Painted Prison Chronicles

by Sparity Ikari

When Kamijou Touma and Gokusai sisters reunite after a long while, things certainly go crazy for all of them when they found themselves living together through random twists of fate. In their daily life, Touma, Amazora, Kaibi, and Rikuri will learn about each other, with their light, darkness, and pasts revealed. Among the misfortune, comedy, and romance, their bonds blossom anew!

46. Chapter 46

PAINTED PRISON CHRONICLES

CHAPTER 46

SONG OF ICE, FIRE, LONGING, AND DESIRE

It is with great sadness that I learned of death of Emi Shinohara, voice of Misaka Misuzu, as well as others such as Makoto Kino/Sailor Jupiter, or Uzumaki Kushina. Shinohara-san, you will be dearly missed. I hope that your talent and effort will not be forgotten, and your memory will be cherished.

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Hello to everyone, my dear readers. I am back with a freshly written chapter, and what a rollercoaster it is. This is NOT anniversary chapter, but it has a length of one due to it being written through 2nd anniversary of this story. It is honestly incredible to me that we are almost at the point in which that story will be twice its originally planned length (AND IT'S STILL NOT THE END, we are going strong!) I am so, so happy that this project is alive and well, and seems to enjoy love of more people that I could ever dream. There are some fine things coming in the future, in plans for next 2 to 3 chapters, and I hope they will get you happy and stimulate your imagination. I cannot predict when they will come out, since I have a bit of free time, but how much will I be able to spend on writing, I cannot determine. I hope that as much as I can, obviously, so maybe 3 weeks?

As for this chapter, it was in some ways a true emotional rollercoaster. I did my best to utilize my knowledge of science, philosophy, psychology, and emotive writing, as a love letter to certain characters' psyche and development, and simply because I felt that this is a moment of the story that should be done with a special care for detail (not that other didn't deserve such attention. In fact, after this chapter, and before publishing the next, I will try to do general overhaul, fixing all the misspellings or errors in the text for your comfort. I try my best for them to not appear, but sometimes they do. English is not my first language, and the most common thing is writing similarly sounding word, when you had something different on mind, e.g two and too). But enough about editorial details. As a rule in recent times, I will have much more to say about the chapter in the ending remarks, as everything is said and done for that part of work there. As far as the arcs, are concerned, I can reveal that after next chapter we will have a special chapter (because I didn't want to do it now and mess up the flow of the story) and afterwards new, much more slice-of-life-ish story arc will commence, with not certain predictions about its length. We will see.

Be sure to visit ending remarks. For now, let's get into the Q&A corner:

rollan: I am really happy that my story makes you pass a good time. I would continue to do my best for myself and all of you, bringing even more of this story to life. There is still so much to be told, and although I don't know what life will bring, I am doing my utmost to see everything through.

FinFangFoom100: Thank you for congratulations. The pleasure is all mine, it's great to have such a devoted reader. I think I am quite well versed in Enneagram, I read a lot about its history and intricacies, so thought of using it with its original purpose was too good to pass. Kanzaki and Touma deserve some good and wholesome moments, given how value-synchronized they are. As for what happens with them, well, definitely keep reading. As for Kamisato, I have something grand and also kind of hilarious coming in regards to him and Touma, but I think you may not guess what it is/not what may be expected (I least I hope so, this will be a surprise). While Future Phase may give rise to different opinions, I have particular fondness for Touma's children, because I took enormous amount of time to make notes about backstories, destinies, abilities, personalities, and looks of almost every single one, and I want nothing more than to write history of this family. This fanfic wasn't always easy. Sometimes it was demanding or challenging, but it was always fun. I absolutely love this franchise, it will always hold a special place in my heart, and I want to chanel as much of it as I can into this fic.

Averege stuufy: Yes, I think it was one of the most touching moments in the recent history of this fic.

Phantom Dark-Knight: Thank you for the compliment, I hope you will enjoy yourself in following chapters till this one.

Without further delay, let's begin!

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Some say the world will end in fire,

Some say in ice.

From what I've tasted of desire

I hold with those who favour fire.

But if it had to perish twice,

I think I know enough of hate

To say that for destruction ice

Is also great

And would suffice

-Robert Frost, Fire and Ice

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Coldness... coldness in my heart and on my skin.

I am sinking into it... into the icy depths of darkness. The chill permeates my very bones, leaving me in morbid terror. I am dying... ice reaches into my bloodstream, freezing it solid, frost covers my eyelids, gluing them to my face. The crystals of ice spreading like beautiful flowers, reach into my throat, making me unable to scream. My hair solidifies like tree branches, my hands cool down into motionless extremities.

I am dying... and yet I cannot cease to be.

My mind is alive, in that darkness and everlasting cold. Despite the chill reaching my heart, my mind burns, flashes of images in disarray, the feverish nightmares illuminating what remains of my conscious mind in the coffin of ice.

Endless, ageless, terrifying... cold. So very cold.

Sometimes, I sink into it long enough to believe that I died. But then, my body tries to hard to remain alive. Each cell is fighting against this confinement, trying on their own to keep struggling.

'Please stop! It hurts so much!' my mind screams, to no avail.

I cannot move, as decades pass. I cannot speak, or even think in an orderly manner. I can't see, for my eyes are not working, and I am left in the darkness. I cannot hear, as everything is muffled. I cannot taste, as nothing around me is different from the ice. I cannot smell, because the ice penetrated my nostrils, just as it did everything else. And of course, my touch is just ice. Nothing, but chilly, heartless cold.

I see myself, unmoving like a statue, with an expression of sadness and betrayal etched onto my face.

And then... the ice breaks... alongside my body...

Kankyougami Hasako woke up, disoriented and dazed, sweat covering her body.

"Where... Where am I? What is this place?!" she frantically looked around. She tried to get up, but a slender female arm stopped her.

"Not yet... you are sick..." the woman whispered, shaking her head." Yes, you are sick... sleep... for now..."

"I can't... man I love... I hurt him... and my friends... I have to go to-"

"I said... sleep, human child. For... your own good" the woman said in a quiet but firm tone, snapping her fingers.

"I shall not... I have... to..."

Before she knew it, Hasako yawned. And then, her eyelids drooped and she fell lifelessly on her back.

She dreamed again.

Once more, she was encased in her cold slumber.

Yet this time, there was a change. The shattering of ice was accompanied by a bright light.

Hasako didn't want to see that, but she did anyway. She watched her first moments outside of ice, after decades of sleep. She watched herself ran amok, as her mind could not process the sudden flood of information. She watched her attacks killing one of the man that wanted her awake, Matsuo Ryuusuke.

Kaibi told Hasako that Matsuo was a scumbag who only wanted her awake to use and manipulate her for his own needs of domination. If he had his ways, she would be once again a tool without any love.

So it was not as if she wanted him to succeed.

But at the same time... she felt revulsion that her attack ended his life.

Especially since in consequence, Mitsuari Ayu was cursed and tipped past point of no return.

To Beginning Child, Mitsuari Ayu was like family. She was the one to give her a chance of new life and Hasako had immense love towards Mental Stinger. Each thing that brought burgundy haired telepath pain, and there were many such things in the life of the girl which was apparently a favoured maiden of misfortune, brought tears to Hasako's own eyes.

That was a disaster. She could only be grateful that Kamijou Touma stopped her that day. She still remembered him charging towards her. Even though most memories of that day were a hazy blur of disarray and confusion, she recalled that scene with greatest clarity.

It was at that moment she knew that she will love him and him alone for the rest of her life.

In the modern times of divorces, scandals, and all kind of broken bonds, those words could sound naïve and oblivious.

But somehow, beyond rationality, Hasako was sure of it.

She was sure that within his eyes, she saw focus on her alone. She saw his determination to reach her. That was a desire beyond the distinction of friend or foe. Without care for such notions, he wanted to reach to her, to notice her, stop her in order for her to be born anew.

Back then, they couldn't speak with each other, Hasako was not physically capable of responding him. And yet, such subliminal understanding was reached.

In that moment, coldness vanished from her body, and light flooded her heart.

Love at first sight could be considered an exaggeration or outdated fancy, but Hasako could not care less. The way he looked at her was a first time after that time in icy darkness, where she was accompanied by crazy memories of those who oppressed her, when someone else saw her as someone worth keeping alive, protecting, cherishing.

He was her warmth. It was because of him she was so eager to regain her sanity.

Of course, she wouldn't be able to do it alone. Kumokawa Seria worked with dedication, and she visited her regularly. Even when Hasako lashed out and became violent, the raven haired girl was unfazed. Instead, she spoke with calm, almost hypnotic voice. After a while, she managed to touch Hasako, then hold her, and then stroke her head.

She never stopped talking to her, and did so in a manner that would allow Hasako to eventually regain her own speech.

Looking at it from a perspective, Hasako wasn't sure why exactly Kumokawa did what she did.

She spent enough time with the girl to know just how manipulative and skilled that young woman wearing a headband truly was. She never needed an ability to command respect, even in Hasako, who was one of the most powerful espers in history and the origin of all others who followed.

Like a omniscient chessmaster, she predicted things far beyond scope of mental capacities of regular human, and did with a perfect smile on no less perfect face. She was acutely aware of what brilliant mind, alluring body, and determined spirit, all of which were to her disposition, could achieve if combined with ability to utilize them efficiently. She never shied away from it.

Did she take care of Hasako to study and examine her? Or maybe she wanted to ensure that she wouldn't go berserk and keep her under surveillance?

It was probably for both of those reasons, and for others Hasako did not think of.

But at the same time, she was sure Kumokawa, who like Hasako loved Kamijou Touma, wanted to realize his desire for Hasako to be taken care of in kindness. So she complied. That was just how important her kouhai was to her.

Her kindness was different from Touma's. But nevertheless... her touch and voice felt kind.

Thanks to Kumokawa's efforts, she regained her speech, memory, and emotions. Thanks to her, she could meet Kamijou Touma properly.

Thanks to Touma, she was given a place to be, love to share, people to be around, and so much more... thanks to him and the sisters who helped him stopped her, she meet her dearest friend, Maidono Hoshimi, so different from her and yet so protective, trying to do her best despite her own past holding her back.

She needed to repay this chain of kindness.

But... now she broke it. She hurt Touma, and because she got careless, entire world could fall apart.

She hurt him. Even if it was due to Vasilisa's machinations.

She should be stronger. She should be better. She should be anyone but the person she was in that moment, in which she ripped and scattered out Imagine Breaker.

And then... there was only light. And desire to get as far away from there as possible.

She was unsightly. She felt revolted being in her own skin. Her very existence in that new life which welcomed her with warmth, seemed blasphemous.

So she fled... and fled... and fled...

To... where?

Hasako slowly opened her eyes once again.

This time, she managed to recognize her surroundings.

She was in some sort of garage, laying on the makeshift bed that resembled a stretcher.

In the centre of garage, under the long lamp on the ceiling, there was a picnic table with a small pot. By the table, on the elegantly styled chair, sat a woman, wearing black dark clothes and veil. Under the veil, pair of dark green eyes flashed from time to time, adorned by the black hair and crimson lips.

"So you are awake" she commented, noticing Hasako looking around." Good. I wouldn't like you to perish. Come, have a sit"

"Where am I?" Hasako asked, slowly standing to her feet" What happened?"

"I was hoping that you would tell me that" the stranger replied in a monotone voice" You are the one who just appeared out of the blue"

"I have to go! I... I caused enormous havoc. I need to go to find him!" Hasako dashed forward, but the woman in a veil extended her hand.

"I cannot allow you to leave just yet"

"Whatever you want, this can wait! I need to fix this!" Hasako shouted, evading and heading towards the exit of the garage.

"I said..." the woman raised her voice an octave" STOP!"

It was as if reality shimmered for a moment. Hasako blinked. She was back in front of the woman, even if she moved passed her and put a bit of distance between them just few seconds ago.

"What just... let me pass! If you don't, I will have to force my way through"

The woman got up, the veil making a slight noise against the skin.

"You are confused, so I still am tolerant, but shall you test me, I will not stand for the insolence. Is that the attitude one's saviour is supposed to receive?"

The sun outside darkened, and frost appeared on the walls.

Hasako recoiled, her face tensing slightly. This did not escape the attention of the woman who raised an eyebrow at her.

Seemingly calming down a little, Hasako exhaled and bowed her head.

"Fo... Forgive me, you are right. My confusion and frenzy got the better of me. I humbly ask you to accept the apology for my rudeness. Did I mishear you or did you just say that you saved me?"

The sunlight appeared again and the frost thawed. The veiled woman sighed and motioned towards the chair. This time, Hasako obeyed without a question.

"Very well" the woman exhaled through her nose, and put one leg, a slender shape emerging from under the mourning dress, onto the other, while sitting down as well" It seems that you do have manners and my judgement of your dignified nature still holds. Very well, young lady, you are forgiven. And yes, I did find you and save you, I suppose. I encountered you in the midst of battleground, laying almost naked and lifeless. Pomegranate?"

She offered a fruit to Hasako, and when the girl declined, she started to eat the seeds, smiling bitterly.

"You were dying. There was a lot of some awful residue that seemed like distorted telesma, but of some... strange variety..." she wrinkled her nose. The juice from pomegranate flew down slightly, making the already alluring crimson lips bloody red" It took a lot of healing to purify and stabilize your body, yet you were still left in a fever."

"I am... I don't know what to say" Hasako whispered in shock.

"'Thank you' will suffice for now" although her lips didn't smile, partially hidden eyes relaxed a little." I was quite interested if you will make it, because I wanted to see what kind of person you are"

"Yes, thank you, thank you so much. You have my greatest gratitude, miss..."

"I suppose it is not in polite nature to speak like this."

She lifted the veil. Underneath, there was a coil of black hair with few orange and blue flowers in it. The woman had green eyes of a very dark hue, as if it was two spheres of water in the well. Her face seemed young but serious, beautiful yet tired, sharp yet pale.

She looked she could be a model for ancient statues Hasako saw glimpses of in history books.

"I must say, if you were found by a mortal, I wouldn't like to imagine what would become of you" she said" You apparently have some fortune on your side"

Hasako tilted her head.

