What can I say? You folks are so great really really really great thank you so much for the support I really appreciate it : ). I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it. Short chapter sorry but I wanted to get something out there! Last night's episode of Railgun S was so good lordddd. The flashback is over so we're back to where we started. Please R&R!

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August 15th

A certain restaurant with a certain pair of friends

Mikoto returned from her memories with a sigh as she lifted her head from the table, "What should I do? I'm not cut out for this kind of thing, Touma."

Touma frowned at her downcast expression, "it's obvious what you should do isn't it?" he asked as he gazed at her imploringly.

She looked up at him miserably, "and what's that?"

He shook his head with a small smile, "C'mon, Mikoto's it's not that hard," Touma wiggled his finger as a grin spread out on his face, "Look, I'll give you Kamijou-san's patented method in getting a girl to forgive him despite his misgivings—"

"Oh," Mikoto scowled at him, "you mean your unfathomable ability to walk in on a girl while she's changing despite all the warning signs?"

A blush rose to Touma's cheeks as he sputtered, "It's not like I mean to!" before banging his hands on the table.

Mikoto slowly looked to the side with an unamused expression, "oh? Is that all? And here I thought you were just a pervert."

"Look, do you want my advice or not!?"

Mikoto sighed before returning her gaze towards him and mumbling a reluctant, "please."

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August 15th, 7: 28pm

Mikoto's and Kuroko's apartment.

"I'm home."

Mikoto's ears perked up as Kuroko's voice rang out through the apartment. Her heart fluttered in her chest as butterflies erupted in her stomach from nerves. However, despite all this, she managed to keep her smile tame as she turned to greet Kuroko.

"Hey…" she trailed off, a frown pinching her features when she took in Kuroko's haggard expression and gaunt appearance. Her brows knit in concern as her kouhai tiredly returned the greeting before collapsing in a seat at the dining room table and laying her head down.

"You okay?" Mikoto scratched her cheek as she set the dish she had prepared for dinner down. After parting ways with Touma—who had given her some sound advice despite his own shortcomings when it came to relationships—she had headed home in order to cook an apology dinner, making sure to prepare Kuroko's favorite dishes in an effort to show how sorry she was without actually having to apologize.

Despite acknowledging the fact that yes she did have some feelings for Kuroko, she still wasn't good at this sort of thing and felt awkward whenever she thought about it.

"After I left there was another case," Kuroko mumbled as she slowly straightened up before resting her palm on her cheek, "then I had to deal with a mountain of paperwork detailing the incident today with that group of delinquents you punished," she sighed tiredly, "honestly, Onee-sama, though I say this often, I truly wishedthat you would refrain from such course of action. It would make my job a lot easier, you know."

Mikoto gritted her teeth at that before closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. Touma suggested that she be more honest about her feelings and this was her chance. She pulled out the chair next to Kuroko and sat down before clearing her throat.

"I, uh, I'm sorry. About before."

Kuroko blinked, her mouth dropping open in surprise at Mikoto's words. Mikoto lifted her eyes from the designs on the tablecloth and blushed as she registered the look of shock on her kouhai's face. She bit her lip before looking away.

Be honest…

"I know I'm always...butting in on your Judgment work," she continued awkwardly, scratching the back of her head in an uncomfortable matter, "and it sometimes causes more problems," the blush slowly rose as she stumbled on her words, "b-but, you know, I'm just trying to help out and stuff."

"Onee-sama—"

"You've been so tired lately and you're hardly ever home and when you do get home you just crash on the couch and—" she paused to swallow before forcing the rest of the words out, "I— I was worried and wanted to—" she lowered her head once more, "I miss you and I just wanted to take care of it for you…"

She trailed off, her heart pounding in her chest at a rapid rate. Her skin felt clammy and her stomach curled with nausea as her ears burned. She felt really embarrassed and a part of her wanted to take the words back but at the same time she was just happy she was able to get it out there.

After a few minutes of silence Mikoto tentatively glanced over at Kuroko and was surprised to see a blush shading usually pale cheeks. She opened her mouth to ask if she was alright only to falter when familiar arms wrapped themselves around her neck.

Her heart lurched as Kuroko settled in her lap and rubbed their cheeks together; "Kuroko—" she squeezed her eyes shut as she soaked in the younger girl's warmth, enjoying the feeling of her kouhai's weight on top of her. She took a deep breath before mumbling, "stop it…" weakly

"How can I stop when Onee-sama is being so cute," Kuroko sighed as she smiled against her skin, "Though I know you care about me, hearing you say it is in such a way is quite…wonderful."

