Guy, here comes the new chapter. I apologized for the lack of Mikoto-Touma's scene here, but this chapter is the turning point of another chapter, so please mind me!
Oh, right! I'm not quite sure whether this chapter is good enough for you readers or not, but please review!
Chapter 3: Warlock
Being loyal to the ideals and principles were not things that you could do just by sitting comfortably on your sofa, stretching your legs as you gained abundant enjoyment from the hot chocolate that you took a sip before. Ideals and principles needed so much care and treatment, being more fragile and easily shaken just like a broken glass, with the materials that were simple to be shattered by any direct impact from the surrounding, or from the world itself. Nonetheless, despite of the state of being vulnerable, there were always someone who eventually could gather their strength to protect their ideals. They were the one who could smile in trouble, who could collect strength from distress, and grew brave by reflection. It was the business of little minds to shrink, but those whose heart was firm, and whose conscience approved their conduct, would invariably pursue their principles and ideals unto death. Strong men didn't compromise, it was said, and ideals and principles should never be compromised, being the manifestation of any experiences and impressions that had been carved from the first time they stepped in the world, as they grew with them, and made friends with them, being the only comrades for them to face the reality of the time and space nowadays.
From a milion people in this world, the number of individuals who finally succeeded in maintaining their own principles and ideals, ignoring any other sense of dignity and prosperity that they could have, could be counted just by the number of fingers in your left hand. It was not as though that the number of strong hearted and stell minded people in the world had decreased that drastically, nevertheless, it was more because of the need and importance of their life, as being loyal to your ideals was not so different than offering your head to a hungry lion. Nonetheless, Kamijiou Touma was one of the people who succeeded, with the face which vaguely showed that his sense of loyalty to his ideals could even defeat a wife's loyalty to their husband, creating and forming the Kamijiou Touma that was not easily directed and manipulated, a splendid example of a figure of an impressive person.
In fact, his principle was very simple and modest, but also, requiring a great amount of strength, courage, sincerity, knowledge, light, and hope for being able to maintain it in his heart. 'Protecting the smile and happiness of others'. Just because of the sentence which couldn't be considered as a phrase, he went through all the problems that were originally faced by other people, sacrificing sweat, power, blood, and even his own mental state. But he eventually solved it with other coureagous smile that adorned his face, as satisfactory flooded him with so much pride and joy, for being able to guard the virginity of his principle.
The only actual ability, the only blessing that was given by God from his youth, was just his right hand, the Imagine Breaker, that ironically, kept him not to be blessed anymore by the highest entity himself, as though His blessing for that power was so great that He didn't need to give anymore blessing. It was an oh so great, yet oh so cursing, just like two sides of coin which concealed the true meaning of something, being the power that could descend all the illusions to its own originality, negating all the powers and abilities that people should have. But yet, even though the fact that Imagine Breaker was there, he shouldn't be able to face all the problems and troubles by himself, but nonetheless, he faced all of them anyway, as his principle was the one that had most of his attention, being the first priority for him from his youth.
And he knew, that even though he didn't have the Imagine Breaker, even though he didn't have any ability that could support him, he would do the same thing as he did, because he didn't care about anything else other than the joy of those who were present around him. He was that kind of stupid man, who would throw himself to other's problem with a determined face, even though he didn't know whether he would survive or not.
He didn't know it, he didn't acknowledge it, and in fact, he didn't care about it. Nevertheless, the number of people that he had actually saved had reached the number that could pass the population of Academy City itself, let alone the number of sacrifice that he had done, making him as one of the honorary member of the hospital, with the frog faced doctor as his private doctor. Nonetheless, his might in guarding his ideal could even surpass every trial and tribulation that seemed to never cease to try destroying it, and the shattered illusion with his right hand was the proof of it. After the problem had been solved, he would treat it as if there was nothing happened, simply forgetting it, even though he wasn't known and recognized in the problem despite of the major involvement that he had done. He would say that fame was not important, and the thought that everyone was finally happy in the end was more than enough for him.
He was that kind idiot guy.
The said guy was now walking in the corridor of the hospital, which was renowned by its white hue, passing several nurses and doctors as he walked with the usual bored expression on his face. It was another morning, as the light that the world had provided had relieved the night from yesterday, giving its hue to the world that habitually activated people's mind to began their works and studies. It was the same with Touma, after a long day in Mikoto Misaka's room, he eventually left it, with Misaka's statement that she would be okay. Nevertheless, Touma was not so sure himself, because of the fact that she said it with a reddish hue on her face, which in Touma's thought, she could have a fever. But after some moments of arguing and debating, with a little bit bottle throwing, that could wake most of the patients up in the hospital, Touma was finally convinced to leave Mikoto by herself, a little bit relieved that at least she could have adequate energy to throw a bottle.
His face, even though it looked so bored and flat, had a mix of glee and relief on it, as the thought of nice condition of the hazel eyed girl was more than enough for him, in fact, he worried about her condition so much, and actually, he had never felt something like that before. It was as if the mind of the condition of the brown haired girl had created another certain thought in his brain, and he embraced it anyway. Nevertheless, the thought of Misaka Mikoto was not the only thing that he must have a spot on, as his brain's attention began dividing itself, because the only thing that he thought to be important was not only that.
Moreover, something that Misaka Misuzu requested to him just a moment before she left.
Whatever it was, the need of food supply, another priority for him, was something that called him to go to the hospital's cafetaria this morning, with another intention that had been compactly structured in a tiny part of his brain. Enjoying the scenery of the rising sun with a company of a nice looking and a delicious one sandwich, maybe with vanilla milkshake or moccacino were a dreamy sight in his mind, as his sinful stomach was growling heavily; the proof of the emptiness of his stomach. He indeed hadn't eaten much yesterday, but he couldn't help it. For heaven's sake, how could a person eat when the other's condition was not so sure? He just ate a cheesburger that Itsuwa bought for him yesterday, and nothing else.
His hair was still as messy as yesterday, showing the lack of attention in taking a bath or maintaining his own sanity, as the thought of a certain scientific Railgun kept flooding him for eternity, not because of any essential or self-centered bussiness, but rather, because of the fact that she was someone that he knew and he cared, just because of that. His black jacket and T-shirt were still remained unchanged from yesterday's, and to be honest, he was as tired as he could be, with a little bag under his eyes, yawning loudly, giving a good example of someone who was caught in insomnia, and his bored expression was just like a withered flower which was trapped in a place where the sky was never blue.
