Author's Note: And we're back, and this time I got the biggest chapter yet, hope you all enjoy.
The flash of lightning reflected off of Uiharu's eyes as she stared up at the imposing building, reminding her of a certain someone that shall remain nameless. The torrential downpour matted her hair and pressed down on her flowers but she barely noticed the freezing shower. Her thoughts were squarely on the Tokiwadai girl that awaited her.
She thought about turning back but no she wasn't a coward like Misaka-san, after a deep calming breath she stepped inside of the hospital lobby. Kuroko was waiting for her injured and lonely and she couldn't allow that to continue especially since … she had learned the depths of her feeling for her partner.
She was in love with Kuroko Shirai, that was the cold hard fact, it was difficult to accept at first but there was no denying the many many signs. It was terrifying feeling such things but also comforting to finally know what was making her act so strangely around her best friend.
Suppressing her fears she ventured off to Kuroko's room determined to be the friend and perhaps more that she deserved.
Kuroko laid on her back. "7,8,9,10,11,12,13 tiles." She sighed though it sounded more like a frustrated whine. "Where'd she go?" She mumbled sadly. She felt so cold and lonely here, the hardness of the bed, the needles in her arm causing a consistent dull pain, though she supposed it was better than freezing over. Even so it still made it too hard to sleep.
She turned over to see the exit once the sound of someone barrelling through the doors panting was heard. She wanted to believe it was onee-sama but it was just Uiharu. She glared at the sheepish girl.
"Three hours is soon?" Kuroko asked crossing her arms with a hurt huff. Her eyes glanced to her back to see … that stupid computer, Uiharu must care about that stupid thing more than me.
Uiharu took off her backpack containing her laptop and grinned sheepishly. "Um I know I was late but that's just because I was getting something that would you feel better." That and gathering up the courage to see her again took a fair bit of time too.
She gestured to her arm in response, "Is it some kind of sleeping drug that doesn't interfere with this stuff their shoving in me?"
Uiharu winced a little, she always hated needles. "Uh no I'm afraid not, I'll tell you what it is though, all four instalments of the Lethal Justice series, I had to download them, that's uh part of why it took so long." That and you know the fear and anxiety of facing her best friend turned crush.
Kuroko's eyes lit up like an excited child on Christmas day. "Seriously the whole set! Eeeeeeeeeee! Thank you so much, ...wait its not the du-"
Uiharu shook her head, "Nope not the dub, its the original versions." She had the foresight to know Shirai could be quite a purist about these silly old things. Smirking as Shirai's face lit up once again, Her smile is sooo pretty.
Kuroko sighed in relief. "Ah good, I mean I think Okamoto does an okay job as lieutenant Calahand but he sounds a little too crazy for it."
Uiharu just nodded politely and began setting the laptop up less she occur another 5 minute long rant about the dubbing of some foreign film again.
Kuroko was watching the old movie excitedly mimicking the actors during the action scenes or imitating their lines before they even said them. Uiharu well she wasn't exactly watched much, of the film that is.
She was far more transfixed by this rarely seen Kuroko, the way her eyes lit up when her favourite scenes came up, it was childish and silly really but also strangely endearing, Shirai was always so mature sounding. Whether on or off duty she always carried herself with a sophisticated air.
She felt privileged that Kuroko allowed her to see this side of her, She doubted certain other people had.
Kuroko turned to her and whined. "Uiharu your going to miss one of the best parts." Pouting cutely.
Uiharu smiled. "Oh um sorry Shirai-san, I'm just making sure you don't over exert yourself," And reluctantly turned her attention to the movie. Though she took frequent glances at the cute redhead.
Eventually halfway through the third movie Kuroko began to grow tired still noticeably weakened from her wounds she passed out suddenly mid evening. Uiharu almost panicked before she noticed the slight rise and fall of her chest, She then totally didn't get distracted staring at said part of her body for the next 5 minutes.
When she realized what she was staring at she blushed heavily, and mumbled quietly "What am I doing?" She slowly got off the bed closed the laptop and reluctantly decided to head off for home to get some sleep herself.
Before she went off she decided to make sure Shirai-san was comfortable and covered up and then she stared for a long time at Shirai's slim toned form showing through the hospital gown.
And a forbidden though crept into her head, You know if she's out of it we could do whatever we wanted to her. A thought that frightened her yet also tantalized. "N-no no I couldn't. I can't... take advantage of her like that."
But then she didn't no much about romance and clearly Shirai-san did going by how she talked about that girl. And she was certainly well lets say on the aggressive side.
"B-but but just because that exceptionally pretty degenerate might do such things doesn't mean I should right?" She asked to nobody in particular. Staring in need at Kuroko's lips.
Then said lips mumbled something about Onee-sama and Uiharu in a fit of anger and lust made her choice, she made sure nobody was coming and prepared to give her partner a taste of her own medicine, appropriate given she was in a hospital.
She then made her move and... Blew a kiss at her. Uiharu chucked quietly. "Hehe she'll have no choice but to accept that, oh your so devious Uiharu Kazari!" Then she crept out making sure not to wake up Kuroko in the process.
Mikoto sighed her once tension heavy frame having relaxed now that the fight was over, those terrorists kept her busy for a while but now for some reason her thoughts were straight back on Kuroko.
The thought of her silly little kohai suffering alone in her hospital bed, wouldn't leave Mikoto's head. She was supposed to protect her and she just left her behind to suffer on her own.
But then maybe she doesn't even want to see her, maybe she only ever lusted for her now she's traded her in for a younger model she's no longer interested any more.
No no Kuroko wasn't that shallow was she? How long had she really known her? Not more than 6 months. Could she really compete with Uiharu? Did she even want to? So many questions with so few answers.
Thinking it over well no she didn't want to compete with her, partly because well she felt for sure she'd lose and partly she didn't want Kuroko in that particular way. Despite what Kuroko herself might believe she had tried to think about it, think about her in that kind of light, with like no clothes on and stuff, it just made her feel queasy.
When she thought of what she meant to her it more akin to what she felt about the sisters. As family she never had before. Maybe that's why thoughts like those made her sick. Why she responded so violently to her carnal advances.
So caught up in her thoughts she was that she didn't see the rapidly approaching spiky black blur colliding into her sending her falling to the ground with said blur laying atop her.
"Oh uh sorry about that Miss Misaka." The spiky haired idiot said as he hurriedly got off her and helped her up, causing the brunette to become flustered at their close proximity. Ah he's holding my hand and my hearts already racing! What's with this idiot? She thought as she blushed and stammered.
"I-its fine i-its my fault really, I was too busy thinking about- ah never mind." Realizing she was about to spill the beans she clammed up and turned away.
He looked over his shoulder, he'd lost them so he surely could spare at least a little bit checking on Biribiri. Her being so quiet and meek was pretty unusual. He gently put a hand on her shoulder stopping her from leaving with his right hand of course, "Hey cmon on Biribiri is something wrong? You haven't tried to start a fight yet" He said only half joking.
Mikoto scoffed, shaking herself free, "Only cause I'd likely win, besides I'm not in the mood."
Touma rolled his eyes, that was unlikely. "Sure sure, but there must be something wrong, if not with you, maybe the sisters or Shirai-san." At his mention of her twin tailed room-mate he immediately noticed a flash of hurt in her eyes before she turned away again. Well that made it certain.
He quickly chased after her, "Its Shirai-san isn't it? Is she hurt again? Do you need help?" At his questions her pace reluctantly slowed, she turned to face him with her eyes brimming with pain. "Y-yes." She stammered out in a weak tone so unlike the strong boisterous girl he knew. Burying her face into his chest, not wanting him to see her looking so weak.
she looked back at him shame in her eyes, "Its not just that she's hurt, its that I let it happen, see she's been dating this other girl recently and barely acknowledging me and this place was getting robbed and I'd usually step in and help but I let her take care of it cause I was jealous and now she's in hospital and I just don't know what to do. She probably hates me now."
A silence ensued for a full minute, Mikoto started shaking in his embrace afraid he hated her too after her confession, that she was about to have no one left to turn too.
"Its okay. Shirai-san would never hate her onee-sama for such stupid reasons. She's probably just confused because the other girl's misleading her. You just got to storm in there and take her back!" Raising a clenched fist trying to inspire her.
Mikoto softly smiled. "Y-yeah your right, just blaming myself isn't going to solve anything. Thanks uh ...T-touma-san." Giving him a quick kiss on the cheek and then running off.
