Kuroko's humming.
Her day had gone fantastically! Today's quizzes were a breeze (when are they not?), not to be smug about it, she's naturally an information sponge so nothing she can do about it; assignments were graded excellently and no judgement emergency at the moment.
The reward for today is a slice of premium strawberry cheesecake from the newly opened bakery in the garden.
Onee-sama's going to love it!
Her fellow students might give her a stink eye for being so loud or the dorm mistress might have hammered her head for wiggling in the hallway but at the moment, she didn't care. She had a precious cargo, one that she was sure her onee-sama will appreciate with the utmost confidence.
Surely, onee-sama would kiss her senseless with this gift, yes? Yes, the effort of lining through with other students will be worth it! What if Kuroko will be rewarded with more than a kiss? Oh wait, what underwear is she wearing again? Dang, she should have checked instead of swiping and wearing it without checking, all within a few seconds, why was she even hurrying that morning? Oh right, she was the class representative for the day. No matter, she aims to please!
Finally, she cheerfully opened the door. "Onee-sama! onee-sama! Your beloved Kuroko is here to feed you! But before that, could I get a kiss?" Kuroko puckered her lips.
Mikoto wasn't even looking at her, instead, she was busy fleeing from one spot to another in search of something, her brows furrowed-worry, and frustration radiating from her in waves. Kuroko pouted, Onee-sama wasn't paying attention to her like a sunflower to the sun. There are many things that she could have done to grab Onee-sama's attention but Kuroko waited instead, curious when she would notice.
It took almost a minute when Mikoto finally did look up. Well that's something... "Ah, Kuroko, you're here...uhmm..have you seen my phone?"
Immediately Kuroko's eyes darted to the Gekota strap innocently dangling from Mikoto's shorts pocket-it seems she had no plans to go out of the room anytime tonightbut what in the world? How can she miss that when she can feel electronic devices?
Should she laugh? Was this a joke? What's going on?
But it is clear that Mikoto isn't bullshitting her, Kuroko knows she should just be a good girl and finger-point to her Onee-sama the location of her phone and spare her the pain of wasting time but something in Kuroko stops her.
Since when has her Onee-sam a been a featherhead?
Right, something's suspiciously wrong and out of place. Kuroko didn't know why but something was off about her onee-sama. Her body is present but her mind is just wandering elsewhere such that if not for her incredible reflexes, she may have carved a Mikoto-shaped hole everywhere for the past week.
She continued to painfully watch as Mikoto almost stumbled before righting herself and scratching her head, mumbling to herself. Occasionally, she would stop, her eyes shining with a faraway look or a blush would grace her features before shaking herself out of her thoughts and continuing the futile search for her missing phone.
After that (solved) kidnapping case, her best friend acted a little awkward around a certain queen. Whenever they met, Kuroko can't help but notice Mikoto blushing more than usual and her eyes were quick to focus on other things, she would awkwardly laugh for no apparent reason when Shokuhou teases her when normally, she'd brush it off, sassed back, or get pissed. It's weird, and worrying on so many levels.
Even the blonde's usual innocent smile turned devious and that's twice the scare for Kuroko's poor little heart.
Did she have dirt or something on Onee-sama somehow? First off, how dare she. Kuroko's kinda torn about that, she wanted to know what kind of dirt she had to have that much power over the railgun (and if possible, have it, yes Kuroko will dare to) and she wanted to kindly smack the blonde (level 5 or no) for putting her Onee-sama in a weird position. After that, a quick disappearance before the queen could get to her remote should do it.
Or maybe not, that girl is particularly patient, she probably holds grudges and has a tab on who offended her or something. Not getting revenge now wouldn't mean much to her if she could get to you later.
Kuroko shivered.
Finally, after watching for a painful minute of her shuffling and wading, Kuroko walked up to her Onee-sama. "Be still Onee-sama," she commands as she reaches out to the older girls' side pocket and fishes out the phone.
