Hey everyone, this chapter will be the filler of the Big spider episode of the Toaru franchise. I hope you enjoy.

Johnnygat016: Yeah, Touma didn't lose his memory was originaly from the fanfic "Memories are fragile to be remade" fanfic but i customed it to my version along with the gang introduced themselves to index again. Also this will be the big spider arc first because i want to follow a certain strange addition fanfic timeline cuz it looks awesome for me.

Guest(guest): well it's kind of crowded but hey, it doesn't that bad actually.

Chapter 22: Adjustment for the better.

After index has finally let out of the hospital, everyone helped index to understand the knowledge of academy city since she forgot everything. They also discussed where Index should stay since Touma has to keep checking on her. To make it faster, Ruiko has volunteered to be the one to house Index since she still had room at her dorm and no roommate. Touma could just check up on Index there every so often.

After the first issue, the group also discussed about the funds especially when they find out how much index manage to eat whoch could easily bankrupt anyone who has a less amount of money. Mikoto and Kotaru willing to helped out for the budget for the food Index eaten. Mikoto has a good amount of funds due to her status as a level 5 and Kotaru's parents who's a popular scientist. When he called his parents for the help, he accidentally slipped his mouth telling about funding index, his parents immediately know something was up so they force Kotaru spilling the beans and told them what he knows. Kotaru saw no chance of escaping so he gave up and tell them the truth, about index has 103.000 grimoires, magicians, and of course their attempt on saving index which leads on her memory loss and made Touma become her protector now. Their parents shocked by how crazy the information that Kotaru gave to them especially the existence of magic that Kotaru and his friends faced. His parents agreed to help funding index foods after a bit of talk.

The student also remembered to gave index a cell phone in order to easily call her. They also try to teach her how to use some of the electronic device which is somehow troublesome because she's not really that fond of technologies, but with her photographic memory they only could hope that Index could understand using it.

A few day later after Index let out of the hospital, Kotaru bring Touma and Kuroko to the judgement training facility. Kotaru told them that it might be the best if Touma learned on using a weapon to fight some magician who also used weapons and maybe beating an out of control power suit would be helpful since Touma who is also a judgement member could beat up some esper who has supernatural power and some magicians but not for the power suit.

When Touma tried all kinds of weapons that he thinks really suits him, he somehow manage to use a bamboo sword really well. Nobody knows how did a bamboo sword got landed into the judgement training facility, but at least Touma somehow grateful that he finds it. Only for a hour, Touma manage to swinging the bamboo sword really well and fast like a katana user.

"You really doing great at using that, senpai." Kotaru praised.

"You're right about that," Touma replied, "When i was young, i joined a kendo club with Yuri before."

"Yuri? Who's that?" Kuroko asked.

"He is my best friend that i met when i was at elementary school a long time ago," Touma explain, "He is the only friend i have when i'm still at elementary school, but we separated after a scientist took him away."

"So... both of you never see each other again after that, senpai?" Kotaru asked.

Touma immediately stopped swinging his bamboo sword after Kotaru finished his question, he looked to the sky with a sad face, "No, not at all. I wish i know what happened to him after he got taken by those scientist. I really miss him."

Kotaru and Kuroko felt bad for Touma. He lost his best friend after a scientist took him somewhere and never see each other again even right now. Kotaru start to think that if Touma was the one who lost his memories means that he will forgot his dearest friend who is important to him will bandage the wound on Touma's feeling, but he retorted it because he knows it would make it worse.

Trying to reassure Touma, Kotaru approach him and grab his shoulder. When Touma look at him with confused, Kotaru gave a smile to his senpai and said, "Don't worry senpai, one day both of you could meet again in the future sooner or later so cheer up okay?"

Touma was cheered up a bit by Kotaru who tried to reassure him, he smiled back and Kotaru as he said, "Thanks, i needed that."

Kotaru nodded in response after that. Kuroko who is watching them was happy seeing both of them. She saw the bond between the senior and junior in front of her getting better. She broke from her smile when she got a call from the 177th Judgement Branch Office.

