"hee, Wishaki-shan, chould shou .. . shtoph?"
Mitori watched on as Misaki abuses (from her perspective anyway) Dolly's cheeks, stretching, patting, stretching again and occasionally pinching, all the while staring at her as if Dolly had wronged her in some way or another. Mitori scoffed at her own line of thought. As if Dolly could do anything wrong, she's such a sweetheart.
Ever since they met up after classes, Misaki had been in a weird mood. While they were leisurely taking a stroll around the busy area of a sidewalk, Misaki refused to look at Dolly, prompting the girl to annoy her all the more, and Dolly's good at it getting the attention of someone she wants. But instead of being annoyed, anyone would find her too endearing to actually have any negative feelings. As Misaki did end up paying attention to Dolly, both the older girls were shocked, it's hard not to when Dolly was practically climbing her like a monkey.
"Ack! You always do things as you please! Get down, we're in public." The order was indulgent, under the guise of austere phrasing, and Dolly obeyed, she did achieve her goal after all. Once she was standing, she smiled adorably up at Misaki.
"Hehe, Misaki-chan finally gotcha!"
Actually, Mitori was more shocked that Misaki had remained standing while practically carrying the weight of one grown up girl (no matter how petite she is and no matter how brief it was) than Dolly resorting to this tactic in public even though she knew Misaki avoids catching the attention of others. Shokuhou Misaki didn't even whine and she is pathetically weak, oops, physically challenged, so forgive her if her expectations were a bit light, but well, Misaki carrying Dolly is an image she'll never forget any time soon, no matter how brief it was.
After Misaki mind wiped the people around them and had programmed people to look elsewhere instead of them, they continued on their way to one of the public libraries. Dolly had suddenly wanted to see books, the two of them were whipped and so here they are inside this castle of papers, back with Misaki basically molding Dolly's cheeks to who knows what while Mitori barely stops her urge to pat the blonde's hands away from Dolly.
"Sheed oi awoy Wishaki-shan shoo mush?"
The mental out huffed and let her go and looked away while idly twirling a lock of hair. Cheeks flushing a bit. "No you did not. It's not you I'm annoyed with." Misaki shot a glance at the girl massaging her cheeks. "I'm sorry"
Dolly, regarded her for a moment, cheeks slowly returning to its normal color, before dragging Misaki to the table they claimed as their own, and practically ordered her to sit. Mitori raised a brow across from them, shutting the book she's been pretending to read. Intrigue by what Dolly intended to do.
"Now then, tell us what happened."
It was like a magic key to a vault full of feelings. Shokuhou Misaki spilled what had happened earlier that morning, a river of retelling the earlier events. How she arranged to greet the railgun that morning while seemingly materializing just by chance when the other girl was buying from the vending machine, how that had gone spectacularly well thereafter. She even backtracked and told the events of the night before, the scarf, the coat and the warmth she felt. Misaki talked about how she can't concentrate in classes, clique meetings, and even now.
Dolly, god (if he exists) bless her soul, doesn't really ask why she it was her cheeks that had to be reformed and not this "Misaka-san the railgun", instead she smiled and mildly teased Misaki of her crush.
"When you were waiting for this Misaka-san to appear, isn't that stalking?"
The girl sputtered. "No! That..that was called a strategic reconnaissance for...for a further advance operation called strategic encounter!" Mitori had turned away trembling, while Misaki huffed and crossed arms, Dolly just smiled. "Honestly, you have to use the right diction! We can't have you spouting such vulgar words as stalking. It was not stalking! We have to widen your vocabulary more for you to be up to my standards. You have a long ways to go, Dolly."
"Ah, but well...you had someone wait and report to you when she'd leave her dorm, when she'd arrive at the school, when she rounded the corner and to the vending machine…isn't that pure stalking Misaki-chan?"
"D-Dolly!" Mitori only heard this as she trembled more violently. Turning around, she glanced at her friends then promptly laughed out loud for the whole library to hear. She didn't care, seeing Misaki's full on indignant, tomato face had her in stitches. The blonde was still sputtering excuses (as if that would help) while Dolly smiled on whatever bullshit Misaki spewed.
"Aww, You're so cute Misaki-chan!"
The girl blushed and glared at Mitori, who raised her hands in a silent 'I have nothing to do with anything you are thinking of, don't look at me', trying her damnable hardest not to laugh outright in her face. The glare intensified. "What are you teaching her?"
Mitori suppressed a smirk but it was hard. Misaki took out a remote and with a click, everyone turned away as if they weren't glaring at the trio before, the library assistant making her way towards them abruptly turned away. Mitori had a brief thought that with such a large deterrent like the mental out, Mitori could do so much more and not get caught, but of course their friendship is not like that.
