Chapter 21 – One More Day
In one of the dormitories at Tokiwadai High School, a certain honey blonde was sleeping peacefully in her silk nightgown. The temperature in the room was high—though, in truth, it was only in her dreams that she felt this warmth.
Shokuhou rolled over slowly, her eyes still closed and her fingers entwining with her pillow as if it were a lover's hand. Her consciousness danced on the knife-edge between waking and dreaming, a light doze common in the early morning, where dreams felt particularly vivid. And she certainly enjoyed these kinds of dreams.
"Hehehe... now we're talking, Touma," she murmured, pressing herself deeper into the pillow. "Yes... just like that... Touma... Touma... hehe... impressive."
The past few days had been both stressful and exhilarating. She had been spending more time with her boyfriend, often skipping classes to do so. However, she had helped him with his homework along the way, so, in a way, she still considered herself on the "good girl" list.
Shokuhou bit her lip softly, feeling her consciousness drift away like a receding tide. She wanted to savor this moment, reveling in the fragrant, masculine scent that her sleepy mind conjured. A scent she adored.
"Hehehe... hehe... hehehe... more... hehe..."
"That's a lot of naughty ability right there."
"Huh? What's wrong, Touma? Can't keep up? Your performance was better last night... hehehe... wait..."
There was something off. She could hear her boyfriend's voice, but why did it sound both distant and close at the same time? She really needed to stop using her powers to influence her dreams; clearly, there were side effects.
"Well, it doesn't matter," she muttered, gripping the pillow, which felt oddly firm. "A little extra time with him is always worth it, even if it's artificial."
"I'm really flattered."
"It's good to be, Touma-chan... wait, that sounded too close."
A shiver ran down her spine like icy fingers, leaving goosebumps in its wake. Suddenly, a different reason for keeping her eyes closed crossed her mind, but curiosity got the better of her. Slowly, her heavy eyelids parted, letting in the soft light filtering through the thin curtains. And then...
"What the fuck?"
Misaki jumped in surprise, realizing that her pillow had taken on a human shape. No, not exactly.
"Damn," said Touma, raising an eyebrow as he looked at her with mild curiosity, lying there nonchalantly. "I think that's the first time I've heard you use that kind of language. Definitely a 'watch your mouth' moment for me, by the way."
"Whawhawha-what... whawha..." She hugged herself tightly, as if trying to hold her composure together with her bare hands.
"And now you're not even speaking Japanese. Hello, Misaki. Hey... Misaki."
"What's going on?!"
For some reason, Misaki freaked out when she saw her boyfriend right there, watching her with a slight smile as she lay on the bed. Clutching herself defensively, she mentally scrambled to make sense of the sudden turn of events.
'How long has he been here? Was he here all night? Did I use him as a pillow? All night? The entire night?! Is that drool on his clothes? No, my body wouldn't betray me like that. Calm down, Shokuhou Misaki... it didn't happen. Everyone knows that it's only acceptable to drool on someone after three years of marriage, not even subconsciously would I do that. A perfect queen like me...'
"Why are you staring at my shirt like that?" he asked. "That's your fault, then-"
"I don't want to hear it!" she said a little too loudly for the morning. She was still protecting her body with her arms without knowing why. "It can't be... no... it can't be. W-w-why?"
"You look cute when you're blushing."
"I'm not blushing. I'm not blushing! There's no blushing ability in my body. You are blushing. You pervert! Perverted boyfriend! How did you get in here anyway? No, I don't want to know. I don't want to know, don't tell me!"
"Okay," he replied with a shrug, casually reclining with his arms behind his head, lounging there with the nonchalance of a cat in a sunbeam. "But can I ask why you're acting like this? I thought you'd appreciate the surprise." Touma gave her a playful smile. "Then again, maybe this is fitting. How does Shokuhou Misaki-chan feel, about having someone sneak into her room at night? Watching her toss and turn, hearing her mumble strange things, and maybe even—"
"Shut up!" she snapped, almost tearing up as she waved her hands nervously in front of her. "This isn't fair. This is no time for revenge. This is kindergarten-level stuff, for crying out loud. This is supposed to be my sanctuary!"
Not knowing what else to do, she turned away, still clutching herself. The defensive posture wasn't how she'd imagined she'd react if something like this ever happened. It wasn't as if she hadn't fantasized about situations like this before—she had, with plenty of interesting details. But things never went according to plan. Now, she felt as if something had been violated, maybe even corrupted.
"Hmm?" Misaki tilted her head, looking in her boyfriend's direction with a casual air. "Yes, of course."
Finally, Misaki relaxed, letting go of the grip. She quickly freed herself from her self-imposed restrictions and moistened her lips as a new thought crossed her mind. They were in an all-girls dormitory, a place where boys were strictly prohibited.
'Wait a minute... how did I not realize that sooner? Hehehe...'
In the next instant, Misaki moved swiftly, throwing herself on top of her boyfriend. Her semi-transparent camisole fluttered as she draped a leg over his waist and leaned closer to his face.
"Misaki?" Touma's confusion was palpable. "What the hell—"
He was abruptly silenced as her lips brushed against his neck, sending a shiver down his spine.
"Quiet," she whispered softly in his ear. "We don't want to make any more noise than necessary."
As she continued to kiss his neck, her hand slowly traveled down his chest, slipping beneath the hem of his shirt and moving upward, causing goosebumps to spread across his skin.
"Misaki, what kind of strange gear change is that?" he asked, in a tone that was somewhere between surprised and exasperated. "You were embarrassed or something ten seconds ago. Why are you trying to take my clothes off now? What's your problem anyway? Act like a normal person, damn it."
"Look who's talking." The way she spoke sounded seductive somehow. "You scared me, but then my supercomputer brain of over 530000 IQ came up with a different answer."
"That's a comically large number. Are you serious?"
"You know what I want, Touma, hehe."
"Stop smiling like that, you're scaring me!"
Before her boyfriend could fully regret invading her sanctuary, Misaki leaned in closer, an impish smile playing on her lips as she trailed a finger down his chest.
"We're in the School Garden, Touma-chan. Do you know what that means?"
"I'm more concerned about—"
"We'll be the first!" she interrupted, spreading her arms wide and looking up, still straddling him. "At least, I think we will be. Not that it matters."
"Misaki, seriously, you're scaring me."
"Let's desecrate this sacred place! Ruin it completely, hahahaha!" For some reason, her breathing grew heavy, and she nearly drooled as she gazed at her boyfriend with wild excitement. "There are only girls for miles, which means you're giving me exclusive treatment. I want more! Mooooore!"
