-sama's secret reactions to her touches. How was that different now?
"W-what are you on about?" Despite her insecurity, there was a look in Onee-sama's eyes that Kuroko found extremely intriguing. Like she could barely hold herself back. She wants me so much. Kuroko's gut fluttered pleasantly. She stroked a strand of hair behind Mikoto's ear, and then leaned close, whispering boldly against her lips.
"I knew it from the start… I've always known what being by your side means… and I…" she let their lips brush gently, and sensed the suppressed eagerness in the other girl like a force in the air between them. It was wild and untamed. What would happen once it was let loose? Would she be able to handle it? She trailed a finger over Mikoto's collar bone, relishing at being able to touch her again. "I did like it…"
The feeling of static licked over her skin and made her shiver. Onee-sama's body emitted so much desire that Kuroko could barely withstand the instincts telling her to ravish her this second. But she would let Onee-sama take the initiative.
Is she serious? Mikoto stared at her roommate, hardly able to breathe, her entire body surging with a strange, hypnotizing feeling.
"I don't know…" she muttered, "I feel really strange, I'm scared I might…"
"I trust you, Onee-sama." Kuroko murmured back, their lips brushing again.
The intriguing light in her eyes changed into one of guilt. Kuroko growled and pressed herself into Mikoto's body. "Don't do that, Onee-sama. Go on, use your electricity on me. Punish me."
"Punish you? For what?" Mikoto diverted her gaze, and Kuroko mentally cursed. Desperate to not lose what they had started, she pulled her fingers through Onee-sama's hair, gently brushing past her temples.
A conflicting expression settled on Mikoto's face, like she both wanted to pull away and lean into the caress at the same time. "Kuroko…"
"If you won't let it out, I will have to coax it out, no?" Kuroko breathed at her lips, making circles on her head and pressing their bodies together.
"No, don't do that." Mikoto tried to withdraw, but Kuroko followed right after her, connecting their lips in a kiss. The taste was the same, but hotter this time. Mikoto literally melted in her care, and Kuroko grabbed her blazer to keep her upright while slipping her tongue between her lips. There was a lingering, coppery taste in there. She could tell the excitement was rising. She allowed herself to grow excited as well, hoping it would help influence Onee-sama.
"I want you to punish me… make me feel alive…" she murmured against her lips.
Mikoto drew a sharp breath and somehow managed to lean away. "I can't do that."
"Why not?" Kuroko pushed forward, and Mikoto's back hit the wall. While tasting her lips, Kuroko pulled her shirt up and slipped a hand up her stomach.
"Mh!?" Mikoto's surprise was mirrored in her expression, but Kuroko resumed the caress of her sensitive temple and simultaneously stroked her fingers over a modest breast through her bra. A blush spread over Onee-sama's cheeks, and her eyes seemed to cloud over when the actions progressed.
"Let it out, Onee-sama. Don't try to hold back." Kuroko spoke into their kiss, making her words seem clipped. She pressed herself closer, their legs intertwining. Kuroko's heart beat harshly, and she willed Mikoto to notice. Her insides crawled restlessly as the other girl refused to cooperate. Why is she so stubborn? She rubbed her leg into Mikoto, clothes no obstacle for the lust clustering in her mind.
Mikoto gasped at that unfamiliar feeling. Satisfied at receiving a favorable reaction, Kuroko playfully pinched a nipple through the bra. "Gh—" Mikoto clenched an eye shut at the stab of pain, and they both bathed in the tension growing between them.
"It's not healthy to keep it in, Onee-sama…" Kuroko dragged her fingers over her head, as if wanting to rip it open and pull out the electricity hiding in there. "I can see it in your eyes, how much you want me…"
As if to hide, Mikoto closed both eyes. Kuroko lightly bit at her lip and pulled her right hand slowly downwards, tickling the skin of her stomach. Mikoto's breath hitched and her arms tensed.
"Let it out, Onee-sama…" Kuroko purred. Onee-sama's eyes opened again, and now they were clouded with such density it made Kuroko wet from the anticipation alone. It was like watching thunderclouds gathering in the distant sky. She had still not let out a single spark, but this was like an open challenge. Kuroko slid her left hand to the back of her head, where she stroked her fingers over the joint of her skull and neck.
