Chapter 1
Part 1
Academy City.
A landlocked sovereign city-state whose territory consisted of a walled enclave within the Tokyo Metropolitan Employment Area. Being as large as a one-third of Tokyo, the city accommodated 2.3 million people, of which 80% were students. If a city mainly composed of students wasn't unusual enough, the main purpose of Academy City's existence was the esper development institution.
Because Academy City was the most technologically and scientifically developed place in the world, people who essentially ran the city were able to „create" humans who could use their brains to affect the reality. Experiments regarding the creation of said humans dated back to early 80s. By using all kinds of different drugs, hypnosis and brain reconstruction experiments, scientists had been proven to be able to put human brain in the condition of a so-called „maximal output".
That state of brain allowed the person to create their own reality. Also known as Personal Reality. The experiments were not only increasing the willpower of a subject, but also their perception of world, reality, morals. Depending on how the brain condition of a subject had changed, their Personal Reality could differ.
They were capable of bending the reality that everybody can observe and creating their own. Taking a portion of reality their perception could grasp and modifying it is the base summary of creating Personal Reality. Although, to influence the universal reality, understanding the world they are observing was a fundamental part for any student. Learning about the laws of physics, studying mathematics and chemistry was, of course, partially done by the interference in the brain work of a subject. But most of the necessary knowledge and understanding were supposed to be learned in the old-fashioned way.
The traditional way of teaching was done in the Academy City by forming schools which would keep track of students' development. Each school had their own principles and objectives. Depending on what were the subjects' capabilities, as well as their esper power, knowledge and financial situation, they could choose a school most fitting for them.
Not every school had the ambition to develop espers in a fast pace; some schools were focusing on more down-to-earth activities, as well as being a shelter for the students who were not able to fulfill Academy City's wish.
Although the truth is, most of the schools were designed to develop and produce espers. They used scientific, as well as traditional methods to speed up the development of their students.
All those procedures, experiments and trainings were what made the Power Curriculum Program. When the project turned out to be successful, the Academy City became a number 1 phenomena that flooded the media. Everyone, not only the people from Japan, desired to become a part of the project and undergo the Power Curriculum Program in order to become an ability user.
Academy City's espers were ranked according to their ability's value, power and practicality. Level 0 espers were students who, even after undergoing the Power Curriculum Program, did not develop an esper power that can be detected by a naked eye. Most of them were able to bend reality in one way or another, but their power's influence was really faint and barely noticeable.
Level 0 espers were treated like failures by many, even though they were the significant majority of Academy City's students, making 60% of the city's population.
Level 1 espers could affect the outside world to some extent, although most of the telekinetics at that level could bend a spoon at best.
Level 2 espers could show a glimpse of potential to even some of the most prestigious schools. Usually, if an esper was able to reach Level 2, their chances of leveling up in the future were higher than the Level 1s'. Essentially students at that level were viewed as espers with basic capabilities that are ready to develop.
From Level 3 and on, espers could attend high-class schools and mark themselves as successful products of the city of science. Their brains' capabilities were so great that they could become dangerous. Abilities at such high level could be used to bring harm and espers could use them to fight against each other, which was prohibited in Academy City.
Level 4 espers were considered powerful beings, their brains were unusually strong and efficient. At that level, they could perform really complex calculations in a short amount of time, influence the outside world with ease and even create large-scale calamities.
At such a high social ladder, Level 4 espers were by no means a disappointment. They were almost the perfect product of Academy City's years of work and research.
But among the minority of Level 4 espers, there was an even smaller minority.
It was a literal „group" of people, who were able to achieve even more than the 4th level. They were the pinnacle of Academy City's Power Curriculum Program.
People called them Level 5s. The ones who achieved the 5th level. There were only 7 of them and the city used them to advertise the Power Curriculum Program and invite new potential students to undergo it.
This small group of people was the main attraction for future Academy City students and served as their motivation to come to the city. They were ranked according to their strength, skill, value and usefulness. Not every one of them was known for the general public. For civilians, usually only their ability names and position in the ranking were known.
Most of the Level 5 espers were just mysterious figures and their mystery gave birth to many urban legends and rumors surrounding them.
Although, there was a one particularly well-known Level 5 esper. One can say she was treated as Academy City's mascot, used to promote the Power Curriculum Program and invite students to come to the city.
She was best known as the „Railgun". A third-ranked Level 5 esper who could manipulate and generate electricity. Her multiple reckless and destructive actions made her really well-known around the city. Unlike the other Level 5s, she wasn't hiding in the shadows and dark burrows. She got used to being put on display.
And not only by the city itself. She was also representing and advertising her school. It was an extremely prestigious, high-class all-girls' school and the Railgun was their pride.
It was Tokiwadai Middle School. Located in the most luxurious place in the Academy City, the School Garden, Tokiwadai was a world-renowned school for young ladies who came from extremely wealthy and influential families.
In order to even apply to Tokiwadai, students had to be at least Level 3 espers, which in and of itself was quite a rigor. Not only that, the school was extremely expensive and required a lot of hard work.
But in exchange, the students were provided with the life of luxury, suitable for rich young ladies. They got to live in a secluded, all-girls district stylized to look like an old European town. In contrast to Academy City's extremely modern look, with its tall and shiny skyscrapers reaching to the clouds, School Garden had a traditional brick and mortar architecture.
People from outside who first came to the School Garden, did not feel like it was a part of the city at all. This prestigious area for rich ladies had more of a Parisian atmosphere. It consisted of 5 high-class, all-girls schools, luxurious boutiques of high fashion brand names, French cafés and expensive restaurants.
The most prominent pieces of architecture you could come across in the School Garden were big, fancy fountains and grand, magnificent clock towers. The area was also filled with wrought metal lamps and cobble-stoned roads and streets.
The town was perfect for rich, young ladies to live in. In fact, it was so comfortable and convenient, that some of the School Garden residents did not leave the area at all. They treated it as their own private city in which they did not have to worry about living beside the lower class.
It was almost entirely locked for the outsiders, with some small exceptions. Ordinary students could only gain permission to enter the area from a student who lived in the Garden. Additionally, males were not allowed in the district at all, making it a female-exclusive town.
It was a home to many powerful espers, but not every school demanded high levels from their students. Some schools focused just on the „lady-like activities" aspect of the Garden's bases.
Nonetheless, it was safe to say that Tokiwadai Middle School was the most successful in the esper power development department. Besides the Railgun, Tokiwadai actually managed to develop an another Level 5 esper, the 5th ranked, Mental Out.
Although, unlike the Railgun, Mental Out wasn't the type of Level 5 that got put on display. Mainly thanks to her power, the manipulation of human minds, she was able to hide herself from the public and was one of the most mysterious Level 5s of the Academy City.
The two Tokiwadai Level 5s obtained titles referencing the playing cards. The Railgun was named as „The Ace of Tokiwadai" while Mental Out beared the title of „The Queen of Tokiwadai".
The rest of the school (and even the whole School Garden) looked up to them and treated them with a proper respect. Rumors about The Queen and The Ace circulated around the elite schools and the two's presence was something unusual and momentous.
Thus, not many people could actually get closer to the two Level 5s. In fact, they didn't even know how to get to know them. When someone with such high celebrity status is around, you can't act like you're on the same page as them. Especially if you're a young girl who idolizes others depending on their social position.
But in Tokiwadai, there was a very popular way of making new friends. Forming cliques.
Students formed cliques, similar to clubs, which served as research groups. Tokiwadai's cliques had big influence outside of school; they had contacts with big facilities in the Academy City, got fundings from the school's board of directors and presented their projects in big national events. Larger cliques had even bigger influences and were usually led by outstanding students and high-level espers.
The biggest, most popular and most influential clique in Tokiwadai was The Queen's clique. It consisted of more than fifty students and acted as Mental Out's representative team, sometimes even replacing her when she wasn't around. One of many rumors surrounding The Queen was that she actually used her brainwashing powers on the members of her clique and used them to do the dirty work for her.
Forming cliques wasn't easy, especially successful ones. But if a student succeeded at that, they would become an influential and popular figure in the school. Many felt pressured into joining a clique, since being a member of one became a stereotype of being an ambitious, exemplary student, plus a popular clique could tremendously boost up someone's position in the school's social ladder.
