Disclaimer : I don't own Naruto or Toaru Kagaku no Railgun/Toaru Majutsu no Index
The Trinity of Tokiwadai
Chapter One Hundred Three: War in Paradise - Return to Peace
Reaching the end of the path that connected the car park where their American hosts had dropped them off to their destination, Kazari and Kuroko-san found themselves on a private beach that the same hosts had secured for them and their friends and allies from Academy City that had accompanied them to Hawaii to enjoy in the few hours they had before they had to fly back home. And what a beautiful beach it was! Featuring a long stretch of fine sand that bordered a crystal blue sea, palm trees that overlooked everything and with the sun shining brightly down on everything, it was a perfect slice of tropical paradise.
A paradise whose beauty wasn't marred at all by the lingering ash cloud from the Kīlauea eruption still hanging in the sky. Most of which had cleared anyway.
Something that had allowed flights in and out of Hawaii to resume, thus allowing reinforcements to arrive from the American mainland. Forces which when joined with the forces in Pearl Harbor finally breaking out of the multi-layered Sealed Space that had trapped them in their own base yesterday, provided the Americans with the forces to fully reclaim the islands from Trident forces and forcing the aforementioned invaders to unconditionally surrender instead of dragging out negotiations in a desperate bid to minimize consequences for themselves like they had since Irivika was defeated.
And of course since they were at the beach, both of them were dressed for the occasion in swimsuits, having changed in a tent set up for exactly that purpose by the Americans as part of the security they had put in place to keep the beach private. A small reward, as President Katze had told them, for their help during Trident's invasion.
For her part, Kuroko-san had chosen to wear a Tokiwadai school issued swimsuit. The sporty mainly black one piece swimsuit with white trim and an open back that was criss-crossed by white bands making the tawny haired Teleporter look every bit the ojou-sama that she was.
Not that she'd ever admit it. Kazari thought with amusement. Kuroko-san is too hung up on painting herself as a tough as nails law enforcer to ever admit she's every bit an ojou-sama as her Tokiwadai peers.
Sadly, Kazari, in her own opinion, simply could not pull off even pretending to be an ojou-sama. As such in contrast to her Judgment partner, she, as always, looked plain in her own yellow one piece swimsuit with orange trim, orange floral print, an orange bow just at the neckline, and a ruffled skirt.
"We're finally here." Kazari said excitedly. "We finally get a chance to have time at the beach!"
"Yes, and we would have almost missed the chance to be here because of you, Kazari." Kuroko-san scolded her. "You were the one who insisted on helping the Americans to create bots to manage the information regarding the Invasion of Hawaii and plug holes in their cybersecurity that had been installed by the various people in charge of it that Irivika had suborned. Tasks that I had to practically drag you away from."
"Sorry about that." Kazari apologized distractedly. "I just wanted to make sure the Americans did it right. Besides, you didn't need to stay with me."
Kuroko-san clucked her tongue at that. "And what? Leave my partner alone in a foreign country? Especially one that was just invaded? I think not."
"Thank you for looking out for me." Kazari said without much thought, most of her attention instead focused on surveying the beach.
"Considering I kept you company whilst you were helping the Americans, couldn't you at least give me some attention when you are talking to me?" Kuroko-san asked with an exasperated sigh.
"Sorry. But can you blame me?" Kazari asked with a nervous laugh as she gestured down the beach where everyone in their group were lounging all over the beach or in a few cases were out swimming in the ocean. Even those who were not keen to be there had been forced to head down to the beach by their friends. Or in Kuroyoru Umidori's case, been made to by her bosses. "Just looking at all the ojou-samas and bishōnen and bishōjos that are our friends is just too distracting!"
Kuroko-san just groaned and began muttering about how Kazari was obsessed.
The [Goalkeeper] just ignored her and proceeded to admire their friends in their swimsuits.
Ruiko-san and Mikoto-san, like Kuroko-san, had chosen to wear their school swimsuits and looked every bit the ojou-samas they were as a result even as they happily enjoyed some competition whilst swimming laps up and down the length of the beach.
Based on what Kazari could tell, Mikoto-san was in the lead but Ruiko-san wasn't far behind and was gaining so who the winner would be was still up in the air.
Ganbatte, Ruiko-san! Kazari cheered her best friend in her mind.
The two swimmers weren't the only ones looking all ojou-sama however. Dressed in a red bikini with a skirted mid-rise bottom as she sunbathed, Naru-san looked gorgeous!
And so did Frenda-san, Mugino-san, and Birdway-san too. They all looked so pretty and sophisticated!
Dressed in a red cross wrap halter bikini top and matching bottom that showed off her impressive bust and incredible figure, Frenda-san was sporting a look that came together to give the impression that she was a model!
Also looking like she should grace a runaway or a magazine cover was Mugino-san! She was dressed in a black bikini that consisted of a top that was tied in the front by ties that were tipped by small golden ball adornments and a pair of simple bottoms. An outfit that was completed by a ruffled edged sarong in a matching color.
And then there was Birdway-san! Dressed in a white two piece swimsuit with a top held up by spaghetti straps and decorated by layered ruffles, similarly decorated bottoms and completed with a flower in her hair, she looked like a movie star!
And whilst the rest of the girls didn't look quite as good, they still looked absolutely beautiful!
Dressed in a mainly blue boyleg one piece swimsuit with blocks on the side in white, Takitsubo-san looked pretty indeed. Same for Kinuhata-san in her sporty black one piece swimsuit with red trim.
And last but not least, dressed in a black slinky bandeau neckline one piece swimsuit, Kuroyoru-san looked wonderful! Sure, she was not as striking as everyone else, but she still looked a hundred times better than she did.
I really am plain compared to everyone else. Kazari mused self-deprecatingly. She wasn't wrong however. Kazari knew her strengths and weaknesses and her looks was decidedly not one of the former.
She was okay with it though. After all, looks aren't everything. Besides, just being able to admire all these beautiful people is more than enough for me.
Speaking of beautiful people… It wasn't just the girls who looked good either! Dressed in swim trunks and showing off their well muscled bodies, Accelerator-san, Kamijou-san, and Hamazura-san were looking like fine specimens of manhood indeed. With Accelerator-san and Kamijou-san sporting simple white and blue trunks respectively whilst Hamazura-san had chosen a pair that had a scene of a Hawaiian sunrise or sunset printed on it, they looked like perfect examples of what one could expect of a bishōnen.
Okay, Hamazura-san's trunks were a little over the top but Kazari reasoned that it was likely that his girlfriend, Takitsubo-san, had convinced him to wear it. And props to him! He was doing so without a hint of embarrassment!
