Erosion
After correcting their course the trio finally patrol the established route. It was strange for Uiharu to get so mixed up as she did, but what's done is done. Aside from putting them behind schedule, there was no harm.
Saten doesn't have any events till later, so it's not like she's in a hurry. Really, even if it's a day off despite a few events, it's incredibly boring with nothing to do. Hanging out and wasting time with her Judgment friends is the extent of her aspirations.
"Kuroko!" a voice cries from the side as they're merely walking along. "I have a favor to ask you!"
This girl, who's now approaching, wears the emblem of Tokiwadai, the same school as Shirai.
"Um, could you not call out to me like we're friends? We don't know each other that well."
Being called by her given name without honorifics, even by an upperclassman, is rather inappropriate.
"Shirai-san," asks the girl's Judgment partner Uiharu, "do you know her?"
Shaking it off, "No. She's just an upperclassman at my school named Misaka Mikoto."
Saten recognizes the name immediately, "Wow, she's famous. She's known as the Railgun, right?"
And she's practically the poster child of Academy City. Ranked 3rd of only 7 Level 5s. As they tend to be rather elusive, the only ones really publicly known are the 3rd, 5th, and 7th.
Misaka Mikoto holds the expression of someone just punched in the gut, "Kuroko, this isn't some kind of joke, is it?"
"What are you talking about?"
Turning from the wheelchair-bound Judgment member, "What about you, Uiharu? Saten?"
Both girls jump in shock when being called by name by someone so famous.
"How do you know our names?" the Level 0, affiliated with nothing, Saten Ruiko asks.
"Did you tell her Shirai-san?" Uiharu makes the logical assumption.
"No, she is no acquaintance of mine." Turning back to Misaka Mikoto, "I do not know where you learned of us, but I will hear you out if you are troubled. As a member of Judgment."
Eyes turning downcast, Misaka appears to relent, "No, that's okay."
With no further business, Shirai motions for her partner to get back to work. Uiharu takes handle of the wheelchair and pushes. Sensing something odd Saten's slow to exit, but as she's being left behind doesn't have a choice.
After travel a good enough distance away, "What was that?" Shirai's still offended.
"I kinda wanted to speak with her longer," Uiharu comments from behind the wheelchair.
"You just want to admire her as a famous rich girl."
Saten's still having doubts about leaving, "She did seem like she wanted to say something though."
"Oh, Shirai and Uiharu," and yet another voice interrupts them.
Turning, Saten finds three girls all wearing Tokiwadai emblems.
"I see you have not yet fully recovered."
The shorter haired approaches Saten and slightly bows.
"But do not worry. I will take your place in the upcoming event."
Shirai has yet to even acknowledge this one who kept talking throughout, let alone the other two.
"Has something upset you?"
The senior Judgment member still seems fit to explode, "You know that girl known as the Railgun who goes to our school, right? Well, she just made a completely nonsensical accusation just a second ago. She was the one that spoke to us, but then she asked if we were joking."
From being ignored to being the receiving end of this undue aggression, even this rather good-natured and refined girl is off-put.
"I-I see," is all she can think to reply.
Ushering Uiharu ahead again, "Anyways, thanks for taking my place in the event. Good luck."
This is strange. As far as Saten can remembers, Shirai's never been this crabby, hostile...she'll put it frankly, bitchy before. Maybe Misaka Mikoto was a bit rude, but in front of this person Saten's never met before she won't let this slide.
"I beg your pardon," Saten bows before the one who talked throughout. "It seems Shirai-san's rather upset about something."
After finally being shown some courtesy, the rather lovely girl smiles, "Ah yes, she is certainly a person of many moods. I don't think we've had the pleasure of being introduced." As if she were wearing a long skirt, the girl pinches at her sides and curtsies, "My name is Kongou Mitsuko."
Though nowhere near as fancy, Saten likewise bows, "Saten Ruiko."
"Wannai Kinuho."
"Awatsuki Maaya."
The other two introduce themselves.
"Saten Ruiko," Kongou ponders. "Ah yes! I remember now! The one with the fabled boyfriend! I heard a bit about you from Uiharu-san the other day."
"What boyfriend?" Saten clearly has no idea what Kongou's talking about.
Hesitating, "Oh, was I wrong? I apologize. I must have been mistaken." Looking away, "It seems your friends are pulling away pretty far. You should probably go catch them. It was a pleasure meeting you, Saten-san."
Saten couldn't pretend to be this courteous if she tried, "Nice meeting you."
Running a little bit to return to her friends, "Hey, this might sound strange, but do I have a boyfriend?"
Both Uiharu and Shirai are shocked.
"What? What nonsense is this?"
"You never said anything to us about it!"
Pausing a moment to think, "Apparently there's this rumor going about that I do. Kongou-san said you were the one who told her Uiharu."
