I don't know if I did shit right but I tried my best.
I'm gonna go hibernate or something.
So uhh enjoy.
Mikoto laughed "What? Mating ritual?" Turning to her side, she finds 10032 adorably clearing the spot she intended to sit on. "What I'm planning is not a mating ritual"
"It IS a mating ritual, Onee-sama, Misaka says as she prepares to defend her argument."
"S'not, you know."
"Onee-sama. Courtship displays are a set of behaviors in which an animal, in this case, you, attempts to attract a mate, in this case, Shokuhou Misaki. The network deems it fit to assist their hopeless sister in her human endeavors. What WE'RE 'planning' to do is a mating ritual. Misaka says with an underlying tone of 'you had no choice'."
Mikoto lighty bonked her sister for that jab.
[::::]
This is not helping, Mikoto thinks later that day as she watches the back and forth arguments of her sisters.
Last Order came prancing around with her golden retriever aura enveloping Mikoto and 2 others had followed along. 19090 and 10039.
"Onee-chan just has to do her best to follow Shokuhou-san around, spend lots of time together, groom together, eat together and drive other potential mates away and basically spend time together, Misaka says loudly as she does not want any opposition from the others" Last Order, with her usual exuberance, jumps in place continually while looking at Mikoto with hopeful eyes.
"Are you comparing me to a monkey?"
"A better way would be for Onee-sama to build her a nest or attach herself to Shokuhou-san's body and use that as an excuse to spend time together. Misaka says as she is ready to fight for her opinion."
"What am I, a parasite?"
"She could just dance in front of Shokuhou-san. See if she likes to mate afterwards. Misaka says what she thinks is the fastest way to third base."
"We second!"
Had Mikoto been drinking something, she would have spit that poor drink. As it was, she just chokes on her own spit.
"Oi," she says as darkly as she possibly could. "You're making fun of me, aren't you."
"We should run! Misaka commands immediately and proceeds to run to the best of her ability!"
An unbidden smile manipulated Mikoto's lips. She caught the youngest of them all and stretched her cheeks as punishment.
"As I understand it, onee-sama," 10032 spoke, doing nothing at the sight of Last Order struggling in Mikoto's arms.
"Hmm?…"
"Unhand me, you evil sister! Misaka says as she fights those of their sister's surprisingly strong fingers."
Mikoto ignored her. It's kinda fun messing with her.
"A bracelet would be a good gift especially with Tokiwadai's winter ball the next day. Or you can do better and give her a ring. Misaka says as she decides she wants to teach Onee-sama a bit."
"Oi"
Mikoto moved to bonk 10032, thereby releasing Last Order childishly sticking out her tongue at her.
"And also to remind onee-sama that lightning doesn't wait for anyone. When conditions are met, it strikes. Misaka says cryptically but she is genuinely encouraging her sister to take that step." 10039 added
Mikoto gave her a cookie.
"How is the preparation going?"
Mikoto merely hummed at the phone, finding her mom oddly focused on a single black tie. A sales lady was quick to notice her attention and went to work her saleslady powers.
"Misaka-san?"
"Ah, sorry. Everything's okay on my end. It's just …it's christmas and my mom is declaring war at every store that even displays a discount."
"That means everywhere. "
"Yes, she'll pass out soon enough after dinner–when she gets her drinks and I'll be left carrying her back to the hotel. I wonder why I'm the responsible one"
"It's precisely because of who you are that she can act as freely as that."
"That's oddlly–Is that a compliment, Shokuhou?"
"No." there was a small huff over the phone that made Mikoto chuckle. "But take it as you will."
She's so cute.
"Ah, anyway, why did you call? Surely not to make small talk?" Something twanged in Mikoto's chest. Maybe Shokuhou felt lonely and that's why she called?
"Maybe , I'm just bored, what do you know?...Do you want it to be?"
Mikoto made sure that Shokuhou can hear her when she flags for her mom's attention.
"A friend is coming to dinner with us, mama."
"Oh sure! The more the merrier!"
"You heard her" Mikoto chuckled into the phone.
"H-Hold on, hey. What are you up to?"
"You are cordially invited to the annual Misaka Christmas dinner!"
"Eh"
Mikoto laughed, a floaty feeling tickles her chest. "Get ready. I'll text you the address of the restaurant we made reservations to."
Misaka Misuzu snatched her daughters phone. "Absence is not tolerated young lady. I'll have Mikoto-chan fetch you if I have to."
"Yes ma'am."
"Good, good." Misuzu murmured good naturedly before passing the phone back with a wink.
"At least now, I'll have some help hauling her ass back." Mikoto jokingly says before bidding her friend goodbye.
The annual Tokiwadai winter ball.
A formal celebration for the occasion and for the school to find some sponsors among the wealthy guardians (read: for the students to have felt a semblance of being hammered with their fancy grape juice) with the additional 'fundraising' banner for research under Tokiwadai's name. Both were excuses to parade your wealth and influence around, if that's how you roll.