"I think it's best to cut this session short." Kuroko explained.

"What's wrong, Shirai?" Kotaru asked.

"Kongou got attacked by a couple of Skill-Out thugs in an alley," Kuroko explained, "She's fine now, but we should go to the location for a investigation."

"Kongou? Is that your friend, Shirai-san?" Touma asked.

"She's more like someones that i know," Kuroko said, she didn't feel easy to tell them, but she immediately turned around and looked at them who's behind her and asked, "Anyway, let's go there now shall we?"

"Lead the way then."

Touma, Kuroko, and Kotaru just arrived at the crime scene. They were suprised to saw so many beaten up teenage guys on the alley passed out. Anti-Skill had arrived to take the assaulters turned victims into custody, carrying them out in stretchers so they could also get medical attention. Meanwhile, the Judgement Officers were lefte what exactly happened on the crime scene with Uiharu interviewed Kongou while Kotaru, Touma, Konori, and Kuroko investigating the alley where the scene happened.

"I just can't believe that those skill-out targetted Kongou," Kuroko admitted, "it's impossible for a ganged up level 0 could beat a level 4."

Kotaru and Touma let out a loud fake cough.

"I-i mean if those level 0 don't have any power at all." Kuroko corrected, "Besides, both of you was one of the special level 0 in this city."

"I don't really think that's what really happened." Konori interrupted.

"Eh?" Everyone said in unison.

"What happened actually Konori?" Touma asked.

"From what Kongou just said, she can't use her power at all at that time." Konori explained, "Luckily a stranger come and helped her."

In an instant, they looked at the boy who was familliar with those terms.

"JIIIIIIIIII" (This is a staaare sound but in japanese.)

"Why are you guys looking at me like that?" Touma defended, "She can't use her power at all but it doesn't mean it was me at all. Besides, why would i negate her power if i decide to helped her?"

"Tamezo?" Konori said quietly as she looked suprised at the beaten up guy who got carried by the anti skill.

"Konori-senpai?" Kuroko asked notice her suprised expression.

"What's wrong?" Touma and Kotaru asked.

"Oh sorry!" Konori replied, "emmm, i wondered about Uiharu-san's report went well."

"Yes..." Kongou answered uiharu as she holding her head with one of her hand, "After that, i fall unconscious."

"When you wake up, all of them already got beaten?" Uiharu asked.

"Yeah, that's right." Kongou answered.

"Is there something that you remembered?" Uiharu asked for more information.

"Lets see..." Kongou tried to remember back, "How do i explain it? The clothes he wore a clothes that a biker gang always wear-"

"A leather jacket?" Uiharu clarrified interupted Kongou.

Kongou snapped before she replied, "That's right! He wears a black leather jacket and that guy has a spider tatoo on his back."

Konori expression got intensed, she's the only one who knows that person. Her expression was noticed by Kotaru, Touma, and Kuroko.

'Konori-senpai, what's wrong?" Kuroko asked in concerned.

"You looked distracted than usual just now." Kotaru pointed out.

"Konori-san, something must have bugged you just now. It might be better if you tell us about it." Touma suggested.

"It's nothing at all, three of you." Konori insisted waving her hands.

"If you say so..." Kotaru said wearly.

'Why i feel like something's not right about Konori today?' Touma thought to himself.

"Does the black leather jacket person could be the one who beat these guys up?" Kuroko asked.

"That's the only conclusion we could come up for now." Kotaru concluded.

Konori only remained silent, she has a sullen look in her eyes.

On the next day, the Judgement Officers returned to the branch office to compile the evidence they had collected so far. While preparing some office for everyone, Konori brought up a specific branch of Skill-Out.

"Big spider?" Kuroko asked.

"Is that the group that hunt esper?" Uiharu added

"Actually, i always tried to beat up some gangs who makes trouble and gets chased all over the city, consider how unlucky i am but i never know who they really are." Touma asked, he never meet or heard about them at all.

