July 17

Location: Shinetsu Kihara's Underground Lab

"'Hime-sama!' Misaka says in exasperation, having both arms in Misaka's hips as Misaka stood at Hime-sama's door."

The clone was currently dressed in her stained apron over her uniform. She had routinely woken up her charge in this manner in the past too, so it naturally followed in their new lives.

But, unlike in the past, when her charge was homeschooled, she was now enrolled in a prestigious school that does not tolerate tardiness. So it's Ruri's responsibility to get up extra early so that Fischl can be remotely early in turn.

And their supposed protector appears to be... Erhhh... not much of a cook.

Neither were Ruri's companions. Emilia was too young to know how to cook, Walter was now a bird and even then he could only cook something simple, so consequently it's up to Ruri to shine in that department.

Despite being a genius and a prodigy, the old man couldn't cook to save his life. In the past, he could only get by with his... "Multivitamin food pills."

So it was a godsend to him that they... Ruri, have been reincarnated in this world.

"So she's still sleeping, huh?" Passing by, a tall male wearing a lab coat while holding a coffee mug observed from behind Ruri as the clone responded with an emotionless "haaa.."

"Hmm... I will wake her up. Go set the table, Ru-chi." Ruri cast a tired glance at their so-called 'guardian.' Their new benefactor... Or, more precisely, their teacher, That was reincarnated as a Kihara...

A Kihara who specializes in making drugs and testing them on his despised kin to see how effective they are.

So when they first met the man and learning that exact fact, Ruri didn't know how to act with that information... But as time went by, as Walter puts it, Shinetsu-san gradually appears to be a good enough bloke, and the two girls reluctantly trusted his judgment.

Actually Shinetsu was the first person the Goddess ever reincarnated when Zügellosigkeit first began. As a result, he was ancient in comparison to them.

While normally, a Goddess cannot reincarnate a person multiple times but Shinetsu-san seems to be an exception.

Not because he was the first to be reincarnated, but because of his wish.

Absolute Memory.

He wished to remember everything without forgetting even the most insignificant details.

A simple smell, a faint taste, a soft touch, a low sound, and a vague image.. he will never forget much less a memory.

So, when he didn't forget about being reincarnated after dying again... Zügellosigkeit simply thought, "Why not?" and turned him into a lifelong believer and helper.

Fan fact. He would always reincarnate as a Kihara after he died. When he was transported in Index, at first Zügellosigkeit reincarnated him as a Kihara to tease him because he and the Kihara's were polar opposites... But when he died, both he and the Goddess were surprised to learn that he had reincarnated as a Kihara again... And again... And again...

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And again...

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So much so that Shinetsu started getting sick of being reincarnated in the cruelest family ever and just... Went nuts with them. He couldn't handle their cruelty towards the people... So he simply began killing his own relatives based on their actions.

He abandoned his innocents and began killing, but his morals never did wavered. He would be cruel to his own flesh and blood, or even just having the name Kihara, but the kindest man to a stranger.

It was reassuring. Scary at the same time too.

His methods were so brutal to the Kihara's that he was actually dubbed the Kihara Cannibal.

Shinetsu didn't really go cannibal, but when the Kihara's considered his strange vindication of their name... They simply thought it was a fitting title for such a man.

"Ru-chi?" Oh and this man has a tic of calling those closed to him with a 'chi' instead of a 'kun' and a 'chan'.

"'hmmm?' Misaka jolted at Shinetsu's call. Slightly disoriented at the interruption."

Shinetsu sighed and shook his head towards her. "Ru-chi... You should not be in a daze; come now, move along so you two won't be late." he said lightly as he approached Fischl's bed. Ruri shrugged and went to the kitchen in their shared apartment. But she came to a halt when she heard a shrill scream coming from the room she had just left and snorted indifferently.

"'Hehehe.. Misaka hopes that Hime-sama will learn to get up early from now on.' Misaka says to herself, amused by Hime-sama's cries."

