Painted Prison Chronicles

by Sparity Ikari

When Kamijou Touma and Gokusai sisters reunite after a long while, things certainly go crazy for all of them when they found themselves living together through random twists of fate. In their daily life, Touma, Amazora, Kaibi, and Rikuri will learn about each other, with their light, darkness, and pasts revealed. Among the misfortune, comedy, and romance, their bonds blossom anew!

28. Chapter 28

PAINTED PRISON CHRONICLES

CHAPTER 28

MITSUARI AYU I: DEATH

Hello everyone. I managed to get the work done faster this time around. We finally made it to proper Mitsuari Ayu arc. I am very excited, as those chapters are one of the key points in the story. I hope that a few moments may be seen as Biohacker-esque in style, we will also have a lot of things and a bit more of action this chapter, combined with much needed interactions and emotional depth. It is a bit longer than originally intended, but I am nevertheless pleased with the result. The Ayu arc will be presumably split into 3 parts. This chapter, Death, deals with rescue of Mitsuari Ayu and confrontation with Veritas. Next parts, Grief and Life, will deal with Ayu's psychological confrontation with her own self, others, and all of the toxic emotions that were eating her away, and aftermath of the events, starring Magic Goddesses.

Ayu is amazing and investing character. This is first chapter in which she gains real prominence, although her psychology will be de facto the almost only topic of the following chapter. In this chapter we will also explore Maidono's link with Veritas, who I wrote as one of my most crazy, conflicted, tormented, complex, and disturbing characters to date. Despite being here for the limited time, I hope they made a worthy villain here. Besides, all of the moral dillemas and philosophical questions await.

As always, I made this longer than expected, so more of this waits on the bottom. And (also as always) I have to thank you for the bottom of my heart for your warm support for this story, which allows me to perfect my craft as a writer, and realize certain dreams I have regarding the plot that never came to be in the show (in majority focus on the underused characters). This is my first proper story of this length, in second language nonetheless, so I am honoured and glad for all the good word it receives. I also take to heart your opinions and constructive criticism. Some I reevaluate, some I may disagree with, but I always strive to always give it attention.

Q&A:

Mr. X: I think saying Index IV is purely colloquial, everyone says that in the loose way, but deep down we know that NT is different. It just follows OT, so it's natural to say IV. As for spearhead dragon, I will probably change the description thanks to your advice. When it comes to GT8, I honestly admit that I still have to finish it, because I had to stop halfway through. I enjoyed first half and the dynamic between Aradia, Anna, and Touma. But even though I still have to get to that, I already learned of what happened to Alice and I wonder how it will change the balance of power and relationships in the story. Also, I never thought Index was the reason for KNT's existence. He exists because Touma made the wish to protect people better. I assumed Index is one of the reasons behind KNT's actions. Those are two connected, but distinct things.

Commander Lance: We may see more of the fusion personality, she was one of the best experiments in this story, I am actually excited myself for this one. Ladylee is such an interesting take on immortality, not original, but full of potential to be one. Maidono for life, I am so glad I apparently started to make her more popular of a waifu, despite limited canon appearance.

BlueJack22: It's endearing that people love Saflee. I thought 'Saflee just has to meet Junko and Gunha' there is no way that can't happen. So I made it happen. And as I said above, there are lots of cool things you can do with Ladylee.

Markoz89: Maria has the best fantasies, her love triangle is hilarious to write.

KHVSFF: Amazora may be overshadowed by her sisters sometimes, but it's true, she and Touma are absolutely precious in their sibling dynamic.

TheDarkPublisher: They hate each other for looking for one another because they see that they could easily be in one another's place and are jealous of Touma's attention. And when it comes to the dragons, you have one surprise coming.

FingFangFoom100: Thank you for liking so many things from the previous chapter in such detail :)

Josh: I can only thank you for that vibrant support you show me at every step and I hope you'll continue to enjoy my story.

Without further delay, let's begin!

All it takes is one decision to completely ruin a person's life.

All it takes is one bad day to make everything tumble down into nothingness.

Back then, I wasn't anyone special. During kindergarten and elementary school I had friends, and it wasn't anything impressive, but at the very least I didn't have hopes that exceeded what could actually happen in my life.

Ah, what would it be if I wasn't born in the same time as her? What would it be if one of us never came around the other? What would it be if our hearts didn't start to beat faster for the same man? Oh, I wonder...

Not that it matters anymore. I had my chance, I blew it, and now I have to face consequences.

I lost my caretaker, my friends, my school, my status, and worst of all, a man that I fell in love with. Even if I cursed the world, even if I wanted to quench and destroy my emotions, I couldn't stop hurting over those losses. I couldn't forget the pain I felt.

Because of my decisions, my friends were wounded and someone I cared about died.

Because of injustice of this world, I couldn't really help when it was needed. There was only so much I could do. Or so I should have been told.

For others, it was a decision like any other. Heads or tails? Left or right?

An ant or the bee?

But that one push in one direction rather than the other was everything for me.

'Oh, you are not Mental Out?'

How I curse hearing those words. I heard them way too many times. And even if this message didn't come in spoken form, I could feel it in the way the looks directed at me changed when they learned who I am.

The failure. The one who could never amount to the success.

Before I knew it, that was how I was viewed. And no matter where I went, it always followed me. And if it wasn't enough, someone who accepted me, who cherished time with me, who always extended his help with a smile...

Even he didn't manage to get to me in time. It wasn't his fault. But it could be a sign.

Maybe the world didn't need someone like me. Someone that couldn't amount to anything and was always doomed to fail. Even in the sphere of my feelings... she was always one step ahead of me. Even in stupid accidents, she always swiped away what could have been mine.

Parting with your life is selfish, people say. But was I selfish in desiring friendship, love, respect, and people seeing me for who I am?

How could I not believe that the world didn't need me?

Now, it's almost 2 years since that fateful night over Ground Geo lake. But after all this time, I still feel like drowning. The feelings from that experience still flood my mind.

The light recedes more and more... disappears into the silence of that mountain lake...

I can't hear anything... except the sound of my own heart, which is beating harder and harder, desperately trying to get oxygen to my body...

It's chilly... but I'm relieved. This coldness, the coldness of life and human hearts, will soon be gone forever.

The saying "Everyone finds love in the end" has more than one meaning. This can be read as a promise that everyone will eventually find their soul mate, another human being who will destroy their loneliness forever.

But it could also mean that genuine love, true peace, man will find only in the true and inevitable end. Only in his own death.

I'm not a hero. I'm a failed back-up plan, a garbage disposal, an unwanted girl, an unneeded element...

And so, when I think of those two, I can only feel regret and betrayal, as my life is coming to an end...

But I survived. When I realized I was still alive, I started to laugh until I collapsed on the edge of the lake, brought down by fever from the coldness of the night and water.

When everyone tells you you're inept to do anything, you might think that one last act of defiance and freedom will be choosing the time and place in which you draw your final breath.

But apparently, I fail so much that I couldn't even die properly. How much lower can you get than that? How pathetic is that?

Salvaged and incorporated by Dark Side, I learned of what my perfect counterpart did behind my back with him. So I dyed my heart black, killed my old self, and decided if I am cursed to live on, I might just make this life my way. If she was so intent on taking everything from me, from status to love, I might just collect something to correct this oversight.

So I went on with the elaborate plan to fool her into thinking that her memories were false. I wanted to see that perfect picture of her life crumble even once, through me and my action. It was just a label. That's why I tried to end her back then. The description of that life of fame, power, and love could easily be changed to me.

Or so I thought. However...

Despite everything, he arrived. Even though he didn't manage it for me, he still managed to save Shokuhou Misaki. And when he looked at me...

He saw an enemy. Someone that needed to be defeated for someone else to be safe.

I knew he couldn't remember and why he could get such an idea... but when I saw him with that face directed at me... when he swung that fist of his at me...

I felt as if my entire world collapse. As if that punch didn't crash into my face, but into my heart.

A heart that despite everything didn't stop in its love.

Honestly, everything afterwards was a blur of sorts. Incarcerations, relocations, talks with both Anti-Skill and various psychologists. It honestly didn't matter all that much. Everything turned into black hole of nothingness that almost snuffed out my life before.

However, one day, I met an interesting person while in the prison cafeteria.

That person apparently had some scars or something similar in nature, because their face was hidden under the crimson mask, with golden lining and hourglass on the brow, having the special permission to wear it, as it was easily recognizable anyway. Maybe it was a strange fashion sense. Besides that, the person was rather thin, w

I probably wouldn't take notice of that individual, if not for a conversation initiated by them.

"I happened to eavesdrop a little and I heard a little bit about your problems... Mitsuari Ayu-san, isn't it? A world is a bit of a small place after all"

"Do you know me?"

"No, we've never met before. However, I am knowledgeable of cases similar to yours."

Masked prisoner leaned in to whisper into her ear.

I am also aware of what held you back and what's holding you still... the shadow of IDEAL stretches long, doesn't it?"

"You know about that too? Who are you?"

"Someone who knows a great deal about injustice. I too was deemed failure, my ideals being scrapped off and my advances to stand alongside my idols rejected. Mitsauri-san, I know that Parameter List was rubbish when it came to you. I know you have a potential to help me. I need to leave this city. If you help me with that, I can make you close the gap you desperately desire to have destroyed. I can make your ability such that you won't have to bare getting compared to Mental Out. And from what I've heard about certain accidents surrounding you... it can also help you get a boy you are interested in back to you. As for your earlier questions..."

The person in the mask brought left hand across their chest, making a gallant bow.

"You may refer to me as Veritas, the Truth Seeker. I am being incarcerated through the blindness of those who fail to see the necessity of scientific advances in the name of peace and prosperity. I am quite keen on helping out seemingly lost causes, such as yourself. In fact, I became intrigued ever since you arrived in my humble prison."

"You're talking as if you were going away from here"

"We are going away from here. Unless... you want this chance to miss you? In few days time, there may just be a chance for us... I feel it oh so strongly"

One could almost sense that Veritas was smiling under the mask.

"Or maybe you got so accustomed to being a failure that one more missed chance doesn't make any difference to you?"

In fact, there was a huge riot in the prison few days later. And through sheer twist of fate, the two of them, alongside few others, managed to escape in the sewers.

In that time, Veritas talked. They seemed to like to explain things, and even though I was more than wary of him, his explanations of what they were intending did seem to make sense.

Or maybe I was too tired and restless to actually seek the alternative. At that point, I would take anything to improve my broken heart, absolutely anything.

I showed them places that I used to be and we travelled through underground. I had few spots I used to hide or prepare myself when I was on my dark side revenge vendetta. As I acquainted Veritas with them, I helped them steal equipment necessary for him to perform the procedure they promised me, while at the same time trying to secure the route of their escape.

It was a bitter work. But with their surprising ingenuity and my Mental Stinger, it actually worked quite well. And it all amounted to this day.

(RIGHT NOW...)

She opened her eyes, founding herself on the table with a helmet on her head.

"Are you sure that it has an effect ? If it ends like the Level Upper-"

"Oh, please, you are hurting my feelings. Do not compare this procedure to that useless crap of an invention. I wouldn't invest my time in this if it was so redundantly unusable" Veritas tweaked something in the complicated mixture of levers, wires, and metal cylinders filled with liquid that Ayu was hooked up to." You still not trust me?"

"Well... you reek of Dark Side. Or rather...I do not know you all that that long, but you are the type of person to does something based on their own perception of righteousness. Person of that kind is the most dangerous"

Veritas snickered, flipping a few switches and causing the machine to come to life with a low hum.

"Well, thank you. I would prefer if you thought otherwise, but it may just do. I suppose that I might be seen as such, but I don't enjoy thinking about objectivity. What is it, really? Everyone talks about it in an all-knowing manner, but objective reality or objective morality, whether they exist or not, are clearly tainted by our subjective perception. I didn't understand, you know?"

Ayu didn't know, and she didn't really want to know, but I knew Veritas for long enough to know that there was no stopping them once they got into soliloquy.

"My entire life I was friendless because I couldn't understand others. And others quite possibly avoided me in turn. There are rules that govern every human interaction, rules that although learned throughout social contact, are for the most people as intuitive as basic daily routines. Every action is intentional, but while behaviour itself is easy to observe, the intentions behind it are potentially limitless. And as the actions became more and more complex, so are intentions behind them. It's like someone thinking about the meaning of the text message. Despite my hardest determination to understand and predict naturally, I made one mistake after the other and still couldn't attune my own perspective those of others. So I invested myself in science to bring about what everyone should consider objectively pleasing: peace and prosperity. But the populace thought I was crazy and wouldn't want to hear me out. Even my idols, the relentless pursuers of science, the Kihara clan, wouldn't want to have anything to do with me. They said I lacked certain Kihara-ness because I pursued abstract ideals of peace and prosperity instead of focusing purely on the enrichment of knowledge. With most to all options exhausted, I deduced that all that is left is to gain knowledge of objective reality. But I just said that I shouldn't be possible, right? Knowledge of that kind should not be able to be perceived without being tainted, let alone expressed. That's why I theorize that the one who would have that knowledge as an innate understanding of the ways of the world is none other than the famed level 6. I do not care about the power to destroy the world. A Person Who Understands The Will of Heavens, in other words level 6, may be able to enter a state when they discover the eternal truth of reality. That's what I am pursuing"

"You're pursuing... level 6?"

"I realize that this is nothing new in this city. I am also not arrogant enough to think that I can become level 6 alone. I need people and resources for that. And as a mid-step for this... to convince everyone that I am not just some scientist of the week... I am going to show them just what I am capable of... to do this, I need to prepare outside of the city before my triumphant return. It's something I hope you help me with"

"Is it connected to something hidden behind the black veil?"

Veritas followed Ayu's gaze, who was looking at something hidden behind the large black piece of cloth. It looked like an old-fashion fruit cart.

"Yes, it is. This is the key argument to convince everyone of my abilities. And you shall contribute to peace and prosperity I wish to achieve for everyone, once I master the objective reality. Are you ready?"

Ayu clenched her fist, before relaxing it.

There was no point in hesitating. She failed in everything she could think of, even ending her own existence. And there was no way she could just look Touma in the eyes. There was no way he would come.

He never came for her. Even that second time, it was for his precious Shokuhou. It was true back then and it was certainly even more true now. No one was coming to-

BOOM!

There was a loud crash on the other side of spacious storage space.

Veritas turned their masked head in that direction.

"Oh? Well, isn't that interesting?"

Ayu shot up and looked frantically as the cloud of dust cleared in the distance.

A single boy took a deep breath and screamed, the sound echoing in its desperate and heartwrenching call to one name alone

"AYUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!"

Her skin crawled when she looked at someone at the face of a small crowd.

Someone that she would recognize anywhere in the world.

"How... why... are you here?" she choked out.

(MANY HOURS EARLIER)

With the dawn, the day has finally come.

Kumokawa Seria, Gokusai sisters, and Kamijou Touma sat in the internet caffe on the shared breakfast.

"Did you lack sleep tonight, kouhai?"

"Well... you can say that?" Touma sighed.

Ladylee's random visit and her declarations left him quite restless and disturbed.

"Is it because..." Kumokawa glared at Kaibi, who gave her a smug, haughty look." You were invested in some other... activities"

Truth be told, Kaibi and the others had no idea why Touma was distressed, their memories partially altered, messing with Kumokawa seemed to be funny for the middle sister.

"S-Senpai, will others be here soon?"

"I suspect so. Also... Gokusai-san, this is a peculiar place for a meet up. Could it be..."

"Yes. This is the same place that we ate together before we went to try and save Mitsuari-san, after you blackmailed us into doing so. In other words, this is the place in which we met the first time. Quite nostalgic isn't it?"

I suppose so... it fits because we are going to the rescue for that girl... again" Kumokawa sighed" And this time she isn't even really kidnapped"

"Onii-chan, let's do everything as we did back then." Amazora said, jumping onto Touma's lap" Gimme some of your oysters and I will leave you some of my salad"

"This seems like a pretty lame trade-off if I am being honest... but you will leave half the portion"

"Mmmm!"

"N-No puppy eyes! Now, say 'aaah'?"

"Hwah?! Onii-chan will feed me?"

Ignoring the pouting face of seemingly jealous Rikuri, Touma put an oyster on the fork, and held it up.

"You are a messy eater and maybe this way you will not get it all over your face and clothes"

"Oh... in that case... aaah! Mmmm! Ish ash goot ash ah remember!"

"Amazora, don't speak while you are chewing" Kaibi sighed dejectedly" At which point will you learn this?"

After few shuffles of oysters into smaller girl's mouth, Kamijou reached for the paper napkin...

Only to bump into the long fingers of Gokusai Rikuri... and the bottle of soy sauce that spilled all over one quarter of the table.

"Ah?!"

"Oh my, I am so sorry! I completely didn't see it where I was reaching."

'Touma is one thing, but nee-san absolutely saw where she was going' Kaibi thought flatly.

Touma's hand was completely covered in sticky sauce. To his astonishment, the oldest girl smiled and pressed her lips to his stained wrist, doing small suck-like pecks over the top of his hand and lowest part of arm, that made him shiver as if electrified, finishing with a small lick, invisible to the outside observer.

"R-R-Rikuri-san?!"

"Oh dear me, it seems some got on me too!"

Touma's mouth went agape when Rikuri got up and showed him upper portion of her thigh, before violet, shimmering stocking, and part where her dress split on the sides.

"Using dry napkins will only make it worse... I was wondering if you could maybe..."

Touma watched as Rikuri's lips moved but the meaning registered only after a while.

"... return a favour?"

Touma felt lightheaded.

"No fair! Onii-chan is now mine!" Amazora grumbled, grabbing boys arm" No stealing!"

"Stealing? Whatever do you mean? Can't a lady ask for gentleman's assistance?" Rikuri said, moving her leg up and down.

'D-Does she expect me to lic...li...ck.. her thigh... Rikuri's thigh...' Touma felt as if the world turned on its head as Amazora grabbed some of the sauce from the table and smeared it all over her chest.

"Onii-chan! I got all sticky too! Now you have too-"

"EKHM!"

The cough came from Kumokawa Seria, who looked as if she was about to self-combust from the barely contained irritation.

"You two, stop fooling around. Go clean yourselves up immediately!" Kaibi said, trying to sound imposing. However, deep inside, she was facing internal turmoil.

'Mou! I can't say it, I really can't, but why do they always get pampering treatment like that? I wish my accidents with him were different. Like...'

