A/N: A quick update. Start of the Gunha arc. The start is a bit weird since it's technically the aftermath of Chapter 3, but it's nice to give some early insight into the going-ons in the story.

If anyone's confused or has a question, make a comment and I'll send a PM.


An Out of Sequence Epilogue I

Project Super Seven.

Under a sterile streetlight, Misaka Mikoto sifted through a heavy document marked 'confidential'.

That was the name of the project assigned to the Number 1 of Academy City. While on the surface, it looked like a plain social experiment… grouping a bunch of kids together in a room and observing the shenanigans... it was actually a bundled package. Finer details revealed 256 smaller experiments, most dealing with AIM field interactions with higher leveled espers. Some of the experiments specified certain people to be involved. Others specified certain conditions. Specific emotions, in particular, were required in all of them.

The girl flipped through the pages, unsure of the answers she was seeking.

Stress. Anger. Agitation. Anything that would cause one's blood pressure to rise. Despair. Anxiety. Dread. Anything that would weigh one's mind down. It was all written down in fine print. For certain, the project was a social experiment. But it wasn't simple. And whether or not it was harmless, that remained to be seen.

Misaka Mikoto stopped reading for a moment. Words blurred as she thought, and the texture of smooth paper became clearer.

While looking at the contents, I remember thinking to myself, 'Ah, the higher ups in Academy City must be really bored.' I remember thinking about the Number 1's role in all this. 'Ah, I guess that means his job is to pull everyone together so that he can pull them apart, huh?'

The Number 3 looked up at the night sky. Her expression could not be discerned.

And a final thought… though it was fleeting… I remember asking myself… What would this project turn into if things didn't go as planned?

What if… in the end… we just got along?

An Out of Sequence Epilogue II

Misaka Mikoto arrived at the testing facility early. And there, she found…

"…"

The white-haired boy took notice, but he didn't say anything. He went back to typing notes on his laptop.

Misaka Mikoto sat down in the seat furthest from him.

"Is it alright for you to wear that?"

Not looking in his direction, the girl spoke bluntly about the Number 1's lab coat.

"Is there any reason it wouldn't be?"

"Ah… I guess that's right."

"Your arm…"

Accelerator spoke without looking up as well.

"You get that taken care of?"

Misaka Mikoto lifted her right hand. Her forearm was bandaged.

"It's just a scratch. In a few days, there won't even be scar."

"That's good."

For now, these two would not have closure. But whatever relationship they had currently was enough.

Waiting for the rest of the members to arrive, 'Project Super Seven' would continue as planned.

Familiar Territory

The seven Level 5s of Academy City were gathered around a long table. Preoccupying themselves one way or another, they all more or less sat in silence.

"…"

Accelerator was typing notes on his computer. Kakine Teitoku seemed to be in hibernation mode, vibrating in place at a certain time interval.

"…"

Mugino Shizuri played with her phone, moving her thumbs in an almost calculated pattern. Shokuhou Misaki was filing her nails.

"…"

As for Sogiita Gunha…

He calmly spoke up.

"Hey… I was wondering… what's the general consensus on head pats?"

( Everyone: Eh? )

Moe Overload

"…"

Everyone but Gunha stared at each other for a proper answer. Accelerator was the first to bite.

"You're gonna have to be clearer on that. Don't think anyone understands what you're trying to say."

The Number 7 nodded.

"Well, you know. If I were to pat you on the head, what are the… uh, the feelings surrounding that?"

Accelerator stared blankly.

"First, I'd break your fucking arm off. Because that's not something you do randomly."

"Then, um… what's the right situation then?"

An image came to mind…

( Last Order: Misaka Misaka wants to be praised! )

( Accelerator: You damn shitty brat! )

( Last Order: Ehehe~ )

For some reason, the boy's collar started beeping like a microwave.

"Eh? What's that noise?"

Mach Speed

Mugino Shizuri continued where Accelerator left off.

"Obviously, head pats are given to those who accomplish great tasks. They are rewards reserved for the elite."

Sogiita Gunha nodded.

"I see. So you're familiar with this, huh?"