"Stop…" The protest was more like a warning than an actual opposition. Kuroko lightly pressed her fingers into her neck. Mikoto's eyes were filling with thousands of feelings, although she seemed to force herself to hold back. Kuroko indulged herself on it, feeling more aroused as she kept rubbing her thigh into Mikoto's privates.
"Seems like I found a new spot." She grinned against Mikoto's lips as she kept tenderly pressing her fingers into the back of her head.
"N-no." Mikoto spoke, but it sounded more like she begged. The static around them climbed continuously. Kuroko's right hand stroked the skin of her stomach right above the rim of her skirt, adding to the conflicting feelings.
In the depth of Mikoto's eyes dwelled the power that Kuroko so wanted, no, needed, in order to feel alive again. "Why won't you share with Kuroko?" She pressed herself into Onee-sama's body, continuing the slow massage of her head and stomach.
It was dangerously good. Mikoto wanted to push her away, but at the same time couldn't move her arms. Her head felt numb as Kuroko kept teasing that new spot on her head.
"S-Stop it…" Mikoto half-heartedly protested, obviously enjoying the treat. Her breath was shallow, and the heat of her body was rising. Her forehead was slick with sweat. She's working so hard on suppressing it. It somehow warmed Kuroko, but right now that was not what she needed. She leaned in and bit Mikoto's lip. Then she pressed her thigh roughly upwards. "Shh—" What might have been a repressed groan left Onee-sama's mouth in a hiss. Kuroko felt the pressure building in the air, saw Mikoto strain against it right in front of her. With her leg and her hands cooperating to care for her Onee-sama, there was only one way for things to go. She stroked her right hand over Mikoto's waist, slowly dragging her fingers upwards.
"Guah—" Mikoto gasped for air and tried to shy away from the tickles, but Kuroko was trapping her in place. There was nowhere to go. Their bodies rubbed together at Onee-sama's restless movements, and Kuroko's insides swelled. Her thigh was slowly rubbing against Onee-sama's privates, and Mikoto was fighting the rising pleasure. White spots played in front of her eyes and she was losing grasp on her own mind.
"K-Kuro— I can't—"
Kuroko's grin widened. "You can't what, Onee-sama?"
She trailed her fingers in circles on Mikoto's head, tickling her neck and watching, eagerly, as Mikoto pulled her head back, a tiny crackle in her fringe signaling a crack in the dam. She can't hold it back any longer. Kuroko licked her lips in anticipation, and patiently kept on caressing Onee-sama's sensitive body.
"Khh—" Mikoto gritted her teeth, all her muscles straining to fight back. But Kuroko held the key to control her now. The more she fought, the more tension gathered between them. Kuroko kept teasing her body, forcing it to build higher and higher. Mikoto stood no chance. While Onee-sama's body grew weaker against the gathering feelings, Kuroko indulged in them.
"You are making this so difficult, Onee-sama." She pressed her fingers into her neck again.
"St—" Mikoto couldn't speak for the pleasure pressing against her, but Kuroko could tell this was highly effective and gave no pause. Come on, Onee-sama... A surge of electricity suddenly travelled up Kuroko's arm and temporarily paralyzed it. For a second she feared her heart would stop, but the feeling slowly spread to her entire body. It was like injecting pure energy into her veins.
"Finally…" she gasped, as the power of Onee-sama's pleasure entered her. She pressed her thigh into Mikoto's privates again, and groaned as the electricity ran through her body. She gathered strength in the pit of her stomach and tensed up in pleasure.
"Stop…" Mikoto put her hands on Kuroko's shoulders, attempting to push her away. But her arms were already too weak, her resolve too weak. The difference in strength was too much, and it kept growing. Kuroko breathed deeply as the sensation of Onee-sama's ability pushed its way into her gut. Snakes of lightning crawled up her spine and scratched at her mind.
She leaned forward, smothering Mikoto's hands between them, rubbing her chest against them and dragging in Mikoto's scent.
I can't... Mikoto gritted her teeth, but she was already overpowered by her roommate.
"Onee-sama…" Kuroko snaked her right hand down towards her skirt once more, burning fingers dancing over sensitive skin. Mikoto gasped and attempted to pull back, but there was a wall in the way. Kuroko put her hand beside her head and dug into the pain and pleasure of Onee-sama's ability, embraced the stinging burns and allowed them to envelop her mind, feeling alive again. Her breaths grew deeper as the sensations added up. She leaned forward heavily, rubbing against Mikoto's leg and snaking a hand below her skirt. Too many layers of cloth; she teleported the shorts away. Her fingers continued down and touched that sensitive spot. Mikoto drew a sharp breath. Electricity snaked from her head, and Kuroko pulled in every charge that hit her. Her stomach tightened with thousands of volts and millions of feelings. Onee-sama… Her fingers trailed over Mikoto's sensitive spot, as she slowly started making love to her.
