A Certain Daihaseisai's End
Something shatters. What was missing before breaks from it's cell. A veil is lifted and everything which couldn't be seen is now revealed to the light of day. What Saten couldn't understand is now known. What she forgot is remembered. The person she truly is now supporters her by the shoulders. Together they march forward.
Opening her eyes, she sees Touma's face very close to her own. He holds her, cradling the girl like a baby. Beyond him she sees the sky. She might have fallen or collapsed, and he caught her. How Saten wishes she could stay like this.
"Touma-kun, say my name."
"Um, Saten-san?"
"No, call me like you did when you were frightened for me."
Cheeks blushing, he looks away and dodges the subject, "Um, Saten-san? Somehow I get the feeling we don't have time to be fooling around like this."
Even if there's not a lot, they can make time to fool around. Regardless, there's something she must do.
Trying to take a stand, Saten's legs buckle and she nearly falls again.
"Whoa! I think you should take this sitting down."
He's right. This is very weird and disorienting.
"How do you feel?"
Placing a hand over the throbbing pain in her head, "Noisy. There's two voices in my head, and they're both speaking different things. I highly recommend you never lose your memory."
Touma nervously laughs.
"Can you tell me what happened?"
Yes, she has to. At least a partial connection, Saten now realizes why both her and Touma are involved.
"The one who did this was Shokuhou Misaki. Do you know her?"
Seriously thinking about it, "It feels like I should know that name..."
Well, aside from Misaki's motivation, Saten's more or less realized her goal.
"Well, this morning-"
Saten tells him everything that's happened. Misaki erased the memories of her and her friends of Misaka Mikoto. Apparently some time yesterday, Misaki took possession of one of the Sisters. At first they thought kidnapping, but in truth she was being protected. Another group is after the military-grade clones. What they want with them, Saten couldn't know, but what she does is that Misaki and them are not in league. They took Uiharu and Misaka's mother hostage in order to get the hiding place out of the Railgun, but she didn't know.
After the two were rescued those with altered memories were now dragged into the fray. They convened with Misaka and discovered what had taken place. Uiharu managed to stumble upon a giant secret of Shokuhou Misaki, and was "attacked" so she would forget. Uiharu discovered a location, somewhere in District 2 near a Judgment building, and that's where Misaka headed.
Touma listened intently. He understood the entire context of the story, but was surprised by Saten's own insight. Between what she's experienced after meeting Touma at the Special Workshop, and learned after having her memories erased, she's gained a greater understanding than held previously. Imagine Breaker. The Sisters. The Level 6 Shift Project. Magic. There's more, but she's still sorting everything out in her head and unfortunately he hasn't the time.
"You have somewhere to go," Saten breaks his contemplation, "don't you?"
Looking her in the eyes, he nods, "Yes."
Touma stands, but there's one more thing she has to say, "Touma-kun, I still need time to process everything and put it all in order, so after Daihaseisai, let's have a nice long chat."
Not the slightest bit hesitant, firmly he nods, "Yes."
Only can Saten watch him go; heading into the thick of it to resolve this conflict. Why did he go? Why did she tell him? It was none of his business but still took it upon himself, wanted to take it upon himself, to protect what he could. And Saten, she wanted to allow him that chance. Misaka's gratitude for resolving an incident, more than likely involving the Sisters. Rescuing Shirai from that battle with the redhead. Whoever attacked Himegami. More than likely very many more. This is the role he took upon himself, a decision Saten Ruiko must respect.
Is Saten scared? Of course. But she saw the courage in his eyes. It's contagious. She wants to be courageous too.
"Is that why you find him so attractive?"
A voice echoes from near. It's odd, the way listening to a recording of yourself is odd. This voice, it's her own. The Saten Ruiko who never met Kamijou Touma speaks to the one that did. Having, losing, and regaining these memories have produced something of a phenomenon. Both souls currently exist within the human Saten Ruiko. Maybe it's some trick of the psyche, her brain working in an odd way while rewiring is taking place. Whatever the case, there currently exists two Saten Ruikos, but even without completely understanding it's obvious one is fading. This is perhaps a once in a lifetime chance.
