I'm sorry this is sooo long overdue. With Christmas and New year being too busy, plus the current rising numbers in covid (again.), getting positive again and all holding up alone business with it. We also had difficulty in regards to the renewal of our laboratory license (tedious business, that) and all that jazz. And with being whisked away to another fandom lmao. Also for some reason, I can't open my fanfiction account since last month..so yeah…I mean damn. I'm sorry I'm ranting.

I do hope you enjoy the chap though.


Misaka Mikoto didn't know how to flirt. Deliberately.

It was apparently a prank of the universe. Her mother is a sensual woman, she knows her ways around the opposite sex to get a reaction. While her father knows how to charm the pants off of anyone. This is Mikoto being biased and has not yet observed daddy dearest charm people off.

Yeah, goes to show how much of a Misaka she was huh…

All she could offer though is an earnest compliment.

"Your kids are lovely"

"Excuse me?!"

Several eyes would have bugged out of their sockets, if they could. The clique all stop doing whatever it is they were doing and watch as the electromaster went from giving a soft smile to confusion as they were themselves. Is this some known pick up line?

"What? Why? Uhmm, yeah, yeah of course, you can pass..?."

"Exc—pardon me?!"

"Hmm? Y—You can..pass? Shokuhou, are you out of it? It doesn't have to be today…your health comes precedent to my selfishness of course. What was I thinking?! Or maybe we can go to the clinic together…if you want? Are you okay though? I'm an idiot!..."

Mikoto continued to ramble off, walking around in circles, not even noticing the leader of the largest clique silently asking for her star studded bag. Junko handed it in.

Getting manhandled…(womanhandled?) by someone you consider physically attractive is a novel experience. It does things to a person alright!

Misaki is not one for violence but something must have really irked her to suddenly push Mikoto - the roughness of it surprised her making her stumble to a chair sideways while gripping the table beside it. Shokuhou leaned her hands on the chair and the table too, trapping Mikoto effectively, if anyone heard her gulping, it was not entirely from nervousness.

"You don't give me permission, Misaka-san. This is my territory, I can…pass wherever I want, whenever I want. I know you're confused and I am too so I'm clarifying this to the benefit of us both. You don't give me permission. I do what I want, when I want and it will go how I want it to be. Also, I may not know what you're visiting about yesterday but I do know you came here.

What doesn't have to happen today, Misaka-san? What, did you come here to play another game other than hide and seek? You have been avoiding me the past few days and for you to assume I would willingly dance to your change of tune is such a bullheaded mindset! Do you think I would foolishly be all friendly with you just because you are done thinking? Which is not wrong, the brooding thing you do. What IS wrong is, you could have said something. It was only a few days, yes, but you made me feel like I disgusted you. Honestly! I have half a mind to smack you with my bag, again!"

Gone was the playful lilting thing she does, gone was the playful sparkle of her eyes, Shokuhou Misaki is seriously annoyed and all Mikoto could really think was how sexy her eyebrows seem to be, all angled and coolly arched the only way she does it. Her complexion had turned pink (that color looks so lovely on her) but her voice didn't rise more than what is conversationally acceptable. Her lips are so pink, it's criminal!

Silence permeated in the air. No one can even look away as the Queen came down on the electromaster with righteous anger.

"Well," that damn brow arched higher. "Don't you have something to say? I'm willing to listen."

Mikoto didn't mean it. Or she did mean it, it just wasn't supposed to come out of her tongue like some badly overused trope to get out of a lover's spat.

"Gosh, you're so lovely"

It was merely a whisper and it's true. Misaki going off on her and then willing to listen to what Mikoto has to say—or in this case willing to hear an apology—speaks for Mikoto's sense of justice. This is a conversation where Shokuhou is not looking for any leverage, they are equals. She says her piece, Mikoto listens and then Mikoto gets to say her piece and Shokuhou listens.

That and she's sure Shokuhou just wants Mikoto to admit she was wrong and apologize probably.

The blonde turned pinker in rage and her voice had an odd tremble as she spoke "Not enough Misaka-san! Try again!"

