Arc 1: In The Beginning… [I]
Chapter: What's In A Name?
[The Kira Task Force Building – 9'O Clock
- The Major]
The text was short and to the point but it didn't explain anything. He just knew the essential details – a place, a time and who wanted to see him. For the time being he didn't want to know anything else.
Fortunately Hikigaya didn't have anything on his plate the next morning and so he was able to show up to the designated spot on time. The building had twenty-three floors above ground and if he had to guess it must have one or two floors below ground as well.
For outsiders like him, security was a hassle. In order to gain entrance, HEUSC must have your personal information stored in its security files. The AI butler of Daisuke Kanbe, the billionaire detective, who was loaned out to The Kira Task Force, also needed a three digit PIN number, a scan of his index finger and a retinal scan.
After entering the building's interior, Hikigaya came face to face with a heavy, secured metal door. The door led to the rest of the building. Two Misaka Clones armed with F200R bullpup assault rifles stood guard. The disembodied voice of HEUSC informed him to place all metal objects he had on his person into a small storage compartment.
"You mean like my ring, wallet, keys -"
"And The Beretta 92 Pistol which you have in your suit pocket."
The Misaka Clones immediately went on high alert and raised their weapons, taking careful aim. Hikigaya knew he was in danger and if he tried anything funny, there was a good chance he might get shot. This is what happens when he gets a little curious and tries to figure out whether an AI program was any good and could be trusted upon to look after the safety and security of every personnel in an entire division.
"Now ladies. Listen carefully." Hikigaya addressed the two clones, trying his best to give the impression that he was calm and collected and had a good handle on the situation. "I'm going to reach inside my suit pocket and retrieve my firearm. Please don't shoot me…and in case you do shoot me, please don't shoot me twice."
The clones didn't lower their weapons and he reached inside and brought out his pistol, making a small show of it, with how gingerly he held the weapon, his finger no way near the trigger, his grip soft and loose and placed it on the small storage compartment along with the rest of his belongings. HEUSC performed another security check and after being satisfied with the result, the AI finally opened the metal doors.
"Welcome to The Kira Task Force, Hikigaya-kun."
Hikigaya collected his belongings from the small storage compartment, but before leaving, he decided to have a small chat with the two clones, who by now had lowered their weapons and had gone back to treating him with a certain level of aloofness associated with a total outsider. He decided to do something about it and change the present status quo.
"I think I owe you two an apology. I made you guys worried there for a second, didn't I?"
"Misaka was not worried. Misaka would have shot you." The clone to his right remarked.
The clone to his left nodded in agreement. "Misaka would have shot you too."
"Wait," Remarked the first clone. "If we both shot him, wouldn't he have been shot twice?"
"The man requested Misaka not to shoot him twice." Replied the second clone.
"Oops."
"Yes. Oops."
Well, there was no clever segue into the next scene. Hikigaya had to plow through, depending on his own wit and charm and hope the clones showed a sliver of interest in him and what he was about to do. But he could get lucky. After all, Misaka Worst, their older sister had taken a shine to him. All he could do was make a solid attempt and try.
"Wanna see a magic trick?"
The clones looked at each other for a second, some kind of unspoken communication taking place between them with just a mere look from their respective eyes, before they turned to him and gave a small nod, and he didn't need to be told twice that these were two sweet and innocent young women in their twenties, who despite seeing the dark underbelly of society still held out hope for the magic and wonder of the unknown world and everything it had to offer.
Hikigaya steeled his resolve, took out two five yen coins from his wallet and using the ring with the philosopher stone, which he had gotten during the misadventure involving Isaac Dian and Miria Harvent, he performed alchemy, transmuting the two coins into two beautiful flower shaped hair clips, completely bypassing the laws of equivalent exchange.
"I have been talking to Nishimiya." Hikigaya said.
"Accelerator's girlfriend?" The girl who had taken the hairclip shaped like a white lily, asked.
Hikigaya nodded. "Yes. She doesn't like it, how you call each other by serial numbers. Says it's barbaric and inhumane. I found myself agreeing with her. We brainstormed for a little bit and both of us came up with the idea to give you nicknames. Now since you are girls, I decided to name you after flowers." He allowed a small smile to sit on his lips. "What girl doesn't like flowers, eh?" With a playful voice he tacked on. "Of course, you can tell me to 'go to hell' and I will take back the hairclip -"
"No!" The girl exclaimed, taking a step back and holding the hairclip like it was the most priceless thing on the planet. "You gave Misaka this hairclip. Misaka won't give it back. If you try to take it back, Misaka will shoot you."
Hikigaya held up his hand in a show of surrender. "Okay. Fine. I won't take it back. In exchange, I will call you Lily from here on out. Is that alright…Lily?"
The girl blushed and nodded, fixing the hairclip to her short, chestnut brown hair.
"Lily is a nice name. Misaka likes it."
"Rose is better." Her sister remarked. While the two of them had been engaged in conversation, she had already affixed the hairclip shaped like a red rose to her chestnut brown her. But now she had a small query. "Will Hikigaya be able to name all Misaka's? There are 10,000 of us."
