They had another week of school before their winter break officially started but seeing as today is a Saturday, it was a good day to just relax and plan around. At least until Misaki can calm her blood pumper. However it'll take some time given how percussive her heart aspires to be at the mere thought of what transpired the day before.
After last night's impromptu cuddling, Misaki awoke on her bed, securely tucked and sufficiently warm with no memory of ever getting there. It was safe to conclude that Mikoto had carried her here and tucked her in.
For those who were fortunate enough to be a fly on Misaki's room, they would see a teenage girl daydreaming, then bouncing in her bed, alternating between smooshing her face on her Takodachi or hugging it to the point of asphyxiation should that one had been alive, and occasionally screaming like a lunatic in a very delightful fantasy.
After she exhausted herself, Misaki flung herself to her bathroom for her morning ablutions. The memory of yesterday's event oftentimes flashing in her mind along with her mental list of to do things.
Study.
Do the assignments.
Gather intel on Tokiwadai's guests. (such a troublesome endeavor)
Mikoto's arms around her as she slept.
She put on a headband to wash her face.
The electomaster's gentle fingers carding into her hair.
Maybe clean? Or call a cleaning company. Maybe go with that route.
The bird poop. Yep. Definitely call someone to clean.
Misaki splashed her face with water.
She remembered the comforting warmth and how her skin tingled at every point of contact.
Talk to Junko, probably.
The Takodachi was probably her only plushie.
Soap, then rinse. Brush her teeth…she hadn't brushed her teeth last night….
Plan a meeting with her clique. Huh. They do have to book some facilities in advance. That could be arranged then. Had to keep her brats in order after all.
What if they kissed–
Someone is ringing on her door.
Doubling down on her brushing, spit, rinsing her mouth.
Ring! Ring! Ring!
If that's Junko (She's the only one who knows about this place–aside from Mikoto–who had no reason to visit this early), she can stop pretending to be polite and let herself in anytime now.
Real question, had Mikoto pulled her because there was an incoming bird bomb or was it because she's thinking of wanting to kiss–
Ring! Ring! Ring!
That impatient human behind the door better have a good reason!
Who would even ring this early in the morning? If not Junko?
The ringing stopped.
Thank goodness.
Whatever. They can wait. She had to go take a bath. Just because.
Misaki swiftly rolled off her clothes and threw them into the hamper. Now naked sans her panty, she grabbed a bathrobe and took a shower for 10 minutes.
And the cuddling? What was that about? Misaki even fell asleep! When Dolly cuddles to her, she's the one that falls asleep and now Misaki just slumbers on her older sister? Why? Was it a matter of who provides comfort? Safety? A good perhaps. Maybe.
She turned off the shower.
I want to see her again…
Wrapping the robe around herself, she passed by her bedroom then onto her wardrobe. There is a silhouette (in the shape of a human) behind the curtain of her bedroom balcony.
She doubled back.
Gray sweater and black shorts. Ordinary people would have shivered non stop wearing what she did. Short hair, lean visage. Height wise, that has to be her electromaster standing on her balcony, her back to Misaki, gazing at Academy City and looking so at home at Misaki's place.
She has never been so swift in sliding the doors open.
"People look like moving ants from here. Just not as organized." Mikoto says in lieu of greeting, her eyes still focus on the activity down below before turning with a smile at her.
That served to settle and alight Misaki's nerves in one go. What a good morning indeed!
However, her visitor soon realized what she had covered herself with and they tried to choke their words back but it came out tumbling anyway.
"Good morning–brrrgh–eh? He–Hey! Hi! How are–Why are–were–you doing nakedpshhh?!" Mikoto coughs into her hand, taking another look at her person before turning away with a burning color on her cheeks. "I'm normally not a bumbling fool…." she murmured then her eyes widened, likely realizing that it is quite audible for both parties involved…
The poor girl didn't even know what to do with her hands. In the end, she wrestled the curtain from Misaki instead and unceremoniously tugged on it as a barrier between them. As if that was not enough, she turned around with a whoosh.
"Please get dressed first."
Misaki blinked. Look down and blink again. She did have a point but...Staring incredulously at the other girl through the curtain and back at her chest. (which was indeed showing a bit more skin as her earlier actions had loosen the tie in the middle, widening from the neckline a bit). It's not that much.
Misaki rolled her eyes.
(If she had ever felt the cold, it was chased away by those scalding hazels.)
"I'm not naked you doofus."
"I can see your boobs, you–you vixen!"
"This is exactly how to tell everyone that you're a virgin. "
Misaki blew a raspberry. Mikoto is over reacting really; however, there is this smug satisfaction slowly clawing its way to her face. It's a good thing Mikoto can't see it. "What you see is just skin. It's not like you can see the entire thing."