The crowds and loud noises from the window which was present beside him caught his attention, swiftly changed his head's direction to the view of the outside world. It was another magnificent dawn. The sun gave its own blessing to the world as the people began having their life in the city, filling every corner of the city with their breath and aura, creating an unproportional and perplexing atmosphere in various places. The park which was built just in front of the hospital was colored by the hue of the sun, and the shadow of perennial trees began giving other color to the ground beneath them. The chirpings birds, especially pigeons, began filling the space which appeared to be provided just for them, busying themselves with bliss and joy, starting to find any food that could be provided in the park, inhaling a sufficient amount of air which brought a nice odor from the mother nature. It was an usual morning, but Kamijiou Touma never got bored of it.
His eyes narrowed slightly as his brain interpreted a sight of a certain purple haired girl, which was sitting oh so gracefully on one of the bench in the park, shadowed by an eternal oak tree which guarded her from the sunlight from above, oh so elegantly that it almost demanded the passerby's look at it. It was a figure of a girl that everyone would always dream of: slender body with strong legs, flawless skin and proportional height, accompanied by beautiful face and kind eyes. It was someone that he knew, being an individual that stayed in his home until now. It was also someone that he considered as other friend, and also, she was the one that took a role as his guardian.
Ignoring the fact that Kamijiou Touma was someone that could be considered as one of the most insensitive person in the world, nonetheless, he could tell that something was wrong with her, as her eyes looked very dreamy, looking at something which was far from anything. It was as though she was caught in her own attention of something, being ignorant of the fact that beautiful scenery was trying to cheer her up. Her particular smile was nowhere to be seen, and she appeared to be deep in her own thought.
And Kamijiou Touma, being a chivalrous person just like what he would always be, decided to join her, forgetting the intention of enjoying breakfast in the hospital's cafetaria, as the thought of the purple haired girl which was sitting on the bench alone, without so many company except the eternal sun which seemed unstoppable, overwhelmed his mind with the equivalence of nothing.
He would always be that kind of man.
Being a follower of Jesus Christ meant that someone was ready to serve Him, to do His orders and to spread His words to eveyone in the world. Nevertheless, it was not as easy as that, because being something like that was the same with cleansing yourself from any evils and sins, being a member of the church, and for the most important thing; being the Children of God, those who had the image of God. Being a member of a certain church from youth meant that someone was trained to avoid any kind of irritation and bad thinking about others, avoiding any hint of jealousy and worldly intention that sinked someone into an endless sin. He or she would always hate the sin itself, as the one which distanced himself or herself from the mighty God. It was an obligation, not only an unspoken rule or a constitution, but a law for any Children of God.
Nevertheless, human was not God, human couldn't be perfectly cleansed from overwhelming sin that had developed sharper and sharper in this wicked world, as ego, being the number one sin, something that blocked any good deeds and kind intentions, would always be right there in the heart, no matter how white someone was. No matter what circumstances someone was in, sin would always surround them, and what they would do was just avoiding and preventing themselves from doing any of it. The bitterness of sin would always haunt someone, whispering any mischief and crime, being something that was more tricky than a magicians themseves, bringing someone down to endless regret, and even bereavement in the end. It was not only a usual ability or power, but also, an absolutility.
Perhaps, it was something that Itsuwa had in her mind. In spite of the fact that she had entered the Amakusa church from her youth, but she couldn't stop this tingling and wicked feeling that she had only recognized that time. It was a feeling of being unhappy and even angry because someone had something or someone you wanted, or because you thought they might take someone that you dearly loved away from you. It was worse than envy, it was harder to be defeated rather than being possessive. It was jealousy, as something that would make her eyes became full of fire from the hell, as the demonic flame began consuming all of her mental state, creating bitter delusion that would affect her behavior, being something which was more criminal than the devil itself. Whatever it was, whatever every definition and explanation that anyone could throw into, Itsuwa was jealous.
Specifically, she was jealous to Mikoto Misaka.
It was hilarious, one could say, as actually being the member of the church from her youth and even had enough bravery to protect the essence of the church could make someone to have a certain immunity from that kind of thing; in fact, she couldn't. The sight of her loved one, Kamijiou Touma, cared deeply abouy a girl she didn't know was something irresistible, but surely, not in a good way. It was the sight that she really hated, as a feeling of being defeated began taking her mind with bitter draft, with a certain dislikeness covered the light that surrounded her, changing it with an eternal darkness. Indeed, Itsuwa never showed it to anyone, even when she faced Mikoto. She still gave her the broadest smile that she had, being something that was famous from her. Nevertheless, it was so hard to do, so irritating to be done, requiring so much amount of energy from her body, and she was still defeated.
Her serene aura and figure gave her more than enough to resist the jealousy that overwhelmed her mind though, as the blessing from the God for that kind of character had saved her from being to aggressive or anything. She was very happy that God had given that disposition, being calm and kind toward anything and all. If she didn't have it, she wouldn't want to know what would happen.
But whatever it was, whatever any blessing that had been given by the God to her, she wasn't happy at all.
She was sitting on a bench in the park, in one of the corners that the park invisibly provided. It was a good place, so cool for her skin and so healthy, coloring the environment with comfortable aura which was rare to be found in the Academy City. The oak tree protected her sitting figure from the sunlight, with a little occasional light that succeeded to penetrate the leaves of the tree, giving a mix of heat and warmth in Itsuwa's skin. The oak tree gave a certain refreshing odor to her mind, wings to brain, and also, being a good change from the smell of drugs and medicines in the hospital. It was a good place to think, to be alone, to process everthing in a calm state, to be herself.
She sighed, releasing a certain amount of vapor to the air which was so unbecoming of herself. Her eyes spotted the clear azure sky which appeared to be so wonderful and breath taking, finding it interesting for a slight of second. Then, without her knowing why, without her acknowledging the reason why she did it, she closed her eyes, as words began flowing from her mouth.
"What am I supposed to do?" she said, whispering to herself in confusion. "Must I... ah!"
