"You invited her too..??"
A certain brunette expressed her dismay to the girl across the table. They were currently at a restaurant, waiting for Kuroko's friend to arrive, but when Kuroko mentioned the other level 5, Prinzessin, the older teen made a disgruntled expression.
"Why the look?" Kuroko, the girl with auburn hair tied into two curly pigtails, inquired of her beloved onee-sama while scribbling something in her notebook. "And I did, she seems very nice, capable, and as the Top Judgement in our ranks, she appears to be a good character. Plus, Uiharu-chan would be stoked to meet her as well, Onee-sama." she finishes with a blush as Railgun... The brunette simply gave her friend a cold stare at her flustered expression but sighed tiredly.
"It's not her that I don't like... I don't hate her like that too... rather I just don't know how to... Act with her." Mikoto Misaka, emphasized the "act" unsurely. "I mean... Most of the time, I couldn't understand what she's saying... And heck...! Even the whole school doesn't know, Kuroko; I've even heard rumors that they were working on a complete dictionary just for her."
"Yes... She can be difficult to understand at times... but she's really nice! Once you get used to her words, you might become friends with a fellow level 5!" Kuroko exclaimed as she scribbled her notes. "Of course, she says she'll be late, so you'll have more time to consider how you'll act towards her."
"I just hope I don't offend her." Mikoto mumbled half-heartedly. Kukoro lifted her teacup gracefully as she drank, casting a quick glance at Railgun.
"But back to the topic... I know Uiharu-chan would be delighted to meet not only Prinzessin but also you, I know fans can be annoying at times, but Uiharu-chan is a reasonable girl." Kuroko says, holding her teacup. "Besides, she's one of the few girls I'd call a friend." She set her cup down, took the previous notebook she had, and reported her notes to her onee-sama, her bright smile still intact.
Mikoto squinted her eyes at Kuroko, suspicious of her continued cheerful demeanor. She slowly stood up as Kuroko was unaware of her sudden action, sadly the Judgment officer was too focused with her notebook to see her impending doom by the hands of her beloved onee-sama.
"...neatly arrange the schedule for tod—"
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Snatch!
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"H—hey!" Kuroko exclaimed frantically as she stood up, but she was cut off when Mikoto slammed her hand into her friend's face, completely stopping Kuroko, who only gave an awkward smile at being caught.
"Now... What have we got here?" she read, her tone dry as a dessert. "Date plan with onee-sama, using Uiharu-chan as a distraction while also using Fischl-chan as an excuse for Uiharu-chan, Step 1; Foster friendship in a family restaurant, Step 2; Go into a lingerie shop (Buy the big moment underwear!)" Railgun continues, getting angrier by the second as Kukoro sheepishly smiles.
"Step 3; shop at an aroma store (buy aphrodisiac), and finally... abandon Uiharu-chan and Fischl-chan to do their own thing and go to a love hotel with onee-sama." Mikoto looks at Kuroko slowly. "In other words, you're using your polite friend as an excuse and brought another victim, a Top Judgement, to entertain this Uiharu in order to fulfill your hentai fantasies. Did I get it all right?"
"N-no..." Kuroko stuttered out, as Mikoto glared.
"Just reading this entire thing.. ALREADY BUILT UP MY STRESS, DAMMIT!!" Mikoto yelled, mercilessly pinching her junior's cheeks as Kuroko struggled helplessly.
'Onee-sama... Please forgive me! ' Kuroko reflected tearfully.
"O-w-w-w!! Onee-sama... You—ouch! Got it all... W-wronhgk!!" she cried, Mikoto pulling her cheeks once more before slumping in defeat at her chair. Kuroko sighed pitifully as she rubbed her red cheeks in relief.
After a moment of silence, Mikoto's expression crumbles as she looks towards the still hurting pervert.
"Guuu..." muttered Mikoto, turning her head away. "She.. is your friend.. it's not like I can do anything here.." she looks down as Kuroko looks at her onee-sama in surprise, and Mikoto felt flustered because of her stare.
"Onee-sama..." Kuroko whispered out.. her bangs were covering her face as Railgun look worriedly towards her friend.
But then Mikoto was taken aback when Kuroko suddenly hurled herself towards her, heart's in her eyes.
