Well hello. What a pleasant surprise, seeing you here. Please, pull up a chair. Have a seat, rest your feet. Take it easy for a bit.

Just like last time, we'll start things out with a nice, mellow pace. It's important to have the context of peace to make the drama of conflict more meaningful, isn't it?

Without further ado, I welcome you to...

A Certain Holiday Season: Book 2

The First Day: Christmas

Chapter 1

8:24 A.M., December 25th: London: St. George's Cathedral, Dinning Hall [1]

A glittering morning light shone through delicate stained-glass windows into the large dining hall of St. George's Cathedral. It reminded a yawning Touma of a certain series of young-adult movies: several long rows of wooden tables and benches stretched off in an otherwise open chamber. This version had a different layout and was much shorter at only two stories, but it seemed all the larger for his solitude. The boy had stumbled upstairs half-awake when he could no longer stand the eerie basement and found himself alone in the great church. Yet there were muffled music and chorus in the sealed room across the far hall, prompting him to wait for whatever was going on to finish.

Atop his table were several bowls partially filled with cold biscuits. He was just starting his second when he finally heard footsteps echoing from the same hall through which he entered. The half-ajar door soon revealed one of the girls he had traveled with: her head was lowered, and she leaned heavily against the door-frame rather than entering.

"Oh. Hey, Misaka." She raised her head, bangs drifting in front of half-closed eyes. She raised a hand to brush them aside, wiping at her eyes as she did, and the boy took in her morning appearance. Wow. She's out of uniform. Well, partially, anyway. Though she still wore the checkered blue skirt of Tokiwadai's winter ensemble, the black cardigan seemed surprisingly mature for the Mikoto he knew. Then he saw the small Gekota emblem just over her chest pocket and smiled. Before immediately panicking and glancing away, acknowledging he was staring at a girl's chest, whatever size, while smiling. N-nope! Not falling for that one. Too tired to get zapped.

Luckily for him, she didn't seem notice. "...Mrhrmrm..." If it wasn't for her nod, Touma would have assumed he hadn't been heard at all. Both had prominent bags under their eyes, and no more was said for a moment. Finally he reached into the bowl and made an offering.

"Biscuit?"

"...Thank you." The Mikoto wandered over, taking the proffered food. She shuffled past as if planning to sit on the bench next to him. Just as she moved behind his back she froze, pirouetted, and wandered back stiffly to take the seat across from him instead. Testing the stale biscuit she pulled a sour face. Ech. These are much better warm... eh? Her distaste was apparently visible, for Touma was watching her with a raised eyebrow. Coughing in embarrassment, she made sure to enjoy her next bite before clearing her throat. "S-so... How was your night? You seem, ah, t-tired."

"I was going to ask you the same thing. Not... terrible?" It was her turn to raise an eyebrow. "All right. It wasn't great."

"Why? YOU didn't have those four for roommates..."

"Really? What happened?" She hid her face behind the biscuit, the memory striking her hard.

"I don't know if I should talk about it." Dreading a repeat of last night's experience, Mikoto genuinely wondered how his could have been worse. So many things I didn't need to happen... Pheh... "W-what about you?"

"I just heard horrible night-piercing screams from some interrogation chamber or something that wasn't a big deal at all really and didn't scare me even a little."

Mikoto started awake at that news. "What!? Are you serious?"

"Yeah." Nodding glumly, Touma again paused to reconsider. "...Well, I actually only ever heard two screams, but then I just lay there all night expecting more..." It seemed that his ordeal, however, was not what interested the esper. She leaned forward onto the table, sleepiness already forgotten.

"Wait, are you saying this place has prisoners? And torture chambers? I thought we flew to ENGLAND, not Spain... These people seem too quaint or modern for that!" [2] Or so Mikoto thought, before recalling the redhead who showed up after the fight at the Dianoid. Then again, not all of them gave that impression... Touma took another biscuit and spoke around a mouthful, missing the point.

"Eh, I don't know. I never really felt most of them blend in all that well with modern society." He swallowed, wagging the hunk of baking that remained at his colleague. "Besides, you do realize this is actually the base for an secret-magical-government-organization, right? They're bound to have stuff like that. Did you forget the kind of people these guys fight? You've been around for a few of their battles. I don't think it's right, but there it is."

It finally struck Touma that for the first time he was inside the headquarters of the English Church. This came with a dim awareness that in the not-so-distant-past he went against this group's express wishes regarding a certain defeated Magic-God. Would it make sense to pray in their own church they don't bring that up and try to interrogate me or worse? Though I suppose they did already punish me by giving me yet another roommate... While he deliberated, Mikoto fought to regain her poise from his unintended slight.

"I-I figured that much out! I mean, all those bunkers and tunnels. Besides, there are no outside church-goers on Christmas Day for mass, so it's obvious this place is highly restricted to the public." At this, Touma twisted about, looking at the closed door behind him. A voice droned on from within, reaching for a greater energy than before. There was also the bright organ music that seemed to emanate through the walls in all directions, vibrating the very stone.

"Ahh... So THAT's what they're doing..."

"What did you THINK was going on in there, a seance? Did YOU forget that this is still a church?"

"H-hey, with these guys, a seance or something is all too likely!" Crap, now she's got me thinking about ghosts again! Don't worry, Kamijou-san, the voices you're afraid of are just tortured prisoners, that's all... That didn't help. That didn't help at all. His malaise was so deep that he hardly registered the door behind him slamming open at long last. Though he did recognize the petulant voice that was the culprit.