"I'm sorry—" Mikoto started, her eyes never leaving the blonde's, never really did since she walked into the claimed room of Shokuhou's clique. This is one of those times when apologizing is easily the most important thing to do because it is what is right. "I'm so sorry I'm impulsive. I'm sorry I made you think that I have the notion to order you or as you said 'give you permission to do anything. I do not have that power over you. I genuinely thought you were excusing yourself because you don't want to see my face, I mean you were wrapping things up the moment I entered so I thought…. I'm sorry that I made you think I was disgusted by you. I am not and yes you are right about me thinking and stuff…and Shokuhou, I don't mean to hurt you. I'm really sorry"

Mikoto's finger, perched on the top rail of the chair, caressed Shokuhou's gloved knuckles lightly. The electromaster watched as the older girl's expression relaxed, her face returning to her normal pale complexion. There was a satisfied glint in her eyes and Mikoto was holding her gaze just a little bit longer when a thought popped in. "Oh, I do mean it when I say your kids are lovely."

"They definitely are." Shokuhou whispered before standing back to her full height and flipping her hair, she was totally trying not to preene outwardly. Oh this adorable girl…"That wasn't so hard now was it?" she says in lieu of 'you're forgiven'. Doesn't mean Mikoto is not bent on apologizing to her the whole day.

Just then, Shokuhou's long legs were headed for the door.

"Wh-Where are you going?"

"Home, we're done aren't we?" Shokuhou continued to walk, making Mikoto scramble to follow after her.

"We are?"

"We are. Unless you want to talk some more?"

"Yes!" Oops, not too enthusiastic there Mikoto. Easy there…"Do-Do you w-want to…walk? Er…tea?"

"You may have apologized rightfully but it doesn't mean I'm making things easier for you"

Shokuhou continued to walk, facing ahead, back straight with her wide hips swaying and her finger gesturing for Mikoto to follow and it's easily one of the hottest things she's seen! Mikoto's knees buckled unexpectedly, secretly, but not surprisingly in the grand scheme of the universe. After righting herself, she saluted shyly at the rest of the clique before making a beeline to her crush.

"Before curfew, remember!" Junko called out before Mikoto was entirely out of the room.


Mikoto never knew she was a leg person. She never really was. Until Shokuhou maybe?

"Your legs are deceptively delicate." Mikoto says this as she zones in on those little hills of fat around the end of Shokuhou's white kneesocks. They look so cute and soft. Mikoto's jaw clenched unexpectedly and to her horror, she knows why.

There was a long silence after that, well not really silence since Shokuhou was busy panting to really form words but Mikoto could see the cogs turning in that bright head of hers.

Getting Shokuhou to attend gym class is a brilliantly heinous plot by the universe (Mikoto, thank you, thank you!) for punishment (Shokuhou) or an unexpected reward (for Mikoto).

"Yo-You..you..hah..give me a …minute…I will get..you..back for this!" Shokuhou says as she leans on the railing for dear life.

"Sucks for you then since this is a get back for your pranks the last few days!"

"Misaka-san! Make sure your friend completes another lap!" their teacher called, eyeing Shokuhou distrustfully.

"Will do Coach!" Mikoto grinned. Shokuhou doesn't like that. Oh yes, she downright detests that which makes Mikoto's teeth sparkle all the more. "You heard her. Come on! UP!"

"Ioughttowipehermemory!" the blonde growled before gulping a fresh batch of air.

"Oh, no memories are getting wiped, altered or compelled, Shokuhou. You lost the bet. Deal with it. And if you forget, I have your remotes." Mikoto patted the bag on her hips. "Come on! A fifth lap won't hurt anyone. I promise to let you rest after."

"If you forget, I don't really need remotes to bend minds."

"Yes, yes, you need them for precision only. Stop flexing your power, your highness, you sound patronizing. Now up!" with that sarcastic remark, Mikoto took hold of her hands and hauled her up.

Shokuhou downright whined. "Noooooo"

Mikoto stopped short at that and had to take a deep breath through her nose. She had to get away fast before she does something like pinch Shokuhou's cheeks, or her arms or her love handle, the incredibly pliable love hand— oh no. OUT grey thoughts! Out!

Mikoto inhaled back all her urges.