Shokuhou Misaki had clearly lost her mind. As she proclaimed, regardless of the consequences, the School Garden was about to undergo a symbolic transformation, and she would be the one to bring it about. The Queen always got what she wanted. With a determined gleam in her eye, she gripped her boyfriend's shirt tightly and then yanked her hand away in a swift motion, tearing his clothes—
"Huh?" Kamijou looked down at where Misaki's hands were.
Where were we? Oh, actually she tried to tear his clothes off, but she couldn't. She even gave it a few extra tugs just to be sure, but to no avail.
Misaki pouted cutely, her confidence deflating as she looked away in frustration.
"Damn it, " she said, without looking at him. "Why did you have to wear a designer shirt today?"
"This one I bought in a thrift store actually— Wait, don't look at me like that. Come here, I'll tear it up for you."
"Do you think I'm useless?!" She shushed him with two fingers over his lips. "Don't answer me! I'm not a child, I can open a can of pickles!"
"What does one have to do with the other? We have no choice, come here."
In a quick reversal, it was now Misaki who was lying on her back on the bed, with Touma on top of her and his hands firmly gripping her nightgown. The way he lifted her off him wasn't very gentle, she looked more like a rag doll tossed aside, but she didn't mind. She smiled at him and moistened her lips seductively as she nodded.
"Desecrating this place, eh?" he said, now smiling just like her. "Is that the kind of thing you imagine when I'm not around?" He almost completed the motion of tearing her clothes off.
"Wait, wait."
"What, did you chicken out at the last second?"
"No, but... can you use your claws again? I'm the type who likes danger ability."
Her boyfriend smiled mischievously, looking at her as he fixed her hair, tucking a lock behind her ear. His hand descended from there, running unhurriedly over her entire body, which filled her with anticipation.
And then...
"Shokuhou-san?"
A voice sounded through the door.
A slightly aged voice.
"Shit!"
"Seriously, Misaki-chan. Language."
A different kind of chill ran through Misaki's body, one that was far more unsettling. She felt like a deer caught in headlights, completely frozen as her mind struggled to process what was happening.
"Touma, we have a serious problem!" she whispered urgently, doing her best to keep her voice low. "Get off me."
In her panic, she shoved him aside with a force she didn't even know she had. The adrenaline coursing through her veins seemed to amplify all her senses, leaving her on edge, like prey sensing a predator nearby.
"Shokuhou-san, open the door."
"Who's out there?" Touma asked.
"Be quiet!" Misaki hissed, quickly covering his mouth with her hand. She was breaking out in a cold sweat. "Damn, I need to think of something."
Desperation gripped her as she jumped out of bed, frantically scanning the room for a solution. Meanwhile, her still-confused boyfriend, clearly on a different wavelength, tried to attract attention by snapping his fingers in front of her face.
"Okay, Touma, I need you to hide." She turned her back on him, taking a step towards the door.
"Why hide?"
"The person outside—"
It was too late.
With a sudden movement, the door flew open with a bang, the sound so loud it seemed as if the door had been ripped off its hinges. Misaki's mouth fell open in shock, her head snapping toward the door the instant she heard the noise.
A person, or rather a bloody monster, was standing in the doorway. The woman adjusted her glasses, which gleamed menacingly under the light. With just one step, the sheer intensity of her presence made Misaki swallow hard
"I can explain!" Misaki almost screamed, waving her arms like a frightened child while drowning.
"Explain?" The woman asked in a stern tone.
The poor girl felt death approaching.
'Damn... damn, damn, damn. Did the dorm manager have to show up just now? Does she have a goddamn radar or something? I'm so dead. And we hadn't even got to the best part! Damn it!"
"Everything looks clean here," the dorm manager said, her eyes sweeping the room with a cold, calculated gaze. When she looked at Misaki, the air seemed to freeze. "But you seem agitated. Is there something you'd like to tell me?"
"Y-y-yes... I... Umm... like I said, I can explain." Misaki stammered, turning sharply toward where her boyfriend had been just moments before. "I—huh?"
Misaki tilted her head in confusion. There was no sign of her boyfriend.
'What? Did he run away? Or did he hide?'
Her confusion changed to a confident smile. She didn't quite understand, but somehow Touma had managed to save them both. Misaki would commit this feat to memory and reward him accordingly.
'Wait, but this is his fault in the first place... maybe I should make him reward me ... hehe.'
"Hmm... I'm waiting," said the dorm manager, arms crossed.
"As you can see, I was a bit scared to have my room invaded like that." Misaki ran a hand through her messy hair to calm herself down. "I panicked, that's all."
The dorm manager looked her up and down, examining something she didn't know what.
"I see," said the woman, nodding. "I'm sorry to disturb you this morning, but it's just that our silent alarms have gone off. Maybe it's a false alarm, but in case an intruder has broken into the School Garden, you can't be too careful."
"Intruder? What kind of madman would try something like that?"
"I'm sure you can think for yourself." The dorm manager took another look around. "That's all for now, Shokuhou-san. I should check the rest of the perimeter. Have a nice day."
Shokuhou waited a tense ten seconds before finally breathing a sigh of relief as the door closed behind that monster. Apparently, her boyfriend had caused some trouble, which should have been a bad thing, but considering it meant he was there to see her, she found herself oddly flattered.
No, she wasn't exactly on the list of good girls.
"Being a naughty girl is more fun, I guess," Misaki mused aloud, a silly smile creeping onto her lips.
"Is that the kind of thing you say out loud when you think you're alone?"
"Argh?!" Misaki spun around at the sound of the voice, her heart nearly leaping out of her chest. It was none other than her boyfriend, standing exactly where he had been before the dorm manager's intrusion. "But... huh? What's going on here? Is my head playing tricks on me? You weren't there a minute ago."
"What are you talking about? I never left the room."
"Oh... your hiding ability is sublime then. Were you under the bed or something? That's dangerous, you know. If my dorm manager had seen us..."
"Well, actually..." Touma flashed a sly smile and raised a hand with a theatrical flourish. "Now you see me..."
And in the next instant, he vanished. Misaki blinked in confusion, her face twisted in a mix of disbelief and curiosity. She could still catch the faint, lingering scent of him in the air, so close it was almost as if he hadn't moved at all.
"Tou—"
She was about to utter his name when something soft brushed against her lips, silencing her. In that instant, her boyfriend materialized, claiming her mouth with his own.
"And now you see me again," he murmured, his breath warm against her skin.
"I like the trick. Some kind of light distortion?"
"I can blend into my surroundings, like a poikilotherm"
"Then I'll have to rename you 'Chameleon King,'" she teased.
The quick exchange ended when she decided that continuing what they had started was more important, all this talk of strange powers wasn't interesting to her at the moment. She felt the warmth of his hands slipping beneath her clothes and, eyes still closed as she kissed him, began to guide him towards the bed.
