The next morning, Mikoto headed to the hospital where her sisters were staying. Kuroko had tried to talk to her and ask where she was going, but Mikoto had brushed her off, still annoyed with her and not wanting to explain herself. She and Touma had agreed to meet at the hospital, so she expected to see him once she arrived.

Meanwhile, Touma was sitting down on a bench in the lobby inside the hospital, which also happened to be his usual hospital. After a few minutes of waiting, he saw Mikoto enter through the doors. As she approached him, he waved at her with a smile, "Hey, Biri-Biri!"

Mikoto's heart skipped a beat, still not fully used to the boy using that nickname endearingly. She grinned back at him, "Hey, you idiot!" He stood up and they started heading further inside the hospital. The girl explained, "So, there are four of my sisters who are living here at this hospital, including 10032-chan, the one you already know."

The boy nodded, "So there are three new sisters I haven't met yet, right?" It would be nice to see Misaka 10032 again, but he was also looking forward to meeting the other three and seeing if they behaved similarly. If his experience with Misaka 10032 was anything to go by, Touma expected them all to have unusual but still interesting personalities.

The girl continued, "Yeah, that's right. Their serial numbers are 10039, 13577, and 19090. They don't go out too often, and if they do, it's usually just one at a time, so I have to visit them here if I want to see them all at once." So far, Mikoto had visited them a number of times since the end of the experiment. Although at first she'd found it really awkward to interact with her sisters, she was gradually starting to form actual sibling relationships with them.

They soon reached the room where Mikoto's sisters were staying. She entered the room and announced, "Hey guys, it's me!" Touma followed in behind her and immediately noticed the four sisters, all of whom were wearing their iconic goggles.

"Hello again, Big Sister, greets Misaka 10032. Misaka did not expect you to bring the boy with you, but she is pleased with this development, adds Misaka 10032." Mikoto had told them she was visiting, but she hadn't mentioned bringing Touma, since she'd only invited him the previous day.

Touma noticed that Misaka 10032 was still wearing the heart-shaped necklace. "Okay, that's good, I can tell her apart from the others. And it looks like she got her goggles back from Last Order." He explained, "Yeah, she told me she was visiting you guys today and invited me to join."

The other three sisters approached them, with one sister trailing behind the other two. They began introducing themselves to Touma, one at a time.

"Misaka's serial number is 10039, says Misaka 10039, introducing herself. Misaka is pleased to see you once again." This sister had actually met Touma when he discovered the death of Misaka 10031, since she was part of the cleanup crew for that body. However, this was her first time seeing the boy after that.

"Hello, Misaka's serial number is 13577, says Misaka 13577, also introducing herself. Unfortunately, Misaka has not met you before, but she is glad to finally meet you."

Touma replied, "It's nice to meet you too!" So far, it seemed that they were pretty similar to Misaka 10032. He noticed the last sister remained quiet and looked a bit nervous. He smiled at her and asked, "And what about you?"

"Mi-Misaka's serial number is 19090, says Misaka 19090. Misaka is happy to meet the boy who saved her life, adds Misaka 19090, with slightly flushed cheeks."

The boy saw that she was a bit shyer than her sisters. He said, "Don't mention it, and I'm glad to meet you too! It seems you're a bit different from the other sisters?"

"T-that is correct. A rogue scientist on the project uploaded emotions into Misaka, but the upload was blocked by the control tower before it could spread to the other Misakas, explains Misaka 19090. Therefore, this Misaka was the only one affected, concludes Misaka 19090."

Mikoto added, "Yeah, I've met that scientist. She actually tried a few ways to sabotage the experiment, but none of them really worked. I hope she's doing okay now." She recalled how Nunotoba had tried spreading money cards in alleys to prevent them from being used in the experiments, and how she had seen her sisters as humans who deserved to live. The girl wasn't sure what happened to her after the experiment ended, though.

Touma nodded, "I see, well it's good to know that there was one scientist on that project with a heart." Although it seemed like the scientists used Last Order to limit the upload to Misaka 19090, it was nice that one of the sisters still received more human emotions.