Only when Mikoto felt the urge ebb back did she forced herself to look around before going back to her friend, Shokuhou—whose hair is plastered on her sweaty back and creamy shoulders,

She left the older girl and jog across the court to her gym bag and rummage in it until she found a spare crunchie and a towel. It was then Mikoto noticed the buzz around the gymnasium as several of her classmates were performing forms and exercises. Was it this noisy a while ago?

Distractedly, she went back to Shokuhou's side. The girl was still panting but not as much as eating the air in large gulps anymore. Her gym uniform is clinging to her body and her legs are shaky. She looked like she was beyond done.

"You! The moment I have my remote back, I'll roast you!" Okay, she's getting grumpy. This should be fun! She's so adorable.

"Yeah, yeah. You lost the bet." Mikoto reminded as if that would placate the other, silently she placed herself behind Shokuhou's back and started gathering her hair and in no time at all, it was all in a high ponytail.

Shokuhou was flushed from head to toe so Mikoto had no idea that the girl was seriously reciting a series of mantras just to stop herself from moaning about how good everything felt. From the cool air hitting her skin, her scalp getting massaged briefly to her hair being gently wrestled to a ponytail.

Once that was done, Mikoto wiped Shokuhou's face with the towel, gently patting her from her face to her neck (the girl was seriously sweating bullets) before nodding to herself for a job well done. Then she led the protesting girl another lap around the gymnasium, chortling all the while.

"Just the stretches, promise. It'll be the last villain you'll face for the day"

"I hate you so much right now."

"Being adorable won't save you from me."

There was incoherent mumbling as Shokuhou petulantly stomped her foot as she walked up to her side.

It was easy leading Shokuhou, there may be dark grumbling but she follows the steps and it's not like she's not flexible, to which Mikoto is not a little bit surprised. Shokuhou had mentioned in passing that she does Yoga at Junko's insistence 'for your physical health - she says'. Mikoto is all for thanking their upperclassman in the silence of her mind as she watches Shokuhou bend her torso to reach her toes. She was doing the same, at least there was not much time wasted arguing if Shokuhou happened to be inflexible.

"We're done!" Mikoto declared and watch as Shokuhou collapsed like a bombed building. Mikoto produced a breathy snort as she sat down beside the blonde's head to cool off herself even though she didn't sweat much.

They were silent for a while. Mikoto now notices back the buzz around her as their teacher barked orders and some students were yelling or giggling while playing tag or whatever it is that they did. Mikoto was exempted for the class simply because she got the most difficult assignment - getting Shokuhou to run laps.

"I will never bet against you ever again."

"Well, It's good that you learn early." Mikoto flick Shokuhou's forehead gently earning her a dramatic glare. "Besides, you totally know the outcome. You just want to be an insufferable brat and here we are." Mikoto was already chortling.

"I take you to tea and THIS is what I get."

"Excuse you, I was the one to take you to tea. You were just going to be lazy on your bed had I not asked you."

"Like you're one to talk, it wont even occur to you to invite me if I didn't indicate I was open for another discussion. Brute.

"Yes I did! I would have! In fact I was planning on dinner and then your pants twisted and I just thought that maybe it'll be too much if I ask for dinner. Brat."

"We ended up having dinner, you idiot."

At that, Mikoto had a dopey smile and it had nothing to do with the silly banter and deep discussions. No sir. It had nothing to do with the warm, giddy little blanket enveloping her entire chest. Nothing at all. "That we did. We should go back there sometime! There's something on the menu I want to try!"

As Mikoto says this, Shokuhou was slowly wiggling herself up to Mikoto's thigh. She did have an idea what the blonde was aiming for but she tried not to think too much about it or she would be a blushing mess. A horrible, stuttering, blushing goo in human shape. Inner peace

Be calm, be calm, BE CALM.

PLEASE.

After a few seconds, Shokuhou successfully had her head comfortably placed on the meat of Mikoto's thigh and she had to hold all her horses so as not to topple the girl and run away. She has made progress, she can't regress now. Advance. Forward. Whatever.

The gymnasium was already warm to begin with and with Shokuhou's body heat adding to the feverish warmness in the air and should she mention that her neck on Mikoto's thigh is downright scalding? With as woozy as Mikoto felt, she may as well have been in a sauna.