"All-right! It's time! It's finally time!" Index was almost turning cartwheels as she spun through the portal, plowing past a number of bewildered nuns. She noticed the familiar shock of black spiky hair hunched over a table and leapt for the boy, latching onto his arm fondly. "TOUMA! TOOOUUUMMMAAA! It's time for presents!" She was almost vibrating, overflowing with excitement: both he and Mikoto found it impossible to not be swept up in the moment, smiling along with Index.

"Yeah, that does sound nice. But I didn't see any tree when we came in..." Mikoto closed her eyes for a minute. "Is it somewhere underground maybe...?" The esper abruptly opened them in shock, feeling Index rushing over to slap her hands onto the table in righteous fury.

"Are you crazy!? You can't have Christmas underground! Santa would have had to come in past everybody, and plus there are no chimneys going down there! He must have brought the presents somewhere else!" The intensity on the nun's face was palpable. Realizing she had no actual basis to doubt the existence of Santa after everything else magical she had witnessed, Mikoto decided to drop the more existential question altogether.

"R-right... So, uhm, where then? Would the tree be, I mean?" As soon as she said it, the level 5 observed she had said something wrong and was paralyzed in indecision. For just as suddenly as she had approached Index leaned back and away, expression downcast.

"...I don't know." It was unclear to Mikoto why the little girl in front of her had lost all enthusiasm. A glance at Touma made it clear that though worried, he wasn't particularly surprised. Rallying, Mikoto stood up quickly, patting Index on the shoulder hard before starting to lead her away.

"Well, I guess we should just go look then, huh!? I mean, they've got to have something set up, this is a Christian institution after all!" As Touma stood up to follow, a sudden voice cut them all off as one.

"Hey! You can't just wander around here like you own the place! Why do foreign visitors have no respect?" Freezing, the esper pivoted, dragging her charge towards the steady stream of people that had been filling out from the church. Before they had comprised of St. George's local staff, but a familiar group of four girls had just entered the dinning hall. The one who had spoken was Lessar, somehow energetic despite the bags under her eyes. Touma gave them the once over.

"Oh, it's the rest of you. Merry Christmas!" He cheerily waved his third biscuit at the group of four. "Let me guess: Mikoto, you know the rest of New Light already?" At her hesitant nod he pumped a mental fist into the air. All right! That's one less awkward introduction between girls that I have to make!

"Ah, yeah... I think. You're... Lancis? Is that right?" She pointed awkwardly at the one with short brown hair, who after a moment's delay nodded. The addressed turned with lethargic eyes back towards her group, finally deciding it was worth the effort to speak.

"Uhm, Lessar, we're visitors here too. Just because we stay here all the time doesn't mean we live here."

"I know that! But at least we're British! AND Christian! We have some right to it, you know?" Lessar looked to her other comrades for support, but found none forthcoming. Instead a taller girl with blonde hair and a stern expression pushed her way to the forefront. Mikoto tilted her head, about to make a guess to her identity, but was cut off by a wave.

"I'm Floris. Yes, we met in Russia. Merry Christmas, by the way." Though she was addressing Mikoto, the esper was hardly spared a glance. Instead this new magician made a beeline for Touma, who at first was only vaguely confused by the attention. After some thought the boy remembered his relationship with this particular New Light member, abandoning his seat and stumbling back with alacrity as the details sunk home.

"Eheheh, hey, Merry Christmas! Hey, so, y-you're not still mad about that whole thing back with the train and the river and Curtana are y-GGRRRK!?" [3] His collar tightened so hard in her left hand that he was wrenched off-balance, knocking into a table behind him. The magician's face was pressed up against his, the fire in her eyes betraying the steely coolness of her tone.

"Did you think getting us presents would get you off the hook? You've got some nerve." She unclenched her other hand, which had at some point donned the magical steel glove New Light members were known for, pointing it at the boy like a taloned claw. "You're lucky it's a holy day for me, otherwise I'd make it a hole-y day for you."

"A-ah, was that a pun in English!? Because I don't really get-URK!" Cut off again by the tightening of her grip, Touma tried reflecting on how nice everyone was being by speaking Japanese around him. "Ech-ch... A-anyway, you're not going to hurt me today, right!? That must be what you meant! So, how about we all just enjoy Christmas!?" For the boy had suddenly remembered who they had as an audience. Mikoto was very clearly winding up for a fight, electrical potency charging, but hesitated upon Touma's hurried explanation. Finally, Floris took a deep breath and backed down as well, magical tool disappearing as fast as it came.

"Yeah. You get a pass. For now." Rejoining the group, she ran into the iron wall that was the last New Light member. Seemingly the oldest, she shook her head at Floris's unseen expression, silver hair shaking around over-sized vacuum tube hearing aids.

"Floris? What are you forgetting?" Bayloupe was also somewhat familiar to Mikoto, but Touma had actually never met her in person. Still, he was was somewhat aware of the girl's status as the leader of the Scottish Cabal-Reserve-Army. "We discussed this."

"Tch... Damn it, why are you making ME..." Seeing the unyielding face of her older team-mate, Floris finally relented with a heavy sigh. Turning now with an unexpected blush and stiff bow, the magician spoke to Touma. "And... thank you the gifts. We didn't open them yet, obviously, but I saw them under the tree." Her tone indicated the most begrudging of appreciation, but the boy was just happy it wasn't outright vitriol. He didn't have time to dwell on it, for Bayloupe stepped forward to take charge yet again.