Kuroko and Uiharu were reclining against each other early in the morning as the final movie drew closer to its conclusion. Kuroko shifting awkwardly against her as a rather intense and not to mention forceful love scene played out.
Uiharu blushed at the rather unexpected and sudden show of intimacy, "Um Shirai-san are you sure she wants this?" She asked hesitantly.
Kuroko briefly took her eyes away from the lurid display and scoffed. "Of course Uiharu she's just playing hard to get, see any minute now aaaand there see she finally gives in to her lustful urges. Just like one day..." Her face fell for just a moment as her thoughts briefly strayed to a certain someone.
Uiharu had an instinctive idea to how that sentence was going to end, likely with the word onee-sama. So that just explained a lot. Shirai-san was always so mature in many ways but so very immature in others.
She hadn't yet considered the possibility of Shirai's frankly rather extreme attentions falling on her, It was a disconcerting thought, she didn't have Misaka-san's powers and she didn't really want to use them in that way either, though despite how embarrassing it was to admit even in the safety of her own mind, being ravished by her wasn't an entirely unpleasant thought.
Ah no no I'm a normal young girl, not a pervert like her! She shrieked inside her own head, trying to repel her desires.
Kuroko stopped the movie and looked at her reddened face with concern. "Uiharu are you okay?"
"Oh um yes o-of course I am, its just a little embarrassing is all." Giving her an awkward smile.
Her partner chuckled. Uiharu was so adorable when she got like this. "Its nothing to get all cute and blushy about, its just a natural part of becoming a woman." Moving her head dangerously close to Uiharu's.
Kuroko could feel the heat radiating off Uiharu's cute face. Smell her lilac perfume. Uiharu on the other hand could barely process anything right now. At a loss for words she pushed her away and closed her eyes. "D-don't you think your approach is a little too aggressive?" She exclaimed.
Opening her eyes she saw Kuroko's face contorted in confusion. "With uh Misaka-san of course." Quickly trying to cover her tracks.
As a look of dawning realization crept onto her face. "Ah well m-maybe in the past, I thought you know she was a rather fierce older lady so she would sort of want that." Blushing now she realized how stupid she sounded. "But I mean that's what the dating idea was really, changing my approach. Though I'm not sure if it worked really well or really poorly." She admitted with a worried look. Misaka had vanished in the middle of the night before but she never vanished completely for an extended period of time like this one.
Uiharu wanted to ask the all important question but was terrified of being too obvious, with a tremor in her heart she reluctantly asked. "If um you and Misaka-san were together." She felt a spike of anger rising up at the thought. "Would you want to um consummate things right away?"
Kuroko averted her eyes blushing at what she was insinuating. "Ahem well while I wouldn't mind if she was ready to do something like that right away, if someone special wanted me to wait then I would for as long as they felt comfortable."
Uiharu closed her eyes sighing in relief. "That's probably a good idea, you can unpause the film now."
The two relaxed and settled back into their prior positions, Kuroko was curious about Uiharu's sudden nosiness but she was too eager to continue watching one of her favourite movies.
Over time however her wounds started to irritate her. She began twitching and wincing more and more, and Uiharu began to notice. "Shirai is something wrong?"
Abruptly Shirai began undressing letting her gown fall to her hips. "Um Uiharu could you help me change my bandages?" She asked a thoroughly dumbstruck Uiharu.
S-so pretty, look at all that... pink. Aaah bad thoughts bad thoughts. "Oh ah of course Shirai-san, I'd be very happy to ." Uiharu said valiantly trying to keep her eyes above her neck.
Visibly blushing she began undoing the dressings staying as focused on her wounds as she could, even as a deep yearning urged her to take a sly peek. W-why is this affecting me so much? I've seen her like this before in showers or on the beach. If she had any remaining doubts about her attraction this just fully obliterated them.
Kuroko made a quiet hiss of pain, " U-uiharu a little gentler please." She said a blush starting to form on hers. Uiharu's breath on her bare skin was making her feel strange.
"R-right sorry Shirai." She had to stay focused, keeping her safe and healthy was what mattered not her own desires. She went a little slower and softer making sure not to aggravate her wounds. Wincing at the deep thin holes in her limbs with a noticeable bit of blue discolouring accompanying them.
At Shirai's shaky shivers she hurriedly retrieved a fresh pair of dressings and began wrapping them around the affected area's. She also channelled a bit of her heat into the areas using her power since well she could see from certain areas that Shirai was quite cold. She was about to sigh in relief when Kuroko suddenly hugged her.
"Eeek!" She cried embarrassed by the compromised position they were now in.
"S-sorry, its just your so warm." Shirai murmured shakily into her ear, heightening the strange intimacy between them. Making Uiharu go rigid in her arms.
She had to stop this or did she? It was kind of pleasan- no no even... even if she wouldn't mind doing such things with her eventually when they were older, she'd prefer to start off slow.
She reluctantly broke free of her worryingly weak grip, and slid her gown back up feeling a slight tinge of regret.
And at Shirai's embarrassed face she hugged her again. "Baka what if Saten-san walked in on us, we'd never hear the end of it." She said gently. Then with some hesitation she asked the question "Do you... want me to stay?"
Kuroko made a sheepish nod. And two slept away in each others arms.
"Awww you too are so cute together.!" Uiharu was jarred awake by a familiar mischievous voice, As she opened her eyes she realized it was Saten and she was recording them. At the sight of her phone Uiharu sprang up blushing and attempted to grab it. "Sateeen!" She cried out feeling totally mortified.
Saten unfortunately for her dodged her sluggish attack. "Nuh uh you should be thanking I'm saving you two some sweet memories you can show to your kids" She said cheekily while waving a finger.
The mere mention of kids crumbled Uiharu's mind into a frenzied piece of paper. "K-kids!" Can girls even have those? she was still so new to this that questions like that gnawed at her.
The commotion had finally woken up the tired redhead sleeping away, Kuroko slowly propping herself onto her back looking disgruntled "Ugh what are you two doing?" Uiharu was too wrapped up in fantasies of a maternal Shirai singing a baby to sleep to respond which left it up to Saten.
Saten shrugged with a wry grin on her face. "Ohhh just discussing the future, anyway how you holding up?" Her worried eyes drifting to the small girls injuries.
Kuroko thought about that, the underlying chill that had been there almost constantly from the time she woke up from her brief coma didn't seem to be there. "I'm... I'm feeling a lot better actually." Looking warmly at Uiharu before frowning. "What's up with her?"
Saten shrugged. "Something about kids, I dunno." Playing dumb as Kuroko shook Uiharu back out of her fantasies.
"Hey come on snap out of it Uiharu." Kuroko grunted as she watched Uiharu come back to reality the stupid grin on her face slowly sliding off until she realized where she was. She fixed her partner with a strange gaze that made Kuroko shrink. Then it suddenly passed, Kuroko thought nothing of it.
Uiharu's eyes snapped over to a nervous looking Saten eyeing the exit. "Where do you think your going? Give me that phone."
"Aaah w-what phone?"
"Th phone you were using to record us." Uiharu said sternly. Kuroko spouting a shocked what?
Saten thought about making a run for it but looking at Shirai she was sure the two would chase her down and not only would they catch her but they'd likely open Shirai's wounds as well in the process, "Alright alright, I know when I'm beat. Faster people have tried to get away from you two and failed so I'm not even going to think about it." She took the phone out of her pocket and handed it to Kuroko. "But maybe look through it before you consider deleting it kay?" And with that she walked off.
Uiharu sighed heavily, Saten could be such a drain sometimes. "Hey Shirai have you deleted that stuff... yet?" She asked with hesitation taken aback by the look that had overtaken her crush.
Kuroko had initially looked for the video of them sleeping together before something deeply familiar caught her eye. Was that no it couldn't be? She thought as the camera zoomed in on a familiar looking street and a familiar looking restaurant, and then on two beautiful young girls in dresses talking animatedly and looking warmly at each other. She hadn't seen herself so happy in a long time.
And the way Uiharu smiled, made her chest tighten, didn't she feel something strange when she was walking her home late that night?
"...Shirai?" Her name, just her name without the honorific's? Since when did Uiharu start being so familiar? "No san?" She asked with curious though not judgemental eyes.