It's really just a small part. This girl is reacting too much. Has she said that already?
"Screw you!"
"Yeah, like you know how." Misaki fought off her own rising blush even as she's the one who led this conversation.
"EEk! I didn't mean it like that!" The electromaster sputtered. Misaki's grin turned downright evil despite the rising winning blush on her face.
"Ah, you've gotten a feel for them before." That was one of the times Misaki had gotten violent with her rival after all. "I remembered quite well how many times you squeezed."
"I'm so sorry! oh for–good–Gods help me..!" her friend groaned, flaring red as she banged her head on the railing.
Knowing that Mikoto had never been the religious sort…
Mirth rolled off Misaki's whole being. Her laughter hadn't ceased even as she stepped back into her dresser, got dressed and got back to her previous position.
She slid open the curtain again and found the electromaster crouching and meeting her with a helpless smile on her face.
"Shokuhou, I'm really so–"
Misaki cut her off, not really interested in visiting that particularly embarrassing memory now that it had its use. "Not that you are unwelcome but…Why are you here, Misaka-san?"
Good thing that her friend latched on her offer of a new topic. She always knew her fellow level five wasn't that much of a socially inept girl.
"Well," here, the electromaster rubs the back of her neck. The cherry color blooming on her cheeks all over again.. "You said that I…could?"
A beat.
…She did indeed. Was Misaki expecting her to honor that so soon though? She hoped at least.
"Doesn't explain the early hours, does it?" her heart started doing flip flops.
Another smile, this time an anxious one. "Uhmm. I brought breakfast?"
The other level 5 raised a box on one hand and some grocery bags on the other. Misaki stared at the box.
"A toaster?"
"Yeah, I noticed you don't have one and I brought bread and others for a sandwich–er..breakfast…if you're up for it?"
She did, in fact, have a toaster. The poor machine was hidden away though and may never see the light of day again since she had a new one on her friend's arms.
A toaster can't speak against her blatant favoritism anyway.
Misaki was feeling a lot in that short span of time she stared at Mikoto for; the comforting tightness by something so simple as a toaster, the mild warmth–of pleasure at the vague sweetness in Mikoto's wanting to eat together, the toe-curling effect on her teenage mind at her friend's mere presence…
Before Misaki could drown in them, she turned and walked to her kitchen. She was sure that it was enough of an invitation for the electromaster to follow.
Misaka Mikoto stayed with her for the rest of the day and only went home when the clock turned 10 at night, past curfew and all but who really cares?
[::::]
Misaki was still surprised to find the electromaster on her rooftop the next day, playing her violin for the wind to deliver across the still dark sky. Was she so lucky to spend three days with Mikoto? It's too good to be true…
She did decide long ago that the pace and the direction would be to Mikoto's comfort and she'd just savour whatever pleasure she'd eventually gain.
That first day, Misaki was immensely thankful that the electromaster decided to stay even after Junko's obvious ploy. The second day had her brain and heart in accordance with each other, logic and emotion, pleasure and gratification curling her toes on odd moments. She had never felt so relaxed and safe for a whole day.
And a Sunday with a good start?
Her pulse did surely spike but soon mellowed out as if the violin's serene music willed it to be.
She laid down on her couch, hugging a random pillow to her torso, her fingers padding the surface of whatever surface they could (which was mostly the pillow).
She felt like she could melt any second. Her lips lifted slightly, eyes closing and letting the melody seep into her flesh, to her bones. Her fingers continued to caress the smooth surface of her pillow or tap her fingers with the beat of Mikoto's music.
Mikoto's lone violin is currently storytelling.
Slow and soulful and she is brought to a world full of greens, of flowers reaching out to respond to the sun's affections, of leaves swaying to a tune the earth dictates.
Upbeat with low notes and she remembers the orchestra performances her father used to bring her to, remembers the vibration of the sound hitting her, blowing her away, drowning her down, tossing her upwards to soar through the fields.
She flings Misaki to an adventure she'd never expected, warms her in the middle of walking in the snow, climbs the largest of trees with her, feeds her with the worst grilled fish and sinks her to the depths of soft, soft, clouds…
She fell back asleep.
