"Did you really think that I wouldn't be able to find you, Luka? You're pathetic, just like you were back then. Had you just targeted me, this would have ended with a simple beating. But what you attempted to do to Kana... you crossed a line that I wouldn't have gotten close to even at my worst." I circled around, positioning myself between him and Kana.
Luka stumbled to his feet, "Is that so? Well, it's nice to know that I can go above and beyond when compared to you, Accelerator! It's a shame you showed up so soon. Your little Zero over there looked like she was really getting into it. Give her a chance and I bet she'd whore herself to the both of us, dirty bitch."
"You shut your damn mouth!" I yelled as I sent debris flying towards him. He tried to dodge my attack but got clipped by the last of it and was knocked down again. I could use my power to crush him at any point without having to lay a hand on him. But after hearing his filthy words, wanting to connect directly became much more appealing. I propelled myself towards him again, landing directly over him as he lay on his back below me. I dropped to my knees and straddled his chest while I threw one of the most satisfying series of punches I've ever given. The time in rehab after being shot, training myself physically to not depend so much on my ability, made me a lot stronger than I used to be. Luka tried to block my punches, but I wouldn't let up on him. No, not after he disrespected my girl and tried to assault her. He struggled to look past me towards Kana, and just as I was about to swing down for another volley of punches, he activated his ability and switched himself out with Kana once again.
"No!" sobbed Kana as she put up her arms defensively and braced for the impact. I managed to stop my attack before striking her this time. Just barely.
"Hey, it's okay. I've got you now. Just hang in there for me just a little while longer," I whispered to her as I pulled her towards me for a quick embrace to calm her down. I pulled my white and gray shirt off and put it over Kana to cover her exposed body. Tears rolled down her cheek and onto my naked chest as she rested against me. "I have an idea, it'll be scary for you but only for a moment. You'll have to trust me, okay?" She looked up at me puzzled but nodded her head.
"I'll always trust you," she whispered back to me. "Do whatever you need to, I'll be ready."
"Aww, isn't that sweet? I could have sworn I was going against the most feared Esper in Academy City, but now I'm wondering if that title is a bit outdated now. If this is what love does to strength, then it's probably best I don't get my dick wet with your sloppy seconds." Luka stood by the desk that Kana had been laying on moments ago.
"You have no idea how wrong you are, Luka. If anything, I've grown stronger because of her. But that isn't why we're here now, with me about to rip you to pieces. Something just became clear to me, though. That ability of yours, Switch-Out, allows you to switch places with people. It looked like direct touch was what activated that, since you had shoved Kana during the first fight and were groping her just now. But that's not the only condition of your power, is it? Because you were trying your damndest to make eye contact with Kana right before you switched with her. So that's the catch, you have to both touch AND see the person for it to work!"
"Damn, didn't think you'd catch onto it so quickly. Doesn't matter though, I can switch with anything within my surroundings as long as I've touched it and see it!"
"Well then, I suppose for me to be able to go all out with you, something needs to be done about you resorting to the same predictable move." And with that, I picked up Kana and using my ability, sent her flying through the air towards the opening in the roof. With careful calculation, I dropped her onto a secure part of the roof, much to the surprise of my adversary.
"I have to say I wasn't expecting that. Pretty bold move considering how run-down this warehouse is. I suppose it won't be as much fun now. Seeing you hurt her that first time made my day! I noticed that your miracle doctor didn't manage to keep her poor face from scarring up after that incident. I guess I shouldn't have expected to be able to use the same trick more than once."
Charging towards him once again, I caught him by the back of his head and drove his face into the floor. He lay still for a moment, enough time for me to confirm through the Network that the Sisters that had gathered at the neighboring rooftop had safely retrieved Kana from the roof and gotten her to safety.
As he lay there breathing heavily, he started to laugh, "So this is the power of the strongest Level Five? I have to say I'm still not impressed. I wonder if Kana thought the same thing when you two fucked for the first time. Yeah, that's right. Even then, I was following her."
