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!

29. Chapter 29

PAINTED PRISON CHRONICLES

CHAPTER 29

MITSUARI AYU II: GRIEF

Hello again, it's nice be back quickly. We continue with Mitsuari Ayu's arc. This is the central chapter, one of the most emotional ones in the story, focusing on the process of Ayu's emotional development after the rescue, with her relations with Misaki and others as focal point, as well as few other important events for the characters. This chapter is constructed within the framework of subdivisions corresponding to 5 stages of grief, elements of theory by Kübler-Ross, showing the beginning of Ayu's development through her negative emotions and towards healing. Some of the conversations and contemplations also concern ideas important to me as a thinker and human being, so I am very eager to share this with you. I hope that the depth of interaction and parts of other characters will be to your liking.

I have to thank you for some insight regarding Ayu's canon fate after NT11. I must admit that I got confused about Touma punching/not punching her, as well as Shokuhou hiding her away. I read New Testament diligently and throughout, but it was some time ago, and it is entirely possible that the fragment in NT13, which apparently clarifies what happened to Ayu, could slip through my attention. I am therefore glad to learn the truth. I would appreciate if you consider this oversight just a slight bending of canon. Many people seem to be misinformed, so it's easy to get confused.

I also got asked what Mikoto is up to during all of this. I think it would be interesting to share that, although I am not using her all that much here because she is used quite a lot, I have a deep respect for Mikoto and how her character changes in the series (maybe not to extent that would be perfect, but it is still great). In fact, Kamikoto was one of the things that initially brought me to the series, I read almost every fic of that ship and I am very nostalgic about that period of time. As for Mikoto in this story, I'm thinking about giving her some part in chapter 31 (which will be a bridge/anniversary chapter after Ayu Arc).

Q&A time:

Commander Lance: Emerald dragon's ability (side note, she is a dragoness in this story), no, all of draconic abilities are amazing, though they come with side effects, which will be partially showed in this chapter. As for Veritas, I personally find her motives (themes of her type of villain) really intriguing and more interesting than they may appear.

BlueJack22: Multi-Skill's potential seems kind of underused, so just in my kind of speciality.

Whwsms: Seria's supremacy is blessed. She needs to appear more.

KHVSFF: I had the intention to give Ayu a lot of space from the very beginning. She is amazing character, beautiful in her tragedy, and collosal potential from amazing description of psychological growth and experience of both inter and intrapersonal grief. I am really glad that you expected this chapter and also that you enjoyed my action depiction.

Zatil Hidyah Spensa: To be honest, I do not know Kimi's character very well, I know who she is and what she can do, but I don't know her enough to write her character. I need to read more of Railgun manga.

Josh: I already stated it above, but thanks for your insight regarding Ayu after NT11. And I know that Touma don't have to cut his arm off, in the last chapter I still had him cut it, because it had convinient effect of healing his bones (convinient for Touma XD)

SuddenBetrayal: I took what you said about Mikoto to heart as seen above and below. I hope this chapter will be satisfying for you and that you have good experience reading it.

FingFangFoom100: I am glad that you appreciate Seria's strategic aspect in the rescue action, I was worried she was a little overshadowed by physical fighters. And yeah, Mitori bit was great, just Touma trying to do push up on her chest and Dolly basically jumping on him and repeatedly pushing them into a kiss is funny in itself.

Aminadab Brulle: If first segment of the previous chapter made you emotional, this chapter is pretty much emotionally amplified version of that fragment.

Muramasa: Your comment is answered to in the chapter itself. But I can say that while I know Ayu has the potential to be a level 5, her undergoing the procedure stemmed more from psychological feeling of inferiority and desperation to reach Shokuhou at any cost.

Without further delay, let's begin!

I. DENIAL

In the aftermath of perilous battle against brain controlling Multi-Skill user Nouzori Satsuki, better known as Veritas, Touma and group of his female friends were recovering in Heaven Canceller's hospital. After successful and hard fought reunion with Mitsuari Ayu, the time came for the another meeting of tarnished bonds...

In Kamijou Touma's hospital room, Mitsuari Ayu and Shokuhou Misaki stared at each other, one with cold disdain, other with reserved cautiousness, not breaking the eye contact for the long time.

In the distance, there was a distant rumbling. Although the weather was sunny not so long ago, the wind that moved the curtains was merely a sign of something bigger. The line of darkness

Kamijou Touma looked left to right. He knew that when those two eventually meet again it will be intense, but the atmosphere was downright suffocating. Maybe when they actually begin talking, things may start better.

"Get her out of my sight "Ayu said with a chilly quip, that caused Touma to sigh.

That was NOT a good start.

"I can accept and welcome a conversation with you. But I will not breathe the same air as this..."

Lips of Mitsuari Ayu twisted, as if trying to find appropriate curse to describe Mental Out, before she gave up and simply said

" ... same air as her. You brought her here? Why would you spoil our reunion like that?"

"Yes, I would quite like to know that too" Shokuhou turned her head to look at Touma" You set this up. It's not like I didn't want to save Mitsuari-san... but I don't think she's all too pleased to have a conversation with me. And to some extent, the feeling ability is mutual."

Touma slowly exhaled and spoke, getting up from bed.

"Because the situation that arose around three of us spiraled too far out of control and reached far greater magnitude than just simple conflict. I want each and every one of us to get along. You two are amazing, but in order for both of you to heal and move forward, this conversation must happen. And we can't turn away from it. I am afraid that if we run away from it, it may just fade, leaving the entire thing unresolved."

"Why do you assume that I have a problem too?" asked Shokuhou in surprise.

"I wouldn't call it a problem. But... you two used to be close in some form, am I wrong? And even if you try to hide it well, the way you confronted each other last time gave you scars. I don't know you well, Shokuhou-san, but I can tell from your body language and the way you look at Ayu-san, you harbor some fear"

"After everything she did..." Ayu mouthed slowly" she should be afraid"

Dark clouds were slowly covering the sun. First raindrops began to hit the grass below.

"Can you do this for me? Please?" Touma looked at both girls" It doesn't necessarily have to take all that long. All I am asking is for some heart-to-heart sincerity"

Misaki took a deep breath, before smiling.

"Well, it's not the most pleasant time spending ability I can imagine, but I understand your point, my prince. I shall do it, if that's what you wish"

"Thank you. Ayu-san?"

The other girl was silent for few more moments, before finally mouthing out

"I am doing this for you, even if it repulses me to the core. If it's for you, I can even speak with her"

"O-... Okay. Let's do this orderly. Please, just... speak your mind. About all things concerning either what happened between you two or between you and me."

Silence. Before...

"Mitsuari-san..." Shokuhou began, trying to slowly formulate her words" I... we didn't really see each other all that often in the past... by which I mean the IDEAL times. Of course, I was aware who you were... you were the oldest of the group after all. But although I heard that you were through a lot... of which many things you are accusing me of... I assure you that I had no intention of ever hurting you. More so, our paths did not cross in a way that you're describing in your accusations. So please stop with all of this. We can try to talk it out and help you-"

"So that's what you think? So that's how you see it?" Ayu interrupted her, slowly looking up" That you just happened to be there... no, that you weren't even that much involved in the first place. Oh, that's just brilliant. No, miss bee. Even if you didn't always mess up my life yourself, directly, you were there. You were always there"

Shokuhou clenched her fists.

"I am not denying you your suffering. I am simply saying to look at the bigger picture. Your accusations are not objectively warranted. Why do you hate me so much? In our time together, I never did anything out of spite or malice. To be honest, I am not sure we were even close enough for me to want to do anything to you. Of course, I know about level 5 case and Parameter List now. But what you speak of extends far beyond that."

"I don't care about objectivity! You think you know me and my suffering?! YOU DIDN'T EVEN GRAZE THE SURFACE " Ayu finally broke the silence completely as she screamed, her face paling as she stared at Shokuhou with intense gaze" You speak of intentions, but what about the results? You want to know my reasoning in detail? Very well, Shokuhou Misaki. You utterly and completely ruined my life. Even if we didn't spend time together all that often, your presence messed it all up. It always did and always followed me like a plague! When I got chosen to participate in IDEAL, I couldn't be more happy. Earlier on, I had no friends. But then, I suddenly had plenty. I finally belonged. Iruka-san, Rakko-san, Junko-san... and of course, you. You, Mental Out. The one who had the same potential. The one who walked the same path as me. I viewed you as a sister, a fellow soul, someone who were meant to rise together and grow alongside one another. When someone had to undergo an experiment, I was meant to go because I was the oldest. But because I cared, because I loved all of the girls that became my family throughout all of that time, I relented. That caused unprecedented disaster, thanks to which Senya-chan, a girl that I started to consider a friend, suffered. Our caretaker, Kanari-san, perished, and Iruka-san lost her eye. All because of me! Because of me, the ones who gave me kindness suffered and died. But when I was struck by all of those tragedies, when I was depressed beyond belief, I learned that the one I wanted to walk side by side with was meant to ascend to level 5 without me. After all that time, I was about to be discarded like some trash, when you took all the glory, even if I worked just like you did"

Thunder echoed over the hospital as Shokuhou, also agitated by the conversation, replied back.

"I had no influence on it! I had no way of knowing!"

"You knew damn well. Who spoke to entire IDEAL about effort and hard work, of achieving level 5 together? Who cheered alongside me and the others when Junko-san levelled up in such a short time? Yes, I did not know you that well and our paths didn't cross directly that many times. You may say that you didn't know of our connection and there was no much of it to speak of, but I don't believe that. You preached about togetherness and potential, and everybody listened! But when the time came and they chose you over me, what did you do to defend my position? You had to read the files! You knew what that meant to me, you knew that we had the same potential, you knew how much work I put in this! But when the time came and you could use some of your influence to help me, to cushion the drastic fall that began that day, what did you do, Shokuhou? Well?! What did you do?!"

"Like I said, that was not my decision to-"

"NOTHING! You looked away from the one that once considered you as a sister and kept your pretty little lips shut to not cause yourself problems. I can almost get that. Who would get rid of the status that was bestowed upon them? But you know, you arrogant hypocrite, those words that you said to me when we last met... those pretty speech that my own actions caused my weakness, that I didn't deserve the spot if I became a villain... oh, what a sleazy, hypocritical words those were. It is so easy to speak from the spot of privileged convenience. I dare you, live my life, swap places with me and try to speak your own words again. I can't make sense of your face right now, but back then, it seemed like a pinnacle of arrogance. You were given that place by a coin toss, so why did you speak to me as if it was some gift of the heavens?! After you were given level 5 status, everyone who once considered my promising started to treat me like a rejected design, as a failure, and never as Mitsuari Ayu, but always as 'one that could not be Mental Out'. One that was not Shokuhou Misaki!"

"You were your own person! You... you could prove them wrong!" Misaki's voice shook slightly, as Ayu chuckled darkly.

"There was no chance. You can say all of that from the insiders perspective, but people on the outside, including our friends, all they saw was this: we both had the same potential, but one of us succeeded, the other one failed. Only we knew that it was chosen at random, or through other factor... maybe your family was more influential than mine? Maybe they paid them more? Consider it as stereotypes about monozygotic twins. People consider them to be clones, and that they will always be identical. They are not the same person though, because of environment differences and other factors. But there is always sense of comparison if one twin achieves success and the other does not. People will always compare and treat the worse performing as the shadow of superior one, instead of just letting them be their own person. You took my status, even if it was only a description. I could be in that role just as well, but other people treated it as if it actually spoke volumes about our characteristics. You also took my friends with it. Junko-san, who I knew before you did, became attached to you in no time. The others soon followed"

"I didn't steal Junko from anyone! She chose it of her own free will!"

"Both you and me can't talk about free will so carelessly and you know it! I left IDEAL, heartbroken and jaded. I returned to Tokiwadai, but as soon as you shut down the lab and joined in too, the situation repeated. Students, teachers... it was convenient for you not to notice. This preferential treatment continued on and on, accompanied with whispers from every direction. 'Who is that fake?', 'Why is she trying to copy Shokuhou-san?', 'She is not Mental Out, so why does she pretend? She is super creepy'. Of course, in the esteemed Tokiwaidai, no one spoke such things out loud. But it was always present, never leaving, in their minds, even more so for me since I could perceive thoughts.

So after my social life slowly drifted away, and I had my status taken away on the whim, I experienced series of nightmares, filled with death of Kanari and hurt of the others. To distract myself, I started to venture outside of Tokiwadai, despite little to no contact with the city outside of the school and labs. And then..."

Ayu turned to look at Touma, the tense rage on her face momentarily dissolving into pure, warm smile.