"Kuroko? What are you—oh! Oh! So that's where it's been this whole time?!" Mikoto exclaimed in disbelief before hugging the lights out of Kuroko and damn it, it's as if Mikoto fried her brain cells because Kuroko, in her surprise, hadn't managed to hug back before the warmth withdrew.
"Thank you Kuroko!"
DAMMIT! "Uhmm, can I have the hug back?"
The brunette was already looking on her phone but she didn't give it much thought when she distractedly encircled her arms around the shorter girl, rendering her knees limp all of a sudden. "Ah yes, it was here all this time! I should have…Kuroko?"
Onee-sama's hug short-circuited Kuroko and no one can blame her. Who even suspected Mikoto to hug her again as she requested? Guess she was more distracted than Kuroko thought.
"Kuroko?" Mikoto called out again, her arms tightened as she adjusted to simply hold the noodle in her arms. "Not that you're heavy but are you okay? Are you tired? Come to think of it, you were saying something a while ago right?"
With her head comfortably nuzzled on Mikoto's collar, Kuroko took the opportunity to inhale deeply, subtly, of course, she can strategize thank you, Onee-sama may be generous at the moment but just an inkling of a suspicion and Kuroko's comfortable hug will vanish. "Well, I brought cake "
With those four words, Kuroko single-handedly destroyed her temporary haven she tried to preseve as long as possible, DAMMIT. Mikoto was already sort of dragging/carrying her to her bed before carefully depositing her on it and making a beeline for the cake, talking all the while.
"Oh, Cake! Yes! You're the best Kuroko! I was just really planning to hole up here to do homework for next week. This cake is a very good energizer! What a perfect way to enjoy the afternoon huh!"
In no time at all, Mikoto had prepared their low table, made tea, and had Kuroko take a seat before handing her share of the snack.
Kuroko was just left staring. It was such a fast turn of events that she took time to process.
"Miko-thor!"
Two brunettes turned their heads. Seeing their friend, the taller one waved with a grin while the shorter one in pigtails scowled. Both of their breaths are visible via a white cloud as they greeted her back.
"Right on time!"
Of course! She'll be hanging out with her favorite people!
When Misaka texted if they could hang out this afternoon, Ruiko's dark, miserable, boring class felt like Christmas all of a sudden. Without minding the lecture of her boring teacher, She spared no effort in bombarding Misaka with heart emojis on their group chat. Uiharu had rolled her eyes at her antics but sent her own version of approval (a normal, boring text: sure!). In turn, Kuroko sent a frowning emoji at her and simultaneously kissed up to Misaka in the same breathe. She's so cute.
"Must you call onee-sama that crude name? Also, don't run! You'll— "
"Huuaawaaghgh"
"slip" Shirai gave a deadpan stare as she calmly watched her prediction come to fruition. Of all the reckless things to do...
She has been jinxed. She knows it. Damn it Shirai-san! Running on the icy ground will always be a bad idea but she genuinely wanted to catch up sooner with her two Tokiwadai friends the moment she spotted them.
Life has been boring as of late and hanging out with them is the freaking supernova of her week(s).
Despite Ruiko's flailing (this incident might very well lead her to her oh-so-early doom), she hadn't managed to right herself and continued to skid.
Good thing is, she had a teleporter friend! Her teleporter friend will probably kill her first before saving her just to instill a life-long lesson that Ruiko knew she would forget the next day but said teleporter friend can get to her in time and WILL save her.
Ruiko blinked.
Two warm arms encircled her torso in a gentle manner, their knees bending to absorb the momentum to a stop smoothly.
"Whew," Mikoto smiled down at the girl currently caged in her arms. "Really, Saten-san. A girl your age should be more aware of your surroundings by now."
"Eh"
Instead of the twin-tailed girl, it was the electromaster that caught her. Ruiko's position was quite comfortable too, being embraced like a lover that she's not. Girls around them started squealing and whispering. Kuroko made a very disturbing squawk while Misaka had no awareness of her potent charisma.
