He Will Surely Save, part seven: An Ignored Equilibrium

I do not own the RAILDEX universe

Author's note:

Greetings All!

In light of the holiday season, here is my gift to you! Sorry it took so long to get it out, but I hope the 14,000+ words will make up for it . . .

The day is Thursday and our favorite beetle is meeting with the number one Accelerator!

Will he get through the day intact?

Read on!

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Thursday morning had arrived and a large white beetle was on the lookout for a familiar individual. Unlike its more usual size, this particular beetle was about the size of a small dog, no doubt likely to inspire terror in anyone unlucky enough to come across it unaware.

Despite this enormous beetle's unwelcoming aura, it was in fact on a peaceful mission. That mission being the return of a cellphone to one Kamijo Touma. The cellphone which had been borrowed by the Level Five the day before in order to get in contact with a mutual acquaintance.

Despite its size, the beetle flew easily from rooftop to rooftop as it continued its search for the boy. When it neared a certain high school, the beetle caught sight of a spiky-haired boy speaking to a teacher. A busty teacher with long blue hair that, upon recognizing, the beetle felt far too uncomfortable to approach.

He watched as Touma nodded to some request and started walking in his direction. The teacher, thankfully, was heading the other way. When she was finally out of sight, the beetle swooped down and surprised the boy.

"WHAA!" Touma cried out and toppled, landing on his backside. "Beetle-san, don't do that!"

The beetle ignored his tone and greeted the spiky-haired boy pleasantly.

"Good morning, Kamijo-san. You are looking well . . . ."

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A girl stood still and listened in the darkness of the narrow alley. Her ears were not listening for sounds, but for a disconnect in what should be. A resonance where a continuity was to be found.

The girl in filmy clothes turned her head back and forth in the effort, her ankle length silver hair shifted in front of her face. It was elusive, this feeling.

The girl froze suddenly, but made no effort to move. There was a whispering that may or may not have been from the girl. The echoing obscured.

"What is this taste?" The girl rocked from side to side. "Bitter and addictive . . . "

. . .

"These are not dreams. These are nuances and shades of seeming. Likely unlikely seeming knowing."

. . .

"I don't know what you are . . ."

. . .

"I don't know where you came from . . . "

. . .

"My friends . . . . I feel their shapes on you. And so I know you."

. . .

"Know me. I hold them close."

. . .

"Any harm to them and you will know me . . ."

. . .

"This is my promise."

The girl lifted her face to the sky and listened.

. . .

A return of only absent ripples.

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Our spiky-haired hero picked himself up and began to dust off his pants. He looked over the dog sized beetle in front of him and began to wonder.

"Beetle-san, why didn't you just pop into existence like you usually do? Not that that's any less shocking . . . ."

The white beetle ambled closer to the slightly surly level zero.

"That's because I'm carrying payload, Kamijo-san."

"It better not be explosive . . . . "

The beetle bobbed in place once. "Considering that it's your cellphone that I'm carrying, I'm going to say yes."

Touma took a step back as the beetle unfolded like a flower in the morning, his cellphone seated in the center of a mass of unearthly white petals. The boy hesitated before finally reaching in and taking it.

"Couldn't you have just handed it to me?"

"I could have done a lot of things, Kamijo-san." The beetle replied, voice taking on a playful tone as it closed up its body without a trace of the prior opening. "You should probably check to make sure that everything is still in working order."

Touma began to furiously examine the phone. "What happened to it?!"

"Ah, I got into a bit of a tussle during my call. It seemed fine afterwords, though . . . "

"Everything seems to be intact." Touma groaned. "You said that just to mess with me didn't you?"

"Maybe." The beetle took on a more serious tone. "If you don't mind me asking, who was that woman that you were speaking with earlier?"

"Yomikawa-sensei?" Touma turned his head back the way he had been walking. "She is a gym teacher at my school and is part of–"

"Anti-skill. I am aware of that . . . " The white beetle spoke with a mournful voice.

"So you know her then?"

The beetle hesitated. "I owe her a rather major apology . . . ."

"Really?" Touma asked and though for a moment. "Well, I just agreed to help out at the school today and tomorrow. Why don't I let her know you want to talk to her?"

The beetle was surprised. "You think she would agree?"

Touma shrugged and started to walk in the direction of the shopping district. "I don't see why she wouldn't. I'll give you a shout when she's ready."

"Perfect!" The beetle took to the air and began to follow the boy closely, much to our hero's increasing discomfort. "I'll buy you breakfast as thanks."

The boy started to hurry up, trying to put some distance between himself and the uncomfortably large object buzzing behind him. "Thanks, but that's unnecessary. I have a supermarket sa– AAHH ! ! !"

The beetle latched onto the boy's back and took to the sky, bringing the bundle of misfortune with it.

"There will always be sales, Kamijo-san. Now stop thrashing or I might drop you . . . ."

"STUPID LUCK!"

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"Well that was unpleasant . . . . "

A girl with long black hair muttered to herself as she stomped forwards. She was a girl concerned with health and wellness, but her no-nonsense attitude tended to lead those around her to label the tall busty girl with the fearsome forehead as one lacking sex-appeal. Makes one wonder if jealously is a factor being called into play . . . .

The girl named Fukiyose paused as she sent a glare back to the girl following close behind her. There was a certain bitter frustration in her next statement.

"I should have known something was up when the cashier flinched upon seeing you walk through the door . . . " Fukiyose shook her head. "Why did you even want all those burgers?"

"Their flavor is exquisite." A girl with princess hair and miko robes replied in an uninterested tone of voice, cradling an enormous sack, filled to the brim with burgers, like it was her first-born child. "Not even Anti-skill can keep them from me . . . ."

"Are they worth nearly gettingt us arrested?!" The girl with the forehead of foreheads began to shake her fists at her friend. "We were lucky that Yomikawa-sensei was passing by, otherwise we both would have a criminal record right now!"

"Perhaps Kamijo would raise flags with a delinquent girl like in those manga?" The stealth miko placed a finger beside her chin in a thoughtful pose, canting her head to the side as she regarded her furious companion. "We could make that work . . . ."

Fukiyose flinched and felt her face take on a tight grimace. "What makes you think I would want these 'flags' as you call them?"

". . . 'Let that idiot Kamijo deal with it badly and be seriously hurt as a result'?" Himegami unleashed the terrifying quote on the girl-of-iron-walls, her blunt tone delivering the goods with an almost malicious subtext.

"WHA– !?" The health-conscious girl took a step back, her eyes nearly popping from her head. "Where did you hear that?!"

"I was standing next to you when you said it." Himegami gave the other girl a barely perceptible smirk.

The jaw of the busty girl dropped to the ground. "That's not possible!"

The miko across from her remained silent, radiating an aura of complete satisfaction. Fukiyose finally shook her head and crossed her arms over her chest.

"Whatever." The girl grumbled, refusing to meet the other girl's eyes. "Thanks to you, we have to help clean the school with those idiots now . . . ."

"I detect a wealth of new flag raising opportunities for us both." Himigami comically raised a fist to the heavens, getting as close to exclaiming as was possible for her.

"Stop treating our lives like one big dating sim!" Fukiyose shouted at the burger encumbered girl making the ridiculous pose.

Himegami opened her mouth to reply when a familiar screaming brought their attention to the sky above the girls' heads. They were astounded by the appearance of a certain flag-raising misfortune-magnet below a beetle borne.

Touma in the Sky (with Beetles) . . .

"Stupid beetle!" He yelled as he dangled below the enormous white beetle holding him aloft, limbs thrashing helplessly. "Stupider luck!"

The girls looked on in bemusement as he was carried over their heads and continued off into the distance, turning a corner. A final yell floated back to them.

"AIRBORNE MISFORTUNE!"

The two girls shared a brief glance. After a mutual nod, the pair took off like a shot.

"If we catch him, does it count as a flag-raising event?" The miko wondered aloud. "Or is this just a mini-game?"

"Not now, Hime!"

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After several minutes of hollering the pair finally touched down in front of a familiar family restaurant. Reforming into the shape of a boy, the white level five began to shove his belligerent former passenger into the entryway. They were quickly greeted by a familiar voice from a nearby booth.

"Kamijo-san?"

Touma turned his head and saw his two friends, Saten and Uiharu, sitting there with menus. He gave a sheepish wave.

"Hey, fancy meeting you here . . . ."

Saten looked a bit flushed and was having a hard time meeting the boy's eyes. Uiharu gave him a wide smile. "Did you come for breakfast too, Kamijo-san?"

Touma scratched his head and looked away. "Well, Beetle-san pretty much just kidnap–"

"I decided to treat him to breakfast to repay him for a favor." The white boy smoothly broke in and shoved the boy into the seat next to the now burning red Saten. "I thought it would be fun for us to all eat together this morning."

