Mikoto stared in shock. Saten-san is awake. She blinked, half expecting to see a still sleeping Ruiko, but the sight that greeted her eyes was astonishingly different from her expectations.

Ruiko gazed at her softly, eyes full of gentle compassion. The effects of morphine brought a slightly hazy look to her eyes, but that made no difference to the fact that Ruiko was awake. Her hand moved again, this time turning over to clasp one of Mikoto's own hands.

"Misaka-san… I'm back."

And Mikoto started crying, all her worry and fear melting away in light of her friend's consciousness. She's awake. Mikoto gripped the hand holding her own. The doctor's voice echoed in her mind.

She must be a very strong person. Mikoto couldn't agree more.

She gave a watery smile. "Took you long enough." To which Ruiko gave a small smile. They stayed together in that position in silence, both trying to organize their emotions and wondering where to start.

I should tell Uiharu-san and Kuroko that Saten-san is awake. But there was one thing Mikoto wanted to clear up first.

"Saten-san?"

"Hai?"

"Did you… did you hear everything I said?" Mikoto asked, reddening. Ruiko chuckled.

"Yes, I did." And as Mikoto blushed harder, Ruiko twisted her hand from Mikoto's grip and cupped her check. The warm contact of Ruiko's hand caused Mikoto's heart to beat faster. She'd never known that such a casual gesture could cause so much comfort and contentment.

"I heard it all… and Misaka-san, I'm sorry… I made you worry." Ruiko spoke sincerely. "And also… I like you too. I did... what I did because... I couldn't bear it... if you got hurt." Ruiko blushed as the two locked gazes. Mikoto's head was spinning wildly, heart fluttering. It was a novel experience, feeling so utterly knocked out of rhythm by a confession of love. It was as if everything had clicked together. These seemingly contradictory feelings pooled into one fiery desire to stay beside Ruiko forever, and protect her from whatever may come.

So Misaka followed her instincts and leaned forward, drawn in by Ruiko's inviting gaze, and pressed her own lips to Ruiko's. The kiss was soft, warm, and felt right. Time seemed to stop, and Mikoto bathed in the contentment racing through her body. It was as if a hole in her heart that she had not known about had suddenly been filled.

She couldn't tell how long they were pressed together, but she drew back after some time, panting. Both of them were blushing furiously, and Mikoto could tell from Ruiko's dreamy smile that she too was experiencing something special. The delayed realization that they mutually liked each other ignited a deep happiness in Mikoto.

Don't hold back. Mikoto remembered her own thoughts, and decided to put into words what she had been thinking.

"Saten-san…" she paused, hesitant, but Ruiko's expectant gaze gave her the strength to continue. "Saten-san, will you… will you be my girlf-"
.

Suddenly, Mikoto was interrupted by the frog-like doctor bursting into the room.

Wha…?!

"Is she okay?" The doctor asked worriedly. "Her heartbeat went utterly erratic a minute ago… oh. You're awake." He said, seeing Ruiko stare up at him apologetically from her bed.

"Sorry doctor, I just got emotional… from seeing Misaka-san."

The doctor sighed tiredly, though Mikoto couldn't tell whether it was from relief or exasperation. "That's fine, I'm glad you're awake. Oh, and I forgot to tell you earlier, Anti-skill want your testimonies whenever you feel up to it."

Mikoto nodded quickly, embarrassed that the doctor had almost barged in on them kissing. She didn't know what would happen, but she expected it would have been extremely awkward.

"Alright, see you two then. Don't forget to tell your friends." The doctor said, and left, yawning widely.

Mikoto and Ruiko shared a look and laughed.

"I'll go call Uiharu-san and Kuroko, okay?" Mikoto said, and stood up to leave. But a hand snagged her skirt, and she squeaked in surprise.

"Misaka-san," Ruiko said solemnly. "I would like to be your girlfriend… if you're okay with it."

It came so suddenly that Mikoto couldn't process the words for a moment and just stood there, gaping at Ruiko. Her friend blushed, and stammered. "Sorry… I just… I thought that's what you were asking and I… I'm so sorry, it's too fast, isn't it…" Ruiko shook her head. "Please forget I said that."

Mikoto's eyes widened, and she came to her senses. She leaned over and brought her face right above Ruiko's.

"Saten-san. Please be my girlfriend." No holding back. "I like you. I like you a lot." And as she stared into Ruiko's deep blue eyes, she knew it was true. They kissed once more, a slow, gentle, passionate kiss.

"Okay." Ruiko murmured simply after they broke apart, smiling.

And in that moment, both of them were happier than they had ever been.

.

There were lots of tears when Uiharu and Kuroko reunited with Ruiko. Touma dropped by to visit, as well as Kongou Mitsuko and her buddies, Awatsuki Maaya and Wannai Kinuho. Mikoto watched the proceedings with a smile, observing Ruiko meet with her friends.

Girlfriend.

The word echoed warmly in her heart. Mikoto looked out of the window at the clear blue sky. It was a warm day. Sparrows flitted across the expansive blue and butterflies fluttered among the gardens.