It is mandatory to attend (if you happen to reach the level 5 but if not? You're lucky). Tokiwadai prided itself for raising such prodigies after all. They were that shiny gold medal plastered on the school's walls.
Pah! She and Shokuhou are glorified trophies wrapped in flesh for some people.
As it were, they also suggested (just when the ball is to be held in three hours) that they go together as 'dates', as a unit, for further marketing. Now that had its own complications and Mikoto would rather mouth on them just for their opportunistic motives but, a big but there, she gets to have an excuse to go with Shokuhou.
She'd have smacked herself for not thinking that.
For her defense, she had immediately understood that she'll be going with her mother as she had done for the last two years.
"Oh, no problem Mikoto-chan. Just escort me after you escort Shokuhou-san inside. She is your date tonight after all. I'm not peeved or anything."
"That would have been convincing if you're not pouting, mama."
"The knowledge that we are matching outfits is what's keeping it all okay…Ya'll growing up so fast."
"..."
Mikoto whipped out her phone as soon as her mom left the room. She had to do this. She had to ask. It was rather clever of Tokiwadai to surprise them with this plan, three hours prior. It was also stupid and brilliant and jaw dropping and she wanna punch them and herself. For reasons.
(when conditions are met)
The thing is,
"Shokuhou, go on a date with me." was the only thing Mikoto blurted out before she hung up.
Oh fuck. She said it! She said it right! She said it sooo wrong! It was right but wrong!
She called again, didn't even give the girl to speak before she, again, blurted.
"I mean go with me as my date at the ball." Biting her lips and trying to tamp down the urge to bash her head onto the nearest wall.
She said it wrong again. It's too assertive..err..demanding.
"I mean please go with me as my date?"
This is what happens when you don't practice saying something before calling. Rrgghh!
To be fair, she's time pressed. Her mom could finish dressing and walk out of that room any moment now.
It was maybe 15 seconds or more (maybe) before Shokuhou answered. And that time made Mikoto sweat as much as possible.
"...Aren't we going as 'dates' already?" Shokuhou said slowly, as if examining the syllables for quality assurance.
"That's the thing," Mikoto gulped and prepared herself. Inhale. Exhale. "The school expects us to. I want us to go as dates for this winter gala, err…ball." Is that enough? No? "I–I mean, I want to take you as my date anyway….I'm…I'm ughh" damn it. "I … want to go with you. I'm not doing this because the school needs us to be. I want to go with you.." Damn it all! She's talking in circles! "I would like it if you'll go with me not out of obligation but as you know…date. Partner. Plus one..Kill me…" This is a pathetic way to go! "Uhm…"
"That's–That's rather forward of you…" the blonde's voice was muffled. Like she was covering her face with something. Is she as red as Mikoto right now?
"Uhh..Uhm. Yes…" Oh great. She's getting secondhand embarrassment. Great going Mikoto. You loser. .
Mikoto thumbs her neck as she waits while walks back and forth in Misuzu's hotel room.
Her face is on fire.
"...Yes" Shokuhou hung up after that. But that was enough. More than enough.
And her grin is enough to light up the room.
"Your turn, Mikoto-chan. Then we'll do your makeup. Then you'll have to fetch your date. So hurry up. Hmm, did something happen?"
[:::]
"Misaka-san, you are in charge. I'll have your neck if there's one student missing." The dorm manager passed a clipboard into her gloved hand and glared at her until Mikoto agreed.
"Animal Abuse" she muttered to herself as soon as the dorm manager left.
With that said, Mikoto went to the upper floor of the venue, getting a bird's eye view of everyone seated as some important 'sponsor' prattled on.
Checking everyone on the list everytime she found their well decorated heads.
Why does she have to do this in the middle of the program? It's ridiculous. She was pretty sure Shokuhou had her ilk double check everyone in here and their plus one or something.
Everyone is present. Really, except for those who can't attend, everyone is excited for this ball just to ditch. The Dorm Manager is worrying too much.
Mikoto sighed again and leaned on the bannister, careful not to wrinkle her sleeves. Thinking more about it, she straightened and unhooked the gold lace that replaced what should be the button front of her suit to avoid any untowards stretching. She had yet to perform after all and she had to look her best when up there.
Shokuhou and her mom would kill her otherwise.
Kuroko and Junko would too, probably. Meh, Kuroko would lecture her non-stop. Better avoid the disaster.
Leaning back on the bannister, Mikoto played 'I spy' to ride off the lengthy speech.
Her eyes landed on her mom, wearing a similar suit, albeit with a different colour scheme, (white lapels to contrast the overall back theme, white button down, black slack and heels) charming her neighbors and happily munching on the offered hors d'oeuvres so gracefully. Her table seems to be enamoured with her instead of the speaker. Mikoto can only smile fondly, she wished she could have that sort of easy charisma her mom had.
Next would be Kuroko, silent and attentive. Outwardly projecting that she was listening. Her mom was there next to her, smiling and trying to catch the eyes of her daughter to no avail.
Several of her classmates' visuals passed by Mikoto's eyes with only a simple acknowledgement. Sure they glammed up, they're beautiful but few really can knock Mikoto's socks off.