Saten threw the level five a look of betrayal, which was quickly returned as a playful grin. He ignored her repeated kicks under the table and addressed Touma once more.

"Order whatever you want, Kamijo-san." He said as the boy picked up his menu. "It's on me!"

Touma regarded the white boy with a raised eyebrow. "You actually have money, Beetle-san?"

"Of course." The boy grinned. "I learned how to charge expenses to the Kihara Research Institute back when I was still in the fridge."

His companions were officially confused.

"Kihara . . . ?" Uiharu started.

"Expenses . . . ?" Touma continued.

" . . . Fridge?!" Saten then sputtered.

"It's a long story . . . ." The white boy waved his hand to dissipate their curiosity. It didn't quite work . . . . "Regardless of the 'how', this meal is on me guys."

Uiharu clapped her hands in glee, her eyes glittering. "Does this mean three cheese omelets and chocolate chip pancakes?!"

The white boy smiled at his companion. "It certainly does."

"Woohoo!" Uiharu began to pound on the call bell like a small child. Saten was grinning as she poured over the menu in front of her. Time to go all out! A rather nervous waitress approached the table.

"H-have you decided on your o-orders?"

"Yes!" The girls chorused while the boys simply nodded. One smugly, the other in defeat.

After receiving their orders, the very relieved looking waitress retreated with impressive speed to the safety of the kitchen. The playful banter then resumed in force as the white and flowery pair did their best to tease the other side of the table with their, less than subtle, insinuations.

Which were completely lost on the spiky-haired boy . . . .

It had taken only a few minutes for the orders to be placed and for the food to arrive. It seemed that the restaurant considered pleasing the fearsome white boy and his party a top priority. The group at the table continued their (semi-)pleasant chat over the meal until Saten's phone began to ring.

"Ah, it's our school! I'll take it outside . . . ." Saten announced as Touma stood up to let her out of the booth.

"So Kamijo-san . . . " The beetle started as the other boy sat back down. "You mentioned being busy this afternoon, correct?"

Touma nodded. "Right, I agreed to help clean the school later on today and tomorrow."

"Goodness of your heart?"

Touma sent the other boy a grimace. "It's more to settle a debt involving a tussle between my friends and a certain stubborn healthy girl . . . ."

"Ah, I'm back!" Saten broke in and sat down as Touma slid over to make room. "Apparently Kirigaoka Girl's Academy wants to scan me tomorrow."

"Huh?!" Touma stared at the girl next to him in confusion. "Why would they want to do that?"

Saten only dropped her jaw in response. Uiharu abruptly held her hand next to her face with a finger pointed upwards in realization.

"That's right!" She looked at the white boy sitting next to her. "We never told Kamijo-san about Saten-san's system scan!"

Touma turned back to Saten. "Did something go wrong on Monday?"

Saten shook her head, suddenly going a little red in the cheeks. The white boy across from her answered for her.

"She registered a 32.6% AIM increase during the scan on Monday, Kamijo-san."

"That's amazing, Saten-san!" The spiky-haired boy cried out. He then surprised everyone.

Without warning, the boy leaned over and wrapped the long-haired girl beside him in a tight hug.

"All your hard work is starting to pay off! Good for you!" Touma exclaimed as he released the level zero and began to pat her head in an affectionate way.

This proved too much for our girl, who then pitched backwards out of the booth and onto the floor in a dead faint. Her scarlet face held an expression of pure unadulterated bliss.

"Saten-san!" Touma and Uiharu cried out in unison. Touma nearly threw himself out of the booth and picked up the unconscious girl by the shoulders.

"Mmm . . . ." She moaned and firmly wrapped her arms around the boy supporting her on the floor. Touma tried to pull back but found he couldn't . . . .

"Um . . . I appear to be stuck . . . ."

Uiharu and the white boy shared a knowing smile. Touma was starting to feel uneasy. It was that feeling of a dagger held just out of sight over his head.

"Um, guys?" He tried to reason with the two still sitting in the booth. "I'm not complaining or anything, but can you give me a hand here? This Kamijo Touma's misfortune sense is tingling for some reason . . . ."

Almost on cue, a loud rhythmic thumping sound was heard throughout the restaurant.

"What was that?!" Uiharu cried out in confusion. Touma only looked around furtively, a look of foreboding written across his face.

"I really need to go . . . ." He said and started to pull away. Sleepy Saten on the other hand had different plans . . . .

"Onii-chan . . . ." She muttered and began to nuzzle the terrified boy's neck. "Onii-chan . . . so warm . . . ."

"Oh, so that's how it is with her . . . ." The white boy playfully declared. Uiharu only gave a wicked grin in response.

After a few more minutes of wrestling, Touma managed to sit Saten back in the booth and wriggle out of her iron grip. After sighing in relief, he requested that they say goodbye to Saten for him. He then hurried out like a man running from a hungry lion. Sales on!

With the boy gone, Saten began to finally stir awake.

"Ugh, what happened?" She rubbed her head in confusion, then flinched when she saw the expressions on her friends faces. "Um . . . why are you guys looking at me like that?"

She shuddered as, in unison, the pair sent her a wide grin that chilled her to the bones . . . .

" . . . Crud."

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The girls did an excellent job keeping pace with the flying boy, thanks in no small part to continuous protests issuing from him, which were acting as a homing beacon. Even though they were able to keep up with the innumerable twists and turns being taken by the beetle, they found themselves breathing a sigh of relief when they saw the boy descending back to earth. In front of a family restaurant . . . ?

Fukiyose felt her jaw drop when the beetle morphed before her eyes into the form of a slender teenage boy who then ushered Touma into the restaurant by the shoulders. The miko beside her, however, was less impressed.

"Deliver us not into temptation, Beetle-san . . . ." She muttered flatly, placing her hand on her hip and squeezing the bag of burgers closer to herself.

"Who was that?!" The girl-of-iron-walls demanded and she began to flail about, pointing at the now vacant entrance of the restaurant.

"He's despicable." Himegami's blunt response did little to settle the nerves of the sporty girl beside her. "He plays a dirty game of capture the flag. I won't stand for it . . . ."

"What are you on about?!" The busty girl began to shake her friend by the shoulders. "What's his name? Is it even human?!"

"That's up for debate." the girl with princess hair shook her head and continued. "Kamijo calls him Beetle-san. He describes himself as the number two level five."

"?!" Fukiyose backed up. "Is that really true?!"

"I watched him stretch his arms and pull Kamijo from street-level onto the top of a five story building on Monday . . ." The girl pulled a burger from her bag and began to munch on it. "So yes, probably."

" . . . " The barer of the epic forehead stepped over to her companion. "So . . . do you feel like getting to the bottom of this?"

The other girl only nodded and continued nibbling on the burger in her hand as she crept forward to glare at the boy through the window.

Fukiyose muttered and joined her friend at the window.

"I need a new hobby . . . ."

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Saten was not happy at the moment and it showed. Her arms were tightly crossed in front of her. Her bright red face did not meet her friend's. She refused to give them that satisfaction.

"You know, I never would have pictured you as the type of girl to have a big brother fetish, Saten-san . . . ." The level five started, the mirth in his tone only further enraged the girl across from him.

"In that case, Saten-san . . . " Uiharu gave her friend a playful expression. "I have some manga under my bed that I think you might appreciate . . . ."

"I can remember a time when I actually liked you two . . . . " Saten grumbled at the irritating pair seated across from her. "But the memories are rapidly fading!"

Saten felt her jaw drop when, instead of responding like normal rational individuals, they started singing an uncomfortably familiar song very loudly . . .

"It ain't Eeee-VIL baby if it ain't HURTIN anybody~" The pair were rocking from side to side with their arms around each others' shoulders. "If its all the same . . . we're tired of waiting~, come on then!"

"I hope you realize . . . ." Saten scowled as her friends finally began to quiet down. "If I do make level five, I'm testing my powers on you two first!"

"And I welcome it, Saten-san . . . ." The white boy grinned back at the pouting girl across from him.

"Oh come on, Saten-san!" Uiharu leaned forward enthusiastically with a wink. "We're only helping make your dreams come true!"

Saten's face took on a hesitant expression. "Please don't . . . ."

The pair exchanged a confused look, but said nothing further. This seemed to be something deeper than they knew.

"Saten-san . . . " Uiharu broke the silence with a hesitation evident in her voice. "Whenever you feel ready to talk, we'll be here for you. No jokes."

Saten nodded her head, but kept her eyes fixed on the table in front of her.

"When I'm ready . . . "

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Fukiyose and Himegami were firmly plastered to the window of the restaurant, heedless of the rather bizarre spectacle they were making of themselves.

