Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or Toaru Kagaku no Railgun/Toaru Majutsu no Index
The Trinity of Tokiwadai
Chapter Two: Friend Making Plan Alpha
Beta:
Naru rose groggily from her sleep, her blonde head poking out of the pile of plushies that covered almost the entirety of her mattress -They were mainly gifts from her followers in the Rabbit Faction. As such, the large majority of them were rabbits, but there were a few other animals as well - and let out a cute yawn.
"Morning, Namikaze-san." Naru's roommate greeted.
Blue eyes looked towards the sound of the voice, where she spotted the other girl zipping up her skirt. She was her age, with long straight dark-bluish hair, matching eyes and was just a bit taller then Naru herself. Seeing that Naru was awake, she flashed the smaller girl a kind smile as she reached for her socks.
"Morning, Awatsuki-chan." The Level 5 greeted in return. This was Awatsuki Maaya, a Level 3 Esper, and Naru's roommate.
Now, Naru could have easily been able to get her own room with the right call, but the blonde had decided against it. She'd never had a roomie before, or anything like that. So when the chance came up, she just couldn't resist. So far the experience was proving rather...nice.
The dorm room in question was located in the Tokiwadai Interior Dorms. You see, Tokiwadai has two dormitories. Naru's dormitory, the Interior Dormitory was located in the School Garden, an area composed of schools and other establishments like shops and restaurants, one specially dedicated to serve the 5 elite schools for girls. This haven for the daughters of the elite was a gated community that restricted free access and all of its establishments were adequately high-classed to cater to such.
The girls' room was decorated in a simple fashion. Two work desks pushed against the walls for their studies, a vanity nestled between them that the girls had split between them and filled with toiletries, undergarments, and accessories. Naru had taken the upper two drawers and Awatsuki took the lower two for herself. The vanity and tables were flanked by their own bookshelves stacked with their personal preferences and study books. Beside their beds, they each had a large closet for their clothes and nightstands. The room's set-up was completed by a small coffee table between their two beds that was surrounded by plush cushions.
Awatsuki's shelf reflected her fondness for the mystery genre alongside books on buoyancy and all things bouncy, which she studied to optimize her use of her ability. Naru's shelf likewise held books suited to her own tastes. Besides the standard textbooks, her shelves were largely filled by her shojo and shonen manga. The former of which she collected as part of her research on the concept of love, while the former was the result of satisfying her craving for stories centring around the idiot protagonist.
Reaching for one of the calories-dense protein bars that her science team had created for her so she didn't get hypoglycemia due to the insane metabolism that was a byproduct of her power, the blonde opened it to munch on. As she partook in her pre-breakfast, Naru wondered what she would do today. Maybe hang out with Misaki-sempai?
As she did, she unconsciously carried on with her morning rituals. Using her power, she conjured up a gentle wind and through precise manipulations used it to wind her hair into two perfect pigtails, floating her black ribbons into position, and finally tie her hair in place.
Awatsuki just looked at her with her usual awe at the daily sight. "I can't help but find that impressive every time." The blue haired girl said before she shook her head and adopted a wry smile. "You know we can't use our powers inside the dorm, Namikaze-san."
Naru simply waved off the other girl's gentle scolding. "What the Dorm Mistress doesn't know, won't hurt her. It's not like we have the crazy one from the dorm outside the Garden."
She couldn't help but give a small chuckle, she almost felt sorry for [Railgun] having to deal with that crazy scary ex-commando as a Dorm Mistress.
"Do you have any plans for today?" Awatsuki asked with a curious look. "Kinuho-chan and I were going to do some shopping in the Garden for our sempai in the swimming club. Her birthday is coming up. Do you want to join us?"
The Garden with its reddish sett- and cobble-stoned roads and streets tessellated in strange designs. Its many open squares centred around showering fountains, lit by wrought metal lamps, and ringed by brick and mortar buildings built in the traditional European style. All combined to create arguably the most picturesque place to shop in the whole city. Add in its exclusivity and the high class nature of its stores and shopping in the Garden was always a pleasant experience.
That said, Naru wasn't really in the mood for shopping at the moment. Then again, she didn't really have anything better to do.
The blonde tilted her head as she took another bite of her bar and swallowed. "Hm, I don't have anything planned today. So I don't see why-"
Suddenly, Naru's phone rang with a jolly tune. Reaching over to her nightstand for it, she quickly saw that it was a text from Uiharu.
[Invited by Misaka-san 2 c her dorm. Want 2 join? Ｏ(≧▽≦)Ｏ]
"Huh, I just got invited to something from some people I know." Naru blinked, unsure how to reply.
"That's great!" Awatsuki said, looking giddy for some odd reason. "You should go."
"Eh? But you just asked me-"
The bluenette held up her hands. "No no, your friends invited you. We can go shopping some other time."
The Level 5 shot her roommate a quizzical look at this. "Friends? I don't think we're that close."
Her chipper roommate didn't reply, choosing instead to grab her phone and wallet, stuffing them into her bag. "You enjoy yourself, Namikaze-san. I'll see you later!"
Closing the door, Awatsuki was off, leaving Naru to just stare at the text in confusion. After taking a moment to consider it, she shrugged.
"Meh, why not."
Maybe Misaka would embarrass herself somehow. That was always a good laugh.
[C u after brkfst]
Mikoto smiled at the sparkly eyed Uiharu and the stoic as usual Saten. After sending the invite to Uiharu, the flower loving girl text bombed her in excitement. Asking lengthy questions about how she should act, what she should wear and everything in between. It was rather cute the Electromaster had thought as she replied that she just needed to bring her regular old self.
Though Mikoto had honestly been a little confused about why Uiharu hadn't known any of that. After all, Saten-san was her best friend. Surely, with that being the case, she'd have at least visited her in the dorms at least once. She'd voiced this out loud and was provided the answer by Kuroko who helpfully pointed out that Saten had an exemption and didn't live in the dorms. So it was entirely possible that she hadn't had the chance to offer her friend the chance to visit.
"Ah!" Uiharu smiled as she looked up from her phone as they walked down the hallway of the dorm towards their destination. "Namikaze-san said she'd come join us!"
"Eh?" Mikoto snapped her head towards the girl. "What do you mean [Maniforce] is coming?!"
Uiharu looked bashful. "Well, since we got along so well last time, I thought why not have everyone together again? Is that not alright?"
At her wide eyed and innocent look, Mikoto faltered a little. But still, panic rose within her heart. If that baka Usagi is coming, I've gotta clean up! She can't see anything or it's just going to give her ammo! Or even worse, the [Queen]!
She really wanted to reprimand Uiharu, but it wasn't really her fault. She didn't know about the differences between Tokiwadai's Level 5s after all. She knew [Multi-Skill] well. But Saten-san wasn't exactly the most well informed person about the state of politics between the factions within the school. She was too withdrawn for that.
Honestly Mikoto preferred that to the other Level 5s. At least she didn't take pleasure in tormenting others. Even Namikaze was a little sadist that loved to push her buttons, which was made worse by the knack she had for figuring out where they were.
I'll have Kuroko help me stuff my Gekota stuff in the closet or something, then we- Just as she opened the door to her room… she was greeted with a sight that brought her thoughts to a screeching halt.
The lights were dimmed, incense filled the air as she heard a cry from Kuroko.
"Onee-sama~!" The Level 4 said, leaping in the air in one of her perverse outfits, a loose frilly purple robe, an ecstatic look on her face.
"Kuroko, what are you doing?!" Mikoto snapped as her roommate fell on her face as Uiharu and Saten gave their greetings.
"Wha, what?" Kuroko's muffled voice asked.
"Get your clothes on, you hentai!" The [Railgun] snapped.
In the background, Uiharu looked upon the scene with shock, while Saten just edged in front of her protectively.
A few minutes later, and the four girls had put Kuroko's odd behavior out of their minds. Well most of them did. Kuroko herself was still deeply bothered by it and was curled up on Mikoto's bed, sulking. The others were ignoring her though.
"Wah!" Uiharu said, stars in her eyes as she explored the room. "It's so luxurious, just what I thought an Ojou-sama's room would look like."
The Level 1 padded around with an almost puppy-like curiosity, even as Saten-san hovered behind her looking unimpressed. No surprise there. As a Tokiwadai student herself, she was well used to the luxury associated with the school.
It was as the duo were exploring the room that Namikaze showed up, having been let in by a seemingly recovered Kuroko.