"That really suprised me, Kamijou-san." Konori said, "Big Spider has always been rather well known, even among those in Skill-Out. They used to know where the line was, but have degenerated into a band of outlaws. They probably never attacked you since they didn't think it was worth it, even if you did something to anger them."

"What's their dignity as skill-out after all?" Kuroko asked skeptically, "they're just a minority who hates the social order."

"That's right," Konori agreed, she putted 4 cup of hot drinks on the table, "But...they also felt the discontent of wrath and the jealousy of espers."

"Konori senpai, you seem to know about them really well." Uiharu pointed out.

"Do you perhaps know about those gangs before?" Kotaru asked.

"W-well, maybe so." Konori responded wearly.

"But still, you're amazing to know about it senpai." Uiharu complimented.

Even though the overall happy mood, Kotaru and Touma noticed that something was off at Konori which made them felt suspicious.

Kotaru, Touma, Hondo, Mikoto, Kuroko, Uiharu, Ruiko, and Index has gathered at a diner for a lunch. Everyone has finished their own meals and only left with drinks excluding index who has ordered 4th plate of steak and Uiharu had a parfait which is Uiharu's favorite drink. After they finished eating, they discuss about the incident that invlolving Kongou.

"Kongou got attacked!" Mikoto yelled as she punding her fist on the table.

"Onee-sama, please calm down and take it easy." Kuroko Insisted.

"How shameless a bunch of boys ganging up on girls like that!" Mikoto vented.

"You really qorked up about this, Misaka-san." Ruiko noted

"Lemme guess, does it have anything to do when both of us met for the first time?" Touma guessed.

"Wait what? Why does Touma met Mikoto for the first time have anything to do with it?" Index asked after she swallowed the food inside her mouth.

"I was wondering the same too," Hondo agreed, "How does Misaka met Kamijou for the first time?"

"Well, i met biri-biri when i was walking around at one night," Touma explained, "I saw her that she was being hit on by a gang of guys. Seeing this, i planning to help her by making them thinking that i was her friend who she's waiting for, but it kinda spiraled out of control and she learned about my right hand power."

"Does everyone here met Touma like that?" Index asked.

"Not really index," Kotaru answered, "I've met him for the first time at one noght when he got chased by some gang member and i have to meddle in the middle and beat the hell out of them."

"I only met him the afternoon when we decide to visit his school." Hondo said, he only met him before the incident against the magician happened.

"Me and shirai-san met Kamijou-senpai when we made a report about the first graviton bombing at 7th July." Uiharu also told index about it.

Uiharu blushed when she remembered the next graviton bombing incident the next day after 7th july and said, "Though i still remembered i was saved by Senpai for once and i really grateful about it."

"Also the first time you called him 'senpai' right?" Kotaru teased as he pointed that out.

"What about Ruiko?" Index asked, "When did you met Touma for the first time?"

"Emmmm..." Ruiko embarrassed, her face redden as she fidgeting her finger as she answered, "First time i've met him was when Kotaru-kun and i went on our first date."

"Yeah, Ruiko also saw how powerfull Kamijou-senpai was," Kotaru noted, "Both of us worked together to beat a graviton bomber culprit."

"Yeah, that was really intense." Ruiko added, "I still felt how worried i am at that time."

"Well it can't be helped, Ruiko chan, at least i know how to take care of myself." Kotaru said reassuringly.

"Anyway back to the point," Mikoto interrupted, "I just can't stand people who would rather hurt others instead of facing their own reality. If you want my opinion, it's both futile and cruel."

"Man, it's like you're making fun of me." Ruiko said with a stiff laugh.

"Eh? But you're different, Saten-san." Mikoto insisted.

"That's true," Kuroko agreed, "Skill-out only attacking esper when they're together especially they do that because they were so desperate to level up especially it's impossible for a level 0 to beat a high level espers." Kuroko immediately closed her mouth for what she just said out loud.