"I knew that one was going to be trouble . . . ." The princess muttered to herself.

The girl-of-iron-walls on the other hand was staying silent. The tension was evident in her stance however, her fists clenching and unclenching at intervals would have driven a certain unfortunate boy to run for the hills. The pair were then interrupted by an all too familiar call to arms . . . .

"This is Judgment!" A girl with squid-like twin-tails flashed the green band on her arm and continued. "I received reports of two strange girls peeping in– Hey I know you! Ghost girl!"

Himegami gave a curt nod. "It's good to see you healthy, Barnacle-girl."

"I'll ignore that for now . . . " The teleporter shook her head. "Who is your partner in crime today?"

The busty girl spoke up. "I'm Fukiyose Seiri and I am a classmate of the boy sitting inside."

"Oh-ho, I see even high school girls can get stalker crushes." Kuroko continued as she peered through the window herself. "Imagine . . . causing a public disturbance over something as silly as– KAMIJO-SAN!"

The eyes of the slender girl were threatening to pop out of their sockets as she peered through the window at the boy in question. The other girls noticed her rapidly bleaching complexion and turned to each other.

"I think she's broken . . . "

"She's probably just hypoglycemic." Fukiyose pulled a bottle from her bag and forced the contents into the bewildered teleporter's mouth. "This is the new 'Cloud brand' sports drink. It comes in seven flavors and it's loaded with minerals . . . ."

"BLEAH!" Kuroko spat out what liquid she could and began coughing. "It's hideous!"

The girl-of-iron-walls nodded as if the statement went without saying. "Clouds taste metallic."

"I spy a flag . . . ."

The other girls nearly flew over to the window to look. Kuroko's jaw dropped as she clawed at the glass in front of her.

"Why do my eyes defy me?!" The slender girl fell away from the window clutching her head in a daze. "Is this knowing betrayal from one's own family?!"

Fukiyose sent a bewildered look over to the miko and received only a shrug in return. The teleporter on the other hand continued her thrashing . . .

"Look how affectionately her head receives those big-brother pats . . . ." Kuroko began to claw at the glass once more. "Where are Kuroko's pats? She has worked so hard recently . . . Onii-sama . . . ."

"Onii-sama!" Kuroko began to scream as the girls next to her took a giant step backwards. "Your favorite little sister is hungry for your praise!"

The slender girl began to rhythmically slam her head against the window with each syllabic shriek.

"O! Nii! Sa! MA! . . . praise her . . . praise her . . . PRAISE HER ! ! !"

From behind the girls, a nearly silent voice spoke up.

"He is awake . . . "

Kuroko trembled as she stood with her head resting against the chilly glass of the window. ". . . And you shall worship him . . . ."

The white boy was standing at attention with narrowed eyes aimed at the teleporter in front of him. "I was wondering what that commotion was. I can't say I'm surprised."

He looked over to the other girls. Fukiyose flinched under his gaze while the girl in miko simply tilted her head. "So, there are more then. It doesn't matter, you won't win."

He turned back to the girl standing frozen by the window and firmly took her wrist in his hand. "I'm taking you back to your dorm. You can't teleport out of my grip, so don't bother trying."

The girl didn't respond. With her eyes cast towards the ground, she allowed herself to be led home without complaint.

The others watched as the pair disappeared around a corner. Himegami stroked the side of her chin with a finger.

"She seems to be setting a rather complex flag . . . ."

Fukiyose simply continued to scowl in the direction of the white boy's exit.

"I don't know if he really is the number two . . . " She turned to the burger eating girl next to her and hissed out her displeasure. "But I'm not going to roll over just because he wants me to . . . "

"Do you have a plan then?"

Fukiyose motioned her friend to follow and began to walk back in the direction of a certain high school. "I think we may to have to make an appointment with a certain noisy black-haired witch today."

"If you plan to sell your soul, remember to read the fine print before signing."

"Tell me, Hime . . ." The girl-of-iron-walls turned her head back towards the miko as she continued walking. "How open-minded are you when it comes to sharing?"

A cold smile was returned by the girl with princess hair. "Iron may rust . . . "

"But, blood is sweeter than honey."

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The boy grumbled as he rubbed the crust of sleep out of his eyes. Even after sleeping in, every one of his senses told him that it was still far too early to be awake on his day off.

The angry red numbers on his bedside clock had told him it was rapidly nearing lunch time. He never bothered setting the alarm on it since he was quite literally living with one. A loud, headband wearing, guts loving, dish breaking alarm clock. Who was, at this very moment, being unpleasantly quiet . . .

The boy had come to depend on the crazy, crack-of-dawn antics of that certain white-clad boy to wake him up on time each and every morning. The lack of activity was in itself becoming unsettling and the boy crept into the common room. He wondered if the other boy was still in bed, shuddering when he remembered the events of the day before.

Upon turning the corner, he finally caught sight of his roommate.

"Okay, Yabumi." He said to himself as he looked over the scene in front of him. "If you are still dreaming . . . now would be a good time to wake up."

It was the Seventh of the Seven, Sogiita Gunha, sitting quietly at the breakfast counter and enjoying a cup of coffee while reading a newspaper. The boy looked up and smiled serenely at the newcomer.

"Good morning, Haratani-san! Did you sleep well?"

The boy shivered. "I'm not certain if I'm awake yet . . . ."

"Hard night then?" The other boy raised his mug. "Nothing a little coffee wouldn't fix."

"I wasn't aware that we had a coffee maker. Also, I wasn't aware that they still had newspapers in this city . . . "

"I had the Institute deliver both this morning."

Yabumi went a little pale. "You had the Kihara Research Institute act as you concierge service?!"

"Yes I did." The boys eyes narrowed as he took another sip. "They aren't really in a position to refuse me . . . ."

"Interesting . . . " Yabumi wrung his hands briefly. "Do you mind if I ask you a question?"

"What are friends for?"

"What the Hell are you Wearing!"

Sogiita was currently attired in blue slacks, a white collared shirt with a striped tie, and a grey sweater vest. Yabumi gritted his teeth as the boy looked down at his clothes and replied in a nonchalant manner.

"Oh, these? I've had them in the closet forever, but I only wore them once. It's a shame really . . . ."

"And the hair?"

"What about it?"

"It's been combed! I didn't even know you owned one!"

"Funny story." The boy with the coffee mug grinned. "When I finally found it, it took five minutes for me to wash all the dust off of it!"

"Hilarious." Yabumi began to rub his eyes in earnest. "I think I'll go back to bed and try waking up again . . . "

The other boy shrugged. "That's up to you, but I am going to be starting lunch pretty soon . . . "

The other boy tore his hands away from his face and gaped at his roommate. "You actually know how to cook?!"

Sogiita tilted his head. "Is there any reason that I wouldn't?"

Yabumi started to dance from one foot to the other, unable to meet the level five's eyes. "Look, I have to go make a phone call . . . "

Yabumi had started to head out into the hallway to make the call when he heard the voice of the boy behind him.

"Remember to ask Konori-san if she would like to join us for frittata."

The boy froze in place before continuing on his way.

"Don't worry, I will . . . ."

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The tall dark-haired boy was deep in thought at the moment. With his chin cupped in one hand and resting by an elbow on the table, he was a near perfect study in concentration as his other hand drummed its fingers in a disconnected rhythm.

Across from him sat a girl looking increasingly impatient with her sempai. Her foot was tapping as she regarded him with a narrowed glare, her arms tightly crossed over her small chest. Seriously, it wasn't that difficult a decision . . . .

After some minutes, the boy finally looked up at his companion.

"Fine, Myuri-chan." He stated as the girl raised her chin and locked him with a glare. "I do agree that Five is taking more than I am willing to give."

"Of course she is!"

"Mind you . . . " Ikari continued. "I am all too aware of the reason for your complaint. It's almost cute coming from you . . . "

The girl gritted her teeth as her fingers dug deeper into the flesh of her arms. She could feel her face turning the same flaming shade as her hair and began to growl at the boy across from her. Ikari waved his hand dismissively.

"This does present a useful opportunity, however . . . "

Myuri raised an eyebrow in confusion.

"Don't we have a little friend in Tokiwadai nowadays?"

The girl's arms fell to her sides, hands clenching into fists. Her face was actually darker than it had been earlier.

"You better not be implying who I think you are . . . "

"Indeed . . . " The boy grinned at her reaction. "We could always ask her to keep an eye on Five for us. What was her name again?"

Myuri hissed out her reply, grinding her fists into the tabletop.

"I don't care to remember it."