And woke up to the whispered murmurs of conversation somewhere. Her tv is on, a character is just standing by, whatever game Mikoto installed has nice graphics at least. When she squirmed for a bit, she felt the blanket, the blanket from her bedroom, over her and another pillow her head had rested on. She found that she was hugging her Takodachi to her chest as well. No wonder she didn't feel any discomfort
She got to admit that someone she trust, just feeling their presence with her is doing something sublime to her very soul. This apparently translates to sleeping in their vicinity more than usual. It happens with Junko and Dolly. Mikoto makes the cut of course–now that a situation (or several) had solidified this–Misaki had to add however that whereas with Mikoto, she doesn't have a role to play. She can just be herself with no expectations. Until now, Misaki didn't know it was one of the parameters of what makes the electromaster so maddeningly attractive to her.
Misaki was tempted to sleep again had Mikoto not arrived with the most aromatic food to ever grace her abode.
"Hey sleepy dork, you up for some fried chicken?" Mikoto placed the plastic containers on her chabudai. Next to her game console.
She didn't talk about why she was here.
Misaki didn't ask why she was here either.
If what came out was a pathetic grunt as an affirmative, Mikoto just nodded and prepared the food, opening the containers and fetching water from her fridge.
They ate in silence.
Misaki rarely eats fried chicken (she doesn't want Junko to burst a blood vessel after all), given her penchant for expending so little calories at a time, Junko basically banned unhealthy foods to even seduce her eyes.)
Mikoto brought it. Damn her. But. She'll have this. Just this once. Calories be damned.
If Junko ever asks, she'll just blame Mikoto. Easy.
"I didn't know you'd be so happy to eat something unhealthy…" Mikoto commented, amused. 'I don't tend to cross your Junko-san so please if you could just not tell her…?"
Misaki pretended to think about it. "She won't know if she doesn't ask~"
"She most likely will..."She looked thoughtful for a second before she smirked. "Then, maybe I should just keep you with me, hmm? That way I can keep my eye on you at all times."
Something in Misaki's brain just went like 'Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a runner up for cheesy lines!'
"P–Pardon?!" Misaki wasn't sure on what emotion to settle, embarrassment, flattery or annoyance. Her toes curled however and she was sure some red had crawled on her cheeks for that stunt. Geez…
"E-eh?" Mikoto suddenly backtracked, embarrassed herself at what she had implied. It was almost funny if Misaki wasn't too occupied.
Mikoto did not further clarify, lest she dug herself further. Misaki didn't push for it either. Both of their eyes found something interesting in their surroundings before shifting back to each other then back to any other random item. The process did repeat a couple of times that Misaki couldn't count how many flips her chest had undergone.
A couple minutes later, Mikoto made herself busy with gathering their plates, utensils and garbage and proceeded to wash them in the sink.
"What time is it?"
"11:49 when you woke up. It's 12:08 now. "
"I overslept." she stated simply.
"You did. You have something to do?"
"Some.."
"Best get to it then. Just call for me if you need something. I'll be borrowing your electricity playing games here anyway."
"Must be nice not having assignments huh."
"Unlike you, I don't procrastinate." Mikoto turned from the sink only to smirked handsomely. Mikoto is really kind but she can be cruel too. She's in her place, washing their dishes after the meal she had procured and telling her to do her own thing while offering her services like it's the most normal thing in the world. Does she know how downright sexy she's being?! It's too much. She's too much.
"Hmph." Misaki swiftly turned away from the double attack, cheeks flaming. "I'll be in my room." better retreat while she still had her wits about!
"Kay." came the soft reply and Misaki was forced to fight off a full body shiver.
Before she shut her door though, she petulantly added "Next time, please don't let me oversleep."
"Not when you look so cute," Mikoto breathed. The recipient of Misaki's pouting merely smiled softly with a sheepish nod. Not that Misaki stayed to witness such. "At least I got a picture.." or hear anything at all.
There was a soft click of the door. For the umpteenth time, Misaki had to squeal on her pillow like a lovesick fool that she was.
[::::]
By afternoon, Misaki was draping herself comfortably on the electromaster's back as she pestered Misaki to offer some ideas on the gifts to purchase for her sisters, it was when Misaki finally decided that maybe, Dolly can finally be introduced to her older sister.
If only not to miss out on the gifts.
It started out as a benign state of affairs at first, as is the second law of thermodynamics, and then it escalated to chaos. As wont to do with three level 5's, a few clones/little sisters in the mix, one girl who is totally useless in reigning in the chaos and a boy who is unfortunate enough to claim he probably killed someone in cold blood in his previous life to warrant such unfortunate..ness.
Honestly? All Mikoto could say is that it all went to shit when Touma suggested doing karaoke as a suggestion in his hopeless bid for peace.
And so now, her sisters are on the hunt for a venue, found it and the room is absolutely debauch the first five minutes in their care.
Mikoto didn't really know whose neck to ring.