"... I met Touma-san. He came to my rescue one time and later tagged along with me on the adventure that was one of the most important points of my entire life. Initially, I did not know much about the boys so I thought about just using him, but he and Kumokawa-san, who I respect even more now that I know she is your rival, didn't have it my way. Despite my own initial selfishness, they came to my rescue. In that moment, and throughout many others, as small as they were in our short time together, I felt accepted. I felt wanted. Because of what they showed me... and what Touma-san told me and demonstrated through his actions... that maybe, maybe, I could be happy. No, I slowly gained certainty of it. Kamijou Touma became my anchor to this world. Because I met him, I thought that my life regained meaning and value. I always felt that he saw Mitsuari Ayu, not one who could not be Shokuhou Misaki, but my own self, as flawed as it could be. And not only because he met me before you. He always saw me and me alone when he looked at Mitsuari Ayu. My needs, my worries, my quirks, my own actions. This is something that made me cry tears of joy. I don't know at which point it happened, but I started to treasure Touma-san more than anyone else. I fell more deeply in love than I ever felt any emotion. Such was the power of someone actually treating me like someone with chance to matter in this life, unlike some people that could not afford even that! However, the shadow of your name didn't stop to stretch, enveloping me in its darkness, even then! When I was kidnapped and separated from Touma and Kumokawa-san, I was tasked to wake Beginning... no, Hasako-san. But things went awry, and I was cursed for not being you again. Seeing someone actively curse me and later dying... that was the final straw. Back then, I was on level 3 and remained in the cursed middle point. Too much power to be ignored, too little to amount to anything when people realized I wasn't you! I tried to make it work for them, and for myself, but it was never enough. But there was someone for whom I was enough! I thought that if in my darkest hour of need comes to be, he will come save me. I knew that even if this world forsaken me, someone like him will never let me down. He will surely come save me. Because, conversely, even if he of all people didn't come... if he didn't come..."

Lights suddenly went out. Although it was only a matter of time before spare generator kicked in, the timing was rather unnerving.

Shokuhou shuddered alongside sounds of the storm, already knowing what came next, as Ayu continued, with her blank tone becoming more and more frantic with each sentence.

"... then I surely had no use trying. If even he, someone who always came to everyone's aid, didn't manage to come for me, there was no worth keeping those feelings, that only served to drag me into false hope that I actually mattered. Until then, I was always able to push through, to ignore this feeling of constant inferiority. But then... I could not face anyone anymore. I couldn't bare another disappointment. That failure guided me to that lake and whispered... whispered and taunted me..."

Suddenly, as thunder made the windows shake, Ayu lunged towards Shokuhou, stopping in arm's reach. As lightning split the sky, both Touma and Shokuhou felt their blood run cold as they saw the look on tormented girl's face.

"And I listened. I waited battling with my own sadness and worthlessness. I gave it one last shot and phoned him. It would overturn it all, it would bring me back. But in that one moment, when all of it converged into single phone call, to the one person in the world who would save me, one tiny factor ruined everything... you. I learned of it later, but it was you. You had to come in, didn't you? Ruining my life in every other aspect was apparently not enough, you had to take him too? The one person that showed me my worth, that called me useful, that saw me besides every misfortune I cast on people. I was like him! I WAS THE ORIGINAL, before you even came into his mind! You just can't stop, can you, until you have everything and take all the scraps from the lesser people? When you bumped into him and caused my link to life to snap, or when you made it all about yourself when he came to search for me. You took everything from me and didn't even have the audacity to react properly. If you want to be in the center of attention so much, I can gladly arrange that. Try standing there, on the edge of death and giving up... feel the weight of stones that drag you down to the depth. Feel when your life burns down in the cold of water as you bury your love and hate in the tomb that you are becoming!"

Tears were flowing from the eyes of terrified Misaki, as Mitsuari Ayu stood in the darkness in front of her, spreading her arms, as she let out the venom of hatred that poisoned her heart for so long, practically screaming straight into Mental Out's face.

"I hate you, Shokuhou Misaki. I hate you with all of my heart. I would like to parade you around the city in humiliation, saying to all of the people loving so-called Queen 'This is the girl you considered epitome of virtue, but here is her rotten heart on display. Hear me, you, who considered her an ideal, while she is a selfish parasite feasting on another's misfortune'. We started as equals. With but a flap of butterfly's wings, our roles could be reversed. Is your alternative fate that unsightly? Face me, Mental Out. See what I've become through you! Remember, in each moment, that it was you who could try to come through death's gate, still alive but turning my heart dead. And now look... the corpse is talking."

Although both Misaki and Touma faced their share of horrors and scary sights, both then, and later, when they reminisced, they came to conclusion that few of the things they saw were as terrifying as the face they saw back then in the pale, momentarily brightness of lightning across the dark room.

That pale light deepened every preexisting shadow while illuminating entire outline of the girl's body, and showed lifeless eyes filled with no warmth, but instead, deep inner fire that seemed to collapse on itself. The tense facial muscles, smile wide yet hollow, with no cheerfulness but instead horrifying premise of death. The face devoid of colour despite the wrath and rage, desolated by one yearning for vengeance, devastated by hatred to one person alone, with arms spread as if in some elated dance. Each element, taken separately, indicated happiness, but put together, showed a sight that made skin crawl in terror.

Ah, how terrifying was that face. How unnerving her presence and emotions welling behind it, as if in each moment it could change into something much darker and hollow, in shadows of that room. And the fact that it was a face of a living person made it all that much tormenting.

If Shokuhou Misaki was a star of brightness and life, Mitsuari Ayu was the star of shadow and death. In other words, black hole, void left when life chipped the kindness piece by piece.

A remote corner of the universe that could only be observed cause light caused by the stars vanished. Just like Mitsuari Ayu, Shokuhou Misaki's unwilling shadow.

Where Misaki's blond hair seemed to radiate glow of lightning throughout the room, Ayu's dark locks seemed to consume light. Where Misaki's starry eyes twinkled and shone like small suns, Ayu's seemed like vortexes of burgundy hued shadow, trapping each ray of light within. Parallel paths that stars could take upon their existence. And despite all of that, Mitsuari Ayu's face, that seemed to gravitate all that was bright and good, tainting it with living hatred, it still displayed some horrifying beauty and charm, magnetic energy of fallen grace similar to one felt in the wake of some disaster, that caused one to gaze on upon her in both fear and awe.

Ayu sighed and hid her face in her hands. At the same time, light returned to the room with a silent 'VOOM'.

Both Touma and Misaki jumped slightly, taking in a breath they didn't know they were holding in.

"Mitsuari-san... I...I..." Shokuhou shook her head, before taking a deep breath and confronting the girl after she finished her speech." I... didn't know the extent through with my influence and name affected you, socially and psychologically. I can see now how you may think that it's of my influence those things happen. However, all I can do is assure you that none of it was of my intention"

Although she said that in a controlled way, it was clear that Misaki's own emotions were just bubbling below the thin surface.

"Intentions aren't going to cut it." Ayu rubbed her eyes, trying to stabilize her breathing" As I said before, you have it easy saying things like that from the elevated spot, being praised and adored by your clique and all the other-"

"You seem to carry some misconception ability..." Shokuhou raised her voice, her eyebrows knitting together in anger" That I had happy, go-lucky life because I was chosen on that spot instead of you. Well, then I have to say something to say to you too. A few things, actually."

Seemed like Ayu wouldn't be the only one to vent, as anger overtook Misaki.

"I accept and regret your tragedy. But do not assume that my life was easy only because of my level 5 status. Initially, I had no friends, everyone avoided me because of my power. I was putting up a brave face, but I was deeply unhappy. To top it off, IDEAL seemingly killed one of my only friends, a girl I started to show care ability about despite me being only the substitute for the one who could not make it. I was so, so deeply struck by all of this, that I developed severe depression and paranoia. Some of those issues remained in me to this day. But, as I said, I was so distraught back then... that I sought to erase me own memories. Which, as we both know, is a psychological equivalent of taking one's own life. But... my prince saved me"

"If you must talk about Touma..." Ayu said slowly" Please, do not call him that in front of me. It's sickening. So you say that not only you prevented my salvation, but also achieved your own... when he was searching for me, as I later learned? Oh, poor miss bee, you need to cry?"

Misaki's lips twitched and nostrils flared slightly in barely contained anger. In one terrifying moment, Touma was afraid that two girls will launch at themselves with their fists, but both ladies (somehow) restrained themselves.

"I will call him with any name he deserves. As I was saying, he saved me and then, despite not knowing me or having anything to do with me, gave me friendship and care, not caring who I was. In that aspect, our stories did not differ that much. He spent time some time with me throughout the summer. We befriended each other, laughed together, spent all the fun time-"

"DO YOU ACTUALLY WANT ME TO KILL YOU OUT OF JEALOUSY?! I don't care about-"

"BUT IT ALL CAME TO AN END! AND IF YOU HAD ANY POLITNESS ABILITY, YOU WOULD LET ME FINISH! I was separated from him. There was an accident concerning nothing other than your beloved level 5 status. I was attacked by a group called Deadlock. He fought a valiant battle, side by side with me... no, shielding me and protecting me with his life. The battle was won... but he was too badly hurt, lost too much blood. To save his life, I used my ability on him..."

Any jaded remarks Ayu had got caught in her throat. Because she had almost identical power set to Shokuhou, she realized how risky was using their abilities when the pressure of blood and cerebral fluid was imbalanced.

"... which..." tears appeared in Shokuhou's eyes, as she finished her story"... caused him to lose his ability to ever hold me in his memory. Since that day, he not only forgot me entirely, he can't make any new memory with me and will always forget me. But even so... even so!..."

Ayu paled, rendered speechless, as Shokuhou's emotions reached their peak, the girl choking through tears.

"I still love him! I love him beyond anything in this world, despite how many times I was forced to hide my tears and pain! And I will love him, no matter how much time passes until we truly reunite again. It was cruel, so cruel and stupid, to realize I am in love right before losing him for good. But I couldn't stop. Once realized, that love, even if lost, filled my entire body, my entire world, until I couldn't see its limits anymore. And despite all the sadness and sorrow I felt, I wished for one thing alone: gods, please give me strength to watch over him. Because one way or the other, I needed to love him from afar. So I understand your resolve. You also... also stayed truthful to your love. I think... this might be what caused you to ultimately survive. What drove you to harm yourself in order to reach me. It was for Kamijou Touma and him alone. It was twisted, but ultimately... it was love"

"Is... is that true?" Ayu's lip trembled slightly. She looked at Touma in shock" Touma-san?"

"Well, as far as I am concerned..." Touma looked at Misaki" I know that I am forgetting Shokuhou Misaki and I trust that this is indeed the person to which this names refers to, but as for my memory... this is first time I remember meeting Misaki-san"

"No... it can't be..."

Misaki tapped onto her temple with a finger, narrowing her eyes.

"I can feel you sneaking around my mind throughout the entirety of this conversation. I know it may be hard to process, so why don't I just give you a sneak peak?"

"You are saying this as if you didn't try to access mine too. Our minds are heavily shielded, you know. Mutual antisymmetric mental type non-interference. Are you saying you would voluntarily lower the barriers and show me your memories?"

"I was thinking about sending them to you"

"I am not letting you into my head. You can use that to your advantage"

"Of course. But... as for the proof..." Misaki looked at Touma" we both know that one thing that connects us is our shared love. We both don't want him to hate us, so it must serve to keep us from acting out of line. I would rather die than do something that would hurt him. And I know that he wants to have you safe. So despite our own animosities, I will not do anything to you. You suffered enough. Come on, don't you have a curiousness ability? You know that this kind of relay is the best way to verify information"

Ayu was silent for a moment, before finally sighing.

"Okay, if you lower your own barriers, I can go for one memory transfer... but one move in wrong direction and I am attacking your mind"

"Of course, of course, now get your phone ready"

And so they both pointed the remote and phone camera lens to their own heads. After two respective beeps, they pointed them at each other.

"Ready? Here goes..."

BEEP!

Ayu's face froze, as if paralyzed. But slowly, new light entered her face as she shifted her gaze at tear stained face of Misaki. Despite her earlier wrath, she looked like a lost child, when tears began to unwillingly well up in her own eyes.

' It's true... all of it... I don't know what to think...' she send her thought through temporarily established channel, normally closed off by the mental shielding, before hearing Misaki's voice in her own head.

'I still think your suffering is immesurable. But if you don't deny me my own, maybe it will be enough' Misaki thought back, as two of them stared at each other, with intense emotions expressed in both eyes and their linked minds.

'After all this time... you still...'

'Every single day.'

'Well... I suppose... after something like that... I can only respond in turn...'

Ayu's hand lifted the phone once again. Soon, Misaki was thrown into the stream of feelings and memories of love and pain of Mitsuari Ayu.

After few seconds in reality, but much longer in subjective, mental time, Shokuhou wiped new streams of tears from her eyes.

'I am... so sorry... it was not direct influence... but regardless...'

' I... I am still angry at you. I am still furious, but... I not like before. This revelation changes a lot. I can't... my head is a mess right now...'

'No wonder, I am still processing what you told us. It's a lot to take in. I think that-'

"Girls?"

A question from Touma made them realized that to the boy on the hospital bed, they looked as if they were engaged in the staring contest and suddenly bursting into tears out of the blue.

"We are alright" Misaki assured him, as they severed their connection, reverting their minds into regular, shielded state." We just had a mind-to-mind moment to clear some things better than with mere words."

Ayu looked confused and angry at the same time, shaking her head, before slowly walking to Touma's side and sitting down by him.

"It's unsightly, isn't it? How I changed, with my true emotions on display. Are you really willing to do something with this? With someone who changed so much?"

Touma sighed and reached forward slowly embracing Ayu in a hug

"You were someone who needed to be saved on the day it was impossible to get it right. It's different from what you've experienced, but... I too were once in a situation when my heart broke so much that I didn't even know for how many pieces I needed to reach to make it whole again. I travelled throughout this brokenness for a long, long, long time... and died each time I thought it was getting better..."

Misaki and Ayu looked at each other, their animosity dispersed for a moment. Even if they thought Touma was speaking in metaphors, it still didn't help them in feeling worried.

"So I can relate to what you felt and how you changed."

"But you are still here. What made you go through it without giving up?"

"Hope. Always hope. And the thought that someone was waiting for my return. You retained the smallest spark of that hope, didn't you?"