Suddenly, another bang echoed through the room.
"I knew it!"
A familiar female voice pierced the air. The golden-haired girl froze, her lips trembling like a leaf in winter.
"So, Shokuhou-san, I want to hear that explanation," said the dorm manager, the most rigid face Misaki had seen so far.
Misaki swallowed hard. Despite her fear-addled brain, she managed to formulate a plan. Locking eyes with her boyfriend, she grasped him firmly and conveyed her strategy in a single word:
"Run!"
Without hesitation, the couple launched themselves out of the bedroom window, the enraged manager in hot pursuit like a vengeful demon.
x-2-x
About two hours later, Touma gently set Misaki down on the floor of his dormitory. They had raced through the city, Touma sprinting at full speed with his girlfriend in his arms, until they finally lost sight of their pursuer.
"What's the deal with that woman anyway?" Touma panted, catching his breath. "Is she some kind of saint or something?"
"She's certainly no saint. She's more like a demon," Misaki scoffed, rubbing her temple.
"I'm pretty sure that garbage truck hit her at the intersection back there."
"Poor truck."
Suitcases were neatly arranged on the floor near the kotatsu, which, surprisingly, had been prepared by Index. More luggage sat by the door.
"Our last day here," said Touma, sitting down next to Misaki on the floor. "For now, at least. How long do you plan to stay away? Won't your clique need you?"
"They'll manage." She waved her hand as if she didn't want to touch the subject.
Touma studied her face, recognizing the telltale signs of her hiding something. Her expression was neutral yet fragile, lips pressed into a thin line. The occasional forced smile no longer fooled him.
"There's something you're not telling me, isn't there?"
Misaki hesitated before responding.
"It's just... my number one is no longer part of the clique."
"Hokaze-chan? She started high school, right?"
"Yeah... Nagatenjouki."Misaki hugged her knees to her chest. "I'm happy for her, truly. But it makes me wonder if it's time to end it all."
"End it all?" Touma echoed, concern evident in his voice.
"I'm not sure I want to be Tokiwadai's queen anymore," Misaki confessed.
It was a bit of a shock. He gently wrapped an arm around her shoulders, offering silent support.
After a comfortable pause, Misaki continued, her voice barely above a whisper.
"To be honest, I'm not sure I'm interested in anything else in this city anymore. What I really want is to get all my friends out of here as soon as possible. But I don't think they share my perspective ability"
"One thing at a time," Touma said softly. "If there's anything I can do, just say the word. For now, let's focus on something else." He stood up, offering his hand to help her. Misaki smiled, accepting the gesture. "Have you packed?"
"I'll just take the clothes I left here. I can buy whatever else I need there," Misaki replied. "I'm not going back to face that monster. The mere thought gives me chills."
"That woman... she's your dorm manager, right?"
"Yes. I expected her to be at Tokiwadai's outer dormitory today, but clearly I was mistaken—"
"It makes sense... she's a dorm manager, of course she's that perfect... heh..."
Misaki's eyes narrowed.
"What did you just let slip, Kamijou Touma?"
"Hey, don't look at me like that and stomp your foot like an impatient child, you're more cute than intimidating acting like that."
"My life is strange. The 'perfect' type for you is actually my biggest enemy, the monster who won't let me get out of line. Such misfortune."
"I wouldn't say 'perfect'." He shrugged and smiled. His arm was around her waist now. "But I can see something like this in five or ten years."
"Are you treating me like a long-term investment? That's hardly romantic."
Despite her complaint, she leaned in to kiss him, pausing just before their lips met.
"You two, find a damn room," a voice interrupted.
"Oh... Othi-chan, were you there the whole time?" Misaki's tone dripped with sarcasm and venom. She planted a quick kiss on Touma's lips before smiling sweetly in Othinus's direction. The diminutive figure sat cross-legged on the kotatsu. "I hope you're enjoying your punishment ability."
Othinus rolled her eye and then looked at Touma, exasperation clear on her tiny features.
"Human, Index sent word that it's going to be a while."
"Hmm? Where is she?" he asked, confused. He had hoped to see her before he left.
"Kanzaki arrived early. The two of them went to breakfast together," Othinus explained, then sighed before adding, "I don't think she wants to say goodbye."
Touma's gaze drifted to the suitcases Index had packed. It wasn't just him who would be traveling today; the silver-haired nun would also be spending her summer vacation in her hometown. It hadn't been his idea. Somehow, Index had gotten in touch with Kanzaki and asked her to come pick her up if she had time. He recalled their brief conversation from the previous night. Index had explained that she was considering asking the Archbishop of the Anglican Church for a job. The revelation had been a shock.
He didn't want it to be like this, and his face silently indicated it: concern, surprise and a hint of sadness at the idea of parting without a proper goodbye.
"I'll go with her," said Othinus, as if guessing what Touma was thinking. "It's temporary, of course."
"Are you sure?" Touma asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
"Yes, human... yes, I am."
The 15cm goddess said nothing more. She nimbly climbed down from the kotatsu and disappeared over the balcony. A tame bird was waiting for her – Hugin, if Touma remembered correctly. There was another one, but its name eluded him at the moment. The tiny girl had been taking frequent walks over the past few days, as if avoiding discussing a certain subject with him.
Touma's life was changing, little by little. Some changes might be painful at first, but he understood their necessity.
x-3-x
"Time to go." Touma held the two suitcases and opened the door, followed by Misaki who was carrying a bag with just the basics. "Last chance, didn't you forget something?"
"I have everything I need right by my side. Although it would be nice if I could take Dolly on this trip. Maybe next time."
They chatted as they rode down the elevator, laughing every now and then as they talked about their past encounters, when they weren't dating yet. The moment they stepped outside, Touma felt something strange in the air, like an electric charge lingering around them.
"Misaki-chan, can you go ahead? There's something I want to do."
"What? Okay, but don't take too long."
Misaki walked to the other side of the sidewalk, fiddling with her phone, probably checking with the driver who would take them to Touma's parents' house. Her bags were still with him, which made him sigh and drop them on the sidewalk.
"You look tired," came a voice from above, feminine yet sharp. "Walking too much with her tends to do that."
"You really have something against her."
"Don't act like it's not mutual, idiot."
The girl who had spoken detached herself from the building wall and crossed her arms as she stood in front of him. Her chestnut-colored hair was slightly tousled, and small sparks of electricity flickered through her bangs. Touma instinctively raised his right hand, but... nothing happened. The sparks faded, and the girl's expression softened, becoming almost serene.
"So you really are leaving," said Misaka Mikoto, unable to look him in the eye.
"It's not permanent."