"Uiharu-chan~! I'm here." The blonde greeted with a cheer.
Turning to glare at the fellow Level 5, Mikoto crossed her arms and tapped her finger against her bicep in irritation as without even waiting for a greeting from her hosts, Namikaze proceeded to join Uiharu in exploring the room like she owned it. Unlike the Judgement girl however she was looking for something, that was without question.
The short haired electromaster felt smug. There was no way that Usagi-chibi was going to find anything! Ha!
"Heh, the room is pretty simple for someone like you, Misaka-san." Namikaze said teasingly. "I'd have thought it would've been covered with gaudy posters of your frog fetish."
Mikoto felt her forehead pulse in irritation. It's not a fetish, you baka-chibi!
Kuroko let out a giggle, holding her chest as she kicked her legs in the air as she sat on the bed.
Oi oi, stop making a scene you baka! Mikoto glared at her roommate with annoyance.
"Umm, excuse me, Shirai-san, but are you alright?" Uiharu looked at her fellow member of Judgement in worry. "You've been very quiet till now."
"Oh, yes, I'm very well. Thank you." The twin tailed girl said as she sat up and rubbed her hands together while inching closer and closer to the [Railgun]. "I'm afraid we don't have much to offer by way of hospitality but, please make yourselves-"
She stopped short when she noticed Namikaze ruffling under her bed. "Namikaze-san, what are you doing down there?"
"Well, according to my research, you always do a little snooping when visiting a friend's house." The blonde said as she pulled out a white box from under the bed. Opening it, she gasped and held up some frilly black panties. "Huh, erotic."
Looking towards the oldest girl in the room, she said. "No way something this adult is yours."
Why you little-!
"They are mine." Kuroko declared as she twirled one of her twintails in a haughty fashion.
Namikaze held them up towards Kuroko. "These are pretty bold. Where'd you get them?"
The Teleporter chuckled. "I would hardly consider those to be bold. They are a simple necessity. Every lady should have a pair of black panties."
The blonde made a noise of understanding even as she picked up another pair. "What about this pair, then?"
Seeing the red butterfly panties, Kuroko smiled slyly.
"Those really rev the spirit. I wear them when I need some cheering up."
"And what about this stringy T back thong?" [Maniforce] said as she displayed the light blue cloth.
"Handy for avoiding lines when one's clothes fit very tightly."
Seeing the next item, Mikoto's face heated up along with Uiharu's.
"And this black mesh full body stocking?"
"That's absolutely essential. It brings out the supple feeling that hides in the heart of every woman."
Namikaze held the mesh suit against her body. "Hey, you wanna go shopping some time? Maybe you can show me where to get stuff like this. It's all pretty interesting."
Mikoto felt like she was struck in the stomach. Oh no, no way! There's two of them now?!
Uiharu reflected the [Railgun]'s horror while Saten-san just twitched in what seemed to be disgust. At least she hoped that was the case.
Kuroko, however, looked radiant.
"But of course! It's always nice to know there is another girl with such refined taste as myself. I will text you later so we can find an appropriate time to shop to our hearts' content."
"Cool." [Maniforce] smiled as she pulled out a pair of childish panties with a mascot character on it. "Huh...not yours. So that means…"
When those mischievous eyes landed on Mikoto, her face heated up as she snatched the panties away. "They're mine, you got a problem with that?!"
"No. Just re-evaluating my image of you is all."
Note to self, buy a shovel to use it to dig a grave to hide her body. Actually…
Mikoto turned to glare at Kuroko, her hands reaching for her cheeks.
"As for you, Kuroko! Explain yourself! What is my underwear doing under your bed, huh?!"
"It'sh a mishundershanding, Onee-shama!" Kuroko managed out.
"Now now, Misaka-san please stop." Uiharu said in desperation as she looked on at Mikoto punishing Kuroko.
"Oh, you know what would be awesome, Misaka-san?" Uiharu clapped her hands in excitement. "I'd love to see some old photo albums if you have any."
She nudged Saten-san with her foot.
"Oh, sure. Sounds like fun."
Wow, sound more like a machine why don't you?
"Maybe some pictures from when you and Shirai-san were in grade school." Uiharu quickly added.
"Eh?" Mikoto blinked, tugging on Kuroko's cheeks once more.
"Wow! How adorable!" Uiharu said in awe, even Saten seemed to agree,
Mikoto's cheeks flushed a gentle pink, her hand rubbing the back of her neck.
"Is that from your first day of elementary school? And that pretty woman next to you, is she your mother?" The flower wearing girl gushed.
"Uh, yeah." The Number 5 answered.
"What a cute kimono!" Uiharu commented as they looked at a photo of a younger Mikoto at a temple festival and dressed accordingly. "Were you already a Level 5 then?"
"Uiharu, did you forget that Misaka-san started out as a Level 1?" Saten asked gently.
"Not everyone jumps straight to Level 5." Namikaze commented, glancing towards Mikoto. "Just a good part of them."
"Most of us did." Saten corrected.
"Like you and Saten-san?" Kuroko asked.
"Misaka-san is the only one who developed from Level 1 to Level 5, Level by Level." Saten said with a nod. "Everyone else enjoyed major jumps in their Levels at some point in Power Development or-"
Namikaze snorted and finished the answer for her fellow Level 5. "Or like how number nine and I were born as Level 5s. The most powerful of the Gemstones, the natural born Espers."
Kuroko wrinkled her nose at that. Possibly unhappy at being reminded of the fact that some espers effectively got their powers for 'free' when so many others had to work so hard to develop theirs. She'd ranted enough about the subject a week ago when she'd been forced to research the subject for a class.
Ignoring the teleporter's reaction, Namikaze continued in a much softer voice, "Though that didn't mean I knew how to use my powers from the get-go. Learning that was hard."
Saten nodding in the background suggested she went through much the same, though that wasn't what had captured Mikoto's attention.
"Really? I'm the only one?" Mikoto asked genuinely surprised. "I hadn't realized that."
"Wow! I didn't know you were so special, Misaka-san." The flower loving girl said with enthusiasm.
"It's not like that at all." Mikoto said as humbly as she could, still fighting her flush of embarrassment. "I was just an ordinary girl."
The group returned to looking at Mikoto's photo album.
"Cool! Let's look at Shirai-san's photos next." Uiharu suggested as they flipped Mikoto's album closed, turning to look at Kuroko hopefully.
Kuroko cupped her chin, a distant look on her face. "I'd be glad to show you them, at least I would be if I had something to show. Unfortunately, I don't have any photo albums for your viewing pleasure."
Ignoring her, Saten casually walked over to her bookshelf and without even needing to look around, she picked up a black album and brought it over.
"I am a girl who believes in seizing the day. I don't like to dwell in the past nor do I worry about the future. No, not me. I stay in the present and savor each moment. That's the philosophy I live my life by."
"Then what's this?" Saten said, flipping open the black album.
"No! You can't look at that!" Kuroko screamed in horror.
"Wait! Wait!" The chibi blonde said, shooting Kuroko a look. "I have something to share too."
Kuroko seemed to get the obvious hint and tried to reach for the album Saten had in her hand but Mikoto blocked her and let loose a few threatening sparks. Cowed, Kuroko backed down.
Namikaze pouted at this, but continued nonetheless. Apparently deciding she wanted to exploit the chance to share she'd created even though it'd lost its purpose as a distraction.
"I'd show you guys my stuff, but it's back at my dorm." The pigtailed girl said, as she pulled out her phone. "Though, I do carry this with me."
With a few swipes of her hand, she called up a photo which she proceeded to show to the group of girls.
The picture was that of a painting that depicted two adults, one male, one female. The male was a tall handsome blond whose hair was styled into wild spikes with cerulean blue eyes that practically glowed with intelligence. The woman beside him had gorgeous long bright red hair, and a warm motherly smile.
"It's a portrait of my Mama and Papa."
Mikoto look flabbergasted as she looked at the incredibly attractive individuals.
Uiharu just gained that starry look again. "So that's where you got your idol looks! A bishonen and bishoujo. As expected of an Ojou-sama."
"You're a Child Error, aren't you?" Mikoto asked, causing Namikaze to frown and Saten to stiffen.
"Oi, Oi! I didn't mean it like that!" The [Railgun] backpedaled, waving her arms in a bid to emphasize her point. "I was just asking how you know how they look like when you've never met your parents."