That wasn't the case for a certain 2nd-year student. She wasn't pressured at all. In fact, she didn't like the concept of cliques. To her, half of the students interested in joining, were just people who desperately wanted to enter The Queen's clique. Almost everyone wanted to get closer to her.
She wasn't against forming a clique with an actual ambition and purpose, but when some of them started to get treated like a gate to the world of royalty, she got irritated at that concept.
„…"
She was looking at the window while thinking about going out to a clothing store. She was leaning on her hand and playing with her long, blonde hair laying on the desk.
She was in one of the Tokiwadai Middle School's classes. The room was made out of high-quality wood, the same as antique-looking, polished desks. Right now, the teacher was occupying a wooden platform, and there was a big blackboard behind her, with a date wrote on it with white chalk: „July 12th".
While the blonde girl's thoughts were roaming around new clothing, she was still listening to the teacher's lecture.
„I know this is a 1st-year material, but on our next lesson, we will be talking a bit more in-depth about the AIM Diffusion Field's properties and differences depending on the esper's brainwaves' pattern." said a middle-aged woman wearing a navy blue blazer.
„I would like you to revise the basics of AIM Diffusion Field's theory and how to calculate its wave frequency. While we are at it, Minami-san, could you remind the class what exactly is AIM?"
A girl sitting in a desk next to the blonde girl stood up gently.
„Yes." she responded with a melodic, mature voice.
„AIM, An Involuntary Movement, refers to the phenomena where an esper emits an energy field unseen for a naked eye. It is known as AIM Diffusion Field. Every human classified as an esper emits this Field, as it is closely connected to Personal Reality and is its by-product. Depending on how the esper views their own Personal Reality, their AIM Diffusion Field differs from others. In other words, it's an involuntarily emitted, unique energy. We know that such energy exist through the use of machines or specialized espers. Normally, it can't be seen or detected, but depending on one's Personal Reality, their AIM Diffusion Field can emit different type of energy. For example, Pyrokinesists produce a faint heat, Electromasters produce electromagnetic fields and Telekinesists exert small pressure on the objects nearby. Also, the higher level the esper, the more poweful their AIM Diffusion Field."
„Thank you, Minami-san."
The girl bowed and sat down.
(A-ah, she didn't even stumble.)
(As expected from Minami.)
The blonde girl was staring at the gentle young lady sitting in a desk next to her.
She was an exemplar of a Tokiwadai Middle School student. With her long wavy hair, doll-like eyes and pale complexion, she looked like a delicate, noble princess. Not only her looks, but her performance at school and perfect grades made her an example to follow.
But she was also very modest at that. Most of the Tokiwadai students liked to show off their wealth and fashion sense by putting fancy accessories in their hair and wearing expensive brand name bags (including the blonde-haired hair). But the only accessory that this young, elegant lady with wavy hair wore was her favorite plain, black headband.
She was truly the perfect Tokiwadai Middle School lady.
Blonde girl's thoughts suddenly got interrupted by a loud, resonant sound of a grand bell. Tokiwadai had a liking for old, traditional, European methods, so instead of having a modern school bell like most of the schools in Academy City, they used a belfry which was situated in the school's main square near the entrance gate.
The teacher stopped her lecture when the bell's sound resonated in the class.
„This is going to be it for today. We will start the next lesson tomorrow with the basic brainwave pattern distinction and definitions regarding different AIM Diffusion Fields. As I said, please study up for that, everyone."
The class responded with a harmonious „yes, ma'am."
A quiet chatter and mumbling soon filled the room as the teacher left. It was this class' last lesson for today.
The sunset's orange aura lit the wooden, antique classroom, as the girls wearing prestigious school uniforms were packing books and pen-boxes to their suitcases.
„Minami-san!"
The wavy-haired girl with a black headband turned around as she heard her name.
She was done packing her school supplies to a black suitcase. As she was closing it, she replied to the girl standing next to her.
„What is it, Ogura-san?"
„I've been thinking about this during our lesson... would you like to accompany me on my way to buy some things from a clothing store?" replied the blonde-haired girl with a polite tone and a gentle smile on her face.
The wavy-haired girl frowned and let out a sigh of helplessness.
„Ogura-san, you should sometimes pay attention in class. We are studying really important things."
„Oh, my. Minami-san, you should know that I can be both interested in fashion AND be a top student." said the blonde-haired girl pompously and rose her hand near her moth while she let out a confident laugh, but was clearly hurt by her classmate's comment.
„Hm. I see."
The wavy-haired girl looked at the blonde girl with suspicion and then picked up her black suitcase from the desk.
„Ehem. Anyhow, would you like to go shopping together?" the blonde girl asked again.
„Well, if it's not outside of the School Garden, then I am available."
„My, why would it be?"
The headband-wearing girl scowled once again.
„I've been hearing some unmannerly stories from the ladies in class 3-A. About you, Ogura-san, naughtily leaving the School Garden around curfew hours."
The blonde-haired girl was noticeably shocked by that answer, but she insisted on keeping the gentle smile nonetheless. But because the grin was incredibly forced, her expression looked more like she was suffering.
The wavy-haired dame got a bit irritated and made two steps ahead, getting closer and closer to the girl she was talking to. Finally, she stopped at a spot around 20 centimeters away from the blonde girl.
She leaned slightly before her to make a direct eye contact, as she was a bit taller.
She then nervously whispered something to the blonde-haired girl's ear.
„There's no gentleman involved in this, right?"
„My, my. Minami-san, just how raunchy do you think am I? I would never do that…!" said ironically the blonde girl with a quiet voice. She was almost at the verge of changing her tone completely, but she reminded herself that she was still inside the school's building and she needed to control herself.
It would have been a serious tragedy if one of the Tokiwadai Middle School students got caught saying such unladylike words. The rumors would spread out faster than pigeons flying from window to window.
„Doesn't matter. I'm going to find out on my own, anyways. Don't forget what my ability is—„
Their little bickering suddenly got interrupted by a high-pitched, angelic voice of an other certain Tokiwadai student.
„Ogura-san, Minami-san. Would you fancy going on a little shopping adven—„ she suddenly stopped mid-sentence as she realized the scene she was seeing with her doll-like, blue eyes.
To this pure, mannered lady seeing two people standing so, so close to each other, almost to the point of their noses touching, with such confident smirks on their faces would mean only one thing. She was truly stunned witnessing something like this and her mind started playing tricks on her. The thoughts that were coming to her head made her whole face turn red in just a couple of seconds.
None of the three girls said anything for this short moment and were all staring at each other, as each of them got interrupted by something. The girl distracted by her naughty thoughts finally broke the awkward silence in the most shaky, high-pitched voice possible.
„A-am I interrupting something?"
The wavy-haired girl started to blush unexpectedly and quickly jumped away from the blonde girl she was talking to as if she was suddenly stung by a bee.
„O-of course not!"
Part 2
The summer evening's orange-y yellow aura rested upon the European-looking town known as School Garden. The sunset's sleepy and blissful light was reflected in the brick, monumental buildings' windows. At this time of the day, after a hot and humid afternoon, the School Garden had a scent of an old, polished antique. Even when walking around the streets, you could notice a smell of a European museum coming from everywhere.
The cobble-stoned streets were occupied by high-class girls, with no exception. Contrasting to a sound of a bustling city, the Garden was a very quiet and calm town, even though its density was comparable to a country's capital. Simply put, the residents were so elegant and ladylike, they would find it unusually rude to talk loudly, or create a hubbub.
So, naturally, walking around the streets of School Garden was as peaceful of an experience, as this place's entire nature.
In this little town, there was not a place that would not be worth a gasp of delight. Every building, every street, every square made you crave more of that view, made you want more pleasure for your eyes. To be able to witness something so pristine, elegant, noble and luxurious, being maintained in a perfect condition, was a very rare experience.
Every building was made out of a brick or mortar painted creme white, decorated with corbels, sculptures and reliefs. Every window had a beautiful, decorative, white frame and a balcony with an ornamental, arabesque baluster. Every one of them looked like a perfect setting for a Parisian version of Romeo and Juliet's balcony scene.
