Good day, mates! It's NeoShadows, up for another round!
To be honest, I hadn't expected to publish anything just yet. Just had to deal with a rather...nasty domestic situation; honestly thought I'd have the law involved, my knuckles bloody and torn, and some time at the station. But, luckily, talking does, indeed work, I guess. A resolution was found, things are in motion, and in the meantime, I don't have to use violence to get things across. What fortune. Things are still iffy but until said problem is gone, as agreed, things will still be meh.
Point is that in all this drama, I can go back to writing.
...You know, so long as the agreed upon party goes through their word and doesn't force me to use my fists for something more fun and deadly, to the law's scowl.
Anyway, since I'm opening up the old laptop, and uploaded several sneak peeks on my P a treon, I decided to finally go through with uploading this little one-shot I've had stewing on the stove for a long time. Plus, I'm almost done with the latest chapter of A Certain Maelstrom of Misfortune, so I should show I'm not dead...or locked up.
And boy, is this one special to me. I'll explain at the end.
Unwrap this treat of the spooky season, and get to scrolling!
Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to A Certain Magical Index. All rights are reserved for Kazuma Kamachi.
Chapter 3: Sometimes It Takes A Real Man To Be Best Girl.
The_LUCKY_Girl_and_Unfortunate_Boy.
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The Dangai University.
It was a university ground housing a large database of information regarding a variety of subjects only accessible on campus by college students or special individuals. It was commonly associated with educational material ranging from AI research development and operational software. It was a place of learning, of betterment, where those seeking further knowledge could attain more to further their academic goals and dreams. Safe to say, it was the kind of setting fit for academic activities.
Gunshots, violent shouting, cries of terror, splatters of blood, and the echoes of fists thickly pounding into flesh were never meant to be associated with such an institute of learning.
Yet on an ordinary night, a night which a select few individuals and large-bodied groups and organizations would reminisce as 'The Eve of World War 3', bullets could be heard popping madly in the air.
Outside the university, standing apart from one another in the background of a luminescent city of lights born by a world focused on truth and logic, two figures glared at one another with clenched fists.
One was a High School Student, an ordinary nobody commonly lost in the sea of everyday folk. In the city developing supernatural powers through advanced science and research, the High School Student was a Level-0; One Without Power. A weakling who lacked anything special or worthwhile as an Esper. Nothing about the Level-0 was worthy of mention at first glance. He was a boy who had trouble completing his school work on time, making it to class to keep up with attendance, and had shitty luck in attracting women (allegedly). He was as poor as they came and could hardly feed himself, let alone a freeloader and a calico cat.
Kamijou Touma was simply another run-of-the-mill Level-0 who could only vainly fight with his fists.
Opposite of the High Student stood a Common Thug, a drop-out nobody who was involved with a band of Level-0s who were looked down on and arose to snap back with their pathetic fangs. The Common Thug was a Level-0 who had grown fed up with being abused by those above him in a hierarchy based on talent and potential, a Side Character who had been given the responsibility to play the Antagonist for the sake of his friends who had lost their leader to one of Academy City's arrogant espers. When it came to Level-0s in power scaling, they were the weakest of the weak.
Hamazura Shiage was simply another run-of-the-mill Level-0 who could only fight with whatever dirty tactics a Level-0 could utilize.
Level-0 met Level-0 in a stand-off outside the now-silent Dangai University. Even the loud noise from the city of science behind their backs had become nothing but a gentle murmur of car horns, windmill blades, gentle wind, and city chatter as they glared intensely at one another. The cool approaching winter breeze swished their locks of midnight black and dirty blonde; not even a twitch could be seen on their face.
One of the Level-0s was bruised by the constant hammering of what they believed was a stolen Anti-Skill security baton. Behind the Normal High School Student lay a silent chestnut brown-haired woman who appeared to be in her late thirties and was disheveled by the current event taking place because of her.
The other Level-0 found sticky crimson running down their nose from both a blow by a bulletproof panel used as a shield and a headbutt to the face. Behind the Common Thug stood the Dangai University where the remnants of Skill-Out, the gang that they led after the death of their previous boss, awaited their new boss's successful completion of their mission handed down by The Board of Directors.
What felt like hours of pounding another with nothing more than simple violence reserved for delinquent-like figures like themselves was coming to an end. Both parties found themselves exhausted from the night's events leading them to be forced into parts they had no desire to find themselves playing in this tragic play revolving among those regarded as One's Without Power.
The Role of Hero: Misaka Misuzu's Savior.
The Role of Villain: Skill-Out's Newest Leader.
Weaklings who believed themselves to be pathetic, ordinary, and full of poor self-esteem despite what talents they wielded as ones who didn't rely on miracles to survive, and wished nothing more for a life without having to resort to such cruel and violent means to resolve their issues. It was those two mirrors now glaring off the reflection of the other who revealed a disgusting sight that they refused to accept about themselves. No doubt they were irked by what they observed. Neither realized just how even the common ground they stood on was.
Kamijou Touma saw an Idiotic Common Thug: a Level-0 who lacked an Ability and sought to use their lack of superpowers as an excuse to resort to cruelty instead of lending a hand out to those in need. A cruel figure Kamijou Touma could have easily become if they hadn't awoken to the crumbling smile of a girl who had given a colorless boy purpose to play the role of a dead boy.
Hamazura Shiage saw a Naive High School Student: a Level-0 who lacked an Ability and spouted nonsense about taking responsibility for his actions created by those mocking espers above him. A naive figure Hamazura Shiage could have easily become if they hadn't been taken under the strong and inspirational wing of a gorilla-faced older boy who taught them to reject their cowardly self.
A sense of revulsion struck both violent children.
"What would you know?"
A Common Thug spat their words out like they were something foul flying into their mouth.
"You're just another lousy Level-0 like me! You're nothing special, you're not strong, and you're no different than an idiot like me who has to snap viciously at those with sharp talons to exist! Don't mock me! What the fuck would someone so weak, so naive and helpless like you know about anythinggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg!?"
