Hello and welcome back to another installment of LoCG! Coming to you with the 48th chap… at this rate I'm gonna break 70 chaps backlog included. Last chapter we got to see our little Nun-turned god eating friend Index pull the 'transfer student' trope. She better be glad this is her perfect reality otherwise the consequences would be massive!
Anyways, onto reviews!
Whwsms:{You gotta admit, Touma's reaction to those was reasonable at least… with his luck that is. Ahem… a rival!. Index cooking is something I found would be fun to have her do. Issue is… which god did she eat that could cook? Index won't be pleased when it does 'even dead she's a pain in my ass'! Real question is, how much PSI(pounds per square inch) is needed to cause a black hole to explode?}
5had0wHand:{Ah yes another entry log from the greatest spiky haired detective!
Hmm yes very astute mr Watson!
Well wait no more this time o G! Actually you'll be waiting for a while… like probably 20 eps of screaming worth of time XD}
Mr?:{The main man is back with another review! The num 1 himself.
With these sorts of things you want to take time, but not too much time. With the inside of the library chapters. I'm trying to balance Touma being himself, and Touma trying to solve the mysteries
There's a number of reasons for this, one and most importantly… I was too lazy! Two, it's from Touma's PoV so it makes less sense to show the encounter. And three, honestly it fit the slowly growing creepy aesthetic of the 'library' like the doctor who silence.
Not fair… In a bad way?… or in a cruel way?
Thank you!}
BlueJack22:{Haven't seen you comment in a while, Index being the central sort of focus for this pic meant I needed to have her develop characterize. And sure, while her 'maturity' behavior around Touma is false. She does have quite a bit of character dev… just… not for good intentions}
Fencer:{… how did I make that mistake? And dear god that would piss her off
Kinda the point, she's getting too eager with her ability to literally steal the skills and experiences of those she ate. And then use them to her advantage, seriously silly Devourer. If you wanted to not make it so odd slowly ease him into the idea. Should have asked him for cookbooks!}
Remember constructive criticism is both encouraged and desired. With that, let this tale of an infinity commence once again!
Chapter 48
Cracks in the Library
To say that morning was awkward for Kamijou, would be an understatement.
He woke up to Index pressing herself against him in a fairly suggestive manner. The nightshirt she was wearing, pulled down over her shoulder revealing her chest. Which Kamijou could now properly confirm, had indeed grown.
Trying to slip out merely caused Index to hold him tighter. Which had made him very uncomfortable as her nightdress was clinging to her body. Making her figure plainly visible, she had clearly grown in other areas however had not grown in height. Kamijou wondered if his cooking had anything to do with it, and made a note to look it up later.
His second attempt to get out led to Index waking up to see him in a compromising position on top of her. Issue was he had been pushed to the wall and Index had pinned him in, so he had to crawl over her to get off.
Somehow, his position and actions did not lead to his skull getting bitten. And he had been able to explain the situation to Index. She had oddly pouted and held a look of disappointment. Why Kamijou wasn't exactly sure but, he wasn't positive knowing would be better.
Thankfully there weren't any other awkward situations throughout their breakfast and walk to school.
During physical education, Tsuchimikado ran alongside Kamijou in order to talk to him.
Noticing his spy friend's expression Kamijou bit his lip "This is about Index isn't it?" he asked.
Tsuchimikado's expression was nervous and worried. "Yeah, Kamijou, Do you know what the treaty between magic and science is?" he asked.
Kamijou shook his head "Not really, but I suspect it's that it was broken during World war three"
"Yeah, but after the war it was reinstated" Tsuchimikado said and quickly glanced around while they ran. "Which is why Index attending this school is so dangerous."
Kamijou may not have known much about the treaty. But he had heard things in relation to it so he had a good guess to what the blond haired spy meant. "By becoming a student in academy city Index is basically saying she is on their side, isn't it?" he asked.
Tsuchimikado nodded "Yes, and that's why I popped out of class yesterday. I needed to check just what was going on."
"And?" Kamijou felt a sense of dread building. He already had enough on his plate, he didn't need something else on top of it all.
"It seems that the damn Anglican archbishop and Boardchairman set the whole thing up!" The spy's face was a storm of emotions. But none of them were positive. "They are purposefully violating the treaty by having Index attend an Academy city School. And even had plans on letting her attend the power curriculum." His teeth were grit in anger and fist were shaking in fear.
