Prologue
As she made her way to Touma's school, Index began to feel hungry. What Touma made could hardly be called a full meal after all. It was only three to five plates full, so Index wandered her way down one of Tsuchimikado Maika's routes. Maika and her brother recently returned to the city after escaping to avoid the influence of Aliester Crowely. While Index didn't know why she didn't really care Maika was her friend after all so she was happy she was back. Maika was a maid in training who Index would often ask for food from throughout the day while Touma was out. Upon seeing the white headband and blue Maid uniform of Maika's school riding a cleaning robot Index rushed over carrying Sphinx
"Hey Maika!" Index said looking towards Maika expectantly. Maika, having seen this many times before, immediately got the message. "I'm sorry Index, but I don't have any time right now to feed you, sorry I need to catch up on a bit of training due to my brother and I's Extended Vacation." she had a look of slight regret on her face as she did seem to enjoy feeding Index.
Index sighed and muttered "Fine, I'll look elsewhere" then looked up at Maika with a bright smile on her face and said "I hope you do well then Maika!" before turning to go off in search of food Maika calls out to her before she disappears from her sight "Thanks I wish you luck finding food then!" before hitting the cleaning robot she was riding in such a way that caused it to error and turn in the desired direction.
Index found her way to Josephs restaurant. She looked at Touma's wallet in her hand before glancing at Sphinx in her arm and said "Surely Touma wouldn't mind if I used a little of his money to feed myself right Sphinx? He wouldn't want me to starve if I don't have to after all." the calico cat meowed and Nuzzled her chest and Index smiled before walking into the restaurant
Index sat down at one of the tables where she saw another person, It was a young girl with short black hair and a flower headband. She seemed to be mulling over her computer. Index wondered if she was having tech issues, after all Index could perfectly understand if she was. Technology was so confusing but judging by her face it seemed she was reading something and then typing. Was she writing a book? Index wondered. The Girl looked up at Index a bit surprised as a nun was an odd thing to see in a place as devoid from religion as Academy city but she still smiled and then asked "Can I help you Sister-san?"
Index blinked and said "No, I was just curious about what you were doing. Are you writing a book?"
The girl made a face that looked like she had tasted something sour. "I'm afraid I can't you, I work for Judgement so I can't just reveal sensitive info to civilians. But I guess I can say It's related to the past few months, Including December." She then sighed in resignation, muttering under her breath "Which I'm having real difficulty explaining". She probably thought Index would have missed her say that last bit, but she likely wasn't counting on Index actually overhearing her and easily remembering it due to her eidetic memory.
From what Index learned while living in this city Judgement was kinda like Nessesarius in that they used Espers to fight other espers who used their powers for evil but unlike Necessarius they were publicly known. Based on that premise Index surmised that she was likely compiling a report to her superiors. However because they were on the science side It was easy for Index to understand why she'd have difficulty explaining the events of December. After all, most of them were magic related. of course Index wasn't gonna tell her that. Doing so was forbidden and dangerous; she couldn't drag unrelated people into her world. After all, by telling Touma about magic he had suffered, so instead she said "I thought It was rouge espers running rampant...the Elements were they? I heard that there was an esper who was capable of creating things like that."
The girl sighed and rubbed her temples "That's what I thought, but all sources point to the #2 esper being part of the force opposing them. So i'm not sure, but thanks for trying." At this point the waiter came to ask for their orders. Upon hearing Index order the girl's jaw dropped.
"Are you Really going to eat all of that? And how are you gonna pay for that? I don't see any pockets on you to hold a card or cash" She asked while nibbling at her own order a small parfait with fruit toppings
Index tilted her head confused "I'm more curious at how you won't still be hungry after finishing that? Are you like Touma in that you can eat barely anything and survive?" Index was honestly confused, what was with some people and eating so little? Didn't they know they could starve? "And don't worry about the payment, I'll use Touma's money he wouldn't want me to starve" Index responded while pulling Touma's wallet out of her sleeve
The girl's face was shocked at first as she dropped her spoon which she was using to eat the parfait, which was only about a gallon in size before her face turned to one of sympathy. "I feel sorry for this Touma-kun" she said before returning to her parfait while idle looking at her computer.
That confused Index, why was she sorry for Touma? Did she know what he's gone through? No Index thought that unlikely she remembers every face she comes across so she'd know if they'd have met
After finishing her meal and using Touma's money to pay, leaving only 200 yen. Index left the girl who seemed to be muttering something about 'Misaka's Boyfriend' to herself while typing, her face seemed to have gone into a curious concentrated look like she was trying to figure something out. Index shrugged and headed off towards Touma's school once again.
On the way she felt something off, she remembers every face she comes across so it doesn't take long for her to notice when someone is following her. She'd seen that guy all the way back when she was talking to Maika, and he was here now. She turns down an alleyway and hides behind a bin waiting. Surely enough that guy rounds the corner and steps into the alleyway she had just hid in. She goes to trip the guy but notices his hands in the air.
"Apologies Miss Index, but I mean you no harm." said the man who had spiky black Staglike hair, wore casual clothing with a white shirt that had a red cross on it, and baggy jeans. Now that he was in full view she recognized him. She did notice mana coming off of him earlier and it made sense why she didn't immediately recognize him. This was Tatemiya Saiji, the substitute pontiff of the Amakusas, a group that are experts in secrecy.
Index put down her guard "I'm guessing that something happened? Last time you guys were here was when Aqcua of the Rear came to attack Touma" Index immediately felt dread upon speaking those words realizing what might be going on. "Don't tell me Touma's in danger!" Tatemiya grit his teeth frowning "I'm afraid it's not just him Index, You are too."