Seeing around her, she saw a dark aura with a menacing yet scary expression of Kotaru, Ruiko, Hondo, and Touma looking at her. She knows something bad happened to her if she didn't take back what she said, so she corrected what she said, "Except for a level 0 who has a special power."

The 4 special level 0 dark aura has vanished in an instant after they heard what Kuroko just said.

Uiharu want to change the atmosphere so she began to talk about the big spider, "Oh yeah, we've also learned that Big Spider has been getting access to illegal weapons through the Black Market."

"Huh," Mikoto mused, "How about those thugs tried to pick a fight with me?"

"Onee-sama," Kuroko flirted as she started to snuggling the level 5, "If tou wanna play, Kuroko would like to serve you anytime."

"That's not what i meant!" Mikoto yelled, trying to pry off Kuroko from her.

'there they go again' the boys lamented on their thoughts. Touma want to help Mikoto to get Kuroko off of her, but he know that it will be useless attempt so he decide to ignore it for now.

"So, those skills out that attacked Kongou-san got arrested right?" Ruiko asked.

"Apparently, there's a mysterious person that helped her and took out those skill-out." Uiharu explained.

"A mysterious hero of justice eehhh?" Ruiko mused.

"Could it be that person was a magician that could project a weapon out of thin air just like Emiya Shirou from the fate/stay night anime?" Index offered, she watch Fate/stay night Unlimited blade works after she got used to her new life so she thought about it that way.

"No index, this isn't fate anime okay?" Kotaru responded.

"Plus you already taking it too far." Uiharu and Hondo added.

"That's too much!" Kuroko yelled in outrage, ceasing her sexual assault on her friend, "His action was very inappropriate even though he's not in judgement or anti-skill at all so he's the same just like villain."

"You know, that's just like when Touma tried to save Mikoto before he joined judgement don't you think?" Index asked, remembered Touma explanation on how Mikoto meet Touma for the first time.

"Did i explained it like that?" Kuroko asked awkwardly.

"You deffinitely are." Everyone answered.

Kuroko laugh awkwardly at everyone who's agree about it. Suddenly, a voice that most people on the group don't know interjected.

"KAMI-YAN!" A two voice yelled near them.

Looking to the direction of the voice, they saw the blonde hair boy that has a buttoned down high school uniform along with a blue haired boy with both of his eyes looks like it's closed approaching the table.

"Tsuchimikado! Aogami!" Touma yelled in terror because of the unexpected appearance, "What are you two doing here?!"

"Seriously, both of us were stopping by for a lunch," Aogami explained.

"And we didn't expect to meet you with your new friends but most of them are a cute middle school girls! How could you be able to be friends with them!" Tsuchimikado added.

"And not only that! He also xollected a nun alongside him!" Tsuchimikado pointed out, point his finger at Index who still focused on her food.

"Umm Kamijou-senpai, who are these guys?" Uiharu asked Touma.

"Uiharu, this is my classmates." Touma introduced, he pointed his finger at the yellow haored sunglasses boy, 'This is Tsuchimikado Motoharu, he is the siscon sergeant."

"And the other one is Aogami," Kotaru introduced Aogami, "you guys need to be catefull about him, he is the worst pervert."

Tsuchimikado and Aogami mouth agaped when Uiharu called Touma a senpai, after Kotaru and Touma introduced them to their friends, Tsuchimikado tremble his finger pointed out at Touma and said in a disbelieve tone, "You also have a cute Kouhai calling you a senpai! That's the last straw!"

"I guess it's time to punished you and don't think we'll let you get away with this!" Aogami said as he cracked his knuckle.

Touma knew that he will be dragged in a pointless delta force fist fights for a few minutes, so he screamed out loud, "SUCH MISFORTUUUUNE!"

"Your senpai is kinda... interesting Kotaru." Hondo said awkwardly while the delta force keep having a fist fight between Touma against Tsuchimikado and Aogami.

"Should we helped out Kamijou-senpai?" Uiharu asked.

"Nah, let him be for now." Everyone except index said in unison.