To answer Saten's question, she doesn't know. Because Kamijou Touma's something of a "hero?" That doesn't feel right. Entirely at least. His bright disposition, courage in the face of adversity, sense of humor, all of these the middle-school girl admires. But is there a single answer?
"Then what do you want from Kamijou-san?"
This could be either an easier or more difficult question. On base, she wants to spend as much time as possible with him. To what end? Merely as a friend? Something more intimate? Passionate? Until death do them part? The girl wanted all the answers to these questions to be "Yes," but they aren't. What they are isn't "No." More time. At the end of the day it all results to spending more time together.
"Then are you going to follow in his dangerous footsteps?"
Perhaps from the very beginning she has known. Kamijou Touma is dangerous. His Bad Luck and Misfortune have placed obstacles in his path which can be a true threat to his life. If this Level 0 decides to follow, can she survive?
This is what truly frightens the girl about Misaka Mikoto, or at least what Saten realizes now. Misaka Mikoto could, she truly could brave all the same dangers and emerge on the other side. If anyone could, would it not be the #3 Level 5 Railgun? What chance would Level 0 Saten Ruiko possess?
"One last question. Does he make you happy?"
Tremendously.
"I see. I have to say I'm more than a little jealous. I spent all my time with my friends having fun, I put very little thought into the future. When I realized I would never grow beyond a Level 0, I searched for anything to make my life special. Urban legends, myths, the supernatural; anything that might break me from this 'normal' life I seemed destined for. I don't know if it's 'normal' or not, but I'm glad you found what you're looking for. Our paths might differ, but I truly wish you the best."
And the voice is gone. The Saten Ruiko who never met Kamijou Touma ceased to be. The remaining Saten Ruiko wouldn't say she vanished, but she also became one who met Kamijou Touma. Only for a day did this person exist, but the impact she created was vast. Saten will never forget. Even if a memory eraser approaches her again.
There's something Saten herself needs to be doing. With only one mind driving her body, she's once again completely under her own control. Taking a stand, Saten rushes back to the Judgment 177th Branch Office.
While she was gone Uiharu awoke. In very brief detail Saten explains.
"Your memory returned?" Shirai is more than a voice of disbelief.
Not mincing words, "Yes. Kamijou Touma, he can negate other esper abilities. He returned my memories."
Leaving out the finer details about being her boyfriend, and military-grade clones, Saten explains what's happening and why. Too many details would only distract them, and it's best to only focus on relevant matters. Also, if she revealed the original Shirai was hopelessly in love with Misaka, gears would fall out of place in more ways than one.
Through Uiharu's expertise they already managed to find the esper who kidnapped her and Misaka's mother. Kouzaku Mitori. Official records state she already passed away, but they were obviously falsified. Rumor is many in Mitori's situation have a habit of vanishing and then partaking in illegal activities. This would fit Mitori's MO to a T.
Having identified the culprit did little to advance their effort. They're still on the hunt for a prey that's still several steps ahead of them. However, they have the general location of District 2 and the building Shirai identified for Misaka earlier. All roads pointed in that direction, so is that where their attention should be led?
And then a massive lightning strike hits the Windowless building.
It shakes as hard as a violent earthquake. Even indoors, all are blinded. Massive power fluctuations result from the electromagnetic wave. Even after all the three of them have seen in Academy City, nothing like this has ever occurred. This is no longer a situation that can be left to a private student such as Misaka Mikoto. Uiharu and Shirai of Judgment are duty-bound to investigate.
No matter how they imagined it, they couldn't remove the events they themselves witnessed thus far with the lightning strike. The first place to begin their search could only be District 2. Shirai teleports to the scene.
"Saten-san," taking the opportunity to say a few words when the two of them are finally alone, "Kamijou Touma is important to you, isn't he?"
At the sudden abruptness of the question, the girl freezes.