"I... I didn't..."

"I know you did. I know you didn't discard it all away. And for that, despite all of the terrible things that happened to you and because of you... I am so happy for you, Mitsuari Ayu. I know how hard it is. I too thought that the world could only be okay without me. I too thought that I had to die for others to live."

"W-WHAT?! ARE YOU OKAY?!" Misaki shouted even louder than Ayu, as both girls had no knowledge of what happened in Omega World.

"Yes, I am. Because someone helped me see my own worth. And if you need me, I will be more than happy to be someone like that for you. I know that you wanted to end it all because you didn't feel of use. Like I said, I can't turn back time. But what I can do, and will do if you let me, is to ensure that you will never feel inadequate again. My friend, who is a nun, says that with a presence of faith and hope, true love can arise. So I hope that I can give you at least as much love as you suffered... no, even more than that. I will dedicate myself to that"

This caused Ayu, who was already a mess of frustration, guilt, and flustered love, to redden and grasp her cheeks, before abruptly standing up.

"I-I... need some fresh air. I will visit you soon, Touma-san."

She then looked at Shokuhou, before nodding awkwardly, and sprinting outside. Touma sighed, leaning back on his bed.

"Are you okay?" Misaki walked over to him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "If you are worried about Mitsuari-san, she will be fine. She has the amazing tenacity and will to live, despite her actions contradicting themselves and showing equal death drive ability. That conversation went better than I expected, but was still rather intense."

"Yeah... I know. I just hope everything works out"

Misaki yawned and rested her head on his shoulder.

"You will not remember my input to this conversation, but I want to assure you when you still do, that every declaration I made is true. I truly love you beyond anything"

"I... thanks. It's... not something I would expect. But... I am happy. Heh, I was only surprised hearing that from someone I don't really remember. Major skipping steps. Like going straight to marrying and having babies, imagine that"

Shokuhou smiled sleepily

"One can only hope..."

"H-Huh? D-Do you..."

But Shokuhou completely drifted into a peaceful nap, leaving only a smile as an answer.

II. BARGAINING

In the next day, both Ayu and Touma had visitors. In the case of Mental Stinger, it Kankyougami Hasako, with the girls talking and catching up, Hasako gleefully retelling her newly claimed friend what she was up to since her awakening in the modern world.

As for Kamijou Touma...

Shirai Kuroko walked through the corridor, taking deep, calming breaths and rubbing her sleep deprived eyes. She then clenched her fist, muttering under her breath.

'Curse that ape... I am still having those stupid, foolish dreams. Even more so after this rescue mission. Argh, why is he so goddamn muscular and sparkly there. It pisses me off so much! Not only that, but he actually visited me after the battle, even though I wasn't all that injured. It was so much easier when I hated him. Why did he have to be caring, and actually be a decent guy?!'

Kuroko furiously ruffled her hair, before slapping her cheeks so hard that she almost winced in pain.

"Okay, this simple act of kindness and charity... no, it's paying the debt to go back to being acquaintances. He just happeend to save me few times... and h-hold me in his arms more than many people, heh heh... no, I am getting sidetracked! Most importantly, I am doing this to keep an eye on him so he does not progress his relationship with my onee-sama. That must be it!"

She knocked, before opening the door.

"Kamijou!"

Touma looked at her in surprise

"Shirai? It's strange to see you here. Is something wrong?"

"I-Is it that strange? I guess we weren't in the best of terms, but I still have feelings and I am not a monster. You did get injured for a good cause and..."

'Huh? This is not what I planned to say! I sound like an overprotective girl with a cru... no, perish the thought. No way in hell'

"... well, I just thought that I might... might... help you eat this apple!"

'Good, good, steer the situation in your favour!'

"But I am not all that injured. Just bruises and minor damage, they are just observing me."

"Don't be absurd." Kuroko fumed, starting to peel off the apple." This is simply an act of charity"

"Heh... I knew it. You really did change. Even though our encounters were always so painful... since I knew that you dreamed of being a hero, I knew you were someone worth of admiring and that we could find a common language. We are companions in arms!"

'STOP MAKING IT HARDER BY TOUCHING THINGS THAT BROUGHT ME TO ACTUALLY LIKE YOU! It's already distracting enough that my body decided to remember that my interests actually go in both ways! A-And for the sake of my sanity, don't mention arms, I beg you!'

"D-Don't read too much into this! You are still an uncultured primate that must not taint the glorious beauty of my onee-sama. Which is why... ekhm... I was thinking... you were having a part time job in White Springs, isn't that right? I was thinking that to make it even, I can give you a permanent discount in our supermarkets... and if you ever need a part time job again, because I am a heiress and I can say a few words-"

"W-What brought this so suddenly?"

"I... despite our differences, never properly thanked you for everything you did for me and for aiding onee-sama despite being only level 0. Even if we differ and I did hate you, I realized that not rewarding you is simply unjust and-"

"Thank you so much! It's like a gift from heaven for someone like me. Heiress of supermarket year... no hunting for sales, no shortages of food... I must say, you really know how to make someone happy"

'D-Don't grasp my hand while speaking about the future! Is it really that amazing? I heard that ape was in poor financial situation... huh, so after all this time, I could have give him that much satisfaction... w-wait, why am I interested in the implications of this?'

Kuroko then realized that the apple was already pealed before Touma grasped her hand.

"A-Anyway, you can have this-"

'Moment... I can't just make him say 'aaah', no way! So then... I will..."

"Gaah?"

Touma suddenly gagged when an large chunk of the apple was teleported between his lips and into his mouth. He bit through it and the rest rolled down. And as Kuroko reached for it...

She suddenly found herself under the blanket.

"Ghhh?!"

'I-I teleported on instinct to reach for that apple. Right under that blanket... no, this is only to retrieve that apple, not because I suck at controlling my libido. Here it is...'

Kuroko teleported the other half of the apple, before...

"MHHHMMM?!"

"I know, I know, I am-"

Suddenly, the covers were partially lifted.

To reveal a sparking Misaka Mikoto.

She arrived at the hospital as fast as she could, worried and troubled about the rescue action she only now heard of from Kuroko and Touma. Even if she realized they kept it a secret to keep her out of trouble, she was bent on giving them a piece of her mind.

Yes, that was her initial reason. But what she saw in Kamijou Touma's room was different matter...

Kamijou Touma, choking on an apple, was having his head between Shirai Kuroko's lower legs, with the other half of the apple rolling down once again under covers, where Kuroko's upper body was. When absolutely abashed Mikoto lifted the covers, she found Kuroko's head right in front of-

"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?!"

Both girls screamed out loud.

(5 MINUTES LATER)

To Touma's utter shock, Mikoto didn't shock him directly.

Instead, panting angrily, she held a black tube with her hands, that was glowing blue on edges.

"How did you even find yourself in that position? That was the most chaotic apple feeding I ever saw."

"I-I don't know what to say, onee-sama"

"I mean, you were almost on his-"

"C-Can we move on from that part?"

"Misaka-san, what is this thing that you are holding?"

Mikoto looked at Touma and sighed.

"After recent encounters with other... girls around you... I realized my approach could have been inefficient. So, to make it up, I control my anger by charging those high-level accumulators. It helps me relax enough to have conversation with you. Isn't it nice?"

"Hah, with your ability, you can actually lit the lightbulbs when you have the idea"

WHAM!

"Ow!" Touma yelled, after the girl punched him on the arm.

"Don't push it! Anyway... can you just tell me what was the fuss about? I promise I try not to get mad for not involving me. Just... do it the next time, when something likes this pops out. Right?"

"But-"

"RIGHT?!"

"Y-Yeah"

"Yes, onee-sama"

(10 MINUTES LATER)

Mikoto sat deep in thought after Touma told her Mitsuari Ayu's story. Ayu told him that he could tell whoever he wanted, and if he wanted to go by his intuition, Mikoto was the right choice. After everything they were through, he trusted her completely with Ayu's tale.

The more Mikoto heard, the more she realized something that she already knew from interacting with many girls surrounding Touma in recent times.

She, in fact, did not draw the short end of the stick, at the very least not in relation to Touma. While others had her happiness stolen or possibilities taken, she had straight path to befriending and socializing with the boy. Contrary to some of the girls, like Shokuhou or Mitsuari.

It was not like her path was without problems. But all in all, she should have used her luck better. Instead, she spend her initial encounters with the boy on petty chases and immature challenges he didn't even want.

Who would have thought? She had her denial going strong in the past, for such a long time. When she became aware that there were other girls around Touma, she felt jealous and insecure. But, as it turned out, even though they were her rivals, their stories enriched Mikoto herself in the way she couldn't ever anticipate.

"That's a very sad story. One that I wouldn't wish on anyone." she finally said to Touma and Kuroko" I don't really know Mitsuari-san like you do, but I think I may talk to her about all of this. I may be able to help her should she ever want to return to Tokiwadai..."

"I don't know if she is willing to talk with another level 5." Kuroko added wistfully.

Touma shook his head.

"I don't think she has a problem with level 5s, it's more of an issue with..."

He narrowed his eyes, and tilted his head. Finally, Kuroko finished.

"With Shokuhou Misaki?"

"Yes! That's it... that's probably it."

"Even so... I feel really bad for her. To think such story was under my nose and I had no part in it... something about what you said bothers me. If those two, Mitsuari-san and Shokuhou were the chosen ones, did Mitsuari-san really need that shady enhancement? Because if I am understanding correctly..."

(ELSEWHERE)

"... that means you would achieve level 5 regardless. You do have necessary potential" said Hasako, before taking a gentle sip of green tea.

She and Mitsuari Ayu moved to the hospital's courtyard, filled with walking patients, enjoying the sun or conversing with one another, as Beginning Child and Mental Stinger did.

Ayu shook her head.

"You forgot to add that it would be only if Shokuhou died. And only if I got resources, which I wouldn't if she was alive. Kankyougami-san..."

"Hasako is fine"

"Why are you so intent on asking those questions if you already have the answers figured out?"

"Because I am on your side. And I want you to realize and reflect. Is what you want really the level 5 status? Is that really what you are angry about?"

"Angry? I am not angry. And if I was, I already got it out of my system"

"Maybe partially, but it will not help you, because that was not the thing that really tapped the source of your inner madness. You two were similar, but Shokuhou-san was strong enough to gain friends and brave through terrible loss. Do you suspect now what can be the source of your anger?"

"I... I am not sure..."

"Whatever appears in your mind, it's okay. It's okay to feel anger after everything that happened. Right now you are bargaining, exchanging 'what ifs' and pretending that all it takes to achieve happiness is to get to level 5 spot. But you are already there, in all but name. So how does it feel?"

Mitsuari pressed a few commands on her phone.

Everybody on the courtyard froze mid-motion.

"I can read their thoughts" the girl whispered quietly" change their memories, paralyze their bodies, alter their perception or sensations. I can cause them to part with life or change the course of their lives with a single command"

"And how does that feel?"

"Powerful. Mighty. And..."

Ayu sighed, pressing something on the phone, and causing people to move again, as if nothing happened.

"Hollow. Really empty."

"You should think about what you really desire and what you wish to achieve. Then you might understand that it's not the title that makes you who you are or changes your life. It's your actions that embody the meaning of the title and truly define what it represents. Each name carries a meaning that makes a thing recognized. But humans have the ability to shape our own meaning through our actions and choices. It's one of the greatest freedoms but also one of the most terrifying parts of our lives. Realizing the illusion of external limitations imposes the sense of responsibility. Are you strong and brave enough, Mitsuari-sama? To embrace your own self and responsibility that comes with it?"

"I... I don't know. You are really, really wise, Hasako-san"

"Am I? I don't think so about myself, but I graciously accept the compliment. I suppose I lived quite a bit, being born over 80 years ago. Although mentally I am not really that much older than you"

III. ANGER

In the afternoon, Touma had a long conversation with Index. After assuring her that he was alright and promising to keep her informed about the time he went out of the hospital, she left to eat something with Kaibi and Amazora, while Touma stayed in his room to have an alone time and talk with Othinus.

"You really told them?" the small girl asked, as they were resting, her body pressed alongside warmth of his cheek" About what happened in the last phase at the end of infinity?"

"Yeah, I guess I did. I mean..." Touma gently rubbed her small blond hair with a finger, a sign of affection he often conveyed when they were speaking."We all shared the same experience. It was different in circumstances and I of course omitted the details of what happened with the world and the two of us... but if that helped to connect me to them... then that's fine"

Othinus stayed silent for a moment, looking at the ceiling.

"Sometimes I think you should really resent me. That the happiness we have isn't right"

"I do not care about this and neither should you"

"Your mind forced you to have some of those painful memories sleeping within deep waters of your subconscious. But I remember. I can remember it all. Every second of that eternity. This is what it means to have a mind of the divine. And this mind is filled with pain that I caused one that my world can't be without"

Touma covered Othinus with a hand, lightly pressing her to his cheek. It was one of their equivalents of the hug.

"Then remember it. Remember not to forget, because through this sorrow, you truly learned what true joy meant. In fact, if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't ever find myself through others. What you did to me was cruel, but I still learned many things. Back when you convinced to end my life, I was lost a long time ago, and if it wasn't for others, I would give up. It was them Othinus, it was always them. You know what I was thinking, when I walked through this city of golden wonder? Throughout all the loss and sorrow and misfortune, all the pain that stemmed from me just going around and trying to live my life... as I walked, there was fear. Of death. Of the unknown. Sadness, of not being able to go on. Of not being able to see anyone I love again. But also... when I stood there, before doing that last step away from oblivion, I thought about every single person I saved and tried to save... both in my mind and heart... and in that single moment, I was so proud. So proud of being alive to meet them all"

Othinus shook her head.

