Authors note: Hi, sorry for the very unbeta'ed and unproofread chapter but here it is! i hope you guys like it!

Spirito1987: Your sorta right with that assumption yeah! its basically the premise of it!

onilink500: How did u read my mind? but yeah its sorta similar with that what ur thinking!

GGVegito: Thats a good theory tbh im still planning around it ill keep that in mind!

Emzt20x: Thanks! Im glad its to your liking!

Bluejack22: EY! A reader from ao3! Im glad u found this story to your liking!

RR are appreciated!without further ado enjoy the story!

With all of what's happening in her life, Kuroko considers this to be the one that takes the cake of eccentricities it presents.

A nun and a ghost being her sole company at the start of a summer wasn't in her bucket list, but look where she is now.

Maybe she was still in daze, in a state of shock, her reactions slow and numbed from the people around her. That should answer the reasons why Kuroko had become jarringly adjusted to the situation in front of her.

Kuroko recalls how the two – turning three – days of working with the ghost called Kamijou Touma had felt like nothing but a festering blood curse, rather than a blessing in disguise that he proudly insinuates he is. Kuroko was certain she was afflicted with a hex that was cast by the universe itself, because her being the unluckiest person ever was just not enough for the universe to be entertained by.

It just had to add another cherry on top of that woeful cake.

It was only a natural course for them to move places. Having nothing to eat in her dorm and Kamijou whispering a very sound warning - To be honest he really only pointed at the rooftop and said: "THERE'S THAT PRIEST OVER THERE HIDE!" - It was decided that they should have a more close and private room to discuss this very sensitive and possibly confidential topic.

And what better way to discuss this government secret in a super duper quick and bustling fast food chain!

Where anyone could hear!

'Wonderful…' Kuroko sarcastically thought to herself.

Kuroko grumbled in her palms as Kamijou happily led them to this place. It's amazing how her spectral companion just keeps making her pull her hair in every scenario possible. At the very least the nun had been nothing but polite and said very little about this place, which made her less frustrated about this.

Seated in a faraway booth where only loners and crackheads would dare to sit, Kuroko began to ask this 'Index' when the coast had been clear. She really made sure too, swiping off the sign titled in bold "Slippery When Wet" as an extra measure.

Index had then proceeded to tell her about her own whereabouts and reasons as to why she was roof-hopping from building to building, like some zealous group of mormons desperate to spread the word of polygamy or something. It wasn't a long story, nor was her explanation brief.

Honestly it was summarised down to an average telltale, nothing too complex.

The way Kamijou spoke of his experience with her had surely been a lie. She wasn't difficult to talk to, in fact she was easy to understand: Direct and very straightforward with her explanation, unlike a certain monkey-brained ghost beside her. Her only gripe was that the girl talked to her as if she was born without proper brain functions. For Kuroko it felt patronising, like an adult chiding the young, but that was to be expected when she had just touched the tip of the other side of this complicated world.

Even if it was degrading to have this tone be directed at her, Kuroko still listened to Index. As she continued on with her story, the closer and more factual Kamijou's information had gotten. Having heard that magic might be real, Kuroko's brow was moving in tune with the story. She was constantly fighting the urge to twitch her brow at Index's tale, even though she promised to keep an open mind to both the nun and the ghost.

In Kuroko's mind magic was still ridiculous, but the thin line between ridiculousness and reality was starting to become one the more she listened to Index's and Kamijou's words.

As her explanation comes to a close, Kuroko had then realised how many layers, like that of an onion, of wrongness were presented here.

Exhibit one; A nun eating her heart out by slowly depleting her resources down to only four digits instead of the five she had earned yesterday.

Exhibit two; A ghost looking just as happy as the nun, albeit with no food to waste, but her own sanity was slowly decreasing.

Kuroko, for the hundredth time since this morning, is questioning her reality once again.

She used both of her hands, propped it into the table and pressed her forehead against it. Praying to God - or the many other, hopefully nice, gods - that were willing to listen to her pleas that this will be the only time that she'll find herself in this premunition of strange events that can't possibly be real.

"Kuroko–" It was the voice that broke her tiny hope of this being a hallucination, that she wasn't a runaway patient from a mental hospital.

In all honesty, Kuroko doesn't know whether to be happy with that.

"Please don't refer to me so casually, Miss Prohibitorum." Kuroko interrupted the girl that goes by the name Index. She was ignored, as per usual. The nun took another bite of the unhealthy grease that any fast food can offer. She grimaces as well as becoming a tad bit fascinated by how much her tiny body can eat. She was easily decimating every piece of food that was laid out on the table.

"-Kuroko! I told you to call me Index!" The person with the cherry wine hair bit down a sigh. "So you really believe me then? About magic? About the organisation? All of it you truly believe?"