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The Queen was calmly sipping tea in an anonymous booth within an expensive cafe not far from School Garden when a slight feeling of unease crept over her. Ordinarily she would have simply shrugged off this feeling, but after yesterday's ordeal she was feeling far more alert than usual.

Were these demons in the night? She placed her teacup back onto its saucer and ran her gloved finger over the delicate rim. She caught sight of her reflection in the dark liquid and murmured to herself.

"By the pricking of my thumbs . . . something busty this way comes . . . ."

A whispered voice entered her right ear at that moment, like a phantom from the dark.

"Remotes, please."

The Queen absently passed her bag over her shoulder before freezing. The bag of remotes was snatched from her grasp as a busty dark-haired girl ambled into view and took the seat across from her. Misaki greeted her with a chilly smirk and a narrow glare.

"My-my, if it isn't the busty witch of the west~" She placed a finger beside her chin. "You must teach me that trick sometime . . . ."

The dark-haired high school student simply growled in response. "Just keep your hands where I can see them, little girl."

The Queen returned a bitter grin, but otherwise complied. "And what does the old woman want from me today?"

"I heard about yesterday."

"I was busy."

The high school girl sighed. "What's your best guess?"

". . . Oh, that~" The Queen sent a pose to the other girl. "He is in no danger from me . . . . Unless you are worried about an expansion to his family line~"

Seria gritted her teeth and clamped down on the edge of the table until her knuckles turned white. She leaned over to hiss at the blonde girl.

"Are you asking to see my full-on soap opera mode?!"

"Would I be able to tell the difference?"

"I would make it my business to see that you would."

Misaki rested her chin on her hand. "My, my . . . jealous girls are really out in force these days~"

Seria looked about ready to throw the Queen her best left hook when a creepy grin played over her face.

"I wonder what would happen if he were to remember 'back then'?" The smile left the Queen's face as the dark-haired girl continued. "I might have to be there to 'comfort' him. Just like last time . . . ."

Misaki half rose from her seat, hand twisted into a ready claw. Before it could see use, pragmatism took hold and she sat back down. "Mama said 'it ain't no way to have fun' . . . ."

Seria grinned in triumph. "Don't turn on the light, cuz I don't wanna see . . . "

The Queen crossed her arms over her chest and tried to burn a hole into the other girl with her eyes. "You are so very lucky that you are necessary . . . "

"Likewise." Seria returned the Queen's glare with artillery of her own. She then grinned. "I also heard that you have been romping around with shifty boys lately . . . ."

The Queen scowled even deeper and turned her head away from the infuriating girl across from her.

"Don't remind me."

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

"Beetle-san!"

A tall busty gym teacher with a face locked in a bemused expression was currently following a certain spiky-haired hero on a gradual trip away from a certain high school.

Since leaving the building, she has watched Touma take about a dozen steps and shout out that name. Each time he was met with silence he would repeat the process, much to his teacher's increasing chagrin.

"Beetle-san!"

"Are you certain that this isn't just school pressure getting to you, Kamijo-san?"

The boy looked back with a confused look. "What do you mean, Sensei?"

"Well . . . " She hesitated before looking back towards the school. "After the past five minutes, I'm pretty sure I can get you some time off –jan."

"My invisible friend is perfectly real, Yomikawa-sensei, he's just a bit shy."

"Of course he is . . . " The woman from Anti-Skill appeared to be trying to decide the best way to render her student unconscious.

"Beetle-san!"

Yomikawa began to creep up behind him when the sight of a small white beetle caught her eye. She decided to check her forehead as she watched it fly up to the boy and land on his left shoulder. The boy turned around and walked back to his teacher.

"Here he is." The boy pointed to the beetle. "Do you want me to stick around?"

". . . "

Yomikawa took a step back when a smooth voice flowed from the beetle's wings. "If she's fine with being alone with me, then you wouldn't have to stick around . . . "

Yomikawa shrugged when the boy looked at her. The beetle continued.

"I am the new number two level five, Kakine Teitoku, here to make amends for my predecessor's actions."

The teacher turned to the spiky-haired boy. "I think a one-on-one talk is best for this."

The beetle unfolded into a myriad of strings which abruptly took the shape of a slender white boy. Touma nodded and began to walk back to the school. "I'll let them know you'll be busy for a while."

The beetle wasted no time in broaching his topic of concern. "Thank you for agreeing to meet with me, I know this can't be easy . . . "

"It's never easy –jan . . ."

He folded his hands and began to bow low in front of the woman. "But I am here to beg you to find it somewhere in your heart to for–"

"I forgive you."

"Wha–" The boy snapped upright and nearly lost his balance. "Just like that?!"

The gym teacher nodded.

"Why?!" The boy was almost jumping around as he struggled to comprehend the situation. "How could you possibly forgive me?!"

The teacher smiled at the boy's flailing. " . . . 'Shout out as loudly as you can . . . someone named Kakine Teitoku will surely come to save you'. Does it sound like I need a better reason –jan?"

The white boy fell to his knees and began to shake. The teacher continued.

"You even helped protect Last Order and her little blonde friend. For that, I would like to thank you."

The boy continued to look at the ground as he whispered. "Last Order-chan . . . "

Yomikawa squatted down in line with the boy on the ground. "You are already finding a purpose in life. You remind me a bit of Accelerator after I took him in –jan."

Kakine's head snapped up to meet the teacher's eyes. "You are taking care of One?"

"Yes . . . is that important?"

"It is." The boy pushed himself to his feet with Yomikawa doing likewise. "I was hoping to talk with him today."

"Peacefully?"

The white boy cracked his knuckles. "We'll see how the day goes . . . "

The busty woman chuckled and pulled out her cellphone. "I'll give him a call to expect visitors. Do you know the place –jan?"

He shook his head. "I have a vague idea of his location, but I was just planning to hunt around until I found him."

Yomikawa held out her phone to the boy. "This is the address. If you feel like rumbling, take it outside."

"Understood. Thank you."

"If you really want to thank me, then just keep saving people like you have been. Don't let you past become an excuse."

The white boy only smiled before his body dissolved into fading ribbons of white smoke. Yomikawa's face took on a mischievous expression as she dialed her phone and raised it to her ear.

"Kikyou? Why don't we take Last Order out for ice cream this afternoon? We'll meet up at the usual place."

" . . ."

"Yes, I know it's cold out! Who cares!"

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

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It had taken a few minutes, but the information branch had managed to find the mystery girl's cellphone number. Ikari dialed and grinned at his kohai, who was currently pouting like a kindergartener. After a few rings the line finally connected.

" . . . ?"

"Hello there, my dear." He began with a chipper tone. "May I speak to 'the other one' if possible?"

"?!"

"Ah, that's right . . . You probably wouldn't remember me by voice." The boy paused for a moment. "Would 'that blond boy with miracles in his eyes' ring any bells . . . ?"

There was a long pause on the other end of the line. When the voice finally returned it had taken on a commanding tone. Without hesitation, the girl demanded answers.

" . . . !"

"You are quite correct. I am one of his lieutenants." Ikari looked at the girl sitting next to him, making faces in the direction of the phone. "Myuri-chan sends her love . . . "

The red-haired hoyden pulled down an eyelid and stuck out her tongue. The boy looked to the side as he was distracted by the response from the girl on the other end of the phone.

"Okay, I'll tell her." He turned to his friend and relayed. "She says to tell you that she is doing the eyelid thing right back to you . . . ."

Myuri threw herself back into her chair, letting her tightly crossed arms and twitching eyes do the talking.

" . . . ?"

"Ah, I was calling in hopes of receiving a favor . . . ."

"! ! "

The boy sighed. "Yes, I am aware that the group's assistance to you is hardly worth mentioning. However, I don't think it will be far from what you would be doing anyway, considering . . . "

". . . ?"

"We need someone to keep an eye on the Queen."

" . . . ?!"

The boy grinned. "Are you aware that the Queen took a spiky-haired boy out on a date yesterday?"

There was a pause on the other end of the line. Ikari continued.

"According to my witness, that boy carried her all the way back to the dorms with the Railgun in hot pursuit . . . "

The pause continued for a few moments before a more hesitant voice responded.

" . . . ?"

"Oh, that's easy. If it happened to Myuri-chan, it was probably going to happen to one of you. You and Myuri-chan are surprisingly a lot alike– URK!"

Ikari rubbed the middle of his back where Myuri had punched him. The girl on the other end didn't take it any better . . . .

"! ! !"

"Watch the language, sweetie. Aren't you supposed to be a high-class lady now or something?"

The boy grinned at the growling from the other end of the line. He continued.

"I'm not asking for a lot. Just let us know if the Queen or her followers start acting . . . out of character."

" . . . ?"

He reflexively shook his head. "It's better if you don't know that . . . ."