Uiharu blinked as if she did not comprehend the question then her eyes widened with realization. She hadn't even realized. "I um sorry I didn't mean to Shirai-san."
Kuroko shrugged and smiled, she found she didn't really mind any more. "Its okay, we're friends Uiharu, besides I'm not as formal as you, so you can drop the honorific."
Uiharu stared, Shirai had always been so formal and business with her, and she never allowed anybody to call her by her first name besides you know who. Something to do with her parents she deduced. "O-okay Shirai-s." She clammed up stopping herself. "Ahem anyway did you delete the footage?"
Kuroko looked at her and hesitated, something was stopping her from deleting the video. Her finger reluctantly slid off of the phone "Yeah, sure now come on help me up, I've been stuck in this damn bed for almost a week I want to stretch my legs." She felt a little guilty for lying but It didn't really matter anyway right? Saten would tease them regardless.
Uiharu pursed her lips, "I'll go ask the doctor if its okay."
"Ugh fine fine."
Kuroko was allowed to walk around for awhile as long as she didn't try to strain her body further by trying to teleport. Uiharu was supporting her with her arm which she grudgingly accepted. Occasionally giving her a bit of warmth when she felt her lithe body start trembling.
Saten asked if she needed help, and Kuroko spitefully replied no. Seeming to prefer Uiharu's company. Luckily Saten wasn't too offended. She just made a cute comment about not wanting to get handsy with Uiharu's woman anyway that inevitably got the two blushing and protesting.
They reached the cafeteria and Uiharu carefully let her down onto the seat. Kuroko murmuring a quiet thank you. Saten went off to get them some food just before taking Uiharu to one side away from her crush and asking "Hey is she allowed to eat like solids and that?" Uiharu nodded. "Got it, don't worry I'll get your cold cutie something hot."
She sighed as she saw Saten walk off. "Finally I thought she'd never leave." Kuroko huffed, a cutie indeed Uiharu thought with a knowing smile.
"Oh Saten-san isn't that bad is she?" She asked as she sat down.
"Hmph she's fine I guess, but she's really annoying, and she keeps avoiding the question whenever I ask about Onee-sama." Kuroko's voice changed to a small pitiful tone sounding like she was on the verge of tears. "Where is she?"
Looking at Kuroko's saddened fearful face Uiharu wanted nothing more than to slap Misaka's stupid cocky grin off of her face. Again she was doing it again. Leaving Shirai depressed and worried and leaving her to pick up the pieces.
"I-I'm sure she'll come back Shirai, she always does." Just then Saten came back with their orders. With three cases of piping hot food. Kuroko looked warily at her arm still in a sling and the chopsticks that came with the food, Saten gave her a knowing grin and nudged Uiharu who was already eating away.
Wiped the food off her lip instantly understanding with a subtle shiver what a breakthrough this could be. Couples always fed each other like this, it be like they were on a real date! She scooted her chair closer to Shirai's and took hold of the girl's hand who was presently trying to clumsily hold both chopsticks. "Here let me." She said with a gentle smile.
Kuroko hesitated for a moment, lips pursing, almost looking offended. Then she relented and opened her mouth obediently.
Uiharu grabbing the dumpling and placing it in front of her, Kuroko taking it into her mouth. Chewing while the telltale signs of a blush began to grow. I thought I'd be doing such things with Onee-sama.
Saten just sat staring open mouthed, As Uiharu tenderly fed her. Half way through Kuroko's meal the two became acutely aware of the two eyes staring at them. The two turned to her glaring accursedly. "What?" Uiharu asked.
Saten held her hands up defensively, "I didn't say anything." She valiantly resisted the urge to tease them and as the two turned their eyes back to each other. ...She gave in "You know it would be more effective if you fed her mouth to mouth." She said with a cheeky grin, dodging the array of chopsticks being thrown at her.
She ran off shouting "Your paying.!"
Kuroko rolled her eyes "Dine and dasher, should arrest her for that." Uiharu stayed silent, transfixed by Kuroko's lips, thinking over what Saten said.
"Uiharu are you okay?" Holding her free hand to her head. "Feels like you have a fever, have you been using your power too much?"
"Uwah? N-no I'm fine Shirai thank you for asking."
Uiharu panted as she laid a tired Kuroko back into her hospital bed. Kuroko was looking pretty happy having been just told by the doctor that she could lose the sling sometime tomorrow.
"Just one more day, just one more!" She exclaimed happily. Uiharu smiled back happy for her.
"I'm happy for you Shirai."
"Yep just one more day until I can help search for Onee-sama." At the sound of her name the ice in Uiharu's veins flowed.
"Ahem Shirai I've uh been meaning to talk to you about her." Uiharu said low and terse avoiding her eyes.
"Oh? What about her?" Looking up at her curiously. Thinking it over Uiharu had been trying to avoid any onee-sama related subjects like the plan or Tokiwadai.
It was ironic really, Uiharu had wanted to have a discussion like this for such a long time, even before she'd realised her own feelings. Yet now she found herself paralyzed by fears of her reaction. Shirai could be intense at the best of times. Now with her hurt, emotionally and physically it might not be a wise idea to make her upset.
Then again this endless cycle of Misaka hurting her, disappearing and then coming back and pretending nothing was ever wrong couldn't continue for ever. Shirai deserved better, even if that might not be her specifically.
"I-I know how much you care about her but... h-have you ever considered the possibly that she doesn't quite feel the same?" Uiharu finally gathered up the courage to ask, her shoulders tenser than a hostage negotiator.
Kuroko scowled, honestly the nerve of this girl. "Don't be so stupid, Onee-sama's obviously just playing hard to get."
Uiharu gritted her teeth, trying desperately to keep a lid on her boiling rage. "Yes she's been playing very hard to get lately since she's not even been around lately even while your hurt."
"She has her reasons!" Kuroko talked back louder visibly panting and going red.
"Like what?" Uiharu shot back bristling at the idea. What could be more important than helping Shirai get better?
Kuroko froze her retort dying on her lips. She really didn't know as much as she hated to admit it. Why she wasn't here right now with her? Where she kept disappearing to on all those cold lonely nights in September? Deep down it hurt, it hurt so much to know that despite everything she says, she really didn't trust her. Even after everything she'd done for her, Kuroko thought as she traced her finger along the remnant of the gunshot wound Awaki had given her.
Still she couldn't just give up on her, on her true love, That wasn't at all how it turned out in the books she read. "I-it doesn't matter, when you love someone you have to believe in them, oh forget it, you've never been in love Uiharu so you wouldn't understand it."
Oh you have no idea Shirai. There was nothing she wanted more at that moment than to just let it out, scream the truth into her exceptionally cute face. But after a few deep breaths she abandoned the idea. "M-maybe I wouldn't, but I do know she's hurt you a lot and that isn't right."
"Pfft you mean the shocks? Its fine I can handle those."
"I don't mean those." Even though she wasn't fond of seeing that either. "I meant how she keeps vanishing like this. I remember back in autumn how many times I stumbled on you crying and worrying about her, i-its not right for a friend to treat you like that, yet alone someone who means more to you than that." Uiharu finished her body trembling, fists shaking spine stiff.
Uiharu's words struck at a deep raw wound of hers. "S-shut up, you don't understand Uiharu, just leave me alone."
"But I just want what's best for you."
"What's best for me is not questioning my love for Onee-sama, I'm never giving up on her ever. And if you don't like that, t-then …. we can't be friends any more!"
Uiharu froze her rage quickly replaced by ice cold fear. "I... okay I'm sorry, I'll leave you alone now, but please just think about it okay." Her words come out in a trembling shaky voice, causing her to run off not wanting Shirai to see her tears.
Saten was calmly walking back to Kuroko's room when she was winded by a sobbing Uiharu suddenly slamming into her. "H-hey wait a minute, what's the matter?" Saten asks hesitantly, did Shirai-san collapse or something? She wondered.
"S-still loves her e-even after everything, i-its so unfair." Uiharu mumbled into her chest in between dry heaves.
Still loves who? She thought as she tenderly hugged her distraught friend. Rubbing her back like she recalled her mother doing. "Who Kuroko?"
"S-she still loves Misaka. I thought maybe after what happened..." Uiharu spoke out shakily, too upset to realize what she was doing.
Saten's anger spiked at hearing that. What was she just using Uiharu all along to make her jealous? She hugged Uiharu tightly trying her best to console her. "Hey don't worry about a thing, I'll sort her out."
