Hey guys thanks for reading A Certain Scientific Counter. Sorry for the delay, but it took a little longer than usual to complete the chapter because I had to write a few other things ahead of time. Thank you so too much to everyone who left a review it really helps me learn as an author. Now without further ado Q&A.
D. - Maybe, he could just tell it was important and liked the way it the way it looked.
BlueJack22- Teenage esper ninja Kuroko.
Anti-Mage 29- Thank you and Touma never planned on seeing his parents for Angel Fall since it happened as a direct result after getting away from Academy City while they cleaned things up for him and as a result, it was a surprise.
Fortitude501- Nah it may happen, really depends on how I continue the story, however.
Sirius962- Thank you for that :)
Tsun- Yeah I can see where you're coming from there.
Savior555- Once again thank you for the amazing recap and thank you, everyone loves a great twist. Also Justice…
Tsun- Yeah I like this way better too, it really counters what happened in the cannon.
Tsun- That is correct but, she makes up for it with an electrifying personality….clap…...clap.
Tsun- Thanks I tried to write the dialogue with their own personalities in mind.
Tsun- Thank you.
Savior555- No problem it's not like that one mistake shifted the wholes story direction or anything….cough.
Nguyen Thanh Long- What? Are you implying that Uiharu and that masked heroine have some sort of connection? That's preposterous. And I really liked the ending of your comment.
Tsun- Hooray!
Rajarshi Sarkar- Thank you and yeah some things never change at least not for now anyway. And Kumokawa saved by her Kamijou, perhaps he'll shatter those illusions.
Chris- Yeah she has, and it's a good rule of thumb to never to flip the tsundere switch, and Kanzai is always no-nonsense when it comes to protecting the people she cares about. Who knows how long it'll take for them to see the light. With the stage set her is ACSC.
Chris- I haven't read that but, I'll see if I can check it out.
Perseus Ruby Sendou- Thank you for the concern over Touma.
Ryder-hmmm Raildextor sounds better but I think you meant to write the other one like AccelRaildex.
Tou-Man- I agree with you there Touma and Peter Parker are similar. With great power comes great responsibility….and Misfortune. The universe really does like to mess with these two but, they stick it Now ACSC
Never Say Goodbye
July 27
Part 1
"Okay, so you're telling Japanese Superman has our magical necklace, am I getting that right?" Touma looked over to Mikoto for confirmation.
"He's not Japanese Superman."
Touma rolled his eyes, "Mikoto, you literally told me he literally went up, up and away, He's Japanese Superman as far as I'm concerned or do you want me to call him Shonen man."
Mikoto had to rub her temples after hearing Touma's logic.
Touma let out a sigh, "Anyways at least we know where the necklace is at least, so do you have his number?"
"What!? I told you the story before didn't I, he annoyed the hell out of all of us, why the hell would I ask that moron for his number!?"
Touma with a straight face answered her, "Networking," Touma learned that from Misaki, "It's always good to Network with people, never know when they'll come in handy?"
Mikoto gritted her teeth, she didn't know why that annoyed her so much, but she knew it did, "Okay then, why don't you have his number? Huh!? Kamijou-sama!" She emphasized the sama sarcastically, {sama- used to refer to people who are deserving of the utmost respect status, usually for people you admire}
Touma raised his hands defensively, "What's that supposed to mean!?"
Mikoto narrowed her eyes at him.
"Mikoto, we met him the same day, in fact, you hung out with him more than I ever had." Touma pointed out as he tried to make his case.
She continued to glare.
"What?"
It was a battle of wills.
Touma lost almost immediately "Fine, I'm sorry."
Mikoto sighed, "Anyways we need to find a way to find him, do you know anything?"
Touma took a moment to think about it. "Well, the guys still a student right?"
Mikoto nodded.
"So he obviously has a Dorm, so can't we just find out where he lives from a database or something?"
Mikoto then snapped her fingers, "Yeah, that could work, but there's one slight problem."
Touma worryingly sighed, "What is it?"
"We're gonna have to break into the Gemstone Research facility."
"..."
"..."
"HAHAHAHAHAHA, Are you kidding me! I got arrested just for buying the same brand of coffee as the guy who actually did the crime, no way in hell am I gonna go actively break the law!"
"Look, I know it's not ideal, but it's the only way we can find his Dorm, I can't look him up in the student directory because I have no idea where he goes to school."
"Now that you mention it, does he actually go to a school?"
"He probably does just not often enough for the school to get recognized because he goes there."
"Wait a sec, why can't you just do the whole hacking thing, as you did for the cameras a couple of days ago and hack the mainframe or something?"
Mikoto sighed, "Because that's not how it works, information regarding Level 5s are under strict lock and key even if I somehow my way in we'd both end up in prison. And tracking him down with cameras is also out of the question since he literally flew up."
"So, basically you're telling me to choose between a felony or a capital offense?"
Mikoto simply shrugged.
"Sigh…. Wait, what about this, What if instead of breaking and entering we just go there during normal business hours and ask them for the information. Whenever that is?"
"!?, What?" She honestly seemed surprised by this response.
"Yeah, I mean I know we're on a bit of time crunch here but, I don't think getting arrested is gonna help us get back on track."
"Yeah I guess, wait have you actually ever been to the Gemstone Research facility before?"
Touma shook his head, "Nope, to be honest, I was kinda hoping this whole Gemstone thing would just blow over and I could go back to being a Level 0."
Mikoto then narrowed her eyes at him "Are you seriously still claiming to be a Level 0?"
"YES!, for the last time I was a Level 0 just a couple of days ago, why is that so hard to believe?"
Mikoto simply rolled her eyes, "Fine, say I believe you were actually a Level 0 it doesn't change the fact that Academy City still sees you as a Gemstone. No amount of whining is gonna change that, might as well suck it up."
"Whatever, so how are we gonna do this?"
Mikoto thought it over in her head for a while and came to the conclusion that it'd be best if she went alone rather than together, Mikoto didn't know why, but she thought it best to keep Touma away from that Facility. "Tomorrow I'll go to the facility and ask the person in charge of the information, after that we'll go together to get the necklace."
Touma nodded, "Okay, while you do that I'll put together some breakfast, so we can tell Index about the whole...you know."
Mikoto sighed. She knew that it was a real possibility that they might not be able to save Index in time, but that didn't make it any easier.
"So we really don't have any leads on saving Index?"
"Hmm…... Well we have one other way, but that'll be the last resort if anything, really I'm hoping to see the doc again today and have him check on Index if we have any Time, but considering how Kanzaki said she felt about Scientist, I don't think she'll take it lying down."
"Pfft! Let her come! If she even thinks about trying anything I'll-"
Touma was quick to interrupt her "You shouldn't fight her, it's not that I don't think you'll win or anything it's just that….she's going through the same stuff we are right now if not worse."