"It wasn't a difficult guess. Shirai probably realized it as well. When you returned and told us you managed to retrieve your memories, you looked like a completely different person."
"'A different person?'" this phrase breaks Saten from shock. It was so intriguing she has to ask. "What do you mean?"
Heartfeltly smiling, "You don't realize it? Well, to me at least it's like looking at a Before and After portrait. The Saten who never met Kamijou Touma always appeared lost. She was always searching for something. Whether it be an esper ability, urban legends, or anything supernatural, you desperately glanced in all directions while trying to find it. But the you who has met Kamijou-san is very different."
"How so?"
Uiharu shies away somewhat, "Well, you seem more focused, and determined. Instead of trying to look everywhere, you're only looking forward now. And you even appear the more lovely. Anyone would be able to tell it's the look of a girl in love."
Blushing somewhat, Saten wouldn't deny it.
"I think it's great. I can only see positive effects Kamijou Touma has had on you. You're even no longer self-conscious of your eye. I couldn't be happier for you."
Blushing even further, Saten nearly swoons, but something catches her attention that only leaves her puzzled.
"What do you mean my-"
"Uiharu!" Shirai's voice calls from over Uiharu's phone on speaker call, "Check every security camera within 800 meters of District 2's Judgment Building! See if you can find Kouzaku on one of the cameras. Also, calculate out the points the cameras do not cover and send the list to me."
Tearing herself away from the girl's chat, Uiharu does as instructed, "I will check them! Are you alone? I can send-"
"We do not have time," she puts an end to calling for backup.
Moments later the sounds of struggle commences. From what Saten remembers this Kouzaku has the ability to manipulate Liquid Metal like puppets. Shirai likely ran into one of those dolls at this moment. She doesn't have time to talk.
"Saten-san," Uiharu's voice is far sterner than when chatting only a moment ago, "I could really use another looking through all these camera feeds."
Handing a handheld tablet to her non-Judgment friend, she returns to her PC.
"Got it!" Saten does as instructed.
However, as she glances between dozens of security feeds, she checks her reflection from the screen of the tablet. What exactly did Uiharu mean about her eye? At least from her reflection Saten notices nothing odd.
Several minutes later, "Found her! This is Kouzaku, right?" Saten didn't spend a lot of time studying the months-old data from the Bank, but her current image wasn't far removed from her Student ID.
This image is three minutes old. They've gotten very close to her current location. Keeping an eye on all the nearby cameras, they don't see her attempting to flee. They have her.
"Saten! Uiharu!" Shirai commands. "Turn all nearby movable cameras towards that building!"
As they continue to monitor the situation, Saten has the idea to use the free-floating cameras in use for the Daihaseisai to help track Kouzaku. It'll allow them to peek inside the building and truly know what's going on.
"That's a good idea Saten-san!"
Surely the Level 0 feels proud of herself.
But Uiharu pauses, "Saten-san! How long has this camera been flying around there?"
"Eh? Ever since Shirai-san entered the building." She'd seen more than a few of them in monitoring the regular security feeds.
It's possible they weren't the first to think of that idea. Kouzaku could very well be monitoring those floating camera feeds as well. If that's the case, they hold an advantage.
Telling Shirai her plan, Uiharu sets up a trap by producing a doctored recording of Shirai being killed. With it they manage to corner Kouzaku in her true hiding place, the sewer. With her true location finally being known, the Level 4 Teleporter makes short work of her.
Apparently Kouzaku was the linchpin for the entire plot regarding the use of the Sisters clone. Gradually the disturbance which caused the lightning strike on the Windowless Building also settles. Saten doesn't know entirely what happened, but she can feel the hands of many people working towards the same goal. And of course Kamijou Touma is one. His specific contribution she might not understand, but she can ask him any time. They have a lot to catch up on.
But before this incident can truly end, there is one more event which needs to take place.
It happens the next day, without any warning whatsoever.