"What? I don't remember that!"
"Did you already know Kongou-san?"
Shaking her head, "Shirai-san and I were just talking about it. We met when I visited Shirai-san in the hospital the other day. While you were still sick in bed."
"What I still don't get is why Kongou Mitsuko visited me. We aren't even that close."
To Shirai's question Uiharu contemplates, "Wasn't she with a fellow acquaintance?"
"But who?"
Neither of them had an answer. Saten was still worried over this boyfriend issue, but maybe this Kongou is just a bit scatterbrained. If her best friend Uiharu didn't know anything about this rumor, maybe that Tokiwadai student was simply mistaken.
The patrol doesn't last much longer, and Saten really needs to leave and rejoin her class. As a member of Judgment Uiharu still has business to attend. The boyfriendless middle-schooler abandons the company of her friends and rejoins the festivities.
Something certainly is odd. After returning and asking a few of her classmates, Saten discovers those rumors are far the more embellished than she ever could imagine. In some stories she was simply dating a high school boy. In others, they would meet only in secret rendezvous. Or her actions were so outlandish they had to call Anti-Skill just to cool her down. Really, they were absolutely crazy. As Saten reminds her classmates that Uiharu's heard nothing of this, they readily believe her. But seriously, who has such a grudge against Saten to go this far?
Still on her mind, after her event when taking a break, the middle-school Level 0 once again catches sight of the Tokiwadi lady. Saten's about to again ask about these so called rumors, but finds the girl being led by an overweight boy. Obviously nothing lascivious, but Kongou appears busy nonetheless. Also she's carrying a cat. Maybe Saten will try again later.
Not long after, the other two of the three she met this morning arrive.
"Where could she have gone?" the one name Wannai asks her companion.
Approaching, "Oh, I seem to keep running into you two."
Looking to each other, concern clear on their faces, Wannai asks, "Saten-san, have you seen Kongou-san?"
Pointing, "Yeah, she went over that way."
Certainly surprised at the frank answer, they somehow don't appear that relieved.
"Why would she wander off?"
"I don't know," Saten finishes off the food she was previously devouring, "but she was following some boy."
"Some boy?"
Nodding, "Yeah, I wanted to ask Kongou-san something but she seemed serious. I though it was important."
And still, the look of concern only grows.
"Is something the matter?"
Not sure if they should involve outsiders, they silently agree and tell the Level 0.
The short-haired Wannai speaks, "Apparently Misaka-san is looking for her sister, and Kongou-san found her cat. She was supposed to wait here while I tried to call an animal psychometer."
Mentioning Misaka's sister causes Saten's heart to suddenly race. It's a painful, and frightening existence in her chest. Saten manages to keep cool, but doesn't understand why she reacted so extremely. After calming herself, she returns to the task at hand.
Why did Kongou go along with that boy? None of the ideas the three of them could imagine were good.
"We should get going."
Following Saten's lead, she takes them exactly to where Kongou was last seen.
In a secluded park surrounded by a lake, even from a distance they see what appears to be a struggle. They run faster.
"Kongou-san?" first on the scene, Saten finds the girl limp on the ground.
From her neck down she doesn't appear too hurt, but looking at her face tells a completely different story. Kongou's lovely features have been smashed and bruised. All matter of dirt, grim, and dried blood crust over face. This wasn't the result of a fight, but a beating.
Also, a black cat remains cowered in her limp embrace.
"Did you do this?" she accuses the overweight boy.
"So what if I did? What does it matter what happens to some trash?"
"Wha-"
"Apparently, she was only doing this because Misaka Mikoto told her to. People who let other people think for them are second rate. And those who can't even carry out the role given to them are worse than third rate."
Saten grits her teeth. She doesn't know this Misaka Mikoto, but the Kongou she introduced herself to was nothing of the kind. Even when treated poorly by Saten's friend, Kongou showed absolutely no disfavor. Whatever ill feelings or irritation she surely must have possessed were set aside, discarded as the unimportant notions they truly were. Someone like that possesses superb character.
And this boy keeps going, "What happened before was quite something. If you'd gotten here a bit earlier, you could've seen something hilarious. The way she was all beat up and crawling around like she really was a piece of trash-"
"You-"
But Saten's anger is subjugated by Wannai and Awatsuki. They stand before Saten and the injured Kongou like true bastions of friendship. Even if Saten can't see their faces, she can feel their righteous and furious anger.
"Saten-san," Wannai speaks, "sorry, but could you take Kongou-san and that cat away from here?"
"But-"
"If we do not keep that cat safe," Awatsuki, "Kougou-san's efforts will have been wasted."
"And."
Hand trembling terribly.
"We too cannot hold back our anger-"
The lake's currents rage like a storm.
"-when our friend has been insulted."
