This chap is mostly dialogue heavy


Noises of fawning and sighs filled the room of the 3rd branched-judgment office. The normally scarce room is currently housing almost a dozen middle schoolers and some elementary students.

Uiharu could see her partner's eye twitching from irritation and she just met the tired smile Konori-senpai sent their way with one of her own.

"I don't think Misaka-san expected them." she murmured to her partner who winced.

"She didn't expect their number. That's for sure. I wasn't clear enough when I told her. I'm torn. Should I be embarrassed or proud?"

"To be fair, we expected the recruits of our branch–we should have expected others to tag along."

At this, Konori added. "You were just the messenger, I'm taking responsibility, remember? And you know, this senior of yours sometimes forgets that we're in casual contact with a high-profile person." there was a contemplative look in her eyes as she sipped her carbonated water. "Thankfully, our electromaster has a full battery.."

The flower girl bumps her friend's shoulder affectionately. "Well, Konori-senpai did promise. Misaka-san is doing a good job enduring the past 15 minutes by the way."

Their friend was constantly bombarded with questions while some offered trinkets or food. Another was brave enough to hand her a couple of red roses. The ace of Tokiwadai had a popularity boom this year (due to reasons. One too many) and so fans kept popping up. It also doesn't help that she's the mascot of Academy city (even if she doesn't relish in that role, nothing can't be done with it when she's the only one amicable enough followed by Sogiita Gunha).

Most of the students mostly see her and Sogiita Gunha out of the 7 level 5's and Sogiita–yeah, no one can keep up with him.

Anyway, the kids were respectful enough so the trio had nothing to worry as much.

"Konori-senpai. You should rest after this."

"Yes, I know. But I'll be hanging out with my friends first. Are you guys going out after this?"

She was answered with twin nods and twin smiles from her respective juniors.

The seniors were suddenly drawn to a particular question, an elementary trainee had asked.

"Misaka-sama, can I be your girlfriend? You don't have one do you?"

Accompanying that, several gasps of the other students were heard. Murmurs of disbelief erupted.

"She really did end up asking."

"Has she no fear?"

The electromaster's facial expression underwent a lot of changes but she was pensive for a moment more. The flush on her face remained as the only constant color, an indication that she was thinking about her response and what led to it.

"I don't have one," she cleared her throat, noticing that all eyes were on her all of a sudden. Her face was clearly contemplating how to reject the kid despite the innocence of the inquiry. "But…I'm…I'm not available, okay?"

Several of the kids were fixated. "Ehhh, whyyyyyyyyy" "You're not?" "You're rich enough" "But why not? You're pretty though?" "and rich!" "Why wouldn't anyone want to date you?" "You're rich!" "A powerful one too"

The electromaster's eye twitched, while giving them a helpless little smile. Uiharu can't help but giggle.

She cleared her throat some more. She pointedly ignored the others and looked at the girl who had asked. "I admired your courage for asking though. Keep up the good work!"

"Whyyyyyy" some of the kids echoed again.

Why indeed?

Back on the 'seniors' quietly observing, Uiharu's smile couldn't be any bigger but then she remembered Kuroko's lost love and it waned. Uiharu may not know the sorrows of a broken heart but she'll make sure she'll be by Shirai's side.

"Wait, she's not?" Konori wondered aloud before a metaphorical lightning bulb lit her face. "ah"

Uiharu panics for some reason "Ah but Miska-san's always been like this. Not available is hardly a surprise" she deflects.

Since she was stuck pinning more than not on her crush(es) when she's not busy playing with trouble.

An image of a very respectable Ojou-sama immediately flung onto Uiharu's mind. She turned down the urge to sigh dreamily. Her and Misaka-san are the real dream romance. Both are particularly distinct (they're a complimentary pair, isn't that romantic?) from each other yet they have an understanding and trust only soulmates would have. Also the fact that they are both girl bosses is peak trope right there!

Uiharu had to suppress another dreamy sigh.

Their senior was silent for a moment. Her eyes would jump from person to person as she mulled over. She was totally getting the gist of everything. Konori Mii is scary like that.

"Damn." she muttered before giving Kuroko a side hug. "That's why you're mopey? First love is almost always a miss, young lady." she says in a voice full of teasing vigor. "Cheer up! I certainly did and you're far more made of tougher stuff than me."