The group watch the fistfight and entertained by the performance in front of them for a few minutes. Somehow, Touma manage to beat Tsuchimikado and Aogami unscratched and he didn't even flinched at once and knocked the blonde and the blue haired boy to the ground.

"That was a good performance you just show to us, you idiot." Misaka praised.

Touma put his right hand to the back of his head and scratch it as he said, "Thanks a lot, now let's pay for the food and leave this place to avoid more problems." He didn't like to have more misfortune attacked him right away.

"Should we do something about them, Kamijou-senpai?" Uiharu asked reffering to the two unconscious boys.

"Let them be, let's just go." Touma replied.

Uiharu only nod in response, they pay for the food and leave the restaurant.

The next day, the judgement member and Mikoto gathered in the branch office to find any other leads on Big Spider. They saw the report of the big spider case that happened third time this week, they deduced that the illegal weapons were coming from some sort of benefactor. In addition, they found out that the group's leader, Kurozuma Wataru, was a rather ruthless fellow, not hesitating to shoot anyone who attempts to leave the gang. He also had a spider tattoo on his back, matching the description of the person that saved Kongou. Combined with the previous evidence, the group deduced that he was simply fighting another branch of Big Spider that tried to defect. Eventually, Uiharu was able to narrow down the possible locations of Big Spider's hideout in the area of District 10 known as Strange. Apparently, it was a popular area for gang activity, especially for the Skill-Out gang activity.

Since they finally found a lead, Mikoto dragged Kuroko out of the office to investigate immediately. Kuroko can't say anything to Mikoto due to her happiness being dragged by her Onee-sama. Touma decide to leave them be since he knows those two will be okay if he wasn't with both of them, and Kotaru just finished all his works and waiting for Uiharu to finished her work as well since both of them planned to have lunch with Ruiko, Index, and Hondo later.

After Uiharu finished her works, both Kotaru and Uihari leave Touma and Konori on the branch and walk towards the place where they planned on having a lunch. A hours has passed and Touma could tell Konori condition hasn't changed at all. Touma could tell that about the big spider case has bothering her ever since the time they investigate the time big spider attacked Kongou. Eventually, Konori closed her laptop and excused Touma to leave the branch which left Touma in the branch alone. Touma figured that Konori might on her way back to her dorm, so he checked his notebook which has a list of all of his friends dorm adress in case when he want to visit them.

After Uiharu, Ruiko, Kotaru, Hondo, and Index has finished their lunch, they went to a certain hill of the riverbed near a certain metal bridge sitting side by side against each other. With Kotaru sitting in the corner next to Ruiko. On Ruiko right side, Uiharu is sitting next to Hondo and index is sitting on Hondo's right side. They were enjoying the calmness of the wind flowing as they enjoying a snack of a sweet self heating bread.

"You know, it's not like i don't understand about them at all." Ruiko said first.

"Understand about what exactly, Saten-san?" Uiharu asked as she bite her bread.

"About the feelings about those Skill-out." Ruiko answered, "Even though i've tried so hard, my level didn't increase at all. Even i felt frustated as well." Ruiko knows very well the pain of being a level 0, the pain of want a super power, but cannot achieve it."

"What do you mean by that Ruiko? Didn't you have a power already?" Index asked.

"Index, Before Ruiko-chan met you, she don't have a power before," Kotaru explained, "Before she have a vision just like me, she is just a level 0 which equal as a normal human who don't have any super powers."

"Yeah, Kotaru-kun's right," Ruiko said, looking down with a sad smile remembering the past, "It's like i want to throw everything away." She tilted her head, looked at Kotaru and continued, "I also remembered how angry i was at Kotaru-kun under that bridge, i was glad you understand my pain at that time and let me pick my decision to use the level upper or not so thank you again."

Kotaru was pleased with her words, he ran his finger on her long hair and said, "You're welcome Ruiko-chan, i just can't force you to use that device because i know you'll be more desperated. You're the most cheerful girl i've met in my entire life so it hurts my heart that you're that desperate to get a power. Maybe that's why i love you in the first place."