Ruiko grinned and relaxed further into the electromaster's arms. People will die jealous. Hah! "Hi"
Misaka just raised a brow and straightened her posture "Hello" she greeted before gently pushing Ruiko at arm's length. Saten pouted a bit, the hug lasted a bit too short for her liking.
"Ngngnn! Saten-san! That was irresponsible of you to run! You're 14 not 12! And who told you to fall into MY onee-sama's arms? Honestly!"
"You didn't catch me fast enough. It's not your fault though, don't be jealous...too much" she says smugly, she added a wink for good measure.
"Argh! Am not! We're talking about your lack of self-preservation given your tendencies to attract harm. Look, you're lucky you're in Onee-sama's arms—" Kuroko coughs "—you're lucky Onee-sama was there to catch you"
Grinning, or more like smirking, Ruiko hugs Misaka's arm. It was Shirai's arms she expected but she was not about to correct the girl there. "You're just angry you didn't think of that strategy."
Shirai Kuroko flew into a rage. "Ngaahh! Why do you think I haven't tried that? With my ability, that certainly would not work!"
"Good thing I'm a level 0 then!"
Misaka rolled her eyes at their antics. "Guys…" she stared helplessly as the two started chasing each other using her as the liable 'mast' to avoid splattering their face on the ground. Ruiko continued to tease Shirai, ducking under Misaka's armpit and using her as a shield should Shirai decide to be vicious.
It went on for a few seconds, enough to get the tallest member irritated.
The electromaster abruptly caught their blackhaired friend and gave her a hard noogie. "Ack! Yield! Yield!" Ruiko choked back a laugh while tapping the Misaka on the arm. The girl started to giggle herself while Shirai stomped indignantly (she didn't know if she should be jealous that Saten is the one close to her onee-sama or be proud that Saten is the one she punished) beside them, momentarily forgetting her 'well-mannered-girl' status around the plethora of students.
Yep, today's afternoon will be going swimmingly!
"Children, please!"
The trio looks up to find their newly-arrived flowery fourth member frowning in disapproval, hands on her hips as a way to imitate a fed-up mother who had one too many children. There was a pause before all four of them started laughing.
"Why are we eating ice cream in winter?" Kuroko says, frowning at her own peppermint-flavored dessert. Her companions shrugged as they continued to lick on theirs while lounging on the park bench. She stared some more, it was not even melting. This is not the most outrageous idea they had but Kuroko felt the need to point out the absurdity of the decision. "People are giving us looks."
"Uiharu suggested it."
Tongue out, Uiharu gave the girl beside her a stink eye. "Me? You were eyeing it then you kept elbowing me, mou Saten-san. Don't go blaming friends"
Their tall and wiry teenager merely gave a peace sign as a peace offering. On Saten's other side, Mikoto almost snorted, amusement danced in her eyes before focusing on the one person on her right.
"Kuroko why did you even buy one if you're just gonna complain?"
"Onee-sama, it's for solidarity. I can't be seen as an outsider in our group! Can you imagine the rumors that will spread if you all eat something and I don't?"
The three gave her blank stares.
"Shirai-san, your overreacting." Saten quipped before rotating the ice cream on her outstretched tongue. "—and who will go and talk about it?"
"Drama queen" Uiharu shook her head, a smile on her face "Our drama queen"
Saten chuckled. "Uiharu, that's so sappy." Uiharu just forcefully bumped Saten with her shoulders.
"People always have something to say about things so since we're gonna be judged either way, who cares. Eat ice cream in winter...For solidarity" Mikoto flipped her bangs. Saten somehow passed that shoulder bump to her and now she's nudging Kuroko with hers.
Kuroko nudged back, took a huge bite, swallowed and dramatically added "Still, collective activities mean that at least we can all be judged together!"
The two taller girls smiled while Uiharu giggled. "Sappy queen"
Uiharu knew that she was friends with two of the most athletic people in Academy city. Saten was currently lying on the snow, heaving so much that it sounded like a whale dying, and she'd know about that—she spent how many hours crying watching documentaries of lonely overgrown mammals of the sea.