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"Ruri!!!" Fischl yelled after taking a shower, sprinted towards Ruri to complain about her mistreatment. "Shinetsu is an uncompromising man who thus does not know the preeminence of one's respite!"

Ruri, who was sitting at the dinner table, only put her chopsticks down and motioned towards the still hot breakfast she had prepared.

Fischl, frustrated, stomps her feet in an immature manner.

"My loyal retainer, I beseech you once more that your Prinzessin is currently being onslaughtered by the likes of him!" she exclaimed, pointing to the scientist who had joined her.

"'What did he do exactly?' While unimpressed by Hime-sama's tantrum, Misaka still expressed her interest in why Hime-sama became so agitated."

"T-tantrum!" Fischl repeated, appalled. Walter, who finally appeared in a flurry of dark feathers, flew silently towards the table, thanking Ruri for setting up his plate for him in advance. "Mein Fräulein was just aghast at Sir Shinetsu's conduct of dumping coffee on her head that she is simply in a bad mood." Walter explained casually to the clone, while Ruri gave the Kihara a glare... or a hard indifferent stare at his idiotic way of waking up a child.

"'You dump coffee on her head?' Misaka incredulously says with confusion and anger, as Misaka was slightly angry at Shinetsu for bullying Hime-sama like that."

Shinetsu simply raises his hands in defense. "My coffee was cold, so nothing should warrant this situation, and Walter seems unconcerned about the issue as well." Then the man continued in an oblivious manner.

"I don't see what the fuss is all about with me dumping some of my coffee in someone's head."

'Is this man serious?' thought both of the females in the room.

"It's just too early for this." Was Walter's simple statement towards Shinetsu. As the bird started eating his food.

"Good point." Shinetsu, whose face is always cold, comments afterward. He then took a seat next to the pecking bird and began devouring his portion.

Fischl sighs and mutters, "Ugh! Boys!" She continued her tirade with a scowl."If you were all females, you would grasp the plight of upholding one's gracious hair!" Ruri simply nodded in agreement. While holding a hand above her head, nodding along as she ate.

Seeing everyone eating but her, Fischl hastily moves aside at sat down next to Ruri and started eating, still with her pout.

Later...

As the busy street was bustling with people, Fischl who's fed and ready, stood proudly in the pedestrian lane. Having her band in her right hand as Ruri was behind her, now having her paper bag in her head.

"Now, my retainer, as a boon to the people, my service as Judgement does not limit time. Time is but a limitless issue to be concerned about. So as someone proper, I will proceed to survey my post even till dusk and dawn." She declared quite proudly to the public after she made her dramatic pose, making some people stare and Ruri to slightly flush at the attention.

"'Why did Misaka ever agree to you being a Judgment officer again... Misaka seems to forgot..' Misaka dryly stated in a rhetorical manner. Having despaired that Misaka's free time is being used up this early." Ruri slouches at Fischl's pointed glare.

Fischl frowns as she turns to face her former nanny after tsking at Ruri's remarks. "One's laziness is one's undoing, Ruri! This challenge will everlastingly help us prepare of the darkest arts imaginable!" The blonde spun around, pointing straight at the sun. "As the light fades.. darkness consumes this world, as we, the ones who know the prophesied fate may break apart, but due to our rigorous training we will not succumb!" She then turned back to face Ruri with a resolute smile and continued.

"And that is why I became a Judgment, and you... My second loyal retainer, will help me along with thy path to succession. In the hopes that we and along with our trusted second in command Walter, to become stronger to overcome any obstacles."

However, the smile she wore was short-lived as Ruri simply continued to observe her. Fischl was perplexed and believed that Ruri would now say something encouraging.

But no siree... It was the opposite.

"'While Misaka's question was rhetorical and Misaka already knew the reason... Misaka still want to say that your reason from the past and now is wholly different, Hime-sama..' Misaka ruthlessly pointed out." Taken-aback, Fischl flinches at Ruri's sudden intensity.