Kazari had barely finished her observation of everyone when Kuroko-san suddenly grabbed her right arm and began pulling her towards the beach.
"Come on you! Stop just staring and let's go join them."
"R-Right." Kazari said with a blush as she allowed herself to be dragged over to join the rest of their friends.
"Darn it! I thought I had it in the bag!" Mikoto said angrily as she and Ruiko treaded water by the buoy that they had used to mark the finishing line for their little swimming competition. A competition that she had lost by a small margin thanks to a last second burst of speed on Ruiko's part. "But nevermind me, Ruiko. Congratulations."
"T-Th-Thank you, Senpai." Ruiko replied as she struggled to steady her breathing after the burst of exertion that had secured her victory.
Mikoto frowned and was about to ask her kohai if she was okay when the familiar voice of Kazari-san shouted at them from the beach.
"Congratulations, Ruiko-san!"
They both turned to the beach and saw the aforementioned computer whiz waving at them enthusiastically whilst standing next to Kuroko. It seemed the two of them had finally decided to show up.
Smiling at the sight of her best friend, Ruiko turned to shoot Mikoto a questioning look.
"Go ahead." Mikoto told her encouragingly with a smile of her own.
Her smile brightening, Ruiko teleported away to join Kazari-san on the beach.
Almost in the same breath, Kuroko teleported nearby and crashed into the ocean like a cannonball, sending seawater flying everywhere and especially all over Mikoto.
"Kuroko! Watch it!"
Popping her head above water as she too began treading water next to Mikoto, Kuroko sported a cheeky smirk as she half-heartedly apologized. "Sorry, Onee-sama."
Yeah, right! You could at least pretend to look like you mean it, maybe then I'd believe you.
Despite her peeved thoughts, instead of continuing to scold her roommate, something that she knew would be futile, Mikoto just rolled her eyes as she replied. "Just forget it. What did you want, Kuroko? Why did you teleport into the ocean to join me?"
"I just want to share a leisurely swim with you, Onee-sama? Is that okay?"
Mikoto's mood softened at the perfectly reasonable request. After all, there was nothing wrong with a kohai wanting to spend time with the senpai they adored, was there?
"Sure, why not?" She said as she agreed, prompting Kuroko to reply with a brilliant smile that made Mikoto's day.
Whilst Mikoto-senpai had decided to continue swimming, now with Kuroko-san as company, Ruiko had decided that with Kazari having just arrived, it was time to take a break to spend time with her best friend. They had thus made their way over to the little cache of goodies that the Americans had set up for them.
"How are things shaping up regarding the aftermath of the invasion, Kazari?" The Number 3 asked as she pulled out bottles of iced lemonade for the both of them. "One of the things you were helping the Americans with was controlling information about the invasion to prevent classified information from leaking out, right? So you're up to date on things, aren't you? Spill!"
Sporting a confused and questioning look, Kazari accepted the bottle that Ruiko handed her. "Aren't you? Surely you're remotely monitoring developments?"
"Not really." Ruiko confessed. "I've not been paying attention to things. We are here to enjoy ourselves at the beach, so that's exactly what I've been doing. The last time I've actually checked in on things was yesterday night and a lot could have changed since then."
"Really?" Kazari asked, looking pleasantly surprised.
"Yup." Ruiko confirmed as she popped open her bottle and took a gulp of the refreshing lemonade. She'd needed that after her race with Mikoto-senpai.
"Good job on relaxing for once, Ruiko-san!" Kazari praised with a laugh.
"Hey! Even I can learn after a while, you know?"
"It certainly seems like it." Kazari replied, still giggling.
"Don't laugh." Ruiko said with a pout. "You're just as prone to overworking yourself as I am."
Kazari had the grace to blush at that fact. "That's true. I guess I'll have to try my best to avoid doing so in the future."
"You should." Ruiko agreed as she took another gulp of her drink. "So what's the latest developments?"
Kazari popped open her own bottle and took a sip of her lemonade before replying, "The latest I heard was that it seems like President Katze intends to use the fact that Olay Blueshake cannot perform her duties as the owner of the Blueshake media networks due to her being a fugitive for her involvement in the invasion as justification to transfer all of her assets to her daughter as per Olay's will. However, since Lindy is still a minor, Harzak Lolas, her legal guardian, will be put in charge of it until she reaches her majority. That said, it would be greatly reduced by then as President Katze intends to liquidate a good part of those assets and use the funds raised to compensate for the damage that has been caused by the invasion."
"I expected that." Ruiko said with a nod. "What about the international reaction? Particularly towards our intervention?"
"It's too early to tell for sure. So far it's been mixed. Though, the American government's appreciation of what we did has made any objections to our intervention rather muted."
"So basically what the Board expected." Ruiko mused. "Though I suppose undermining Gremlin's plan was worth the diplomatic fallout. Hopefully."
"You think that things will get worse diplomatically?" Kazari asked worriedly.
"It might." Ruiko said with a shrug. "The E.U. won't dare say much, not when everyone knows they backed the invasion."
Just because there was no definitive proof of their involvement didn't change the fact that only a fool would think they hadn't had a hand in things.
"And the rest of the American allies will take their lead on the matter." Ruiko continued. "But it's the other countries that we need to worry about. Them and the City's Cooperative Institutions, the latter especially. We don't actually have much to do with other countries so they can protest but that's about it. We rely quite a bit on the support of the Cooperative Institutions though so if they make a fuss, we might have a problem on our hands."
"The Board sanctioned this mission though."
"Which is why dealing with the Cooperative Institutions and other fallout is their problem." Ruiko said with a smirk.
"I probably shouldn't be saying this but serve them right!" Kazari said with a little vindictive smirk of her own. "They're the ones always sending people on dangerous missions, it's only right they deal with the consequences once in a while."
"I know right?" Ruiko said as she raised her half-finished bottle of lemonade in a toast. "To the Board getting their just desserts for once."
"I'll toast to that." Kazari said with a giggle as she clinked her bottle against Ruiko's before the two best friends both took long gulps of their drinks.
"Anything else you want to know, Ruiko-san?" Kazari asked as she finished her drink and held out her hand for the Level 5's.
"Yes, actually." Ruiko said as she handed her own empty bottle over. "Do you know anything about the consequences of the Kīlauea eruption? I know that the invasion overshadowed it but surely now that time has passed, some of the damage has been tallied up. Was it extensive?"
