HEY YO! *^_^*
Hahaha xD okay, so... I made a horrible mistake with the previous chapter so I made some minor changes to it. The music festival will now be on October 9, Academy City's public holiday, instead of September 15, because it cannot happen on September 15. I'm trying to go along with Majutsu's and Railgun's timeline, if that makes sense, and the Tree Diagram Remnant Arc ended on that day, I'm guessing during midnight? So yahhh, I changed it to October :P
This chapter is on Saturday August 30, but I'm think that Touma still would've been vacation during that day but ah well! I couldn't help it xP I also moved Mikoto's practice for the festival..
August 31 (Sunday) is the next day and that's the day of the fake date in Majutsu ;) and September 1 (Monday) is the first day of school after summer vacation in Majutsu, so it all works out well!
Hope you like this chapter, it's my longest one so far, with almost 3000 words, tehe~! -.- Wouldn't have reached that far without PokeRescue18 (my beta reader)! I based this chapter on two different doujins or doujinshi (fanmade manga).
Chapter 7:
Saturday, August 30
A certain infamous Level 5 walked along the streets of Academy City. Misaka Mikoto, the third strongest of the seven Level 5s, also known as the Railgun, strolled her way casually to a well-known shopping mall, Seventh Mist.
She soon gave up on reading the magazine. There's no point in reading it anyway! She reasoned. I don't have a 'special someone'!
The air was full of noises; cars beeping, students were loitering, busses driving, kids messing around, motorcycles racing through streets. It was another active day in Academy City. Many pupils roamed about with their companions and younger children played happily together with their friends. The district was packed as the sales were coming to its end. Today was the second last day of summer vacation, unfortunately. Within a short period of time, the students of Academy City will be returning to their boring and tiresome schedules.
Mikoto paused. She remained standing as she tried to figure out what was going through her head. Once again, the same image pierced her mind. It just wouldn't go away!
There's no way he's special to me! Well, I mean… he did save me and my Sisters so… ah but that doesn't mean anything! He only did that because he hated the fact of people being killed just for an experiment! He didn't end it just because of me! I don't think… a-anyway, it's not like he c-cares about me… at least not in that way… I'm… I'm nothing to him!
Her heart began to beat rapidly. I mean, he has a million girls surrounding him! I'm nothing compared to them! And besides! There's no reason for him to fall for me! I'm just… I'm just…
Mikoto's face was a red and bright as a tomato. Her ears were hot and her hands were clammy. As embarrassed as she was, she couldn't help but feel… a bit… sad…
Just thinking about it, and the fact that he didn't feel anything towards her… it felt like her heart had been ripped out, like it had been torn apart by a mysterious being that hated love and had decided to brainwash her into thinking that she wasn't good enough for him. She felt like crawling up into a ball and cry but she couldn't, she was too numb to cry. Man… I wish this feeling would go away!
Her chest was still throbbing and she was growing redder by the second. The streets were busy and numerous people were trying to get pass. Mikoto knew she was in the way, but she couldn't move! She couldn't bring herself to. Her chest was heavy and her throat was hurting from trying to hold in the tears. This is weird… A certain person's face popped up in her head. He was smiling, smiling at her. Yo! BiriBiri!
Mikoto was completely lost in her thoughts. She was totally confused. Why do I feel this way?
XXX
It was 12:30 in the afternoon. Misaka Mikoto was heading back to her dorm.
She didn't feel like going shopping anymore. She was too upset. Right now, she just wanted to some peace and quiet. It was a good thing that Kuroko, her roommate, had Judgement duty today, so it meant that she could be alone.
Mikoto was on her way to the bus stop. She moved slowly, a gloomy expression plastered onto her face. Why does my heart beat so fast whenever I think of him? The middle school girl wondered. I couldn't possibly have… nah… Mikoto paused for a minute. But… why do I… Ah, I just don't know anymore!