Enough was enough for the Common Thug with blood running down their face like wet paint beginning to dry on paper. Clenching their baton to the point of bending the grip in their fist, the Level-0 with dirty blond hair kicked off the pavement and readied their weapon. It wouldn't be a simple strike. This time, they had every intention of bashing the skull of the ignorant Level-0 who had ruined their plans to save what remained of the man they held above all others.
A spiky boy spat back with equal disgust.
Had things been different, maybe they would have been the same.
"Stop whining, you lousy violent brat! No one's mocking you but yourself right now! Level-0s aren't so pathetic or weak to resort to such underhanded bullshit to live their life happily with a smile on their face! If you'd only resorted to helping others out instead of throwing a fit, Level-0s like us wouldn't have to be mocked! All that nonsense you're rambling on about is nothing but an excuse, a poor lie you have to tell yourself to excuse your guilt!"
The High School Student roared fiercely in response, charging ahead with a simple fist chambered firmly to meet the Common Thug's brutal strike with his own.
The world in the eyes of two Level-0s disappeared. The concept of time drew to a slow crawl with each powerful step coming to smash into the other's ideals.
The twinkling lights of hundreds of buildings.
The Japanese maple trees resembling artificial beacons of fire.
Steel blades twirling to create clean power.
The mother of one of Academy City's Level-5s.
Everything was nothing more than a backdrop as the final step was made a deep thud.
All that remained in the rushing moment were two Level-0s.
Hamazura Shiage swung the baton with everything a weak thug could throw behind their arm.
Dark brown eyes directly challenged dark blue.
The High School Boy who should have fallen after the first few hits shouted fiercely as they fired off the barreled fist with a dry crack.
"This sense of powerlessness, of being weak, of being incapable of doing anything more than using violence to save yourself, it's nothing more than a sorry excuse. A lie. A desperate illusion!"
Wind was cut deeply by the glinting metal's audible swish reminiscent of a large branch whipped by monstrous winds. Upon impact of steel bashing against flesh and bone, blood spurt from the forehead of the spiky high school student like a high-pressured pipeline marred by a single puncture indent. Such a deep resonating bone thrashing the inside of the skull should have disoriented a normal person's vision, even turning their sight white as a blank canvas.
But knuckles which held nothing special, no power, no talent, same as Hamazura Shiage in this very moment, didn't falter or lose strength as they zoned in on their target.
Hamazura Shiage felt the impact of a fist holding far more weight, strength, and experience than that of a Common Thug. It was as if everything the High School Student possessed in terms of power had been channeled to his right fist, pouring every fiber of his muscle into one blow centered for Hamazura's face. A rush of blood bubbled from the broken nose of a blow that deeply rattled the Level-0's brain.
Hamazura Shiage was nothing more than a Level-0, a weakling possessing mediocre skills and violent tendencies as a street thug. A blow as monstrous as this was an OHKO.
They had been defeated. The battle between Level-0s was over.
As always, they had failed.
...At least, that was what Hamazura Shiage thought.
One more attack followed after the crimson-stained fist just as Hamazura Shiage's dark brown eyes fluttered on the edge of unconsciousness.
Instead of a right hand, a left hand came next in the shadow of the fierce blow. Fingers bit into the dark yellow jacket, latching on tightly and pulling the defeated Level-0 in like a reel. Instead of falling back to the ground, Hamazura Shiage was brought closer to the wolfish grin of a High School Student.
Their vision was disoriented. the world wouldn't stop spinning. Thoughts were a completely jarred mess, scrambled by one direct hit. They were defenseless, weak, and unable to even lift their arm up to protect themselves. An all too familiar scene was playing for the Level-0 who had nothing left to play but accept whatever further pain awaited them.
Maybe this was that crazy make-believe crap known as karma biting them back. Payback for being ready to kill the mother of an esper just to save their skin.
This was just dessert for turning their back on their leader's way. So, the thug smiled weakly with blood smearing their face at the menacing spiky student's shadowed expression.
"This pathetic illusion of yours; how about I help break you out of it? You can do it yourself, save yourself, and become greater, but you'll need a crack to do so. If you're so sick of this, smash the opening I'm handing you with everything you got."
Of all the attacks the Common Thug expected from a Level-0, they had never expected what they had realized was about to strike them.
A pair of lips opened and crashed into the startled Level-0s.
Weakest tasted weakest as Hamazura Shiage, the girl who had found herself the leader of an entire organization of Level-0s, had her first kiss stolen on a cool fall night.
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"GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! YOU GOD DAMN BASTARD! THAT WAS MY FIRST KISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!"
A dark blue bed sheet was thrown off violently as the person sleeping rolled off, hit the floor, and began to bang their head repeatedly on the floor of their room hysterically. It was like watching a jackhammer set to its highest setting furiously break through bedrock.
All while a dark blush colored their face amid their rant.
"YOU LOUSY BASTARD! WHO THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU ARE INVADING MY DREAMS LIKE THAT?! YOU AREN'T A MUSCULAR BODYBUILDER WITH BULGING PECS LIKE THAT CUT MERCENARY IN RUSSIA! DIE! DIE AND NEVER COME BACK!"
Panting heavily with sweat rolling down their red face, Hamazura Shiage tried to steady their breathing as their shaggy, unruly, unkempt dirty blond hair spilled over their shoulders in strands. Their modest chest, which wasn't small nor was it large like a certain Meltdowner's, heaved up and down. Unlike the other girls who lived in the shared fancy apartment complex unit, she wasn't wearing a cute or risque nightgown or pajamas; they found themselves much comfier sleeping in a baggy orange shirt and briefs instead. Sweat rolled off their blushed faces and the rest of their slim body like ice slowly melting out on the sun.
Maybe it had to do with her rather boyish attitude reminiscent of a delinquent, maybe it had to do with the fact she had generally been around guys more than the other girls from a young age, maybe it had to do with the fact she had a bit more muscle compared to the other girls who relied on their abilities to do the heavy lifting, or maybe it had to do with the fact she was more guy than woman if you discounted her breasts and hips from the equation.
Whatever the reason, Hamazura Shiage, the girl who had become a hero for the sake of those she loved despite being a Level-0, found her shirt drenched in night sweats due to her rather...troubling dream.