The sparkly and muscluar Touma slid the door open to reveal naked form of Kaibi with a golden honey dripping from all over her body.

"Kaibi, what is thi-"

"I had a jar of honey fall on me! How terrible and absolutely accidental event!"

"Huh?"

"On top of it, we so happen to lack tissues and there is a water shortage for the rest of the evening. Poor me, what should I do- wah?!"

Touma grabbed her by the shoulders, not minding the stickiness of honey.

"Kaibi-san, I never leave anyone needing help, especially since the one needing it is sweeter than this honey"

"Is that so? Then get it all and don't miss any spots!"

"AAAAAAAAAH! What the hell am I thinking about? Nyo Ze Ga Mon Ichi-Ji Butsu Zai Sha Ei Koku... Be gone, be gone from my head, impure thoughts!"

Kumokawa only looked mildly surprised when Kaibi bashed her head few times against the menu and, although agnostic in her daily life, attempted to recite an Amida Sutra.

Flushed Kaibi glared at her two smug faced siblings

"W-What are you staring at?"

"Onee-chan is horny, fufufufu!"

"I am not!"

"My, my, whatever were you thinking about, Kaibi-chan?"

"Nothing, and you two should wash themselves!"

"Kouhai, however do you manage with them?" Kumokawa shook her head with a groan" seriously, things really changed quite a bit... though I don't know if I am that approving about the direction"

Before Amazora and Rikuri returned, their mission squad began to gather. But there were some personnel surprises.

"Owowowow, senpai, you are stretching my cheek too much!"

"Then explain why she is here?"

Kumokawa pointed at Shokuhou Misaki, who was smiling and snuggling to Touma's left side, earning looks of annoyance from many females around the big table.

Misaki opened one of her eyes to glare at her rival

"Do you honestly think I wouldn't figure out that my most trusted clique member and of the oldest friends is up to something? Both from my observations and relations from other clique members, I knew something was going on behind my back, and one evening I confronted Junko-san about it"

Hokaze Junko bowed to the girl in the headband.

"My apologies, Kumokawa-senpai. I couldn't risk the loss of trust from Queen's side, so I brought her in. There was no other way."

"Still, Junko-san, why did you ever think that leaving me out of the case regarding Mitsuari of all people would be a better course of action ability?"

"I was worried about you, my Queen. The last encounter with Mitsuari-san wouldn't end up well if it wasn't for Touma-senpai"

"Well, it is quite different now. Besides, even if it wasn't... I can't leave that girl be. I just can't, I owe her that."

Just like Kumokawa was shooting death glares at Shokuhou, in the other corner of the table there was another antagonistic pair.

"Do I really have to be in the same room as this girl?" Shirai Kuroko shot a glare at Musujime Awaki who was calmly enjoying a drink. She slowly raised an offensive hand gesture at the her former enemy, who seemed to regain a great deal of past animosity.

"Kamijou invited me. And he paid me in advance, partially, so now I am ultra pumped up"

"Paid you?" Kaibi looked at Touma with suspicion" Paid you with what exactly? This guy doesn't propose to pay"

"H-Hey, that's not true. As for Jime... emm...

(FLASHBACK)

"You don't really have to do this." Awaki waved her hand at Touma with a smirk on her face" I owe you a lot, plus I like your style. I will do it for free. But... you know what would make me extra motivated, don't you?"

Touma sighed, before searching for something in his pocket.

"My mom found it for me. Here you go"

Musujime looked at the photo Touma lifted up and...

FOOM!

She held hands to her mouth as liquid as red as her hair dripped from her nose.

In front of her was a photo of a Touma in kindergarten, in a standard uniform, playing in the sandbox. Although there were bandages and band-aids on him, he seemed to smile to himself.

"SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO CUUUUUUTEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"

Awaki squealed and tried to snatch the photo or teleport it from Touma's grasp, but fingers of his right hand didn't allow for the photo to be displaced.

"One look now, and more after the action"

"Boo, you are so greedy"

"I thought you were moving past these"

'I am and that's the additional difficulty. I started to think that you are cute with this child-like idealism and it was complicated enough, but seeing you being even more cute is just too much' Awaki thought, before shaking her head and grinning.'

"Never mind that. You unlucky bastard, I am in"

(END FLASHBACK)

"Jime?" the wave of whispers caused Touma to sweatdrop in fear.

"M-Musujime-san's ability is excellent support on the battlefield. If what Maidono told us is true..."

"It is. Veritas will surely retaliate in some form. They are not someone who likes to have thier work interrupted" muttered Maidono, clenching her fists underneath the table

"B-But I am here too" Kuroko, despite not intending to, sounded a little hurt" I am a teleporter, so why..."

"Musujime's power is better suited for multipersonal battle." Touma explained" Besides we need someone to evacuate the potential injured, who can easily contact Judgement or Anti-Skill, who is able to support on the individual level. You are someone who I know and someone who I can trust with saving the day"

"O-Oh... then I guess it should be fine"

Relatively pacified, Kuroko didn't manage to notice glances of notable group of girls, who all had one thought

'Since when does this girl care about him and his opinion so much?'

"Are we waiting for someone else? Darling?" Kongou Mitsuko spread her fan, while looking at the gathered.

Those by the table included Kamijou, Kumokawa Seria, Shokuhou Misaki, Hokaze Junko, all 3 Gokusai sisters, Maidono Hoshimi, Kankyougami Hasako, Kongou Mitsuko, Musujime Awaki and Shirai Kuroko.

Touma looked at the small piece of paper with a name on it.

"Shokuhou-san..." he said, unsure at first, but then, continuing with more confidence" Junko-san said that you implemented my request"

"Of course I did, my prince"

Kumokawa made a gagging face at Shokuhou's nickname of choice before asking:

"What request?"

"If.. not, when Ayu-san returns" Touma said firmly, looking at everyone present" She is going to need help. Keep in mind, bringing her back is not the hardest thing here. In fact, it might actually be the easiest part in all of this. However, what we are doing has to make some mental difference. This is why I asked Shokuhou-san to gather people that might be of help for this case"

"And they shall come" Misaki announced cheerfully" although one is unavailable for now, the other did volounteer after I arranged for her responsibilities to be taken care of by a doctor some of us may know. She should be here any moment-"

There was a sound of the doorbell and panting girl with violet hair, wearing a type of skin thight body suit with came to their table.

"Shokuhou, I sorry I couldn't be here earlier, but I... ah?!"

She and Touma crossed gazes. Their eyes widened and the girl didn't manage to stifle a sound of surprise out of her throat.

"Ah? Wait..." one of Shokuhou's golden eyebrows went up a little" My prince, this is Kouzaku Mitori. A good friend of mine. Mitori-san, this is Kamijou Touma, someone very important for me."

"Oh, r-r-really? Kamijou-san, right?" Kouzaku Mitori laughed, but her eyes skidded to the side." N-Nice to meet you"

"O-Oh, so that's the girl you spoken of? How nice to have you here... Kouzaku-san, was it?"

"Boy..." Kumokawa gently mixed her tea with a spoon before speaking" You met her behind the scenes, right?"

"Mitori-chan, that's quite a surprise" Shokuhou spoke slowly to her friend" I had no idea that you two had a history."

"N-No, nothing of this sort"

"We just stumbled upon one another once..."

Mitori and Touma spoke one over the other, with their voices raised by an octave.

"Why are violet onee-chan and onii-chan so jumpy?"

The answer to Amazora's question lied within certain encounter behind the scenes, as Kumokawa put it.

(FLASHBACK)

It started when Touma noticed a lone Sister.

It wasn't such a strange sight for him, except this Sister was different than over 9000 that he was accustomed to. She had a long hair and something... well, different about her behaviour.

She was staring at the butterfly while waiting in front of the clothing shop that Touma was also supposed to be in. Kaibi was measuring something and trying out some clothes, however Touma refused to get inside the clothing shop. It was not even a red flag, it was big red banner.

"Hey, everything okay? You are one of Misaka's sisters, right?"

The girl tilted her head

"Who are you? Are you a friend?"

"I don't want to do anything. You really look like sisters of my friend and I just thought..."

Touma didn't finish the sentence, as he slipped on the banana peel and landed on the ground.

"Fukou da..."

This sight earned him a giggle from the girl.

"You're funny. You smell nice and bright, just like Mi-chan and Misaki-chan"

"Thanks, I think? Listen, are you lost or something?"

The girl thought for a moment, before shaking her head.

"Mi-chan told me to wait here, so I stay in this place when she shops. Oh, is that an eagle?"

"N-No, that's a pigeon"

They talked for a few more minutes.

It seemed that the girl was rather easily distracted and had surprising lacks of knowledge about basic things. But she was very cute and easygoing, and despite her strangeness Touma felt relaxed around the Sister.

"Don't you want to go inside?"

"No. I don't like the shops. Too many people and too loud. You?"

"Me and shops with female clothing don't go well together. Hey... since we are both together in this sitting business, why don't I treat you for something? Nothing expensive, but... oh, I know!"

Moment later, Touma returned with two crepes. The eyes of girl with chestnut hair lit up, before tensing a moment later. Touma smiled, put crepes on a small paper plates, and used a knife to separate a small piece from the one intended from the girl. He ate it and showed to the girl

"I wouldn't poison it, don't worry. Whoever taught you, teaches you good, but I am a friend"

The clearly forced hesitation completely melted away as she dig into the crepe.

"So good!"

"I'm glad you like iiiiiiiiiiiiiiit?!"

In that moment, a figure made out of something grey appeared behind him, almost managing to deal a blow to him.

"W-What the hell is that?"

The silhouette seemed to shift as it charged at him. It was composed of liquid, metallic substance.

"Oh!" The strange girl smiled" I will have to introduce you to my best friend"

"Really? That's nice, but I think something is trying to kill me now for whatever reason. I mean, it happens all the time, but come on!"

Touma swung his fist and hit the silhouette. There was a sound of breaking glass and the liquid metal dispersed, but only partially and quickly reformed around the hit place.

"Tch, it's continuously maintained? That means that I have to touch the user in order to make it go away. Fukou da, remote abilities are always such a pain"

And with that he took of running. He needed to find Kaibi and get that thing away from the girl. She called out to him, but he hoped that she will forgive him. After all, he tried to keep her safe.

He was sure that the figure followed him inside, as deduced by the number of panicked screams. Then Touma spotted the changing rooms.

"Okay Kaibi, after that confession, you said you didn't mind me seeing you without clothes, so I am really taking your word for it now"

But Touma didn't make it to Kaibi's changing cabin.

Instead, he, once again that day, tripped over a discarded clothing rack, and was sent flying to into the outermost wall of changing rooms. The last thing he saw before colliding with it was a sign

DO NOT LEAN ON! FRAGILE WALL, EXPECTING RENOVATION.

And in the next, he smashed through it, landing on someone with a scream.

After his dizziness passed, he noticed that he was laying on a girl, dressed in a black, skin-tight uniform. She was probably in the middle of changing when he smashed through it and tackled her down.

The girl had light violet eyes, nicely going along with her purple hair. In fact, Touma could see them very, very clearly because he was just in front of her.

He was, of course, kissing her on the lips. How could he repeatedly fall like that?

The girl managed to separate from him, enough to yell

"Get off! Liquid Shadow!"

However, nothing happened. In fact, Touma was confused why the metallic figure didn't catch up to him. But soon he saw the reason.

The silhouette dispersed into the puddle behind him and the smashed wall. That would mean...

This was the user of that ability?

He looked at his hands. Hands that were placed directly on the girl's chest. Directly on two mounds of flesh covered partially by the suit.

"L-Look, I'm sorry, that wasn't intentional!"

"Sorry isn't going to- gyah! Stop clenching your fists, it makes them being groped!"

"Oh, right. Listen, I can explain-"

Oh, you are doing the friend pile? I want to be in the group hug too!"

The peculiar girl from the outside apparently followed him and considered they were doing something fun, because she merrily jumped on him from behind through the hole in changing room's wall.

Which caused for the lips of Touma and the skin-tight suited girl to be smashed together once again, both of them going wide eyed, as the Misaka-looking girl carried on.

"Mi-chan, this guy is really nice. He was kind to me and even bought me a delicious crepe. So don't be mad at him. And nice stranger, that liquid human was Mi-chan's ability, she was just trying to care for me, so no fighting two of you"

"Mmmmm!"

Touma and girl identified as Mi-chan would probably answer her, if not for the fact that aside from vocal chords, their lips and tongues, both required for making coherent speech, were too occupied to talk back. Occupied with each another, that is. And this time, it was considerably harder to separate because of the weight of another person pressing Touma down.

"Oi, Misaki-chan always teaches me that you should solve conflicts between friends. Are you listening to me?"

The girl, out of child-like frustration, shook Touma from the back, which only caused kiss to deepen.

The purple haired girl and Touma managed to find enough mind to try to push away, each using their hands. They found a little bit success. However, the girl made a meek sound and lost strength in her arms. Touma soon found the cause.

"Don't... do it... against them..."

Touma only then realized that while trying to push away in the position that he was in, he was essentially doing push up with hands on the girl's chest.

Finally, he decided to roll off to the side, which did the trick, as the Misaka-esque girl fell off with a small yelp.

He sprung on his feet, grabbing the red and dazed girl, as well as her brown haired companion, by the hands.

"We must run before someone sees!"

"B-But..."

"Quickly"

10 minutes later, after the escape, Touma found himself in the deep apologetic bow.

"I am so sorry!"

The redness slightly receded from the girl's face. She wiped her mouth and shook her head.

"Dolly says that it was all a big misunderstanding and that you've been actually nice to her. While the sneak attack on my lips could be avoided..."

"That wasn't a sneak attack!"

"...well, you panicked because I was chasing you with Liquid Shadow. I am just a little bit overprotective of that girl. She is my best friend, that I once lost through machinations of this city. I don't want anything bad to ever happen to her. I released my ability for a moment, and when I suddenly saw an unknown guy with her, I overreacted. I am sorry for the trouble I caused. Whenever I see a strange man approach..."

"No, no, I understand your worry. I thought she might be a sister..."

"...all I can think of is that some remnant of IDEAL found her way to her"

"...and after the Accelerator's experiment, I do not wish for anything bad for them"

Dolly looked curiously as the two froze, blinking in silence.

"IDEAL?"

"Accelerator's experiment?"

"Don't think we assumed different things? Tell you what, let's just talk it over and mutually share. That way we will avoid further confusion"

"A-Alright"

And so, after half an hour of explaining...

"I see." the purple haired girl clenched her fists" I suspected that something like this may be happening... but not on such scale. This is so vile and unprecedented."

"I am sorry for what happened to you and... Dolly-san, was it? This IDEAL seems to be a rather messed up place."

The girl seemed to look at him in a different way now.

"Seems that we both were involved with the clones. Thank you for talking with me about it."

"Sure, we should do it more, I think we only grazed the surface. Look, I told my roommate that I'm going for quick shopping, so I really should be going back. But let's exchange phone numbers!"

"O-Oh, sure, let's do that. Put it under..."

"Oh, right, we didn't introduce ourselves yet. I am Kamijou Touma."

"Kouzaku Mitori. Despite all the craziness, it's nice to meet you."

Mitori could have sworn that she heard the name before. Where was it...

The boy looked at her and pointed at her chest.

"Those are real? I'm sorry but I had to ask"

Mitori blushed and covered herself with her arms.

"O-Of course they are real, and stop reminding me that you were groping them. Why do you have to ask?"

"Because I thought that with this liquid ability, they could be enhanced. But if they are natural... my full respect!"

"That doesn't work like slime in anime, it's remotely controlled liquid metal! J-Just go and stop embarrassing me!"

"Yeah, yeah, see you around!"

"I really like him. He is super funny" Dolly commented on the disappearing boy.

Mitori huffed in embarrassment, before suddenly becoming pale and touching her lips.

She remembered. Kamijou Touma was the one involved in Level 6 Shift, battling with evolving Misaka Mikoto. She never saw his face in full detail, but now that she did...

She realized she knew him from one other context. Namely, a conversation with Shokuhou Misaki, in which Mental Out told her about the guy that once saved her life, and that she was interested in...

'Crap, crap, crap, crap! I made out, intensely so, with a guy that my good friend is obviously in love with. And she can read my mind too. If she learns of this, I am dead. I just have to play it cool and don't meet with Shokuhou when he is around. Easy as pie.'

(BACK TO THE PRESENT)

Droplet of sweat rolled down both Touma's and Mitori's brows.

"I-I met him in the supermarket. He was totally broke and I lend him money."

"Yeah, and I was super embarrassed about it, so I didn't want to have that brought up"

After moment of silence, everyone seemed to accept that explanation with a nod. Only Shokuhou looked at Mitori quizzically. Shirai Kuroko also looked at the purple haired girl with a bit of contempt, which was a given, as the ladies fought in the past, similarly to Kuroko's history with Musujime.

"Alright, alright, we stalled for long enough." Kumokawa clapped her hands, causing everyone to become silent" Since we are all here the operation to bring Mitsuari Ayu to us now commences. It will consist of 3 phases: Surveillance, Confrontation, and Aftermath. Each is more important than the previous one and only with all 3 accomplished we will be able to say that the mission was a success. Now, I will begin with assigning the parts you will play in the operation. Kongou-san, you will be stationed near Tokiwadai. Every possible corner near that place needs to be checked. I should also give you another assignment should the need arise"

"But-"

"Kongou-san" Touma whispered" I let senpai take charge of this, because she is an amazing strategist. I promise, if we need you, I will let you know in a heartbeat."

Kongou sighed and smiled at Touma

"I know. Thank you, darling"

Kuroko nodded, touching straps of metal darts on her thighs.

"Hokaze-san, Musujime-san, Shirai-san, you will be our ground support. Shirai-san, you'll serve as support and our potential rescuer if something goes awry. We also need you to inform Anti-Skill if needed, as much as we want to avoid it, it might be necessary. There is a chance that they will believe an accomplished Judgement member faster than us. Hokaze-san, Musujime-san, you may turn into potential combatants should the need arise, so I need you to be ready to react quickly at the main unit's command. And speaking of main unit... myself, kouhai, Maidono-san, Kankyougami-san, and Barbie assassin squad..."

Kaibi grit her teeth at that comment.

"... should be the main force that comes to the heart of the enemy's location, secures Ayu-san, and tries to deal with enemy, codename Veritas, on the spot. Should we fail to do so, the ground support squad engages. And as a matter of precaution, Kongou-san may be left in charge of sealing the enemies escape routes."