Kamijou however had a thought, "is that really a bad thing?" he asked the spy.
"Hah? Kami-yan did you listen to what I just said? What do you mean 'is that really a bad thing' of course it is!" Tsuchimikado hissed out.
Kamijou scrunched his face in thought. "I'm not so sure, It kinda sounds like a cultural exchange of sorts you know? If they were already allies then agreeing to let someone like Index hold secrets of both sides is them putting their trust in each other." Kamijou pointed out, "Don't actual treaties come with a little give and take from both sides?"
Tsuchimikado's face twitched before he began laughing. "Nyaaahahahahaha! You know what Kami-yan? I was too focused on the idea they were breaking the treaty I never thought they may actually be reinforcing it. You're right Kami-yan, that very well could be the real reason for it." he narrowed his eyes. "But I'm gonna keep an eye on things, just in case"
Kamijou sighed "Yeah, I get it, you can't be too careful."
Tsuchimikado raised an eyebrow "Huh, never thought you got so wise, did world war three do that to ya Kami-yan?" the spy asked.
Kamijou opened his mouth and paused. When did he become so cautious? As far as he knew he had never run into a situation where he'd have learned that lesson. And yet, the fact he could think that told him he had learned it, heck It told him he had learned it a specific way.
When had he felt betrayed by someone who seemed to have good intentions?
A small girl who led an English Cabal came to mind. But he only met Birdway once, when she had come to Academy City. She hadn't betrayed his trust then, so why did he think it was something she'd do?
Before he could answer Tsuchimikado the class ended and they went back to the changing rooms.
As Kamijou changed out of his Phys-ed clothes he thought he heard someone gasp slightly. But glancing around he couldn't identify who it was. There were only guys in the changing room of course. And the gasp was fairly feminine, so it would be pretty obvious who it was. If there had been a gasp at all, shaking his head Kamijou got back into his uniform.
When he went to exit the changing rooms he thought he had heard someone's footsteps rush out of the room behind the corner. But the sounds of everyone else's footsteps blocked it out.
Kamijou looked around the hall with a bit of sweat running down his cheek. Classes were changing, so the halls were crowed. Kamijou noticed Index down the hall seemingly overwhelmed by the crowd.
"You lost Index?" he asked, at which the nun-student jumped slightly.
Index turned blushing embarrassed with her index finger scratching her cheek. "M-Maybe…. " she kept glancing at Kamijou's chest for some reason and grew redder.
Index had an eidetic memory, so it was fairly difficult to get her lost. But in a school when multiple students move during class shift. The amount of students moving around would block out any markers that her mind would use to get around.
Kamijou shook his head "Don't worry, it's not weird, come on." he smiled as Index held her face and led her to their next class.
Their class was going fairly well, however mid way through Kamijou ended up needing to go to the bathroom.
Stepping out of the stall and washing his hands Kamijou had a thought. 'Huh, this would be a good chance to check in on Hamazura.' He took out his phone and went to call Hamazura.
However.
He couldn't find Hamazura's phone number in his contacts, heck Accelerator's was missing. Did, did he dream that?... no he swore he remembered chatting with Hamazura on the phone. He met up with him at the place they first met, so why wasn't his number here?
'Surely Index didn't delete them, why would she delete Accelerators if she did anyways?' Kamijou shook his head 'better get back to class before Index gets suspicious'
The rest of school went fairly without incident that day, Index asked him to take her to the book store again. She had a class on earth science and wanted to know more about tectonic plates. So Kamijou decided to buy her a book on geography and the structure of the earth.
He was looking through the natural sciences section of the shop when he bumped into someone.
"Sorry! I wasn't watching where I was going!" Kamijou said reflexively holding his hands up.
"Don't worry neither was- Boss!?" a familiar voice said.
"Hamazura?" Kamijou said, shocked.
The dirty blond delinquent smiled at Kamijou "didn't expect to see you here, it's been a while huh?"
Kamijou looked at Hamazura confused "huh? What do you mean? We just talked a few days ago."
Hamazura scratched his head "really? We weren't drinking were we? Cause I can't remember chatting recently."
Kamijou shook his head "what? No, you were telling me about how Mugino had begun acting weird after we ran into each other at the arcade with Index." he felt a cold sweat begin rolling down his neck.