Exhibit
A. Touma who's in the corner lamenting his luck (his default setting from the very beginning that Mikoto now shares in spirit). And if people had looked the other way when they saw the vodka in his hands? Well–
Her youngest sister–Last Order, wrangled the microphone with Index and Dolly. (and what a surprise she had been when Misaki decided to bring her to the Misaka party). ("She's a Misaka too after all")
They'd been having a chorus of mine, mine, mine. If their voices hadn't been so shrill, they'd be rocking the seagull's call of calamity.
(no one pointed out that they were arguing for a dummy mic though)
The surprise introduction went on like :
Misaki: This is Dolly, Dolly, your older sister, Misaka Mikoto
Mikoto (immensely glad that Misaki had introduced a secret sister and not a secret love child somewhere): H-Hello. Nice to meet you.
Dolly (turning indignantly at Misaki) : Why don't I see a collar on her, Misaki-chan?
Also Dolly (suddenly putting a collar on Mikoto without so much preamble): There! My job here is done! I am freaking it!
Mikoto (touching the collar in shocked confusion): uuhh…What?
Mitorii Kouzaku (totally amused by the whole debacle): Roll with it.
Dolly (imitating a grandma voice and no one knows why): The things we do for the people we love!
Mikoto will be eternally confused but she refused to untie the new addition while witnessing Misaki flared red and simultaneously, magically, comically, produced an ogi out of nowhere and hit it on Dolly's head.
B. Her other sisters, from munching on the food, rapidly, and trying to imitate the magical capabilities of a chipmunk–mouth full to the brim with food. Occasionally, (it was mild at first until it didn't) food had sailed here and there until it evolved into mic stands. (that had stunned Mikoto maybe because she was slammed to a wall because of it).
They were apparently the one to provide the curse drink in Touma's hand and they were planning to spike hers as she just discovered and they had been successful with Accelerator (what a dumbass). The amount of betrayal in Mikoto's face had Misaki in stitches and Dolly raising two thumbs up to her fellow sisters (to which they raised their own thumbs in response). She was about to yell at them but Accelerator got in her face and called for an agni kai (whatever the heck that is).
"It's an honor duel, Onee-sama. Misaka says as she wants to pose as the referee for such a momentous occasion."
"HONOR DUEL FOR WHAT?"
As if not hearing their eldest, 19090 continued. "To death!, Misaka says as dramatically as possible given her nasty habit of speaking monotonously. This event will be a match for centuries."
"This is all going to hell!" she muttered in a frustrating manner only Mikoto could have.
"We're not in hell, Onee-chan. That place is a precognitive fabrication used as a cautionary caveat made by humans to scare them off from becoming stupid. Misaka says as Misaka offers to take their guardian's shed clothes." Last Order continued "Agni Kai is customarily done half naked. Misaka explains as Misaka thinks that Onee-chan is quite ignorant in the ways of the world"
Mikoto screamed.
C. Her Shokuhou who's looking too proud at the chaos she had no hand over except to fan the flames of destruction with just a few well-placed quips with the real mic in hand. It never really left her hand which is amazing on its own considering the wars waged for the simple reason of possessing it.
(and when she sang and the flying mic stands happened, Mikoto had let the whole group believe that it was because she was a moron instead of a bewitched moron)
D. Mitori Kouzaku, who's too busy trying to cough out her lungs nonstop as is her version of a buddhist mantra in the event that she'd eventually pass on. Better to believe in god fast before she expires. It would only be imperative.
Actually, scratch her, she'll end herself sometime soon maybe.
Let's not even mention how utterly out of the loop Mikoto felt the moment she has seen the girl so 'friendly' with both Shokuhou and her sister, knowing she tried to kill them both a year ago. Mikoto didn't really know how to act around the girl. But then again, here comes her overwhelming trust (even she herself is blown just how much she trust Shokuhou Misaki) in another person that she's willing to let this particular girl be in the presence of those she loves.
E. Accelerator who, as it turned out, is born to curse out everything and everyone, who claims to have slept for a total of 3 hours in 5 days which is why his cranky ass got accidentally drunk and is so extra at everything (his cursing even involved the poor late-late-late granduncles).
F. Herself, for reasons that she is kinda enjoying this chaotic atmosphere. And getting dragged into a fight with accelerator and Touma (she isn't drunk like the two nutcracks but she's too damn sober for this….Just saying.)
"Your collar is so stupid!"
Mikoto blushed, she didn't really know what to feel with it but Dolly was so happy to see it on her, she can indulge her newly minted sister a bit, right? "Hey! That's my sister's first gift to me! YOUR collar IS S.T.U.P.I.D!"
"You're all stupid!" Touma shouted, feeling left out.