The boy looked around at the four Misaka sisters and wondered, "Hey, so what should I call you guys?" He pointed at Misaka 10032 and continued, "I've usually just referred to her as Misaka's sister, but that would be pretty confusing since there are four of you."

"You can call us by our serial numbers, replies Misaka 10039. That's what Big Sister does when she visits, adds Misaka 10039 as further justification."

Touma nodded, "Okay then, is 10039-chan okay?" He found it a bit weird to call them by their numbers, but if that was what they wanted, he wouldn't object. Each sister always referred to herself as Misaka, and they didn't have given names, so this was probably the only option anyway.

"Huh? Why is he using that honorific? Is it because he heard me use -chan for one of them earlier?" Mikoto wanted to ask him about this, but she was interrupted by her sister.

"That is acceptable, answers Misaka 10039, with blood rushing to her cheeks."

"Uhh, okay." Touma was a bit confused by her description, but he turned to the other sisters and continued, "So are 10032-chan, 13577-chan, and 19090-chan fine with the rest of you?" Misaka 10039 had indicated that all of them would prefer being called by their numbers, but he wanted to make sure.

"Misaka is fine with that, answers Misaka 13577, her heart slightly aflutter."

"Mi-Misaka is happy to have the boy call her by serial number, agrees Misaka 19090, giving the boy a shy smile."

"Misaka has no objections to the boy's use of that honorific, though she is a little jealous that the other Misakas are catching up to her lead, concludes Misaka 10032."

"Her lead? What is she talking about?" Touma wasn't quite sure what to make of that remark. "Is she jealous that she's not the only sister I know now?"

Now that all of her sisters had taken their turns agreeing, Mikoto protested, "Hold on, shouldn't you guys be objecting a bit more about the honorific? Sure, I use -chan with you guys, but you're my younger sisters." She was a bit jealous that Touma was casually using such a familiar honorific for her sisters.

"That honorific is not inappropriate, since we are all younger than the boy, rebuts Misaka 13577. 10032 has even spent enough time with him to be familiar acquaintances, adds Misaka 13577, suspiciously wondering why Big Sister is so concerned with this."

Mikoto was surprised to be called out and nervously replied, "I'm just trying to look out for you, that's all." She could tell that they didn't really believe her, though. "Come to think of it, why do I care so much? Just because he calls them -chan doesn't means he likes them or anything."

Touma turned to Mikoto and said, "Well, if your sisters are okay with it, it should be fine, right Mikoto?"

The girl was a bit startled, "Wait, why are you suddenly using my given name?" She paused for a moment and then realized, "Oh right, it's because everyone else here is a Misaka."

The boy nervously rubbed his head, "Oh yeah, sorry Biri-Biri. Don't worry, it's just for when we're here." Touma figured that she wouldn't want him to use her given name regularly, so he wanted to clarify himself before she got upset.

Mikoto nodded, "Yeah, okay, that makes sense." She didn't really mind it that much, and she knew it was a good way of avoiding confusion with her sisters.

"Oh, Misaka understands now, Biri-Biri is your name for Big Sister, not for the black cat, interjects Misaka 10032."

Touma nodded, "Yeah, that's right." Once, when he had seen Misaka 10032 without her goggles on, he'd called her Biri-Biri, and she had thought he was referring to the stray cat she had been with. The boy then asked, "Oh, speaking of your cat, did you finally figure out a name for it?"

"Misaka has decided to name him On Hold, reveals Misaka 10032 with a smug smirk on her face."

The boy sighed, "I knew it, I knew you'd end up naming him On Hold. I can't even decide if that's a better or worse name than Dog." A part of him wanted to try to convince her to pick a more sensible name, but Touma decided it wasn't worth the effort. "Well, it's nice that she has her own sense of humor, even if it's weird."

Mikoto turned to her sister and asked, "You wanted to name the cat Dog? Knowing you, I'm actually not that surprised." It sounded exactly like her sister's type of ironic humor.