"What'd you mean?"
"I mean look at what their doing, they actually tried to talk it out with us, from what I could see from them they'd rather shoot first and ask questions later, but because they lost, they threw away their pride and asked us to do the right thing because they wanted to protect their friend even if it meant getting zapped by someone."
Mikoto looked at the floor downtrodden, "Sigh. I think I know what you're talking about."
Touma then turned his head and looked over at the clearing that was lit by the moonlight, "We wanna save Index, they wanna save Index, so are any of us really the bad guys here? Sure they attacked me, but they never planned on killing me. If Kanzaki wanted to she could've killed me in a second. To them we're the one in the wrong….so are any of us really in the right here?"
"Where the hell did that come from?"
"I don't know? It's just something I was thinking about after I talked to Kanzaki."
Part 2
Gemstone Research Facility
Early Morning
After the events of last night Mikoto managed to sneak back into Tokiwadai unnoticed with the help of Kuroko, Although she wasn't completely off the hook since Kuroko spent nearly an hour explaining to her that she was supposed to be a role model for the other students and that it was unbecoming of a lady to stay out that night. The conversation ended after Kuroko accused her of seeing a boy which led to her getting shocked and Mikoto going to sleep.
Once the Next day arrived Mikoto got dressed and went over to Komoe-sensei's apartment to make sure Touma didn't sleep in once again.
"WAKE UP!" *BIRI BIRI!*
*SHATTER*
To make a long story short, Touma quickly grasped the concept of punctuality that day as he narrowly avoided electrocution.
Once she had all of her affairs in order she took a taxi to the Gemstone facility in District 2.
When she first laid her eyes on the Facility Mikoto realized just how secure the facility really was, while the design for the building was unique since it was in the shape of a sports stadium, the area surrounding the Facility was barren and from the EM waves she was picking up from there it was littered with alarms and traps. She knew that researchers liked to keep intruders out, but this seemed more like a military base than anything else. The only secure route to and from the Facility was through the one main road that spanned 3 kilometers in length and even that was littered with a plethora of cameras that were hanging from light posts.
'Wow!, glad I listened to Kamijou, even with my powers with this terrain they'd be able to see me coming from a kilometer away.'
Once the awe from seeing the facility died down, she made her way to the entrance.
The moment Mikoto stepped through the main entrance a light shined on her face.
"Huh!?"
'MISAKA MIKOTO AKA The RAILGUN'.
"What was that!?" She then looked over at the screens at the end of the walls and saw her name appear on it.
Not a moment sooner Mikoto was greeted by the woman in charge. She had long black hair, a poise that had remarkable grace, she had eyes that would stare into your soul and a body that she would die for.
"Hello, you must be our visitor if I'm not mistaken." She spoke with such a kind, but straightforward tone.
"Oh Uhh, yeah I was looking for the person in charge."
The woman simply motioned to herself, "Oh my apologies, how rude of me not to introduce myself, my name is Kumokawa Seria and I'm the overseer of the Gemstone Facility".
Mikoto was surprised at this, from the look of Kumokawa-senpai she was only in high school and already she was in charge of such a big facility, "You're the Overseer of this whole place?"
Kumokawa simply nodded, "That is correct, and if you don't mind me prying, What exactly brings you here?"
"Oh, I just wanted to talk to you about a certain Gemstone."
Kumokawa simply sighed, "I'm terribly sorry if Sogiita-san did anything to offend you."
"H-How'd you know it was him?"
"It's always him," She then gave off a small downtrodden look and sighed for a moment, "anyways, how can I help?"
"Well, actually I'm looking for Sogiita-san because he has something that belongs to me."
"Oh, and what can that be?" Kumokawa inquired.
"Well it turns out, he picked up a necklace that belongs to me?"
"!?, You don't say," Kumokawa immediately recognized what was happening, the necklace that she lost was the same one Sogiita brought her yesterday, "I'm sorry to hear that, can you describe the necklace for me?"
"Well the necklace has a cross that's made out of silver and gold, I really need it back so do you think you can tell me where he lives?"
Kumokawa took a moment to weigh her options, while she could easily just give this girl the necklace right now, how would that benefit her? While true, she wouldn't be losing anything valuable in the process, it's not every day you have a level 5 at your mercy, especially one that was close to….Kamijou.
Kumokawa let out a small sigh, "I'm terribly sorry Miss Misaka but, I can't divulge any personal information about any of the Gemstone here at our facility it would be a breach of their personal privacy."
Mikoto was desperate, she needed that necklace in case her and Touma couldn't figure out a way to save Index in time, without it her only lifeline would be severed. Mikoto then lowered her head towards Kumokawa to petition her to reconsider "Please, It's really important that I get the necklace by the end of the day. Isn't there anything I could do to get it?"
Unbeknownst to Mikoto, Kumokawa let out a small smile, "Sigh, Wait a minute, there is one way you can get the information."
Mikoto quickly raised her head, "How's that?"
"You're friends with a boy named Kamijou Touma, are you not?"
Mikoto wasn't just shocked to hear his name but, was shocked that she knew that they were friends. "H-How did you know-"
"It's my job to know," Kumokawa got straight to the point as she eyed Mikoto, "My job requires that I oversee all the Gemstones in Academy City, while true there are only 4 that doesn't make it any less important. If I wasn't watching over all of them they could easily be targeted by organizations and taken away to god knows where. "
Mikoto stared at her quizzically, "Okay but, what do you want?"
Kumokawa shrugged, "Nothing much, I just ask that you help me perform my job by asking Kamijou-san to come to the facility".
Mikoto tilted her head confused by this request, "Can't you just call him to come in?"
Kumokawa then let out a sigh, "I might be in charge of overseeing the Gemstones but, I'm not their mother, I can't force anyone to come in if they don't want to, even if it would make my job easier in the process they each have the freedom to choose whether to come in or not."
"Wait so you're saying-"
Kumokawa nodded, "Out of all 4 Gemstones in Academy City, Sogiita is the only one that actually comes in for his welfare check, for the rest of them I have to scour the cameras of Academy City to make sure they're okay. We don't exactly run the tightest of facilities here due to the fact any Gemstones get placed here by default and as a result, we are unable to deny or revoke entry."
"W-Wow, your job must be hell, I mean having to take care of a bunch of ungrateful people but, why is it then you want Kamijou to come in so badly?"
"Simple, while I trust Kamijou-san ability to take care of himself, I know him, and he had a bit of a tendency to get himself mixed up in the most, how can I say this, misfortunate of predicaments."
Mikoto sighed as she chuckled dryly, "You can say that again, so is that really all you want?"
"Yes, all I want is Kamijou-san to come in, so I can better help him in the future, once that happens I can pass off the address to Kamijou and in turn he can give it to you, that way nobody would be violating any rules since Sogiita had already put in a request to see Kamijou."
