STILL NOT DEAD!
Dang it, nearly a whole month without an update? WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?! Seriously though, sorry about the wait. I'm just a college student at the time I'm writing this, and college is just plain hard! Not to mention I also have a part-time job with inconsistent work days. I haven't had that much time to write recently without possible suffering insomnia, so I was only able to write this recently because of spring break. Admittedly, I was also distracted by Fate/Grand Order. I can't help it the game is addicting. It especially didn't help when I rolled Edmond Dantes in only two summon tickets on the first day of the Vengeful Demon's Wail at the Prison Tower Event. That just really hyped me up for the game. But, in the words of Edmond Dantes himself, Wait and hope.
Anyway, I've noticed that the last chapter was particularly polarizing, especially with the reveal, so I'll rectify my decision here and now. The twist of having Shizuri being Touma's was for three reasons. First, it was a reference to a fanfic I read a while back, called My Little Brother, a fanfic that many of you brought to my attention in your reviews, which makes me wonder just how many of you actually read the opening and ending cards. Second, Shizuri has the same hair color as Shiina Kamijou, creating some sort of base for the idea. Third, the contradiction personalities is exactly why I had this set up. She is the last person people would expect to be Touma's sister, at least without looking at who the mother would be. I was going for a relationship similar to that of the Orimuras in Infinite Stratos, the competent, cold, and occasionally scary older sister and the kindhearted, borderline idiotic, househusband-esque younger brother. Still, to each their own. I can see why some of you dislike this decision.
Any who, Q&A time!
Qrow454: To each their own. I'm sure the encounter will surprise you.
Darkdeath12: That's kind of the whole reason for him getting involved in the first place, isn't it?
Willgm: Thanks for the review. I'll be honest, that spelling error was completely unintentially and just an example of my poor proof reading. My writing teachers tell me to improve on it all the time, but stuff just always slips by, mainly because I fix most things as I write them, so stuff that I miss the first time is easily missed the second time.
MrQuestionMark: There's no point in the freedom to write how you please if you can't use the power for ill! My cheeky side reigns supreme in these situations! I can totally agree with the Delta Force, equal parts lovable and hateble. Love to hate and hate to love. Glad to know you're so understanding.
ahsoei: Eh, I try. You could say I have a Chekhov's Blade Works.
AriaTheLostMelody: Thanks. Indeed she is. Had to make you all work for it if you wanted to know, at least until then next chapter when I spill the beans in the author's notes.
Anonymous Noob the 2nd: Who doesn't think Delta Force antics are fun?
Bluejack222: Good eye! This is the last filler chapter before getting into Poltergeist Arc, so enjoy the good feels while you can.
superblal: You and me both, good sir. You and me both.
mhamadstar94: Thanks!
RedSS: Yes, it is Shizuri. Look it up. Yeah, Angle Beats was one hell of a ride, or should I say purgatory. Bad jokes aside, Touma didn't tell the Delta Force about his amnesia. Just like in canon, he will not reveal it to anyone unless they figure it out themselves in order to maintain a sense of normalcy for them.
ArmoredCoreNineBall: Nice to see we put that battle to an end. Good eye in noticing the name. If you noticed, that was the only instance of the name showing up in the entire chapter. I couldn't help it with the fluff and feels. I just needed to vent! Nice to see I have a compatriot. Sorry to make you wait so long.
ConnivingG: Sorry to keep you waiting again. Guess that means my twist really did come out of left field. Though if you look back, I'm sure you'd find plenty of hints towards it.
UA1991: ...Really wish I knew what language you wrote in...
linkstore49: Yes! My sense of humor is not stale! There is a god! I do love me some plot hooks. I'd like to think my inner world is a Chekhov's Blade Works. Well, if that's your opinion on Meltdowner, you'll be happy to know that she will have much more significance this time around. Social power for the win!
teamxcution: You'll just have to wait and see. Mikoto's reaction to and vice versa Shizuri will vary depending on who finds out the truth first, so that will be a treat. I have special plans for Angel Fall and Silent Party so Touma can participate in both. Of course Touma is going to beat Accelerator. Who else is going to do it?