"Mortal? Wait a minute...you mentioned telesma? Index-san said something about it before...are you a magician?"

"Oh, so you are aware. That makes things easier. But not just any magician. Did you figure it out?"

"You are like Nephthys and Niang-Niang, aren't you?" Hasako asked in astonishment" That's how you prevented me from leaving."

"Once you gain certain knowledge and skill, you would be surprised how malleable, free to control, and easy to paint over reality is" the woman snapped her fingers and Hasako's messy hair freshened up and did itself in a hairstyle not much different from the mysterious stranger's. Another wave and the air folded, creating a teacup, from which the woman took a sip with greatest elegance." And yes, I am a Magic Goddess, one of those on the pinnacle of magic, whose mere thoughts can change reality and add new layers to preexistent phases. My name is-"

"Persephone" Hasako jumped in.

This actually surprised the Magic Goddess.

"Oh?"

I... I was born in the Showa era. After Meiji restoration, there was a great flood of western trends and knowledge. As a lady from a good home, I knew some myths and legends from Europe. You have green eyes... Index-san said once that the common trait of Magic Gods is, more often than not, possession eyes of green hue. There is also the ancient hairstyle. Persephone was goddess of spring and flowers, right? The flowers were a good hint. Not to mention the pomegranates. After her abduction by Hades, Persephone was bound to the underworld after eating pomegranate seeds."

"Very good" now, the eyes of the Magic Goddess showed just a hint of satisfaction" You would make a fine magician with such knowledge even despite being an esper. Even if it's basic, the eagerness is always the first step. You are half right. It is true, I am the goddess you speak of. It is also a nostalgia of best kind to hear my more revered, first name. But here, as a Goddess of Magic, and among my peers, I am known by another, second name."

She lifted her hand, motioning around herself.

"Daughter of the City of Science, my name is Proserpina. Welcome to the New World. There are some things we must talk about"

(MEANWHILE)

The door led outside of the apartment complex shared by Touma, Kaibi, and the others.

It was a greatest irony of all. After travelling through countless experiences and entering through countless doors, now they exited the labyrinth through the doors of their own doorstep.

"No!" Amazora wailed, her clothes almost completely falling down. Her body was once again small and at the beginning of her teens. "My sexiness is gone!"

She, Helcalia, and Touma reverted back to the bodies they had when they first arrived at the Labyrinth of All Fates. The only indicator that some change occurred was the fact that their clothes were too big for them.

"I had a feeling that this would happen" Kaibi shook her head and sighed" From what I understood, we were not there physically. The space of Touma's mind just conjured up representation of our physical selves. Once we stepped out of that space, we just got back to bodies we left behind, being reconstituted. Besides, did no one here read Narnia?"

"I don't care! I want it back!" Amazora had tears in her eyes, her hands making circular motion in front of her flat chest, as if she could will her maturely voluptuous shapes and bigger chest into existence by concentrating hard enough" I finally had someone to please onii-chan with. I wanted to commit!"

"Amazora, I am sure Touma loves you as you are too" Rikuri assured her" It was wonderful seeing you in your full bloom. I am sure that in a couple of years, you will get there"

"B-But..."

"Besides..." Helcalia joined in" It's not like our experiences disappeared. We are still 10 years older... mentally, that is"

Helcalia also seemed disappointed, although she tried to hide it a lot more. Still, from time to time she gave slightly mourning look at Touma, playing with her fingers.

"I suppose you are right" Amazora begrudgingly admitted" I shouldn't think about this as losing, just... putting it on hold"

"Exactly!" Rikuri clapped her hands" Besides, if you truly gained some experience in a mental sense, you can be of a greater assistance to Touma and be closer to him than ever before. Then, when you grow up, physicality will be so much sweeter"

As Amazora brightened up a little bit, Rikuri whispered to Helcalia.

"I was mistaken when it came to you, young lady. I thought about as a bit unassuming when I first saw you. But you were actually able to calm her down after a tantrum? And besides, you managed to be alone with her for 10 years nonetheless? I have to applaud you. I am her sister, and love her so much that I sometimes spoil her rotten, but I know our Amazora can be... challenging and troubling."

"Oh, she was." Helcalia admitted, with nostalgic smile, that seemed a bit too old for her now younger face" But your sister is incredible. She is brave, and straightforward, and helped a lot with my own insecurity. Sometimes, she just needed someone to guide her, so I did my best in Touma's absence."

Rikuri put a hand on Helcalia's head.

"I mean it when I say... thank you for being a friend for my sister"

Helcalia blushed a little, feeling embarrassed from a hand rubbing her silver hair, but didn't swat it away.

"You... you are welcome. I know Touma would like for her to be happy, so I did my best"

"Look at you, you are just adorable, thinking about him all the time"

"P-Please stop, that's really embarrassing..."

"You are right!" in the meantime, Amazora pointed at Kaibi who walked close to Touma" After all, I am still the oldest... mentally. So, I demand respect I deserve! I know you can hear me, Kaibi onee-chan!"

Kaibi slightly turned to Amazora, looking at her from toes to hair. And then she smirked smugly.

"Heh. Even after that time, you still instinctively call me your onee-chan. So who is the real big sister, your shortness?"

"Why you... w-well, fine! I am a better lady now, I am above violence!"

It would surely sound much better if Amazora didn't have to be restrained by both Rikuri and Helcalia to not retaliate.

Kaibi's smile faded, as she looked to the one walking beside her.

They had more important things to focus on right now.

Touma walked stiffly. His movements were strong, but lacked something in them. He looked tired, as if he aged millenia in an instant.

'It wasn't an instant' Kaibi reminded herself' Apparently, he literally took on humanity's suffering on himself to reclaim his power and, in consequence, stabilize the world'

It was true. Gone were the signs of decay and calamity caused by misfortune erupting all around the world. The world was normal again...

Which meant that all of that was back on the shoulders of the boy walking by her side.

To think that there once was a time when she thought he was superstitiously exaggerating his situation.

Kaibi had a vague idea about his misfortune while hearing about it, and witnessing some instances of accidents. But seeing all of that calamity outwardly, manifested in the world was something else.

The fact that the world was calm and happy meant that the all of that calamity and disaster she saw was back with Kamijou.

That... that was...

"Kaibi?" she heard Touma's voice. It looked more distant than it should be" Are you alright? Why are you crying?"

Yes. The fact that one boy had to suffer through weight of all the world's misfortune was breaking Kaibi's heart.

As manipulative she was, and as close-hearted as she used to be, even she felt deep sorrow in her chest.

"I think I understand Vasilisa a little" she said, sniffing and wiping tears from her eyes before they started to flow down her face.

If they did so, Measure Heart was doubting her ability to stop them, given her emotional state.

"Hmm?" Touma looked at her in confusion" How so?"

"No one should bear this much ill fortune. It should be shared among others, and yet you have to do it. You have to suffer in silence, all that time, and no one is any wiser about how hard it is. Vasilisa saw someone who she loved subjected to such fate, and she couldn't bear it. I understand her, just a little bit better, because I am in her shoes. One I love also..."

Kaibi shook her head.

"Are you sure about this?"

"There is no turning back now. I already reclaimed Imagine Breaker. This can't go to waste"

"Are you really putting the happiness of the entire world before your own?"

"Any happiness I would feel without others smiling around me would be hollow in a long run"

"There must be a better way"

"No. That's how it has to be"

"Rikuri is worried. Amazora too, even if she won't say it. If you carry on like this, you can die one day, suddenly, with no reward to ever compensate it"

"I am aware. That was always the price I was willing to pay, even if I always wanted to survive and avoid death. Also, I never sought any kind of reward in the first place"

"Still... I will not allow you to be miserable. Rikuri and Amazora, Hasako, Maidono, others, no one will" Kaibi said strongly, locking eyes with him" "None of us can imagine life without you"

It sounded so strange. But it was undeniable truth.

Kaibi came a long, long way from the annoyed, closed-off ex-dark sider who wanted this boy gone from the apartment to a genuine, stern yet caring girl who loved Kamijou Touma so strongly that her heart hurt.

That journey wasn't easy. On the contrary, in many places, it was hard. Self-discovery and confrontation with one's limitations were arduous challenges. But Gokusai Kaibi of now would never, ever, ever change that journey.

She would rather face hardships while genuinely loving than write deceitful chronicle of painted prison, of masks she put onto her heart.

Touma smiled and squeezed Kaibi's hand.

"The pain will probably won't go away. In some form or way, I may suffer till the end of my life"

"Then-"

"But perhaps the one luck I am given is the fact that I managed to have so many people wanting to be around me. That in itself is more than I can ask for. If I can't be free from misfortune, I can make sure that happiness will be reward for my pain. I choose to have that happiness with all of you. Although I am sure that having such a big family can bring whole new bunch of dillemas, I would rather follow that plan than be alone. I managed to go so far, maybe I can do that as well... "

Kaibi's gem-like magenta eyes twinkled as she looked at Touma's sad smile, her gaze softening.

"That sounds fine to me, but... you are not fine now, are you?"

"Being honest... I've been better"

The journey of Enneagram, the ascension through mystical map and reclaiming the virtues of the spirit did a lot of good. The symbol of the figure disappeared from his right hand and he felt more focused than ever.

But it was just a bare minimum.

Those experiences only helped him stay in one piece, able to focus on return and confrontation with Vasilisa, and not falling apart from sheer weight of that experience. But he felt as if he could collapse the moment he stopped focusing on his goal.

It could be argued that he didn't fall apart when Othinus put her through hell of her own making.

But dying on his own and knowing that pain he took belonged to others made those experiences vastly different.

To many of his friends and enemies, Touma saying that he was just a normal high school boy one could find anywhere could be seen as incredibly arrogant. After all, he did have Imagine Breaker, was key player on the world's stage, even if he didn't want to, and possessed army of mythical beasts sealed within him, not counting other forces he couldn't even comprehend.

But those who would think of those things would miss the point. Or at least, would fixate themselves on the wrong parts of the equation.

He said that because at the end of the day, despite all he was through, despite all those beings allowed him to do, he, in himself, in his own heart of hearts, remained human.

Come to think of it, latching onto humanity like this didn't make him unlike other Human, the one that melded his life into struggle and oversaw his life in this city.

Because he wanted to remain human, he had wickedness of man in his heart, and all of man's weaknesses. Because he chose to, because he wanted to retain normalcy of a teen he was supposed to be, his humanity made him pay the price of such a mental toil.

What made Kamijou Touma Kamijou Touma was not incredible abilities or might of forces in Imagine Breaker. Even with him mastering those forces, they meant nothing if his humanity didn't leave him enough will and direction to use them.

Those forces were never his to begin with. He was only a conduit to channel and direct them. And to do that, he wanted to remain human, despite everything alternative could grant him.

Being human meant suffering from weakness of body and soul, the injuries and temptations. Being human meant fighting back against the void of inferiority for being so small and weak against the might of the cosmos. There were some things that seemed truly unattainable.

But being human meant freedom of will. It made possible the capacity for both greatness and wickedness. Being subjected to suffering and limitations meant that those with capacity to love in their hearts would be aware of that pain and helped others.

And together, they could achieve extraordinary greatness.

"Kaibi, I promise I will take care of myself after all of this is over. I don't think I will have the choice on the matter either"

"Good" she said, nodding" We will be there for you. Don't forget that"

"OIIIII!"

Someone was running in their direction.

Because of the bright yellow outfit and black curls, it didn't take long to figure out who exactly was it.

"I knew I will find you somewhere around here. Something really weird happened!"

Kumokawa Maria came to a halt in front of them.

"I was going back from the school, and then..." the younger Kumokawa spread her arms" I don't know what happened... but suddenly I felt like the earth shook... was that a quake?... And then I was someplace else. I don't really remember...that's so weird. Anyway, I was around, so I thought about checking in on all of you, because onee-chan is totally right when she says: 'my kouhai is always around when bizarre things occur'. You here, right on cue, and-..."

'Thank goodness' Touma thought, as Maria rambled on and on about the situation' It seems the distortion went unnoticed by others. All those calamities were... undone? Forgotten? I am not sure, but seems that some holes in memories are in order.

"Maria-san" he said, interrupting the maid in training" There is a group of our friends who were going to the same location, but we never made it. Can you please check on them?"

"Friends? Who and where?"

Maria stopped and listened as Touma told her about Hamazura and his group.

"If you stumble upon Misaka, Shokuhou, or Takitsubo-san, please get them to safety as well and tell them we are alright"

Touma had no idea that Mitsuari Ayu joined the group Vasilisa kept as back-up.

Maria frowned, deep in thought.

"I suppose I could rearrange my day and ignore duties I have in Ryouran. But that would be terribly unprofessional and would get me in trouble. If only there was a way... oh, wait, there is... if only someone would actually gave me an order... and by someone I mean a master..."

"Hey, what the hell are you thinking, we have an emergency here-" Amazora began to talk angrily, but Touma's answer interrupted her.

"Sure"

"I knew that you would say that, but listen to my prepared argume-..." Maria blinked and whipped her head, curls rising and falling like a small curtain" Wait... did you just agree to what I think you agreed to?"

"Kumokawa Maria, for some reason, you really wanted this, and I never saw the need before, but yes... I will become your master."

"Really? I mean... thanks. As for the reason, it is, like I said, because you are perfect candidate. Challenging and complex, and with many troubles for a swift and talented made to deal with for you"

There was another, less pure reason, but Maria in no world would tell it to Touma.

"Thanks, I guess?" Touma scratched his head" It's not like I want to be this problematic, a you put it. Really, all I ever wanted was to have a peaceful and quiet life."

Maria's face actually bore a resemblance to her older sister's visage, when Seria demonstrated her 'Really? I am onto you' face. He wasn't the only one who had that thought. He can faintly feel and hear Rikuri politely stifling her snickering next to him.

"If you say so"

"But I have one condition" Touma leaned over to Maria's ear and whispered" Don't use me as the replacement for Kagun."

Maria froze, paling slightly, as the boy gave her a sad look.

It was the unspoken reason why she was drawn to her sister's crush in the first place.

Of course, the fact that Touma helped save Baggage City was another factor. But on the instinctive level, she became attached to Touma because he helped Maria get herself back up after the death of her beloved sensei, Kihara Kagun.

