He was led out of his room, by an old scientist who was respected by the two Kiharas. Sure, they were still rude and bicker a lot, sometimes with the old man as well, but they were more respectful than loud when it came to him.

He was told that the old man was to take over the project at some point, but some preparations were to be done first before the next step was to be executed. The next step being an entirely new project.

A project that was supposed to be the highest and the most prestigious of all scientific projects in the entire world since the creation of Espers.

This project was why Academy City was even created to begin with. And he was gonna be the centre of it all.

Today was the day he was supposed to be taken and see the key component in the next step for the project. This was mostly seen as a 'vacation' for him by most, for his contribution and magnificent progress he'd made in a year. To him, it was just another day.

"Y'know, boy," the old man starts. His eyes were barely a slit, his back bent and on his face was a smile more happy than a man of his stature would ever have. "I have met and known many people in my lifetime, but you alone will create history like no other."

He kept quiet. He does not care for sweet words. The old man chuckles. "Is it not sufficient for you, the things we have given? The lesser beings would have grovelled on their knees for the same opportunity."

He was not given an option whether to accept the things they'd offered. Declining it was not an option, for his death would mean hers as well. His eyes lowered. He could not find it in him to refuse the woman of her life. Just like she has, he will give her his all.

"You kids are all the same. Quiet as that of a church mouse. But do remember, your thoughts are not as safe inside your head as you think they are."

At that he responded with a hum, acknowledging the old man's words, but of his own mind, he only thinks of tomorrow. Of what it offers, the greater knowledge that awaits him and what is yet to come.

While though they had highest hopes for the new project, they were given no specific time frame. It has been a while since it was first announced. All for preparations, they were told.

For what it was worth, they were already here.

They stopped at a steel gate. Its height, width and length creates an eerie feeling in the narrow hallway. No sounds other than the humming of the operating machinery that ran the complex and the whirling fans.

Nothing short of abject fear radiated from the inside of it. Like that of the gates of hell, only it was cold, and the doors did not welcome those who passed it.

A buzz from out of nowhere and a grumbling, the metals grind against one another and the ominous sound reverberated throughout the hallway. It made even the likes of him to cringe and clench his fists. He sensed the elder standing at the entrance. He didn't see the face, but it was clear he was grinning from ear to ear.

The gate was fully opened with a banging sound. The old man turned around. "After you." His tone was stern, betraying the joy in his expression.

Hirano's face was grim, but he complied nonetheless. His first step echoes as he peers right into the massive facility. The place was dark, no emerging lights in them except where they came from. And beneath the railings that are blocked by the floor.

He gulped. Is that the new project, he thought? He walked over to get a look at it. He didn't have to be near the rails to see the rest of it.

His face fell.

The floors are as dark as midnight, consuming the lights coming from the thousands of bulbs inside of the tanks.

The tank was shaped like a tube, its body transparent, buzzing with dozens of smaller tubes that looked like something from an underwater world. Wires connected to it made it an imposing sight to anyone looking at it.

Inside the tank was a person, revealing all its bodily parts in its glorious state of nudity. Their brown hair is long, reaching down just above their waist. Their eyes closed in serene sleep, twitching here and there.

They were all similar. Like clones numbering in the thousands. He felt his hands go cold. If his experience of the past were a reference, then he would... God knows how long before then, but these artificial lives won't last too long.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" The Kihara spoke, placing his hands right on the railing, holding it tight as he grins menacingly. "The SISTERs Project was never complete, it can't be without you. You are the final missing piece. A perfect reflection of the God that never was."

With that, he turns to Hirano, placing his hand over his shoulder. "Don't you forget you are where you are with our help. We complete one another, Accelerator." He leans in with a whisper. "For we are one and the same."

He patted his stiff shoulder, turning around to leave.

He just freezes right there, trying to register all of this in his mind, and the image of the Kihara and the clones and the impossible notion of being a complete copy.

The young boy took in a slow, deep breath.

There was no understanding how. Even after having visualised it this far, this one still didn't make sense. But then again, the world never truly made any sense.

Perhaps never will.

He needs to learn how to live with it.

Shirai Kuroko was walking. Her steps are long and wide. Her flaming red shoes guided her every movement. The 10 year old walks with her head high, her hands holding the straps of her backpack with a pink smile spreading on her face.

Uiharu Kazari was on her side. Her hands were held together behind her, radiating with innocent, happy white light. Her movements are more defined and exact, just like how Kuroko was bubbly and sparkling.

The two went side by side along the pavements, conversing wholeheartedly. As they talk, sounds of the city life fill the air, with people driving and doing small everyday activities. The sound of the cars are distant, and the noise of the people seem less than a constant stream of background noise.

So much has changed these past few months. It feels like only yesterday that Kuroko was just a little girl living in a dream. A completely different person now, she is.

With the graduation of her seniors, school has gotten more complicated and tougher for Kuroko. She has to carry herself as a the older ones herself. Not only that, it had gotten a lot harder to interact with them.

Only she and Uiharu were the last of their circle of friends.

Their conversations still flow like when they were all kids. They never thought about how strange their conversations were becoming, but they just went on as they had.

"You like jazz?" Kuroko asked out of the blue.

"Yeah, but I prefer smooth jazz." Uiharu said, following up.

"Smooth jazz? Father said the same thing. I don't get it though. Is normal jazz too rough for some people or something?"

"Maybe." Uiharu answers, picking up her pace as the two of them rush over a crossing. "Perhaps, it's called preferences?"

Kuroko shrugged. "People have weird tastes."

The two continued on with their talk. For most of the walk, the topic kept on changing back and forth. Maybe it was the hot topic of the day, or maybe it was because they're subconsciously interesting for the two, maybe it was a different reason altogether.