The buildings' french style roofs had an elegant blue color and were shining like a refined sapphire in the sunset's blissful light.
The buildings themselves were placed very close to each other, thus the School Garden's streets were cramped and narrow, but that made them have a cozy atmosphere.
Every shop's or cafe's display was covered by a french style window awning in different shapes and colors; round, gable-shaped, plain or striped. It was a colorful festival of shining facades decorating the buildings.
Multiple squares and parks in School Garden modeled after real European places, contained magnificent, grand, baroque-inspired, stone fountains. Some of them presented Greek goddesses or unicorns, as they refer to the sea foam.
Main roads also had beautiful, imposing clock towers made from stone, marble and gold. They were chiming every 6 hours and announcing the curfew in the Garden.
The traffic lights, as well as street lamps were different from the rest of the Academy City, too. They were stylized to match the luxurious, European atmosphere of the School Garden.
But all this grandeur and splendor was nothing more than a standard for the rich, young ladies who were studying here. They were seeing this magnificent scenery everyday and their family homes were comparable to castles, palaces. A nice-looking town with expensive stores and restaurants was a bare minimum to maintain the lifestyle of a princess.
These girls, locked in a beautiful, golden cage with tall walls, had no idea of what the reality looked like. To them, the city outside of School Garden was too poverty-stricken and not suitable for a rich lady. If Academy City, the most modern and futuristic city in the world, wasn't enough for these girls, School Garden was the only place to live.
Three young ladies wearing the same Tokiwadai Middle School uniform were walking down the cobbled, narrow street decorated with around fifteen ornamental, wrought metal lamps. It was still too early for them to light up, but the deep orange color of the sky suggested that it was going to get dark soon.
The tallest girl in this small group, Minami Himeka, had long, dark brown, wavy hair which was swept back and showed off her forehead. Additionally, she had a black headband on to secure the hair. She had beautiful, naturally long eyelashes and doll-like eyes. Her complexion was pale and gentle and looked like a porcelain. She was wearing Tokiwadai Middle School's light brown vest over a white, short-sleeved blouse and a short, grey skirt.
The other two girls had both blonde hair and were wearing the same uniform as Minami Himeka.
The first blonde girl had a red, silk ribbon tied onto her hair as a decoration. She had a light brown designer bag with red accents and a golden chain, hanging on her shoulder. Besides the uniform, she was wearing black thigh-high socks and brown loafers. Her name was Ogura Iori, a 2nd-year student at Tokiwadai Middle School.
The last girl was noticeably shorter than the other two. She had very long, honey-colored hair, with two hair clips supporting strands of her bangs. Her face was very small and almost looked like doll's. She had beautiful, shiny, blue eyes, petite nose and tinted, pouty lips. She was from the same class as Minami and Ogura. Her name was Mizushima Sayuri.
The three of them were taking a little trip around the School Garden in order to buy some fashionable accessories. It was a middle of summer and new issues of high fashion magazines were flooded with new trends and collections. Ogura Iori had to have them all.
„So."
Minami Himeka said as if she was a teacher giving a lecture to her student.
„If you've really paid attention in class, Ogura-san, could you tell me about AIM Diffusion Fields? I'm asking for the very basics."
The girl with a red bow in her hair started to feel tense and embarrassed, quickly trying to get off of that subject.
„Minami-san, we just left school. Let's enjoy our free time.."
„The things we learn at school are universal. They shouldn't stay at school just because they are taught there. With mindset like this, you won't succeed anywhere."
Ogura Iori looked depressed and started to sob a little as the three of them were passing by the traditional, European buildings and walking down the cobbled street.
„Don't worry, Ogura-san. Give your best!" said the girl with honey-colored hair as she was cheering her classmate up.
Ogura started to press her two index fingers against each other in a not very confident pose. Her body language was easy to read for someone like Minami Himeka.
„Hm?"
„W-well… AIM Diffusion Fields are masses of a faint energy which is generated subconsciously by espers."
„And?"
The three girls arrived at a big, cobbled square with a grand fountain in the middle. Around the square, there were multiple shops and stores with clothing items. It was the main place in which you could find high fashion, designer boutiques. Just the smell of fine, rich perfumes alone could lead you here if you were looking for luxurious clothes.
The girls kept walking around the square.
„It can be measured by machines or espers with AIM-detecting powers. And…"
„And?"
„U-um…?"
The wavy-haired girl sighed helplessly.
„Well, it's not bad, but you should definitely study today if you want to understand anything on our lesson tomorrow."
Ogura started to mutter something in frustration as she was angrily clutching her fists on her bag's golden chain.
„My goodness. And to think that YOU are the Level 4 out of our three." Minami sighed once again and flipped her wavy, dark brown hair with her hand. „At least study the core principles of esper abilities. They might get useful to you, given how much potential your power has."
„Y-yes, ma'am…" muttered depressed Ogura, as she was quietly sobbing.
Mizushima gave her a comforting, but sad smile to cheer her up.
Minami was sometimes really cruel to Ogura Iori, but if it wasn't for her, Ogura would not stay in Tokiwadai for long. She had a tendency to forget, overlook and belittle problems. That's when Minami was coming in to put her friend on her feet and force her to get the goals straight.
Minami was a top student, so it was actually better for Ogura to have a strict friend like her. She was just sometimes depressed after realizing that her mistakes were so cruelly pointed out.
But Minami would never laugh at her friend. She was lecturing Ogura because she was worried about her grades and wanted the best for her.
The wavy-haired girl with a black headband sighed for the last time, finally ending the subject of Ogura's incompetence.
„So, what did you want to buy?"
They were a couple of steps away from one of the clothing stores that were surrounding the square.
„You know the white Cucci bag with ostrich leather that came out recently?"
„Yeah."
„It's the hottest item in their new summer collection. It's so pretty! I need it!" the blonde girl put both of her hands on her cheeks and her eyes turned into stars immediately.
Mizushima also got excited and her blue eyes started to shine even more than normally.
„Isn't it? I've been seeing it on all of the French and Russian models from the newest summer magazine issues!"
„Mizushima-san, let's both buy the same bag! This will deepen our relationship, my twin!"
„My twin!" the girl with honey-colored hair played along with Ogura's strange excitement.
They started to jump in place as they were holding hands together and laughing in a bizarre, childish way. They weren't actually biological twins, but their similar appearance and behavior could fool someone.
Minami's eyes could not believe how someone could be so delusional and carefree. She was staring at her two classmates for a second and then cleared her throat unnaturally loudly to make these two blonde goofballs pay attention to her.
„Isn't Cucci around here somewhere?" she spoke as she was looking around the square.
„Oh, yeah. But first let's visit Rosiello, since we're right beside the doors" the bag wearing girl responded, still not letting go of Mizushima's hand.
She pointed at the boutique behind them with her head.
The girls soon entered the store as two women wearing fancy, black suits opened the glass doors for them. Every customer in School Garden's stores and restaurants was treated like a princess. Because, frankly, their customers were primarily princesses.
The first thing that hit them after they've stepped their shoes inside the boutique wasn't even the interior, but the strong smell of perfumes this place had. It was a rich, adult and refined scent of roses, musk, an old museum, jasmine and vanilla. It was like entering a room that would magically make all your senses feel pleasure and bliss.
This beautiful fragrance was so hypnotizing it could cause someone to space out suddenly. But the store itself was as luxurious and high-class as its smell. The brand Rosiello was famous for incorporating roses and flower accents into their products, but their boutique having garden-themed interiors was also to be expected.
The walls were no mere wood or paint. They were covered in fine, expensive-looking, pastel pink, tufted velvet with rose-themed embroidery. It looked like a material that would be used on some queen's bedroom's panel screen.
The store itself wasn't big, thus felt a bit cramped with all the expensive clothing occupying many wooden shelves. They were situated on the walls, on the ground, near the counter. Clothes, clothes, clothes wherever you looked. The interior's design was balancing between tacky, gold-dripping style and refined, elegant fashion.