"Nothing! Nothing! Our Dolly is just that smart." Dolly's smile brightened at the praise. How is she so adorable? "Besides, you can't just change the subject, we are talking about you."
"Let's not. I'm done talking"
"And I'm done teasing." Dolly patted Misaki's hand before encompassing her in a hug and held her tight. "What I do think is you're admirable Misaki-chan…sans the stalking"
"Pffffft"
The hour spent reading by each other's side had been surprisingly enjoyable. Dolly would interject and distract them with what she read (mostly facts about animals). The two would comment that would make one of them chuckle or scoff or pout. Misaki's realistic comments got inundated by Dolly's optimistic enthusiasm and Mitori would offer a sarcastic remark. By the time it rolled to 6pm, someone's stomach started growling.
Mitori watched as Dolly turned to Misaki, her adorable puppy eyes at full blast. It was then that she was reminded that anyone would kick a puppy for this girl. The mental out is no exception. Misaki was quick to close her eyes and look the other way but she agreed to the silent request anyway. It's not like she'll do otherwise.
Misaki flashed an exasperated smile. "I suppose we have our next destination then."
Instantly Dolly's eyes brightened. "Yay! I want barbecue!" bouncing on her seat, she squeezed the blonde in excitement. Mitori just watched in amusement as Misaki patted Dolly's back, begging her to release her from the tight hug. In response, the brunette just squeezed tighter and buried her face in the blonde's generous chest. Oh, this innocent dork is onto something, alright!
"Well, Misaki-chan can certainly arrange that!" Mitori declared, smirking.
"Urrhhg, there will be no Misaki-chan if a certain someone continues to squee...eze the . . . life out of h e r." Misaki replied testily, while Dolly may be the only person that's allowed to hug her this long and anywhere and anytime, this level of strength is just too much! She's a fragile-.
"Dolly, that's a fragile human being your holding…" Mitori teasingly. "You see what's written in those boxes right? Handle with care." Dolly ceased her affections at once in alarm and Misaki gasped, both for the actual need of it and for the affronted emotion she felt at that insensitive fragile comment. Should Mitori really use it like that?
"Fragile is not a word I would use. Do not teach Dolly such crooked vocabulary."
Mitori grinned. "You were thinking about it."
"I was not" Look at this natural liar! heh.
"You were about to say it"
"I was not!" Misaki scoffed, flipping her hair all the while glaring at Mitori in mild irritation before she turned to the brunette on her side. "Delicate is the appropriate word. We don't want to follow in someone's brutish footsteps now, do we?" You already had her DNA...
There was an impish look on Dolly's face. "Ah, like Misaka-san?"
"Precisely like Misaka-san! Honestly, she sometimes acts before she thinks! She had no talent in designing her time table at all and she's bad at delegating work too. So Dolly, even if you have her-no, what I mean to say is, since you're my charge, I expect you not to embarrass me."
Mitori interjected at this point "Translation: I'll help you learn to the highest of my ability, feed you, bathe you, dress you and love you so that you'll be at the pinnacle of human supremacy." Misaki looked like she was about to chuck a remote at her if not for Dolly distracting her yet with her sweet, sweet, giggles.
"You're so cute when you're thinking of her, Misaki-chan."
"Geh! I was thinking of you!"
"Wow, you're even taking her involuntary verbal tic." Mitori whistled in awe. "That's some dedication right there!" for added effect, Mitori clapped, not minding that they're still inside the library. Misaki having been caught off guard by Dolly and getting combo-ed by Mitori, blushed, hard. Mitori was having fun with this! Misaki is quite transparent with Dolly, so it's easy to tease her right after Dolly got her.
Misaki was really, really, ready to murder her at the moment though. Her smirk vanished. "Woah! Wait!"
Misaki's phone rang. Mitori sighed in relief at the back of her mind.
"Yes?" There was a long silence after this as the speaker on the other side briefed Misaki on some matter. Mitori flashed Dolly a double thumbs up for her good work. Dolly responded back with a thumbs up and a grin of her own. Making fun of Misaki is always gonna be entertaining. Maybe it's her Karma. HAH!
"Hmm, good work, expect an addition to your paychecks."
The phone was gently deposited on the table, Misaki then acted like nothing happened and mouthed to Mitori 'I saw what you two did'. Her eyes though, was telling another story. Those were the eyes of someone scheming, that phone call must be one of the focal points of her plans. If Mitori wont ask about the phone call, she's pretty sure Misaki won't ever say anything too. The blonde has always been like that, if she deign something or someone unnecessary to her plans, she'd never spare a brain cell to integrate it in any way. Which should be well and good but they're friends, what's the point if you don't involve friends in your masterful world-changing plans? And well, Mitori's curious. And Dolly too, if her body language is to be referred.