Her calm whisper was naturally changed into a shriek when suddenly, something which was oh so cold touched and was pushed into her cheek, giving shiver of both surprise and chill to her skin, as her skin sent a stimulation of chill to her brain in a split of second. Without any direct order from her brain, she rubbed her cheek, massaging it to somehow calm her shocked skin. Being a calm individual that she had perfected from her childhood, she didn't shout back or even scold anyone who had done that kind of silly thing, but rather, she turned her head to find who the culprit was. Afterwards, she found it hard to resist an urge to blush, as her eyes caught a glimpse of the culprit who were smiling at her, with two cans of soft drink in his hands and a plastic bag of sandwiches which was hung loosely on his wrist.
"Ka-ka-Kamijiou-san!" Itsuwa said, with a reddened cheek, a clear proof that her brain and her feeling had changed, becoming excited or maybe slightly embarrased. The blood who was flowing to her cheek appeared to be so mischievous, turning her head into a giant fresh tomato which seemed to be newly picked from the best plantation. The voice that she had released was no different than a squeak of a mouse, being thoroughly surprised for the appearance of a certain spiky haired boy.
"Yo! Having good view in the morning here?" Touma said, with a little joyful smile adorned his face, looking at her with and extremely happy and blissful expression which could actually be understood by his simpe grin. Somehow, Touma's aura began surrounding Itsuwa's, as her heart stopped thumping because of the previous surprise. It was calmed down somehow, as though the smile from Kamijiou Touma had given light and hope for it to carry on, giving a pathway to stay normal, to feel a tranquil atmosphere that surrounded the space itself.
"Ah, it's not like that," Itsuwa said, finding it easier and easier to talk and began the conversation, as Touma's smile began giving another kind of serenity to her voice box to do its role, creating the particular, not a peculiar tune, which she always did. "I am just... thinking. That's all," she continued.
"Too much thinking will eventually give you a headache, Itsuwa," Touma said, moving his body to sit beside her on the bench to get the shadow of the oak tree, finding it very enjoyable to sit as another breeze began picking up, fully revealing itself from its concealment and gave a certain softness to his skin. "Here, I brought a sandwich and juice for you. Take them and have some!" he said again, checking the plastic bag, took a sandwich from it and gave it to Itsuwa.
"Ah, thank you so much," Itsuwa said, smiling as finally her mind had enough bravery to do so. She took the sandwich from his hand and looked at it quietly. It was a nice and delicious looking sandwich, with the size that was very suitable for her portion. It appeared that the sandwich had been made so specifically and nicely that it almost demanded all of her emotion for not to chew it greedily. She was indeed very hungry, because her breakfast was neglected by her, changed it with thinking beneath the oak tree, something that couldn't even fill her stomach. Let alone, the sandwich seemed so yummy and expensive, that even she didn't know whether Kamijiou Touma really bought it for her or just stole it. Well, the second one was probably a false though.
The silence began covering them, filling the atmosphere with quite draft as the two chewed their breakfast silently, filling their stomach as they enjoyed the delicacy of the meal that Touma had bought. The nice smell of sandwiches began joining the odor that the mother nature had naturally created, giving a proportional smell between them, making the breeze became more and more enjoyable. Whatever it was, they ate their meal idly as though they didn't realize the existence of each other just beside them, but the scene of the two seemed to be perfectly fit, with the company of perennial oak tree behind and two pigeons that perched on the bench to take a rest, a good composition of human and nature, to be exact. The pigeons chirped joyfully, creating music and melody to everybody's ears, the proof that they enjoyed the togetherness that the two people had provided so much, and they seemed really eager to be there until the two went, leaving nothing but the bench beneath a sacred oak tree.
"Kamijiou-san, why did you care about her so much?"
That sentence accidentally slipped from Itsuwa's tongue, breaking the ice that the two of them had created, even though the voice that the violet haired girl had produced was oh so inaudible as if she didn't really want to say it. It was something that she thought about from the morning, something that she was so curious at. It was also something that created a tingling feeling in her chest, something that caused a certain kind of soft jealousy on the surface of her brain. To be honest, she didn't really want to talk about it because she knew, that it would make her appeared stupid and even worse than it, would show a hint of jealousy that she had concealed perfectly since two days ago with the mask of serenity that decorated her face. It was very shocking to see her mouth began speaking by itself, not receiving any order from her brain, as though her mouth had betrayed her hard, and maybe, even brought her to another circumstances and experiences that she really didn't want to be involved. Tongue and mouth really were dangerous things.
Despite of the inaudible characteristic, Touma Kamijiou heard it nonetheless, as his eyes reacted by directing themselves to Itsuwa's face. It was not as if his hearing was oh so good that he could even defeat the ability of a dog, but rather, it was because of the fact that Itsuwa's voice that time was so unusual that he couldn't recognize it so clear, making him to react in just a split of second in confusion. Her voice sounded unusually shy, and Touma was thoroughly confused by that fact. It was as if she had really something that annoyed her and it could be written in her last sentence.
"Her?" Touma said, while chewing calmly, being really confused by the sudden question of the girl that had been his guardian for maybe two weeks. On the other hand, Itsuwa really hoped that Touma didn't hear her mumbling. It was very embarassing, as her shyness began overwhelming them like crazy, and for an instance, making her regreted to have a mouth that couldn't be used effectively. She stopped eating for a fraction of second, thinking again for a good decision whether to carry on the conversation or just to say 'nothing' and stopped it. Therefore, after thinking so hard that could even make one's brain began melting, with the oh so brave decision she had made, she began speaking, being the embodiment of decision that she had made.
"Yea... that brown haired girl... why did you care about her so much?"
Touma didn't answer her swiftly, somehow gave a certain kind of shiver to Itsuwa's skin as she started imagining something that she really didn't want to hear. Nevertheless, Touma finished his meal, wrapping the plastic that had been its covering since the first time the sandwich left the factory, and looking at the sky upwards which was oh so blue and oh so peaceful, the reflection of his own face.
"Do I need a reason?"
Touma's words penetrated Itsuwa's ears and made her head to react, facing Touma's face, finding him looking at the sky with closed eyes and tranquil expression. It was something, an answer that Itsuwa never expected. She had analyzed the probability of Touma's words and began filling it with with negative thought, being the only things that made her reluctant to hear Touma's answer. It was not as if she was the most pessimistic person in the world, but she felt that being optimistic was out of the option that time. Nevertheless, Touma's answer destroyed it all, leaving her in a confused state as none of her prediction was right. She had been surprised countless time in this morning by an unpredictable guy called Kamijiou Touma, really.