Touma explained, "Yeah, that was the first name she came up with. After I told her it wasn't a good name, she came up with a bunch of other bad names. Eventually we decided to put it on hold, but I feared she would just name it On Hold, which she apparently ended up doing."

"So Misaka 10032 and the boy decided on the name of the black cat together, summarizes Misaka 10039, with a hint of jealousy."

"Yes, it seems that Misaka 10032 and the boy share quite a close bond, adds Misaka 13577, also feeling envious."

"That is correct. After all, the boy gave Misaka this heart-shaped necklace as a present, declares Misaka 10032 with a smug grin after suddenly hugging the boy's arm."

Touma blushed, "Woah, 10032-chan, what are you doing? Why are you grabbing onto my arm?" He never really figured out why she'd grabbed his arm that time in the underground mall, and he was startled that she was doing it again.

"Misaka is simply demonstrating the close bond she shares with you, answers Misaka 10032, flaunting her superiority over the other Misakas."

Mikoto was also surprised, but after a brief pause, she wondered, "Wait, is she including me as one of the other Misakas?" She considered whether to intervene, but it seemed this time Touma wasn't just standing there with a dazed look doing nothing, so Mikoto didn't feel the need. "Man, I really don't like seeing her draping herself all over him. Do I need to do something like that to get him to see me as an option?"

"10032, your boast is misleading. Every Misaka knows that the boy only bought you that accessory to distinguish you from Big Sister, argues Misaka 13577."

"Yes, and you're not the only one who can do that, adds Misaka 10039 as she hugs the boy's other arm as well."

Once again in the situation of two Misakas holding onto both of his arms, Touma could only sigh, "Just my luck!" The boy could feel their chests pressed against his arms and their heads leaning on his shoulders. "It actually feels pretty nice, but Biri-Biri might get mad if this goes on." He looked at Mikoto and could see that she was speechless for the moment, but he expected that to change pretty soon.

"It seems that both of the boy's arms are occupied, observes Misaka 13577, a bit disappointed. Therefore, Misaka will have to try a different approach. How about this, asks Misaka 13577 as she embraces the boy from behind."

Mikoto was flabbergasted at the sight of her three sisters shamelessly and simultaneously hugging Touma. "Do they all like that idiot? And how can they just do that with no hesitation?" She tried her hardest to tamp down her irritation, but she started emitting small sparks from her head. "Hey, what are you guys doing? Get off of him!"

"What's the matter, Big Sister? Are you jealous, asks Misaka 10032, wondering if you're still not being honest with yourself?"

Mikoto blushed at her sister's question and stammered, "I-it's not about me being jealous, I just think you might be making him a little uncomfortable." She knew from Kuroko how it felt to be suddenly grabbed without warning, so she almost felt a little bad for the boy. "Ah, who am I kidding, that idiot is probably enjoying it."

Touma said, "It's okay, Mikoto. I don't really mind, though I would've preferred to have some warning." He felt all of them nuzzling into him, with Misaka 13577 resting her head on his shoulder and the other two leaning into his chest. After a few moments, he nervously added, "Um, it's been a while now, could you guys maybe let go of me?"

"Alright, replies Misaka 13577, disappointed it couldn't last a bit longer. Misaka apologizes for not giving you enough warning before hugging you."

"Misaka is sorry if she made you uncomfortable, but she really enjoyed the experience and hopes you did too, says Misaka 10039 after letting go of the boy's arm."

"Misaka also regrets any discomfort she caused you, adds Misaka 10032, a bit worried about losing her frontrunner status."

The boy smiled at all of them, "Don't worry guys, it's okay." He didn't want them to feel bad, especially since the experience wasn't actually that unpleasant. Touma then turned his attention to the fourth sister, who was nervously looking at him.

"C-can Misaka hug you as well, shyly requests Misaka 19090, holding out her arms slightly."

"Oh yeah, she didn't join her sisters just now." Touma answered, "Sure, 19090-chan!" He wrapped his arms around her and felt her embrace him in return. "She's a bit shyer than Biri-Biri, but still a good hugger." After a few seconds, they separated.