The three girls were standing under a big, golden chandelier lighting up the store, figuring out where to start looking. Soon, Ogura's loafers' clicking and clacking on the shiny marble could be heard. Without a word, she headed towards a golden, embellished elevator and an other suit-wearing lady standing beside it.
„This floor is just dresses, belts and skirts" the blonde girl wearing a red bow informed her two other classmates as she was getting inside the elevator. „The second floor, please."
The lady wearing a black suit nodded in understanding and let Minami and Mizushima inside the elevator before entering it herself. She clicked a button with her gloved finger and a golden sliding doors closed.
The girls along with the lady working at Rosiello boutique travelled two levels up. The short moment of standing in an elevator made Minami realize that inside the entire store, there was classical music playing from the speakers. To be precise, baroque classics. She suddenly remembered sweet, sweet times when she just enrolled into Tokiwadai and performed Vivaldi's Symphony in C Major, that was currently playing inside the elevator, as a part of her entrance exam.
Her sense of smell and hearing could not feel more delighted.
Suddenly, the moving elevator stopped and beautiful, golden doors opened. The lady wearing a black suit showed a gesture which said „go ahead." and the three girls wearing Tokiwadai Middle School uniforms entered the second floor.
It was vastly different from the ground floor, which had an elegant, garden-inspired atmosphere. This floor was lit up like a museum and its display units were beautiful, luxurious bags. Every one of them was placed on a marble pedestal lit from below with a small, golden plate built to it, which contained basic informations such as the name of a specific model, materials the bag had been made from and on what occasion was it the most suitable for.
High-fashion stores like Rosiello did not have a price tag attached to any of their items simply because they were expecting their clients to be rich enough to buy anything that would catch their eye. So naturally taking a lot of space on the golden plate for a useless thing such as price would seem unreasonable to the boutique's designer. However, more important thing was the material, as some bags were made out of real fur or leather and it could be against somebody's morals to buy such product. Grouping bags into different categories such as „banquet bags" and „casual bags" was supposed to flesh out their practicality as well as make someone's decision to buy a bag faster.
Comparing the room Ogura and others were inside to a lit up throne hall of an Egyptian pharaoh would be the most accurate. The golden ceiling was so golden it was almost dripping at the golden floor and the golden walls decorated with diamonds were reflecting their golden shine.
There were a few other ladies on the second floor besides Ogura, Minami and Mizushima. They were all looking through the displayed bags as if they were at the museum, watching the most magnificent, indescribable display of Egyptian treasures.
„Let's look around, shall we?"
Ogura Iori said as she pointed in the direction she was going to go.
Minami and Mizushima nodded silently and soon started to look through the expensive, luxurious items displayed on marble pedestals.
Every girl went in a different direction and into a different row of displays. The wavy-haired girl passed by a couple of bags without even stopping for a moment to appreciate the exhibit. She was just very quickly judging every item she went by.
„Hmm, they're not exactly modest, but… I guess that's just their brand."
„Ah, I know what you mean." Mizushima Sayuri smiled bitterly.
Suddenly, Ogura Iori appeared before the headband-wearing girl as if she got summoned by someone.
„Non, non, Minami-san. This is the 'Queen Type' section." the blonde girl pointed at a golden panel hanging from the wall with something written on it. „Those are the ones that are supposed to compliment a simple dress and make up for half of your jewelry, as they have enough gold and accessories to fill the need for them. Well, if you wore a full set of golden jewelry along with such bag, you would look like you just want to display your wealth without any taste or fashion sense."
„I see."
„The ones that would perfectly fit Minami-san… hmm… let's see…" the girl with a red bow tied into her hair put an index finger on her mouth while she was intensively thinking.
Her eyes then suddenly lit up like stars and she jumped happily, finally coming up with an idea. She unexpectedly grabbed Minami's hand and led her into an other part of the boutique's second level.
They stopped at a small section, which had only twelve marble pedestals displaying the bags.
„This is the 'Business Casual Type' category. They're either mini bags, baguette bags or satchel bags. Sometimes, there can also be plain kelly bags or duffels."
Ogura Iori looked like a museum guide showing her guest around and talking about ancient, Egyptian treasures. Minami was visibly interested and even a bit shocked. Not only did Ogura know so much about fashion, but she also must have known Minami's style well enough to give a perfect recommendation.
„These bags are so lovely!" the wavy-haired girl blushed a little as she was looking at the displays. The bags in the „Business Casual Type" section were primarily black and petite, with little to no decorative items, all made from leather.
„Ogura-san, you really know a lot about fashion." Mizushima chuckled as she saw Minami's delighted reaction.
The „museum guide" suddenly got flustered. She started to laugh nervously as she was playing with her long, blonde hair.
„W-well, since I was a little girl I remember studying fashion magazines and picking items I would want from them. I guess I got so used to seeing so many beautiful outfits put together, that picking stuff for others became natural. Tee-hee!"
„Aah! Then could you give me a recommendation, too?" Mizushima clapped her hands in excitement.
„Sure." Ogura nodded while smiling nervously. She was looking around trying to find a certain section. „For you, Mizushima-san, I guess we should either go for whites or pastel, bright colors. Hmm… yes, black is not an option. Maybe pink or baby blue…" she started to mutter to herself.
She then lead the girl with honey-colored hair into a section, which contained very girly, shiny bags with many accessories and accents such as little roses (since it was this brand's logo), bees and stars. The section was big enough to call it classroom-sized.
„Oh, my! So many beautiful, adorable items!"
„'Casual Young Type' is mainly targeted towards the ones with a more girly style. You can find here mini bags, chain bags, baguettes and canteen bags."
Every bag was rather small or medium-sized, but all of them had pastel colors. Baby blue, pastel pink, mint, peach, rose, bubblegum. The marble pedestals were all decorated with soft, gentle colors.
„Thank you so much, Ogura-san!"
„At your service!"
„But…"
„Huh?"
„Umm…"
The girl with honey-colored hair looked nervous and embarrassed, as if she was trying to say something way too controversial for a rich young lady.
„What's the matter, Mizushima-san?"
„Actually, I would like something with a bit of 'spice' to it… ehehe…"
Ogura was astonished. „Spice"? What did she mean?
„A-aah! No, no! These bags are really pretty and adorable, but… I'm more leaning towards something… um… s-s-sensual… um…"
The blonde-haired girl felt like she was struck by lightning. Had her image of an innocent, girly Mizushima always been wrong?
„S-s… Sensual?!"
„L-like… you know… ch-ch-cheetah print or…"
„Cheetah print?!" Ogura's thoughts started to take a really, really naughty path and she could not picture Mizushima being in the middle of any of them. „M-Mizushima-san, wh-what do you mean?"
„Wh-why are you so shocked, O-Ogura-san? P-please! It's so embarrasing! Forgive me!"
The two flustered, blonde Tokiwadai Middle School girls screaming at each other while stumbling on their words and blushing heavily started to bring other customers' attention.
Some other high-class girls started to turn around and stare at the two ladies who were making a fuss in the „Casual Young Type Bags" section.
Ogura Iori grabbed Mizushima's shoulders and started to lightly shake them.
„M-Mizushima-san, wh-what are you thinking about? W-we're still in Middle School! W-we can't be caught w-wearing such things! W-were you always a naughty girl? Mizushima-san! Y-you should have told me this earlier! I-I thought you were l-like my y-younger sister! B-but you are naughtier th-than me and Minami-san!"
Yes. To these high-class girls from elite schools the definition of „naughty" was a bit different than for the rest of the world. Not wearing your uniform properly was depicted as being naughty, leaving the School Garden at a late hour was also naughty, being in a close relationship with a boy was naughty, too. So naturally, Ogura's shock when she heard the most innocent person she knew saying she has a liking for cheetah prints and sensual designs, was tremendous.
Shortly, the crowd surrounding the two Tokiwadai Middle Schoolers grew impossible to not notice.
Once she realized there is around thirteen people staring at her blameworthy behavior, Ogura let go of Mizushima's shoulders and started to blush even more than before.
The crowd consisted of rich, young ladies soon started to gently chuckle and giggle at the flustered Ogura.
„(Haha, so cute.)"