Putting both empty bottles in the appropriate bin so they could be washed and recycled later, Kazari shook her head. "Nope. Based on what information I saw, outside of the ash plume that the eruption caused the volcano to shoot out and some minor damage from the lava and pyroclastic flows, there's nothing."
Ruiko blinked in surprise at that news.
"The lava and the pyroclastic flows didn't cause much damage?"
"No, they didn't." Kazari confirmed. "The eruption didn't produce much of either, so what damage they did cause was minimal at best. Definitely nothing of note."
Ruiko frowned. Yes, Naru-chan had mentioned that the lava and pyroclastic flows from the eruption weren't that intense as she privately admitted to her that if not for that, she might not have been able to get ITEM and Kuroyoru-san safely out of there when the volcano blew. That had been suspicious enough but considering the massive ash cloud that the eruption had thrown up, that the lava and the pyroclastic flows had remained minimal throughout the eruption just…
Does not make sense!
On another stretch of the beach from where Saten-sama and Uiharu-san were chatting, Shiage had teamed up with Rikou and Kamijou-san to play some beach volleyball against Birdway, Saiai and Kuroyoru.
"Yo, Kamijou, are you sure you're game for this?" Shiage asked the [Imagine Breaker] as they got into position on either side of the net and lines of the court that the Americans had helpfully set up for them. "I mean you were still pretty hurt yesterday."
"Yeah, I'm game." The so-called Hero of Academy City said with a carefree nod. "I'm all healed up. My injuries weren't anything that an overnight soak in a tub of Nanoheal Solution couldn't fix."
Shiage just nodded. Seriously, the City's tech is insane. Kamijou was burned to a crisp before they dunked him into the tank of Nanoheal and just a few hours later he's up and about like it was nothing!? Madness!
"Well, if you're sure, then let's play ball!" Shiage said with a grin.
"Before that, are you sure we have enough space in this court? It's a standard beach volleyball court ain't it? And those are designed for 2v2 games, no?" Kuroyoru asked with a frown.
"It's fine." Saiai assured the cyborg. "It's super not like we're pros or anything after all."
"Well, if you're okay with it, Onee-san."
"Are you girls done?" Shiage asked the two Dark May survivors with a cocked eyebrow.
Both of them nodded and Birdway spoke for her teammates. "We're ready to go, Hamazura."
Smirking, without warning Shiage jumped up and served the ball, lobbing it over the net and towards the girls on the other side before they could realize what was going on.
"Hey! No fair! At least give us some warning!" Kuroyoru whined as she, being the closest member of her team to the path of the ball, dove for the ball and just barely managed to pass it back towards Shiage's side of the net.
"All's fair in love and war, Kuroyoru!" Shiage shouted back even as Rikou rushed forward and managed to hit the ball back to the other side of the net.
"Onee-san! Your teammate is being a bully!" The combat cyborg whined even as she bumped the ball towards her sister. Despite Saiai's protests, Shiage was gonna call a spade a spade.
"Yeah, he can be. Super deal with it, Umidori!" Saiai shot back even as instead of spiking the ball like Shiage thought she would, she instead sent it flying towards Birdway. "Hit them, Birdway!"
"Leave it to me!" The Magician shouted back as she jumped up to a surprising height and hit the ball hard, sending it flying like a meteor over the net.
Shit! I didn't think Birdway would work well with Saiai and Kuroyoru so I wasn't paying attention to her and now I'm out of position! Shiage cursed as he noticed that Rikou was just as out of position. Even if they sprinted, neither of them were going to be able to get into position to stop the ball touching the sand and losing them a point. Our only hope is-
"Kamijou! Deflect that ball!" Rikou shouted a second before Shiage could do the same, startling him slightly.
Huh? I guess Rikou's feeling competitive today. Shiage thought idly as he watched Kamijou run towards the incoming ball and dove for it just like Kuroyoru had earlier. Unlike the combat cyborg however, he fumbled the deflection and though he managed to hit the ball, it nevertheless landed on their side of the net before either Shiage or Rikou could reach it.
"And point!" Birdway said smugly even as Saiai and Kuroyoru exchanged high fives.
"Fukou da." Kamijou said as he picked up the ball and prepared to serve. "This is karma for you starting the game without telling the other team, Hamazura."
"Yeah, maybe." Shiage allowed, scratching his cheek subconsciously.
"It's only one point." Rikou chimed in. "There's plenty more where that came from, so stop griping and serve already, Kamijou."
Yup! She's definitely in a competitive mood today.
"Right on it!" Kamijou said as he prepared for an underhand serve. "Time to eat sand, girls!"
""Bring it on, Kamijou!"" Saiai and Kuroyoru said at the same time, clearly without prompting if the silly grins they sported as they realized how in sync they were was any indication.
"You're asking for it!" Kamijou warned as he served, sending the ball towards Rikou as they set up for their attack.
And so the volleyball match continued and Rikou was pleased to note that her team was winning. Despite Saiai and Kuroyoru working together like a surprisingly well-oiled machine and even the Magician pulling her fair share, Rikou and her team had won the first set 21-16 and with a commanding lead of 11-2 were well on their way to winning the second set and the match along with it.
Now, normally Rikou was not athletic at all. And she most definitely wasn't much of a beach volleyball player, but that was before she got a boyfriend. A boyfriend that was currently on her team and who she wanted to impress.
Rikou wasn't stupid. She wasn't the prettiest girl around. Even on their team, Mugino was more beautiful and Saiai had her beat on cuteness. She was just average. Her personality wasn't much to write home about either, what with her being best described, by Frenda, as an uber introvert. She honestly didn't know what Shiage saw in her. With his reputation of beating a Level 5 and his roguish look, he could score any number of girls loads more attractive than she was but he'd chosen her. He'd killed and risked his life for her!
I don't deserve him. The [AIM Stalker] thought to herself not for the first time.
The least she could do was do her best to be a better girlfriend for him. And part of doing so was helping him succeed wherever possible, even if it was in a silly beach volleyball game.
Now if only the third member of their team was half as committed to helping them win!
"Kamijou!" Rikou couldn't help but cry out in frustration as the [Imagine Breaker] failed to block Saiai's attack and she had to dive to deflect it.
"Sorry!" The spiky haired high schooler shouted apologetically as Rikou just managed to send the ball back over the net.
The damage was done though as Rikou's dive had forced her out of position and the other team quickly recovered and sent the ball back at them right through the hole in their defenses that her repositioning had created.
She and Shiage both rushed to get the ball, but even as her boyfriend attempted a desperate dive, they failed and the ball made contact with the sand.
"""Yay!""" The three girls on the other team cheered.