"Of course I am. I'm the Queen at giving head pats. I even have a special setting for my arm when Fremea-chan does especially good things."

Lifting her faux arm, Mugino Shizuri's fingers started to move violently with a 'whirrrrl' sound.

"Looks painful."

Somewhere out there, a little girl felt a chill down her spine.

Charisma Break

Misaka Mikoto interjects.

"Look. Don't listen to these guys. Well, I guess they're kinda right, but it's all reserved to children. There's a certain age where it becomes unacceptable to pat someone on the head."

"Really now?"

Sogiita Gunha asked.

"Yes. I mean, if someone were to pat me on the head at my age…"

A certain boy came to mind…

"Um…"

The girl's face started to change color. Steam started to rise.

"N-No… No, no, no…! A-As if I want to be treated like a child…! T-That would be so embarrassing…! But… I… I guess the feeling wouldn't be so bad… But even then…! Impossible…! Impossible-impossible-impossible!"

"You're suddenly being really annoying."

Double Take

Shokuhou Misaki closed off the topic.

"What you should take away here is that it all depends on the relationship. If the other party isn't opposed to it, then you should be fine. If they are opposed it, then you probably shouldn't try."

The Number 5 let out a breath.

"But really now. Why are you bringing this up?"

Sogiita Gunha scratched the back of his head.

"Ah, well… I just got myself a girlfriend. She's really cute. So much so, I was wondering if it'd be alright to give her one. That's all."

"Oh. That makes sense."

With that finally over, everyone returned to their usual-

( External Screaming: EHHHHHHHHHHHHH?-! )

Panic

Mass confusion arose. The female members split off from the group.

( Mikoto: Huh? What? What is that? How is that possible? )

( Misaki: Surely he's talking about one of those 'air girlfriends', right? )

( Shizuri: Come to think of it, he's not acting like his usually self… )

The three glanced over at the Number 7 briefly.

( Shizuri: Around this time, he'd be screaming 'guts, guts, guts'. It's very odd. )

( Misaki: Yeah. Somehow, there's an adult air about him. It's extremely out of character for that idiot. )

( Mikoto: Then that must mean… Does that really mean… )

"I can hear you, you know."

GUTS GUTS GUTS GUTS

Responding to criticism…

"Hey now. Is it really that shocking that I might have a girlfriend? I mean, there's more to me than you think. It's not like I'm a one-note character that spouts off catchphrases."

The atmosphere in the room became heavy.

"…?"

Shokuhou Misaki stated bluntly.

"No Gunha. That's exactly what you are."

"Oi!"

She continued.

"If someone is indeed interested in you, I have no doubt in my mind that it's a ploy of some kind."

"What?-! Why?-!"

She's right. You're obviously being tricked.

"Why is even the narrator against me…?-!"

Foot = Mouth

The long blonde-haired girl shrugged nonchalantly.

"Of course, that's assuming she's real. I'm still not entirely convinced such a girl can exist in first place."

"You're saying some real cruel things, but I assure you, she's real. Her name's Eiko."

Sogiita Gunha said plainly.

"Oh yeah? Then why don't you-"

[ SFX: *knock knock* ]

Everyone's head turned to the club room door. Most people usually barged in. No one had actually knocked before.

And so… Kakine Teitoku casually went to answer.

Alternate Costume

( Teitoku: Hi there. Huh? Sogiita? Yes, he's here. You brought a bento? Ah, I see. )

Kakine Teitoku turned to the rest of the group.

"Gunha. It's for you."

( External Screaming: SHE'S HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERE! )

At that moment…

A plume of smoke exploded in Sogiita Gunha's location. And stepping out…

Combed hair.

A dress shirt and sweater vest.

Taking a pair of sleek glasses, the boy adjusted it on his face.

"Ah! This is unexpected… Never thought I would introduce you guys to her so soon. How embarrassing!"

( External Screaming: WHO THE HELL ARE YOUUUUUUUUUU?-! )


Timeline: 10, 1, 2, 4, 8, 9, x, 3, x, 12, x, 5, 6, 7, x, 11

Next Chapter: Sogiita Gunha becomes a normie! That bastard!