There is Junko, breathtaking in her gold dress, smiling politely at anyone that caught her eye.
And next to her.
Mikoto sighed dreamily.
The first time Mikoto saw her in that dress, elegantly seated in a love seat while she waves her make up artist to make way for Mikoto, she almost dropped the flowers her mom had insisted she gave to her date before they proceed to anything else. She didn't even know she ordered a bouquet.
("It's only polite Mikoto-chan!")
She must have been standing and staring for a long time because Shokuhou had felt the need to snap her out of it.
"What are the flowers for?"
Is it just her or did Shokuhou sound breathless?
"For you" she bravely hands the flowers despite cringing inside at the noticeable tremble in her voice. It was embarrassing how she hyper focused at the blonde's twitching lips which was currently being painted about.
"Hmm?~" Shokuhou looked entranced at them and Mikoto took note to visit the florist to give them some bonus. She will have to ask her mom where she got them.
"I'll find something to put them in. For now, you can put them on the table. Find a seat, Misaka-san." The blonde tapped the space beside her. Mikoto did so obediently.
If she can say that she was just avoiding all giggling and fawning of Shokuhou's clique, she would.
But.
"I thought you were just a brute but this is a nice show of manners.~"
"Shut up" she muttered.
The truth is that Mikoto can't look away from her from the goddess incarnate in front of her.
The shimmering navy blue dress perfectly accentuated her womanly curves even if she was just sitting. The one off shoulder drew Mikoto's eye to the graceful dips of skin–it left Mikoto wondering how the gentle slope of a shoulder is suddenly so sexy. Instead of her favorite full length white gloves, the one she wears now is so thin it was almost transparent and only reached up to her forearms. Swirls of gold pattern swims their ways down on her right side while the rest is left bare. A slit on her left leg gives everyone a tantalizing view of her bare pale legs that were usually covered in white stocking.
Holy shit. She hopes she can survive the evening without her nose spontaneously bleeding
She's so, so….
Shokuhou winks mercilessly.
"Are you that impressed?"
(She's so… breathtaking. She'll kill me really.)
Mikoto coughed before she blurted something embarrassing. She settled for nodding.
The blonde didn't mind and added "The clique rented this room specifically for this purpose. You can find someone to assist you if you want." Mikoto didn't notice Shokuhou glaring at the few hopeful artists who perked. An opportunity to serve the Misaka Mikoto is so laughably at the forefront of their greedy minds. "They're all professionals here."
Then she deliberately traced Mikoto's form with her eyes. Something in it was so oddly intimate most of it is just embarrassing. "But I don't~ think you need it." she sang.
"Despite my mom's eccentricities, she's a pro at dolling up. I trust her judgment." Mikoto laughs, trying hard to will the blush away. It was almost foolish how much she preens inside at a mere compliment from Shokuhou.
Perhaps it was what gave her the courage to say next. "That…and I'm perfectly okay watching you doll up….a-and can I borrow your hand for a moment?"
And Mikoto inserted the gift she picked for Shokuhou for this occasion.
Her face heated up again after remembering that. Drat. She could have slapped herself for that! It was so corny and cliche and creepy that she wondered why Shokuhou hadn't laughed at that particular disaster.
She seemed more fixated on Mikoto's gift than anything so that was a plus more than anything.
Being in the middle of catabolizing her brain's choice of actions, she didn't notice the other person until they bumped into her. They didn't even apologize and hurried away but Mikoto was lucky or unlucky enough to catch a glimpse of the tear tracks on their faces.
Was that…Seto-san? Shokuhou's?
Misaki heaved a sigh from her table and crossed her arms, she's suitably bored and her 'date' is missing for almost 30 minutes now. It's almost time for her performance too.
Did she somehow get caught up in some trouble somehow?
"Misaka-san will be fine." Her best friend took one look at her and decided to assuage her fears, poking her in the middle of her knitted eyebrows. "Or is it that you can't wait to look at her again? Indeed, she looks so dashing. Ah, youth."
Misaki narrows her eyes ever so slightly even as she feels heat crawling up her cheeks.
"Stop talking like a grandma. Please."
"Oh I do?"
"You know you do"
[::::]
"That blockhead is really inserting herself in situations." Misaki tells Junko. In five minutes, she's about to perform on stage and she's nowhere near it. "Troublesome, troublesome date."
If there was some tenderness when she referred to Mikoto as a date, well, Misaki had no need to explain to anyone. Everyone can see she's in a state of bliss. They had all seen the flowers and the layered finger-linked bracelet the electromaster had gifted her with.
"Make sure no one notices." she instructed. With that she was 'out' fetching that wayward suitor of hers.
Misaki had to pause for a moment.
Mikoto really is courting her, isn't she? She did ask for a date (even that was a wording mistake. but still)…she had to fight the spiral in which her thoughts turn lest she gets distracted.
She gets distracted.