The silence between them came quickly. And then it hung there, dense, rippling like a living thing. Touma searched for the right words but found himself unable to speak. It was odd. He was accustomed to choosing his words carefully, often to avoid misunderstandings, but this wasn't about that. This time, it felt like he just didn't want to engage in small talk—especially not with her. But he couldn't be sure.
After a few tense moments, he glanced at his phone.
"I have to go," he said, picking up his bags. "Thanks for your help."
"So you noticed?" Mikoto seemed impressed, even a little happy.
"It was strange how those traffic lights suddenly started malfunctioning. I imagine you used your powers to throw something in the monster's path, but maybe you overdid it a bit."
"I wish that one had been easy to take down." The girl hunched her shoulders, as if recalling a bad memory. "I guess this is our goodbye."
"I told you, it's probably not permanent."
"Why not?"
Touma paused at her question. It sounded so unexpected, almost out of character for her. He realized then that he wasn't even sure what she meant.
"I've been thinking," Mikoto said, "maybe I'll do the same soon. My mother was right to think about getting me out of here." She paused, her gaze drifting into the distance. "There's still a lot keeping me here. But after today... one thing at a time, right?"
"I don't know what you're trying to say."
"Shokuhou-san is a lucky girl." She finally met his eyes.
"Do you think so?"
"I'm sure of it." Mikoto's expression remained neutral, but then a faint smile appeared. "She has you, after all." She quickly looked away, her hand nervously gripping her own arm. "There aren't many situations where I'd actually want to be in her shoes. I think I've already missed that chance, so... as a good loser, I wish you both happiness."
"Thank you."
Touma responded automatically, without much thought. But then, something clicked in his mind. Did she want to be in her shoes?
"Wait... Misaka—"
"Don't go making any unnecessary comments," she cut him off, trying to sound as serious as she could. "I had plenty of chances, and I let them slip by. Let's not dwell on it now, okay?"
He nodded reflexively. It seemed like the most respectful response.
"I guess that's it," he said, scratching his head nervously. "I have to go now. See you later, Misaka-san."
"See you..." Misaka Mikoto paused for a long moment, as if bracing herself for something important, then offered a small smile. "Good luck, Kamijou-san."
He watched her walk away in the opposite direction, giving a slight nod as she disappeared around the corner. Maybe there was more she wanted to say to him—maybe the same was true for him.
But that's how things are.
x-4-x
It had been a long trip. Misaki would have liked to spend a little more time with her boyfriend before getting out of the car, but driving around aimlessly wasn't an option. The afternoon sun still hung on the horizon behind them, preparing to set. She adjusted the white glove on her hand, almost as if to disguise her nervousness.
The house where Touma's parents lived wasn't particularly extravagant. She glanced around, noticing a few people on the other side of the street who had paused, watching as he pushed open the door without a backward glance. Their stares were more than just curious.
"So, do you have many good memories of this place?" she asked as she stepped into the modest living room.
"Are you talking about the house or the city in general?" He didn't wait for her to respond. "Not many. And by the way, this isn't my childhood home."
"I think my mother-in-law mentioned something about their house being blown up."
Touma glanced toward the white spiral staircase leading to the upper floor.
"They rebuilt it," he said, "but the architecture is quite different from what I remember. I think that's a good thing."
"Hmm?"
"A new beginning, but with a familiar... comfortable foundation."
She was almost certain she saw him smile, but it was so brief that she wondered if she had imagined it. Perhaps her boyfriend was lost in thought.
'I feel like there's something he doesn't want to tell me... or is he trying to tell me but can't find the right words?' Misaki pondered for a few seconds, glancing around and noticing there were no pictures of him as a child. 'I wonder if...'
"I'm home!"
"Welcome back!"
The quick exchange occurred while Misaki was lost in thought.
"It's a pleasure to see you again, Shokuhou-san," said Shiina, bowing formally. "My son must have found someone special if she can convince him that easily."
"Mom... could you not? And I wasn't easily convinced. I've actually thought about not coming here several times over the past few weeks."
Touma was ready to make some excuses, but then he noticed someone quietly descending the stairs. The middle-aged man looked at him with that familiar, knowing gaze.
"Touma," Kamijou Touya said, his face relaxed, though it was clear he was trying to contain a smile. "You finally made it. There's so much I want to talk to you about."
It still felt strange. After regaining his memories, everything seemed different to Touma. New, yet the same. It was hard to put into words, like trying to describe colors to someone who had been blind since birth. The world around him hummed with a frequency he was only now tuning into. A radio finally finding the right station after years of static.
"Oh, that must be... Shokuhou-san, correct?" The man straightened his posture, his eyes narrowing slightly.
Touma could even feel Misaki stiffening, but she was very good at pulling herself together. He wished he could read her thoughts now, she was probably freaking out inside.
"Touya-san, is it?" she asked with a gentle smile. "Or perhaps I could call you Touya, since we're family now. Or is that too presumptuous?"
"That depends entirely on your intentions towards my son." Touya's face hardened, his gaze sharp and scrutinizing.
Though Misaki was typically impervious to such tactics, Touma could see a flicker of unease in her eyes. Fortunately, Shiina intervened, placing a reassuring hand on Misaki's back before turning to her husband.
"Don't scare her, Touya-san." Her voice was calm, but the coldness in her gaze made the man bristle. "She's a lovely girl. I actually wondered if she was real or if Touma had hired her online."
"Mom, what the hell?" Touma sputtered, incredulous.
"Ara, ara, Touma-san," Shiina teased. "Would you prefer I said you'd won the lottery instead?"
"Darling, you're being unkind," Touya interjected. "Touma, pay your mother no mind. Let's have a man-to-man talk."
"Oh my, oh my... Touya-san." Shiina held both cheeks, a black aura was circling her. "Are you asking my son to ignore me after just a few minutes?"
"H-honey... that's not what I meant."
The father found himself in hot water, but fortunately for him, the "lottery girl" came to his rescue.
"Shiina-san, why don't we let the boys chat? Meanwhile, you can show me some adorable childhood photos of Touma-chan," Misaki suggested playfully.
"I'm not fond of that idea," Touma grumbled, but his protest fell on deaf ears as the two women disappeared into another room, exchanging whispers and knowing smiles.
As silence settled, Touma felt his father's hand on his shoulder. Touya's face was serious, but the strange doubt that once clouded his eyes had vanished.
"I've heard you've made quite a name for yourself," Touya began, his voice tinged with pride. "I always knew you had potential. Your old man's proud... as always." His stern gaze softened. "And you've found yourself quite a girl, too—"
"Choose your words carefully."
"That's my boy," Touya chuckled, patting his son's shoulder. "You always did have a thing for older girls with a figure—"
"I said watch what you say! And for the record, she's younger than me. I know, it's surprising, but it's true."