"Watakushi? How would I..." Kongou's eyes lit up in understanding" Oh, obviously... what a marvellous task for one such as myself. Though not in the spotlight, Kongou Mitsuko will play the part exquisitely!"

"What about myself and Mitori-san?" asked Shokuhou, to which Kumokawa smiled thinly.

"You weren't really included in the plan, because you waltzed in unannounced. However, it may be convenient for us to have the ability to search many places at once with your telepathic control. It would be ill advised, however, for you to confront Mitsuari Ayu at that stage, Mental Out. Because of your past history and her hatred for you, your presence may bring the opposite effect from what we intend to accomplish. You will be more needed in the second phase, after she is secured. Nevertheless, you can send your spies to check on the locations we will reveal in a moment. As for Mitori-san... you can come with main unit, but remain outside. Hmm... your power is the one that remotely controls liquids of centre of gravity bigger than 20, correct?"

"Y-Yeah..." Mitori answered, before frowning" How did you know that?"

"I just checked you up"

"Checked me... who are you to have this kind of access?"

"That's not relevant to our conversation now, is it? Anyway, like I said, you will be more needed in phase two, but if you must be part of the action, you can be our scout. You can check up what's going on inside before we bust in. Afterwards, you can either stay guard or... you can join with either Mental Out or Shirai-san."

"I am not working with her" Kuroko crossed her arms, to which Kumokawa shrugged.

"It will not diminish our strategy, it was only a suggestion. Alright, before we split and begin the true search, we need a few additional information on the locations. Maidono-san, you confirm that Veritas is within the city?"

"Yes, it appears so. And Ayu-san is most likely with him. During my interrogation, I learned that Veritas contacted the doctor Kanagawa regarding materials for certain illegal experiments. Those materials were kept in the basement of the old laboratory in which Veritas conducted their research. When I learned of what Veritas did to me, I levelled the entire building down to the ground-"

"You what?!"

"-but the basement should be intact."

"We went there. To the place that Maidono described..." Kaibi added, looking at everyone gathered with a serious face" Firstly, I must say, you really did a number on this place. How did you do that?"

"I used a wrecking ball"

"Oh, like on a crane?" Touma asked

"No, by myself"

(3 YEARS EARLIER)

Two demolition workers were engaged in their lunch in front of the small skyscraper before they noticed a young girl, maybe 13 years of age, enter the restricted perimeter. She had a short bobcut of brown hair and chestnut-amber eyes.

"Oy, what are you doing here little miss?" one of the workers called" Didn't you read the signs? It's off limits!"

"I know" spoke the girl" That's exactly why I am here. You see, I have a personal to settle with this shithole of a place"

"But we are demolishing it!"

"Sorry, but I am going to do it myself. No offense, but I am not going to rest easy without it."

The wrecking ball of solid steel, still waiting to be attached to the crane, weighed roughly 4 tons. But as the girl pointed at it, it moved. The chain clacked and the sphere rose high in the air, positioning itself in front of the building.

The girl screamed as she threw her hand forwards. The wrecking ball smashed into the building with such force that all of the windows shattered at once. At the same time, the long chain tore through multiple floors, as the girl twisted her hands, taking another swing with a colossal ball. Soon the building was falling down. But it didn't actually collapse.

Maybe it was through sheer fury of the screaming girl, but as she pressed her two index fingers together, the fragments of the debris got clasped together, as enormous pressure was put on the remnants of the entire building. Not only that but every other none attached object in the perimeter tilted towards that centre of destruction one girl created.

The pressurized bulk of debris shrunk, and shrunk, and shrunk, it was the size of regular house, then the size of the large room, then the size of the car, a bike, a basketball, a tennis ball, a golf ball...

Before the girl unleashed final, feral roar of anger, and the ball made of compressed skyscraper exploded into cloud dust, pressure pulverizing it into nothingness.

Maidono Hoshimi dropped her hands and wiped small trail of blood under her nose.

"I guess you guys have a longer break thanks to me."

And with that, she left.

One of the workers looked at the the thick carpet of glass and rocks. He shrugged.

"There is no telekinesis user this powerful in the city. Boss wouldn't believe it. So officially we did it."

She is right, it's still break time. What is in that bento of yours?"

(BACK IN THE PRESENT)

"As I was saying, we three went down to the basement" Kaibi continued" There is a supermarket there, but with Measure Heart, we got access to the back of the shop, where we found a trapdoor. And I got to say... that basement is a true labyrinth. Dark, musty, meandering maze."

All of them were there for nearly two hours couple days prior, and it was mostly empty. They only found containers and cupboards, clearly left in a hurry, eerily tapping water, and layers of dust so thick that Amazora, not breathing as carefully as her sisters, sneezed loudly, scaring away a pack of rats.

"At first, it seemed that we found nothing of importance"

"Besides some rats that I shot... Rikuri nee-san turned into a scream queen" Amazora giggled.

"Because they startled me. Youen-san loves rats, but I still have my objections"

However... the visit was not fruitless at all. In fact...

"Amazora found something though, while going after the rats" Kaibi took something out of the bag she brought with herself.

It was a paper document, partially readable, partially smeared by water, partially covered in mould. Many girls flinched at the sight of it.

"This document was left behind. Many fragments are destroyed, but the thing that caught my attention was one acronym, one alone... BIV"

Kumokawa and Shokuhou straightened themselves instantly, their faces turning dead serious.

"What? Do you have clearness ability that it mentioned BIV?" Shokuhou leaned forward to Kaibi.

"You understand the implications of this? If the BIV is involved... if someone actually managed to..." Kumokawa frowned, getting lost in frantic thoughts.

"Tch, you don't need to tell me. I wouldn't ever dream that someone actually realized BIV" Kaibi clicked her tongue in response.

"Ehm, hello, some context?" Touma raised a hand. Other people besides mental manipulators also seemed confused" I for one don't get what is going on. What is this BIV that got you so freaked out?"

The three psychological espers looked at one another, before facing Touma.

"In the philosophy of mind, the shortening BIV refers to Brain In the Vat." Shokuhou began" It's a theoretical fragment of knowledge that is taught to majority of mental type espers, as it involves certain aspects of methodology behind our abilities."

"Brain In the Vat is a thought experiment by Hilary Putnam, revolving around the arguments for scepticism and externalism." Kumokawa continued" Imagine a brain in the vat, submerged in a life-sustaining liquid. This brain is stimulated by a machine constructed by some scientific genius, that is connected to the neurons and stimulates the brain in the same way it would normally be stimulated by the electric impulses. This allows the machine to simulate reality and the brain without a body would feel as if it was experiencing normal life, as if it still had a body"

"Since brain in the vat still has the exact input and output data" Shokuhou's eyes shone above her intertwined hands, as she rested upon her arms" and there is its only way of interaction with the world, then from brain's perspective, there is no way to tell if it's still in the skull or not. One may believe something, but it can be fabricated by someone else."

"B-But that means no one can be certain of anything!" Amazora asked unsurely" How do we know that we are not those brains?"

"We don't!" Kumokawa smiled grimly" The entire point is that there is no way to truly tell. We think we are free, but in actuality we can be in some sort of simulation, a written scenario, which renders us completely fictional. However, that's not the main point in this situation. We are worried that someone may actually use BIV in real life. Here, in this city"

Everybody felt shivers going down their spines. Hokaze Junko put a hand on her lips, looking left and right in tense anticipation.

"A-All right, that does sound... a bit off" Hasako tried to formulate a question that was on everyone's mind" But how does it relate to our situation?"

"Yeah, what is Veritas trying to do?" Touma inquired, at which it was Kaibi's turn to speak

"In context of Academy City, the BIV experiment was... well, it was rumoured to till this point... thought to be able to artificially recreate some capacities of Academy Individual. In other words, tampering with brains and influencing them would tamper and manipulate AIM fields produced through said brains. We are talking about harnessing... about harnessing esper powers through stimulation of their raw sources"

In the silence that followed, Touma contemplated what was said. The artificial ability to control and manipulate esper powers by tinkering with brains themselves? Sounded messed up to even imagine such a thing.

Also, one term stuck out to him. Academy Individual. If he was not mistaken, it was an epithet connected to awakened ability, AIM Stalker. In other words, Hamazura's girlfriend, Takitsubo Rikou.

Touma couldn't say that he knew Takitsubo as well as ITEM members. In fact, he probably knew her the least, given the girl's reticent personality. She was also majorly inexpressive in most situations, so deducing what she was feeling and thinking could be challenging.

However, they did manage to have a few moments together, and Touma felt really happy for Hamazura. In her own way, Takitsubo was a very charming and nurturing girl. Touma clearly remembered how she once approached him and after a moment of silence, a moment that made Touma wonder if he did something wrong, she smiled softly at him and said only:

"Thank you... for showing him the way to me"

Touma was surprised and genuinely touched when he learned that both Hamazura and Takitsubo considered his involvement in ending Hamazura's Skill-Out days as a major contribution to the beginning of their hard fought, yet blissful love. While he would never claim such influence on his own, deep inside of his heart he was happy that they thought of him in such way. Hamazura told him that Takitsubo wasn't expressive in front of someone unless she accepted that person. It was, in a way, her declaration of friendship. One that Touma wholeheartedly accepted. Not only because she was a girlfriend of one of his best friends, but also because after hearing bits of her history, Touma strongly wanted nothing but happiness for her.

Takitsubo, despite the potential AIM Stalker could offer, did not pursue ultimate power, not interested in such matters. However, if someone could artificially recreate that potential through different means... well, that spelled nothing but trouble.

(MEANWHILE)

"Oi, Hamazura, what is with Takitsubo?" Kinuhata pointed at the girl in a tracksuit.

"To be honest, I was also wondering that" Mugino said, folding a fashion magazine.

Hamazura looked at his girlfriend, who was staring blankly at space with narrowed eyes and half-opened lips.

"She's been like this for the last 5 minutes and in this time she blinked... I think 10 times."

"I think..." Hamazura put a finger to his chin" She is either mad at something, melancholic, deep in thought, sad, or resting"

"Wait, wait, wait" Kinuhata waved her hands to stop him" Those are super different states. How can you not know for certain?"

"W-Well, it all comes down to small details..."

"Don't tell me... you super don't know what mood she is in half of the time?"

"Takitsubo is expressive when it counts!"

"Yeah, but most of the time she is super not! Tell you what, I super have something for you"

Kinuhata returned in a moment with 5 photographs.

"Those are 5 photos of our lovely Rikou-chan on 5 super different occasions. The backgrounds behind her were photoshopped to not give anything away. So... what moods is she in all of those?"

Hamazura looked at the row of photos, before clenching his fist and nodding sagely, boosting his kuudere-lover senses.

"Happy, angry, tired, sad, scared"

"Bullshit!" Mugino yelled out" This is exactly the same face. There is no goddamn way you can tell it"

"Maybe to an untrained eye, Mugino, but I dedicate myself to admiring Takitsubo's beauty all the time"

"Except..." Kinuhata smiled deviously" I tricked you! They super happen to all be the same photo!"

"W-What?!" Hamazura's confidence crumbled instantly, and Mugino smashed a fist against open hand.

"Hah! I knew that it couldn't be-"

"Or... are they?"

"Huh?! Kinuhata, don't fuck with me!"

Just as both Hamazura and Mugino looked about to lose their minds, there was a quiet, low-energy 'chu' sound behind them.

Takitsubo Rikou sneezed and 'unfroze' herself, looking at her friends with a tilted head.

"Takitsubo?"

"I had a stuck sneeze that wouldn't come out. But you had so much fun guessing what was going on that I didn't want to interrupt."

"For over 5 minutes?!" Mugino facepalmed. "Damn it, you are impossible"

"Someone must talk or think about me real hard..."

"O-Of course, I knew that from the start!" Hamazura exclaimed, sitting next to girl in the tracksuit. Takitsubo smiled and pecked his cheek.

"Hamazura knows what I feel when it counts. That's why I love him so much"

"That's right!" spoke the reinvigorated boy" Also, it doesn't really matter. If it's the girl I love, I accept every state she is in"

Corners of Takitsubo's lips lifted in a gentle smile, before she looked behind the window.

"Kamijou..." she whispered.

Hamazura looked at her.

"Boss? What about him?"

The girl shook her head.

"Nothing... for some reason, I happened to think about him just before sneezing. I don't know why... but somehow, I feel... that he might be in trouble..."

Mugino was first to break the silence, waving her hand with a grunt.

"We are talking about that guy. He is always in some shit. He probably groped some girl and is chased around the city right now or something."

"Speaking from experience, Mugino? Oh look at you, being violently worried and jealous about your super loooooove"

"You are going to be even more violently dismembered if you don't shut it, Kinuhata!"

"Boss is very strong. But maybe I phone him later, for good measure. That's what good bros do" Hamazura said to Takitsubo.

The girl nodded and continued to stare through the window.

Maybe it was unrelated, but she could feel, in the medium distance, gathering of AIM fields of enormous density and power. Near that dense point there was also a distortion in AIM structure that she was almost certain was Kamijou Touma.

'I hope he is okay' she thought in care-tinged apathy.

(BACK TO THE RESCUE GROUP)

Thanks to the memories of those involved in the Biohacker incident and informations gathered by Hokaze Junko and Shirai Kuroko about Ayu's time in Tokiwaidai, they narrowed the locations to surroundings of 5 possible places, each connected with Mental Stinger in some way

A. Tokiwadai Middle School

B. Manga Cafe ( the one they were currently in)

C. Old building of IDEAL lab

D. Ground Geo artificial lake

E. The surroundings of Academy City's Correctional Facility, where Ayu was once located.

Their duties assigned, it was necessary to check all of the places. With Shokuhou's ability, it became more trivial than Kumokawa initially anticipated. There was also a chance that Ayu was elsewhere, other than the places indicated, but both mental specialists agreed that it was unlikely, given Mitsuari Ayu's personality. Veritas would likely follow her choice, since their old laboratory was completely abandoned.

And so, they split. Kumokawa whispered something to Kongou's ear. The ojou-sama nodded, grasped Touma's hand, squeezing it for 'see you later' and left. Shokuhou was deciding on which of controlled people to send in various locations and declared she will check the former IDEAL lab herself. She knew there was a risk of stumbling upon Ayu there, but promised to be extra stealthy. Kuroko sighed and offered to take Mental Out there, to the latter's utter delight. Apparently, Kuroko served as Mental Out's taxi in the past and as vexing as it could be, Kuroko preferred to go with her than stay in the presence of either Musujime or Mitori.

Speaking of Musujime and Mitori, the former, being de facto teamed up with Hokaze Junko, spoke with her, gesticulating and explaining something with a low voice. While the latter...

"I guess I will check the surroundings of that location..." Kouzaku Mitori tiptoed nervously outside of the cafe, when...

BEEP!

There was a single sound that made her heart stop.

"Kouzaku-san..."

Slowly she turned around...

"Mitori-san..."

...to see Shokuhou Misaki smiling thinly at her, with the remote in her hand, and golden eyes darkening moment by moment..

"Mitori-chan... care to explain what I just saw?..."

As honoriphics kept dropping, Kouzaku Mitori took a step back as her friend took one forward.

"Misaki-san, I know what it looks like but I assure you that there is an aaaaah?!"

She yelped and began to ran when Misaki suddenly lunched forward, causing poor Mitori to scramble in panic.

However, after 20 seconds of chase, the starry-eyed attacker got tired, so she switched to a close combat... using her bag.

"How wonderful treason ability!"

"That was an accident!" Mitori scream, dodging the remote-filled weapon.

"Accident? For an accident, you surely got aroused a lot during it. I accessed your memories, sensations, and evaluations of that moment." Misaki wailed dramatically" I did that because I was worried that something got you depressed. GIVE ME BACK MY WORRY, MI-CHAN!"

"W-What else do you expect to happen when my first kiss was a repeated one with tongue so deep-"

"I don't want to hear it! That's it! I will make your favourite food taste like your least favourite dish for the next month!"

"If you saw the full memory, why do you only focus on the certain details?!"

(HOURS LATER)

Later hours could be resumed in an abridged form.

Kongou and Shokuhou clique investigated the surroundings of Tokiwadai School even before the strategy meeting. Similar search was conducted by Kuroko and Shokuhou for the IDEAL lab, while Kouzaku Mitori and Mental Out controlled people searched around the manga cafe and correctional facility respectively. It yielded no results.

Thus, their regrouped with the intention of striking to the one presumed location. Surroundings of Ground Geo. Kongou went to do her own task, while Musujime and Junko were left at the base of mountainous region that surrounded experimental facility.

When they arrived near the fateful lake, Kouzaku Mitori and Gokusai Rikuri went to search on with her ability, which yielded surprising result.

"Based on my puppet's camera, there is a storm tunnel on that other side of the lake. It branches off, but one of those branches goes under the reservoir... and the water doesn't flow in it. Sounds like a secret entrance to me."

In a rays of afternoon sun, walking around the around the lake, the main unit of rescuers, encountered a storm drain with a metal wall blocking its exit.

"It has to be opened from somewhere" Kumokawa searched for the mechanism, but Maidono only reached forward.

The sturdy plate of metal was bent and then ripped off, flying backwards into the lake. Beauty Senpai pouted.

"Or you can do it in an unsophisticated manner, I suppose"

And so, Kamijou Touma, Kumokawa Seria, Maidono Hoshimi, Kankyougami Hasako, and 3 sisters ventured inside. Mitori stayed outside to guard the exit, blending in the shadows thanks to her skin-tight body suit.

After walking certain distance, Rikuri stopped them. She sniffed the air and tasted it with her tongue.

"Nee-san?" Kaibi asked cautiously.

"Airborne poison. Possibly hallucinogenic. Not so potent now, but it may become compromising if we venture further."

"Onii-chan, does this mean-" Amazora clenched her small hands on her enormous weapon, when Touma nodded grimly.

"Yeah. For one reason or the other, we are expected."

"Hasako, if you could-" Kumokawa motioned forward, to which the Beginning Child nodded her head. With her necklace of glass samples clattering, she stepped forward and roared.

The tunnel suddenly gained humidity, and sprouted all kinds of plants, from every possible surface, in the distance of dozens of meters.

Hasako's ability, overpowered as it was, had additional benefit during its terraformation process. It always changed chemical composition of air to benefit the living organism which the environment was destined for. In other words, unless it was for some organism that thrived in something toxic, the first esper power could negate poisions and other harmful environmental factors for a certain organism.