Index questions rapidly, hardly taking a breath in between each inquiry, and Kuroko felt like their roles had been reversed. Shouldn't she be the one in doubt and questioning the very existence of Academy City because of her?

Kuroko strikes a subtle look at Kamijou in the hope that he would give her a little help for an acceptable answer for this hopeful nun.

In already classic Kamijou fashion, all she got was a thumbs up in return.

Kuroko turned back to the nun hoping that the crease in her brow wasn't there.

"I do, I believe you." It's hard not to when the spirit besides her had summarised it all to her, down to every single last detail and point, that it was hard not to deny that Kamijou had been right with his words.

Pained as she was to admit it… but he was telling the truth.

Magic might be real and Index is her key to further expand and understand what it meant. Kamijou did tell her an abridged version of all of this, but she wanted to know more. Somewhere deep within her a pulse of passion ignites, and she cannot ignore it.

It has been a long time since she felt these feelings resurface again.

But in her search for an answer, does Index really have to waste her money like this?

Kuroko watched her devour yet another burger. She wanted to yell, or maybe chastise her for being so glutinous, but then she remembered she offered to treat her. She can only deflate and think about her poor financial decisions.

"That's great! Fantastic even! I really thought you would try and argue to me that Magic isn't real. You seem like the type to shut me down and shove an entire encyclopaedia volume about the creation of life." She pointed out, and this time Kuroko felt obligated to raise her eyebrow.

"I'm not that tactless."

"You kinda are, Shirai-san." Kamijou chimed in.

Kuroko was starting to realise that, obviously, he didn't know any better.

Kuroko stealthily pinched him using her right hand. Poofing him off for a few seconds to shut him off. Even when his lips were upturned the moment he's back to his solid form again.

So annoying!

"Besides your general opinion of me," The girl giggles and Kuroko can't bring herself to be mad with how giddy it sounds."I've been wondering this since earlier, but where will you hide? You can't possibly just go around falling on every balcony and hang on it like a futon, waiting for the person to take you in and expect them to help you."

"That sounds very specific for some reason."

"Rhetorically speaking."

"Even if you say that…" Index sent a glance."Didn't you do all of that with no hesitation?"

"I'm an exception." Kuroko swiftly denied.

"If you say so…'' She smiled before pursing her lips, twiddling her fingers nervously, her eyes stayed fixed in her suddenly deft fingers. Kuroko watched. "I was hoping that you can help me go around Academy City and look for an Anglican Church that could take me in."

It was a no-brainer that Kuroko would do it in a heartbeat. Although it wasn't from the goodness of her heart.

As a Shirai, she was raised to take everything in stride. Adapt. A moment of doubt is a moment of weakness. Obviously the Shirai, prideful clan that they are, frowns upon the very idea of doubt, seeing it as a weakness and a hurdle to the path of success.

Kuroko is an obedient child but oftentimes she'll find herself turning a blind eye on that specific rule if things don't come to her favour. Afterall, becoming stubborn in one's decision would often lead to downfall, and if she's going to inherit their company the least she can do is become flexible to be ready if things come to worst.

This one instance is that.

"And what if they don't take you in?" Kuroko pressed, scanning her face if she could pick up some microscopic reaction from this enigmatic girl who smiles purely despite her myriad of questions. "What will you do next?"

"Find another church that would take me in, and if they don't then I would run until someone can finally take me in." She says, resolute and firm.

It was a stupid plan really, and by the looks of it she knows it too. Running from a large organisation seems so superfluous, worthless in both time and energy. This was her fool's gold and Kuroko was forced to watch her chase it.

But…

Index looks so certain that she can find a conclusive end. So callow to think that people are simplistic, that she would escape this quandary that she'd been unfortunately shoepiled with the least complicated measures.

Index wasn't even sure if the Japanese Anglican churches would take her in. Kuroko knew Index wasn't dumb– How can she be when she has a flawless photographic memory where she can memorise everything with a glance– Index was fully aware of what's ahead of her, that she also has a huge bounty on her head.

Yet still, Index was willing to risk it all for the chance of freedom.

It almost made Kuroko rise up and applaud the overflowing optimism that she has. Or maybe it's because of naivety.

Eitherway she really has no choice but to stay by her side.

Kuroko closed her eyes. Quietly, she groaned to herself. Now she understands why Kamijou was dead (Hah! Dead!) set on helping her. It was hard not too when she was this earnest. She would be heartless if she ignored her.

"I didn't even agree to tour you around in this City."

"You wouldn't do it then."

"Don't be silly, I can't just leave you alone all by yourself."

"So is that a no? I'm not hearing a no."

"Its a yes, obviously." Kuroko snorts, pretending she couldn't see the catish grin Kamijou was thrown in her way." But stop assuming that I would just agree with you immediately." As the girl beamed in joy, Kuroko mumbled under her breath a curse that would make a sailor blush uncontrollably.