Uiharu could have had a heart attack at the direct way her senpai had addressed the matter but surprisingly Kuroko rode Konori-senpai's momentum.

"Maybe you had unconsciously passed this unfortunate charm onto your juniors? How unlucky were we…" she pretended to lament.

"Shut it" Konori-senpai rarely showed a childish aspect of her person but this time, she stuck out her tongue in indignation at Kuroko's comments.

Uiharu hid her smile under her cup as she drank. She had a friend who lost to love and another who's slowly embracing love.

Shirai-san will be okay. She'll be by her side through it all.


Saten Ruiko watches as the other half of their group jogs farther and farther away. She watches as her ever caring Uiharu lightly fists Shirai-san's jacket sleeve as some sort of signal. It was admirable the way that tawny twin curls were swaying at the abrupt way Shirai turned to grab hold of Uiharu's hand before both the girls disappeared from view.

Left alone with her other friend, she decided to flash her with a bombastic smile.

"Yikes"

"Yeah"

"Yikes"

"You don't have to repeat yourself on my account." came the defeated sigh of the electromaster, her breath turning white before it eventually dissolved into the air.

"Yikes"

"...Saten-san.."

"Misaka-san."

"Hi." she answered cheekily. "I think we should fill this time between us with some juicy gossip huh?"

"Ah, yes. Our friends are called for work and we are left to gossip." her companion deadpans "So? What should we gossip about?" This time, the tone is in a very fake, girl voice.

Ruiko took a pensive stance for a moment. "You know, I feel like we are platonically dating on call doctors."

"Hmm. I've never thought of it like that. Huh. That's an interesting take, Saten-san." her friend's eyes were suddenly drawn downward. "Hold on, let me fix this for you"

From a third parties' view, something has to be said when a very notable person is kneeling in front of you, fixing your shoelaces. Ruiko just felt gratitude wash out of her in spades. "Thanks"

"No problem"

Ruiko had just managed to get in touch with their group after focusing on a particular individual and it's in her capacity to worry about their dynamics especially after hearing about Shirai-san's state of affairs. Thankfully, their dinner didn't touch any sensitive topics and it progressed just as it was. Them being little shits to each other and stealing each other's drinks. There would have been ice cubes flying but Uiharu's stare stops the war before it ever starts.

But Ruiko is a woman of the present and had learned from Misaka the importance of focusing on what you can control rather than worry yourself to oblivion, and thus, she was happy to open the topic for discussion this evening. "How about you progress with that ojou-sama?"

"..." Misaka's hand falters before she taps the shoe and rising up to face Ruiko's devilish smile with a complicated expression on her beautiful face.

It can be said that Ruiko's network gossip had been wide (Uiharu), not that she needed it much considering that facts lay before her eyes (if you happen to know an electromaster who short-circuits when in the sights of a simple blonde crush). They need to have the talk.

"Oh, that's a lovely red! Yikes"

"Saten, seriously. You're making this bigger than it looks."

"Ah, my dear wife. You just happen to be crushing on another girl. That's Not. your. Wife."

"...you're ridiculous. Stop it."

"Come on, this nee-san will hear your blatant infidelity. Who's gonna listen to your silly pining if not your dear wife?"

"You chaotic little shit." Misaka Mikoto chortled as she started walking to a random direction perhaps because her mind was seriously heading to one direction entirely.

Saten's grin turned wider, her arms directly looping around one of the brunette's, sticking their shoulders together and thus, they had this aura of intimate familiarity swirling around them. Anyone who would see may mistake them as lovers that they were not.

When in reality, Ruiko is loath to waste such a willing portable heater.

"I'm as tall as you, doofus. Isn't it supposed to be 'you chaotic tall shit'?...Wait, that doesn't sound right" Misaka had cracked up right there and then, uncaring of the fellow people passing along them in the walkway. "Now then. Stop laughing already! Good. Now listen, how much progress did you get with your intense and extremely elegant top?" She decided to poke her friend.

The revered 3rd rank esper looked down at her simple black button down dress shirt. Brows drawn together. (Which by the way, is extremely criminal. It's WINTER! This dense friend of hers should apologize to all the women who risk frostbite just to look good. IN WINTER!)

"...Uhmm, I don't know? What do you mean?"