XXX
A certain Imagine Breaker boy wandered aimlessly around town.
What the hell am I supposed to get her? He moaned while scratching the back of his head. I don't know what girls like to get as gifts!
The sun was beaming beautifully and the air was filled with various smells of food. There were a bunch of meat stalls and further on ahead stood a very colourful donut stand. The sound of hot dogs and burgers sizzling resonated in his ears. A small bell rang from an ice-cream stall signalling the children to come.
All this food is making me hungry. Touma said to himself. But I doubt I have enough money with me to buy some food and the gift-
A cold wet sensation interrupted him from his thoughts. He looked down to see a dripping pair of pants and a crying boy.
"I'm terribly sorry." Said a woman, who he guessed was the boy's mother. The weeping child had spilled his drink on his trousers. "It's okay." Touma replied.
"Let me help." The lady began as she took out a handful of tissues.
"You don't have to worry, it'll dry." The teenage boy assured.
"Are you sure? We're terribly sorry." said the woman and her son while they bowed apologetically before him.
"I'm s-sorry." The young boy repeated, rubbing his eyes dry.
After they left Touma noticed the people around him staring at his bottoms with funny looks.
"Such misfortune."
XXX
Mikoto was still walking toward the bus stop. She was now entering a rather crowded area of the district where many restaurants were located. Several stalls lined the set up for the public. The scent of various foods filled the air; hot dogs, pizza, chips as well as some common Japanese dishes like takoyaki and okonomiyaki.
Is there a festival or something? Mikoto looked over at a dango stand. All of this food is making me hungry. Maybe I should get some.
Perhaps the sweet taste of dumplings made out of rice-flour would cheer her up.
It didn't take long before Mikoto got what she ordered.
"Mm!" she squealed joyfully, taking another bite, "This is so good!" Her mood was instantly changed for the better.
As she turned around to head toward the bus stop she was met by a certain spiky haired boy.
"Ah crap, it's you…" he said. She's gonna make fun of me, I just know it!
"Y-you…" Mikoto stuttered face flushed. She gazed at him with wide eyes; she didn't even notice his wet pants. Why is he-? Herheart beat rose tremendously. Why is he here? The image of them two together, once again, came back to her.
"Misaka…" the boy murmured as he leaned in closer to her.
"Um…" Touma walked closer to her, "Hello? Earth to Misaka."
Ah I'm so embarrassed! I can't even look at him in the face! Her hearing became blurred; all she could hear was the sound of her heart beating. She remained standing, head down, as she listened to her heart race. Ba dum ba dum ba dum… It was like a runaway train, going faster and faster. What do I do!
"What's wrong with you? You're so quiet; you're like a soft kitten now."
Mikoto looked up to see a spiky haired boy, yes, the guy that always seemed to fill her head with confusing and bizarre thoughts, smiling sweetly back at her. The Level 5's cheeks were burning. "Gh…" she began.
"Hm?"
"Gh… Get your hand off me!" she yelled while flinging his arm away and at the same time dropping her dango. "Eh?" Mikoto gasped. Mou!Get yourself together!The fourteen year old screamed as she bent down to pick up the food.
"Is that dango?"
"So what if it is!" Mikoto snapped.
"I shouldn't have asked…"
"What are you doing here!" the young girl barked.
"Jeez, you say that like I'm not allowed to be here." He replied, "I'm shopping, is that so bad?" He paused before carrying on, "Maybe you can help me!" the boy cried out excitedly.
"Huh?"
"I'm hoping to buy a present for a girl. I was just thinking… being a girl 'n all, maybe you'd be able to help… but then again… it's you…" sighed the high school boy with a disappointed expression.
He wants me to help him buy a gift! And for another girl! Mikoto felt a slight pain in her chest. Who does he think I am?
"Yeah… you know what, never mind. I'll just-"
"It's fine!" Mikoto answered, "I-I'll help you." She said red faced. Why did I?