"Even when I'm already interfering with your life?" She said with a moment of hesitation from those resolute eyes. Kuroko leaned away from the table. A thoughtful but otherwise troubled look flash in her verdient eyes.

"I'm unoccupied at this moment so I don't see the problem of walking you around. Although I would prefer my mornings with fewer company and less trouble. It would just look bad on me if I turn away a nun. And I already find this whole thing incredibly disruptive in my morning routine."

"But?" Index reproached leaning to her and looking hopeful.

"There's no but." Kuroko opened one of her eyes and saw the silver haired nun deflate."You really are disrupting my life."

"Oh, well I can ju–"

"That's not to say I'm not used to the trouble. It's annoying but what can I do? A mortal like me can't possibly hinder the universe's decisions." She cut her off and the joy returned to her face.

Kamijou had snickered and Kuroko had felt another urge to poof him again, Not now though, Kuroko can just do that later.

"Your words were sweet even if you phrase it like that." Kuroko uncharacteristically snort, of course the servant of god would look pass to it."So just to be clear you're really helping me out?" Her eyes shone with utmost relief and Kuroko had to look away to avoid her pitiful eyes.

"Yes, unfortunately." It was that time. Kuroko felt certain that she could let out a sigh to embody this set of intangible feelings she was trying hard not to dissect at this moment." So hurry up and eat your food. A second waste is already a moment's loss."

She grinned one last time and took another bite of her burger.

Her wallet began to grief.

Kuroko is starting to think that maybe getting a new phone, preferably a smartphone, is becoming a necessity.

A pager was incredibly useless in this situation and why did she insist on getting one anyways?

Oh, yes she forgot. She didn't have any interest in these things and found the pager more efficient and time wise. Now she was starting to regret that practicality that she was proud of, it was irritating for her to feel this useless for someone else when she was used to being seen with value because of her knowledge and experience.

(Not mentioning that when she did buy one that was cutting edge technology it was easily destroyed with one of her encounters with that annoying level 5. Kuroko decided that the cheaper the item was, the easier Kuroko could replace it.)

Touring around the Academy City was not of that expertise.

"If you have a Smartphone this would have been so much easier."

"You think I didn't know that?" She barked, because yes. Kuroko was starting to see the errors of her ways and No, she would not admit the error of her ways to Kamijou.

Again, Kuroko let out a deep sigh. They were both seated in the empty bullet train, Index was rightfully sleeping beside her, swaying in her seat the same way the train dared not to wake her up as she had noticed the lines under her eyes, exhaustion was weighing her down from the get go. Letting her sleep seems like the right choice and Kuroko was not an ass to ruin this for her.

She looked over her pager and saw Aogami's reply to her question. That there was no information about a nearby church from her district, or any other district that's nearby in her place.

(She denied his onslaught perverted questions about her having taken interest with nuns or priests, because of course this man doesn't discriminate when it comes to fetishes and deviant acts.)

Kuroko had tried looking for one in the neighbouring prefracture which ultimately lead to moving to another. Kuroko had encountered nothing but abandoned ones in their journey.

Really finding a church, an Anglican one at that, feels like finding a needle in a bunch of haystacks.

She was relieved that the Nun didn't feel disheartened by this. Instead she was even more determined to search for one, if they possibly could.

"Kamijou-san, if you really claim that you're from the future then tell me what will happen next?" She inquired, finally having the time to converse about this situation that they're in.

This mystery that Kamijou shroud himself with, Kuroko was ready to tear it down and search for an answer, a clue if she was lucky. This man has always been vague with his explanations, oftentimes it feels like Kuroko was pulling her teeth whenever she demands him for an answer.

Kamijou, who floats above them, crossed his arms." I would advise you not to return from your dormitory seeing that Stiyl would be there waiting for your return, Or maybe it's Kanzaki-san waiting."

"Okay, a bunch of strangers waiting in my dorm got it. The rewards I get for helping a stranger, Go me I guess." She heaved a tired sigh." I know she's being chased by an organisation full of magicians but can a girl have a breather?"Kamijou can only chuckle slightly in response.

"You can consider this trip as your last rest."

"You're not serious about that." When asked, Kamijou returned it with a boyish grin." Oh my god you are."

"There were a lot of things that she didn't explain. Don't blame her for it though, Index doesn't know it, not when she's forced to erase her memories every year to keep the 103,000 grimoires in her head intact and if she doesn't… Well, You're a bright cookie to pick on that."

"She would die." Kuroko continued, looking over at the nun beside her." But that doesn't make any sense. A person can store up to 140 years worth of human memory in their head even with little space it has, Even with her near perfect memory. It's still possible, at least that's what I've read from the book about brain development. Is this ritual really necessary for her?"