Ruiko patted her friend's arm in sympathy. "Oh you sweet summer child"

"...Okay?"

"The mental out had her work cut out for her." Ruiko says as dramatically as possible. "I hope she is as patient as she's speculated to be. You're dense, as you know. And clueless, as you know. And dense, as I've said before. As your wife of a year, I know how high maintenance you can be from time to time."

"Hey!" Misaka had stopped walking to glare at her. "What has she got to do with my current wardrobe?! I dress okay! This is the first time you're dissing my get up. And in a roundabout fashion too! I didn't know you had it in you, Saten-san."

"What."

"What?"

Two same utterances of a word worth with a world shattering distance.

Ruiko immediately reviewed the prior discussion and started laughing, causing the electromaster to huff in indignation.

"We are getting divorce after you shut up," Misaka Mikoto had said.

"I don't think we can continue to be in this marriage like this anyway. I should have been better and taught you enough. I'm sorry."

The electromaster shrugged in response, a grin on her lips.

"Eh, this is the only way, I suppose"

[::::]

Yep. If Ruiko had magic, she would whip the marriage contract out of nowhere and rip it in front of this maddeningly dense protagonist beside her and maybe push Misaka-san out of her swing for good measure.

But she has self control. She was always the silly clown of the group, the life, the entertainment, the advocate of YOLO. She's the epitome of a good and dutiful wife. She's the–

"–Oof!" Good. "What gives?" Misaka had groaned, spitting some of the snow she accidentally ingested due to Ruiko's unconscious irritation. And disbelief.

This dense Motherfu–monkey!

"I don't want to curse so that's what you get."

"I don't get anything at all! I tell you this and you–I got–you threw a snow at me!"

"That's just it! You've been going on dates, dinner and stuff. Casual flirting and hand holding and you tell me you haven't confessed because you're afraid of rejectioooon!?"

"When did I say there ever was a date? I wish it was" a chuckle "As for the flirting part, I think I come off a bit too forward sometimes, I know. But that's when I forget myself. I'm horrible. Sometimes…she's just so charming you know? But Shokuhou never flirted back, did she?" a moment of silence "I mean she does this thing..this flirting thing…all the time so that never counts…I mean, if you sweet talk to everyone, it's not really sweet talk isn't it? I can never tell with her"

Aasdjhuwednfds, Ruiko thinks. She should rearrange that…

What the fuck.

What the flirting fuck.

For the record, Ruiko never really curses but at the moment, this is what she thinks is reflective of what she feels.

She ought to throw another snowball perhaps.

Ruiko gritted her teeth so hard it was so audible in the night air. Misaka started to laugh nervously, giving her that confuse-aggitated look.

"You were asking me what to do. So I ask. You told me all those moments you guys shared and I enjoyed every bit of it. Quite a lot, mind you–Wait, am I a pervert?–Anyway, so my verdict and as your friend." She took a deep breath. Ruiko was more patient. She is the elder sister to a young boy. "I'm begging you to confess. Please."

[::::]

"Also that plan of immunity through exposure? Throw that in the garbage, in fact burn the garbage right after just to be sure. Land some lightning on it or something. That was the MOST ridiculous thing I've ever heard!"

"More ridiculous than hearing urban legends?"

"Yes. considering I love ridiculous things!" Ruiko answered gravely. "I mean to say…"she cleared her throat. "You have a healthy crush on someone who we clearly see is not only clever and dutiful, with the elegance–I could never afford, who had the talent to go toe to toe with you and with such expensive–oops–upstanding qualities that she's almost exceedingly off-limits to everyone–army of undisputed powerful espers notwithstanding–ehem, she, Shoukuhou Misaki who you found cute for cost-effective reasons and you think you can erase your dearly-won affections by spending more time with her to get to know her?!"

"...To be fair, I got the idea from a book…."


Junko Hokaze had a lot to offer to one's existence in life. She can be the shoulder to cry on, or that random person offering to take a picture of you if you happen to be a tourist or a frog.

She had various roles in life; a strict manager, the protector, older sibling etc. But today, she's in her favorite seat. Beside her best friend/benefactor/boss whom she loves with all her heart, in a room with laptops in their faces.

The Hokaze girl could only hope she nailed the secretary look, glasses and all.