Hamazura thought for a moment before shaking his own head. "Sorry, not ringing a bell, but I don't recall you knowing Mugino's name either." he shrugged. "guess you could have learned it from the number three though. You sure you weren't just having a really surreal dream or something?" Hamazura asked suspiciously
Kamijou bit his lip "Really wish that was the case, but maybe I am mixing stuff up. I mean I did take a dip in the Russian ocean, and have been smacked on the head more times than I can count." Kamijou laughed sardonically.
Hamazura nodded but kept his eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Yeah that could have an effect, I was here buying books for Mugino actually. She wanted some books on cooking for some maintenance reasons."
Kamijou raised an eyebrow perplexed "Maintenance reasons? What does cooking and maintenance have in common? Unless you're maintaining your health?"
Hamazura shook his head, "it's a little complicated to explain and I'd rather not go into it. What about you?"
Kamijou sighed "Index wanted books on tectonic movements, so I'm getting her some." Kamijou smiled softly at the thought.
Hamazura's eyes widened slightly "A smart one eh? Index a sort of nick name? Eh well I better get going, Mugino would probably melt a hole in a wall if I'm late." Before Kamijou could respond, Hamazura had already left out of sight.
That cold chill had only grown now that Hamazura had left. 'Did Index erase his memory?' he gulped before asking the very possible truth. 'Or am I really losing it?' That would certainly just be the cherry on top of his misfortune filled life.
He had no way to physically prove he had met up with Hamazura. His phone number that Kamijou had on his phonebook for some reason. Had vanished from his phone, he couldn't exactly ask to see security footage of the arcade. And he wouldn't exactly find anything back at the Dangai University Database Center.
So could he really prove he and Hamazura had met up and he hadn't imagined the whole thing?
Kamijou shook his head, 'No, that day still happened, and hallucinations are never that specific.' Kamijou walked over to the counter with the textbooks in hand. 'Which means Index manipulated both his and Mugino's minds while erasing the only proof I had left.' As he payed for the books he noticed Index walking over. 'But if thats true, what is her reason? Why would she do it?'
Index smiled as she looked him in the eyes. But Kamijou was merely unsettled by it.
'Why Is she driving those close to me away!?'
...
Index hummed happily to herself as she and Touma headed home, yes… Home. Home to their dorm room, as of now she had consumed Tezcatlipoca and was deciding on her next meal.
But here in her world she was with Touma, after they had bought the books she asked for. Index suggested they go to a sauna. However Touma had declined saying they should head back. In reality, Index just wanted to see Touma's shirt off again. She had to admit the feelings she had developed weren't bad.
She really didn't get what was so sinful about the feeling known as lust. It just meant she appreciated her destined partner's body as well as mind. But she guessed some would let it overtake them and they'd only see the body.
She glanced over at her human, Kamijou Touma, her precious human. She loved him, she wanted Touma to be with her. But she also wanted to make sure he was safe, she... couldn't lose him again. Not like she had before, not like with Ainmire.
She looked at the book she was reading, it was very interesting. She never realized Science was just as wonderful, interesting and mysterious as magic.
She was even thinking of utilizing her new knowledge and combining it with magic. She wondered if she could use the proper science and mathematics behind Non-euclidian geometry. With the power she took from the forgotten god, and create something that properly would portray the halls of the sunken city Rehleyh.
She mused on that thought before thinking about how Touma had been acting. She knew he had figured out something was up. She liked seeing him stumble around trying to figure out what was going on. But she also couldn't let him figure it out, just in case he tried to leave her.
She had done more than just erase Hamazura and Mugino's mind. She had altered history so they never went to the arcade that day. She also had to alter Touma's phone so it didn't have the contacts he got after World War Three outside of her world.
She didn't want him to think he was crazy. So she was relieved when he had merely decided she altered their memories. But she really did wish he'd stop trying to prod and poke at the world she made for him.
They headed inside the dorm to drop off their stuff and Touma began making dinner. Index didn't need to eat it, but she liked Touma's cooking anyways. Besides, she needed to keep up appearances.
She wondered if she could ask Touma out again tomorrow. It appears he hadn't quite gotten the message yet. She needed to make sure he couldn't make up an excuse for her behavior. If she was gonna get through his skull that she was heads over heels for him.
She'd need to do something so, utterly daring he couldn't possibly find another explanation for it. She had an idea for it… but she needed to wait for the right moment.
Touma wouldn't see it coming.