"Honestly, what did I do to deserve someone like this..." she whispered.

However, their further conversation was interrupted as there was a something rolling inside through half-closed doors.

"Oh my my, how careless of me..."

Touma quickly put Othinus on the shelf, just in time for the woman in the blue uniform with what appeared to be a five digit number, reaching for the vial with pink liquid.

"There we are... oh, my, what do we have here?" she gently spoke, turning in Touma's direction.

"H-He-Hello..." Touma mumbled, as the woman walked to the bed and leaned over him. "C-Can I help you with some... thing..."

The woman had ankle length black hair and purple eyes. But her gentle face was not what attracted the most amount of attention. Her chest was absolutely massive, on Rikuri's or Oriana's level, barely contained by the material of her clothing. That made a tremendous impact on her sex appeal, combined with curvy yet delicate looking body.

"My my, quite a handsome boy. For someone alive, I mean..."

Both Touma and Othinus were completely baffled as the newcomer examined the boy.

"M-Miss..."

"Oh, don't mind me... I am just here for a family matter. I happened to be on a short period of release and got here under escort to extort some chemicals for my work... I was captured during Handcuffs, but got slightly favourable sentence because killing is not my forte. Now, I assist morgues by dealing with all those cute cadavers."

"Cute... cadavers?"

"I rarely visit this hospital because the main doctor never messes up and everyone lives under his eye. But here I am, by absolute chance, to learn that the boy who got involved with my girls. So it's only a parent's instinct to see what kind of person I am working with here"

"E-Eh?"

The strange woman eyed him carefully for another dozen seconds, before nodding

"So far, my impression is medium-good, but one can't judge by simplicity. Just because something looks ordinary, doesn't mean it lacks potential. Just like my darling converters, that are get such an underrated opinion in the world of science. "

"W-Wait... you mentioned girls..."

"Oh my, didn't you notice our family resemblance?" the woman giggled, showing off a photo pulled out of the blue uniform" I believe you made quite a strong impression on my adorable twins."

Touma's eyes widened as he looked at the photo.

"You're... Kaai and Youen's..."

The woman blew him a kiss.

"Hanatsuyu Kuchikusa, also known as Converter, parent of two, age and gender being my sweet secret. But for simplicity's sake, you can call me mama. First of all, I am thankful to you for taking care of my twins. I was intrigued just who managed to worm his way into my little Youen's heart. Thanks to you, they can still grow in beauty of their defilement. So in terms of blessings, you have a green light. In time of my prison-caused indisposition, they are in your care. I owe you a debt of gratitude. Oh, but a word of advice... if you hurt them or break Youen's heart..."

A smile never left the woman's gentle face as she put a hand to her cheek.

"...I will induce a necrosis throughout your entire body, starting with your testicles"

"A-Ah... r-right..."

'She is definitely related to them! So scary!"

There was a sound of heavy boots from the outside and two Anti-Skill Officers came hurriedly inside.

"Detained Hanatsuyu! You know you are not to stray from designated path while in the hospitals. Should you do that again, you will be punished!"

"Alright, alright... oh my, not so roughly. So then, I will be watching you with interest, handsome boy! If you have any corpses to dispose off, be sure to call. Ciao!"

And with that, they left, leaving slightly pale Touma sitting on the bed with blank face.

"Human... are you okay?"

"Suddenly, it all has too much sense with those twins. How the hell someone so beautiful can be so damn terrifying?!"

"For that matter, why do you sound more terrified than throughout many of the deaths I put you through?"

"Othinus, never underestimate the power of fear that the prospect of balls falling off has on man!"

(MEANWHILE)

"Senpai, are you sure that you should be walking around?" Ayu asked heavily bandaged Hokaze Junko, who was leading her somewhere.

"Don't worry. Only few more days and those injuries will heal completely" Junko smiled brightly at her, before they stopped in front of one of hospital's conference rooms" Anyway, we are here. Please come in Mitsuari-san, it is very important"

"Where did you take me, Hokaze-san? What are we doing here?"

"Well, we have a surprise for you"

"We ?" Ayu muttered, as the doors opened.

Inside, there was a moderately lit room with a single window, large round table, and six chairs around it. One was taken by Shokuhou Misaki, which almost caused Ayu to exit on the spot, only stopping at the pleading eyes of Junko, who took a chair on Misaki's right. Next to her, was a redhead wearing black stockings, with one eye covered by fringes. On Misaki's left sat a girl with violet hair and black suit. She was vaguely familiar, and Ayu hesitantly took a set to her right. The sixth seat, the one between Ayu and the redhead girl, stayed vacant.

"Mitsuari-san... as you can see, we gathered a lot of familiar faces here..."

Ayu stared at her blankly, before Junko's face exploded in red hue and she started to frantically wave her hands in front of herself.

"M-My apologize for such untactful comment, you... you can't distinguish faces right now, can you?! I am so sorry! I am so-"

"Non taken, just tell me who got here. And why?"

"Mitsuari-san, you surely remember Iruka-san..." she pointed at the redhead, who waved back with a small smile.

Ayu's eyes widened.

"My gods, it was so long... I can't tell by your face, but you grew into a fine woman."

"So did you, senpai" Iruka sighed and stretched on the chair" It seems like decades and not years since we were together in the lab"

"And this person is Kouzaku Mitori" Junko motioned at the purple haired girl, who bowed slightly" She was partaking in our rescue mission, but the two of you didn't really cross paths, so-"

"No, no, now that you mentioned it, I am sure I heard this name before."Ayu reincorporated the bow.

"I heard about you, too. I am pleased to finally meet you"

"As for the reason why we gathered here." Shokuhou spoke for the first time since Ayu entered the room" Is because this first reunion of IDEAL subjects since I shut the project down can serve to help you recover..."

"Well, then I am done here. I do not want any psychological charity from you" Ayu turned around. Junko got up from her chair.

"Please, Mitsuari-san, don't go! We all want to help you!"

"Help..." Ayu's lips twisted, as if she remembered something unpleasant" Help?!"

"Yes, we all have your best interest-"

"I don't need help!"

"Yes, you do." Shokuhou interjected" so please, calm down"

"I will not calm down and especially not since you told me to"

"Mitsuari-san, I realize I don't know you as much as the others, but I don't want to see you unhappy" added Mitori.

"Yes, you are among friends now"

Mitsuari's eye twitched slightly on Iruka's comment, as she slowly approached the table.

"Then tell me, friends, do you have the slightest idea how much of a hell last years were for me?!" she slammed her hands on the metallic surface, causing a dull echo to resound around the room" How much I suffered, how much I lost, how much I sacrificed?! You are all wise after the damage is done, but where were you when the tragedy could be prevented? Who of you noticed that something was wrong, who reached their hands to me? Oh right..."

She pointed a finger at silent Shokuhou.

"You were all too busy with her to even think about me!"

"Senpai, that's not true" Iruka shook her head" You just... vanished. We couldn't reach you even if we wanted and we did-"

"LIES! Look at all of you, all happy and together" the venom laced words were shooting out like bullets" Hokaze Junko, you are her best friend. And the one that once played with me so much, my kouhai, Yumiya Iruka... Hokaze is your precious senpai now. And through her, you have a rivalry with Shokuhou Misaki. And I don't know you that much, but I bet that you, Mitori-san, are also Shokuhou's friend."

"W-Well... I..." Mitori stumbled upon her words slightly" That was unavoidable. The project was in a way centered around Misaki-san. But that doesn't mean that you-"

That was a phrasing that, although unintentionally, was absolutely worst in that situation, as Mitsuari's wrath exploded.

"NO! IT WAS NOT ABOUT HER! It was about us. IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT US, AS EQUALS! But through one decision, she was chosen as the one to be spoken of, to be befriended, to be rewarded... even to be loved!"

"Maybe it would be easier for others to rescue you..." Misaki spoke slowly" if you actually allowed them to do so?"

Ayu looked at her with face twisted with rage.

"I am sorry, what?!"

"Misaki-san, that's not-" Mitori tried to speak, but Misaki was already giving in to her own emotions.

"You spoke about convenience on my side, but your behaviour is equally convenient for you. Instead of being proactive, you wait to be saved and accuse others, instead of stating what you actually want. You are a self-absorbed, self-pitiying, glorified martyr"

"You want to talk about self-absorbed?! Go ahead, throw your curses at me. I assure you, there is no insult that you can use that I already didn't hurt myself with. Is that little gathering of your friends a provocation in disguise?! Fine!" Ayu sprung into her feet, launching and grabbing Shokuhou by her uniform" If you want to fight, I will give you a fight"

Other girls gasped and got up, but Shokuhou lifted her hand.

"Let her be"

"If it was only the difference in success, if it was someone else merely being better than me, it wouldn't make me so mad. But you took what could have been mine, and I became an inferior version of you. Do you have any idea what does it feel like, when no matter where you go, you are compared and then discarded because you are not someone else? It's like my very life is an error purely because yours continues. So I wanted to kill you... I wanted to do this so badly... but I can't. Not only because I know that killing you won't bring me peace, but because... if there was one thing that worried me in all of this... is that I won't be able to look Touma-san in the eyes anymore... and even more, after my actions. I can't kill you... and it would be so much easier if I could. Because now I am left with all of this blind rage... and I just... don't know what to do anymore..."

"Well..." Junko voiced her opinion, sounding genuinely caring" that's why we are here. We are here to listen, talk, and even confront you, should it be your wish. I don't want you to suffer more, Mitsuari-san. I know it will take a lot of time for you to fully recover, but we just want you to accept our help"

Ayu bit her lip till a single drop of blood flew down her chin and dropped to the floor.

"Suppose I believe you... what do you even plan to do with me?"

"Well, you obviously hate me" Shokuhou began" that is already quite clear. But why do you hate me? Is it really about level 5 status?"

"W-What do you mean... of course it's about-" Ayu began to speak, before getting silent, remembering what Hasako told her.

"Yes, Mitsuari-san, tell us why are you so angry" said Junko

"B-But I...

"Are you angry at the system of this city?" asked Mitori.

"Y-Yes.. maybe...I..." the questioned girl stumbled on her words

"Are you angry at us for not realizing earlier? inquired Iruka.

"Stop... I..."

"Please, tell us." pleaded Junko

"I..." Ayu whispered, hiding her head in the

"Mitsuari-san!"

"I-!"

"Mitsuari-san, tell u-"

"I AM ANGRY AT MYSELF!"

The deep-throat, desperate, shrill scream echoed not only through air, but also through mindscapes. Just like electromasters could scatter sparks in distress and telekinesis users crumpled objects in anger, Mitsuari Ayu's tormented wail involuntarily echoed through minds accompanying actual sound, like a violent static. Everyone besides Shokuhou winced slightly, before looking at the Ayu, who was still hiding her head in her hands, with eyes wide open and slowly filling up with tears.

"Why?" Shokuhou asked" Why are you angry at yourself?"

"I... I am angry..." Ayu choked out, her throat slightly sore from soul-twisting scream from earlier." I am angry at all of the things you mentioned. But... I am jealous. I am jealous of you. From what you've told me, you faced terrible tragedy regarding your relationship with Touma-san. But you're still able to push through. I can't help but admire... person I hated. And I can't deal with that. How did you do it?"

"I... was not okay, Mitsauri-san" Misaki spoke, passing her hand over her face" I am still not fine. But..."

Although the rest of the girls, didn't know what Ayu was referring to, Misaki sighed, looking into the eyes of the burgundy haired telepath.

"I forced myself to be okay, in hope to finding a solution for this problem. But also... because of adhering to his principles... I managed to find amazing friends. I established my wonderful clique. I would never survived without them"

"Then... that's probably it. Through it all..."

Tears began to drop on the floor, as Ayu spoke, with her fists clenched and face contorted in pain.

"I was... so alone. So very, very alone. Everyone left me... some because of my actions and some because of the fact that I didn't turn out to be the level 5 they hoped me to be... and I was forced to endure that loneliness... so long that I finally broke and started to drown... both metaphorically and literally. And after all that time... I don't remember what it's like. Not to hate, to have good dreams. Who am I anymore... if I don't hate you. What's even left of me at that point?"

"Mitsuari-san..." deeply saddened and already crying Junko choked out.

Misaki looked outside, at the rays of sun permeating through the cloudy sky.

"You know... you always pronounced that you are not me. And you are right. You are not me, and you should never be me. You are not a failure or rejected design of a level 5. Don't regret that you fell where I didn't. Who knows, maybe there will be time in which I collapse and you stay strong. And when it comes to friends... even though it may take longer to fully settle the hurt between us, I am ready to be here for you, to accept you, and to befriend you. We all are"

"Mitsuari-san..." Junko spread her arms" Please, come here"

There was a long moment of silence. The sun in the sky seemed to move a little.

But time didn't speed up. That was just for how long Mitsuari froze up.

And then... taking one step, and then the other...

Ayu broke down into tears, embracing Junko.

Misaki sighed, smiling slightly.

Although they had their differences in the past, she wanted to settle it down and get along with Ayu. As long as Touma wasn't denied to be her hero, she had no problem with him fitting that role for someone else.

She placed a hand on Ayu's shoulder and spoke.

"We are here for you. As is Touma. And others."

"We will never discard you, Mitsuari-san." Junko whispered to the crying girl.