They ventured further before founding themselves in front of large reinforced door, that looked like entrance to some kind of vault.

Kumokawa rolled her eyes and motioned for Maidono.

"Demolition lady, do the honours"

"Sure, bilboard brow. Step back"

Maidono lifted her foot and then slammed it down, while making a gesture of tearing something down with her index fingers extended.

The entrance, alongside with part of the world, was once again torn apart and thrown aside, as the group entered a large room, with a masked figure and single girl on what appeared to be an operating table.

Veritas looked at them with a relaxed posture

"Well, isn't that interesting?"

Upon finally seeing their one true objective, emotions welling up in Touma found their way out in a single scream

"AYUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!"

"How... why... are you here?"

(AND NOW WE RETURN TO CURRENT EVENTS)

"Hello, hello" Veritas clapped their hands, slowly coming forward" Welcome to my makeshift laboratory."

"You were expecting us" said Kumokawa

"I was expecting someone to show up. This is how it usually goes, isn't it? I wouldn't know, since there certainly isn't someone who would come to my aid" the scientist shrugged, putting on some kind of goggles. "Nevertheless, I am pleased that so many people appeared here... and with promising abilities too. And especially you, 0702... Maidono Hoshimi. Such a touching reunion"

"Shut up. You and I are going to have a chat about the shit you put my through!"

"Hmm, I recall that you went to participate thanks to your own initiative."

"You didn't tell me about side effects!"

As much as confrontation between former test subject and mad scientist was inevitable, Touma focused on Mitsuari Ayu and her alone, at least for now.

"You! Veritas, or whatever is your real name. Release Ayu-san this instant, we are taking her back home! We won't allow you to do her any harm!"

Ayu, pale faced, kept staring at Touma, mouthing something inaudibly. In pauses between the muttering, she was biting her lip so hard that it started to slightly bleed.

Veritas tilted their head, before laughing.

"You're making three crucial mistakes in your reasoning. Firstly, Mitsuari-san willed to undergo the procedure and it was her choice. Secondly, there is no actual harm, as it will serve the peace and prosperity of the mankind, as do all experiments I conduct. Thirdly... the deed is already done."

Touma's eyes widened. Maidono took a step forward, going pale on the face, as Veritas spread their hands.

"Mitsuari Ayu underwent my marvelous amplification method!"

"YOU MOTHERF-"

Maidono was about to lounge herself forward, but was suddenly repelled by something, flying backwards and crashing against the wall.

"I would appreciate if you didn't do anything rash with my new subject. We had a partnership after all." Veritas turned towards Ayu" There is still something I had to do with you... something that I failed to do with that ungrateful telekinetic. Namely-"

There was a sound of continuous shooting and now it was Veritas that was thrown backwards, tumbling onto the wall, as the equipment next to him exploded.

The tip of the gattling gun was smoking as Amazora shouted angrily.

"I don't really understand all that complicated stuff, but I know onii-chan failed to save Ayu onee-chan last time we were together and he was suffering a lot because of it. I don't want him to be hurt, so be prepare for pain if you won't let Ayu onee-chan go!"

"Amazora! Don't kill Veritas!"

"Don't worry. I didn't hit anything vital... I think... 99% sure..."

Touma took off running, others following him.

"You... you shouldn't be here..." Ayu whispered before Touma practically crushed her in a hug.

"But I am here. We are all here to save you!" Touma whispered, hugging the trembling girl.

"No, no, that can't be. You don't even remember-"

"That doesn't matter. All I see is a someone dear to me that was neglected by the world for far too long."

"That can't be happening. You never come to save me. No then, not last time, not-"

"Mitsuari Ayu" Touma grabbed her shoulders, staring into her eyes" For better or for worse, I am here now. And I swear, you will never feel lonely for as long as I live. Please, come with us. I can't undo the damage my actions had done, but I can try to build a better future together with you, with all of our friends"

Ayu started to laugh and shake her head.

"No, this wasn't how it was supposed to go. Not in one bit... I can't be seen by you like this..."

"Wha-"

"I don't deserve it. Nor you, not the world... after we parted ways, I discarded the values you cherished. I hurt others. Someone like me can't stand by your side"

Touma only deepened his hug and put his hand on the girl soft, chocolate-tinged burgundy hair.

"You were one of the first, you know?"

"First... what?"

"One of my first true friends. Before you, I had occasional people who tolerated me. But nothing lasting, nothing merely as meaningful as the time you and senpai were with me. Over time, I saw that this bratty ojou-sama we rescued in that garage has a heart of gold and is more kind, more gentle, that everyone around you. I heard about IDEAL, I heard about what happened after Matsuo Ryuunosuke, I know everything. And I am so, so sorry. I can only beg for your forgiveness"

"No, the one who should beg for it is me. I am a... failure, a reject, someone that can't ever succeed. I am... lost"

Ayu's voice trembled as she whispered that.

"You only fell so hard because you were so high before. This... isn't right, for you to suffer like this. I would have been lost a long time ago if not for all of those wonderful people, and you were true beginning of it all. The moment I stepped to protect you from those thugs, I had no idea what amazing thing would be put in motion. I should find you much sooner. I will be regretting not being there for you."

"The lengths my kouhai went to see you again were admirable." Kumokawa said wistfully" I am almost jealous."

"That voice... Kumokawa-san... it's been long since we saw ourselves face to face."

"Almost 2 years now. Do you still make your panties ride down whenever you have a tantrum? I heard you also have a thing for inflatable costumes"

"I see both of you didn't change at all"

"No, we all did change... and now it's the test if it was for the better"

However, the moment was interrupted by Maidono, who made their way into the party again.

"What did he do to you?" she screamed, not minding the thin line of blood trickling down her forehead.

"Demolition girl, are you alright?" Kumokawa asked Maidono" What was that attack that was used on you, I wonder..."

Maidono ignored her and focused on Ayu, who currently had her head on Touma's shoulder.

"Veritas said that they managed to conduct the procedure!"

"Yes" Ayu allowed herself a smile" I feel that my power rose tremendously. I can almost hear your thoughts and there are so, so many new applications of my ability begging to be tried out"

"WHY?! WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS TO YOURSELF?!"

"Why, you ask? Because of the one reason, the usual one. Her." a terrifying grimace contorted Mitsuari Ayu's face" Now I acquired power equivalent to that bitch that I once called a friend, the superior one, who ruined my life. No more disappointed comparisons, no more inferiority. To make her feel how it's like to be the one discarded, I am more than willing to have myself experimented on"

Maidono shook her head.

"No, no, no! You don't understand!"

She lifted her hands, that could only fully functional index fingers, as mobility and feeling in all the others was severely reduced.

"You went through that process, just like me. That means, even if your ability was maximized to a level 5 output, something was taken from you"

"Taken?" Hasako gasped loudly.

"What can it be?" Kaibi asked out loud.

"Their powers are from different types, but if I had to guess, I would say for telepath it would be some cognitive function"

"Kumokawa-senpai, I am fine. No need to get overexcited"

The girls got silent.

"I am not Kumokawa... she is" Maidono pointed to her right.

"Really? That's strange! I never met you before, but you sure you aren't related? You look similar... really similar..."

Two girls looked at each other. While the both liked to showcase their bellies or navels, (which in Maidono's case came from a strong sense of pride since everyone acknowledged how toned her stomach was and how graceful her waist looked), the similarities ended there. There was worry on both girls' faces, faces that were nothing alike.

There was a sound behind them, and Veritas emerged from the sizzling remnants of one of the machines.

"That wasn't very nice, wasn't it, little girl? Do you have some sort of body strengthening ability? If I wasn't shielded, I would have been really injured"

The masked scientist appeared unharmed, which set of alarm bells in Touma's head, but he still went along with earlier question

"What have you done with Ayu-san?"

Touma separated from the girl, facing the scientist.

Veritas spread their arms

"Honestly, I did not care. Those side effects are always a bit random. I was hoping you would tell me. However, this should not be so concerning. Thanks to the Mitsuari-san's help, I have the last link to achieve my dream, from which you also should benefit. You see, I want humanity to have a better life. What's the key to all of that? I would say that we have so many esper powers around this place that there should be no doubt that there is a solution. I will become this solution, by acquiring the Will of the Heaven."

"You want to become the level 6? But you will not survive the transformation. Only Accelerator is supposed to be able to-" Kumokawa started, but didn't manage to finish her accusation, as the masked individual shook their head.

"Oh, that's true... if I was alone. But you see, with my innate ability and data I collected from Mitsuari-san, I may be able to achieve something that will finally make me understand. The world, the people, and everything else. Solve every problem when I tap into objective reality, beyond interpersonal fogginess of our so-called laws. I will turn myself into ultimate guinea pig for the sake of world's peace and prosperity!"

'This line of reasoning... sounds just like...'

Yes, Touma realized it. That masked scientist sounded alarmingly similar to Fiamma and the ideals he preached to Touma while on the Star of Bethlehem.

It was almost as if Veritas, someone who wanted to solve world's problems by gaining objective, unshakable wisdom, was a science side equivalent of magic side's Right Seat of God leader. Although directed elsewhere, both had the same fanatic exaltation towards the ideal of salvation.

"Quite the messiah complex" Kaibi whispered, putting her finger on the trigger.

"There is something disturbing about this person" Hasako said in a low voice.

"You still didn't answer to what you did with Ayu-san" Touma shouted at Veritas, but Kumokawa grabbed his arm.

"Kouhai...I think I had an idea. Ayu-san?"

"Y-Yes?"

Kumokawa opened something on her phone. It was Academy City's database, containing the information on various students. But the older girl wasn't focused on the data, but rather, the pictures, containing only the faces.

"Ayu-san, look at those photos"

She then slowly, 5 seconds per photo, showed the fluffy haired girl row of 10 photos, before asking.

"Was there anyone familiar here?"

"K-Kumokawa-san, is this some sort of a joke? How can there be someone familiar if all of those look the same"

Something cold dropped to Kamijou's stomach, when Seria looked at him grimly.

As not only them, but everyone else saw, the faces showed on the photos were anything but the same. Each belonged to a different person. Not only that, but among those faces, there was Kumokawa's own face.

By now, Ayu realized something was amiss and for the first time, she looked at Touma directly for a few seconds. She took out her phone and set it on selfie mode. Slowly, she gazed up with absolutely lost expression.

"It's the same... it's all the same... you, me, them... I saw someone looking back at me... but I couldn't recognize her until I moved the head."

"That's it then" Kumokawa nodded. Although she appeared calm, good observer would notice that her body tensed up.

"Kumokawa-san, what is wrong with Mitsuari-san?" Rikuri looked at the confused telepath.

"In exchange for Mental Stinger being elevated to Mental Out's level..." Kumokawa slowly explained her assessment"... something was indeed taken from Mitsuari Ayu. She became prosopagnostic."

"Proso... what?"

"Prosopagnosia. A visual type of agnosia stemming from the malfunction or damage to fusiform gyrus. Also known as face blindness. Simply put, she lost the ability to recognize and distinguish faces from each other, including her own face. However, her other cognitive abilities and perception remained intact. From your perspective, all of our faces look the same, isn't that right... Mitsuari-san?"

"I see all of you. But I can't... recognize you by looking at them" Ayu whispered, lifting her hand to touch her own face.

"Shit..." cursed Maidono, clenching her fists" She got it worse than me... if I got here sooner..."

"B-But her eyes... her eyes are all right" Hasako pointed out, shaking slightly as tears blurred her kaleidoscopic irises" She should be able to see us"

Kumokawa shook her head

"Agnosia is the inability to process sensory information. That means that sensory organs are intact, there is no problem with acquiring the data. It's the processing and interpretation that are disabled. In other words, the problem lies within the brain. She sees our faces, but can't put any meaning to them."

"But she reacted to me. She recognized me!" Touma looked at Ayu with worry and fear.

"Because you called out to her. She recognizes our voices, clothes, way of walking, body language, maybe even hair length and colour. Just not faces or facial expressions."

"Oh, so it's that kind of agnosia." came the voice of Veritas, who was still allowing them to examine Ayu" What a relief!"

Both Touma and Maidono slowly turned around with dark gleam in their eyes.

"What?"

"If it was loss of object recognition, or auditory deficiency, but this one... that's only faces! Every other aspect of reality is still ready to be explored. It's actually rather redundant. Mitsuari Ayu got what she wanted, isn't this what matters!"

"Ayu-san..." Touma slowly muttered, clenching his fist" Are you satisfied with that?"

The girl lowered her head and he heard her voice after a short while.

"I... I was ready to pay the price..." she whispered, feeling her voice getting stuck in her throat" To acquire more power, I was ready to discard the world. But even though throughout my loneliness I wanted to curse you too... deep down, I knew that I never could do that. And I know it's hypocritical, but... I would like to see your face. If that's the last thing I see in this world... if I have to choose one... I want it to be your face"

Touma nodded, focusing on Veritas once again.

"As you see, it's not like you say. And unlike you, I am not satisfied until this girl can live her dream with a smile on her face."

"Something tells me you are not willing to discuss it though" Veritas said, just as Maidono lunched forward.

"I AM BRINGING YOU DOWN, YOU PIECE OF CRAP!"

The metal railing was ripped off and aimed into Veritas. However, they simply extended their arm...

Maidono was suddenly slammed against the ground. The telekinetic hold on the railing disappeared.

"Gah?!"

"I gave you your ability. Do you really think I wouldn't have a countermeasure? All forms of telekinesis rely on the changes of pressure that allows for the hold on objects to form, to repel, attract, and move. Change the outer pressure suddenly and telekinesis is compromised. And ability I just used does just that"

They looked at Maidono while shaking their head.

"You grew dull. Did you fall under the spell of so called love I heard so much about?"

"Where the hell..."

Veritas began to turn around only to see Kamijou Touma in mid air, pulling his right hand back.

'So fast!' all the girls thought in unison, as Touma grinned ferally, bringing his fist down.

"... do you think you are looking at?"

There was a sound of shattering glass, when the fist slammed into the mask and sent Veritas crashing into the ground.

Touma landed unsteadily, panting and raising his fist.

"I think I begin to understand your deal now. You talk about everyone's benefit... but you don't really mean it. You actually do this for yourself, don't you. Because you are hollow!"

After a moment of silence, Veritas got up from the ground, wobbling slightly.

"You actually managed to hit me with a full force. How did you do it? Because it clearly seems..."

The mask fell off, split almost perfectly in half...

Showing green eyes adorned with long lashes, red lips, and strand of dark red, almost purple hair.

"A-A WOMAN?!" Maidono, just getting up from the ground, absolutely froze at the sight" But you never sounded like-"

Veritas touched her throat and after a quiet 'beep' they heard her finish their sentence, with a completely new voice. Earlier, it was a resounding male baritone, now it was feminine lower mezzo-soprano.

"... that things are getting even more interesting, aren't they?"

She got up and looked at stupefied rescuers.

"What?" she grabbed her chest and pushed it up" I know that it's hard to tell, but really now? My chest is not much too show from the outside, but it's still a B-cup. Then again I guess you are not interested in such details now. And there is no use hiding now that I am ready to do a test drive"

"Test drive? Is this connected with BIV?" Kaibi asked.

Something similar to a mild surprise appeared on Veritas's face, before she reverted back to a blank smile.

"Huh? So you know a bit about my experiments? That makes it easier... or I guess, a bit harder for you. I need to leave this city for a moment to perfect the results of my serarch, away from the restrictions of this environment. I bet you are dying to know what are they?"

This didn't really sound like a villain explaining his plans in a megalomania, more like a friendly senpai explaining a hard homework problem over a cup of tea. It seemed like this woman's was as chaotically contradictory as she appeared mentally unstable.

The green eyes of Veritas reflected the dull light of the underwater laboratory, as she removed a hood covering her head, showing tied, purplish-red hair of middle length, and a large scar going across her upper brow.

"I wasn't ever acknowledged by everyone, from my parents to my peers. I was always a loner, and that's why I devised a plan to help me understand others. I focused on my strength on studying to discover objective, eternal truth of our reality, the unspoken facts that can serve as foundation of universal understanding. Because of my obsession, others turned away even more. When I enrolled here, in the city of science, the city that I hope would understand me, it turned out that my classmates feared me, and my idols, the Kihara family, considered me too much of an idealist, focused on non-scientific and abstract aspects of knowledge. But what I accomplished now will serve as a step towards level 6 that can be reached not only be the chosen ones, but the ones without privilage. It is all started thanks to my foundational ability... which, after retrospect, may be the reason for my ostracism. Was it? I don't really understand what others thought but..."

With that she pressed her right temple. There was a slight clicking sound.

"My esper ability, Cerebral Dive, allows me to manipulate and reconfigure brain matter, as well as all types of cerebral structures and neural tissue. I can reorganize it, swap functionalities and placement of brain parts, mutate it, redirect neural signals, cause lesions, shrink or enlarge it, and much more. I discovered it while we had an anatomy class. Of course, initially I experimented on my own brain..."

Veritas then pulled her own hair and...

As if on hinges, upper part of her head tilted to the left... revealing a brain.

Yes, over the rather attractive face of a young woman there was a bare brain, as if some dish in a bowl.

Amazora opened her mouth. Hasako shivered. Ayu took a step back. Rikuri put a hand over her mouth as if she was going to be sick any second now.

Veritas closed her head with yet another click and sighed.

"But then, after lucky try, I discovered that my method of ability amplification yielded an interesting side effect. By implanting a part of another's brain, I could tamper with AIM field linked to said brain. Of course, it is not an easy task, and other parts of said brains have to be kept alive but... the brain inside of my skull is currently a patchwork of 10 separate brains, assimilated and integrated with a fragment left from my own."

Kaibi wrinkled her nose.

"That is absolutely disgusting!"

"I do not understand the concept of disgust, but suit yourself. There are benefits to this"

"How could you survive such an operation?" Kumokawa inquired.

Touma moved closer to Ayu, taking her hand. The girl looked distraught both from sudden change of events and the revelations of Veritas.

Their adversary put a finger on her brow.

"My ability bypasses the biological restrictions of quality and quantity of brain tissue. I can converge all of various functions of numerous parts of the brain onto single part of it, or diverge them into the other parts if needed. In other words, each part of my brain can freely exchange its function with any other. And every brain I assimilate gains the same composition within structure of my one"

"But... that's absolutely insane. From chemical standpoint..." whispered flabbergasted Rikuri.

However, Maidono was the one who brought the conversation straight to the root of the problem.

"That attack you used on me twice now... that was a different esper ability. Does this mean..."