There was a long pause. Finally a guarded response reached his ears.

" . . . . "

Ikari smirked. "That sounds acceptable. If you have anything, just call this number. "

" – "

With that, the line went dead. The boy turned to the enraged red-head with a playful smile.

"My, what an icy reception that was . . . ."

With a grunt Myuri stood up and stormed from the room, slamming the door behind her. He grinned and dialed another number.

" . . . ?"

"Yakiin-kun? It's me. When Myuri gets to the armory, don't let her take out whatever it is she is trying to get . . . ."

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:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

"Don't remind me."

The high school girl smiled and leaned forward, enjoying the blonde's discomfort. "Unburden yourself, princess!"

The Queen crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow at the manipulator. "Which level five do you want to hear about?"

Seria blinked and canted her head. "There was more than one?"

"All of them, but One and Four~"

"What were you doing with Six?!" The Brain of the Board began to claw at her head in a panic. "Incommunicado! We agreed on that! How did it even happen?!"

"Well, now~ Two wanted to be introduced . . . " The starry-eyed girl began to grin. "I also sicked Actor-chan on him first. Good times~"

The dark-haired girl gawked and leaned forward to stare the middle-school girl in the eye. "Are you trying to give him reasons to kill us?!"

"I'm pretty sure it's inevitable if he ever finds out about Facade . . . " The girl sent a taunting pose to the other. "They won't be able to find all of our pieces if that happens~"

"And you're happy about this?!" Seria hissed.

"Anything that keeps you on edge is fine by me~"

The dark-haired girl returned a cold smile and rubbed her chin briefly. "Now that I think about it . . . "

The girl's voice took on an air of malice. "I heard you got smacked around by Seven yesterday. Did I hear correctly?"

The blonde sat with a blank expression, not replying. Seria continued, drumming her fingers on the table.

"If there's video, I'd like to borrow it." She warbled to the silent girl. "And some strong batteries . . . ."

"Is it too late to send a letter to Santa-san?" The blonde rubbed her fingers together. "All I want for Christmas is a pack of wolves to eat you alive . . . ."

Seria started to laugh. "I doubt you of all people would be on the 'nice' list!"

Misaki began to pout as the sound of a ringing cellphone broke into their verbal sparring. It was coming from the Queen's bag.

"Would you mind?"

Seria extracted the garish cellphone and handed to the Queen. After checking the number she smirked and answered it.

"Hello, General~"

" . . . "

The Queen looked over at the irksome girl sitting across from her.

"It's safe to talk, yes . . ."

" . . ."

"I believe that he is amicable, yes . . . "

" . . – "

"Let me finish. He will be, if we take the proper steps. You know what I mean."

" . . . !"

"There's that impatience again~ If we lose him, we will lose Mairo-san as well."

Silence.

"Our plans can't be rushed. Just let me do my part. One and Six aren't going anywhere . . . "

" . . . "

The Queen nodded to herself reflexively.

"Power ablation being the case or not, Facade's access proves Mairo-san is still alive somewhere . . . "

" . . . "

"Yes, the Forward Echelon will finally be complete and we shall rise."

" . . . "

The Queen gave a pose to the absent person on the other end of the line.

"Stay the course! Farewell~"

" – "

With that the line went dead and Misaki placed the phone on the table, slumping in irritation. Seria cleared her throat.

"So that was the infamous 'General'?"

The Queen nodded. The dark-haired girl continued.

"And she apparently doesn't know about your connection with Six?"

"Yes. I plan to keep it that way."

Seria rested her chin in her hand. "Then we have a conflict of interests on our hands."

"You are correct . . . " The Queen sent her rival a diabolical grin.

"That's why our plan will succeed~"

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

The busty dark haired girl was currently sitting at attention with a tense smile plastered on her face. Yabumi was seated across from her with his arms firmly crossed over his chest, his face locked in a morose expression.

"I–I really like the apartment, Sogiita-san . . . "

The sharply dressed level five wiped his mouth with a napkin and smiled. "I'm glad! I hope you don't think less of us for living in such an extravagant place."

"Oh no, not at all!" The girl quickly waved her hands in front of her face. "I can only imagine the rent, though . . . . The lives of the level fives truly are amazing!"

"Actually the rent is mostly paid by a consortium of design and construction companies. Other than utilities, we are living here for free."

The busty girl went a bit pale. " . . . How?"

A small cough brought her attention over to Yabumi.

"Sogiita is considered one of the best acid-tests for structural integrity in the city. If a building can survive him living in it, then it can stand up to anything . . . "

Konori twitched. "I . . . see . . . "

Sogiita nodded. "Unfortunately, Haratani-san and I have been less than ideal neighbors. We have so few now . . ."

The girl tilted her head as the boy took another bite of his spinach frittata. "Are the rooms around you empty then?"

Yabumi broke in again. "This entire quarter of the building, top to bottom, is occupied by us alone. Thanks in no small part to the individual sitting in front of you."

Konori flinched and glanced at the boy, who quietly chuckled.

"These indiscretions of youth . . . I would like to put them behind me."

He set a steely eye on his companions and continued.

"I have come to realize that not every problem can be solved with guts."

Konori's jaw dropped, her hand clenching the front of her shirt. Yabumi's eye twitched as his fingers dug into the flesh of his arms.

"I've waited a long time to hear you say those words, Sogiita-san." His tone was cold and utterly without humor. "Now that you have, part of me just died."

The girl abruptly stood up and grabbed Yabumi by the arm. Her face held a far too tight smile as she spoke through her clenched teeth.

"Can you excuse us for a minute? I need to have a word with Yabumi-san."

The boy in question muttered as he was dragged into the hallway by the member of Judgment. "I have some words for you as well . . . "

The level five waved them off.

"Hurry back! The food is getting cold."

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

A red-haired hoyden stormed through the inner corridors sending sempai and kohai alike scrambling out of her path. She took the shortest path to the lowest levels, ignoring the whispers from her fellows.

At the far end of her brisk walk, she stomped up to a small window next to a well armored door that gave off an oily white sheen. The older boy standing behind it sent her a little grin as he put down his phone. Myuri fixed her eyes on the familiar white headband he was wearing before sending the boy her most serious expression.

"Yakiin-sempai." Her voice rang out as she crossed her arms over her chest. "I'm taking out White Wolf."

The boy's face tightened which Myuri took as an indication that he was struggling to not laugh at her. She felt her teeth begin to grind as she waited for his response. He chose his words carefully when he finally did.

"Myuri-kun. " He stated flatly. "You know how it has been acting since we lost Mairo-sensei . . . "

"This is important." She said as she began to tap her foot impatiently. "Pulling out all the stops."

"Have we forgotten that Ikari-sempai is the last person to touch it without having to be put back together again?"

"I haven't forgotten. I was there when we moved it to storage."

The boy gained a bewildered look on his face as he briefly rubbed his forehead. "And you think you would have better luck?"

"I do."

Yakiin leaned forward through the window. "Care to explain how or why?"

The girl tilted her head. "A maiden's heart is complex."

"There's far too much there for me to comment on . . . " He shook his head and continued. "It doesn't matter. Ikari-sempai specifically forbid me from giving you anything."

"Of course he would . . . "

"Even if he didn't, I wouldn't have let you take White Wolf out." Yakiin continued, knowing the explanation probably wouldn't be of much use. "It's a murder weapon."

"Mairo-sama didn't seem to think so . . . ."

"If it wasn't before, it is now." He tapped on the counter in front of him. "Would you mind explaining to me why you feel the need to risk life and limb."

"Sempai wants 'the princess' to help us." Myuri gritted her teeth. "Bipolar little skank thinks she's too good for us . . . "

"Maybe she is . . . "

"Don't you start!" The red-haired girl slammed her fists onto the counter top. "An insult like that is an insult on Mairo-sama's character!"

The boy in the headband scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Is there really fog at the poles?"

The hoyden rubbed her forehead in frustration, but was cut of before she could respond.

"Look Myuri-kun." Yakiin held up his hands at the girl in front of him. "You take the rest of the day off. We'll both forget about your little request and tomorrow we can look into plan 4-1H . . . "

Myuri grinned to herself as she nodded to the boy.

"Acquiring our own level five toy . . . "

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:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

"That's why our plan will succeed~"

"So sure of ourselves, are we?" Seria waggled a finger at the Queen. "What about the other level fives?"

"I have all I need on One and Three." The blonde girl flicked her hair back. "Nini-ue should be able to handle Four. And I'm perfect, thanks for asking~"

The dark-haired girl ignored the ridiculous pose the Queen sent her and pressed further.