"The Mitsuari Ayu I knew was the kindest girl who everyone loved. It's only natural we'll work hard for things to return to that state" Iruka concurred, joining the hug.

"We are ready to be your allies for good and bad." Kouzaku Mitori also reassured Ayu, embracing other girls.

Ayu did not know how long they stayed like this, but finally her lips spoke out

"Then... I... am in your care. Please... be my friends again"

There was a loud cheer echoing through the room.

After a moment, the girls found themselves talking, one over the other, over large variety of topics, the tense atmosphere slowly dissolving. Even the conversations between Ayu and Misaki, although still quite stiff, didn't carried earlier malice.

"So let me get this straight" Ayu pointed at every girl in the room" You all are acquainted with Kamijou?"

A wave of nods.

"Seriously?"

"My exact reaction when I first realized it" Misaki sighed" You wouldn't believe what a vast array of acquaintances he now has."

Shokuhou knew this best. She took the liberty of sneakily gazing into the minds of some of Touma's new friends. And the results were as fascinating as terrifying and made Misaki glad that those girls actually fell in love with Touma instead of being his enemies. Although, this was double edged sword should something ever happen to the boy.

The results could be catastrophic, and that was only on two examples.

Maidono Hoshimi wielded telekinesis so powerful she could create city-wide fault-lines and shake parts of tectonic plates. She was capable of easily causing enormous amounts of destruction without even restoring to lifting objects. As powerful as Misaki was, the fought of confronting someone who could levitate skyscrapers or create new mountain chains unnerved her to no end.

Kankyougami Hasako, former name unknown, an esper from bygone era, could alter environment on the unprecedented scale within a spherical domain of her choosing, to match the DNA signature of a living being. There was no telling how far this domain could really reach or how many environments she could create. One could guess that her true limit was the number of living beings, but was that accurate?

Pushing those thoughts aside, surprised Misaki was greeted by another question from Ayu, shyly pressing her fingers together.

"So do you all... like like him?"

Junko tilted her head in bewilderment. Mitori covered her embarrassed face with her hands. Iruka stood straight with arms crossed, pouting and turning away to hide slight pink hue on her cheeks.

"It was an accident!"

"A-Although Junko-san will always be my first, he is a... s-strong second!"

"Like like is liking someone twice as strongly? Then I guess I have both Kamijou-san and Gunha-san because I like like like them!" light of innocence radiated from Junko's face.

The other girls looked at her.

"You didn't understand it, did you? It's not just multiplying liking, it turns into something more... physical" Misaki deadpanned.

"Physical? We do fight and train a lot. So what did you mean?"

Even more innocence followed.

"Well, Junko-san, when a boy and a girl are really attracted to each other-"

"Everyone!" came abrupt voice of Mitsuari Ayu" I want to continue this conversation, but you did one of us dirty!"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"We can't really do all of this reunion without all of us from the IDEAL team! C'mon, I see that we are still waiting for her, there is even a chair. Tell me, where is Rakko-chan?! Back in the lab, I often spoke with her when she was feeling lonely, it would be nice to catch up with her"

The merry mood was suddenly extinguished, as Iruka's face fell into a distraught mask. Junko quickly rushed to her side, as Ayu looked left and right to see the small crowd suddenly saddened faces.

"You don't know?" asked Mitori.

Ayu's long-time isolation did its work, because she had no idea why mood suddenly changed.

"Mitsuari-san..." Junko spoke quietly" Rakko-san won't be coming"

"H-Hey, if you are having some kind of argument between you, I understand. I don't have a monopoly on being a brooding loner..."

Iruka made a sobbing sound, as Shokuhou Misaki shook her head, looking directly at Mitsuari Ayu.

"No, you have it wrong. Yumiya Rakko... is no longer with us. She... already left this world"

Mitsuari Ayu froze. And slowly, as if time stretched like molasses, her face turned into the one of shock and horror.

"What?..." a single, choked out sound resounded through the silence of the room.

(MEANWHILE)

Just when Touma mentally recovered after visit from unnerving guest, fate decided to grant him a dose of irony when the daughter of said guest decided to pop up for a visit.

"So you met mom..." Youen sighed, wobbling on the guest chair" Good grief. If I know her, she managed to scare you"

"You really are related, that's for sure"

"Oh really" the small girl smiled deviously, pushing her chest upwards" Naughty boy, did you think about how they will get even bigger?"

Turning away from Youen's grin, Touma closed his eyes

'C-Crap, that thought crossed my mind, but I can't yield, I have to have a moral high ground here'

"Y-Youen, please, restrain yourself, we are in the hospital. Plus, you are 11"

"There is nothing wrong in imagining for the future reference. You stole my first kiss and saw my naked body~"

"That was a different Youen, e-even if I remember that! Anyway... that person..."

"Mom said something about being our dad?"

"Huh... as a matter of fact... what was up with that?"

"In fact, neither Kaai or myself know for sure. Our other parent left in our infancy, and we don't remember what mom was like when we were very small. But since she wants to be called mom, that's how we call her. Let's settle on woman for our convenience. Changing the subject... I have something for you. Mom is right, we owe you the opportunity to have a good workplace instead of the sewers. S-So I thought that I make you something for you to recover faster"

With the hands (which Touma only now noticed, had small band-aids in quite a few places) she presented him a small plastic box.

"A bento?"

"No, silly boy. It's a... pause for dramatic effect... homemade chocolate by yours truly!"

Touma looked at the box in a somewhat cautious amazement.

"You... you made chocolates for me, Youen? You don't seem like the type"

There was something ominous about this box that Touma could not place a finger on. But it was obvious the younger girl put a lot of thought into the gift so he didn't want to be rude to her.

"Who do you take me as? I assure you that you will find completely normal chocolates inside"

"Hah... if you say s-"

He covered his mouth, while looking at the girl. For a moment he was sure that her twin sister arrived... because he saw in double. In fact all the walls seemed to multiply bend and twist. In addition he felt the taste of vomit in his mouth, dizziness in his head, and soreness of his muscles, which shivered as if he had the fever.

'O-Othinus and Nephthys warned me that there can be side effects. That illusion I put Veritas in was an overkill. Damn, I do feel sick...'

While harnessing the draconic powers could give him an incredible empowerment, overdoing them could be equally taxing, as there were potent side effects lasting up to couple days and varying, depending on overused power. In the case of emerald dragon, he experienced nausea, hallucinations, and lack of orientation. It was not extremely dangerous, but he did throw up number of times and he was sure it would incapacitate in normal functioning. It was the only reason he didn't really fight against going out of the hospital yet.

"Hey, that's not fair, don't look like you're about to puke when you didn't even taste them yet!"

The sickening feeling slowly passed, as Touma shook his head.

"That is not... because of you."

"Hmm, so you are feeling unwell after all. Here, let me help you with that" Youen said, opening the box and revealing 50 chocolates in 5 x 10 setting" say 'aaaaah'"

"Youen-san, I really-"

"AAAAAH!"

Touma finally relented knowing that the small researcher will not give up until he tastes her creation. So he tasted the chocolate.

It was...

"Wow, Youen, this is really good. It's crunchy and crispy but sweet..."

He tried another one.

"And this one is like a cold peanut jelly! Quite refreshing! Youen, you are amazing. I never tasted anything like that!"

Carrier clapped her hands with a gentle smile, that seemed like a reflection of Kuchikusa's one.

"I heard there is nothing more rewarding than someone praising your cooking skills. You still owe me a dat-... an outing, so I am going to make you recover fast. As for the secret flavour... the first one was a crispy tarantula"

Touma froze, with his mouth filled with half-eaten candy

"Come... again?"

"A crispy tarantula. As for the second one... one moment..."

Youen reached forward with her hand and gathered a smudge of chocolate from Touma's lip in quick motion, before sticking her finger into her own petite lips.

"Yes, the second was alphitobius diaperinus, a lesser mealworm larvae."

"Y-Y-Youen-san... you used... insects as filling?"

"Chocolate mixed with insects. They are a source of high quality protein, macro and microelements, have a high content of mono and polyunsaturated fatty acids. They are rich in trace elements such as copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, selenium and zinc. They will help you recover in no time. I used my finest, disease-free specimens."

"But you said I can find normal chocolates inside!"

"Half of those chocolates are just regular cocoa with sugar, you just happened to pull out two surprises in the row. I would be negligent if I didn't supply you with something nutritious. I also added Locusta, Formica, Pentatomidae, Isoptera, Blattodea... in other words locusts, wood ants, stinkbugs, termites, roaches... their tastes roughly translate to fish, kaffir, apple, nuts, mushrooms... now, eat up and you will regain your strength in record speed"

"You and Aradia would surely find a common language regarding nutrition..."

"Who is Aradia?"

"A story for another time... oh, Ayu-san, And everyone else? Thank god... emm, I mean... Did something happen?"

There was a crowd of girls at his door, with Mitsuari Ayu at the front. Touma immediately sensed that there was something heavy in the air.

"Did... did you have another fight?" he asked.

Ayu shook her head.

"No, this is not between me and Shokuhou. We... we're rough on the edges but we will manage for now. But, Touma-san... I have something to ask of you..."

IV. DEPRESSION

It could be seen as very strange that the first thing that the IDEAL girls did together was a funeral. After all, Mitsuari Ayu was filled with suffering through last years.

But it was her insistence to honour Yumiya Rakko's memory.

"I learned that someone I cherished in the past died. I don't think I will be able to try pursuing happiness if I don't say proper goodbye. I think Iruka-san and the others need it too." she said quietly while approaching Touma" Would you help me get the funeral ready when we get out of here? And attend it, if it's not a problem?"

For grief to be correctly dealt with, a great deal of depression had to be experienced. And right now, Mitsuari Ayu felt deep sadness for reasons completely new to her. But let's not get ahead of ourselves.

And so, when they were discharged two days later, Touma contacted Sakuragi Naruha and Yakumaru Itsuki, requesting a favour.

After some time for the girls to get ready, at the evening of that day, they all gathered at the bottom of mountainous region of district 21. After exchanging the greetings, they slowly began their proceed up the path.

Everyone was wearing formal clothes, even Touma managed to borrow a black suit and white shirt from ITEM on this specific occasion.

First on the small procession was Yumiya Iruka, younger sister of the deceased, wearing a black kimono. Her kanzashi hair ornament, usually crimson red, was changed to black as well. She carried a bouquet of flowers and a framed picture, which, as Touma suspected, was of Yumiya Rakko.

Slightly behind her were Mitsuari Ayu and Hokaze Junko, good friends of Rakko from times of the IDEAL, in black dresses and flowers in hand. Then, Shokuhou Misaki and Kouzaku Mitori followed, and finally in the slight distance, there was a group consisting of Touma, Index, and Gokusai Kaibi.

Touma was directly invited, but he requested the presence of Index and Kaibi. Although both of them were surprised by this, Touma offered an explanation.

They needed someone with a language fitting of a ceremony to symbolically perform it. It didn't matter that it wasn't a christian funeral, Index was connected enough to spiritual side of existence to be a right person for the job. After he reassured Index with those words, the silver haired nun almost cried from touching sign of faith Touma had in her and agreed to intone a formal part of the funeral.

As for Kaibi, even if she abandoned Rakko at one point, they were still co-workers and friends of some kind while working for SCHOOL. Touma realized that after changing her ways, Kaibi was plagued by guilt for what happened prior to Battle Royale. So he took the opportunity for giving Kaibi the chance to say sorry and goodbye in this symbol of moving forward. The girl was very hesitant at first, and that hesitation didn't leave her even after she eventually left. But Touma wouldn't go without her and now he led her in his embrace, as the girl in the black dress and dark rose in her hair looked unsurely forward.

She knew that she wasn't really welcomed her. Although Iruka didn't pursue revenge anymore, it was clear that she didn't really fancy Kaibi's company. For exact same reason, Kakine Teitoku, who was informed about the event through Fremea and Hamazura, opted to watch from afar. Kaibi was one thing, but if Kakine, the one who actually authorized cutting the ties with Rakko in the past, were to appear on the funeral, it would surely end with a fight over the coffin. Or rather, over the boat.

Yes, after some time of slow march, they once again arrived at the shore of the Ground Geo lake. There, waiting for them, was a canoe-like boat and japanese styled bow with arrows.

The canoe was created by Naru from specially reinforced paper, made so it wouldn't sink like regular paper did. On it, there was a small slit, in which Iruka slowly put Rakko's picture. Other girls gently put their flowers on the canoe. After moment of silence, Iruka gestured at Touma and the others to come closer, as they gathered around stump of a fallen tree, which served as the natural podium. Index lowered her head, praying silently under her breath.

"Now, let's say a few words about Yumiya Rakko from the memory of those who knew her." spoke Shokuhou Misaki, her voice devoid of usual playfulness and glamour" Yumiya-san, please go first"

Iruka nodded and stood on the elevated point, gazing at the boat.

"Rakko... even for me, her sister, she walked her own ways. When we were little, she always followed me around and was afraid of everything. I wish I could ease her fear, one that she had to surely face in the moment of her death. But... even though we grew apart, I sincerely hope that she led a life in the way that she wanted. I will always and forever miss my dear older sister and I would give anything to hear her voice once again. She... she was always socially anxious, dreamed of having many friends. In which I hope she... succeeded, at least in some respect"

Iruka shot a glance at Kaibi, before continuing.