Touma knew that for some time. When it came to the intentions of the opposite sex, he was as dense as a rock for a vast majority of his life, with small changes appearing only in the recent times. When it came to reading people's intentions and motivations he was, however, relatively skilled. It was what allowed him to, at times, connect with his defeated enemies and make them change their ways.

"I... never intended to..." she whispered her protest, in a weak voice.

"Just saying. I am never going to replace him for you. I cannot and will not be him" Touma whispered back" But if you ever need any help or want to talk about him with me... I am more than eager to be there for you."

Maria blinked away the moisture from her eyes. She seriously did not want to cry in front of everyone.

"I... appreciate that"

Touma smiled, and added:

"Then I am happy to have someone as competent in my corner. Besides... I think it's high time to learn how to use my legs in a fight. I mean it, what if my arms are immobilized?"

The capoeira master actually laughed lightly at that, her tension dissipating.

"Now that's not fair. I am supposed to help my master, not the other way around"

"Even if I was to order you to do so"

"Hmm... that's fair resolution"

"Now go! Please find them and make sure to tell them to contact us."

"You are unbelievable. True master does not say 'please', for he knows maid will be dutiful and do it without pleas" Maria grinned, before making a perfect courtesy and straightening herself" However, it shall be as you wish master"

She ran off. Before she disappeared, she turned around and shouted

"And you are on! When we get time, I'll show you all sorts of amazing things we can do together with our legs"

Touma paled and shouted.

"PHRASING! How many times do I have to repeat that to everyone?!"

"Yes, dearest" Kaibi gripped his arm. The fingers with painted nails sunk into his skin" You better hope she meant 'in a fight'"

Touma gulped. Kaibi and Rikuri emanated the aura of darkness he now knew came from their mother. Yua also had that icy stare when she initially wanted to get rid of Touma.

Kaibi was possessive and usually it was more as a demonstration to other girls than to threaten Touma. Rikuri was more relaxed and from the very beginning was very open in sharing the affection for Touma with her younger siblings, but she immensely enjoyed the fact that she was closest to the boy's preferred type of woman, as onee-san persona was in her blood, metaphorically and literally. She had her pride in entertaining him, and didn't like anything getting in a way, be it her own weakness or girl saying particularly suggestive things.

Amazora was laughing, clearly founding everyone's reactions very amusing. From three sisters, she was the least likely to go into the jealousy mode, unless the situation involved girls her age harboring sibling-like sentiment.

"Well, we should probably get going"

Helcalia said that comment in a neutral voice, but her face...

"Yeah... that was enough distractions"

Touma said that, and moved forward, trying not to look at silver-haired girl's face.

He knew that face on Helcalia by now. He realized she wanted him to feel her annoyance. But it just wasn't working. The pout, combined with raised eyebrows and crossed arms, both in her present and adult body, only made her endearing and cute. It was as if a dandere tried to forcibly be a tsundere, not because it was a natural reaction, but because she saw her friends do it and thought it was cool to try.

Not that he would dare to tell her that. Helcalia seemed like a type of girl that would be firm if pushed far enough. As they saying went, 'beware the quiet ones'.

Behind the corner, Maria grinned, fist pumping and exclaiming to herself.

"YES! I did it! I can finally be a maid in my story, between mister and a mistress and have a steamy, behind the doors affair. For once, I played my cards right and outsmarted onee-chan!"

"You outsmarted who?"

Maria stiffened and looked around.

That was undeniably her older sister's voice.

Kumokawa Seria wasn't anywhere around her though.

"There are few people in this city who have the leisure to dream about outsmarting me. And as much as I love you, little sister, you aren't one of them"

The voice was coming from the small rabbit broach, that Maria liked to wear.

Sweat covered Maria's brow.

"Wha-"

"I knew that there was something about him that caught your attention. It's the effect he tends to have on women, and we are sisters, so maybe a saviour-type with bothersome antics is our shared preference. Hence, I planted this small device that allowed me to hear your little conversation"

"You are spying on him?" Maria smiled wryly" Deviousness truly does run in the family? I doubt he would approve"

"I am not spying on him per se. The device only activates when you two are near each other, all other times I have no idea what he's doing. Now, now, Maria, you made me sound like a jealous girlfriend"

"Aren't you?" Maria countered" You suspect your own sister of backstabbing you"

"Jealousy is the vice of the weak who don't believe in their own chances" Seria's soothing voice was even and calculated" I never doubt mine. As for another point, you have one of the highest chances of swaying him precisely because you are my sister. You are my weak point. But I do admire the audacit... I mean, courage you had to become his maid. I hope you know what this means. We are going to have a very important and firm conversation about this ordeal. But out of respect and my love for you, I will indulge in your frivolous romantic rivalry for a while longer"

"I can't wait" Maria tossed her curls aside, even if there was no one to see them.

"Me neither"

And with that, Seria was out.

Maria let out a breath.

She was serious in her claim of not resigning from trying to be around Touma. It was finally time to put her maid skills to the ultimate test, and who would be better for said test than most misfortunate person in the world.

Also, she might have become a bit fond of him after events of Baggage City.

Seria and her supreme intellect always made her felt awestruck and rebellious, at the same time. It was like that ever since they were kids.

"But I will win against you. I will not be a little sister tugging at your sleeve forever"

She still had to think of a way to overcome Seria's tricks.

And she would do in Kumokawa family style: deviously and in a charming way.

As such, Kumokawa Maria's route to romance was opened, but for what cost for our protagonist?

Meanwhile, few streets away, Helcalia ran in front of Touma, no longer annoyed, but curious instead

"Where are we going to go now?"

"Indeed, we have no clue, do we?" Rikuri inquired I am curious as well. Where do you think we should direct ourselves?"

Touma smiled weakly and sighed.

He knew that there was no time to waste. Yet, he purposely messed around with Maria to grasp the sense of home that he missed for so long. But now he was going to end issue that arose from Vasilisa's plan.

As for why his choice...

After turning around, he was almost tackled to the ground by a semi-naked, white and brown blur, who turned out to be a mature woman.

"Hey everyone. It's so satisfying to see that all of you made it" Niang-Niang appeared out of thin air, strutting while waving her hand" Seriously. Amazing work-"

"Welcome back. I knew you can do it..." Nephthys spoke in a mature, lady-like voice. However, her lip quivered and next words changed in pitch" I... was sure of it... because you defied my expectations in the past... and... a-and..."

"Oh, for heavens and earth" Niang-Niang groaned" Drop it, unleash the flood, let's get it over with"

Nephthys burst into tears and hugged Touma.

"YET I WAS SO WOOOOORIED!"

Boys feet actually left the ground, as the streams of tears soaked both Touma and the goddess.

"THAT HAD TO BE SO DAUNTING AND EXHAUSTING! MILLENIA ALONE... I AM NO BETTER THAN OTHINUS! I SHOULD JUST MUMMIFY MYSELF ALIVE LIKE HIGH PRIEST OR..."

"Hey, Nephthys" Touma managed to grab face of Nephthys from two sides. The beautiful woman looked at him, with two different eyes glazed with salty water" Breathe!"

"I don't..." she sniffed, almost choking on her own tears" I don't need to breathe to stay alive"

"I figured, but it would help you calm down"

Sure enough, after some breathing exercises, the goddess sat down.

"I got ahead of myself. But I am genuinely glad that you are alright"

"It's great to see both of you too"

Nephthys looked at him. She sniffed again. A little whimper followed... and...

"WAAAAAAAAH!"

With a wail that could rival a siren, she burst into tears again.

"N-Nephthys-san? Why are you crying? I thought we settled with the fact that I am safe"

"THAT WAS CRYING FROM RELIEF, THIS IS FROM HAPPINESS!"

At the same time, Touma felt two mounds of flesh pressing on his back. In addition to his already soaked front, now he felt wetness on his shoulders.

"Rikuri?!"

"Hmm?"

"Why are you crying too?!"

"B-Because for me, crying is contagious..."

That was right. For an assassin, Rikuri had a tendency to be quickly moved to tears, even if she didn't actually experience emotions warranting such a reaction in all circumstances. Touma noticed that many times and could attest to it. Rikuri was especially emotional while watching romantic movies and telenovelas, a habit which she curiously also shared with Nephthys.

A bracelet-adorned arm of Rikuri tried to hug Touma, but was swatted away be the slim, brown hand of Nephthys. Similarly, the arm of the goddess was slapped ferociously by the oldest Gokusai, all while Touma was squeezed from both sides.

Yes. Home sweet home, in all it's complicated, suffocating, wonderful glory.

"I am sorry for my sister. She can be an idiot sometimes"

"I am sorry for my best friend. She can be a bother sometimes"

Kaibi and Niang-Niang, pair of efficient, no-nonsense woman, achieved mutual understanding, shaking their heads in exasperation.

"Ekhm..." Helcalia broke the moment" Weren't we in the middle of something?"

"R-Right..." Touma addressed Niang-Niang" We are kind of in the middle of trying to figure out where Vasilisa could go"

"Hmm... you don't have to wonder" Niang-Niang, grinned, snapping her fingers

In a flash of light, a very confused and stupefied Sasha Kreutzev appeared in front of Touma.

She was wrapped in a ribbon, with a big word 'SURPRISE' etched onto it.

"I heard everybody was looking for her, so voila, her she is"

"Niang-Niang... that's so..."

"I think the word you are looking for is 'efficient'.

"Question: Why am I subjected to such indignation?" the small russian exorcist struggled to break free" Release me at once and state your intentions"

"You're welcome everyone! Go team!"

(MEANWHILE)

Maidono Hoshimi blinked in the middle of the step down the road.

What just happened?

"You saw it too, didn't you?" Saronia inquired, as if mirroring Maidono's thoughts" What was that? What happened?"

The russian magician was still wrapped in the steel bindings, that was kept afloat due to Maidono's telekinesis.

Moments ago, they soared into the air. Maidono felt more than a little amusement from Saronia's shrill scream as they left the ground. It was clear that the slavic magician would prefer remaining on the ground.

That was another similarity to Hasako, which caused her mood to instantly sour.

And then... something occurred. Disturbance almost caused them to crash into the earth, which was something that never happened. Over time, she gained good control of her levitation.

"I don't know what just happened. It was like... a blur." Maidono massaged her head with a grimace" But I am pretty sure that I saw someone floating in the middle of the sky. No, two people, one holding the other. I was pretty far, but I would recognize those faces."

"Yes. Hasako and him... разрушитель иллюзий. Kamijou Touma" Saronia nodded" That means Vasilisa succeeded. Or at least, it was like that, but..."

"He thwarted it. Even if whatever she planned succeeded for a moment, Touma managed to stop it, somehow, in some way" Maidono allowed herself a smile of triumph" That's what he always does. Even when something seems ridiculous or farfetched, he will pull through"

She should know. Surviving the skyscraper being dropped on you, still managing to come up on top, and additionally managing to make your opponent reconsider her whole life and feelings was the epithome of seemingly impossible, and ridiculous chain of events.

Maidono glanced at Saronia.

"I hope you are happy" she spoke quietly" For all we know, they can be dead"

Saronia didn't cry. But her eyes grew dimmer and she lowered her head.

"I am not happy. I really am not..." she answered quietly

"Isn't that what you wanted?"

"I... don't know anymore"

Maidono sighed and turned to Saronia.

"I don't have half of goodness Hasacchi and Touma have. So it is increasingly hard for me not to lash out on you for might have happened to two of them. Should they not return..."

Saronia knew it already. Maidono wasn't holding back on what she was planning to do to her if Hasako, Touma, or both of them died or were seriously hurt.

Like flipping a coin, she said. If it's heads, you will get what happened to them. And if it's tails, you would wish it was heads.

Normally, Maidono wouldn't be so on edge. But she felt like much was at stake.

She didn't even want to consider not seeing Touma or Hasako again.

It was incredible how attached to them she was now, how many things she would die to keep parts of their shared lives together.

She loved Touma's food and hospitality, the fact that she could call his home her own, to some extent, how he offered to feed her when they were alone, after learning she was ashamed of trying herself. She loved how tenacious and confident he was when it mattered, while also being lighthearted and goofy enough for her to be able laugh and have a good time, like a normal girl not involved in crazy experiments on her brain. She loved that he made her feel beautiful in her own body, gaining the ability to love aspects of her body that she can make even more beautiful, like her belly and legs, instead of loathing her debilitated fingers.

She cherished Hasako's attentiveness and gentleness, how she was always trying her very best to deliver the love and affection to ones she cared about despite being still new to the world around her. Her nature-inclined spirit, good-natured heart, eloquence, and unique sense of humour were charming on their own. Her modesty and unawareness of her own natural beauty were like a breath of fresh air in the world of vanity and trends. Last but not least, her ability and way she wielded it with otherworldly aura to it, was breathtaking.

'Please be alright, both you.' Maidono pleaded in her mind, again on the move with solemnly silent Saronia.

For all the things she could lift, for all the colossal and monumental fragments of the world she could uproot with just the motion of her finger, she wished she could do this for the nerve wrecking worry she felt in that moment.

(MEANWHILE, IN THE NEW WORLD)

Hasako was walking besides Proserpina, taking in the sights of what the Magic Goddess called the New World.

"So this is really what lies within the edges of time?" she mused in wonder.

Proserpina replied curtly. She still occasionally chewed on a pomegranate seeds. Although the world seemed slightly grey, maybe due to it being a special sphere of existence, or maybe due to the clouds above, sunlight on her face made her appear more alive than in the garage.

"Indeed. This place exists in between moments of time, as the residue of infinitely thin slices of prime timeline of our universe. Usually, it requires a special means of transportation for the entrance to occur at all. In any case, it is static and cannot be destroyed, not permanently. In which it is perfect for us, the Magic Gods."

"Why is that?" Hasako inquired curiously.

CHOP!

Hasako yelped slightly as Proseprina sighed and chopped her head with side of her palm.

"You ask a lot of question, esper child. You are in luck that you are a charming and polite one. Shortly put, Magic Gods, due to mastery of magic and sacrificing something from our humanity, have almost free control over existence. Due to this nigh-omnipotent control, and the fact that there are many Magic Gods around, we all will different things and come into conflicts over the desired fates of the universe"

"That seems like something out of a fairy tale. Can you really control reality itself?"