"Oh, onee-sama, I didn't realize that's how you feel about me!!" She all but squealed towards Mikoto's grasp. "I could... Just go CRAZY!!!" Mikoto was stunned to see an audience watching them. Mikoto could also see three people by the window as she turned away from Kuroko's shameful display. Looking at both of them with disbelief on their faces(?), one with a flower crown having a hand over her mouth, the other with a single flower clip... And, strangely, one with a paper bag on her head staring at them casually with... A phone?!?!?
'Is she recording us!??' Mikoto thought in shame.
"Uhmm... Miss.." But Mikoto's frantic thoughts were swept away when she noticed an employee standing close to their table.
"Eeeh.."
"I'm very sorry...but you two are disturbing the other customers."
"And with that, allow me to introduce you, well this is Uiharu-chan, 1st year at Sakugawa Middle School." Shirai Kukoro says as she waves her hand towards the girl with the flower crown. "Though sadly to inform you all, but Prinzessin seems to be late, so we're gonna carry without her.."
Red in the face, Uiharu-san gazes up at Mikoto shyly. "I-it's fine... Shirai-san..I-I am... Uiharu Kazari.." she looked down after her turn as Kukoro looks at Saten in inquiry. "And... This is?"
"Uh.. Hi there.. I'm Uiharu's classmate. Saten Ruiko." She sheepishly smile, her hand rubbing the back of her head. "And this weirdo with the paper bag is our Senpai. Satsuki Ruri!" Saten-san points her hand towards the silent girl. "Both of us are tagging along with our friend... Though I don't know why.."
"Oh.. and to add to that, I'm currently level 0" Saten-san says rather proudly. Shock, Uiharu-san rounded up at Saten-san with a worried tone.
".. Saten-san H-how could you just..!?"
"So.. Saten-san, Uiharu-san, and Satsuki-san.. we'll nice you meet you. I'm Misaka Mikoto." Mikoto grinned as both of them were taken aback, Ruri however was frozen solid. Even though she was inhabiting a clone of this person, it felt surreal when she recognized Mikoto-nee almost immediately. She's actually afraid of blabbing that title with Miss Pervert over here.
She was amuse at first as she secretly recorded Shirai-san's ridiculousactions, but now meeting them face-to-face.. It was terrifying. And she also wants to bring up that scene right now... Wanting to know their reactions.
But wisely kept silent.
"Senpai...?" Ruri looked at Saten-san, puzzled, as a shoulder was shoved at her sides. "Your reply?"
"'oh... S—I'm... gratefull as well...M—..'" Ruri stuttered. Trying not to tell her usual tic.
Saten-san widened her eyes and whispered lowly to Uiharu-san closely.
"Huh... When we first met Senpai... She wasn't so shy with us... Did Senpai start idolizing Railgun or something?" Saten wondered, as Uiharu was taken aback as well. "And what happened to her adorable dialogues?"
"I uh... Don't know.. but Senpai did say she was shy from the start though..?"
Shirai-san smiles as she claps her hand, not hearing their whispers to each other.
"Now the introduction has been completed without incident, though the schedule has been slightly thrown off.." Shirai-san pouted as Mikota let out a tiny electric current with a dark smile to booth, Shirai-san wisely shuts up and smiles again. "But don't worry, I've arranged a new schedule for us to follow—"
Pow!
When Mikoto suddenly punches Shirai-san's head down, the three of them flinched. The enraged Mikoto then turns her head towards them and smiles politely.
"Sheesh... don't pay attention to her, and standing around here will get us nowhere... How about we go to a game center?"
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"Game... Center...?" Saten-san inquired, unsure.
Meanwhile...
"Ohohohoh," a figure laughs from the top of a skyscraper. The bird, who was accompanying his lady, sweatdropped at his charge's dramatic moment. "It appears that we cannot bypass the holy faith of this world's rules; what do you think, Walts? Isn't it a perfect day for reconning?"
"As sad as I am... I do not know, Mein Fräulein, care to illuminate this ignorant self with your gracious knowledge?" the bird Walts or Walter asked, evoking Emilia's... Fischl's fantasy
"Hmm! But of course! As my number one retainer, I shall give you a portion of my infinite knowledge! That said... My other most loyal subject has succumbed to the boon of one's future for this world!" Fischl posses dramatically, her gloved hand covering her eye patch.