"What was that?"
Without wasting a beat, Misaki answered "I had someone investigate the missing kid. Shiawase Aoi."
Dolly had a pensive look on her face. "The girl on the news."
Mitori realized that she was still holding the book that she had given up reading a while ago and laid it on the table, and then crossed her now free arms. "Why?"
"No reason" came the flippant answer.
"No reason she says" grumbling, Mitori cast a dubious look at the blonde. "And swatting a huge cash amount from your pocket allowance? When the Judgement and Anti-skill were also looking for her? Also, you could have just told me, I would have done the job, I bet I'm more efficient than whoever was in your employ." the purple head confidently says. "And that money could have been mine.." she half joked. She wanted the money.
The leader of the three tapped her gloved finger on the table, Mitori thinks she figured out something but outwardly she projected a different facade. With a smile on her face "Ara~I give you enough money to buy a small building and here you are wanting more?" she tutted, amusement dancing in her eyes. Despite knowing that this is a distraction, Mitori can't spare anything to disassemble Misaki's brains at the moment.
Mitori laughed nervously, the blonde's tone made her think twice on everything at the moment. "In exchange for my services, Misaki-sama"
"What a greedy little thing you are, Mii-chan." there was a pause and the puppeteer realized that she messed up, just a little bit, maybe all that teasing was more than a bit . . . troublesome for the starry-eyed girl. Oops? "I know who is best for the job and who is not, and at the moment, you are not, Mii-chan"
Oof! That was considerately cruel. "You and your choice of words... I was just teasing you a bit." Mitori raised both hands in the air, a sign of her backing off. If she angered Misaki any more than this, she would have cup noodles as dinner instead.
Dolly, at this point, chimed. "Is the girl okay? What did the people on the phone say? Did they find her? Or was she rescued already? Misaki-chan?"
The blonde was silent for a moment, her eyes stayed on Dolly, likely ruminating on what to tell her and what not to tell. "They found her and they had the address, however, she's not rescued. What I wanted from them was only the information of where she is and that is what they delivered, with a few extras of course, since I'm their favorite client. In exchange, I paid them handsomely on a job well done."
"If I may insert Misaki-sama, what do you get out of it? It's not like you to butt in others' business."
"Oh, shouldn't they-what do you-why do you only want to know where she is? Isn't saving her top priority?"
"So I can have leverage." Misaki pointedly glanced at Mitori before turning back to Dolly as she explained continually "They said she was not harmed and is actually just being held hostage. They weren't making her do anything though other than just causing her to release huge amounts of cortisol-she's stressed, I mean. But I do have plans to rescue her. You don't have to worry about anything." That placated Dolly. Misaki-chan may have her reasons for not fully disclosing some of her engagements but she did try to be as transparent with her as much as she could. Moreover, Dolly trusted Misaki with anything, if she says not to worry, then there is a good reason not to.
Mitori however, raised an eyebrow at the leverage bit. Leverage for what? To who? And how? Those questions however would have to wait until they get Dolly fed and safe at home (good thing that word went over her head). Both Mitori and Misaki try to include Dolly on the on goings of their more heavily-toned operations with a heavily filtered summary of said operations as to subtly introduce her to the darker aspects of humanity, just to to ease her on the idea that the world was not all jumping dolphins and rainbow riding lions.
The hotel was wide and towering, with clear glass windows reflecting the city lights. Up top, there are several billboards attached, As the girls filed out of the limo, Dolly openly gaped at the monstrosity of the building while a valet offered greetings to Misaki. She flashed something to him and his eyes lit up, ushering them with far more respect than they offered the other patrons.
They were led to a private but quite spacious room lined with glass dividers in the dining restaurant inside the building, the corner windows of the room showcased the twinkling lights of Academy city below while the other two glass dividers were giving them a view of the other patrons gracing their food with gusto. Their coats and other winter gear wear hung near the sliding door of the room.
The server must have noticed Dolly and Mitori glancing worriedly at the glass wall for he said "No one can see you through this glass wall madams, it's coated with the latest camouflaging technology. What we have been using is comparable to what VIP's use for protection. Rest assured that no harm will come to you, neither is your visibility perceptible. We pride ourselves in our excellent safety measures and service."
Misaki flipped her hair and snugly informed them "Girls, this is a highly rated hotel in Academy city, of course they would mind our privacy and security, seeing who I am.."