She didn't look anything special, if you put aside that she's a vessel of what can be described as an academic weapon in a literal sense. Index was just a girl.

A girl that's been running away from her cruel fate.

Kamijou chuckled." I knew you would pick up on that 're smart, smarter than I was back then, if I had been you I think I would have prevented this tragedy earlier,skipped some steps here and there. Would make my life less painful." His cheery tone faded to a wistful one.

"But, that's not the case isn't it?" Kuroko's brow curled together ignoring Kamijou's weird self deprecation." All of this just seems so does she even need to get through with this?"

"Because it's an efficient leash." Kamijou simply stated, it was not a lie, nor was it a fact but simply a statement that everyone knows." Every book that relates to the dichotomy of religion is in her head, all of those grimoires that are equally as dangerous as it was powerful are all in her head. The Necronomicon, Book of shadows, The magus, She has all the books memorised, safekeep in her head. She has a perfect memory, A perfect vessel to store every knowledge that they can safely store and carry. It's a win-win situation for the Church. It was because of that outcome that eighty five percent of her brain is taken up by the memories of the 103,000 grimoires." It made Kuroko still in her seat." She only has the remaining fifteen percent to use and function like a normal human being. If she continues to amass memories like a normal person, her brain will quickly explode from the overwhelming output."

"Supposedly." She turned around to meet Kamijou who's eyes never betrayed her.

"Allegedly," Kamijou raised his index finger to prove a point." It's like what you'd said. A person can store 140 years of Human memory in their head even if 15% of free space remains in their brain. It's possible that all of those 1 year intervals of erasing her memories are a hoax."

"They all did this erasing ritual thing just because they wanted to put a leash on her? That's it?" She put it all together and by fixing the pieces together Kuroko pressure shot up through the roof." What kind of mess up place did she come from? For a religious institute it sounds like hell to be there." Their promise of safe haven as you accept their god sounds so pretentious now.

"It's not that simple."

"I've never said it was." She cut him off with a scowl crossing her arms and leaning back to her chair." Everything that you've put me through has been far from simple. You dragged me in this mess and not once I've complained. Don't patronise me.I know there's more to it." In the end she sighed, Kuroko hadn't meant to lose her cool, but all of this happening just all at once, can be a bit overwhelming even for the great Shirai Kuroko.

Kamijou didn't take her words badly, mostly all he did was close and open his mouth, passing a contemplative look on his face.

She followed it soon with a question."All of what the church said was a lie then ? and now this organisation–" Kuroko shakes her head correcting herself."-Her companions were being tricked by the church is what I'm getting at?"

"Yep,you're pretty much on the nose with it, all things considered." Kamijou confirmed, he shifted in the air, his whole body sitting on the roof of the train. Cocking his head to the side as he started to muse."The best course of action that we can take is debialate them, Find a place where we can have a diplomatic briefing and at least convince one of them to believe that they're being tricked with a lie."

"What's our alternative if things don't work?"

"We let our fist do the talking."And he said that so seriously.

A groan escaped Kuroko's throat." Of course you would say that."

"It worked before!"

"It might did on your life but have ypu considered that mine's very different!" She hissed back at him.

"What are you whispering to yourself Kuroko?" Index asked stretching her limbs with her words coming as groggy since she'd just been woken up.

Kuroko turned to meet her, ready to once again chastise her for speaking her name without honorifics but she stopped midway.

Kuroko had really never seen interest in people's appearances before, it wasn't because she was never ever good at remembering faces or that she simply doesn't care. She simply forgets, often remembering people by their clothes and name.

Index wasn't an exception to that and now that Kuroko had really taken a good look at her. She noticed how young she had looked, the roundness of her face suits the innocence of the colour white she wore.

The nun was adorable, childish innocence radiating from her and the way the sun framed her face had made her look ethereal. But not the unapproachable way, in fact it sort of reminded Kuroko of a Mary, The virtuous virgin of Jerusalem.

Really, what were the church thinking when they gave her the burden of carrying those grimoires? What a bunch of asses they are.

"I was talking to someone." Kuroko said, raising her pager out to the public. The Nun's mouth curled." Don't worry it wasn't really anything important, just some spam calls. If you know what that is."

"That's just rude."

"You didn't deny it." The nun lips curled with discontentment." I guess those assumptions aren't that far from the truth."

In the end the nun went quiet, her eyes however wandered at the view from the window.

Kuroko bit back a sigh. She wasn't really the type to cheer up people." Listen, I feel like this one would be the one and If it's not then we can just look for another one again." Kuroko tried to lessen her dampened mood.

"You're kind of weird Kuroko."

Kuroko blinks.

"Excuse me?'

"A person doesn't usually follow a stranger around to stick saved me, gave me food and then you came along with me on a whim and now you're also going around with me and helping me find a church that can take me in. Are you usually this kind to anybody?"