Proserpina's lips twitched upwards, just a little.

"Indeed. We control life and death..."

'... minds...' suddenly, Proseprina's voice echoed in Hasako's head.

"...energy and matter, history, logic... even time..."

She squashed the pomegranate, juice splashing everywhere. Moment later, the flow of crimson liquid reversed its course and the fruit became whole again.

"...and space..."

With their next step, they weren't on the street anymore, but on the hill, in the wilder corner of the park. It was the place Hasako was rather familiar with.

She looked at the flowers. Even with their heads closed, she recognized them instantly.

"Midnight shades..."

"Exceptional flowers" Prosperpina mused, grabbing her mourning dress to elegantly sit down on the grass" They bloom only in the moonlight. You are familiar with them?"

"I... w-well, I created them. For the person I love"

"Hmm... he truly must be an exceptional individual to receive such a gift"

"He really is. Even now I long to return to his side. I worry about him and my friend I left behind. She might do something reckless in my absence"

Proserpina observed their surroundings in contemplative silence. Hasako sat down by her side.

"Can I have a few questions to you?"

The dark green eyes of the goddess shifted to Hasako and back in front of her, before Proserpina nodded curtly.

"How did you know I am an esper? You just found me here with no information on me"

"That's your first question? Oh, fine... I won't deny, your sudden appearance here was a pleasant shift in the routine."

"But it seems so quiet here"

"Because we fought recently. During fight of gods, mortals like you would not like to be close, trust me. But to not get off track, your arrival intrigued me. I reasoned that due to same power that left that poisonous residue in your body caused you to arrive here"

"I remember wanting to get away... get away as far as possible. Then, I just... disappeared. As if I was broken, like a plate, or ripped to shreds, like a painting... and then I was here. Do you think my desire to escape, combined with that power that I was imbued with, caused me to slip through the cracks of reality and land here?"

"That would be highly unprecedented. But Magic Gods know better than anyone that impossible is just possible that didn't occur yet. The world is filled with strange things, some of which unimaginable. To answer your question, because you were so puzzling of an occurrence, I looked into your memories."

"Pardon?"

Proserpina actually snorted in short-lived laughter after witnessing the sheer scale of affront on Hasako's face.

"Oh, don't be so offended, child. It was faster and easier that way. Saved all the exposition and explanation I would have to get from you otherwise. I tried to respect your privacy... most of the time"

"MOST OF THE TIME? Also, can you stop calling me a child? I know how I look like, but I was actually born over 7 decades ago"

"I was born over 4 millenia ago. Your point?"

That made Hasako go quiet for a moment.

"After looking into your mind, I realized that my suspicion of your peculiarity was confirmed. I saw greatness, suffering, and power beyond my predictions... I got a glimpse of who you are. I saw so much beauty, serenity, pain, and loss. For a mortal, you are quite astounding. So young, yet so old, the first, and the very, very last. With the power of almost limitless adaptation of any environment in existence to a specific living being, cast into the unknown world. And one who brought you salvation was the center of attention of many parties in this vast world, Kamijou Touma. What a strange turn of events..."

"You know Touma?"

"No, not personally"

Proserpina tossed her black hair aside. As she waved her hand, part of the meadow bloomed with vegetation. Hasako's eyes lit up in amazement. With Proserpina's pale complexion and dark clothes it was easy to forget that aside from being queen of the underworld, she was also the deity associated with spring and flowers.

Hasako felt something tug at her heart. Maybe there was something that was truly connecting her with this reticent goddess.

"But even here, in this New World, the echo of this name rings out wide." Proserpina continued" He is an intriguing individual, that can't be denied. Before Zombie's unfortunate end and True Gremlin's departure into the mortal realm, I was interested in his potential as the Scorer, and I am still intrigued to find out who is the man who made quite few immortals act like juvenile adolescents"

"Are you by chance..."

Hasako wanted to ask about Proserpina's potential feelings regards the boy. This could seem redundant, given that the goddess never met him, but with Kamijou Touma's unwilling charm nothing was truly off the table, especially considering his track record with divine females: one became his understander after unfathomable time of breaking him, followed by two others falling in love, and one developing a truly unhealthy obsession regarding him.

But as soon as she thought about Proserpina, she felt herself relax. The Greek Goddess seemed more like a stern older sister or maybe even mother figure. She and Touma probably would probably banter more than anything.

CHOP!

"Ow!" she cried out, after receiving second chop on the head.

The goddess huffed, shaking her head.

"You preoccupy too much with things that shouldn't be of your concern. Don't worry your heart." Proserpina assured her" At the moment, while I am eager to get acquainted with Kamijou Touma, I am not seeking to have a romantic involvement. I especially wouldn't like to bond with a mortal. I had enough mourning"

She tugged at her own dress, when Hasako, asked bewildered.

"You read my thoughts?"

"Ουρανός απαγορεύει, why would I need to? Your concern about your beloved attracting attention of yet another woman is clear as a day and written all over your face"

"It is?... I apologize..." mortified in embarrassment, Hasako blushed deeply.

God forbid if Touma ever thought she was possessive. She would hate that.

"Do not apologize. Your feelings are commendable. The fact that you managed to arrive here... I saw it in your mind. You wanted to flee as far away as you could, use every bit of divine power you were temporarily bestowed with, to escape from him..."

"I wasn't in control of my own body... again" Hasako said with a shudder" I wanted to get as far away from him, to avoid hurting him and the others."

After a moment, she asked another question she wanted to have the answer to.

"With you seeing my mind... is there any other reason in you saving me?"

Proserpina looked at her with a spark of curiosity in her eyes. Gust of wind caused some of the flower petals to rise from the meadow. The dark irises of the goddess had glimpses of the many hues of the grass and plants on it.

"To answer this question, you must learn of my motivation for changing reality and warring my brethren"

"Brethren?"

"Magic Gods, of course. As I said, each of us has almost limitless control over many aspects of existence" Proseprina raised her hand. Hasako noticed a ring with red ruby embedded in it, looking as if it was made of silver.

With a swipe, scenery changed and Hasako gasped.

It looked as if someone smudged a streak of paint across the entire town.

And in that streak, stretching across spacetime itself, a different sight was seen. A city in the clouds, a metropolis of buildings with marble and gold columns floated in the air. It was so otherworldly and majestic that it seemed like it would burn away the sight of anyone watching it.

"What is that?"

"Olympus. The Phase I am most bonded with"

"It is not a myth?"

CHOP!

Hasako should not be surprised anymore as another chop connected with the top of her head.

It still hurt lightly, though.

"The time of creation is not limited to physical world you know and are familiar with" Proseprina explained, articulating the words slowly and with emphasis" It is, in fact, so vast, that most stories told in the shared consciousness of humanity already happened... or will happen, if enough time will pass. Olympus, Nine Realms, Sheol, Trailokya, Atlantis, Ultima Thule, Aaru, Yomi... there exist nigh-infinite layers of reality, phases of existence as a whole. And while each human being has the potential for the change of reality, only Magic Gods, through their might and wisdom, can interact with phases themselves and create new layers of reality."

With another wide gestures, Proserpina once again covered the city in the appearance it bore before she manipulated it.

"That's how we do it. But as for why, each Magic God has a particular reason for changing the world, which of course stems from our histories and circumstances. For me specifically... I wish to create the world without broken bonds. Without families being torn apart, without circumstances causing parting of ways beyond people's control"

"It's your... life mission?"

"Pfft!" Proserpina snorted" You make us sound like those half-measured Transcendents, bend on saving specific groups of people"

"Half-measured?" Hasako said, trying to sound neutral." You sound like you don't like them"

"In truth, I don't really care. At times, I just think that they are thinking way too small. Saving some people instead of changing bigger picture, that is, reality in itself? And who dresses as a god instead of becoming one? Please! It's like they are mocking our effort! To truly master magic, you need sacrifice. Being on such height is more than dressing up. It's shared history, shared struggle... shared suffering!"

On one hand, Hasako could understand some of the points Proserpina was making. From what she could gather, Magic Gods made huge sacrifices and left behind their humanity to achieved godhood. Perhaps from that perspective, the way of Transcendents could be seen as a flawed cheating strategy, without as much effort and determination.

But on the other hand, Hasako met cosplayers of the divine and had good experiences with them... well, some of them, at the very least. Especially Aradia, with her respect for natural medicine and old witch rituals, gained a liking from Hasako, with personalities and quirks of two young women resonating rather well. Bologna Succubus was a bit too loud and boisterous for Hasako on her own, but she also reminded her of Maidono's personality, which was why she liked her in a way of acquaintanceship.

Still, she didn't voice those thoughts to not anger the goddess. Instead, she steered the conversation back on its proper subject.

"Is it because you were abducted by Hades and left behind your mother, Demeter? And that you have to alternate between surface of the earth and the underworld, causing the changes of the seasons"

"Although in context of my alias, names of Ceres and Pluto should be used, I think you would really be a splendid magician. I feel the potential within you, albeit squandered by the esper meddling in your brain"

"So I was told. About the potential, I mean"

"By whom?"

"Othinus-san mentioned it to me in passing, once"

"Othinus... how is she faring, I wonder? It's been eons..."

"Last time I saw her, she was alright and healthy"

"That's good to hear. I know the rumors of her predicament with fairy spell and confrontation with Kamijou Touma, but those bits of news are fragmented and not at all satisfying. Out of everyone, I probably got along with her the best. She wasn't like the rest of us, and decided to go her own way... Nephthys never stood for that decision. I think she felt betrayed, as she had rivalry with Othinus, rivalry that was broken by Othinus' decision to go her own way, and to claim Imagine Breaker"

'It's not like the rivalry stopped, only the subject shifted' Hasako thought, recalling Nephthys and Othinus trying to gain Touma's favour.

"Aside Othinus, I probably got the best with Zombie. Others... Niang-Niang was too loud, Nephthys too emotional, Nuada too stiff, and Catli... I mean, Tezcatlipoca..."

She hesitated for a moment.

"It's complicated" Hasako guessed

"Something akin to this. But Zombie was killed, and ever since, I was rather alone. So from time to time, I set my sights on something peculiar to entertain myself. And you..."

She leaned over the Beginning Child, examining Hasako, as if she was a very intricate and rare tapestry.

"Child, I see some similarities in our histories. We both have strong connections to nature, both were taken from our original lives to the unknown, both rose to high power, and both have things to protect in the new lives."

"I felt that too..."

"Do you believe in destiny, child? I do. Κανείς δεν ξέρει τα νήματα της μοίρας, no one knows the threads of fate. But I believe the fact that you arrived here through sheer force of will, a feat that should not be possible for a mortal or without aid of World Rejecter..."

"A what?" Hasako asked. She knew she vaguely heard that term before.

Proserpina, however, did not hear her or didn't bother with additional explanation.

"... combined with the fact that it was I that found you... I doubt this is coincidental."

"Can you help me go back?"

"Do you wish to go back?" Proserpina raised an eyebrow, countering the question.

"Yes! Now that I am healed, I have to go back to everyone. I am sure they worried about me"

Hasako said that warmly, as if thought of others caring about her was enough to warm her heart.

"You are correct. You should go... if you were healed" Proserpina asserted." You are not ready to leave just yet"

Hasako blinked in confusion.

"But you said you healed me"

"I stabilized your body after it was dying from telesma overflow and accumulated backlash due to forcing esper to refine mana. What I am talking about is completely different. It's a hurt you cling onto and won't be fully healed... and fully able to aid your beloved... if you don't confront it"

Hasako suddenly got a cold feeling in her stomach.

"You are talking about my mind, aren't you?"

"I saw it in your memories. And later, in the garage, you recoiled from it, and my suspicion was confirmed. Luckily, just as much as I know of magic of spring and healing, I also know of winter and cold..."

The feeling of dread shook Hasako to the core.

"You are talking about..."

Proserpina raised her hands above her head and the sun blackened. It looked as if the star itself was dyed in blackness.

"I can invoke a winter spell to create planetary ice age"

The effect was immediate.

Temperature dropped, the nature around them wilted, and all the moisture froze solid.

Hasako's eyes widened at the sight of the crystals spreading on the ground, growing in size and sharpness. Some were crystal clear, others contained bubbles of air or residual dirt, but all were the same form of matter.

She shook and not because of the sudden coldness.

Beginning Child felt hand of Proserpina on her shoulder, keeping her firm and steady.

"You have pagophobia. That is, the fear of ice and freezing." she stated matter of factly.

"W-Why are you doing this?" Hasako said, her eyes darting away from eyes, trying to focus on anything else, as horrible memories were already starting to resurface in her mind.

"Regardless of how this might look, I wish to fully help you heal. I am no prophet, but take my word for it, if you continue to harbour this fear, it will not end well, and you will hold yourself back throughout all your life."

She took hold of Hasako's hands.

"Now focus on me. I may not agree with Nephthys in all that much, but it's the truth that we gods should make miracles happen instead of waiting for them. And that's what I intend to do right now, for you"

(MEANWHILE)

Sasha Kreutzev was very confused and very vocal about the entire affair.

Initially, after appearing out of the blue in front of Touma, while being wrapped up in a ribbon like a gift, she of course assumed the worst and started to yell something in a shaky voice.

"Question: Why am I in front of you like that? Outrage: If you wanted me to appear in front of you, you should at least respect the time I needed to prepare. Требование: Возьми на себя ответственность!"

"Sasha-san... calm down, please. What is she saying?"

"She says she wants you to take the responsibility" Niang-Niang said with amusement.

Touma wanted to tell her the situation was not funny whatsoever. Apparently, after their moment on the Star of Betelhem, Sasha assumed that his 'close inspection' was interest in her person, and any attempt to dissuade her ended up deepening the misunderstanding.

The fact that she was delivered to Touma's feet in a rather suggestive binding did not help.

"Просьба: Хотя бы узнай меня получше, прежде чем делать это со мной..."

Touma did not know what Sasha said, but she seemingly accepted her fate, laying on the ground with closed eyes and hands close to her chest.

"HEY! Why does this make me look like a villain?!"