Mikoto strained and added even more voltage to Kuroko's rising pleasure. She allowed her heart to beat faster, wanted Mikoto to feel it grow. More and more… she used her thigh to pleasure Onee-sama as well, and the Electromaster groaned as the pressure could sense the change in Onee-sama's body, and drank it in to feed her own wetness. Her eyes felt sore, and there was a tingle in the back of her head.
"Give me more, Onee-sama…" She leaned in and kissed her throat while adding strength to her caress. Mikoto pulled her head back.
"Stop – it—!"
"There's no way we can stop now." It was so close. She added some speed to her caress. Mikoto's hands fisted themselves and she gritted her teeth.
"It's so good…" Mikoto sounded regretful, as if she wanted to curse it for being so.
Kuroko grinned and kept pleasuring Mikoto with her hand and her thigh.
Mikoto bent her head down, straining against her captor Almost there now. Kuroko licked her lips and added just a bit more pressure. Mikoto's entire body trembled. She was like a volcano rumbling in the depths of the Earth, slowly building its magma up and pressing it towards the cracks in the soil above. Kuroko's excitement was overflowing, and she pressed herself harder into Onee-sama.
"Kh—" the charges from her head increased in strength, leaving marks on the wall and biting harshly into Kuroko's skin. Kuroko quivered from anticipation and desire, every muscle in her body high-strung with tension. She made a harsher push into Mikoto's pleasure point with her thumb.
"Guah—!" Mikoto groaned and a fierce shock of lightning struck the ceiling above them. Kuroko's chest bubbled with glee. It's so close! With or without Kuroko's help, Onee-sama would rupture any second now. Naturally, that should be with.
Kuroko pushed her thumb into her spot once more, and a spear of pleasure spread through Mikoto. There was no way to stop it. Her body was already living its own life, at the mercy of her roommate. And that final push was enough to make her mind burst. Mikoto groaned as the electricity lashed forth. Kuroko was too close to avoid the outburst, and her body received a shock that rattled her insides beyond any so-called love whip she'd ever been served. It was impossible to let go of Onee-sama, all muscles locked in place from the excruciating current.
The few seconds it lasted were long enough to transform the bliss into cruel pain. When she was finally released, Kuroko stumbled backwards, barely staying on her feet. Everything swam before her eyes, her head pounded, and every cell in her body was scalding hot and trembling from a strange mix of content and hurt. She resisted the urge to scratch her arms and just bent over, trying to steady her swirling mind.
Mikoto slid to the floor, all strength leaving her legs, and gasped for air. She was still trembling, unable to comprehend what had just happened.
"What was that?"
Mikoto's breath hitched. The door to the music room had just opened, three timid faces sticking out. The hallway was heavily damaged, smoking black marks covering the surfaces. Kuroko was injured, though miraculously still standing, heaving for breath. The lights in the hallway had gone out. Perhaps the girls had lost power for their equipment as well. Mikoto was sitting by the wall, exhausted and sweaty. And… her eyes landed on it just as the girls had taken in all these facts and noticed it too. Mikoto's abandoned shorts lay in the middle of the hallway. Screaming silently.
As if they'd just seen something exceptionally jarring, the girls slowly pulled back, slowly closed the door, slowly made up their minds about what had happened. Mikoto sat, petrified, with no way of explaining to them. Whatever they thought, it couldn't be worse than the truth. If they did think the right thing, it was disaster. But Mikoto couldn't move. She couldn't think. She couldn't speak. Her entire system had shut down, and she stared at the door like it held several answers to the mysteries of the world.
One of the mysteries stood before her. Kuroko was cradling her arm, looking like she'd just climbed out of a thorny bush.
"O-Onee-sama…"
She looked even smaller than usual. There was nothing threatening or overpowering about her at all. What kind of world had they been in? Mikoto closed her mouth, and realized it had been open for the last few seconds. The wound had stopped bleeding, but a dull pain spread from it now. It spread down her throat, into her lungs, down to her stomach, where it swirled around. She swallowed slowly, a lingering taste of blood making her nauseous.