Fischl says hesitantly, "H-how.. dare I.. I? I remember it was exactly what I said just now.." She then tries to defend herself but quickly stops as Ruri leans in and whispers in her ear.

"Then let Misaka asked. 'Was not your true motivation for becoming a Judgment was because it was cool to do?'" Fischl flushed at that, and Ruri grinned up at her before frowning. Knowing that, with her paper bag and perpetual facial paralysis, her expression would not even convey a hint of smugness. Making her slightly depressed but continued on, now getting serious.

"'And remember Hime-sama, if you would so much as fell down a rank.. Misaka and Walter will personally relieve you of your duties.' Misaka warns, being serious in her threat." Ruri crosses both of her arms in good measure as Fischl slumped, her good mood all but ruin by her nagging.

And couldn't help but remember the same thing.

Flashback

"Hahahah! Rejoice my most devoted servants, for I, Fischl, have decided to delegate an important obligation that is most appropriate for our incomparable triplicate group," Fischl proudly displayed a piece of paper in our shared apartment. Fischl who was to gleeful at the moment continued on as the two, Ruri and Walter, stood perplexed. "Yes... A wonderful commission that is set for the time when light begins to fade to the onset of total darkness, as the detestable reigns supreme, as we, the sparked embers, will burn them in retribution for their crimes; truly a felicitous petition is it not?"

Slightly understanding what she said and at the same time don't, Ruri and Walter just shrugged at each other, clueless.

"Oh...? Are the both of you still perplexed by the news that you simply did not comprehend in what I have graciously promulgate? Then allow me to enlighten you."

Then Fischl abruptly shoved the paper at Ruri's waiting arms (or rather her free arms) as she strike a pose, dramatically covering her face with her right gloved hands as her body was leaning a little bit.

"So what is thy opinion of this glorious opportunity?"

Ruri and Walter, who was reading the form made a troubled sound.

"'This... how to say,' Misaka hesitantly begins, having difficulty wording out her sentence, as Misaka then signaled Walter for help." Ruri looked at the form blankly, as she said all that with her usual monotone voice before probing the bird in her side with a look that appears to be a pleading face.

"Sigh... Er-hemm... What lady Ruri is getting at Mein Fräulein... is how this Judgment role may disrupt your studies." Walter said sternly, which wasn't all that convincing given that the man was technically a bird now.

"'Yes, and for that matter, as a 10 year old in the body of a 16 year old who now skips three grades higher... It will be difficult, especially since Hime-sama signed up for the night duty aswell.' Misaka added with a worried look." Then taking a deep breath she continued with a small amount of exasperation in her dry tone. "'And... Why did Hime-sama signed Misaka up along with that ridiculous picture too' Misaka pointed out with an annoyed huff."

"Ugh... Come on you two...! Studying? Is that only your primary concern... Err..." Hearing enough, Fischl broke character as she heard their concerns but quickly stops herself from continuing in such a mundane manner.

"What I mean is... As the reborn Prinzessin der Verurteilung, how could I jeopardize my great status just by doing two measly tasks in the same day. Hmmph-! what lowly assumption my two loyal retainers have on me. Such slander, you two should just be grateful for serving such a belovent person as I, who won't punish such an offensive act upon thy name."

"Haaa... What do we do Lady Ruri? Mein Fräulein seems adamant of her choice. And if we do get involve with Judgement, then there will be a chance to get caught with the story in the future."

Ruri then shrug, seriously not knowing what to do, but since both are adults, then they need to decide quickly.

"'Then..' Misaka says hesitantly but continues on with a helpless look. 'Then how about a trial run..'"

'"Really!?"" Walter and Fischl shouted, but with a different tone. Fischl exclaiming in glee as Walter tone was apprehensive.

