A/N: The mini-arc continues. And spoilers, it won't end as a dream.
Recap Time
Last time on 'Super Seven'…
Dogs barked and snapped as they gave chase to an elusive shadow.
"Why do they hate him? Hachiman didn't do anything wrong."
Totsuka Saika was on the verge of crying. Zaimokuza answered.
"Because he's the hero this school deserves, but not the one it needs right now."
Staring off towards the darkened sky, he continued.
"So we will shun him. Because he can take it. Because he is not our hero."
Evading his aggressors, the mysterious figure perched himself on the side of a building.
"He is a silent guardian, a watchful protector."
The number "8" glowed from above.
"A Dark Kni-"
Super Eight
In a cartoon-esque manner, Misaka Mikoto grabbed the previously footage and frantically tore it to shreds. She turned to the three visitors angrily.
"What was that?-! A recap? A recap to what? I didn't understand any of that nonsense!"
An audible sigh came from Hikigaya Hachiman, who had stationed himself at the end of a vaguely familiar long table.
"It's not hard to understand."
He pointed at his face.
"In a nutshell, I'm B*tman."
Like hell you are!
From the other end of the vaguely familiar long table came disgusted remarks.
( Yui: Ugh… Does Hikki really think that…? That's totally disturbing. )
( Yukino: I already knew Hikigaya-kun wasn't quite right in the head, but I never imagined that it was this severe… )
"Ah, no. I don't really- It's the fans. Believe me. It's all the fans."
As Misaka Mikoto watched their bit end, she had the feeling that these people wouldn't leave so easily.
Brewing Storm
Misaka Mikoto went straight to the point.
"I don't care who you guys are, but if you have some business with us, just say it now so we can deal with it and move on."
Hikigaya Hachiman let out an arrogant "humph".
"So you haven't noticed?"
He explained the situation dryly.
"Look around. This is a crossover event. For whatever tasteless reason, our series is being pitted up against yours for the pure enjoyment of the uninformed masses. Despite the fact that neither of our genres match well, our Yukinoshita Yukino is being compared to you, Misaka Mikoto."
"So it's been decided… the two of you will fight it out for the position of most popular female light novel character."
Ice Queen Vs Railgun
"It's as he says."
Yukinoshita Yukino took a sip out of a teacup.
"With increasing interest in light novels, it becomes a necessity to define quality over rubbish. I admit that it's silly, but lists and rankings are vital in defining the strengths and weaknesses of a franchise. And because the two of us are in such a blurred position, we have no choice but to clarify matters."
Resolutely, Yukinoshita Yukino stared straight at Misaka Mikoto.
"As unfortunate as it may be, I will be your opponent."
And Misaka Mikoto stared back.
"I… I don't get it. I don't get any of this. But…"
The Level 5 clenched her fists!
"Even so! If this is a challenge, I won't back down!"
FIRE WAS LIT IN MISAKA MIKOTO'S EYES! THIS WOULD MARK THE BEGINNING OF THE BATTLE BETWEEN A CLUELESS LEVEL 5 ESPER AND SOME RICH GIRL WITH FAMILY PROBLEMS! HOW WILL THIS BIZARRE 4TH WALL BREAKING SITUATION END? WHOSE CUISINE WILL REIGN SUPREME?
The door to the clubroom opened. Isshiki Iroha came in holding a list.
"The 2016 'Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi!' rankings were revealed a while ago. You guys don't have to do this anymore."
"…"
THE BATTLE WAS OVER.
Non-Contenders
"Let me see! Let me see!"
"Eh?"
Sogiita Gunha skipped over to Isshiki Iroha and snatched the paper away from her. Searching its contents…
"Huh? That's weird. My name isn't on the list."
Kakine Teitoku looked over his shoulder.
"My name isn't on there either."
Mugino Shizuri took the paper and studied it as well.
"My name is missing too. Hey. What the fuck? Where's the real list?"
The Number 3 looked at them with a somber expression.
All of you, I'm so sorry…
Results
Isshiki Iroha snatched back the piece of paper and glared.
"A-Ah…"
Sighing, the girl made the announcement.
"For the sake of simplicity, I'll just read out the relevant ranks."
[ Female Division ]
[ 16. Shokuhou Misaki/Hestia (Danmachi) (Tie) ]
( Misaki: W-What?-! I dropped?-! But last year was… )
[ 14. Hikigaya Komachi ]
( Hachiman: Heh. I expected no less from my cute little sister. )
[ 10. Index ]
( Entire Room: 'Titular' character lololololololol! )
Results II
[ 9. Othinus ]
( No comment )
[ 4. Yuigahama Yui/Asuna (SAO) (Tie) ]
( Yui: Yes! I did really well! )
( Yukino: Congratulations. You've earned it. )
Yukinoshita Yukino patted the girl on the back.
And then…
[ 3. Isshiki Iroha ]
All light faded from Yuigahama Yui's eyes, leaving only a cold husk of lifeless glass.
( Iroha: I'm such a best girl, it's not even fair! )
A Messenger's Feelings
It ultimately came down to the final two: Misaka Mikoto and Yukinoshita Yukino. They stared intently at Isshiki Iroha.
"…"
She glanced over at Hikigaya Hachiman and gesticulated with her hands.
( Gesture Translation: Senpai. Those two look like they'll kill me if I say the wrong thing. What should I do? )
He gestured back.
( Gesture Translation: I'm pretty sure nothing bad will happen as long as you just be genuine with your answer. )
She gestured again.
( Gesture Translation: And what exactly do you mean by 'genuine'? )
At this, a tear rolled down Hikigaya Hachiman's face.
"…"
Isshiki Iroha stared blankly and gestured again.
( Gesture Translation: Never mind. If something happens, I'll wing it. )
The Graceful Winner
Isshiki Iroha took a breath.
[ 2. Yukinoshita Yukino ]
[ 1. Misaka Mikoto ]
With that, Misaka Mikoto jumped up in the air and started pumping her fists.
"Aw yeahhh! You're god damn right I am!"
…
In her moment of passion, she realized she had broken her image. She quickly did a 180 in attitude.
"Erm… uh, what I meant to say was…
"That's nice to know. I'm not super into popularity contests, but it's pretty cool that I won."
"…"
...
The girl had only managed to fool herself.
Huh? It's Already Ending?
The First and Second most popular ranked females stared directly at each other.
"Even though you have such an infuriating attitude, I have to admit. It's my loss."
"Yeah. It totally is."
Misaka Mikoto didn't hold back any punches.
"This event ended unexpectedly faster than I anticipated, but now that everything's over, I suppose we should make our exit."
"Yeah. You totally should."
Yuigahama Yui reacted at this.
"Whaaat? But we haven't done anything crossover-like yet…"
"Crossover-like?"
The nice girl expressed an example.
"You know. In TV shows, there's the guy that's like 'Who are you!'. And the other guy is like 'Well, who are you!'. And then they fight. But then they stop fighting because some bad guy appears. And like, they have to team up to defeat him. And then everyone becomes friends in the end and goes their separate ways. Stuff like that."
Yukinoshita Yukino turned to Misaka Mikoto.
"Should we do something like that?"
"No! Just go dang it!"
Timeline: 1, 2, 4, x, 3, x, 5, 6
Next Chapter: The main villain suddenly appears? Can these two put aside their differences and work together? The crossover continues to the final part in Part III! Please be excited! Afterwards, Super Seven will go back to normal. Thank you for putting up with me.