„(Must be Middle Schoolers.)"
„(Twins? So adorable.)"
Ogura tried to hide her face in embarrassment with Mizushima Sayuri's long, honey-colored hair. She squeaked like a startled little mouse.
„A-aah…"
Part 3
It was almost dark out.
The sky's orange collided with dark blue, which started to take over half of the visible sky. The sun almost completely hid itself beyond the horizon and only its last little sunbeams were lighting up the hot, summer evening in School Garden.
Beautiful, European-looking lamps slowly started lighting up as a certain boutique's glass doors opened and three girls wearing Tokiwadai Middle School uniforms left the store.
All of them were carrying big shopping bags in a pastel pink color with a brand name engraved on them. The one holding the most was Ogura Iori, a fashion fanatic and a very rich young lady. She looked overwhelmed by the amount and weight of the paper bags. They were all stuffed with expensive, branded items which prices, even though not shown for the customers, were high enough to be compared to a lawyer's salary.
Minami Himeka, who had beautiful, long, wavy hair looked suspiciously at her two blonde colleagues and frowned.
„What were you two making such a fuss about?"
She received a deep sigh from both of them as an answer. She didn't pursue that topic further.
The three of them were walking towards the next store located in the School Garden's fashion square.
„Mmm… Mizushima-san, I'm sorry for that, again. I didn't know you had more of a grown-up fashion sense. I just assumed that you would like something soft and girly…"
Now that she realized that, Ogura had never seen any of her friends from Tokiwadai wearing clothes other than their school uniform. One could say that even when wearing a uniform, you can still show off your fashion, but not everyone tried to express themselves by wearing accessories in their hair or by wearing bags of the designer they love.
Some Tokiwadai students were used to dressing simply. And because of that, without having a conversation with someone about their taste in fashion, many things about the other person were just assumed or guessed. Mizushima Sayuri had a delicate, gentle look to her, long, honey-colored hair and a high-pitched voice so a lot of people thought she would normally dress like a victorian Western doll if she had to choose a „casual" outfit.
But she was quite the opposite of that style.
„Ah, that's nothing. Don't worry about it."
„And also, sorry for freaking out about it like that. Haha." Ogura Iori laughed bitterly while sweeping her long, blonde hair. „At that moment I thought you had some unladylike, naughty tastes, so I started to panic a bit."
„No, I would not say your reaction was overly dramatic or anything like that. In all honesty, I would probably react the same… ehehe."
„Huh?! So… was I right?"
Mizushima Sayuri started to blush, but there was a visible confidence in her voice.
„W-well… I do not mind wearing skimpy, revealing clothes or spicy motifs. Hm… you could say they actually add to your confidence. You are viewed by others as brave and very passionate about your fashion decision, thus making you someone to be respected."
Ogura and Minami were listening to the girl with honey-colored hair while blushing and breathing nervously. They felt shocked and embarrassed, but also extremely intrigued.
„H-huuh… Mizushima-san, may I ask where did your passion for such things start?" The girl carrying the most bags asked faintly.
„Haha, well, you see.." The girl with two hairpins in her hair answered as she started to feel more confident and comfortable. „Ever since I was a little girl, I have always been looking through my older brother's magazines. The women on there were all so beautiful and confident in what they were wearing. Cheetah print corsets were surprisingly really popular among them. Hehe. And after a while, I've grown into realization that I, too, would like to become one of the— mbghmfgh!„
Mizushima Sayuri's mouth quickly got covered by Minami Himeka's hand before any more reprehensible things were spoken.
„Mgfhfffbbhh!" She tried to let words out of her mouth, but the wavy-haired girl's palm was blocking their entrance.
„Okaaay, Mizushima-san. I guess that's enough."
„My innocence… all gone…"
Ogura Iori was sobbing quietly over herself. She looked depressed and traumatized.
„H-heh… Looks like you two have even more in common than I expected. You were both growing up studying magazines… Except, hers weren't fashion-oriented… No, what's more important, I don't even think she should be reading those at such a young age…" said Minami as she was still covering Mizushima's mouth.
The three girls soon entered another boutique. The store which facade had a big, gold inscription saying „Cucci" was a fairly large building. It was four stories tall and covered in glass completely, so its lit up, flashy interiors could be seen from across the street.
The beige marble floor of the store was almost entirely covered by many Persian-looking carpets. Similar to Rosiello, Cucci also had its walls covered in a tufted velvet, but in a deep red color this time. Mannequins placed around the boutique were also covered in velvet, which looked like a difficult task to do. Many chandeliers hanging from the ceiling were lighting up the interior with a golden light, giving it a warm and almost homey atmosphere.
This time, the girls did not have to use the elevator. Bags could already be found on the ground floor and, besides, Cucci had a special service that allowed any customer to send an employee to get a specific item for them, even if it was put in a section on fourth level. Thanks to that, young ladies from School Garden did not have to bother with going up and down themselves. They could sit down on a comfy, velvet couch and chat with friends while waiting for an employee to bring them a desired item in a desired size and desired color.
Ogura Iori was a regular customer at these expensive, high-fashion boutiques, so she obviously knew about the special service.
She came to the store in order to get the hottest, most popular item from the brand's new summer collection. The white ostrich leather bag.
„Are you and Mizushima-san really going to buy the exact same bag?" The wavy-haired girl sighed with disbelief.
„Why not? People already think we are twins."
„But walking around wearing exactly the same would be weird. Like you both are trying to pretend or something."
Ogura Iori pouted her lips like a spoiled little girl who got refused to buy her a new dress.
„It's fine, as long as we both want it.."
The girl with a black headband rolled her eyes and rested her hand on her hip. She was looking around the store trying to find the staff working here.
„Then go and ask the personnel to get you these bags. I'll wait here."
Ogura and Mizushima both nodded to the wavy-haired girl and headed towards a lady in a black suit standing beside the store's cash registers.
The girl with a red bow tied into her hair spoke to the employee as her brown loafers were clacking on the marble.
„Excuse me, could we get two bags from the Zumy NewVintage line in white?"
„I'm sorry, but the last bag from this line has been given to this young lady over there, just now."
The Cucci employee pointed with her gloved hand at a girl standing vis-a-vis to one of the cash registers.
„The bag she purchased is now being packed for her."
The aforesaid girl had long, black hair tied into two twin tails which were curled at the ends. She was wearing a light brown, sleeveless vest over a white, short-sleeved blouse, short skirt and black thigh-high socks. She was Tokiwadai Middle School's student.
Ogura Iori immediately recognized the person standing 5 meters away from her.
„We are really sorry for the inconvenience." The suit-wearing lady bowed in apology before the two blonde girls.
(Oh, no. This is actually very convenient.)
The fashion-obsessed girl chuckled as she was looking at the girl with two long twin tails like she was her prey.
„(Ogura-san, what are we going to do?)" Mizushima whispered into her classmate's ear.
Before answering that question, Ogura Iori turned her shorter friend around and slightly pushed her back with both hands to make her start walking away.
„Aww, that's too bad. Thank you for your service!" She said to the personnel lady while walking away and pushing Mizushima Sayuri's back.
The two finally stopped at a place where Minami was waiting for them.
Ogura Iori whispered something to the girl with honey-colored hair.
„(I might pull something off.)"
„(Eh? What do you mean?)"
The wavy-haired girl approached them with a confused look on her face.
„And? They don't have it?"
The shortest girl placed both of her hands on her hips as she was talking.
„Apparently some other girl from our school has already bought the last one."
Ogura smirked confidently.
„She didn't buy it YET."
Minami and Mizushima looked at her confused.
„What do you mean?"
The blonde girl flipped her hair and grinned.
„I know this girl. We attend the same club. She's a 1st-year, Sakibasu Yuri. We talked a little, and she's a fragile one." She looked the two girls straight in the eyes. She was as serious and confident as a general discussing a war plan. „I'm taking this bag."
Her two classmates let out a loud, harmonious „HUH?!". They didn't know Ogura Iori was capable of doing something like this, but she seemed so calm and confident about it that she might have already done it multiple times in the past.
Minami Himeka and Mizushima Sayuri were both looking at her with shocked expressions on their faces and paralyzed bodies.