At that moment I lost my sense of control. I no longer cared about how one-sided this fight really was. This guy deserved every ounce of pain I was inflicting on him. I flung him against every wall and pinned him down once again. I began to choke him with my bare hands. Each and every movement of him struggling below me urged me to continue. As I stared at his face, a sudden image flashed in my mind. That same one I saw when Kana and I were in the store. Of all times, why am I remembering this scene now? It played in my head like an old video, reminding me of the loss I felt as Kana was taken from me back then. As much as this prick deserved it, I just can't risk the chance that this attack will end with us being separated again. I loosened my grip on his throat and stepped away from him. Fortunately, he had passed out, which was more for his sake than mine, considering his words were what drove me to the edge of madness to begin with.
Aware that Anti-Skill was approaching the building, I switched my electrode back to Normal. I didn't want them to have any reason to consider me hostile this time around.
"Accelerator!" yelled Kana as she ran back into the warehouse, accompanied by members of Anti-Skill.
"Kana... you didn't have to come back. You shouldn't have to be near that guy anymore." She wrapped her arms around me and held me tight. I felt her trembling slightly, so I returned the embrace and rubbed her back to help soothe her nerves. "It's over now, he won't be able to harass you again. It's strange you know... I was ready to take his life for the things he'd done. But the thought of losing you again stopped me."
Anti-Skill avoided interrupting us as they secured Luka and took him away. "Hey, that guy can switch places with other people if he can see and touch them. I'd suggest covering his eyes so he doesn't make use of that ability." I said to the group that was escorting him out.
"So tell me why I'm finding you out here making trouble for us again, Accelerator? And what in the world happened that ended with her wearing your shirt?" said Yomikawa as she approached us. Kana reported what had happened in her apartment and was treated by the medical officers for the wounds to her face. Once Yomikawa had gotten the information she needed from Kana, she let us know that we were free to go.
"I'm sorry, it looks like I got blood on your shirt. I'll wash it as soon as I get home so it doesn't stain."
"And what makes you think that you're going anywhere other than my place? Besides, you've got nothing to eat at your apartment, and I'm starving," I said casually as we walked back to my place.
"You do have a point there. I think I may have to give up on the idea of grocery shopping in this city. We should order something in, then, when we get back. Something Last Order would like, too." She slid her hand into mine and gently squeezed it.
"That's a good idea, I do kind of owe the brat for her help earlier too."
"I'm sorry for causing so much trouble. Seems like that's all that ever happens when the two of us are together," she said as we approached my apartment.
I stopped at the door and pulled her towards me, resting my hands on her shoulders. "Don't ever think that you're not worth the trouble, Kana. I don't blame you for any of this, anyway. I told you I'd protect you, and I nearly failed in that. If anything, I should be ashamed of myself for all that you've gone through today. All I can possibly hope for is that you'll still believe me when I say that I'll do better in the future." I thought it would be tough speaking to her about how I felt since I'd always kept things like that inside so no one could use it against me. But something about her made it simple.
The door to the apartment opened wide behind us, and Last Order was standing in the doorway with her hands on her hips looking like she was about to scold us. "MISAKA was worried sick about you two! The Sisters relayed all the happenings to MISAKA involving the fighting and it all got very frustrating, says MISAKA MISAKA in a motherly tone to show her concern!"
"We're fine, kid. We're going to order some delivery, so just pick whatever you want. I'm gonna get Kana situated so she can get some rest while we wait for the food."
"Yay! MISAKA is going to order a bunch of her favorites to share with you Miss Kana, says MISAKA MISAKA as she looks forward to some sisterly bonding." Kana laughed and nodded her head. Leaving her to get the food order placed, I walked Kana over to the living room couch and got her comfortable with a few pillows and a blanket. She looked so tired once she was all bundled up. After all that she'd been through today, I imagine sleep wouldn't be far behind. I sat down next to her and put my arm around her. She leaned against me, cradling herself against my chest.
"Despite all that's happened, I'm still glad that I came back to you."
"I am too, Kana. Thank you for being brave enough to show me that there's nothing weak about caring for someone else." She had fallen asleep, likely before I even finished what I had to say. I couldn't imagine a better ending to this day than to be holding her while she slept peacefully. Maybe there's hope for this loner scumbag after all.