Saten knows anger. Saten has been in fights. But what's before her now is different. It's not just anger. It will not be just a fight. This will be brutal. This will require abilities. Saten doesn't know the Level of these two, but she knows they'll rain a destruction she herself could never produce. It isn't Saten's place to take part in this, no matter how furious at this boy she's become. No, Kongou sacrificed herself to protect this cat, and it's this cat that holds the key to Misaka's sister's whereabouts.
"You're mad because I insulted your friend?" this fat kid and his smug attitude are really grinding on everybody's nerves. "Is everyone mentally dependent on others these days? If you show off for someone else's sake, and then end up in some position you can't recover from, you'll regret it and end up blaming the person you did it for."
As he grandstands, several robotic dogs appear from behind him.
"No one has any imagination, so they never seem to understand this until they experience it for themselves."
This is bad, very bad. Aside from Wannai and Awatsuki, Saten, Kongou, and the cat are dead weight. The Level 0 needs to get them out of here as soon as possible.
Scooping Kongou up, Saten immediately recognizes a huge problem. Kongou's actually pretty heavy! She couldn't be more than a year or two older, but she's taller and heavier to boot! Escaping won't be any kind of easy.
Before she can take even a single step, one of those robot dogs sprints to close the distance. As it does, bullets pelt the mechanical beast into submission. It was water from the river.
Awatsuki places a gentle touch on Kongou's shoulder. Suddenly her body weight exponentially decreases.
"Is this your power Awatsuki-san?" Saten wispers.
"Yes, but it won't last long. Get away while you can."
Nodding, Saten takes the girl who's light as a feather and sprints.
"Oh, do you really think I'll let her get away?" the fat boy cries.
After she crosses, a wave destroys the bridge. But that doesn't hinder pursuit. One of the robot dogs leaps after the escapees. But it halts in mid air. Floating, it gradually comes above the water and falls. It doesn't even attempt to surface, so it must have sank like a rock. No doubt this feat was the result of one of the two's abilities.
The further away Saten runs, the more weight Kongou regains. Her sprint turns into a run, into a jog, and then a walk. She can only continue until the battle behind her is out of sight before calling an ambulance and Anti-Skill.
Several minutes pass in anxious tension before the ambulance arrives. There Saten explains the situation and they work fast to evacuate the two of them. While aboard they do their best at first aid, but this kind of on-the-run treatment isn't what's best for Kongou. They save performing some more of the delicate work for when they arrive at the hospital.
As they pull to the hospital and Saten exits to stay out of their way, a voice calls out to her.
"Saten-san?"
"Oh, um, Misaka-san?"
Seeing only the one person, Misaka couldn't have known what's going on, "What's with the ambulan-" but upon seeing her speaks no further.
While the paramedics wheel out Kongou and prep her for ER, Saten attempts to explain what happened. All the while Misaka remains silent, but a furious storm within her is brewing. Literal sparks fly from her body.
A nurse approaches, "We are ready to see her, but you need to remain here."
Saten acknowledges, "Okay."
Turning back, she finds Misaka gone. Looking around, the Level 0 finds the Level 5 Railgun heading for the exit. There are two other Tokiwadai students with her, who almost seem to be blocking her path.
"Um, it seems something has happened, but-"
"Out of my way," Misaka orders.
Trying not to be intimidated, "We can wait here for the other clique member to arri-"
"Out of my way," she simply repeats, without the simple command/obey structure. Misaka is furious beyond comprehension. The two Tokiwadai flinch in absolute fear. "Unless you are prepared to kill me to stop me, GET OUT OF MY WAY."
There was absolutely no mincing words. Misaka is literally ready to rip them apart. These two, whoever they are, can't stand up against the Level 5 Railgun, and everybody knows it. As she walks passed, they don't even look behind.
At this point the only thing Saten can do is wait. As she does, more Tokiwadai students arrive. As far as the girl from an outside middle school can tell, they aren't necessarily here for Kongou. They're searching for Misaka for whatever reason.
Meanwhile both Wannai and Awatsuki arrive no less worse than wear. Normally only family are allowed to see the injured, but nearly all of the students in Academy City left them behind to attend. Close friends are permitted, but only one. Awatsuki remains while Wannai checks on their beloved friend.
"If only the Queen was here," Saten overhears the other girls as they leave. "Has no one been able to contact her?"
"Not since last night."
"Where could she be?"
That conversation made entirely no sense to Saten, "Who is the Queen?"
Awatsuki nervously laughs, "That would be Shokuhou Misaki-sama from our school. The Members of her clique refer to her as 'The Queen.'"
Saten remembers that name. It's one of the 7 legendary Level 5s. She also spoke at the commencement ceremony yesterday. She's more commonly known as Mental Out, an esper that can manipulate memories. Why in the world would her lackeys be looking for Misaka Mikoto?