„I-isn't she in Shokuhou Misaki-sama's clique?" The headband-wearing girl trembled a little. „I don't think we should mess with her."
„That's not a big deal. She got accepted into her clique like a week ago. I'm pretty sure The Queen didn't even see her herself."
The short girl with honey-colored hair was shaking in response to Ogura's words. She was certain that the blonde girl would be the type to fight in a clothing store with someone over a shoe or a bag, but this was the first time she was witnessing a real-life confrontation herself.
„E-either way, we shouldn't do that! It's not fair!"
The bow-wearing girl suddenly placed her hands on Mizushima's shoulders. She was looking her in the eyes with a serious, almost psychotic look. As she was talking, she was raising her voice.
„Mizushima-san. This bag… is from limited edition. If it sells out, it's not longer available. This bag is the last one in this store. And it's the only Cucci store. Not only in School Garden, but in the entire Academy City! This bag that she's about to buy is the last one available for us!"
She looked like she was at the verge of crying. Her shaking hands placed on Mizushima Sayuri's shoulders started to squeeze her light brown vest.
They both clenched their teeth.
„Understood."
The girl with two hair clips responded in a low, serious voice. She didn't look like she wanted to, but she ultimately agreed to this act.
„H-hey! Are you two serious—?"
Minami Himeka involuntarily yelled at the two blonde girls, but she hesitated to continue her lecture as she saw their serious, dedicated expressions. Even someone like her gave up on doing anything about that situation. She looked at Mizushima and Ogura helplessly and started to play with her wavy, dark brown hair.
Ogura nodded to Mizushima. Mizushima nodded in understanding to Ogura. Ogura nodded to Minami. She nodded reluctantly back.
The three of them understood the situation by to the nods alone. The blonde-haired girl removed her hands from Mizushima's shoulders covered by a wrinkly, light brown vest.
„I'll be back soon." She said to her comrades as she turned around and started walking towards the cash registers. „With my new bag."
At this point, she was a huntress. Her prey was the white ostrich leather bag. And her biggest obstacle was Sakibasu Yuri.
She needed to eliminate her. But not by force or violence. All she needed to do was to discourage her from buying the item. Time was not on her side. She needed to act quickly.
„Ara~ Sakibasu-san? "
„Oh my, Ogura-sama. Good evening."
The blonde-haired girl quickly inspected the situation. The bag was already wrapped in white paper and the cashier was currently putting it inside an embellished box with the brand's name engraved on it.
The next step was to just wrap a black ribbon around the box, so Ogura didn't have much time.
„Good evening. Fancy meeting you here. Are you doing a little shopping alone?"
„Well, yes. I'm actually done."
„What did you decide to buy?"
„Um, a bag and some perfu—„
„What bag did you buy?"
This pushy behavior was visible even for someone like Sakibasu Yuri, but she was too timid and unaware of the whole situation to say something back. Especially since Ogura Iori was an upperclassman. Instead of standing her ground, she responded faintly.
„Um, I don't know exactly, but it was apparently in the new summer collection… I'm pretty sure it was the white one with ostrich leather."
Words such as „I don't know exactly" and „apparently" confirmed that Sakibasu did not know anything about the product she was going to buy beforehand. This really annoyed the blonde girl standing next to her, as she was way more dedicated and passionate about the item and fashion in general.
It almost felt unfair to her that someone like Sakibasu Yuri got the bag before her, since she did not have a clue about the collection at all.
„Oh, dear! Could it be this bag I've been hearing about all over social media?" Said Ogura as she closed her eyes and put her hand on her cheek.
„Wh-what do you mean? Ogura-sama, you look worried."
„Well, I'm pretty sure it's nothing… at least I hope so…" She responded while frowning. „Sakibasu-san, do you know how these ostrich leather bags are made?"
The girl with black twin tails gulped loudly.
„U-um, they are made from ostriches…"
The blonde-haired girl let out a melancholic sigh.
„Yes. Ostriches." She rubbed her slim finger against her eye pretending to wipe off a tear. „Those poor, poor animals. Were you aware, Sakibasu-san, that ostriches are the most emotional and family-oriented animals on Earth? Some people think they are even more human than we are. Ah, my heart hurts just by thinking about one of them being skinned alive…"
The girl with a red bow in her hair started „sobbing" and the other one covered her mouth with her hands from the shock.
„N-no… that's… horrible."
(Perfect. She ate that lie up like it was cake! If she's so delusional, I can keep going.)
„Well, yes. But what's worse, to make these bags, they don't even use adult ostriches' skin at all!"
„Wh-what?! So…"
„Yes. The ones who have to pay with their lives are the children. Tiny, little, innocent ostrich chicks. Imagine, Sakibasu-san, being a parent and seeing your own child being skinned alive right in front of your eyes! I wouldn't be able to take that…"
„That's so cruel!"
The store clerk, who was overhearing the conversation, scowled at Sakibasu's reaction. With her hands covering her mouth, eyes slowly producing more and more tears and shaking legs, she looked like she was about to burst out crying any second now.
„Well, you know what they say. Young skin is smoother and more attractive. After all, we are in an expensive, high-class boutique right now. They care about quality, not morals."
Sakibasu tried to control her pounding heart and constant sobbing.
Ogura Iori wiped off non-existing tears from her own eyes and put her hand on the black-haired girl's shoulder.
„But I'm sure this bag was worth this little chick's life. At least there's some use for its dead body, right?" She said those cruel words in the most calming, gentle tone possible, with a bitter smile on her face.
The cashier, who finished packing the items Sakibasu was about to purchase, looked puzzled and unsure what to do. She finally cleared her throat and said.
„U-um, ma'am, will the payment be in cash or credit card?"
Sakibasu Yuri, while still covering her mouth with her hands, just shook her head in response.
„Hm? What's wrong, Sakibasu-san?" Ogura Iori asked with a fake concern in her voice.
„No…" the girl with curled ends of her hair muttered and then raised her shaky voice. „I would like to return this bag. I have changed my mind."
She wiped off (real) tears from her eyes and sniffed.
„Oh, my, Sakibasu-san. I am so sorry for telling you this. I did not know it would shake you up so badly. I thought that you knew about all this since you decided to buy it… Here, take my handkerchief."
The girl with long twin tails took a piece of pastel pink fabric that Ogura offered her and blew her nose into it.
The cashier looked at her confused.
„So, it is just going to be these perfumes, ma'am?"
„Yes." She responded in a shaky, cracking voice.
„Understood. It's going to be ¥53,800. Would you prefer paying with cash or credit card?"
„Credit card, please."
Sakibasu Yuri let out the last sniff and pulled out a card from a purse she was carrying on her shoulder.
Part 4
„Well, then. See you tomorrow, Sakibasu-san." Ogura Iori waved to the black-haired girl who was heading towards the exit.
„Have a good day, Ogura-sama." She waved back and left the Cucci store.
The blonde girl was only waiting for that moment. She managed to eliminate her obstacle.
She quickly ran back to the cash register and whispered something to the cashier that was checking out Sakibasu a minute ago.
„Good evening. Could I maybe purchase this bag, instead? My friend decided to return it, but I am interested in buying."
The boutique employee looked at her suspiciously and hesitantly answered.
„Y-yes, sure…"
(This girl is a demon!)
Part 5
It was dark out.
The ornamental metal lamps, which were placed around School Garden, were lighting up the streets, parks and squares. The curfew was going to be announced shortly, so the ladies attending elite schools were all heading towards their dorms.
That included Ogura, Minami and Mizushima. The three of them were walking down one of the main streets along with other Tokiwadai students accompanying them. Everyone around them was at least a level 3 esper, wearing the same light brown vest school uniform, heading towards one place — the Tokiwadai Middle School's dorm.
Every of the five schools provided a main street leading to the dorm for their students. Thus, when the curfew was about to be announced, every main road was occupied by a group of girls wearing a different uniform. Tokiwadai's street from the fashion square leading to the dorm was relatively short and not very cramped because the school had the least students among all of the five.
After all, it was so rigorous and demanding, only the best students could be accepted and, naturally, there was not a lot of them.
