A/N: A lot's happened since the last time I've updated. Probably the biggest news to come out, the firing of the staff behind Kemono Friends. That is not tanoshii~. And something else was announced? One Punch Man by J.C. Staff? That seems interesting and potentially catastrophic. And was there something else announced too? I can't remember.
In any case, here's another chapter of Super Seven. It's not about two Level 5s buying a fridge. Instead, it's a bridge chapter after the events of Chapter 17.
Thanks for being patient. Hopefully the next update won't take forever.
Night Terror
The image of gravel came in and out of focus.
Light, shining above, pounded over thousands if not hundreds of thousands of tiny freckled rocks. Individually rigid, but collectively smooth. Outlining every fragment was a thin wall of black. A quiet darkness that permeated in what was otherwise a bright picture.
A painfully sharp image. And the next moment, a blurry mess of gray.
[ "On your knees. All of you." ]
As Misaka Mikoto stared down at the ground, she breathed slowly. She carefully controlled the ebb and flow of oxygen through her body. And her throat started to hurt.
The girl attempted to clear her mind.
[ "Except you. I have something in mind for you." ]
She held her hands anxiously, weaving her fingers over her knees. The muscles in her shoulders tensed and relaxed with every breath. She further leaned over, as if sick, and a bead of sweat traced down her white neck.
Her thoughts kept going back.
[ "Let's have some fun." ]
…
"…"
To her by surprise…
An aluminum can touched her cheek. The Number 3 broke out of her daze.
Looking up from her seat…
"Take it."
The figure of Mugino Shizuri stood over her.
Late at night, under the sterile glow of a streetlight, two Level 5s would have an unusually civil conversation.
Gratitude
Mugino Shizuri continued to stare down on her. She wasn't that much taller than Misaka Mikoto, but her presence seemed towering. Though, this effect may have been due to her standing while the other girl was sitting down.
The drink continued to push up against the electromaster's face.
"…"
Reluctantly, Misaka Mikoto reached up for the can…
But the Number 4 pulled away at last moment.
"C'mon now. Thank me properly. I don't often do favors for people."
Of course, she was taunting her. Misaka Mikoto gritted her teeth but, nonetheless, complied with a grumble.
"…thanks for the juice… I guess."
"Haah? Such half-assed appreciation! Surely, the Number 3 can do better than that!"
…
"Thank you."
"Louder."
"Thank you."
"More conviction."
"Thank you."
"Are you even trying? Again!"
"Thank you."
"I wasn't paying attention that time. Once more."
God damn! This bitch…!
Keeping Company
Enduring this test of patience, Misaka Mikoto properly expressed her gratitude with no sarcasm whatsoever.
"Thank you, Mugino-senpai. I am eternally grateful for your kindness. Your compassion is truly wasted on the likes of me."
"…"
The Number 4 turned away and scratched the back of her head.
"Oh my. You're too embarrassing. It's just juice after all."
[ SFX: *Snap* ]
The Number 3 made a very unwomanly expression. But she recovered before Mugino Shizuri could notice it.
Misaka Mikoto courteously took the offereing.
And once the exchange was complete, the girl with the longer hair took a step to the side and sat next to the Number 3 on the bench. She leaned back, crossed her legs, and hung her arms behind the railing like a refined delinquent.
The two girls blankly stared forward.
Keeping Company II
"…"
…
In front of them was an empty playground. The seats of a swing set gently teetered back and forth from a passing breeze.
"…"
…
Dry tumbleweed rolled by. Followed by a family of smaller tumbleweed. They frantically scattered according to wherever the wind guided them.
"…"
…
Visibly, the Number 3 turned pale and started sweating bullets.
STRESSFUL! THIS IS TOO STRESSFUL! WHY ISN'T SHE SAYING ANYTHING?-!
Fishy
This is weird, isn't it?-!
I'm correct in thinking that this is weird, right?-! I mean, I can only imagine how confused people might be if they saw two Level 5s hanging out in the middle of the night! Even more so if they've read the story out of sequence!
If you're just jumping in to this very moment, you'd think that there was previously some kind of lead up to this event… But the reality is that… she just suddenly sat next to me without my permission! It's super annoying! I don't get it either!