Kuroko clasped her fingers together and opened her mouth.

"This isn't being kind, I'm pushed to do these things." She says with open honesty, finally staring at the girl's viridian eyes that seemed to glow under her 's no crease of doubt that she can find in her face." Rhetorically speaking, If I was in the beach side and I see a person drowning and If I knew how to swim. The first thing I would do is ask everyone that's around me if they know how to swim. If someone does I would leave it to their hands and If they don't then I'm the one that's jumping to the water simply because I had no choice but to do it. I know how to swim and the others don't the responsibilities lays on me. Even if I choose to ignore a person drowning that would stem guilt. I don't know about you but I rather not have the chance to deal with it."

"That's still being considerate."

"No, It isn't."

Index pursed her lips."But you still considered and asked, If that isn't being considerate then what it is?"

"Its self preservation and maybe convenience." Kuroko answered." If I can save a person I will and If I can't then I won't. I'm not as kind as the image you painted me in your head."

"Kuroko, You're surprisingly shy with your feelings." Index pointed out and Kuroko's cheeks burned. Seriously, that's what she got from all of the things she said? It's more than that! She threw away her dignity for that lengthy talk!

"Please call me Shirai,Miss Prohibitorum."

"But Kuroko," The cherry wine haired girl groaned." I wanted to ask you another thing."

Sigh." What is it?"

"If I were to find myself in a position that requires throwing away your life…Are you willing to throw your life and follow me to the depths of hell?"

Kuroko has to blink just to register the question she randomly asked.

It was just…very out of field. Somehow it made her halt the words that were going to pour out of her mouth.

"You must be kidding?"

"I'm serious about it." Index said, shuffling her feet as she swung it back and forth. Looking candid as if the question she asked was simply mundane and not out of the ordinary." Would you really follow me inside of that hell?"

Kuroko's not insane or was she a hero from a shounen anime that would just throw their life away for a stranger. She was just a typical teenager that's a high school student with a weird ability and the universe's designated punching bag.

So it was obvious what her answer would be.

"Absolutely not." Answered Kuroko without a pause to think or hesitation to make the answer feel long.

Because if it comes to it. Kuroko doesnt know whether she can support her. Help her when she can barely help herself.

However…she soon regretted her quick answer.

Kuroko thinks. Being unable to lie feels a heavy burden at times. especially when little white lies are needed in this type of situation. But she has principles, rules for how to live her life. It was to tell the truth no matter what the circumstances are, even if it gives off terrible results.

To see a smile still as sweet as before even with a rejection didn't stung in a way she thought it would. However, guilt wrapped her and just by looking at her Kuroko felt the intense weight of the words she said.

It was ridiculous how this person made her drown with doubt from the words she had spoken. More ridiculous that Kuroko made her rephrase her wordings a bit better. Lighter for this girl to consume.

"But I told you, didn't I?" Kuroko striked a grin, hopefully she did and not those terrible ones that reeked of misery and blues."It's a matter of convenience. I might not be willing to follow you but the least I can do is guide you towards hell that you speak off."

Hopefully that appeased the girl's wandering mind. The girl seemed to turn quiet and Kuroko looked away, not because of awkwardness.

Ok, so partially it might be but the words she had said felt…lame.

Uncool.

Even Kamijou who was settled with becoming a backdrop let out a muffled guffaw at her side. Losing her collected cool even more, she buried her head deeper behind her shoulders; it didn't help when Index had this visceral emotion that Kuroko can only be perceived as anything but not sympathy.

"You really are weird Kuroko…" And that was the final straw to finally feel the heat come to her cheeks.

When they come to the top of the hills–which surprised Kuroko that there was an untouched terraformed hill in Academy City in the first place– they come across this one as by far the most shabby looking one, in Kuroko's undisputed opinion.

Kuroko, upon having to glance at it, was quick to ask Index if she really wanted to check it out, even if her will was waning in her prompt suggestion.

As expected, Index had agreed. Striding at the church with confident steps while Kuroko had taken it the opposite with her long and slow languid motion.

"Kuroko, if you're not gonna get any faster I'm leaving you there!" Index turned her head at her.

Kuroko raised a confused brow. Index, who look expectant, used her body to gesture, her shoulder pointing at the mossy cathedral.

Ah.

Kuroko shrugged either way." I don't really care." She said."It's just gonna be empty anyways."

"Mouu! How are you so pessimistic! " Miffed, she yelled back and Kuroko just sigh." Fine, See how you like getting left alone there!" scratching the side of her head with Index's figure disappeared from the distance.

"Girl's are so hard to understand." Kuroko mumbled, she felt the cold air pass through her, behind her Kamijou looked amused.

"It's like you are not one yourself."

"Girl's at her age."Kuroko corrected soon and Kamijou laughed." I think I was more busy running for my life than going to abandon churches in my free time. But girls have different hobbies I suppose."