Saten made the promise to have Kamijou Touma shatter Misaki's illusions if the perpetrator herself didn't mend her ways. But after everything that happened on the second day of the Daihaseisai, they called it a night before trying to call him out. And as they meet on the third, they lose all control of their bodies.
Click.
"Saten-san," Uiharu speaks, entirely disjointed from their previous conversation, "we'll go on ahead. You should catch up with your friend."
Speaking as if scripted, Uiharu pushes Shirai's chair down the street and doesn't look back.
Click.
Saten regains control of her body. Distinctly aware of the presence behind her, the Level 0 takes a deep breath and turns, facing for the first time the person who nearly tore her soul apart.
A glamorous girl by any stretch of the imagination, she's one you would never expect to be in middle-school. Long blond hair, a voluptuous body, and eyes which shine like stars, it's the girl seen at the Commencement Ceremony on the first day.
Shokuhou Misaki.
She may possess a smile which would add to her charm in public, but to Saten Ruiko, she isn't smiling at all. Downright hostility can she feel behind the beautiful profile.
"You cheated," a pleasant and cute voice speaks in a tone that is anything but. "All you had to do is follow the script and I would have returned what was lost, but you had to go and involve him. I honestly don't know what to do with you now."
Level 5. In Academy City, it's the only rank that matters. Because Misaka Mikoto is so pleasant Saten can sometimes forget, but the Railgun is incredibly powerful. This "power" Shokuhou Misaki exudes in abundance. This person is powerful! This person is dangerous! Saten feels a presence which threatens her to her core. But she doesn't buckle. From a well deep within herself Saten draws strength.
"Why are you so fixated on Touma-kun and I?"
Misaki winces upon hearing his name.
"You, Ruiko-chan, what position do you think you're in? Do you think the two of you are simply boyfriend and girlfriend? Don't delude yourself. To him, you're nothing but a trap."
Saten can't even begin to comprehend her reasoning.
"Who are you?" Misaki continues. "You're nothing but a powerless Level 0 who doesn't even belong at his side in the first place! Do you know what he's gone through? What he continues to go through? You met because he accidentally went to the wrong class! That's it! You're nothing special!"
It doesn't take a mind-reader to see how emotional she's becoming. What vested interest does she possess?
"He's saved espers from being destroyed by their own power! He rescued a poor girl who would lose her entire memory every year! He kept a person with a special ability from destroying an entire race of people! He saved 9968 from dying in an experiment to create a Level 6! Why is it you? Why are you somehow still around? You don't belong! If you don't realize that, I will be more than happy to show you!"
Saten stood silent and took it. Not because she's scared. Not because she's intimidated. But because she knows Misaki is right. The girlfriend has no amazing tale, no special ability, if Touma runs deep into another dangerous incident, she cannot follow.
But that is neither here nor there. This is a problem Saten must face; Saten alone must face. Of all people why is it Shokuhou Misaki telling Saten Ruiko this?
"You didn't need to erase our memories of Touma-kun. If you hadn't, I wouldn't have been so fixated on my missing memories. If I saw Touma-kun, I would have chatted with him, maybe try to have him stick with me and introduce him to my family, but that would have been it. You didn't erase our- my memories him because you didn't want us to get him involved, but because you wanted me to forget. You didn't want me near him, and I think I know why.
"You were one of the people he saved, weren't you? Touma-kun doesn't even realize it. After he returned me, I asked him your name. He didn't know it. But what Touma-kun does, he doesn't do for gratitude. He doesn't want to be some kind of white knight or prince charming, rescuing the princess and living happily ever after. He helps those only because he can. Because with his right hand he can reach them. Because he knows how it feels to be unfortunate, and he doesn't want anyone else to experience it.
"I can't answer why I still remain by his side, but that's not a question either of us can solve. Only Touma-kun can choose who he keeps company with."
Then, stepping forward and facing Misaki, "So you do not get to choose if I remain or go. You can not tell me not to pursue him. If you have an issue with me then that's your problem, and only if Touma-kun tells me hit the road, only then will I relent."