"Don't count your chickens before they hatch, girls." Shiage warned as he pushed himself back to his feet and made his way to pick up the ball. "We're still leading 11-3."
"We could say the same to you, Hamazura." Birdway replied haughtily, with a hand on her cocked hips. "You might have won the first set and are currently leading in the second, but we have not lost yet."
"Yeah, Hamazura, what Birdway said!" Saiai said with a grin while her sister nodded in eager agreement from beside her. "We'll super turn the tables on you. Just wait and see!"
"We'll see about that!" Shiage said with a cocky smirk that got Rikou feeling all hot and bothered as he prepared to serve.
Before he could, however, Kamijou cut in. "Uh! Time out! I need a breather!"
Pausing mid-serve, Shiage turned to the other boy with a concerned frown. "You okay, Kamijou?"
Oh right. He was badly injured yesterday. Rikou thought, finally recalling how the [Imagine Breaker] had been horrifically burned by Irivika's corrosive pollen before the Trinity had literally blasted the wannabe Leshy into two pieces.
"Yeah. I just need a break." Kamijou reassured Shiage. "You guys can, uh, continue without me."
"Actually, mind if I sub for Kamijou?" The unexpected voice of the [Goalkeeper] said as she walked over. "I want to have a try at the game. I learned how to play in gym class but it's been a while since I've played."
"They teach you how to play beach volleyball in gym class in Academy City?" Birdway asked, looking surprised.
"It depends on the school." Uiharu-san said with a shrug. "My school gave us a few options to sign up for and it was one of them. None of them really appealed to me so I used a random number generator to help me choose and I ended up going for beach volleyball."
"That sounds like something you would do, [Goalkeeper]." Kuroyoru said with a laugh.
Uiharu-san blushed. "So, um, can I sub in for Kamijou-san?"
Rikou and Shiage shot Kamijou a look. The boy did look exhausted.
"Rikou?"
"It should be fine." Rikou said with a nod.
"Thanks guys." Kamijou said with a tired smile as he practically dragged himself off to the side and collapsed under the shade of one of the beach umbrellas that dotted the beach and reached inside the cooler underneath it for a drink.
When they were all sure he was okay, Shiage turned back to the other team. "Since Uiharu-san just joined, let's slow the pace a bit, is that okay with you girls?"
That he thought the [Goalkeeper] couldn't keep up with their previous level of play went unsaid. If Rikou was unathletic then Uiharu-san was a couch potato!
"That's acceptable." Birdway said with a nod.
"Fine with us, right, Onee-san?" Kuroyoru said, glancing at her sister.
"Yeah, it's only fair." Saiai said, echoing her teammates' agreement.
"Thank you for the consideration, everyone!" Uiharu-san said, offering everyone a smile.
"Right. Then let's get this show going!" Shiage shouted cheerfully as he served the ball with half the power he normally would.
And as the relatively sedate rally continued, Rikou addressed her new teammate. "Uiharu-san, weren't you with Saten-sama?"
"I was." The middle schooler replied as she hit the volleyball with surprising strength and skill. Still less than even Rikou could manage but more than what she expected from the wisp of a girl. "But Ruiko-san decided to head back to the hotel. Apparently, she wants to investigate something that occurred to her."
Rikou noticed Birdway tensing at this and was about to gesture to Shiage to question her about it. She might be trying to be less of an introvert, but old habits die hard. However, her boyfriend, perceptive as ever, had already noticed the Magician's reaction.
"Anything to say to that, Birdway?" He asked as he sent the volleyball towards Birdway.
"Just a little concerned how the world will take Academy City's intervention." The blonde said as she deflected the ball towards Saiai despite the distraction caused by Shiage's question. "When I envisioned this mission, I had expected things to play out far more covertly. Now that it has essentially become front page news, I fear that there is the potential that the world powers will see it negatively."
"I don't think that's too likely." Uiharu-san said as she performed an impressive block of Saiai's attack. "As I was telling Ruiko-san when she asked about this earlier, the goodwill we gained from the Americans has mostly offset any upset caused by our intervention."
"For now," Birdway said warily as she helped set up an attack for Kuroyoru. "Things can still change. Furthermore, what they might say to the public might not track with their real thoughts on things. No matter how we spin it and no matter the positive outcome it resulted in, Academy City just engaged in a unilateral intervention. That has to worry some powers."
"What are you guys saying?" Kamijou chimed in from his spot off the playing area. "That the City is going to be blamed for the invasion?"
"Like I said, it's a possibility." Birdway said as she fumbled a block, allowing Uiharu-san to score a point. "I think we can stop going easy on your account, Uiharu-san. What do you say, Kinuhata-san, Kuroyoru-san?"
"Yeah. She's super better than she looks." Saiai agreed with a frown.
"Let's go all out!" Kuroyoru said with just a hint of bloodthirstiness in her tone
"Bring it on." Uiharu-san said, confidently. "We can take you, right, Hamazura-san, Takitsubo-san?"
"Definitely." Shiage said eagerly even as Rikou just nodded.
"Then prepare to eat sand!" Birdway said as she served and started up a new rally, this time with the full intensity at which they had been playing the game so far.
"Birdway-san!" Kamijou shouted from the sides. "You didn't tell me this might happen!"
Even as she blocked Rikou's attack, Birdway managed to shoot the [Imagine Breaker] an incredulous look. She wasn't the only one either. Everyone there did the same. Even Rikou did as she hit the ball that the Magician's successful block had sent back over the net towards the other team's play area.
"Seriously, how could you not have foreseen it as a possibility!? How can a big chunk of the City's heavy hitters picking a fight with their enemy in another country without the permission of said country not risk a negative reaction?" Birdway said, sounding exasperated as she just managed to deflect Rikou's serve towards Kuroyoru, stumbling in the process.
"Yeah, man." The combat cyborg said as she hit the ball hard and sent it screaming over the net. "I'm hardly the most savvy person when it comes to politics, being the head of my own outfit notwithstanding, but even I realized that. The Board was taking a big risk sending us here."
"They're right, Kamijou-san. I don't know how you didn't realize that." Uiharu-san said to nods from everyone else as she intercepted the ball and sent it flying back over the net once more.
"Well, it didn't occur to me." Kamijou said with a blush even as everyone shot him exasperated looks. Not that it fazed him enough to stop talking. "Birdway-san, just so you know, if the City is really hurt by this mission you set up, I will have to reconsider our friendship."
That's rather shallow of him. Rikou couldn't help but think as she smashed the ball back over the net as she played her part to continue the ongoing rally. Yes, Birdway proposed the mission, but the Board approved it. We wouldn't have been able to have five Level 5s here if they didn't. Yet, now if he doesn't like the consequences he's going to end his friendship with the Magician?