One she has had the displeasure of dealing with for a couple of nights now since the end of the events revolving around the Dianoid, a False Magic God, A False Level-5, the remnants of Frenda, a Gravitron Bomb, and a certain spiky-haired Level-0 she had once again fought.
Hamazura, or Hama-chan as she was called due to being cuter by Kinuhata and Takitsubo instead of the more masculine Hamazura, finally calmed her breathing to a steady pace as she rested her sweaty head against the carpet floor of her room. She didn't mind if her face was close to her jeans- jeans she hadn't washed in days due to being lazy- and instead decided to remain in her current position for a bit longer.
She didn't have to worry about the other girls of ITEM barging into her room; again. After the first two nights of having undergone a similar nightmare(?), none of the girls bothered to see if she was okay. Not after Mugino had fired off a couple of green death lasers at Hamazura out of annoyance and Kinuhata had punched her gut. Takitsubo, bless her lovely soul, had simply patted her head softly as Hama lay on the ground with a groan and a few singed hairs.
It was the middle of the night, so everyone had most likely ignored Hama's screams and shouts about a certain spiky-haired bastard invading her dreams again. She'd get teased later in the morning for sure by Kinuhata and another warning from a glaring Mugino who had her beauty sleep interrupted. Outside the window of her room, Hama noticed the many stars of the night illuminating the darkness alongside the artificial lights from Academy City's many buildings and research centers. She sat up, sighing as she stared at the pale moonlight sneaking into her room as she rested her chin on her kneecaps.
"What the hell's wrong with me? It wasn't always this bad until recently. But that damn Boss...he keeps popping up in my head since we helped Kanou Shinka beat down St. Germain. It's only been a few days since then. Why is he worming his way into my thoughts so frequently?"
Hamazura Shiage murmured her question to no one, her face conflicted by her brain sabotaging her peace of mind.
She was the kind of girl who would blush when staring at muscular men flexing their biceps and find herself with a nosebleed when their bare chests were out for her ogle. If two boys were seen wrestling with one another, she was in danger of passing out from all the blood gushing out of her nose at the implications of boy love. She was a rather perverted girl with shit taste in the opposite sex and liked her men strong, cut, with faces carved out of stone.
Normal boys were nice, there wasn't anything wrong with them and she would blush if they flaunted their muscles at her, but she was more interested in men like Komaba Ritoku and a certain brown-haired mercenary from Russia.
So, why was it she was fantasizing about the plainest, most normal, average boy there was: Kamijou Touma?
'Long time no see.'
Hama hugged her legs close to her chest. Her face was still warm with a pleasant heat she tried to reject as a certain memory of his return from the end of WWIII came to mind.
A scene painted with despair and heartbreak was playing out in front of her eyes due to the hundred-meter-long lance of compressed nitrogen cutting its way in victory to bisect their world cleanly. A right hand had appeared out of nowhere as Hamazura could only watch in defeat before the right which had beaten her long ago negated the Hydrogen Lance. She had been reunited with the boy who inspired this Hamazura to stand up and fight one of Academy City's Level-5s for the sake of her best friend, the only girl in ITEM to have ever treated her kindly and like a real girl, been saved, and had later gone on to aid the same boy responsible for the path she walked on now.
"He did...kinda look manly back then too," she mumbled softly.
Seriously, what was wrong with her?
The boss was a good friend, someone she considered special, and held a similar place in her heart as Hanzou did. Yet at the same time, she felt her bond with Kamijou Touma ran a bit deeper than that of being considered a friend. Yes, their connection was something far more complex and meaningful to be labeled so simply even if said high school boy with spiky hair considered it so.
Kamijou Touma was her inspiration, a guiding light to what Hamazura Shiage desired to be as a Level-0 who held nothing special in her hand. A figure who had pushed Hamazura to stand up and stop cowering with excuses when faced with the ugly side of an older girl who had killed one of their teammates due to a situation created by the adults of Academy City. A legit hero who saved the world and fought for the sake of those whose smiles were being trampled on. A person who would even save the very person he had been fighting with moments ago.
Everything Hamazura had now, a home, friends, a newfound strength in herself, her very life, had all been created after being beaten on the night of October 1st at the Dangai University by a Level-0 like herself.
Because of everything he had done for her, the words she kept locked up tight in her heart which served to give her strength to fight against those stronger than a Level-0, she regarded Kamijou Touma affectionately as Boss. She had nothing but respect and admiration for the boy she had only met once and would later wind up fighting alongside in several events created by the aftermath of World War 3. Their bond grew stronger to the point she considered Kamijou Touma and Accelerator, Academy City's strongest Level-5, her best friends because of the violence they had endured together
Kamijou Touma and Hamazura Shiage were friends.
Simple as that.
Except for one little fact forgotten easily by both parties.
Hamazura Shiage was, indeed, without a doubt, a girl.
In this world of science and magic, she had been born with a Y Chromosome.
If this had been a different universe, she would have been born a boy. The bond between them would have remained simple but nonetheless strong. Two Level-0 boys who had nothing but their fists and wit at their disposal when faced against adversaries leagues and worlds above them. They would have considered each other as bros, friends who would hang out whenever possible and discuss topics ranging from bunny girls and onee-sans.
But in this world, it wasn't so simple.
One could say she was struck by a certain...disease commonly contracted by the female body.
For whatever reason, Hamazura felt she wasn't the only one dealing with such conflicting thoughts.
After all, Accelerator, or Suzushina Yuriko, must have been dealing with the same troubles as this lowly Level-0 was. They had both been saved and inspired by that boy. Wasn't it natural for both girls to be feeling conflicted with their emotions right now?
Hamazura sighed again, leaning her head against her knees as she buried her face in her arms.
She shouldn't have been feeling these emotions for someone she was incredibly indebted to and saw as only a friend.
"Hama-chan, are you alright?"