"Even if she dealt with darkness I had no knowledge of, even if she committed sins of grave weight, I decide and will forever cherish her memory as lovable sister, a wonderful companion, and... best family member I could dream ever of. I only wish I could understand many things sooner, because I will... miss her so, so much... Rakko..."

One stream of tears flowed from the closed eye of Iruka, as Junko gently grabbed her hand.

"Thank you, for sharing your grief with us"

Iruka shook her head, choking on tears.

"No, no, it's me who should be thanking you. All of you. And Kamijou-san, you weren't originally included, but you went out of your way to prepare everything here. I am truly grateful to be able to properly bid farewell to Rakko. I will remember your doings here, be sure of that"

Touma smiled warmly

"Sure. But I just did what had to be done"

Afterwards spoke Hokaze Junko.

"Rakko-san was... she was always a gentle, delicate spirit. She brought joy to all of us in the lab, she was like a younger sister to me, even when we were not that apart in age. During the time I struggled with my power and did everything to advance, she cheered me on and supported me in my endeavour. I will always cherish the qualities of character she showed back then in my heart. I liked to think that we reunite and remain friends in our adulthood... s-sadly... this will not be the case. If you are out there, Rakko-san, I wish you knew that people still love you... that I love you... and you will never be forgotten, not eveeeeeeer..."

Even though she prepared a longer speech, tears and sorrow stopped Junko, as both Iruka and herself fell into each other's arms.

"Thank you, Junko-san. Thank you so much. Mitsuari-san, would you mind going next?"

Ayu, unsurely at first, then managing to brave through the uncertainty, took the spot on the 'podium'.

"Rakko-san I knew was remarkably cute, compassionate, kind, and charming girl. Years ago, I would play with her and Iruka-san for hours. Rakko-san was the one of the few people that made my later trauma bearable in my memory. I can't believe she is actually gone. I know she changed... and I can't judge her, given what happened to me... but learning about her death made me realize something important about myself too. Someone once said: 'hurry to love others, because they leave so fast'. And it was never as true as it is now. I was away for so long and kept my back turned because of focus on myself so viciously that I missed the chance to speak with Rakko-san once more. If I could turn back time, I would, but it's not possible anymore. However, I shall take this lesson to heart and live to my fullest, embracing the ones I know and love. I shall never forget you, Rakko-san, and I will always give you respect for changing my perspective. I thank you for everything you gave to our lives."

Ayu went down before suddenly hugging Touma from the side.

"Are you okay?"

The girl smiled weakly

"I will be, eventually. But you are sweet for asking" she whispered, her puffy hair filling the air with calming fragrance.

Kouzaku Mitori and Shokuhou Misaki spoke next. They did not have such direct contact with Rakko as Iruka, Junko, Ayu or Kaibi, but expressed their deep sorrow and pain from the loss of fellow member of IDEAL, sister and friend to their own friends, and someone that they could help in need, but never had the chance because fate was not so kind. They promised to keep Yumiya Rakko in their memories and offered her sister renewed declaration of friendship, with Iruka accepted with gratitude.

Then, there was Kaibi's turn to go. She looked at Touma, but he squeezed her hand reassuringly.

"Go on and speak your own heart out. I am right here to support you"

Kaibi nodded and made her way to the stump.

After a moment she faced everyone. Touma was looking at her, placing his right hand on his heart. Kaibi exhaled and then began speaking.

"As you know, I knew Rakko in a different context than all of you. We met at dark side group known as SCHOOL. Rakko was... and there is no point in denying or hiding this after her death... was our sniper. One of the best out there"

The wave of uneasiness spread among the other girls, as Kaibi spoke, undeterred.

"We worked together quite some time and aided each other in a few situations. I often thought that Rakko did the job done. But I always thought of her as mere coworker, never a friend. I only understood after some time that I regret many things concerning my relationship with Yumiya Rakko. I should be... should be able to understand her. To call her a friend. To be there for her, instead of discarding her to die. I should do so many things that I didn't. And I am, after many changes in myself, ready to say: I am immeasurably sorry. For what happened and what could have been, but did not occur. I will always remember each day we spent together, keeping it in my memory to never stray from the experience it left in me. Yumiya-san... I know nothing I do or say can bring you back your sister... nor I expect to earn your forgiveness... but I want you to know that in addition to my regret and sorrow that stems from it, I am ready to support you whenever you need me, to atone for what SCHOOL did. I know we already settled this... but I just wanted you to know. Thank you"

As she came down, Iruka called to her.

"Gokusai-san... I truly do not know what is my relationship to you... nor am I sure if I can let go of what you cutting ties did to my sister... but I knew Rakko. And even if you weren't sure about your friendship, in her mind, you were her friend. So I can find in my heart to thank you for that flawed companionship... and for what you just said"

Kaibi sighed, looking beyond the crowd.

"Rakko and I had another teammate, Yobou-san. He... I wish he could be here, but sadly, he died too. He never said it, but he was extremely protective of her. And..."

She paused. She could have sworn she saw a white figure watching from behind the trees, but when she blinked, it was gone.

"Gokusai-san?"

"N-Nothing's wrong, I'm fine. Please, continue"

Touma, who did not have any ties with Rakko whatsoever, did not speak. It was time for Index to speak the conclusion, as everyone gathered around the boat. After saying last goodbyes and more personal prayers, Iruka put her hands on the surface of the water near the boat with flowers and photograph. It created small ripples, miniature waves on the calm surface.

There was no body, as it disintegrated upon Rakko's death. It was a pure symbol, but nevertheless a powerful one.

"Today, we lay to rest Yumiya Rakko" intoned Index" missed by her loved ones, friends, family. We say goodbye to a sister, friend, an ally, and a human life on this earth. We pray that with our guidance and grace of the divine, Rakko's spirit will reach peace and blissful repose in the everlasting light. Whatever her belief was, I pray that in the judgement of her own soul and in divine glory, we will guide her to wherever this justice dictates, as she leaves this world through physical ties, but remaining in the memory of love and compassion of those who knew her..."

Iruka closed her eyes and waves created on the undisturbed surface of the water got bigger, just enough for the boat to slowly moved away from the shore.

"... we hope that her virtue will be rewarded, sin will be forgiven, and that she will reach the ultimate happiness. Yumiya Rakko, hear our prayers and be welcomed into the unknown, into indescribable, beyond the realm of humanity, by powers beyond this world. With assurance of love, memory, and kindness towards you, we now lay you to rest, by water and fire, through air delivered and to earth returned."

As Index finished her intonation, Yumiya Iruka sniffed, drying her tears to regain clarity of sight. As the waves amplified by her ability, that could manipulate any wave-like property, carried the canoe to the center of artificial lake, she slightly undid her kimono, revealing the breast plate underneath.

She took a bow into her hand, alongside with an arrow, covered in the rag soaked in flammable liquid. She pointed at the lighter laying alongside the arrows.

"Mitsuari-san... light it up please"

Ayu did as she was told.

With the arrow's end burning, Iruka drew the bow in the calm focus, targeting the white canoe.

"Sleep tight, nee-san"

TWANG! SWISH!

The arrow swished through the air and hit the target.

As per Touma's request, Yakumaru Itsuki infused Naru's paper with flammable, yet harmless chemicals, thanks to which the boat was lit aflame in the matter of seconds.

The group on the shore stood and watched as it burned, in deep contemplation. Afterwards, there was a lot of crying, mainly by Iruka (who cried on the shoulder of her beloved senpai but also, to surprise of all parties, Touma's) and Junko. They stood it for nearly half an hour, and then slowly, very slowly, began their descent down the mountain. Later, they were all to go to restaurant to reminisce, and have more light-hearted moments after the event.

Ayu, Touma, and Iruka were one of the last ones who left. As Index and Kaibi left together, the later extremely hungry after the ceremony, Iruka also thanked Touma by hugging him, bowed to Ayu, and slowly left the scene too.

Ayu and Touma looked as the last flames slowly died down, the embers flowing up in the air.

She took his hand, looking at the surface of the lake.

"This place... brings bad memories" Ayu gestured towards water" Last time I stood on that shore like this... I got up on the higher spot, weighed myself down and... the water was so cold and chilling. You know, it makes me wonder if... there could be a better way to resolve this... I know wondering about what ifs will get me nowhere, but... I can't help but think about it. Was it all really my fault? If Shokuhou didn't want my life to be ruined, like I wanted to believe, if it was really my weakness... could I did it differently? All three of us shared that fate, but... was I foolish to do so? To decide to die?"

Touma looked forward in the darkness of the water, as the last flames of Rakko's funeral fire went down, leaving only silence of the lake with darkening sky.

"Of course you could do something better. But there isn't such thing as perfect solution" he stated, bringing the girl a little closer to keep her warm" I wanted to do all I could to save you. Maybe in some parallel worlds, I succeeded. But if all of this didn't happen, we wouldn't stand here now. If I could take your pain away and shoulder it in your stead, I would do so. But I can't stop what already happened from creating ripples in our history. But... what I can and promise to do is to create other ripples with positive moments, good memories, that will balance those bad ones until the water is clear. Ayu-san, it's better to say this now, but... I am only human. I know I often manage to do many crazy things, but at the end of the day... I am just a regular human. The weight of those I didn't want to save... Frenda Seivelun, Kihara Kagun, Komaba Ritoku... to only name a few... it never leaves me. But admitting that I won't be able to save everyone is a part of reality, and even if I strive my hardest to change it, I cannot do this alone. I know that now. If you have me, we can work together so the story won't repeat itself in the future. We can add bright memories, as much as you want, until this place won't be a reminder of darkness that almost claimed you, but instead the beginning of the life of happiness, and the first day of new life ahead of us. Because we are both back to square one. Only this time... I will see you, not only look at you. As long as you would like."

Ayu made a quiet whimpering sound, embracing Touma, who focused on reincorporating the embrace.

"Yes... of course I will be with you, there is nothing I would want more. If you stay with me..."

"I am not going anywhere. And... regarding what you said about Shokuhou... you know what's one of the hardest parts about being misfortunate?"

By touch, he felt that Ayu shook her head.

"It's not the accidents themselves, not physical harm, nor the fact that you may have it worse than the others. There is something else, on par with others suffering through our misfortune. One of the worst things is that when something awful happens to you, it doesn't always have a clear explanation. And one of the hardest things about random misfortunes is that sometimes... no, more often than not... there is not some evil plan, no ulterior motif, no grand scheme designed to bring you down. But you still need an explanation, you still need someone to blame. You need someone to blame so you don't go insane. But... there isn't anyone. It is just some random twist of events. It all follows some rules, sure, but at the end of the day... someone spilled something, someone woke up angry, a wind came through in that moment and not the other. One piece was missing from that puzzle of happiness and that was it. There was never any meaning to it, besides..."

Touma closed his eyes, emotions welling up in his voice, as Mitsuari Ayu's tears were drenching his shirt.

"... misfortune. Simple and random bad luck."

They did not know how long Mitsuari Ayu wept. It could be 2 minutes or 20. Touma allowed her to vent, to truly cry the depression within her out, knowing full well that it was just the beginning of the way to make that poor girl happy. But it was a major step.

Finally, when she calmed down, he spoke again.

"We... you and I... have that misfortune in common. And I don't know if two minuses like us will give a plus together... but if it can be bad anyway, I am curious to test what the two of us can do together. Are you?

Ayu slowly lifted her head. And then, extending her hand to touch Touma's heart, she smiled softly and said one word, carrying more hope than most of her life in the recent years combined.

"Yes, I am"

V. ACCEPTANCE

The other surprise arrived when Touma, Misaki, and Ayu were called by Heaven Canceller the next day. As they arrived together, they were waiting in the hospital caffeteria. Touma took of a sandwich, Misaki a salad, while Ayu opted for coca-cola and burger, mirroring her choice from first meeting with Touma and Seria.

Finally, Heaven Canceller came to greet them, accompanied by...

"Hello!" smiled a curvaceous blond with glasses, sporting a nurse uniform." Your sexy defender of the unjustly accused is here!"

"Bologna?!"

"Mom!"

"Wait... you said mom?!"

Three separate screams echoed throughout the caffeteria.

"Miss... Shokuhou..." Heaven Canceller made a face that immediately told Touma that the old doctor knew, or at least strongly suspected, the succubus's true identity" came to me, claiming that she wanted to consult me on the solution for your problems. And after listening to her idea, I decided to evaluate it from medical standpoint. The results of this evaluation are what I want to talk to you about"

"She did?" Misaki looked at the strangest family connection she had" I am afraid to ask, but how did you get in here?"

"Apparently, my nurse uniform was pretty convincing."

"Ah huh..."

"Nevertheless, I heard about you and Mitsuari-san. So you are Misaki's nemesis? Oh, you are a cute one. So much rage and jealousy and lust"

"Oh dear, now it's two of them" Mitsuari mumbled out" E-Excuse me, how exactly did you know me?"

"Kamijou told me"

"Huh?!" both girls looked at the boy, who raised both his hands in the air.

"I contacted her because she wanted to talk about memory problem, and I happened to tell her about recent events. I never knew she would actually get interested in Ayu-san"

"Of course I would be interested" Bologna frowned, before booping both Misaki and Ayu" Because both of you are unjustly accused... by each other. Thus, I found that it is my duty to try and think about solutions to both of your problems"

"Both of our problems?"

"Shokuhou-san believes that she found a pattern that can help both of your cases. Mental Out's memory issue regarding Kamijou-san, as well as Mental Stinger's prosopagnosia. I took the rough idea, changed it into functioning model... and given the fact that earlier there was almost no solution to either one of those problems... I think it's advisable and promising to test this idea out" said the doctor.