"It was still lacking in tact." Saten said while leveling Mikoto with a paint peeling glare.
How the hell do people get away with calling her [The Robot] with her being this scary when she's angry!?
"It's expected of a rash Meathead." The blonde said with a sardonic snort.
Uiharu looked between the Level 5s worriedly for a moment, before she chimed hesitantly. "Err, I was actually wondering the same thing."
"Me too, actually." Kuroko added.
"You're right of course, I've never met my parents." The Number Two admitted while staring at her photo, almost but not quite wistfully. "They died in an accident the day we moved to Academy City."
Saten tensed at that, and Mikoto couldn't blame her, from what she'd learned of her kohai, she was orphaned in a similar way.
"So I was shipped off to a facility where I was educated, discovered I was a Level 5 and developed applications for my powers. The end."
"And the photo?" Saten pressed, in an effort to redirect the conversation from a topic she clearly found uncomfortable.
"With the help of a psychometrist, I was able to reconstruct their likeness. This photo is one of the renderings I commissioned. I have a full painted portrait back in my dorm."
"I'm glad you have a picture of your parents, Namikaze-san." Uiharu offered.
Namikaze shrugged, as if it wasn't that big a deal.
Meanwhile, Kuroko seemed to have taken the opportunity of everyone being distracted by Namikaze's photo to attempt to recover her album. She acted so suddenly that Mikoto couldn't react in time. Saten however did and even as Kuroko reached for the book, she slammed the auburn haired girl with a telepathic push that sent her stumbling.
Looking down at the teleporter with irritation, [Multi-Skill] passed the album to Uiharu.
"I think it's Shirai-san's turn."
Was that vindictiveness I hear in her voice?
Namikaze took a peek at the album and giggled. "So that's the famous [Railgun]'s drooling face? I didn't know you even drooled."
"I don't!" Mikoto snapped, sparks dancing along her forehead as she didn't know who to glare at. Namikaze or Kuroko.
Curious, Saten crowded with the other girls to look at the photos too.
"Hmm. Good spy work." The [AIM Sovereign] commented. "The subject seems completely unawares that the photo was even taken."
Mikoto walked over, peaking over Saten's shoulder to get her own look and blushed terribly at the dozen or so embarrassing shots of her doing everyday things.
"You know, you've got a good point, Saten-chan." The Usagi offered her own critique. "Shirai-chan, you ever think about doing some recon on the side? You'd make a mint in a week I bet."
Uiharu just smiled in amusement at the candid shots and flipped the page, only to blush beet red at what she saw next.
"Oho!" Namikaze said as she sniggered pervertedly. "You look good getting undressed, Misaka-sempai."
The [Railgun] ignored the blonde and snatched the book from Uiharu's unresisting hands, snapping it shut in the process. Furious, she turned to face Kuroko who was wisely retreating towards the door.
"Kuroko." The level of menace in Mikoto's tone weighed on the whole room. "It's a good thing you like to live in the present moment so much because right now I'm thinking you're not going to have a very enjoyable future."
"No, you've got it all wrong Onee-sama." Kuroko as she pressed herself up against the room's door. "Don't you understand I only made it because you mean so much to me?"
Mikoto just took a menacing step forward, sparks flying off her body as she did. Idly, the Number 5 noted that Namikaze was looking on in glee while Uiharu had a panicked look on her face. Saten, of course, looked on impassively even as she edged to put herself between her best friend and the impending violence.
"Do you not even remember what an important day it is today, Onee-sama?" The teleporter continued with a sniffle.
Mikoto blinked in confusion, before the realization hit her.
"Of course, how silly of me! Today is the one week anniversary of the day we all became friends."
Saten actually gasped at that, which earned her odd looks from everyone, but she refused to elaborate. Though she seemed to lean into Uiharu a little for some reason, the Level 1 seemed to expect it though and gave the other girl a loose hug.
The petite blonde raised a brow. "We're friends?"
"Well, you're more of a pain in the butt kind of friend. But yeah, I think we are."
"...You're a weird one, Sempai."
"Who the heck is weird, you glutton?!" Mikoto glared at her kohai. Geez, you try to be nice and this is the thanks you get? Talk about rude!
"One week since you met them? Don't make me laugh. One week is nothing." Kuroko scoffed. "One month, that's how long it's been for us, Onee-sama. Today is the one month anniversary of when fate decreed that we would be bound together."
"Kuroko…"
"One whole month, Onee-sama." The teleporter stressed. "Exactly one month ago, by some random chance, you and I became roommates. Since then, we've eaten together and slept together, shared each other's joys and sorrows… All right here, in this very room!"
"But you... you don't remember, do you?" The Judgement agent said with a trembling lip.
"Kuroko, stop that." Mikoto said sternly.
"What is it, Onee-sama?" The teleporter replied nervously.
[Railgun] sparked intensely even as she replied. "You know full well that you manipulated your way in here. It wasn't fate or random chance or anything of the sort. And now you talk about joys and sorrows and…"
"Maybe I see things differently than you." The twin tailed girl pleaded. "It's not like I'm asking very much. I just wanted to celebrate today with you in one small way, Onee-sama." The Teleporter said earnestly.
Mikoto was ready to retort when their conversation was interrupted by the intercom near the door going off.
"Yes?" Kuroko answered with all the decorum of a high-class lady.
How the hell does she do that? Just seeing it is giving me whiplash.
"I have a delivery. It's addressed to Miss Kuroko Shirai." A male voice on the other side of the call said, "Is this room 208?"
"Yes." Mikoto cut in, wanting to know just what Kuroko had ordered. She had her suspicions but she hoped she was wrong. "Can you tell me what the delivery is?"
"It just says 'computer parts'."
The [Railgun] heaved a sigh of relief.
"What's the name of the sender?" Saten, of all people, pressed.
"Uh, Love and Herbs Premier Aphrodisiacs, Ltd."
"Wow, you'd think a company like that would have a more subtle name." Namikaze muttered.
Kuroko just nodded in agreement, but shrieked as Mikoto leveled her death glare on her.
"Ku-ro-ko!"
With that furious cry, the Level 5 unleashed a large static burst aimed right at her roommate. The blast never connected though as Kuroko teleported out of the way and into the hallway beyond. The same however could not be said about the poor door that she had been cowering in front of that was reduced to splinters by the attack.
"I've been too lenient. It looks like you're going to need some harsher punishment before you learn to behave yourself." Mikoto said as she cracked her knuckles threateningly. "Now I'm going to fry you so your appearance matches your name!"
Mikoto heard Uiharu gasp at the display and Saten reassuring her, but she was too angry with Kuroko at the moment to pay attention to those two.
"Did you forget that I can just teleport away from you wherever I want to? If this is how you truly feel, you'll leave me no choice. You will not return the love I freely offer so I'll make sure nobody else can have your love either."
Mikoto was about to snarl, but looking behind Kuroko, all she could let out was a meek whimper.
"Is something wrong, Onee-sama?"
Behind her roommate stood none other than the terrifying Dorm Mistress. The demon herself had arrived!
"Dormitory rules, article 9: The use of esper abilities inside the dormitory is strictly prohibited." The woman said in a truly menacing tone. "Surely you haven't forgotten that, Shirai."
The dark twinkle behind those librarian glasses made the dorm residents gulp with terror.
"Good afternoon, Dorm Mistress. Might I say you look quite stunning today." Mikoto greeted in a desperate bid to avoid punishment.
"Naturally, we haven't forgotten the rules." The Level 5 added as she and Kuroko bowed low in supplication towards the tyrant of the Tokiwadai Exterior Dormitory. "We weren't just casually using our powers. I assure you we had a good reason. Yes, a very good reason…"
"Is that so? There were unavoidable circumstances, were there?"
"Yes, that's it, exactly. You see…" Kuroko chimed in trying to do her bit to defuse the situation.
"Too bad."
With that, the devilish woman snapped the poor girl's neck, leaving her body to crumble onto the floor in a heap.
"Kuroko!" Mikoto couldn't help but cry out, her hand outstretched in a bid to catch the falling body.
The Demon had no room for her grief though.
"If I made allowances for every so-called emergency situation, the dorm would fall into utter chaos. Rule breakers must be punished without exception. That's how order is maintained, don't you think?"
"Ye-Yes…" Mikoto replied in a trembling voice.
"Wow you two are boned."
Urasai! You Usagi-chibi! The short haired girl cried out in the safety of her mind.