The door to Hamazura's room creaked open, revealing the concerned face of Takitsubo, the very girl who had stirred Hamazura Shiage's heart to move against a Level-5. Hamazura glanced back at the sleepy-faced girl whose expression wouldn't have changed even if it was the middle of the day and drank an espresso. A small smile found its way to the dirty blonde-haired girl's face at the genuine concern in those dark eyes.
No one had ever treated Hamazura so kindly, gently, patiently, or friendly as Takitsubo did. Back when Hamazura was in Skill-Out, she was treated no differently than any other guy in the gang made up of boys. In her old school before dropping out, the other girls would never talk to her due to her unkempt blonde hair, her lack of femininity, her pouty lips and wide hips which made her out as some cheap girl, and her status as a Level-0. But Takitsubo had been different when Hamazura had joined ITEM. She treated her as a girl and never once looked down on her with pity or disdain. She had been the first person to treat her kindly and even risked her life for a lousy Level-0 who envied her.
Honestly, if Hamazura had been born a boy, she would have fallen madly in love with such a girl.
Though Takitsubo's gender as a girl didn't stop Hamazura from being overly affectionate with her best friend to the point of the two's shenanigans being labeled as yuri. If for some reason she couldn't find a man, Hamazura was perfectly fine with switching teams and going after her best friend.
No matter the world or circumstances, Hamzura would love Takitsubo dearly. Such a fact would never change.
Right now though, said delinquent girl who lacked any points in her Feminine Charm stats had her heart going through some internal conflict not even lovely Takitsubo could ease.
She tried to reassure Takitsubo with a smile but it must have come off as weak since the drowsy-faced tracksuit girl gently shut the door behind her and made her way over.
Random thought: was this proof the endearing busty sleepyhead slept in her tracksuit?!
"Was it another nightmare again?"
Nightmare? Hamazura scoffed mirthfully at the thought. She supposed it was and wasn't. Nothing involving the boy she affectionately called Boss could ever be labeled as such. The situations he was commonly involved in- sure. This was the same boy who apparently ended World War 3 with a single punch, defeated two of Academy City's strongest Level-5 espers, regularly found himself in street fights with common thugs and gangs, and was involved in a magical world where high-level beings known as Magic Gods could probably destroy the world with a snap of their fingers if they were feeling feisty. Every day for one Kamijou Touma was just another exercise in mental fortitude, physical stamina, pain tolerance, and durability one would attest to superhuman.
Dreams involving her fellow Level-0 couldn't be called nightmares even if they did make her heart race and cause her to wake up screaming in a rage since he wasn't some thick-muscled macho man.
"Nah, it's nothing to worry about, Takitsubo-chan. I was just...I'm just going through some weird stuff right now." she sighed.
How could she explain what was going on within her heart without overblowing the matter? Last thing this Hamazura-chan needed was to be grilled by her friends about a boy. It would certainly be a first though.
Takitsubo frowned lightly at her response with an expression speaking of not believing her best friend's poor lie. She sat down next to the disheveled tomboy, scooting over until their shoulders were touching, and leaned her head against her friend's neck.
Sometimes being close had its disadvantages. No lie could slip past the sleepy girl's eyes when it came to Hamazura.
"Does this have anything to do with the spiky-haired boy you were helping out in the Dianoid a few days ago?"
Hamazura's shoulders stiffened at the lucky shot in the dark. She relented, shoulders loosening as she pouted and leaned her head against Takitsubo's.
"Kinda."
"Do you want to talk about it?"
Hamazura sucked her teeth in, eyes conflicted at revealing her inner turmoil concerning a boy she was heavily indebted to. Takitsubo was her best friend, the one person in this world she could entirely trust with her life and even her heart; no one else in this world could ever take her place. If there was anyone she could talk to about such a delicate matter it was Takitsubo. The pink tracksuit girl with the ability AIM Stalker understood this lousy Level-0 to her core, would never judge her for whatever action she may take, and would always listen to her complaints with a patient smile far more brilliant and pure than any ray of light heaven could cast on saints.
Said pink tracksuit-wearing girl was the reason Hamazura had ventured out of Academy City and into Russia amid World War 3. She had gone through hell and survived with what she cherished most in this ugly world in her arms. For those she loved, she proved to those who saw her as some weak Level-0 just how cruel humans could be when fighting to protect what they loved most.
No other person in this world could hear her out seriously when it came to the odd and confusing emotions raging in her heart right now.
Slowly the conflicted dirty blonde with unruly hair falling to her neck let her heart speak its piece.
"Takitsubo-chan...how do you know if...if the bond between friends runs much deeper than you initially believed?"
"I thought I already conveyed that I love you, Hama-chan."
"Not that! I already know how you feel, Takitsubo-chan! How could I know with how aggressive you've gotten with all your possessive hugging lately?! Seriously! Do you know how hard it is to resist how adorable you are when you pout?"
"Then stop resisting."
"Hiiiiiieeeee! Takitsubo-chan! W-Watch where your hands are touching!"
When exactly had this comforting scene devolved into being hugged behind by the ever-listless face of AIM-Stalker whose hands had snaked below her average breasts to accent them? This Hamazura-chan was not some giant teddy bear!
Past the hug/grope from the very possessive Takitsubo, Hamazura grumbled as the two finally returned to simply sitting back against her bed. The sleepy-eyed Level-4's hand was grasped with her own powerless left in support as she tried to better explain her recent change of view of someone she had originally seen as nothing more than a role model.
"You've already seen him, right? That spiky high school boy I've always referred to as Boss?"
Takitsubo frowned softly in thought, staring up at the ceiling as she tried to recall the boy in question.
Spiky? Hadn't she seen some random boy fighting against those creepy things born out of carbon molecules that went as far as creating diamond-made constructs? She hadn't seen the full picture of the fight centered around a boy named Kanou Shinka and the many hostile individuals calling themselves St. Germain but had caught a glimpse of the boy in question destroying the hard-as-diamond constructs with nothing but his right hand.
A void.
An emptiness.
A hole in the ever-expansive field of clashing AIM Diffusion Fields making up Academy City.
When she had used her AIM-Stalker in some attempt to mess with the AIM of the enemy she had believed to be an esper, she had found such a chilling blank space where the boy with dark spiky hair had been as he swung his right fist to shatter a St. Germain construct to nothing.