But nothing could prepare them for the sight they soon witnessed upon turning around a corner.

A person was being held at knife point, mugged.

There were multiple assailants, flanking the victim from all sides with no way out. The only reason they even realize it was a mugging was due to the amount of scenes they're making.

There were screamings and shoutings, profanities and death threats being thrown. The guy stood no chance. He was stripped of both his wallet and dignity at the same time in front of everyone.

Kuroko could not help but feel frustrated that others were not compelled to help in any shape or form, just watching it and recording the whole thing.

The girl was seconds away from acting, ready to send her bag hurling against them. But the firm grip on her wrist stopped her from doing so.

She turned and faced a grimacing Uiharu. "Don't." Was all she said.

She looked back to see the whole event finally over as the three muggers ran inside of an alleyway, laughing in mockery.

Kuroko immediately turned around. Her index finger tapped at her friend's shoulder. "Why'd you do that?!" Her anger is flowing freely. "We could've at least done something!"

The other girl didn't say anything, keeping her gaze at the alley. "Uiharu!" Kuroko exclaims. The girl in question lets out an exhale. "Why did you stop me?"

She pauses. "They'll punish you for that." She was growling, her tone low and quiet.

"I couldn't care less about that!"

"You wanted to enter Tokiwadai, didn't you?" The girl answered quite harshly. "This would put a stain on your slate. They wouldn't take you in because of it."

Kuroko couldn't exactly refute the claim. She wanted to enroll into the prodigious school to make her parents proud. They were rarely home, even now, but they still do try their best to be there for her.

She wants to pay that back. And she very nearly blew that chance off if not for her friend. And she really did just scream at her face out of impulse.

Academy City has some of the strictest laws revolving around ESP powers. To limit its usage and make sure it is not being abused. Certain leniency were made over the years, but attacking others with it were punished with severe penalties.

Her lips immediately purses as she takes in consideration of her actions just now. She was hit with guilt at full force, muttering two small sorries as she looked away.

"It's alright." Uiharu waved it off.

Kuroko sighed out loud. Her good day was ruined in less than a minute. Her mind went back to the prior event. Her eyes narrowed. "If only there was something we could do…"

…

"There is." Uiharu states with determination.

He watches from up above, the observer. Making sure his herds are all well and behaved, the planner and the protector. His gaze peers across his domain, the leader.

His eyes are closed, eye lashes long. His skin is almost as pale as that of his hair. The expression on his face was reserved, he knew to be strict and unforgiving. He wore a robe, made of something that wasn't of this world.

His mind is in constant motion. It can't stay still, it can't focus on one thing for too long. It wanders, taking in and going out, taking its time, watching over his domain within the shadow.

His face shifts, doubtful, maybe even a little angry. Even so, he was cautious. He watches. And he feels even more anxious.

This isn't how it's supposed to go, the man thought.

The angel has spoken to him regarding the cracks within his plans. Even though he had prepared, spent centuries for this, nothing had been done to prepare for such blunders.

The main plan isn't how he's supposed to be. Several unaccounted variables have changed its course. One such variable being a potential for conflict. Something like this is going to create a massive dent, a bigger threat then he'd ever imagined.

He looked at the main plan from the tower he resides in. He feels his pain. He watches as his expression turns grim. Much of his mind is in disarray, while the others are telling himself that what they are doing is for the best. For her, he thought.

The man thought for more than five minutes about how to remedy this dilemma. To fix the problem and bring everything back on course, but it's too late. The damage has already been done. The cracks are already wide and gaping.

He might have to get rid of them personally. But no. They created a possible route that might just save it all. They placed themselves into this by changing the course. And with that he shall punish them by placing them within this hole they have created.

"Kihara Noukan." He speaks, like that of a chant. His voice was capable of inducing fear within most beings, just as it allowed him to instil absolute confidence within his subordinates.

He didn't bat an eye. Merely he breathes, and in a span of a second, an elderly dog kneels before him. Its skins are flappy and golden. A machinery of some sort was strapped around its collar.

"Yes?" It asks, with an amused tone.

"There are changes to be done." The words were short, with the calm composure of a man who knew what he was talking about.

The dog immediately knew what the man was referring to. There were several instances of something like this happening in the past. He merely listens to what the man asks for and nods his head.

"Which is it?" The dog asks.

There was doubt in his blue eyes. He wasn't sure of something. A new sight for the old dog. The man was always so sure of something. The changes within the plan will be huge, the dog thought.

"Number 1."

The dog's head jerked up. A slight whimper coming out of its mouth. Their head dropped, letting out something eerily similar to a human sigh.

"Poor thing."

The man did not reply. He closes his eyes, taking in a deep breath. This one is gonna be hard. Not because she will be much of a challenge. But because she was the best he has, a contender for the main plan.

But the boy has shown so much promise, and has things that are undoubtedly what he has been yearning for. Something that the girl simply could not offer him.

So for this to work, it is a necessity for her to be stripped of her status.

"Another thing." He adds. "Your kin. I have a message for him." The man then speaks his message. The dog promises to relay the message for the younger Kihara.

No sound was made, nor was there any perceptible reaction. Within a blink of an eye, he was out of the massive tank, without a single drop of the golden liquids from his person.

He stood majestically. On his right hand was a staff, round, and freezing blue. His hair reaches down to the floor of the dark place. Nothing was to be seen except an awe inspiring silhouette.

With no further words left to be spoken of, the two depart for Tokiwadai.

I don't know how Kuroko and Uiharu got into Judgement, but that's that. Hopefully my interpretation's good enough.

New Chapter Next Week!