A little earlier, after Junko caught wind of Misaki's dazed being, she grilled her. For some reason, her brain had decided to refute Junko's observation somehow though they both knew their thoughts had already coincided a millenia ago.
"She visited you at your house. The secret house.."
"Which you graciously 'left' her one fine afternoon."
"All those snack handouts!"
"Okay.."
She did try to maintain her carefully arranged blank face but the upward tick of her lips betrayed her thoughts.
"–and walking you to your room,"
"We are classmates, as you know "
"She walks you to your desk!"
"Our sitting arrangement is next to each other."
"What about those little walks I assigned to you? She joins you even if she doesn't have to."
"You assigned her to be my chaperone."
"You guys are too busy with each other, you know. You didn't even notice that you've surpassed the laps you were supposed to achieve."
"Ah, Mikoto keeps saying 'one more lap! One more and we're done!' Before I knew it, we'd done ten or more. I don't remember. I ought to punish her for that."
"You call her by her first name!"
"You heard nothing. And no I don't."
"Indeed. I heard nothing…You just did."
"..."
"Oh, that smile. Tell me"
"It's just her words…It's scary how sincere she is" Misaki said breathlessly, without a censure of her words. "And it's only been a week."
Sincere in her affections, her words, her very being.
To a paranoid human such as herself, it was scary how she latched on, dwelled on them. To feel her insides doing a tango, to feel herself come alive. To feel such freedom. To feel that she matters just because she is Misaki.
She looks up to find Junko's oh so gentle eyes.
"Something in me is jealous. But I can't even be mad about it. I feel so happy for you"
"Misaka-san," that familiar cadence of Shokuhou on the lips of Seki-san, raised the hairs on the back of her neck. "I'm not above cheating, you know. Five minutes until your performance. If you're not back by then, I'll just freeze everyone to wait for you~"
"But Seki-san–"
"-Is my child. I'm pissed I hadn't dealt with that abomination sooner. Go, I'll take care of her. Leave everything to me."
Leave everything to me.
What does it say when Mikoto would believe this instantly now rather than question Shokuhou Misaki?
Still, Mikoto waited (She might have driven the man she calls a father away but she didn't want the girl alone in her thoughts for even for a second) until she recognized someone from Shokuhou's clique to approach them. Silently she handed the almost catatonic girl to them and ran backstage. The people there took collective sighs and before long (a lot of smoothing her hair and making sure her suit is all proper and tidy) Mikoto was tossed to the stage.
Mikoto's lips slid upwards as she heard the loudest clap, easily drowning everything in its enthusiasm.
She met her mother's eyes then bowed.
Misaka Mikoto began to play. Once her eyes connected with star gold ones, they had never strayed away (for too long). It was easy to just focus on her instead of the crowd.
To feel everyone else, the third rank level 5 is performing with such soulful will and masterful techniques.
To Mikoto, she serenaded Shokuhou Misaki with all of her heart.
"Ah, but Shokuhou-san," called one of the guests. A twenty something entrepreneur that just got lucky enough to be seated near them. Or were they? Was Tokiwadai above auctioning their seats? It's not entirely impossible. He's not much but he's getting annoying by the minute, always Shokuhou-san this and Shokuhou-san that "I promise, you won't regret it if you just allotted some time to meet my group–"
"Absolutely not." Both Mikoto and Junko spoke, the former glaring while the latter had a perfect smile on. So different in their reasons but the result is the same.
Let her eat in peace.
"Thank you, I can speak for myself." the blonde says, with no heat in between her words. She wiped her mouth with a cloth before speaking directly to the annoying guy. "I'm busy, though thank you for the offer. I'm certain your group would flourish with you as their leader. I can assign someone to go in my place if you really need it but I very much doubt it."
Somewhere in Mikoto's mind, a part of her is wondering if she could just snatch Misaki and carry her away so she won't have to waste time weaving through these alligators.
"But you simply must! I assure you we will treat you with the utmost respect."
Shokuhou was about to reply but Mikoto shoved (gently of course) a slice of steak onto the blonde's mouth. Junko got the memo and offered her best friend a drink. Further preventing her from speaking.
Mikoto says conversationally "Their food is really good! It'd be a waste not to savor it, right Suzushina-san? These came from your farm right?"
The woman to Mikoto's right, paused, her spoon hovering before her mouth.
To many others, it would look like Mikoto is making small talk between the people on her table but really, she just wants a certain blonde to eat in peace.
[::::]
Mikoto was bored.
Her date and Junko had gone on to socialise as mandated by the school. Mikoto could have gone with them but one look from Shokuhou and she sat back down.
She received a gentle pat as a reward. Hmm, good enough.
Instead, her eyes roved over the guest that gathered around.
A lot of them tried to impress her (and Shokuhou for that matter, if not much more so) simply because any good word she could utter on their products would be an instant fortune. Take that jack's-oh-hail clothing line. If that was a marketing strategy, then that was plain genius on their part. Send some to a resident level 5 of Academy City, as a gift, have her parade the apparel around and viola! Their supply can't even keep up with the demand and their prices had risen to astronomical levels, a certain unfortunate guy would surely claw his eyes out if he saw the zeroes.