"Thank you very much," Wannai has exited the room where they're keeping Kongou.
"How is Kongou-san?" Awatsuki asks.
"The doctor says she has no external wounds that are likely to leave a scar, and the nanodevice will be sent to a special facility."
Saten has no idea what the latter half meant.
"What a relief."
"Yes." Turning to Saten and the cat, "The only other thing we can do is-"
As if on cue, the cat meows.
The pair call in their pet psychic friend, and several minutes later she reads the cat.
"The location is a construction site or equipment storage area," the girl tells them what she sees. "A girl is collapsed on the ground. Next to her is a single tall man. Oh, and another figure that looks like a girl is there too.
"They are speaking, 'We will let them make the first move, whatever it may be.' 'This is no time to be worried about that.' 'What happened to 'Auribus oculi fideliores sunt'?'"
Wannai understands, "Latin? I think it means, 'Believe more in what you see than what you here.'"
"Is it some kind of code?"
This brings a thought into Saten's head.
"I probably won't find anything more," the psychic tells them. "The cat turned it's focus elsewhere."
They thank her for making the effort and she returns to the Daihaseisai.
"Saten-san, do you have your cellphone?" Wannai suddenly asks.
"Oh. Yes, I do."
"Originally Kongou-san was supposed to report directly to Misaka-sama, but given the situation, I think it would be better to let her know as soon as possible. But our phones are still with the supervision department, so could you contact her for us?"
It must be a Tokiwadai thing.
"Sure thing."
"Thank you for your help. We will be in Kongou-san's hospital room if you need anything."
"Understood."
Saten's fingers move without thinking, bringing up her contact list. Only now she realizes, "But I don't have Misaka-san's add-ress?"
But she does. Plain as day is a person she's never met until this morning; personal contact information and everything. How in the world did she come to posses this?
Yet even further, this is not all. Not more than five contacts up is another name she doesn't remember.
"'Kamijou Touma?'"
This is all very peculiar. A nagging feeling she's suspected from earlier is still tugging at her coattails. Up until yesterday everything was fine. Now this morning something...something happened. She doesn't know what. That odd, out of place feeling. And now this. Saten scrolled the entirety of her contact list and recognized every name, save for these two. Misaka Mikoto she now knows, but who in the world is Kamijou Touma?
But now isn't the time for that. Even though she was told to contact Misaka, there's something she must do first.
"Misaka Mikoto might be a friend of ours?"
Saten called Shirai after checking a few things. Thanks to her ability she was able to arrive lickety split.
"You called me out here for that?"
Further explaining, "C'mon, I said 'might.' Anyway, there's an esper in Tokiwadai that can manipulate memories, right?"
Knowing full well who she's talking about with only a hint, "Shokuhou Misaki altered our memories? Why would she? Also, if that's what you think, why didn't you call Uiharu?"
Struggling to put it directly into words, "Nnnn, if I'm right about this, I'm hesitant to tell Uiharu." Keeping from getting too distracted, "A-anyway, I also have a message for her, so we can check with Misaka-san herself."
Hitting the contact four spaces underneath Kamijou Touma.
After only a few rings.
"H-hello?"
"Oh, um, is this Misaka-san? My name is Saten Ruiko." she's incredibly nervous and speaking only a few syllables at a time.
"Y-yeah?"
"You are looking for your twin sister, right? I heard form Wannai-san." Saten awaits a response but receives none. "Anyway, we had a psychometer check out a black cat and-" recounts everything she was told.
After hearing everything, "I see. It sounds like you went to a lot of trouble, but I have no idea what that person with that girl, who was likely Shokuhou, was talking about," referring to that Latin phrase.
"That's fine! And one other thing, a name I am quite familiar with came up in the conversation."
"Really?"
"And I wanted to ask you about whether we know each other, Misaka-san. Could we meet up somewhere?"
"Oh, sure."
They set a place, she's actually nearby.
"Could you stay there?" Saten asks. "I'll send Shirai-san to bring you back here."
Who was once in her wheelchair has somehow found herself sitting right next to Saten on the hospital bench. The girl protests, "Wait! I'm not a taxi!"
"Kuroko's with you?" Misaka's voice jumps when she hears Shirai.
"I told you not to refer to me like we are friends!"
"Misaka-san," a low voice is heard from the other end of the receiver. Someone is talking to her from a distance away. "There is a little something I would like you to tell me."
"I'm a bit busy right now, I have no time to speak with strangers." Misaka leaves the line open. "However, I will make an exception for anyone connected to that guy that hurt my friend."
"Scary. In battle mode already? So, how about now?"
"Uiharu-san?"
"Now, now. First end the call on that device and get rid of it."
And thus, the line goes dead. Both Saten and Shirai wait on bated breath for something to come of this situation. Fearing the worse, Saten dials Uiharu's phone. Surprisingly, it picks up even before a ring.