"You just ignore the Index flag huh?" Kamijou casually mentioned." I mean, your type leans more into Tomboys and Tsundere's, I guess? You seem like the masochist type."

Incredulously, she stared at him." Flags…? Masochist? What the hell are you talking about?"

"You know…routes! Visual novels! Girl archetypes!"

"Erm…What?" Kuroko frown is this another one of his useless media references?

"Holy– Is this what it feels like talking to me before?" Kamijou murmured upon a dawning realisation." Am I that boring?"

"That's just uncalled for." Kamijou simply ignore her.

"I bet you don't know pop culture references too. I mean do you even watch movies?" He sighs disappointingly when Kuroko turns to blankly stare at her." You know what, forget about it. I should have seen it coming with how empty your house is."

"You can come out now. I know you've been tailing us since forever." Kuroko dismissed the cries of the spectral annoyance, and liked what Kamijou had told her before. His guesses had been totally on point but they never really had guessed whom it might be.

So it was a surprise when a curvaceous figure emerged from the shadows of the forest bushes.

The first thing Kuroko noticed was that they wore very unusual clothes. Not as eccentric as Index's nun outfit but it was worth getting looked over when you're just a passerby.

One gaze can tell you everything, the sheath of the sword that was safely tucked to her side. the asymmetrical jean length and the high ponytail that was held by a white ribbon. She was dressed to fight and In an instant. Kuroko's danger warning instilled to her since she had been born blared loudly in her mind.

The feeling of helplessness didn't help when Kamijou himself looked extremely unsure of himself.

" Oh no."

"What do you mean "Oh no?" Tell me this is going according to plan right?" She whispered yell, looking back at her and at the weapon that was buckled in her hips.

It was just staring at her, Intimidatingly.

"No, it went off the rails." He says with utmost honesty." The person in front of you is one of the top 10 saints, Kanzaki Kaori. The one that gave me the taste of hell back then. I barely survived an encounter with her."

"Why did you feel the need to add that one?" Kuroko asked, exasperated.

"But it was true."

"I know that but at least save it for yourself. Heaven forbid when a girl ask for the vote of confidence you always destroy it."

"I can't just baby you, We also need to keep that ego in check." Argued Kamijou back, crossing his arms with a thoughtful look on his face." The good thing is that she doesn't kill, well her ability doesn't kill. She really can't kill, you can't die from her."

"Why do you feel the need to repeat such things?" Exasperated by this, Kamijou just continued on.

" Although do be wary of being beaten until you're black and blue. That happened to me."

" THAT'S THE GOOD PART?! " She whispered. Well at least the best that she can without detonating in her place from the bundles of nerves Kamijou's shitty pep talk gave.

"But it would be alright, I think? Kanzaki-san has always been one of the most reasonable ones in their group. I guess there's a 50% chance that she would listen to what you have to say."

"Oh gee, statistics. Using them to your advantage to make me feel a bit confident. Just absolute joy!"

"Did it work?"

With a flat face. Kuroko answered her, putting all of the leftover joy she had for him.

"No." And the ghost deflated.

"You are Shirai Kuroko…If I'm not mistaken."

Startled by her voice Kuroko stood upright. Even if she knew by the end of this encounter she wouldn't be able to do so for a while.

"You're well informed." She notes wearing a reserved smile." That goes for me as well. You are a saintess named Kanzaki Kaori?" The girl shifts in her place. Just a tiny bit.

"How did you know my name?" And where did you learn it. Goes unsaid but Kuroko can see it from the lines of her face.

"Lets say, from a trusted informant…Disclosing his name just seems to be unfair for him, you know?" Kuroko says smiling, She doubts that they can even find a trace of him. "Colour me surprised though, to become a saint you must be exceptional. A prodigious genius to be able to acquire that position for such a short time." Kuroko clapped, faking a bravado so well that Kamijou was looking at her like she was some kind of a circus freak.

(She ushered a quick appreciation to her Father's annual dinner parties for being handy outside of the leaching social circle that her Father calls stockholders.)

Bluffing. It wasn't something Kuroko usually does but always works on her end which was surprising with her less than envious luck. Lying her way out and trying to see if the tides will be on her side in every sentence she spouts.

In reality it may have been the worst route Kuroko had taken, especially when she was face to face with a Saint. Lying wouldn't get her anywhere but was it a lie when Kuroko is speaking a bit of truth in every lie she spouts?

(The answer was an apparent yes.)

Kanzaki hands didn't stray away from the sheath. In fact it remained even more guarded.

"I know you're not here for me." Kuroko started, there was really no point in getting in her good graces. She was already suspicious of her the moment she had snooped in and helped Index." You're here for Index."

"If you already know then why are you here for…Are you a spy from the Catholic Church?" She guessed boldly and Kuroko shook her head vigorously at the sentiment.