What is she doing?-! What is she planning?-! What is she-!
Is she… waiting?
That's it. She's waiting for something…
…!
Could it be…!
Misaka Mikoto looked down at her drink.
POISON?-!
IS THIS BITCH TRYING TO POISON ME?-!
I CAN'T BELIEVE SHE'S TRYING TO POISON ME, GODDAMN IT!
WHY?-! WHAT COULD SHE POSSIBLY GAIN FROM-!
( Shizuri: I just want more screen time. )
OF COOOOOOURSE!
SO IT'S COME TO THIS, HUUUUH?-! SO YOU'VE FINALLY MADE YOUR MOVE!
BUT I'LL HAVE YOU KNOW, MISAKA MIKOTO IS NOT AN IDIOT! IN FACT, YOU'RE THE IDIOT HERE, STUUUPID!
THIS FORWARD ATTACK IS WAY TOO-!
Misaka Mikoto noticed the juice's labeling.
…
…mackerel?
It's Not Easy
Reason flooded back to the girl. And with that, a calmer disposition. Steeling herself from imaginative situations, she became a normal middle school girl you could find anywhere.
"Um…"
And so, the Number 3 did her best to smile as she turned to her neighbor.
"How should I say this…"
The girl thought of the best way to properly word her feelings.
"Please go away?"
…is what I would say if I wanted a hole burned through my retina.
"Could you not sit so close to me?"
Personal space is a good thing, but the wording is a little…
"Why are you such a psychotic bitch?"
Oi! Why is it that I can only think of antagonistic things to say?-!
"Err…"
…
"…never mind."
Misaka Mikoto mentally fizzled out. It wasn't too surprising. Casually starting a conversation with a girl with murderous tendencies was an expectedly difficult task. There wasn't much common ground between these two either. They were hardly friends. And barely acquaintances.
So… she was once again taken by surprise…
"Feeling alright?"
"…"
Despite her best efforts… Misaka Mikoto's thoughts went back.
Punishment Game (continued)
A group of girls who played a trick.
The Level 5s who enacted their own version of justice.
A punishment that might have gone too far.
Those unpleasant images surfaced into that young girl's mind.
And it made her-
"Alright…?"
…
The Number 3's expression could at best be described as a shaky smile. She spoke with a hollow inflection.
"Are you serious…?"
…
She was trembling.
"I don't understand how you can be so calm. Do you really not get it?"
And her voice slowly rose.
"Even if no one was hurt. Even if they can't remember what happened…"
"…"
Mugino Shizuri watched as the girl grasped her words. Misaka Mikoto composed herself as much as she could.
"Something happened that shouldn't have happened…
"What we did… No matter how much I try to justify it…
"I… I shouldn't have let that happen.
"That's… what I'm currently thinking."
Even after getting this off her chest, she still felt uneasy. It was like a dense ball was festering in the pit of her stomach.
"Oh. So that's why you've been sulking around.
"You really get bent out of shape from the most trivial of things, don't ya'?"
And then it occurred to her that… Mugino Shizuri was one of the worst people to ever confide personal information with.
Zero Tolerance
"Railgun. This entire time, I was thinking you were constipated, but it turns out you were worried about the most useless shit I've ever heard."
"Oi."
"I almost feel insulted. This is, like, a brand-new level of disgust I've never felt before."
"Oi, oi."
"Okay. Fine. This isn't the first time. Occasionally, I do hear things about self-control and abuse of power, but who really cares about that? Certainly not me. Do I have a social responsibility to hold myself back? What nonsense is that? As if I care. Anyone who knows me should know better than to complain.
"Stop shooting laser beams at me, Mugino! I could seriously get hurt, Mugino! Aaagh! Stop! Mugino! It burns!
"Why don't you just deal with it, idiot Hamazura! You and I both know you'll be perfectly fine even if you are a little singed!"
( Mikoto: It's not my place to say this, but I think you should stop before he dies. )
…
"Ah. Sorry. I got distracted there. What were we talking about again?"
"Something about social responsibility."
"Right. Social responsibility…"
"…"
Mugino Shizuri crossed her arms and closed her eyes.
Dramatically, she reopened them with a sense of determination.
"Yeah. Fuck that."