"-I assume I do not need to introduce myself," this person's voice sounds a lot closer than before. "You already attacked several of our 'Villas' and stole our information."
"Villas?" in the reverse, Misaka sounds further away. "Attacks? What are you talking about?"
"Non, non. Playing dumb will get you nowhere. Since you've been sniffing around for our information, I'm sure you know what I want to know."
Shirai pokes Saten on the shoulder and nods. In a blink she teleports away. As Misaka told them previously where to find them, Shirai should be able to provide backup rather quickly. Saten continues to eavesdrop.
"Where are those clones of yours known as the Sisters being hidden?"
Clones? What?
"Our investigations have turned up that you interfered with the Level 6 Shift Project. Surely you must know what happened to the Sisters after the project failed. Where are the clones remaining in Academy City being sheltered? Even with the full ability of the Dark Side's information network, the trail grows cold before we can find the Sisters. Whatever organization you handed them over to must have extremely specialized security. I don't like it."
"I don't know who you are, but why are you attacking my friends?"
"My my, can you really say that? To me, you are much more of an oddity for being able to live such a carefree life in this city. You have seen plenty of this city's true face. The inhuman actions carried out in order to create a Level 6. The human experiments using child errors. The use of a negotiator to trick you out of your DNA Map. None of those actions were taken by just a single corporation or organization. If you trace them back, they lead to the highest levels of Academy City. You know very well that this city itself is a giant experimental grounds. Yes, you are different from your average ignorant student, and yet you turn a blind eye to it all and live your vague everyday life. How can you remain calm with all this going on?"
"I too...no, that has nothing to do with this. None of that gives you an excuse to hurt my friends. I have nothing to tell you, so let Uiharu-san go. My electric attacks will reach you before you can move your knife."
"Uiharu-san, hm? I was right, you do know her. I took a guess since she seemed to know your mother."
"My, mother?"
Several long moments pass.
"Well, I am up against the #3 Level 5 here. But not even you can rescue both at once, can you? The clone's location or their lives. Surely you don't even need to weigh your options. Let me ask you once more, where are the Sisters?"
"Let me give you my answer again; I have nothing to tell you."
"My, my, my, do you think I am bluffing? Or are you willing to let one of them die?"
"I, will save Uiharu-san. Even if it costs me my life."
"Ha ha! So your mother is expendable? How cruel."
The crackling of electricity can be heard, and the phone shorts immediately after. The line is completely dead.
Saten doesn't worry. Misaka's the Level 5 Railgun after all, and has a Level 4 Judgment teleporter backing her up. Apparently not only Uiharu, but Misaka's mother were taken hostage. However, with those two everything should be alright.
Still, what was all that the girl spoke about? Clones? Level 6 Shift Project? Saten can barely comprehend it all, but something tightens in her chest. Something she can't identify but knows she should be able.
Whatever the case, there is still a problem at hand which must be addressed.
Minutes later Shirai returns, and there's a whole teleport shuffle while taking Misaka, Saten, and the unconscious mother and Uiharu to the Judgment 177th Branch Office. It takes a while to get everything settled.
"They only needed some medicine and some rest," Saten reports after checking everything she knew.
"Thank goodness," Misaka breathes a sigh of relief.
"So," Shirai asks, "what did you want to talk about?"
"Oh, right." It's finally time to get down to business. "Um, so the woman in the kitten's memories that abducted you sister is Shokuhou Misaki-san?"
"Yes," Misaka definitively assures. "I'm sure of that."
"Anyway, the psychometry turned up the term, 'Auribus oculi fideliores sunt.' That's the same name as the urban legend site I frequent."
"An urban legend site?" Shirai asks. "Why would Shokuhou Misaki care about something like that?"
"That site does more than just gather rumors, it has people head out to verify them." Taking out her phone, Saten runs a quick search, "I searched for it after I heard the phrase, and," showing it to Misaka, "I can't find it buried under all these identical pages. Once something has been uploaded to the internet, it can never be fully deleted. But someone is keeping anyone from finding it by creating tons of dummy pages that will have higher spots in the search results."
"So there is something on that site this person doesn't want people to see?" Misaka makes the logical assumption.
"Yes."
"This is all very interesting," Shirai doesn't sound very interested, "but what does this have to do with us?"
Scratching her head, "I'm not entirely certain, but if there was someone who could find a specific needle in a stack of needles, who would you assume could do that?"
The answer should be obvious.
"But why would Uiharu-san try to dig it up?"
Shaking her head, "I don't know, or maybe I've just forgotten. My memory is wrong, I can tell. There's names I don't recognize in my phone, events I don't remember but everyone else does, and even people I've forgotten about completely," looking to Misaka. "Every piece but one fits into the scenario of Shokuhou Misaki coming here and erasing all our memories." Then, pointing to the computer, "And if there's one way to find out for certain, it's in there."