After the Ice cream, they decided to just chat to pass the time while watching some kids play on the playground in front of them. The weather is mild enough to feel the afternoon sun, the winter chill is manageable, still, Uiharu admired the kids for being so active. Saten just thought they were plain crazy for being out and about in the cold.
One by one, the kids were called out by their parents until all but one. They continued to watch him play by himself a bit more while Kuroko said he'd buy the kid hot choco. The others pitched in some order for themselves and by the time Kuroko was out, she had a pretend scowl on her face.
Saten was about to go up and play with him when a group of high school boys ran through the boys' snowmen. There was an angry cry while the four boys laughed heartily, openly mocking the kid for spilling tears over puny snowmen.
The three of them had various reactions, Uiharu was shocked but managed to shout for them to stop harassing the kid, Saten dashed and scooped him up while Misaka blocked their view of them.
There was a semblance of conversation before Mikoto trashed them and kicked them out of the playground, wisps of smoke still clinging to them as they pitifully crawled away. Saten placated the kid by telling him that they would play one game with him.
That's what Kuroko witnessed as she silently handed Uiharu her drink as she observed Misaka and the kid build a fort while Saten fired snowballs at them.
The two watched on for a few minutes. Saten was totally dominating the play just because the boy was busy building and Misaka was a bit distracted, with what, Uiharu had no clue.
"Onee-sama's been distracted lately and still she looks too good, is there a greater person than her?" Kuroko commented while carefully brushing her coat off some dust nobody could see.
"Jesus for one" Uiharu sassed cheekily as she sweat-dropped at that. It's so like Shirai to mix thirsting with careful observation. Still, though, Misaka is distracted by what?
"Hmm? Did you say something?" the Tokiwadai hadn't heard her unfortunately—thankfully.
"Nothing"
Silence reigned for a moment as they watched the other three duke it out.
"Just the other day, she was searching for her phone. Said phone was on her pocket shorts."
"What? She can feel electronic devices, right? How did that happen?"
"Exactly! That's why I'm worried but Onee-sama was so adorable I only pointed it out after a few minutes. Hohoho"
"..." Shirai-san's such an imp.
Saten punted a snowball right at Misaka's face with so much force that she stumbled on her back. It was a knockout.
Probably. Uiharu hopes not.
Everybody yelled for different reasons, the kid included.
Shirai must have teleported her too because not a second later, she's kneeling beside Misaka, she didn't miss a beat though, and hurriedly checked if something is remotely damaged. That was a pretty nasty hit. Saten had a mean throw if she so wishes.
Good thing it was just a super-condensed snowball. Uiharu rolled her eyes.
Misaka groaned — conscious, that's good —Uiharu assisted her in sitting up.
"Saten, that baseball hobby of yours is terrifying." the electromaster commented after dusting herself off, seeming like nothing happened at all.
"I can't believe you didn't dodge that and I can't believe I manage to sock you in the face! Hah!" Saten had a crazy look in her eyes, she was almost nose to nose with the brunette but both hardly noticed the closeness. Shirai was nearby and Uiharu didn't want to look, there was a gleam in her eye and Uiharu's disturbed enough.
"Wow you're not even sorry at all, friend"
"Let me bask in my glory, friend. It's not everyday that I can get a shot at you"
Misaka reddened, in annoyance or embarrassment, Uiharu could only guess. "Oh, come on. It was just a snowball! Don't be making a big deal of it"
"A snowball that brought you down, nee-chan" the child quipped, hands gripping Misaka's jacket as she turned a deeper shade of red. Imagine that, a level 5 esper, taken down by a mere snowball.
"Pfft,"
"He's not wrong, onee-sama. Oh, how the mighty have fallen" Shirai pretended to lament, so she decided to make fun of her as well huh.
"Tha—That hardly hurt at all! See?—" Misaka picked up the boy with ease. "—I'm fine."
The boy patted Misaka's cheek. "It's okay, maybe you've used all your powers kicking those uncles. Put me down now nee-chan, you cannot be okay."
"Those uncles are good-for-nothing gorillas and yes I'm okay." Despite that, Misaka lowered the child.