Touma then opened his eyes as though he had got a certain revelation from the sun itself, treating it with the equivalence of a prophet who had got a word from the mighty God from the heaven above. Swiftly, he approached Itsuwa's face with a proximity that could make her fainted without realizing it. He touched her forehead by his forefinger with a kind of gentleness that could only be sensed from a bride in the wedding hall, blessing him with every thought that he had, as he looked at Itsuwa with a devil may care smirk that Itsuwa found heart stopping. Then, he began speaking again, oh so calmly and full of harmony, or at least it was what Itsuwa had in her mind
"I don't really know the reason why someone ignored and clashed each other..." Touma said honestly, with a smile still implanted on his face. It was a smile that would make someone to close their eyes without they knew why, as though they talked to themselves, or maybe, they felt certain warmth that the words had provided. His smiles grew wider and wider, defeating the sleepy look that had been plastered on his face from the morning, giving bewilderment, and yet, optimistic reflection to Itsuwa's ears. "… But to help and care about one another… do I need a logical reason?"
Itsuwa's eyes began dilating as the words that Touma had said finally reached her ears, giving a shocked expression on her face which still was mixed by her calm figure proportionally. The spiky haired boy's words were so true, genuine, and indigenous, giving an impression of his life, his time, his principles, his ideas, and his style. It was also something that everybody should know, for their existence in the world was only for the purpose of happiness of others. Nevertheless, Itsuwa's intellection couldn't reach his way of thinking, and Touma's words were more than enough for her to realize everything. Yes, to make someone happy, to care about someone, to help someone. Right now, that brown haired middle school girl was the one who needed support and prodding, someone who needed as many embrace as she needed, someone who needed care and concern from everyone, not her. Kamijiou Touma, no matter how stupid he was, no matter the fact that he was one of the most idiots in his class, could know that without anyone to tell him. Why couldn't she?
What she thought about until that time was only about a logical reason; a logical reason why he cared about her so much; that was to say, because he loved her with no equivalence in this world. Logic was the thing that made her thought like that, and because of that, she was wrong. An old once said that a civilization was a heritage of beliefs, customs, and knowledge slowly accumulated in the course of centuries, elements difficult at times to justify by logic, but justifying themselves as paths when they led somewhere, since they open up for man his inner distance. He was just like that. He was the heritage of his own style, his own way of thinking, his own truth, his own ideals, with elements that were hard to be justified by logic. Nevertheless, his illogical being would always lead him to something that he believed, and he didn't need any logical reason for that.
But Itsuwa could have sworn with her own life, that the only one who could think like that was only Kamijiou Touma.
Her eyes closed, genuinely pleased by the realization that had enveloped herself with certain cheeriness. His own truth, his realization didn't struck her just like a hammer which seemed painful, but rather, it was just like mother's embrace that would eventually gave you a warmth that she would always wish, one of the reason why she accepted it without any argument.
On the other side, Touma opened the juice can that appeared to be uncared for a slight of moment, and without him alarmed to the situation he would be in, the can appeared to hate him so much, spurting enormous amount of soda inside it, drenching his face in just a split of second, choking in process, because the contact of the soda with his breathing system was so disturbing. Really, he was sleepy, but why must he accept that kind of punishment for being like that? He closed his eyes momentarily, looking defeated as the misfortune began surrounding him, not giving him any chance to take a rest from it.
"Such misfortune," he said, as his catchphrase seemed to be the only thing that could describe his own situation, and it was right. Really, he was just saying something cool to the individual beside him, and after that, he was drenching heavily by the punishment from the soda can, and the cool characteristic began depleting just in the sight of that. He really wished to find the fortunate things around all the unfortunate things, but he couldn't.
Itsuwa smirked a little at this sight, fully amused by the current misfortune that appeared to overwhelm the body of Kamijiou Touma for eternity. She gently took a handkerchief from her pocket, and gave it to Touma, as the only thing that actually she could do to help him.
"Here, wipe your face with this," the purple haired girl said, offering her handkerchief to Touma. "Your face would be sticky if you didn't clean it fast," she continued, with another gentle tune that colored the atmosphere.
"Thanks Itsuwa," Touma said nonchalantly, taking the handkerchief from Itsuwa's hand and used it to clean his face. Suddenly, as if the lightning had pounced him with a million volts, a realization hit his brain, as his mind began remembering Misaka Misuzu's request to him, a request which was oh so simple, but yet, hard to be disregarded, and his decision would beckon his departure, his future life, even though maybe just momentarily.
"Ah, speaking of Misaka, I need to tell you something," Touma said, handing the handkerchief back to Itsuwa, and began scratching his head, finding it hard to tell the purple haired girl the request from the mother of a certain scientific Railgun.
"Yes?" Itsuwa said, taking the handkerchief from his hand and returned it to her pocket. She tilted her head a little with a bit confused tune in her voice, as the sudden change of topic left her astonished, giving her a touch of curiosity to her brain.
"Well…"
"What? No way!"
The voice convulsed the hospital as if it was just a building that was structured by a child, throbbing it hard as the voice of a certain scientific Railgun appeared to echo everywhere, leaving all the patients perplexed and annoyed, starting their protest to the calamity that had been given to their ears for a fraction of seconds. Before the sound destroyed it, the dawn appeared to be so perfect, so breath taking, and so true, that nothing could match its beauty for a course of century. Nevertheless, the Railgun couldn't help to destroy it, because her mind was suddenly pulled into another decision in which she wasn't involved. It was not like that she hated the decision that Misaka Misuzu had made, but rather, she was in a state of complete… denial.
Misaka Mikoto was still in her room, but not with the peaceful expression that could be got from someone who was resting, but rather, her face appeared to be full of shock, as if the lightning that she produced had shocked herself, charring her just like the way she did to delinquents. Her eyes widened and she was covered by sweat, together with a little blush that adorned her face, the evidence of her shocked state, and also accompanied with unbelievable tense which seemed to press her heart. In front of her, was the sight of someone who inherited her look to Mikoto, a graceful woman which was oh so mature and oh so beautiful. She was sitting on the only armchair that the room provided, crossing her arms in front of her surprisingly big chest. Misaka Misuzu's expression was no longer cheerful, just like what she always had to anyone around her, changing it with a deadly serious expression that she would always wear to threaten her dearest daughter.