Uiharu's computer. A model Judgment uses which is far more powerful than anything that could be bought on a consumer level (custom machines excluded). Certainly, if something were to be found it would be on this.
Shirai concedes, "It's worth a shot."
First Shirai checks the PC for anything that might be a hint, but to no surprise finds none. Next the Level 5 electromaster approaches the pc. Sparks fly as Misaka uses something ability-based.
"The deleted data is being restored," Shirai can't help but be amazed.
Browser information restored, all they have to do now is follow in Uiharu's footsteps.
"Lets see here," Shirai again takes the helm. "She was looking up, 'Kamijou Touma?' Who's that?"
Saten's chest feels cold. It's the name of a person she doesn't remember on her cellphone. Is there a connection? No, silly question. There has to be!
"H-h-how should I know?" for whatever reason, Misaka is nervous.
Shirai shrugs it off, "Maybe someone she has a crush on?"
"O-of course," Misaka sighs.
"Imagine Breaker? What nonsense." Her most recent search led to a dud, but going back further, "Wait a second. This must be it!"
The article is about a machine which can duplicate esper powers. Though they try to hide her identity by mosaic and use the pseudonym Miss S, they practically out Shokuhou Misaki.
Sighing, "So Uiharu cyberstalks her crush and ends up uncovering the #5's biggest darkest secret. When she wakes up I'm really going to let her have it."
"Can you tell where this is from the buildings in the picture?" Misaka suddenly asks.
"U-ummm, I think a Judgment branch in District 2 is in a building sort of like that."
And apparently that's all Misaka requires. Without saying another word, she hops up and is about to leave.
"Um," Saten tries to stop her, "were our memories really altered? So have-"
"Don't worry," Misaka cuts her short. "Once this is over, I'll drag Shokuhou back here." Turning and smiling, a smile which is plainly forced, "So just wait a bit."
But how can she? Compared to Shirai, Saten nearly seems to have been targeted intentionally. So much of herself seems to be missing, far more than the other two. Why bother with Saten's memory at all? Uiharu found the site and Shirai is fellow Judgment, but what did Saten, and Kamijou Touma, have to do with it? The middle school girl believes she's further involved than maybe even Misaka realizes.
"She was the one that told us to wait here," Shirai reminds her. "So do you really need to worry about it that much? Honestly, I'm still not fully convinced our memories were altered."
"They have!" and finally, Saten can't hold it in anymore. "I can tell! I'm missing something! There are people I've forgotten! Emotions I can no longer feel! Someone has reached inside and changed me! I HATE IT!"
Peeling her eyes from her Tablet PC, Shirai is thoroughly unimpressed, "And? What are you going to do about it?"
These words cut through Saten like a knife.
"You're a Level 0, and I'm a Level 4, and there's nothing either of us can do about it. You're a student of Academy City, are you not? Then you should expect crazy stuff like losing memories or other phenomenon to occur. Shokuhou, for whatever reason, wanted to hide a certain secret. Misaka-san, perhaps the only person who can stand up to her, is going to get us back. All you can do is sit quiet and wait."
Frustrated, but not misunderstanding, Saten drops to the couch. She feels like pulling her hair out, but knows very well that would only create more problems than solve. Still, sitting here and doing nothing will drive the girl crazy! Why can't she tap away on a tablet and do whatever like Shirai!
Actually, what is she doing?
"What are you looking at?"
"A list from the bank."
Sure enough, pictures and private information are shown.
"I saw the person who took Uiharu hostage, but just her face is not enough to know what school she's registered to. But I can guess what her power is. She created a copy of herself by remotely controlling liquid metal, and it was clearly Level 3 or 4, so that narrows it down a lot. I also sent the liquid metal and knife to forensics. They might find something."
Saten feels ashamed of herself. Here she was pouting like a little child while her friend is doing her best to be productive. Even if she isn't completely herself, Shirai still has a duty to uphold. Saten can't say the same.
Giving her an idea, "Why don't I help you with that?"
Turning her eyes away from the tablet, "I'm pursuing an attempted murderer as a member of Judgment. I can't hand the investigation data to a normal person. I'm sorry."
Knowing to expect as much, it's still hard hearing this from a friend. Saten gives it one more go, "Aren't two pairs of eyes better than one?"
Pausing for a second, "You're too hotheaded at the moment," then resuming. "You should probably rejoin your class. Participate in an event. Help take your mind off of things and work off that aggression."
So in other words, she's being kicked out. Saten can't even find the strength to be mad at her friend. Shirai's entirely correct, Saten's very stressed. Though she would rather help than leave everything to Judgment, she definitely has to do something even if it isn't productive.
"Alright then," she doesn't raise a fuss. "I've already ditched too many events as it is. I'll find something to take my mind off of things."