"Right. You guys just came in, so I can tell you where to go. The trees are set up in the Community Room, just across the courtyard. You haven't been that way, have you?"

"No. At least, we came in through the side hall by that warehouse place." Mikoto shook her head, trying to get her bearings. "I think I saw a central courtyard through the windows in the hallway. Is that nearby?"

"Yep!" Lessar saw a chance to regain the spotlight, darting across the room. "Let me show you: it's actually just through this door here!" She swung it open, letting a chill wind and the light of morning flood the dining area. "Hurry up, we're wasting time! Most people have already headed there! We'll run out of presents!"

Lancis peered over Floris's shoulder, minor irritation visible as she shivered lightly. "That's not how presents work... and they all took the indoor route. Can't we just go around the outside like everyone-Ah!" The petite girl had to leap back to dodge Lessar's prodding elbow, which she had thrown across the room along with the rest of her.

"BUT the outdoor route is more ROMANTIC, RIGHT!?" Suddenly the magician was gone again, this time latched to Touma's arm and making forcible headway to the great outdoors. "Come on, Kamijou, don't you want to experience all of the U.K.'s charms? ALL of them...? I'm sure you're excited, even though your feet seem to be dragging just a little bit! Come on, step lively!" In seconds they were gone, Index following close after and New Light trailing behind.

"H-hey, don't just leave me! Wait!" Mikoto made to follow, but paused at the rumbling of her stomach. Looking back at the few cold biscuits remaining, she sighed and threw one into her mouth before giving chase.

She stepped out into the chill, immediately glad she had donned her cardigan that morning. Though the underground corridors were all suspiciously warm, she certainly expected the outside London air to be bracing. It was strange to wear anything other than her Tokiwadai uniform, but Mikoto had decided it best to bring at least a few public clothes for this trip. The biting wind didn't bother her much now as she entered the expansive courtyard of St. George's Cathedral, chewing quickly on her last bit of breakfast.

On all four sides, heavy brick walls rose to intimidating heights. The yard was dozens of meters across in a wide rectangle, with a statue of the institution's patron saint standing high in the centre. His famous lance was pointed aloft in defiance of all dragon-kind, lightly dusted by drifting snow, with his free hand resting on the pommel of a blade. The lawn, hedges, and benches were blanketed in white, as were all the roofs visible from her low angle. It really was a picturesque Christmas scene, one hard to recreate in manufactured Academy City.

Of course, not every element of it was agreeable. Those details in precision marked the esper's thoughts as she caught up to the group shuffling along recently cleared pathways of cobblestone.

God damn it, she's just hanging off his arm as she drags him around the longest path! And what does she think she's doing, pretending to be cold like that!? He's CLEARLY more cold than she is, and this was her idea in the first place! It was taking every ounce of Mikoto's will power to maintain her polite facade as a foreign representative of Academy City. Well, at least I can rest easy knowing that my gift will... Wait. Wait a minute. What am I forgetting...? Her reverie was snatched away by the flurry of motion in front of her.

"Are you SURE you don't want to go on another lap around the grounds, HMMM? It'll be just US this time..." Lessar was attempting to drag Touma away from the sanctuary he so craved as he desperately held onto a nearby hedge for support, snow clouding around them. He twisted his neck to face Mikoto, a silent plea for support on his face.

"..." I have no problem breaking this little affair up. Though the magician seemed to have a strange, metal, whip-like thing wrapped around her waist, it didn't seem appropriate to just launch the girl into Low Earth orbit with it. I guess I'll have to settle for the diplomatic approach. Sauntering up to the struggling duo, she tapped its magical component on the shoulder.

"Eh?" Surprised only for a moment, upon recognizing the esper Lessar's face froze. "What. Do YOU want?" Mikoto had been more than prepared for this response, aware that she had been pegged by the girl as a rival in some unspoken contest. So rather than getting annoyed, she put on her most insipid expression and stared Lessar down.

"I was just thinking how dead everything around here is. I mean, gardens and courtyards aren't really that impressive in the middle of winter, now are they?"

"W-what? What are you trying to say!?"

"It's just not very warm and inviting for visitors, that's all." Flicking some snow from her locks, Mikoto brushed past the now motionless magician to stand in front of the closed doorway through which the other guests had entered. "Now, what's really nice is a roaring fireplace, good company, some hot cocoa, a thick blanket, candle-light, someone to c-cuddle up w-wi..." Realizing she had slipped into describing a personal fantasy scenario in unexpected depth, Mikoto immediately backtracked. "ANYWAY! Ah, how about we enjoy British winter AFTER the sun has warmed things up a little? Besides, I bet they're all waiting for us inside to get started opening presents." ...That wasn't exactly what I intended to say, but...

"Hm-mmm..." Surprisingly enough, Lessar was considering the argument, though Mikoto was concerned that too much attention might be being paid to the romantic bits in the middle. Still, with a dramatic flourish she released her captive and sauntered inside. "AAAALLLL right, then. I guess presents are a pretty good way to get the ball rolling, too... I'll see you inside, Kamijou!" Playfully waving to her potential paramour, she shouldered Mikoto out of the way to head indoors.

Rubbing his arms vigorously, the freed boy shuddered his way after Mikoto, who had halted just inside the Community Room. "Thank you, I was freezing out there! Man, that Lessar is always a handful... Whoa."