"Really, are you sure?"
Ah crap… no!I don't want to… no… I do… no, I don't… ah mou! I'm lying to myself saying that! She just couldn't decide. She didn't want to help him but at the same time she did. Why though? She stopped and thought about it for a minute. Well I suppose it's alright… I'm only helping him right? There's nothing wrong with that… It's okay, right? RIGHT! But…
I didn't expect her to actually say yes. "Well then-" Touma began. Wait, isn't this… ah hell no! It's a trap! If she's gonna help me out then I'll have to do something in return!
"But… in return… you… y-you have to fight me!" Dammit! Why did I say that! What's wrong with me! I can't even talk right… I didn't want to say that…
I knew it… "Ah seriously, when is that ever going to end?"
No choice, huh? I'll just play along, I guess… "I said it before; it's not over until I win!"
"Eh? But you never do!"
A small crack of electricity spat forth from the Railgun's forehead.
"Okay! Okay! It's a deal." Touma obliged. "But, is there not anything else you want other than challenge me?"
"Anything… else…" Mikoto thought.
"Misaka…"
A chilling sensation made its way up her spine. W-w-w-what was that? What's gotten into me? It's not like I want that to happen! Me and him… HAH! THAT IS NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN!
"So shall we?"
Why am I even-! She suddenly recalled what she had said of earlier on her way to Seventh Mist. "I'm nothing to him…"
"Um… Are you okay?"
"Eh? What? O-of course I'm okay! I'm totally okay! Why wouldn't I be? Ahahahahaha!" Mikoto guffawed as she punched him in the shoulder and walked away.
"That hurt you know…" Touma muttered while rubbing his right shoulder.
XXX
The duo entered a small clothing store for men.
After seeing how the unlucky teenage boy's pants were completely drenched in soda the Level 5 decided to buy him a new pair.
"Misaka, you know, you really don't have to get me new ones. My pants will dry eventually. And besides, this shop's kinda expensive don't cha think?" Touma laughed nervously.
"It's not that expensive; the clothes here are only like, what, 10,000 yen? That's not too bad."
"10,000 yen, are you freaking kidding me!" As expected of an ojou-sama… but… He looked over at the Tokiwadai student who was talking to one of the retail associates. She really doesn't have to…
"Misaka, it's fine, really it is!" the Imagine Breaker boy pleaded.
"Will you just shut up? I'm buying you new ones and that's final!" Mikoto exclaimed.
"But you're-!"
The Level 5 sent a spear of electricity towards him. "I said shut up!" she glared menacingly.
Touma gulped anxiously.
"It can't be helped." He sighed. But 10,000 yen for a piece of clothing isn't that a bit too much?
"Here." Mikoto said while tossing him a pair. "Check if this fits."
Soon they left the shop.
Mikoto decided it was best to go to a place to with a wide selection of shops so they headed to district 15, the city's major shopping district. Mikoto led the way and Touma followed wearing his new 15,000 yen pants.
This is really odd… not just the pants… but this whole thing…
XXX
A certain spiky haired boy walked alongside a certain electromaster. This is really odd… not just the pants… he thought. The feeling of the fabric from his new jeans felt weird against his skin, he was still trying to get use to them. But this whole thing… he cast his eyes to the girl beside him. I can't believe I'm really going shopping with her, it's almost like a… a date. Weird…
Meanwhile, Mikoto, the legendary Railgun, was flipping out. This is just like a d-d-date! Oh no! What if people mistake us as a c-couple or something? What if we're seen! What if it were someone from school, or Saten-san or Uiharu-san, or worse, KUROKO! This is bad, this is really really bad!
There was an awkward silence between them.
Why did I even agree to do this! Mou! I can't escape now… just stay calm Mikoto, you're thinking too much… you're thinking too much, just calm down. It'll be over soon, I hope.
Touma was currently humming to himself.