Leaving the Judgment office, Saten walks. She doesn't know where. She doesn't care where. She simply walks. It would be good if she meant what she said, about returning to class, but she can't return as is. Going will only have them telling more stories about herself she doesn't know. Being a person who knows least about themselves is terrifying. What Saten knows, what she thinks she knows, she cannot trust. Someone's reached inside her soul and had their way with her. Changed her. Taken something incredibly precious. This person who now possesses Saten Ruiko's body knows. This entity is missing something, missing something important, and until it's returned she cannot function.
Retrieving her phone, she scrolls to the one contact she has zero idea it's identity. Kamijou Touma. Who is he (assuming it's a he)? Shirai hypothesized Uiharu searched for this boy for her own benefit. That isn't true. Probably. No, Saten believes Uiharu was searching for him for her friend. Why? Who is Kamijou Touma? Why is he so important? So far there hasn't been a single established link between Misaka Mikoto, the clones, Shokuhou Misaki, and Kamijou Touma. But if there is, it'd be Shokuhou Saten Ruiko Kamijou Touma. Why? Why is this important? Why take Saten's memories of him? What is the link which binds these three particular people together?
There's only one way to find out. Saten presses "Call."
One ring.
Two.
Three.
"Hello, Saten-san?"
Saten's heart quakes, breathing becomes hard. Nearly all power is lost withing her body and her legs buckle. It's just a voice, but it's his voice, and it holds this much power over her. This person, whoever he is, is important.
"Saten-san?"
He knows who she is; she's so glad. But her breath is caught in her throat and she can't speak.
"Look, I'm sorry about last night," he speaks assuming he's getting the silent treatment. "I ran off without explaining everything to you. I know how it must have looked. There was that girl Himegami, and all that blood, and I left you with that small teacher and large foreigner. I couldn't-"
"WHAT IN THE WORLD HAPPENED LAST NIGHT?" maybe those memories are better off forgotten.
"Ah, well," she can picture someone panicking on the other side of the phone, "I'll just come out and say it. Magic exists."
Beep.
Saten hung up the phone.
Stopping and thinking for a moment, maybe Shokuhou Misaki actually did Saten a favor.
Her phone rings, and the amnesiac honestly considers ignoring it. Regardless, she must answer.
"I'm sorry!" he immediately start with apologizing. "I know what I just said sounded crazy, but maybe it'll be better if we simply meet up. Is that okay?"
"Yeah," speaking over the phone isn't helping at all.
"Good. Thanks. I have an event coming up. I'd skip out if I could, but the class rep dragged me off right when I was released from the hospital and won't let me out of her sight. She's starring daggers from across the field even now."
Saten swears, even listening to him is tiring. What kind of nut job has she gotten involved with?
"Can you come meet me at-" and he gives directions.
"Yeah, I'll meet you there."
"Thanks. But it may be a while as I'll be stuck in the middle of an event."
"I understand."
"Thanks. I'll see you then."
Hanging up the phone, the girl can only sigh. This nut job couldn't possibly be her boyfriend. All that stuff about blood and magic? Why in the world would anyone be attracted to that? Still, where she is after the phone call is certainty further than before. She'd constantly be wandering around aimlessly until she coincidentally arrived at the solution at that rate. Probably would have taken a 100 years at that.
Wait, what does he look like so she'll know how to find him?
A quick search through her phone reveals not a lot of information. Apparently Saten isn't the type to snap a pic every few seconds. Why couldn't the old her have left a few breadcrumbs just in case something like this happened?
Well, if anything he'll come to her.
Having gotten turned around in her aimless wander, she ends up backtracking before finally heading in the right direction.
"Excuse me," Saten overhears on her way to the rendezvous point, "does anyone around here have a protective charm? I need it for the borrowing race."
Oh, another event must be near here. Saten's still a good distance away so it must be a different school from Kamijou's.
"Anyone?"
As a matter of fact Saten does (unless that memory's been altered as well). Her mother gave it to her prior to leaving for Academy City. She's kept it with her ever since. Unfortunately it's very important to her, so she can't give it to just anybody. Besides, she has somewhere to be.
Sorry, spiky-haired boy, she offers a silent prayer.
Now several blocks closer, she spots him again pestering an older lady for a charm. How in the world did he circle around so fast? And beat her here to boot!
Feeling guiltier by the moment, she can't pretend to ignore him any longer. He doesn't seem like a bad guy who'd simply throw it away after the event is done.
Retrieving it from her bag, "Um, I have one. A protective charm that is."
Turning and facing the girl, his eyes brighten indefinitely.
"Saten-san you're my angel!" Rushing up to her and plucking from her fingertips with his left hand. "I'll make sure to return it to you when you catch up!" Then, turning and running, "I'll go on ahead, but you can take your time!"