"I'll say. This is pretty nice." The room was an expansive gymnasium-like affair, yet it was still stuffed to the rafters with decorations and festive spirit. Three opulent Christmas trees served as centerpieces, spaced in even thirds across the hall, and around each were circled rows upon rows of gaily decorated presents. Beyond that were a number of tables covered in dainties and pastries and such, most of which were being roundly demolished by Index as a number of nuns watched in horrified fascination. Sitting in a chair across the room was Itsuwa, waving hesitantly and pointing to a number of available free spots. Each seat had a piece of paper with names scrawled across, and though it was too far away to read Mikoto guessed hers was on one nearby the friendly girl. "So, I guess we should...?"

Touma was still busy admiring the dangling wreaths, but nodded distractedly before glancing around the room. "Yeah, sure. Lead the way. I didn't think there would be this many people." There were over fifty already in the room with more straggling in. Though he recognized many, he didn't have time to count at the pace the esper was setting.

He followed her back as she threaded through the congregations, smiling and saying hello when he recognized a random English nun or Amakuza-style member. Mikoto quickly observed that the majority of those acquaintances were girls, and almost all of those girls were giving Touma very warm and telling smiles. A certain rail-gun reflected in a moderate huff that it would be enough to make a girl jealous, were she the jealous type.

Her sourness deepened as upon reaching Itsuwa, as their seating arranged was revealed. Touma took the seat with his name, just to the right of their blushing guide. Mikoto took one to the magician's left, idly wondering if this arrangement was intentional. Predictably the boy was oblivious, smiling tiredly.

"Good morning, Itsuwa! Sure is busy in here."

"Good morning, Misaka-san, K-Kamijou-kun... I hope you weren't waiting too long for our Christmas service to be over." She seemed surprisingly alert to Mikoto, especially as she considered her own condition.

"No worries, Itsuwa, we're fine. Right Misaka?"

"Ah, yes, don't worry, we're just grateful to be invited."

"Oh, that's good to hear. I'm sorry how loud everyone was being last night, Misaka-san, but at least we're ready to the start the celebration today!" The young girl's warm smile put Mikoto at ease. She hadn't realized how tense she was becoming, despite the pleasant atmosphere. Still waiting for the shoe to drop, the unseen political machination that would somehow put things askew... Even if the girl couldn't believe yet that there was no ulterior motive, perhaps she could unwind enough to try and enjoy the festivities.

At least this Itsuwa's nice enough, even if she's coming betw... No, NO. No. "A-ah, so, Itsuwa-san, are we still waiting for people? It's already pretty crowded, but no one is opening anything yet."

"You're right, Misaka-san: the delegation from the Roman Catholic group is coming in as we speak. They needed a few minutes after mass before coming down, apparently." Sure enough, a group by a secondary entrance to the Community Room was making a stir. Mikoto mulled over this information before abusing her privilege as a guest.

"Roman's Catholic, huh... Itsuwa-san, could I trouble you to explain the various groups here? I only recognize a few people from this side of things."

"Ah, of course! I'm sorry, I completely forgot that was something I should have been doing!" Mikoto hadn't meant to embarrass her, but Itsuwa rallied quickly. "Uhm, how much do you already know?"

"J-just start from the top. So-o-o... Which group are you with? ...Y-you are a magician, right?"

"Yes, I am. Officially, I'm in Necessarius, the 0th parish of the Anglican Church; essentially it's magical division. It was organized in the past to protect the church from heretical worship and witchcraft. Nowadays its a prominent branch of the official church itself. I personally belong to the Amakuza-Style Remix of Church."

"Amakuza? That seems more Asian than anything else, so why are you in London?" And why is magic even so tied to religion? But one question at time...

"Oh, we're newer members, at first just strong allies of Necessarius. We joined after our leader did, and the Anglican church lets us operate just like we used to. You can tell us apart from the others by our casual clothing. See?" Sure enough, a handful of those present weren't dressed in religious or otherwise formal attire. "The Anglican contingent usually dress in more obviously religious uniforms, but if you want to see really formal attire, just look at the Roman Catholic group. They were only with Necessarius officially for a short time, but since they're the London branch now they were invited as well. I won't explain the politics, but they are friends of ours."

"I can see from their robes they mean business, but why is that tiny one in front wearing foot high platform shoes?" Touma, who had been investigating random decorations hanging above, perked his ears up at Mikoto's observation.

"Ah? Do you mean Agnese?"

"Did I hear my nam- Hey! Boy!" A petite redhead in many thin braids had stomped her way through the stunned crowd like a mother goose leading her gosling. That, or a general on dress parade, judging by her commanding strut. "So where's my present? Angeline, go check under the tree!" At Agnese's gesture another short girl, this one with long braids in her blonde hair, scurried towards the nearest tree. After a second she lifted one up with a cry.

"Ah, yes! Here!"

"Good! You didn't screw up, Kamijou!"

"Wait! T-There's a few presents here!" Angeline put aside the first, and then a second. "Hold on! There's actually three!"

"R-really? Wow... Do I really mean that much to you? I... I don't know what to-" Lost in dramatic revelry, the leader of her self-named forces failed to notice a second subordinate break away from the pack. Again blonde but taller and with shorter hair, the other girl investigated the first few presents.

"Sorry, fearless leader, but these are labeled 'Agnese Forces', not 'Agnese Sanctis'."

"Lucia, don't tell her that!" But Angeline's plea was too slow in coming.

"What!? I don't warrant an individual gift!?" The battle-nun Godzilla-ed her way to Touma, nearly toppling him from his chair. He waved his arms helplessly as the girl gripped at his shirt.

