Chapter 30A:

"It's decided. I will go to Russia." Rei sat on the single-seater couch. She was across Yomi and Yoshi on the loveseat with Accelerator and Last Order on the other sofa.

"Awwww, Misaka Misaka pouts. Misaka Misaka doesn't want you to go!" Last Order gets off the couch to hug Rei's waist. Rei in turn smiled fondly at the girl and rubbed her hair.

"I'll miss you, Mi-chan. But don't worry, I'll be coming back." Rei told her.

"Wait wait wait just one minute." Yomi waved her hands. "Can we hear the reasoning behind this? This is a pretty serious matter, especially after your trip to the hospital."

Last Order looked up at Rei while she began explaining. "Well…I did put a lot of thought into it. It's just…I don't really have any reason to stay, right?" She looks to the two adults in the group. "I've done really well in all my exams. Sure the months I will be gone could be used to help prepare me for my next year and college, but I have learned all of this before and I don't think that would take much time." She said, referring to the time she had learned it pre-amnesia. "So in terms of education, it's a neutral consequence to go there."

"Okay." Yoshi nodded. "And?" She knew there had to be more facets to this decision than just education.

"Well, I mean…What else is here? I'm not going to be gone for long. Education is fine. What is there after now? College, a job, then going on with the rest of my life? I can do research or whatever I want. Not only have I studied hard enough to get to that point, I am willing to bet that level 5s are given priority in some situations over others, and I can use that to my advantage. But really, what is there here besides that?" Rei looked around the room. "My family isn't here and I never went out of the country to see other family members. Even my memory can't remember all the pictures I have seen of my relatives, because I didn't see them very often and I saw the pictures when I was young. I have to lay low and anyone who knows how to track down my family is probably also dangerous for me to talk to, so I have to avoid even them." It was pitiful that Rei knew that somewhere out there there were people who were blood-related to her, family that she could not meet for the time being or even at all.

It was a lot to take in, but Yoshi and Yomi could understand where she was coming from.

"And," Rei's shoulders drooped. "Thing is, I think everything will go back to the way it was if I were to come back. But, maybe, if I were to go and see the world outside, I could find some purpose. I could finally see something I have never seen before."

"You want to do some soul-searching." Yomi summed up what Rei was trying to say.

"Yes…" Rei hesitated to say the word, almost as if she was afraid that Yomi would interfere or disagree.

"It is your decision, so we have to respect it. But we just want you to be aware that…" Yomi trails off.

"That you might not come back should a war break out. And that itself is almost a given as that is one of the reasons you are being sent to Russia." Yoshi filled what Yomi could not bring herself to say.

And this is when Rei's eyes dull. Accelerator almost thought she looked as somber as she did when they first met in the park. "Like I had said, I do not have much purpose here. While I may not be in a life-death situation and thus what I think and feel is only conditional, but I think that that is a chance-"

"You're a genius, jan!" Yomi gasped. "You could very well lead some new science breakthrough here!"

"Am I a genius? Or is it just that I went through the same grades twice?" She reasoned. "Either way, there are plenty geniuses here, but I need to find myself and find out how to let myself grow."

Rei's voice faltered and she gulped. "My family…died for me to live on. I respect that. But there is also the need to move on and to pick up life where it was left off. Life here can be suffocating. Back then I could barely leave the house, and now I am stuck in the hectic schedule of a busy student. On top of that, I have also become a level 5. If I don't take the chance to travel while I can, I will never be able to leave. And yes, I shouldn't just state this trip as if it is just a vacation. But I must not think of this as a death sentence. I will come back alive, and I know it will be a worthwhile experience." Rei gave a little smile at the end of her speech.

Accelerator was the only one who hadn't said anything the whole time. Yomi and Yoshi eyed him nervously multiple times while Rei was explaining, waiting for him to say absolutely anything. He continued on listening.

When Rei finished talking and smiling, she looked to her sensei, she now waiting for a response as well. Last Order was the last one to turn to him expectantly.

"What? Why are you all looking at me? What do you want me to say? It's obviously your decision." Accelerator shrugged. Sure, he would most likely be drafted for Rei's fine tuning in regards to her ability if she were to stay, but his duties would decrease dramatically in either situation, stay or leave. That would be nice. But what Accelerator didn't want to happen is for his thoughts to influence the brat. He, just like everyone, had warmed up to the girl. Of course, all of them warmed up to her to different degrees, he being the least, but heaven forbid he said that out loud. All of them would blow it up to ridiculous proportions and Accelerator was almost convinced that if Rei caught wind of his thoughts she would shut down her whole plan of action just for him. Accelerator didn't want that for a multitude of reasons, the biggest being that he acknowledged that Rei needed this. She sounded as if she was grasping for threads of life and happiness. He knew she probably would not find that in her current scenario. It would take her a while to appreciate what she had now, so it was better for her to go and experience a new life and be refreshed.