"Tell me again. I doubted my hearing was right," Mikoto said, stuttering wildly that it was a surprise that whole of her bed was not shaken too, showing the evidence that she was still in a complete denial. Indeed, she had heard it more than three times, and she could know that her mother was a little bit tired for repeating again and again. But she couldn't help it, because actually, she didn't want to know the reality, as denial began swallowing her mind for not accepting it.
Misuzu sighed in exasperation. She knew that her daughter wouldn't like the decision that she had made, but wasn't repeating it for seven times in less than five minutes was not adequate for her to at least acknowledging it? Let alone, her decision was made for the sake of her own daughter, as she felt insecure for the safety of her daughter, despite of the power that she had. Why couldn't she at least… understand?
"I said, Misaka Mikoto," Misuzu said, with a deadly serious expression and tune which somehow jerked Mikoto backwards for a sudden solemn situation her mother had given to her. "You will live with Touma for maybe two weeks, to ensure your safety because I didn't think you will be safe after this incident. I had called the principal of Tokiwadai Middle School and asked for his permission for you to not stay in your dorm for maybe two weeks. He agreed, and also, Touma agreed. After two weeks, you can return back to your dorm. Say that I have a bad feeling; a painful feeling which said that this incident was just a... beginning of everything," she said.
Misaka lowered her head, looking defeated by the seriousness that her mother had applied. It was the face that her mother always used to make her daughter didn't disobey her, or in any means, it was an absolute order, and she must do it nonetheless. That expression could also mean that Misaka Misuzu won't accept any arguments and opinions from her daughter, and it could also mean that her purpose for giving that order was the best choice and if Mikoto didn't accept it, she would be in trouble, not from her mother, but from the result for not obeying her mother. For summarizing everything, Mikoto could only obey her mother right now. Even though she said that it was her bad feeling that moved her to make that decision, a hint of her paranoid thought, but Mikoto knew, that mother's instinct toward her daughter was the best in the world, and danger would likely to happen. Despite all of the facts that she had known, she just couldn't accept it with an opened heart. It was not like that she was bothered for living with Touma just for two weeks, but it didn't seem to be all right for her heart and body to keep themselves nearby to Kamijiou Touma. No, she was not prepared for it.
Misaka's blush hadn't left her cheek yet, ignoring the fact that she had been calmed down a little. The brown haired girl stared at her hands, not daring to look at her mother's eyes. It was not like that she was scolded for being naughty, nevertheless, she was afraid that her mother would make a worse decision just by looking at her face, and on the other side, she really wanted to hide the red cheeks that had been plastered on her face. Part of her was somehow happy because of the fact that she would spend more time with the spiky haired guy, part of her was not happy at all, imagining the life she would be thrown into. She had no any preparation for that, she was not ready. It would be different if she must stay with other guy, whom she didn't have a spot on, but this was Touma, Kamijiou Touma, everything would be different for her.
In conclusion, she was in a complete denial.
"So, Mikoto-chan, will you do it?" Misuzu asked, staring at her directly, regardless the reality that Mikoto planned not to look at her at all. One could say that Mikoto was angry at her, for her anger made her not to respect her mother by not looking at her. But being her mother for more than ten years could make Misuzu knew, that her daughter was not angry, she was just a little bit... what's the word?
Shy...
After a slight moment of silence that allowed the calm breeze's sound to dominate the atmosphere freely, Mikoto broke the ice, not because she wanted to, but rather, because she knew that her mother demanded the answer that satisfied her. She didn't need to be the smartest person in the world to know what her mother wanted her to answer, although it was very hard to say it, but she eventually said it, becoming the path that she would walk on for the entire two weeks, becoming her fate, which would beckon a different life.
"Okay...," Mikoto mumbled, but successfully reached her mother's ears in just a fraction of seconds. Her mother smiled, being thankful that at least she had a daughter that would understand, or at least, had a daughter that obeyed her. It gave her so much relaxation in her body, for at least, she didn't need to worry about her so much, because she knew, that the spiky haired guy would always be there for her daughter, protecting her as though he was a paladin in a war, guarding her daughter as though she was the last woman on the earth.
"Glad you said it," Misuzu said as the genuinity and honesty overwhelmed her outer appearance, whether it was tune or expression. Then, she stood, leaving the armchair that had supported her weight since the first time she came into her daughter's room, began taking her leave, and started speaking again.
"Come on, you said earlier that you want to visit your junior right?"
Mikoto nodded, leaving her bed that had been her friend since yesterday, and it was the first time she actually left it. She and her mother then exited the room and closed the door, leaving an empty space that still had the aura of the two; as a place that should be memorable for them, or at least for Mikoto, becoming a turnback point of the change of her life, a new momentarily life with Kamijiou Touma.
It was ten o'clock already when she left the room in which Shirai Kuroko took a rest. The said teleporter was sleeping when she entered the room with her mother, but there, she could find the presence of her other two friends from Sakugawa Middle School: Ruiko Saten and Uiharu Kazari. They, including her mother, chatted happily, forgetting the incident that had been experienced by the two Tokiwadai Middle School's students. It was very amazing that the unison of the four (even though Kuroko was only sleeping) could relax her muscle a little bit, spreading the friendly atmosphere that she would always dream of. They really were friends that she loved the most.
The time was not so adequate for them to chat freely, as the clock which showed the time seemed to move so fast, making Uiharu to jerk on her own seat, shrieking in disbelieve because she forgot to attend the Judgement's meeting at ten o'clock. She clumsily permitted herself, and ran hastily across the corridor of the hospital. Mikoto herself was not sure for Uiharu's safety, for she swore that she heard a bumping sound, together with her shriek and apology vividly from the corridor. Uiharu still was the clumsy Uiharu, and at least Mikoto sighed in relief that the various character that her friends had appeared to color the day she took a flight in.
Her mother left too, saying that she had an urgent business influencing her university studies; just a moment after Uiharu exited the room. She gave Mikoto a good bye kiss as she left, somehow gave her a blush of embarrassment to her cheeks. Really, she had entered middle school; nevertheless, her mother still treated her like a child. It was not like Mikoto hated it, but, wasn't doing that in front of her friends a little bit… mortifying?