"Ah, well, about that...!" Salvation came from an unlikely corner as a third member of the forces, face unseen, pipped up by raising a hand.

"But, Agnese, it's not like you got him an individual gift either, remember?"

"You made us all pitch in, at any rate..."

"Yeah, you said you were brok-" The fifth and final comment was cut off by a loud crash. Touma and his chair had fallen like Tokyo's National Diet Building after to Agnese's half-aware shove, her face and ire alike turned back onto her subordinates. [4]

"That was just because none of us are paid that much! How much do you think custom shoes like this cost!?" Finally gaining some perception of her situation, she backtracked suddenly, attempting to put on an innocent persona. "Plus, it means more if it's from all of us! Christmas is all about the spirit of community, after all!" There were some grudging acknowledgments among her acolytes, but a quiet voice from the floor took this chance to make his pitch.

"S-so, don't my gifts to all of you at once mean more, too? I mean, spirit of c-community, right!?"

Agnese froze. She barely masked a frown, but was betrayed by the twitching of her brow. Finally she spun, braids twirling towards the unfortunate Touma who had just picked himself up from the ground. Agnese could only sigh at his cheesy, half-hearted smile.

"...You win this time. Again." Waving her hands she orchestrated a temporary retreat amongst her forces, but before they all meandered away to find seats and relax, she twisted back with a blush. "A-and, Merry Christmas." About half of the Agnese forces gave a similar response, before hurrying away in a blushing titter from the perplexed boy.

Mikoto was about to protest the unfairness of it all when a crinkling static demanded the party's attention. Voices hushed and heads turned towards a small raised platform, set up with a old-fashioned radio microphone and podium. There two women stood together, one gingerly taping the microphone she had just activated on its platform while the other looked about as bored and disdainful as someone could be.

"A-ah, hello, everyone. And welcome, uhm, to St. George's Cathedral. Those who are new here, I mean. Ah..." The first woman leaned forward to reach the microphone, her generous bosom making it difficult to get close enough for her voice to be picked up. Short blonde hair peaked out from within her hood as the podium rocked all little from the pressure. "E-either way, we'd like to extend to you a very... A merry..." She paused here for a second, looking across the room. Suddenly her eyes alighted upon Touma and she gave a cheery wave. "Oh! Hello, Kamijou-kun! Merry-Aahh! S-Sherry!?"

"We all know it's Christmas! Let's just get this over with." The second woman was in stark contrast to the first, hair wild and clothing unkempt. She had elbowed her companion out of the way to wrench the podium over to her side. "You probably know who we are, but I was told we have to say this crap. I'm Sherry Cromwell, and that's Orsola Aquinas. Since for some bloody reason we're managing this shin-dig, listen up." Her broad, heavy voice crackled painfully over the faulty pick-up of the off-balance microphone. "If you haven't guessed, we're opening presents first. Then comes Christmas brunch. More info about later stuff will be after that." Sullenly she stepped aside, allowing Orsola to retake the stand.

"Yes, thank you, Sherry." Seemingly unperturbed by the abrupt transitions of her partner, Orsola smiled brightly as she retook the centre stage. "Christmas is a wonderful time to remember those good people and experiences in our lives, celebrating by giving and receiving. There is a long history of Christmas in England, celebrated in many traditions, songs, and activities, which we plan to enjoy in this and the coming days." She relinquished the stand one last time, and Sherry gave a final terse message.

"Some staff will bring the presents to you, so try not to mill about and confuse things. Stay in the seats where your names are, or this will take even longer. You can complain or say thanks or whatever later at brunch."

"Sherry, aren't we still supposed to-" But Orsola's voice lost its amplification as her body was dragged away from the stand by her partner, leaving Mikoto with a few questions.

"So, ah, Itsuwa-san, who were-" Their guide had no time to answer, for Touma was already muttering aloud in worry.

"It's good to see Orsola and Sherry getting along so well, but I'm worried about the kind of activities they might have come up with..."

"You consider that as getting along well?" Mikoto's surprise at his observation was only one part of her increasing consternation. More to the point, how many of these girls does the idiot personally KNOW? She was afraid she would soon find out, for after the pair's closing remarks Anglican serving staff began the long process of distributing gifts. Between the two Itsuwa pursed her lips thoughtfully, trying to remember the details.

"Miss Stuart thought it would be best for their development within the church if they had experience handling a big event like this. That, and something about it being funny... A-anyway, don't worry, Kamijou-kun, they are just keeping us to a schedule and informing us, the events were organized by committee."

"Oh, okay. But, ah, who is this Miss Stuart? She someone new?" He was suddenly assailed from both sides by shocked cries.

"There's a woman here you DON'T know!?" Mikoto and Itsuwa's unified disbelief demanded some sort of response from the boy, who felt the stab of his honour being impugned.

"W-what's that supposed to imply? I'm sure there are tons of people here I've never met!" He was not encouraged by their dubious looks. Luckily they were all distracted by the abrupt arrival of Index, who had apparently been removed from the snack table with judicious force. At least, that was judging by the speed with which she was hurled into her chair next to Touma. Her pout didn't last longer than the time it took for the first present to arrive, and the celebration began in earnest.

!~~~~~~~~!

Mikoto was well aware that she wouldn't be having much to open during this trip. Yet she was content knowing her friends and family would have gifts waiting for her at Tokiwadai, while looking forward to seeing their reactions to her own gifts to them. So she was able to enjoy the happiness of those around her without envy. There was, however, a growing concern in the back of her mind. A niggling doubt that was worming its way to the fore.