Mikoto giggled at the thought.
But if that was really the case, she would thank the company and have a very sparkly talk with them. The thing is, Mikoto had a good suspicion on who sent it. She just hadn't gotten a reply from her father for confirmation.
Looking around, she spied Kuroko (she looks so grown up with her hair in chignon style and a bloody red dress) in the arms of her mother, plastering a fake smile upon the other adults, unable to escape. Mikoto didn't expect Kuroko to look straight into her, making her jump in place.
"You okay, Misaka-san?" an older teen in her circle asked. She merely smiled at them before meeting Kuroko's pleading eyes again. Her best friend rolled her eyes at her companions in reply and so they were in the middle of dissing everything and everyone, a series of conversations with just their facial expressions for a good minute before Kuroko's mother (a 5-foot beautiful redhead) noticed and subsequently pinched her wayward daughter in the ribs.
"Euughh!" Kuroko bit her tongue.
The sound Kuroko made (equal parts a lewd grunt and a keening whine) echoed in the entire assembly hall, made the party stop and that one violin off key, but luckily, nobody commented and so, the party went on again. It is rather fortunate on Kuroko's part.
The level 5 was dying however.
Her face! Mikoto choked on her spit. Unable to stop the snort she let out, she waved the concerned (and disapproval) looks she got from the strangers and continued to wheeze like a tea kettle. Evidently, her wheezing is contagious as a few (two out of six that remain seated in her circle) giggled alongside her even if they didn't know what's so funny.
Mikoto made an excuse to crouch down to her knees to calm herself down.
She saw Kongou Mitsuko doing the same across from another table, her lips, however tightly pursed, managed to let out a few giggles (she's doing a good job of imitating a red puffer fish actually). Somehow, someway, she knew that they had the same reason for laughing.
Oh Kuroko.
Mikoto can applaud Kongou-san's self control, really, she does. Though she hadn't meant to snort again the moment Kongou-san met her eyes, she really hadn't. She can't help it.
"bwahahaha–!"
And then Kongou-san let out an unlady laugh before covering her mouth and that almost spurred Mikoto to guffaw but she curled in on herself to stop herself from doing so. By now, she and Kongou were crouching on the floor, trembling like lambs in winter.
Kongou's face was so flushed and some tears leaked on the corners of her eyes and she looked positively radiant in dim lighting, her flowing dress draped beautifully on her frame that Mikoto admired her–for a second—since her vision was blocked by beautiful swirls of gold.
Mikoto blinked and looked down. Elegant feet on man-killer stilettos. This person must be insane to wear this then. Such sexy feet.
She traced the sliver of pale skin on their left leg up to the end of the slit. Upwards to that ever blessed chest and to the slightly narrowed eyes of the mental out. She nodded to herself.
Shokuhou Misaki is so damn sexy.
She knows she's staring but just...she's just there.
She physically looks divine from down here too.
"Please show some decorum Misaka-san. It is unbecoming" came her flat voice.
What was that? "Geh"
"Stop ogling and get back to your seat" Shokuhou says before walking away, not even sending Mikoto her usual playful glance.
Mikoto sat, blinking, wondering why she was receiving a cold reception from the young woman. Has she done something wrong? What did she do?
It's nothing new, yet it has also been so long since she heard that tone. Like they were back to being strangers with a strange animosity between them.
It's uncomfortable and it's reminding her of the time she painted all over her mother's canvas.
Kongou Mitsuko approached Mikoto with apology in her eyes as she saw the whole 15 second exchange between the level 5's.
"Good luck Misaka-san."
Wow. That's no help at all.
"Any chance you could tell me what I did wrong?"
At this, the dark haired girl looked uncomfortable. "uhmm…I–maybe..I think she was jealous? Maybe? Or that you haven't complimented her–or did you?"
The word jealous didn't even register in Mikoto. Shokuhou and jealous are words she couldn't comprehend to be in the same sentence.
"Of course I did. Have you seen her?"
Kongou shivered and retreated (ran).
Mikoto made herself busy with taking her mom to dance and taking Kuroko's mom to dance ("Onee-sama, please take her away from me"). Mikoto had pondered about that but she soon got her answer. If Kuroko is a stickler for rules, her mom is even more so.
Before she knew it, family members of her school mates had asked for a bit of her time.
All the while she kept the blonde on her peripherals. Shokuhou had not approached her nor even looked at her even if she tried to catch her eyes subtly ever since then.
Kongou-san once again grace Mikoto's eyes.
"Oh dear, don't even want to face a jealous woman such as her," Kongou muttered, confusing Mikoto further. "Please do something Misaka-san. Uhmm.. dance with her or something. She's your girlfriend and all." Kongou suddenly dragged her to where Shokuhou is, trapped between some peacocking of elites and left her there.
No. Not yet. Mikoto thinks as she stares at the unbelievably gorgeous woman who had effortlessly tugged the conversation to her advantage with a knowing smile that just employed Mikoto's heart to beat erratically.