It was just ridiculous.

"I'm not even religious…but that's besides the point. I can't just let you take Index away and make her erase her mind with unjustified reasons." She saw Kanzaki's foot shift in the moonlight and she saw her blade glint dangerously." but that doesn't mean I'm here looking for a fight, quite the contrary actually. I'm here to talk." and hopefully it would only be that.

But Kuroko can't have nice things in this life.

Not when a burst of red flame was shot in her direction.

See Kuroko had never tried extinguishing a magician's flame before. The most she'd try was a pyromaniac stray flame going astray to her face before, the power behind the flame was quickly distinguished by the mere flick of her right hand of course.

So it was a pleasant surprise that Kuroko can deflect the flame from a magician with her right hand even if it's hotter than the one she'd encountered previously.

The striking difference between them is that this one has the intent to kill while the other was just a careless accident.

Kuroko suppressed her shivers by giving a glare.

"Oh..Stiyl." Kamijou mumbled to himself a voice full of melancholy for an unknown reason. Like everything that surrounds his existence. A mystery that Kuroko can never solve even when she tries too.

Stiyl, Or Stiyl magnus, Kuroko had heard of him from Kamijou. He even said he was a priest which made Kuroko wonder how a 14 year old managed to claim such a title that fast at his age.

"You said 14 years old, not a grown ass man!" Kuroko hissed at Kamijou, trying as hard not to point at the red hair that stood a head tall before them.

He wore a black coat and black apparels. The rings in his hands glinted menacingly and Kuroko notes in distaste about the barcode tattoo on his face. Really? How was she supposed to believe this man was 14? He was closer to a convict than a priest that Kamijou claims him to be…not to mention why is it that he became a priest when he was 14? How does that even work?

"He is!"

"Then explain why he looks like he runs after 14 years old!"

Kamijou blew a raspberry."Pfft, easy! It's because of magic!" Kuroko bristled to her place and returned the same unwelcomed glance the man was striking in her direction.

It was uncomfortable to receive a plethora of unplaced distaste.

"Talk? How laughable. Why do you think we will listen to someone that barely knows anything that's happening." A man's voice grunted with dissatisfaction, making Kuroko frown.

"While I barely know anything. I can at least say I started to care for her." Kuroko argued, ignoring the scathing glare the red-haired man had." You know how much of this doesn't make sense! Why does she need to go through every ritual in every year? And for what purpose? Have you ever asked that or are you just gonna obey your organisation like a mindless drone of bees."

"I don't need a nosey little nobody to tell me what is wrong and right." The man's expression morphed with disgust." Do you think we've never questioned their decisions? Of how cruel this act might have been. I've counted the years, the troubles and the pain this brought me but this had been the far less cruel way to save her."

"Erasing her memories every year is less cruel?"

"And letting her slowly die with memory overuse is not?"

"Stiyl he was the one that took the news hard about Index yearly memorial clean up." Kamijou sighed." Be gentle with him."

Kuroko rolled her eyes. She doesn't need to be told about that, Kuroko knows what she was doing and seeing how this person was unwilling to listen there can be only one thing that she can do now.

Negotiate.

"But what if there's a way to stop it. You know how unusual it is to clear Index memory yearly so that she could make space for the 15% that was left in her brain. A normal person can hold up to 160 years of human memory and her mind is one of the greatest weapons out there. She is a flawless host for the 103,000 grimoires at that. Can you really believe about her brain reaching its limit when it's already been stuffed with those amounts of grimoire?" Kuroko tried to reason only to be met by another wave of flames. A warning shot if Kuroko ever saw one.

"You don't know anything." His words were frosty and Kuroko neither felt fear nor despair. Kuroko felt uneasy however with how much heat came from the fire that was thrown in her direction.

Kuroko already knew that talking was not an option. She knew when to stop when the person in front of her was refusing to listen.

She was outnumbered by both manpower and skills. She has no weapon that can counter the swordswoman and by Kamijou's word she was a skilled sword master. Fighting them with her bare fist just seems like a stupid thing to do when she can just stab Kuroko and be done with it.

But Kamijou did say that she can't kill. So there's another possibility that maybe she can survive an encounter with her.

What about that priest? He seems to be set on ending her life here and now.

'Well that's because he is. He wanted you dead, isn't that already obvious?'

Kuroko hammered down the idea, she could not reconsider it when it meant her life was on the line.

Fighting was out of option.

Running away however, has always been the right choice that Kuroko would forever choose.

Cowardly as it was, Kuroko knew how much of a risk it was to face them head on. She need not look at Kamijou's face to see him agree with her actions. If he claims to know anything about her and the future then he may already know what she was going for.

A tactical retreat.

But she can't just run away with her back turn, those two could hit her the moment she turned her back at them.