She felt the weight of Misaki-san resting her head on Junko's shoulder.

"She's not listening. Junko~I told her that dress is atrocious and she became more adamant that she wants that abomination?! Frills are somewhat okay in this day and age given that it comes with the most minimum appearance as possible but the color? In what world that coming in neon rainbow colors does she think it's physically okay to murder several eyes? No! I won't stand for it! She's from my clique and she will get rid of that abomination! If she wants to look as ugly as possible I will make it my mission but she will be ugly on my terms. I like to think there are other ways to drive off an engagement-in-making, wouldn't you say?"

The door of that room slid open. The blonde immediately sat up straight. (much to the disappointment of one but oh well) Both heads turned to the intruder, Junko's smile already in place, ready to smite the foolish trespass–

"Oh, Good day Misaka-san! Please sit! Would you like some tea? We just brewed some over there. Please help yourself. You look like you have been running!"

"I have been.."

"Gee, wonder why that is~"

"Because of y–ow!–hey! I just got in!"

"Without knocking? My, where are your manners Misaka-san?~"

"O-Oh, maybe I got too excited there…." Her junior bowed "Sorry Junko-san"

Junko waved her apologies. No harm done in the end, after all. Misaki harrumps and looks at Junko playfully. "I think she forgot another person in the room. Where's my sorry?"

Misaka-san smirk. "Did I?" she ask Junko. "I don't think I have to apologize any longer, right Junko-san?"

"Such a charmer, this one" Misaki rolled her eyes, also addressing Junko.

"Such sarcasm. Junko-san, she made such a violent method. Aren't we even?"

"Uhhm" Junko's smile cracked. Why is she suddenly involved in their conversation?

"Violence? Whatever do you mean?~"

"You know what I mean! I got my eyes on you!"

"And for good reason, I hope~"

"Well, I can't deny that there are many"

"Well then, it seems you'll be staying for while?~"

"W–What? No! I mean–what? Are you sure I can? W-Wait–no! You–I have work to do!"

"Why are you here then?"

The oldest in the room watches on but she can't get the context of this interaction at all. Not that she's not enjoying the view. Their resident electromaster is just getting worked up herself and she can feel the smug energy wafting from her best friend in spades.

"Uhhm..," in an attempt to hide her face, Misaka-san huffed as she stood and went to the other table to pour herself some tea."I wanted to…see..guard..you know..see if you rat me out–"

There was a pleased, not-quite-smile on the blonde's lips. "Junko-san, Did I rat her out?"

"...No?" On what? To who? Could it be that?

"Then, would it be safe to assume that she went to see me with that flimsy excuse?"

"Yes?"

"What? No. That's not–"

"Then you want to see Junko?"

"No–You know what? Junko-san you are a fine lovely person and I mean no disrespect. May I please throw this–this parrot out the window? Please?"

"No?"

"Worth the shot…"

"And~" Misaki flipped her hair back.

"And?" Junko repeated, already at the edge of her seat in anticipation.

"I–I mean! Fine! I went to see you but it's because I feel like you'll tattle on me. Urghh, Don't get weird, okay!" Misaka-san shyly glanced sideways at them before turning back to her cup, pouting."A–Anyway, thank you for the tea, Junko-san." The electromaster ended up mumbling.

Junko eyed her tottally composed friend. She just knows that Misaki is squealing inside.

"She's so cute." Misaki whispered to Junko in such a way like old housewives would gossip about some random recently arrived young neighbor, convincing Junko that they share the same brain cell at the moment.

[::::]

Misaki-san is really such a benevolent soul.

"Let's see…hmm. Back to Kitahara-san, her father doesn't really need to work as the head of the company, does he? Given his penchant to blame people? And oh? Look at the increase in revenue with her sister at the helm! Though it was..hm..two months… and she produces these results? Why ever would her crackpot-of-a-father be threatened by her enough to send her to another country? Of course, of course. Let's see…"

Such a busybody for altruistic pursuits!

"And data sent. Junko~I need you to tell Kitahara-san to swallow her wails. Boutique is arranged and there will be consequences if she disobeys me this time. Oh, and please inform Croft-san that I've secured her training time with Miss Winston and I expect results by the end of the month. My expectations are high of course, she should know that but a reminder won't hurt, yes? Training grounds 14, 16 and 20 are ours for a week every starting at 3 pm after winter break, please make sure they use that time wisely. It's not easy to bicker with my fellow classmates about out junior's privileges after all~"

"Now that work is out of the way, I can finally–"

"Tell me how you gained weight?"

