"Oh, you need to make something away from the prying eyes the day before Valentine's? Sure, sure, come over," Saten said with that usual "I-know-what's-this-about" tune in her voice. Mikoto sighed. Well, one pair of prying eyes wasn't that bad. As long as they weren't Kuroko's…

Next on the agenda were the ingredients.

Feeling a little silly, Mikoto returned to the store she had so cowardly fled from. This time, however, there wasn't even a hint of coyness in her movements. With steady, determined steps she walked between shelves and picked what she needed. Cocoa powder, heavy cream, dark chocolate…

Now, what about the form? Square, round… or heart-shaped, maybe? No, no, too daring! Mikoto shook her head as her cheeks got a little hot. But then a thought stirred in her mind. Stars. Neither ordinary, nor suggestive.

That should have been all. But on the way to the register the colorful chocolate section from earlier drew her again. Doubts swarmed her mind. Would her chocolate turn out well? Sure, she had picked an easy recipe but something might go wrong. Better have a Plan B.

And there was that particular blue-and-yellow box. She kept glaring at it hoping… for what exactly? That it would disappear? Or that it would just float in her basket by itself? She didn't even know herself.

"Oh, for crying out loud!"

Mikoto dove into the section, grabbed the box and rushed to the register before her second thoughts started having second thoughts.

As he was scanning the barcodes, the cashier glanced above Mikoto's head at something. His eyes widened. Mikoto wondered what that was about when an emotionless voice called from behind, "Onee-sama?"

"Ah, figures," Mikoto muttered and turned around.

Before her stood a girl in the same sandy jacket and blue checkered skirt of Tokiwadai Middle School. With the same tea-colored hair and eyes – and the exactly same face. She looked like a mirror image of Mikoto. The cashier was probably worried he was seeing double.

But there were differences, both small and big. Like what appeared to be night-vision goggles atop the other girl's head. And her expressionless face, of course.

She was Mikoto's sister – one of many.

"Hello," Mikoto beamed and glanced down but saw neither the heart-shaped necklace nor the black cat. Well, they didn't let animals into the store but if this one didn't have the necklace either that meant… "Err, you are…?"

"Misaka 10039, answers Misaka crossing her arms to show her displeasure that Onee-sama still cannot tell us apart," the girl said doing exactly as described. Her voice, however, remained just as blunt.

"Sorry, sorry," Mikoto mumbled smiling awkwardly. But what could she do? Most of these girls looked, dressed and behaved exactly the same way. Like a litter of charcoal black cats. Telling them apart was impossible.

And it's not like she had grown up with them and learnt all of their little traits. To begin with, these girls were only about a year old. Yes… they weren't Mikoto's actual sisters.

They were her clones.

Made without her knowledge to be used in a horrific experiment. But that had been long since over, not without a certain boy's help, and now these girls were free to roam the world. To live and experience its joys.

And as this girl's "name" suggested, there were a lot of them. However, only ten remained in Academy City. The rest had been distributed around its facilities in other countries.

Mikoto hoped that one day she would be able to meet and hang out with all of them. Like a family would.

"So, what are you buying, Onee-sama? Misaka asks curiously peering at the counter. Oh, chocolate. Is this for…?"

"For myself! Yes, yes, I'm buying this for myself!" Mikoto shoved everything into a shopping bag. "Just a snack, you know."

"Is that so? Misaka expresses her doubts with a tilt of her head. Is it really not for that boy?"

"W-why would I want to give chocolate to that idiot?!"

Misaka 10039 tilted her head even more but then her eyes slightly widened and she said, "Oh, Misaka has a message from 10032, Misaka reports trying her best not to giggle."

Misaka 10032 was the girl with the heart-shaped necklace and a pet black cat. Out of all the Sisters, Mikoto knew her best. And that was why she had a bad feeling about this.

"Ugh… come on, I'm listening."

"Siiigh, Onee-sama, if you continue not being honest with your feelings you would lose, Misaka passes on trying her best to convey 10032's annoyance with Onee-sama's tsundere personality."

Mikoto's face instantly flushed, "Hey! Are you broadcasting? Stop it right now!"

The clones' minds were connected into one giant network. The initial purpose had been to share combat experience. But now the girls used it to simply stay in touch – and make fun of their big sister, apparently.

"Impossible, Misaka rebukes taking a firm stance. Everyone wants to see Onee-sama's cute side as she struggles with her first love."

"Ugh, I feel like I should be happy hearing this… But for some reason I really want to zap you right now!"

"Please, no powers in the store!" the cashier pleaded. "Also, you are holding the line."

Getting even redder, Mikoto moved away from the register pulling her sister along. Unsurprisingly, they ended up by the manga magazines.

"You came here for these, right? Well, have f…"

"But Misaka is not some cheapskate like the Original. Just because we are genetically identical it doesn't mean we share all of your traits, says Misaka deeply saddened by Onee-sama's lack of heart."