"Stop looking at me, all of you! I have no control over the brat and she sounds as if her mind is made. End of discussion." Accelerator's words were absolute.

Rei gave a grin. She, having spent so much time with her sensei throughout the past months, understood what he was going for. "I see I have your blessing, sensei," she responded. "And for that I thank you."

What Rei remembered the most vividly from that time was Last Order's crying. The girl hugged Rei's legs as she tried to walk out the door and it took a great amount of prying from Yomi and Yoshi. Rei was embarrassed at such a spectacle, but she loved Last Order too much to try and push her away.

Rei's chin rested in her palm as she drummed the café table with her other hand. She remember how, in the winter, she had come here with what became her family. A waitress came by with a strawberry smoothie. "Ah! You're…" The waitress softly said in recognition. And how could she not? This girl was all over the news channels for days. But the girl was turned the other way, past the outdoor portion of the café and onto the streets and sidewalks, almost as if she was waiting for someone. Disappointed at the lack of attention, the waitress walked off to take the next person's order.

"Rei-chan?" A girl with brown bobbed hair showed up in Rei's peripheral vision. Rei turned to see Haruhi give Rei a look of concern as she slowly sat into a seat.

"Haruhi! You're only on time for once!" Rei looked at her cell phone screen. Haruhi was the type to show up early, especially if Rei was involved.

"Yeah, finals are coming. I have to make sure I did all my normal chores so I can study uninterrupted later on. So, are you sure about this?" Haruhi was referencing her decision to leave Russia. Rei had told her most of the details back in their dorm, Haruhi sitting wide eyed in surprise as she struggled to keep her hold on the deluge of Rei's past life and current experiences. As a final gesture, almost like a final meeting, Rei had asked Haruhi to tour the city for her one day. Who knows when the two would have time for each other again?

So Rei and Haruhi talked, Rei hammering any loose nails of her story that Haruhi mixed up or got confused over. When they started walking around in the busy, loud crowds that constantly populated the city-for one school's finals week was not necessarily another's, Rei even felt comfortable enough to share some insecurities and doubts over the trip. Who knows when the two would have time for each other again?

So Rei and Haruhi talked, Rei hammering any loose nails of her story that Haruhi mixed up or got confused over. When they started walking around in the busy, loud crowds that constantly populated the city-for one school's finals week was not necessarily another's, Rei even felt comfortable enough to share some insecurities and doubts over the trip. Haruhi, just like the others, would miss Rei but knew that it would be best if she gave Rei some optimism, not confirmation that she shared the same doubts.

"You're brilliant, Rei. I'm convinced you'll be alright." Although book smarts don't translate to street smarts, but you didn't get the level 5 status for nothing. That's pretty important. I doubt that level 5s just die out, Haruhi thought to herself.

They explored the city together, going on a boat ride through one of the city's rivers and even shopped for clothes. Rei took pictures obsessively, wanting to etch her time here in case she got homesick in Russia. A part of her doubted she would after recalling the events that took place here, but Rei would have been crazy to argue that she wouldn't miss Haruhi, Kiri, and Reika or Accelerator and his family. She had bittersweet memories of Academy City, maybe more bitter than sweet, but she felt the need to respect the sweet memories.

"When you come back, aren't you going to be behind?" Haruhi asked. They were now both at the classical pier and boardwalk.

"I will return in the winter, they promised, no matter if there is a war or not. So I would come back after winter break. I am not worried about catching up, since I could potentially study over there if nothing comes up. If push comes to shove there is always the summer."

"You know very few people can be so strong about academics like you." Haruhi looked out from the pier. "It's not like I have much of my ability to practice, even though I am a level 3, and I still can't get on your level." Haruhi almost sounded wistful.

Rei looked at her shocked. Haruhi was jealous of her? Immediately she was taken back to when she was jealous of the real Rei. She had a lot of time to reflect on the past, and she decided to do what she wished happened to her back then: Someone would talk to her about it.

"Well, Haruhi, I know you're smart. You might not be in the top 10 just yet, but you're still well above average. And you know when I lost my memory I went back to classes I had already taken. I had reviewed and you hadn't." Rei didn't want to come off condescending or rude but she wasn't sure what exactly to say.

"Yes yes, indeed that's true. But it still doesn't change that feeling, you know?" Haruhi looked down as the wind blew their hair poetically.