"W-Wait a second, put in a request?"
Kumokawa rolled her eyes, "Yes if any facility wants to experiment with a Gemstone they have to be carefully vetted by me to make sure that they are in the up and up and then once that's done it's up to the Gemstone in question if they want to do it or not, in this case however Sogiita made a request."
"Why would he put in a request?"
Kumokawa's voice turned stern for a moment, "Probably to fight him but, don't worry I already informed Sogiita that he is not to instigate any fights with other members of his facility unless it's carefully supervised."
Mikoto then let off a smile, "Okay, I'll see what I can do."
Touma's Dorm
Once Mikoto finished talking to Kumokawa-san she headed over to Touma's Dorm, apparently, he took Index over there, so he could make them all breakfast.
The moment Mikoto entered his dorm she realized it was almost as big as her room and that was saying something since she went to Tokiwadai, it looked as though he had two dorms. It might have been bigger if not for the corner that was filled with moving boxes.
She then turned her head and saw Touma cooking in what seemed to be a kitchen that would be suitable for starting a small restaurant. On the counter overlooking the Kitchen, she could see Index scratching down her breakfast with a small pile of plates next to her. The moment she stepped in Index stopped eating and turned to her.
"Mikoto! Did you Touma was a chef!? He has a Kitchen and everything! He even has one of those golden lighters!"
Mikoto looked shocked if anything as she looked over in the kitchen and saw Touma walking over with another two plates of gourmet breakfast dishes for Index.
"One plate of Soufflé Omelette, and one plate full of proper pancakes, you wanted 3 filled with lemon custard and the rest with chocolate sauce, right?"
Index's mouth began to water as Touma got closer with her meal, "Mh-hmm!"
Once he put down the plate Index began eating every bite, savoring every last bite as each was better than the last. "It's so good, Mikoto you have to try some!"
Mikoto then turned her attention back on the newly discovered chef, "Since when could you cook?"
Touma tilted his head, "Always, in fact, I wanted to cook for you guys when Index had her first big day out, but Komoe-sensei said not too."
In between bites Index yelled at him "Touma, show her the lighter!"
Touma quickly rummaged through his pocket and went to give the lighter to Mikoto.
Mikoto examined the lighter and she could immediately tell that it was actually made of gold. The lighter had engravings on it, the bottom case of the Lighter had a giant star symbol on it while the top lid had Prince engraved on to it.
"Prince?"
Touma chuckled as he rubbed the back of his head, "I-It was a gift, I wanted to give it back but, since they went through all the trouble I thought it would've been rude if I did. It's one of the few expensive things that I own now."
Mikoto then handed him back his lighter, "Hmm," Mikoto didn't know why but, the lighter seemed to tick her off.
Touma then grabbed another plate and put it on the counter a good arm's length away from Index's grasp and went back to make Mikoto's breakfast.
"So how did, you know what go?"
Index stopped eating for a moment to look over at Mikoto.
Mikoto then went over to sit by the counter next to Index, "All in all, good although you're gonna have to be the one to go get it."
"Huh? What're you talking about?"
Mikoto then crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes at him, "Apparently you make it your hobby to make someone else's job hell. Kumokawa-san said she'd tell us everything we need to know as long as you go to the facility and ask her."
Touma then stopped cooking for a moment, he had worry painted all over his face as he turned around to face Mikoto, "W-W-Wait a sec….y-y-you're telling me Kumokawa-senpai is the one in charge of the Facility?"
Mikoto looked confused as Touma began to freak out, "Yeah, do you know her or something?"
Touma gulped, "Y-Y-Yeah, you could say that, did she happen to say anything about being mad at me for something?"
"No, why are you acting so weird?"
Touma then began to rub the back of his head as he breathed in relief, "Well you see, she's my senpai at school, and she's the reason why I got into my major in the first place, I haven't really seen her in while even during the last semester, last I heard she off doing some big fancy project, guess I know what that is."
Mikoto sighed, "In any case the sooner you go to see her the sooner we'll be able to-"
Index then pushed her plate away and turned to Mikoto, "What're you guys talking about?" She had genuine concern painted on her face.
Both she and Touma looked visibly upset as they both knew that they had to tell Index the truth.
The seconds that passed felt like minutes as Index stared at both of them waiting for some kind of response, eventually it was Touma who spoke up.
"Index, can I ask you a question?"
"Huh? Sure Touma, what is it?"
Before Touma asked her he looked over to Mikoto who nodded, "What do you remember about England, that's where you're from right?"
"Hm? ... I don't really know." Index tilted her head to the side as if she really did not
know. "The first thing I remember is being here in Japan. I know I'm from England though. I was born and raised in London's St. George's Cathedral. Apparently, I only came here about a year ago."
Touma frowned at that vague term. 'Apparently'.
"Index, are you telling me that you don't remember anything before coming here to Academy City?"
Index smiled, "Yeah. I have no memories from before about a year ago when I arrived here."
It was the way that Index smiled, that reminds Touma of himself, It was the perfection of that smile that showed him that she was truly feeling pain and fear behind it.
"When I first woke up in a back alley, I had no idea who I was. All I knew was that I had to run away. I couldn't remember what I ate for dinner the night before, but knowledge of things like magic, the Index Librorum Prohibitorum, and Necessarius were swirling around in my mind. It was so scary..."
Mikoto clenched her fist as she spoke, "Then you don't even know why you lost your memories?"
"That's right," she replied. "Mh? Mikoto, are you angry?"
Before Index could press further Touma put his hand on her shoulder, "Index, what if I told you we knew how you lost your memories?"
Index's eyes widen, "What? You know, but how?"
Touma then looked Index directly at Index, "Index, do you remember those two magicians who were chasing you before?"
"Y-Yeah," Index looked a bit fearful remembering them and who could blame her Stiyl wasn't the most welcoming of people and Kanzaki did almost cut her down.
"The reason why they were chasing you was that they wanted to take away your memories."
"M-My memories, but why would they want to do that?"
Touma then looked her directly in the eyes.
The gaze he showed her was not that of pity, but one of understanding.
"Because they were trying to save you, they were your friends Index from the years you don't remember."
Index looked visibly shocked, it seemed as though she was gonna collapse if it wasn't for Mikoto grabbing a chair and helping her sit down she would've.
"M-My friends? But I don't remember them, why would they want to take away my memories if they were my friends? How would it save me? Touma, you're not making any sense." Index looked panicked.
"Index, before you came here they were the ones who looked after you they were your friends, but apparently because you have all those Grimoires in your head they had to erase your memories every year to save you."
Index then began to calm down and let out a small smile, "So I really did have friends before this, Do you know their names, Touma?"
"Their names are Stiyl Magnus and Kanzaki Kaori."