"Oi, oi, oi."
Railgun and Meltdowner
The Number 3 hung her head and sighed.
"I should have realized bringing up ethical dilemmas with you would be pointless…"
Mugino Shizuri seemed taken aback.
"You say that like I'm… a terrible human being with no concept of right and wrong."
"Am I mistaken?"
"No."
"So you admit it then."
The Number 4 smiled wryly.
"I don't recall ever keeping it a secret."
"…"
Misaka Mikoto was unsure of how to respond. But for sure, she was annoyed.
"In my opinion, you're too soft, Railgun. There are much worse fates out there than the 'light teasing' we did. It's nothing worth gaslighting yourself over.
"Though, I'm sure with the number of people you've zapped with your zappy powers, there were a good amount of them who didn't deserve the pain. Oh, but that doesn't count because you were always on the side of justice, right?"
"…"
For sure, she was extremely annoyed.
"You're suuuch a pain in the ass. You. The Number 1. The Number 5. And, I suppose, the Number 7 to an extent. Is it fun over-complicating situations? As an outsider looking in, it all seems so boooring."
"You know, I've just about had enough of your-"
Misaka Mikoto was on the verge of standing up, but Mugino Shizuri's words interrupted even that.
"But. Out of the lot of you, I have to acknowledge it.
"You're the one most fit to join ITEM."
…
"Eh…?"
Recruiting Officer
"W-What…? Join… ITEM? I don't…"
The Number 3 was dumbfounded. And seeing her expression, Mugino Shizuri let out a breath.
"I said, 'YOU'RE THE ONE MOST FIT TO-"
"I heard you the first time!"
Misaka Mikoto needed a second to process this.
"Wait, hold on a second. Where is this coming from? I don't remember applying for this job position."
"You didn't apply. It's something I decided just now."
"But isn't ITEM… some kind a mercenary organization?"
"I believe the proper term is 'independent contractors'."
"But you kill people."
"That's not all we do. I'm sure we do other things as well."
"W-Why me?"
"Well, it was either you or Mushroom Eyes."
( Misaki: Shiitake! )
"Though, come to think of it… If both of you signed on…
"We could kill everyone."
"Can you not say such a scary thing so seriously!"
Clarity
Misaka Mikoto was resolute with her answer.
"No. I can't. I refuse. I'm not joining your little group."
"It's not GROUP. It's ITEM."
Mugino Shizuri corrected.
"I don't care what's it's called. I just don't want to be a member. Do you understand?"
"It's not MEMBER. It's ITEM."
Mugino Shizuri corrected.
"Are you even listening to me, you blockhead?-!"
"It's not BLOCK. It's ITEM!"
Mugino Shizuri corrected.
"You totally aren't listening to me, are you?-!"
"IT'S NOT SCHOOL! IT'S ITEM!"
The Number 4's Circumstances
The Number 3 grabbed her head in frustration. She grumbled aloud, for herself and for Mugino Shizuri to hear.
"I can't understand how you think I'm a good fit for ITEM when the two of us can't even hold a civil conversation."
"Well, I never said anything about working together."
…
"…Eh?"
"You'll just be a stand-in for me."
"…a stand-in?"
The Number 4 stood up from her seat. She dusted off her skirt, and it appeared that she was ready to leave.
"For insurance purposes…
"I'd feel more comfortable if there was a Level 5 among them… if by chance this current Level 5 were to disappear."
Misaka Mikoto lifted her head. She watched the girl's long tea-colored hair waver slightly. With every small movement, strands floated in and out rhythmically to an invisible flow.
"They mean a lot to me. So I'd like to leave them in good hands… if the situation calls for it of course.
"That's what I'm currently thinking."
Devil Delinquent
As Misaka Mikoto wished, Mugino Shizuri took leave. But before she could get too far…
"M-Mugino …san…!"
The Number 3 stood up.
"Why are you telling me this? Is there… something…"
…
Another memory.
Of a somewhat similar scene.
A white-haired boy, a photograph, and the words scrawled on the back of it.
He had chosen to handle his problems alone.
This girl… would probably be like that too…
…
And so… she asked something else.
"The reason you're participating in Project Super Seven… All this time, was it to-"
"Stop thinking too much. You're annoying."