"Really?" The eyes of both girls lit up. At this point both of them, especially Misaki, would take any opportunity to solve the aforementioned issues.

"I should warn you though" Heaven Canceller put up a finger" This plan, should it work, relies on your cooperation. Either you win together or lose together. Shokuhou-san, Mitsuari-san... do you understand?"

The girls looked at each other.

"Well... we... emm..."

"Oh, come on. That's too quick for them to decide. Let's lay out the instructions first" Bologna grinned before running to the corridor and returning shortly after with an old fashion blackboard" So let's explain the basics. I do not really know in detail how your abilities operate. I am more... spiritually inclined, if anything. But, I was thinking, and I broke it down to the relations between you three."

"Relations? Between the three of us?"

Bolgona took a piece of chalk and draw an isosceles triangle, with letters 'T' and 'M' at the points connected by the basis of the triangle, and the letter 'A' at the point connected with two others by legs of the figure.

T - - - - - M

M - - - - - A

A - - - - - T

"Let's start with Misaki's case. We have three relations between you: Touma-Misaki (TM), Misaki-Ayu (MA), Ayu-Touma and of course, their reversed versions, Misaki-Touma, Ayu-Misaki, and Touma-Ayu. The problem here is that relations of Touma with Misaki are disturbed."

She drew an 'X' across the middle of the triangle's base, the segment connecting the letters 'T' and 'M'.

M- - - - -X- - - - -T

"All right?" Misaki asked" We knew that already. And what does Mitsuari-san have to do with this?"

"I was just getting to that. You see, it would normally end here... but with your abilities, there may be a way of saving your situation"

"Huh? Our abilities? What do you mean?"

"I think I will take it from here" Heaven Canceller sat down, looking at the blackboard" Shokuhou-san, your case is slightly more complex. What we thought of is similar to signal relay in telecommunication systems. If a direct link between a sending device and receiving device can't be established because of malfunctioning component, there is a possibility for another device of similar functionality to serve as medium to transfer the signal. In your case..."

Bologna drew another set of markings, as Heaven Canceller continued his explanation

T to M, disturbed.

M to A, functional

A to T, functional

"Interactions work in both directions. But even though Shokuhou-san can retain memories and accumulate memories from her interactions with Kamijou-san, the reverse isn't true. Now, the reason how exactly this specific anterograde amnesia is occurring is not yet fully understood. I hypothesize that your brain may be protecting yourself by somehow recognizing Shokuhou-san's power signature, that stems from the power that caused your body harm, even if it was to save your life. That is baseless speculation though, even if it remains the fact that your brain has some mechanism of selection, erasing only memories and sensations categorized as connected with Shokuhou Misaki. However, for the sake of our discussion, we don't really need to explain the exact nature of your cerebral inability. We just need to realize that in our telecommunication analogy, you are the malfunctioning receiving device while Shokuhou-san is a functioning sender. And here is where Mitsuari-san comes in"

"Boy, we are seeking not to fully heal your problem, but to trick your brain" Bologna said, sketching the sings on the blackboard.

T to A to M, information in relation T to M relayed through A.

Both Ayu and Misaki leaned forward, realization slowly dawning on them.

"We intend to make use of existing and functioning connections. We intend to relay Kamijou-san experiences of Shokuhou Misaki from Shokuhou-san's brain, through the brain of Mitsuari Ayu, and then finally to Kamijou-san own brain. Even though it would be de facto the same relation, by going through the mind of Ayu-san as a middle step between start and the goal, Kamijou-san's brain will be tricked into thinking that those memories come from Mitsuari-san, even though in reality they will be from Shokuhou-san. And to establish this connection in the first place, we will need-"

"Our abilities. A telepathic connection. But that's-" Ayu covered her lips.

"Brilliant. Far too brilliant" Shokuhou put a hand on her head in frantic excitement" It's scarily simple... why didn't I think of that?"

"Probably because it was not achievable earlier on" Heaven Canceller answered" We are talking about establishing an extended mind, similar yet different to a certain electrode I once procured, but using pure mental type power, a miniature telepathic network running constantly as a background calculation. No other telepath in the city can pull that off... but with you two, considering the level and quality of your abilities, there is a chance, a very noticeable one, of success. The key here is your cooperation"

"I... I think I still don't follow" Touma shook his head, to which Mitsuari said:

"Think of it... as a VPN. Where you change your IP location because you can't watch something in your country, and then you can because your computer appears to be in another one. Similarly, you can't remember Shokuhou now, but you can remember things about me. So if your experiences with Shokuhou come through me, your brain will basically be VPN-ed, tricked into thinking that it is about me, not Shokuhou. Although..."

She faced the pair of adults in somewhat shy display of hope.

"You said something about there being benefits for me too?"

"Indeed. It is even preferable if you both depended on one another, because it will somewhat lesser the tasks for both of your brains. Your case works in a similar way. In other words, you will use the connections to both Kamijou-san and Shokuhou-san to divide what your brain's fusiform gyrus would usually do. You will use their brain processing to gain face recognition abilities once again. The recall speed may be a little slower, but you will be able to recognize any face, provided that Kamijou or Shokuhou-san ever saw it before. It is clearly not the perfect solution, but..."

"It's okay! It sounds way better than anything I could think of" Ayu exclaimed in excitement" Also... that would mean that I have to spend time with Touma, as much as I can. I already wanted to do that"

Heaven Canceller nodded and got up off the chair. Ayu and Misaki began to eat again, contemplating what they just heard.

"Hmm, then I would leave it to you to decide if you want to cooperate on this scale. There are also a few technical details you should be aware of. For example, there is a chance that some of the memories of Kamijou and Shokuhou-san's activities may leak into Mitsuari-san's awareness. It may not constitute a problem in majority of the situations, but I imagine there may be some... intimate exceptions"

For a moment, everyone was silent, before girls' faces exploded in crimson hue.

"Y-You mean I will have to watch those two doing... i-i-it together? Oh my god... no way..." Ayu rapidly shook her head.

"T-There must be some way to disturb certain content of the mental transfer" Shokuhou was practically steaming, her golden hair and eyes accentuated by how red her face was" T-There must be!"

"What if there isn't?"

"Well, isn't it obvious? We get all parties happy by..." Bologna smirked at the girls.

And then, the succubus stayed true to her nature, spreading her arms and joyfully exclaiming a proper bombshell of an announcement:

"A three****!"

"Ghhh?!"

"Bhfft?!"

Shokuhou choked on the salad she was eating, while Ayu did the same with cola she was drinking, to the extent of it gushing through both her mouth and nose.

After few pathetically sounding noises resembling a wheezing cat, Touma had to hit Misaki on the back few times, before she broke into a loud coughing fit. Ayu was already far ahead with that, coughing as if she was to throw up her lungs, with tears falling from her eyes. Her nose tickled tremendously and her throat burned, as she struggled to calm her breathing.

"W-Wait a moment..." Mental out choked out" You can't be serious!"

"Why not?" Bologna smiled playfully" you may not be seeing it now, but you will each wonderfully contribute to the marital bliss. You are similar, but you, Misaki, have the natural sex appeal stemming from one of the most bewitching bloodlines in existence, while Ayu-san... oh, those armpits and legs are to die for. I think anyone sandwiched with them would ascend to heaven-"

"*cough, cough, cough*" Ayu reddened even more after that, trying to formulate any coherent speech, before finally whispering" What... what are we even saying here..."

"Oh dear, I forgot that it made turn into a four**** if I get serious alongside my daught-"

"STOP... *cough, cough, cough*..." Misaki pointed her finger, before another fit of coughing"...right there!"

In the meantime, Heaven Canceller exchanged his goodbyes to Touma and left, saying that he would be expecting their answer regarding the procedure. Should they agree, he would give them further instructions.

(5 MINUTES LATER)

After Bologna finally left, the three of them were left in somewhat awkward silence.

Touma tried to focus on random fragment of the ceiling as both Misaki and Ayu looked blankly in front of each other, glancing at each other or the boy, and then quickly returning back to flustered mess.

They tried to watch TV to get their attention somewhere else, but the randomly selected channel playing a biology documentary somehow made it worse.

'In the direct battle of ants and bees, it would seem that a bee, with strong stinger and the ability to fly, has absolute advantage. However, the tenacity and collective work of ants can prove her undoing. Some bee species are able to lay eggs in the anthills or even into ants themselves, controlling their actions to their advantage. Conversely, ants are capable of organizing a raid at the beehive, eating the bees alive to the-'

Both girls almost simultaneously switched the machine off.

Although no one wanted to admit, very vibrant scenes were in their minds, as much as they all tried to deny it, as evidenced by Misaki glancing at Touma's chest and Ayu's legs, Ayu stealing peaks at Touma's arms and Misaki's breasts, and Touma trying has hardest to look up and don't look at them both of them. Despite their actual attractions, Bologna's suggestions worked a little bit too good.

Finally someone broke the silence, but not really out of willingness to speak first, as one of the girls closed her eyes.

"Achoo!" Mitsuari Ayu sneezed forcefully, finally getting rid of irritating sensation of carbonated drink in her nose.

"Bless you" Shokuhou mouthed absentmindedly, while Touma handed Mental Stinger a tissue, which she gladly accepted.

"Thanks, I needed that" she muttered, rubbing her nose. The burning sensation in the throat and nasal passage lessened to the point in which she could concentrate" So... ekhm, discarding that small... distraction... do you actually wish to do it?"

"That should be my question to you. You are the one that didn't seem to want to have anything to do with me. And if we are to do this... we will have a lots of things to do with each other, even excluding flashes of my memories within your head"

Ayu sighed, intertwining her fingers with each other.

"It's true that I don't yet know if I can just move on. But I will go with Touma on this and say that I want to see what we can do. Because we were at war with each other, this was never a feasible option. But now... if we join forces... I am tired of hating, Shokuhou. That doesn't mean that I am ready to fully move on, but I... want to create something instead of destroying. And if it's with you, so be it."

Misaki smiled back, twirling the remote in her hand.

"I wouldn't say this better myself. I still don't what feelings I hold for you. But I would give up anything, my level status included, to be with my prince again. If working with you is the best, maybe the only solution I had, then I am not above it."

"Yes. Let's tolerate each other till we figure it out, for the sake of our times with Kamijou-san"

"Yes, I imagine any other situation would be quite sad. Having means to an end and not acting on them is like a bad joke"

"More of a joke than ourselves, Shokuhou-san?" Mischievous sparks appeared in Ayu's eyes" Imagine two strongest telepaths in the city falling in love with the same man and not knowing each other's thoughts until last moment before the tragedy"

No matter how much Shokuhou tried to restrain herself, her cheeks puffed out and lips formed a bright smile. Ayu put a hand on her own, until they both exploded into fit of laughter and giggling. Touma watched with nostalgic smile of happiness as the girls shared first laugh in years, possibly one of its kind.

"So we are doing this, huh?" Touma looked at both girls, who nodded with determination in their eyes.

"Let's get to work. We have a lots, lots of calculating to do."

"Tell me how can I help?"

(5 DAYS LATER)

In the end, Touma's role was that of support, which seemed underwhelming but was actually really crucial.

Apparently, Shokuhou convinced who she needed to convince in Tokiwadai that she was out on the series of medical tests regarding her level 5 status. That was a lie obviously, as she and Ayu went crazy while calculating the parameters needed to establish a network including themselves and Touma.

Touma never saw them in such state. They didn't sleep and barely ate, writing calculations on blackboards, napkins and other things they could find. Practically sharing the same ability made it easier for the work to move forward, but also led to the discussions over the math. Touma, having no idea what equations or brain sketches really meant, resorted to bringing the girls food and water, because, as mentioned above, they didn't really concerned themselves with food or sleep. And although Touma kind of forced the former, Ayu and Misaki didn't get even a bit of rest throughout 3 consecutive days. Besides going to the toilet, washing themselves, and eating when forced by Touma, they were checking and perfecting their part of the plan, relying on their abilities and calculations, over and over again. It seemed as if they were possessed. During that time, Shokuhou tried caffeine for the first time, which ended in a somewhat comical yet scary result, and Touma now knew that one thing scarier than mind controller was a sleep deprived yet hyperactive mind controller.

Finally, at the dawnbreak of the 4th day, the girls finally screamed with joy, completing the final calculation... before almost instantly falling asleep and deeply slumbering for over one day.

But then... then... everything was finally ready, as they all gathered, observed by Heaven Canceller and Bologna.

"Stand between us, Touma" Ayu instructed" yes, that's it. Keep your hands by your body. Also, this might give you a small amount of pain in the initial moment. "

"Right... thanks for the warning"

Alright... let's do it. Shokuhou?"

Ayu pointed the phone at the boys head.

"Remember, get the angle right. On the count of three. Establishing connection in 3...

"...2..."

"...1..."

"NOW!"

BEEP!

Touma felt as if something was injected into his head from both sides, a sharp sensation of pain that soon passed into slight feeling of dizziness and then completely vanished.

"Both ways connection established" Ayu looked at Shokuhou, who nodded.

"First part is clear!"

"Doc, I didn't ask about this before... but would my right hand mess all of this up?"

"Well, only if you touch your head." Heaven Canceller explained" those ladies researched how to connect with you, which in itself is kind of a feat. Your hand would react if they wanted to control your body, because that would also include your right arm and your ability embedded into your hand. It would immediately be nullified. But with information relay, it should be fine, although, like I said, the background telepathic link will be severed if you touch your scalp on the height of the brain."