Now, don't get her wrong. Rikou would gladly not see Birdway or her cabal ever again. She trusted them as far as she could throw them and even with all the effort she was making to better herself lately, that wasn't far at all. But she was still objective enough to see how unfair Kamijou was being right now.
Not that she was about going to say anything about it. Like she said, she wanted Birdway gone. Something that everyone agreed with if their own silence was any indication.
"Well, then, I hope nothing too bad happens as a result of this. I would rather not lose allies as powerful as you and your friends are, Kamijou-san." Birdway said with a nervous chuckle as she missed a block and Rikou's team scored a point at her expense.
"Then everything better turn out alright." Kamijou said in a serious tone, causing a thick tension to settle over everyone.
One that was cut into as Kuroyoru picked up the volleyball and as she prepared to serve, addressed everyone. "Oi! Just ignore Kamijou and his doom-mongering. We're in Hawaii. At the beach! Without any incoming threats! So stop wasting the opportunity! We should just set aside the heavy stuff for now and focus on enjoying ourselves!"
"Umidori's right! Let's just super focus on having fun for now!" Saiai said in support of her sister.
"Yeah, let's have fun!" Uiharu-san said encouragingly to agreement from everyone else.
"Serve us up, Kuroyoru!" Shiage said with a grin. "My team and I have a match to win."
"We'll see about that! Eat sand, Hamazura!"
Even as most of their party were enjoying themselves in their own ways, Accelerator found himself seated on a deckchair under a beach umbrella in the unenviable position of sitting across from the similarly situated Number 6 as the Melter Hag whined.
"Argh! You totally cheated in that competition!" The other Level 5 said with a growl. "I still say flying to Mount Waiʻaleʻale was unsportsmanlike."
Why am I subjecting myself to this bitch's whining again? Accelerator couldn't help thinking. Oh right! Someone has to keep an eye on the Number 6 just in case she loses it like she did after the Battle Royale Incident. She's such a sore loser that if we don't at least let her vent, she's liable to go on a rampage.
And much to his annoyance when he and the Trinity had drawn straws on who had to be the veritable sacrificial offering to keep her in check, he'd just have to borrow some of the Hero's luck.
I wanted to spend time on the beach with Ruiko damnit!
"You're seriously still hung up on that, Number 6?" Accelerator asked the woman, a tinge of his frustration with her seeping into his tone. "Who cares who won that bet? The most important thing is we destroyed the Russian Magician's core Idol, weakening her and letting Ruiko and the rest of the Trinity beat her."
"Well, sorry if I wanted to see you apologize to me whilst performing a dogeza, Number 1."
"Just be happy that I apologized." Accelerator shot back. "If Ruiko didn't make me I wouldn't have done that much."
"Yeah, I know. The Number 3 has you so whipped it's almost shameful."
Accel just shrugged. Was he whipped by his girlfriend? Definitely. Did he mind? Not at all. Ruiko was his better half, there was no denying that. After everything that he did, not least to Ruiko, he needed her to help keep him from walking down the wrong path again. That and because he loved her was why he was so willing to go along with everything Ruiko asked of him.
"And," Melter Hag continued with her rant. "Don't you know that in the process of destroying that Magician's idol, you caused an ecological disaster? The scouring of Waiʻaleʻale effectively rendered a unique ecosystem devoid of life and caused some plants found nowhere else to go extinct."
"Like I'm supposed to care?" Accelerator asked her, shooting her an annoyed look. "It helped us win the fight and that's all that matters to me."
The Number 6 shot him an unimpressed look. "You do know you sound like a villain talking like that? Aren't you a hero now? Talking about that, how do you feel about being a hero now? I hear you always used to take pride in being a villain, so how are you liking the change?"
"I'm not a hero." Accelerator shot back as he eyed the Hero as he played beach volleyball with the Mesugaki and some of the others.
The Melter Hag scoffed. "What do you call someone who sticks his neck out to help another country fight off an invasion if not a hero?"
"Are you a hero then? 'Cos you helped out too."
The bitch actually rolled her eyes at him in response. "I recognize what I did here in Hawaii was heroic but that I'm still a villain. I've done too many villainous things for a few acts of heroism to tip the scales."
"It's the same for me." Accelerator admitted as a wave of crushing guilt washed over him for what he'd done.
"You're talking about the Sisters clones that you killed?"
"Yes," Accelerator grunted out almost intelligibly. He was too choked up to even attempt to speak properly.
"But you've been involved in quite a few heroics lately, haven't you? Shouldn't that have made up for all those deaths already?"
"Killing ten thousand innocents is not something you 'make up for', Number 6." Accelerator hissed angrily at her belittling of his crimes.
She should've been terrified at his anger or, at the very least, wary. She might be a Level 5 too but he was the Number 1. He could crush her like a bug if he wanted to and she knew that. So he was surprised when she just shot him a confused frown.
"Yeah, that's a lot of people you killed but do you really not think you've made up for it? Between helping to stop the Star of Bethlehem and the Radiosonde Castle, you've saved millions, haven't you? Surely, that's enough to balance the scales at least?"
"That's not how things work." Accelerator said in a growl.
Surprising him again, the Number 6 just let out a resigned sigh. "I suppose you're right about that. But it helps. All joking aside, if villains like us ever want to make up for what we did, we have no choice but to use the rest of our lives to do it."
Her words shocked Accelerator. He had not expected the Number 6 to understand where he was coming from, though perhaps that was unfair of him. Whilst her hands were not as bloody as his own, she had a murderous past just like he did and also just like him, she was doing her best to redeem herself.
"What?" Melter Hag spat with a frown. "What's with that look?"
Accelerator just shrugged. "Just surprised by how similar we are."
"Took you long enough to realize that." The Number 6 said with a roll of her eyes. "It's not like we haven't been talking about our similarities this whole time!"
In another situation, Accelerator would have gotten angry at the other Level 5 talking to him in such an abrasive way but considering his realization that the Melter Hag was something of a kindred spirit, he just took it in stride.
"What can I say? I'm feeling slow today."
"Glad you realize your failings." The Number 6 said with a haughty laugh.
But kindred spirit or not, she just keeps pushing my buttons. If she continues being an arrogant bitch, I don't know how much longer I can hold out from beating the shit outta her.
Thankfully, before he could lose his cool, Ruiko called out to him as she walked over. "Accel!"