She vaguely heard something like wood getting splintered, but hmm, must be her imagination.

She felt her friend stiffen and was about to sit straight but she can't have that. She likes Misaki-san relaxing against her. Junko's hand immediately clamped on the blonde's shoulder, earning her a squeak in response. Eh? She's tense. Oh, Does she not want to address it? Unfortunately, Junko must, she had to do the right thing.

After all, what kind of best friend is she if she doesn't risk her life to point it out?

Her fingers on Misaki's shoulder gathered some flesh, squeezing a bit before letting go. That earned her a sharp intake.

Junko isn't the type to be pushy but maybe, with this situation, she really should?

"I think I should make an appointment to the school's gym," she says as gently as possible, rubbing Misaki's shoulder in a comforting manner. "If we let this go on, you–"

"No"

"But–"

"Junko~ If you have to punish me, you have to involve a lot of people that feed me such delectable foods, right? You can't blame people when they have such stellar talents in the realm of cooking, can you?"

"Hmm, you are right." Was it worth the trouble? Wait–no, no. She's getting swept up. "Misaki-san. I told you before that either you control your calorie intake or we take the second route and have you lose them using active means."

"You're saying I'm fat. Is that right?" her friend muttered sharply. If Junko hadn't known Misaki, she would probably be a blubbering mess, groveling for offending a level 5 esper.

"I adore you, Misaki-san, in whatever form you'll take but if we don't take action now, you will be. I say this for your health."

Her friend harrumphed and tried to detach herself but seeing as she can't escape Junko's clutches, she pouted. "No."

"Misaki-san…"

"No."

"You didn't tell that to Misaka-san when she fed you, did you?"

"...To be fair, I think I'm PMS'ing.."

[::::]

The door of that classroom slips open for the second time that afternoon.

"Take responsibility for this." Junko said with a smile on her face. The new (recurrent visitor) visitor squeaked in response. "I gave you a list."

"...yes ma'am."

"Ara~Was I not clear enough? You even had Misaki-san lie by omission~Shall we talk?"

[::::]

"You look radiant as always, my Queen!"

"Greetings, Queen"

"Oh, good afternoon, Shokuhou-sama. You look so fine as always!"

"It's a fine day to stand around in the hallway, Shokuhou-san."

"Are you waiting for someone, should we search for them? If you could just tell us, Shokuhou-sama."

"Can we get you anything, Shokuhou-sama?"

"Why are you standing in the hallway like some punished child?"

"Canned tea, for you, senpai."

"Ya lost a bet, Shokuhou-san?"

"Oh? Someone got kicked out of the room? Did you get too handsy, Shokuhou-san?"

The door she was next to slid opened. Again. The brunette's head popped out, glaring at the latest student to greet the blonde, who happened to be a classmate.

"I wish I was the one kicked out. Now shoo. Mind your own business Tachibana-san."

Their classmate merely chuckled, waving away.

Mikoto eyed both sides of the hallway, noting the plethora of students milling about who immediately focused on her. Everyone can see the miserable look in her eyes as it landed on the 'school-approved' monarch who was watching her with a pitying smile.

She closed the door before standing shoulder to shoulder with Misaki in the hallway. Standing outside in the hallway, Misaki had heard of this kind of punishment before, of course she had never experienced it and it'll never happen but if this is one, she's bursting with giddiness at experiencing it with Mikoto.

"I tried." Misaki finds that she can't stop a small smile forming on her lips as she feels the other girl's warmth.

"Stop. Your lie hurts."

"Hey, it lasted a full 7 days until she knew, didn't she?"

"She knew the whole time!"

Oh, the whole week where Mikoto just hands her a plethora of food anytime of the day? Her favorite had to be pocky and the variety of Kit Kat flavors. Whenever Mikoto does it, Misaki's heart just bursts and she's compelled to eat them just to savour the trickle of affection she recieves. It's like she's under some spell for those chocolates to taste just a touch more pleasant than normal.

Shokuhou can tell a minor shift in the ace the moment it did.

Mikoto is totally courting her, isn't she?