"Kanzaki, that name sounds familiar."
Touma tilted his head, "Well apparently she called herself a Saint, maybe that's why."
The smile Index had on her face vanished the moment Touma said that to her, "Touma, you have to be careful a Saint, is one who is called the 'Child of God'"Index then scanned the room half expecting the door to get kicked in, "They're born with a mark, a 'Stigma'."
Touma let out a small chuckle, "Index you do realize we have no idea what you're talking about right?"
"Oh, yes. Sorry," Index scratched her head nervously still scanning the room as she explained it to them, "Ah, this is based on the Idol Worship Theory. Basically, in worshipping a form of a more powerful being, the duplicate can gain a very small portion of the original's power."
Index then looked around the room to give a better example and then found it in the form of a solar panel on the building next door, "Think of it like how humans harness the power of the sun, it's virtually limitless despite having so many ways to make use of its power. In the Saint's case, humans are said to be in the image of God and Saints are a higher replica that can bring out more power. They're currently only about 20 in the world, that's why we're in danger, They said to be as strong as a nuclear bomb!"
Touma chuckled at this.
Index began to puff her cheeks in a huff of anger "Touma this is not something to be laughed at! If they're really after me then we're all in danger!"
Touma then patted her on the shoulder reassuringly, "Don't worry, I already took care of it."
Index tilted her head slightly, "Took care of it?"
Before Touma could get an ego Mikoto steeped in, "Apparently Kamijou here and his ne'er-do-well friend actually managed to take her down."
The shock on Index face was shown as her mouth gaped open, "EHHHHH!"
Touma nodded and smiled towards her, "Yeah she was pretty tough, to bad she picked on the wrong Kamijou," Touma then began playfully punching his own left hand, "We gave her the old one-two combo, and she went down like a sack of-" He was abruptly cut short as Index began to maul him.
"AHHHHH!"
After managing to wrestle Index off him, Index glared at him, "What was that for?"
In Between, her soul cutting scowling Index spoke, "I don't want you fighting my friends Touma."
"!?"
Index then turned to them with a genuine look of concern painted on her face, "I don't want my friends fighting each other, I know I don't remember them, but I think the me who did remember them would want that, I don't want either of you hurt the other for me but, now that I know that you actually hurt them it made me kinda angry."
Her voice didn't sound forced nor did it sound coached, it's what she truly felt.
Touma gave a soft smile, "Sorry I said that I didn't mean to come off rude I just wanted you to know that you didn't have to worry about them attacking us out of the blue."
Index twiddled with her fingers for a moment before responding with a smile, "All is forgiven, after all, what kind of sister would I be if I couldn't forgive my friends."
Everyone smiled until Touma realized they had yet to tell Index that all of this might be forgotten the very next day.
With sadness in his eyes, Touma turned to Index, "There's one more thing that we need to tell you Index, it's about the date."
Index's eyes immediately turned to that of sorrow as she realized that it was almost about to be a year since she first woke up, "It's today isn't it?"
Mikoto bit her lip as she answered, "Yeah."
The room went into dead silence as Index began to cover her eyes as they filled with tears, "I don't ….want it…... I don't want to forget either of you. I don't want to forget!"
As Index began sobbing Touma began to try to comfort her, "Index do want to know something?"
As Index tried to regain her composure in between sniffles, she answered, "What?"
"I lost my Memories too."
"!? What're you talking about?" With eyes still dripping of tears Index looked towards Touma.
"I have no idea what you went through, but from what I went through it was like I had no idea who I was anymore, it was like was trying to live up to someone who I didn't even know existed, that's why I promise that I will find a way to save you Index."
Touma then smiled at her.
Index then began to cry in Touma's arms as he held her, "Y-You're just saying that to act tough aren't you Touma."
Touma began to chuckle, "Maybe, but that doesn't change the fact that I will."
Index began to cry tears not of sorrow but of joy, "Now you're just trying to sound cool."
Part 3
Gemstone Research Facility
After everyone managed to calm down, they both explained to Index that they needed to get the cross to erase her memory in case they weren't able to find a way to save her in time. They then explained to her that they wanted to take her to the hospital, but Index refused since it would just instigate more violence from her friends, instead she decided to spend the last moments of her days with Mikoto while she did some research o her own in Tokiwadai. The library there was vast and was bound to have something that had to do with brain fever, and in the case, it didn't she always had another solution.
The moment Touma arrived at the Facility his mind didn't wander with a thought like, this place is big, or this place has a lot of security.
No, for in his mind he could only focus on one thing, How the hell was he going to talk himself out of this mess?
The moment he stepped in there she was in all her elegance, Kumokawa Seria.
From the way she smiled she didn't seem angry, but Touma was no fool, he knew all too well that a smile might be all that is holding back unyielding rage that was building up in a person.
Touma nervously waved his hand towards her as she approached him "Y-Y-Yeah senpai."
She gave up on her welcoming pose, crossed her arms to lift her ample chest from below, and spoke entirely casually. "My, My Kamijou-san, you are one rebellious child."
"W-W-Whatever are you talking about Senpai?"
"Follow me."
Touma nervously followed his senpai across the halls of the facility, he was so fixated about what excuse he was gonna give her that he completely ignored all the holes in the wall that were being repaired.
When the young Kamijou finally entered what he thought was going to be the execution chamber he looked around. The office was like any other office you'd see in a facility except It also contained a small cooler full of chocolate snacks, convenience store cake, and bottles of drinks. Manga magazines and a small bath TV were also scattered about. It looked as though she'd spent a majority of her time here.
"Feel free to take anything you find lying about."
"I-I'll pass."
Touma was actually eyeing the manga magazine on the counter since his own collection was all but lost in a fire started by that cruel, cruel magician, but he restrained himself, now wasn't the time to wasting on rebuilding his collection.
Now was a time for survival.
"Uh-Umm, Senpai? Are you mad?"
"No, why would I be?"
('Well let's see, Aiding and abetting, Lying to an officer, Knowingly endangering public welfare, Evidence tampering, but hey, at least I didn't litter!')
If Touma had more confidence in himself that is what he would have said, but instead, he stood there nervously smiling and hoping this would end.
Kumokawa sighed.
Anybody who had any common sense to them could tell that Kamijou was nervous, and not in the way she wanted him to be.
"Look Kamijou-san, rest assured you haven't done anything wrong," (Aside from Aiding and abetting, Lying to an officer, Knowingly endangering public welfare, Evidence tampering, but hey it's better than that Moron I usually deal with.)
"Really?" Touma's eyes filled with a hint of joy, he was gonna make it out alive without ruining his reputation in the process after all.
"I just have one question, why didn't you come in sooner?"
"!?"
"I mean I can understand if you didn't want to see me but-"
"No, No, No it's not that, it's just…. I thought this whole Gemstone thing would blow over eventually if I just never, you know, show up."