Said boy was the mentioned Boss Hamazura had always referred to in affection. Just the mention of that high school boy brought a certain light to the female thug's eyes only ever normally seen when in the presence of those she regarded as her greatest treasures. It was an affectionate gleam for someone dear.
She nodded her head with a small pout of jealousy at the revelation someone out there in this world could make her best friend so strong.
"You know there's a reason why I've only ever called him Boss. After the mess that was World War 3, I tried playing the hero again to protect Fremea-chan from the infant darkness trying to replace the old villains. I fought so hard, so desperately, used whatever bizarre tools I could use, and even worked alongside a certain white-haired monster. But, at the very end of it all, I couldn't save her from an attack containing a similar power to the #1's ability. I'm pretty sure I was about to start bawling like some child who lost their mother in a supermarket store."
As terrible as the memory was, and a painful reminder of how a Level-0 could never hope to overcome such a difference in level, Hamazura still found herself smiling softly.
Because the strong and determined back in her memory was there to dispel the hopeless world.
"Boss appeared out of nowhere with his freaky hand, protected us, and put an end to everything by just appearing out of nowhere. No one asked him for his help. No one came running over to him with tears. No one explained a single detail to him as he arrived. All he understood was that there were three girls about to be sliced in half down the waist by this vicious goth loli wearing a white lab coat. Nothing else needed to be said as he dove in the way for our sake. He's a Level-0 like me; even with his strange hand that can reduce that white monster to a normal girl."
How did she sound to Takitsubo right now? What emotions could be discerned by her voice as she stared off into space with thoughts of some generic boy with gelled spiky hair that didn't even make him look cool?
Hamazura wasn't sure what to make of it all as she decided to vent her feelings to the one person who she felt understood her.
"Honestly, he's not cute. He's not muscular and his face doesn't scream macho like Komaba or that mercenary I met in Russia. He's rather bland and you'd skip over him in a crowd if you weren't actively searching for him. Nothing about him checks off any of my boxes in men I'd fawn over like some slutty high school chick. Not that he's ugly either. He's just...normal."
Dark blue eyes only a few shades off from black.
Intense and determined.
Unbreakable and fierce orbs capable of shearing the darkness.
The generic and boring image of Kamijou Touma was devoured by a beast unlike any other she had ever encountered. One that made the Level-5s she had encountered thus far pale in comparison due to the terrifying aura he exuded when he found something to protect.
Despite what she was saying, Hamazura found herself shivering, a tingle of excitement coming over at the memory of the beast she had clashed with twice.
"But he becomes a completely different person when he fights. Or...no, it's more like his entire being changes when he finds something to protect. It's hard to describe properly but when you see it, he shines brighter than any cruel darkness lurking out there. It's kinda of how we met. When I was just some thug willing to commit a horrible crime because of what the adults asked of me, he was the one to steer me off that bloody path with a punch to the face. He saved me. And because of him, I found myself eventually wandering here."
Hamazura leaned against the consoling Takitsubo with a gentle smile.
"I'm not sure I'd have gathered the courage to protect you then if it wasn't for what he said to me back then. If it had been anyone else who had stood in his spotlight then, I don't think I would have done something as stupid as fighting Mugino, the #5 Level-5 Meltdowner, and survived. Even if he won't ever accept it, it's because of him that I have all of you."
Was she placing that spiky boy on a pedestal? Was she simply gushing about some boy who appeared to her as some white knight atop a majestic white horse?
No, not to her. These were the words she had kept sealed away in her heart and had never spoken to that boy. Honest truths she knew she could never say out loud. Because she knew, without a doubt, said idiot boy of a hero would never accept them.
Those feelings, those emotions, those truths…
She couldn't help but smile bitterly in the warm presence of the one girl who would always understand her.
"He's a legit hero. He's the Boss. He's my friend. He's all sorts of things to me but.."
"You're wondering if he's more than that? You're wondering if you're starting to see him in a more romantic light?"
Blunt Takitsubo spoke her mind to the truth Hamazura was evading. Said busty tracksuit girl said it with a pout but didn't mince her words despite her feelings. Because she understood her best friend's emotions all too well.
Hamazura didn't say anything, shrugging her shoulders in response. Her eyes were focused elsewhere, lost to whatever emotions were currently hammering her wildly beating heart. It was because she wasn't sure of what she was feeling that she decided to share her thoughts with her in the first place.
So, Takitsubo listened, paid close attention to her best friend/love interest, nodded, and accepted those unknown feelings.
She'd be lying if she said her own heart didn't clench at the face Hamazura was making when describing someone else. She was not free of such common ugly emotions every girl experienced. But their bond was far too deep to be shaken by such teenage drama.
And because of how much she cherished their bond, she spoke honestly.
"Was it always like this? Did you just recently realize how much you may love him?"
Hamazura sputtered, her delinquent face burning brightly as she gaped at the ever cool-beauty Takitsubo.
"L-L-Love?! A-Aren't you going a little too far there?! It's just a small crush is all!"
"Oh? So, now it's a small crush? I thought you weren't sure what you were feeling. How can you so easily claim it's a crush now?"
Hamazura pouted cutely, an expression hard to accomplish with her looks. For several moments, she didn't speak, choosing to bite her lip before eventually speaking softly.
"The Dianoid Incident. I think...I think that's when I came to terms with how I was feeling. When that idiot decided to accept the burden of Frenda's fate, to accept whatever pain it would bring, to be the lone one suffering for some bullshit that should have never involved him in the first place! All with a damn smile on his face!"
Anger was spat out as she recalled how the selfless boy had decided to become the punching bag for a boy who was hurting deeply at the loss of his best friend. It was borderline masochistic how easily and smoothly he had simply accepted the placeholder of Kanou Shinka's vengeance and despair if it meant it could help save the boy from crossing a line a normal boy should have never caught the eye of. Despite having known nothing about the girl known as Frenda Sullivan, the heroic idiot had accepted the blame without a thought of his integrity.
