Independence day.

[ACMI: Academy City]

The nineth of October was apparently the anniversary Academy City's independence. Joule had known today didn't have any schooling but she hadn't actually known why it was special until Saten told her.

Saten was still in the Anti-skill building for today so she was having fun looking up urban legends and other collected trivia.

"What did they actually gain independence from?" Joule asked "Japan?"

"Basically." Saten agreed "But also Tokyo, the entire city is within the Tokyo Metropolitan Employment Area after all."

"Huh." Joule glanced up at the sky. She'd never really been outside of Academy City and her ideas about the outside world weren't very accurate.

This world was far better off than her own of course. That Countries other than Japan survived the emergence of Esper powers kind of speaks to that.

"Oh, there's a speech on later from one of the members of the Board of Directors." Saten noted "They've apparently invited all the students who want to come."

Joule nodded. That sounded interesting. But...

"It's not the chairman right?" Joule asked "Misaka mentioned him before."

"No." Saten confirmed "Just one of the members. Her name is Oyafune Monaka. Seems she's actually pretty popular."

It was nice to hear that some of the people running the city weren't disliked. That said, "How likely is it that she's behind something shady?"

Saten snorted "Not everyone is behind something shady. That said, this is the Academy Board of Directors so..."

Better than 50%.

As they talked, Joule got another call.

"Sorry." Joule apologised "It's Uiharu."

"No worries." Saten remarked "You want to make it a group call?"

"I'll see what she says." Joule promised, ending the call and answering.

"Hello?"

"Joule." Uiharu's voice was clear "Do you know where Misaka is? She hasn't answered her phone."

Joule glanced to the side as she answered "No, but I could look for her. What did you need her for?"

"Well..." Uiharu began and Joule was able to hear another voice over the phone. Somewhere in the background.

"Oh, you're looking for Big sister? Misaka Misaka asks curiously?"

Ah.

"Is that Last Order?"

"It is." Uiharu confirmed "She's apparently looking for someone, Accelerator, probably. I wanted to ask Misaka if... you know."

If she should help Last Order.

"I mean, probably." Joule noted "But I'll have a look for her, I'll come meet up with you."

"Thank you." Uiharu quietly said "She's very excitable."

As Joule headed towards Uiharu, she asked Lumen to go look for Misaka.

Lumen took a moment to respond and Joule finally asked.

"Are you okay?"

Lumen metaphorically raised an eyebrow at that.

"You've been suffering from something for days and you're worried about me?" She remarked "Maybe this is just another symptom of what's happening to you?"

Joule sighed "Fine, then if it is a symptom, can you describe what you're feeling?"

Lumen paused, maybe she was thinking she might have finally gotten through to Joule.

"Lethargic." Lumen noted "I'd describe it as if I was just more tired but I don't really sleep. I just feel... drained. I've never really felt like this before."

...Maybe she should ask someone to check up on her. Heaven Canceller and Misaki maybe. The fact that Lumen, an aspect of both her mental state and her Septimal ability, was complaining about feeling drained, was a bad sign.

"Fine." Joule said "But this Sunday, when we're off school. That's the 13th, right?"

Lumen sighed and accepted that before flying off to look for Misaka.

Joule followed the directions Uiharu gave her and found the two of them at a cafe. Last Order looked ready to jump out of her chair to continue searching.

"Hey." Joule greeted them. Uiharu smiled and Last Order tilted her head, trying to place her maybe?

"Who are you? Asks Misaka Misaka trying to see why she recognises you."

Joule nodded "I've helped out a lot of Sisters before, I've now twice helped remove viruses from your network."

"Ah." Last Order nodded "Misaka remembers you now, you looked older though. Misaka comments."

She'd rarely seen Joule in person, it would have been Lumen doing most of the work.

"Anyway, I hear you're looking for Accelerator?" Joule changed the subject.

Last Order nodded.

"He hasn't been to see me this month so far, I haven't seen him since everything that happened at the end of September. I was in the hospital so it wouldn't have been hard for him to come see me. Misaka explains without Misaka taking another breath." After that, she sucked in another mouthful of air.

Joule nodded "So, now that you're out you wanted to find him."

"Yes. Confirms Misaka as Misaka continues to ask if you've seen him."

"Not yet." Joule nods "But we'll be happy to help you look."

"It keeps her out of trouble." was pinged to Uiharu.

"Do you know where to look for him?" Uiharu asked the excitable Sister.

"Misaka can follow his Electrode, Misaka explains. It'll help Misaka find his rough location."

Well. Okay then.

It was time to begin searching.

End of chapter.

This is how Joule is joining this Arc, she's going to be wandering around with Last Order and Uiharu.

For the sake of writing this arc (And the rest of the season 3 arcs) well, I'm using a three-part system. The Anime works as a base, I use the light novel for context (Such as Uiharu meeting Last Order in the morning) and I use a post on the Toaru Reddit which collected all the cuts the anime made to make sure I don't miss anything.