"Alright, that's enough..." Kaibi sighed, dragging the russian nun on the side" I think you both are talking about totally different things. Nothing Measure Heart can't clarify"

It took a moment, but under the gaze of Kaibi's glowing eyes, the reality of the situation was revealed.

Touma could sing praises to high heavens in regards to middle sister's interrogation skills. Kaibi waved her hand but it was obvious that her pride made her glow on the inside and that the boy will receive a surprise kiss on some occasion as thanks.

"So Vasilisa said that I wanted to meet with you? She told you I said you were cute and wanted to spend time on the city"

"Confirmation: She sent me away to pick myself clothes for the... Свидание "

"Why is that woman such a menace?" Rikuri let out a small growl, patting Sasha's head" To play with maiden's feelings in such a way"

Apparently, this was efficient enough to distract Sasha from all the chaos happening in the city.

"Exasperation: This does seem in line with Vasilisa's line of thinking"

"So she tricked you? I see, I see, that's..."

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

Touma paused at the sound of Sasha hitting the tools on her utility belt, that she used for both extermination and torture.

"Suspicion: So in reality you don't think I am cute?" the blond said in a low voice.

Touma gulped.

He knew this type of situation all too well.

It was like a screwed videogame with multiple routes.

If you chose:

A. Deny female character that she is cute.

What followed would be a very sharp object embedded into the face, out of raging indignation.

If you chose:

B. Confirm that the female character is indeed cute

What followed would be an equally sharp object embedded into the face, out of embarrassment or something similar.

In short, no matter the path, all routes led to doom.

Kamijou Touma racked his misfortunate brain, and slowly chose option C.

"It flatters me that you thought I chose you. I think I would be afraid to ask you, but I really think that Vasilisa was overshooting my worth as a date partner"

Sasha stopped playing with her saw, screwdriver, and hammer.

There it was. Genuine comment combined with half-truth, with a pinch of grovelling.

It was genuine because Touma really thought Sasha looked cute. It was not her fault that his type was onee-san, preferably overseeing the dormitory. And as much charm as she had, she wasn't that type, it just wasn't as things were.

It had half-truth because Touma would be afraid to ask Sasha for a meeting, although not out of shyness but rather from intimidation. The smaller girl had a rather... intense aura, not to mention the terrifying weapon arsenal. Yup, definitely not caring older sister type.

And then, he also showed her own worth to her. She was very nice, and cute while blushing. In truth, Touma liked her company... unless she was pointing sharp weapons at him or looked as if she was contemplating throwing them at him.

Sasha's face relaxed a little and she covered her eyes under her bangs

"Умиротворение: По крайней мере, ты милый, когда извиняешься..."

And as such, tension was alleviated, with Touma none the wiser about being called cute while apologizing.

"So what now?" Kaibi asked, waving around herself "It seems that Sasha-san didn't really know about Vasilisa's plans."

"Negation: I would never suspected that the reason she dragged me into the city was something this big..."

"Can we be sure?" Helcalia whispered to Amazora.

"Yup. Not many abilities can be as good for interrogation as onee-chan's and she has a lot of practice with it..." Amazora covered her face with her hand" I would know..."

"What did you do?"

"As would Riku nee-san said: What didn't I do is better question"

As always, the reputation of the troublemaker preceded her.

"I know what we should do" Touma clarified the situation" Find and confront Vasilisa, as quickly as possible. Although I don't want to do that without clarifying if everyone is alright first"

"EKHM!" Niang-Niang cleared her throat." Do not make me lower my opinion on mortals' intelligence. You have a super powerful divine beings on your side, remember? Let's speed things up a little bit, shall we?"

She made a wide swiping gesture across the cityscape, and a moment later, few people appeared out of the blue. Curiously, some of them popped into existence few meters above the ground.

"OW!" Mitsuari Ayu landed on her butt" IYAAAAAAH!"

He scream was cut short and muffled as Misaki followed her, crashing onto the ground on top of her former enemy.

"Wow... what happened?" Mikoto stumbled trying to regain her balance. Out of everyone, she got the most graceful landing, presumably because of her experiences with teleportation due to Kuroko's frequent assistance in daily life. "Where are we? Hey, I think you are having some explaining for me, idio... K-Kamijou"

"GET OFF ME!" Ayu wailed, trying to push Misaki away" You are crushing me!"

"Do not give an implication ability that I am fat!"

"That's not an implication, that's straight up fact"

"Lies, nothing but lies!"

"Even if you say your chest doesn't count, legs are different story"

"There is no wrongness ability concerning my legs. They perfectly exemplary!"

"It's not about having something wrong with them, it's about getting them right. Watch those thighs, then look at your own!"

It seemed that while animosity was temporary, banter and rivalry was eternal.

Takitsubo landed in Niang-Niang's arms. Touma was no doctor, but the girl in a tracksuit did not look good. She was pale, except sickly red, flushed cheeks, and was breathing heavily.

In a flash, a bus appeared on the road, and after few veering manouvers, came to a screeching stop.

The doors opened and Ladylee Tangleroad slowly wobbled outside.

"I know I am repeating myself..." she said in a shaky voice" But I really want to die... specifically because of this hell. I can only imagine the sweet release from this god awful feeling. Boy, you made a woman who got immunity to all forms of bodily malfunctions have a motion sickness. You suck!"

Next to her, Fraulein Kreutene didn't bother with any speech. Instead, she just fell out of the bus onto her face and stayed that way, like a weird carpet plastered on concrete.

"I am not a miracle worker" Hamazura protested from the inside" Just a driver, marksman, occasional combat suit fighter, and all time boyfriend. I can drive well, but if the bus itself gets damage, I can't exactly guarantee the seamless ride. After we all blacked out, and we hit the side of the road, it was a miracle that we didn't die with the bent axis and sparking circuitry."

"I thought you were great, Hamazura-senpai" Enka said vigorously" I wouldn't do it better"

"That's lowering the bar" his girlfriend, Kaira, panted, as she tried to gain her balance. She was held by Hokaze Junko, who seemed fine and steady on her feet, although she also had a face of an enormous relief.

"I am surprised you fared so well, Hokaze-senpai"

"You overestimate me. But I do have good equilibrium, so maybe that's the key" the ojou-sama said modestly.

"Green wouldn't suit you"

"Although it would suit Mugino. It would match her balls... ow! ow! Alright, it was a joke"

"Yes. Keep talking, Hamazura and in turn, your own balls would have nothing to match to..." Mugino seethed from behind him, raising her leg and kicking the boy with each word" Besides, those are orbs, not balls!"

"Hey! It's everyone from Hamazura's group" Touma said with joy.

"You couldn't do it sooner?" Kaibi looked flatly at Niang-Niang.

A cheeky grin was all the response she needed.

"Wow, we can have a whole camp now" Amazora remarked gleefully.

There was a lot of people, and more were arriving.

Touma's phone started to play a tune from Jaws.

Looking at the caller's ID, he saw that it was Index.

He looked at Amazora.

"Did you change the ringtone again?"

Amazora put a finger on her lips

"Maaaaybe..."

"I will get you someday..." Ladylee muttered to Amazora" You pissed me off with changing mine. And I know you had an accomplice..."

Rikuri shivered from the glare of aquamarine eyes and suddenly became very invested in tidying up her supply bag.

Ladylee and the eldest Gokusai became good friends after a while, with Ladylee testing various mixtures from the chemist on herself and becoming to Rikuri's mechanical hobbies what Kaai and Yakumaru were to her chemist passion: the source of innovative inspiration. The immortal was quite knowledgeable about automatons and cyborgs, having two of them as servants during events involving Project Endymion. They spent hours discussing mechanics and spying technology.

However, Ladylee was unforgiving when it came to pranks. Which still didn't cause them to stop occurring, of course.

Touma knew what Ladylee was referring to. During one of their handholding outings, sessions to weaken Ladylee's immortality by constant exposure to Imagine Breaker, they went to karaoke. The small immortal ended up performing a rather captivating rendition of Who Wants to Live Forever. Due to obvious, personal reasons, the song touched her, and she set it to her ringtone to remember their outing and those feelings. Out of everything, Touma was most impressed Ladylee owned and knew how to use a modern phone at all. Most of the magicians didn't know how to operate them or simply didn't have a need to know it.

Then Amazora somehow managed to change the ringtone to Staying Alive. Again, painfully ironic choice.

Touma never saw Ladylee that angry. She didn't even know such a petite body could hold that much emotion. It took a lot of effort to calm her down.

And now, as Index phoned again, he actually saw her.

She was accompanied by Kumokawa Seria and Othinus, and took off running towards the boy.

"Touma!"

He smiled and also started running to meet her in the middle of the distance.

"Index!"

The smile of the nun got wider

"Toumaaaaa..."

The boy blinked and repeated with rising confusion.

"I-Index?"

"TOOUUUUMAAAAAA!"

There was no mistaking it now. What he thought was a smile was actually a feral maw opening, with rows of shining teeth gleaming at the ready.

Perhaps using the ringtone from a famous shark movie wasn't such an off comparison.

"INDEEEEEEEEEX!"

Kamijou Touma did magnificent 180 turn in his run and dashed away.

But then, Othinus said

"Nun! Remembered what we practiced. And you, human, stop running at once!"

"YES!"

Two voices overlapped when both came to a skidding stop.

"Touma..." Index came forth with closed fists. He expected to receive a hard biting...

But instead received only a punch, a pillow-like one at that.

"We were so worried about you" Index muttered, before shouting "YOU CAN'T JUST DISAPPEAR LIKE THIS, YOU PROMISED-"

Touma gingerly hugged her, enveloping her with loving intensity that did not stem from physical force, but rather from the sheer warmth and emotions conveyed through that embrace.

"I know. And I am very sorry... really, I am. It happened so fast... but trust me, I can't even say how happy I am to see you. All of you"

"You better be properly apologetic" Kumokawa grumbled, walking to him and jabbing a finger into his arm." You disappeared from the city. You literally disappeared from sight of my network. How am I supposed to keep you saf..."

She stopped, before swallowing and crossing her arms.

"And then you are back, prancing around with my sister"

"Sister? How do you-"

"Just... do me a favour and try to stay put."

"Good job. You are totally not looking like an overprotective girlfriend on the edge of nervous breakdown" Othinus commented with a sarcastic smirk.

"You are right, I absolutely do not." Seria scoffed, her eyes not leaving Touma" I only maintain professional attitude of a senpai looking after her favourite kouhai"

"Those tears you shed before Niang-Niang informed us where to go didn't seem all that professional to me" Othinus kept firing sarcastic ammunition and weren't intending to stop any time soon.

"This wasn't crying, it was from the particles of dust on the wind"

"Particles? From the length of your crying, it was more like an entire sandbox"

As Touma smiled lightly at the sight, wondering when Othinus and Kumokawa got so close,

"Is that everyone? Anyone else... anyone else..." Meanwhile, Nephthys wondered out loud" Oh, I see!"

She snapped her fingers. Two women appeared.

Itsuwa was only very shocked.

Kanzaki Kaori was very shocked and very naked, to top it off.

"NOOOOOOO!" the Saint whirred away from Touma.

Regardless of where she was before, it was evident that she was brought here in the middle of changing her clothes and her usually stoic face was moments from turning into tearful one.

"Oh, what a fuss!" Nephthys waved her hand, causing the clothes to appear on Kanzaki" A little clothless splendour is nothing for attractive women such as ourselves. Don't be such a crybaby"

Othinus looked at her in disbelief

"Really? You really just said that?"

The members of now big group looked at each other. Then, their gazes slowly settled on Touma.

Mikoto voiced unspoken question of all the gathered

"So... can someone fill me what the hell happened with everyone?"

(MEANWILE, IN THE NEW WORLD)

If it wasn't so deeply personal and problematic, Hasako would probably find the strength to find her fear laughable

She changed the climate while altering environments. It was natural for her, as much as breathing. That meant sub-zero environments were not out of question. In fact, she utilized arctic environment multiple times, as a way of immobilizing the enemies or simply creating snowy landscape.

She shouldn't be afraid of ice, right?

Wrong.

It was similar to how you didn't have to necessarily be afraid of water itself to be afraid of drowning. It was also why Pagophobia, fear of ice and freezing, wasn't equal to Frigophobia, the fear of coldness itself.

While she created arctic environment, she also opened a bit of distance between herself and the ice. She felt in control and focused on others while she fought and brought forth the chilly space.

But the thought of her own body freezing terrified her to the very core.

As a side effect of her ability, she was very resistant to the effects of extreme climatic conditions, even if they didn't came directly as a result of Environment Control. Being close to magma would not burn her for a long time, and she could travel barefoot on ice, wearing only her hakama, and be just fine. This period of grace could last hours.

But it wasn't a complete immunity. She was still human and needed moderate climate to thrive. Thus, she could be frozen and incapacitated if enough exposure or force was applied, as Aleister Crowley realized and used as last ditch attempt to restrain her.

Even though she had no real intention to oppose anyone.

She was just... just...

"You aren't running" Proserpina remarked.

The goddess stood tall amongst the freezing world, cold wind blowing the mist of ice particles behind her. The ice was climbing onto almost every surface it could find.

"I saw how powerful you are. I don't have anywhere else to go" Hasako responded with honesty

"Perceptive and correct" Proserpina admitted" Luckily for you, I have no intention of harming you. I want to set you free"

"Free... from what?"

"Your own demons. I saw your loneliness... your rejection... your suffering. And ice is the key to your nightmare... as much it is a gateway to your freedom"

"Don't... don't make me remember them. I have a new life, new family, new-"

CHOP!

With her body shivering from contained fear, she barely noticed a head-chop this time around.

"Child, moving away from your fear is different than moving on from it. You can't find true peace in the present and you cannot build the future you envision with your beloved should the nightmares of the past still plague you, like an icy venom spreading through your veins. Sometimes, we don't have time to mourn our sorrow properly. We can change the reality, in my case very literally, but unless you don't concern yourself with your own feelings, you will never know peace, and will only mourn through pain. Trust me, I know what I am talking about"

Her black mourning dress fluttered on the cold wind and Hasako knew there was a whole lot more to that story.

But it apparently was not a time nor place.

"Take my hands and focus on me and me alone..."