Kumokawa gave a look of concern towards Touma, "Kamijou-san as much as I'd love to help you out with that it's just not possible. If it was, the only Gemstone in Academy City would be Sogiita."
Touma sheepishly rubbed the back of his head.
"Do you know when Academy City founded the Gemstone Research Facility Kamijou-san."
"Umm no, when."
Kumokawa sighed as she went over to her desk, "The Facility was founded during the height of the Cold war between the United States and the Soviet Union, during that time both countries tried to jump-start their own Power Curriculum Programs to get ahead of the other, but since neither country could get their hands on Academy City's Formula they took drastic measures and started to experiment with the Gemstones that were among the populace. Let's just say the practices they used were less than humane."
"That's awful!"
Kumokawa nodded, "Academy City built this Facility as a haven of sorts for all Gemstones, It was supposed to be an example of what other institutions should look like, that's why we receive so much funding from foreign nations for practically doing no actual scientific research. Think of this place like the International community apologizing for what they did all those years ago. We don't actually do all that much in the way of pioneering the future, except for a few exceptions here and there. It's more of a place for Gemstones to feel safe than anything."
"Huh," Touma then started to look out of her office window smiling, "That's nice, so how many other Gemstones are there in Academy City?"
"Hmm, counting you only 4"
"Only 4! From the size of this building, I was thinking more like a couple of dozen! How come it's so big?"
Kumokawa then leaned back on her chair, "Well let's just say Academy City has plans ahead in case we get anymore Gemstones added to our ranks, better to be safe than sorry. Besides look at our lineup as it is, We have 2 Diamonds a Ruby and an Amethyst."
"I guess."
"In any case, do try your best and check in every now and again," Kumokawa then snapped her finger, "That reminds me I still haven't gotten you to sign any of you transfer documents!" She then pulled out a small stack of papers for Touma.
"What's all this?"
"Something to make it official, besides out of all the Gemstones in Academy City you especially need to sign it."
"Why's that?"
"You like having health insurance, don't you?"
Touma's eyes widen in horror as he realized what she meant. "No, you can't be serious! So that means…... I HAD TO PAY FOR THE DOCTORS OUT OF POCKET!"
In Academy City, everyone had healthcare, while a Level 0 Health Insurance wasn't much it sure as hell helped him pay all those hospital bills, but due to the fact that Touma was in between ranks his Health insurance was sadly canceled.
Touma blankly stared off into the distance, he could practically see the debt as it piled on. There was no way in hell he saved up anywhere near enough to pay for the hospital out-of-pocket including all the stuff he bought for Index.
He clenched his fist hard enough that he thought it would break, and he opened his eyes in such a ghastly expression it seemed tears of blood were going to start flowing from them.
He had already grown a bit tearful.
Then he spoke.
"SUCH MISFORTUNE!"
Kamijou Touma was in debt hell.
Part 4
After finally managing to calm down from the revelation that he would spend the rest of his summer paying off a debt that would no doubt grow to be as big as the United State's National Debt if left unchecked. Touma signed the necessary paperwork.
"Are you sure you're gonna be okay?" Kumokawa had spent the better part of 10 minutes calming Touma down, much to her delight.
"Y-Yeah, sorry about that, it's just…. I recently paid off all the debts I owe and now it seems I'm back to square one."
"Hey buck up, it's not as bad as it seems, with your new healthcare and allowance you should be able to pay off the debt in no time."
Lies
"Yeah, maybe you're right. My new allowance should help me pay off my debt in no time."
It wouldn't.
"Sigh…. In any case Kumokawa-senpai, can you help me get in contact with Sogiita-san?"
Kumokawa simply went inside her desk drawer and pulled out the necklace in question, "Here you go."
"You had it with you the whole time?"
"No, I simply called Sogiita and had him bring me this, I already knew that you would show up because it's your modus operandi"
"?"
"It means I know you're a good person, and you would help out your friend."
"Ohh, Okay thanks for-" Touma went to collect the Necklace but soon realized that he couldn't actually touch it, "Umm actually senpai could you, I don't know put the necklace in a box or something?"
"Uhh, okay but, why?"
"Ohh it's just I don't want to get it dirty is all, it was a gift to Mikoto"
"..."
"..."
The room fell into a deep silence as Touma realized what he just said in front of her.
A small grin appeared on Kumokawa's face as she covered it with her hand, "Ara Ara" {Translation Oh My!}
"It's not what it looks like really!" Touma spat out trying to regain control of the situation.
His words fell on deaf ears though as Kumokawa went and got a small gift box to put the necklace into and handed it to Touma, "Good luck" She knew it wasn't true, but it sure as hell would piss of that brat.
"NO, IT'S NOT WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE! PLEASE SENPAI YOU'VE GOTTA BELIEVE ME! SENPAI!"
In the end, Touma got what he came for but, as a result…. That's a problem for Tomorrow, sorry future Kamijou.
Part 5
Komoe-sensei's Apartment
Late Afternoon
It took a while for Mikoto to get Index ready to head back to Tokiwadai, since this time she would be heading to the main campus and not just the Dorms. She had Index change out of her nun's robes much to her dismay and put on a spare Tokiwadai uniform she had borrowed from Kuroko to sneak her by, ironically they were almost the same size.
However, once they arrived Index's condition took a turn for the worst, and she started to faint. Thinking on her feet Mikoto fried every piece of electronic equipment in the area which included any students phones who were unlucky enough to be in that vicinity to create a distraction. In the end, Mikoto somehow managed to get Index and some books from Tokiwadai's library back to Komoe-sensei's apartment.
It was only by mere chance that they missed Komoe-sensei as she headed out for the night.
Index seemed to be fine at first as she changed her wardrobe but, as moments passed she began getting worse and worse.
It wasn't the prospect of getting sick that worried Index the most, it was the fact that Kamijou Touma had yet to arrive, she was worried that she'd fall asleep before seeing him again.
"I'm back! Index are you okay!?"
As Index laid on the futon she smiled.
Touma turned to and saw that the room was a mess with Textbooks and other research materials that cluttered the floor.
Mikoto who was by Index side continued to care for her as good as she could, given the circumstances.
"Her headache got worse when we got to Tokiwadai, we were barely there for 20 minutes before it got really bad."
Touma went over to feel Index's head.
It was burning hot.
"Don't worry, I'll be fine you're both here now…."
Even with facing the prospect of death, she continued to smile because her friends were there for her.
And like that Index fell asleep, with a soft smile on her face.
The two of them wanted to shout. They wanted to cry, but in the end, they didn't.
They decided to do everything that they could to save Index.
Touma then made a call that was never received and left a voice message that would be heard far too late to be of any help.