Saten meanwhile looked on with her own amused smile, even as she placed her hands comfortingly on Uiharu's shoulders.
Not you too!
At least Uiharu seemed genuinely worried for their sake.
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Mikoto furiously scrubbed the emptied school pool. She and Kuroko had just started a little over an hour ago and she was already drenched in sweat.
"Why is it only we have to do this? Saten-san used telekinesis on me. She should be here too." Kuroko complained as she wilted a little under the blistering sun. The weather for the next few days did indicate that there was going to be a heatwave.
Seemed the Dorm Mistress just picked the perfect timing to issue this punishment.
"Because Saten-san doesn't live in the dorm. She'd just get a light scolding even if you managed to prove it." Mikoto poked the hole in her idea.
The teleporter just huffed. "Well, what about Namikaze-san?"
"Besides being an annoying pain in my butt, what'd she do power-wise?"
"Who knows, she could have done something without us knowing."
"Such as what?" Mikoto asked with slight amusement, but Kuroko didn't answer the question.
"But I guess it's not too bad." Kuroko said suddenly, changing her tune entirely. "At least this means that I get to spend alone time with you, Onee-sama."
Mikoto wasn't fooled in the slightest by the sweet statement Kuroko had made. She knew what the other girl was really thinking and it caused the Electromaster's brow to twitch in irritation at her roommate's perversity.
"Just get back to cleaning." Mikoto ordered as she too returned her attention to the task at hand.
"...and so we've been hanging out." Naru said, hanging upside down from the ceiling as she stared at her conversational partner.
She was a good distance away from him, a necessity to meet his gaze. This was due to him floating mid-way up a large glass cylinder filled with red alkaline recovery fluid and which was attached to a life-support system. To add to this image of infirmity, he was connected to a bunch of cables and wires that linked him to a series of other life support equipment. This seemingly decrepit man was Aleister Crowley, the supreme authority of Academy City. From this quadrangular room with its many tubes and pipes that ran along the walls and ceiling within the City's infamous Windowless Building, he asserted his will over the Capital of Science.
The room lacked ventilation, so the air was a touch thin for Naru, and was also rather chilly.
Not that she noticed much.
It was hard to describe the man she was talking to. He looked like an adult, yet also a child; like a man, yet also a woman; like a saint, yet also a criminal. Aleister looked like a tall effeminate-looking man with long white hair that was dressed in a green hospital gown and was always barefoot.
Upon Naru finishing up her report, the man quirked his lip in amusement.
"So three of my Level 5s have gathered together? How quaint."
"You make it sound like we're not supposed to get along." Naru rolled her eyes. "Besides, I just hangout with them to tease the two. [Railgun] is easy to rile up and it's fun to find [Multi-Skill]'s buttons."
"Hm, no, it isn't wrong. In fact it may well prove interesting. Or at least entertaining."
"...You know, I think I've figured out where I got my terrible sense of humor from."
Aleister just blinked at her.
"I haven't the faintest idea of what you speak of."
"See? That right there." Naru accused with a point. "You keep giving me bad habits."
"Aleister-kun, do you have a moment?" A ancient man said as his face appearing on a projection inside Aleister's tube.
"It's rude to disturb a conversation, you walking bag of bones." The blonde pointed out.
"Oh! If it isn't [The Alien]. How has it been faring, Aleister-kun?"
"Enough." Aleister admonished both Naru and the old man. "Gensei, is it time for your report on the project already?"
"It is." Kihara Gensei, the elderly patriarch of the Kihara clan of mad scientists that were the backbone of the City's scientific prowess, replied.
In Naru's opinion, he was a brilliant mind, truly a man of his craft. But that genius was far outweighed by his dangerous personality that was something of a common trait within the Kihara clan. You see, they lacked any morals whatsoever and were thus willing to do anything, no matter the costs, to further their goals.
Saten was a fine example of Gensei's own special brand of sick in fact.
This was why Naru utterly hated them and Gensei, as their leader, in particular.
She was just glad Aleister never let them touch her.
"I see." Aleister said with a nod. "Then Naru, you are dismissed. Keep me appraised on any developments between you and your new 'friends'."
Naru felt a slight sense of disappointment, but nodded. Releasing her chakra, she fell towards the floor and flipped in mid-air to land on her feet.
"Well, see you, Superintendent."
With her parting goodbye given, Naru teleported out of the building.
While Mikoto and Kuroko was serving out their punishment and Naru was making her report to her superior, Ruiko was spending some time with her mother.
She was wearing a helmet which was connected to tubes and wires while she was lying down in a capsule with a transparent seal that allowed observers from the outside to fully view the occupant.
This odd device, a modified Testament machine, was the centrepiece of a large hemispherical room that was filled almost to bursting with tubes, wires and computer equipment. All of which ultimately connected to the machine itself.
Within the capsule Ruiko stared off into space her eyes flickering all over the place as she ran an immense number of computations in her mind, even by Level 5 standards. All whilst her mother looked on, watching for any sign of irregularities.
"How are you faring?" Kiyama asked with a hint of worry.
Saten responded robotically. "I'm fine. We'll do it, don't worry."
"...That's not the only thing I'm worried about."
Saten just continued to focus on the computations she needed to carry out to finish the task at hand.
A few days after visiting the Exterior Dormitory with the other girls, Naru was honestly surprised by a text from Uiharu - which tickled her suspicions - inviting her to a get together at Pasticceria Manicagni, a famous pastry shop and local favorite in the School Garden.
Naru herself was a regular at the bakery. She especially liked their chocolate croissants. So if someone was giving her an excuse to visit, and stuff herself with sweety goodness, then who was she to refuse?
Upon seeing all the girls outside the establishment, she waved. "Yo! You waiting long?"
The other girls replied in the negative and everyone exchanged greetings.
"Why not just teleport here?" Misaka-sempai asked, as they entered the shop.
"I like the scenic route." Naru answered as she studied Uiharu with curiosity. "So I've gotta ask. How do you have a Tokiwadai uniform, Uiharu-chan?"
"Saten-san got it for me ages ago." Uiharu explained as she shot her best friend a grateful smile.
"She just really likes wearing the uniform." Shirai teased.
Uiharu's face heated up. "That's only half true."
"Still true then, is it not, Uiharu?"
Incredibly, the Level 1 blushed even more brilliantly at her evasion being seen through.
"So what's the other reason then?" Misaka asked curiously, as they secured a table.
"So she doesn't draw too much attention while visiting the School Garden." Saten added. "I don't like how everyone was looking at her oddly the first few times I invited her over to visit."
"Whipped." Naru teased, causing Uiharu to blush prettily while Saten leveled a glare at the blonde.
Before the situation could escalate, their sempai cut in.
Spoilsport.
"Why don't we just order." The Number 5 said quickly.
"Only if sempai is buying."
"Wha-?! No way am I buying for you! You'd eat all my arcade money!"
Naru flashed her a set of large watery eyes and a quivering pout. "You mean you won't?"
Her sempai slapped her hand on the table. "Don't you go using that look on me. I'm not like one of your flunkies. I don't worship those ears of yours, Usagi."
"Tch." Naru turned her head to the side. "And to think I would have risen my opinion of you."
"Like I need it." Misaka barked out a mocking laugh in retort.
"You know, you two bicker almost like siblings." Uiharu pointed out.
Naru and Misaka shared a look, and turned back to Uiharu. "Me? A sister to this Meathead/Chibi? As if."
Saten and Uiharu giggled at the synchronised response.
"Onee-sama," Shirai pouted, biting at her napkin in frustration. "Why don't you argue like that with me!"
Misaka and Shirai descended into one of their typical spats then, and the other three girls just looked on in amusement.
"Excuse me, but I need to use the bathroom first." Uiharu said with an embarrassed little smile, after a moment of watching the show. "Saten-san, order for me?"
"Your favorite Monte Biancao, Strawberry Crostata and Cioccolata?"
Uiharu nodded and rushed off towards the toilet.
Everyone turned to Saten for an explanation.
"Uiharu can never decide between the three. So she always buys all three, eats one here and takes the other two home to enjoy later."
"Oh." Misaka sighed in relief. "For a minute there I thought she was becoming as much of a glutton as the Chibi."
"Please, no one can take that title from me." Naru snorted.
"Don't sound so proud about it!"
"Onee-sama." Kuroko hissed. "You're being too loud."
"Right. Sorry." Misaka apologised halfheartedly. "Let's just go order."