He had spoken so calmly. Not a twitch to his facial muscles or a pause as he said he would endure Kanou Shinka's vengeance even if it meant he would soak in the violence of his twisted justice. If it meant he could save some random boy from having to suffer any longer from the cruel strings of a sinister being, Kamijou Touma would play the role of a shield who would endure all the hatred, the sorrow, the guilt, the remorse, the pain of a boy who couldn't accept his best friend being killed out of his reach.
Hamazura recalled the story of the Happy Prince. Of a golden statue decorated with priceless jewels that had given up every single piece of his being to those who were poor. An idol of masochistic kindness who would sacrifice himself for others without a thought to themselves.
"I couldn't accept it. I know he's a legit hero who believes saving others is his idea of being selfish, that it made him happy like the Happy Prince, but I couldn't accept it! Not when he was willing to be beaten into a bloody pulp to satisfy Kanou Shinka's thirst for revenge with a fucking smile on his face! It wasn't fair. It wasn't right. What reason could he possibly have to accept someone else's hatred and believe he was saving anyone?!"
She no longer cared if she woke up the other members of ITEM. She had long passed that threshold of care. Now was the only time she would ever have to vent the feelings so long caged in her heart without a chance to breathe. If Mugino and Kinuhata decided to kick her door down or shoot off a few Meldowner beams because they were losing a few minutes of beauty sleep then screw it. She'd face those monsters again and show them how terrifying a Level-0 could truly be.
Hamazura felt Takitsubo hug her close to her chest. Just like how a mother would to their upset child who came back from school after a bad day. The delinquent girl grit her teeth as she buried her face in those nurturing flesh pillows.
"I couldn't accept what he was willing to do to himself. So, I tried to protect him. I wanted to show him how it felt to be on the receiving end of being saved. But most of all...I just wanted to stop the boy who had unknowingly captured the heart of some thuggish girl without even trying to be hurt. For once, I wanted him to stand out of the line of fire and keep a piece of himself from being chipped off. I just wanted him to be safe."
She whispered those words with a crack in her voice.
Just how long had she known Kamijou Touma? A few months at best? How many hours had they interacted? Could it even be summed up in a day? Gathering up all the times they had interacted with each other since they had traded blows in October, could they even properly say they were friends?
With how few times they had even hung out with one another, could Hamazura Shiage say she was in love with Kamijou Touma?
The truth was that she wanted to protect that idiot of a hero. Not because of what he had done for her. Not because he deserved to be saved for all he had done for others. Not because he was a legit hero who had fought even the #1 three times and won.
But because it would break her heart if the boy who had helped steer her into this lovely life with friends and a comfy home was bloodied because he was being selfish.
Perhaps that was where the seedling for affection had been planted. And it had only grown during those short moments the two teenagers had interacted with each other during seemingly random encounters in their everyday lives. Small moments compromised the other's history of the other. Never had they hung out for more than a few hours as their personal circle of friends dragged them away or their normal lives had them focused on other matters. What little was found between Hamazura Shiage and Kamijou Touma couldn't be anything more than a relationship regarded as possible acquaintances.
Some would never take such a short history of two people as being reasonable enough to be called love. Especially when it was only one party who felt anything.
Hamazura gripped her chest tightly.
She felt the all-important organ thump audibly at the thought of the idiot who believed fighting for random strangers was something to call selfish at the cost of his own life.
What then? What would you call these emotions?! What else was it? How come her heart wouldn't shut up when she recalled his words and those eyes? Why couldn't she just let him go, like some soft-eyed maiden, to further destroy himself for his own ideals?! And why couldn't she just simply brush them aside as if they were nothing?
Her cheeks darkened a faint red at the memory of those bold and determined eyes charging straight at her.
The dream that had started all this mess came back up with a vengeance. Ghostly lips tasted her own and caused her heart to buck like a horse ready to break free from its pen.
"I don't know what to do."
Kamijou Touma was undoubtedly someone dearly precious to Hamazura Shiage.
Boy or girl, that idiot of a hero who denied such a title was someone Hamazura would consider an important person they would fight the world for if they were simply asked to. Because it was said boy who had steered her to find herself stumbling upon this lovely life after enduring pain and suffering with the words of that Level-0 guiding her through it all. They were responsible for the courage they had mustered up to protect someone precious to this low life who had decided to stand up to protect someone who had given her some kindness. They were at fault for the precious golden bit she carried close to her heart and never dared to part with.
This would have been far much easier if she had been born a boy.
But Hamazura Shiage had been born a girl who found her heart beating strongly at the thought of a boy who had nonchalantly changed her life without ever asking for anything in return.
The Kami-yan Disease was a powerful virus no woman could escape. Its success rate was about 80%(In unconfirmed theory) and could only ever be rebuffed if one was in a stable relationship, attracted to the opposite sex(though there were some theories by a pierced and blue-haired boy about its effectiveness still at play), or attracted to someone else. It really was a dangerous disease with little survival rate. How the CDC hadn't caught whiff it was truly criminal.
A warm set of arms embraced the confused and unsure delinquent girl who was discovering the true feelings of someone she felt was out of reach. Those arms brought her deeper into themselves, sheltering her from doubt and uncertainties. She felt Takitsubo's chin rest on her left shoulder, cheeks touching her own as they basked in their shared warmth with a mirthful sigh.
"It's alright if you don't know what to do. Love is...complicated. Trust me, I should know. I never even thought I'd be attracted to someone of the same sex. But then you came along and fought Mugino with nothing but your fists and stole my heart without ever meaning to. One can't deny those feelings bursting from their chest at the thought of the person who inspired them. To deny them? Restrain them? Lock them up. I-I...I can't think of anything sadder or more painful than ignoring those honest and pure emotions."
Takitsubo understood her own feelings and the yearning her heart sought. It was no secret to Hamazura that said tracksuit-wearing girl with a busty chest had feelings for her. She knew she was an idiot but she wasn't dense.
If she had been born a boy, she was a hundred percent positive she would have fallen with said beautiful, gentle, patient, and kind girl.
But someone else had appeared to snatch Hamazura's heart before she had met such a person.