"... In short... Lady Ruri was pressured into joining the plot, and the sooner we get dragged along, the better."
"Nay... Such a simple answer that doesn't begin with grasping it's full dark intent... Yet I cannot blame you for your ignorance. Come! We will grace the commoners with thy presence and show them of my retainer's true worth!" Fischl quickly turns to leave, Walter following, albeit more slowly than usual.
"I just hope Lady Ruri is alright..." Walter murmured as Fischl came to a halt.
"Hmm, your concern for thy comrade is admirable, but worry not Walts, as Ruri prophesied, this day is only the catalyst," Fischl says with a dark expression. "For the chapter of our existences will begin now... I just hope... It won't end on a sad note like..." She didn't finish her sentence as she dashed out the door. Walter sighed at her hasty departure in concern, leaving the comment incomplete.
"... Dying lastly, I suppose even the brightest soul will become tainted in humans cruel nature." Walter lamented quietly. "But I hope you can find happiness again without worrying about us dying... Without having our deaths way on you shoulders."
'Especially with Ruri's current situation.' Walter lamented as he recounted the story of many experiments involving Ruri's new circumstances. 'However, whatever the future may hold... I hope, as the oldest, I can protect them both.' With a start, Walter flaps his wings hard as he soars through the skies, waiting for Fischl's call as he vanishes in a flurry of black feathers.
"She's... Not really all that lady like.." Saten-san couldn't help but remark. As she watches Kuroko-san and Mikoto interact.
"Well, she's not looking down on us either." Uiharu-san said as they passed someone handing out fliers. Mikoto came to a halt as she noticed the information in the paper, and everyone except Ruri was unaware of her sudden stillness, as Railgun was reading the paper seriously.
"'...Yeah..h..'" Ruri stuttered out, wholeheartedly agreeing, but Saten-san gave her a suspicious look.
"Heeeeyy... Senpai... what's the deal with the stutter?" Saten-san teased as Ruri turned her head in exasperation towards her junior.
"'...n..noth...thing..'" She clenched her teeth. Dammit, she wasn't shy! But if she revealed her suspicious tics to Mikoto-nee... And when the sister arc finally arrives, she might just go to her.
"'Just.. t..to... Mu-much.. peop..ple.' M-Sat... Satsuki..." She whispered out in a struggle. However, seeing her in this state caused both Uiharu-san and Saten-san to pause for a moment, exchanging worried glances.
"Oh... are you guys okay?" Mikoto inquired, concerned that they had been left behind.
Uiharu-san who sees their Senpai having a difficult time and not wanting to spoil the moment, she, who took a flier from the nice lady, tried to change the subject.
"Uhmm.. we were talking about this.. N-new 'Crepe Palace Rablm,'" Uiharu-san replied as her friend leaned down to get a better look, dragging their strange Senpai with her, causing the clone to stagger back in surprise. "It says for the first hundred people, you'll get this free Gekota mascot.
Examining the paper, Saten-san made a face.
"What a cheap looking character."
And Ruri couldn't help but feel offended by that sentence.
As an Otaku, she would always buy anime-related items, even if it meant going broke for a week. She even bought a Gekota giant plush once because she adores its simplicity and its representation in the Railgun and Index series. She also enjoys anything cute.
So she will not stand for this blasphemy...so unconsciously, she opened her mouth and...
"'I beg to differ. Because of its simple design, it only made the character more cute when it did have any sort of accessories, making it more appealing. You just don't get it's meaning Sate—'" Noticing her rant, Ruri slammed a hand over were mouth was located.
"...?" Saten-san made a baffled look at her sudden speech.. even though her voice was still deadpanned sounding as ever... She just felt that her Senpai just got heated for a simple mascot. "Well... I guess your back to normal, Senpai.." and Uiharu-san just nodded in a daze.
Shirai-san, who notice that her onee-sama wasn't really paying attention and to Satsuki-san who ranted like an obsessed maniac over the same mascot that Mikoto just got stary-eyed with...
"Oh... No... Now there's two people who has some weird taste..!" She muttered to herself in dismay.