"Wait, really?" Touya's jaw dropped, taking a moment to process this information. "How much younger, exactly?"
"Don't get any ideas. It's only a year. She just turned 15."
"Oh..." Touya crossed his arms, nodding with a half-smile. "Now that's what I call potential. A foreign girl, no less. And what's with those starry eyes?"
"She's not foreign. And those eyes? She was born with them," Touma explained, raising a finger as his father opened his mouth. "Don't ask me how. It's just how it is. The stars even turn into hearts at... certain times."
"Certain times, eh?" Touya rubbed his hands together eagerly, only to raise them defensively at Touma's stern look. "Alright, alright. Too soon, I get it."
"Can we please change the subject?" Touma pleaded, exasperated.
x-5-x
Meanwhile, Misaki found herself in the couple's bedroom, her gaze lingering on the expansive double bed near the window. The room was relatively modest, save for the eclectic array of souvenirs scattered about. She recalled Touma mentioning his father's penchant for collecting amulets and trinkets, often associated with fertility gods and goddesses. The realization brought a faint blush to her cheeks.
'I wonder if Touma and I will have a life like this?'As she thought this, she realized that she hardly knew what she meant. 'He never knows when to stop...'
"My husband is constantly on the move," said Shiina suddenly. In her hands, she cradled a worn wooden box. "The tales he brings home often stretch the bounds of belief. Many of them leave me fearing for his safety. Yet..." Her voice softened, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "He always returns, unscathed."
It was as if Shiina had plucked the thoughts straight from Misaki's mind. Curiosity piqued, Misaki tilted her head, trying to catch a glimpse of the box's contents. Her eyes widened slightly as she noticed a collection of photographs nestled within.
"Have you never considered asking him to change professions?" asked Misaki, smoothing her golden hair and sighing. "To spend more time by your side... safe?"
"Yes, of course. Sometimes I find myself thinking again. But I always come up with the same answer." She paused, also sighing. "Some things are the way they are. And that applies to people. Maybe if he wasn't like that, I wouldn't have fallen in love with him, would I? If a person can't accept the person they love as they are, then do they really love them in the first place?"
Misaki pondered this, unconsciously moving to sit on the edge of the bed. Its comfort surprised her. Shiina soon joined her, the mattress dipping slightly under their combined weight.
"What are those pictures?" Misaki asked, leaning in for a closer look.
"Cute, isn't it? I took it on his 7th birthday. I had to reprint it to keep the memory alive."
As Shiina's tone took on a subtle hint of melancholy, Misaki examined the photo more closely. It captured Touma blowing out candles on a birthday cake, a cardboard party hat perched atop his head. His expression was oddly neutral for such an occasion. His father stood beside the table, smiling broadly.
"Touma complained for days," said Shiina. "'Next time, I'll remember,' I told him."
"Remember what?"
"To invite people to the party. I told him I was too busy."
"How busy were you back then? Work?" Misaki realized too late that the woman was serious, her hand trembling.
"No." Shiina's sigh was heavy with regret. "I lied to him. I actually invited everyone he knew... but no one came."
Misaki felt her breath catch in her throat. A fragment of a long-ago conversation with Touma, before his memory loss, suddenly made sense. His evasiveness about his childhood, a topic they rarely broached, now took on a painful clarity.
"We sent him to that town for his protection, remember?" Shiina continued, setting the photo aside and gazing out the open window. "Most of the townspeople wanted nothing to do with him. And those were the kindest." Her voice faltered, thick with emotion. "I'm sorry, but could we change the subject?"
"Oh..."
Not a word escaped her mouth. There were few times when she felt like this, so out of options. It wasn't the kind of thing she had expected to hear when remembering the past. But she decided to make a little effort.
"I promised myself that I would always be ready to help him, no matter what," Misaki began, her voice soft. Her hand was gripping the bedclothes tightly. "Even if the path he follows is seen as 'wrong', that's where I'll be."
"It's good to hear something like that."
"Really?" Misaki suddenly found herself smiling.
"As a mother, of course I would want a daughter-in-law who would fully support my son. It's not about archaic concepts, if that's what you're thinking. It's more my wish for my son to have someone to share a mutual understanding with." She suddenly stopped talking, now looking straight into Misaki's eyes. "I can't quite explain it, but I sense there's more to you than what you're showing. And your response just now confirms that."
Misaki felt her throat tighten, realizing her attempt to redirect the conversation might have been misguided.
"And that's a good thing, too."
But her worries were swept away with those words. She suddenly felt a warmth in her chest, the apprehension going away.
"I feel that Touma-san is going to make some very stupid decisions in the future," Shiina continued, her voice too calm for something so serious. "I can judge perfectly well, he's like his father after all. Don't try to change that in him, it won't work."
"I know. And I'm not going." She gave a confident wink. "I love him after all."
With that, Shiina had a satisfied smile on her lips. She nodded and then touched Misaki's shoulder gently.
"Maybe you're too good for him."
"Eh?" Misaki blinked twice. That didn't sound like a compliment.
"To be clear, your unwavering support is important, but know that the men in this family are destined to be womanizers without a cause."
"What?"
The girl was as confused as she was astonished. This was a conversation she hadn't expected to have.
"You have my support for taking any drastic measures in this regard." Shiina was giving her too intense a look. "You don't want to let him flirt with any woman who smiles in his direction like my husband. I usually solve that by punching him to the ground!"
"Huuuh?!" Misaki had to step back when the woman brandished her fist threateningly.
"Know that Touma-san got his punching power from me, and his 'Lady Killer' ability from his father. I'm counting on you to keep Touya-san's side of the family in check."
'And how am I supposed to do that?! This woman is completely crazy!
x-6-x
"Here, have a drink with me." Touya poured some liquor into a glass tumbler.
Touma eyed his father skeptically from his position on the sofa. This was already the third glass of sake Touya had poured, and now he was seeking company.
"Are you seriously offering alcohol to your underage son? What kind of irresponsible father are you?" Touma chided, though his tone lacked real anger.
"Come on, don't act so righteous. This is a special occasion. Besides, I know very well this isn't your first time."
That was a great intuition on his father's part.
With a resigned sigh, Touma lifted the glass to his face, inhaling the aroma. The alcohol content didn't seem too high, but given his luck, one could never be too careful.
"Damn irresponsible father," Touma muttered, then tipped the small glass back in one swift motion. He exhaled, pleasantly surprised. "This stuff is actually good."
"That's my boy!" Touya's face was flushed as he clapped Touma on the back. "My boss sent me this bottle months ago, but I never opened it until now."
"Hmm... good choice." Touma poured himself another drink, downing it quickly before continuing in a measured voice, "It's nice to be able to drink with my father now that I feel I'm really his son."