The other girls nodded and rose as one and headed to the store's counter to place their orders. They were halfway there when Saten suddenly tensed.
"You guys go ahead. I need to use the bathroom too."
"You want us to order for you and Uiharu?" Shirai offered.
"Sure," [Multi-Skill] said distractedly as she stalked towards the restroom. "Get me a cheesecake."
Naru found the whole thing very suspicious, but neither Misaka nor Shirai seemed to notice.
That girl is angry and afraid all of a sudden.Kurama mused, confirming Naru's suspicions that something was amiss.I wonder why?
Let's find out.
Before she could make her own excuses so she could go do just that, the building suddenly started to shake violently and everything electrical started to spark dangerously.
"Oi, what's that girl doing?" Misaka asked as she looked at the lights, and the flickering stopped presumably due to her using her powers to counteract whatever Saten was doing.
Naru herself placed a hand on the ground, stopping the shaking that was causing panic in the bakery.
"She's angry about something." The blonde stated as she teleported towards the bathrooms.
There by the open door to the Ladies, she found Saten cradling Uiharu, who had been knocked out.
Guilt? I wonder why she's feeling that? Kurama pondered as they both eyed the other Level 5.
Naru pushed those questions aside for now and knelt next to Saten. "What happened to her? Is there blood?"
"No." Saten replied in the most robotic way that Naru had ever heard from her.
"Then is she hurt in any way besides being unconscious?" Shirai asked as she too teleported into the bathroom.
"No."
Again with the robot voice?
She's shunting her emotions somehow. Kurama concluded. The voice and demeanor is a byproduct of that.
What!? How can she do that?
Your guess is as good as mine.
Well, fat lot of good that does us.
While, Naru was having a conversation with her inner demon, Shirai and a newly arrived Misaka were trying to calm Saten down.
"Saten-san, Uiharu is fine." Shirai reassured the agitated Level 5 after finishing what looked like a quick field exam for injuries on Uiharu. "You need to calm down."
"I am calm."
"Liar." Misaka shot back with a glare. "You're pumping out enough EM radiation to blackout half the District. If I wasn't here, you'd have caused a real mess."
"Apologies. I'll restrain myself."
"Let's get her to my Dorm. We can let her rest there until she recovers." Naru offered. Her dorm was the closest after all.
Saten lifted Uiharu up in a gentle bridal carry. "Copy that."
They were just about to set off when Uiharu's phone begun to ring.
Naru picked it up from where it had fallen to the ground and flipped the clamshell open.
"It's from the Judgement 177th Branch."
Kuroko took the phone from the Level 5 and answered.
"This is Shirai. … She's indisposed at the moment. … She was knocked unconscious. … The School Garden. … No need for backup, we have the situation under control. ...You want us to bring her to the local branch office? ...You think this might be related?... The data will be sent over?… Of course, Konori-sempai. We will keep you updated. Goodbye."
Folding the phone, the teleporter looked at them. "We'll be going to the 173rd branch office. It's their day off so the office should be empty. Plus Konori-sempai already got us permission from its supervisor."
"Lead the way." Saten said with a steely tone to her voice, that spoke volumes about how much she wanted them to just get going already.
"Right. This way."
The Judgement 173rd branch, the local Tokiwadai branch, was a rather underwhelming place. It was basically a rather spartan club room with a couch in the corner, a few tables and chairs, a few cupboards filled with equipment and half a dozen basic computers for the branch's paperwork. One would expect the Judgement branch of a school as prestigious as Tokiwadai to be much better furnished. However, considering the low crime rate in the School Garden, the area they were assigned, perhaps it was not so surprising.
The four conscious girls had laid Uiharu down on the branch's couch and covered her with a blanket and had placed a cool compress on her forehead. While they waited for the Level 1 to recover, Shirai was briefing the girls on the situation.
"Someone is targeting our school?"" Misaka asked incredulously at the mere suggestion.
"Our uniform..." Saten begun only to trail off and look away.
"Hey now! No need to blame yourself for this Saten-chan." Naru offered kindly, "It's not like this is the first time she's been to the Garden in our uniform right? This was just a case of bad timing."
Saten nodded, but still refused to look the other girls in the eye. Instead, she focused all her attention on the still sleeping Uiharu.
"Anyway, how is she doing?" Naru asked.
"Well, physically, it's nothing too serious." Shirai said. "She should be fine after she lies down for a bit. It's just…"
"Have you zeroed in on any suspects yet?" [Railgun] asked the still conscious member of Judgement.
"No. Not yet." Shirai explained. "See, their particular ability is making things tricky for us."
"Tricky in what way?" The blonde asked.
"The attacker was invisible."
"Oh?" Naru looked curious and offered her hypothesis. "Light manipulation? Or maybe a telepathic ability that disrupts the sight of the target?"
"It's the latter." Shirai shook her head as she moved to a computer, pulling up an image. "Take a look. This is the image from the surveillance camera during a previous attack."
"That's Kongou-san!" Misaka exclaimed.
Shirai nodded and continued the explanation. "And look at the video. It's clear she didn't see her attacker even though she was standing right next to her."
"So, the victims didn't see their attacker at all."
"Heh," Naru smirked. "Well, she just picked the wrong group to attack. We have three people immune to mental attacks. Sempai, Saten-chan, and myself naturally."
"She might still be using optical manipulation." Shirai countered. "Most espers of that type tend towards only changing the light perceived by their targets. It's less draining that way."
"Saten-chan, what AIM fields did you feel while in the bakery?" Naru asked her fellow Level 5.
Saten seemed uneasy at being asked that for some reason.
Guilt again. She's practically swimming in it.
I wonder why. Naru's eyes narrowed a fraction, but said nothing else.
In spite of her feelings though, [Multi-skill] answered. "Dummy Check. It was Dummy Check who did this."
"You figured it out already?" Shirai said with a rueful shake of her head. "And here we had a list of forty seven suspects." Shirai looked relieved as she started to type on her computer. "That saves a lot of time. Remind me to call you up for a consultation in the future, Saten-san."
"Dummy Check, here it is." Shirai said as she brought up the relevant file. "It's the power to impair the awareness that a person is looking at a particular subject. Apparently, only one person has it. Juufuku Miho, a second-year at Sekichu Middle School."
"That's our attacker!" Misaka pointed out, a frown on her face.
"But this shouldn't be possible, though. She's only a Level 2." Shirai said uncertainly. "She's not strong enough. According to her System Scan results, she doesn't have the power to completely conceal herself."
"Shirai-chan, if Saten-chan sensed it, and she's the only girl with it, then she must have been the one who did it." Naru reasoned. "It's just the cold hard facts."
"It still doesn't make sense…"
"Who cares, we have our target." Naru's smile turned a touch predatory. "So who's up for some hunting?"
"Maybe it's the result of some kind of experiment that she was the part of?" Their sempai suggested. "Something that boosted her Level?"
"Well, that's possible. She doesn't look like someone who could get her hands on some Body Crystal though." Naru mused.
"What?" Misaka blinked.
"Nothing you need to know about."
Misaka looked at Naru suspiciously but whatever question she was about to ask was preempted by Saten declaring that, "Uiharu is waking up."
"What happened?" The flower wearing girl groggily asked as her cool compress slipped off her head.
"Hey, take it easy." The electromaster told the girl as she turned to face her. As she caught sight of her friend however, she suddenly covered her mouth, to try -But fail- to hold in a snicker.
Naru and Shirai followed their sempai's example, laughing at Uiharu as well.
The Level 1's eyebrows had been markered up into a huge unibrow. It was an utterly hilarious look and the other girls just couldn't resist laughing at it.
Well all of them except Saten, who just gave the rest of them a withering glare. It didn't really do much though. At least not for Shirai or Misaka, Naru though reined herself in immediately.
She's feeling slightly murderous right now. Kurama said with clear amusement. Genuinely so.
Yeah, no duh. I guess the day has been a bit too stressful for her. Naru looked to her fellow Tokiwadai students and clapped her hands to get their attention. "Okay, okay you two. Let's not give Saten-chan a reason to kill us."
The two roommates did so, a snicker escaping their lips every once in awhile.
"Eh? Eh? Why is everyone laughing?" The computer savvy girl fretted.
Shirai handed her a hand mirror after she contained her giggles.
"Eh! My eyebrows!" Uiharu cried out, tears prickling her eyes. "Who would do such a thing?"