"'but!' Misaka quickly holds up one hand as she bowed pleadingly towards Hime-sama. 'Misaka will allow it if you take this.' Misaka then look up as she gestured towards her photo that has her wearing her signature paperbag. 'Out, Misaka will help but will not apply, Kapeesh~'"

"Yes!" Fischl exclaimed again as she nodded repeatedly. "Of course! I will follow your termss..eeeEHHHH! Your the best Ru-chan~!" After she squealed, she tackled Ruri into a bear hug.

All the while, Walter, who knew Ruri best second to her parents, sweatdropped from afar.

'The reason you agreed was about that photo.. Huh.. Ruri.' He thought helplessly as he watch, completely comparing the situation with a hapless older sister and an easy-to-please younger sister.

"But remember Mein Fräulein! If you bring to us lower grades then.."

"I know, I know... Jeez both of you are such parents!" Even though Fischl complained about that part, she still continued to smile brightly at them.

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As her memories came to an end, Fischl unintentionally grinned, confusing Ruri who was walking alongside her.

Ruri was about to speak when they made a sharp left into a narrow alleyway, but she was forced to stop when someone collided from behind, knocking both Ruri and Fischl, who was ahead of her, down alongside with the certain stranger.

"Guhhh!?" A male sounded out from above them in pain, as Ruri gritted her teeth in annoyance.

"What is the meaning of this!" Fischl yelled in shock, tears slightly leaking out at the unexpected circumstances. But before the boy on top of them could offer his heartfelt apologies, a shadow loomed before of them.

"Ehhh..?!" A sudden familiar voice sounded out. The trio in the pile slowly look up to see, Misaka Mikoto's surprise face looking down on them in worry.

"A crap.. such misfortune.." the boy... Knight or Touma (Both Fischl and Ruri thought in realization.) Uttered with a crestfallen face.

And as soon as Touma said those words, Mikoto scowled. Consequently, realizing that she will probably attack him soon without taking into account the people at the bottom of their sudden pile. He quickly got back up and ran off, hollering an apology along the way.

Stumped by his abrupt retreat and casting a quick glance at her friends... After a brief pause, Mikoto decides that she can make amends to the two later and proceeds to follow Touma.

'I'll make it up to you two later..' She thought. Berating herself up in her mind in the process.

Leaving the two, who are both filthy and in pain, who's about to threaten them with vengeance... Although they were both knocked out, neither of them were actually angry about it; instead, they were furious with Tsundere and Unlucky for abandoning them without even lifting a finger in helping them getting up.

Fischl murmured from the rough pavement, "Ru-chan."

"Yeah?" Ruri didn't make use of her trademark tic this time, indicating that she was utterly furious with both her Onee-chan and the unfortunate boy.

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"Let's give em' hell."

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"'Definitely.'"

Meanwhile...

Information:

Misaka Support #01

Esper Level: Unknown

Esper Ability: Unknown

Current Location: Unknown

Was the first clone to have a mutation, an intriguing oversight that piqued the interest of several scientists since it appears that this particular experiment can level up her esper power to level 4 and even up to 5. Unfortunately, the experiment was stolen, and the labs that were part of the [Support Project] were unknowingly destroyed and the people who worked on the experiment were killed.

Without the data from the mutation, the scientists were unable to replicate the process, leaving them to search for the culprit. With no leads to follow, the [Support Project] was naturally discontinued.

"Is this accurate?" The stary-eyed blonde says to the trance scientist to her left. The woman with the same stars as the blonde nodded absentmindedly. "How come I was not informed?"

"The project was highly classified, and we only found out today..."

"So no one knows where the clone is right now?" the blonde asked, glancing at the paper. The girl gripped the paper tightly in her hands as the scientist nodded. "A Misaka Clone with an unknown ability is kidnapped, and no one knows how or why; and all the laboratories and people involved in this project were suddenly destroyed and killed, with no leads?"

"Nothing to note." the woman quickly replied.

"...Hmm... interesting," said the girl, but her expression was anything but amused.