Saturday 7.00 pm Academy City time
"Thanks for the wait!"
The waitress served Hachiman dinner in a familiar establishment. He found Saizeriya to be a suitable restaurant within his price range and had decent meals.
It was based in Chiba but he never had gone to the main set-up yet.
He took a view of outside through the glass window and saw that streetlights had turned on and people bustling about.
He had always been somewhat of a loner,not by choice but since had accepted and learned to appreciate the calm in his life in this city.
Since he wasn't an esper he was just living here without expectations and it was fine. He had grown accoustomed to eating alone.
Hachiman thought over about his conversation with his employer regarding his story.
She made it clear to him that if Anti-skill hadn't arrested the girl who hit him with her lightning then she was probably protected by the higher-ups in City Administration.
He was vaguely aware of criminal organizations in Academy City involved with illegal activities from technology and research theft to disappearances and murders and he had got the hint.
Investigate any further and they would get targeted.
He sighed at his current predicament. It would be a pain to explain his burned right hand which was still bandaged but no longer sore to his teachers and classmates at school.
They'll probably believe he was a delinquent.
He scoffed at the thought soon after. He could be easily overshadowed by espers powerful enough to easily kill people. The Japanese Government must knee deep in it's dealings with the City since they provided land near Tokyo and allowed them to keep their own forces.
Advanced City my ass!
Hachiman chowed down on his meal and slowly forgot about that train of thought.
Within minutes he was satisfied and took time to relax.
"Well,at least the food is good here,heh!"
He thought about calling his dear little sister and how to break the news of what happened before his parents find out themselves.
"Ano,Hikigaya-san?"
That moment of calm came crashing down on hearing that voice.
Why did it make him so irritated?
He looked up from his table and stared directly at the one who disturbed him.
He didn't care if his Dead Fish eyes caused the other person to flinch,he actually felt it was satisfactory.
The spiky haired boy was now staring and standing awkwardly like an idiot.
"What do you want,Kamijou?"
Touma finally got out of his stupor.
"Yes,well I came back to visit you at the hospital to apologise for what happened but the Doctor told me that you left."
He slowly looked at Hachiman's bandaged right hand and after some hesitation asked
"How's your hand?"
He stared at Touma silently which made him even more uncomfortable before motioning him to sit opposite to him.
Touma sat down Hachiman replied.
"The scar will probably stay. I've heard that the old Doctor can perform miracles but under no circumstances I'm having a skin graft. My family may force me to return home which I don't want."
Hachiman's parents might have favored Komachi and ignored mostly verbal bullying and humiliation he faced throughout his school years but they're not that heartless.
Touma thought that he also hid his troubles so he wouldn't worry his parents and felt a connection.
"I think I kind of understand that."
"Understand what?"
"Umm...nothing. So,do you have any plans for tonight?"
"Just going to rest and my hand heal. Just don't involve me into whatever secret activities you're into."
Touma took a moment to understand what he said and gave a baffled response
"Huh!What do you mean by that? It's like you're accusing me of something!"
Hachiman looked him in the eye,still unimpressed.
"So a powerful esper from a prestigious school who throws around literal lightning bolts just happened to be interested in you?"
It wasn't really a question,it was a statement.
Touma tried to mutter out a response.
"B-because...no,it's nothing like that!She just wants to win...wait,you know who shocked you?"
"The Doctor told me. The fact that Anti-skill didn't take her into custody for using her abilities without supervision shows that she's bad news. Powerful people are backing and I'll be staying the hell away from her for my own safety."
He said while gesturing to his bandaged hand. Touma could tell harshness in his tone.
"Look,Biri...I mean Misaka-san was with me at the hospital and was very remorseful."
"I'm touched." Hachiman said dripping with sarcasm.
Touma sighed,hoping to make him understand.
"She wanted to apologize to you in person. Doctor told her to leave since Tokiwadai is very strict regarding curfews. If you want I'll call the Doctor and he'll tell Misaka-san to meet up with..."
"No need. I just don't want to deal with her and live my life in peace...You get that?"
Touma was stopped dead in his tracks by Hachiman's fierce dismissal.
The latter sighed and put cash on the table as payment for his meal.
"Sorry,but there is really no need. This City doesn't care about non-espers anyways,even Level 0s have more potential."
He got up and took his leave.
"Thank you for coming! Please come again!"
The waitress said and he nodded in response.
Just before he stepped outside,he paused and told the spiky-haired boy.
"You know,Komoe-sensei mentioned that you are among her students who had to attend supplementary classes over the summer. She even had a punishment game in mind if you don'd succeed. Bye."
After saying this he went outside and didn't wait to see bis reaction.
But he was damned sure he heard him shouting 'such misfortune' and felt great not being the butt of jokes for once.
Hachiman didn't care if other people were staring at his smirking face,for he was going relish this moment!