"So I... can't scratch my head for the rest of my life?"

"It would be advised not to do this with your right hand. You may teach yourself how to rely more on your left side in things regarding touching your own scalp. But we understand that you will sometimes have to touch it, so don't worry. Yes, the link will be severed, but if I am not mistaken, Shokuhou-san and Mitsuari-san already remember calculation forming the network and can recreate it without problem. Isn't that right? In that case, you will not lose your already created memories with Shokuhou-san, you will just lost the ability to make new ones before connection is established again. It seems your amnesia of your actions with Shokuhou-san prior to Deadlock accidents and your inability to create new memories are different cases connected by the same mechanism. In other words, if we make your short term memory work, then you will be able to store your memories with no issue"

"What?" Touma turned to Misaki and Ayu" You remember this monstrous calculation you were working on for 3 days? But... this is..."

"Don't underestimate the strength of maiden's feelings..." Ayu smiled to him.

"...especially when one waited as long as I did." Shokuhou smiled, programming something on her remote.

'Wow, this is the level 5 intelligence for you'

"Now, all that is left is apply the calculations regarding both our problems to establish a link between Mitsuari-san and Shokuhou-san. This is the most crucial moment. Would you mind going over to these mattresses in the middle of the room?"

When three teens did as instructed, Heaven Canceller described last part of the ordeal.

"Open up your minds, and lower the defences for the specific AIM signature. As if you tried to force your ways into each other's minds, but the other must not try to stop it. Thinking about strong emotions may help with that. When you connect, the network will be properly established. Do not be alarmed, but when the connection will be established, your brains will have to readjust to this new situation, which will be rather strenuous task. All of you will fall unconscious, that's what those mattresses are for."

"Unconscious? For how long?"

"Unfortunately, I don't know. This is an unprecedented procedure in the history of this city. But rest assured, you will be in safe care here"

Touma looked at the girls.

"Are you sure? This might knock us out for years as far as we know it"

"I am sure it will be okay" Misaki smiled" Besides, much more important things are at stake."

"Indeed. If there is one thing that we agree on, it's that we want to be by your side more than anything. So it's a low price to pay. Although the same may not apply or not. You may waste time for the selfishness of two of us. You can still say no"

"And leave you unhappy? Besides, I want to be with you as much as you want to with me. Let's do it!"

Misaki and Ayu closed their eyes. Normally, mental types interference was problematic and almost nonexistent. But now, they were working together, consciously lowering their defences for that single person on the other side to come through. Also, each of them had experience in breaching the impossible. Misaki focused on her feelings while she overpowered so many people in Windsor Castle, including Misaka Mikoto. Ayu focused on the moment in which she dragged Misaki into her own mind in the battle of Ground Geo. But this time, they didn't fuel it by rage and sorrow.

As corny as it could sound, they used their emotions of love and longing, as they raised remote and phone to the air and pressed them to their heads.

BEEP! BEEP!

"This might not sound like much, coming from me..." Touma spoke, looking at two mental espers" But good luck to you"

The girls looked at him and smiled gently.

"No. Good luck..."

"... to us!"

They faced each other once again and this time, pointed their devices at each other. After few seconds, they both nodded.

"Establishing a connection and embedding the telepathic network in 3...

"...2..."

"...1..."

"CONTACT!"

BEEP! BEEP!

A feeling similar to heatstroke passed through Touma's skull. It seemed as if his brain matter was boiling.

It happened all too fast.

Before he fell down, he noticed that the eyes of both girls become blank and they begin to fall like cut-down trees. On instinct, he wanted to reach to catch them.

But he couldn't. He fell into the darkness as his consciousness was snuffed away.

(? LATER)

Touma slowly opened his eyes.

"An unfamiliar ceilling..."

His mouth was dry and body sore, as he slowly raised up.

"Where am I..."

"In my hospital, as you may expect." said Heaven Canceller, coming into the room" I got notified that your brainwaves changed, indicating your awakening. Rest for a moment, I will have to run a few tests"

"Did it... work? How long were we out?"

"Not we. You were asleep for two and a half days... and you are the first to awaken, so we don't know if it worked or not."

Indeed, looking left and right, Touma noticed both girls hooked up to the various monitoring devices, with their eyes closed.

"A-Are they okay?"

"They are strong girls, of that I assure you. All we can do now is wait" the old medic stated calmly, putting a hand on Touma's shoulder" Index-san and Gokusai sisters visited you here. Do you want to contact them?"

"Y-Yeah... of course..."

Touma contacted and met with members of his household, explaining the situation in detail and requesting more patience, as he, disregarding his absence record probably drawing its last breath, stood vigil near in the room of both girls.

But Misaki and Ayu did not wake up that day. Or the next. Or the day after that.

Finally, after Touma began to seriously worry...

"Kamijou-san, you may want to come here quickly. It's the ladies... they are waking up..."

"What? Both of them? Thank gods... what are the odds..."

"Hmm, if it's those two young women..." Heaven Canceller mused humorously" I suppose that even in sickness, they don't want to be outdone by each other"

(HALF AN HOUR LATER)

"Ow, my head... I am so hungry..."

"How long were we out... did it work?..."

Touma barely got the girls time to recover, before embracing both of them in a hug.

"Gyah?!"

"My prince?!"

"I was so worried about you! I was scared that you may... you know... not wake up anymore..."

"H-How long were we asleep?"

"Five and half days, while Kamijou-san awoke three days before you"

"I see.." Misaki sighed, before smiling apologetically" I am sorry we worried you..."

Meanwhile, Ayu reached to Touma's face. Sun shone on the pair, as the girl began to smile, initially with uncertainty of a child, but soon, the happiness on her face growing brighter and brighter.

"I... see you. I can see you, I truly see you. I can see everyone's faces! I finally... after those lonely years... I see your face again, Touma"

"That's great" the boy smiled, reincorporating the happiness of both smiling and crying girl" So... was it worth the wait?"

Ayu gently brushed aside her burgundy hair and locked her lips with Touma.

After 20 seconds or so, she backed away, both of them gasping for air.

"Does this answer your question?" Ayu whispered to him.

"A-Ahm... I..."

"EKHM!" Shokuhou's mild annoyance at having an opportunity stolen was soon overpowered by a stronger desire, as she turned Touma toward herself.

"I am Shokuhou Misaki, #5 level 5 of Academy City. Focus on this whistle for a moment.." she took a plastic whistle from behid her hospital robe" And with that knowledge, go!"

"What... but..."

"Go to walk around the hospital until you are called. Please, do this for me!"

And so, Touma left. Minutes passed, Shokuhou tense from anticipation. Ayu looked at her form the side.

"If you are curious, that calculation is still going. The network is fine"

"Thank you. In truth... I was never more nervous in my entire life. But no more stalling... this should be more than enough time"

And so, she called the nurses to summon Touma back. Not able to wait, she ran out to the corridor, just in time for Touma to ascend the stairs and face her.

Golden haired girl and spiky haired boy looked are each other for a while, before Misaki asked in a shaky voice

"Do you... know who I am?"

Touma sighed.

"As I was told by the doc, and by yourself too just 15 minutes ago, you are Shokuhou Misaki, level 5 of Academy City known as Mental Out. You command Tokiwadai's biggest clique, Junko-san is your best friend, you have a terrible stamina, and can't stand any additives in your food, so you always eat it from specifically selected stores. There is only so much I could learn in those 3 days since I awoke so I still don't know the true meaning of that whistle, but I bet it's something import-"

He didn't get to say much more because Shokuhou, who was already closing in since he started talking, sprinted forward in the uncharacteristic burst of athleticism, and pounced at surprised boy, her golden hair flowing through the air behind her.

THUD!

"Agh! S-Shokuhou-san..."

"Misaki. No formality will ever be needed between us"

Touma felt something rapidly wetting his cheeks. He looked up.

Misaki had her face over him as she supported herself on her arms, her starry eyes glinting through the overflowing tears of joy that accompanied a beautifully serene smile on her face.

"I... dreamed so long of this... I longed for this for so many sleepless nights... I had to hold back on my feelings for so long that... I can't... think... you are here... I am... we can finally..."

Ironically, even if Touma regained the ability to remember Shokuhou thanks to Mitsuari Ayu's 'mental VPN', neither Touma nor Shokuhou could remember in detail what happened in the span of next 10 minutes. But from the outside perspective, it was clear.

Shokuhou Misaki got so overjoyed that she began speaking gibberish, laughing, crying, hugging Touma and caressing his face almost at the same time, while also, most apparently, kissing him so fervently that it seemed less of a make out session and more of a kissing bombardment all over Touma's face, as if the girl wanted to kiss each fragment of his skin for each second lost to their forced separation. Never before in her life and in only scarce number of events in the future, like eventual birth of her daughter Kiseki, was she so elated and ecstatic.

Even if Touma didn't remember Misaki, after a moment he also gave in to her excitement, reincorporating many emotions experienced by the girl, and in fact, only the plea by the nurse pushing the operating table through the corridor made the pair snap back to reality and realize that they were basically making out in the middle of the corridor.

(1 HOUR LATER)

They went to the hospital's roof and were looking at the cityscape of glass and steel.

"So... what are we doing now?" Ayu, smiling gently in the rays of the sun, with Misaki and Touma by her side" I want... I want to try it. Experiencing the world again, with you by my side"

"And we will. Wherever you want to go... as long as I can get away with missing classes"

"I am sure I can press something on this phone of mine"

"I... still can't believe it" Shokuhou laughed, spreading her arms to the sky" I feel so happy I can't even experience all of it at once. Suddenly, possibilities are endless. Heh... who would've thought that my miracle would involve you."

"I can say the same. I would never guessed that without the one that I thought destroyed me, I couldn't be truly saved."

As they sat there, Touma got a text message.

"Oh, it's from Kaibi. After I informed everyone you woke up and our experiment worked, Amazora really wanted to throw a party for everyone to celebrate. Our neighbours and friends will be there too. Do you want to come?"

"Of course" Ayu spoke sweetly with a small blush on her face.

Shokuhou nodded

"I am in such a good mood that I don't even care about that cow being there. But before we go..."

She looked at Ayu, who smiled and nodded in approval.

"... we have something important to tell you."

"Important?"

"When we were working on the calculations for telepathic network, we decided that... shall it work... we both have something to tell you." Ayu explained, as both her and Misaki walked closer to the boy" And now, when each of us had our separate moment with you, it's time to say it. The fact that we arrived at that conclusion, at that happiness... it is the achievement born from all three of us. And this is why... we will say this together. Because not only we share this feeling, there are also similar circumstances involved. Shokuhou?"

"Ready when you are"

And so, both girls began speaking one after the other, differently yet completing each other. Touma did not know if it was rehearsed but the effect was mesmerizing...

"You were there for me...

"...when I didn't have any hope..."

"...You offered me your hand..."

"... when no one else would..."

"... You gave me so much..."

"...While asking so little in return..."

"... But when I realized what I truly wanted to say..."

"... fate separated us, leaving only pain..."

"... I regretted not being able to say it for so, so very long..."

"... in the cold darkness of solitude and pretending..."

"... So, to never regret again, and follow my heart..."

"... I am going to say it now..."

"... and stay true to it for as long as we are together..."

Despite speaking as individuals, both girls arrived at the same, emotion filled conclusion, as they spoke in unison, there voice creating a harmony for that bright period, that single confession

"Kamijou Touma... I love you"

Then they smiled to amazed Touma, and extended their hands to him.

"We don't ask you to reincorporate it as you are now. Our relationship is still new to you..."

"... But I promise to try my hardest to make you feel loved as you once cared about me..."

"... To make this confession of love truly gain meaning and make your heart feel the same..."

The girls kissed each of Touma's cheeks, before facing the City by his side once again.

"So, if you have me and stay by my side..."

"... should we begin? This bright new life in which our feelings paint the sky with happiness?"

13 days after battle with Veritas and 10 after the beginning of the plan to link their minds together, two girls, once forever lost, returned to Kamijou Touma's life, with light of love banishing the shadow of grief.

(TO BE CONTINUED IN MITSUARI AYU III: LIFE)

And there you have it. Whole rollercoaster of emotions, combined with confrontations, Rakko's farewell, IDEAL squad reunion, and Misaki claiming her miracle, on top of Ayu finally beginning her new life. It may seem like Ayu's change of heart happens quite fast, but in fact her way from hate to acceptance happens over course of multiple days and conversations.

I am aware that no solution to Touma and Shokuhou's problem presented in the fandom is perfect, but I tried to give mine a lot of thought and researched a lot of precedences regarding the fact that Shokuhou was able to access Touma's mind and omit Imagine Breaker, or the fact that both Ayu and Shokuhou demonstrated that it was possible, under specific circumstances, enter the mind of someone generally imprevious to mind control. The idea is very simple and not perfect (Ayu is not fully cured, she only recognizes faces if either Touma or Shokuhou saw those faces before; likewise, Touma will lose the ability to remember Shokuhou without Ayu or if he destroyes this delicate network) but for them, it's more than enough. There are many details to the whole procedure, but I tried to explain it as well as I could.

Also, Hanatsuyu Kuchikusa is a new character from ITEM novel, if someone wasn't sure or was interested.

It was extremely rewarding and emotional chapter in the writing process itself. Quite an enriching and sublime experience, if I may say so. It honestly embodied the positive feelings I feel for this story, despite this chapter's more serious focus.

See you and thank you for everything, as always!