ALostBlueIdiot: I was actually going more of an Afterschool Alleyway Alliance from Carnival Phantasm reference, but seeing as they were the least memorable part of that show, it kind of turned into a Ginyu Force reference. Unfortunately, I can only refernce works that I know in some reasonable capacity, so God Only Knows was not really an option. So little is known about Aogami that a prefer not to make assumptions about his character. I just leave things open ended so the reader can decide for themselves.
Kim454: Wow, you were not kidding when you said you had an Unlimited Reviews Works. I already explained my reasons for Shizuri up top. Resonance seemed like a direct effect of supernatural phenomenon to me, so I had Imagine Breaker work on it for storytelling reasons. Index and Mikoto's relationship is much healthier here, so nicknames might not show up with them. Index might to it as a quirk in the future, but I haven't found much for Index to do recently. No reference to a certain unlucky Lancer. The pike is just an appropriately nonlethal weapon. Yes, I'm following the timeline and swinging between arcs. Kind of necessary to mesh the two sides of the overall story together. Thanks for the tip with the Nasuverse. I might actually write that crossover once I come up with a decent concept. I'll be sure to include Magic Side interpretations of the Poltergeist.
guerilla sam: I take it you liked that twist.
SierreB312: Eh, to each their own. Don't worry about my research, I've been covering all bases since day one.
GhostofTime: Twists! Twists create tornadoes, which turn into shit storms! And this is going to be one hell of a shit storm for Touma in the future!
Agent Nine: Easy man, it's all about absurdity. Eventually, things get so absurd that people just accept it and go with the flow since there is no point in trying to rationalize it. Besides, the dorm manager was desperate and Kuroko seemed like the kind of person to cross the line when things got desperate. Still, glad you found the chapter funny.
RPGPersona: Looks like someone didn't look hard enough last chapter. The name is there, just very well hidden and appearing only once. Of course, you already know if you read the top of the author's note. I just love Delta Force antics, they're hilarious! And references man, references make my world go around. I wanted to expand on the universe a bit. There are so many children wandering the streets of Academy City that I had to find some way of rationalizing it. Lots of fluff and trauma for the heart and backstory for the characters; my recipe for a good filler episode/chapter.
YokaiAngel: Glad you liked it!
School (Guest): Glad you liked the twist!
Guest (1): She probably did steal her photo herself, though I will neither confirm nor deny at this point.
Generation Zero: Glad you liked the twist! It's sure to kick up one hell of a shit storm in the future.
Guest (2): Sorry for the long wait... again...
TheCrazyJackalope: Thanks for the review and complements!
Guest (3): Already read it. Was my inspiration.
A certain guest (Guest): That fanfic was the inspiration for the concept. Accelerator is most definitely a boy. Same personality as in canon, but a slight twist on it later down the line. I really need to work on my writing if that misconception is the one that comes up the most.
ADdude: Worry not, my good sir. I don't do misdirects. One of my writing inspirations is Scott Cawthon, so if something is misinterpreted, I make sure to fix it later on. I'd rather not set her up with Touma. Age doesn't matter in a relationship, but I feel like that applied more for after you're out of high school. Contradictory, I know.
shiroryuu012: Weak link, I know, but that's kind of the point.
kagami dhusara: Glad you liked the twist.
So... many... reviews. Reap what you sow, I guess. That's what I get for making you all "wait and hope". Just... run the disclaimer.
Disclaimer: All characters and plotlines of the "A Certain" franchise are credited to Kazuma Kamachi.
Chapter 20: Behind Closed Doors
The streets in front of the Tokiwadai Dormitory were far busier than they normal. People of all sorts were walking straight into the building, a majority of whom were clearly not Tokiwadai students, let alone middle school girls. There was only one day in the entire year when the prestigious girls only middle school opened its dormitory to the public. Today was the Tokiwodai Mid-Summer Festival.
Standing just outside the building were the three girls Uiharu, Saten, and Index. They stood there waiting patiently for their last remaining friend. After receiving invitations from their friends in Tokiwadai, the group had agreed to meet up in front of the building the morning of the festival. Unfortunately, and quite appropriately, the misfortunate high school boy known as Touma Kamijou was running late.
"Oh, what's taking Touma so long?" Index complained.