Hasako slowly took Proserpina's hands. The goddess closed her arms, and spoke slowly and profoundly, as if in trance.

"Ice is more than just a mere solid. While it is as such from a physic point of view, it has properties beyond it. Ice is static, it is a stopped form of symbol of change, liquid water. Ice binds and seeps warmth of bodies, but it can also preserve life in some forms. It causes changes to decelerate. Ice magic is one of the most powerful stabilizing and preserving forms of sorcery. Ice can symbolize potential for multiple fates, as there exist multiple phases of ice, each different from the other. Ice is beautiful, but is also very powerful. It comes from life bringing water, bearing its beauty, but also uncontained, with power to shatter even toughest stones given enough time. It can be viewed as a symbol of hatred and heartlessness, but in truth, it can also be a lock on your heart, from feelings you don't want to feel... memories you don't want to relive... soothing sheet of coldness to prevent things that hurt you from ever being felt..."

The hoarfrost started to climb up Hasako's leg. Both of their breaths were now clouds of mist She shook her head.

"I can't..."

"You need to live through it. It's the only way"

"I can manage without it... that cold, that terrifying coldness... I can do anything but that... I will-"

"Yours is the power to bring life to any form of nature and space. That means ice is also a part of you, just like forests, deserts, volcanoes, oceans, sky, and even strange ecosystems of world's beyond different stars, if life exists there. Denying that would be akin to denying yourself a part of your own flesh. There is only so long you can endure that mentally"

"So what do you want me to do?"

"Use your ability. Unleash the ice you are holding back. I can sense that this fear... fear of what happened... is taming you. This way, you will truly experience the pain and make peace with it. Do not be afraid. I saved your life, didn't I? I am not going to let you die now, little mortal"

Hasako knew instinctively that protests would not amount too much. On a rational level, beyond terror and fear, she knew that this was possibly for her good.

"B-But... my ability won't activate unless there are living being for the environment to form around... or something retaining their essence, like my necklace, that my dear friend made for me. Yet it was destroyed and-"

Hasako suddenly felt the weight of the glass necklace around her neck.

"This necklace?"

She could not tell for sure in the small snowstorm around them, but she thought Proserpina smiled a little.

"Just do it. Trust me, it really is for the best"

Hasako felt dread rise up in her body.

But slowly, she allowed herself to focus on arctic environment and fully activated her ability.

What happened next was a complete surprise for her. She would scream if she could.

But as ice exploded everywhere, accompanied by whirlwind of snow, both she and Proserpina froze solid, encased in a giant block of ice.

(MEANWHILE, IN ACADEMY CITY)

There was indeed a lot to talk about.

Touma expressed worry if they really should rest when Vasilisa was still out there, but Nephthys smiled enigmatically and said Vasilisa would not be making more problems for a moment. Touma took her word for it, even if he was curious what exactly did it mean.

For next hours, it felt as if he was tossed around like a hot potato. To recount:

Kaibi didn't leave his side for a moment, like a shadow bodyguard. For that matter, Rikuri and Amazora were also close. He gave up long ago in trying to point that out. Apparently, they did it subconsciously, not only to protect him, but also to observe other girls approaching him. Touma would be lying to say that this slightly haughty, confident gaze all three displayed with different levels of intensity, was actually quite attractive.

Hamazura was, obviously, immediately alerted to the bad situation Takitsubo was in. He was kneeling next to sick-looking girl, checking her forehead, and pulse.

"Who did this?" he said coldly, looking at Touma" Was that..."

"Yes" Mikoto answered instead, biting her lip" Vasilisa is behind this. When she took all of us, Hasako-san and Takitsubo-san were put under mind control and hurt in the process. I managed to grab Takitsubo-san, but myself, Shokuhou, and Mitsuari-san were all blown away by sudden change of environment."

"I think we passed out for a moment, and just when we came around, we were moved here" Ayu added.

"What exactly happened to her?"

"I know" Mugino muttered, pale from anger. She clenched her fists so much that the one from flesh and blood got pale "That's the body crystal poisoning"

Touma wanted to ask how she knew for certain. And then he realized.

Of course she would know. She would know better than anyone, excluding her ITEM teammates.

"I saw it many times. I drugged her so much with that stuff that I know better than anyone how she reacted" she said, as if reading his mind" Back then, I did not care whatsoever, I used her for what I wanted. To think she would ever have to go through this shit again..."

"Shizuri..." he whispered sadly, observing the agitated Meltdowner.

Mikoto, Misaki, and Ayu bombarded him with questions regarded what happened to him and where was Hasako. He couldn't answer to the latter and the former was... troublesome, to say the least.

Index, Othinus, and Kumokawa were equally relentless. Kumokawa even suggested helping him ease up into talking. The alluring smile did not sit well with Misaki, Ayu, or Kaibi. who vehemently protested.

The argument who should do the 'easing' soon sparked up and Touma had to break it.

Mental espers were apparently really, really persistent group when it came to their rivalry.

Seria and Misaki in particular looked like they were always playing some sort of 3D chess on a few separate chessboards, with people as chess pieces. One kept the tabs on the other through the usage of either extensive social network or surveillance devices. Both were cold and manipulative in regards to third parties, and Touma was one of the few rare topics that could actually got them to be more emotion driven. Even after Kumokawa learned of Misaki's history with Touma's amnesia, she still pursued Touma to the point of two of them learning of each other's feelings. Granted, this 'advantage' of Beauty Senpai disappeared when Touma got the ability to remember Misaki again, and now they were more or less on equal footing.

Ayu didn't particularly care about that rivalry, and usually just waltzed in to take her time with Touma, which naturally caused other rifts. However, Ayu seemed to glow like a sun regardless of those quarrels. Gone was the miserable girl dyed in the envious bitterness. She seemed to be much more proactive and Touma's promise to give her more attention worked wonders even after such a short time.

Meanwhile, Kaibi had her own way in participating in that battle. From a privileged spot of the roommate, she used her enjou kousai skills to make little things matter. Like a painter creating a masterpiece, she accumulated small parts to make a bigger picture. A trace of her elegant finger there, a prolonged whispering here, brushing with her hips elsewhere, or giving a particularly longing look... none of those things on their own were over the top seduction, like something Lessar would do, to give one example, but they were slowly building the unconscious physical chemistry with Touma and keeping it to mature into full fire of passion should she decide to go all out. She didn't bother to hide the fact that the attention of the boy she was in love with given her immense satisfaction, and even allowed him to do such things such as putting on her jewelry, and brushing her hair. In fact, both of those things became a staple ritual in the household, with all three sisters having Touma put their accessories on them and help them with brushing their hair. Although initially just using him to tend to their needs, later the sisters would do it to make sure they looked pretty for Touma in the way that he enjoyed them.

In short, all those efforts, combined with that sassy, prideful look Gokusai family excelled in, created an effect that was sure to raise blood pressure of other girls. They could as well hold a giant neon sign 'MINE' with arrow pointing at Touma.

To Touma's utter astonishment, Mikoto was the one to get the events back on track. When she saw her own forceful drilling of an interrogation had no effect, she clapped her hands together. The sparks created caused everyone in the vicinity to shiver and direct the attention at her.

"I think he will tell us if he is ready. I mean, I could shock him into it, but I doubt he would spill anything that way" she shrugged and pointed to other girls" Besides, this discussion about easing him into talking is really pointless"

Touma couldn't look more bewildered if Railgun descended from the sky and declared herself an alien from outer space.

"Misaka..."

"Such a character growth" Nephthys dabbed her eyes with handkerchief" So touching!"

"Changing your annoying tendencies and transcending your canon characteristics in the name of love" Niang-Niang nodded in respect" I never knew she had it in her. I thought she would just shock him till the day she dies"

"OI! Who are you calling annoying?! W-What l-l-l-love?! I... I mean, I can change and learn, right?!"

Silence.

"Misaka-san..." Misaki gently placed a hand on top of Mikoto's head" Did you hit you head and confused your feeling ability?"

"Shokuhou, I swear..."

"She is right though" Touma said, causing Mikoto to stop in her attempt to fry Mental Out" I will tell you. I think it would only cause more problems down the line if I didn't"

"Well, I told you before" Mikoto smiled sagely, waving her finger" You said I was ignorant, but we could achieve something great together if we had some sincerity and honesty between us"

Another moment of stunned silence.

And then Shokuhou, completely betraying the fact of being ojou-sama from high class school, burst into hysterical laughing fit, falling to the ground and slapping it with her hand.

"Sincerity between you... that has quite a richness ability... hearing it from you... Misaka-san... oh, I can't breathe!"

Kumokawa was also smiling and Ayu was giggling behind open palm.

Vein popped at Misaka's temple

"Now you've done it!"

Two level 5s disappeared in a cloud of dust, Mikoto's shouts and Misaki's still continuing laughter being heard from time to time over the scuffle.

Touma looked at Index. The nun looked at him inquisitively.

"Short Hair was right though." she said, eyeing Touma with worry" Will you tell us?"

Touma looked up, at Othinus, who was standing besides Index in her full sized form.

She opened her mouth, to ask, but then stopped.

In the manner achievable only to those who understood each other for good and for bad, in death and in life, communication without words was achieved.

She realized it. She understood it. And her heart twisted in pain, resonating with the boy she understood.

"You did it again..."

"Yes... sort of"

"Did it hurt?"

"Yes" Touma answered honestly once again.

Othinus embraced him without any warning.

"If it's anything like what I've done to you..." she said and Touma heard her voice tremble" I should have been there for you"

"There is nothing to do about it now" Touma reassured her" You are all here in the present, that's what matters. Besides, you are not obliged by anything to help me with taking on that suffering."

"But I am" the former goddess protested" I have... I have a duty of care when it comes to atoning for what I've done... even if I was forgiven, there will never enough for me to atone..."

"Funny you say that" Touma rested side of his face on hers" Because from the moment I wanted to save you, which was the moment I first saw you, you alone were always enough"

A shiver ran through the body of Othinus as she said nothing and just stayed in embrace for a moment.

"I... don't understand" Index said." What exactly happened?"

Touma left the embrace and crouched down. He hesitated.

"Touma, please... tell me"

"I went through something... hard. Very hard, even. But it's all said and done. There is nothing to change and nothing to do to alter the past, so is there a need to bother your..."

"Touma... it is not done at all." Index said firmly. However, her eyes remained compassionate" You are still broken on the inside. Whatever happened, this will not heal overnight. And I want to be there for that. I deserve to know"

Touma nodded and amended:

"You are right. I owe you this. I just didn't want any unnecessary worry for you"

"I am already worried as is!"

Touma whispered to her ear for a moment.

The nun's face slowly changed into one of great sorrow.

"Everyone's... you took upon yourself everyone's..."

Touma was silent.

"Why? Touma... the pain you must have felt..." Index put a hand over her face, yet tears spilled through her fingers

"I know, but there wasn't a moment in which I allowed myself to stop. I knew you were waiting for me"

"Touma... I know we live together and how close we are, but something like this... how can I be the reason to endure millions of years of pain and sorrow of all beings in this world? I can't be a reason..."

"But you never stopped being one."

"Huh?"

"Not for one moment. Not ever since we met on that balcony, not ever since you asked me to follow you from the depths of hell. I've been to hell and back, Index. To the literal hell! If it wasn't for you, I would have stopped moving a long time ago and be crushed by that despair."

Index shook her head and hugged him, following the lead of Othinus, who gave her space, so three of them hugged each other simultaneously.

No one heard that exchange, although Kumokawa watched them with eyebrow raised, inwardly curious and intrigued by what could invoke such a display of emotions

As for the others...

Ladylee patiently waited for his story. In contrast to the others, she wasn't shooting one question after the other. According to her, patience was the virtue she was the most proud of, and was a product of her centuries long life. However, her aquamarine eyes have that magnetic state that made it obvious that should he avoid the subject later on, she would challenge him to the duel to the death. Which, for rather obvious reasons, she had plenty of in her life and always won, so he didn't want to take that chance.

Kanzaki asked if he was okay, but other than that was uncharacteristically quiet. If he didn't know her well, he would always say that she was acting... meek, for some reason.

Itsuwa examined him tenderly, and upon finding no wounds, and moved to Takitsubo. After Touma's reassurance and vouching, Itsuwa was allowed to cast a healing spell on the weak AIM Stalker. After a moment, the breathing of the girl got easier and Itsuwa announced that she managed to ease the burden on the body and got some time for Takitsubo to gather strength. She still recommended for the girl to go to hospital. Hamazura, moved to tears and deeply thankful, nearly ended kissing Itsuwa's hand by gratitude, causing shy girl to jump into Touma's arms and then jump back, bowing quickly with a face steaming from embarrassment.

Helcalia and Amazora were whispering something to one another, so did Ayu and Seria, as well as Index and Othinus. Mikoto pinned Misaki to the ground, and although Mental Out was pleading for mercy, she was still snickering.

Not everyone were accounted for. Touma was still worried about Scavengers, as Naru and Yakumaru weren't seen after the world stabilized again. Where could they be?

Also, Fraulein Kreutene wandered off. She simply went on her own way without anyone noticing. When Touma asked Ladylee, who apparently knew the strange immortal creature the longest, simply shrugged and commented that Kreutene always walked her own ways and there was no sane reason in trying to find the overarching logic. She was sure that they she will stumble upon Ladylee again because, as ironic as it was, world of immortal's tended to be rather small for such a long existence.

Finally, Touma decided that it was time to decide what to do next. He had a few things to say.

"Everyone... I have something very important to tell you" he spoke loudly over the crowd of his friends and allies.

Every string of four or five parallel conversations got silent as if suddenly cut with a knife.

"As some of you probably noticed, I... got through some rather nasty things. I... am trying to attempt to have a different approach when it comes to others from what I used to have. I am not sure how it will work. In the past, I tried to hide what I was going through to protect many of you. And the longer I did it, the harder it became to actually tell you when it mattered..."

Index smiled softly, recalling their conversation in the last moments of Fiamma's Star of Bethlehem.

"So I will tell you what happened to me now. I will tell you because I know that hiding it and distancing myself from you while you have the desire to help me... may be more destructive for you in a long run. Obsessions and other bad outcomes are born from something like that"

Misaka Mikoto knew what Touma was referring to, and the fact that he was looking at her while saying those words was meaningful as well.