"Why would you be 'one-shot-ted' by snowball huh?"
"Tragic" Shirai said in what looked like a whisper but is designed to be heard.
Misaka grimaced while Saten (the person who shot the snowball) and Shirai (who was worried shitless just a while ago) both unsuccessfully hid their grins. Uiharu herself had a funny smile on. Sometimes, picking on the electromaster is unexpectedly fun.
It was clear that Misaka wanted to refute but with the kids' eyes looking at her in concern, she clammed up. She glared at them instead which made Saten cough, trying to mask her wide grin.
Eventually, the kid bid them goodbye as the sky started turning orange, making sure to put a band-aid on Misaka cheek — which Uiharu suspects — she was secretly pleased with.
It was after he was gone that Uiharu watched all hell break loose.
Misaka did an about face, murder in her eyes while Shirai and Saten look the other way, trying to look as innocent as possible.
"So this is how it's gonna be huh." Misaka says in lieu of a war declaration and fires a snowball for good measure. There was a cloud of white dust in the air near the teleporter's chest as she stood there, gaping at Misaka who stood triumphantly.
After that, it was free for all. Uiharu watched the three as they took turns chaotically pelting each other to oblivion, immensely glad that she didn't piss off any of them at some point this day. That would be disastrous.
It was not enough to grant her immunity though.
She had gotten complacent because of that reason alone that she was so full of openings, and her traitorous friends ganged up on her.
Apparently, cultivating goodwill didn't protect her from the onslaught they unleashed on her. At some point, the three had a temporary alliance trying to take her out despite her certainty of never even trying to join the bloodbath.
She screamed, but it was a fun scream - laced with unobscured dread, hard not to when you see three white puffs of death hurling your way. Uiharu valiantly tried to fight back to at least defend her honor. A few seconds later, Uiharu was dumped to the side, face down while her sprightly girl-friends made a conclusion that she's not a threat anymore (she never was, what gremlins) and proceeded to slay each other.
Dorks.
Uiharu spotted the drink Shirai had handed her a few minutes ago and chugged it down, it was lukewarm now but still, it soothes her parched throat, all the while paying attention to the ongoing chaos a few meters from her.
It was not long (5 minutes) before Saten's greatest strength turned into weakness. While she may be good at explosive bouts of power, her stamina left little to be desired. The black-haired girl was already puffing heavily, trying to keep up with the two Tokiwadai students.
Few more minutes later, Saten lay on the ground while the two continued to battle to the death, heaving but laughing along with them. Misaka's on the losing end though, Shirai just dumps them on her if she doesn't move fast enough.
"Ughh, you guys are awful…. stop making me, hah, laugh hahaha. Iー" she heave, short and powerful "ーcan't breathe enofff, hah, as isss.."
Saten should have gotten sympathetic coos and agreements but she received a face full of snow instead. It was cruel, it was vicious, and it was satisfyingㄧat least that's probably what's going on in Shirai's mind as her aim came throughㄧif Uiharu had to guess, she herself is certainly not feeling sorry at all.
Saten shooked the snow out of the now red face and held Misaka's eyes for a moment before both burst out a deep belly laugh. Misaka was barely standing in her mirth while Saten alternated between gasping (what a goober) and snorting. Uiharu ended up giggling, while busy brushing off the remaining snow from Saten's face, silently admiring how adorable her reddened nose was.
The laughter did not completely fade as Saten commented "You would attack a girl already down? Damn Shirai-san, remind me to annoy you more!"
"Isn't it supposed to be the opposite?" Uiharu muttered.
The twin-tailed girl huffed and crossed her arms and tried to hide a grin. "Don't have too much fun. I won't promise you'll get away without bodily harm though"
"Worth it" Saten quipped, still wheezing, trying to stabilize her breathing.
Misaka went and pulled to sit-up Saten by the hand and handed her a drink (she had warmed via her ability) she had magnetized from the bench a few meters from them. She magnetized the others and handed the now warm drink to the twin-tailed girl before drinking her own.