Guiltily, she may have had some dreams of the two special someones in her life being involved in a threesome. Just a tiny bead of red may have leaked out of her nose at the steamy thought.
'Holy shit, am I bi?'
Hamazura Shiage was learning a lot of things tonight.
Blushing and vivid fantasies aside, she tilted her head to stare at those usually expressionless eyes with curiosity.
Takitsubo took her gaze as a confirmation to go on.
"Kamijou-san sounds like someone you care about dearly. Even if they don't realize themselves, they're someone who means a lot to you enough to worry about them this late in the night about how you see them. I can't help but be envious of them; I've never been able to get this side of you. If they're able to bring this pure maiden Hamazura-chan out without even being present then those feelings you're concerned about have to mean something. They can't be a passing fancy or curiosity. Those are emotions you have to chase after earnestly if you want to understand them!"
The hug was tighter and equally warm that any chill the night brought was snuffed out like a candle in the wind. She felt the Level-4 smile softly against her cheek like a mother would comfort their frightened child from the darkness in the late hours of the night.
Something wet slid down Hamazura's cheek. The tear did not belong to her.
"The Hamazura I love wouldn't allow herself to doubt herself with such a thing. She would go out, find that boy, drag him into an ally, and tell him everything. Even if it was embarrassing, even if it would lead to rejection, even if it would cost something unique, even if she wasn't ready for the answer, she would say what it was that was bothering her to the person she speaks so highly of with a gleam in her eyes and a bright smile on her face! Even if I'm envious and selfishly wish for you to stay with me, I can't stand it if you were by my side with the uncertainty of someone else precious to you on your mind. You deserve to know. He deserves to know. Both of you deserve to know whether the bond you have could be so much more than just friendship. You deserve to know if it's enough to be called love."
Hamazura's throat tightened. She felt a dampness gather in the corner of her eyes.
Whether what was budding in her chest was something to be called love was a matter she had a right to know. This everyday and generic confusion found typically in school girls wasn't anything to be ashamed of or hide away. It was something to be sought out for earnestly.
Hamazura still believed in being a weak and cowardly Level 0. Even after facing the #4 and crossing the #1 several times and encountering even more bizarre opponents possibly above Academy City's strongest espers, she still believed she was no more than a simple thug not even worth more than a single digit of experience points.
But when those she fought desperately to protect gave her the push, the strength, to spark courage in her heart, she found the will to face the crushing tide.
"Heh, I guess it would be a good idea to talk to him, huh? At least...at least to get an idea of where I stand with him."
How much strength did Takitsubo have to have to give Hamazura the push she needed at the cost of her own chance? Hamazura couldn't say she could ever do the same. To be so kind? To be so thoughtful? Truly the lovely girl embracing her to search out those jumbled emotions in her heart was wasted on this shitty female thug.
But, hey, if for some reason things didn't turn out well, at least there was another shot at happiness waiting for her. Not one born out of pity, despair, or anything so weak. But just as earnest as those feelings she was sorting out now.
Just as that idiotic Level-0 had inspired Hamazura to stand up against a terrifying figure, the Level-4 embracing her right now inspired her to stand up against this terrifying unknown.
With a long exhale, the female delinquent gathered the strength to settle those scrambled emotions in her heart.
What was left in the absence of the clutter was a warm ember. Small but full of potential; so long as she desired to feed it.
"I guess it's a good thing I exchanged my contact information with the Boss then. I just hope he's not too busy with anything to meet up with a friend for some lunch."
A very important lunch. One which may change the relationship between two friends.
Takitsubo sighed softly but the smile on her face was without a doubt a warm and gentle one.
The two girls who had survived the darkness of Academy City, the frigid war zone of Russia, and come out closer than best friends would, sat on the carpet floor without making a move to separate. Pale moonlight fell from the window to be cast on those two who understood one another more than anyone else ever could.
It didn't matter to Takitsubo if her Hamazura would not recuperate her feelings. She wouldn't cry or sob at the unfairness of it all. She wasn't so selfish as to demand the girl who captured her heart to fall for her. This had nothing to do with some boy having come before her and stolen her love.
She was sad but not heartbroken. Why would she?
Hamazura and Takitsubo understood one another. The bond between the two girls was something unbreakable. They would always have something special that the boy known as Kamijou Touma could never replicate or replace.
Love was unique. And the one they shared was a gold like no other.
[-]
Outside the door of the two best friends, two girls stood by the slight crack of the entrance that allowed them a peek inside. Both girls were in their nightwear, speaking of having gotten out of bed without any care to how much lovely skin and tantalizing curves were being shown.
Mugino Shizuri, the Level-5 Meltdowner, crossed her arms beneath her impressive chest with a soft scoff as she flicked her hair back.
"So, the idiot has a crush? Is that what all that noise was about? Did she seriously wake us all because she had some naughty dream about a boy? I ought to seriously fire off a few beams at that dumb-ass for ruining my beauty sleep over something so trivial."
Annoyed as the Level-5 renowned for her ruthless nature, no burning green orbs of death were summoned. She didn't make any move to disturb the soft scene she was seeing through the crack of the door. For once her usual scowling or indifferent expression had grown into something one would call soft.
Next to her, Kinuhata, the Level-4 Offensive Armor with incredible thighs, tapped her chin.
"She may look like a delinquent, possess no real charm other than those stupid breasts of hers hidden beneath her baggy jacket, and can be pretty useless, but I guess even Hamazura is prone to girlish crushes. But who's this guy she's been stressing about? That's what I want to super know."
Mugino narrowed her eyes.
There was a boy who neither Kinuhata nor herself knew a thing about. Some random shit stain captured the heart of a dear person to all of ITEM. A nobody whose own feelings on Hamazura were unknown. Someone who could potentially break the heart of the girl who forgave a monster like herself and put their little family back together again despite the missing piece she had destroyed.
"Did you get a name?" she asked impatiently.
Kinuhata hummed it over and shook her head.
"All I got was boss; no name. But she did super say that the guy's she gushing over was the same guy we were fighting beside during the whole Dianoid mess."