They're all acting like children but Mikoto had not it in her to care at the moment.
Accelerator suddenly tugged her collar and squinting at something. His grin turned positively salacious and Mikoto felt her spine stiffened in disgust. "I see you have an owner already! See, 'REMINDER that this person has an owner. Property of–"
(They all ignored the sputtering of colorful words from a certain mental out who forgot she was speaking on a mic. There was another feminine cackle followed by a pained yelp.)
("Dolly, what did you–why would you–I said no!")
("Mii-chan and I say YES! You taught me to have contingency plans to contingency plans. This is Plan B yet! And it's totally worth the hassle!")
Touma pushed Accelerator off and replaced him, the boy can't even see straight anymore as he can't read what was written. Mikoto was dying to know what the hell was that about too but she won't let herself be manhandled by these idiots. She pulled herself from his space.
"Hey! I haven't read it yet!"
"Doesn't matter what was written! It's given to me. You guys can suck it!"
"Look at this fuckwad siscon!"
"Oh nonononNO, YOU don't get to tell me I'm a siscon! You had this weird master/disciple thing going on with that sexy blonde of yours!"
Accelerator looked at her like he had caught her watching porn.
Mikoto almost felt embarrassed. Almost.
Her sisters did mention the girl once or twice. A LOT. It's not like Mikoto asks repeatedly about her, they got talkative. She's definitely not a gossip, alright?!
"That means you know how that works, eh? And here I thought you're innocent. Surprise! Surprise! Our baby level 5 knows about kinks!" was what he ultimately said.
And now Mikoto is embarrassed. Furthermore, he kept staring at her collar like it's the weirdest thing! It's pissing her off.
"What's your problem?!"
"I wonder whose ancestors are rolling in their graves right now! Kekeke" he did his weird laugh. (hopefully, one of these days, he'll choke) What is with him and dead people?! "You don't even fucking know, do you? You have a collar that says the 'property of S–ack!"
Touma was choking him and there was nothing the white haired boy could do. Touma is a lot stronger than your average boy and his right hand was clamping Accelerator's mouth as the boy whispered something in his ear.
There were stars in his eyes.
Accelerator stop, their eyes brush and Mikoto could see a conversation pass between them. Wordlessly, Touma let go of him. Accelerator sent her a mix of pitying and some sort of respect (and what the hell is all that about?).
Mikoto raised an eyebrow at the blonde who pretended to drink her juice. When Shokuhou finally released Touma, the boy was swaying a lot after the albino pushed him off of him. None the wiser, he kept looking around until he found Accelerator's eyes and pointed at him rather aggressively.
"Why is this venue so expenssssive? You crazy rish–rish kids! This is sooo not worth it!"
Mikoto was not expecting Accelerator to readily agree. "I agree. Why the fuck are they in business with this expensive ass entrance?" he gestured to the whole of the place. It is certainly spacious for 10 kids. "Not counting the fact that whoever sang might get us all deaf ears after this is all over. It's not worth it."
Misaki took offense to that. Mikoto too for that matter, after all. That voice is worthwhile enough to get smack in the face with a damn pole!
Shokuhou Misaki entered the chat.
"You're probably deaf even before you arrived here, Number one." she snarked.
"Shut it! S'not my fault your voice reverses enough vectors to smack back human evolution."
Nothing in that sentence makes sense but Misaki took offense to that some more.
"Way to talk down to your brethren. Do us a favor and go away with your troops."
"Oh, I apologize if I offended you, I'm saying the truth for your own good, we don't want a baby who can't take criticisms in our midst anyway"
"I'm not the one with a god complex"
Accelerator snorted "Right, you backwards hag. You can't even fathom the power difference, you damn earthling. You'd break before I even got serious."
"I'm sorry, who broke his digits trying to finger a boy?" Shokuhou's eyes flitted to Touma.
Mikoto smothered the snicker as soon as it left her mouth, Mitori-san, however, let out a full belly laugh. Touma snorted and raised his bottle in good cheer.
Mikoto had reached and successfully snatched the bottle away.
Later, Mikoto would ask herself how Shokuhou knew of the details of that fight. It feels so long ago. It is kinda amusing revisiting how his fingers broke though. Yeah, She's is an ass. Accelerator is a bigger ass for the record.
Still, this all feels so surreal.
She's in here with the boy who made her feel the corrosive despair of being helpless, another boy who gave her palpable hope in everything and the girl who, ages ago, she could have sworn she hated everything she stands for.
Look at them gathered in one place and the whole place hasn't blown up yet.
Holy shit.