Whatever it was, that only left Ruiko Saten and her in Kuroko's room. Determining the cheerful atmosphere that had been depleted slightly by the current lack of people, together with the fact that Shirai Kuroko should have enough rest and their existences there were just a bother, they left, to her room for Mikoto, and to the supplementary class for Saten. They exited the room, closing the door behind them as the corridor began filling their sight again, with some occasional passing doctors and nurses who didn't seem to be tired for walking the entire day and the entire life.
A light conversation was something that accompanied them to reach their destinations. Saten decided to join Mikoto's walk back to her room, because the supplementary class would start in one hour, giving her enough time to do other kind of stuffs. Mikoto, of course, being a friendly individual that she had trained from the first time she joined the socialization, didn't mind at all. In fact, she was a little bit relieved that at least Saten would give her another company, as she doubted that she wouldn't get bored for staying at the hospital for another day. Actually, she was very okay right now, the bandage that covered her forehead previously had been removed, and she was better than yesterday. Nonetheless, she was still a patient, with a proof of a white hospital gown, hanging loosely from her shoulder, being the only one that covered her body, and it could only mean, that she was still not in her normal state. Her energy was still in a bad shape, and she felt tired fast, with one hour chat that was enough to replenish her own energy. Of course, she didn't show it to anyone, but right now, she felt as if her eyes began heavier and heavier, and she felt very sluggish, making her to walk much slower than she normally did. That's why she decided to stay in the hospital today, and left the building tomorrow.
Yeah, leave the building and live with Kamijiou Touma.
Thinking about that was enough to make some amount of blood made its way through to her cheeks, giving the red hue to them again for countless time this morning. She really wished that her mother didn't make that decision from the first time, let alone, with a serious expression that adorned her face.
Ruiko Saten, who was walking alongside of her, found it very strange to see the Railgun to be a little bit sluggish, for her spirit usually was the best that she could emanate, raising the moral of the four friends. Wearing the Sakugawa Middle School as always, with a bag which was hanging loosely on her shoulder and a cell phone in her right hand, she looked at Mikoto with a concerned look, thoroughly knowing the situation the Railgun was in. She must be very tired, dealing with various incidents that she didn't want to be influenced, dragging herself to another malicious plan that other had done. It was luck that she was blessed by the power to manipulate electricity, or maybe it was a misfortune, because she was somehow sure, that her power was one of the things that dragged her to this kind of situation.
"Are you okay, Misaka-san?" Saten said with a little bit worried tune. She tilted her head a little to find Misaka's face; to be a little bit red in color and it just gave her more and more worried feeling. "Your face was red, you catch up a cold?" she continued.
"Oh, no," Mikoto said, waving her hands, and in the process, the red hue was finally gone, as the thought of a certain spiky haired guy was disappeared for a fraction of seconds. "I'm okay, just a little bit tired," she continued.
Saten smiled at her with a knowing look. It was a general opinion and truth that her friend called Misaka Mikoto was not a social type too much. Indeed, she had a lot of acquaintance, but the one that she recognized as friends were maybe just her, Kuroko, and Uiharu, as she formed a barrier from her to the social circle, which Mikoto presumed as essential, and although she was one of Mikoto's friend, but still, it didn't mean that she would always be open to her.
"Hey, you see… I am perfectly okay!" Misaka said, ensuring her health to the individual next to her, who watched her with an amused smile on her face, somehow made Misaka knew that Saten was not so sure. "I've taken a rest yesterday and…"
And she couldn't finish her words again.
A sudden pressure suddenly came to her brain, pressing it with the equivalence of being downtrodden by a massive piano, trying to crush every single part of her brain. Her eyes widened, sweat began drenching her body, her muscle tensed peculiarly, and she gritted her teeth, trying to resist the sudden pressure that was put in her head. The pain was so hard that she wondered why she didn't faint in the first place, as though her body tried not to be unconscious, but it just let her to feel any pain that was caused by the pressure. She found herself hard to be breath, hard to move, as though all of her cells finally stopped activating, leaving only hollow spherical tiny things in her body. Her knees gave up, and she couldn't walk or move for a second, but fell down to the lifeless floor beneath her, and what she could only hear, was just the shouting voice for her name from a familiar voice of Saten Ruiko, and what she saw after that, was darkness.
Even though Vatican City was the smallest country in the world, its name was much famous other than the other four countries which could be also considered as the smallest; Monaco, Nauru, San Marino, and Liechtenstein. Built within an accidental protecting gate called Rome, Vatican City took a great role as the major place for all Catholic people. It was located in the center part of Rome, being the only way to enter the city. Despite of its small area, but its population had reached one thousand and five hundred people; too many to fill the space which was only 0.43 kilometers square. Tourist and townspeople were mingled into one, creating the crowded city which was called as Vatican City now.
In the south western part of the city, the basilica of St. Peter was soaring high to the azure blue sky majestically, being the largest and the most beautiful church in the world. It was a symbolism of the unison of all Catholic people. It was believed as the place where the first saint in the world, Peter, died after he had been crucified upside-down, and was buried there. Its historical properties and beauty were one of the landmarks that everybody should see, as its beauty was hard to be compared by any other building that was built by human race. It was the place where the Pope, the leader of the Catholic people in the entire earth, the representative of God in the earth, or whatever you may call him, usually appeared to give his preach to the population of people who would normally stand in the St. Peter's square.
At the northern part of the church was the Papal Chapel, the place where the Pope lived and did his activity. It was a big castle or chapel with the view of Vatican Garden which was oh so green, pure, natural, and true, which also resembled the majesty and the might of God Himself. The Vatican Garden appeared to be cared daily by the best gardener in the world, making it one of the most artistic sight in Vatican City, along with the rising and setting sun which showed the dawn and dewfall, the panorama that Vatican Garden provided was so breath taking.
The Pope was now standing in the Sistine Chapel, looking at the ceiling which had been painted perfectly by the artist, poet, engineer, sculptor, and inventor called Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni. Renowned for his persistence in painting, Michelangelo painted the ceiling with perfection and fullness that could even match the work from the God Himself that it was said that even on the darkest part of the ceiling, where everybody wouldn't notice, the painting was remained perfect, showing a great persistence in painting. Painted for about four years with lying body that Michelangelo had perfected only for the ceiling, the painting told everyone about the doctrine of Christianity, from the Creation of God, the Downfall of Men, the Promise of Salvation, and the Geneaology of Christ, influencing every part of Christian's history.