Who is this girl anyway? His girlfriend maybe, does he even have one? This self-assured spiky haired dumbass! Who the heck would wanna date him? Mikoto wondered. Well whoever it is I-!
"Say Biribiri, where exactly are we going?"
"Eh? Well, what exactly does… this g-g-girl like?"
"Hmm… I'm not actually sure what she likes."
"What do you mean you don't know?" Mikoto replied, cheeks turning pink. "She's your… girlfriend isn't she? You should at least know-!"
"Whoa whoa whoa." Touma butted in, "My what?" he laughed, "I don't know what you're thinking but this gift is not for my girlfriend."
"It's not…?"
"My cousin got me a present for my birthday last month so I wanna do the same. But like I said, I don't know what to get her. I'm not really familiar girls stuff let alone what they like."
He clarified, "That's why I asked you, since you're a girl, I thought that maybe you could help me."
"Oh, I see…" Mikoto mumbled. She was shocked at what she heard but deep down inside she was actually really happy to hear it. It's not for another girl? Just his cousin…dammit! I feel so stupid! "S-sorry, I didn't mean to… I rushed to conclusions and I-"
"Don't worry about it, I don't blame you. So will you help me?"
"M-mhm…" Mikoto nodded. "Sure."
XXX
Hours had passed and the pair finished shopping. Touma got just what he needed. As of now, he was sitting on a bench by himself waiting for Mikoto who had rushed off to buy something. He got out his phone to check the time, 16:54.
Sometime later, after Touma had purchased a gift for his younger cousin they decided to roam around the district. They had visited a number of shops as well as the arcade. Mikoto seemed to have magically forgotten about her little conceptions and was actually having fun.
The black haired boy put his phone back in his pocket and raised his head to look up at the massive blue sky when a group of birds flew by. He sat on a wooden bench underneath the cool shade in a garden-like area not too far from the district. It was quiet but nice. A large flower bed filled with tiny purple, pink and white flowers had been planted right in the centre of the garden. The teenage boy thought to himself for a second, he had to admit, though he didn't expect to, he enjoyed shopping with Misaka and his day turned out pretty well. He almost felt, lucky.
"Here." Said a familiar voice, it was Mikoto. "I got you this cuz I thought you might be hungry, think of it as a random act of kindness. Nothing more, you got that!" she said rather poorly. In her hands was a small box of taiyaki and some bubble tea, which she handed over to him.
"Thanks." He smiled making her blush.
She sat down beside him and they ate their taiyaki in silence.
"Thanks Biribiri, for everything."
"Pfft! You sound like you're about to pass away or something." Mikoto giggled.
"Hey, I'm being honest here!"
"I know, I know."
"Here." Touma held out a small floral clip.
"What's this?" Mikoto asked looking at the hairclip; it was light pink in colour.
"It's a thank you gift, I suppose. I know it's not much, compared to what you gave me but…" he began, "I noticed how you always wear a clip in your hair and I wanted to give you something you could use so…"
Mikoto took the clip out of its package and stared at it before saying, "You can pick a gift for a girl after all." She grinned.
"Thanks Biribiri."
"No problem and it's Misaka Mikoto."
"Sorry."
Touma watched as the girl took off her regular white hairclip and replaced it with the floral one. It was impossible for him not to blush as he witnessed her sweet sincere smile. Wow...
"Thanks."
So is everyone enjoying season two of Railgun? I know I certainly am! Ep. 16 has been my favourite so far, and you should all know why :3 best Kamikoto moment evurr..! Though the scene where in the bridge during the Sisters Arc was cute too. You know, when she was fighting Touma and at the very end she puts his head on her lap and starts crying like mad and he's comforting her 'n all.. gyahhhhh! / They're so perfect for each other xD Okay enough of that..
Is anyone reading the Railgun manga? If you're not, I suggest you do. It's so good! And it has a lot more stuff that the anime leaves out :)))
See you in my next one ;D