My mind wouldn't let me focus on the other works until I finished this. It was on my brain a couple of years back but I forgot and only remembered recently when someone posted that high school picture of the Toaru cast. A little thing to note going in, the character's personality was purposely tweaked to fit the plot. Hope you enjoy it.
A Certain Multilevel overpass located in Academy City. known as a bit of a landmark, it is a several floor interconnected roadway that looked like an entire sports field of concrete. The giant architectural construct with its complicated array of underground pathways, doubled as a landscape for flowers, meet up areas, and shopping areas.
Though this place was home to 2.3 million citizens, 80% of whom are students, the massive roundabout never suffered from traffic congestion. Not even today, early Monday morning, where adults would have to go to work and buses transport students to the myriad of different schools did that happen.
On the road at the top level of the multilevel overpass, one specific vehicle stood out from the many cars. It was a black lexus lS+ limousine traveling just under the speed limit.
It must have been a custom job because the interior of the car was all vintage, completely different from what the exterior portrayed.
The asphalt continued on and on and on like a runway.
"Did you pack everything you need?" asked a bald spot, blue eye old man.
He was dressed in an open brown suit without its vest. His dress shirt was a light pink and his tie a darker shade. His face had an odd resemblance to a frog, hence his nickname The frog doctor.
He was talking to a girl, opposite to him, with maroon curly pigtails tied in place by two red bows. She was dressed in a white shirt with a blue bow under pink Sweater vests, black knee-high socks that elongate her legs, and a pleated skirt in a dark to light brown tartan pattern.
"Yes, grandpa."
"You remember the house phone number, right?"
"Yes, I did."
"My work number?"
"Yes."
"My-"
"I remembered all of them, grandpa. You don't need to worry so much. It's only a sleepover."
"I still don't get why you two decided to do it during the week. Wouldn't the weekend be better."
"Come on grandpa."
"What? You already spend tons of time in school. Why do you wanna leave us so badly."
"That isn't it." Kuroko rebuke.
"My Lil pumpkin wants to abandon me!" The old man cried.
The very buxom brown skin maid to his immediate left leaned in and rubbed his back. She had black hair with a red dye layer in front.
"Yosh Yosh, Master Tengen. She's still a little girl, let her enjoy her youth."
Her skin was a natural deep tan color with eyes that were a beautiful fancy vivid canary diamond yellow. The front layer of her hair were pointy strands that extended outwards like chicken little's but with two ahoge combs that swayed to her left. She has two bangs that rest on her cheeks. Their overall length hasn't reached shoulder length yet and splits in the middle of her face. The back of her head was her natural hair color and had two ponytails that were over her shoulders and traveled down to her hips.
"But-but." Tengen turned his crying face to the butler. "Akiharu, you see where I'm coming from right?"
To his far left was a brown-haired man with brown eyes and rectangular glasses. He had 7 bangs extend from his face, one resting on both cheeks.
The man who is named Akiharu tilted his upper body so he could be seen more clearly by Tengen.
"Indeed sir but I have to agree with Vanessa. She's been working very diligently and deserves a long time with people that aren't us."He smiled.
"Akiharu, if I didn't know any better I would think you just called me old." Vanessa brows twitched and she faced him with a misleading smile.
"Weren't your words exactly 'Let her enjoy her youth' No offense Vanessa but your true age doesn't match you outwards appearance."
"You wanna go, old man." Annoyed by his comment she drew her face close to his.
"I am not there yet."
"Why can't she do it at the house!" Tengen yelled, his face looking at the roof as he cried.
"Oh boy."
Watching these people go at it Kuroko pinched her nose in embarrassment and leaned her head back.
"Wawahawa"
"I would rip the grey from your head!"
"There isn't any!"
"Don't think everyone hasn't noticed!" Vanessa added.
With the embarrassment building up she tries to seek relief by opening the driver's small door compartment with a push of a button.
"How soon?"
"We've just entered the gate, my lady."
Their destination was a flat Japanese-style school campus with three buildings surrounded by Lush and huge forests. The school has a large rectangular main building, towering several stories and with several other buildings sprinkled around the main complex.
Since it was located on a hill, the car drove up an incline and stopped at the parking space meant for the staff. When the vehicle came to a halt Kuroko existed and said her goodbyes.
"Thanks for the lift, grandpa." She smiled and waved.
"Hehe, your welcome kiddo."
"I'll help carry your stuff," Vanessa said, quickly leaving for the luggage from the drunk.
"Thank you, Vanessa."
"How about I walk you to class?" Akiharu offered.
"Hey I'm her grandpa, it should be me doing that."
"Haha, what are you saying sir? You should hurry to work."
"I could do it?" The bald head driver offered more so as a joke than being serious.
"You're the driver that makes no sense!" They both denied in unison.
"None of you are following me in." She said in a kind voice but was deadly serious.
"You sure?" They both asked.
"Mmm mm." Kuroko Shook her head and turned back around. "It's ok, see you next week." She waved off.
"Fine."
"Ready when you're ready," Vanessa said coming back from the trunk carrying several different size bags in her hands and around her shoulders.
"Wait, you're still here?" Akiharu asked, giving her the death stare.
"As a maid, I must always wait on my master, and besides I don't know where the office is."
"Even though that's true you just wanted to follow her in, didn't you? It's not like you're shy and can't ask for direction."
"Don't be ridiculous, there's no way I purposefully stayed waiting until your arguing was over so I could company the young master inside. Truly foolish." Vanessa slowly shook her head.
"Why you."
"Well played Vanessa, well played." Tengen smiled.
Seeing this Kuroko mumbled something and motioned Vanessa to follow with a "come one."
The buildings around the area shouted Academy City, as they have radically altered the form and spatial logic of the complex to others around the world with their extensive skyway systems that parallel the many buildings.
The main building they entered had an atrium view with classes on the left and right sides connected by three walkways. The ground floor had three long benches, chalk and bulletin boards, and two escalators leading to the second floor. Every classroom there was equipped with a whiteboard, TV-screens, and lockers to store cleaning equipment. The doors to the classes as well as the walls and floors were all silver which gave the structure a metallic feel.
"I remember the first time you came here, you were so cute with that childish grin." Vanessa reminisced and looked around.
"That was a long time ago." Kuroko averted her eye's
"Yeah, I always wanted to explore this place but the furthest I ever went was to your classroom." Vanessa paused and looked at her. " So can I explore around with you?"
"No. I have morning duties to attend to."
"Aww." Vanessa's shoulders shifted.
"Besides you can't keep the others waiting."
"Alright." She grumbled. "Guide me to the faculty office, my lady" Vanessa turned in a direction.
"Fifth floor, turn right, second to the last door."
"Ehh? You not coming?" She asked, looking back.
"There isn't any need to."
"Well I mean yea but there is still plenty of time before class begins."
"My morning routine doesn't open me up with much wiggle room, sorry."
"Ok, fine. I get it. Just don't push yourself." She relented.
"Bye. I promise to make it up to you next week." Kuroko smiled and waved.
"I'll hold you on that, Goodbye my lady." Vanessa ran off, welled up with joy.
"Alright."
After seeing Vanessa off Kuroko walked to her classroom at a normal pace.
There were 25 desks in total including the teachers, and hers was in the third row near the window. After resting down her bag she opened up the locker and retrieved a broom, a pale, mop bucket, and a rag.
She first straightens the desk before sweeping the classroom. Then she went to the end of the hall to fill the pale and wipe the desks and board surfaces and finishes by mopping the floor.
"Early and studious as ever, Kuroko." Putting away the cleaning material a familiar voice called out to her.
The figure was a boy with light-colored hair, he had several short strands in his face and two bangs on his cheeks that ended at his dark-colored eyes with white pupils. He wore a white collared shirt under a black Blazer with the same color straight-legged pants.
"Morning, Miyama-Kun." She greeted him and walked to her seat.
"Last time I checked, today isn't your turn." Miyama walked towards her. "If you continue doing this no one would make the effort to do morning cleaning."
"You mean like how I help you with yours."
"Well.." He lightly scratched his cheek and averted his eyes.
"Sigh. You need to open up more to the others."
"I feel comfortable with my existing numbers."
"You know half the class refers to you as that weird kid, right?"
"I'm fine with it. Means fewer headaches." Miyama shrugged.
"It wouldn't kill you to show people other than me and Uiharu your complete self," Kuroko said rummaging through her bag.
"Your talking gibberish again."
"Haa. Whatever, just here the notes for Geography." She handed him her book.