Hikigaya couldn't help but grin. "Well, there are around 400,000 types of flowers in the world, and I know a couple of languages." He winked. "Don't worry, I have you guys covered."
Rose blushed as well, but he didn't quite see it, because HEUSC announced that L and Major Motoko Kusanagi were waiting for him in the lounge. He muttered a curse under his breath and left with a hasty wave of his hands and a loud goodbye.
When the young man turned round the corner and vanished down the corridor, the two sisters turned to face each other and had a short conversation.
"Misaka thinks Hikigaya is better than Touma Kamijou."
"Misaka agrees. We can't let Hikigaya meet onee-sama."
"Misaka agrees. But does Misaka have a chance? Hikigaya must have met Misaka Worst."
At this moment, both women looked down and stared at their respective breasts. Over the years and as they grew older, they had developed some curves, but they were still no match for Misaka Worst. Not for the first time, the two younger women thought that their older sister was a freak of nature. But the two girls still held onto some hope.
"Misaka is younger."
"Yes. Misaka is young."
"Hikigaya might be into legs."
"Hikigaya might be a loli-con."
At this, both sisters let out a full body shiver in disgust and thought it was best to drop the matter altogether. They were in their twenties and definitely didn't look like loli's and Hikigaya seemed like a great guy at first, but you never know – Ikebukuro was full of weirdoes.
A/N: Welcome to "Ikebukuro: An Observant Oreki's Rhapsody"
I have based this arc on the short story 'Tellus' written by Satyajit Ray which features his character Professor Shonku and is about a machine that can answer millions of questions, which suddenly goes rogue, ends up missing and when it is found again, it's creators are amazed to see that the machine is showing signs of independent thought.
Now you must be wondering where is Houtarou Oreki? Don't worry, he will show up. After all, this is his story. But I was wondering whether I should write the first arc in Hikigaya POV? Or, should I start writing in Houtarou POV starting from the third chapter? I can't really decide. So, I will leave it upto you guy. Here's the poll –
Poll#1: Should I write the first arc in Hikigaya POV?
Option 1: Yes. But From The Next Arc Write In "Oreki POV"
Option 2: No. From The Third Chapter Write In "Oreki POV"
Now it's time for the next poll. This arc will introduce a few characters and I bet not a lot of people know about them. People like Professor Shonku, Feluda, Tintin, I don't think they are household names. But in this arc they will play a part. Professor Shonku and Professor Calculus created Tellus and in this story Feluda is Oreki's brother-in-law and he's the one who inspired him to become a private investigator. There will be other characters like Captain Haddock and Lamohan Ganguly. But I don't want to go too overboard. So let's do another poll –
Poll#2: What Is Houtarou Oreki's Backstory?
Option 1: Prodosh Chandra Mitter AKA Feluda is Oreki's Brother-in-law.
Option 2: Oreki is Feluda's assistant and protégé.
Option 3: Oreki is Professor Shonku's secretary.
Option 4: Feluda and Tomoe Oreki are engaged but not yet married.
Option 5: Tintin and Houtarou Oreki are friends.
Finally, the last poll –
Poll#3: What Happens In The Future?
Option 1: Isaac McDougal, The Freezer Alchemist Attacks Ikebukuro.
Option 2: Edward Elric Tries To Stop Him From Carrying Out The Attacks.
Option 3: Edward Elric Is Joined By Mordred Pendragon (They Are Friends)
Option 4: Tellus Is Stolen By Rick and Morty.
Option 5: Tellus Goes Rogue.
Option 6: Loid Forger Is Working Undercover As A Journalist, Trying To Steal Tellus.
Option 7: Kurisu Makise Is Among The Group Of Scientist Who Helped Create Tellus.
Option 8: Tomoe Oreki and Houtarou Oreki Do A Brother-Sister Team Up.
Option 9: Rick Sanchez Hates All The Scientist Who Made Tellus And Shows Everyone How Much More Intelligent He Is Compared To The Rest Of Them.
Option 10: Feluda And Houtarou Oreki Team Up And Solve The Mystery.
Please Pick Accordingly.
Hope everyone enjoyed reading this chapter.
Leave lots and lots of reviews, follow and fave.
Won't betray your dreams.
P.S.: I know that's not how the Misaka Clones talk, but in this story they are a bit older and I figured they learnt how to talk normally over the course of a few years. Also how does Hikigaya know Accelerator, Shouko Nishimiya and Misaka Worst, you will get those answers when I upload, "Ikebukuro: Part II: A Bohemian Hikigaya's Rhapsody" which is Book Number 2 in Hikigaya's Ikebukuro Series. Also, Hikigaya got the ring with the philosopher stone during his misadventure with Isaac and Miria. That episode will be covered in the book "Ikebukuro: A Space Cowboy's Rhapsody" which will have Spike Spiegel as the main protagonist. I hope that clears up some of the confusion.
Take care.