(I want to be hers though.)
Mikoto shook her head to banish such distracting thoughts before noting the ingratiatingly wry (that means someone better get me out of here) smile Shokuhou plastered on her face and the seemingly relaxed stance.
Without further information, Mikoto braced her entire being and easily inserted herself beside the blonde and touched her upper arm lightly.
"Sorry ladies, gentlemen," she gave a nod each, "I may have to snatch away your star for the evening" Mikoto plastered an easy smile at them before meeting Shokuhou's inquisitive eyes.
"I just remembered a prior conversation we had, I would like some clarifications if you please?" She didn't know why she added a wink to that statement but somehow she had, before facing the 'humans' whose eyes gleamed all the more at her unexpected insertion. "I'm afraid I have to lighten some ideas this evening. Thank you for your presence. I hope you have the time to meet again next year."
"So you can be formal and fake too.." Shokuhou whispered playfully.
She's not acting on her anger anymore. What could have annoyed her? Well, all is well, she supposed.
Mikoto guided Shokuhou away, gently placing the queen's hand on the crook of her elbow. As what a proper escort would do. Both of them shot smiles here and there but Mikoto took care to navigate them around to avoid certain individuals.
Mikoto groaned but made sure that only Shokuhou could hear. "Urgh, I hate meaningless talk! Utter waste of syllables! Why can't people actually live by directly saying what they think?"
"Some view it as an art you know. Offensive words can be launched without firing at all, intentions masked as something else. Subterfuge is its own kind of canvas to be brood over, don't you think? Being blunt all the time is kind of boring, yes?"
"Not time consuming, you mean." all of her arguments are sound. Mikoto is just genuinely glad Shokuhou is taking the time to talk to her.
"Artless," Shokuhou deadpanned. "I believe you have something you want?"
"Hmm, look at you being direct with me."
Annoyance flashed briefly in Shokuhou's eyes that made Mikoto backtrack.
"Where's Junko-san?"
"She spotted someone needing help."
"Ah," The pleasant orchestral number was coming to an end. Mikoto ended up glancing on the dance floor. It was just a glance but the urge bloomed into her as she turned to her date. She had taken other to dance and it's a shame if she didn't dance with–
"Shokuhou, would you like to–"
A young man suddenly cut off their route.
"Excuse me but can I please ask Shokuhou-san for a dance?"
Mikoto shook with indignation as she waited for Shokuhou to reply. She was about to ask! What a fucking rude man!
"I'm sorry Nita-san, I believe I promise my first dance to my date here."
"Ah, yes of course, of course."
As Nita-san leaves, the uncomfortable coil in her gut relaxes. Mikoto smiled and patted Shokuhou's hand in relief as her date led her to the dance floor.
Gracefully, she whirled around to face the electromaster and for the upteenth time that day, she rendered Mikoto wanting.
"One dance." Shokuhou says with a finality to her tone.
"Only one?"
"It's tiring. And I don't really like to sweat."
"But you sweat fine"
Oh, oops. Forward! Too forward! That was meant to comfort. You sounded thirsty instead! Damn it!
"Shut up!" was her flustered reply. "Don't say that!"
"Are you using me as an excuse not to dance with Nita-san?" Mikoto teased, positioning her hand on her partner's waist and slowly raising Shokuhou's right hand for a polite kiss before guiding it to her left shoulder. However, her hand remains clasped on the blonde's wrist, idly thumbing the bracelet as her eyes bore into her startled gold ones.
Gah! She had already started a little too forward, why not just bulldoze through?
Besides, there are just times that she can't help it. She wants Shokuhou to feel, to catch a bit of her affections.
She wants her to understand that she's helplessly attracted to her allure.
"Hm, should I have danced with him instead?~" this warmth between them is so distracting.
"..No," Mikoto drawled. "I'm here." Okay, that was so embarrassing. Still, Mikoto kept her eyes on her date.
Shokuhou's expression had warred between shock and pleasant surprise and Mikoto was pleased to see that the blonde had gone red from the neck up.
But then she avoided Mikoto's gaze and started trembling with mirth and it was now Mikoto's turn to look away.
A soft, almost sensual, slide of fingertips along the shell of her left ear intensified Mikoto's need to hide. She'll explode any minute now.
"Come back here."
Mikoto glanced at her partner and the mischievous visage just made her heart flutter.
The music started again and it was some sort of cue to build some physical momentum while lowering the intensity of whatever this is between them. Mikoto moves with careful and calculated steps. She's the one leading but of the two of them, Shokuhou is the one with the more steady steps as they danced. They were both wearing heels, so of course..
"You lead surprisingly well. Did you practice?"
"Hm, In a way? Yes. I don't do well being led to so the instructor suggested I do the leading. What do you know, I found my calling." Mikoto says with a smirk then she twirls Shokuhou just for theatrics, to punctuate her statement. "Before I knew it, I kept leading various girls in my class throughout the lesson."
"You didn't mind?'' Shokuhou asked but she answered her own inquiry, sounding annoyed. "Of course you don't. You just love helping, don't you?"