"Oh, you bet your ugly ass, it better be yours"
"No thank you. Your fragile fingers can't take me on." Shokuhou's eyes shifted to her, the genuine apprehension tightly coiled inside.
Why?
The albino caught the look and raised a brow.
Mikoto had watched the verbal ping pong match, incredibly astounded as Shokuhou matched his quips with her own. One would initially think that Shokuhou would not like any attention from the number one. Yet, she's here. Lobbing a few valleys of ammunition at the albino like she's just putting whatever food in a blender and just stares at it while it spins. Her quips are harsh sounding but Accelerator took it in stride. It may have sounded aggressive but no one in the room felt any danger, just dry amusement at what was happening.
Accelerator bellowed his weird laugh again. "Oh? I don't mean it like that at all but I'm insulted all the same." His red eyes shifted to her. "Like a baby level 5 can take you on." he challenged.
Wait what? Why's she suddenly in on this?! Also, that's mildly insulting that she –
"Hey! I can totally take Shokuhou!" in a fight? Heck yeah!
The blonde had gone silent. Mitori had yet to let out a louder unrestrained screech until that moment. Is she even human?
Dolly held the fake mic, pointing at Shokuhou "And that my friends, is what I call a wham blush!"
Somebody nodded though nobody really gets what in the 23 districts of Academy City she meant.
"Is she okay? Misaka asks as she thinks she about to witness a person going mad like the joker" 10032 asked loudly, pointing at Kouzaku-san who was still laughing her ass off..
The number one had been letting out several puffs of air like he's restraining something. Mikoto guessed that the slight tremor on his shoulders was caused by that ungodly screeching in the background. Touma is in disbelief before covering his ears and making a 'nope' face.
"Hah! Can you really?" Accelerator huffs. "That woman…is…a…handful"
Mitori is lucky her lungs had stayed intact. Probably not for long though. Her laughter is just infectious that Mikoto had tittered alongside her at the joke. Touma giggled.
They were all insane. It's not even funny. It's not.
As for Shokuhou though? Let's just say Dolly finally managed to snag the microphone from her. At last. Brandishing it like a long lost relic to her compatriots. The dummy trio cheered, index was the loudest.
"I can't believe this." she finally muttered. Though she looked oddly relieved.
"Me either. Sparky here would probably combust before she can do it." Accelerator smirks.
"Do what?" Mikoto raises a brow, then scoffs. "A little electricity and Shokuhou's a goo. In fact, I don't need to use my ability to achieve the desired result." she petulantly added.
"Yeah, I can imagine." Accelerator threw a predatory grin at the blonde. "She looks like she'll be in for some 'shock therapy' eh?"
Only two people keep wheezing. Touma looked worried ("Geez, don't get too violent, biri-biri. I'm one thing but Shokuhou-san might faint") while Misaki was busy coughing up, seemingly choked by something. Mikoto (who thinks that something in this ridiculous conversation makes sense) took pity and patted her back lightly. "You know I wont really do that right?"
"You wont?"
Why does she look disappointed?! What?! What context is she missing?!
Just then, the booming voice of Last Order brought all their attention to her. Much to the relief of one particular level 5.
"Don't worry guys, with me at the end of Microphone, you will be blessed! Misaka says as she is pretty sure she will dazzle her current audience with her superb larynx"
The sisters visibly shuddered.
Accelerator snorted "Blessed? More like it'll turn into who chokes first. You or me."
The sisters visibly cheered.
Mikoto, wanting to be supportive, said "Don't listen to the prick. Sing away!"
The sisters visibly shuddered.
"Or who chokes who" Touma added good naturedly.
The sisters visibly cheered.
"Alright, bye. Good luck to all of you fuckers." Accelerator says, already stepping to the door. The sisters move to follow him.
"Eh? Why are you guys like this! What a cruel we live in! Misaka yells as Misaka only wants to sing for her precious people. Even if they are jerks."
and so it devolve from there.
"Okay so what's the first song you want to sing?"
"I wish I was the one."
"The fuck?! Who hurt you?!"
"No one, Misaka says playfully!"
"Okay. Second?"
"The joy of first taste!"
"WHAT THE FUCK!. The fuck had you been teaching her?!"
"Kill me"
"I didn't teach her anything! She just became obsess with the intricacies of the internet! Why does everyone thinks I'm the one to teach her this stuff?!"
"Because Dolly actually lives with you? Wasn't that telling enough?~"
"I'm actually worried what you've been teaching my sister, Mitori-san..."
"Right, no need to announced you're a virgin"
"You wanna go you red-eyed-green-minded-softie?!"
"Someone take this fucking ninny away!"
"What does ninny mean? "
"You!"