Kuroko lay in bed feeling strangely empty. Maybe she went too far, no no she can't lose faith in onee-sama no matter what anyone says. Her ears perked as she heard the sound of the door opening.
"Uiharu? I thought I told y- ...oh Saten-san what do you want?" Kuroko asked taken aback by the fierce look on Saten's face.
"Tell me the truth Shirai-san, are you just using her to get back at Misaka?" Those were the words that sent Kuroko's heart racing.
"W-what are you talking about?" Kuroko stuttered as she shrank back into the bed, she'd never seen Saten in such a menacing light before.
"Don't play dumb with me Shirai-san, I know about your awful plan!" She stormed forward leaning over the frightened tiny redhead. "Stringing her along just to get at your precious damn Onee-sama!" She grasped Kuroko by the neck of her gown. "Do you care about nothing else any more?"
She knows! About the plan! Kuroko's mind lurched in horror. "S-saten please s-stop I'll explain everything!" She pleaded with the angered girl looking at her through tearful eyes.
Saten scanned her carefully still glaring hatefully then reluctantly let go of her gown and stepped back reluctantly. "Alright but no lies! I want an actual explanation, not just some obvious bull like Misaka-san gives us."
The mention of her onee-sama's lies clearly hit a raw nerve and any reluctance left Kuroko as the truth spilled out like an oil leak. "Okay okay fine! Here's the truth, Onee-sama was a up really late with damn ape" "Ape, you mean that Kamijou guy?" "Yes I mean that Kamijou guy, and don't interrupt! Anyway I was depressed and nervous after I heard that they were getting close at such an hour. Uiharu noticed how down I was at work and tried to raise my spirits. She told me that I have a lot of qualities that a good lover would have and that got me wondering."
Saten nodded calmly motioning her to continue. "I teleported her to somewhere more quiet than the office and asked her to pretend to be my girlfriend for awhile. Just to make Onee-sama see what a wonderful lover I'd make"
Saten sighed now things just became a lot clearer. "And why on earth did she agree to such an idea?"
"Well uh I promised to get her a new computer." Kuroko said sheepishly, causing Saten to groan. "So you bribed her?!"
"Well uh y-yes." Kuroko answered with a blush, it sounded bad when she put it like that, but really Saten-san just didn't under-
"Are you serious? That's why all this happened! Shirai-san that was a terrible idea!" Saten suddenly shouted at her seemingly more now furious at her than before she entered the room.
"B-but she agreed to it, I wasn't stringing her along, honest, go and ask her." Kuroko pleaded hiding herself under the covers.
"Grr you are so lucky your injured right now, or I'd have put in the hospital myself, it doesn't matter if she agreed to it, its still a terrible idea, Misaka-san has a bad temper you know that, so with all the antagonizing you two were doing, what if she shocked Uiharu? Maybe you can take her abuse but she can't."
Kuroko peeked out of the covers, "I-i would have never let it come to that, besides Onee-sama wouldn't do something so awful."
Saten clenched her fists thinking back to that terrifying and uncertain day, oh Shirai if only you knew. She thought pensively. "...Maybe but still look at everything that's gone wrong." Misaka running off and abandoning them... again. She hoped she didn't do anything stupid.
"What do you mean gone wrong? I would of still been... incapacitated even without the plan." Kuroko said looking down at her bandages, not even believing her own words at this point, Saten's iron clad words had shot through every layer of armour she had constructed around herself leaving all her self doubt to leak out.
Saten looked unimpressed and crossed her arms. "Would you have been at the ice rink if you weren't showing off your so called girlfriend to her?"
Kuroko cringed, She hadn't considered that. "I um no but y-you see its okay b-becau-... alright fine! I admit it was a stupid plan, I just I was desperate I wanted her to love me back so badly, and seeing her not only ignore me but go swanning off with strange men in the middle of the night, i-it was too much." Kuroko finally broke starting to tear up. Her throat making ugly sobs and dry heaves.
Saten relented on her, finally feeling a twinge of sympathy for the other party involved in this mess. She looked away feeling awkward not used to seeing someone so strong like Shirai crying like a little girl. But she did understand, she did stupid stuff for crush's that never actually worked out.
"Everyone p-probaly hates me now, stupid stupid little kuroko, You, Uiharu, onee-sama, I'm sowwy." Kuroko mumbled and bawled through her tears.
"Hey hey come on its not that bad, I don't hate you and I know Uiharu doesn't, maybe she's a little upset at the moment but I'm she'll forgive you if you apologize."
"And Onee-sama?" Kuroko asked her anguished face barely visible behind her hands as she sobbed.
Saten paused, her body paralyzed with indecision. She thought back to what Misaka said back then and wondered if Kuroko's really ready to hear about that. ...No no she's hurting enough as is. But then is continuing this circle of lies really a good idea?
"...I'm sure she's she's just feeling guilty about what happened to you. You know how she blames herself for everything." At least that's what Saten hoped was the case.
Whether that was true or not, her words seemed to calm Kuroko down, her sobs and cries slowly ebbing. "She's s-so annoyingly noble l-like that. I-i hope she comes back soon, k-kuroko is so worried about her."
Saten nodded feeling an awkward atmosphere to the room. "Yeah me too. Um do you want me to go or?"
Kuroko nodded privately feeling mortified that she broke down like that in front of her. "I i'd like to be alone for awhile." Its all I deserve anyway.
Saten smiled gently. "Okay just call us or the nurse if you need anything okay?" Then she reluctantly walked off to check up on Uiharu. Leaving Shirai to her thoughts.
Saten had found Uiharu on the roof glaring at the city skyline. "You better not be planning on jumpi-"
"Don't be ridiculous Saten-san, its not that bad." She mumbled something about Misaka jumping under her breath.
Confident that she wasn't about to burst into tears, Saten decided to just attack the subject head on. "So … I know." She stated simply.
Uiharu scrutinized her. "Know what?"
"About the plan" crossing her arms, Saten looked none too impressed.
"Oh." Uiharu said suddenly averting her gaze. Hands gripping the chain link fence a little tighter. Shirai must've told her.
"That's all you have to say, oh, how about I'm sorry for lying to you repeatedly Saten?"
Uiharu turned away from her. "Sorry, d-do you hate me?"
"No of course not, not going to lie though I am pretty disappointed in you both." Fixing her with a disapproving gaze, really she could expect such reckless behavior from Shirai-san, but innocent little Uiharu?
She rubbed her forearm awkwardly shrinking in shame under Saten's words. "I just... don't like seeing her so sad, you know?" She finally said after a full minute of silence.
Thinking back to how she looked crying in her hospital bed, Saten agreed. "Yeah... I guess I can understand that. Still its... caused a few problems." She reluctantly said thinking back to Misaka-san's furious glare.
Uiharu scoffed deducing instantly what she was talking about, "What like exposing that level 5 bitch's true colours?" Stamping her feet petulantly at the thought of her stupid smug face.
Saten stepped back eyes widening in shock, she'd never seen Uiharu acting this way. "Uh haha isn't that... being a little too harsh Uiharu? I mean Misaka-san isn't exactly perfect but..."
Uiharu rounded on her eyes full of hate as she went on a vengeful diatribe. "She's a smug self righteous privileged little girl who's hurt my Shirai repeatedly so no I'm not being too harsh, if anything I'm not being harsh enough."
Wait Saten thought, my shirai? And that confusing sentence earlier while she was crying, does that mean? Saten smirked satisfied she finally sought the underlying problem. "You like her don't you?" Leaning forward smugly.
She looked away the slight tinge of a blush on her chubby cheeks. "What do you mean? Of course I do Saten-san, it uh would be difficult to work with someone you hate right?"
"I mean like like dummy, someone on this roof fell for our cute little teleporter didn't she?" As far as she was concerned Saten didn't even need an answer, Uiharu had already proved her right with both that reaction and how she had been treating Shirai-san the past few days. It was odd now that she thought about how Uiharu had been keeping up the lovey dovey "act" despite Misaka not being around at all.
Uiharu froze, her body going rigid, as her mind raced for a way out. Eyes darting from Saten to the nearby exit. But try as she might, her usually brilliant mind failed her, too consumed with thoughts of Kuroko.
"I... h-how did you know?" She finally eked out, blushing bright red.
"You've been an awkward mess for awhile, especially around her, I keep seeing you watching her and blushing, muttering to yourself. Its quite adorable honestly." Saten giggled to herself. At least all her teasing wasn't for naught.