She tried not to focus too much on Shokuhou's quirky mouth, her dazzling eyes or her soft and glistening skin. The girl was practically glowing and here Mikoto is, trying not to die.

Inner peace.

"—how many minutes will we stay here? I'd like to take a shower already. It's not like I'm going to stink but I hate getting sticky"

Mikoto reared at that, back straight and eyes glazing over. "Hmm, until the coach tells us to shower. She's still conducting the class."

"Where's my remote?" Mikoto's left hand immediately bore down on Shokuhou's right shoulder, keeping the scheming girl in place.

"In my bag." the gym bag that's only within arms reach. "I know what you're planning. No shortcuts today. Not happening. Stay here where I can see you."

"On your lap…" Shokuhou muttered as she crossed her arm petulantly. If she was pouting, Mikoto would not look, tempted— yes–most assuredly, but she would not look.

She forced herself to chuckle instead, her hand giving Shokuhou's shoulder a light massage, still, she would not look. "It's not like you can move. You can't even shrug my hand. What does that say to you?"

"That you're being insufferable and will you stop that?! It's distracting…"

Good.

Well?

Mikoto's hand traveled a bit higher, her thumb anchoring into the upper part of Shokuhou's collar bone while digging her four other fingers on her trapezius muscle near then slowly traveling to her nape. Mikoto distractedly alternated on what finger to put pressure on the warm skin. Collar, nape, collar, nape, shoulder–on the deltoids specifically and then back again.

"...Ngh"

Holy shit. What the fuck are you doing?! You're going to jail!

Outwardly, Mikoto looks nonchalant as she methodically works her way on Shokuhou's right side. Nape, collar, deltoid, biceps and back. Shokuhou's right hand came to gripped Mikoto's forearm and it was taken along for the ride as Mikoto continued to massage what she could reach. Shokuhou must have intended to stop her hand but instead it became one of Mikoto's indicators if she particularly liked the amount of pressure Mikoto kneaded into her muscles. That delicate gloved hand would squeeze ever so lightly, it's like she lost the strength to clench them, but Mikoto gets it. She does. A combination of soft sighs, grunts, a little twitch here and there and Mikoto gets it. At the moment, she's hyper aware of everything that's Shokuhou Misaki. Enjoying it? Yes. Practically dying? Yes to that too.

And despite all those indicators, she tried her best to avoid looking at Shokuhou's face, her eyes specifically.

For every mewl and squeeze, pleasure and pride lick up Mikoto's spine. She's doing it!

She's earning a ticket to jail. Oh definitely.

Mikoto somehow manages to knead a particular knot on the lower part of the shoulder joint, behind the armpit making her friend gasp and groan at the same time, her nails digging on Mikoto's forearm and her legs shooting out like a cat before curling back again. Mikoto chuckled, shaking her head. That particular muscle gets stretched when swinging the arms especially if the person is not doing it regularly. This girl needs a serious workout regimen. Was she even swinging her arms that hard while running?

"Oh Shokuhou—" her voice was oddly an octave lower. Huh.. "—You really need to exercise more."

Shokuhou, who had now hidden her face on Mikoto's front, grunted her disapproval, tickling Mikoto's stomach with the vibrations the blonde produced.

"Urghhngh..notmyfaultdothatagain" Shokuhou shifted, offering more of her back all the while adding two pats on Mikoto's lower back in case she didn't get the memo. She's so adorable!

Mikoto giggled, heart alight with warmth and contentment. Progress.

There is something so delectable with this Shokuhou.

All pliant and honest and spoiled.

All soft and warm and relaxed.

Mikoto massaged that muscle again before moving on to her scalp.

"...yishhb…" the blonde hissed, burrowing further into her while her right hand now fisting Mikoto's PE uniform at the back.

"Shh. shh, got you." Mikoto cooed. She wasn't really sure what she was doing anymore. She just wanted to please her friend-rival-crush or whatever Shokuhou is to her, to feel her all gooey and loose.

She likes this. She likes taking care of people. Her people.