Touya's expression shifted, a mix of confusion, bewilderment, and perhaps a hint of pain crossing his features. There was no easy way to address the complex emotions behind Touma's statement, so he let the words hang in the air between them.
"Remember that day on the beach? Almost a year ago?" Touma looked at the empty glass, and then at his father. "You asked me if I remembered my childhood. The answer was no."
"What?" he asked slowly.
"The truth is that on that day, when you and Mom came to visit me in hospital, you were just two strangers to me."
"Touma, what are you saying?" Touya sounded even a little annoyed. He snatched the bottle out of the boy's hands. "You're already drunk."
"I lied to you... to Mom..." There was a pause, his head tilted from side to side. "To everyone."
His father didn't know what to say. Touma could have waited a little longer, told him more appropriately, but he was fed up with everything. Sick of having to lie.
"I lost my memory that day in July," he finally said, and it was as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. "I only got it back recently, thanks to Misaki."
"Have you lost... your memory?" It was as if he was chewing on the words, and from the look on his face, it didn't taste good.
"I should have told you both before. But it turns out that your son is an idiot." Touma's gaze became distant, his lips trembled just a little. "I'm sorry. Now that I have my memories back, I realize how foolish I was. You, of all people, definitely deserved to know. Forgive me, Dad."
"Don't put your head down like that." The man became serious, one palm raised in his son's direction. "If anyone needs forgiveness, it's me." Touya's face hardened, almost intimidating in its intensity. "As a father, I should have realized something was wrong the moment we spoke. I sensed something was off, but that wasn't enough. My failure to dig deeper and understand what was troubling you meant I left you to suffer alone. I failed as a father, so I'm the one who should apologize."
"No... you've done so much already. Let's just put it behind us. I'm okay now."
It came with all sincerity. He truly felt good now, which made him wonder why he hadn't opened up sooner. Perhaps things were simpler than he'd imagined.
"Hey, you two," Shiina's voice sounded, far away, she was in another room. "Dinner's ready. Come quick before it gets cold."
They exchanged a serene look and smiled. They raised their glasses for one final toast, tipping them back and exhaling with satisfaction.
x-7-x
"So, now for the important part," said Touya, settling into a seat at one end of the dining table.
Misaki swallowed nervously as she noticed a hint of excitement in the man's demeanor, even catching him rubbing his hands together for some reason. The four of them were seated at a Western-style dining table, which took Misaki by surprise. But given how much Touma's father traveled, it made sense that they might enjoy incorporating various cultural elements into their lives.
This was also reflected in the food on offer. The aroma of roasting meats and freshly baked bread filled the air, mixed with the scents of soft and fluffy mashed potatoes, crispy fried chicken, tender cuts of beef, slices of smoked duck drizzled with an orange and ginger sauce and tuna ceviche seasoned with passion fruit.
"How did you two meet?" Touya continued after his dramatic pause.
"Oh... for a moment I thought it was another kind of question," Misaki replied, wiping her mouth gently with a napkin and holding Touma's hand under the table. "I went out for some fresh air to clear my head at an artificial lake in a mountainous area, and then your son just... showed up."
"It sounds quite romantic," commented Shiina.
"He came out of nowhere and got a good look at my panties."
"Huh?"
"Eh?"
Touma's parents turned to him with a special expression.
'Hehe... take that Touma-chan. Did you think you'd be safe because you were playing at home? Hahahahahaha!'
Ignoring the villainous laughter in her mind, Misaki savored a piece of grilled fish, enjoying the moment like a queen.
"Don't listen to her, that's not how it happened," said Touma, with a remarkable effort to disguise his embarrassment. "When this Kamijou-san appeared, she was sprawled on the ground with her legs spread. It wasn't my fault."
"Ara, ara, Touma-san," said Shiina. The way she leaned over and rested a cheek on her palm was frightening. "I don't remember raising my son to grow up like this. Be honest with yourself."
"I'm telling you, it was all her fault," Touma insisted, pointing toward Misaki, who was now hiding a smirk behind her napkin. "And it's not like she cares if someone gets a good look, her power is literally brainwashing. She even tried it on me."
"Of course, that's what perverts deserve," Misaki teased, nudging him.
"Perv—Misaki-chan, I could say a few things about this topic. Are you sure you want to go there?"
'Damn, I've gone too far! But he wouldn't make any inappropriate comments, would he?
"Like last night—"
"S-shut up!" Misaki quickly covered his mouth with both hands, glancing nervously at Shiina while forcing a smile. "What happens in the bedroom stays in the bedroom, you idiot!" she whispered through gritted teeth.
"Got it, golden girl." Touma easily disentangled himself, a smirk playing on his lips. "But your memory is terrible. The first time we met wasn't at the artificial lake."
"That doesn't count." Misaki shrugged dismissively.
Touya put his hand to his forehead and sighed. After a few mouthfuls, he looked at his son.
"Changing the subject, it's strange that you decided to visit us after you became a famous level 5. I bet you must have started to get fed up with all the attention."
"I'm not getting that much extra attention. Maybe from my teacher... and Fukiyose..."
"I don't like where this is going," Misaki commented.
"Don't let power go to your head. Remember, Touma, with great power comes great responsibility."
"That's solid advice ability, Touya-san," Misaki said, thoughtfully placing a hand on her chin. "Sounds familiar, though. I feel like I've heard that somewhere before."
"It's from an old show I used to watch when I was young."
"Oh? What was it called?"
"The Emissary of Hell. It was kind of a Tokusatsu."
The rest of the conversation flowed smoothly after that. Touma and Misaki told stories of those summer days when their lives were simpler. In fact, maybe they were simpler now. Shiina was pleased to hear that Misaki had problems with swimming, and even offered to help her with it, which the golden girl reluctantly accepted. She had quite a future ahead of her.
x-8-x
After dinner, Touma and Misaki went up to his room. It was strange to see something so familiar, yet so different. He remembered spending hours in his room, reading manga about idiotic heroes who risked their lives without asking for anything in return. Eventually his taste changed, preferring more niche things, like a story about the adventures of a phantom thief.
"I really wanted to re-read the Grim Reaper arc."
"What are you talking about?" asked Misaki in confusion.
"Nothing, just thinking out loud."
The room was simple and undecorated, furnished with basic yet tasteful pieces. Misaki didn't wait for permission before sitting down on the bed, pressing her hand into the mattress to test its firmness. Her mischievous smile sparked something within him.
"I take it your old room wasn't as plain as this one," she remarked, glancing around.
"I used to have tons of anime girl posters and a huge manga collection. And, of course, the stacks of textbooks my mother piled up. She always found time to go over every lesson with me, especially since the teachers didn't care."