The Pope loved the painting very much. Being an art lover just like he would always be, he was never bored of staring at the painting, together with the occasional light that penetrated the Sistine Chapel via the window. He didn't only love the painting, but also admired it, as the only painting that caught his eyes, as its beauty could even match the painting from Leonardo Da Vinci himself. Wearing the usual attire just like yesterday, that was: typical papal regalia and bore a crosier bearing a crusifixed Christ and another figure on the opposite end. His beard and hairs were all white, showing his elderly characteristic which appeared to be wise and kind.
His figure was no different than any other statues that surrounded him, making it hard for anyone not to mistake him as the other idols. Admiration was the one that overwhelmed his mind, as the sight of the ceiling of Sistine Chapel was so majestic, catching every attention from his brain, relaxing his muscle a little bit, with a little glow from the sunlight outside which penetrated the room, somehow created a view of thousand orbs of seraph, The Pope, or Matthai Reese to be precised, stayed quite as if he was ready to be sculpted.
It couldn't last long, only until the door of the Sistine Chapel opened loudly, and a figure of a skinny man with tall height, entered the room. He was a young guy which seemed to be perfectly different from the Pope's elderly figure, creating a certain contrast between the two people. His long hair was disentangled to his shoulder, and his appearance was dominated by red color which covered his clothes, and his hair.
Fiamma of the Right, the leader of God's Right Seat, entered the room with his usual antique; a calm expression, together with a certain slight smile which seemed to be plastered to his face from his birth. His eyes seemed to be full of mystery, something that made everyone wondered of the fact that this man was one of the Pope's acquaintances. After he had opened the door, he approached the Pope slowly, but surely, with the stare of the Pope himself which accompanied him. The calm atmosphere suddenly changed by a hectic, and also uncomfortable one, as though the serenity of the room had been fully absorbed by Fiamma's calm expression.
"We have a new problem, Pope Matthai Reese," Fiamma said calmly, still with a slight smile on his face. His eyes were the only hint of the seriousness of the conversation, staring directly to Matthai as if he wasn't a Pope.
"What is it Fiamma? Imagine Breaker?" the Pope said. It was a usual general conversation about the two, regarding the existence of a boy who had the power of Imagine Breaker, which they thought as heresy (or at least, for Fiamma's point of view). It was also known widely that the Vatican Church had hunted down the Imagine Breaker boy with no result, and even Acqua of The Back, who got the alignment with Archangel Gabriel, couldn't defeat him. It was not so surprising though, because even angel was disturbed by the power of Imagine Breaker. It was really a power which was excessive from the God, and eventually, gave it a power to fight against God, negating His power and blessing as if they were nothing.
"Not only that," Fiamma said. "My spy in Academy City, the capital of science side, had conveyed to me that an existence which had resemblance to angel had appeared. It was not very good if Aleister used it against us. We must destroy it," Fiamma continued.
"A spy?" the pope said, a little bit shocked by the presence of something that he didn't know (and only for you to know, there are so many of them). "I thought there would impossibly be a spy in Academy city, let alone, Oriana Thompson was defeated last time," he continued, raising his volume of voice a little bit.
"Oriana Thompson was just a bait, Matthai," Fiamma calmly answered. "Indeed, she had power, but when the information had leaked to Anglican church, I had no any interest in her. When she created calamity in Academy City, I also inserted some spies to Academy City. They were not very effective though, because I just ordered a magician to brainwash some people who entered the city when Daihaseisai event occured. Nevertheless, they were able to contact me, contact us little by little, by a little sharing of thought that even though a little bit blurry, but informative, and the last information they said was this."
Fiamma raised his hand upwards, chanting some magical spells calmly as he closed his eyes. Then, an orb of light was formed from his hand, shining so brightly that it could blind the Pope's eyes, began coloring the surrounding with its golden hue, plastered on Fiamma's palm as he continued his chanting. The orb of light bursted suddenly in the same time as Fiamma stopped chanting his spell. The room of Sistine Chapel appeared to be full of light suddenly, and the Pope could see a little fraction of glimmers of seraph which could be found surrounding them. The air above was torn suddenly, and within tear was light, and the sound of a woman could be heard from that tear.
"... explosion... blue light to the sky... a girl with blue wings... she... angel?... a spiky haired boy... rain... gone...,"
The voice was so vague, as expected and accepted by the Pope's brain because Fiamma had said that the connection that had been created was blurry. It somehow made the voice a little bit eerie, even though the fact that they were in a place which was full of light because of Fiamma's spell. Nevertheless, something caught up Matthai Reese's ears as a sudden realization hit him swiftly, and he was a little bit surprised, really.
"Angel?" the Pope whispered in disbelief.
Fiamma nodded as the usual slight grin adorned his face. "This thought was the one that I got from a waitress in the cafe that was located just in front of the event that had taken place. She became a waitress after she entered the Academy City via Daihaseisai, and one of the people that was brainwashed. It was thought that she had watched the event from a distance, and at least it was what we had," Fiamma continued.
Matthai Reese asked him out of the blue, not allowing any silence which began to form between them. "Is it one of Aleister's plan? This entity was the one that will attack us?" he said with a little concerned tune, thoroughly worried about the side he was in; the magic side and the religion side. It was not like that he loved the war or else, but rather, his thought was filled with the sight of Catholic people who forgot anything about religion and God, and started a life as atheist. It was really something that he didn't want to see.
"Oh, of course I had prepared everything," Fiamma said, and a sudden energy suddenly surrounded the two, and the light was absorbed back to Fiamma's palm. Then, he massaged his palm and looked at the Pope directly, creating another uncomfortable atmosphere between them as the topic was one of the factors of the discomfort.
"But since Acqua had been defeated, that only left you and me to defeat him. I couldn't, because I must stay here, or my arrival in Academy City would cause so many attractions. So I presumed that you would be the one who destroyed this entity?" The Pope said, showing a little hint about every reality that taken place just in three weeks; the downfall of three members of God's Right Seat. It was not like that he was afraid of facing this entity, in fact, Pope's class magic was something that was hard to be destroyed and defeated, even greater than any arcbishops and other magicians, or even saints. Nevertheless, his arrival in Academy City would cause so many attractions. It was not funny if the newspaper told his arrival and his doing in the Academy City.