"Whoever orchestrated the timetable is a demon. Couldn't they just have P.E as the last subject." Miyama complained and took a seat at her desk.
"Well as Mashima-sensei puts it 'Even with the drawing pack of your power, physical health is always important.' " She playfully mimics her sensei.
"I still can't believe the nurse agreed with his words." He took out his book and copied the notes. "Even Uiharu, someone who is bad with physical activity agrees."
"Goes to show you." Kuroko smiled and sat on a neighbors desk
"Guess who?" A back length red hair girl with long black socks asked, covering Kuroko's eyes from behind.
Her eyes were a lightish pink color and she was dressed in the same school wear as Kuroko. Her only hair accessory was a plain plastic black hair headband that even though old looked brand new.
Following behind her was a green eye's, glasses boy dressed like Miyama, and a cream hair pigtails girl with red scrunchies fixing them.
"Morning Shaei-Kun, Kuroko-chan" The cream hair pigtails girl and green hair boy greeted.
"Ahh! Totsu-chan!"
"Morning, Nana-chan, Ayumu-kun you to Tsuka-chan." Kuroko smiled.
"You ruined the surprise," Nana said to Totsu with a tearful face and released Kuroko.
"She already knew it was you."
"No, she didn't."
"Yes, I did."
"What?"
"You have to consider your the only one who does that," Miyama said, continuing to write despite the interference.
"Mmm."
"Did you tell her?" Totsu asked Miyama.
"Nope."
"Tell me what?" Kuroko looked in between the two.
"We're planning on going to the Underground Shopping Center today and want you to come with...You haven't been spending much time with us, you know?"
"We know you're busy and all but they could let you go for a single day." Ayumu continued.
"I wouldn't doubt he would say yes but he'll mostly say it so he could dodge his duties and that would just put stress on onee-sama"
"The other members of the student council can help out. Ever since you joined you've been working nonstop. I'm sure they would all agree you need some rest" Totsu told her.
"Yea! And if they say otherwise we'll march up there and give them what's what." Nana fist pump.
"Hold your horses, I'm not doing that. I rather not have my body in a worse condition than it already is."
"Cmon, Miya-Kun."
"I can't, I'm sorry but how about Saturday?"
"I'll have to make a few adjustments to my schedule but it can work through." Ayumu agreed.
"Same."
"Mmm-mmm!"
"Ehh."
Miyama looked at them confused but went back to copying the notes. There was no point in resisting. In the end, he'll find himself there and it just came down to what annoying tactic they'll use.
"Since it would be the whole day we would have to do some planning." Totsu puts a finger to her cheeks.
"Oh-oh." Ayumu raised his hand like a toddler. "I could do that. I already know the perfect place, the park."
"The amusement park?" Miyama asked with a face that 'read really'.
"That's a brilliant idea!" Nana screamed in a fit of joy.
"Despite living here for some time I never did go there. I wonder why?" Totsu tilted her head.
"Most people label that as a children hotspot."
"Parks are for children and adults alike."
"Yeah true but it's mostly middle schoolers and lower who frequently visit.
"What time?" Totsu asked and sat on a desk.
"I get up around nine on Saturdays."
"Ok, ten then. You sure you wanna do it alone, Ayumu-Kun?"
"Give up my chance to make an itinerary? No way in hell."
"Where should we meet then?" Nana asked, taking a seat.
"Hey, can I invite people?"
"If it's Misaka-san you don't even need to ask," Ayumu answered quickly.
"What if it isn't?" Totsu folds her arms.
"Then please bring her!"
'Men.' Totsu and Nana sighed.
"Oooh, on that note bring the prez too."
"Why?" Ayuma cocked his head.
"None of your business."
'Women.'
"I'll be back, you guys." Kurko waved.
She was heading for class 2-A to find a certain someone when she spotted them in the third-floor corridor near there.
"Onee-sama!" With a brighter smile, she lunged for them and hugged her from behind."Hehehe."
Her name was Misaka Mikoto and she was dressed similarly to Kuroko, but with a red bow under a yellow Sweater vest and white loose socks. Her hair was chestnut color along with her eyes. In her hair were two little white flower hair clips pinned to her right side.
"Kuroko." Mikoto looked back shocked.
"Aaa! I just couldn't wait to see you."
"hi hi. E-eh could you let go now. You're hugging me a bit too tightly. " Her eyes were twitching abnormally as she tried to peel off her junior.
"But I don't wanna."
"Dang it, Kuroko-he-stop sniffing me."
"Your shampoo smells as magnificent as always. Nehehe"
"Ok, now you're crossing the line." Mikoto firmly grabs Kuroko's head and flexes her fingers.
"Ah-ah, I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Please let go Onee-sama your fingers feel like they're near penetration."
"Why did you have to phrase it like that!" Managing to separate them she begins tugging Kuroko's cheeks.
"Nehehehe. Bhfore Ig foyr ghet, du hyou whant to gfo to the amyusement bacck withm me and my froeiends?"
"When?" Mikoto stopped the punishment.
"Saturday."
For a while, she hesitated then put her hand to her mouth for a cough.
"..I guess I can go" She averted eye contact
"..."
'Knowing her it's that frog again.'
"My. My, Aren't you two close." Interrupted a honey-hair girl.
She wore a pair of white gloves and stockings with her second-year clothes. Nestling between her ample chest was a strap for a shoulder bag with a star adorned in the middle. Her eyes were gold-colored and had a star feature in the center.
"Hmm? When did you get here?" Kuroko asked, looking at her.
"I was here the whole time speaking to Misaka-chan."
"You two," Kuroko moved her fingers and eyes between them "speaking?"
"Not the causal type." Mikoto hissed.
"That's so mean Miska-chan" Misaki hands were behind her back as She stepped closer, innocently smiling.
"I told you to stop calling me that." Mikoto rebuked, leaning in.
"Stop calling you what, Misaka-chan?" She sneered and received a deep throat growl as a threat.
"It's good to see a brute like Misaka-chan hasn't rubbed off on you, Shirai-san."
"Ok, that's it, I'll rip you to shreds." provoked, Mikoto mimed rolling up her sleeve and stepped closer.
"Now, Onee-sama," Kuroko guides her away with her hands. "We don't want a civil war."
"What can that puny Misaka fan-club do to mine."
Misaki clasped her hands behind her back and rocked playfully.
"What's wrong with you? Doesn't your fan club already have beef with Kakine-sans." Kuroko shoots her an apprehensive look.
"Hahaha, You're so adorable and responsible. I'd love someone like you on my side, how about ditching Misaka-chan for me?" Misaki happily recovers the dangerous close distance.
"No dice. My mind, body and soul belong to Onee-sama only."
"Ah well I tried but know this I still won't give up." She swirled around. "Just a heads up he hasn't come to school yet." Her voice for the first time became normal.
"Sigh figured as much. Sorry to cut our time short, onee-sama." Kuroko glanced at her before walking away.
"It's ok." Mikoto smiled and waved goodbye.
As Kuroko leaves for the restroom she looks back and waves goodbye.
Kuroko's objective was an apartment complex in district 7 and the person she was looking for was a resident of room 104.
The apartment was an 8-storey building comprising no less than 142 rooms. The building is accessible through means of elevator and stairs or possibly via the section where the fire escape exit is positioned.
The doors to each room have an auto-lock system with distinctive security passcodes which can be opened using duplicable green cards.
But Kuroko didn't need any of those. With her power of teleportation, she can just avoid those types of security. In an instant, she appeared in a barley lit bedroom with wooden furniture.
In the room, opposite of the door, facing the wall was a Computer chair by a desk that had a trash can beside it. To the left of the desk was a simple design dresser that doubled as two open shelf cabinets for advanced books, mangas, and novels. Wedge between the dresser and bed was a nightstand and Over the bed, there were two frameless shelves with more advanced books.
It was hard to tell what was what and traverse the area without turning on the lights but without meaningless motions, Kuroko walked up to the bed and flicked the sleeping figure.
"Owww." They groaned, opening up their eyes and sitting up. "Don't you know it's a bad idea to wake up a person with that kind of stimuli." Their hand reached out to rub the spot.
The boy was a ruby eye albino with moppy chin-length bangs. He was a skinny teen with pale skin and goes by the name Accelerator.
"Whatever." Kuroko sighed irritably and turned on the lights. "Stretch, rest, and take a bath."
She exited the room, Leaving those words behind to make breakfast. By the time his footsteps were heard Kuroko was already finished and washing up the dishes.