Shirai lightly tapped Saten with her foot. "Are you planning to sit here in the snow until then? Come on get up!"
Uiharu caught the playful glint in her classmate's eye, Saten even winked at her. What's she planning now?
Saten groaned dramatically, reaching for Shirai's leg and lightly curled around the limb. "But I'm really tired. My leg will cramp if I move and I don't really have the energy to."
Shirai gave her the 'are you serious look'.
Saten turned up the charm though, she nuzzled her leg before giving her a puppy look "Carry me?"
"No" Kuroko yanked her limb and started to walk away.
"Noooo! Don't leave me cold and wet! Shirai-saaan? Shirai -san?"
Shirai's already a few meters away so Saten eyed her next target, winking at her several times.
"Misaka-saaaaaann?"
All the winking was not for naught. Misaka immediately got what she meant: "Uhmm, oh well…I don't have a choice do I? Since KUROKO won't do it. I guess Iー"
Kuroko suddenly appeared behind Saten, touched her and she vanished for a moment before reappearing sitting comfortably on Shirai's shoulders, Saten's hands flew with blinding accuracy, trying to grasp her head as she desperately reoriented herself. "Waaa"
The corner of Uiharu's lips twitched, sometimes she had no idea what comes next when her friend's are involved, she's not really complaining though. Misaka was already chortling and Shirai had an evil grin even when Saten was almost pulling on her cheeks for the small prank.
"You know what?! This is an even better idea! I was just hoping to ride on your back but this is a very, very nice improvisation! Nothing less from you Shirai!" Saten declared.
"W—what? This is supposed to embarrass you!"
"You should know by now that you gotta try better than that Shirai-san—" Saten patted her cheek condescendingly, much like what the kid had done to Misaka a while ago. "—Now, onwards my young padawan!"
"Pada-what? I don't even get your references!" Kuroko complained but she did walk towards the benches for their bags. Uiharu was now giggling along with Misaka behind the two arguing girls.
Oh how she loves them.
The four decided it was a good idea to walk around the park.
People are staring at them.
Probably wondering why these lunatics decided it was a good idea to walk around with one perch above the shoulders of another. Or how could a slender girl carry another girl her weight? Or how did they even manage the position with all the winter gear they had on.
Ruiko knows it's nuts.
But it's fun!
It's still nuts.
What's even more nuts is the usually-responsible-nutjob (with a metaphorical stick up her butt with all things not-Misaka related) aka Kuroko is going along with it! Isn't she the best?
Misaka was carrying their three bags while Uiharu kept a hand on her back for support, just in case. Aren't they the best?
This was such a simple setting but Ruiko's affection for these three grew three sizes too big.
Among the four of them, she's probably the least science-cy personーUiharu likes mythologies but she is not as invested in the supernatural like Ruiko is. So if reincarnation is true, Ruiko believes it is, she must have done a remarkably good deed for her to be rewarded with this people in this life.
Sappy, yes, but who actually gives a cow right?
Boring is a word she use often, too often in fact but her friends give her life excitement—
chuff-chuff-chuff*
There was a scream. A few actually.
All of their heads swerve to the right, across the playground and further into a highway, where the commotion is from. The people were all pointing upwards and when Ruiko saw the shitrastrophy plummeting, well, all she can think of is that she jinxed herself when she said boring one too many times.
Im gonna go sleep
the *chuff* is an onomatopeia of a certain machine we are all so familiar with. wasn't sure what this machine sounds like in written language so i had to google this. so if you didn't guess it automatically-because i sure didn't, i hold no sin in this. lmao.
let me know if i did this gang justice. scream at me if you want. i'll scream back lol.
despite being a christian, i love the idea of reincarnation. isn't it neat that you can live different lives? just not when you're unfortunately a cockroach (sorry roach lovers, i just don't really like them. im scared of them please.), I'll gladly pass that one. bye.
imagine being a huge ass bird. roaming the skies and eating the eyes-sorry that's not right ...
joking aside, point is, i love the concept of reincarnation. bye.