[::::]
It was one kiss. A really, really, cute peck that rendered Mikoto speechless.
Which escalated to a competition and now Mikoto is swarmed.
She was caught off guard and is just trying not to melt on the spot from the abundance of kisses.
It started when 19090 gave her a shy kiss on the cheek as sort of a goodbye. She stood stock still, holding her reddening cheek and before she could even recover, Last Order had shrieked. "She's trying to make moves on our sister! Misaka observes as she acknowledges 19090's strategy to get an 'extra' gift"
After that, it was a brief sort of lovable chaos that Mikoto dearly wishes was not a one time thing. All of her sisters decided to one up 19090 and the eldest cheeks are full of goodbye kisses that had them flaming red but her smile is so wide, there is no point hiding how pleased she is.
They yelled one last thank you's for the christmas gifts Mikoto had given them and she can still hear their shouts even as the cab turns on an intersection. She had prepared a variety for them. Scarves, mittens, puzzles, bracelets, anklets, gloves and tickets to resorts and underwater parks. Also, for a more personal touch, she wrote some 'tickets' they could transact with her should they need her services ranging from 'help me escape' to 'massage'. Really, just some radom things she could do for them. Misaki's suggestions had brought smiles to her sister's faces and she can't thank the girl enough.
Sufficiently warmed even with only a jean jacket over a shirt and shorts, Mikoto turned to the last trio of the night. Touma and Index had vanished first even before Accelerator got unceremoniously shoved inside a cab by her little sisters.
Mitori-san is hiccuping, while Dolly is almost trying to stay awake but is clearly getting drowsy.
"I guess we can take a cab home too?" she asked Shokuhou, who was the most alert of them all. Her right hand, trapped in a loose grip. Mikoto didn't know if this unexpected slight jealousy is from Dolly nonchalantly holding Misaki's or Misaki's being held by her sister.
"Oh, that's fine. Good actually." Shokuhou replied, eyeing Dolly with a sort of tenderness so rarely seen in her visage in all the years that Mikoto had known her.
Mikoto nodded, hailed a cab and guided the girls into the back seat with her taking the seat beside the driver. The blonde blurted the address while guiding Dolly's head on her shoulder. Mitori-san must have drained herself laughing since made herself comfortable on her side and closed her eyes.
No more than a few words were exchanged during that ride, the two oldest teenagers merely sent each other a smile in the rear view mirror.
"I'll carry her." Mikoto offered as soon as they stopped. It's only efficient and not really wanting to wake her sister any more than necessary and she kinda wanna hold her and also to help Misaki navigate the building of course.
In contrast to Mitori-san's behavior earlier, she remained quiet and passive as she followed them to the elevator.
The warmth and weight of Dolly's body served to comfort Mikoto and she felt a blanket of over-protectiveness enveloped her as she lowered this quirky sister of hers into Misaki's bed. She had let her hair grow–stopping at her middle back, her Emotional Quotient seems to be leagues away from the other sisters. She must have been created prior to them? On that note, how did Shokuhou come to know her? Since when have they been together? Must be a long time since Shokuhou is quite open with her….Mikoto ignored the ugly (thankfully brief) emotion accompanying that thought.
"You can pinch her cheek, I know you want to." Her friend teased from the doorway. Mikoto mocked glared in reply but turned back and caressed Dolly's hair tenderly instead. Did this girl suffer too? Was she tortured with the knowledge of her sister dying? Is she connected to the Misaka network? Most likely not…hmmm..
"Was she–How did you get to know her?" Mikoto asked as soon as she was near enough to whisper. She didn't have to voice all the questions, she knew Misaki knew the whole scope of her inquiries based on the plethora of lights dancing in Misaki's eyes.
The blonde's whole demeanor changed, clearly expecting the question but no less enthusiastic about it. Shokuhou doesn't advertise any vulnerable displays but Mikoto clearly observed the pain in her golden star speckled eyes.
"Y–You don't really have to tell me right now, Shokuhou…"
The girl's countenance visibly relaxed then and Mikoto had realized the overwhelming urge to pull the girl into her arms.
She didn't.
"Mitori-san?" She directed the topic somewhere else.
"I had her sleep in my guest room."
The two stood on the doorway just idly staring at each other in silence. Mikoto had considered what to say or what to do going forward. She had somehow caused this awkward air between them and she really, really, wanna embrace and assure the girl.
"A–Are you sleepy?"
Shokuhou scratched her cheek, eyes everywhere. "I don't know…"
She looks really cute right now, the look of uncertainty rarely makes it into her face after all.