"Heh." Mikoto chuckled, "I got to help the lower years too." she was practically bragging, she knew. "And I'm glad I get to lead you without embarrassing the both of us." she twirled Shokuhou again. "And compared~ to a certain someone who can't last one dance. My stamina might as well be endless." she teased.
Though red in the face, Shokuhou was the perfect picture of nonchalance as she drove her feet into Mikoto's. "Ack!"
"Must have trip…"
"You are such a liar. That hurt."
"Who's the liar now?"
Mikoto's glare won't last. Try as she might. It wont. This girl is just too adorable.
The song ended and another started.
"Just one more, Shokuhou! I love this song!"
This was supposed to be a revenge of sorts but regardless, their proximity had gone more intimate as seconds passed and their smiles had never waned as they danced through another song.
If Mikoto readily offered Shokuhou to her mother for a dance, she got even then but that'll be her own secret.
[::::]
Mikoto found themselves a parlour room. An empty one. Good. It had a Victorian touch to it. All white and creams and carpeted floors. Even the love seats and tables looked like they were from another era.
She didn't even know they existed in this place until her mother suggested she take Shokuhou to one.
"The girl is about to collapse, Mikoto-chan. Make sure to massage her feet. Here, some water."
As her mother predicted, the queen of Tokiwadai collapses to the nearest loveseat, moaning in relief all the while dragging Mikoto's mind in different directions. Though she still had the presence of mind to pass the water bottle, uncapped.
"If you think you are forgiven, think again." Shokuhou harped by tossing her hair back thereby exposing her neck.
She has to know what she's doing to her, right?
Shaking the thoughts away, she dragged a single seater sofa chair, sat on it and made sure that her hands were in the blonde's line of sight when she gestured to grab her foot. Silently asking for permission.
Wordlessly, Shokuhou nodded, though she clearly was confused about what permission she was giving for.
Fully digesting what that entailed, it didn't fail to spread warmth to all of Mikoto's being. That level of trust coming from the paranoid Shokuhou Misaki?
Oh geez. This girl will be the death of her.
Mikoto took care to be gentle and swift to take off the horrible footwear.
She made sure to announce her intentions clearly when she started to knead her foot. Such a pretty foot. "I think this should do it"
(She tried hard not to trace the smooth curve of her calf up to those tantalizing legs the slit had offered.)
(That slit is doing wonders.)
The first surprise gasp made Mikoto grin but the next several noises had Mikoto fighting the Id part of her mind and not to just climb over Shokuhou and kiss her with the ravenous and terrible yearning that fills her soul so quickly that it has become unbearable altogether.
Maybe that's what led to her…what Mikoto did next was one of insanity incarnate.
(she is fighting a losing battle, she must admit)
She raises Shokuhou's foot to her lips, all the while staring at the elegantly draped owner who abruptly opened their eyes and stared at her with a mix of disbelief and astonishment..
She looks like someone who's seconds away from screaming.
"Di–did you just k–ki–"
Mikoto stared intently. Practically daring Shokuhou to say it. She hadn't lowered her leg yet and from this angle, Shokuhou's entire visage is presented like she's a beautiful, beautiful sacrifice on a silver platter. Bashful and flushed.
Another bout of insanity entered Mikoto's mind.
There was a smirk on her lips as Mikoto kissed her foot again.
Which earned her a surprise kick in the cheek for that stunt.
"Ow" Not really.
Well, it was more of a surprise twitch on Shokuhou's part that jostled Mikoto's cheek a bit. It was more like a love tap than anything.
But it was enough to snap her back from her hormone induced haze.
Ah, she went too far. Fuck damn it Mikoto!
BUT ALSO, did I just get slapped with a foot?!
"I'm sorryeeehh"
Hands reached out to hold Mikoto's face and she was unceremoniously pulled from her chair so forcefully that she had to brace herself on either side of Shokuhou in order not to crush the girl.
"FFuwhaaa?"
"Th–That's…I was surprised! It's your fault!" came Shokuhou's frantic apology. "You idiot! Do you know what you're doing?!" Shokuhou was all the while squishing her face together with her hands and she didn't seem to notice that there was only a few inches of space between her and Mikoto.
Does Mikoto even mind? No.
Besides, there are certain advantages to being this close. Mikoto can see that Shokuhou's eyes had gone a shade darker. She can faintly smell the wine she drank an hour ago along with mint from her breath and the flush of her face is just lovely.
"You–You.."
"Amshorreyy"
"You should be!"
Shokuhou eventually loosened her grip and eventually her whole body relaxed. She let out a long exhale through her nose before leaning her forehead to Mikoto's.
She closed her eyes and relaxed in turn.
Her scent calmed Mikoto immensely.
"Misaka-san"
"I'm really sorry I did that without your consent," Mikoto whispered rapidly "I'm so, so sorry Shokuhou. I was being an idio–"
"Stop" Shokuhou whispered back, making Mikoto smile unwittingly despite the raging pound of her heart against her rib cage. This conversation is like stepping on the accelerator without looking left and right.