"Yo, Ruiko!" He greeted his girlfriend with a casual wave. "What's up? Saw you beat the [Railgun] at your little race. Here to get a reward from me for it?"
Ruiko blushed at what he was insinuating. A response that had him smiling smugly.
"Maybe." Ruiko said, trying to pretend his teasing hadn't gotten a raise out of her. "But mainly I just wanted to let you know that I'm about to head back to the hotel with Frenda-chan. Something just occurred to me and I want to look into it."
Accelerator frowned but before he could voice his thoughts on the matter, the Number 6 beat him to the punch. "Now? Can't this wait till we get back to Academy City?"
Ruiko shrugged. "I want to strike while the iron is hot."
"Then I'll go with you." Accelerator offered.
"No, you stay here, Accel." Ruiko told him with a shake of her head. "I need you to stay and watch Birdway. If you do, I'll reward you with more of this."
"'This'?" Accelerator asked with a smirk, having a good idea what Ruiko meant. "And shouldn't I be the one giving out the reward here?"
"Let's just say we're rewarding each other then." Ruiko said with a sultry grin as she closed the distance between them and kissed him passionately.
So passionately that they started getting rather debaucherous with Ruiko guiding his hands to her breasts. Taking the obvious hint, he obligingly began massaging her tits, causing her to moan into their kiss. The debauchery didn't end there of course. Ruiko wouldn't dream of thinking only of her own pleasure and so just as he began squeezing her breasts like she wanted, she reciprocated by rubbing her knee against his groin.
Of course, being the Espers they were, neither of them were limited by simple mechanical manipulation to stimulate pleasure. Thus, they supplemented the work of their hands and legs with their powers. For his part, Accel emulated some Electromastery and proceeded to stimulate both his and Ruiko's nervous systems, maximizing the pleasure generated by their more physical stimulations. He also, in response to the familiar probing of an AIM signature he recognized, dropped a portion of his Redirection to allow Ruiko to use her emulated Mental Out to join their minds together so they could share their building pleasure. An effort that quickly began to yield results as they steadily climbed towards a wonderful climax.
An orgasm that they reached together after an extremely pleasurable few minutes. One that left them all but screaming their pleasure into each other's mouths as they kissed. The latter of which, and the lack of oxygen it caused, was what prompted her to at last pull away from their kiss.
Yes, he jizzed in his pants. So what? His girlfriend just got him off from kissing him. How many people can say that? Jizzing in his pants was a small price to pay for earning that achievement.
"S-So~!" Ruiko said breathlessly, pulling Accelerator away from his thoughts. "Like I said, if you stay like I asked, I'll reward you with more kisses like that later. So will you stay?"
"S-Sure, I'll stay." He replied just as breathlessly.
"Thank you, Accel." His girlfriend said with a triumphant smile. "Then I'll go fetch Frenda-chan and go now."
The Number 1 just nodded absently. He was still luxuriating in the lingering aftereffects of their passionate kiss and was only dimly aware of what Ruiko was saying. A condition not helped at all by the happy smile that she shot him as she turned and walked off to fetch her henchwoman.
He was a man after all. And there were few things as satisfying for a hot blooded man than to see their woman shoot them a happy look and know that they were responsible for that happiness.
A laugh from the Number 6 pulled him out of his high and he turned to shoot the bitch a glare. "What are you laughing at!?"
"You. What else? The Number 3 has you wrapped around her little finger, doesn't she?"
"Yeah. So what? She's my girlfriend. It's only natural, isn't it?" Accelerator said with a shrug. Like he'd thought earlier, he didn't see anything wrong with it. "And that's what you find interesting? Not the kiss?"
"I don't care about that." The Melter Hag said with a dismissive wave of a hand. "That kind of thing is practically expected for a teenage couple. Besides, what you do with your girlfriend is your own business." Smirking, she continued. "What's more interesting to me is how you seem to really not mind showing the world just how whipped you are. You don't, do you?"
"No, I don't."
Mugino pouted at this and began whining. "It's no fun to tease you about it if you don't find anything wrong with it."
"Sucks to be you then, 'cause I really don't care."
For someone who was just complaining her fun had been ruined, the Number 6 recovered quickly and began laughing. "My, my, who would imagine that the Number 1 would be such a pushover for his girlfriend!?"
"Whatever!" Accelerator said dismissively as he turned away from the annoying Number 6 and instead focused on the Mesugaki like Ruiko asked him to.
He wanted more of those kisses damnit!
Naru couldn't help but let out a content sigh as she and Frenda-chan suntanned beside one another and sipped on their Lava Flow mocktails. Said drinks were a tasty treat that was a mix of strawberries, pineapple and coconut cream blended well with ice to make a nice red and white swirled looking beverage.
"Ah~! Here I am, in a cute bikini, the sun kissing my amazing skin, sipping drinks in paradise and I don't have Shu-chan and Arisa-chan with me~ Woe is me~!" Naru lamented before turning a mock serious look to her friend. "Frenda-chan, you are so super lucky to have Rui-chan here with you!"
Frenda-chan, the jerk, totally preened at the remark. "Hehe, well, it's why I'm working on my tan. I want to see if Ruiko-sama likes tanlines."
She even teasingly snapped one of the straps of her top. The loud sound it made as it smacked against the Norwegian's flesh was so attractive that Naru almost drooled at the sound. "But, erm, Naru-sama, why aren't you wearing a more risque bikini? You know, like the one you got at that specialty store we scouted out earlier? Aren't they more your style?"
Naru pouted and took large gulps of her drink that left it nearly half empty. She really wished it wasn't a mocktail. She wanted some alcohol right now. With a gusty sigh, she swirled her cup. "What's the point if I can't show it off to my lovely girlfriends! It would only get gross lolicons to hit on me."
Frenda looked her over, seeing the classy yet arousing bikini she already had on and gave a clinical nod of agreement. "Sure. Which guys exactly though? The only guys here are Accelerator-sama, Kamijou and Hamazura."
The Level 5 shrugged. "It's the thought that counts."
"Sure~!" Frenda-chan said cheekily as she took a sip of her Lava Flow.
Though she frowned soon after as she caught sight of light reflecting off the lens of something in the distance. "Speaking of other people here with us at the beach…"
Naru took another long sip of her Lava Flow as she glanced at the watchers that her friend had just noticed. She had spotted them some time ago but since there was nothing to do about them, she'd just chosen to ignore them. "It's just the Americans providing overwatch and keeping everyone else safe from us. After everything that happened, you can't expect them to just leave us alone. Besides, they're the ones who set this whole beach party up, so letting them spy on us a little is a small price to pay."