A characteristic answer.
Accompanied by a wicked smile, she imagined.
…
The Number 3 continued to watch as she disappeared into the darkness.
The lonesome night settled back in. And by herself… she…
[ SFX: *pssssss-kah!* ]
She downed the mackerel flavored drink. Finishing it to the very last drop, Misaka Mikoto breathed an aggravated sigh.
"That was awful."
Bruise
In an undisclosed area…
Nunotaba Shinobu soaked a piece of cloth in saline solution.
"This might hurt. Bear with it."
Her usually stoic voice seemed softer than normal.
After the quiet warning, the researcher slowly raised the moistened cloth. She gently dabbed the right side of Accelerator's face.
"…"
The Number 1 felt a stinging sensation, but he held back from wincing.
…
"…?"
Blinking…
The girl noted something interesting.
"This might be the first time I've ever looked at you this close."
With another dab came another sting.
"I hadn't paid attention to it until now…"
She pulled back the cloth and tilted her head.
"You actually have a good face."
"Don't make this creepy."
Bruise II
The wide-eyed researcher washed her hands in a nearby sink while the Number 1 lied down with an ice bag covering the entirety of his cranium.
"Not to butt into personal matters, but I would recommend you avoid further damages to the testing facility. To say the least, we're currently not in any position to ask for more resources."
"…"
Images of Sogiita Gunha surfaced. And following that, broken windows along with a gas explosion.
"That… wasn't my fault."
"What happened back there was entirely your fault."
Accelerator flinched from underneath the ice. Since Nunotaba Shinobu had her back turned, he allowed this reaction to pass.
"Fine… whatever… Next time I get into a fight, I'll keep in mind my surroundings."
Using proper hand washing technique, she rubbed her knuckles under warm water.
"Next time…
"So there's going to be a next time then…"
…
She focused on her wrists.
Next, her thumbs.
And after that-
"Perhaps… this might be a good time to call it.
"Since you appear to be at your limit."
"…"
Bruise III
Accelerator was silent.
Lying on his back, he seemed no different than a corpse.
…
Eventually, the running water stopped. Grabbing some paper towels, the researcher went back on what she just said.
"Ah. Did I assume wrong? Never mind then."
"I'm fine."
"I never said you weren't."
…
She dried herself off and took a few steps closer.
A moment later. The boy could feel her presence.
"I know you're doing your best. Albeit, in your own lazy way. I won't fault you on that."
The Number 1 felt pressure from the other side of the ice. Nunotaba Shinobu laid her hand over his forehead.
"It's irritating, but I know you'll be fine. You are, after all, the strongest.
"Though, there are people out there who would dislike seeing you like this. That's something you should realize."
Bruise IV
"…"
The pressure alleviated. Nunotaba Shinobu turned away.
"Rest up. I can handle tonight's workload on my own."
…
The girl stepped away, and once at the exit, the room went dark with the press of a light switch.
As she headed out, she said her final piece.
"Goodnight, Accelerator."
A pause.
Then the mechanical sound of a door sliding shut.
…
"…"
Nunotaba Shinobu was as hard to read as ever.
She was careful, meticulous, and mindful. Only treading lightly on the subjects that were most sensitive. If she were any different, Accelerator might have found her grating.
…
The Number 1 clutched the ice bag and readjusted it. As expected, it wasn't as cold as before.
"Goodnight."
The door slid back open.
"Did you say something?"
"I didn't."
Timeline: 10, 1, 2, 4, 8, 9, 19-28, 3, 29-37, 12-17, 41, x, 5-7, x, 11
Next Chapter: The Number 1's hellish day continues.
Preview: Reverse Arc
A small room used to conduct interviews. A single table with two chairs. At one side, Accelerator had his head laid down. And both hands clutching his hair. On the other side...
"Mister? Are you okay, Mister?"
Her legs dangled from her seat.
"I didn't mean to eavesdrop..."
Her chestnut brown hair bobbed as she swayed from side to side.
"But I couldn't help myself."
The girl's bright smile pervaded his senses. He could see her beam even without looking. It was a face he was all too familiar with.
"Time travel, huh? It sure sounds interesting."