"Yes. You are getting close. Like I said, assimilating someone's brain allows me to use its AIM field. You can call it singularly convergent AIM amalgamation. In other words..."

"She is a Multi-Skill user." Touma said, as he felt tension around him rising.

"Not only that... she is a user of multiple abilities with level 5 offensive output. Isn't that right?" Kumokawa pointed at the woman, who smiled in a little bit too wide fashion.

"Correct! I can hijack an ability by assimilating the part of the brain"

"So you are a zombie lady. A friend of my friend can learn from eating things" Amazora shouted. She was referring, although no one save Touma realized this, to the immortal Fraulein Kreutene.

Veritas and everyone else got silent through this, before the scientist resumed.

"It's not a perfect measure, but I can still elevate those techniques. The ability that I used on you, Maidono, is called Killer Press. It allows one to create attacks using increased pressure on restricted area of space. At level 5 output, it has a tremendous potential and is very effective against telekinesis users"

Should Mugino Shizuri be with them, she would surely recognize the name, as she encountered this particular ability in ITEM's earlier days.

"Wait..." Ayu managed to speak, first time after a long while" You said... earlier you said that those brains still need to be alive. So did you..."

"No... tell me you didn't..."

It was the first time in a very long while since Touma saw Kumokawa so livid.

"Those brains are in perfect little vats, still alive and dreaming while awake. Their previous owners didn't really feel the difference. Like in that movie... what was it called... ah, Matrix. I managed to recreate a simulation for each one of them."

"You monster! They are as well as dead. This is not a true life!"

"Isn't a fake life in the name of truth better than no life in the name of falsehood?"

"Shut up!" Maidono said through her teeth" Everything about you riles me up. But there are two more things that bother me and I would like to have them answered before you get your justice"

"Huh? Sure, I will be leaving soon, but go ahead"

"Very funny. Firstly, you said you used the procedure you used on me and Ayu-san on yourself as well and that's how you are able to use Multi-Skill... how does that work?"

"Hmm, it's thanks to my amplified power and telepathic ability. When I readjusted it with data freshly acquired from Mitsuari-san, I managed to establish a telepathic network with those brains. They are a little bit like bluetooth AIM field transmitters."

"But if you underwent this accursed procedure... then you also lost something. So what-"

"Isn't it obvious?" Kaibi opened her eyes, which glowed with pink light" I cannot establish a proper connection. This effect... even if you use some form of mental power... is different from usual rebound. Measure Heart relies on emotional states. You lost the ability to express or perceive genuine human emotions. It all seems like a physical arousal to you. You are alexithymic!"

Veritas snapped her fingers, while tilting her head.

'She is angry. She is angry and she doesn't even know!'

"Such a cute face... you and those other two are sisters, right. Looking at you makes my heart race. You must be popular with guys, aren't you? As you said, looking at you makes my body tense. I don't know what it means, and it only gives me this strange sensation of pain in the head. So why wouldn't I..."

She extended her hand towards Kaibi, smile not fading from her lips.

"... kill you right here and now?"

In the next moment, a powerful gust of wind swirled around Veritas and lunched itself on Kaibi.

"Onee-chan!"

Touma jumped forward and took the blow, shielding the girl and causing both of them to tumble down to the floor.

"Oh my! You have quite the knack for intervening, do you?"

"You moron!" Kaibi pulled herself up" Don't take hits for me. I would've dodged that"

"I didn't want to take chances. Before I knew it... my body was already moving on its own"

"Last question. How can you even use esper ability?" Maidono pointed at their enemy" You are obviously too old to partake in a curriculum"

"Am I now? Tell me, heroic boy" Veritas, already turned back on them, pointed at Touma over her back" How old do I look?"

Touma blinked in surprise, before looking at Veritas from her purplish red hair through her torso and legs.

"I would say... upper 20s or 30"

"Oh, is that so? I guess it is by now. You see, this form of Multi-Skill I am using happens to accelerate the aging process a bit. You wouldn't believe it, but I am actually your senpai only by few years of time."

It was incredible. In a sense, she was an opposite of recently encountered Ladylee Tangleroad.

"Now then... I have cities to leave and few places to destroy among the way" Veritas extended her hand towards the ceiling" I bid you farewell then"

In the next moment, the ceiling was completely destroyed. Everyone could only stare in horror as the enormous mass of water was ready to collapse on them.

But it didn't flooded the room instantly. Instead it swirled around Veritas, encircling her as she ascended upwards.

"Is that... Hydro Hand?"

They never saw anyone control such masses of water.

"YOU ARE NOT GETTING AWAY! Touma, get everyone out and keep Hasacchi from doing everything stupid while I'm away. I'm going after her!"

"Maidono, wait-"

But the girl already shot out like a bullet, spreading her index fingers as far as she could.

That tore a narrow tunnel through the water, into which the girl went before disappearing.

Flying above the lake, Veritas turned around to see her former test subject with soaring above her with a wild grin on her face.

"Oh? How intriguing!"

"You are not the only one with a new tricks, traitor!"

With Touma and the others...

"She flew! How can she fly? Is she like Maidono?"

"No, Maidono flies using pressure on her own body to balance with external pressure and gravity while that brain maniac controlled the air itself and in a sense rode the wind. I am betting a lot that it was an aplication of level 5 Aero Hand... b-but we don't have time to analyze that now. We are getting submerged!"

The water was indeed flowing in fast.

"Everyone, out, out, out! NOW!"

(20 MINUTES LATER)

Everyone was panting on the bank of the lake, after miraculously escaping the flood.

Amazora carried Rikuri on her back, as the oldest sister's soul was practically leaving her body.

"That was close..." Touma wiped his brow." We would be dead if Hasako didn't use arctic on that tunnel."

"Oh, that was... nothing much..." Hasako, red from both fatigue and compliment, shook her head.

"Seems like some crazily powerful meetup" Mitori commented, standing above slowly recovering group" So, what are we going to do now?"

"Our enemy is a Multi-Skill user, hijacking brains to amass abilities. She probably thinks that quantity of level 5 abilities will turn into level 6 quality. Besides that accelerated aging effect, there must be some limitations to this power. We must figure out how it operates and stop her before she can leave the city."

"Is she really that crazy?" Mitori looked at the sky and Academy City's panorama.

"She can't feel empathy, she is guided by her obsession about objectivity and momentarily pleasure and displeasure, she's a super intelligent teen with a body of an adult and emotional stability of a small child. We can't leave her unchecked. Besides... kouhai is probably already thinking about saving her"

"What? I am not-"

"He is"

"He absolutely is"

"He totally is"

"O-Okay, but even so, I still know we have to stop her. Senpai, what's the plan now?"

"We will have support engage. Maidono-san is doing whatever she can to stop her, we should help her. Mitori-san, focus on protecting Ayu-san. Myself, kouhai and Hasako will head to join the support."

"What about us?" Rikuri wheezed out, trying to calm her breath.

"Veritas managed to realize BIV through some method. That means abilities she gets are linked with the brains that are stored somewhere, submerged in a reality simulation. If I am correct, destroying them should strip Veritas of her abilities. We don't know how far is the range of that telepathic network, but we need to find those brains. That's what I want you three to do."

"Senpai, but if what I understood from your explanation about BIV is true, then those brains still experience everything as if nothing happened to their body. They are still ali-"

"This is not a true life!" Kumokawa screamed back, clenching her fists, face to face with Touma" They are not free and they only feel what they are told to feel. Gokusai, doing it will be mercy. Besides, we have no time to argue, we need to hurry! She is here already."

There was a silhouette approaching through air in fast pace, before Shirai Kuroko teleported near them.

"Kumokawa-san told me to come here... what happened? You look like a mess"

"It would be faster to explain directly. Mitsuari-san, this is-"

"I see Tokiwadai uniform" Ayu spoke slowly" I can't recognize the face, but this voice... Shirai-san?"

"You know each other?"

"We were on the opposite sides of my battle against Mental Out one time..."

"Please send her information on what is going on, Mitsuari-san"

"A-Alright..."

"No, no, maybe it will be best to just tell me..."

Ayu pulled out a phone and clicked something on it.

There was a sound of a photo being taken.

Kuroko blinked and grabbed her head.

"Ah...I hate when telepaths do that! But... that's incredible. Reminds me of the time onee-sama fought with Kiyama-san and-"

"No time for reminiscing! Shirai-san, can you please take some of the people to the base of the mountain? We shall meet up with the others than and then I will ask you to transport those three sisters to place when they can search for the source of Veritas' power"

"Understood. But I can only carry two people at once."

"B-But I am really light!" Amazora protested.

Kuroko glanced at Rikuri's massive breasts.

"I doubt that you are the main source of mass I have to take into account while teleporting."

"So rude!"

"Take my sisters" Kaibi asked the teleporter" I am the most fit and will catch up in no time. As for Hasako-san..."

"I will do my best and make it down with the others to join Hokaze-san and Musujime-san!"

"Very well! I will be waiting for you"

"Be careful everyone! We shall see each other soon"

And with that, Kuroko, Amazora, and Rikuri vanished, quickly jumping 81 meter jumps in seconds, before completely disappearing in the distance.

"Senpai, before you go, there is something I need to tell Ayu-san" Touma looked at the girl who he once failed to save" Ayu-san, we both need to start anew. I know that right now, you went with us more on a whim and fuelled by emotions than by actual reconciliation and decision to move forward. I don't delude myself that all of the darkness that amassed itself through your loneliness and hatred will disappear just because this time I came for you. You are not expected to just forget about everything. But if I am allowed to be a little bit of selfish throughout all of this, even a little bit... then I am not letting you abandon yourself and die. I am going to reclaim as much of the time that should be yours, make you feel wanted and honoured. But I can't do it if you give up on life. So, in that selfishness, I will not let go of you even if I were to fight death itself over you. If there is a chance for the better, even a smallest percent in favour for the possibility of your happiness... I will strive my hardest for us to reach that ending together!"

Wide eyed Mitsuari Ayu looked at confident Touma and felt skin crawl all over her body.

It was true. Her emotions were too tainted and twisted for all of the problems to just go away. They shouldn't pretend that everything was resolved. The girl known as Mitsuari Ayu hated Shokuhou Misaki, hated the system that put her through so much suffering... and of course, hated her own self more than anything.

But the spark for change ignited in her soul. It was but a point in the shadows, but it was a point from which light could start to spread.

In that moment of bravery and determination from that single boy, Mitsuari Ayu fell herself falling in love again, from her toes to roots of her burgundy hair.

"I really don't deserve those words" she whispered, her cheeks reddening at Touma's declaration.

"I don't care. Like I said, that's just me being an egoist. Here, Hasako wants to say something too"

Hasako slowly approached Ayu, tears welling in her eyes.

"Mitsuari Ayu-sama... you don't remember me, do you? Or rather, you don't recognize my face now"

Ayu, slightly taken aback by the 'sama' honoriphic, slowly shook her head.

"I am sorry, but I can't tell who you are"

"My modern name is Kankyougami Hasako. But you may know me as the Beginning Child."

"Y-You... you are..."

"Yes, I am. I am the one you awoke from cold slumber. You are the one who brought me into this world after I was dead to it for many decades. I longed to truly meet you for a very long time. And I just want to say..."

Hasako slowly pulled Ayu into a hug, with Mental Stinger too shocked to react in any way.

The first esper spoke, warm tears trickling down her cheeks.

"I heard about what you've been through, and my heart cried out with each tale. I am so deeply sorry for the tragedies and misfortunes that befallen you. But as I heard that you are often compared to the current #5 level 5 of this city... personally I can only assure you... that as much as I may also respect Shokuhou-san... it was you who gave me new life. It was thanks to you I had the chance to begin again. It was through you that I gained a wonderful best friend. It was you who allowed me to find someone who I could truly trust and completely fall in love with. The starting point of all I am now, all I can be in the future, all I may accomplish and all I may see... it all comes down to what you did for me. Willingly or not, my life is thanks to a you, as your own self and no one else, Mitsuari Ayu-sama. You are one of the most important people in my entire existence, and I will never forget what you did for me, till the day I die. I shall hope for you to see your own importance and I will do my utmost to make you see the beautiful and magnificent young woman I see through my own eyes"

Ayu didn't know at which point she also started to hug Hasako and when her own streams of tears wet her face. She didn't hear such words in such long time that it thawed one of the icebergs surrounded her frozen heart.

Importance. Self-worth. And more.

All that she wanted, Hasako wanted to gave to her...

"We need to go now" Kumokawa reminded them, when Ayu and Hasako separated.

So everyone got ready to go. But...

"I am sorry... I hear what you're saying... but I can't go. I know that in the past I wanted to be saved. But right now... I should not be saved. I should work this out on my own and-"

Kaibi went towards Ayu in a rapid pace and asked.

"Looking at my clothes, you must know who I am. I am one of the assassins who once gave you a fiery near death experience. I am not as exalted in speeches as Touma or Beginning Child, so my message will be curt and to the point"

And with that, she slapped Ayu across the face.

"Kaibi!" Touma rushed forward, but Kumokawa stopped him

"Let it be. This might be something much needed"

Kaibi didn't put much force into slap, but it still caused Ayu's face to turn sideways, as she blinked in shock.

"For the record, I heard a lot of things about you since we last saw each other" Kaibi continued" And I truly think that you have one of the most screwed up stories around. I really feel for you and I will do whatever I can to help you. Because of Kamijou Touma, we've changed and we are no longer the same people that we were when we were trying to kill you But let me tell you something. Life waits for no one. If you spend your time wallowing in the past and self-pitying your tragedy, you might have everything you wish for slip before your grasp. And it would be the fault of no one other than you. Because you are not the only person who ever lost someone. You are not the only one who had their heart shattered. I tinged my own heart with lies to make it a painted prison for my dreams, but it was rotting away. So as one broken person to another, when you have the chance. Stop being soft and face reality. Because it might just surprise you. You know, this guy moved a lot of people to save you. Some of those people hate each other's guts, but they still stood side by side because he wanted to save you. In all of this time, he had his mind solely on you. So turning back without even trying, using same excuses, and being scared of taking responsibility is spitting in the face of all those efforts. And if that's how you want it to play out, then I am utterly disappointed. I was beginning to think that you were worthy of being our target. Was I mistaken?"

She lowered her voice, so only Mitsuari could hear her.

"It's not a crime wanting to be saved. But now it's the time to stop trying to be rescued and instead reach for someone yourself. When we were searching for you last time, you allowed yourself to drown in those doubts and this lead to us to fail in finding you, Touma failing to reach you, and you failing to find the willingness to continue living. Do not make the same mistakes again. There is a major difference now. Both me and you... we are not alone. So if you love him... if you truly love him... you should not have any doubt anymore"

And with that, Kaibi turned back and returned to the group.

"It's your choice now. We are heading down"

But even without her speech, the self-denying stance that Mitsuari Ayu was already shaken and half-hearted.

Now, options in her heart narrowed down to one.

(5 MINUTES LATER)

"Brings back memories! The last time we were running down from this mountainous region, we were fleeing from you as you ran amok" Kaibi teased Hasako.

"P-P-Please don't remind me, I am so embarrassed of myself from back then!" Beginning Child wailed.

As they ran down as fast as they could, Touma's phone rang.

Despite the urgency of the situation, he decided to answer it.

"Hello boss, it's Hamazura. I am just calling to check if anything is okay... might seem senseless but Takitsubo got some gut feeling and I just wanted to make sure..."

"Oh... that's sweet. Yeah... yeah... that's fine... I mean... everything is good..."

"Are you running?"

Touma looked at 5 girls running on both of his sides.

"Yup. You know how it is, gotta stay fit to run from those pesky misfortunes."

For one moment, he considered telling Hamazura about the situation. But...

"If you say so, then ok. You see, me and Takitsubo are going to have an anniversary dinner..."

No, no way he could do it now. Besides, it was handled... somehow. They could do it! No need to bring his friend and ones he cherished to the sight of danger.

Just then, Ayu, who was running next to him, tripped over a tree root, yelping and stumbling. She would have fallen if she didn't catch his arm.

"Oi, what the hell was that?" Mugino's voice sounded from the phone.

"M-Mugino-san?"

"Don't mind her." That was Kinuhata's voice" She got super restless and can't tell you that she is super worried about you~"

"CLAM IT! And you? Either you lost your balls and testosterone, or was that a god damn woman just now?!"

"Look at you, going all super red... yaaah!"

It sounded as if Kinuhata was tossed aside.

"M-Mugino-san that was just a random girl who tripped on the sidewalk. O... thin... recept...is... no... ot... good... call... la... ter..."

"I swear, if you are doing this stupid thing with bluffing about the signal, then I-"

Kamijou hung up and resumed his run. Mugino's possible wrath could wait.

Just then, something... or rather someone... smashed into the ground. in front of them.

"Hoshimi!" Hasako cried out.

"Ow, ow, ow... that bitch repelled me really hard... this pressure attack is bad match up against me..."

"Where is she heading?"

"Towards district 23, I think. I managed to slow her down a little... but she will be near the base of the mountain in no time."

"Luckily, we are also there. Look!"

The path between trees parted, showing Musujime and Junko waving at them, with Kuroko and .

(5 MINUTES LATER)

They shared the events that transpired, in telepathic transfer for both girls. Apparently, Junko did not shield her mind passively as Misaka did, but just in case, Touma hold onto her with his right hand to temporarily disable her ability.

"Oh my! Such a powerful we will face" the ringlet curl girl worryingly put the hand on her cheek.

"Seriously, the level of threat suddenly shot through the roof" Musujime

"She will be here any moment now." Maidono bit her lip, looking at the sky" She uses multiple esper abilities thanks to connection she somehow built to the brains emanating AIM fields, with fragments within her own brain."

"She earlier mentioned something about 10 brains in 1. It can be assumed that she has 10 abilities at her disposal. If we include her own ability, Cerebral Dive, Telepathy that she uses alongside it to maintain this Multi-Skill, uses of Aero and Hydro Hand that we saw earlier... and also that powerful pressure attack, Killer Press..."

"It would mean that we know half of her abilities, the other half being unknown" Touma resumed.

"I learned something through this short aerial engagement." Maidono added" I think this is still new to her. She can't use more than 2 abilities simultaneously, and she probably has a time limit of how long can she use one power continuously."

"Great. Obviously using that many powers has to have certain restrictions. That being said... it will be still some challenge to face her"

"We better get going." Kuroko said" From what you said..."