Right in her face, "I may not be one of the people Touma-kun saved, but I am one who's company he enjoys. So he can run off into danger and save 9938 more people, and when he's done he'll come back to me. That's all there is to it."
Misaki's facial muscles have tensed, but she is far from enraged or maybe even upset. Clearly she isn't done with the girl.
"And what if he doesn't run off to save that extra 9938 people?" This causes Saten to step back. "What if he suddenly finds it too dangerous? What if he worries about dragging you with him, and decides to forsake those people? What if he decides he no longer wants to resolve other people's misfortunes, and only focuses on you instead? You see, as much as he's changed you from the person I returned you to for a day, you too are changing him. He is his own person, nobody can deny that, but what if he chooses you over all of them? Could you live with that choice? Could you bare the weight of all the people he didn't save?"
For the first time, Saten hesitates. All those questions and possible problems she's imagined even before losing her memories, but only as far as her own end of their relationship; never considering how she might change him. It makes her more frightened than anything.
"I'll leave you with your memories," Misaki finally backs away. "Knowing too much can hurt far more than knowing nothing at all." But before she turns and walks away, "Even if I couldn't be the one to stand next to him, I never intended to pry into his memories or private life, but I stumbled upon a hint of something I couldn't ignore. This one world-"
Suddenly Misaki freezes, eyes locking not on Saten, but something behind her. At this her eyes widen. So too does Saten feel a distinct presence behind her, but upon turning finds nothing.
"I've spent far more time on this than I assumed," Misaki resumes. "I'm too busy to waste time criticizing a mere Level 0. Good day."
Misaki turns, and never looks back.
Saten is left in silence with her insecurities. Frustrated, she places hands on her head and nearly pulls hair out! It seems like every time the further they progress in their relationship another hurdle advances! It's just one thing after another! Saten had previously lost heart, but it feels worse now than ever! Why is being with him so difficult? It feels as if the entire world is set on seeing them apart!
She can't think about this right now. Putting lingering feelings aside, Saten rejoins the remainder of the Daihaseisai.
As far as the return of the missing memories, Misaki didn't entirely deliver. Thankfully everyone remembered Misaka Mikoto when they were reunited that night, but the events of the past three days were altered. They retained absolutely nothing of the entire past incident. Likewise did Uiharu remember nothing of researching Kamijou Touma, or even seeing him during the first event. Saten would never truly know why her Judgment friend was researching him.
Of course Misaka's inherent ability as a Level 5 electromaster made her impervious to Misaki's Mental Out, but she would divulge nothing to her friends who had no idea an incident even occurred. Saten debated whether she should come clean to her companion and divulge her memory being completely intact, and decided against. Doing so would reveal a link between herself and Kamijou Touma, and thus leading to the "final boss" conflict she'd been so desperately trying to avoid.
However, wishing so is finally proving too much. On the second to last day of the Daihaseisai, Misaka asked Touma to be her partner during the folk dance.
Thus far Saten avoided her boyfriend and focused on her sporting events (even managed to win the Spin Relay). Fate wouldn't have them cross paths again, so the middle-school girl managed to mostly clearly the air after her spat with Misaki. They promised to meet after the Daihaseisai, but before that time there's a gathering where missing each other would prove difficult. The Folk Dance.
Misaka spotted Touma before Saten. That's all there was to it. As soon as she did, she approached and asked him to be her partner. Saten was a step and a half too late. The first time she sees him after that whole ordeal and he's with her friend.
All that Saten tried to forget resurfaces. The words Misaki spoke echo louder than when actually spoken. The Level 0 does not belong at his side. A result of them together can only drag him down. Touma can't be with her and continue to save people, was Misaki's entire point. But Misaka? She can keep in step with him completely. As a partner, Touma would be hard pressed to find a better. And now, seeing the two of them together, their union delivers a sublime sense of harmony.
And then Shirai dropkicks him in the face.