Looking at him as he was dressed appropriately in the school uniform Kuroko couldn't help but cringe. She wasn't sure why exactly that always happened but she guessed it had to deal with someone with such a grouchy mannerism looking like they belonged.
As she laid down his breakfast and goes to the kitchen to make some tea Accelerator voicelessly yawn and sat at the coffee table with an unenthusiastic expression.
Taking a bite of his morning meal his face became slightly resentful. The breakfast she made was coffee french toast. Normally anyone would be grateful for something like that but he was different and the reason had to more so do with the fact that she was using his black coffee to limit his dosage than anything else.
When he finished his first toast she pushed a cup of chamomile tea towards him.
"..I'm not drinking that crap." He twists his face away.
"Oh. Are you saying you rather eat your breakfast dry? Sounds stupid... buuttt just to let you know I hid the pack in the fridge and your entire school stash." She said pushing it even closer.
Accelerator grumbled and drank his tea with his meal then left to his bedroom under the guise of packing his bag when in truth he was planning on retrieving a canned coffee from his hidden stash.
It was hidden behind three stacks of reading material on the dresser bookshelves. The two stacks had things like manga's, novels, and textbooks while the third were tons of porn magazines.
Now he had zero interest in those kinds of things. If he wanted porn he would have used the internet, those books only served one purpose and one purpose only.
How would a person react if they discovered a stash of porn mags? Some would get curious and investigate your taste but more often than not they would get embarrassed and put back everything.
He was a man of science. Facts and statistics played an important role in his strategy. It didn't matter who saw these, from his collected data of specific individuals no one would or should trouble his stash.
When he pulled out the last layer of books he was met with nothing but the wooden color board.
"For fuck sake."
The Student Council office. This was a big room holding a projector, a portable whiteboard, ten Beanbags, three bookshelves, a mini-fridge, and a wall glass display case.
Near the automatic window blinds were the president's desks and in the center a U-shaped table with 10 comfy seats. To the left of that was a rectangular table between two polish brown couches.
It was in that room a cushioned thump was heard resonating throughout. The sound was from Accelerator hitting the couch after being teleported.
In a split second Kuroko appeared above him then as fast as she appeared she disappeared and reappeared standing next to him.
"Couldn't you be a little more gentle." He complained, sitting up and looking at her back.
"Just be thankful I landed you back first rather than head first on the couch." She walked away.
'Did I do something?'
Not wanting to press her for an answer he walked to his desk and took a seat.
"Here." She dropped a bundle of papers on his desk.
"Review these and the presentation before the meeting ." She pointed at them.
Accelerator picked them up, straightened them, and glossed over the documents.
"List of candidates, equipment request," He paused and glanced her way.
"It's your job to pick what gets denied and accepted but students don't necessarily agree to that so the money they raise goes to their class to do what they want but the teachers want you to eliminate anything that has no place."
"And here I thought that fundraiser was worthless because the school has a big budget."
"It shows school spirit. Something you lack."
"Yea. Yea. Yea" He continued to scan through. "... Another fan club dispute."
"Why are there always so many." He sighed.
"Unless we can fix how Misaki and Kakine-san see each other this will resume."
"Might as well give up, those two are too alike than they want to admit it and they won't take Shizuri's approach."
"Well, we must still try." She walked to the door. "I'm going to deliver this copy of the fundraiser budget to Chio-sensei. Make sure to go through those thoroughly." She left him alone.
"Man, this is such a pain." Accelerator said more to himself than to Kuroko.
About a minute passed when someone entered the office which was signaled by the creaking of the door hinges and alerting Accelerator was reading through the paper.
"Sup." The girl said with a cock of her head and received a grunt as a greeting.
She was named Mugino Shizuri, a third-year girl with back length tea-color hair. The atmosphere around was a mixture of delinquency and a high-class ojou-sama as she took a seat in the waiting area. She was dressed like a second-year but had a light brown vest and purple bow with white socks instead.
A couple of seconds after Accelerator looked through the documents he heard crunching sounds and stares at Mugino.
In her hand was a gift plastic wrap filled with cookies and she was chewing one of them as she was on her phone.
"Didn't we talk about that."
"Yup. But I never said I would adhere."
Releasing an annoyed sigh he got back to reading and a short time later the other Council members gathered and huddled in groups. Tsuchimikado, Eztali, and Awaki were in the beanbags talking while on their phones. And Misaka, Worst(Mio), Misaki, Gunha, and Mugino were at the waiting area playing Karuta.
"..Where's Kakine?" Accelerator gaze looked over everyone.
"I'm sure you can guess what that womanizer is doing."
"Sigh, why'd he even join." He hanged his head.
A peal of small laughter came from Awaki after hearing his remark. She was a third-year with long dark red hair tied into two low ponytails.
"What's so funny?" Accelerator asked deadpan.
"I was just thinking about how easy it was to persuade him as opposed to you. We had to try our damnedest just to get you to consider."
"Now, now Awaki you have to remember Tou-san would have been like Kakine if Kuroko hadn't put a leash on his lazy ass." Worst tittered.
She was Mikoto's oldest sister and like Awaki she was a third year. Her hair and eyes were similar to Mikoto's but with bags and orange irises.
"Screw the both of you."
"Not until I have a ring on my finger, sweetheart." Awaki raised her hand as an indication.
"I might let you, but I wouldn't want to make your right hand jealous."
"Woah!" Gunha laughed. "You two have a lot of guts, declaring your love so boldly!"
With the hit of that statement and the addition of Awaki's freaking out, Worst guffawing became even louder. But before everyone almost failed at stifling their laughter the door to the office opened.
The sudden guest was a worn down Kuroko holding and wearing several different size bags and after a brief moment of struggling, Gunha and Mikoto took a couple and rest them in some beanbags then plopped back down on the couch with Kuroko following.
"Haven't we talked about that." Kuroko turned to her neighbor on the left.
"Indeed," Mugino replied.
"Well?"
"Too bad," Mugino said, placing a cookie in her mouth and chewed. "If I have to put up with these idiots everyday, imma eat. On another matter, shouldn't you tell Sogita to wear his clothes properly?"
"Sigh, he is too much. Every teacher just lets him do it because it's a headache to deal with him."
Unlike the other boys, the one name Sogita Gunha wears his blazer over his shoulders like a cape. His white shirt sleeve was rolled up and he wore a white headband around his windswept spiky black hair.
The lord knows Kuroko tried her best With Gunha and no one couldn't say she didn't but his personality was just too overwhelming. Even more so than the people in this room.
Accelerator had just finished with the presentation when he received a message on his phone. Pulling it out he saw a message from Tsuchimikado. A picture was attached with the message 'Check this out'. Opening it up he saw it was Awaki in a black bunny suit with white stockings.
"Hahaha." Tsuchimikado burst into laughter. He was a blonde wearing sunglasses and had a golden chain around his neck.
"Damn it, Tsuchimikado!" Awaki rose, a mixture of anger and embarrassment on her face. "Delete that now!" Her finger stretched out to Accelerator but her gaze never left Tsuchimikado, basically meaning the both of them.
"Yea. Yea" Accelerator waved away and went through his phone. "Right after I upload it to the cloud." He mumbled
"Oh come on Musujime, you looked adorable in that costume." Misaki pointed out and looked at her.
"I have to agree there." Eztali, a third-year with black wavy hair, said nonchalantly and smiled.
"You shut up. Shouldn't you be fantasizing about Misaka." She then glares at the laughing Tsuchimikado.
Hearing those words Kuroko unleashed her signature death stare against her rival and like always he gave her a smile.
"Ehh." Was the only coherent word that left the cookie stuffed mouth Mikoto.
"Misaka-san in a bunny costume, now that is hilarious." Misaki chuckled.
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Mikoto leaned forward, her mouth still full.
"Careful, you crumbs are getting me." Misaki stuttered.
"That sounds like it would be amazing! Especially when combined with Mio-sama!" Kuroko gushed.
"Tou-san is the only one I'd wear it for." Worst glance his way, teasing.
"Nyeh. Hey, Mugino w-"
"Finish that sentence and your ass will be melted." Mugino narrowed her eyes at Tsuchimikado.
"Ehhehehe...It would make perfect material for the scrapbook ." He said quickly.
"I can't believe you asked Mugino before me." Misaki pouts.
"That sounds like fun, are the boys going to dress as bunny butlers?" Gunha asks high-spirited.