"She did?"

"Why are you surprised? She's like your mom!"

The mention of her only blood relative pinged Misaki in a bad way, even though random as it was.

"You don't know my mother."

If she noticed her brief stiffness, Mikoto didn't show it.

"I don't. I stand corrected, 'She's like A Mom.' She knows everything about her baby. I got additional lists by the way. No thanks to you."

Her irritation hadn't fully dissipated so her reply has some bite to it. "You can choose not to bother with it"

"Why the hell would I not? It's for your well-being isn't it? Give me some credit here…"

It's such a novel thing to be cared for. Should you let it, Misaki-san. Let me take care of you. Junko had whispered to her ages ago when she thought Misaki was asleep.

For a single moment, Misaki considered not fighting the hot tears gathering in her eyes. A rush of warmth filled her entire being unbidden and regardless of the location she was in. Damn this girl–them. One moment they're making her laugh, the next they're making her cry.

Before she could really wrestle her emotions back in order, next thing she knew, warmth had enveloped her right hand–through her gloves and her bag getting snatched.

"Eh?"

Mikoto hummed as she rummaged into her bag for a second before handing her a tv remote. Misaki took it, understanding what she wanted her to do (and isn't this scandalous? The principled electromaster telling her to manipulate some brains?) so she pushed a button like n obedient little lamb and the hallways were scarce not a moment later. She handed the remote back, fully expecting Mikoto to return her bag but she didn't.

"With that said," the electromaster hastily looped the bag on her own shoulder and with a boyish smile now firmly on Mikoto's visage, Misaki feared for the worst. "I am to walk you 5 laps around the track field today. Eh, Junko-san said for an hour but I'm sure we can cover like…15 laps in around that time."

"Wha–No!" Oh no. This is not good–"ah!"

Mikoto tugged at her joined hands. What further disaffiliated her to her rational thoughts were Mikoto thumbing the tear that manage to squeeze it's way out tenderly but swiftly before resuming her devilish pursuit to make Misaki sweat. "Don't get me wrong, I know you hate to show any weakness to other people. This is a one time thing alright. I'll return your bag after our walk. It'll give you time to think and relax at the same time. Wouldn't you want that? Junko-san did say you are due a break. Anyway."

"Walking is not a break, Misaka-san"

"Misaka-san.." Mikoto had mumbled before determination shone in her eyes "We have to work on that"

At this point, Misaki isn't really aware that they're now heading for the stairs instead of the elevator. She's too preoccupied being breathless in the presence of this blinding existence.

"By the way," the blinding existence spoke, stepping down the stairs. Misaki followed absentmindedly, earning her hand a gentle squeeze." Junko-san didn't say you got emotional when nearing your period. I can see your mood bouncing from point A to point J real quick there."

"Mikoto!" she could only exclaimed in embarrassment.

"Ah! Bingo! So that's how it is! From point C!"

Misaki is the paranoid sort. She can't trust anyone she can't read. Misaka Mikoto is a huge gamble.

The electromaster jumped 5 steps in total while Misaki had to puff her way down to chase the girl however impossible it seemed. She could only follow the sounds of laughter ringing in the hallway.

"To Point M, Shokuhou!"


"You're absolutely right Saten-san. Why should I have waited? Better to rip the bandage off abruptly right?"

"YES!"

"I should say what I feel so there will be no misunderstanding and stuff"

"YES!"

"Even if she rejects me, I've admittedly dumped my feelings on her so It'll be her problem. Not mine."

"What?"

"And if she doesn't reject me, doesn't that mean I have a chance?"

"Yes! Yes! Yes! Go for it!"

"I can't believe it was this simple! HAHAHA"

"Yeah, you swerve to the dumb route there for a moment."

"Hey!"

"Ignore the musings of a soon to be ex-wife, dear."


Our protagonist can be found sitting on the highest peak of a support beam of a familiar bridge. She had once summoned lightning here to strike a foolish friend who only wanted to help her. It's a deserted location even on the best of seasons much less on a winter afternoon and she needs to be here to brood over a very important matter.

"If I'm gonna court her first…I have to research what to do" she had mumbled to herself and thus she pulled the first book she purchased from the bookstore from her backpack.

"Are we finally starting the mating ritual Onee-sama?" 10032 popped beside the older girl.