"..."
"I thought we're having barbecue though..."
"Pffft!"
Once they were seated, and food was served, one could see the contrasting personalities they all had just by the way they treated food. The brunette ate with gusto, cheeks always full and humming in appreciation; Mitori was more subdued in comparison, but she was not to be underestimated with. She took big bites but with far more elegance than the brunette and the delight in her eyes cannot possibly be mistaken for anything else as she chewed with enthusiasm; Misaki ate with control, small bites, elegance bleeding from her pores as she took a fed on a salad, occasionally making sure that Dolly wouldn't choke given how fast her eating capabilities were. If her fond smile was anything to go by, she's thoroughly endeared of the messy habits Dolly is exhibiting. She still can't help but scold her though.
"Close your mouth when eating please."
"Don't talk with your mouth full" she reminded while wiping Dolly's mouth with a clean cloth. Mitori cringed as she wiped herself from some of Dolly's gross food spittles. Dolly was thoroughly enjoying Misaki mother-henning over her.
Handing her water to the choking electromaster. "Really, does it hurt to chew more carefully?" Misaki then pointedly stared at Mitori "Your education's left a few bits eh"
Mitori glowered. "Hey, I was the one where the spit landed! On my face!"
The blonde choked back a laugh.
As deserts were plated in front of them, noticeably Dolly was enamored with the sugary sweets to ever notice the tell tale starry eyes of the waiter. The waiter glanced at Misaki, Mitori of course noticed, before the door slid open and the waiter was out in no time. After giving the blonde an inquiring look, Misaki just smirked and signaled for her to wait.
Mitori can't decide to only shake her head exasperatedly or roll her eyes repeatedly. So of course there was an agenda why she brought them here instead of a family barbecue restaurant. What a sly creature.
But she's not complaining! No! Not at all! Just look at this heavenly cake!
"I'm just going to make a phone call, enjoy the rest of the desert"
Misaki didn't wait for their approval, she just stood up and went a little ways away from the table towards the clear glass windows, gazing down instead on Academy city as she waited for her call to get answered.
"Shokuhou! Call later! I'm busy!" came the hurried answer, then the line went dead. Misaki's brow twitches in annoyance but no matter, this is important too. So she called again.
"I said later! Get it in your thick skull! I'm busy!" the line went dead again. Misaki hadn't discerned it before but there was the sound of a crackle of electricity in the background and a few . . . groaning . . . men? Goodness, was she fighting at this time? Already?! Her annoyance vanished, replaced by giddy amusement. Thirty minutes inside the hotel and she's already fighting, what a magnet for trouble.
From what she saw through some of the minds of the hotel staff, Misaka-san and a tall boy (whoever he is, she'll know soon enough) were sighted inside the premises of the hotel, long after they had the main dish. It was quite a surprise but a welcome one, deciding to flush her initial plan had required little to no mental calculation. Misaki figured she'd wait for something to happen (since something always happens around Misaka), as to why she was even in the same hotel, well, coincidence plays its part again, no?. She can draw her conclusions and she's pretty sure they have the same goal at the moment. The girl was not in her calculations at all but she'd fit perfectly on anything she came up with, Misaka-san would always fit on any scheme of hers, anytime.
She called again and is actually taking pleasure in Misaka's low-toned growl but then, she hung up for the third time. Misaki giggled, neither worried for Misaka's safety or for herself for pissing the railgun off with inappropriate timing. It didn't escape her that Misaka keeps answering her phone no matter how much she growls that she's busy. She felt the warmth of the summer but instead of having an outsource, the heat came from within her chest.
She called again and again. "Shokuhou! I swear! If I ever get my hands on you I'll-" Shokuhou was the one who hung up this time, it was a-what do normal people call it? Ah, it was a dick move, to speak their slang. She would have cackled like an uncivilized caveman if she was alone but society has standards for someone of her stature, so she settled for a sort of prudish giggling. She also caught Mitori peering at her through the glass reflection.
Ah, Mitori's getting weirded out. Her suspicious stare intensified when Misaki shot her a flying kiss through her reflection. In response, the ex-criminal held her tongue out.
Having been rejected for the 5th time, she waited for 15 seconds before calling again, surely, Misaka's done dealing with small fries by then. It's been exactly two minutes and counting. Glancing, she found Mitori and Dolly in their own world, or so that's how it looks. Mitori met her eye, a question, a warning. This sharp girl is now tense mentally and physically, subtly shifting her body for some kind of attack that won't ever happen. Just because she thinks Misaki is up to something she had the audacity to think of danger, that was more of a Misaka thing than hers, really. Well, there will be no danger for them in any case.