"Come on, Index, I'm sure he'll be here soon," Uiharu said reassuringly.
"Sorry I'm late!" a familiar voice called out from the crowd.
True to form, Touma came running towards his friends from inside the crowd. As soon as he pushed through, he hutched over and attempted to catch his breath.
"Speak of the devil," Saten mused.
"What took you so long?" Index demanded, clearly not happy with Touma's tardiness.
"Sorry," Touma apologized, rubbing the back of his head, "I stopped to help a kid get her cat out of a tree on the way here. Afterwards, I started getting chased down by the dog that chased the cat up the tree in the first place."
"Your rotten luck at its finest," Saten chuckled.
"Don't remind me," Touma sighed before putting on an optimistic face, "Well, we're all here now. How about we head inside."
"I thought you'd never ask," Uiharu cheered.
Turning face, the students and Index made their way into the building. After presenting their invitations to the students and Anti-Skill in the front, the group found Mikoto and Kuroko in one of their regular arguments in the lobby. Mikoto was in a maid uniform while Kuroko had a digital camera around her neck. It didn't take a Level 5 to know what all the fuss was about.
"You two look like you're having fun," Touma quipped.
Embarrassed by their current state of social indecency, Mikoto quickly let go of Kuroko's cheeks with a stiff laugh.
"I can't thank you enough for inviting us, Shirai," Uiharu gushed, "What an honor. We're here for the exclusive Tokiwadai Middle School Mid-Summer Festival. I can't wait! I'm certain today's festivities will exceed even my wildest imaginations."
"I'm glad you can make it. We won't disappoint," Kuroko stated in a professional tone, "The events we have planned will be memorable. I'm sure you will enjoy everything we have to offer. Now, shall I take you on a tour?"
"Just a minute," a young girl's voice interrupted.
Off to the side was a maid no older than any of the girls in the group. She wore a western style maid uniform consisting of a purple dress with a white apron and headdress. She had black hair with a slight blue tint and eyes of the same color. The maid stood proudly and confidently, yet also gave off a casual aura.
"Shirai, when were you planning on helping us with the buffet?" the maid asked.
"Uh, I guess I must have forgotten," Kuroko replied wearily.
"So, Misaka…," Uiharu trailed.
"Oh, let me introduce you," Mikoto offered, "This is Maika Tsuchimikado from Ryouran Girls Housekeeping School. She and her classmates are helping us out this year. They're overseeing all the food for the festival."
"Oh, I've heard of them," Uiharu realized, "Do they really specialize in training future housekeepers?"
"Indeed, they do," Maika replied with a bow, "It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Wait, did you say 'Tsuchimikado'?" Saten asked, "Why do I feel like I've heard that name before?"
"You must have met my stepbrother, Motohara," Maika clarified, "It's not surprising, considering you know Kamijou."
"You're his stepsister?! And you're a maid?!" Saten suddenly yelled.
"That's right," Maika said proudly, "I'm so lucky to have him as an older brother. He's the one that suggested I become a maid."
"Kamijou, are you aware of your friends' tastes in girls?" Uiharu whispered.
"It's not hard with Aogami. He has no preference and loves all types of girls equally," Touma shrugged, "I choose to believe loves maid-little-stepsisters in a brotherly capacity. Key phrase is 'choose to believe'."
"This is so weird," Saten mumbled.
"The whole family is kind of quirky," Touma admitted, "Normally, Maika goes around riding on top of a cleaning robot that is constantly spinning. How she's about to control that thing and not get dizzy, I have no idea."
"Anyway, these are a couple of my friends," Mikoto said, "Kazari Uiharu, Ruiko Saten, and Index."
"Nice to meet you," Saten and Uiharu greeted with a hint of weariness.
"Good to see you again, Maika," Index chimed, earning a few glances from the girls.
"She ran into us when Index came to visit me one day," Touma explained casually, "She was staying with her brother next door, so she treated us to a meal."
"If you need anything, just give me a shout," Maika replied happily before grabbing Kuroko by the back of her collar.
As the group watched the young maid drag their friend away to the kitchen, they couldn't help but let out a stiff laugh as Kuroko protested her current predicament. Seeing as her junior would be unable to give them a tour as promised, Mikoto offered to give them the tour instead.