"I like the way you think, Gunha. Let's do it." Worst said brightly.
"No way in hell." Accelerator immediately replied.
He wanted to cut off the conversation before it led to worst , picturing him in a bunny suit. However, he was already too late because she already did and cute was an understatement for describing him.
"Did you play a part in him finding out?" Awaki narrowed her eyes curiously at Misaki.
"Did you forget he is a maid-connoisseur." Misaki retorts. "Someone like him can easily find one of my shops."
"I can't disagree with that but my gut is. Anyway, consider that the last time I do you a favor." Awaki, tired of standing, went back to sitting in the beanbag.
"Why did you even work for her? You know she would make you do something embarrassing or were you giving into your masochist tendencies." Accelerator asked her then smiled seeing Awaki's frown.
"A masochist shota con. That sounds scary." Mikoto shuddered.
"Lock up your children's parents, there's a predator on the loose." Tsuchimikado amplifies his voice with his hands.
"She needs some guts beaten into her!" Gunha yelled, standing up with his fist in the air.
"Bwahaha, this is too much. There tearing you a new one, Awaki-chan." Worst laughed and held her stomach.
"I am not a shota-con! I did it in case I need a favor. Friend or not Misaki doesn't do anything for free."
"Hey, just business," Misaki stated.
"Yo." A voice called out with the sound of the door.
It was a third-year boy with shoulder-length dirty blond hair. His smile was a mixture of cockiness, false warmth, and kindness.
"7:20am. Right on the dot, again. Would you stop doing that, it's annoying."
"Nope. It's the perfect way to piss you off." Kakine smiled and walked in.
"He does have a point." Worst agreed.
"Ok everyone, it's time for the Monday meeting." Kuroko clapped and they all took a seat at the U-shape table.
11:15 am had just hit, the meeting was already over, homeroom was done and no one was absent. As easy as falling off a log, foreign language and engineering was done with and now break time has passed. For the fourth session in the third year, Accelerator and the others had Mathematics.
"Ok, we still have a lot of time before you guy's move on too..um?" Said the shaggy blue hair teacher. He was wiping off the board before he checked his watch.
"History." A purple ringlet curls girl answered.
"Thanks, Hokaze." The teacher took a stack of papers from his draw.
"Your welcome."
Walking in front of the desk and leaning on it he continued.
"So I would like you all to finish these worksheets before that time but before I share them out I would like your home works." After receiving the homework, he called up Hokaze, who nodded and passed around the class assignments.
The stacks of papers were eight sheets thick and had a cover page with the topic and each student's name. When all the papers were gone only two people remained without any.
"Mr. Accelerator, you and Mr. Gunha will do 8 extra worksheets. Gunha you've missed a few classes and Accelerator this is punishment for your harsh words on the trip to MIT." The teacher explained, handing them theirs personally.
"That's what you get for playing the hero," Kakine whispered and snickered.
"Sigh, for the last time Kakine, I don't swing that way." Accelerator turned his head away and everyone in the class burst into laughter, even the teacher, Riku-sensei.
"A-ah." Kakine stammered. "You frustrate me!" He yelled at Accelerator, furious.
"Still chasing him even after rejection." Mugino shook her head in disbelief from behind him.
"Shove it."
"Ho. Ho. I don't want anything up my prostate unlike you."
"Watch it, fairy boy, Tou-san is mine and Awaki-chan's prey." Worst grind.
"Why am I pulled into this?!" Awaki responded quickly.
"I do not feel that way about him!"
"It's ok man, there's no need to deny it. We all see how you look at him and try to gain his attention. Listen, I support it and will help in your endeavor." Gunha consoled.
"Die, you delusional quack."
"If you think you can outclass us, try it." Worst warned, her smile more playful than usual.
"It's a battle of guts and romance, gutsy romance!"
"Nehaha. Seriously though, if Tou-san didn't do it one of us would have."
"You mean you?" Awaki half sarcastically asked.
"Most definitely. For a math teacher to be that spiteful to his students because he didn't get his dream job, yuck."
"If I was in his class I would have decked him." Repositioning her feet Mugino smirked.
"Even though that's true and he'd deserve that, Mr. Accelerator went overboard with his insults. We were guesses there and his behavior reflected badly on Academy City."
"We should be glad Mio didn't speak up then." Yawned a black hair sleepy eye girl, monotonously.
"No more of this talk, time is wasting." The teacher clapped and sat at his desk.
"Well, that's weird." Gunha voiced.
"What's weird?" Riku-sensei asked.
"The clouds passing over Tokyo." Gunha pointed at the window, his classmates looking at him with confusion.
"What are you talking about." The teacher approached.
"What the..."
He was stunned at the sight and seeing their teachers' reaction, the members of 3-A investigated. The hell, huh, hmm, and ... was the most common thing said among them.
There, off in the distance were some oddly colored clouds. They were of a spooky-ruby red color. It was lifeless and motherless as it envelops and consumes the strong light of the sun. The view above Tokyo became unfamiliar and hazy. Like some kind of supernatural creature it noiselessly crawled its way to Academy City, encapsulating the view in between. The mysterious condense vapor never licked the tall metal and electrical construct of the city in leading science. Instead, it warped the blue sky above in its terrifying color.
However, no one freaked out. Despite this possible being dangerous they were all composed. There was no need for them to run around and make sure there weren't any breaches, they didn't have to worry cause the building windows were sealed. They only stood there, thinking of a possible explanation.
light wavelength and humidity of the air. A phenomenon similar to algae changing the watercolor or maybe some kind of bacteria. All of those are good guesses but none of them could explain the entire scene.
Then a few minutes later man's age-old enemy, time, arrived to banish it into nothingness. The sky cleared up and the world came back to its original color. Within a couple more minutes blood like rain showered the city. The rain seemed mist-like also as it came down in thin sheets and increasing in intensity when fat droplets gave into gravity.
For an hour this continued and no one still freaked out. The results were announced on the school's intercom that there was nothing odd about the collected sample. It was said to be water with sands heat capacity, why it was red is still under investigation but they are awaiting an update from a lab. Since there was no sounding of the city-wide emergency siren school continued like normal, all they had to do was isolate themselves from the outside, follow safety protocol and everything would be alright.
History class went smoothly and everyone ate their lunches, most people in the cafeteria, some theirs or other classrooms, and a small few in the student council office. Currently, the 3rd years were in Geography learning about storm surges and discharges with a drawn graph as a reference when...
"Ahhh!" "Awww!" "Arghh!" Aiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!"
They heard, ear-splitting, miscellaneous, horror-struck screams followed by crowds of terrified children flooding the corridors.
Color had left their once bright faces and their pupils desperately searched for light. As they passed 3-A's door the rumbling of their feet became distant but the howling became stronger, they were coming from everywhere, the floors below, the classes down, and the classes on their left.
"What the!" The teacher rose from his seat and approach the door. He was a slim build man with bangles black hair and eyes, who's name Seta Kaiba.
"Run!" One bloodied boy shouted, running.
"Hey, wait!" Seta stretched his hand to stop him but the boys' blood-soaked arm slipped through his grip.
"Dammit." His fist slammed the door frame. "Stay here, all of you." Seta glance at the students then dashed off to the source of this mayhem.
Everyone across the walkway to the other classes ran out screaming and flaring in horror. Something like that concerned the members of 3-A but none were afraid. confuse yes but afraid far from it. Each one of them was high-level espers so any danger this proposed was non-existent to them.
As the strongest and as the president of the student council Accelerator decided to follow to investigate.
"Stay here, I'll check out everything."
When he stepped outside the class and looked left he saw his teachers face glued to class 3-D's open door. His eyes were wide open as if awoken with cold water. He watched inside the classroom with such attention it was as if missing one vital detail could mean the end of his life. He was shaking in his shoes, panic-stricken with disharmonious breathing.
Accelerator turned and walked his way, standing near him to see what caught his attention.
The atmosphere that had once dwelt within that class was gone. The scenery was more so an unkept slaughterhouse than anything else.
There, laying on the floor like toys in an just used kindergarten playroom were dead carcasses, their limbs were at awkward angles, and heads held in such a way that they cannot be sleeping. Each one of them was different, some were pitted on each other and some were lolling against desks, chairs, and walls; their grayed flesh torn into pieces making the process of being moved carefully impossible. Deep cavity bite marks spread around their entire lifeless body, leaving glistening red gelatin with or without very rare bones being exposed. Most were gouged from across the gut and spilling out a den of blood-covered pink snakes.