"... We have to find the source of her power and eliminate it" Rikuri nodded in understanding."

"And since Shirai-san can only carry teleport with two people" Kumokawa said, searching for something in the bushes" I have this!"

"A motorbike? Did you steal it?" Kuroko deadpanned.

"Borrowed in a state of emergency. Me and him did this before" Kumokawa pointed at Touma.

"Senpai, please, do not like me with criminal activity like this!"

"Touma, can I have a quick word with you?" Kaibi asked.

After they walked a bit further from the others, the girl gave him a serious look.

"Please don't do anything stupid."

"You say it as if I plan stupid things to happen"

Kaibi opened her eyes, which glowed with gentle pink light. Possibly to gave herself more courage, she decreased their emotional distance, as she gently kissed him on the lips. After few seconds, she separated her lips from his and whispered with a small blush.

"Is it wrong to worry about a guy I confessed my love to? You are not dying on me!"

"Yeah... I get it... I really get it..."

The actions Kaibi took were already rather bold on her part, but what Touma did next completely shattered her confidence of being in control.

Namely, he went for his own kiss, mirroring the one she just finished.

"Mmmmmm..."

Only when he placed his right hand on her shoulder, there was a sound of shattered glass. Touma opened his eyes to find Kaibi staring at him, her face going redder and redder by seconds.

He quickly backed away.

"I am sorry! I just... for some reason... I felt..."

"... that you really had to kiss me" Kaibi answered, wiping her lips from traces of saliva" D-Don't worry, I know what happened, that's on me"

In all of the chaos she felt in her own heart because of kissing him, she didn't immediately deactivate Measure Heart. As she set it to 'lovers' and Touma took its full effect, there was nothing strange for him to desiring to kiss her.

"Kaibi... I am so-"

"D-Don't apologize. I... enj...enjoyed it. It's fine... just..." she placed a hand on her red face" give me a warning when the time and place are right"

"O-Okay, let's go back"

But as they went back, Kaibi began to smile. Surely, Measure Heart made Touma do something he would normally not do and he acted a bit out of character, but her ability wouldn't make him go to such lengths if he didn't have some desire in his non-affected emotions to do just that. Which made her heart swell with happiness.

"There you are" Kumokawa said with hips on her hips" We are in the middle of battle, so I would appreciate if we stopped with side-meetings"

Kuroko was already holding hands of Amazora and Rikuri, when Kaibi jumped on the motorbike, turning the engine through short-circuiting the wires.

"We are off. Good luck!"

And so, they left, just as the clouds parted and a familiar, cold-faced woman descended from the clouds.

"What a party!" Veritas clapped her hands, before noticing the disappearing group of sisters and Kuroko." I don't remember that you could lea-"

A fragment of debris the size of the car almost hit an airborne villain, forcing her to focus on the group in front of her.

"Hey, zombie bitch" Musujime called out, pointing her finger at the enemy" We are the ones who will give you trouble"

"I... finished stretching!" Junko clapped her hands with a smile, Rampage Dress flaring around her" I am ready for this fight!"

"We are not letting you pass" Hasako said sternly, touching her DNA samples.

"I will make you pay by crushing you into the ground. For me and all of those people who were not lucky enough" ground around Maidono crumbled and cracked as she extended her index fingers, ready to lift them.

Ayu slowly came to their side.

"H-Her mind is shielded for now, but with enough time, I might be able to penetrate her defences. I will focus on shielding your minds and giving you instructions"

"Kouhai, Mitori-san, we need to strategize where to direct Shirai-san's group and how to get you up to Veritas. Your right hand will serve excellently against Multi-Skill."

"I will keep an eye on the battlefield. You two get to it" Mitori said, Liquid Shadow forming by her side.

Veritas spread her arms, smile not leaving her face.

"I am in a hurry... but maybe this is worth the while. Yeah, maybe, just maybe... 5 against 1? If I could feel emotions, I think I would be... sad? That's it"

But Touma knew that it was not so simply. It was true that Musujime, Junko, Maidono, Hasako, and Ayu were linked through the fact that they could be treated as level 5s in everything but the title. They had a quantitative advantage. But their opponent had twice as much abilities and was unpredictable to the boot.

Even so, five girls stood side by side in front of their enemy.

'For everything that has a childlike innocence' Musujime thought.

'For all of my precious friends' Junko thought.

'For the new life I am just beginning' Hasako thought.

'For the freedom of darkness I want to achieve' Maidono thought.

'For my desire to repay everyone that wanted to help me' Ayu thought.

The battle began.

Huge chunks of debris flew into the air and broke down on Maidono's command, surrounding the air around Veritas, forming a field of hundreds fragments of rocks and metal.

"Ho?"

In the next second, something akin to lightning moved in a zig-zag pattern, bouncing through the rubble and gaining speed with each refractive curve.

What appeared to be lightning was none other than Hokaze Junko, who ended up behind Veritas, delivering powerful roundhouse kick aimed at her head.

However... the next thing the girls knew, Junko was flying backwards, repelled by Killer Press.

"Musujime-san!"

"You don't have to tell me!"

Maidono disappeared and reappeared in the air, catching Junko and bringing her safely down.

"Ugh... thank you, Maidono-san"

"What happened? That was a clean hit"

"Yes... but she didn't seem to feel it. It did connect, but there was a sound of... hmm, a gong, I think... and in the next moment, she retaliated."

"So single attacks won't do. Let's try something-"

In the next moment, a powerful gust of wind caused all 5 to jump in different directions.

'I established a telepathic network.' the other four girls heard Mitsuari Ayu's voice inside of their heads' Let's share our plans here, so she might be surprised. If one of us thinks something, the rest will hear it.'

'Let's test it... Ayu-san and Maidono-san have really sexy legs, what's up with that? Who agrees? I mean, I am into something else, but damn-'

'P-Please do not use that link for things like that, Musujime-san' the choir of voices answered the teleporter, as the girls evaded attacks from both air and water vapour.

'What? I only wanted for us to know each other better'

'W-What if I invaded your privacy like that?' Ayu commented' Let's see, lots of memories of young boys and... Kamijou doing sports? Where did you go to his-"

"O-Okay, okay, I get your point!'

'But Maidono-san, Ayu-san, you do have incredibly attractive legs' Junko's voice said' My, I am jealous'

'Are you kidding? I mean, they are sexy, but I bet boys think that yours are so incredibly thic-'

'GIRLS! Now it's not the time! Focus! Ayu-san, can't she read our minds too?'

'I am trying my best to keep this hidden from her. My abilities are now on her level, so it should be fine. Let's try something else. Maidono-san, send some debris and form a field of chunks like last time.'

'Right'

'Musujime-san, you have to teleport them up before they hit the ground. We have to have stable footholds. Can you do that?'

'Pfft, I am able to freely manipulate the spatial placement and physical configuration of anything or anyone weighing up to 4250 kg, within the radius of 800 meters around myself, without any contact on my part. So teleporting those rocks and switching you around is a piece of cake.'

'Good. Junko-san, try to attack again. And this time, Maidono-san will join you'

'What about me?'

'Stay here with me, Hasako-san. Sooner or later, we will have to go to earth, she can't use Aero Hand forever. This is when you will come in'

And so, debris was once again thrown into the air. Hokaze Junko ricocheted around it, appearing in random place and pulling back to strike. Maidono shot up, gathering some rocks and launching them at Veritas, before she went for the strike.

'It's perfect! One attacker from the front, one from the back, and additional projectiles from the sides. We-'

But Veritas surprised them once again. She closed her eyes and simply stepped aside, twisting her body. The utterly shocked Maidono and Junko passed just by her.

"I can hear you... all of the buzzing in my head is what you have within your hearts..."

She then snapped her fingers.

And enormous gusts of air jets propelled the girls towards the ground.

'Khh... that is... Kongou-san's technique...' they heard Junko's thoughts.

It was and it also wasn't. It was much more powerful, like comparing an air flowing through small hole to an electric fan.

Both girls coughed out blood, as they flew down. Musujime cursed and made a swiping gesture, with both girls changing orientations of their flight and falling back into the arms of Ayu and Hasako.

"Hold them! Hold till it passes!"

And finally, also after a much longer amount of time than Kongou's air jets lasted, the ability terminated and girls were laid down, grimacing in pain.

"Hoshimi, are you alright?" Hasako said, examining her friend.

"I will manage, I was hit on the side, while Hokaze-san was hit on the stomach. She is in worse condition"

"I will be... fine..." the air crackled and sizzled, as Junko slowly got up, her hair now completely undone" My Rampage Dress can boost regeneration capacity of my cells. Something like that won't damage me."

"Then I guess... I have no time to be slacking off either." Maidono said, also rising to a standing position" So that was a waste of time"

"No, it wasn't. Did you notice that?" Musujime said, before another pressure attack caused them to run, to avoid being crushed." There was a difference in how she treated you and those sharpened rock projectiles"

"Yes, I noticed it too." Hasako nodded" She accurately evaded you, but took those rocks on herself. What does it mean?"

"That reminds me of certain ability from our School." Junko commented on Awaki and Hasako's observation" Hojou Arei-san's Whisper Bell. It allows one to hear emotions as sounds. I imagine that if Veritas managed to get her hold on brain with something similar to that ability, she can possibly map the distance and locations of us within 3D space. It allows her to have spatial awareness concerning the emotion-bearers. But it doesn't work on objects, so that may be why she took those rocks upon herself. Also, teleportation might hinder it"

"Well, whatever she might throw at us, we have to keep trying! We don't have to defeat her, just stall her long enough"

(20 MINUTES LATER)

The girls went on to fierce battle once again, and Kouzaku Mitori was busy as she was catching stray fragments of debris that were flying in the direction of Touma and Kumokawa, using her puppet like an experienced baseball player.

It was honestly a majestic yet scary spectacle to look at. The airborne battlefield kept changing, with both chunks of rocks, metal and glass teleporting from place to place, just like the fighters themselves, phasing in and out of existence or switching places before the hits. Veritas targeted Musujime who coordinated the changes on the battlefield, but Maidono, running on the fragments on the buildings she uprooted and bombarding her enemy with projectiles, and Junko, appearing like flickering and ricocheting incarnation of living lightning, prevented her from doing that. Apparently, Ayu could tell if there was a presence of humans within the buildings nearby, so she could relay to Maidono which ones she could use. Hasako waited on the ground, but occasionally Musujime sent her upwards, where she unleashed lightning storm of enormous magnitude or a sand whirlwind to swallow their enemy. She couldn't unleash her full power when the battle was in the air but was waiting her chance to strike.

Nevertheless, the power of their foe was monstrous. Wind attacks, pressure jets, sudden bursts of water from the underground, icicle lances, slashing people with their own sweat, accurate detection of people's positions via emotional detection, and hit absorbing barriers. Those were only some challenges And there were still some abilities left hidden.

"You two figured something out?" Mitori called out to Kumokawa and Kamijou.

"Besides the stupidly reckless plan this guy has regarding how to get to Veritas..."

"Hey, it's a very straightforward plan!"

"I know where she hid those brains. And it so happens..."

Kumokawa extended a hand with a phone in it.

"It seems our assassin trio got the same idea"

(10 MINUTES EARLIER)

In her emotional turmoil, Kaibi almost ran someone over.

She was in the middle of cursing Kumokawa Seria for imposing this method of transportation on her. Sure, she was moderately good in operating heavy machinery and the motorbike was not entirely alien to her, but her skills could be described as sloppy at best.

She regained her bearings only seconds before hitting a girl with purplish bobcut and violet, sleeveless tank-top combined with capris, causing Kuroko to stop her teleportation and descend to the ground.

"Gokusai-san, watch were you're going!"

"I-It was not on purpose! I am sorry... oh, you are?"

"N-No problem, just... oh? Gokusai-san?"

Itsuwa and Kaibi stared at each other, before the blond spoke

"What are you doing here?"

"I... I was on an evening stroll. Sightseeing and enjoying the view. Also..." she twirled her hair in her fingers" I was thinking about buying something for Kamijou."

"Itsuwa-san, was it... this might sound like an extremely strange question, but... do you know any place in which one can hide human brains?"

"B-Brains?" Itsuwa took a step back" Why would you need to know that?"

"There is a problem at our hands and we need to find... well, brains that certain person is misusing. We were plannning on heading to the morgue or the hospital, but I am starting to have doubts if it's there."

Itsuwa's eye became serious.

"Is it connected with Kamijou? It is, isn't it?"

"Well..."

"In that case, I will help in whatever way I can. Well, as for that place... maybe..."

(PRESENT TIME)

"... and so, I thought that those brains may be hidden somewhere on the Academy City Anatomy Exhibition" Itsuwa explained to Touma and Kumokawa over the phone.

"Senpai, we have something like that in the city?"

"Well, it is a museum in which it is vaguely explained to tourists how different parts of the body relate to various abilities and esper power development, of course without revealing some crucial details. It is not really a common knowledge among the students, because we already learn about it in classes... which makes it a pretty decent place to hide those brains in plain sight"

"B-But that's brilliant! Itsuwa, you are brilliant! So much so that I could kiss you from joy right no-owwwww!"

"Am I really? No, that's nothing" Itsuwa said bashfully, although her voice carried a tone of joyful giddiness" I am just happy I can be of use..."

"Head to this museum at once!" Kumokawa said, while stretching the cheek of poor Touma" Gokusai and the others know the rest"

"Right. I shall drive Kaibi-san there. No offense to her motorcycle skills, but I will drive you there without any innocent casualities"

"I heard that!"

"Okay, do your best!"

Touma hung up and grinned towards Kumokawa

"Senpai, I am doing my plan!"

"The profoundly stupid plan?"

"Come on, I did that before. Only I had a Saint to help and I smashed through a building and-"

"What exactly is your plan, Kamijou?" asked Mitori.

"I will fly there!"

"What?!"

(MEANWHILE)

It was without a doubt one of the fiercest battles ever for the combating girls.

Terrifyingly expressionless Veritas summoned a tornado, which Maidono miraculously managed to contain and counter. She then summoned water equivalent to a small tsunami and if not for Hasako's intervention, they would be flushed away.

'Ayu-san! How is that penetrating defences business going?!'

'I am making progress, but very slow. Mental types cannot interfere with each other under normal circumstances. But I will be trying. Junko-san, I can't follow you with my eyes, so I will hack your optic nerve to view where you are going from your perspective. Pardon the intrusion'

'Oh, don't mind me, you are my old friend, make yourself right... at eye, I suppose'

'What a marvelous sight you have! Is that the power of Rampage Dress?'

'Yes, all my senses are amplified right now.'

'Everyone' Maidono thought, sending another flurry of attacks at Veritas' we are attacking again. Junko-san! This time we will bring her down for good! You have to trust me!'

'Of course, Maidono-san. Let's do this!'

Maidono repelled the air in front of Junko, which sent the purple haired girl flying backwards. Veritas looked at them in mild curiosity.

Junko flew into the direction of sharp fragments of iron pipes, sticking out of the concrete, being suspended in the loop of teleportation by Musujime. It was similar to objects appearing on the other corner of the screen in old video games, like Pac Man.

Hasako covered her eyes.

The girl was about to be impaled, when...

'Heh' Musujime smirked, pointing her index finger upward' I am going to shamble you up good'

Suddenly, a convulsion ran through the body of Veritas as her back was pierced by two sharp spikes of metal. Even though her shock absorbing ability cushioned the impact, for the first time, the villainess was hurt.

She and Hokaze Junko switched places, with Tokiwadai 3rd year clapping her hands while slowly falling through the air.

'Kamijou probably wouldn't like if we hurt you, but we know a good doc for you'

The teleporter wiped the sweat from her brow.

'Hokaze-san, now!'

'On it!'

Taking a deep breath and spinning like a tornado of lightning, the girl pounced at temporarily immobilized Veritas.

"ORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORA!"

Junko bombarded Veritas with the storm of fists, so fast that it seemed as if her arms multiplied.

Small buildings, cars, street signs, and fragments of pavement flew upwards as Maidono stood at the teleporting foothold, gathering the sphere the size of the small meteorite.

'It's working! Her Shock Absorber is still working, but I am getting through.'

'Absorb this, bitch!'

Maidono tossed the colossal sphere of rubble and Junko was teleported above it, delivering a powerful kick, sending it down, straight onto Veritas.

There was a powerful shockwave as the ball of metal and rubble crashed into the ground.

All 5 girls reunited on the surface, looking at the small crater with a pile of rocks and metal.

"Did we get her?"

There was a few moments of silence.

But...

"You need to respect your senpai more"

The pieces of metal cracked and reddened.

"Every piece... every piece of metal is turning into rust... this is..." Junko recognized yet another ability from Tokiwadai"... Crimson Manager!"

Everything even remotely metallic was disintegrating or becoming covered in red oxide. The rusting spread from part to part, when Veritas emerged from the rubble. For the first time since the battle started, the girl who looked like a woman was bleeding.

"It seems... like I need to stop holding back for you, kouhaitachi"

In the next moment everything vanished. Not only Veritas and the pile of rusting rubble, but also each of the girls.

"What... she vanis-gaaah?!"

Awaki's disembodied voice was halted by splashing sound.

The world became visible again.

"Do you know this adorable ability? It's called Dummy Check. At its lower levels, it merely renders someone unnoticeable. But amplified, it can not only turn someone invisible physically, but also mentally, and not only yourself, but also objects in your presence."

Musujime looked down at arm, through which a rusting shrapnel-like piece of metal was impaled.

Suddenly, she felt pressure as the rusty metal moved towards her stomach.

"I can control rust telekinetically, you know"

"Shit... I can't teleport this out, because I will bleed to death."

The metal moved towards her stomach, piercing her skin, before...

"LET HER GO!"

Veritas recoiled from the stone colliding with her as the result of Junko's kick, with shock absorbed but not fully blocked, a violet bruise on her cheek, as Musujime wobbled on her knees, wincing in pain from pierced arm and stomach.

"It seems my Whisper Bell still needs fine tuning. After all, I am unable to express or understand emotions, so it's particularly hard ability to navigate. But regardless..."

In the next time, she vanished with a gust of wind, appearing just in front of Misaki's right hand girl.

"Wha-"

"... I can still kill you"

Even Junko's amplified vision did not register that speed, achieved with no progressive acceleration.

"Wild Speed... plus Killer Press."

Junko flew backwards, blood bursting from her body, before colliding with the ground dozens of meters away.

But before she could do anything else, someone grabbed her lifted hand from behind.

"Oi..."

