Chapter 3:

"EHH? MISAKA MISAKA EXCLAIMS! HOW'S THAT POSSIBLE?" Last Order was the first of the two to say something.

"…" Accelerator didn't say anything. His right hand was back into his pocket again. He was glaring down at her. Rei's height reached his shoulder. She looked up at him.

She's not moving a muscle, Misaka Misaka wonders with amazement. She's less than three yards away from him, Misaka Misaka estimates, and she's not moving.

Rei gazed at Last Order. There was something eerie about her gaze. Her face seemed so calm, so emotionless and somber. Yet the face gave the air of politeness. But she wasn't entirely polite. After all, she had just thrown a can at someone's face.

She does seem like she needs help of some sort, Misaka Misaka develops her opinion. But Misaka Misaka still can't remember why Ryuuzaki-san looks so familiar…

"Ah, I'm sorry for being so abrupt. You must be Last Order-chan, right?" She began to walk towards Last Order. "I can't tell you why I have the ability I have. But-"

Accelerator pushed her back hard, making her thud against the ground. Last Order noticed her wince, one of her eyes closed in pain. But Ryuuzaki-san isn't saying anything…? Misaka Misaka notices. Just what is her purpose, Misaka Misaka wants to know!

He switched the hand that carried the bag and raised his left arm protectively for Last Order. "You have some nerve. You fucking come out of nowhere and throw a goddamn can at my face, and you're asking me for help? And you think you can approach this brat as if you're just some casual friend?"

Rei stopped looking hurt, avoided his gaze, and looked up at him with her calm expression. "Even if my plan at getting your attention hadn't failed, you still would have most likely refused to help me. Now you think of me as a random person that had the guts to throw something at you instead of a just a random person to ignore."

Last Order looked stunned, her mouth agape. No one talked back to Accelerator. Or, at least, no one that escaped without a scratch. Misaka Misaka thinks that Accelerator-san will see her as a foolish, random person that threw a can…

Accelerator sighed and bent his knees to be more level with her wide-eyed face. He snickered as he scanned her face, her mouth slightly open as if she was afraid at what he'd do. "Now, listen, I'm not a fan of hurting girls. Especially those that have the great potential for sarcasm and wit. But, if you'll continue to be a nuisance…ah, let's say you'll need more help from more people, okay?"

"WAIT! DON'T HURT HER! MISAKA MISAKA CRIES!" Last Order snapped out of her shock and ran to Accelerator's side. "Misaka Misaka remembers Ryuuzaki-san saying she was a Level 4. Misaka Misaka sensed an AIM field of a Level 5…"

Rei weakly smiled at her. "That's what I was going to explain, but…" She quickly met Accelerator's gaze before going back to her. "I am a Level 4. I am not lying to you." She took out her ID card and flashed it at Last Order and then Accelerator. It was a legitimate card, a big red 4 right below her name, "RYUUZAKI REI". The level section was right above the ability section, which was written in bold, black letters: ABILITY: VECTOR CHANGE. The picture on the right hand side looked just like her- the shirt, the faint, sweet smile, all of that. She put the card back. "I am always so close to achieving Level 5 status at my school examinations. But I always never make it! I am always sooo close!" She stopped leaning on her right side and showed Last Order how close with her pointer finger and thumb; the two fingers were basically touching each other.

"…" Last Order said nothing. Accelerator barely narrowed his glance, but he did all the same.

Rei snapped her glance at Accelerator. Newfound urgency was in her gaze now. "You're a level 5! I request your teachings." She winced as she shifted into a bow at Accelerator's knee. Her head was touching the ground, her long brown hair curled at the end and touched the ground as well.

"Wha-What…Misaka Misaka says in surprise. Misaka Misaka's calculations were wrong…?" Last Order dropped to her knees in absolute shock.

"Now, now. Wait just a minute." Accelerator's tone didn't soften at all at Rei's plight. "This brat's data is never wrong."

"I'm sorry, but it is. You may see my card again, if you wish. But my card is legitimate." Rei said softly, not moving her head from the ground. She handed it to him, not looking up.

Last Order noticed Accelerator scrutinizes it. Accelerator sharply exhaled and put it on her right hand. He looked away in irritancy.

人

Who the hell is she? Accelerator could only think of that question. When he was part of the Radio Noise experiment, he scoured the scientists' databases when given the opportunity.

There. Was. Not. A. Single. Person. With. His. Ability.

There shouldn't be! He narrowed his eyes. He exhaled, not realizing he was holding in so much of his breath. He put it on her hand and glared at her.

…She's an interesting person. An odd mix of rudeness and politeness, I have to say. But why the hell do I not know her? Who is she? He couldn't come up with an answer to his question. He was starting to feel more insane than usual. Let me take a slight gamble today…

"I'll consider it, okay brat? Walk with me and we'll see if I change my mind." He stood up, already walking away.

Last Order still started at Rei. Rei popper her head up and put her hands on her knees, still on the ground.

"Really?" She said excitedly. "Thank you!" She didn't even care that Accelerator had already tuned all sound waves out. "And I'm sorry about the can! I was supposed to use my ability on it!" She stood up and ran towards him.

Last Order looked puzzled now. "Misaka Misaka is wondering what just happened…." She murmured before racing off after the new person.