And...in the middle... standing...scattered through the scene taken from a horror movie were five students, three boys, and two girls.
Strewn around their mouths, intertwined with flesh, saliva, and blood, was crimson. Their eyes were a pure sea of pitch black, like inside the void of space and their hands wore gloves of blood with flesh under the nails.
The color quickly drained from Seta's face as they finally noticed him.
"Pant...Pant.. eee" He took a few steps back, slid down the railing made from glass and metal frame, and brought his knees up to his chest. After three quick heavy breathing, leaving his trembling form, he ran off shrieking.
"Really." Accelerator clicked his tongue. Unlike Seta he was calmly standing there, not a hint of cold sweat present.
"Sigh."
He flicked the air, sending a powerful gust of wind that threw them backward. Rather than being knocked out, after hitting the wall as he intended, they got up and charged at him with a beastly roar. Before they could reach, however, Accelerator closed the door and a dull impact followed seconds later.
It seems the scared teacher acted as a plot twist to a book and gained the attention of a few students as they peeked through their classes door. One of them, that sunglasses blond, walked up to him.
"Nyeh, what's up?" He was not frightened nor was he afraid when he called out.
"Hmm?"
"What? You didn't think I would run off, did you? Mind giving an overview."
"Don't get it myself but long story short looks like cannibalism."
"Oh ho," Tsuchimikado shifted his gaze. " more are coming." He pointed down the corridor. Coming from the bathroom were three drooling cannibalistic boys.
"Man such a pain." Accelerator looked away towards the higher classes.
"Eztali! I need you to go to the intercom and tell everyone to hide in the gymnasium. Awaki! you teleport everyone on this floor who is frozen with fear and the rest of you protect as many people as possible and guide them to the gym. Remember those are our fellow students so don't kill them."
Unbeknownst to him, though, a certain headband boy had already left long ago to do just that. All of them nodded and when the muffles of sounds dissipated those who peeked out the classes disappeared as a blur.
"What am I going to do, prez?" Tsuchimkado pointed at himself.
"You and I will deal with them up here. Limit the damage and buy Awaki time."
"Nyeh, k!"
"Alright then." Accelerator said in between a smirk.
3 minutes and 30 seconds passed. Accelerator and Tschimikado were still busy fighting those three children. During that short period, those three never used any powers. They seemed to lack the basic function of thinking.
Along that time Accelerator decided to not use his so he could test out his close combat skills, and their capabilities but that didn't change the fact that fighting them was difficult since they were impossible to stun.
"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!" Those creatures locked inside 3-D constantly hit the door. "Raaa! Reiii! Raghh!" The eagerest to taste fresh human flesh never died despite not seeing any.
It was an ongoing battle of three against two in that corridor.
Accelerator sidestepped their outstretched arm, grabbed it and swept their feet. When they lost balance his hand followed through and thrust them into the glass framed by a metal railing.
Tsuchimikado did the same but flipped them vertically and as their head bounced from the floor he stomped them out.
The third one that ran towards them got mercilessly kicked at the back of the knee by Tsuchimikado and when they fell to their knees Accelerator bashed the side of their head into the door.
But just like before they got up like it was nothing. Acts of blunt force attacks did nothing but momentarily keep them off.
"This is becoming too repetitive for me." Tsuchimikado smiled. "Same."
They were both there to buy time for the teleporter Awaki but neither shouted for her to hurry up. They knew when she was finished she would retrieve them but since she hasn't she was most likely doing that for the scattered students of 3-A.
"Here they come!" Those three cannibalistic creatures step forward a bit and they both readied themselves. Like on command all three lunged at them, mouths wide open ready to take maw like bites into both their flesh but...
Within an instant, both Accelerator and Tsuchimikado appeared in the gymnasium full of people, another reason why he deactivated his power.
The gymnasium was to the north, it was a four-floor building that was the size of a football field. The first floor was a giant basketball court with a staging area, retractable bleachers, and an open face upstairs walkway for viewing. The second and third floors were divided between sex and coupled as bath and restroom facilities. The fourth floor was an indoor swimming pool area that had a giant skylight for natural lighting. It has three main sections: the main swimming pool area, the audience's seats, and the changing rooms.
"Wooo. Thanks" Tsuchimikado stretches his body as Awaki vomits in a nearby trash bin.
"Good to see everything went smoothly."
Awaki wiped the little vomit from her mouth and walked back to them.
"...Ha. ha, Yeah but a lot of people died. Most of the people here are scared and those that aren't and are espers want to use their powers to kill. Only the teachers are keeping them in line."
"Understandable. Friends and families were eaten alive in front of them." Tsuchimikado arched his back, his hands on his hips. "What makes this situation complicated is that we don't get what's up with those black eye students and can only hope the adults can fix them, that's why we refrain from killing or seriously hurting them."
"There they are, hey!" The student body walked towards them.
"Mmmm." Accelerator turned their way. " Glad to see you all made it." He smirked.
"Of course" "Who do you take me for." "It was a pain but hey... it's over." "My job was simple." "Same to you." "We can't call ourselves the elite if we didn't." "Tehe." They replied.
"Nice work. You saved a lot of people but we still have more to do. Mr. Shusuke and two other teachers want to talk to us." kuroko smirked.
"Only three teachers?"
"Yeah. When everything went down the teachers were the first to go since they tried to protect the students."
"Sigh, where are they." Accelerator scratched his head.
"Yeah, go ahead. we'll be waiting here." Tsuchimikado waved.
"You're not serious?"
"We can guess what they want. All of us don't have to go to hear them out, that's your job."
"And I need to rest." Awaki dismissively waved.
"Such a pain, fine go do whatever."
"Was always going to." Worst whispered into his ears then left with the others.
Accelerator and Kuroko made their way to one of the storage rooms which was behind the bleachers. Inside the rectangular room were packs of boxes, folding chairs, mattresses, poles, javelin, ropes, three lockers, hurdles, and metal baskets of balls.
Seated in the middle of the room were the three first-year teachers. , a brown hair pretty man dressed in a white unbuttoned shirt over a blue v neck t-shirt, approached them.
"Nice to see you all made it safely. We know you've done a lot for the students but we would like you to do one more thing." He said shaking their hands, followed by the other two.
One was a black hair ponytail woman dressed in a black tank top and army pants. Her name was Ichiko and she had a dog tag around her neck and wore shades.
"As the student council president, as a member of their peers as well as level 5's, we ask you to help us calm the distressed students. By hitting those criteria those of you from the council can help fasten this process. Too many have died and at such a young age." Ms. Airi continued.
"We're really sorry for pushing this on you but please." Akira pleaded. He was a chubby man with short black hair wearing a collar white t-shirt.
"Leave it to us, sir."
Accelerator was a moment behind Kuroko to answer. After finishing up their business they joined up with the other council members in a different storage room to prepare the speech.
"I'll write up the speech," Kuroko said determined and Accelerator nods. "I'm counting on you."
The speech seemed to have touched the students. By working in tandem with the teachers they were successful in calming a vast majority of the crowd.
"All we have to do is wait until Anti-skill arrives to evacuate us. Until then we wait here."
"Why the hell should we do that?! With our powers, we can easily overturn them!" A chubby boy with an Italian haircut interjected.
"We need to take things in our own hand's people. Those are not the same people we all know..there..monsters!" A brown-haired boy with a hoodie under his school shirt spat.
"Exactly and what makes you think they'll come." A boy with long black hair spoke up. "We've all seen the forums of people begging to be saved and not a single one post any news of being saved. Many of us have done the same but look... no one came. They probably think we're all dead or one of those things."
"You cannot do that. You'll seriously injure the child at best. We need to wait out until a method to bring them back is developed. Those are your friends out there.
"Those friends ate and murder two of my other friends!" The brown hair boy exclaimed.
"Enough. Do you think that less of Academy city? That red rain caused everything to go crazy, no one did it out of their free will. I'm also sure that scientists are working around the clock to fix this. Listen here, the first priority of this city is the students. We have been set as the first to be evacuated in any emergency. Unless they know our status, no even if they didn't they would not hesitate to rescue us. Anti-skill isn't as shallow as you're pointing them out to be because that's how those people truly are. Anti-skill is volunteer teachers who go on dangerous missions and fight rampaging espers because they want to help children. You've bare witness to this many times and today was the most prevalent. How many adults do you think died to help you escape? How many of you would still be alive if not for them? They've always had our best interest at heart and they will still. Just wait passionately until they come."