When she discovered the existence of forces outside of science, in particular Magic Gods, her desire to stand by Touma's side clashed with the realization that she could no longer blitz her way through the danger with railguns and lightning.

The gap between other forces and her own abilities was just too great.

In her desperation, she latched onto every power and possibility of further ascension, to the point of spiraling into frenzy when Tokiwadai was looted during the heat wave.

Truth be told, Mikoto used to be furious at Touma's secrecy regarding his adventures.

But now? After she had some time and lot of failures stemming from her bad attitude on the subject, she got it, or at least she thought so.

If back then he told her, wouldn't she charge straight into the unknown thinking she could take it on? Probably.

He knew her well enough to know that even with her being the most stable and modest of all the level 5s, she still had hubris from being on top for a long time, and being weaker than someone was not something she was accustomed to for years.

Was this one of the reason for Kamijou Touma's protection?

Such thoughts passed through Mikoto's mind when they looked at each other.

Touma resumed before silence became too noticeable.

"Many people who are my friends today can testify that I don't pull my punches against almost any opponent, treating everyone equally, and simply seeking to brought back peace I fought for. So it probably wouldn't be fair for all of you if I hid the truth from you like this for any longer. You are all strong in all your own right and denying it would be against what I believed. So I will try to tell it... bit by bit..."

Everyone leaned forward, expecting the confession to follow...

"But not here. We need to split and talk over what to do. So let's move..."

All the gather sighed in exasperated fashion.

"...where to go... oh, right, of course, it's just around the corner..."

(MEANWHILE, IN THE NEW WORLD)

The ice closed around Hasako's body and filled her inside and out.

She couldn't scream out loud but the terrifying howling of her own thoughts rang through the cold.

'You are to be the first woman, first child of Japan to attain such power... do not fail me, my daughter...'

Cold... so cold...

'You are special, you do not have time to associate with anyone lower than you... if you must, learn to be lonely!'

So very... very cold...

'Surely there is a trick to this... she has to be faking it...'

The ice... and the world... were so cold... so cold that...

'You are not welcome here, freak. You think you are better than us with your lies?'

..that it burned...

'I am sorry... but I have to put you to rest. My plan does not align with you being by my side anymore.'

'STOP!' Hasako screamed in her thoughts' Don't make me feel this again! Not again, please, not again! I can't... I can't fall asleep for decades once more, not when I found them! I am dying. I am...'

'Child...' Hasako heard the voice of the goddess of the underworld in her own head. 'You are not dying. Ηρέμησε το μυαλό σου, calm your mind. Do you really think that I would invest my precious time in helping you if I desired to just let you die right now. I am not allowing your death'

Hasako could see Proserpina in front of her, still holding her hands. Her eyes moved and she looked completely unbothered by ice

'B-But...'

'I know you feel. I saw enough of your mind to know how much of terror this brings you. You were stuck in such state for decades after you weren't needed anymore. Yours was the life of solitude, rejection, and longing. I know how you feel, I repeat, because I was the same'

'What?'

'I once froze myself inside my own spell to try to stop feeling the pain. But I couldn't perish, and after a century, I decided to go on.'

'Why would you do this to yourself?'

'My reasons are the story for another time. That tale is in the past. But you, even though you were shifted through time and history, have the story that is only beginning. Your origin may not be the happiest, and you never let go of ice in your heart. So now, focus on this ice. Feel everything that is invoked within you by this coldness that once claimed you. Become one with the ice, and let it guide you through your pain...'

'Do I have any choice?'

The lips of the goddess twitched slightly in a miniscule smirk, even they were both supposed to be in a solid element.

'Well, that was to be expected' trying to contain the fear enough not to have her soul leave her body, Kankyougami Hasako focused on her ability.

Everything slowed down, as she calculated many factors necessary for environment alteration: temperature, pressure, perspiration and humidity, chemical composition of soil and air, wind, rainfall, and more. She felt the cryosphere around her, the ice that was binding her. She focused on DNA of emperor penguin and modified the variables to suit it.

But even though, as an esper, she utilized calculations in her ability, her emotions were steering force. More than any other esper, and closer to most magicians, her feelings guided the environments she altered. So she focused inward, on the feeling of ice she remembered. She saw the crystals, she saw the molecules expand and take hold, bringing forth the chilling cold, and with it, the memories.

'Yes. Let them flow... let them be felt...'

Hasako saw herself working tirelessly to be the best she could be, to impress her distant father, a school director, and her mother, a busy noblewoman. If she could have even a moment of attention, and praise whatsoever, she didn't have to cry... she only needed to work hard and show result... and then they would love her...

Memory after memory flashed into her hand as if rays of blinding sun permeated through blizzard of ice and snow...

She saw herself meeting Aleister Crowley, being selected for program that seemed like something truly out of this world, moving away from home, studying and studying, so hard that she lacked sleep or nourishment, hoping that her effort would amount to something that would inspire awe and let her be proud to be with others...

Deep sorrow and regret piled up moment after moment. The ice surrounding herself and Proserpina shook.

She felt her pride the moment in which she first altered the environment around her, fields around her, desolated after industrial exploitation, blooming into beautiful meadow with flower carpet. That pride was not meant to last long. Because as soon as the initial shock wore off... the voices started...

Proseprina rose an eyebrow in slight surprise.

'Child...'

It started small... the confusion here, and lack of belief there... but accusations soon followed. Those who envied her or who were afraid of what a child witch such a power could achieve... there is no way she can truly be a psychic human, first of its kind, they said. We live in times of reason, they argued. This girl is deceiving us.

But I do have my ability, younger Hasako said in confusion. She demonstrated her equations. Everyone could write such things, they argued. She tried her best, from every angle, but the more she tried, the more people hated her. The more time passed, the more vicious the envy and fear-induced hate became.

And then... lost was the wonder, and awe, and hope for help for others, for better, more beautiful world. I do have it, I do have it, I do have it, I do have it. She repeated it to herself when people threw rotting food at her and when press swarmed her to get answer, watching any mistake she might make. Showa period did not tolerate uniqueness well. Her father, one who insisted on Hasako achieving greatness, did nothing to help her.

The ice cracked, the solid block starting to break.

Due to her stress, she couldn't control her ability and altered environments at random. Naturally, this didn't make her already challenging problems better. She couldn't sleep, barely ate. But I do have it' was the last message she gave to the world, before disappearing from the public eye. She could not bear it anymore, she could not fathom why everyone was acting like this. For the world, she was assumed dead, and as it later turned out, it was the last time she ever saw people of that era, including her own parents.

She hoped that moving away from the attention would quench the pain of betrayal. But that was to arrive...

The ice broke but Hasako's trembling body was brimming with emotions. Proserpina watched with wide eyes as the snowstorm sped up around them and ice began to form faster and faster. Beginning Child clenched her fists, gritting her teeth.

She remembered Aleister trapping her, tricking her into making one last attempt at helping others, and then discarding her after she was weakened after battling a raging volcano. She remembered his face when he put her to sleep. And then... the hell began.

She screamed, loudly and profoundly, as if her wail could tear down heavens and reach into profundities of both continents and oceans. It was her ability roar, but also... her cry of pain.

In those long years in the dark, she was alone. She was so cold she felt like she was burning. And she was scared. Very, very scared.

The ice continued to form and change shape as the snow and wind rotated, reaching into the atmosphere, changing structures of the clouds and flows of cold air. Her environment expanded and expanded...

Colder... and colder... she had to go colder...

She couldn't frame a logical thought. She was half-dreaming, half-dying in that frozen slumber. Not conscious enough to think, not dead enough to actually stop feeling. All memories emotions, and sensations blazed one through the other in her numbed and half-dead mind until she didn't know who she was anymore, until everything turned into rage, regret, sorrow, and pain...

Betrayal...

Colder... COLDER... she still needed to get colder...she was ice... she grasped it and screamed, embracing it with all her fury and bitterness...

The ice exploded in all directions, growing and growing and growing, changing, shifting, deforming.

Proseprina, for the first time, had a look of absolute awe on her face.

'I knew that you are someone more than you seem, but now I have certainty... should you transcend what's holding you back... you will...

Hasako screamed, even louder and with more pain infused in a roar. All tears froze, as well as all the moisture in earth, in the air, and high in the clouds.

The wind howled, the ice cracked, the sky spun with winds howling around the globe, and the depths of earth roared as they froze solid. A giant shadow covered the ground, as the clouds were freezing and descending, smashing into the ground into millions of frozen shards.

The snowstorm and enormous icebergs were reaching over the entire Earth, as Hasako created her biggest domain yet. The sky, earth, ocean, and all forms of life in the New World had no choice but to change according to her will, reacting to the pain from heart of hearts of the lonely girl lost in the world she didn't understood, with betrayal and longing as constant companions from her past.

'...you will become someone with a power beyond humanity's wildest dreams, that this world never saw'

(MEANWHILE, IN THE ACADEMY CITY)

Touma pressed the button and the doorbell rang inside.

He didn't have to wait long, as the doors opened...

Or rather, were flung open, as Lessar jumped onto him.

"Hello, my handsome Lover Boy" she purred, wrapping her hands behind his neck" You didn't visit us since our concert for you... my lonely heart was tearing itself apart."

"Hi Lessar. I see you are healthy and well"

"Sure am. So, since you are here, would you like to have me... me... or perhaps... me?"

"What a varied choice. I was sure that there was something about dinner and bath in original version of that selection"

"Well, why waste your time deliberating on other options when moi is on the table? Also, I am very up for you eating me up, in you know what I mean... with bathe it might be a little tricky, but if I sweat a bit, you might get one, if you are into it..."

"You are incorrigible, aren't you?"

"GASP! Of course I am! Don't you remember our life-changing promise? Well, I have you know that I am treating it very seriously. One day, when I will do it with you, you will remember it, of this you can be sure. But for now, to prove it to you..."

Lessar closed her eyes and pressed her lips to Touma's cheek.

"MMMMMMMMMMMMWAAAAAAAAH!"

She planted a long, warm, and tender kiss on his cheek, before grinning with satisfaction.

"There. Brand new, boundary-respecting, non-groping, no-licking, romantic, innocent, and still sexy as hell, Lessar Cheek Kiss Deluxe. How is that?"

"W-Well... c-certainly..."

"Cause you know, this was for my satisfaction. Now, to reward you for indulging my whims, you get another-"

"EKHM!"

Lessar turned to the side, and only now noticed enormous crowd on the corridor, mostly consisting of rather annoyed females, stunned a comical silence.

"Are we interrupting something?" Kumokawa Seria asked dryly, with her arms crossed.

Misaka Mikoto narrowed her eyes, sparks flying out of her bangs. Shokuhou Misaki clenched her hand on the remote (she bought a few in a shop, trying to at least partially replace ones Vasilsa confiscated upon her abduction). Kanzaki Kaori had a face that was a mixture of annyoance and disbelief. She, along with Itsuwa, were most familiar with New Light out of anyone present.

Lessar raised an eyebrow, glanced at Touma, then back at the crowd.

"As a matter of fact, yeah, you kind of do"

She give Touma a little peck, causing the temperature to drop, before jumping back to the ground and sighing.

"But I guess Lover Boy has something more important... for now... than poor old me"

'That girl is either seriously dangerous threat or an absolute moron who can't read the room for the life of her' the girls thought.

"Welcome on my modest doorstep and be my guests"

"Lessar-san, Lessar-san" Touma said with a sigh" This is still my house, remember?"

"Face it, human" Othinus patted his arm with equal exasperation" They wrecked it so many times and then rebuilt it, that it's like the Ship of Theseus. Does the dorm who had all the parts replaced is really the same dorm?"

"Othinus, I don't even want to think about whether or not it is, because the fear of the dorm overseer getting pissed at me for what those girls were doing is very, very real. Fukou da..."

He turned to the others.

"Wait for just a moment more." he asked, before he followed Lessar inside.

Just after going inside, he was met with embrace of Bayloupe.

"Well, well, well... look who visited us" the silver haired girl smirked at him" Missed us?"

"Actually, yeah"

This threw the girl off the loop a little bit

"Hmm? Is that so? Is my older sister aura that irresistible?"

"Well, I can't argue with that" Touma tried to get to the point, and not give too much attention of rather sensual look Bayloupe gave him after that comment.

While Bayloupe was more mature and reserved in comparison to Lessar, she was also older than Touma and that always had effect. Trying to not focus on the pretty face in front of him, he finished.

"But this is not why I am here. We need a place to speak for a moment and I thought my own place is a natural choice. Is that problem?"

"Well, it sucks that you are not alone, but you are in luck, as I have problem to say no to you recently. Feel honoured, no guy ever achieved it, really. That, and the fact that you allow us to freeload when we rui... I mean, fix the place" she took a peak outside of the door and cursed" Neamh agus ifrinn! Wow, you didn't have more? They won't fit in here."

"Oh, I thought of that!" Niang-Niang snapped her fingers.

Suddenly, the dorm expanded, as if doubled. The extended part stuck outside the building, seemingly unbothered by the laws of physics.

"Well, I guess that solves it..." Bayloupe muttered, as Touma moved into the dorm.

He found Lancis sitting on what used to be Index's (and earlier his own) bed. Upon seeing him, she gasped and stood straight.

"You are here? If I knew, I would wear something prettier"

Personally, Touma thought that the casual, cute T-shirt Lancis was wearing was perfectly fine. But the girl was apparently preoccupied, because she asked

"Since you are here, what changed in me since you last saw me?"

Touma stopped himself from shuddering. Such question was the greatest challenge to unsuspecting guy.

It could not be avoided. The shimmering brown eyes of Lancis looked at him with such anticipation that they seemed to get bigger and bigger.

He could tell her that they didn't have time for this, but on the other hand, he felt that by ignoring her he would come off as cold. Bayloupe once told him that all girls of New Light paid great care to their beauty. He built good relations with Lancis only in the time they came to the city and he wouldn't like to ruin it.

"You... You did something with..."

"Mmm..."

He looked over the girl. Same brown hair, same face with elegant eyebrows, big eyes, and slightly pointy ears, that gave Lancis the esthetic of a forest spirit. Was it something about the clothes? The shoes?