Ogura Iori, walking down the wide and spacious road among 180 other students, started to stretch her arms by putting them up above her head. She moaned loudly while she was doing that, showing her satisfaction and happiness.
„I would call it a successful day!"
Minami sighed helplessly and flipped her hair.
„Well, you did basically steal that poor girl's bag right in front of her."
The blonde girl pouted her lips.
„I just acted in my favor, that's all. And it's not like I STOLE it. I paid for it like a normal person. It was also really expensive, you know."
„Ogura-san, was that the first time you have done something like this in a boutique?" The girl with long, honey-colored hair asked.
„Of course not. If you have ever been to any of those stores during limited edition collections, you know how it looks like. It's like Battle Royale. Well, not like in the movies where you physically fight your way to get the item. At least I would never do something so unmannerly, but I know there are some girls who practice that on a daily basis, unfortunately." Ogura sighed. „Ah, and I'm so sorry, Mizushima-san that you did not get the same bag as mine. If they only had an other spare one… And I know how much you wanted it, too."
„A-ah, don't even worry about it. I will try to find it on internet auctions. That is usually what I do when the limited edition items get sold out in stores."
„Eeh? But it's not gonna be brand new anymore."
Mizushima giggled quietly.
„That's fine."
„Eh? You're fine with that?" Ogura started to giggle too.
„Yes. After all, I like to buy items with history."
„Ah, it's like buying an antique just for the fact that it had many owners before? My father does that all the time and I can't understand it."
Minami looked at them intrigued.
„I have got to say, I admire you, Ogura-san."
The blonde girl jumped suddenly as if a bucket full of cold water was poured on her. The wavy-haired girl said it so suddenly and, not to mention, she rarely was praising Ogura for absolutely no reason, so that was something really shocking.
„H-huh?!"
The headband-wearing girl closed her eyes and smiled gently.
„I mean, it must be hard for you, so interested and passionate about fashion, to attend school like Tokiwadai. It's difficult for a lot of students to never be able to express themselves through fashion, but for you especially, I assume."
Yes, every Tokiwadai student was supposed to be fully devoted to the school. That's why the only piece of clothing they could wear was the school's uniform. If any student would get caught wearing an outfit different than that, their punishment would be horrific.
Even Ogura Iori, being a troublesome girl herself, made sure to obey this rigor, even though she was sometimes pushing its limits a bit too far, by wearing way too many accessories for a middle school-aged lady.
That is the reason why the three girls had skipped all the sections with actual clothing this day. You could not find a Tokiwadai student buying items such as dresses, blouses or skirts. And even if you could, there would be no possibility of them wearing those in the public.
She took a moment to think and then answered with a serious tone of her voice.
„Hmm… well, while it is really hard and sometimes depressing to get stripped of your biggest hobby, I have kind of learned to live with this. When I first enrolled to Tokiwadai, I was scared. I was such a little crybaby, I expected to not be able to survive even a week not being able to wear my pretty dresses and frilly accessories. The thought of wearing the same clothes every single day kind of depressed me."
Minami Himeka was staring at her with respect, then she chuckled.
„Then how about leaving Tokiwadai? It would be better both for your grades AND mental health, it looks like."
She was teasing Ogura and she knew about it. She did not react hysterically or aggressively. Instead, she smiled back and said with confidence.
„I would never give up on Tokiwadai. It's challenging, but I would never replace it for anything in the world. It's the best place on Earth where I've met the best people."
Mizushima blushed hearing this, but Minami just smirked in response.
„Talk about corny."
„I-it's my real emotions!"
The wavy-haired girl let out an elegant laugh.
„I'm glad." Her smile was really genuine and heart-warming. When she wasn't her strict, cold self, Minami had an „loving older sister" side to her. „Now, then. If you're really that dedicated to take on our school's challenges, how about you study for tomorrow's lesson?"
Suddenly, Ogura's expression changed into a depressed one and sweat drops started to appear on her entire face.
„M-Minami-san… You just had to…" she said as she was sobbing.
„Isn't that normal? Someone has to keep an eye on you or else you would not study at all. Isn't that true, O-gu-ra—san?"
„You're too cruel, Minami-saaaan~!"
„How am I cruel? It's your fault for belittling problems and then failing tests!"
„Ueeeee!"
„O-Ogura-san! Don't worry! Just try harder next time!"
And the same scene from that day's early evening started again, as if it was a loophole and was occurring every single day whenever these three girls were together.
The big herd consisting of 180 Tokiwadai students walking down the wide road, finally arrived at the Garden's dorm.
Smaller groups of girls started to separate and say goodbye to each other. The dorm only had single rooms and sometimes double rooms, so everyone had to go their own way. The building's headquarters were filled with hubbub and a lot of „See you tomorrow", „Well then, goodbye" phrases being said at the same time by different girls.
Ogura Iori was walking up the wooden, antique-looking stairs.
(I'm so tired. I'm going to fall asleep so fast.)
Then she remembered that she needs to study for tomorrow, or else both Minami Himeka and her teacher, Mrs. Watanabe, will eat her alive.
She groaned in disappointment and fatigue.
When she finally reached the first level of Tokiwadai's dorm building, she started to walk down the long, long hallway painted creme white with nothing but doors on the sides.
She passed many girls when she was trying to get to her room's door, until she finally saw it.
An other Tokiwadai student was standing beside the doors trying to open them by pulling the handle.
„Ah, Ayako."
„What were you doing for so long? I've been standing and waiting here for a good hour. I tried to open the door, but I forgot that I've lost my key like a week ago."
The girl had brown hair tied in two, average-length pigtails. Her forehead was flanked by two fringes and she had green, (now) angry eyes.
„Oh, my lord. You are so useless." Ogura sighed.
„Well, I tried texting and calling you, but there was no response. I thought you got kidnapped for a second."
„Yes, yes. Thank you for your best wishes." She mumbled as she was pressing the key inside the door's keyhole.
She soon opened it and let her roommate inside.
The interior was very simple, but even though, just by looking at it, you could tell that this room belonged to a prestigious school's dormitory. Its walls had wooden panels and there were two antique-looking desks standing by the wall vis-a-vis to the door.
There were also two beds facing each other and two doors to each girl's walk-in closet. Obviously, the room also had en suite bathroom.
„I'll take a shower first, okay?" The brown-haired girl said as she was entering the bathroom like she was a traveler walking around the Sahara desert for too long without a drop of water who finally noticed an oasis on the horizon.
Ogura Iori, with a deep sigh of fatigue, dropped all of her shopping bags filled with luxurious purses and accessories, on the carpeted floor as she jumped on her bed, which was covered in white, classy sheets.
She was laying on her stomach and facing down the pillow. She was so exhausted and stressed about tomorrow's class just a second ago, but now she felt bliss and calm. Her brain, feet and her back felt like they were hugged.
Her eyelids slowly started to give up and close.
(N-No! I have to study! I have to study! Minami-san will… Minami-san will… nhh)
She fell asleep instantly.
Part 6
The next day's morning was a beautiful, sunny day. The chirping of birds and sounds of summer cicadas could be heard in the whole School Garden. The sun was shining bright and its light was peeking through the big, tall windows of Tokiwadai Middle School's classrooms.
It was incredibly hot inside the building, as the school's traditional European aesthetic did not allow it to have air conditioning. Students waiting for the teacher to come were all tired and weary, laying on their desks and listening to the loud cicadas' well-known, repetitive song. It was so loud, it could be heard through closed windows.
Soon, the grand bell on Tokiwadai's belfry started to chime. It was time to start the first lesson this morning. Ogura Iori was, once again, looking out the window, thinking about going out to a clothing store today, as well. She only visited Rosiello and Cucci yesterday but today she was ready for a longer shopping adventure.
Suddenly, Minami Himeka, the wavy-haired beauty with pale, noble complexion entered the class through wooden doors.
She got greeted by a bunch of girls before she concentrated her vision on Ogura Iori sitting in the corner of the room, beside the tall window with black, embellished frame. The wavy-haired was observing her body language to see if she actually did what she was supposed to.