Hearing those harsh words from the council president the children that tried to ruin the piece went silent. Accelerator and the other student body went to the other storage room up the stairs to the walkway and Accelerator took out one of the folded chairs and sat in the corner by the window.
"So Tou-san." Worst pulled out a chair of her own. "How much of what you said do you believe?" She sat improperly.
"...I do believe in most of it."
"That's cruel man." Tsuchimikado and Worst giggled.
"Not like we don't see where he is coming from," Kuroko said, taking a seat.
"Anti-Skill are the type of people I said they are...but...that's why I don't believe everything. They will get overwhelmed by those sick people and die if they don't try to hurt them. Anti-Skill doesn't use live ammo on children and that'll hinder progress."
"We get it," Said Misaki as she and the others took a seat. "But even if it's a drawback Anti-skill will still stay true to themselves."
Accelerator pulled out his phone and scans through it. He was searching different forums to check the status of other people.
"Any change?" Kakine asked.
"Nope."
"Well, at least we can use the argument that Academy City has a shit ton of schools to ease the restless," Mugino said going through her phone.
"But how long and what are going to do about it?" Mikoto wondered.
"We'll just come up with an escape plan," Accelerator confirmed
The two sessions of Geography ended three minutes ago and students were scattered in the gymnasium. The bloody few were taking a bath and washing their clothes to be dried on the roof and those on the highest floor were taking their minds off of the current situation by playing in the pool. On the lowest floor, students were grouped up conversing and messing on their phones until they heard a loud banging sound coming from the entrance.
"Bang! Bang! Let me in! Bang! Please you have to let me enter!"
"What the.." A bald head boy stood up/
"Wait..isn't that Ms. Airi's voice?" A first-year braided girl asks.
"Bang! Please!"
Hearing the sound Accelerator and the others rushed outside and stood on the walkway to observe the commotion.
'Damn it. Those teachers. Did they really think it was smart to look for food on their own? They were too fucking impulsive and forgot about the time.' He tightly gripped the railing.
"Impossible, how would she be out there and why?" A green-haired boy asked, panicked.
"But that does sound like her." A separate group of students ran to the storage room. When it opened an unknown teacher overwhelmed them.
They all went into a flurry screaming and crying as he desperately tried to eat them. Struggling, they managed to push him away and escape into the petrified crowds.
The moment they ran away, Awaki didn't hesitate. With a swing of her military flashlight, she teleported him away. The room went silent for a while before everyone dispersed shocked at the revelation.
"N-no way...the teachers..we're so dead." A black hair student fell to his knee.
"See! What did I tell you! The only way we can survive is if we drop our morals!"
"Bu-but." Stuttered a blue-haired boy.
"But what! Open your eyes-"
Accelerator knew he had to do something. There was nothing worse than having people be scared. When scared people lose all rationality and become monsters that would do anything to survive. So issued commands to the council.
"Tch, Kuroko. I believe those were first years, I want you and Misaki to bring those who were bitten up here. Kakine, Misaka calm down the students. Mugino I need you to check down there." When they dispersed he and the remaining others went back inside to wait.
After a few minutes, all of the council members were back inside the storage area and with them were two guests. With chair against chair, opposite each other, they were gagged and tied up.
"Haaa...what am I doing?"
"Hmm? Why are you complaining? This is what you wanted." Eztali pointed out.
"Yea...but still..."
"You thought this was like one of those situations from a movie or manga didn't you?" Awaki asked.
"We don't know anything about what the red rain did to everyone so this was a necessary precaution.."
"Still doesn't change the fact that it's hilarious you thought like that." Kakine snigger.
"How long does it take for them to turn again?" Misaki pegged on
"Not funny."
"I think it depends on the person," Gunha replied.
"If I remember correctly the average is 6 hours." Kuroko relayed.
"Waa. We have to wait that long." Awaki complained
"We don't really have anything to do." Unabara continued.
"I wonder if it will be a silent turn?" Mugino asked.
"No worries, we already gagged them." Tsuchimikado reminded.
"Couldn't Miss cow deal with that?" Mokoto said, pointing.
"Pain."
"I get the point, can you stop now?"
"Oh come on, a bit more?" Worst begged.
"No, this is serious."
"Man you're a buzzkill." She mumbled
"Sigh..." He glanced at Mugino "What of the storage room?"
"As expected, they left through the window. It had a bloody handprint from the teacher attempting to crawl in. He's dead outside, whether from blood lost first is a mystery cause outside near the window his body is being eaten."
"Seems something is happening." Unabara guides them with his finger.
Out of nowhere both, their bodies started to convulse. Trying to pull away from the tape holding them down they let out muffled cries and dampen the cloth gags with their saliva. Fingers moved in stiff and awkward motions while chests violently hyperventilated. Their cries became louder and louder, forcing Misaki to silence them with her power. Slowly, their breathing weakens and by a couple of seconds stopped.
"So that's a result of the bites," Awaki said.
"Beats turning into one of them and eating people." Misaki shrugs.
"Ahh, yes. We don't need you bigger than you already are."
Before Misaki could violently and repeatedly press the buttons on her remote to hurt Misaka Accelerator spoke up.
" We can't stay here any longer."
"You have a plan?" Unabara asked.
"Yup but first we need to do a rescue mission."
Accelerator tampered with his phone for a few minutes then went to the stage area. In less than 3 minutes every student in the gym building gathered on the lowest floor. With everyone gathered Accelerator made his intentions known.
"Alright listen up. We are planning on going to an underground bunker in district 23."
"We're really gonna leave?" A girl with Kaguya haircut asked
"What about waiting for Anti-Skill?" A boy with extremely low hair questioned.
"Academy City is a place for learning. The amount of schools existing is absurdly large. I'm sure if we wait they will come but how long is unknown. Food is a concern and even with teleportation that just runs risks since the slightest miscalculation means death."
"You do have a point." A girl with a Rize hairstyle agrees.
"Doesn't that mean we're going to hurt them?" A boy with generic hair asks.
"Hurt them, ruff them up all that's just semantics."
"Weren't you against that?" The same brown hair boy asked.
"I don't recall ever disagreeing with the idea."
"E-eh."
"Tell me something, can you really say my meaning of hurt them and ruffling them up is the same as yours?"
"..."
"That's how you really thought, huh. Put that away for now because we have to retrieve those students who are scattered around the school."
"B-but their location?"
"Already have it. The internet still works so all I had to do was have them message me the locations." Accelerator shook his phone. "There is something you all must know first though. We are walking there."
"Huh" What" Why!" "District 23 is far ways away?"
"I'm going to be wringing the teleporters dry. In order to get everyone, they are needed and don't think I'm asking for permission from you non-teleporters."
Every teleporter who's a level 3 and up was partnered with two guards with blunt force powers. The largest of survivors were hiding in the auditorium and only Awaki and Kuroko were assigned there. Along with being tasked to teleport the separated students, Kuroko was to teleport Awaki.
This operation lasted about 45 minutes and was now time for phase two.
"Gunha we're counting on you. Among the six of us, your powers are best suited for fighting them, its blunt and it protects you as well as covers for others."
"You can count on me." Gunha gave a thumbs-up with a delighted expression.
The attack force was split into four groups, the front, left, right, and back. Each was a mix of normal telekinetics, Aero-telekinetics, Geo-telekinetics, and hydro-telekinetics espers. After the lookout on the roof relayed the status of the sick it was time to put phase two into action.
At the moment when the two students opened the double open doors and a large influx of sick rushed inside.
"AMAZING... PUNCH!" Gunha screamed, punching the air. What was supposed to be a normal scene turned into something unbelievable.
Released from his fist was a mysterious power with tremendous pressure that blew away all of the invading sick.
With gunha leading the charge everyone ran outside and went in formation, a filled circle with four separated arcs. Those sick who were wandering around aimlessly were right there in large numbers blocking their path.
Those who used hydrokinesis replenished their supply with the buckets of water everyone in the center carried. They were making their way through the football field fighting a large wall of the sick.
Gunha threw two quick punches towards a group of sick running towards him, sending them flying along with thunderous sounds, dirt, and dust clouds. Each time Accelerator flicked his wrist gust of winds shot out and pushed back the incoming sick. Hydro, Aero, Geo, and normal telekinesis flew around the field knocking down any enemies who dare approach.
The more of them they took down the more of the sick were drawn.
This play continued as they moved past the fencing around the field and wove their way between trees and buildings leading up to the main school complex.