"The boy with spiky hair who fought with only his fist? Leave it to Hamazura to have some shit taste. But at least we got a lead."
Silently, both girls came to an agreement.
Hamazura Shiage was someone precious to them. The beginning had been rough, it may have been tragic, blood had been spilled, bones and limbs had even been lost, and it had seemed they would never be able to forgive another for everything that had happened that had led to one of their members being killed. The girls of ITEM would have never been able to come together again after everything the adults of Academy City had pushed them to do. But through all the tragedy and grief, the wounds were healed.
Scars remained but the situation was far better than what anyone would have ever believed.
They were all friends and family, and in their own special ways, cared for one another.
So, they would protect that idiot who was dumb enough to think she could repair ITEM to what it once was and had been lucky enough to achieve such an impossible dream. No matter what, they would ensure her happiness.
Small fists popped as nitrogen was compressed to a deadly fine point.
A terrifying smile was made, illuminated by scorching green orbs.
As Hamazura's friends, It was only natural for them to grill the boy she had taken a shine to. Nothing wrong with that.
[-]
In a certain boy's dorm room bathroom, a certain spiky-haired boy sleeping in a tub began to shiver despite the blankets warming him up. A sense of foreboding struck his spine.
And he had the distinct feeling that tomorrow would just be another troublesome day chuck full of bad luck.
"Such misfortune." he whimpered in his sleep.
Oh, what is love?
Baby, don't hurt me, don't hurt me, no more!
What you feel may be silly or confusing, but why not gather the courage to understand it? You don't have to possess anything unique or special about you to step up to your own beating core.
What does it matter if the Levels of Affection aren't high enough to be considered as such?
The Number of Encounters doesn't matter.
The Collected Time doesn't matter.
What will always matter is whether there is an honest, pure, and genuine smile slipping out onto your lips when peeking at said golden piece of affection you've been granted.
That's more than enough to learn what is love.
That's a wrap! Cut the scenes; that's lunch!
Ah, this was, without a doubt, a one-shot near and dear to my heart. It's actually the first written and completed one-shot for Of Lines.
If you haven't noticed yet, this was inspired by 's Genderbent Accelerator in his Between The Lines. Hell, the entire concept of Of Lines was inspired because of him; getting into fanfiction was because of his fics. So, in a way, it's a homage to his fic. Mind you, all my one-shots started off as buds to new stories I realized I wouldn't be able to publish completely because of a lack of time, but it was going back to his Between The Lines that made me come to the idea of publishing my own fic focused on one-shots and small stories. The first scene alone was based on MrQuestionMark's own start of his female Accelerator one-shot.
Originally, I had planned on releasing this first as the first chapter Of Lines. But even though the chapter was complete, I felt it wasn't ready. Something was still missing. So, I released Melzabeth's chapter instead; no regrets. And for a long while, I've been constantly going back to see what I was missing from this dish so that it was ready to be served.
I seasoned it again.
I cut some fat off.
Put it back on the hot pan and added a bit of wine.
Threw on some tasty bits here and there.
But, even now, I still find myself wanting. This was ready to serve but I still felt it was lacking something! And then I realized something.
This...this couldn't just be one dish. No, no, no. This was just an appetizer. It couldn't be the main course. It could only be the leading plate, not the true meal!
So, I serve this up as just an appetizer. Expect the main course down the line, damn it.
Female Hamazura was a treat to write up. Honestly, I wasn't confident in writing her or developing her into transitioning into being a girl. It felt odd. At least, at first it did. But the more I wrote, edited, and developed things, the more I found myself having fun with the concept.
Question to everyone reading: What's a good nickname for FemHamazura? I was thinking of Hama-chan, you know, something cutesy. If ya have any ideas, let me know in the reviews.
As for her appearance; fuck. There's actually a fan art out there of Touma, Accelerator, and Hamazura as genderbent versions of themselves that I absolutely love that helps capture FemHamazura's appearance perfectly. I really have to find it. It's from a popular fan artist of ToAru who's also infamous for his NSFW art too. Shit, this is going to drive me crazy.
This chapter was an oddly bittersweet one in tone for me. It wasn't the taste I was going for but one I found myself closing my eyes at, sucking a shape breath with a humm, and signaling with an O-K with my hand with the utterance of YES. The unsure emotions, the apprehension, the uncertainty, Takitsubo's own feelings. It all just mixed together so fine. And yes, without a doubt, Hamazura's gender does not matter to Takitsubo. No matter the world or reality, those two will always be connected so tightly and affectionately that love, no matter its shape or form, will be present. I felt it just fit that Takitsubo would still have fallen in love with Hamazura even in this new universe.
...No, it had nothing to do with my own tastes. O-Or the tantalizing thought of a threesome. W-W-Who do you take me for?! A shitty Hamazura?!
Moving on.
This was just part one. I have a part two in development as we speak. Finally! I can write a date(kinda a date) scene! Oh, who will come stumbling upon this lovely event? Just the thought of the possible dialogues and interactions has got me excited.
For now, I'll leave this be. I got two more one-shots just about ready to go up once I'm done cooking. Are you interested?
Well, if you looked up on my P a treon, you'd already have a taste of one of the next possible updates: Fukou-Da-Kun! Everyone's Favorite Doll of Misfortune! I released a sneak peek of the chapter on my P a treon for members to taste. As well as updates on what's going on next and new developments. I've even got a Month of Treats going on to celebrate October: a month of sneak peeks, deleted stories, and other work!
And as for what's going to be uploaded as a treat for my Patrons today, I have a Touma x Kuroko one-shot that will also be released in November. This one was a special one-shot created for one of my friends on Discord a long while back, so it's about time I plate it up. It's a sneak peek but should definitely bring a smile to those who enjoy such a pairing.
Plus several other sneak peeks, deleted content, and even RWBY content too for those who are interested. I'm even uploading a sneak peek at the next chapter of A Certain Maestrom of Misfortune as well. Maybe I should release the deleted Original Chapters of ACMM too?
Remember to Read and Review! It's common courtesy.
NeoShadows fading in and out.
P a treon . com (slash) NeoShadows.