Everything is normal?

[ASG: The End of the Long Night]

Kuroko said that Misaka didn't come back to their rooms after they went separate ways the previous day, Joule was sitting in the apartment she shared with GV as he was cooking a breakfast.

She was telling him about how worried they were for her to which he asked "Want me to quickly search for her?"

Joule didn't doubt his ability to find her as he could likely have sensed her power as he wandered around the city. He did that while he didn't have a job, the wandering helped him find new things like shortcuts or job opportunities.

"No, " Joule sighed "We can wait a bit longer. She might have a reason."

GV raised the spatula in his hands "She is making you worry and apparently breaking curfew, in addition if there is a problem she's not telling you guys about it."

GV lowered it and then turned round "It is likely a personal problem and I don't tend to interfere with those but as her friends you might want to talk to her about it."

Joule nodded and GV went back to making breakfast. As he did so Lumen emerged and spoke to them both "There is always the options like having me tail her or Joule looking to see what is worrying her mentally."

Joule refused "It's an invasion of privacy, only to be done in desperate circumstances."

Lumen shrugged "Fair enough, I was just voicing the ideas."

[ASG:Cyanotype]

A couple of minutes later they were both eating, GV had made fried eggs and sausages. It was simple but nicely filling.

Over it the conversation had changed to the idol concert and Lumen teasing Joule and GV.

"You are coming to see her right GV?" Lumen spoke teasingly and GV shrugged "Assuming I'm not doing anything that day, of course."

Lumen's face heated slightly "You better not make plans for that day. Other than this of course!" The second part of that was added quickly.

Joule was also blushing slightly "Right?"

GV smiled "Of course, I promise not to make any other plans for that day."

A few minutes later they were done and Joule sat with her sketchpad again, This time however she wasn't drawing an outfit. With Lumen's help she was writing the lyrics she would sing. They already had a good idea for the song so they were ensuring the lyrics they made were in time with it.

"If I get out of the merciless night, That'll surely change my color!" Joule was nearing the end of the song and Lumen nodded as they both looked at the paper in her hands.

"It'll work I think, " Lumen tapped the side of her head "But now we need to worry about the dancing. I was never too good at that."

GV looked over from his laptop to comment "I thought you danced all the time in the past."

Lumen's face soured "No, in the Sumeragi performances all I was doing was singing their songs. They programmed the holograms to dance."

Joule sagged "So how are we going to do this?"

Lumen shrugged "One of your friends might know something, either that or we just watch a lot of idol shows and copy their movements."

Joule pulled out her phone "I think Saten might know, she knew about the issue with clothes in the past."

Before Joule had even finished dialing the phone rang, a call from Saten.

Joule lifted the phone to her ear only to hear "She's back!" Saten was cheering slightly.

"Misaka you mean?" Joule asked.

"Of course, she's even invited us to a cafe where she will pay for us as apology for making us worry!"

Joule smiled even if Saten couldn't see it "Tell me where."

After being told which cafe was being used the call ended and Joule got ready to leave, As she did Lumen turned herself into a butterfly and GV reminded her to ask Misaka exactly what the problem was.

Joule nodded and left.

[ACSR: Uiharu Kazari]

"I'm so sorry I had all of you worried, " Misaka waved her hand to all of the drinks (and a parfait) that the others had ordered "This is my way of apologising. It's my treat so go ahead and enjoy."

All of them where there, the booth they were all in was semicircular and from the left to the right were Saten, Joule, Uiharu, Haruue, Kuroko and Misaka.

At Misaka's words most people smiled. Joule and Kuroko were still worried but it was Saten who asked "So Misaka, where were you? What were you up to?"

"I... I wanted to do some stargazing." Misaka stammered just a little.

"Stargazing?" Uiharu and Saten asked as one. "Yep that's right," the stammer had left but it didn't make it any more convincing "Well you know, like every now and again when you get in a sort of a schmaltzy mood for it? And you just want to sit on swings in a park, swinging back and forth and humming cheesy songs to yourself and staring at the stars. You get it?"

Saten voiced everyone's (Except Haruue who was happily eating a cake of some sort) thoughts "No I don't, I don't even know what schmaltzy means."

Joule looked over "Excessively sentimental, I learned it but it never sounds right in lyrics."

A fake smile was on Misaka's face "Yep, I was feeling that way last night."

"I meant to ask," Uiharu leaned over as she began talking "did you ever figure out what that code was for yesterday?"

Saten and Joule looked at her and Saten asked what she meant. Uiharu began speaking to explain but she was cut off by Misaka "Ah, the code! Well that was-" She paused for just a moment and she repeated 'That was' before she tensed up as if remembering something bad.

"What is it sis?" Kuroko asked slightly afraid of the answer. Others around the table inquired if she was okay but Misaka didn't say anything at first.

[ACSR: Chiisana Nozomi]

In the end she spoke "I can see you, All of you. I can see you there beside me, but I can't- I can't-"

Kuroko was honestly afraid for her now "What are you saying?"

Saten spoke quickly and forcefully "The arcade! Let's go to the arcade Misaka! It's been a long time and I want to take on the punching machine again."

Uiharu and Haruue agreed, Haruue even saying she wanted another group photo of them all.

Saten nodded with a lightness in her voice "Let's go, Let's go! We need to clear our heads." Joule got the feeling that she was talking specifically about Misaka with that last comment.

Regardless all of them turned to look at Misaka, She understood that they all wanted to help her. "You guys." She spoke quietly. Saten closed her eyes "Just one thing, I want you to remember this Misaka. No matter what, we are always here for you. If your burden is ever too heavy, just say the word. Okay?"

Misaka looked down and blushed

"It really has been a long time hasn't it." Uiharu spoke as they walked towards the arcade.

Saten agreed "A long, long time."

Haruue pondered "I wonder if the malls are still there?"

The conversation then shifted to an agreement for a battle between Saten and Kuroko but Joule didn't think anyone minded.

End of chapter

Episode 5 and the first half of 6 were skipped due to not having anything team Adept could do anything with.

GV hasn't done anything for a few chapters, might change next week.

No prize for guessing the song Joule and Lumen are composing but feel free to guess.