Their destination was District 23 to the eastern side. Since they were in the 7th school district they had to cut through districts 5 and 18 to reach there but first, they must pass the main building area and make it into the mountains.
Something more difficult than it sounded. Midway through the battle as they continued to counter each of the sick, a random number of people in the attack groups suddenly stopped firing their powers.
"Huh?" "What?" "..." "I don't get it."
They were standing there staring at their hands with vigorous intent, confused and trembling. And with eyes wide and mouths partly open they finally processed what was wrong.
"W-what's going on?! My power, Why?! Why isn't it working!"
"A-ah! N-n-no.." A group of the sick stepped closer to one student, their thirst never-ending. "Pant..stay pack! KYAAHH!" Gripping his body tightly they began to take huge bites out of him. His skin and flesh were pulled from his body and crammed into their mouth fast to be consumed like melted cheese. He released a scream from deep within that forced its way from his mouth.
"UGH GURGH GUE!" "GAHHH!" "GUHH ARGHH!" "GUHHH ARGHH!" "GAKK! "UWHAAAA WHARRRGGGHHH!" "UGHH!" "GARGHH!" Their desperate cries tore through the air and echoed throughout the terrain.
one by one, two by twos, three by threes. Those few students who were in a momentary daze were pounced by the sick and fell victim to their only obsession.
"Yhaa! sva nfj aaaa khh!" A girl sounds out with teeth locked on her throat. The scene was reminiscent of a group of lovers fighting over one person, pulling them from all sides. In less than a second, she was silent due to her pharynx being ripped out. She was left to choke on her blood, tears trickling her cheeks as she helplessly watches them crunched into her with their clenched teeth and rapidly, stuffing their mouths full.
"Argh..ha nhu. H-hjp meh" groaned a crying boy every few seconds. He was laying on the ground, his face closed in a grimace, his skin pale and clammy from blood as a few of the sick acted like a pack of starving wolves. They ate into him noisily, slurping, and grabbing a handful of his innards. The slab of meat hanging from the corner of their mouths danced in the air as they moved in for more.
"flaa gyahaa" Barely audible sound left a rugby dog pile of sick. Whoever That person is was fully surrounded, not even the color of their shoes could be seen. The only evidence apart from their voice that suggested it was not a sick was the pool of blood leaking from the pile and the hand reaching out to the sky, hoping for help.
While few of the students were pierced in the brains by fear, ignited to stand or run, a black spiky hair boy with a small few ran into the devilish fray to rescue their comrades. To be a hero or a coward? Those were the choices but those brave souls didn't hesitate to pick the former over the latter.
12 minutes were spent fighting but they all managed to make it through the fierce battle to the mountains, though at the cost of 19 lives.
Those who survived were sprawled out underneath the kingdom of trees that stretch upwards and outwards to drink the sun rays. The lumpy roots projecting through the soil acted as a seating area for those who were tired.
Existing there was a heavy atmosphere that ran its course through many's mind and body. Drained of all hope they rested there, sank to their knees, bleak and sobbing. It was more than low morale, some struggled to keep their tears silent and others suffered emptiness that slowly nibbled its way inside like a hungry rat.
"So many of us died." one student whispered. His whole body hung limp and his eyes were light pink.
"Why did this have to happen? Today was supposed to be a normal school day. " A girl whispered, her hands covering her face.
"This must be some choke." A boy burst into hysterical laughter.
"Damn it!" The side of a fist slammed on a tree trunk. "This-this bullshit! What the hell happened down there?!" He forcefully grabs a boy beside him.
"Hey. let him go," Mugino demanded. "none of us could have predicted what happened." She added as the boy release the other one.
"How the hell are we to survive if we run the risk of losing our powers?!" He asked exasperatedly.
"We depend on each other." Mugino's gaze left him. "Listen, for now, none of us are to use our powers unless necessary. We need to find out how, why, and discrepancies first." She yelled to the others.
"Hey, couldn't you control the sick?" Worst asked. She was standing in a separate area, leaning against a tree and talking to Misaki, who was sitting.
"One would think that but for some reason I can't." Misaki sighed. "They don't even stop, it's not like I get repel, or meet interference or anything, my commands do get through but they just don't execute."
"Well damn." Worst muttered, folding her arms.
Though they were a few meters away from everyone they both could hear all the conversations, Mugino giving the students commands, Accelerator talking to Tsuchimikado, and even the one between Mikoto and Kuroko.
"You know if you ask it, I will follow you," Kuroko said, smiling at Mikoto's back. She was at the edge of a cliff, overlooking the buildings, with one hand leaning on a trunk and the other going through her phone.
"I know but with circumstances as bad as they are, I rather not have you follow me on a suicide mission," Mikoto replied in a soft voice, stopping her thumb but not looking back.
"That just makes me want to go with you more." Kuroko huffed and walked closer but stopped when she heard a familiar voice.
"Then why not let me join you?"
Accelerator emerged from the trees and ambled towards the two. Mikoto didn't react but Kuroko did.
"Wha-w-when did you?"
"Just like you, I knew she was going to do this."
"You can't, though, the surviving students need you," Mikoto said, turning around to meet his gaze.
"No they don't and you know that. After everything that's happened, they all hate me and want to see me die. It's best if Kuroko leads them, she's very dependable, liked, and has a better standing outside her affiliation with the council. " He explained, passing kuroko and standing a meter from Mikoto.
"So, what do you say?"
"...Fine then." Mikoto said. Both her and Accelerator walked past kuroko.
"Hey," Kuroko reached out her hand. "I-" She was once again stopped from executing an action, this time rather than his voice it was his hand on her shoulder.
"Don't worry I'll make sure she comes back."
Accelerator took a step back to walk away but was stopped by Kuroko gripping his placed out hand. "You as well. I swear if you don't, I'll hunt down the dead or sick you and beat it to a bloody pulp." She warned, tightening her grip.
"After hearing something like that I will" Accelerator smirked and Kuroko nodded. When her grip loosen he turned back to follow Mikoto but met her 3 feet away looking at a spiky hair boy in her path.
"I'm coming with," Touma said, sternly.
"..I understand."
"Why let him go but not me, one-sama?!" Kuroko points at Kamijou, aggressive.
"It's not like what you think. There's this nun that lives with him."
"Unless That delinquent nun skipped school again that would mean you have to break in two different schools and you have to remember there's the problem with everyone's powers having a possibility of disappearing. That's beyond dangerous especially since it's drawing near to nighttime."
"Well, I did say it was a suicide mission."
"Onee-sama!"
"I was joking, relax, relax." Mikoto dismissed, waving her hand and grinning at Kuroko.
"You don't have to worry Shirai, she's at my apartment."
"I told you to always address me as Shirai-san, ape! And what the hell?! Why a girl at your apartment instead of school?! Better yet why is she living with you! This is why I want you to stay away from my Onee-sama!"
"E-eeh," Touma flinched and backed up defensively. "Misaka help me out here."
"Apart from the last sentence, I do agree with her."
"Why side with her! Accel-"
"Has nothing to do with me." Accelerator responded disinterestedly.
"Come on man!"
"I don't know whether to classify you as a good sister or a bad one?" Misaki asked, overhearing their conversation.
"Nehehehe, haven't you been doing the same thing?"
"For selfish reasons. I don't know the story but I get the gist of the situation and I'm taking advantage of it." Misaki clarified, watching Mikoto and the others descend the mountain.
After 47 minutes of walking and hiding through district 7, they were near the boy's dormitory. Currently, they were in an alleyway, surveying the streets and exterior of the dorm before going in.
"What you say, Elevator or stairs?" Touma asked, peeking his head out.
"I say emergency stairs. It's best to be cautious." Mikoto suggested bedside him.
"Alright then, let's go."
The three of them sprinted to the fire exit door and climbed the stairs. They were heading for the seventh floor to Kamijou's apartment but the quiet atmosphere felt too awkward for him so he decided to start up a conversation.
"I still can't believe it. Everything was so normal this morning." Touma said walking in front.
"Well, it was only a matter of time before someone would have attacked Academy City, and it just so happened to be today. Probably some country fired off a couple of thousand drones to spread that mysterious red substance." Mikoto said behind him.
"What I don't get is how the vapor got in? The school is an existing shelter who's mechanics are a bit model from an underground shelter. In case of emergencies we should have run on separate oxygen supply." Touma sighed.
"And it did work, only a small amount got through. Remember, less than half of the school turned. The vapor must have formed and got inside before the school enacts safety precautions. The economics room, woodwork, and even the bathroom are just some possible entryways." Accelerator told him.