Uiharu tried to stammer out a reply but her frazzled mind just couldn't get to it. Saten pounced and hugged her. "Soooo cute! Don't worry big sis Saten's going to help you capture her heart."
"Gragh but I'm two months older than you." Uiharu gasped out between the tight bearhug.
"Not the point." Saten grinned even as Uiharu lightly thumped her grip with weak blows.
As Uiharu's pitiful struggling weakened. "Um... do you really mean that? You'll help me?"
Saten thoughts stalled trying to retrace their steps through this complicated web of lies. She wanted to support Uiharu any way she could but then there's Misaka-san. Things were ugly enough between her and the other two, she didn't want to exacerbate the problem, then again assuming the problem only happened due to them purposely antagonizing her maybe if they actually were a couple everything could smooth over.
After all Misaka almost seemed to see through the act at first before getting seriously insecure. Maybe she was just mad they were lying to her. And honestly while she still sympathized with her, that callous display a few days go did still bother her, so maybe she deserved the exclusion for awhile.
Saten smiled instantly erasing the growing worry on Uiharu's face. "Of course I'd do anything to help you, ...that and its not as fun to tease you two when its just make believe." giggling at the expression she made.
Kuroko lay silently on the hospital bed staring grimly at the ceiling, her mind occupied with dark thoughts.
Everyone hates me, that was very clear to her now. She made Uiharu cry, made Saten mad, and Onee-sama guilty. Even Konori-senpai was likely getting ready to drop her for being such a weakling.
Soon enough she'd likely have no choice but to go back to that cold loveless collection of stones her parents called home, she found herself unable to stop another outbreak of tears at the thought.
Onee-sama hurt the worst as she always had to her, she wondered for possibly the hundredth time whether being this loyal was really worth it, was she ever going to reciprocate her feeling? Heck was she ever going to be honest with her at all?
She hastily tried to wipe her eyes with her one good arm once she heard a knocking on the door. "C-come in." She called out weakly instantly hating how pathetic she sounded.
Uiharu hesitantly stepped halfway through the door. "Shirai...san its me, ...I'm really sorry about earlier, I didn't want to make you upset." Her words tinged with a shaky uncertainty, would she even want to see her right now? Or was it far too soon?
The two looked at each other and immediately noticed their respective red teary eyes. Hearts clenching tightly at the sight.
"No! I-its fine really. You only wanted what's best for me and I can appreciate that." Kuroko said hurriedly not wanting to see her cry again.
Uiharu felt her downbeat mood uplift thanks to her words, Maybe Saten was right. You two have been pals for two long to let some rich girl stand in your way so quit your worrying she said.
"So um how are you feeling?" Uiharu took a few wary steps forward wearing a cute nervous smile.
Kuroko smiled back, "Well... I am a little cold." She said nervously playing with her hair. She honestly wasn't that cold at the moment but she had grown to enjoy her warm hugs
"Oh! Um would you like me to...?" Uiharu leapt forward excitedly at the chance to get up close and personal with the beautiful officer again.
"Well I suppose there really is no other choice, I need to get back to work as soon as possible and if your powers are the only way well" She motioned her hand forward, yelping in surprise as Uiharu leapt onto the bed and swept her into a strong hug. All her protests dying on her lips as Uiharu's body warmth flowed into hers.
"Ah I've missed thiss" Kuroko mumbled her face mashed against Uiharu's bosom with a slight blush. Uiharu privately agreed hoping Shirai couldn't hear her racing heartbeat.
Neither noticed Saten sneaking some more pics in the door window.
The two bided their time watching the last two films on Uiharu's laptop, Kuroko enjoying every second of dumb pulpy fun and Uiharu eagerly watching the way her eyes lit up or voice hit a fever pitch every time her favorite scene showed up.
So wrapped up in her viewing of excited Kuroko 2: electric boogaloo (Except thankfully with no actual electricity because that witch wasn't here.) she almost forgot to adhere to Saten's advice.
Uiharu carefully followed her advice she tried her best to look tired which wasn't hard since by the first hour of the film she kinda was, yawned and then nonchalantly slung her arm over Kuroko's neck curling it around her. Kuroko for her part either did not mind or was too caught up in the film to care.
Eventually as the film proceeded into its closing act a rather romantic scene happened, the cop and the love interest recovering in hospital after a gang attack the two cuddled up together as they talked about their relationship, it all reminded Uiharu particularly of her and Kuroko. A quick glance at Kuroko's embarrassed flushed face perhaps proved she was thinking the same.
Kuroko took a hesitant glance at Uiharu's mousy lil face and wondered, was she looking at me differently recently?
Her hand reached over to stop the movie. "Um Uiharu d-do you get the sense that things are different now? That we're not just co-workers any more?" She asked looking at her with a kind of Ernest expression, her eyes feeling like they were looking directly into Uiharu's soul.
Uiharu's breath hitched, normally that kind of look was only reserved for the toughest of cases, did did she know? "W-what ever do you mean Shirai?" She spluttered out feeling her heart race. Her hand gripping the bed hand rails.
"I've noticed you looking at me, the way I've always wanted her to look at me. And its got me thinking. ...Your actually quite cute you know, I don't know how I never noticed before." Kuroko got on her hands and knees and started slinking over to her.
"W-wait Shirai I-i is this reall-" She was cut off by Kuroko's fingers over her lips.
"Call me Kuroko please." She said through half lidded eyes, her gown falling off her slim body as her lips replaced her fingers.
Uiharu's eyes snapped open to the dim buzzing of hospital lights and Kuroko's snoring. She suppressed her frustration, silently shaking as she carefully withdrew herself from Shirai's grip.
Rushing off to the bathroom she walked in hurriedly ran the sink splashing her face with cold water and eliciting a pitiful whine of frustration.
Saten grumbled and groaned as the loud ringtone of her phone woke her from her peaceful slumber. "What time is it?" She grumbled as she retrieved it from her bedside. "Uiharu how are you still up?" She asked in disbelief.
She laid there as Uiharu told her all about her issue. "Aww did someone have their first wet dream?"... "Hey! Swearing isn't becoming of such a young lady Uiharu... okay okay look just hold on for now and just do the opposite of whatever Shirai would do in your situation and I'll help you out with some tips tomorrow after school, alright? Now go to sleep already." Hanging up before she could respond.
Matchmaking can be tiring work, she thought as she dozed back to sleep.
Uiharu wandered back into Kuroko's room feeling a little less anxious. She had expected Shirai to be asleep but she was wide awake. Likely being woken up by Uiharu's frantic movements.
She was half slouched in bed, looking up at her with a childish pout. "Where were you? I was getting cold." Her long red hair, messy and askew. Gown slipping down her shoulder.
Uiharu was reminded how unfair it was that certain people looked even better without makeup or hair styling. Why did Shirai have to be so so sexy? The thought turning her peach skin red, though Kuroko seemed too tired or cranky to notice.
Uiharu frowned, "Just ah never mind Shirai, I was just out for a walk to um clear my head... that's all, good night." She explained as she climbed back into bed with her
"Hmm good night." Shirai said quickly dozing off onto Uiharu's chest. To Uiharu's relief/embarrassment.
Uiharu Kazari age 11 lay collapsed on the field, panting hard her legs strained with pain. Feeling an awful mixture of shame and fear at having failed Judgement's endurance training, dimly watching the other recruits sprint far ahead of her, it would be all she deserved if she was trampled during the later laps of the track.
She felt some small but toned arms lift her up into a princess carry, she opened her eyes to see Shirai-san's worried face.
"Are you alright? Do you need to see the nurse Uiharu?" She asked voice full of concern.
Uiharu frowned as she took in the tomboy's rough appearance mixed with the scent of her fancy ojou-sama perfume. "I but Shirai-san shouldn't you still be running with the others? This will look bad on your record."
Kuroko scoffed looking offended, "Screw the record, besides what kind of officer would I be if I ignored someone in trouble?" As she walked off to the nurse's office despite Uiharu's embarrassed protests.
"T-thank you for the help but its really not necessary,, besides I don't want to be seen as weak." Uiharu hurriedly explained as they neared the nurse.
Kuroko gritted her teeth looking around to make sure there was no one else around. "Look Uiharu your just starting out, its fine really. Besides I struggled with training at first, everyone does, you have nothing to be ashamed off."