How the order had been determined was not quite explained, but Index received the first gift from the serving staff. When her frenzied unwrapping had revealed a brand new "Walking Church" robe from the church she was ecstatic, lapsing only for a second into a glare at a blushing Touma. But Mikoto was mentally elsewhere.

That little doubt had grown and grown. It had no shape at first; she couldn't quite articulate it.

Until she finally realized what had bothered her out in the courtyard.

Her knuckles whitened, gripping her chair's seat. The problem had come to clarity only upon seeing Index's new habit.

I mailed his coat to his apartment. Not to ENGLAND. WHY WOULD I MAIL IT TO ENGLAND!?

Itsuwa got a gift next, revealed to be the hand-towel from Touma. She promptly fainted, and he was forced to use it as an emergency fan a little sooner than anyone had expected. Mikoto's worry deepened.

Crap. CRAP. GOD DAMN IT CRAP! How did I forget about that until now!?

A blissfully unaware boy soon became the beneficiary of a startling number of boxes and bags. First up was something from Stiyl, and though Touma was marginally surprised that Mister too-cool-for-school had bothered, he was even more surprised by the contents.

"C-cookies!?" Upon trying one he realized how they fit the magician's character, eyes watering. "W-wow, these are really spiced!" I guess fire can be used to bake too... Still, who do I thank, him or Innocentius?

Many more packages seemed to be food related, making him wonder just how much people thought he could consume. I guess most of the people who might want to get me gifts don't see me all that often relaxing, so they wouldn't really know what to get... I understand how hard shopping can be. Still, he enjoyed the idea of pastries so numerous that even Index couldn't eat them all, and genuinely looked forward to the gourmet hot chocolate set that the Amakuza group had sent as a whole.

However, when he got another gift in the same wrapping paper, he realized this one was separately issued. It appeared to be delivered not just from Kanzaki Kaori, but Ituswa as well. She apparently noticed as well, looking down in deep crimson.

Blushing in unconscious sympathy he unwrapped it carefully, feeling the heat of Index watching to his side. When the lid was at last lifted, he gasped at what the box contained.

"A book...? Wait, a scrap book?" He flipped the cover, seeing first a picture of a familiar church. He suddenly recalled it as the place where he had fought to protect Orsola Aquinas during the Book of the Law incident. It was also where he had first met the Agnese forces and the Amakuza-Style Remix of Church, fighting each group at different times. He was unsure of who had taken the pictures, but there were scenes of both fighting and the ensuing happy ending.

On the next pages were scenes the boy hardly remembered: if he wasn't in the picture he might have assumed he had never been there. It came to him in a flash: it was from his abortive vacation in Italy, in Orsola Aquinas's house before she moved to London. Things began to add up.

His suspicions were confirmed on the next page, where he was expecting to see the French city of Avignon. Sure enough, he even recognized bits of scenery from the town from churches to parks, in surprisingly tasteful shots considering how the place had been damaged from their adventure there. Though he hadn't had much time to sight-see, it was familiar enough.

He paused on the next page, which showed scenes from Academy City's underground resort in School District 22 before it was destroyed. Glanced up, he saw the nervous wreck Itsuwa was becoming. "Ah, Itsuwa-" He was cut short.

"I'm s-sorry! There are only a few pages, but it was all I could do-"

"Itsuwa, this is great! I love it! But I have to know, when did you take the pictures? I was there most of the time, and I didn't see anything!"

"Ah, well... I have a lot of practice. I'm technically the Amakuza Church's chronicler, so I have to maintain records of our activities and such. So I've gotten quick at taking photographs..."

"Ah, really? That quick? You'll have to show me some t-" He was blinded by a sudden flash. Blinking rapidly, he saw that nothing had moved: yet Itsuwa was already shaking out a polaroid as if nothing had happened. "W-wha...? Wow! That was so fast! And I didn't mean you had to do it right now!" H-how ready was she to do that!? The answer became apparent.

"B-but you said I could... You d-don't mind, do you?"

"What, no, of course I don't-" Another flash, followed by two more. His eyes didn't have time to recover. "AAGH!?"

"Sorry, sorry! But I don't often get to use the flash, so I really wanted some with good lighting! H-here's one for you!" Touma felt the print being shoved into his hand. "Please, don't forget to shake it well!"

"Aah-hah, o-okay. Right." Mid-shake, he remembered himself. "But really, thank you very much! Your gift means a lot to me, so thank you!"

"Ah... A-aah...Uh..." The girl caught her breath, though was still unable to look at her companion. She seemed somewhere between depressed and anxious when she finally spoke. "It was actually the Priestess's idea... And she helped to plan the layout... S-she's can't make it until this evening, but asked me to say... M-merry Chr... Christmas. For her." Despite her distress at relying upon the saint Kanzaki Kaori for a gift idea instead managing on her own, she could smile at least Touma's obvious pleasure.

"Well, I'll have to thank Kanzaki-san as well then! Merry Christmas, Itsuwa!" He didn't hear her soft response, for yet another gift was added to the pile at feet. Touma was receiving a number of glares from the staff who were doing to work, since despite being a popular destination for presents he had lately been taking his time to progress in unwrapping. Others were apparently already done, so the boy swallowed awkwardly and picked up the pace. But still, what a problem to have! This is luckiest Christmas ever: the tree hasn't even caught fire yet!