"How about Two and Seven?" The Queen's pose quickly fell apart. "You seemed to be having trouble with those two . . . "

"As long as we keep Two in the dark, we should be fine." Misaki began to tap her foot in agitation.

Seria raised an eyebrow. "That may be difficult. He is literally everywhere these days . . . ."

The Queen locked her eyes on the manipulator once more. "We have an incentive to be careful, if you recall my earlier statement."

"I do. I'll see what I can do about it." She nodded and continued. "Exactly what is the issue with Seven?"

The Queen shivered and looked away for a moment before she was able to answer. "On Monday he named the Dreamer . . ."

"What?"

"Then yesterday, he made a reference to the Sleeper."

"What."

Misaki sighed and continued. "I had the same reaction. I asked Facade for full access and tried to read his memories . . . "

The other girl leaned forward in anticipation.

"But it didn't quite go as I expected."

Seria was confused. "Then what happened?"

"There was a backlash." The middle school girl shook her head. "It didn't feel like I had gotten through, but his personality changed completely."

The starry-eyed girl shuddered. "It felt like he was going to kill me."

"Seven?!"

"Like I said, completely different!" Misaki shouted and slammed her fist on the table. "Like the outside got tangled with the inside or something . . . "

"Some sort of defense mechanism?"

"I don't think anyone would be able to tell." The Queen shook her head. "Nini-ue said that some boy managed to calm him down . . . "

Seria perked up. "Was it 'our' boy?"

"No, he didn't recognize him."

"I'll look into that. That information may be necessary later on." The dark-haired girl made a note on her phone and returned it to the table. "Is there any new business I should be aware of?"

The Queen nodded and pulled three photos out of a hidden pocket. "I need you to keep an eye out for these individuals. They are part of the General's 'plan B' and I may need you to hide them."

"So, they are being targeted then?" Seria received the pictures and spread them out on the table between them.

"Exactly. The girl with the long black hair is probably receiving a blessing in disguise" She stated, tapping the picture on her right side. "But the other two are to be involved in something far more sinister . . . "

Seria picked up the picture on the opposite end to get a better look. "Wait . . . this girl looks familiar. Isn't she . . . ?"

"Yes she is." The Queen nodded, confirming the manipulator's suspicions. "I have been using my stalling ability to keep the General focused on the Sleeper, but she is getting restless."

"Then we'll have to work quickly."

"Excellent! I'll get you your walker~"

"Wonderful. We can hang your diaper bag from it, princess."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

It had been only a few moments after leaving his talk with Yomikawa when Kakine appeared in front of the apartment complex with his usual fanfare of riotous sprays of dark matter smoke. He paused briefly, turning his head from side to side, waiting for the possible first wave of attacks.

When none came, he decided to ring the doorbell . . .

"What?!" A somewhat familiar female voice grated on the white boy's ears. "You better be bringing pizza!"

"This is the number two." He said pressing the talk button. "I am here to see One."

"Hehehehe . . . ." The creepy chuckle emanated from the speaker and was immediately followed by the buzzer indicating an unlocked door.

After a moments hesitation, the level five opened it and cautiously stepped inside. After ascending the stairs, he came upon the correct door and tried the knob. Finding it unlocked, he felt the squirming in his back from wings set at the ready and, after settling into a guarding posture, pushed open the door with his foot.

"Get in here, stupid! We aren't paying to heat the hallway because of you."

Kakine felt his face falling into a sullen and bitter expression as he caught sight of the girl. She cackled at the sight of him.

"That's the expression Misaka likes to see . . . " She points to his face. "Just like Tou-san when I put pink hair dye in his shampoo the other day!"

"It's refreshing to see that the poor vintage that is Misaka Mikoto won't improve any with age . . ."

"You have a problem with Onee-tama?" The malicious girl's lips pulled past her ears in something that could conceivably be called a 'smile'. "Hilarious!"

"There is that urge to hang you out the window like a futon every time I look at your face . . . "

"We might just end up as the best of friends then! Misaka can definitely see the chalk-faced goon sandwich scenario happening . . ."

"That's sickening." The boy stuck out his tongue. "Your so-called-lover is too much of a cradle robber for that to happen anyway . . . "

"Says the gentleman who prefers tiny blondes . . . "

With a clenched fist the level five took a step closer to the irritating clone. "You have something to say, dynamo?"

Worst made a ridiculous pose with one hand on her hip and the other holding a finger aside her chin. "Oh, whatever could Misaka mean . . . "

"At least the company I keep doesn't require a doctor's note as proof of gender."

"I'm sure Tou-san would be happy to provide the evidence for that . . ."

"He probably just wants to save money on the electric bill." Kakine grinned. "I can't see any other reason to keep an overgrown spawn of Three around . . ."

The clone's face tightened for a moment before returning to its natural trolling expression.

"Misaka understands how hard you must have it. Life can't be easy as a discarded piece of laundry . . ." She feigned a sympathetic expression and continued. "The amount you have to spend each month on bleach alone must be crippling!"

Kakine was unimpressed.

"Personally, I'm surprised that Three's genome is capable of producing a chest of that circumference." He paused as he sent her a mock-thoughtful glance. "Or is the static cling just useful for holding the balloons in place?"

Worst's jaw clamped in place. Cue tumbleweeds . . . .

" . . . "

" . . . "

The clone's face then broke out into a wide grin. "You magnificent bastard!"

Kakine looked confused as the girl began to rummage around in a hidden pocket in her ao dai.

"Misaka would be honored if you would sign her chest!" She thrust a small object in the white boy's face. "PEN!"

Before the level five was able to respond, a loud raspy voice rang out from the doorway breaking the pair's concentration.

"What's that miffing BASTARD doing in MY house?!"

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

A girl with long dark hair sat in the patient lounge of a certain frog doctor's hospital. She had rolled herself there after the insufferable boredom of being cooped up in a hospital room alone began to grate on her nerves.

She was currently watching some worthless drivel that passed for entertainment being played on the lounge's sole TV. She glanced around the room, unable to help but feel annoyed that she found herself, once again, all alone and still bored.

She gave the dolphin shaped toy in her lap a brief squeeze and sighed. She could really go for some excitement right about now . . .

Well, she would if she could just get that knot out of her shoulders . . .

She began to shift about in her wheelchair, raising and slumping her shoulders in an erratic fashion before finally starting to firmly massage them. Where was a hot physical therapist when you needed one?!

She tensed up briefly when she felt a pair of hands grasp her shoulders and began to kneed them with expert precision. The dolphin girl named Kuroyoru melted back into her seat and did her best to keep the pleasure moans tightly locked behind her lips . . .

"Man, that's the spot . . . " She tilted her head back to catch a glimpse of the individual behind her. "Can you move it a little low– URK!"

She was currently eye to horrible glowing eye with an all too familiar solid white level five. That face was split by a grin that made the leader of the FRESHMEN want to call out for her mommy. She shuddered when the chill from his silky voice caressed her ears.

"Hello honey-cakes~" He gave her shoulders a firm squeeze. "Are you happy to see me?"

"I just peed myself a little."

The boy only grinned wider. "I felt the earth moving too . . . ."

The girl went limp in her wheelchair and muttered. "Why can't you just die already . . . ?"

Kakine continued his work on her shoulders. "I am no longer capable of doing so . . . "

She groaned and gave the level five a glare, her brave facade finally beginning to reassert itself.

"So what then?" The dolphin lover waved her hand in front of her face to get his attention. "Are you here to finish the job or something?"

"It's on my to-do list." he removed his hands from her shoulders and walked around to a seat across from her. "I was hoping for some information on 'the project' if you wouldn't mind."

Kuroyoru crossed her arms on front of her in a defiant gesture. "What's in it for me?"

"If keeping both of your arms isn't enough . . . " The boy leaned forward and rested his chin on his fist. "How about a date?"

The girl cringed. "I'll pass . . . "

"I didn't mean with me." He grinned again as she began to shift in discomfort. "I could always ask– "

"Pass!"

"Oh come on now~" The girl began to imagine the boy twirling an evil mustache as he continued. "It's not like a certain level five would be mysteriously informed while you two were in a compromising positi– "

"PASS!"

The level five threw up his hands. "How about some new precision machinery, then?"

"We could make that work." She said, resigning herself. "What do you want to know?"

"Do you remember an assault on the project?" The boy began his interrogation. "One that took place in district four?"

The girl's face tightened. "Of course I remember it."

"You were there then?"

The girl nodded, gripping the armrests of her wheelchair tightly.

"It happened the day before I achieved level four . . . "

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

"What's that miffing BASTARD doing in MY house?!"

"Woo-hoo! This is going to be great!" The clone turned to head for the kitchen. "Misaka's making popcorn! Don't kill each other until Misaka gets back."