Rei gave a small chuckle and turned from Haruhi to the sea. "I hope to text you while I'm gone. Even if I go, we're still friends, right?"

Haruhi grinned at her. "How could you even ask that? Of course!"

It was a somber, grey spring morning when Rei walked up to Toshiko Academy, donned in her uniform and her school bag filled with pencils, pens, and erasers. Finals week had come at last, and today was the last day of exams.

As she approached the main gate, speckled with students strolling in all around her, she could see Haruhi, Kiri, and Reika looking at her. They all had knowing gazes of what this day entails.

Kiri, who had since changed her sour opinion on Rei drastically, was going to miss scolding her for being too much of a bookworm. Reika, who mostly held apathy for Rei, seemed to start feeling affection for her after the announcement had been made. Whenever possible Reika got Rei's lunch for her from the vendor, sparing her from the vicious crowd. Both grew especially concerned that Rei could possibly never return. Kiri, on one hand, decided to hide her fear through humor. "So now you're an official soldier for Academy City, huh?" Kiri once said during lunch break in a hushed tone. Rei had shown them her soldier ID card. The idea that Rei, this innocent looking girl, could actually end up becoming a harsh, strong warrior was rather surreal for all, Rei feeling this strongest of all. "That means you can get all those army discounts now and when you come back!" Reika, on the other hand, stayed silent and only faintly smiled when faces turned to her.

At the end of the day, all were exhausted and stretching themselves out from sitting for hours. As they walked out through the school gate for the last time in what would be a while, all held the silence. Reika and Kiri's dorm were in the opposite direction from Haruhi's and Rei's.

"We'll see you off in the morning tomorrow, okay? Bye until then." Kiri waved and Rei lowered her eyes and nodded.

"Alright. See you then." Rei and Haruhi nodded.

The following morning was just as grey as the one that came before. It can't be, Rei thought to herself as she woke up, that today is the day I leave. It seems too calm for anything eventful to happen.

She could hear the loud, ripping sound of duct tape. Haruhi's family lived outside of Academy City in Okinawa, so she would pack her things for storage and fly out frequently for summer vacation.

After a quiet breakfast and Rei double-checking to make sure she had packed everything, She got a call from the headmistress that a car was waiting for her. Tabito was more than willing to provide for a ride to the airport. But Rei knew from her peers' chatter that it was commonplace to take a train out to Tokyo or some other big city and then fly out, so she argued for that. Tabito, grateful that she had accepted in the first place, didn't argue. Yomi and Yoshi were willing to drive her there.

When Rei reached downstairs with Haruhi helping her with the luggage, she saw Reika and Kiri near the car. The driver seat window rolled down and she could see Yomi with Yoshi past her. Thought she couldn't see clearly, she saw Accelerator's shock of white hair and Last Order bouncing around in the back seat.

Kiri almost shed tears as she hugged Rei. Reika, while hugging Rei she whispered in her ear, "So did you tell Haruhi after all?"

Rei, surprised that she had even been asked the question, suddenly remembered the day when Reika shapeshifted into Accelerator and startled her on her way out of her dorm.

"Uhhh…" Rei looked to Haruhi. Haruhi was looking in Accelerator's direction, almost as if she knew he was there. There was some sort of emotion in her frown and eyes. "Haruhi, do you know them?" Rei didn't want to say it outright.

"…Oh!" Haruhi suddenly regained composure. "Yes yes," she waved her hand. "I met them in the hospital. Or rather, that guy. The number 1 ESPer? We talked for a brief bit. I didn't know that he was your tutor. I guess we should be thankful, he taught you to become a level 5."

"Indeed." Reika patted Rei's back. "Now you, miss Level 5, have to leave. Safe travels. We will miss you."

Haruhi was to accompany Rei with the rest. Kiri and Reika would stay back. As the two girls got into the car, Accelerator and Last Order shifting over, Rei tried her best to etch the scene of her dorm and Reika and Kiri.

"Here are some snacks and water." Haruhi gave Rei a small backpack with a noticeable weight. While Rei marveled at the weight of the backpack, Haruhi got all the luggage settled in. Haruhi was to stay with Rei until they got to the airport. "It will be like a class trip, but just with the two of us." Haruhi had told her back at the dorms.

The group was at the train station. Yomi pulled something out of a bag that Yoshi was carrying. "Here you go," Yoshi spoke. It was a thin, pastel yellow book with flowers painted on it. Rei flipped through it, curious as to what was inside when it didn't have a title. "Here is our written account of our time with you."