Frenda-chan sighed and twirled her drink in her hand. "Even though I know that, having them spy on us vulnerable maidens in bikinis is a little unsettling."
"...We're maidens?" Naru blinked in confusion.
"Well, you probably." The other girl grinned cheekily.
Naru retorted by sticking her tongue out at her. "Still, you better get used to it. They won't leave so if you want to enjoy your time today? Just ignore them."
Frenda-chan pouted and nodded, taking another sip of her drink.
"Though, why bring them up? Don't tell me you're shy all of a sudden~?" Naru teased the foreign girl.
"Psh! As if!" She retorted, patting the exposed skin of her breasts. "Do you think I'd show this much skin if I was shy?"
Naru giggled like a child and cheerfully said, "So true! But, if you aren't shy, why are you worried about the overwatch all of a sudden? It's not much different from you going to the beach like that? I mean, what's stopping anyone you meet in that situation from filming you on their phones?"
Huh? I never thought about things like that. Kurama spoke up. He'd been respectfully keeping quiet while she had girl talk with Frenda-chan but it seemed the topic of discussion had caught his interest and he just couldn't resist speaking up.
You're a guy. You guys don't tend to worry about things like that. You're thick skinned like that.
You're not wrong…
Frenda-chan hummed thoughtfully at that, "I haven't thought of it like that. Putting it that way, it really is silly to worry, huh?"
"A little." Naru agreed as she took a sip of her Lava Flow.
This really tastes good. Gotta try to arrange to get some when we get home too.
Please do. I want to try it too. Tasting it vicariously through you is a pale imitation of the real thing.
Gotcha, Best Buddy. I'll make sure to get you some when we get back to the City.
Shaking her head, the Level 0 said, "I guess I should just relax."
Naru nodded and took another sip of her drink, sighing in contentment at the drink's wonderful taste.
Naru, your best friend is absolutely shameless. Kurama said suddenly.
What do you mean? Naru asked as she began searching the beach for Rui-chan to see what had got her partner so riled up.
Just see for yourself. Kurama said as Naru finally caught sight of her bestie and figured out what she was doing that had caught her partner's attention.
And what was she doing?
She was passionately making out with her boyfriend. A make out session that involved them kissing as Accel expertly massaged Rui-chan's boobs whilst she used her knee to dry hump him. All whilst they were in full view of everyone on the beach!
Making out is underselling it. Kurama said with an awkward laugh. I can sense their emotions. They are on the verge of-
Kurama let out a groan just as the Rui-chan and Accelerator pulled apart from each other, looking breathless. Combine that with the standing Ruiko looking slightly weak in the knees and their flushed cheeks…
Did they?
Yup. They just both orgasmed.
Damn~! Rui-chan, do you really have no shame!?
Naru wasn't the only one who had noticed Rui-chan's antics. Frenda-chan had too. But her fellow blonde's reaction to it was very different from the Level 5's.
"Damn that's hot." Frenda-chan said, her face flushed. "Really wish that Ruiko-sama settled things with Accelerator-sama already and we can progress our relationship. I want her to do that to me too!"
Naru shot her a side-eye as she asked, "What about being uneasy with people watching you in a bikini?"
"Eh, it's fine. I'm totes over it." Frenda-chan brushed off casually.
"Already?" Naru asked skeptically.
The other blonde shrugged. "I mean, it may be hypocritical of me, but the idea of people seeing Ruiko-sama and I getting each other off just makes the whole thing even more exciting."
The flustered, excited and glassy eyed look of the budding exhibitionist - or was it risky public play?- deviant was… interesting.
Don't even think about it, Naru! Kurama shouted at her before Naru could even finish processing what Frenda-chan had said.
What? I hadn't even thought about anything yet!
No, but I know you. Kurama replied confidently. And before you suggest the idea to your girlfriends at least check with them whether they're even okay with exhibitionism in the first place. And no, Shutaura being okay with walking around her apartment in her underwear does not mean she's automatically okay with making out in public! Neither does imagining doing so during phone sex!
Oh, so it was considered exhibitionism.
Why would you think I wouldn't!?
Because you'd get too hyped up on the idea and propose it to your girlfriends before asking the more important question. Kurama explained. And with how weak those girls are to you, especially when you use those puppy dog eyes of yours, if you don't they'll end up agreeing to do the deed without even considering whether they're comfortable with it or not.
Oh… Um… That… Yeah, things could really play out like that.
Exactly. So remember to ask those girlfriends of yours if they're comfortable with exhibitionism before you even suggest the deed.
I will. Naru assured her inner fox. Thanks for the reminder, partner!
Finished talking with Kurama, which had passed in only a few seconds as the majority of their mental conversations did, Naru turned her attention outwards again and shaking her head, addressed Frenda-chan. "I can see where you're coming from, but keep it in your pants, okay? Rui-chan hasn't settled things with Accelerator yet."
"Oh! I know and I will." Frenda-chan replied with a disappointed sigh. "Still I can fantasize!"
Naru just sighed and leaving Frenda-chan to her fantasies, she returned to enjoying her Lava Flow.
It really is a good drink.
I totally agree! Kurama said enthusiastically.
And as Naru thought of how to properly explain a new method of play to her girlfriends - maybe through Powerpoint? - Rui-chan appeared in front of her and Frenda-chan in a teleport.
"Hi Naru-chan, Frenda-chan. Something has come to mind and I want to head back to the hotel where I can investigate it better. Frenda-chan, would you mind accompanying me?" Rui-chan asked with her hands clasped together in hope, head slightly bowed.
"Eh? But why me and not Naru-sama or Accelerator-sama?" Frenda asked like a dummy.
Honestly, how blind was she?
Kurama rolled his eyes. Coming from someone as dense as you, Naru? That's a big accusation.
Naru nearly spat out her wonderful drink at that remark.
Rui-chan just smirked, "I need the Trinity's cute runner, it's your job to support us after all. So, of course, I want you to help out."
Naru snorted at that. Even Kurama gave a chuckle at the obvious ploy. "Yeah, that's the only reason, huh?"
She was ignored as neither Rui-chan nor Frenda-chan answered the teasing question.
"So what do you need me for?" The Level 0 asked.
"Oh, I'm just worried about the limited consequences of the eruption. Even as we enjoy ourselves on the beach, I've been remotely reviewing them or at least those that have been established so far." Rui-chan explained in her info dump mode. "The limited scale of it makes no sense. No casualties, at least not from the eruption, and the volcano sending an ash plume with an unknown amount of ash into the atmosphere but none of the other typical expulsions, or at least not in any logical quantities, is highly suspicious. Yes, the eruption was overshadowed by the large-scale invasion of the Hawaiian islands by Trident and Gremlin, and the consequences of the eruption could have been underreported. Even then, the scope of them so far is just too limited and is at least worth a double check."