"Knowing that the damage was limited doesn't make me feel any better." Kamijou lamented.
"All we can hope for is that the people close to us haven't turned." Mikoto soothed.
"That's kinda difficult since we don't know why some of us don't turn and some do. Though it was a little that entered some of the sick I've seen don't have such classes and they hadn't left class within the time frame. You guys have any guesses." Touma stopped at the door and looked back.
"As of now a lot but none could be solidified unless experimented," Mikoto answered honestly.
'Please be ok, Index.' He thought as he slowly opened the door partway.
Once he saw the floor empty they walked to his apartment door and opened it.
"Index?" Touma whispered walking deeper in.
He searched everywhere, the bedroom, the kitchen, the bathroom, every possible nook and cranny she could have hidden but still could not find her.
"Hey," Mikoto called out.
She walked to the kneeling boy but stopped when it looked like he remembered something and ran outside leaving the name Maika behind. When next they saw Touma he was at an apartment next door.
"Umm, what are you doing?" Mikoto asked, watching Touma rummaging through his right pocket.
"If Index isn't in my apartment then she's over here. This is Tsuchimikado's room and his sister should be here." Touma said changing pockets.
"Why would she be, not only is this not her apartment but she should be in school?"
"She's sick and Tsuchimikado wanted her to stay here so he could take care of her."
Along with his hand, two green electronic cards came out. Once he found which belonged to this room he put away the other one and placed the appropriate one to the door scanner.
"After a lot of me complaining about him having a card to my apartment without my permission, he gave me a duplicate of his," Touma said casually, and when he heard the beeping sound he punched in the passcode.
Two clicks of the locks moving later he opened the door with a "There" and when he did he was tackled into the opposite wall by a blue-black hair girl in a maid outfit.
The hair that was swept back by a white bonnet barely reached her small shoulders and those once blue eyes were as dark as charcoal.
That drool covered, white teeth mouth relentlessly tried to taste the sweetmeat that was Kamijou Touma and those nicely kept unpolished fingernails acted as a crane claw to help deliver it there.
The only guard he had to protect him from becoming her chew toy was his hand pushing away her face and the arm at her throat.
In less than two seconds Mikoto pushed her off of Touma with a powerful sole kick. After rolling three feet away she gained her footing and charged forward but before she could reach Accelerator wrapped his blazer around her face, threw her to the ground, and pinned her down, using his knee as a weight.
The amount of pressure to apply to someone like her was very little so he was very confident he could hold her off as long as needed.
"I got her," Touma responded with a nod and went inside with Mikoto.
Apart from its contents and their arrangement the infrastructure of Tsuchimikado's house was similar to his. First, he called out to Index, and when he heard nothing he walked to the bedroom. And it was there he found that silver hair nun sleeping on the bed.
"I-Index?"
Touma slowed his pace to snail as he approached her with an outstretched hand. It took him one simple nudge to wake her.
"Mmm." Index murmured, opening her eyes. "... Ah...Touma, what are you doing here?" She yawned and rubbed her sleepy eyes as she got up.
"What do you mean? Did you really sleep through everything."
"Hmm?"
"Really, Index." Touma scratched his head and sighed. "What was the last thing you remember?"
"I was helping Maika clean and cook. We spent some time talking and watching television but I felt tired halfway through so she said I could rest in her brother's room. What's going on?"
"You are an unbelievable girl," Mikoto commented.
"I'll explain everything briefly."
He did as he said and they went outside to meet up with Accelerator.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
"Raa. Raaa. Raaa." Maika roared leaning against the wall.
Accelerator was no longer pinning her down, instead, he tied her up with his socks and left her face cover.
"Help me with her." He said boredly, getting up and pointing at her.
Both Touma and Mikoto chipped in, to remove the restraints and lock her in the bedroom.
"From now on things are going to get difficult. We need weapons if we're going to proceed." Accelerator said completing his wear.
"I have some things we could use." Touma raised his hand.
All four of them went to his apartment for the weapons he spoke of. To Mikoto, he gave a wooden laundry paddle, Accelerator a broomstick, and him, a sock filled with two whole bottles of butter.
"A butter sock." Mikoto mocked.
"What? Sam Puckett showed how dangerous this bad boy is."
The next location for them was district 13 but to get there they have to finish crossing district 15. The original object of this journey was to first go there to pick up Mikoto's smallest sister Nio(Last Order) then make it to the bunker but turned into a three-part mission on the addition of Kamijou's objective.
"So, what's your opinion of everything?" Touma asked Index. The two were a few feet behind Mikoto and Accelerator.
"There are some religious interpretations of a red sky but from everything you've told me now and back in the apartment, as well as the fact that your right-hand doesn't work. Those are useless."
"Not even you can draw anything from this, huh."
"I never said I can't draw anything. I just said there isn't any point in telling you." Index snapped.
"My bad, Index-san." Touma nervously laughed.
After a short pause of looking around, he hurried to Mikoto and Accelerator.
"Hey, you guys."
"Yea. We know." Mikoto stated.
"What?" Index asked.
" You don't know this but we're in the largest shopping center of Academy City."
"Oh, I see. Despite that, the lack of sick is unnerving." Index looked around.
Academy City is home to 2.3 million and even though they were walking through a major meet and greet area the streets were silent. It was so quiet that the air felt cold and sent a chill up Touma's spine.
"Yeah. Where could they all be gone?" Touma said, becoming more tense.
As they walked down a straight street they began to smell something very familiar which stops them dead in their tracks. Each of their faces was morphed complexly but it all displayed the same thing.
It was an absurdly strong scent of iron.
None of them could see anything to get them like this but they knew passing that alleyway on the left would be the death of them. Slowly they backed away and after ten steps they turned around and speed-walked away a couple of meters but...
"AAAARRRKKKKKKKK!"
Emerging from that corner was a secluded sick. Its body was in a suit of blood, flesh, and organs. It was already too late. The sound attracted all the sick in the area. Those in that same corner, other corners and streets crept from them with sticky movements.
'Were they all feasting?!' Kamijou thought as he and the others dash back down the street.
Out of the woodwork, they came, surrounding the four from both sides in a pincer attack, blood, and flesh interwoven in their teeth. The thick mass wall of the sick all came thrashing in like a tidal wave, roaring and toppling over those in front who couldn't keep up the charge.
With no way to escape Touma and the others gritted their teeth and firmly gripped their weapons, backing up against each other in preparation for one final stand before they got hit by the separated tidal waves and ripped apart.
The only one who didn't accept such fate was Accelerator, who knelt on one knee and touched the floor. Grasping the rotational energy from the earth and converting it into something.
Like a cyclone formation, the wind got whipped up in a spiral motion and within a few seconds, all four of them shot up to the closest building rooftop.
Parabolic antennas, satellite dishes, compact AHU, air conditioning, and ventilation systems span one corner and are sprinkled a little in the middle of the roof.
"Damn It!" Touma bellowed.
"At least we made it. Hurdle up together we're flying the rest of the way." Accelerator said walking to the left edge and staring off into the distance.
"No." Touma protest.
"Don't be stupid-"
"Shut up!"
"...I don't get why me using my powers to save us is so aggravating." Accelerator addressed him.
"I said shut up. People like you won't be able to survive in this new world if that's your mindset. All you high-level espers are too dependent on the stupid powers that you lack basic street smarts. Just shut and let me think, I'll find a way for us to escape."
"What, have you been paying attention? Those wont go once they locate a prey and we have a shit ton of them down there eager to take a bite out of us."
Touma ignored him, walked around the rooftop, and looked at his surroundings outside the building.
Once it looked like he discovered something he went to Mikoto, asked her for her paddle, destroying a satellite dish, and retrieved its feed horn to be thrown in an alley of the opposite building. When they followed it he went to Index for a pin and picked the door leading into the building.
"But still you're not a delinquent," Mikoto said dryly.
"I'm not, I promise." Touma turned to Index. "You believe me right, index?"
"Hard to with that display."
"What is this, gang up on Kamijou day."
"When is it not."
"I didn't need to hear that." When he heard a clicking sound he gave back the pin to Index. "Everything is together."
"Care to explain your plan?" Accelerator asked his hand on his hips.
"I'll show you level five, what it means to be weak."
This didn't come out as I wanted too but that's mostly because I'm not feeling well, even so, I hope this catches on with you guys. Damn this must be edgy as fuck. Really hoping you at least felt nervous and unease for the characters