Truth

[ASG: Cyanotype]

GV had come back before dawn which Joule decided was a good sign. She never could quite sleep properly when he was out on a mission, even Lumen suggest she could metaphorically keep watch wasn't enough. She could feel whenever he came across danger, in a vague way she could feel his heart rate. Whenever he fought it would jump up and her fear for him would stop her from sleeping properly.

It seemed that GV was sad about something though, Joule didn't want to ask but she suspected the job hadn't gone well.

It was now August 20st, only 6 days before the idol event and Joule had done most of her preparations for it. The dress was mostly ready with only a little more sewing to add on a few decorations, The song was complete and the dance was complete to Joule's satisfaction (Even if Saten claimed she still wasn't moving enough.)

She had been invited to lunch with her friends in a cafe so when the time came she checked up on GV (Who was napping after a long night) and departed for the cafe.

[ACMI: Nichijou]

Uiharu, Saten and Kuroko were there when she arrived, they all ordered then started chatting. The conversation eventually turned to how distant Misaka had been for the last few days. Then Kuroko stopped everyone with surprising news "She actually seemed back to normal when I last spoke to her."

Just then the waitress delivered their orders so they had to wait to respond to her, after the waitress had gone Uiharu asked "So that's it? She is back to normal just like that?"

Kuroko had her eyes closed and she responded only with an "Yeah, Just when I had decided to leave her alone and wait for her to confide in me. There isn't a reason to let her know how worried I've been. All that would do is make her worried instead." She sighed and continued "I just hope we never have to go through that again."

Saten hummed then began recapping "She went out last night without eating anything. She didn't give us any details about where she was going or what she was doing. It fits. I'm sure now there can only be one explanation; There is a boy involved. There must be."

Joule raised her hand as Kuroko bit into a handkerchief and Uiharu gasped with joy. When she had everyone's attention Joule began "Maybe but that doesn't explain all of her actions; Didn't she refuse the sweet buns offered to her by you Kuroko?"

Saten shook her head "No, it is possible a boy got her sweets before that and she was in that mood where you have had too much sugar."

Uiharu then pointed out "Ok, what about the case of an electromaster causing arson. Shirai did you learn anything else?"

Kuroko shrugged "Nothing, they really are stonewalling the investigation."

Joule sat back in her chair and thought, after a moment she spoke "Alternate Idea to her being interested in someone; she has encountered something bad done in those research facilities. For some reason she thinks vigilante justice is required to fix this and doesn't want us involved."

Kuroko slammed her hand down on the table then looked around sheepishly before continuing in a soft voice "You have no proof that the arson is Sis's fault"

Joule nodded "I don't but it is likely to be an electromaster causing it, another idea might be she encountered another electromaster and now fights them to stop them destroying these buildings."

"That doesn't work" Uiharu said quietly "She's a level 5, there aren't really any foes she wouldn't be able to stop."

There was quiet for a few moments as the only sound was them eating their various cakes.

Finally Saten swallowed and spoke "I still think Misaka might be lovestruck, sure it doesn't explain everything but it would explain her going out at night, her sneaking around and why she didn't tell any of us about it."

Uiharu acted excited but it was hard as she still thought about Joule's comments "I wonder what sort of boy Misaka would like?"

They talked for a bit about that before an alarm went off somewhere nearby. In a flash Uiharu and Kuroko were standing and Joule was in the process of standing.

Saten as the only one still sitting commented "Wow, you guys are really quick."

Uiharu spoke quickly "That sounds like the alarm from a vending machine right?"

After a moment the alarm stopped and Kuroko looked at the rest of them "I'm going to take a look at what set it off."

Uiharu said she was going too but Kuroko just teleported away saying that if she needed backup she would contact her.

[ASMI: Unmei no Hajimari]

Eventually those who remained went home. When she reached the apartment she was only slightly surprised to see that GV wasn't home.

He hadn't left a note meaning he hadn't found a new job. So he was likely just exploring the city. Joule sighed, she couldn't feel his heart rate now so he likely wasn't in danger. She would actually be able to sleep tonight.

Meanwhile GV was across town, he had hacked in to the city's classified network from a phone booth in order to avoid leaving a trail home.

Though he didn't know it, Misaka was doing basically the same thing a mile or two away.

End of chapter.

We are finally getting to the meat of the arc.

If you didn't see it I uploaded the first chapter of the A certain musical diva sidestory as a new story. It won't be updated very often however, likely only on special events.