She hugged her back wrapping her arms tightly around Kuroko's upper body, the teleporter stiffening at her responsive touch. "Thank you Shirai-san, I'm really glad I met you."
Kuroko blushed "Heh um likewise."
Uiharu stirred from the nice dream or wait no it was a memory. When things were so much simpler and there were no frustrating electromasters to deal with. Just her and Shirai-san against the world.
She looked at the little teleporter sleeping peacefully next to her, in her drowsy state of mind she wished she could wake up like this everyday then felt a tinge of regret at the thought that would mean brave fearless Shirai would never get better. No she wanted to see her get better to see her deal out justice again.
She had changed so much in a little over a year too, a little less baby fat to her face, that tomboy hair style grown out into a beautiful long mane, Long legs, not to mention all the ahem muscle.
Uiharu blushed again, thighs clenching at the thought, maybe she should go splash some more cold water on her face. She pulled out her phone to check the time, 9 past 10 perfect Saten should be up by now.
Saten had gotten up bright and early intent on helping Uiharu with her little problem before school. Sending her a text message to meet her at her dorm. After getting the necessary items for her little project out and in order at the kitchen she waited patiently at her dorm door until Uiharu's knocking,got her attention.
She opened up the door and greeted her with the first thing that came to mind, "Hi Uiharu, did ya enjoy snuggling with your future girlfriend?"
"I-i its just to help with her hypothermia." She stuttered out cutely.
"Sure sure, anyway I'm going to teach you to cook so you can hey! Don't run off." She shouted as she grabbed hold of a suddenly fleeing and terrified Uiharu.
Uiharu vainly tried to struggle but it was no use, her posture slumped as Saten dragged her inside.
Saten looked at her dimly as they reached their destination, "Come on Uiharu the best way to a girl's heart is to her stomach, besides Shirai-san looks skinny enough as is."
Uiharu steeled herself as she looked at the horrific sight, the vast array of kitchen equipment. Uiharu Kazari was many things, an excellent hacker, and officer and friend but she was and absolutely terrible cook.
Just think of her, we're doing this for her Uiharu repeated in her head like a mantra as she got started.
Kuroko woke up 15 minutes after she left, grumbling at the lack of heat. She whipped her head around as she sat up expecting to see her cute partner's sleeping face, her face settling into disappointment as she realized Uiharu wasn't there.
Noticing a note on her table she picked it up and read it, Dear Shirai I have to go back to school, since I'm behind on my studies and give Konori some much needed backup I'll hurry back as soon as I can
She grimaced and groaned as she finished it, its not like she blamed her or anything, Uiharu couldn't logically be at her side 24/7 but still she had gotten used to it, her dorky little smile and optimistic attitude.
And her warmth, she didn't feel that cold any more at least in a physical sense but emotionally it was just nice to be at her side, she couldn't quite explain it.
At least she knew she was okay, She quickly checked her phone and yep still radio silence from Onee-sama. Did she really care so little about her that she couldn't even send a text. Kuroko felt her eyes start to burn again as the tears began to flow.
She dropped the note letting it fall towards the bed which flipped it onto its side revealing another message P.S The doctor informed me your starting physical therapy today, I'm sure you'll do wonderfully, because your a very strong person Shirai I've always admired you for that, among other things. Love Uiharu
As she read that second to last word her breath stalled. Did she mean? No no wait she was being stupid, that was just Uiharu being awkward as usual. As far as she knew the girl was pretty much asexual she simply hadn't grown up to that point yet.
Though she hoped she'd be interested in girls when the time comes, because well obviously it would just be way easier to track whoever she wound up with be it Saten or someone at Tokiwadai make sure they were treating her right, compared to any random boy. Just the thought of some creep stealing sweet little Uiharu away from her made her so angry.
Kuroko rattled the bed post shaking it furiously before she realized the cock-amine fantasy she just cooked up wasn't real. "Huh feel a little silly now, why did I get so jealous all of a sudden?"
She shook her head it was probably nothing, maybe she didn't want her heater/healer getting stolen away. Uiharu had really accelerated her recovery, she was worried it was going to take weeks for her to get out of here.
All her thoughts kept turning to her lately as she frowned. Well thinking about other girls was more depressing right now so she supposed that was why.
She got up deciding to make her way to the cafeteria to get some good food, she had a long day of physical therapy to "look forward" to. It at least couldn't be as bad as the therapy for her legs.
After a couple of botched attempts, 6 fires, 8 botched attempts to put out said fires and a call to the fire department, followed by said firemen giving them a stern talking to, Uiharu finally managed to put together a half decent bento.
A soot covered Saten coughed and smiled weakly at her beaming face, maybe all this hassle was worth it. "Your welcome, now go and treat your beau." And lets not do this again she silently added in her head.
"Right thanks again Saten-san!" Uiharu cried out happily as she ran off.
Kuroko collapsed onto the hospital bed exhausted. Her arm was aching and practically on fire but it was working and not frozen, that was the main thing, they actually told her she was allowed to teleport for now, freedom is within sight she thought.
If only someone special was here to celebrate with me, She thought sadly thinking of her still absent onee-sama. Passing out while thinking of her last time they were together, her irritated dismissive scowl standing in stark contrast to Uiharu's cute nervous smile.
An hour later as her eyes flit open and her drowsy body roused itself from sleep she saw Uiharu's smiling shy face staring back at her.
"Good Afternoon Shirai, how was therapy?" Uiharu said with a touch of nervousness in her voice. Holding her hands behind her back for some reason.
"Not bad, not bad, much better than the last time I was here. Ooh the doctor's say I'm allowed to teleport now see!" Kuroko teleported behind Uiharu forcing her to whip around to hide the bento.
Uiharu hissed through her teeth, She was happy to see she was getting better, but did it have to happen at the most inopportune time? Kuroko almost ruined her super secret awesome and romantic surprise.
"That's great to see Shirai, I'm so glad to see your getting better." Uiharu smiled happy to see her so active.
"Part of that... well a big part of that is because of you so um thanks."" Kuroko replied with a small smile.
She kicked at the floor nervously as her blush grew Just those simple words made her pulse race. She clenched the top part of her bento tighter in her little hands and started speaking. "Well it was nothing really, I actually got a little something for you so please if you can close your eyes and h-hold out your hands."
Shirai frowned but followed her directions. Uiharu took a deep shaky breath and put the bento in her hands.
Shirai opened her eyes and was startled to see a bento box sitting in her hands. "F-for me?" She numbly asked. At Uiharu's shy nod a burst of emotions flooded her heart and mind. Onee-sama would never do something like this, nobody else had, All the meals back home were made by a hired chef and this felt so strange. She felt a strange heat growing inside her, blossoming.
"I um thank you." Kuroko said with a heavy blush that stole Uiharu's breath away, CUTECUTE CUTECUTE SHE'S SO CUTE! Uiharu thought frantically resisting every bone in her body currently screaming at her to kiss her.
She sat down with a look of glee as Kuroko began eating, "I thought after all that therapy you could use a little pick me up so um yeah," She said nervously playing with her hair, she hoped it tasted okay, Shirai hadn't complained right away at least.
Shirai was surprised, she knew from prior experience Uiharu wasn't exactly the best cook, did she try extra hard just for me? She asked herself. Kuroko was touched as she consumed the lovingly made food, reinvigorating her after her training.
She finished the meal sighing happily. Uiharu nervously asked "Did... did you like it?"
Kuroko sensing her nervousness replied with a warm smile on her face, "I loved it."
Uiharu's breath stammered in her lungs, Did she just say... oh o wait she realized as she calmed herself down, she loved it not me. Well she was happy with that for now.
Kuroko smirked as she looked at her nervous blushing friend. She really was adorable, it was actually quite surprising she hadn't acquired a lover yet. Though such a thought got her acting possessive, after all if Uiharu had a partner she wouldn't be able to spend as much time with me.
She really needed to pay her back for all she'd done for her, she really took the girl for granted sometimes. Kuroko hesitantly scooted over and embraced her. Sending Uiharu's spine rigid in surprise. "Close your eyes."
"W-why?" Uiharu said, her heart racing.
"I can't say, its a surprise." Kuroko said in a playful manner. Uiharu closed her eyes, excited beyond belief, w-was she going to kiss her right now? Could she really be so lucky? She heard a pop sound and the air was suddenly a lot cooler.