Touma had seated himself beside her, noticing how she kept her hands folded in her miniskirt before she lifted one to touch her chin in a playful manner.
"All that work, and you almost failed," she mused with a teasing smile. "If it weren't for your benevolent queen, you would've repeated the year."
"Wow, thank you so much, Shokuhou Misaki-sama. This Kamijou-san owes everything to you."
"If you ask nicely, I might keep helping you study. That way, when you go back to school, you won't struggle so much."
"That's a tempting offer, but..." He leaned in closer, one hand gently brushing her hair aside while the other traced the bare skin of her thigh. "The only thing I'm interested in studying today is your curves."
"An anatomy lesson, huh? It's about time." She leaned in for a kiss but pulled back after their lips briefly met. "Are you drunk?"
Instead of answering, his hand continued its path up her thigh. Their lips collided again, and between kisses, he whispered softly.
"Do you have a problem with that?"
"I should have brought the bottle."
In the next instant, the abrupt sound of tearing fabric echoed through the room—her white blouse was now in tatters. As their lips met, Touma pulled her closer, his grip on her hair making a mess of it. He pushed her onto the bed, climbing on top of her and trailing kisses down her neck as her warm hand slipped under his shirt.
But before things went too far, a flicker of clear-headed judgment pulled Touma back. He quickly moved away, returning with something in his hand.
"Here," he said, handing her a remote control. "Use those weird buffs again, you'll need them." The smile on his face was unlike anything she had ever seen.
"I like the sound of that." She moistened her lips and tilted her head slightly. "But seriously, if I don't start going to the gym more often, I could end up dead."
She probably thought it was worth it. Not that Touma ever heard any complaints. After all, she was always the "carnivore" in the relationship, perhaps too much so. But over time, he had learned to like it.
x-9-x
The night veil had already covered the world, along with the silver aura of the full moon shimmering shyly behind the clouds. Misaki leaned her head on Touma's shoulder as they walked through the city's quiet streets.
"You're putting all your body weight on me, pull yourself together girl."
"Be a little kinder, Touma-chan." Misaki grabbed him as they walked and giggled. "It was your idea to take an evening walk, even though you knew how exhausted I was. Your torture ability gets worse every day".
His response was just a faint, slightly arrogant smile. She watched as he blew on her hands, his warm breath so close, so comforting. It was in these simple moments that Misaki found the most peace. She wished her life could stay like this forever, but deep down, she knew something bad was looming, a storm was brewing just beyond the horizon, subtle yet inevitable, poised to take these moments away. It was a shame. But at least, for now, that storm was still distant.
'Maybe one day I'll get used to it,' she thought, nestling into his shoulder, breathing calmly. 'Just maybe... it's not like he's the only one who gets involved in all sorts of messes after all.'
A new determination was taking shape within her. Perhaps it wasn't something bombastic, fireworks making themselves seen in a climatic explosion. It was just a candle glowing faintly in an already bright room. Easily overlooked now, crucial later. She had chosen to follow him, fully aware of what that decision entailed, and she was ready for whatever came next.
"Quiet, you idiot, there are people over there," female voices were talking in the distance. "Hey, wait... I know that person."
'Problems? Wasn't it too soon?
"Shokuhou Misaki?" A girl asked, shyly approaching the couple on the normal street. She was followed by a friend who looked nervous. "It's you! I saw you there that day, at Daihaseisai."
"The opening ceremony?" Misaki pondered, taking her head off Touma's shoulder to smile at the girl."Were you there in person, or did you watch the broadcast?"
"Unfortunately, I couldn't be there. But it really is you! My God, you're even more beautiful in person, aren't you?" She pointed at Misaki while turning to her friend, who was standing on the sidewalk. "Look, it's a Level 5! A Level 5 is in our town. How cool is that?"
Misaki tossed her hair to the side, letting it flutter in the night air. She was used to this kind of reaction, but now there was something else she wanted to say.
"Two Level 5s, actually," Misaki said with a hint of pride. "Touma-chan here was promoted a few months ago."
"Tou... ma?" The other girl stepped closer, her face twisting in confusion as she looked at the spiky-haired boy. "As in Kamijou Touma?"
Misaki heard him whisper a barely audible "Yes" as he looked away. A pang of pain shot through her chest.
"This is incredible!" The other girl was now standing next to her friend, totally excited, even more so than her. "A local of our town has become a level 5! What kind of cool power do you have?"
"Um..." Touma looked very nervous, his lips pursed as he tried to form words. "Look, I'm a level 5 but my powers aren't that great. I'm actually only the #8, the weakest of them all."
A sigh escaped Misaki's lips, and after she gave his back a playful poke with her finger, she turned to the girls with a smile.
"Don't be fooled, he doesn't like to brag," she said, with the tone of a proud mother. Touma's arm was grabbed by her. "The only reason he was ranked #8 is because of protocol. He actually defeated the number one esper in a straight fight."
"Really?!" The two girls synchronized, jumping up and down excitedly. Touma seemed quite taken aback by this reaction. "Are you that strong? "
"No—"
"Yes, he is," Misaki interrupted, bringing him closer. "Stay tuned for next year's exams. I'm sure he'll be promoted to number 1. Just wait."
"Wooow."
They seemed both surprised and amazed, looking at each other nervously now, whispering among themselves. The older girl, the one who had approached first, took her phone out of her pocket before nervously moving closer to the two of them.
"Can I take a picture?" She had suddenly become shy.
"Of course," said Misaki, but she paused quickly. "What do you think Touma?"
"That's fine with me." He shrugged.
After some arranging, they managed to get the four of them in a selfie, with Misaki making a peace sign while blowing a kiss to the camera.
"Kamijou-san, you're all stiff," the younger girl said, leaning against him. Misaki's composed demeanor gradually faded as she approached. "Come on, smile."
"Can you make it quick?" Misaki held back a little at that tone. Shiina's words echoed in her mind.
'Keep calm Shokuhou, you were responsible, so smile and wave.'
At least she had good self-control, probably better than her future mother-in-law.
The couple watched as the two excited girls walked away, the older one bowing her head slightly as she looked at Touma, the kind that is done when someone regrets something. It was silent, but Misaki felt her boyfriend's breathing increase, but he remained calm. He even looked happy.
"It doesn't feel so bad," he said, opening and closing his right hand. "It's strange, but I feel different now."
This was something the girl would probably take a while to fully understand, but she would certainly make an effort. That's what she promised herself. In due course, she would be someone he could lean on, the person he looked up to in the most difficult times, and she would share the happiest moments.
'It definitely feels good. But I still feel the same... even after changing so much.'
It took Misaki a while to realize that she was actually being guided, more precisely to a small lake in the middle of a square. The full moon had finally emerged from behind the clouds, its soft veil illuminating the trees, hiding whispers carried by the wind.