"I won't be the one that destroy it, Matthai," Fiamma replied with a style as though he was capable to destroy that entity. "I had another trump card, you know."
"What is that?" The said Pope replied with another confusion implanted on his face. It was usual for him to see the mystery that Fiamma had concealed from the first time they worked together. But wasn't it a little bit too much for keeping mystery about this important event? He was a Pope, after all, the leader of Catholic Church, the representative of God in the world. "Tell me everything, Fiamma."
Fiamma gave a sadistic smirk upon he heard Matthai's statement. "So, to start everything, do you know who is Dante Allegrini?"
The Pope stared at him, trying to remember the individual that Fiamma had mentioned. Of course, everyone would know who Dante Allegrini was, for his literary work had changed the world itself. He knew also because Dante's literary works; Divine Comedy, was something that was prohibited to be watched or acknowledged for him. Even though he didn't know why, but it was an unspoken rule in the Vatican Church that had been inherited from previous pope which said that a Pope shouldn't read Divine Comedy, and, as a good Pope he would always be, he obeyed it anyway.
"He was a poet, right?"
Fiamma stared at him with a blank look, and somehow, his etenal smile was gone for a fraction of seconds. He then sighed, releasing an amount of water vapor to the air as he did so. Then, he faced the Pope Matthai Reese again, and began speaking. "You should stop reading only bible and grimoires which are only special for a Pope. You should read others, or your head will be blocked by nothing but peace," he continued.
Matthai was taken aback a little by Fiamma's statement. He was insulted, to be honest. Really, Fiamma was his friend, but he was also a Pope. Fiamma should have a kind of polite manner to speak to him at least. "Then, tell me, Fiamma."
"Dante Allegrini was not only a poet. Nevertheless, he was one of the greatest magicians that ever lived. He was the one who had an ability to form a bridge for him to cross to the other world, or I must say, to hell, and to heaven. Dante's poet about Divine Comedy was not something that he only analyzed, but it was what he saw, what he felt, what he heard in heaven and hell," Fiamma said, starting his explanation, and he didn't seem in the mood for repeating.
The Pope gave him a surprised look. He never knew something like that until now, and Fiamma's statement was a little bit too hard to be accepted. Dante Allegrini... a magician who was able to for a bridge to cross to the other world, the one who finally saw heaven and hell. Just what other things that he didn't know?
"Then, he wrote Divine Comedy to expand his knowledge. The 'Comedy' words came because in the story, the main protagonist, Dante himself, ended in a happy ending, and when his time, 'Comedy' was the one that showed the happy ending," Fiamma said. "Dante's poem was not a usual poem, but also, it had magic properties, and it was considered as one of the grimoires."
Another reality came to The Pope's mind. He didn't know anything about that. It was not like that he wasn't prepared or anything, but it was just a little bit... surprising.
"His knowledge was the one who became a turning point for every magician in the world. They would likely believe about two things: the existence of demon, and angel, creating two contrast branches that were known as angelology and demonology," Fiamma said, stopping his barrage of words to catch a breath, and began speaking again. "The magicians in the world, especially Europe, tried to get the power from demon and angel. But, they could only choose one, because the existence of one contradicted each other," Fiamma continued.
The Pope stayed silent, trying to take every barrage of word that Fiamma had given to him. He didn't really know how much Fiamma knew about this world. Seeing him like this, Matthai felt very… stupid.
"The magicians who took the power of demon to create spell was the one who dominated the land first, it was also due to the fact that human was wicked in heart, and demon would likely be able to be manipulated, because the requisite for taking a power from demon was just to have a sinful heart," Fiamma said. "For a quiet moment of time, the demonic magicians dominated the land."
"It was Pope Innocent VI who finally knew the existence of demonic magician. Thus, he ordered the mass hunt of demonic magician, or maybe they were called as warlock from that time," Fiamma said. "The warlock was said to be sinful in nature, for their ritual included orgy sex, cannibalistic infanticide, and also, heresy to the Ten Commandments which said 'You should have no other Gods before me'." Fiamma continued his explanation. "The warlock was tortured, burnt, and crucified with the flame engulfed them. Their eyes were taken, and their skin was flayed."
The Pope stayed silent, allowing Fiamma to continue.
"The warlock, starting to know the punishment that was oh so inhuman, stopped their use of power from demon, and even though they had done that, the warlock hunting that had been done for more than a century had depleted the race of warlock greatly. Some of them fled to Russia, as the place that was safest for them, because the majority of warlock hunting was located in central Europe, and also Northern Europe. The grimoires that were taken with them were buried deep within the place, started to be forgotten," Fiamma said. "The magician then started to find another power to rely on, and angel was the only one that could provide it, so, the age of holy magic began.
"Continue," The Pope finally said, after some moment of one sided silence, allowing his voice box to do its job that seemed to be forgotten for a fraction of seconds.
"Nevertheless, the grimoires were found in Russia, then, it was taken to San Fransisco, America, nowadays; being the only country which was secular, allowing any kind of religion that exist. They formed the Church of Satan," Fiamma said.
"And what's their business with this?" the Pope said in curiosity, and somehow, he had a bad feeling that was oh so disturbing and tingling.
"I made a deal with them, and they will be the one who help us," Fiamma said simply, without bothering to look at the Pope in front of him.
The room finally found the wickedness that had been avoided, with the painting of the Sistine Chapel's ceiling become the only one which became the bystander. The occasional light which penetrated the room appeared to stop, as the statement from the leader of God's Right Seat began striking Matthai Reese's ears with the equivalence of a storm that destroyed a ship.
"What!" Matthai shouted, finally found his voice again, echoed in the room which appeared to be sad for a fraction of seconds. "I'm a Pope! What did you…"
"I did it for greater goods," Fiamma said nonchalantly, cutting the Pope's words. Then, a footstep's sound began entering each other's ears, and little known that the Pope could find something wrong with the footsteps. The door opened loudly, revealing a man with a cloak appeared to cover his body.
"Welcome, Raven Huer."
The time appeared to stop when the warlock stepped on Sistine Chapel. The painting in the ceiling seemed to be sad, watching the scene beneath them as finally, the purest church began falling to endless darkness.
The name Raven Huer was not from me, it was from an author called Tom Valor...
Review please?