Handing each of her friends a copy of the event pamphlet, Mikoto gave her friends a minute to look it over. Unsurprisingly, Uiharu demanded to see everything that the festival had to offer. What was surprising was her sudden change in personality. As opposed to the usually quiet and mild-mannered girl they all knew, Uiharu started acting demanding and assertive. The transformation was so drastic that Index opted to hide behind her big brother figure for safety. Touma himself had the urge to touch the flower headed girl with Imagine Breaker, just to make sure nothing supernatural was wrong with her brain.
"I guess we're seeing everything then," Mikoto concluded, "If you have any questions, feel free to ask."
"Actually, there is something I've been meaning to ask," Touma admitted, "What's with the outfit, Zapper? I get you girls are trying to be courteous, but isn't this a bit much?"
"I don't know whether I should be mad at you for pointing it out or glad that someone agrees," Mikoto whined, hutching over in defeat.
"If it makes you feel better, it looks good on you," Touma replied in a weak attempt to apologize.
"Whatever, idiot," Mikoto said, hiding a blush, "Let's just get to the tour. We have a lot to cover."
The festival had an awful lot to offer. There were so many different types of displays, it would take the group the whole day just to see it all. In addition, the particular composition of the group consisting of Touma, Mikoto, Uiharu, Saten, and Index was bound to create some form of antics.
On the first stop, the group toured a room full of statues made entirely out of sugar. While Uiharu admitted the work of the elite students, Saten decided to help herself to a piece of one of the statues, confirming that they were indeed made entirely of sugar. Uiharu attempted to reprimand her friend for just casually eating the statue, but she was drowned out by Touma's struggles to keep Index from jumping at the models to have a taste for herself. Luckily, Mikoto was offered several smaller statues by the girls running the gallery. Seeing as they needed some way to pacify Index's hunger for the time being, Mikoto accepted them and feed them to the hungry nun.
The next stop was a gallery presenting various stitching pieces done by the students of Tokiwadai. The gallery even provided a class to teach guests to perform the craft themselves. Of course, Uiharu roped everyone into the class, her enthusiasm still at max. Each member of the group found themselves with various levels of success. In Touma's case, he didn't have any success at all and constantly pricked his fingers. Index was a least able to do the stitching without hurting herself, but it was still rather lackluster in terms of appearance. Uiharu's was pretty good, a simple sun flower, but paled in comparison to the experienced Saten's sportscar or Tokiwadai resident Mikoto's tuxedo Gekota.
Other exhibits included a gallery of flower arrangements, a western painting display, a piece of calligraphy, a tradition tea ceremony and the dorm's library. For Uiharu, it was a dream come true. She was so engrossed in her Tokiwodai fantasies that she started spitting out speeches and platitudes, elevating the elite girl school's status in her eyes even further. It got so bad that Saten opted to flip Uiharu's skirt in the middle of the hallway to snap her out of it.
"Well, saw that coming," Touma noted flatly.
"I still don't get why she constantly does that," index added
"You're awful, Saten! How could you do that to me here of all places?" Uiharu whined.
"Welcome back," Saten greeted cheerfully, "You were looking so dreamy I had to wake you up."
"I wasn't dreaming, thank you very much! I'm wide awake! And why are Kamijou and Index so relaxed about this?" Uiharu yelled.
"Honestly, it's happened so often that the novelty of it has worn off," Touma shrugged.
"I already have a full archive of your panties in my memory right next to the grimores," Index admitted, "Your skirt has been flipped so many times, I've seen everything you have to offer so it's not even a surprise."
"You're all horrible!" Uiharu cried.
While everyone was laughing at Uiharu's expense, Touma noticed Mikoto off to the side helping another student with her apron. As soon as the apron was on properly, the younger girl turned and gave Mikoto her thanks. Although he couldn't hear what they were saying, Touma could tell that something the other girl said made Mikoto nervous from her stiff body language.
His thoughts were interrupted when Index's stomach growled loud enough for everyone in the hall to hear. Mikoto quickly turned to face her friends before checking the clock in the hall. The time was ten minutes past noon, an appropriate enough time to have lunch.