Ruiko blushed furiously at how Kotaru ran his finger on her hair, but she enjoyed her boyfriends affection. Ruiko also remembered something as she enjoy the feeling of Kotaru's hand running on her hair, so she said, "Hey Kotaru-kun, i think there something we haven't done ever since the incident where we tried to save index."

"And that is?" Kotaru asked.

"This." Ruiko answered before she initiatively getting closer, pressed her lips against him and began to kissed Kotaru. Kotaru suprised by her sudden action, but he also enjoyed kissing his girlfriend again after the incident they went through to save index. He wrapped his hand at Ruiko waist and the other hand at Ruiko's head, gently supported it against his own and both of them close their eyes as Ruiko grabbed onto his shoulders. The pair kept kissing each other forgetting Uiharu, Hondo, and Index watching them.

Uiharu, Hondo, and Index blushed at the scene, watching the couple kissing. Hondo also proud for Kotaru to be able to snatch one of the best girl in the group. He also saw fond both of them really are.

After the pair has separated from their kiss, they gazed into each other eyes while both of them flustered. Both of them suddenly lean their heads against each other and closing their eyes enjoying each other company along with enjoying the flowing warm wind.

"Those two were so cute when they're together don't you think?" Uiharu asked Hondo and Index quietly.

"I agree." Both hondo and index answered.

"I never saw Kotaru this happy before." Hondo admitted, "Most of times, he always looked sad despite him being bullied before he enters Academy city. He always being picked ever since he obtained his vision before."

"But why people do that?" Uiharu asked in shock, try to kept quiet make sure Kotaru and Ruiko didn't notice at all.

"The reason is jealousy." Hondo answered, "People in school always jealous of how powerful he is along with his vision power. Nobody want to be friends with him except for me. One day at lunch, he told me that he's tired from all of this. He's tire for being picked because of his powers so he told me that he wanted to move to Academy City meeting his parents and become a student there. At first i want to stop him because i won't have any friends to be accompanied with, but i changed my mind when i realised that he will kep suffering like this if he didn't go there at all. So i allowed him to move out to Academy City."

"That must be tough for him." Index comment.

"I can't imagine how hard it was for him to get bullied like that." Uiharu added.

"I agree, but that doesn't matter anymore since he finally achieved his happiness." Hondo said pointing to Kotaru and Ruiko who's still leaning their heads against each other.

Index and Uiharu only nodded in response, they hoped that Ruiko will always make Kotaru happy and it goes the same with Kotaru in the future.

Touma has just arrived in fronf of Konori's dorm room. He knows something bothered her ever since the investigation of the big spider so he want to find out what's bothering her.

He knock the room's door and a few seconds later a girl that Touma never meet opened the girl, she has a long brown hair and she looks like wearing the same uniform as Konori.

"May i help you?" The girl asked.

"Umm i'm looking for Konori Mii, she's a friend of mine," Touma replied, "This is her dorm am i right?"

"Mii, there's someone here to see you!" The girl called back into the dorm.

When Konori walked out, she was not expecting Touma to be standing in the doorway.

"Yo Konori-san," Touma greeted with a wave, "Just thought I'd come by to check on you."

"Who is this guy Mii?" The brown haired girl asked, "Is he your secret boyfriend?"

"Not at all. If you actually showed up at the branch office every once and a while, you would know," Konori sighed, "This is Kamijou Touma, a new member that joined a couple weeks ago."

"You're the infamous judgement member that never shows up on our branch for huh?" Touma mused.

"Well i guess you could say that," the girl giggled, "My name is Yanagisako Aomi, It's a pleasure to meet you. Care to come in?"

Touma replied with a simple nod. He stepped inside and took of his shoes, leaving them at the door. He then joined to two girls in the main room, making himself comfortable on the floor.

"So Kamijou-san, Why did you visit me?" Konori asked.