Night
Both students went straight to work reading every book Mikoto brought with them as if on the very next page the answer would be there. The only times they stopped were when they went to check on Index to make sure she was still okay. Neither of them truly knew what time it was as Komoe-sensei's apartment had no clocks, and truth neither of them wanted to know.
Both of them then heard a sound coming from the door.
"Hey, it seems we have visitors."
The door clicked open to show two familiar magicians.
The two of them seemed slightly relieved and saddened at the fact that they did not get to see Index when she was awake.
Mikoto's muscles naturally tensed up as they approached.
However, Touma's did not, he no longer had any reason to just fight Stiyl and Kanzaki. They were not "Evil Magic Cabal Forces," They were Index's friends.
As Touma looked over at them they were all but covered in bandages, save for Kanzaki who seemed fine.
"Heh. It looks like we won't have to worry about you if you decide to launch a surprise attack with those injuries." Touma joked but, he was secretly worried Kanzaki might attack them again.
Even if both enemy magicians attacked in sync it would not sway the results of the battle anymore in their favor for even if they won they wouldn't have enough energy to perform the ritual required to perform the spell.
Stiyl glared at the boy as he sat beside Index, "Where's the cross boy?"
It was just a moment, but Touma contemplated beating the hell out of him for just asking that question first and not 'Is she okay?'
Touma bit his lip and pulled out the small box he had carried the cross in and proceed to open it showing them the contents.
In pristine condition, there it was.
And just like that, the magician took it out of his hands as though he had won.
"We simply wanted to see if the shackles we put on you showed you the reality of your situation. Now that it seems that you have learned, leave this place esper."
He then proceeded to shove Touma away with seemingly no effort as Touma let it happen.
He knelt down next to Index whose limbs were sprawled out limply. The magician then muttered something under his breath as his shoulder trembled.
Having gathered his resolve Stiyl stood up, his expression when he turned around was void of the slightest hint of humanity.
"I said to leave"
Mikoto was about to speak until she noticed the pale moonlight lighting up the room like sunlight shining through the leaves of a forest.
It was at that time that both Touma's and Mikoto's expressions turned pale, as they realized that the time was precisely midnight.
Their time was up.
Stiyl then turned to his partner, "Kanzaki, give me your help. We need to destroy her memories."
Touma knew that this was only meant to save her but, to him, it was as if they were about to push her into the depths of hell.
Without realizing it, Touma had begun clenching his fist hard enough to crack his nails.
He knew that they lost and hit Game Over but, even, so he wanted to continue.
"... Wait." Touma raised his head as he faced the magician. "Wait, please wait! Just a bit longer! This is Academy City, after all, we have tons of espers that can manipulate people's minds, If we just wait a little longer we might not have to rely on this horrible method!"
Stiyl said nothing as Touma continued to shout.
"You don't want to use this method either, right!? Deep down in your heart, you're praying that there is some other way, right!? Then just wait a bit longer. I'll make sure to find an ending where everyone is smiling and everyone is happy!"
Silence filled the room as everyone took a few seconds to absorb what Touma said.
"Is that all you want to say, you self-righteous failure?" Stiyl had not listened to a word that he said. He had processed them, and he had comprehended their meaning, but in the end, he didn't even flinch at his empty words.
Before Touma could say a word, he was grabbed by the hair and was pointed towards Index.
"Look! Can you say that to her! To Somebody who is in so much pain that they can't even open their eyes!"
At the sight of this Mikoto started to spark, she was a mere few feet away from Stiyl and could stop this without the slightest of effort.
As she was about to however she noticed, Index's fingers as they trembled. She desperately moved her hand that seemed as heavy as iron and tried to stop them from fighting. To Mikoto it looked like stopping them from fighting each other was more important than her own well being.
"If you can, then you truly are Broken!" Stiyl's shout stabbed Touma to his very core. "Answer me, are you so broken that you'd rather see her suffer!?"
It was at these words that the light that had filled Touma's eyes before was replaced with sorrow.
At the sight of this Stiyl let him go and let him fall to his knees as he turned to Kanzaki and began to speak.
Touma was too lost in his own mind to listen to what they had to say.
(It's over.)
'My Name Index'.
(You can't save her.)
'I don't want to forget either of you. I don't want to forget!'
(You failed her)
'I promise that I will find a way to save you Index.'
Touma had to force himself not to shout. He could only stare up at the ceiling, grit his teeth and let tears he could not hold back fall from his eyes.
Without even looking at the boy, Stiyl spoke, "Leave, all you'd do now is ruin what little chance of survival she has left."
Touma then began talking to him while continuing to stare up at the ceiling, "Hey, How do you think I should say Goodbye?"
"I don't have time for this."
"I see" Touma replied void of emotion.
As Touma continued to sit there motionless, Stiyl began to shove him away from Index as he began drawing Runes on the walls.
Touma laid there on the ground with an empty look painted on his face as he reflected on his own powerlessness.
He didn't do anything to help Index get better, it was Komoe-sensei who performed the spell.
He didn't beat Stiyl alone if it wasn't for Mikoto who knows how that fight would've ended up?
And if it wasn't for Accelerator stepping up when he did, he would be the one in a coma right now, not him.
He was useless….
Kanzaki looked at him with a pained expression and said, "We still have 10 minutes until we perform the ceremony at 0:15."
Stiyl turned to her unsure if what he heard was correct.
"On the night we first swore to erase her memories, we spent the whole night crying by her side. Isn't that right, Stiyl?"
"..."
"We cannot perform the ceremony until the time is right. If he has any regrets left, he might try to stop us mid-ceremony, Stiyl."
Stiyl gritted his teeth. "You have 10 minutes. Okay!?"
He didn't say a word as he walked out of the room.
Now alone in the room, Kanzaki began to make her way towards them.
Kanzaki's eyes began to fill with sorrow as she stared at Index's defenseless kitten-like face.
She gently caressed her face as she silently said a prayer for her.
Once she finished she started to walk back towards the exit of the room.
"We were in the exact same position the two of you currently find yourselves in, and we understand no amount of apologizing would make up for what we did…. But, I know if he doesn't get to say goodbye to her that he'd end up regretting it for the rest of his life, you'll help him with that won't you?"
Mikoto nodded as she began wiping the tears away from her eyes.
Kanzaki gave a soft smile towards the two as she silently walked out of the apartment.
Mikoto began shoving at the motionless Touma to get up, "Kamijou you have to get up."
He did not move.
"Please, you can't just stay here, we both have to go see her." tears began welling up in Mikoto's eyes
At the sight of Mikoto's tears, Touma began to pick himself up, "I-I never got to give her an answer. I couldn't save her."
Mikoto then grabbed his arm and tugged both of them towards Index.
A few odd noises escaped Index's lips as she began to regain consciousness. As she opened her eyes she saw both of her friends around her.