"So, I take you guys are hungry?" Mikoto asked.
The group soon found themselves in the dorm's dining hall. Guests were all seated and various tables while students were tending to the hall itself. Along the far wall of the room was a long line of tables for the buffet. The buffet itself was extremely varied, offering a wide selection of high quality dishes to choose from.
"That's it, I don't ever want to leave! I'll just have to move in with you!" Uiharu gushed to Mikoto as she filled her plate.
"I'll go look for a seat, alright?" Mikoto replied, excusing herself.
As Mikoto left, Uiharu noticed that Saten was have trouble with a particularly well decorated cake. Upon approaching her friend, Uiharu realized that said cake had yet to be cut. Taking matters into her own hands, the Level 1 Esper grabbed the nearby cake knife and cut the cake herself, much to Saten's horror.
"How could you do that to such an exquisite cake?" the Level 0 asked.
"This coming from someone who didn't twice about popping a sugar statue into her mouth," Uiharu replied as she stacked her plate with at least five, one eighth slices of cake on to her plate.
"How can you possible eat all that cake?" Saten inquired, glaring at Uiharu's plate as she picked up yet another slice of cake.
"They say you have a second stomach for desserts, don't they?" Uiharu argued.
"You might want to reconsider that," Touma interrupted, his own plate already having a decent amount of food.
"Why's that?" the two girls asked in confusion.
Touma simply pointed his thumb over his shoulder, directing the girls' attention to a bloated Tessou. Across from her was Yomikawa and twenty-one empty plates. Not amused by the situation, Yomikawa dragged Tessou away by the back of her Anti-Skill Vest, much to the latter's discomfort.
After that sight, Uiharu silently put back the slice of cake she was about to add to her plate.
"You know, you two sometimes act like a comedy duo that can't decide who's the straight man," Touma mused, "So, any idea where Zapper is?'
"She said she was going to look for seats," Uiharu answered.
"I think I see her over there," Saten pointed, "Along with the dorm manager. Looks like she's with the kids from the orphanage."
As the group approached the table, they overheard something about Mikoto performing for the festival. By the time they got to the table, the dorm manager and the Child Errors had left, leaving Mikoto looking rather depressed. Seeing the signs, Touma decided to stay quiet and not probe the girl for questions, unlike the younger girls present. She was clearly nervous and asking her about it wasn't going to do anyone any favors.
Luckily for Mikoto, Maika arrived on the scene and interrupted to current conversation.
"Hey, Misaka, have you seen Shirai around lately?" Maika asked, carrying two bowls of food.
"Didn't you take her earlier to help you out with the buffet?" Mikoto asked in reply.
"Yeah, but she's not in the kitchen anymore. Little brat must have run away on me," the maid explained, grumbling the last part, "We have a certain heavy eater unattended right now, so we're having trouble keeping food on the table."
"Wait, where's Index?" Saten asked in realization.
"Crap, I knew I shouldn't have left her alone in the buffet!" Touma suddenly yelled, "Maika, where is she?!"
"She's in the other dining hall at the other end of the dorms," Maika replied with a grimance.
"Damn it! Sorry guys, I need to take care of this. I'll meet up with you latter," Touma apologized, "Maika, show me where she is!"
"Right, follow me," the maid said as she leads Touma away, "Oh, and good luck, Misaka!"
The girls could only laugh stiffly as they watched Touma run off to save Index from getting herself into social trouble. Such was the way of the older brother surrogate.
After a quick jog through the dormitory, Touma and Maika found Index stuffing herself silly with several tons of food. Next to her were several stacks of empty plates, all of them stacking dangerously high. Around her table were several Tokiwadai students either placing more food on the table or staring in shock at the nun's stomach capacity. It was a sight that had to be seen to be believed.
Acting quickly, Touma pulled Index away from the table before bowing to the girls and begging for forgiveness on behalf of his charge. He then proceeded to drag her out of the dining hall, lecturing her as they walked through the halls.
"Touma, why did you drag me away from the buffet," Index complained, "They said it was all you can it!"