Naru straightened up in her seat, frowning. "That is suspicious."
"Exactly, Naru-chan. That's why I want to investigate the matter personally."
"Oh, um, okay, I can see that. But why do I head back to the hotel with you?" Frenda-chan tried again.
Naru's fellow Level 5 nodded. "I need access to our computer equipment and its secure access to our systems back in the City along with their computational power. I can't remotely access them well with my emulation of Electromastery, which is how I usually access our information system, from here. Too much latency from this far away. This isn't the City where there's a signal repeater I can hijack every few feet."
"Rui-chan, you can't wait until we get back to the City to snoop this out? We're flying home in a few hours after all."
Her bestie shook her head. "No, the matter would stick with me and leave me irritable if I waited. So…"
"Is nobody going to explain why I need to go with Ruiko-sama!?" Frenda-chan asked in a whine.
Both Rui-chan and Naru shot her questioning looks.
"You don't want to?" Rui-chan said in a small, sad voice.
Oh, nice one, Rui-chan!
Frenda-chan, predictably, immediately backpedaled. "No, no, of course I'll go!"
Clapping loudly to hide her barely suppressed laughter at how whipped her fellow blonde was, Naru said. "Then you go ahead. Frenda-chan, be sure to escort her well. Okay?"
"Aye aye!" Frenda said, offering Naru a playful salute as Rui-chan flashed her a mouthed 'Thank you' towards Naru.
Of course she was going to help her best friend get some private time with her side piece. What kind of friend would she be if she didn't.
And we all know you're a good friend. Kurama said in a mix of honest pride and good humor.
Don't you know it!
Shortly after saying her goodbyes to Naru-sama, Frenda was doing as instructed and escorting Ruiko-sama back to the hotel. A task that had her walking side by side with her crush as they headed back to the beach's car park where they could change out of their swimsuits and there would be an American provided car to transport them back to the hotel.
They were walking in companionable silence, with Frenda just enjoying the chance to be in the Number 3's presence whilst the Level 5 in question seemed to be fretting about something. Probably about whatever prompted her to want to head back to the hotel or maybe some other thing. Considering how many different things [Multi Skill] likely had on her mind at any given time, it could be any number of things that was causing her fretting.
Perhaps due to that, though Frenda wouldn't bet any money on it, just as they reached a point halfway between the beach and the car park and where there wasn't a good view of them from either, Ruiko-sama suddenly tripped. Whatever the reason for her misstep however, Frenda was not about to let her crush fall and so she quickly tried to catch her.
'Tried' being the operative word there. Because somehow, she blamed telekinesis on Ruiko-sama's part, her fumbling attempts ended up with her crush landing on top of Frenda whilst pinning her to the ground with her knee pressed against the blonde's groin.
"You know, Ruiko-sama. This is a little too convenient to be an accident, right?" Frenda pointed out with a teasing grin, "Did you watch too many anime lately?"
"What can I say? They're inspirational." The Level 5 said as she smiled back with a teasing grin of her own.
Frenda giggled at the comeback but was forced to cut herself off as Ruiko-sama began to rub her knee against the blonde's groin. "I heard what you said earlier. I just had a good time with Accel, so it's only fair to you, Frenda-chan, that I share the same with you."
Science! Is she really going to- Frenda thought, only to have her answer present itself when the Number 3 leaned down and showered her neck with kisses, all whilst she continued rubbing her knee against Frenda's groin. Yup! She's really going to have her way with me right now!
Frenda was of two minds about this. One part of her, the part of her that was absolutely smitten by the [AIM Sovereign], most definitely wanted Ruiko-sama to continue. She wanted the other girl to utterly ravish her. And maybe, just maybe, if she was a good girl, have a chance to ravish the Level 5 in return. It was basically her earlier fantasies come true! But sadly for that lustful side of her, her rational side was too strong and it knew that what they were doing was wrong.
"Ruiko-sama! Stop!" Frenda reluctantly said as she gently pushed her crush away. "We can't do this yet. Not without talking to Accelerator-sama first."
And not to forget that if we do it here, we'd definitely be giving the Americans providing overwatch a free show.
That wasn't the point though, so she didn't mention it.
In response to her chiding, looking like someone had dumped a bucket of cold water over her head, Ruiko-sama froze for a moment before she let out a frustrated sigh.
"Yes, you're right, Frenda-chan." She said as with clear reluctance, she pushed herself to her feet and offered the Norwegian a hand to do the same. "I'll speak to him soon. I'll-"
"Saten-sama." Frenda cut in. "There's no need to rush. Let's take this step by step. Remember, you're not in this alone. We're in this together."
Ruiko-sama nodded. "I know. We won't rush, I assure you. We'll take our time coming up with a plan. It wouldn't do to jump into this without one, especially for something this sensitive."
"Yup." Frenda agreed and pecked her crush's cheek. "It'll be worth it though. We are worth it."
A pretty blush spread across Ruiko-sama's face at that and as she leaned in to return the kiss, she added. "Absolutely worth it."
Done and done! Thanks to Nameless as always!
And now we have the aftermath of the arc. It's a beach episode! Haven't had that in a long while. Or ever? We've got over 100 chapters so it's hard to keep track of the cool down scenes XD Still, it was nice to show the girls off in their suits and just doing some fun stuff.
Nameless: Gonna preempt what are likely even more accusations of Touma bashing here. Look, I know the volleyball scene makes him look a little dumb but can you say that his behavior in that scene is out of character for him? After all, he's the kind of hero that doesn't really think before he leaps. He sees someone in need or if one of his friends asks for help, and he'll rush in without any questions asked. It's only afterwards that he might second guess his decisions. As for everyone picking on him, remember they're all either Academy City Dark Siders (yes, even Uiharu is de facto one even if she's not officially one) or Birdway and thus are all very much the analyze the situation and then intervene type of characters. It's the norm for Dark Siders by my reckoning as to do otherwise is to earn a swift death. That said, of course to them Touma is painting himself as a bit of an idiot. Plus, I think it's interesting to contrast this against how so many other characters fawn over him.
Just a shout out to my favorite scene: Naru and Frenda just chillin' like villains on the beach sipping drinks and tanning. Plus, girl talk is always fun to write! XD
You know what to do! Smash that review button and tell us what you love! No flames and peace off my peeps!