"... Are you okay?" Index looked towards Touma as she asked this, she had completely forgotten about her own problems, instead, she worried about her friend who seemed as though they were in pain.
"... I'm sorry," Touma hung his head down in as he couldn't face her.
Index then began to look around the room. "Mikoto, there's some kind of magic circle in this room."
Just then the realization of what was happening came to her.
"Oh," said Index quietly and then all strength left her body.
"... I'm sorry, I'll get stronger. I will never lose again. I'll get strong enough to kick the asses of every last person who would treat you like this." He had no idea how he looked like in Index's eyes "... Just wait. Next time, I will make sure to truly save you."
Index than let out a small smile, "I understand. I'll wait."
Index knew full well of the situation, and the fate that would befall her but, even in the face of all of this, she still smiled.
Mikoto then began wiping the sweat off of Index's head "When you get better, why don't we all go to the beach, that way we can make all sorts of new memories."
Index smiled, "I'd like that."
"Then it's a promise."
They both knew these words held no true meaning, but even so, they continued on as though these words would help them. They wanted to comfort her and that's why neither of them shed a single tear.
Just then Index went to sleep.
Touma bit his lip hard enough to draw blood, "No…. I won't accept this ending".
Touma then got up from the floor.
"Kamijou, I don't like this any more than you, but there's nothing we can do about this curse she has to endure."
As hopeless thoughts raced through his mind, Mikoto's words rang a bell in Touma's mind.
'Curse'
"Wait a second that's it!" Touma then ran back towards Index scanning her body.
"What're you doing?"
Touma turned to her with eyes full of determination "Mikoto I got it! We were thinking about this to scientifically and missed the obvious answer. It's not a Magical Brain Fever it's a curse! That means I can save her!"
She then began to help Touma search, "Wait if that's the case then it'll have to be somewhere that'd we'd never look."
At that moment both of their eyes met on the same location.
Index's mouth.
Touma gulped as he worked up the resolve to put his hand into Index's throat.
At the sight of this Mikoto looked away, "Be careful it looks like she's about to vomit."
"I know. I…... Wait I think I got something." He then felt a slight shock in his finger.
At the same moment, his right hand was blown forcefully backward. And Mikoto quickly chased after him.
It had felt like his wrist had been shot by a handgun. The ribs that were broken not a few days ago began to ache.
"Are you okay!?" Mikoto was in a panic.
"Yeah, I'm…. What the hell!?"
Part 6
Before the two of them, Index began floating in the air and her eyes had glowed red from magic circles that were on them.
*BOOM!*
Before either of them could react, Index had shot some sort of magical explosion at them causing them to fly into the bookshelf behind them, before making impact Touma cushioned Mikoto as to minimize the damage done to her.
When they made an impact a monsoon of pain washed into Touma's body as the planks making up the bookshelf were smashed apart by his back.
"Warning: Chapter 3, Verse 2. All barriers for Index Librorum Prohibitorum collar from first to third have been breached. Preparing to regenerate...failed. The collar cannot self-regenerate. Switching priority to eliminating the intruder in order to protect the 103,000 archived grimoires."
The two watched the light show as Index began flooding the room with some unknown light.
"I thought she couldn't use magic!"
"Well obviously she can, the church must've lied to them!"
"Putting together an anti-intruder local weapon to expose the composition of the spell." Index tilted her head like she was a corpse being controlled via strings as she turned to Mikoto. "The Magic most suitable effective on this intruder has been found," Her red eyes then turned to Touma, "The magic expected to be most effective on the specific intruder has been calculated. Proceeding to activate the special magic known as St. George's Sanctuary along with St. Vincent de Paul Offerings to eliminate the intruders."
With a tremendous noise, the two magic circles in Index's eyes grew into 2-meter wide magic circles that were positioned directly in front of her.
She then sang something that was beyond human comprehension as the two magic circles around her eyes exploded.
The two of them watched as somehow it looked like space itself was being torn apart, creating a ripping sound in the atmosphere and forcing them back with the force of its generation.
Following a thundering clap that sounded similar to a glass wall shattering, dark cracks appeared on all the walls of the room. The cracks look like a turtle shell, appearing to act as a defense against anyone who happened to be close to Index. The inside of the cracks exhibits some sort of rippling effect, making a sound while growing outward.
Something that seemed to be pulsating swelled up from within the cracks. A beast-like scent wafted in from the slight opening created by the pitch black cracks.
It was then both of them understood.
This was not based on theory or logic. Nor was it based on reason or sense. Something like his base instincts were shouting it at them. They didn't know what exactly the thing within the cracks was. However, they knew that seeing it directly would be enough to destroy the two of them.
Touma was trembling in delight, he knew that if he could just beat this boss than he could save Index.
Before Touma could make a move the magic circles once again appeared in front of Index.
The Beams then moved sporadically around the walls as if it was like a stage light for a concert leaving burn marks wherever it landed.
"Initiating St. Vincent de Paul Offerings"
Just then bluish air began making its way across the room like a light fog.
It was if something was being added to it to change it.
That's when it hit both of them, it was mana.
The moment Mikoto's skin made contact with the fog she fell to her knees coughing up blood and holding her sides in agony.
*Shatter*
As quickly as the Fog appeared so to did it go away as Touma swatted it away.
Before Touma could go back to help Mikoto she yelled at him "G-Go!"
With that Touma ran head first towards Index. If he could touch her one more time he could bring an end to this story and save her.
He then clenched his right fist.
At the same time, the cracks spread all at once and opened releasing a pillar of light that shined so bright its only rival would be the sun.
*REVERB!*
There was no pain. And no heat when his hand came in contact with the pillar. It was like he was a drain and this was a never-ending fire hydrate pouring everything into it. It was a similar sensation when he absorbed Stiyl's Innocentius, it seemed to have no end in sight.
The Pillar of light began to contort in irregular shapes as it continued to try to annihilate him but, every time it looked like it was begging to thin, it gained its original shape and continued.
Due to the sheer force of the Pillar, it prevented Touma from moving a single step forward.
Touma put all of his force into his legs as he attempted to force his way forward.
Just then, the door behind them flung open to reveal the two magicians.
"Dammit, what are you doing!?" Stiyl started to shout, but his breath caught in his throat like he had been punched in the back.
"D-Dragon Breath? It can't be. And how is she using magic!?" Kanzaki's mouth gaped open at the sight of the pillar of light and of Index who had fired it, it looked as though her heart had stopped.
As much as Touma wanted to turn around to talk to them he couldn't, he only had one thing on his mind and that was to save Index.
"This is impossible…" Kanzaki had begun to step back before she felt someone tugging on her leg.
It was Mikoto, who while still coughing up blood never gave up fighting for Index.
"Cough…. You can save her…. Index...you can, can't you?" every breath hurt more than the last, but even so she kept speaking. "She can use magic…... Cough...Can't you see that they were lying to you?….Believe what you're seeing and help your friend or you'll be the ones regretting it for the rest of your lives."