The eyes of Hasako looked like prisms in deep wells of shadows, cast by her hair, as she got hold of Vertias' hand.

"... if you think you can hurt my friends or endanger my love like that..."

"Hasako..." both Maidono and Ayu looked in awe, as the girl suddenly started to radiate aura so heavy that almost tangible.

"... then I will show you hell on earth"

In the next time, a roar resounded and the world turned into volcanic crimson.

(MEANWHILE)

"That's the place. Let's go inside." Itsuwa gestured for the group in front of the exhibition.

Kaibi, who was slightly motion sick from the rather energetic and fast style of Itsuwa's driving, was about to agree when she saw something in the distance. And she wasn't the only one.

"Hey..." Amazora addressed all of the older girls" do you know that comedy movie when there is a king and they ride on the invisible horses?"

"What?" asked bewildered Kuroko.

"Oh... you mean The Holy Grail? Why do you mention it now?"

"Because I am seeing the scene from it... right now!"

Someone was running towards them, visible from behind the curvature of the street... however, they made almost no progress in the distance. It repeated again... and again, and again...

Everyone stared at the strange phenomenon, perplexed, before Kuroko decided to teleport and bring unfortunate soul, Shokuhou Misaki, before their eyes. The poor girl was drenched in sweat and was wheezing as if she had an asthma attack, practically crawling, bent in half.

"I heard... about... everything... from Shirai-san... so... I came to a... conclusion... that you will need... mental specialist...like me..."

She tossed her hair haughtily. However...

'Don't try to cover up that pathetic display, we can't forget that. Are you okay? You look like you are about to pass out'

"So you also came to a conclusion about Anatomy Exhibition?"

"Yes, I did. Also, how could you leave me like this, Kuroko-chan?! I thought we had likeness ability together!"

"The only thing my arms have are muscle sores from your weight"

"Cruel! I am not fat, just proportionally endowed"

"Hey, everyone!" came Itsuwa's voice" You can enter through the window. I made it that our presence will not be noticed"

"Truly? Even on cameras?"

"I-I am quite proficient in stealth. And while technology is not my strong suit, I am still better with it than many from my... line of work"

"Quite a nice magic trick"

"Yeah... something like that"

"Let's go!"

Three sisters, Shirai Kuroko (who kept complaining about needing to arrest everyone and then herself, after entire ordeal) Shokuhou Misaki and Itsuwa entered the museum.

Circling through regular exhibition, containing informative panels and preserved organs, Shokuhou swung her remote around, pressing one button in rapid succession.

"Where are you..."

"What are you doing?" asked Rikuri.

"Searching for signatures of brainwaves or consciousness. It's mental scanning"

"Wow, golden onee-chan's power can do that?"

"It can do almost all when it comes the mind and psychology. I feel the presence behind that wall... but there is no door"

"I assume there is some kind of hidden mechanism." Kuroko speculated" We must find-"

"No need. Amazora!"

In the next moment, portion of the wall was blown away by gattling gun bullets.

"Your methods are so... so..." Kuroko sighed, as Rikuri patted her on the arm.

"Our sweet sister must destroy something for good measure, or she will get restless. If we don't take care of it, she will become a true delinquent in her upper teens"

"You three are already delinquents by my standards!"

"L-Let's not fight here, or we will draw-"

"Hey, what is going on here?!"

"... attention"

BEEP!

The guard that entered the room froze, as Shokuhou spoke.

"Behind this destroyed wall lies some kind of laboratory, on the end of which I see some kind of a vault. Would you mind giving me code ability to them?"

"The code is..." the guard answered in a monotone voice" 37340325981"

"Marvellous. Now" Shokuhou said, pressing few other buttons" Be a dear, forget everything you saw here and go to sleep"

The guard promptly collapsed on the spot, with Shokuhou turning around and pointing at the door.

"I just gave us an entrance pass"

(MEANWHILE)

Veritas was panting deeply. Her skin was both burned and frostbit, sliced and bleeding. Maidono assisted her friend, smashing storage buildings or wind turbines into their enemy, but it was not really needed once battle settled on the ground. More so, if other girls were to come closer, they would be caught in Hasako's domain. Even if Veritas tried to fly away, the ancient esper simply did not let her do so.

With roar after roar, she dragged Veritas through dozens of different environments, long enough for their harmful effects to get to her enemy, but quickly enough to keep brain manipulator occupied.

The surrounding area became completely razed to the ground.

The speed through which Hasako acted made them look as if they were teleporting through the strings of parallel worlds.

Rivers of magma and foliage.

Seas of flood and ice

Desert whirlwinds of sand

Poorly oxygenated altitudes.

Thunderstorms filled with mist and clouds.

Swamps filled with haze and gas

Those were only parts of the fury that Hasako unleashed on Veritas.

Besides her roars, she never raised her voice. That was the most terrifying thing of all.

If the alexythimic esper could feel fear, the sweat on her face was indication that she would be experiencing it now. Even if she fended off some of the environments, pure power and quantity of them was just overwhelming.

"This much power, of such intensity... who are you?"

Hasako slowly walked through the small wasteland she created. The rapid changes caused the surroundings to not being able keep up, and turned into amalgamation of all 3 states of matter. The mountains melting ice around her burned with flames, remnant from toxic, alcoholic environment, and there was solid paths of lava covered in patches of sand, as first esper spoke, as if chanting a mantra.

"I am the gentleness of forests, strength of winds, clarity of rivers, depths of the oceans, majesty of mountains, nurture of earth, heat of fire, and coldness of ice..." Hasako slowly raised her finger, pointing in the direction of Veritas" For my loved ones, I am beauty of life. For enemies, I am darkness of oblivion. Choose wisely at which side of my attention you like to stand. Because I am this city's cornerstone and if anyone should learn respect for your elders, it's you. I shall not tolerate the future to be tainted by such vile actions"

Veritas was quiet for a moment.

Before...

"T-This ability! It bears tremendous potential for my cause! Give it to me!"

With another use of Wild Speed, the deranged esper was in front of Hasako, with water swirling in her hand rotating like a chainsaw.

"Give me your brain! One touch and it will be over! I swear it will be relatively painless!"

Hasako was caught by surprise. Every normal human being would be too scared to continue fighting such a monstrous opponent, so she didn't expect such a frantic counterattack.

However, Veritas was not a psychologically normal human being.

And now, the chainsaw-water was nearing her head.

She couldn't deploy another environment fast enough.

But...

Instead of cleaving Hasako's skull open, the water lost shaped only grazing right corner of her brow and cutting some of her long hair.

Veritas suddenly disappeared, teleported to the wall with 4 stakes piercing her limbs.

"No more miss nice Move Point" Musujime hobbled slightly, her foot twisted and rusty piece of metal still piercing through both her arm and skin on her belly. "I should have done it from the beginning. I will teleport something into your heart and be done with it!"

"No, Jime! Don't kill her!" a voice echoed throughout the battlefield

Everyone knew that voice.

Key question: what was Kamijou Touma doing throughout all of this time?

Was it in his style to just leave the fighting to others when he could spare them the pain?

The answer, of course, was: absolutely not

However...

'That was crazy. It all happened so fast that I just couldn't waltz in between them'

Despite his Imagine Breaker, Kamijou Touma was still only human. Just walking into the clutch of this magnitude would be ill advised.

Or at least, that was what two stubborn girls by his side said.

Touma could oppose saying that he did in fact walked onto some really tremendous battles, however both Kumokawa Seria and, to some extent, Kouzaku Mitori did not want to hear it.

So he needed to get a good moment to strike.

And when he saw Hokaze Junko making her way to join the others, he knew that said moment came.

"Are you absolutely sure?" Kumokawa asked him.

"Hell yeah. Let's do this"

"I can't watch this" gulped Mitori.

"Senpai" Touma felt Junko poking him on the cheek with a finger.

Her hair falling down on the back, she was covered in bruises and cuts, as her regeneration slowed down. Her uniform was torn and there was an ugly looking violet spot in the place when she got hit from point blank range.

Despite this, she smiled tiredly to Touma.

"If it doesn't work, my queen and myself will cry to the point of lethal dehydration. So you better come back!"

Meanwhile, the pieces that Musujime sent through Veritas decayed and turned to rust.

"Crap, she is recovering. And it seems like she is using Hydro Hand to stop the bleeding. This feels like a damn cheating! If you have some plan, do it now!"

"Jime, send her up"

"What? But-"

"Just do it!"

And so, Veritas disappered and then reappered above the battlefield

"Hmm... what's this? You know that I can just stop my fall-"

"JUNKO-SAN!"

"SOOOOOORYAAAAAAA!"

Something... or rather someone, shot through the air, being thrown by Rampage Dress empowered Hokaze Junko at maximum velocity.

Veritas could only slowly turn in that direction, when Kamijou Touma swung his fist across tremendous opposite pressure, smashing through Shock Absorber and landing tremendous punch on her, with echo of shattering glass across the empty street.

(5 MINUTES EARLIER, IN THE SECRET VAULT HIDDEN IN ANATOMY EXHIBITION)

They entered something that looked like informatics centre combined with a morgue.

Kuroko and Amazora examined the large computers, looking by size, quite old, yet obviously utilizing modern technology.

But Kaibi, Rikuri, Shokuhou, and Itsuwa focused on what was between large pieces of hardware.

In large, crystal-clear tubes, or vats, filled with greenish liquid, were submerged human brains. Pinkish-white, they consisted of both hemispheres, cerebellums, and brain stems, all connected to the numerous wires that linked them to the computers.

"There they are" Kaibi muttered grimly. "She probably kidnapped those people and acquired those brains through operations, before linking them to simulation"

Shokuhou hesitated for a moment, before pointing the remote at the brain.

BEEP!

Her face changed momentarily.

"What did you see?" Kaibi asked.

"It's like... it's like life...I sent myself there for an hour of their subjective time and... it really is like our life... if I wasn't from the outside, I wouldn't be able to distinguish..."

Kaibi's eyes darkened. She motioned to Rikuri

"Nee-san... do you have something for this to end swiftly?"

"Of course" Rikuri nodded, without her usual playful mirth, pulling out a flacon of indigo substance.

"Did you hear me, Gokusai-san?" Shokuhou marched in front of Kaibi. Itsuwa, Kuroko, and Amazora also approached, listening to the argument" There have feelings ability too. They have lives, they feel and see, smell and taste. Even without the body... even solely like this... they are still living. Do we have the right?"

"I do not know about rights" answered Measure Heart" But it must be done"

"But what you are doing is essentially taking the life-" Shokuhou flared out in anger. But she was soon outdone in her outburst.

"YOU THINK I DON'T KNOW?!" Kaibi lashed out, grabbing Shokuhou by her uniform, and partially mirroring Kumokawa's earlier speech" You think I don't know how messed up this is? Ever since I met him, I don't want to take life anymore. I want to be someone who upholds to his beliefs at least a little. But this... this isn't life! We should at least be able to speculate that we have a free will. Those people will never again do anything because they wanted to. They are only puppets, with no possibility of regaining what was taken from them. They think only what they are programmed to think, this is a ridicule of human dignity. These organs are degrading, there is no way that this procedure can be applied without end. They are altered beyond the option of putting them in a robot or human body. It just... it will not be the same. It has to be done. It's just... just mercy. A messed up mercy, but mercy nonetheless. If we leave them like that, Veritas will keep misusing them, toying with them, extracting them. You of all people should know the difference between mental illusion or reality, Mental Out. Veritas said that illusory life is better than real death... but if I am to draw the line... I just want to keep Touma safe"

Kaibi let go of the level 5, sniffed and rubbed her eyes, as Misaki opened her lips, her head dropping slightly.

"I... I am sorry. In situations like this..."Shokuhou bit her lip, pointing her remote at the brain once again" There are never any truly good options, are they?"

"No... there aren't"

"Rikuri, get ready to administer whatever you have prepared. Shokuhou-san... enter those brains and put those... them, at ease. I shall use my Measure Heart to do the same."

"Right... Itsuwa-san. Can you assist me? I will make us go together"

"M-Me?"

"I don't know how to put it but... your presence, your mind... it seems... soothing. In a situation like this... I think you are the right person to have by one's side..."

"If you think so, then... of course. I will pray, if you don't mind..."

For as long as they were in a vault, no one spoke anything else. Even Kuroko and Amazora lowered their heads, as the sombre mood hung above them.

(MEANWHILE)

When Touma smashed into Veritas, he forgot one thing.

Namely, landing.

He prepared for it, but the fall from rather impressive height still left its mark, stunning him. His arm was in tremendous pain, but ignoring it for now, he strained and grasped the ankle of Veritas with Imagine Breaker, disabling her abilities.

"Ayu-san, now!"

"Ah!"

Veritas froze, paralyzed, as Ayu ran forward with phone at hand.

"Good job!" Mitori said" You got her!"

"Be quiet everyone, she is fighting back. I can only control this woman for so long!" the fluffy haired telepath said, tensing her face, as she focused on their immobile enemy.

"Hurry up, let's tie her up. Musujime-san, Maidono-san" Kumokawa commanded the rest of the girls" can you find something non-metallic around here?"

"Look for it yourself. I am... so tired..."

Musujime slowly fell down onto Touma, who had to let go of Veritas in order to catch her.

However, that was a mistake.

Either if paralyzed, her mind was slowly working. Painfully slowly, but fast enough.

Fast enough to feel one of her abilities fading away. Her connection to Whisper Bell was lost. And others were slowly fading too.

In that moment her heart sped up, pupils dilated, and breath became faster.

The girl in a body of a woman could not read or name her emotions properly. If she could, she might know what she was experiencing right now.

It was rage.

It so happened that she became telepathically paralyzed by Mitsuari Ayu with her hands on the ground. And now, with Imagine Breaker off of her, she reached below the magma and various layers of substances created by clash with Hasako, till she found what she was looking for. In that one feat of rage, she managed to enact one final blow to her adversaries.

There was 10 abilities she possessed and demonstrated to various degree in battle. Her original, Cerebral Dive. What followed were Telepathy, that held all abilities together, Aero Hand, Hydro Hand, Whisper Bell, Crimson Manager, Wild Speed, Dummy Check, Killer Press.

What was the remaining ability?

Ayu was first to notice something was wrong.

"Everyone! Something is off! She is-"

But not nearly fast enough.

10th ability, Flux Coat, allowed one to freely manipulate asphalt. And on level 5 output, it produced catastrophic results.

In the next moment, it seemed like the world itself exploded.

But it was merely the ground. It ruptured and exploded upwards, as dozens of branches of black substance emerged from below, shooting upwards. The entire street seemed to jump upwards, as dozens of spears of asphalt shot up, the buildings and road being crushed as the tree like structures of sticky substance shot up before freezing once again.

During all of these, injured Veritas, rendering herself invisible, flew away from the scene.

(SOME TIME LATER)

Touma opened his eyes. Did he black out?

Last time he remembered, he was protecting Musujime, since she was basically in his arms when the calamity occurred. And indeed, the redhead was in his arms. She seemed okay, at least not different from before the asphalt attack.

Who would have thought that Veritas would unleash such a devastating attack as a last resort?

In fact, he seemed to be relatively fine, more than he thought he would be-

Something dripped down on his face.

Turning around, he found hair tickling his face. Black hair.

Kumokawa Seria was spreading her arms over both them.

"You're awake, huh?" she whispered weakly.

"Sen... pai? What... what are you doing here?"

"When she attacked, I was coming to you from the side. And when I saw you shield Musujime-san... I just knew... from the angle and trajectory of... nevermind that, I knew you will be hit. So I... well..."

Touma slowly looked down, to the source of dripping wetness.

Both he and Kumokawa stared at the tip of a thin spear of dried asphalt, sticking out of older girl's belly at a sharp angle.

"No..." Touma chocked out.

"It... ricocheted... and went through. Everything was flying around. I angled my body as much as I could but..."

"Please tell me you are joking! Oh, I know, this is some sort of special muscle alignment or another fancy technique you can u-"

Blood gushed from Kumokawa's mouth, causing Touma to become deathly pale.

"No tricks or intelligent cards of my sleeve, I am afraid. Just an unsophisticated injury. How pathetic of me. And through the navel too, that was my best asset..."

"WHY?! WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?! Seria..."

Kumokawa smiled at Touma's use of her name.

"How did you say it? Before I knew it, my body moved on its own? No, it sounds better when you say it. Let just settle with... what kind of senpai would I be if I didn't protect my kouhai from mortal danger... especially if said kouhai... managed to steal... my... heart..."

"SENPAI?! SENPAI?!"

He wanted to carry both unconscious girls to safety, but with Kumokawa's injury, he knew he couldn't risk further damage. So he scrambled to his feet, and ran into the ruined street. The echo of his own screams for help ringed in his mind.

(LATER...)

A lot of happened since then.

Fortunately for Touma, he managed to find Ayu, whose shoulder was dislocated, with girl herself being partially covered in liquid asphalt, and Maidono, who, similarly to Touma's doing with Musujime and Kumokawa's doing for both of them, shielded Hasako. Hasako's hair and scalp was sticky with blood and asphalt, while Maidono got pieces of concrete all over her body, but besides that, they were relatively fine. After a moment, they found Junko laying down, half-conscious, yet in stable condition. Two of her ribs appeared to be broken and she was bleeding from multiple cuts on her body. Only then, Touma realized that he also had broken right arm.

Kouzaku Mitori was far enough from the asphalt calamity, and it was her who informed them that Kuroko's group returned. Shirai, bless her for it, called for ambulances in advance, already suspecting the need to treat the wounded.

Luckily, the help arrived in record time, and soon everyone was secured. It was almost the end. Touma knew that right now, it was the time to trust his personal doctor to do his medical miracles.

But it was not over yet. He and Maidono had one more thing to do.

(IN THE ALLEY NEAR DISTRICT 23 AIRPORT)

Veritas had no strength left. Using her remaining abilities, he flew across Academy City, hoping to sneak onto the airport. However, all of the planes were cancelled and the airport sealed tight. Not only that, but apparently every single entrance/exit to Academy City was rendered non-functional, making the city sealed shut as well. What in the world happened?

Veritas did not have strength nor capacity to think about it. Her abilities, save for Cerebral Dive, left her. Because Hydro Hand, that she used to seal her wounds, was gone, she was slowly bleeding out, as she laid down in the alley.

Suddenly, she felt the presence of two people above her head.

It was a spiky haired teen who somehow negated her abilities and Maidono Hoshimi.