Kakine turned to see the First of the Seven standing in the doorway, that pale face turning red with rage, clutching a plastic bag filled to the top with canned coffee in one hand and cane supporting him in the other. That could explain the current lack of death . . . .

"I come in peace, you white chocolate coated bastard of a level five." The white boy smoothly said, keeping his defenses up.

"I'll give you peace, you malformed cockroach!" Kakine clenched his fist upon hearing the return growl from One. "How did you find this place?"

"Your handler gave me the address." Accelerator looked ready to drop the cans and go for the collar. "I apologized for my predecessor's actions."

"She's better off without you!" The coffee lover level five spat out and stomped his foot. "You are not welcome here, you colorless bastard!"

"I am well aware of that!" Kakine crossed his arms and glared at the other boy. "I know you have been crushing my beetles . . . ."

"Good!"

"I wanted to talk to you. That's why I'm here."

The other boy hesitated but maintained his scowl. "What do we have to talk about?"

"I have been meeting all the level fives recently . . . " The Second began to explain. "But in your case things are different."

"You meffing got that right!"

Kakine gritted his teeth. "With the others, I was checking that they had someone to make them into better people."

" . . . "

"I am already well aware that is not an issue with you . . . "

"Fantastic." Accelerator pointed at the door. "Door's that way. Never come back."

Kakine ignored his petulant companion. "You are not the same as you used to be. Neither am I."

"Still just as irritating as the other one . . ."

"I may have a new personality, but I still have all the old number two's memories." He looked down at his tightly clenched fist. "I can't look you in the eyes without wanting to punch you in the face . . ."

Now Accelerator wasn't impressed. "Yeah, well that makes two of us."

"I know Last Order-chan is happy with you . . . " The pure white boy drew his tongue over the roof of his mouth like he was tasting something unpleasant. "I can't understand why though . . . "

"You are this close to getting yourself launched into the Windowless Building!" The First held up the hand holding the bag of coffee cans with fingers spaced an inch apart.

"Misaka wants to see more blood!"

"SHUT UP!" The pair of boys yelled out in unison.

Kakine held up his hand and pointed at Accelerator. "I am here to ask you a question."

"Have you ever heard of a phone?!"

"Like you wouldn't just hang up the second I started talking!"

Accelerator was readying his retort when Kakine cut him off.

"Why wasn't I part of the Experiment?!"

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It was early afternoon when the spiky-haired boy made his way to a certain high school in order to help pay down the debt created by the ridiculous antics of his close circle of friends. The school was finally in sight when his phone rang.

"Hello?"

" . . . !"

"Yes, it's great to hear from you too! It's tomorrow, right?"

" . . . "

"Great! I'll meet up with you then."

" . . . "

"I have to help out at my school during the afternoon. How about we meet for lunch?"

" . . . ?"

"If you can keep it a secret, we can let it be just the two of us . . . "

" . . . ! . . . !"

Touma smiled.

"Then it's a date."

" . . . !"

"See you tomorrow!"

" – "

With that the line disconnected and Touma slipped the phone back into his pocket, whistling as he continued his walk.

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"Why wasn't I part of the Experiment?!"

With that shout, the room suddenly went quiet. Quiet which was soon broken by cackling from Misaka Worst.

"You wanted to send your little clones to the slaughter?" Worst started slapping her knee in hysterics. "That's hilarious! Misaka never would have pegged you as the 'M' in this BL manga!"

"I don't need to be cloned, you over-volumed misuse of carbon!" He turned back to the First. "Do you think I would have turned down the opportunity to try to kill you 20,000 times? My old self would have paid them for that opportunity!"

The First seemed to be trying to hold in the laughter. "I can't believe you are that stupid . . ."

Kakine continued, ignoring the other boy. "I could have attacked you in a million different ways. We both would have benefited from the experiment!"

"Fine. I'll take the blame for not thinking of forcing you into the experiment." Accelerator dropped the bag of canned coffee at last and hobbled over to the other boy. "Putting you in your place so many times would have been worth the effort. But you're wrong about the experiment."

Kakine began to tap his foot. "I'm waiting . . . "

"It wasn't about anyone gaining power." The First began to explain to the defiant beetle boy. "It was about putting sisters all over the world. If you want to know the reason, try asking Crowley."

"I'll pass."

Accelerator raised his arms in the air for a moment "Then are you done being an idiot yet?"

The Second gritted his teeth. "Almost. Do you know anything about an individual named– ?"

An adorably shrill voice broke into the proceedings, distracting the residents from the white level five's question.

"We're Home 'exclaims Misaka as Misaka attempts to gain attention by yelling unnecessarily loudly upon walking in the front door'!"

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"It happened the day before I achieved level four . . . "

The white boy canted his head to the side in a questioning manner. "You think these events are somehow related?"

The dark haired girl only nodded in response.

"Can you explain your reasoning?"

She hesitated and petted the dolphin doll in her lap. "It's more a feeling I get when I look back on the event . . . "

Kakine leaned forwards, hiding his face behind tented fingers, and pressed on. "What happened during the assault?"

A faraway look took over Kuroyoru's eyes as she struggled to find the details locked away in her memories. "The attack itself didn't last long, I remember that clearly."

"How long? Who was involved?"

"About fifteen minutes. That's all it was. It was a massacre. Or at least it should have been . . . "

The level five raised an eyebrow. "Why is that?"

"It seemed like they were toying with us . . . " She shook her head. "There were only three people and yet they were tearing the place apart like a house of cards."

"What was going on?"

"The tallest one was targeting the facility itself. He was wearing a black mask over his head, but I am pretty sure it had to have been the number seven."

Kakine blinked. "Why do you think that?"

"He was blurring in and out of existence. Each time he did there was an explosive sound like thunder. Most likely he was moving at supersonic speeds."

"Did he say-slash-yell anything during all this?"

Kuroyoru shook her head. "He was completely silent except for the sonic booms."

"Then I doubt that it was Seven. He couldn't stay silent if you paid him. Plus he would never bother concealing his identity."

"Then who was it?"

"Based on your description, probably Six."

The girl's jaw dropped. "Seriously? How would you know that?!"

"I met the bastard recently." He started to wave his hand in a circular motion. "What about the other two?"

"There was a boy who was attacking the espers. I remember the leather jacket he was wearing."

Kakine muttered to himself. "Stupid red herring . . . ."

"What?"

"Nothing. Please continue."

The girl scratched her head. "It was like he was fighting us, but then he wasn't. He was throwing punches like a drunk from several meters away and yet everyone was getting thrown around!"

"Was the force centered on the strongest espers outwards?"

Kuroyoru nodded in surprise, opening her mouth to ask . . .

"Never mind how I know! Tell my about the last one."

"I'm not sure if I can . . . "

The boy let out a hiss before containing himself. "Now what?"

"Because nothing about him made sense!" The girl raised her voice before controlling herself again. "He was barely moving, but his eyes were twitching every which way. His pupils were dilated like he was on something . . . ."

"He was very unsteady on his feet, but every time one of our people even looked in his direction their powers started going off! Each time they ended up hitting our own side, like he was controlling us!"

"Can you describe him?"

"He was blond and about halfway between the heights of the other two. I thought I was going to die . . . ."

"What?!" The level five shifted in his chair closer to the girl. "Why is that?"

Kuroyoru picked up the dolphin in her lap and hugged it in her chest. "Right before the end, he looked me directly in the eye and smiled."

". . . Smiled?"

"Like he knew some dark secret of mine and was laughing about it . . . ."

The white boy said nothing.

"I suddenly felt so alone. Then there came anger. Horrible brutal anger. Like all my hopes had been betrayed, my prayers for salvation had gone unanswered."

"Then what happened?"

"His eyes rolled back into his head and he pitched forwards into the dirt. And yet he still smiled, all the way to the ground, as though he had just succeeded in some terrible plan."

Kakine nodded for her to continue. "That's when the fight ended, correct?"

"Yes. As soon as he fell, the mask guy blurred into existence next to him and scooped him up. He yelled for leather boy to fall back and they disappeared together."

The boy tilted his head from side to side. "What happened after that?"

"We were taken to the secondary facility where we were treated for our injuries." The girl looked away for a moment. "Thigh-girl was there. I lashed out. You know the rest . . . ."

"That . . . makes sense." The boy nodded at the girl. "Thank you, we'll talk later about your compensation."

With that the boy faded like vapor into the woodwork, leaving the girl confused and irritable. And once again alone.

"What, no parting shots?!"

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"We're Home 'exclaims Misaka as Misaka attempts to gain attention by yelling unnecessarily loudly upon walking in the front door'!"

The tiny clone bounced into the room closely followed by her two women guardians. Her face lit up upon seeing the pure white boy standing in the middle of the living room.