"A girl with a petty bone against Tokiwadai." Naru told her.
"But I'm not an Ojou-sama!"
"I don't think the culprit knew that, Uiharu, after all you're wearing the uniform." Shirai dryly pointed out.
The Level 1 looked at the uniform with betrayal. She looked back at the group of girls, with determined eyes. "Who did this?"
"Juufuku Miho, a second-year at Sekichu Middle School. She's a Level 2 with a perception filtering ability called Dummy Check." Saten explained.
"She must pay."
"...Oi, Saten-chan, I think you're giving Uiharu-chan your bad habits."
Uiharu and Saten shot Naru identical looks of annoyance. Complete with raised left brows and withering glare.
That's just weird.
Agreed.
You are just really vocal lately.
Meh, this is funny.
"Still, I think I'll freeze her online accounts, melt her computer via a virus, and send her endless spam!"
"Remind me never to piss Uiharu-san off." Misaka stage whispered to Shirai.
"Ditto." Shirai whispered back before stepping towards her Judgement partner. "You can do that after we've caught her."
Uiharu didn't look happy about that stipulation, but conceded with a pout. "Fine."
"Good, then are you up for helping us catch the girl?"
"Let's cuff her."
Naru let out a teasing whistle. "Uiharu-chan, how bold."
The girl turned red in the face. "Namikaze-san!"
Saten meanwhile ignored all this shenanigans and was busy staring out the window. Suddenly, she announced. "She's still in the Garden. If we want to catch her, now is a good chance. If not, we'll have to let Anti-Skill do it."
Naru's smile broadened. "Nah, us doing it sounds way more fun."
"Agreed." Saten said with a feral grin on her face.
Bloodlust. A lot of it. Kurama commented with a whistle. What an interesting girl.
Seriously, she's losing [The Robot] moniker at this rate. I'm going to have to change my ringtone from Mr. Roboto for her it seems.
Kurama snorted. She never was one. If you'd asked me earlier, you'd have known that. You'd have saved yourself the trouble if you had.
You know you like the beat.
Psh, too off-key for my liking. Kurama snorted dismissively. Seriously now, it's probably not a good idea to let her go after the girl. We don't want to help hide a body.
What body? She won't leave one at this rate. Naru shot back. But you're right.
"You're sure you're ok to do this?" Naru asked the unstable Level 5.
"I am." Saten assured. "I might have gotten a little emotional earlier but I'm calm now."
Misaka snorted at that.
Well, at least I'm not the only one who sees how bad an idea it is to let her go after the girl.
"Why don't you stay here with Uiharu-san instead?" The [Railgun] offered.
Shirai quickly jumped in to support her precious Onee-sama. "That's a good idea. Uiharu's still recovering after all."
Saten shot a look at her best friend, who shrugged in return.
"Very well."
Well, that potential murder has been averted.
"So, Uiharu, you think we could get access to the Garden's cameras?" Shirai moved on quickly, obviously worried that Saten would change her mind. "Juufuku can't make herself invisible to the cameras so we can use those to track her."
"Not with this hardware." Uiharu said as she frowned at the lacklustre IT equipment available to her, before exchanging a secretive smile with Saten. "But don't worry, we have a solution."
At the computer savvy girl's words, Saten pulled out her phone and plugged it into the local desktop. "Synchronization, Uiharu. Fifty three percent."
"Copy that." Uiharu said as she helped a suddenly sluggish Saten to take a seat on the couch.
"Uh, what are you two doing?" Misaka-sempai asked with a tilt of her head.
"Well, it's complicated so I'm just going to give a cliff notes version if that's alright." The other girls nodded. "Well instead of jury-rigging all these computers to run parallel to each other in order to compensate for their lack of processing power, I'm using Saten-san's brain."
"Eh!?" Naru and the others exclaimed in utter surprise.
"Well, Level 5s have a lot of processing power since they usually do a lot of heavy calculations for their abilities. So we came up with this little strategy for optimal efficiency of that power."
"But how?"
"She's using her Electromastery." Misaka said as she glared at the phone and Saten in turn. "You have speciality software on that phone that helps you interface with it wirelessly. Using your phone as some kind of adapter you've turned that computer into a glorified UI terminal which feeds inputs to you which you then run the appropriate computations for."
"Eighty-nine percent." Saten simply answered.
"Pretty much. As expected of the number one Electromaster, Misaka-san." Uiharu looked at the [Railgun] with awe. "It's a lot more complicated than that, but you've got the gist of it."
"I don't feel like giving a two hour lecture."
Naru shot her a smirk. "She's simple like that."
"Oi!"
"Synchronization complete. Uiharu, we're good to go."
"Uiharu," Shirai said, just getting off her phone. "I got permission from the higher-ups. We can work within the School Garden. We're green lit."
Uiharu smiled brightly and began typing.
"Uh, Uiharu-chan is Saten-chan supposed to be like that?" Naru asked gesturing to the practically frozen girl. "Because that's kinda weird. And I've seen a lot of weird."
"It's normal." Uiharu explained. "Saten-san is just rerouting processing power from her motor functions to enhance her computational ability."
Misaka looked nervous at this. No doubt over the dangerous potential of her own ability. "Still, she shouldn't do it that long. I don't even want to consider long-term effects if overused. I can already think up a few."
"The paralysis wears off." Uiharu chimed in, unconcerned. "It only really affects her in the boot up sequence. Besides Saten-san can emulate regeneration type abilities too. She'll be fine."
"Not many of that type of ability." Naru mused, sounding impressed.
"Tsuchimikado." Saten said as if it explained everything, and for Naru it did. The boy's Auto-Rebirth ability basically allowed someone to recover from injuries that practically left them on death's door without any complications.
"You met that sis-con? Geez, I feel bad for you."
"Unique esper. Of course." The AIM manipulator said in a disjointed way that showed the level of strain of what she was doing was putting on her.
"A unique level 0." Naru snorted. That bleached blond haired high school boy was good at what he did in the Dark Side, but Naru still felt creeped out by him since according to him she was a 'total imouto' character. One which embodied the archetype to near perfection.
"You do know this isn't going to help with people calling you [The Robot], right?" Shirai interjected.
Uiharu winced a little, but continued her keystrokes.
"Don't care. Help Uiharu."
Can you be any more whipped? The little blonde thought in amusement. Still, it was nice to see her going so far for a friend.
How rare. Such a devoted friendship.
You got that right.
"Got her!" Uiharu declared, her unibrow narrowed. "It is time for my revenge!"
"...That's just adorable."
"Namikaze-san!"
"Enough talk." Shirai said suddenly sounding all business. "We have a criminal to catch."
Misaka nodded.
Naru let out a giggle. "Time for a hunt~!"
Naru, with practiced patience, leaned against a brick wall. Her phone was attached to her ear as she waited for Uiharu's coordinates.
"Namikaze-san, Shirai-san spotted her. She's running your way, two blocks to the right."
Mm, I can taste the fear in the air. Kurama smiled within her mind. Target is locked.
Well, this is just going to be a treat. Naru smiled in a sadistic way, her teeth bared. "Copy that, I have the target locked."
"Eh? How?"
"Don't worry about it." Naru said, leaping into action as she jumped over a building and ran in the direction that Kurama directed her towards.
She's going left. And bingo was her name-o.
[Maniforce] glanced down at the running girl. She had dark brown hair gathered into an odango style, with her bangs hanging low to cover her left eye along with most of her forehead. She was wearing a gray waistcoat and skirt, a white shirt and a tie, or in other words the Sekichu Junior High School uniform.
"Definitely not School Garden material." Naru tutted to herself as she jumped down, landing flawlessly in front of the frightened girl.
"Ei!" She squeaked, making Naru smile at the sound.
"Hello, please come with me. You're under arrest for assault and yada yada."
"It's not yada yada! it's-"
"Sorry Uiharu-chan, too busy arresting my vict-err the criminal."
"You were going to say victim!" Juufuku Miho cried out.
"No. No no...no." Naru assured but soon snorted. "Psh, yeah."
The girl adopted a look of concentration for a moment, before she suddenly made a break to run around Naru.
Only for the blonde to stick out her leg and trip the girl.
Landing on her face, the girl let out a pained cry and looked confused.
"FYI, your ability? It doesn't work on me." The Number Two merrily pointed out.
"Why?" The now terrified Miho managed as she struggled back onto her feet.