Something practically shifted since that tea..time (Hang out? Date? No. Maybe…?). Shokuhou was more open and dare she say it..more affectionate? If playing even more pranks on Mikoto can be called affection that is but heh, Mikoto takes what she gets. Besides, there are no rules saying she can't prank back. And now, now…Mikoto wouldn't even try to dream of this position in case her brain decided that this needed to happen (obviously it did). We'll, what do you know. Shokuhou's head was on her lap and she didn't even do anything remarkable to be rewarded as such.

Leaning back a bit, Mikoto finally looked at her current charge's face and oh! She's asleep…already? Mikoto smiled and patted Shokuhou's head tenderly, gently moving her hair (slowly drying hair) away from her face.

Mikoto just realized something.

Shokuhou and laps.

Ah well, that had to undergo further investigations if the circumstances were right and opportunity ripe. Hmm.

Filing that particular thought aside, Mikoto came back to reality when she finally heard their teacher calling for her.

"Misaka-san. Take Shokuhou-san to the showers so she can then rest on a real bed. Shoo. Go, go!"


"I'm going to be so sore tomorrow and it's your fault!" the blonde admonished. The shower turned on again, the steam was so thick that Mikoto's eyes watered. "That feels sooo good," Shokuhuo Misaki moaned.

See that's a problem. Mikoto was in the stall next to hers and with nothing to focus on but the sound of her voice and the water and the slippery slick the skin makes when rubbed thoroughly or the little pats against the floor as moved around. Mikoto's fighting back images, unholy but worthy of worship images and her only saving grace is her indomitable will.

Well, it was established that she was going to jail. Indomitable will and all.

Mikoto needs to go.

Out. Not to jail, of course. Just away. Distance and all that, yeah. All this steam is suffocating.

Shokuhou's shower turned off just as Mikoto slammed the door of her cubicle. "Where are you going?"

"Jail" because they were done for the day and Mikoto needs to process what happened today. She had spent a good chunk of the afternoon PE class physically in contact with Shokuhou. Her muscles are alive with the blood her heart (that was on fire) supplied. Her heart is blazing and her brain is melting as a result.

"No."

Mikoto froze while putting on her school skirt and turned to a towel-clad Shokuhou. "What do you mean no?"

"Misaka-san, even if you were to go to jail, no one would have the will to imprison you."

"Wha-Did I say jail?" I meant home! Damn! She really should put a cap on her thoughts.

"Yes and I forbid you to go. You have unfinished business with me yet."

"-and that is?"

The blonde merely waved her hand and went to her own locker and got dressed. Mikoto turned away and resumed fastening her skirt. What does she mean? Does she want to go somewhere? Does she even plan on bringing Mikoto along? It's not like that matters. It does not. No. Where the heck is her damn vest? Besides, wasn't she the one falling asleep on the gym floor? What the—where are her damn socks?! Where the fu—aaaahh!

Deep breaths Mikoto.

Breathe.

Shokuhou giggled in her ear. Damn her. How 'd she sneak behind Mikoto's back anyway?

"I would have preferred it if you screamed and not stiff like this. Relax. It's just me."

She did scream.

"Thank you for pointing that out. I totally did not know it was you. That was helpful" No shit. They were the only ones in the shower room! Of course it would be her! Shokuhou's arms on her neck tightened a bit. "Hey! Paws off!"

"No."

Not caring of anyone's reaction, Mikoto blew a raspberry in frustration, fluffing up her bangs. Shokuhou is just being impudent now for the sake of annoying Mikoto. She was sure of it. Urgh! She's so bloody endearing and infuriating at the same time!

Shokuhou dangled her slouch socks in front of her. Damn her. How'd she sneak that pair away?

Mikoto swiped them and proceeded to put them on. Shokuhou's body was along for the ride seeing as she was draped over Mikoto's back. S—she's just so soft everywhere! Help! This girl will be the death of her.

"What do you want?"

Shokuhou didn't steal socks for nothing. You can count on anything that Shokuhou does not do something for 'nothing'.

"Carry me" Shokuhou's voice was merely a whisper but it felt like the words were bouncing happily between the walls. Her tone was neither demanding or asking, her breathing is gentle and soothing—short of causing a possible combustion but that's beside the point.