"Well... whatever kind of funk you were in Senpai, I'm glad—" Saten-san didn't finish her sentence when her path was suddenly blocked. Colliding with the dazed Mikoto inadvertently. "... Misaka-san?" she asked, perplexed.
"Ara... Excuse her for a second Saten-san... She's just interested in the new crepe stand... Or perhaps..." Shirai-san squinted her eyes at the still Mikoto, leaning ever so slightly closer to the electromaster. "Interested in a certain free Gekota merch.."
""Huh..? "" Both Uiharu-san and Saten-san echoed in confusion. Mikoto blushes and finally moves out of Saten-san's way, swatting the bothersome Shirai-san in the process.
"O-oi... What are you talking about..! I-I don't care about any Gekota merch.." Mikoto denied, her face flushed, as she cast a desperate glance at the new trio. "I mean... He's an amphibian... What kind of girl likes those things?"
".."
"'... Well... Satsuki likes it...'" said the paper bag wearer. Surprisingly, she stopped talking in her normal way of talking, but her whispers were still heard. As a result, the Ace of Tokiwadai stutters in apology. "'And... Y-you... Got... That too," Ruri smiled slyly at Mikoto-nee's Gekota strap. She didn't care if she made onee-chan feel even more embarrassed, after all... Denying something you love needs to deserve Karma.
"Pffft-..." Shirai-san turned around, desperately covering her mouth from laughing as Mikoto's flushed expression went unnoticed. Uiharu-san and Saten-san simply stare ahead, blankly.
"G-guuuh..."
Change Pov.
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It's gonna happen soon..!!
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Wait... Ruri.. keep calm...
First... You need to do something very important. The most important thing you could ever do.
Buying a really real Gekota merch! God..dess.. this was really happening! Ehheheheheheh!
This is actually a good compensation for the hell imma gonna experience... But... A real Gekota!
Imagine that!
So turning my head, I saw Saten-san interacting with my onee-chan. I guess this was the part where she offered her place towards her tsundere-nee... But being a tsundere, Mikoto-nee predictable refuses.
And the reason I wasn't close to them was because I ran away from the group and began lining up. Of course, I could sense Mikoto-nee's envy but... What else can I do?
I'm a hardcore otaku and it will be carried on till my memories dry up.
"Next!" Finally, it's my turn, and I practically skip over to the employee. While I can't express my emotions through my face, I can definitely express them through my body language. So... Skipping in this manner... I'm about to enter a fantasy world. The worker instantly got to work, pointing to a chocolate Crepe as I nodded, and after about 5 minutes, the nice lady handed me my well-deserved Gekota... Oh and the crepe.
"Oh.. Senpai, did you already buy your crepe?" Uiharu-san asked from a corner. She and Shirai-san were both sitting on a bench, the twin-tailed girl fiddling with Uiharu's flowers.
"'Yeah..' Satsuki replies with a smile, holding her Gekota high and proud."
Shirai-san snorted my way, then looked at me with interest. "You seemed different a while ago... With your stuttering and everything... Are you now your true self or something?"
Instead of responding, Uiharu-san nodded in agreement, humming towards her friend. "Yes... This is how Satsuki-san always acts, though I'm not sure what happened today.."
"Mi- Satsuki pouted at their questions. 'The explanation for my oddity for today is simply because it's too crowded for my liking.' Satsuki huffs as Satsuki began walking towards them, arms folded. 'As well... As meeting the Railgun in person.'"
Plus, I've changed my mind about Mikoto-nee. It would be more suspicious if I began to avoid not only her, but also my two Kouhais or Juniors. The point is, I know which direction and time the ship will sail... All that remains is for me, my charge, and Walter to devise a strategy to lessen her distrust.
"Geez... is that the way you talk so we can understand what you're saying in there, Satsuki-san?"
"'That pretty much sums it up.'"
"Hey!!" Mikoto-nee exclaimed happily, mimicking what I did with my Gekota as Saten-san smiled exasperated from behind. The similarities made the two people near me laugh.
As I cringed internally.
Similarities...
Just hope they don't make connection too soon though. If the ship goes to somewhere unexpected, then everything will be flooded in confusion.
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Damn... What's with me and ships today?