Saten watches this with only mild amusement. Clearly he wasn't as thrilled with the dance as the Misaka, but this wasn't the way he wanted it to conclude. All the same he seems fit to run away.
Removing herself from the crowds and her friends, Saten retreats to a quiet corner. Finding an isolated bench she takes a seat. This is too much for her. Thinking over everything that's happened over the Daihaseisai, she contemplates where she should go from here. To say the least, the love struck middle-school girl still has no idea.
"Saten-san," normally his voice would sooth, but now does not, "I had a feeling I would run into you tonight."
"Hello Touma-kun," and naturally Saten smiles, but it's not the brilliant one of all the times past. In a word, it's 'lonely.'
"You taking it easy for now?" failing to pick up on the subtle social cue.
"Yeah. I just need some time off my feet."
As if it were natural, he takes a spot next to the middle-school girl, "Yeah, me too."
Internal debate doesn't even take place, "You seemed to be having fun dancing with Misaka-san."
Suddenly freezing and breaking into a sweat as if only now learning the bench was still wet with paint, he rapidly turns to excuses, "You saw that? It wasn't my fault! She came out of the bushes and suddenly dragged me away! I-" and he continues some more.
Honestly, she isn't even upset. While this plays out similarly to a cheating husband being caught, their relationship and didn't match that. Saten's emotions and intentions are entirely one sided. Lest not forget the whole "better match" thing. Even if the attraction isn't mutual between Touma and Misaka, there's an undeniable chemistry.
"Say Touma-kun," Saten breaks his excuse marathon, "am I just spinning my wheels?"
It goes without saying, but he's silenced.
"Are we even a good match? I thought we'd be okay despite our differences, but that was before I learned about the world you're involved with. I thought, even if you're older and in high-school, I can make it work out. But once I started seeing glimpses of how you live, I realized I couldn't keep up. You're more than a Level 0, but I'm not."
Kamijou Touma retains silence until Saten finishes.
"I've made my emotions for you clear. If you never returned them because you don't like me, I'd understand. If you keep yourself at a distance because you're afraid I'd get hurt, I'd understand that as well. Am I wasting my time? Should I just say 'goodbye' before it becomes too painful to do? I don't know."
Finally speaking the words which needed to be said, Saten finally turns to Touma to witness his response. Not surprising in the least, he's at a complete loss. His initial reaction to eye contact is to turn away, but he reinforces himself and refuses to. Facing her evenly, he will not back away.
"Ruiko, would you like to dance?"
At the hand offered, Saten's eyes grow wider by the moment. Blood rushes to her cheeks and eyes moisten to a shiny glisten. After all the time she's spent thus far pursuing Kamijou Touma, this is the first time the spiky-haired boy reached for her. Saten never spoke a word about dancing, no subtle hint or evening thinking it. All her thoughts and worries were on some faraway place, but Touma focused only on the here and now. And now, there's only one thing she should be doing.
Wordlessly Saten takes his hand. Led to the bonfires, her feet nearly lift off the ground. It feels like her body is floating.
Joining all the other couples lit by the burning event construction, subdued melody played over loudspeakers with cassette tape quality, and inexperienced boys tripping over girls, Saten Ruiko and Kamijou Touma take their place in the arena where they can express emotions through ritualistic motions.
If there was ever a point where Saten could turn around and make a clean break, it just passed. Led by his hand, the warmth and comfort she feels with him at her back, she could never let this go. No longer does it matter what this relationship will bring, a conflict with her friends or even dangers to her life, Saten will follow this love to the very end.
"I can see the ending," to quote a legendary manga's protagonist. Honestly, I'd be pleasantly surprised if anyone really could at this point. In terms of overall length for this story I'm planning, I would call this the end of Act III (if this were a Shakespearian Play). Certain subplots will be wrapping up in the coming chapters, but formally introduce the overarching plot that will lead the story to it's conclusion. I know I've thrown out a few "wut?"s this chapter, but wait till you see what I got in store. Minds will be boggled!
~Kyle Castorena