And then she yawned and somehow, someway, that sealed the deal Mikoto was about to protest. She bit her lip.

There are pros and cons here. Pros: she gets to spend more time with Shokuhou, gets to take care of her, gets to be close to her physically (because yes, she may have acquired the taste of carrying the imperious girl around) and Mikoto gets to be all sneakily romantic. Most importantly though, Shokuhou gets a little bit more time to rest. Was she spoiling the girl? Absolutely. But no one can deny that she was not also spoiling herself.

Cons: Shokuhou can probably feel the fast rhythm of her heart, conclude that she has romantic inclinations towards her and abruptly end their friendship or maybe flay her alive for her being an opportunistic shit or tease her relentlessly or something along the lines.

Well, her fate is sealed either way.

Onward.

Mikoto wordlessly handed Shokuhou her precious bag, who absently took one remote, clicked on it before handing it back to her - bag and all. Well, okay…that was a plot twist, wasn't it? Never really expected that.

Carefully, she sat the girl down before fluttering around. Tucking in her gym bag back to her locker and doing the same to Shokuhou's. When she turned back around, Shokuhou, with her hair hiding her face, was already nodding off while still seated.

Mikoto swung Shokuhou's shoulder bag on her shoulders.

It's just so mundane, catching her like this, but she felt her lungs contract with the lack of air, her heart squeeze painfully in her chest. She's simply so breathtaking, so beautiful and she might have been drooling, oh she is! Gross and charming.

Right.

Great.

Better get this girl to her room so Mikoto could die happily on her own.

"Hey, come on. Up!" The shifting of Shokuhou's golden eyes is utterly glorious when it starts to focus on her. "I forgot your room number."

"200"

"Okay then. On my back." Shokuhou was about to but Mikoto suddenly remembered something. She signed for the blonde to wait (she pouted because of course she would) before ramaging her bag for a long coat. Brown and thick, almost a similar design to their uniform winter coats it may add to the weight but Mikoto could throw Touma around, Shokuhou would be a mere volleyball to Touma's basketball, weightwise.

She guided the blonde to the holes and once she was snug, Mikoto swallowed her urge to pat her head, Shokuhou gave a sleepy sniff on the collars and sighed. Then she took another.

Hmm, so she doesnt find the scent repulsive. That's promising!

Mikoto crouches with her back ready to be mounted.

"You're awfully cooperative." Shokuhou had commented, voice almost slurring, as Mikoto stood up and adjusted her. She placed her arms underneath Shokuhou's thighs (Mikoto tried not to whimper), digging deliciously on the marshmallowy-leg (Shokuhou really needs to build muscles).

"Don't count on it being permanent"

Her heart is thundering, she just hopes that Shokuhou is too tired to feel or even comment on the sudden party in her chest. She can feel the steady beats of Shokuhou's though. At least someone is comfortable.

The march across the campus had been largely uninterrupted, save for a few cats eyeing them like the plebeians they are. Shokuhou, now sleeping (blissfully, thank you), must have made their presence undetectable by humans.

Mikoto can't help but chuckle at the reaction of the receptionist when the door of the elevator opened, since she can perceive them - she must have thought the place haunted, the look of horror on her face and the little squeak she emitted should not be hilarious but it is.

Her friend's room (washed in baby blue paint) is impeccably clean, save for the bed. It's like Shokuhou never bothered to arrange it this morning.

Laying the blonde on her bed is a bit trickier. Carefully, she sat on the bed, trying not to jostle the sleeping girl too much, then she had to be swift and silent as she spun to catch the blonde's head and torso before she hit the bed.

Shokuhou woke up a bit after Mikoto lifted her legs on the bed to position her better with comfort in mind. Instinctively, Mikoto's hand shot up to the blonde's head and gently scraped her nails on her scalp. She was out just like that. Then Mikoto handed Shokuhou a pillow and she promptly curled on it before Mikoto tucked her in.

Mikoto grinned.

Touched Shokuhou's head and she's a putty, add that to Shokuhou's head in a lap pillow and she's out like a light.

Mikoto gleefully filed that tidbit into the 'potential argument-stopper' list. She'd have to experiment on that of course.

In time.

In time, indeed.

Hopefully.