Breathing deeply, she resolved to keep one promise for the rest of her life.

I'll never let Saten-san get hurt again.

.

The Anti-skill officer Yomikawa Aiho arrived and took careful notes of their testimonies. Since they were rather close acquaintances of hers, she had taken it upon herself to resolve this incident. Mikoto didn't doubt one bit that the case would resolve quickly. The Anti-skill officer / P.E. teacher looked grimly at the bandages covering Ruiko's body and winced. Mikoto shuddered to think what she would do to the captured criminals.

After the group had finished explaining the events of the last couple of days, the officer thanked them and got up to leave. However, before leaving, she gave them a bit of information that got them all rethinking their assumptions of the criminals.

"We found out the each one of them was a child-error." The officer spoke, facing the door. "Apparently, Therestina took them under her wing and gave them a place to be in her organization, MARS. A family, you could say." A brief pause. "I'm not saying this to try to justify their actions. What they did was wrong. Yet, when Therestina was arrested, they suddenly didn't know what to do, with their leader and mother-like being gone. So they responded with the only way they knew. Violence."

Aiho shook her head. "What they did, they did for Therestina. I'm hoping you girls can understand that. I'm not saying you forgive them, but… it's complex. It wasn't done just out of hate for you, Misaka. Remember that."

And with that, the officer left.

.

The days following the incident passed steadily. Mikoto, Kuroko, and Uiharu visited the hospital every day after school, bringing her homework, sweets, and small gifts. Ruiko gained strength day after day, being able to sit up after a couple of days, and strong enough to stand after a week.

Mikoto looked forward to when Ruiko would be discharged from the hospital. She, Kuroko, and Uiharu had secretly planned a small celebratory party to honor the event. But more than that, Mikoto wanted to spend more time with her girlfriend at the mall, diner, special events, just anywhere. However, they hadn't told the rest of their group yet about their relationship.

"We can take it slow." Ruiko had said. "They'll be surprised, but they'll support us. I know it."

Mikoto believed her. However, she dreaded telling Kuroko, who had always chased after her Onee-sama. How would she react when Mikoto told her she was in a relationship with Ruiko? Mikoto shuddered thinking about it.

.

Yet, two weeks after the incident, and a day before Ruiko was allowed to leave the hospital, an opportunity presented itself. Rather, it was forced on them.

They were all sitting beside Ruiko's propped up bed, talking about the things that had happened in school, the upcoming sport festival, and other generally interesting things, when Uiharu suddenly spoke out.

"Misaka-san, Saten-san, how are you two getting along?"

Mikoto almost spewed out a mouthful of canned orange juice she had kicked out of a nearby vending machine.

"W-what do you mean?" Ruiko exclaimed.

Uiharu sidled up to Ruiko. "You and Misaka-san. Have you kissed yet?"

Mikoto and Ruiko gaped at her, beads of sweat running down their spine. Kuroko sat there with her mouth open, staring back and forth between Ruiko and Mikoto. Mikoto gulped. It was Ruiko who broke the silence.

"Umm… actually, uh, we kind of… did…" Both Mikoto and Ruiko blushed. They had kissed several times, when Mikoto and Ruiko were alone in the hospital room. How did Uiharu-san…?

Unexpectedly, Uiharu leaped into the air.

"Yes! I knew it! You two were always so obvious, yet unaware of each other."

Mikoto gawked at Uiharu, then turned to Kuroko, who hadn't said anything. Her eyes were wide with surprise.

She's going to hate me. Mikoto thought dejectedly. Kuroko, I'm sorry.

However, her fears turned out to be unfounded.

After a moment, Kuroko spoke, "If Onee-sama is happy, then I'm glad for her. I'm pleased with seeing Onee-sama content. Although it's unfortunate I wasn't chosen." She sighed wistfully. "But Saten-san, if you ever mess up, I will be waiting in the wings. Please be sure to take care of Onee-sama. But other than that," Kuroko smiled sincerely, "I believe you two will make a fitting couple."

After a moment of disbelief, Ruiko and Mikoto smiled widely at each other, while Kuroko and Uiharu exchanged a chuckle at the couple's adorability.

Mikoto was elated and excited for the future. Saten-san liked her back, her friends approved of them, and they had lots of time. It seemed like everything was going right in the world.

I'll protect you forever. Even if that means I have to get hurt for you, I'll gladly pay the price. You're worth it.
.

"Saten-san, I love you."

"I love you too, Misaka-san."
.

It was the start of something new, blissful, and undeniably true.

.

._ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.

Author's Note: Thank you all for reading "The Price of Love". This being my first story, I was really nervous about posting it online, but now I'm glad that I did. 770+ views at the time of completion, and several reviews, faves, and follows! I didn't want to make the story too long, in case I bite off more than I can chew, but I'm satisfied with how this story turned out.
Many thanks to the people who supported me with suggestions and personal thoughts. Thank you! I don't know if I'll continue writing, but if I do, I hope you'll take the time to read my work. Until then, sayonara (good-bye)!