"I even drew some pictures, Misaka Misaka proudly says!" Last Order balls her hands into fists and pats her chest with them. Rei laughed out loud at the stick figures and scribbles found throughout, giving sharp contract to what must have been Yoshi's neat handwriting.

Rei passed the notebook to Haruhi, who looked at it curiously, and stepped down from the train to give them all one last hug. She stopped at Accelerator, who looked down on her, not scowling at her for once but neither smiling.

"Don't kill yourself like last time." He said, referring to their first-and last- battle.

Rei smiled as strongly as she could. "Goodbye, Accelerator-sensei."

"I'm not your sensei anymore, you can stop calling me that." He shakes his head in exasperation.

"You will always be my sensei. I am thankful for the time you kept me under your wing." Rei gave a deep bow. "Nothing could truly express how happy it has made me. But, if you want, I can call Accelerator-san from time to time. Or maybe just Accelerator, now that I'm your equal. Maybe you prefer Accelerator-chan?"

Everyone, even Haruhi, laughed. Everyone except for Accelerator. "Now let's not get to carried away brat." He looked away and scoffed. "You'll never going to be my equal."

"As a student, it is my duty to take the ideals given to me and exceed them. I'm a very good student in academics you know. I'm positive that the same thing applies to abilities."

"That's ridiculous!"

Rei giggled. Without warning she enveloped her arms around him and let her face rest on his shoulders. Everyone grew silent. Even Accelerator didn't move or say anything.

Shinkansen to Tokyo will be leaving in 3 minutes, the intercom blared, interrupting the serene moment.

Rei pulled away. "Goodbye sensei. I will always remember you." She turned to the others and nodded. "I will be sure to call you when I return." As she got on the train, Haruhi already seated, she looked to Accelerator. Rei didn't even care about what others must be thinking about how she was acting around Accelerator. She was in her own world, and Accelerator happened to be there as well. Rei wasn't complaining.

"Until we meet again, sensei."

Accelerator nodded. "Don't kill yourself." He repeated himself.

The train started to move and the door closed, Rei finally severed from her makeshift family. Yomi, Yoshi, and Last Order waved, Last Order the craziest of them all. "Bye!" Yomi and Yoshi called out.

"Bye bye, Rei-chan, Misaka Misaka calls out while jumping with her hands in the air! Come home soon, Misaka Misaka cries because Misaka Misaka already misses her!"

Accelerator didn't say anything, but he lowered his head-so slightly that Rei almost didn't realize he had done so- and raised his hand in a casual form of goodbye.

Until then.

The trio had found a good vantage point to see the shinkansen headed for Tokyo slide into the station. The boy with sandy brown hair spoke no words as he saw the girl he had been helping for what had turned out to be years in this world hug people and get on the train. His partners, a man with lovely blonde hair and a muscular man with spikey black hair didn't talk either. They all felt some relief that the girl had recovered from the method in which she regained her memories, but that relief was short-lasting when they discovered that she was headed into a warzone.

The man with the yellow hair felt the most guilt for putting her in Tabito's warpath.

"Fai…It's alright." The boy with the brown hair patted Fai's-the man with blonde hair- shoulder.

Fai didn't seem to be able to bring himself to say anything. He felt so conflicted. "We are still going to watch over her for now, right? At least until she comes back?"

"Of course. We shouldn't just let her get her memories back after all that work just for her to die." The spikey-hair man spoke gruffly.

"Let me out of here!" The bag Fai was carrying squirmed a little.

"Not here," Fai chastised, "You know what it's like here."

"This is ridiculous." The other one spoke again.

"Ah, come on guys, the train has left." The brown-haired boy saw it slowly accelerate away. "Let's go get some lunch."

It had been minutes into the train ride and Rei was shifting between taking in the scenary,

looking at the journal, and searing the final memories into her mind.

"Can I read this?" Haruhi asked about the journal while Rei looked out the window.

"Sure, I've already told you a lot anyway." Rei looked behind her seat to the windows. Haruhi soon became preoccupied in Rei's adventures, even gasping at some of the battle scenes. Rei chose to look at her environs instead.

They were currently passing through the countryside and all Rei could take in were the prairie and farmland. It was foreign for a city girl.

Rei closed her eyes and took in a deep breathe. She looked determinedly out of the window and saw a stream of beautiful, colorful wildflowers.

My life begins now.

と或る臨時の人

The story diverges from here based on Rei's decision. This is the last chapter for one decision, where Rei decides to go to Russia. 30B is the last chapter for the other decision, where Rei decides to stay. 30B will include a "Reflections" type section at the end on thoughts I have had on this story and what's coming up as well as answering any trivia-esque questions anyone has (message them to me or post them in reviews if you have any!). Stay tuned!