On the surface of the lake, the ethereal silver reflection caught the eye, which made Misaki stretch out her foot, touching that liquid mirror, throwing waves at that perfect image, that distorted illusion.
"I liked coming here in the past," said Touma. He was looking at the real moon above, not the one at his feet. "To get away... to cool off. My parents were always worried when I came back. They were afraid that someone would attack me in the dead of night... that I'd never come back."
Misaki let him pause, a calm silence settling in. She took his hand and put her head back on his shoulder.
"I didn't choose this," he continued, looking down at his right hand, his eyes sharp. "But I convinced myself it was fine." Now he looked at the surface of the lake, at the beautiful illusion before him, distorted by the gentle waves caused by the girl's touch. "Looking back now, I realize what a fool I was."
"It's okay," she cut in quickly, just in a whisper. "There's no problem clinging to a comfortable illusion. As long as you're always ready to face the truth before your eyes when necessary. I learned that the hard way. But I was rewarded in the end, so that's all that matters."
"Rewarded?"
She just nodded and then looked up.
"Hey, take us up. Let's have a good glide in this night wind."
Without saying a word, the boy raised his right hand, and a sky blue and gold cloak appeared, spreading to his back where giant bat wings appeared. An emerald trace could also be seen spreading through the air like dust, but it seemed to be nothing more than a distant illusion, yet still present.
The two of them left the earth behind, the girl nestled in his arms as she was carried like a princess. The night wind hitting her face didn't seem to affect her, almost nothing would at this point, so what chance did something so small have?
Up above, she looked down at the surface of the lake, the moon shining there in an almost surreal scene. Misaki smoothed her disheveled hair in the wind, and then realized something important about that flight.
"We're not losing altitude," she commented quickly. "You can fly perfectly now."
"Of course, there's nothing else holding me back."
His gaze was directly on her, neither on the perfect illusion below, nor on the moon hiding behind the clouds again. She was the focus, and she wished it would always be that way. Touma leaned towards her at that moment, Misaki almost closed her eyes as she expected a kiss, but the boy stopped midway and whispered in her direction.
"I promise that my focus will always be on you from now on."
"Ara, ara. That's good to hear, but considering your ability to change your mind so quickly sometimes, should I be happy or not?"
"You don't have to worry about that," he paused for a moment, gently removing a flowing golden lock in front of her face. " I love you, so that's the least you can expect, don't you think?"
Shokuhou Misaki felt a heat rising through her body, and without realizing it, she had already leaned in and taken his lips. She wasn't sure, but probably a whole minute had passed in that sudden instant flooded with desire. When she finally pulled away, she felt her eyes moisten, but the tears didn't escape.
"I love you too," she replied in a tearful voice. "I love you... I love you so much... for all this time... I've loved you so much."
Her face would soon be a mess, and thick tears wouldn't stop coming down. But she didn't care. It wasn't that kind of tears anymore. There was no guilt, no pain, no fear. There was no hatred or regret. She could move on now. But not alone.
The Queen heard her king say he loved her one last time, before she silenced him with another passionate kiss. It was a balm to her battle-worn soul, a sweetness she craved more than air itself. In this embrace, she was not a queen burdened by duties and expectations, she could let the weight of her crown dissolve. After everything, she sought refuge in this desire. It was the least she deserved, so there was no problem in wanting such a great reward...
… after her long quest for a miracle.
Thank you for reading. This is the end. At least for quite a while.
It's been almost two years, huh?
But here we are at the end of the journey. I loved writing this KamiSaki-focused story. From the very first chapter, I decided that this story wouldn't have a grand plot, any long battle scenes, or any big twists. I set out to write a story that focused entirely on the relationship between the two protagonists and also a little on their subtle development.
I'm aware that this decision to focus so much may have left some people disappointed, but I really wanted to stick to the premise I chose. But what about it? Did you like everything you saw here?
Finishing this story made me look back to when I wrote my first story. At the time, I struggled to write everything in a language I didn't master, but today I feel somewhat comfortable writing in English. I still have room for improvement, and I hope that many of you will continue with me in future stories. I definitely want to write another story with this couple, probably them enjoying adult life together, with all the good and bad that comes with it.
Anyway, I'll reply to your comments and leave a final note:
kuroshiragami0: And here it is. What do I think of the finale?
Jaya2002: I completely agree. The original scene had sounded too aggressive, so it's for the best.
Amad0: Thank you very much. I think Misaki is one of the few girls that Othinus is so aggressive towards. I don't think she likes direct personalities. Damn, now that I think about it, I didn't write a beach episode for this story. I'll have to fix that in a future One-Shot. The scene I wanted to write with Mikoto was originally longer, but I realized that most of the scenes where she and Touma are together are incredibly exaggerated. So I wanted to do something different, minimalist, you know? No blushing, no stuttering, no unnecessary jokes or deep drama. Just two people coming to a small understanding. I hope this different approach was good too. Thanks for reading, and ah... the dinner scene wasn't originally planned, did you enjoy the conversation? Your idea.
Mem: Yes, in time she'll understand. Interesting story, and you're right, hating something too much can be quite a burden.
Jose Blas: Hey, it's been a while, hasn't it?
Cainabel201X: Thank you very much.
FinFangFoom100: Thank you. Looks like something's bothering Misaki, lol. She's a big girl now, in many ways. Those birds don't stand a chance. I only implied it, but Accel is helping Touma without him knowing, which is why it was so easy, him becoming a level 5, being able to leave the city for as long as he wants and other things. Misaka has already convinced herself that she's lost, poor girl. And that's that. You've been here since the beginning, what a journey, thank you very much.
Markoz89: That's a great description. I think Touma's mind would be represented by something like that, showing the two main facets of him. I'm glad you liked the scene with Othinus. Thanks as always.
5queso: I'm glad you liked it so much. A bit of sadism there, eh? Lol. Not a bad idea, I'll definitely keep that in mind. Thanks and see you next time.
SilverIceRing: Wow, it's good to hear that there are people who liked this story so much that they had this kind of reaction. Rereading the whole story like that? Thank you so much, there's no better feeling than knowing that I've resonated so much with someone through my writing.
Starmegalo: Yes, that was kind of her interpretation. In a deleted scene, the two of them go into more depth about it, but I discarded it. Maybe I'll bring it up again in a future extra chapter, who knows.
Xellos540: My stories kind of take place in the "same universe", but at different phases. Kind of a multiverse. XD
Hey, dear readers, thanks again for your support. I'm really surprised that so many people still follow this story. You guys are awesome. But that's all I have for you for now. I wish you all the best... and that's it. NioMoon has finished their quest.