Mikoto's grip loosened as her hand fell onto the floor to support herself from falling over.
The two magicians stared at Mikoto in awe.
"St. George's Sanctuary is showing no effect against the intruder. Switching to another spell and continuing destruction of the intruder in order to protect the collar."
It was at these words that both magicians knew that they'd been lied to. This was not the Index that they had known.
"Fortis931!" Stiyl bellowed, his teeth clenched so tightly that they felt like they would shatter from the force. From the depths of his cloak, legions of paper cards flew out. They were all marked with fire runes, they soon covered every inch of the ceiling, walls, floors, and even corners. Not one spot is left undisturbed. In order to save the girl named Index.
Touma then felt his hand on his shoulder "I do not need any vague possibilities. As long as I can erase her memories, I can save her life for now. I will kill anyone to accomplish that. I will destroy anything! That is what I decided long ago."
"Screw that For now crap! Just answer me one thing, do you want to save Index's life!?"
Touma than breathed in once again as he took another step forward, "Because I know I will, I promised her that I'd save her! I know you both longed for this type of ending, an ending where Index doesn't have to forget about you and you don't have to make an enemy of her!"
Touma took another step forward, "Didn't you swear to save that girl with your own two Hands!? Quit waiting for some Main character hero to come to solve all your problems and do it yourselves!"
Touma then began to feel agony as his ribs felt like they were crushing themselves from all the pressure he's putting himself through.
Even with this, he continued to take another step forward, "You've always wanted to be the heroes, right!? To be the ones who save the girl and live happily ever after. If you stretch out your hand, you can reach it! Just do it already!"
"...Salvere000!"
*Nanasen*
Kanzaki's wires tore through the air and tangled Index's leg and pulled.
Index, still firing the 'Dragon's Breath', had no time to react. Falling backward, the crimson seals that were linked to her eyes followed suit. The pillar of light that was meant to stop Touma's approach was now redirected.
It was as if a giant sword being swung around, the pillar of light sliced through the wall and ceiling of the apartment. It even sliced through the pitch black clouds floating in the night sky. In fact, it could have even sliced through a satellite outside the atmosphere.
As if by instinct Touma's left hand closed as he touched it with his right.
*Shatter*
Suddenly they all looked up and saw it, dozens upon dozens of feathers. They came floating down, it looked as though those feathers made of pure light, were like winter snow on a summer night.
Kanzaki then screamed out to Touma "Those are the same as Dragon Breath, the strike of the legendary dragon of St. George! Whatever power they may have, I highly doubt the human body would react well to them!"
As Touma continued forward he noticed Index firing another Pillar of light towards him
*BOOM!*
"Innocentius!" A blast of heat erupts from beside Touma as Innocentius came roaring to life in front of Touma and shielding the blast.
"Go! Her time limit has already passed! If you want to do this, don't waste even a second!"
Touma smiled as he continued to run forward.
"Warning: Chapter 6, Verse 13. New enemy confirmed. Changing combat considerations. Beginning scan of the battlefield...done. Focusing on the destruction of the most difficult enemy, Kamijou Touma."
Index swung her head around the pillar of light and all, but as soon as she did Innocentius came in to block it.
Now that Index was defenseless he ran towards her.
Four more meters.
Three more meters!
Two more meters!
One more meter!
"Nooo! Above you!" Kanzaki yelled.
Touma could still tell that having even one of those feathers touch him would be very, very bad. But even so, he kept pressing forward not caring even if they did touch him.
I'd suggest playing this song 'Il mare Eterno Nella mia anima'
Maybe it was the way the wind blew that night that the feathers fell as they did, but once Touma was a foot away from Index a lone feather came and landed on his right leg as he ran.
*Crack*
In a single instant, every bone in his leg shattered.
Even while in unyielding agony Touma did not stop, he used the momentum he had been saving up and lunged his body towards Index.
As Touma clenched his right fist he swung it down to shatter this hopeless illusion that this cursed has caused.
*SHATTER!*
"...Warning: Final...Chapter, Verse Zero... The collar has received fatal...damage...Regeneration...impossible...gone."
Touma's body tackled Index to the ground as he was unable to stop himself in time.
There he was holding Index surrounded by the snow like feathers as they fell.
Touma wanted to cry in agony from the pain. He wanted to move his hands around to protect himself but, the pain kept him from doing so, he could feel his entire body going numb from shock.
As he looked up, he saw the feathers of light as they cascaded around him.
In a way, they looked beautiful almost like something you'd see in a dream.
It was fitting for this kind of ending.
Touma thought he heard someone shout for him but ignored it.
He then leaned over Index to protect her from the incoming feathers.
Touma had an earnest smile painted on his face as he looked down at Index and spoke to her as if she could listen, "It's okay Index I'm not scared, I'm not trying to act tough or sound cool, I feel happy... I feel like I've been redeemed some, you know?"
Touma then felt Index move slightly in his hands. "Touma?"
As Index looked up she saw Touma over her smiling, "We did it Index. We saved you."
Index could feel something was off, but her fatigue kept her from staying conscious long enough to press further, her fears were put to ease when Touma sincerely smiled towards her, "You know I never got to answer your question Index, I'm sorry that it took me so long to get to it but….Yes Index, I'll follow you to the depths of hell. But only so we can both leave together. And when we both make it out, why don't we try rebuilding together? Wouldn't that be nice?"
It may have been how the moonlight glistened around him.
It might have been how the feathers fell behind him.
But it that one moment.
In Index's eyes, Kamijou Touma truly looked like an angel.
Index smiled back as she drifted off to sleep in his arms.
Even while knowing what was to come next, he never stopped smiling as he looked over her.
As the feathers continued rain around him he began to feel himself dosing of from the pain.
"Index Goodb…..Goodnight Index."
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
*Biri Biri*
Dozens of feathers of light floated down like snowflakes towards his body.
Even so, Kamijou Touma smiled as he drifted off to the darkness.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
"Kamijou!"
.
.
.
.
Good Night Kamijou Touma
Epilogue
July 28
Early Morning
Accelerator's Hospital room
As he began to open his eyes the light that shined in from the window blinded him.
"Ahh, what the hell, my head's killing me."
He then heard the door creak open and saw a Frog faced doctor walk in.
"Oh, you're finally awake. That's good I'm your doctor, you've been out some time you know."
Accelerator looked at him dumbfounded, "What?" He couldn't comprehend that he looked like a frog and thought he was still dreaming.
"Just a heads up, this hospital is going to have quite a few visitors, so you best stay in your room if you want some peace and quiet."
Those words rang inside of his head like an air horn as he remembered, "What happened to the idiot that I was with?"
Kamijou Touma will return.