She needs a distraction.

"Kuroko can you believe there's no one th—?! They managed to catch up on us!"

And the distraction came.

Index came out with the same expression that she came with, although more appalled than before. Kuroko saw it, for a moment the two magicians were held in their place. A mixture of emotion painted in their face, if Kuroko had time she would sit in her place and try to recognize all of the emption they had displayed.

However she was short on time. Seeing this is more of an opportunity to escape than mingle. Kuroko didn't wait for a response and dashed over to Index side and grabbed a hold of her hands.

"Run!" She said, dragging Index with her.

"Wait–Huh?! Hey–! Just wait a second!" Index complained as she stumbled in the air, her steps becoming even more clumsy in each attempt of trying to catch herself.

Kuroko sees how much time was wasted and decides to pick Index up and carry her like a sack of bag rice. She didn't even know how she'd managed it but the good thing is that they weren't wasting anymore time.

An indignant yelp escaped from Index lips, needless complaints started pouring in.

"Let me go! I can walk by myself!" Index fist pounded her back, her hits were weak and akin to a kitten hitting their tiny paws at herm

"No you can't!" Was Kuroko's only response. In their argument she felt something hot coming their way. Index scream was the only warning she got before getting hit by a stray flame.

"Behind you!" Kamijou yelled and having no time to turn around and avoid it, Kuroko loosen her grip on Index and brace her inside her arms as the flame comes in contact, hitting her back face on.

The pain came like a hot iron liquid, trailing behind her in every lick it gives a bolt of sharp pain travels down her nerves. She bit her lip, blood coming out to prevent herself from screaming.

"Kuroko your back!" Index cried, horrified at the sight of the burnt flesh.

"I'm fine." Kuroko said, smiling throughout the pain, the despair that took over Index's expression. Kuroko let out a small chuckle." It takes more than a flame to bring me down."

"Escape is futile, If you cherish your life. Give up." Stiyl said, with a click of his hand, Flame lit above his fingers." There is no place to run. Just hand her over and everything will be over soon."

He was right. There is no place to run. The area was surrounded by cliffs and if she rushed forward they would just incapacitate her and take Index. This venture had been nothing but failed attempts but that doesn't mean she would just give up. Not when this girl was counting on her!

"You're right, You've stranded us, We don't have a place to run." Kuroko agreed, she slowly stood in her place, the scorching pain pulsated in her back, her knees buckling, but despite it all she stood tall." But that doesn't mean I'm giving up. If I can't see an answer then I'll just create my own solution!"

Proudly she said, offering a helping hand over to Index. Who looked as if she was seeing Kuroko in another light. Gingerly, she took Kuroko's hand. It was one of the first instances that Index had taken it without Kuroko forcing it on her own.

Kuroko gave her a sweet smile. Index brows curled but returned said smile double fold. However, unbeknownst to her it was part of Kuroko's plan.

Kuroko tightly gripped both of hands and she started to spin both of them.

"AWAWAWAWAWAWA!" Earning just the right momentum for her weight, Kuroko started to fling Index near to the cliff letting her go and in that one flash of instance she saw the pure terror of her face.

Like a mad man, Kuroko dashed towards the cliff and didn't hesitate to jump following the nun mid air.

Their eyes met and Kuroko was reminded of the first meeting they had. This time, however, a flash of anger was pushed in those eyes.

Kuroko can live with that.

"ARE YOU MAD!" Index shrieked and Kuroko answered it with a full belly laugh." You are actually insane… I can't believe I trusted you, I thought you were normal!" Index frantically shouted, instantly clinging to her when her eyes strayed to the ground below them.

"Not a fan of heights huh?"

"Shut up! Why are you so calm about this! We are falling to our deaths!" Kuroko giggled as Index buried her face in her chest whispering prayers with such haste Kuroko had never seen before.

Kuroko herself didn't know what possessed her to do such imprudent actions, it was unlike her to do something so reckless. No plans or anything, just pure instincts that fuelled her to act.

She fully acknowledged that what she'd done was an act of desperation. Kuroko was only human after all, so it was natural.

Still…

She supposed there would be times where people would do almost everything just to save their own skin.

(Kuroko has a hunch that this wouldn't be the only time that she would do this dumbassery. She can already see herself in the future doing a lot of tomfoolery that can land her to the nearest mental hospital.)

Stiyl and the Kanzaki hurriedly went to follow them judging by the frenzied shuffle of steps that she could hear. Kuroko had managed to catch the glimpse of astonishment that painted their faces.

In those fleeting moments of free falling in the air. Kuroko flashed them both the cheekiest smile that she could muster, held her right hand up, and pinned down all of her fingers except for one that stood boldly up in the air.

Kuroko let out a manic laugh despite the pain in her back, the sight of their scandalised expression they had was totally worth it.