"Mi-Misaka is very happy you agreed, reveals Misaka 19090, her heart beating really fast."

The boy replied, "Of course!" He liked that this sister had asked him first instead of just suddenly hugging him, and he found her shyness a bit adorable.

Mikoto had been watching all of this with a frown on her face. "Great, my sisters just met that idiot, and they've already fallen for him and are all over him. I can't believe he just let them glomp onto him. He was definitely enjoying it."

Touma noticed that Mikoto hadn't said much in a while. He walked up to her and asked, "Hey Biri-Biri, you've been pretty quiet. Are you okay?"

The girl smiled, "Yeah, I'm fine. I'm glad you guys are getting along." This was at least partially true. Although Mikoto was a little envious of her sisters' affectionate behavior with Touma, she knew that her sisters didn't have a lot of other people to talk to, so she was glad she was able to make her sisters happy by bringing him along.

The boy agreed, "Yeah, I'm glad too. I thought it would be a bit confusing meeting with four sisters at once, but they always say which sister they are when they speak." He turned back to face them and added, "It's still pretty hard to tell you guys apart by sight, though. I can only do it for 10032-chan and maybe 19090-chan."

"Misaka has a suggestion for that, reports Misaka 10039. You could buy accessories for the other three Misakas too, says Misaka 10039, secretly hoping to topple 10032's monopoly."

"Misaka supports 10039's request, adds Misaka 13577. She would also like a necklace from the boy."

"Mi-Misaka would like one too, pleads Misaka 19090, though she is pleased that the boy can tell her apart from the others even without one."

Touma chuckled, "Sure, that's actually a pretty good idea. That way, whenever I see one of you, I'll know which one you are." Even though each sister mentioned her serial number each time she spoke, the boy would at least be able to avoid having to awkwardly ask for it each time. He continued, "So what kinds of necklace do you guys want?"

"Misaka would like to point out that giving any other Misaka a heart-shaped necklace would defeat the purpose of telling us apart, argues Misaka 10032. Therefore, Misaka strongly suggests that you each pick a necklace of a different type, concludes Misaka 10032, in an attempt to preserve her uniqueness."

"In that case, Misaka would like a star-shaped necklace, replied Misaka 10039, annoyed that her first choice isn't available anymore."

"Misaka would be pleased to receive a flower-shaped necklace from the boy, says Misaka 13577, making her choice."

"Mi-Misaka would love to get a snowflake necklace, answers Misaka 19090, secretly excited to receive her first present from you."

"Well, they're definitely bold, I'll give them that. And of course that idiot is going along without thinking about it at all." Mikoto felt like her sisters were gaining ground, but she was confident that she could also continue making progress with the boy. She said, "You know, I actually agree, having individual accessories will be good for you guys. I know you have to wear the Tokiwadai uniform to not cause me any trouble if people see you, so at least you'll have something personalized to wear for yourself."

"You make a good point, Big Sister, notes Misaka 10032. It is sometimes troublesome for Misaka to conform her behavior to match Big Sister's reputation when she goes out, adds Misaka 10032 to elaborate."

Mikoto internally sighed, "There she goes again." Misaka 10032 often made remarks like that to her, but she knew it was just sisterly teasing. She smiled at her sister and placed her hand on her sister's head, behind her goggles. Mikoto then started ruffling her hair and said, "I know, and I'm really grateful for it. I'm so lucky to have you guys as little sisters." As she said this, she also looked at her other three sisters.

"Misaka is also lucky to have such a caring older sister, says Misaka 10032, embarrassed but also touched by your kind words."

Touma smiled at the heartwarming scene, "Biri-Biri is pretty good at being an older sister. It's great that they've been able to form such a close bond after just a couple of months."

Mikoto withdrew her hand from her sister's head, but continued smiling at her and the other sisters. She was extremely glad she'd decided to bring Touma along to visit her sisters, and she hoped that this would let her get closer to him as well.