Luckily even his head had an end, with Index helping to organize the presents that ended up being food. [5] Those were quickly dealt with, leaving him some time to enjoy his new favorite variety of gift: the ones that immortalized events. An example being the small model "Queen of the Adriatic Sea" that the Agnese forces had apparently commissioned in tandem. He didn't know if they had used magic to shape it, but he expected it was delicate from the subtle glass-work.

The Anglican Church itself had given him a small model of St. George's Cathedral, intricately carved and surprisingly sturdy, to commemorate his current trip. He looked forward to placing it on a shelf somewhere to remember this trip, when he also remembered Mikoto who had been surprisingly quiet this whole time. Oh. I guess she wouldn't have gotten many gifts to open, so she's keeping quiet. At least she'll have mine to...

...M-mine to...

"...Agh!? AAGH!" His sudden eruption drew everyone's surprise. Though he tried to look casual after regaining a grip on the miniature church, his glance over at Mikoto was filled with panic. I remembered everyone else, so what must she be thinking!? This whole time I got so wrapped up unwrapping...! While her present must be sitting back home in her dorm!

The girl in question looked up, startled out of her own concern by his commotion. Yet as she felt his gaze her anxiety rose anew, turning away to hide her eyes. Crap! He did, he DID notice! I knew he'd notice! D-damn it, what do I say, "Oh, just open it a week or so later when we get back, whatever"!? How heartfelt does THAT look!?

Though both were aware of how little at fault they personally were for the sudden trip, it didn't do much to ease their minds. Soon the issue loomed large, since the last of the other guests was leaving for brunch. Inevitable Index popped her head around from the far side of the group, already eager to move on as the remaining staff tidied up.

"Can we go now, Touma? I'm hungry. Are all the gifts done yet?" Though Index was oblivious to the tension, she did think of her and Touma's companion. "Oh! Short-hair! How about you, are you done?"

"A-ah, well, you see..." The silence dragged out until the boy cleared his throat.

"Uhm, Mis-"

"Sorry! Sorry! Make way!" A young nun of Anglican leaning burst through from the side entrance, letting in a blast of cold air. She darted over to the group, as the few remaining guests got out of her way. Skidding to halt, she nearly dropped the presents she was carrying. "I'm so sorry! These had been left in the warehouse area because they were specially summoned: somebody forgot to sort them with the rest!"

"Ah? Summoned? What do you mean?" Itsuwa tilted her head in curiosity, but the two on either side of her suddenly felt a warm ray of hope.

"We had to intercept the mail-system to do it, but we had enough warning to make sure these got here on time! ...Though It didn't help that one of them had ACTUALLY been wrapped and posted by some RANDOM Academy City girl..." The nun didn't notice her muttering was audible, immediately transitioning back to perfect politeness after her lapse. "Once again, I'm terribly sorry for the delay! Excuse me, now, I have to go to the Dining Hall! Please, head over when you are done to enjoy our brunch! If you put the name from your onto your gifts, some staff will come around shortly to deliver them to your room for you! " She gave away a present, one to Mikoto and the other to Touma, before sprinting off back the way she had come.

"Oh! Well, isn't that nice... Ah? A-are you two okay?" Itsuwa's concern was well founded. Mikoto had nearly slid out of her seat in relief while Touma was leaning over his own package in devotion to whatever power was looking out for him. Suddenly he sat upright.

"Wait! This isn't what I got you... Hold on, t-this present is FROM you, Misaka!? You got ME something!?"

"Hey! Why do you sound surprised that I got you a g-g... A GIFT!? What's that implying, Idiot!? I'm no Scrooge! Besides, you clearly got me something, a-after all!"

"But you didn't know that! I thought you... Ah..." Well, wait. What did I think? I already know she doesn't hate me, despite the shock treatment. So... I guess she's... a friend? But... Maybe, then... "A-ah, nevermind, sorry! It's just, I don't expect many gifts for Christmas, that's all."

"Come on, even you aren't so unlucky that you get nothing but coal."

"Well, okay, I get some things from family and stuff, but not usually... Let's just say this has been an astoundingly lucky Christmas so far. I mean, aside from my rice cooker, nothing has been destroyed, and I've gotten WAY more gifts than ever. Sorry, guess I'm just still surprised. Thank you"

"T-thank you, as well." Well. That wasn't quite as bad as I thought it would be.

Itsuwa coughed. "You, uhm, haven't opened them yet."

Mikoto and Touma realized just then, for the first time, that they would have to actually open the gifts.

In front of the other.

AAAAGHHH! No no no! I-I could just about imagine doing it in my dorm once Kuroko was gone, but like this!? He'll be watching, right!? I, I don't know... W-why is my heart is pounding!?

If I don't react to this present the right way, will she go ballistic on me!? But to know what do now, I'd have to see it first! Which means opening... I just want my heart to keep pounding!

"Hey! Touma, I'm hungry! Hurry up!" Index's shaking had her desired effect, speeding her guardian along. Swallowing hard he glanced over at Mikoto, who had entered into a battle of wills with the gift before her.

"Ah, s-should we go at the same time?" Good thinking, me! That way she'll be too distracted by her own gift to see my initial reaction! The esper nodded jerkily, but it was hard to see past her bangs whether she was truly ready. "A-all right then."

Despite their agreement, nothing happened. They glanced at each other again before Mikoto spoke.

"S-so, on three?"

"Yeah."

"...One."