This girl is worse than 10032, Mikoto thought barely alive after such a heavy mental blow.

"Anyway, Misaka is here to buy chocolate. For someone else, Misaka specifies proudly puffing her modest chest that she did get from the Original…"

"Enough already! Who… who is this chocolate for?"

It better not be that idiot!

"Mmm, Misaka doesn't know if she should say, mumbles Misaka shyly looking away."

It is him! Gotta be! Has he been fooling around with these girls? Oh, I'm gonna fry him good!

Mikoto was already picturing the boy's execution when her sister meekly said, "Promise you won't go all zappy-zappy? Misaka asks knowing Onee-sama's violent nature."

"Y-yeah, sure. No zapping," Mikoto said with a cheerful smile – or so she thought. Instead, what came out was a wolfish grin.

That very instance the girl's face lost the hint of embarrassment Mikoto was agonizing about and looked her directly in the eyes as she said, "It's just thank-you chocolate. You know, for the doctor and the hospital staff and such."

All of Mikoto's annoyance and anger evaporated. For several seconds she just stood there lost for words. Indeed, the clones had been indebted to a certain doctor ever since the end of the experiment. After all, their growth had been accelerated due to drugs and hormones. If not for that doctor, their bodies would have deteriorated fast. It was only natural they would want to thank him.

"Then what was that pure maiden act about?" Mikoto finally uttered.

"Misaka was just having fun messing with Onee..."

BAM

"Ow, ow… but you promised! Misaka protests patting the bump on her head."

"And I didn't zap you, did I? You said nothing about good old smacking. That will teach you!"

Seriously, some of these girls are developing weird personalities. Maybe I should call Nanotaba…

But after thinking about it, Mikoto smiled and waved it off, "Ah, whatever. Pull pranks, mess with me. I don't care. Be yourselves."

Misaka 10039 blinked hearing those words. She clearly was about to say something but Mikoto cut her off, "Well, anyway, I gotta run. Later!"

Slowly, the girl nodded, "Very well. Goodb…"

As quick as a lightning, Mikoto pressed a finger to her lips before she could finish that awful word.

"No goodbyes. Only later. Your big sister will be seeing you around. Got it?"

"Y-yes."

"Good!" Mikoto beamed and turned around to leave.

But then…

"Ah, Onee-sama, wait!"

"What is it?"

"Misaka forgot to tell you the second part of 10032's message, confesses Misaka slightly annoyed for having to act like a phone for someone else."

Mikoto sighed, "If that girl wants to make fun of me again…"

"No, that's not it, says Misaka confidently and smiles unable to hide her amusement."

"Oh boy… Come on, out with it."

The girl cleared her throat in a theatrical manner and said, "PS. If you are not giving that boy chocolate, may Misaka give him some then? Misaka asks secretly hoping for Onee-sama's permission. She is making it right now." End of message. At last, this Misaka says as she sighs in relief."

"Eeeehhhh?!"

"Also, Misaka this and Misaka that… Isn't it kind of convoluting? Maybe Misaka… maybe I should just drop it? Hm… Misaka ponders as she touches her chin to show that she is deep in thoughts."

"Put that self-discovery on pause for a minute! Did I hear that right? That girl wants to give that idiot homemade chocolate?!"

"Yes, it is exactly as you heard. Are you having hearing problems? Misaka asks slightly concerned. Maybe you should see a doctor?"

"The only "doctor" I wanna see is that Nanotaba girl that clearly infected your minds with some virus…" Mikoto mumbled to herself.

Her sister looked at her puzzled.

"No, nothing, forget it… Anyway… how is 10032's chocolate turning out?"

"This Misaka doesn't know. 10032 is not sharing any visuals, only audio. Lately she has been very secretive. Like many others, Misaka adds feeling a little lonely. Also, 10032 is still waiting for your reply, Onee-sama."

"My reply?"

"Yes. Would you be against 10032 giving chocolate to that boy? Misaka asks looking closely at the Original."

"Ugh…"

Something ugly, like a knot of worms, stirred in Mikoto's chest, and she almost shouted "yes" at the top of her lungs. But those eyes, those seemingly emotionless eyes, were looking at her so earnestly… Their gaze was heavy – much heavier than one pair could ever be.

So, you all want to know, huh?

Mikoto grinned and put a hand on her sister's shoulder. "Seriously, you girls can do whatever you want. No need to ask me for permission. But! If you wish to challenge me you better be prepared. I am giving everything my all!" she declared and gave her a flick on the forehead. "Got it?"

Misaka 10039 touched the spot with the same blank expression. But then her lips curled, "Yes, Onee-sama."

"Good. Well, I am off. Got places to be, things to do. Later!" Mikoto beamed one last time before storming off.

The store's automatic doors opened and closed.

"Yes, Misaka will be seeing you later, Onee-sama, murmurs Misaka happily to herself."