Mikoto scratched the back of her neck, her cheeks steadily getting warmer. To be honest, everything in her doesn't wanna let go of Shokuhou Misaki just yet. She craves to be in her presence, be greedy for just a little more even if it only causes more frustrated longing on her end. "...Tea…?"
"Late night tea! I'm craving it now that you mention it." The blonde nodded, feet already shuffling to her kitchen and Mikoto almost pouted at having been denied the adorable vision.
Mikoto scrambled after the blonde, placed her hands on her shoulders and directly guided her to sit after she had pulled the chair for her. She then became busy with the kettle and the electric stove. At this point, Mikoto knew her way around Shokuhou's kitchen like it's her own (not that it's hard to navigate, the design is deceptively simple after all).
They sat in silence after that, cups steaming, even as they sip their respective drinks. Mikoto had noticed that Shokuhou's walls were up high at the moment and so she let her brood. Her answers could wait especially when she could just trace the way her soft blonde tresses rest against her bodyline or enjoy the tranquility disturb only by her slurps.
"Mikoto?" it was spoken faintly, noticeably with an absent delicacy to it. Mikoto jolted in her seat and valiantly fought off a blush. She should not react. Not yet. Shokuhou didn't seem to notice her use of the electromaster's first name. Which is a shame really.
Her voice did crack from the effort however. "..yes?"
Yet, her friend remained silent. Mikoto could tell Shokuhou's a bit nervous on something.
"Shokuhou? What is it?" she toned her voice softly, openly.
To her credit, Shokuhou did manage to open her mouth…only to close it again. Her eyes trap in the frustration of indecision. Mikoto waited patiently, idly, secretly enjoying the rapid changes in her companion's expressions. In the end, the blonde sighed in defeat.
She's far too alluring, so much so...
"Hmm, first, I can't say that I did not enjoy the party. It was…so," she yawned into her hand "Thank you…for inviting me and extending that to them." and then she whispered "and for not getting angry with me with Dolly's secrecy.."
Mikoto strained her ears at the last part "My sisters extended the invitation to you so I can't claim any credit. And I didn't catch that last part? Angry? for what? Did I hear that right?"
"Nothing."
Mikoto stared at the blonde in obvious exasperation. "As much as I find you cute when you mumble. It's also frustrating." Mikoto ignored the fluttering of her own heart at seeing her friend react to her words "And out of character. Shokuhou Misaki is a proud human being as she should be, isn't she?"
Shokuhou's demeanor changed. "Of–Of course!" the other level five smiled proudly, smugly flicking her hair. Her cheeks still flaming–overly pleased with Mikoto's words and it sparks an ardent fervour in the electromaster's chest though she merely grinned back at her friend.
They spent a good chunk of the hour chatting about nothing and everything after that.
[::::]
Mikoto knew her actions looked ridiculous when she followed Shokuhou until her bedroom door, she just couldn't help milking her time with her. It's impossibly late and they have classes tomorrow, yet she can't bring herself to leave just yet.
In the dim lighting, it was hard to discern but Mikoto thought she caught a splash of red spread across Shokuhou's cheeks as she turned to face her. Her door remained ajar still, not hiding whatsoever the view of Dolly spread starfish style on the bed. "Misaka-san?"
Ah, so her first name calling really was a fluke, damn. Mikoto can't help the seemingly tidal wave of overwhelming disappointment crashing into her chest. "Yeah?"
She moved closer and Mikoto tried her best to remain still. "Let me," arms wound around her neck and she was enveloped in warmth and softness she had yearned everywhere. She only lasted a second of indecision before she melted into the undoubtedly affectionate hug, letting herself bury her nose in the blonde's hair and breathe her in. And it served to calm Mikoto's mind even as her heart seemed to be doing its best to beat out of her ribcage.
Dainty fingers ghosted at the back of her neck, making Mikoto shudder into the blonde and just as she was about to wound her arms around Shokuhou, the girl swiftly pulled away. With a smug smile on her full lips and in her hands, she's lazily twirling the collar that Dolly had put on Mikoto a while ago, she whispered. "This is a good look on you but it's been teasing me the whole time.."
With that goodbye, Shokuhou Misaki shut the door in Mikoto's face.
*end of the chap*
so I feel like doing a Mushu and "I LIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVE"
*I don't know if the songs mentioned in this chap really exist. It's just for gag.
the inspection did happen and god gave me mercy. Hah! I didn't meet the team leader and only one of them came to inspect! and he happens to be our favorite member! with a temperament of a calm breeze? who wouldn't like him?!
Anyway, I hope you enjoy reading this chap!
also that one guest who's comment made me laugh in the middle of a seminar. Kudos to you, you madlass/madlad! My fault really. but that felt good!