"THREE!" Startled, Touma began tearing into his paper, only somewhat aware a number had been skipped. Embarrassed at being left behind, Mikoto quickly followed suit. "THREE THREE THREE! GOOOOOOO!" Index's shouted cheers had accelerated events exactly as she had planned. In seconds the gifts were revealed.

"-Ack! How!? When!?" Mikoto was in total shock. She didn't know what she had been expecting, but the limited edition Gekota brooch from the Dianoid was not it. "I-I thought I'd never see this again, since it was a special production run just for the mall's reopening and now its just gone! When did you... Ah... A-are you... T-Tou...?"

The boy was shaking, staring down at his gift. "This..." She looked closer and realized with horror Touma was holding back tears. "T-this... this is..." Mikoto had no idea what do or say: dumbfounded, she watched as Index leaned in to investigate.

"Touma? Touma? Is that a jacket-" With a roar the boy stood up, holding the coat aloft like his first-born child.

"THIS LOOKS SO WARM! So impossibly WARM!" He stretched it out, eyes boggling at the many linings and padded layers. "How THICK is it!? Wait, is that FLEECE!? As in, ACTUAL fleece!? Oh, where have you been all my life!?" He donned it with a fumble, marveling at its feel but suddenly paused. "Look at this this hood too, it's... WHOA! H-hold up! Misaka, how much did this cost!? All I got for you was-"

"SALE!" She now joined him standing, knocking her chair back with the fury of her motion. "It, ah, it was on sale!" T-technically true. 5%, but true! "It wasn't all that much! I-I've spent way more on my own coats and stuff..." Still true. "Besides, this brooch... I really wanted it, so t-thank you! But how did you even get it?"

"Oh, uhm..." Not wanting to sell out his secret assistant Touma shrugged in the least nonchalant manner imaginable. "Ahaha! I had a little help, but enough of that! You should put it on, maybe." Trying anything to change subject, he paid no heed to her blush.

"W-what, here!? Now?"

"Why not? Here, let me-" She tensed as he quickly reached down and affixed the pin to her cardigan. Halfway through the motion he realized what he had done, meeting her gaze.

There was a blinding flash.

They turned to Itsuwa, but were interrupted by another flash.

"S-sorry! It just seemed like a good opportunity!" The girl was shaking out two photos, her camera stowed away again without having ever been seen. "I still need photograph's for the Amakuza's records of this event, you see!"

Before anyone could protest or recover, Index made her move. It was clear the nun had reached the end of her patience, threatening to rip Touma's newest gift from his body.

"TOOUMMAAA! We're the last ones now! We can't miss brunch, come on! I've never had a brunch before, but it sounds like a meal, so let's GO!" She dragged him through the door into the courtyard, the fastest route back to the Dining Hall. Itsuwa made to carry on after them, but paused for a moment.

"A-ah, Misaka-san... I don't really need two, so here you go. Don't worry, I already shook it!"

"A-gah!? Ah, uh, wait, hold... on." But the magician had already disappeared through the door.

Mikoto stood alone in the community room, trying to process what had just happened. She felt the weight of the brooch on her shirt, just covering Gekota that was already emblazoned there. It was much more prominent, and she warred for a second between being more embarrassed by how visible it was and how it had been placed there. Finally she rebooted, glancing down at the photograph of her and a certain spiky haired idiot which had been pressed into her hand. It was suddenly hid in the deepest pocket she had, and she set about following the group with as much grace as could be marshaled. ...Alright, that Itsuwa's definitely not that bad. [6]

Footnotes

[1] As a small note, I'm assuming this St. George's Cathedral is substantially different from the one in the real world. I mean, it's hard to imagine given the alternate time-line that the Church wouldn't have expanded and changed the upper area as well as did other magical stuff. I'm also ret-coning to making it not a public place of worship, but a quasi-bureaucratic and special occasion facility on top of housing England main magical base. It just doesn't make much sense otherwise in this universe. I've already mentioned the underground complex which has been mentioned in the canon, but not in massive detail. However, I will be making up my own above ground area, and making it pretty huge. I have actually drawn up a basic map so that I have something to refer to, and to maintain consistency in my depictions later. I don't think there is anyway to attach hi-quality images to the story directly, though, otherwise I'd post it despite the grade-school quality.

[2] Some people might have expected this footnote. Others; not.

[3] Referring to the British Halloween, or the English Civil War, as taking place in the original series of Light Novels. To summarize for the forgetful, Touma rescued Floris before nearly killing them both after diving off a bridge and getting her recaptured by the same people. She was not impressed, and apparently remembers that event.

[4] This reference is a bit of a classic one. But since someone got my Metal Gear joke in the last book, I feel like this is fine.

[5] Index's system involved two piles; the ones she would later claim to be hers, and the ones she thought looked gross. One pile was much larger than the other.

[6] Some people may be wondering about Itsuwa's actions here and elsewhere. Don't worry, it'll be explained in a few chapters. I think I can justify it as in character, but I haven't given quite enough information to really piece it together yet. Although maybe some enterprising reader could figure it out... Also, what might have happened to Mikoto? I wonder. (I don't really, because I already know. But you get the idea.)

[7] This chapter was very hard to write, because really, if you had to buy Kamijou Touma a present, what the hell would you get him that wasn't generic? Seriously, we see so little of his down-time that it's basically non-existent, and if had any hobbies he's forgotten about them with his memory loss. But people would want to, for various reasons, so I had to try. Anyway, I'll see you this time next week for Chapter 2.