She stood up more out of necessity than of free will. As if moving on her power alone and not with signals from her brain, she walked past Kuroko and picked up her shorts, putting them back on. It was an empty action, as if pre-programmed.
Kuroko was still heaving for breath. Mikoto observed a fresh wound on her arm and there was no reaction inside her. Just cold observation. Kuroko was lucky to be alive. That day in the bathroom, Mikoto had tried to direct her power elsewhere. Kuroko had still been hurt, but it hadn't been this bad.
It's really bad. Mikoto watched the wound without really taking it in. What was bad? Everything. You are. You did it again. Yeah, she did. There was nothing else to say. She had hurt Kuroko again.
A smile tucked at the corner of her mouth. It was not a happy smile. It was a reaction to the absurdity of the situation. She wanted to cry and laugh and scream and shut the doors on reality. The rational part of her knew that wouldn't help, but it would be so comfortable.
"Hey, Kuroko… why aren't you crying?"
"W-what?" Kuroko looked at her, but her eyes seemed distant.
Right then, Mikoto wished they were worlds apart, but her strange smile remained in place. "Doesn't it hurt? Why are you forcing yourself to keep standing?"
Kuroko's eyes suddenly regained some determination. She tried to straighten, but her muscles obviously wouldn't listen. Mikoto frowned in displeasure.
"If I collapse now…" she started saying with that annoying determination, "…I would not be worthy of—" Onee-sama's hand suddenly gave her a push. Kuroko's legs gave out and she fell to the floor. Wincing in pain, she looked up at Mikoto, bewildered at the action. "Onee-sama?"
Mikoto did not have it in her to meet her gaze. "Why won't you cry?"
Wha—? Kuroko was confused. She was so incredibly confused, and hurt all over. Her body wouldn't listen, and Onee-sama was acting so strange. An equally strange smile formed on Kuroko's trembling lips. "What…?"
"Why aren't you crying, damn it!" A lightning strike flew from her fringe and hit the floor between them, making Kuroko wince. Staring at the black mark left on the floor, she wondered why she wasn't crying. Maybe her tear glands had been fried. But she really felt no need to cry. She was hurting, but... she had won back her Onee-sama. The wounds were just a price to be paid.
Mikoto gritted her teeth and her hands fisted. "If you cry, I – if only you'd cry, I could –" fighting to find the right words, she drew a breath and shouted; "If you don't cry, how am I supposed to say sorry!?"
…so that was it. Kuroko couldn't help it; this time her lips pulled into a real smile.
"Onee-sama, there is no reason for you to apologize. Really, Kuroko is the one who should apologize. I knew what it meant to make love to Onee-sama, knew how much you loath hurting others, and yet…"
"That's just bullshit!" Mikoto roared.
"Eh?" Kuroko looked up at her.
Mikoto's shoulders trembled and her eyes watered up. "Then what am I supposed to do?"
"Do…?" Kuroko looked confused again. She was obviously not in a state fit for this kind of conversation. Neither was Mikoto, her head swirling with all kinds of questions and troubles.
Mikoto gritted her teeth. Then she drew a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.
"Come on, you need to get those wounds looked at." She bent down and helped Kuroko to her feet. "I guess we should report the damages to the hallway as well, huh?" She forced out a small laugh.
Kuroko halfway smiled, but it disappeared soon after. She did not have the energy needed to smile, right now.
Mikoto's chest clenched. Staring at the floor, the two roommates started their trek down the hallway.
What the hell am I doing?
End note:
This time the experiment was "let's write from ONLY Mikoto's POV". I did do it, but it just... bleh. That's why it ended up with a new experiment! "Let's write the same scene from ONLY Kuroko's POV as well"! And so I did. It made the scene different and brought out some new twists. But it still felt weird. So I combined them after all. That felt right.
I feel like, somehow the POINT drowned in the plot? I'm not sure, but I kind of like this for different reasons than the past ones. Actually, they give off each their own feeling. I feel like I could have worked on this for another year to make it even better. But heck, that's how it always is. The question then is, do we want to wait one year for every chapter?
Assuming anyone wants a next chapter of course... mwaha, it'll come whether you do or not! What will its contents be? Perhaps it'll be rated K... for Kuroko...
By the way, we went down from two years to two months to ONE month! Next chapter in two days! S_S (That's impossible!)