"Because I'm a Level 5, little doe." Naru said as she stalked towards her, flashing her teeth. "Now. Run."
Juufuku did just that, like Naru was something from her nightmares.
"Um, Namikaze-san...why didn't you just capture her?"
"For the thrill, Uiharu-chan. For the thrill."
"Sadist." Shirai chimed in.
"What? You want me to do your job for you? For shame, Shirai-chan."
"Just do your part." Shirai said through what was clearly gritted teeth.
"Hai hai!" Naru chirped and began to chase the criminal.
As the little doe ran for her freedom - Or as she probably thought, and if Saten had her way, her life -, Naru waved her hand, bending the air with her chakra to create a wall of compressed air. The wall barred the path to Juufuku's right, forcing her to go left.
Naru would have personally used some geokinesis, but then she'd have to deal with all the potential property damage. And Naru considered herself professional enough to work around that limitation.
Plus, she liked to keep the School Garden intact too.
"Come on, run, run!" Naru jeered with a giggle, easily jogging behind the frantically running girl.
"Why do I suddenly feel like we're the bad guys here?" Misaka said over the line.
"We're not. Don't forget that she hurt Uiharu." Saten said, apparently recovered enough to speak in proper sentences again.
"She does feel like a predator." Uiharu added.
"An apex predator, please."
Shirai dryly said. "That's not a thing to be proud of."
Naru and Kurama highly disagreed.
"It still feels like we're leaving psychological scarring." Their sempai complained.
"How else she is ever going to learn not to hurt our friends again?" Naru idly chimed in as she made another wall of air, forcing the target to go right this time.
"Shouldn't it be to not commit crimes?" Shirai said accusingly.
"Hm? Oh! That too I guess."
"This isn't a guessing game!" Misaka scolded.
Naru just rolled her eyes as she forced Juufuku to make another left and head directly towards the local park. "Package has been delivered. Go get'em Sempai. Taser the hell out of her."
"Unlike you, I can hold back."
"And that's what makes you boring." Naru muttered to herself.
Strolling into the park herself, Naru saw from a distance as Juufuku walked right into their trap, complaining all the while. "This is why I hate all you brats from Tokiwadai."
She had just reached the park's swings when she was confronted by Misaka. Reacting quickly, Juufuku drew her stun gun and attacked Misaka with it, only to be surprised when it had no effect.
"Bummer. You see, stun guns don't really have any effect on me." Her sempai said as she touched the culprit with a single finger and shocked the girl into unconsciousness.
"As expected of Sempai. She's as ruthless as they come." Naru said with a bemused smile as she strolled on up to Misaka, even as Shirai teleported nearby.
"I am not." Misaka pouted towards the blonde. "I was holding back."
"Yet you still took her out with a single touch." Naru couldn't help but tease. "How isn't that ruthless?"
Misaka sputtered, unable to form a decent retort.
Kuroko meanwhile turned to look up towards a nearby camera. "Uiharu. Please contact the Anti-Skill and inform them that we have successfully apprehended the suspect."
"Right."
"Good work today." Kuroko told the whole group.
"Thanks." Saten gave the lone reply. Uiharu being busy with calling Anti-Skill while Naru and Misaka continued bickering.
"Ruthless~! Ruthless~!"
"I'll show you ruthless, you damn Chibi!" Misaka cried out as she began to chase Naru, sparks flying off her frame.
The blonde couldn't help but giggle.
Her Sempai was so easy to mess with.
A few days later, Ruiko and Uiharu were spending time together on the streets of the City.
"Come on, Saten-san." Uiharu said as she enthusiastically pulled Ruiko along. "Shirai-san is waiting."
Ruiko smiled at her friend's eagerness.
"There's really no need to rush, Uiharu. We have plenty of time."
"I know. I know." Uiharu said with a smile. "But I want us to spend as much time together as possible."
Ruiko sighed. "Fine. Fine."
The two enjoyed a bout of companionable silence for a while, before Uiharu brought up some pleasant conversation.
"At least the Tokiwadai Hunt Case is done with."
Saten just grunted unhappily.
"I still can't believe she did all that because her boyfriend dumped her. I mean, I guess it's sad," Uiharu pursed her lips. "But you don't just attack people who had nothing to do with it!"
She patted her forehead. "At least the marker came off."
"I'm glad."
At this point they reached the plaza where they saw Shirai waiting with Namikaze. Waving at the two girls, the two best friends walked over.
"It's rare to see you two together, what have you been up to?" Uiharu asked as all four girls began walking together.
"We went shopping." Namikaze said with a smile, holding up two hot pink shopping bags.
"Fufufu." Shirai giggled, shouldering her own bags. "Indeed we did. I showed Namikaze-san my special location for ladies with mature taste."
Uiharu sputtered. "You don't mean-?!"
Shirai nodded, looking quite pleased with [Maniforce]. "Indeed and might I add, Namikaze-san, you made such bold choices. Even my cheeks grew hot at your selections."
"Oh my!" Uiharu said, her whole face burning from her blush, steam practically coming out of her ears.
"Eh?" Namikaze tilted her head, her hair flopping along with it. "But Shirai-chan also picked some pretty racy stuff. Hoping for Sempai to notice you?"
"But of course!" The teleporter laughed haughtily. "I picked them specifically for that purpose."
"Oh my, oh my." Uiharu looked as though she was going to faint.
The two other began listing their purchases. Ruiko just tuned them out, knowing full well that listening would just leave her pointlessly embarrassed.
Uiharu it seemed hadn't caught that memo and as a result was on the verge of passing out from listening to the girls' shameless recitation of their salacious purchases.
"Misaka-san is going to shock you at this rate." Uiharu sighed, leaning against a wall for support.
At the mention of Misaka, Shirai stiffened. "Err, you won't tell Onee-sama will you, Uiharu? Namikaze-san? Saten-san?"
Uiharu shook her head and Ruiko shrugged.
"No promises." Namikaze teased with that mischievous twinkle in her eye.
Bad influence. Minimize exposure to Uiharu.
Ruiko blinked at the decidedly mechanical way her thoughts were sounding lately. It was happening more and more often and she was getting worried.
"We should call Misaka-san, I'm sure she'd love to be here for this. After all, Shirai-san seems to enjoy her scoldings."
"No I don't!"
"Really?" The blonde blinked. "I thought you were a masochist."
"I am not!"
"...You certainly ask for and take a lot of punishment." Namikaze said skeptically.
"W-Well I'm not." Shirai sputtered out.
"Just call her anyway." Uiharu suggested. "I think she'd like to join us."
Shirai looked very rigid right now.
At this rate, we'll be stuck here all day.
"Would you prefer me to call her instead?"
"No no." Shirai waved her hands to emphasize her denial of the request and pulled out her phone. "I will."
I knew that would work. She'd never give the chance to talk to Misaka-san to someone else.
Quickly dialing, the teleporter held the phone to her ear. "Onee-sama, where are you right now?"
Shirai twirled one of her twintails, a little smile on her face. "I've met up with Namikaze-san, Uiharu, and Saten-san. I was wondering if you'd join us for tea… Weird, you say? ...She suddenly undressed herself? You've run into the infamous [Stripper Lady]?!"
Stripper Lady? Ruiko thought with a groan. That has to be Kaa-san.
"Saten-san, that sounds like Kiyama-sensei, doesn't it?" Uiharu asked with a worried look on her face.
Ruiko just nodded.
"Your Kaa-san is the [Stripper Lady]!?" Namikaze burst into a series of maddening giggles. "Oh man, that's a riot!"
Saten just sent her a glare.
"Still better than the [Laughing Joker], that crazy maniac that cuts helpless people down at night."
[Maniforce]'s giggles came to an end as her lips formed a thin line. "Ah, yeah, that sounds scary. But I think the [Army Slayer] is pretty scary too...you gotta wonder how someone like that ticks."
Saten frowned but didn't press the issue. She didn't want Namikaze to drag up her history, even if she had plenty of her own dirt on the blonde to use in retaliation. Doing so would just end badly for both of them.
A sentiment that Namikaze seemed to share as she let the matter go.
"The atmosphere got kind of tense. Are you two okay?" Uiharu asked nervously, shuffling her feet.
"Peachy." Namikaze flashed Ruiko a toothy smile. "Right?"
Ruiko offered a strained smile herself. "Absolutely."
"Whatever!" Shirai cried out, nervousness radiating off of her. "We need to find Onee-sama before she catches this stripping disease!"