"Whaa! Beetle-san came over to visit Misaka! 'exclaims Misaka as Misaka runs up to get a hug from her new friend'!"

"Why is number two here?" The black haired scientist turned to the woman standing next to her, but was cut off by Misaka Worst.

"Oh, He followed Tou-san home today. Can we keep him?" Worst ignored the white boy's glare. "Misaka promises to feed him, bathe him, and talk him on walks!"

"Yay! 'cheers Misaka as Misaka anticipates all the free pony rides'!"

The two boys growled out in unison, each one pointing at the other. "I refuse to share a roof with this brain-dead mime reject!"

"No Problem!" Worst gave the pair a thumbs up. "We can move Tou-san into the dumpster behind the building!"

Accelerator started swinging his cane at the clone like an old man sitting on his front porch. "Do you want me to fling you into the nearest river?!"

"Ha! Tou-san will have to get through Misaka's new brainless beetle-boy toy first!"

Kakine raised his hand. "Can I go now . . . ?"

Last Order began to pout. "But Misaka didn't get her pony ride . . . 'cries Misaka as Misaka tries throwing a tantrum in order to guilt you into staying'!"

"Stop making that face!" The white boy blocked out sight of the little clone with his hands.

"We should probably have him stay for dinner . . . "Yomikawa remarked to Yoshikawa, who then nodded in agreement.

This did not sit well with certain individuals.

"Oh come ON!" The two boys cried out in unison.

The two clones on the other hand . . . .

"Hehehehehe . . . ."

"Awesome! 'screams Misaka as Misaka jumps onto Beetle-san's back without permission so she can get her pony ride'!"

With that, Kakine found himself a hostage of the Yomikawa household.

After an evening of serving as Last Order's beast of burden, the group settled down to have supper, keeping their guest trapped in the corner. After positioning herself between the two level fives, Worst seemed to gain true pleasure out of randomly kicking and poking them with her fork. All the while the stoic women ate their food as if this was the most normal dinner they have had in a while, even as a volume match broke out between Accelerator and the two clones.

Kakine wasn't sure if he admired the other level five for this family life or pitied him.

The punch to the face still sounded appealing though . . .

It would be a few more hours before Last Order finally began to nod off. Kakine jumped at the opportunity.

"I think it's about time I was on my way . . . ." He announced, ignoring the sarcastic sounds of disappointment from Worst and Accelerator. "Thank you for the . . . lovely time. Yomikawa-sensei, may I have a word with you before I leave?"

The glamorous teacher grinned from ear to ear.

"No problem –jan!"

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The white level five was somewhat glad to be free from the chaos that passed for dinner time in that household. As he stood outside the apartment complex, he briefly rubbed his temples before turning back to the tall and glamorous teacher who had followed him out there.

"You didn't tell him I was coming, did you?"

"It must have slipped my mind –jan . . . ."

"You should have told him." Kakine felt his face screwing up. "It could have gone a lot worse than it did."

The teacher grinned at him. "That's why I took Last Order out of the line of fire. If I told him, he would have left for coffee and gotten a hotel room for a week."

The boy grimaced. "Yeah, that sounds about right . . . ."

Yomikawa waved her hand in a dismissive fashion. "Never mind that . . . do you think the two of you have cleared the air –jan?"

"He won't be inviting me over for poker night anytime soon . . . " Kakine's eyes narrowed tightly. "And I'm perfectly okay with that."

"You can't have everything . . . "

"Even so . . . if you guys are every really in trouble, you know how to reach me." The boy placed his hand on the woman's shoulder. "I'll be glad to help, especially if it's for Last Order-chan."

Yomikawa muttered. "It's always the short ones . . . ."

"Pardon?"

"Never mind . . . " the glamorous teacher scrunched up her face for a moment, before relaxing with a smile. "We won't hesitate to call. Good luck with your next one –jan!"

The boy simply smiled as his body broke into effervescent clouds, strange bubbles of dark matter filling the area before simultaneously bursting into nothingness.

"It may not be easy, but it never gets boring –jan . . . ."

With that, the glamorous Anti-skill member turned back to re-enter the familiar chaos.

The chaos which felt so much like home that she couldn't help but grin madly . . .

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The boy named Yabumi was standing with his back against the wall. Where it had just been slammed by an irate former gangster girl. His face remained defiant as she began to shout semi-random syllables while her brain struggled to find a place to start. Eventually it did . . .

"What did you do to him?!"

"I didn't do squat to that idiot!" He leaned his face into her glare. "I could ask you the same thing."

Konori felt her eyes narrow.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"I mean that he was fine before he met you– You top-heavy Kojak wannabe!"

The girl's fist met the wall where the boy's head was a moment before. She cried out in surprise and jumped backwards, waving her hand around to try to work out the painful sensation.

The boy wore a smug expression as he watched Konori dancing about.

"Nice try, but several months of living with that guy have left me with the ability to dodge just about anything you could possibly throw at me . . . "

He ducked in a squat as a whip-kick aimed for his head sailed over him. He felt the breeze from it's passage and jumped backwards.

"Is this all that Judgment has? How unfortunate."

"I am going to knock your block CLEAN. OFF!"

"Bring it, you four-eyed Guernsey!"

The pair dashed at each other, but were stopped by an iron grip on each of their collars.

"It's really terrible when friends can't get along. The real pain is knowing that I'm the one to blame for it . . . "

The boy and girl in his grip went limp, refusing to meet each others eyes.

"This city has grown so dirty . . ."

" . . . "

"So much undeserved pain . . . "

" . . ."

"He is soon to walk. Until then, I will take his place."

The pair looked at each other in confusion. This was replaced with surprise as the level five wrapped them both in a tight hug. His head, in line with the floor, was between their shoulders.

"For you, my friends, I promise this . . . " He whispered.

The boy and girl each found terror held in the other's eyes as his words crossed their ears. It was the sound of an oncoming storm.

"I will make this city beautiful again."

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Author's Note:

Apparently, Sogiita needs more than a good night's sleep to get back to normal . . . .

If the girl from Tokiwadai that Myuri-chan is having a feud with seems familiar, it's for a good reason. The mysterious girl is an AU version of another author's OC, used with their permission. Feel free to guess who it is . . .

Uiharu and Kakine seem to be Jim James fans, as they start singing lines from the song "Evil Urges" by My Morning Jacket to Saten.

Fukiyose's reference: "Clouds Taste Metallic" is an album by the Flaming Lips.

Kuroko's scene makes at least two references to Doctor Who . . .

Himegami's final statement references an obscure Salvador Dali painting.

Sogiita's new wardrobe is based on his original character design, before it was changed to the cannon headband outfit.

Misaki and Seria quote "Mama told me not to come" by Randy Newman to each other.

A Guernsey is a breed of cow renowned for its milk. Take that how you will . . .

Can anyone else picture Touma, Accelerator, Hamazura, and Kakine sitting around a table playing poker? I know I can . . .

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Reviews:

Thank you everyone!

Congratulations to Han-Ko for being reviewer 100! A special shout out to Dimak and LoveMadness for being 99 and 101 repectively!

Congratulations to Dimak for identifying the mysterious girl on the phone!

Clover: Glad to see you're still enjoying the fic! I have lots more on the way!

Whwsms: I think the misfortune will kick in when the girls start teeming up . . .

LoveMadness: More Touma x Saten is planned, but will be slow going. Touma is . . . Touma and Saten is uneasy with being close to him. When she is conscious anyways . . . .

Han-ko: Kuroko overreacting always makes me smile.

Dimak: The review is a novel in itself! You raise several good points.

Regarding the cryptic stuff, most of it will be revealed slowly over time. This story will branch into two stories which will then be merged into a third. Which has no defined end . . . .

Believe it or not, I have plans for all three sequels . . .

I think a lot of people were disappointed by the lack of a One vs. Two monster battle. In this case, I justify the restraint by neither one of them wanting to be the one to blame for wrecking Yomikawa's place. If they happen to meet somewhere outside on the other hand . . .

Dolphin-girl's flag may be a case of "It's not that I like lollies, it's that I also like lollies" (excuse the Aogami quote).

It's hard to pick out how Seria's power works. During the Love letter fic, she was behind the guy first, which is where I got my portrayal.

Myuri will get to meet Touma, although it will be after a little while.

The poker game does sound fun. I'm thinking Touma, Hamazura, Kakine, Accelerator, Mikoto, and Mugino all together to keep things tense.

The Epic Legion: Thank you, I will!

And finally to everyone who has taken the time to read, favor, follow and review: Thank you ! ! !

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Next Chapter brings Friday. A return to ITEM!

Until next time,

Thanks and lets get writing!