"We talked about this, that's just an expression!" Touma replied sternly, "We agreed that when we went out to eat, you would only eat in moderation! That was the deal! We would feed you as much as we could with the budget Zapper provides, but when we eat out, you would stay in control and not inhale the restaurant's entire supply! Other people in the restaurant get to eat too! I know you remember that conversation, so what do you have to say for yourself?!"
Index looked Touma in the eyes for a moment before dropping her head and whispering an apology. As much as she loved food, she realizes that she has been causing Touma trouble by constantly eating as much as she does. The only reason he isn't bankrupt at this point is because of Mikoto's funds. She owed everything to Touma and the others. The least she could do make things easier for them.
Seeing as Index had apologized, Touma smiled and pattered her on the head as congratulations and as his own apology for yelling.
With that ordeal taken care of, Touma and Index, explored the dormitory until they noticed their friends gathered outside in the courtyard. They were all seated in front of a stage, most likely the one Mikoto would be performing on. Putting two-and-two together, Touma and Index quickly joined their friends for the show. However, Touma didn't get to stay for long.
Upon sitting down, he realized he dropped his wallet somewhere in the dormitory and had to excuse himself to find it. Luckily, it ended up at the building's lost and found with all of it's contents. Bad news was that he had gotten lost and Mikoto's show would be starting soon. After a bit of exploring, he eventually got back to the stage, just not where he was supposed to be. Rather than ending up in the courtyard with the rest of the audience, Toume found himself backstage. And standing before him was a rather nervous looking Mikoto Misaka.
She wore a long, white, sleeveless dress with black trims and seams. Her hair was in it's usual cut, but instead of her usual plain hair clip, she wore a pair of white flowers with a blue ribbon. If Touma were to describe her in a single word, that word would be "pretty".
"Hey, you doing okay, Zapper?" Touma asked in concern.
His presence now known, Touma was faced with a shocked, embarrassed, and angry looking Mikoto Misaka. The overall aura she was giving off completely clashed with the beautiful outfit. The girl in front of him was actually starting to scare him quite a bit.
"Idiot, why the hell are you back here?!" Mikoto demanded, grabbing a steel chair and holding it over her head, "Did you seriously come out of your way just to make fun of me and my dress or something?!"
"Hey, take it easy!" Touma begged, trying to wrestle the chair out of his friend's grasp, "I just got lost on my way here and came in by accident! When I saw you looking all nervous, I thought I would try to comfort you! Besides, you look pretty in that dress, more so when you're not threatening my life, so please put the chair down!"
The last compliment caused Mikoto to falter, calming her down slightly and loosening her grip. The girl in front of him now slightly pacified, Touma took the chair and put down against the back wall. As he did so, he noticed a violin sitting on another chair, all ready to be played.
"Violin, huh?" Touma mused, "I never considered that you played, but it suits you."
"Thanks," Mikoto replied, "It's just, I'm so on edge. Everyone expects so much from me. It's hard to keep up sometimes."
"I can imagine. That must be some burden you're carrying. But, you don't have to carry it alone," Touma argued, "We're all there to support you."
"I know, but you guys also add to that burden too."
"Only because we know you're going to succeed," Touma encouraged, "Tell you what, I'll stay right here. I'll support you anyway I can, just give me a sign. I know you can do this."
Touma offered Mikoto her violin and a determined look. She hesitantly reached for the instrument but grabbed it from Touma's hands with the same conviction that he presented her. That look in his eyes was all she really needed to get her going.
The violin now in hand, she walked out onto the stage for the audience. She spared Touma one last look, earning a thumbs-up. Her resolve further reinforced, she began to play. The violin rang beautify as she moved the bow back and forth along the strings. Perfect technique, perfect intonation, perfect everything. It was truly a magnificent performance. Mikoto Misaka truly was the Ace of Tokiwadai.
I have to say, not one of my stronger chapter. I feel like this could have turned out much better, especially at then end, and could have squeezed in a few more jokes and better relationship development. Oh well.
Regardless, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Sorry for making you all wait this long. Seriously, nearly month, what is wrong with me?
Leave a review if you liked it or have any questions. Until next time, wait and hope
Curry Ramen Saber-sized Portion! (Couldn't find a good Taiga quote, so I just used a line from the sign in the Taiga Dojo)