Uiharu sent a glare Shirai's way.
"It's not some contagious disease!" The Level 1 said firmly to her Judgement partner while glancing at Saten worriedly.
"She's right." [Multi-Skill] sighed, "Let's go find them before Misaka-san zaps my Kaa-san for being a hentai."
"Good idea." Namikaze nodded. "But where do we find them? I haven't seen any Misaka Bolts come from the sky yet."
"They're near the Seventh Mist mall."
"Your AIM sense is freaking convenient, you know that?"
"It is." Shirai agreed. "I've really got to have you do consultations for us in the future."
"I don't work cheap." Ruiko told her with a smirk. "But we can discuss terms later, let's just get going."
"Compass away!" Namikaze chirped.
Following Ruiko's directions, the girls soon found Mikoto and Kaa-san in one of the bathrooms of the office buildings next to Seventh Mist. As they trooped into the washroom they were just in time to hear Kaa-san comment that, "You know, that word where you're cold to someone you like. It was prevalent a while ago. Tsun...Tsun..Tsundara? No. Ah, Tsundere."
"I-I am not a Tsundere!" Misaka screamed, static arcing off her body and snapping at the lights, causing a blackout within the building.
I agree with Kaa-san, Misaka-san is such a Tsundere.
Namikaze had her arms crossed and nodded in a sage-like fashion. "Yep, Tsundere fits Misaka-Sempai to a T."
Mikaka spun around, her eyes wide and her flush radiant in the dark. "W-W-What are you guys doing here?!"
"Watching you freak out." The blonde teasingly smiled.
"Let's get out of here." Misaka said quickly, pulling Kaa-san along. The rest of the girls following along as they fled from the scene.
"Honestly, Onee-sama!" Shirai chided. "You are far too reckless with your powers!"
Misaka was too busy fleeing to reply.
Namikaze however was more than able to comment, "Hey Uiharu-chan, I bet that running from the authorities after causing a blackout isn't what you had in mind, right?"
"Wah?! I-I don't know what you mean."
"You know, for these little social gatherings for Saten-chan so she can open up more."
"Namikaze-san, shh!" Uiharu begged her, holding a finger to her lips.
"...Seriously? Come on, it was clear as day."
It look a half hour but the group eventually found Kaa-san's car. This wasn't because it was hard to find the lot itself, but rather because it was all the way on the other side of the District. Apparently Kaa-san had walked across the whole District in her search for her car.
Honestly Kaa-san, can you be more clueless about this kind of things?
The only good thing that came out of it was that Kaa-san could drive them home. They had offered lifts to the others of course, but only Uiharu accepted in the end. Shirai and Misaka wanted to go finish the shopping that [Railgun]'s encounter with Kaa-san had interrupted. Namikaze meanwhile had decided to tag along with the two.
Almost certainly so she could tease Misaka. She got far too much pleasure from embarrassing others.
As they drove off after a round of goodbyes, Kaa-san spoke up.
"You've made quite the interesting bunch of friends, Ruiko."
"Aren't they, just?" Uiharu said cheerfully.
Ruiko simply shrugged. She really couldn't even be sure that she could count Shirai, Namikaze and Misaka as friends. She didn't even know how to properly describe her relationship with the three other girls.
"Uiharu, was what Namikaze-san said about these get togethers lately true?" Saten asked in an effort to figure things out a little better.
"Of course, you really do need to socialize more." Uiharu admitted easily. "But also because it's fun too. Though I'll stop if you want. Do you?"
Ruiko raked her mind in a bid to determine what she really wanted.
"Hmm." Kaa-san chimed in. "I think Uiharu-chan's got a good idea there."
Kaa-san agrees too? Well, I guess there's really no harm to it.
"And it has been fun too I guess." Saten said with a sigh.
"So you're ok with more of these outings?" Uiharu pressed hesitantly.
"I suppose so."
"Yatta!" "Sounds like a plan."
With both Kaa-san and Uiharu behind the idea, there's no getting out of this. Saten thought with a shake of her head even as she pressed it against the car window.
Naru sighed with relief as she returned to her room after a nice hot bath in her silk PJs. As she dried her hair with some hot air she conjured with her powers, the Level 5 plopped down onto her comfy mattress.
After the girls had split up, Naru had indeed gone shopping with Misaka and Shirai. But as the sun set, the other Level 5 had made some excuses and after sending her roommate home, laden down with their purchases, had left to "meet a friend". Curious, Naru had hung back a little and ended up spotting [Railgun] meeting up with [Imagine Breaker] of all people and heading off towards a nearby riverbank to fight!
For the purposes of gathering data on the combat prowess of two of the City's major players -And to get teasing material on Misaka-Sempai- Naru had decided to sit back and watch the show.
[Imagine Breaker], the ability to nullify all supernatural phenomena.
What a scary power.
Naru didn't even want to know what would happen if that thing touched her.
In the end, the result was obvious. Her Sempai lost in an embarrassing way.
She just hoped the Superintendent would lend her a copy of UNDER_LINE's footage of the fight.
Giggling to herself, Naru saw that Awatsuki was already in bed.
Well, I guess I had enough excitement for one day. The blonde eyed her underwear drawer where all her new purchases were. Man, when Awatsuki saw them, she was probably going to blush like crazy!
Naru smiled at that.
Suddenly, her phone on her nightstand vibrated.
"They better not have a job for me right now. I just took a bath…" Annoyed, [Maniforce] picked up the device and answered it. "You've got Namikaze."
"[Maniforce]."
Oh joy, her boring handlers.
While Naru worked directly for Aleister as his personal agent, he still had a group of handlers for her. To pass on his orders when he was too busy to do so himself. They also doubled as her support team so to say that cleaned up after her jobs and dealt with any political fallback, etc. Just a bunch of boring old brown nosers if you asked her.
"What happened this time?" The blonde sighed, snuggling into her mound of plushies.
"We have reports of a mad bomber attacking the city. Your orders are to leave this to Judgement and Anti-Skill. Do you understand?"
"And if I just so happen to run into this little person?"
"You are not to engage except in self-defense."
"Tch," Naru scoffed, a pout on her face. "Boring."
"Acknowledged?"
"Yeah yeah. Now I'm going to bed, sweet dreams." Naru hung up, placing her phone back on her nightstand.
Curling herself under the warmth of her plushies, Naru closed her eyes for some rest.
It was one heck of a week after all.
And that's chapter two! Hope you all liked it. Because I did, it was just a treat to write.
IMPORTANT: This is a completely separate AU from my other story guys, so no comparisons please! It's not exactly fair or appropriate.
SPECIAL NOTE: We are currently looking for a beta for this fic series. If you enjoy the Toaru-verse, please send me a PM and our team will see how you are. Hope we get some takers!
As you can see, we've continued with our three Ojou-samas POV. It's shuffled around, but as our main heroines, they get their moments to shine in just the right ways.
Nameless: We squeezed three episodes into one chapter! The result was quite the massive chapter. I'll admit trying to find a unifying theme for the chapter wasn't easy. We hope what we ended up with wasn't too shabby.
Naru and Mikoto have sure got an interesting dynamic, right people? As Uiharu said, they bicker like sisters. It's a bit to a callback to my previous fic, but also shows it in a new light where it's far more entertaining. Also, I just love to tease Mikoto, she's Tsun-tastic for it. And yes, Naru has similar tastes to Kuroko, scary, we know. But at least her significant other (Whoever he/she may be) is going to have a good time~!
Nameless: Some of you might have realised we've left certain backstory elements in a entirely "tell" format in defiance of the fic writing maxim of "show don't tell." Don't worry, we did this deliberately, mainly for chapter length issues and not to give too much away. We'll make up with it through appropriate flashbacks as we go along. We didn't manage any this chapter, but we plan to start dealing with this issue next chapter.
Yeah, we were going pretty long here. Hope you guys also enjoy Naru interacting with Aleister. And all the little monikers that were dropped. It's up to you all to figure them out! Or, at least until we've commented on them in-story. But who knows when that'll happen.
Nameless: Yup. Yup. Plenty of foreshadowing too. Hope you had fun trying to figure it out.
Well, you know what you guys gotta do! Smash that review button and tell us who ya love! Team Railgun, Team Rabbit, or Team Saten! Get your tee-shirts folks!
Be sure not to flame and eagerly await the next chapter. It's going to start getting real.
Peace out my peeps!