"It's no big deal," Mikoto looked off to the side as she puffed her cheeks, "hey, haven't you had enough of this already? Get off."

"Please allow me to enjoy this bashful Onee-sama for just a bit longer," Kuroko's smile brightened as she sunk further into Mikoto, "I had a long day and I just want to spend time with you."

Mikoto's chest tightened as she lowered her head on Kuroko's shoulder, "Can't we spend time together in some other way?" she mumbled, "This is embarrassing."

"Ahh~" Kuroko threaded her fingers through Mikoto's hair, "Onee-sama is so cute," a smirk played on her lips as she pressed her nose against Mikoto's temple, "While I appreciate your concern, you should not worry so much, Onee-sama. You'll develop wrinkles at this rate."

"Shut up, I was reluctant at first but now I think you should really get off me," Mikoto's easy temper flared at Kuroko's words before deflating a little at the soft giggle the younger girl released.

"Even if your entire body was covered in wrinkles I'd still find you beautiful, Onee-sama. I was simply suggesting it for your sake…"

They both knew that was a lie. Misaka Mikoto's overprotective nature had made itself more known as the years had gone by and Mikoto knew that part of the reason why Kuroko kept her injuries and troubles to herself so often was because of her fear of Mikoto completely losing it.

And she would without a doubt. After Kuroko nearly dying on more than one occasion…yeah she may not be very good with her emotions but she could admit this—she would protect Kuroko even if it costs her life. She needed her—she needed her so much and the idea of having to live without her was almost too much to bear.

Kuroko smiled down at her softly, almost as if she could read Mikoto's thoughts. She closed her eyes as she rested her cheek on the top of Mikoto's head and ran her fingers through silky brown strands. This was the reason why she kept her problems to herself—in an effort to keep this wonderful, sweet and shy girl out of this bloody all for grabs world, she would do whatever necessary. She didn't want to burden Mikoto any more than she had to and every inch of her wished that Mikoto would simply enjoy a peaceful life without willingly jumping into the fray.

"I love you…" she whispered against Mikoto's hair, so softly that she was sure that Mikoto didn't hear her before she tightened her arms around Mikoto.

Mikoto sighed as she gripped the bottom of the chair tightly in an effort to keep her hands to herself before leaning further into Kuroko and nuzzling her neck. The low mewl that sounded in her ear made her faint and her body felt warm. She wondered what kind of noises Kuroko would make if she—

A blush erupted on her face as she pushed the chair back and stood up, the younger girl falling off of her and onto her ass.

The serene atmosphere was broken.

"D-dinner," she blurted out unceremoniously as she looked everywhere but Kuroko, who was gingerly sitting up while placing a hand on her back.

"Oww," Kuroko mumbled with a tear at the corner of her eye as she rubbed her ass delicately, "you could have been a bit gentler Onee-sama…" she pouted up at Mikoto before her eyes widened and she blinked at the distraught expression on Mikoto's face.

Mikoto ran a shaky palm through her hair as she looked towards the kitchen, "ah, I have to get the rest of dinner," she stuttered before turning and nearly running out of the room.

Kuroko watched her go with a frown.

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August 16th

"Ugh," Mikoto walked down the sidewalk with her back hunched over and her arms hanging at her sides. She was completely and utterly exhausted and it was all Kuroko's fault. After they had eaten dinner—which was spent in silence for the most part—Kuroko had taken a shower and when she walked out of the bathroom she was wearing a new camisole and sleep set. Not only that, the younger girl's auburn hair was wet and cascading down her back, framing her features in such a way that made Mikoto's face hot and jaw tense.

She avoided Kuroko for most of the night which, believe her, was not an easy thing to do before retiring to her room and curling up in her sheets. She awoke at 1 a.m. after a particularly vivid dream involving her kouhai and since then had been unable—unwilling—to fall back to sleep out of fear.

What's wrong with me? Mikoto wondered as red shaded her cheeks; it was never this bad with Touma.

A frown made its way to her face as she stared at the sidewalk sadly. It was so confusing. Her feelings for Kuroko made her stomach ache and her entire body warm. Her hands would always shake from the effort it took for her to not touch her kouhai and she could barely look at her without blushing.

She just wished she understood what was happening to her.

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