Dumbfounded, she can only watch him leave. Was that, Kamijou Touma? For all the secrecy and mind erasing, it sure was a lackluster reunion. And what's more, he wasn't very considerate of her keepsake. Apparently she's involved herself with a troublesome individual indeed.
Sighing at her own misfortune, she takes her time making it to the rendezvous point, exactly the direction Touma sped off in.
Several minutes later she arrives at the destination. It's a sports stadium which has been pretty much vacated. Touma must have taken very long a time for the audience to have dwindled to this point.
As she makes it to the stadium seating, he's practically the only one on the field minus the lowest ranking scorekeeper. There's some students still loitering, but the event is practically over.
Touma approaches, "Thanks again Saten-san. I still got last place, but at least I wasn't disqualified."
Extending his left hand to return the charm, he pulls back just as she's about to retrieve it.
"You know, this reminds me of how we first met."
A hallow pang in her chest. Suddenly Saten's heart is beating so furiously it hurts. What he said to her, it sparked something in the part of her that's now gone. It's empty. The girl knows something is missing.
Eyes blurry, heart and soul screaming when her mind can not, she can't take it when he presents it to her again.
Finally noticing something's wrong, "Saten-san?"
Wavering sight catching the spiky-haired boy, she sees him, but also sees the shadow of another. For only a glimpse, she witnesses Touma from the perspective of the Saten who's complete and whole.
"K-Kamijou," her voice breaks.
She can't pretend she doesn't realize what this is. What missing, even if she can't grasp it, it's identity is known. Not everything was taken from Saten.
"Kamijou-san, are you my boyfriend?" The words erupt dormant emotions, things which exist and don't at the same time. "Am I your girlfriend? Are we in love?"
This rapid assault takes Touma by surprise, but it doesn't incapacitate him. Somewhere he must have expected this question, and faces it without hesitation.
"Saten-san, you're a great girl. Any man would be lucky to have you. But-"
"Wait wait wait! Stop!" seriously, she had to put a stop to that. Those cheesy soap opera lines were leading in a direction she seriously didn't want to go, and weren't the topic of discussion intended.
Trying again, "I don't know you."
This brings great surprise to Touma.
"I look at your face, and I don't remember it. I found your name on my phone, and I don't know who you are. There's an emptiness in my chest where I'm certain something must have been. It hurts, but I cannot figure out from where."
"Saten-san, are you-"
"I can't remember a friend. People tell me things happened to me, but I don't know them. I don't know if what I see, hear, and touch are real. This voice inside my head, I don't know if it's mine. The face in the mirror, I don't know it. I don't know."
Approaching, burring her face into Touma's chest and clenching his shirt, "Tell me, who am I? Is what I think the truth? Is the voice I use mine? This entire world feels fake-"
"Ruiko!"
Saten freezes. From where there was nothing, a warmth is born. This is the first time he's called her by first name. She may not remember him or even her past self, but she knows this. What was hallow inside her, is little by little being filled.
Nestling herself in his chest, for the first time since losing her memories does Saten feels secure. If her life must begin anew, this isn't a bad start.
Gently placing his hands on her shoulders, he calmly pushes her away, but not beyond arm's reach.
"Ruiko," he uses it again, "I think I may know a method to get your memories back." And he believes precisely what he says. "You may want to close your eyes."
Expression completely serious, he looks directly, intently, into her eyes.
He couldn't mean? Right here? It's not that Saten doesn't want to, but she isn't prepared! No, she can't let that stop her. When the time comes, even if you aren't prepared you accept it. Closing her eyes, slightly tilting back her head to match his height, lips part and she holds her breath.
"Um, Saten-san, that wasn't what I meant."
Huh? Then what-
A hand falls on top of her head.
If there's one aspect of Saten's personality I wanted to emphasize in this fanfic, it's her resiliency. If she gets depressed, she doesn't stay depressed for long. If she gets knocked down, she gets right back up. If she gets her memories erased, she finds a way to take them right back. Every challenge she overcomes helps her grow as a person. The genre's (supposed to be) romance, but the theme is growth. Saten grows and matures, their relationship grows and matures, Touma...well, I'll let you see.
Touma to this point has been like a shooting star, or a rainbow, that Saten constantly chases. However, with the restoration of her memories will she finally have enough to finally grasp him? And if she does, will he prove too hot to handle?
Did that sound like a movie/episode teaser or what? I probably spoil far more than I intend, but oh well. My IRL schedule is still nixed even after a month, so once a week updates is the best I'm capable (if that). I try to keep at least 2 chapters ahead of my posted releases, but I'm catching up faster than I can write. And the reason this sucks is because I'm generally on a roll and have very little time sitting behind my laptop. There just aren't enough hours in the day...
...and that Daredevil of Netflix...
Welp, till next time,
~Kyle Castorena