Misaki smiled as assurance before turning back to her phone, it rang on cue. Was the brunette too pissed at her that she called instead despite not wanting to converse before? Misaki smiled, hypocrisy, a trait of Misaka's that irritating as having incompetent morons for a group project but at the moment, it's irrevocably endearing.
She answered. The growl was unmistakably Misaka's. "I'll pinch you right where you are if I could! Decidedly, I have the right to when I see you, Shokuhou." came the warning instantaneously.
It would have sounded ominous if Misaki hadn't felt thrilled overall. It was a promise of direct skin contact after all!
Ah,
Misaka's grip strength is obviously above average, given how strong she is.
Considering the railgun's temper, she would squeeze hard. After all it was meant to be a punishment and not some act of endearment (or so she thinks) like what she did to Dolly in the library.
It would hurt. A lot.
On second thought, direct skin contact could not happen after all.
Ah, well, nevermind.
"Ara Misaka-san, that's provocative of you but you don't have to~" There was sputtering on the other line. "Consider us even given the frustration you left me with this morning"
Simultaneously, there was a howl of pain, the cackle of electricity, a groan and a poorly disguised guffaw. Whatever happened on Misaka's end must have been entertaining.
Misaki's smirk could not grow any bigger. Serves her right. Did Misaka think that she's the only one capable of frying brains?
"Why-why'd you say it like that?!"
"We both know it's the truth, Misaka-san. Should I have said otherwise?"
There was silence on the other line.
"...YES!" she yelled. "Yes! You should!"
Heh! "~Oh? I did use proper diction if that's what your piss about~"
Misaka sighed exasperatedly "That's not-I don't-you know what? That's fair, we're even now."
"So can we converse like civilized life forms or would you like to growl more?"
There was a sigh and Misaki took that as a cue to talk.
"Now, I'm assuming you're looking for the same person I'm about to secure. The person you're looking for is on the 15th floor, room 5. No bodyguards but there's an electronic bypass and we all know how sneaky you can be with them." Misaka hummed "She's not harmed at the moment but at the rate of trouble you keep generating, they would probably figure out why you're here and move her. So best be on your way Railgun~." Misaki paused, and waited for the sounds of running. When they did though, she spoke. "Though you don't have to worry about that, I'll handle it.~" Misaka stumbled to a halt and there was a pained yelp. Misaki snickered. She heard the sharp sound of lightning zap. "Once you have her, there's a limo and a valet on the third floor basement. You can't miss it. Then after she's safe, come back to me."
There was a five second silence after that, Misaki counted, before Misaka eventually replied " I imagine this is not for free. What's the catch?" as expected, Misaka did ask the golden question she had been anticipating.
"Promise me you'd do as I say? Pretty please?"
"No!" Ah, why, does Misaka always make her life a bit more exciting?! Misaki felt her grin turning a bit feral. There was a muffled conversation, likely Misaka covering the phone to talk to someone, and then the sound of their footsteps as they started running again.
Just a little more and she'll be caught in the web.
"I haven't asked yet! Don't cut me down that fast~" She was thankful Misaka can't see her now, she's not sure she can hide the opportunistic sheen of her eyes.
"No, I'm not gonna agree to whatever you'll suggest. Give it a rest." Misaka replied, a bit breathless.
"Seeing as your answer is a no, wanna guess what mine is?"
Misaki heard Misaka sighed in concession. Their conversation ended there but neither Misaki nor Misaka turned the line off. Her loafers rapid click-clack was becoming rhythmic for Misaki through the phone. Misaki stared at the city lights below. Misaka could really run fast huh, she's not even breathing that hard but it's still lovely hearing her breathless, even if only a bit. Once again, Misaka ended up doing the more strenuous labor of an operation Misaki had devised. Their dynamic always ended like this and Misaki can't help but smile at her fortune.
Any moment now.
Misaki heard the classical background music of the elevator.
Metaphorically, Misaki would have rub her hands together, instead her smile made way to a savage grin, teeth and all.
"Ng-ngh- Wha-What...uhhh what?..nwha..Shoku-Shoukuhou Misaki!" Misaka yelled in confusion and betrayal.
And then Misaki didn't cackle. At all.
a/n:
So there is that. I don't think I did Mitori justice at all but that was my limit at the moment.
Oh, she'd butchered everyone. This author doesn't really know what she's doing really.
Next chap would be more on Mikoto's. She'd probably strangle Misaki with the stunt she pulled. Who knows?
I'd really like to hear your thoughts though.