"Open them." Kuroko whispered. Uiharu opened her eyes and saw the wide expanse of the city before her, sun glancing off the many windows causing a brilliant shine. The constant movement down below of students and staff looking like ants.
She gasped an excited tremor in her voice. "Wow we're up so high! The city looks so much prettier from up here." With all the ugly nasty stuff Judgement members saw while protecting the city it was difficult to remember at times why they did what they did.
Kuroko smiled warmly, this was a normal feeling for her, but for Uiharu it was something downright magical. "I'm glad you still like this sort of thing, its been so long since we've done something like this." Once Kuroko had reached level 4 she used to do this sort of thing for Uiharu all the time, chuckling at the way her little buddy's eyes lit up, how excited she was to see the city from a different perspective.
"I would have done It if you asked, I know I may have perhaps been a little obsessed with certain... matters the last few months. But I still highly value your companionship Uiharu." Kuroko explained not wanting to mention onee-sama since it seemed to get Uiharu riled up these days. Maybe as much as she hated to admit for a good reason.
Holding onto her like this, with such a beautiful vista spread out before them Uiharu couldn't help but feel this was rather romantic. She blushed at the idea. Of Kuroko sweeping her into her arms and kissing her. Just a hopeless dream but it was nice to think about it. "Shirai um if you ever did get her, you wouldn't forgot about me would you?" Since she fell for that level 5. Shirai had been a lot more distant with her. She couldn't help but worry about losing her forever if the implausible happened.
Shirai held her hands firmly. "Don't be absurd Uiharu I could never forget you, no matter what happens between me and her, your always be my partner." Causing Uiharu to burn up. She knew she meant partner as in a Judgement partner but she couldn't help but think of other concoctions.
Kuroko sighed as she watched over the city wondering where in this vast concrete jungle her love was. "I've been... thinking about what you said earlier. About Onee-sama. And maybe, maybe you were right at least partly."
Uiharu's eyes widened. Was she hearing her right?
Kuroko looked determinately at the skyline and took a deep breath. "I'm going to give her an ultimatum, if its been a week and she's still missing, I'll assume she's either dead or she simply doesn't care about me." Kuroko's voice started to tremble. She wasn't sure what would be worse.
"But if she does show up before then, I'll confess to her, no dramatics, no stupid seduction plans, I'll just... tell her my true feelings, if she accepts then wonderful. And if she doesn't, well um you won't mind if I cry on your shoulder right?"
Uiharu stood there stock still, feeling the city breeze waft through her short hair. She wasn't pleased at the idea that Shirai was still giving her a chance, to her she knew Misaka was a lost cause by now, but she supposed it wouldn't hurt to give her the benefit of the doubt.
Though a dark part of her whispered If Misaka did agree to be with her, if she was really being tsundere the whole time, then could she really take that? Could she really watch that smug rich girl cuddle and kiss and hold hands with her Kuroko?
Uiharu realized Kuroko was waiting for an answer decided to be diplomatic for now. "Um I think that's a very good idea Shirai, I'm glad your being responsible."
Kuroko nodded, "Yeah me too, well we should get back, don't want to undo all my progress by staying in this cold." She held out her hand which Uiharu gladly grabbed onto.
Uiharu thought as she was transferred between dimensions back to the hospital room, Well Misaka-san probably won't even show up right?
As another day passed Kuroko finally was cleared to leave the hospital, although she wasn't yet healed enough to restart her Judgement duties. To celebrate their friend's recovery Saten and Uiharu planned a special get together to keep Kuroko's mind off her missing onee-sama. And Uiharu secretly hoped to make Kuroko fall for her charms.
To that end their first outing to visit was a place very dear to Kuroko.
"Oh your so cute!" Kuroko squeed as she kissed and petted the adorable creature. Unfortunately for Uiharu she was not the thing currently being caressed and cuddled to Shirai's chest, no matter how much she wanted to be. She was suddenly starting to think that her plan may have backfired.
I can't believe I'm getting so jealous over a dumb little rabbit. Uiharu huffed a few feet away from the excited redhead. Caught between admiring Kuroko and admiring the lucky rabbit. She hadn't been here in quite awhile it was quite nostalgic. Remembering how Konori used to bring the two here whenever they were down.
Saten smirked watching the show. She leaned over with a mask of encroaching mischief. "You know they say people see a lot of themselves in their favorite animals, dog lovers are really loyal, and girls like Kuroko..."
"Don't you dare finish that sentence!" Uiharu threatened blushing madly. Honestly the nerve of this girl.
"What that Shirai-san's really cute and over affectionate to people she trusts. What did you think I was going to say" Saten replied with a seemingly innocent look.
Uiharu fully frazzled waves her arms furiously. "Oh no way! I am not falling for that one!"
"Falling for what?" Suddenly teleporting behind them, holding a bunny in her arms, the lagomorph looking around wildly at its sudden change in surroundings. "Also can you two be quieter? Your scaring Miyama-kun."
"You named him?" Saten questioned as she bent over to stare at the bunny. "Um Shirai-san. You know you can't keep him right." Uiharu but in, reluctant to erase the happy look on her face.
Kuroko held onto "Miyama" protectively. "Yes what's wrong with that? Just because the school has a stupid rule against certain pets, doesn't mean I can't visit him." Mumbling something about stupid serpents or other.
Which Uiharu certainly couldn't argue with. Though after the three girls finally left the rabbit pen she had considered another way Kuroko could see her lucky rabbit more often. "Shirai maybe I could take Miyama-kun in? You'd still have to pay of cou-" Her measured response cut off by Shirai's shrill squee of glee as she pounced on her with a fierce hug.
"Thankyouthankouthankyou thank you!" Shirai joyously shouted as she hugged and cuddled the red faced girl.
With that out the way the three friends continued their day out, Saten finding whichever excuse she could to leave them alone. As she spent time with Uiharu seeing her joyous cute smiles and breathing in the city air finally away from that static hospital room, she found her worries about Onee-sama begin to fade.
She put on a facade of needing to stop for a rest, of her injuries draining her usual stamina. Leaning on a rather nervous Uiharu on a park bench.
"Y-you sure your okay Shirai?" Uiharu stuttered trying to look anywhere but in the direction of Kuroko's pretty face.
Kuroko snickered at Uiharu's awkward expression, she really could be quite adorable sometimes. "I'm fine, relax you little worrywart." She mumbled as she nuzzled Uiharu's shoulder. Enjoying the girl's warmth perhaps a little too much.
She had been enjoying Uiharu's company in general quite a bit recently. Every second spent in a warm easy comforting feeling that felt sort of like she did when she thought about Onee-sama... that messy brunette hair off in the distance! That must be her!
Uiharu was in the middle of a meltdown, her skin an embarrassed fiery red, with heat giving off to match trying so hard to keep her attention off of Kuroko she took a few seconds to notice the lithe redhead had suddenly vanished from her side.
Her head whipped around, brow creased into a anxious frown. "Where'd she go?"
Mikoto had in fact spotted her friends an hour ago walking along the street, she'd hid herself from sight the second she saw them, heart hammering, mind racing with terrible possibilities. What if they hated her? What if Saten was still afraid? What if Kuroko no longer wanted to be room-mates?
So she simply stalked them, an ugly feeling of jealousy growing in her stomach as she watched Kuroko laugh and smile without her. Those two had clearly gotten closer since she left. They didn't seem to care about her absence at all.
She was peeking at them nuzzling in the park from a nearby tree, when she noticed Kuroko's eyes growing bigger as her line of sight lined up exactly with hers. She swore under her breath throwing herself fully behind the tree. Trying to make herself vanish into the earth. But then she heard a familiar rush of air, followed by even more familiar shouting. "Onee-Sama!" Kuroko cried joyously.
Misaka felt the tiny teleporter's arms wrapping round her and felt the sparks already emitting themselves out of her skin, remembering the bandages wrapped around her arms and stopping her automatic reflexes at the last moment. She couldn't hurt her, not yet anyway. Still didn't change the fact that she was uncomfortable with this close a contact. Gently pushing the girl away as she tried to collect her thoughts.
"Kuroko, I-I really missed you." She said softly. She had been so worried, but Kuroko hadn't seemed to change at all. A heavy weight floated off her shoulders.
"Kuroko missed you too, Onee-sama, where were you? I was so worried!" Kuroko whimpered as she remembered those lonely nights quietly sobbing staring up at the hospital ceiling.