"Do you know how beautiful you look in this dress?" Without opening her eyes, Mikoto touched the gold swirls on Shokuhou's waist and stayed there. "Of course you do." she chuckled "But do you know what it's doing to me?"
"...What is it doing to you?" her tone was absent of its usual playfulness. The trepidation and nervousness at even voicing this question can be garnered from her tone.
(when conditions are met, lightning strikes)
"Sending me to insanity, is what. I'm helplessly drawn to you. Shokuhou Misaki"
Mikoto lets herself fall. Letting her emotions rule out everything at the moment.
"Misaka-san…"
She is attracted to this person, heck, she cares for her and it felt right.
The yearning in her drove her to know this person.
Shokuhou can be all kinds of funny and is awfully cute when she pouts or gets shy, yet she is sexy too (like right effin now? whew) and her voice had a timbre that made Mikoto's heart beat a little differently, a little louder.
"You're so, so pretty."
Closer. She needs to be closer. Her voice, merely a whisper. "And so fucking brilliant but you know that do you?"
A small intake of breath. Shokuhou. Flustered and so damn adorable.
Mikoto dived to the side, caressing her lips on Shokuhou's cheeks, near the small corner of her lips because she's still in control and she had not asked yet.
She felt the blonde shiver. She realizes that Shokuhou is as affected by her as she is of the blonde at the moment when she hears the blonde gulping.
Mikoto doesn't know what the hell she's doing, really.
"Misaka Mikoto. Are you trying to kill me here?" there was a quake in her whispers, and Mikoto felt a little bad for being a bit aggressive but–
She's so close it's maddening.
"Can I?"
The intensity of the air around them rose to heights that Mikoto can almost feel the vibrations of matter in between.
"Yes"
Mikoto prided herself in her control of electricity, kissing Shokuhou Misaki? Not so much at the moment. Or ever. What does she know of the future really?
It was a soft press at first. Mikoto was intent on just that. To see Shokuhou's reaction. To see if the queen gave her permission with the right context. But then with nary a millimeter between their lips, she dove again like she can't handle the distance.
Shokuhou made a noise of approval and Mikoto kept kissing her then.
They were both sloppy and Mikoto took comfort in the fact that Shokuhou Misaki is in the same terrain as her. Still, as level 5 espers, they were both quick studies and they found a tune they both took pleasure in.
There was hunger in the way Shokuhou kissed her. A passion. A desire. An enthusiasm. She's so soft and Mikoto melts and Shokuhou blends with her.
She vaguely remembers what she read about kissing someone. What was that again?
Gosh. Misaki is pure warmth and soft wet flesh.
She's blanking.
There was a click and a gasp and some shuffling of shoes but Mikoto paid no mind to them. Should she pay attention to peons when there is a goddess so willing, so delicious and so pliant to her? Yeah, doesn't make sense, does it?
What even are peons?
Mikoto opened her eyes in a daze, blinking a few when she felt the girl pull away from her. She moved to chase those plump lips but Shokuhou's glove hand halted her.
"Wait. Please. …not yet" she found herself mumbling against the hand. "What'ryoudoing?" Her arms tightened around Shokuhou's waist (when did that happen?), pulling Shokuhou towards her more even though they were flushed together.
"I'm here" Mikoto pleaded.
Shokuhou curled her hand on her nape and kissed her again.
And she pulled away once more. This time, Mikoto let her have her breath–belatedly recalling that this girl doesn't have an elongated capacity to not breathe, instead, Mikoto watched her pant as their eyes stayed connected. Pupils blown wide and there was a misty quality in those hooded eyes.
What an erotic being.
While she was busy recovering, Mikoto busied herself by brushing Shokuhou's bangs back and patting her hair back to its natural state before Mikoto happened.
"Stop distracting me. I have to erase their memories"
"Who?"
"Someone saw us." She could feel Shokuhou's heartbeat against her chest, its pace punishing. Powerful. Because of her. Because of what they were sharing.
Mikoto chest is filled with fondness for this girl.
and Shokuhou Misaki didn't reject her, did she?
In fact she kiss back with the same wanton Mikoto had in her chest.
"You don't need to leave so soon though,'' she whispers. "Kiss me again"
She can't let Shokuhou out of her grasp now. She can't let it end without them talking about what transpired. So she fed the longing of her soul and opted to distract the girl. She let their heated foreheads touch again and neared to hover her mouth against hers. Again, her mind whispered, kiss her again.
She wanted to, desire it so much.
She can't think straight, yet she was grinning like a fool in love. "Kiss me, Misaki" she repeated.
Shokuhou Misaki had never been obedient. She makes her own rules, follows her own pace and she gets what she wants exactly how she wants it. \
Nothing makes Mikoto more electrified when Shokuhou complies to her request, throwing her caution to the night air.
And delivered the sweetest kiss as of yet.
end of the chap!
hope you guys enjoyed it as I did!
It escaped me and it had gotten so long. I did cut back a lot of scenes. and I think Im satistied with this.