"Well, i decide to checked on you because you seems a bit off today." Touma reasoned.

"Like i told you before, i'm fine Kamijou-san." Konori insisted.

"You fan't fool me Konori," Touma countered, "You don't think I've noticed your sudden change in behavior ever since Big Spider was suspected? Something is definitely wrong and all you're doing is trying to cast the illusion that you're alright. Just tell me what's bothering you in this whole time."

Konori saw the determination on Touma's burning eyes. She know from Kotaru that no matter what happened, he will keep trying to save people even though they don't need their help. Seeing this, Konori gave a sigh before she said, "Okay i give up, You're right, the case has been bothering me for a while now."

"Can you elaborate about it?" Touma asked.

"I guess i have to," Konori agreed, "Hey Aomi, do you mind if you step out for a while?"

"Sure, no problem. But don't suddenly dissapear after i leave you two okay?" Yanagisako giggled.

"As if!" Konori yelled in defense.

"What kind of person do you take me for?! I just met you!" Touma added.

Ignoring their arguments, Yanagisako stepped out of the room, leaving the two to their devices.

"So, where were we?" Konori asked, trying to get over the embarrassment.

"You were going to elaborate why you were bothered by the case," Touma reminded her.

"Oh yeah, that's right!" Konori replied taking a deep breath, "It's just that i have some memories with Big spider before."

"Some memories?" Touma asked. "You already know them?"

"I was only a Level 2 at the time," Konori explained. "Infact, I kind of respected them, in a sense. I hit a bump in developing my ability, but they seemed to be so happy and satisfied despite being stuck as Level 0s. They were close to one another and looked out for each other."

"Which is why you held them in such high regard back then," Touma reasoned, "You knew they were a rather friendly group."

Konori nodded before she continued, "You're right about that, but everything's changed after 2 years ago-" suddenly they got interrupted by a sound of a phone ringing.

"Looks like Biri-Biri and Shirai-san found a lead of the big spider," Touma noted, getting out of his seat, "They might have found the leader, Kurozuma Wataru, and called in for backup. Are you coming along?"

"I don't know if i'm ready." Konori hestitated.

"You can't keep avoiding this forever you know," Touma said, offering his right hand, "It's about time you come to terms with your past. I don't really know what happened two years ago, but I know you can move past it. I'll be right here to help you as a friend."

Konori stared at Touma's hand for a moment. It was the hand Touma favored when throwing a punch. It was the hand that held the power known as Imagine Breaker. It was the hand of someone who worked tirelessly for the sake of others. But most importantly, right now, it was the hand offering her help.

Deep down, Konori knew Touma was right. She couldn't keep running from this. She had to face this case and her past at some point. It seemed like now was the time, even if he turned out to be there. Besides, she had Touma here to help her. She knew Touma wouldn't fail at doing that.

So, Konori took Touma's hand in response as she nodded.

It took longer than expected, but Touma and Konori arrived at the address that Mikoto and Kuroko had sent Touma. It was almost sundown by the time they arrived. However, they were met with quite the surprise when they arrived. Appeared to be comforting Mikoto and Kuroko after being attacked was a man wearing a leather jacket. He had greasy red hair and was carrying a large carton of milk.

Touma didn't recognize the man, but Konori seemed to stop in her tracks when she got a good look at him. To Touma's confusion, Konori picked up her pace, pulling ahead of him before stopping just behind the man.

"When it comes to milk..." The man began to talked.

"It has to be Musashino milk." Konori finished.

"Konori?" Touma asked as he walked closer.

"Konori-senpai, Kamijou-san!" Kuroko called their name.

"It's been a while, Mii." the red-haired man replied, turning to face the high school girl.

The three other students looked back and forth between Konori and the man, saying "huh?" in unison with each look. Everyone was confused about it.

"EEEEEHHHHHHH!" Mikoto and Kuroko yelled in shock.

*End of chapter 22*

Whew, took me a while to finished this, i hope you guys enjoyed and pls review. See you in the next chapter.