Crap, she was really hoping Kuroko wouldn't have asked but she had to come up with something. "I... umm." She furiously wracked her brain trying to think of anything.
"Oh whatever I don't care, what happened, I'm just glad your back." Kuroko's smile strained at the lack of a response. Why could she never just be honest? She waved over to Uiharu. "Hey I found her!" She shouted to a thoroughly dead eyed looking girl.
Uiharu watched the reunion from afar, unwilling to believe what her eyes were transmitting to her brain. After all if it was true, any hope of a future with Shirai was impossible. She heard Kuroko's excited calls and put on a weak smile gingerly walking forwards.
She studied the tomboy, noticing she looked a little haggard, dark bags under her eyes. Good she deserved the lack of sleep for abandoning her friend. "Afternoon Misaka-san, your looking well." She stated coldly.
Misaka sent her an icy glare back. "Thanks, you don't mind me stealing Kuroko for a bit right? We gotta catch up." Locking her arm with Kuroko's and strolling off without even an answer. Kuroko predictably could barely resist. "Oh my Onee-sama, so possessive, you must've really missed me!"
Misaka blushed a little unused to her flirty antics. "O-of course I did dummy." the two walked on leaving Uiharu to trail awkwardly behind them. Her resentment building as she watched the two chat and laugh. The nerve of that arrogant little rich girl to just storm in and pretend like nothing happened.
Saten rushed over to her side, "Is that her? Is that Misaka-san?"
She rolled her eyes in response. "Well its not her clone is it." She replied bitterly, staring at the two Tokiwadai girls with an expression full of malice.
Saten taken aback by the rare sight of Uiharu in such a foul mood, edged herself away a few steps. "..."Well hey cheer up, maybe Misaka-san is just here to make sure Shirai-san is okay and then she'll leave you two alone."
Uiharu sighed, "I doubt it." She stated shoulders sagging in defeat. All those stupid romantic dreams of holding her, kissing her and ahem other things seemed like a bitter joke now.
She wanted to confront Misaka about everything, wanted to do something about this inherently sick cyclical situation but how could she challenge a level 5? never mind one that Shirai seemed absurdly delusional around.
She tried to remember that old adage of if you love someone then let them go but then she was pretty sure that was only a good idea if the person Kuroko liked actually loved her back. And Misaka clearly wasn't interested, watching with increasing frustration and resentment how Misaka tried to keep wrangling herself out of Kuroko's overly affectionate grip, how clearly uncomfortable she looked trying to reciprocate Kuroko's advances or at least tolerate them.
Personally she wasn't at all opposed to the idea of Kuroko nuzzling with her all day. Her day dreaming about Kuroko's wine coloured eyes looking up at her was cut off by a sudden yelp of pain and ensuring whimpering, And electricity crackles.
Misaka stood with a guilty look on her face, "Hey um look are you okay?" She asked awkwardly peering down at the cringing girl holding her arm that was previously holding tightly onto her onee-sama. "I-I just- you weren't letting go so..."
Shirai's partner watched as her face took on a visage of pure fury. Saten next to her rubbed her arms as she felt a chill in the air. "You really couldn't wait could you? To start hurting her again..." She said calmly with simmering anger below the surface.
Mikoto turned around to face her accuser, stepping back upon seeing the startling sight of an angry Uiharu. "It was just an accident, I wouldn't risk setting back her recovery."
"But that's exactly what you've done by coming back here!" Uiharu replied bitterly too angry to care about getting electrocuted herself.
Kuroko spoke up. "Uiharu I-its okay really." Trying to put on a brave face despite herself.
"No Shirai its not okay that this brute gets to do what she wants without any consequences."
A flustered Mikoto with fists clenched shot back. "I don't see why it matters, your not her mom Uiharu!"
"Thanks for the compliment."
"What?"
"Pfft never mind of course you wouldn't know, because you don't treat her like a friend, she's just there to stroke your ego right?"
Mikoto clenched her teeth feeling a build up of electricity within her, encouraged by the growing anger caused by this stupid little girl getting everything about her wrong, remember what he said don't back down. "No never! I'd prefer it if she was more normal." Referring to Kuroko's irritating habit of over praising her.
"What do you mean by normal exactly? As in not gay? See Shirai she doesn't even want you in that way." Uiharu folded her arms, looking at Mikoto with smug self satisfied grin.
"Onee-sama is that true?" Kuroko looked up at her nervously biting her lip.
That was true, but it wasn't something she wanted to admit less she pushed Kuroko away. "O-of course it isn't, i-its just this floozy trying to come between us Kuroko, you can't listen to her."
Uiharu stamped her feet, "The nerve of you trying to say that!" She was about to launch into a massive rant when Saten interrupted them all. "Ku-ro-ko!" She exclaimed flipping her short skirt up.
Kuroko yelped in surprise, Uiharu went bright red at the sight and Misaka just sighed and pinched her nose.
"Sateeen-san! What is the meaning of this?"
"Aaah sorry sorry, I was just trying to um lighten the mood." Saten smiled innocently.
"Ugh I'm surrounded by perverts." Mikoto huffed as she crossed her arms.
"At least none of us are constantly going out after curfew. What are you hiding Misaka-san?" Uiharu leaned over with a sneer on her face.
Misaka's look instantly darkened. "Drop it Uiharu now." She stated her voice low.
Kuroko tried to stop the argument. "Uiharu please this isn't necessary."
Uiharu shook her head. "Oh this is very necessary Shirai, really tell us Misaka Mikoto, what have you been doing? Something illegal perhaps hmm. What's so important that your willing to stress out Shirai to such an extent."
"Its really none of your business little girl, and neither is my relationship with her. She's my friend not yours."
Kuroko just stood there looking back and forth between the two, unaware of what had gotten into the usually meek Uiharu.
Uiharu at her limit finally went all out. "You don't deserve her Misaka-san. Shirai-san deserves someone who doesn't hurt her for the slightest mistake, who doesn't treat her so carelessly, who doesn't belitte her, someone who lies to her, who stays up all night doing who knows what and making her worry needlessly. Who makes her cry in store bathrooms wondering why she even fell for you in the first place."
Kuroko her heart suddenly gripped by terror grasped Uiharu firmly by the shoulders. "Wait wait Uiharu stop! Why are you saying all this? What's gotten into you?"
This is it, this had to be the moment, wishing with all her heart she opened her mouth. "Because I love you Shirai-san!" She gripped Kuroko's hands tightly so she couldn't leave "I love being with you, I love working with you, your beautiful and strong and brave and heroic and I can't stop thinking about you, I love you..." She trailed off her little heart racing as she anxiously waited for a reply.
It suddenly dawned on Kuroko, the truth of this whole ordeal. This was not an act, maybe it never was. The very thought of her best friend confessing to her and Onee-sama and Saten and... Uiharu loved her, but her heart was promised to onee-sama, but Uiharu was her best friend and she did deeply care for her. She looked panic stricken at the two girls and unable to cope with this revelation "I … I stop joking this isn't right, none of this is." She lashed out sounding confused and frightened as she teleported away.
Uiharu felt her heart break, she always wondered about that turn of phrase, it seemed so over dramatic but there was a hollow feeling in her chest, a acute emptiness. She sank to her knees. "No." She whispered. Was... was this her fault? No it had to be hers, Uiharu's gaze fixed upon Misaka who was still staring blankly in the direction that Kuroko had just been in.
"Damn it she's still hurt, you little drama queen, look what you did!" Misaka called her out spitefully.
Uiharu screeched at her, "Oh now you suddenly care about her!" Her eyes brimming with tears. It was bad enough without having her still here.
"Of course I do!"
"Well you should have stayed away. She was happy and recovering until you showed up, you-you evil witch." Uiharu screamed full of anguish as she clumsily got to her feet and ran off sobbing and wailing.
Misaka stepped forward to follow her intent on continuing this but Saten stepped in front of her, her caring green eyes staring at her hard. "M-misaka-san I think you need to stay away for awhile." She said seriously.
Misaka clenched her teeth and held back her tears, "F-fine I'll find Kuroko on my own." Running off in another direction not trusting herself on getting violent with Uiharu if she saw her again.
Saten stood there looking bewildered, wondering what just happened.
Author's Note: We're in the final stretch now, the climatic instalment to this romantic tale should be ariving soon, hopefully before the new year if everything goes to plan.