"Hmm, how interesting... why and how are you here? Do you want to watch me die? "

"I have a friend who can hack CCTV. But that's not important now? Maidono?"

Maidono Hoshimi looked down on her former oppressor.

"Nouzori Satsuki. I recently learned your name, you know?"

"Is that right?"

"I utterly hate you from the bottom of my heart. When we started to work together, I knew you genuinely supported me... remember that time when you told me that I could cause wind turbine blades, located dozens of meters away, to spin backwards? I never believed it, but you told me I could do it, until they moved and spun as if the wind actually blew?"

"You had... a wonderful brain. One that I always wanted to assimilate. If you could see what I saw... with a potential like yours, you could move anything... you could become Master of All Matter."

"Except you hid the side effects of signal method from me. You don't feel shit, so you don't know what went wrong. Hah, the word 'wrong' probably never even appeared in your head in association with me. I suddenly lost the ability to properly use the grasp of my fingers. My friends started to think I am weird since I couldn't eat normally and I was dumped by the boy I really liked. I went through deep inferiority complex, not only because of chopsticks... but because I thought that I will never be able to be enough with what you taken from me."

"It was a needed sacrifice... for progress... in the name of peace and prosperity..."

Everything in the alley vibrated as if the hidden anger of Maidono took form in the pressure around her.

"For long years, I wanted to tear you apart for making me go through this humiliation and nightmare, for the sake of your psychotic delusion. Piece by piece, slowly and painfully. And now I finally have you here... Frankenstein and his monster..."

A single can levitated from the trash can. Touma watched Maidono's action with controlled tension in his body.

The sharp lid of the can separated and positioned itself over the throat and arteries of Veritas.

"One motion, one slit, and you will be gone. But..."

The lid rotated and instead slashed the air next to the woman, before falling down.

Maidono forcefully stepped on brain manipulator, causing her to cough blood.

"I was found and saved, by this guy next to me. He charmed me, and made me yearn for the way I could serve him without staining my hands in darkness. And you know what he said to me when I offered him this service? Be your own boss and make your own way. So now, I am choosing this. I no longer see myself as a killer. And as much as I want to rip you apart, I don't want to leave with the thought that it was your presence that compelled me to ruin everything this guy taught me to love. I choose to remain myself instead of returning to who I was back then. I will not kill you. But make no mistake. I will never forgive you, I will never absolve you, I will always loathe everything about you. And if you ever step your filthy foot near me or my friends... then I will use everything in the world to make you regret that I chose to spare you"

With that, she spat on the cheek of her fallen enemy and walked back from the alley, not turning away.

"Heh... even now, I can't know what was that look on her face... I can't name it... what about you, boy?"

However, Touma didn't answer.

Veritas, once known as Nouzori Satsuki, looked at the stars above with light slowly fading from her eyes.

"Oh well... no matter. It seems like the time is upon me"

Suddenly, she exploded in the fit of laughter, mixed with coughing blood.

"It's cold... so cold... but that's fine. Cause with death, I will arrive at it anyway. The ultimate objectivity. I will finally understand... yes, it's the other way of finding it, but I will finally... know..."

But just when the darkness was about to claim her...

She felt the presence of two people over her head.

She thought she had to mistake something in her deadly dellirium, but she conversed with Maidono in the same way, before collapsing in the darkness. Only this time, the spiky haired boy seemed to be facing her a little more...

No, there was no mistake. It repeated a few times afterwards, like a broken record. Also, for some reason, the alley became filled with green mist... and the soft singing sounded, bringing into her feelings, that she of course couldn't name...

"Why... why can't I die?! I am almost knowing it, almost experiencing the Final Answer... why can't I do it?! Is it your doing?!"

The boy finally interacted with her.

He raised his right arm... no, that was not his arm. Was it like this all the time?

It was emerald green and appeared ephemeral, producing hypnotic, mesmerizing mist that ever so slightly tinted the world around them.

"I will tell you something. Objectivity, or Pure World untainted with laws and subjectivity of our world, really exists. But someone like you will never arrive to reach it"

"What did you do to me?"

"The first time you heard it, this conversation really happened. As we speak, you are transported to hospital to be treated. You are on the brink of death but you are not dead yet. I want to save you and shatter your illusion, that is impossible to be realized. I truly do. But... I also cannot overlook the fact that you hurt so many of my friends, and those innocent victims. So before I shatter it, I will leave you to relive it a little longer. Realize just harmful it is. Long for the answer that will never come."

He looked at his emerald appendage.

"They tell me that this one can blur the difference between dream and waking world, fiction and reality. Its illusions can span upon entire phases. I am locking you in it for now. This way, you will see it, as I did long ago. It is much better to appreciate the love, even with possibility of pain, than drown in embrace of lonely death that will never reach the truth."

"Y-You are leaving me here?!"

"The self-perpetuated near-death experience is not something I wish upon anyone, even if you can't really experience fear. I just need to touch your body with my right hand and you will awake. I will release you the very moment that I know everyone will be fine and Kumokawa-senpai survives... and if she doesn't... well, better focus on alternative. You don't want her not surviving. If everything goes fine, I will swallow your memories and give you a new life. Don't worry, I did it before. Although right now I don't have Stiyl to change your face... oh well, maybe this will be fine. Who knows, maybe divinity or death leads to the truth. But before you realize error of your ways, this, for your own good, is and will be your punishment..."

"No... don't tell me! No, stop!"

Kamijou Touma turned around as an illusion opened, like a door through the emerald mist.

"You live"

He stepped outside of the gateway, not looking back.

Touma opened his eyes, as the ambulance gained distance.

He glanced at his new right arm.

"Well, at the very least, regrowing it healed my broken bone. Yay for non-paying more than necessary in the hospital!"

He went on to walk a couple of meters, before he wobbled on his feet.

Before he could fall however, he was caught on someone's arm.

"Maidono-san told me you stayed behind, so I decided to came to your aid"

"Kongou-san..."

"Thank you for valorous fight, darling" Kongou gave him a peck on the cheek as she said that" You and the others outdid themselves."

"Hmm... that blocked airport and sealed exits to the city... it was your doing, wasn't it? It was what senpai requested of you, wasn't it? We saw that Veritas wanted to escape through plane or car before she fully lost her abilities and her injuries caught up with her. This was a major help in the ending act, thanks to you we actually apprehended her"

Thinking about Kumokawa made him silent for a moment, which was not missed by Kongou, but he nevertheless continued.

"Indeed it was! Papa is one of the overseers of the airport. I begged and begged, saying that he will be deemed a hero if he announces the state of emergency combined with the temporary shutdown of the airport, and now he is praised for quick reaction in the 'terrorist attack'"

"Ah... so that's the version we will officially get"

"Seems like it, yes. Now, it's time to get you to the hospital"

"But-"

"Opposing me on this is out of question, darling. You are getting rest and I am helping you recover. That's final!"

"Alright, fine, I need to see the status of the others as well. But tell me... how did you block all the other exits?"

Kongou looked at something in the distance and smiled

"Seems like I won't have to explain it alone"

"Kamijou-saaaaaaan!"

Two silhouettes were running towards them. Touma squinted his tired eyes.

"Wannai-san?! Awatsuki-san?!"

"Kamijou-saaaaan!" Wannai cried out, jumping on him with misty eyes before practically grabbing his entire left side, the one not supported by Kongou.

Awatsuki put away something that looked like a middle-sized metal surfboard.

"Kongou-san informed us that you are facing someone powerful in battle..." she said, her voice trembling slightly" And while she said it was our choice, since you were involved, we both agreed that we could not let that go. We still want to spend more time with you, should you be interested"

"W-We knew that we had to focus on our tasks, but since we didn't know much, we were... we were just so, so worried!" Wannai choked out, involuntarily rubbing her soft cheek and pert nose against side of Touma's face."It's such a relief that you are safe!"

"Wait... those accidents that compromised city's entrances... those were your doing?"

Only now did he notice that Wannai's short brown hair was partially wet, while Awatsuki looked had smudges of dirt on herself.

The girls grinned. They were obviously still high on adrenaline, as they talked one over the other.

"Yes! I blew up some pipes and flooded the gateways..."

"... while stacked I certain containers and bent some rails..."

"... I would never guess that committing such scandalous acts could be so..."

"... liberating. While there is limits to barbarity, I guess I can understand..."

"... what those commoners feel at times. As for how we got around..."

"... We are pretty fast when we surf, combining our abilities and-"

"Girls" Kongou interrupted them" we will have a lot of time to talk later. Right now, we must get him to hospital."

"Oh, you're right." Wannai nodded" How tactless of me"

"Of course, my apologies" Awatsuki also concured.

However, Touma smiled at the two of them.

"No problem. In fact, it warms my heart to be in a care of such selfless people. You didn't have the full picture, yet you still decided to help only because I needed it. This city needs more people like you. Especially while unravelling this city's corrupt side, you are a true treasure to have by one's side."

That caused both girls to turn red, with Awatsuki looking awkwardly to the ground, playing with her hair and Wannai giggling sweetly, while taking his other arm to support him.

"W-We didn't even do that much. Compared to you or your friends, from what I heard..."

"Even so, I am grateful. I mean it."

"Well, we will do our best to live up to that gratitude." Wannai smiled warmly at Touma and her friends" Right, Kongou-san?"

"Of course. Now, let's get going. I can only imagine how much darling worries about his friends"

(NEXT DAY, IN THE MORNING)

Everything resolved itself in some way or another.

In the hospital, Touma reunited with Kouzaku Mitori who was already patched up, sustaining little to no injuries, and after exchanging some information, they both decided to wait through the night to hear about the others.

Apparently, Shirai Kuroko was taken to report about the incident, with Touma only hoping for her to give a reasonable enough description of events.

Kongou, Wannai, and Awatsuki refused to leave his, even when he warned them he will have to stay through the night. But they vehemently declined his offer for them to go home and waited for long hours, before falling to sleep. And it was in such state, with Wannai and Awatsuki each breathing gently while resting their heads on Touma's shoulders, while Kongou did the same on his legs, that Heaven Canceller found them in at daybreak, accompanied by Gokusai sisters who apparently helped with the injured. After rather frustrated awakening by his flatmates at the sight of Tokiwadai trio, the frog-faced doctor revealed some information regarding the other fighters against Veritas.

The news were as followed:

Even though, ironically, Kumokawa Seria did not participate in physical clash for so long, her injury gained while protecting Touma could be one of the most fatal. If it wasn't treated fast enough, it could evolve into severe peritonitis and cause death. Luckily, the spike was angled such that it missed the spinal cord and most important organs. However, it impaled the pancreas, which caused the doctor to perform an emergency transplant from Academy City's high technology organ bank. Aside from getting small star shaped scar around her navel and not being able to eat particularly sweet things for a while, there was nothing to threaten her health permanently. This caused Touma to slump down in relief.

Hokaze Junko, who was already tended by Shokuhou Misaki, suffered multiple bruises and cuts throughout her body, losing considerable amount of blood, on top of breaking two ribs and straining few muscles. However, with how strong and fast-healing her body was, there would be no permanent trauma and she was to make full recovery in couple days.

Musujime Awaki had fractured left forearm and sprained right leg, accompanied with a shallow wound over the liver, however, thanks to various efforts, no further injuries were reported.

Maidono Hoshimi collapsed from exhaustion, blood loss and dehydration after Veritas was transported to the hospital. Apparently, a few of her bloodvessels burst from prolonged fatigue and now she lied recovering her strength.

Kankyougami Hasako suffered slight concussion and gained a scar on the side of her scalp, that was fortunately to be covered by her hair. Other than being covered in blood and asphalt, her life was in no danger.

Finally, Mitsuari Ayu also received relatively minor injuries in the battle itself, only gaining few cuts and bruises during asphalt calamity. However, there was still an issue of her acquired prosopagnosia. Heaven Canceller stated that while modern medicine did not allow for the facial blindness to be cured, this did not necessarily applied to the solutions within Academy City. He also said that in few hours time, he should distinguish potential solution.

Itsuwa (Touma was genuinely shocked, hearing her name in all of this) apparently went to Touma and sisters apartment to get it ready for their return, yet she was to visit later.

Touma then went to his usual room, saying goodbye for a moment to Kongou, Wannai, and Awatsuki, who had to return to the school to change clothes and shower. The girls hugged him, saying they will visit later this afternoon.

Now, he spent time with Amazora, Kaibi, and Rikuri, each exchanging their experiences from the fierce battle.

Also...

"DO YOU FUCKING REALIZE HOW MUCH THE DETOURS TAKE?! HOW THE HELL DO YOU HAVE THE TIME TO PHONE ME ABOUT YOUR HAREM SHIT AND NOT TELL ME TO SEAL OF THE CITY? YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE YOUR GIRLS WRECKING EVERYTHING NEAR THE EXITS, I AM A BOARD FRICKING CHAIRMAN DAMN IT, I CAN CLOSE THIS FUCKING CITY LITERALLY WITH A MOTION OF MY FINGER!'

He got three angry rants over the phone from Accelerator, Index, and Mugino Shizuri. The first was angry about the scale of damage, but begrudgingly thanked him for his actions after his explosive wrath dissipated. Index was angry that he ended up in the hospital again and his only saving grace was the fact that the nun was participating in yakiniku with Scavenger girls. But even if Index could be reasoned with easily, Touma was not spared a lecture by Othinus, even after asserting that this time, there was no magic side business involved. As for Mugino... well, this rant was so vocally expressive that it could fill quite the few pages, but all in all, she expressed satisfaction at his survival.

Since everyone was safe, Touma quickly fufilled his promise. True to his name, Heaven Canceller brought Veritas from the brink of death and Touma touched her with his right hand, ending the illusion she was in.

Veritas was later transferred to a special facility and Touma set to visit her once or twice a month. However, he was always astounded how much Veritas, or rather Nouzori Satsuki, changed after awakening. Gone was crazed, psychotic mannierism, and left was the curious girl, still unable to recognize or express emotions, but no longer attached to objectivity that she could not attain. In truth, Touma did not know how many times did she repeat her near-death experience. But he knew that process allowed her to leave her tainted ideals behind, as much as she could. As for memory change, that would have to wait to later date.

And now, as he sat in his room, he prepared for what was about to come.

"Hey..." he heard Ayu's voice besides himself" you called for me?"

"Hey..." he smiled at her" I changed my clothes... do you still know who I am?"

"I can recognize by hair and tone of voice. Kamijou-san..."

"Please, call me Touma"

"No, I cannot go to that so fast after what I've done. Then... Touma-san, I am... so terribly sorry for what happened to Kumokawa-san. If I controlled Veritas better, she wouldn't-"

"No, that's alright, don't blame yourself. Even senpai said to not blame yourself for that, so please, do not"

"But... this shouldn't be like that. You went all that way to save me. I should be the one most injured, I should be the one to suff-"

Touma promptly got up and hugged the girl tightly.

"If anything, you suffered enough. In silence, in the darkness, in the cold. I am sorry, but as long as I am here, I am not allowing you to suffer ever again, and I am not going anywhere. Of course, it's horrible that senpai was hurt. But I know that you would jump in front of that spike for me... like I would for you. That's more than enough. I know that it will take time... lots of time... but I bent on making you remember again... remember that you have a beautiful heart, Mitsuari Ayu. There is a reason why I consider meeting you one of the best things that could happen to me"

The girls smiled awkwardly, with tears in her eyes, and put the hand on the side of Touma's face.

"The ones who are the kindest suffer the most. And no one, despite and through the pain, is kinder than you. If anything, it was meeting you that was the best things that ever happened to me"

"Hah, so I guess meeting one another is the best for both of those two misfortunate souls. I am not really a math guy, but two minuses really can give a plus..."

"Hello my prince, you called... oh?"

Shokuhou Misaki froze at the door to Touma's room, as he finished.

"... which is why I hope you both forgive me for calling you at the same time and putting you through this conversation. But to move past death through the process of grief and embrace life... you both, and probably also me, have to talk about all that happened. About you two. And about us, together."

The clouds passed on the outside sky. Gentle breeze moved the curtains.

It seemed that time stopped, that was how long two girls froze up.

"Mitsuari-san..." Shokuhou said with a tone of ambivalent calmness, not revealing any true emotion.

The ant who could not become the bee slowly turned towards the level 5, her eyes cold and lifeless

"Shokuhou..." Ayu said, accentuating each sound in a such manner that if sounds could have shapes, this utterance could cut like sharp glass.

The moment of fateful talk arrived now.

(WILL AYU AND SHOKUHOU BE ABLE TO FIGURE OUT THEIR FEELINGS REGARDING EACH OTHER? WILL THEY DROWN IN HATRED OR MOVE FORWARD? WILL AYU RECEIVE HELP SHE NEEDS? AND HOW IDEAL, HER PROSOPAGNOSIA, AND TOUMA'S INABILITY TO REMEMBER SHOKUHOU PLAY INTO ALL OF THIS?)

TO BE CONTINUED IN MITSUARI AYU II: GRIEF...

Well, so much happened. I will probably update this post-chapter notes, so feel free to check it tommorow or so, but for now...

I really hope you enjoyed this story. I am not, nor ever claimed to be, a master of action. I specialize in emotional analysis and interactions, as well as introspections and contemplations. Nevertheless, I hope that at least outline of the battle was enjoyable for you. It helped me realize one of my dreams, aside from certain ships or exploration of underused characters in general. Namely, (almost) all pseudo-level 5s fighting side by side against common foe.

There probably were few things that could end the battle faster, like Musujime just making a giant kebab out of Veritas, or Hasako removing the oxygen from the area, but I am pleased with the chain of events I chose.

I was wondering about Hokaze. Rampage Dress is a derivative of Electromaster, so intitially I supposed that Ayu wouldn't be able to send telepathic messages to her. However, Misaki was clearly controlling Junko on at least two occasions, so I assumed Misaka and Junko are different in that regard.

Nouzori Satsuki, aka Veritas, is by definition self-contradictory and hard to understand. She is a villain, and character, that is important to me on a few levels, as her struggles, despite pushed to the edges of vile depravity, are present in many misunderstood people. She is also alexythimic, which adds another layer to her already complicated self. She is de facto one chapter villain, but writing her was one of the most profound experience. It was sad how she really cared for Maidono, as her caretaker of sorts, but just couldn't see that she was hurting her too.

Did you like Kumokawa's sacrifice?

Next chapter will be purely Ayu and the cast so be ready, it should be majorly important for both Mitsuari and the story.

As I said, this bottom text will probably updated in day or so. See you!