She soon got the answer. The blonde girl, as soon as she saw Minami walking inside the classroom, started to avoid eye contact with her. She was desperately looking through the window at the school's courtyard and her shaking hands laying on the desk could be seen by Minami, as well.
The headband-wearing girl walked up to the blonde girl as soon as possible with an annoyed expression on her face.
She stopped beside her desk, staring at Ogura with the eyes of a murderer.
The bow-wearing girl (today she was wearing a pink, silk one) was aware of Minami Himeka standing right in front of her desk, but was still pretending to not see anything and kept looking out the window.
The more time had passed, the more sweat drops started appearing on the blonde girl's face.
„Ogura-san." Minami finally spoke with fake concern in her voice. It sounded really scary, like a voice of a possessed doll from some horror movie. „Did you sleep well tonight?"
Ogura Iori's pounding heart could be heard from miles away.
„Y-yes."
„Oh, that's so nice to hear."
She smiled towards the blonde-haired girl and was just about to walk away. She stopped and said something over her shoulder with a concerning grin.
„Oh, yes. One last thing. I've heard Watanabe-sensei saying something about making a pop quiz for us today."
Ogura groaned quietly.
„But we should be fine. It's the basics of AIM Diffusion Fields, after all. I'm sure you, A LEVEL 4 ESPER, should not be worried about anything like that." She said as she was sitting down on her desk's chair.
The blonde girl could not handle it any longer.
She quickly stood up from her seat and kneeled down before Minami. She hid her face in her long, blonde hair and held Minami's hands with her own.
„I'm incredibly sorry, Minami-sensei!"
The wavy-haired girl was not feeling merciful in that moment. She was looking at the girl who was demeaning herself like a dreadful emperor staring at a dirty peasant having to be executed, but still begging him for mercy. Simply put, her expression showed disgust.
She was expecting an apology the moment she entered the class and noticed Ogura's body language, but still this bare minimum did not satisfy her.
The classroom's doors opened once again. Ogura Iori did not seem to care, though. She continued her dramatic apology.
„I shouldn't have bought so many things yesterday evening! Because of the heavy shopping bags, my back and feet felt so exhausted and sore, I could not get up from my bed. Yes! The first thing I did was jumping onto my bed! I'm so sorry for that! If I did not do that, I swear I would have started studying! I swear!"
There was no response after that. The classroom turned into a silent, noiseless space. Even the cicadas seemed to stop singing their well-known, repetitive song just for this moment.
Ogura Iori was clenching her teeth waiting and waiting and waiting for Minami's lecture, but it did not happen.
She started to slowly open her eyes and uncover her face, which was hidden in her long, blonde hair this whole time.
She looked up to check Minami's facial expression. Was she angry? Was she very angry? Ogura had to know that.
But she got surprised. The wavy-haired girl's face was not infuriated, angry or even mildly annoyed. In fact, she wasn't even looking at the blonde girl at all.
Instead, her eyes were facing the blackboard. Was someone standing there? On the wooden pedestal?
Ogura looked at the other girls in the classroom. They were either focused on the same thing as Minami or looking at the blonde-haired girl with hands covering their mouths from shock.
The bow-wearing girl turned her head in 90 degrees to see what everyone has been looking at.
Shiver went through her body. Her eyes widened. There was more sweat on her face than ever before.
She knew she was in trouble.
She saw a woman in her 50s wearing a navy blue blazer and a skirt in the same color. She had glasses and grey hair pinned up in a bun.
It was Mrs. Watanabe. Her Esper Science teacher.
„Ogura-san, please pick up your suitcase and stand in the hallway outside of the classroom."
After that, a long and loud scream of sadness and embarrassment could be heard in the entire Tokiwadai Middle School's building.
She got one of the worst punishments imaginable. Standing in the hallway. She could not do anything. Not even move an inch.
Ogura Iori was lamenting her misery while she was leaning against a wall in the school's hall.
(I bet Minami-san had satisfaction witnessing me getting a punishment for not listening to her. She must be over the moon right now.)
From time to time, there were passing by and staring at her, sometimes giggling and whispering to each other. This was the worst part. The embarrassment.
These 45 minutes, that she spent with no one else but her negative thoughts, felt like eternity.
But finally the chiming coming from the belfry soothed that frustration and misery. She could finally sit down and have a talk with the headband-wearing girl.
As soon as she heard the bell's resonant melody, she opened the class' doors and went inside. She walked up to her desk and placed the black suitcase on it.
She looked at the girl sitting next to her and spoke to her hesitantly.
„U-um, Minami-san. I'm so sorry for not listening to you. And for causing all this. I really am irresponsible, huh?"
The wavy-haired girl looked at her with a straight face.
„And, u-um, I will try to listen to you more often. I'm going to do better! I promise!"
Minami Himeka sighed with helplessness.
„Watanabe-sensei said that I should directly help you with studying from now on. I mean, I agreed, considering how bad you are doing."
She flipped her hair and frowned while looking at the blonde-haired girl, which looked so happy and relieved, she could start hugging and kissing Minami any second now.
„M-Minami-saaaan! Ueeee!"
Her child-like crying started to gain attention from other students in the classroom.
„H-hey! Don't just start crying like that! Pull yourself together!"
„O…okay." She said as she sniffed loudly and wiped tears from her eyes. „I feel like I owe you too much, though. Ah, I have an idea!"
The wavy-haired girl raised her eyebrow.
„Why won't we go shopping again today? It's my treat this time! Pick anything you want! You deserve that!"
Minami Himeka chuckled. But the blonde-haired girl did not feel any good energy from it. This was just one of the headband-wearing girl's ominous smiles.
„I do appreciate the offer." She said in a deep, scary voice. „But I'm afraid we won't have time for that any time soon."
Ogura Iori gulped loudly. She suddenly felt a strong tension paralyzing her body, but she still tried to keep a gentle smile on her face.
„We start our tutoring sessions today."
The blonde-haired girl's whole body was shaking like a fragile little leaf trying to hold onto the flower's stalk during a hurricane.
„Today. After school. 5 PM in the library."
„H-ha…Haha… F-for how long?"
„Until we are going to start seeing changes for the better."
Ogura clenched her fist on her chest. She could not get away from this situation. She could not escape by pulling the „I can't today. I'm busy" card, since she already exposed herself by proposing Minami shopping together.
She sat down on her desk's chair and started to nervously play with her blonde hair. It did not look natural or instinctive because her hands were all shaking and trembling. She could barely grab anything with them.
She looked up and her eyes witnessed the scariest face of Minami Himeka she had ever seen.
„I'm going to make sure that you study from our textbooks with as much pleasure, as from your fashion magazines."
„N-no…"
„I am looking forward to working with you from now on, everyday after school, O-gu-ra—san."
„NOOOOOO!"
This time, the scream that resounded in the school's building was of fear, despair and suffering.
And thus, Ogura Iori's carefree lifestyle changed. Things like hard work and hardships were soon to be learned by her and what it really means to be Tokiwadai Middle School's Perfect Lady.
...
Phew, first chapter ended finally. Sooo this little spin-off fanfic was inspired by Toaru Kagaku no Railgun manga chapters 40-41, since it introduced us to cliques of Tokiwadai.
The characters I'm using as my Original Characters are not actually MY designs. Every "new" character you're gonna see in this fanfic is just some background person shown once in the anime or manga.
The three main girls are background characters in a one panel of Railgun Manga.
And I really liked their design so I decided to use the already "existing" Tokiwadai students to make it more realistic, even though they are just used for backgrounds but anyways…
Sakibasu Yuri, which appeared later in the chapter, is not my Original Character. She actually has a major role in Railgun SS3 novel (my favorite novel) and only appears there, so I decided to use her as well, since she's kind of not familiar to many people.
And, yes, Misaka and Shokuhou WILL appear eventually. Same as Hokaze and Shirai. Every Tokiwadai student will be in here.
Side note: I am a genius. "Cucci" is not only a perfect "Gucci" bootleg (because "C" just doesn't have additional two lines to make it a "G") but it also sounds like "coochie". Yeah, I know. Girls-only area, maidens, coochie HAHAHAHAHahaha ok that's it.
I hope you enjoy reading "Garden of Maidens".