As he started to sweat while overheating his brain, he saw Lessar looking at him and moving her hands up, while flexing and extending her fingers quickly.

After few more seconds, he finally got it. He hoped the relief he felt wasn't that obvious to see.

"Your nails. You did something with your nails"

Lancis brightened up, which was the sign of correct answer.

"Yes. Yes, I did" she beamed" I polished them and tried oceanic blue instead of sapphire hue I use.

'Heavens have mercy, they both look just blue to me' Touma thought in despair.

"You have keen eyes for my effort, I am so happy. Please, have a sit, I will make the tea"

As she passed him, he slumped onto the bed, looking at Lessar

"Thanks for saving me"

"Sure thing. Remember, she is very meticulous with her nails. Now even more, that she has you to impress"

"Impress me?"

"Come on, you can't be that dense! She is head over heels for you ever since you called her laugh cute. You have no idea how touching and confidence boosting that was for her. She was getting all beautiful in case you ever visited, putting effort every day"

"I-I had no idea"

Speaking of laughter, they heard familiar giggling from the kitchen counter.

Lancis wiped a tear from her eye.

"I-I am getting all tingly..."

"Hmph!" Lessar crossed her arms" And Bayloupe hits me when I use innuendos"

"I-It's not that!" Lancis squeaked in protest, her cheeks and tips of her ears reddening" It's just that I feel an odd amount of mana nearby..."

"Oh, that's because I brought guests" Touma said before shouting" Hey everyone, sorry for waiting. Come in, we will be starting any minute"

"Guests? We didn't have guests in ages" Lancis clapped her hands" In that case, I will make more tea"

Then everyone started coming in, until most of the dorm was filled by either sitting or standing people.

Lancis looked at that with wide eyes and nodded slowly

"Much more tea then"

That's a lot of people, Touma had to admit. And for one reason or another, that was not the end of new arrivals.

The doors to the balcony, which now seemed to be very far away given the magical expansion of the space, slid open.

"Why is it suddenly so loud?" a familiar voice complained "I ask for a moment of peace, so can't you four just shut the hell-"

"Birdway?" Touma asked in surprise.

The blond magician seemed as shocked to see him as he was to see her, although she was quicker to mask it.

"What are you doing here?"

"As I keep repeating, and as I am sure you remember, this is technically and formally my house. And you?"

"I..." Birdway crossed her arms" Just went here to borrow some tea leaves. Those four may be annoying but they have good tea, as expected from my compatriots."

"Really?" Lessar didn't hide the smug face" Cause I thought you went here to hope that Lover Boy will visit, yet unable to come to his current apartment to not appear desperate. Look at you, being all tsun-tsun. Not to mention that I saw you eyeing the sheets he used to sleep with. Did you think of smelling-"

Birdway swiftly grabbed Lessar by the waist and supplexed her, earning a wheezing grunt when New Light member hit the floor, her tail drooping lifelessly.

"W-Well, there is no shame in admitting you actually enjoy spending time with Lessar from time to-"

SWISH!

A wand pressed to his throat immediately shut him up.

"Well, pay that no mind" Birdway cleared her throat" Although I was curious what you are up to. From the looks of it, a lot is going on. Are you building an army or something of this sort?"

"I hope not. No, they just tagged along." Touma explained, as the wooden tool stopped touching his skin.

By that point, everyone sat down, speaking in hushed voices, or looked around. Some were in Touma's old dorm before, like Itsuwa or Nephthys, but they still wanted to get a better look

"I found someone else too!" Nephthys motioned to the door.

Touma decided from this moment forth that he won't be surprised. Even if Aureolus Izzard appeared in the doorway with a bottle of sake, Aiwass perched on the balcony like a pigeon, British Royal Family decided to picnic in his living room or if the Sisters decided to storm the dorm en masse.

"I can walk for myself. Don't you know that I am Kongou Mitsuko?"

"With how many times you mentioned it, I think I remember it now" Niang-Niang said in amusement

"Quite a combination of characters. Isn't this a bit too convenient for the plot?" Nephthys wondered.

"Nonsense" Niang-Niang waved her hand" If this human has a talent, it's saving hearts and creating bonds. Sure, so many people in one place is rare. But it's not mere plot convenience. The more people hear this, the better. And if it takes deus ex machina, well, we are gods, so it should be fine"

"I suppose so..."

"Mitsuko-san? What are you doing here?" in the meantime, Touma questioned the rich ojou-sama who made a sudden appearance.

"She was running outside of the perimeter, shouting 'woe is me!'." Othinus said from another corner of the room.

Touma looked at Kongou questioningly. The girl looked away, slightly embarrassed.

"I was enjoying a stroll throughout the city. Completely regular walk, mind you. I was on my way to meet Awatsuki-san, but when I saw her around the corner... the earth shook and I think I... fainted, presumably... because when I awoke, she was gone!"

Kongou spun around with a dramatic flair that could put professional actors to shame.

"I thought someone of vile nature was up to something so I made my statement... and then I came here. I wanted to see if you are alright, verify if you didn't see her, and if you can aid me with the search, but I see... that you are busy"

"You can say that..." Touma chuckled nervously" There is a lot going on... and it has a bit to do with the events that got you separated from Awatsuki-san."

"Oh, do you? Can I join you in your endevour?"

"I was just about to explain the situation, so this may clarify few things for you too! EVERYONE!"

In that moment, the doors to bathroom opened.

It was a miracle no one heard that the water in the shower was still running. Or that the person outside didn't hear the fact that over 20 people were now inside the dorm.

Then again, everyone was rather preoccupied so it could be an explanation why the shock was mutual, when Floris appeared in the bathroom's door.

She was completely naked.

As everyone stared, she looked in mortified confusion, until she found Touma among the gathered.

"Y-Y-You..."

Her face slowly reddened as she covered herself with her hands.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

(FEW MINUTES LATER)

Kamijou Touma looked at the still trembling Floris, who wrapped herself in a hoodie and tried to hide her red face. For almost three minutes, the girl was shaking him back and forth, before realizing she still had no clothes, and changing into hoodie and shorts.

Everyone settled in the expanded dorm and were given tea or coffee, depending on the choice, waiting for Touma to explain himself.

"Floris-san..."

"Are you intend to humiliate me till I die?" she sniffed, her voice trembling slightly.

"Are you crying?"

"N-No, I am not" Another sniff" Why do we always end up in such situation?"

"I really, really didn't plan it to be like this. Why were you naked in the first place?"

"We are like sisters, there is no problem in walking for a moment without clothes to reach a towel. Oh my god, I cannot get married now. I won't be able to look my husband in the face..."

"It won't be that bad" Touma try to reassure her.

"How can you possibly know?"

'Because in some timeline, I am him and he is me'

"If it makes you any better, you looked very nice, so don't put yourself down"

She snorted and chuckled wryly.

"Thanks. I still want to dig myself a hole and drop into it, but oh well, life goes on"

"Speaking of going on..." Touma cleared his throat once again and shouted" HEY! CAN I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION FOR A MOMENT?!"

Slowly, the conversations died down, and Touma found himself watched by many, many pairs of eyes. He didn't doubt that equally many pairs of ears were attentive to hear what he had to say

"I know that we have to go our ways soon." He began, looking at Takitsubo. The girl still needed medical attention, with people closest to him only waiting for his confession" For a long time, I was very hesitant into confiding with my mishaps... but you never know what happens in life... and we shouldn't take neither life or death for granted..."

A small smile appeared on Ladylee Tangleroad's face, as Touma carried on.

"You have different relations and histories with me. But regardless of those differences, please listen. Some time ago, a woman named Vasilisa arrived in this city. With her arrival, many events started to occur one after the other. It was more or less like this..."

(MEANWHILE, IN THE NEW WORLD)

Hasako was covered in hoarfrost. Her throat was soar from the screaming. With her exhale, a large cloud of mist left her body.

Her vision returned to her blearily.

"Are you still alive?" she heard Proserpina's question.

"Y-Yes..." Hasako coughed and looked around." What happened?"

They were standing on the ice desert, stretching in all directions. Enormous icebergs stretched throughout the desolate landscape. A peculiar sight was that the ground and ice itself was steaming slightly.

"Child, you really let loose. The pain in your heart was excruciating. Even when I called to you, you were in... a trance of sorts. The temperature was still lowering, and lowering, and lowering, far below my ice spell. I have no idea how much is it now..."

"-180 degrees Celcius" Hasako answered automatically" And quickly rising. That would explain the steaming ground. Oh gods... I had to somehow go past -200 degrees. I liquified the nitrogen in the air, and now it's evaporating back"

"Hmm?"

"I just... know about current climate conditions. I can't explain it, its instinctual to my ability. But... it's... incredible. I did this?"

Hasako closed onto the block of ice and knocked on it. It made a low sound.

"A much higher density than normally. This is..."

She had fairly good knowledge of climate for someone born in 1930s even during her own time period, but upon awakening, she consumed book after book about environment and climate, provided her by Kumokawa Seria, learning all modern science of meteorology, geology, hydrology, and more.

"This is Ice III." She said in astonishment" It is destabilizing, and its molecules are shifting, but it's clearly a different phase of ice."

"Pardon?"

"There are over 20 types of ice, and they appear in different temperatures and pressure conditions. They have different alignment of molecules, for example, this one has tetragonal crystal structure instead of hexagonal one, it's more dense, and with high permittivity."

Hasako remember how fascinated she was by the topic when she discovered it. Aside from Ice Ih, many types of exotic ice did not occur on Earth, but the properties were more or less calculated. For example, Ice VII formed while enormous pressure was applied and while solid, it was not cold and instead felt like a 'paused' water. It was said to exist at the cores of oceanic planets, millions of light years away.

"But... this doesn't make sense" Hasako said after a moment" My ability shouldn't be able to do this. I can only create environments that can hold some form of life in prosperity. Nothing can survive in temperature that low"

"Who said I didn't create something that could?"

"What?

"Magic Gods have no problem whatsoever with creating new forms of life that would thrive in such environments. You obviously needed to let it all out and I wanted to help you, and get you environment most suited to the purification of your spirit"

"So... does this mean I managed to do it?"

"Not yet. I am going to show you something"

Proserpina snapped her fingers and suddenly...

Hasako flailed her arms and covered her mouth.

They were in space. Of course, they were breathing and fine, despite vacuum around them, thanks to Proseprina's divine intervention.

"Surprised?"

"W-Well, I heard that while I was asleep, humans landed on the Moon. So I was curious about space, I admit... but why are we here?"

"Take a look to your left"

Hasako did so and her eyes widened.

Within her irises there was a reflection of blue and white sphere. The very same sphere that was in front of her.

The sun, coming directly from behind the planet, made it glow slightly.

"The entire Earth... is frozen solid" Hasako whispered.

Indeed, arctic environment settled on the entire planet, which froze into an ice covered globe.

"More specifically, it's a fragment of Earth from the edges of timeline, as it is still a New World after all" Proserpina clarified" But your little fit caused your sphere of influence to reach everything from depths of oceans to upper atmosphere. While I doubt you can pull this off repeatedly, I want you to realize how much power can be achieved while fear is not holding you down"

As Hasako looked at the frozen version of Earth, she blinked in realization.

She almost forgot.

In all that happened to her, she completely failed to remember the main principle, the main goal, and the main lofty idea which her ability was set to achieve.

Terraformation. That is, adapting entire environment on the planetary scale to suit the needs of a species. This was the ability that made her able to theoretically survive black hole and to bring life even to most desolate of worlds.

She never thought it was actually possible. Then, she never consciously attempted to set her domain so far.

Proserpina was right. Perhaps it was not something to be utilized at day to day life. But the height of her ability was something she didn't even fully envisioned.

If Touma could take care of the people, and saving them, she could clearly take care of the planet. She could do it. She could revitalize the dying environments and make Earth the most beautiful planet in the universe. That was the part she wanted to play in this new life she was given, the role she was choosing to have.

"What else is there to do?"

"Your work is not yet done, child. It's commendable to confront your pain, but unless you have something else to strive in place of that gaping hole, you will be incomplete. What did you feel back then?"

A few tears froze solid after drifting away from Hasako's face.

"I felt... sadness. I couldn't be a person I wanted to be, and I ended to become someone I hated only to please my family. I felt... so very alone. I was in the darkness, in that cold, for so long, without being either alive or dead, stuck in between, hopeless, and begging for the end to come. I felt... betrayed. By my family, who only expected me to be very best and didn't defend me when I needed them. By everyone who turned away from me and deemed me a fraud, even though I worked so hard. By Aleister, who was like a father to me, and who still pushed me away after I was deemed unfit. And... I recently made a friend, who apparently betrayed me too. I thought that in new life, everything will be different, but that... hurt me. I don't know what to do... and my regret..."

"Regret?"

The images of regal woman with a masterfully combed black hair wearing a beautiful kimono appeared in Hasako's mind.

"My mother... she wanted to reconcile with me after I disappeared. When I was in the ice, she spent years, writing letters to me, thinking I will never read them, doing it to try to fake the connection we could have. After I was woken up, I wanted to find her... but I was too late. I will never have the chance to make peace with her again. This is one of my biggest regrets."

Proserpina let Hasako shed her tears, before she said:

"I had children... once"

"You did?"

"In older times, they were known as Zagreus and Melinoe. Meli was... quite similar to you, actually. I know how it feels to lose someone like that... knowing that you can never take some things back... and that some things will never come back again."

"What happened?" Hasako asked, before she realized something" Wait... you said that each Magic God had to make a sacrifice of part of their humanity to achieve godhood. What was yours?"

Proserpina's eyes looked like tunnels of dark green fire. Hasako knew she won't get an easy answer even before the goddess spoke again, and she dared not to press on that matter.

"Do you know anything about the role of music in the act of creation?"

"Not... not really?"

"Music is one of the most form of changing the potentiality into actuality. From ancient Kalevala to Narnia Chronicles, song of heart is primal force of emotion and can even change reality... and create life. And we shall use it to make your heart complete"

"How?"

"By using the world itself. Follow me lead"

Proserpina closed her eyes and started to sing. A wordless, low, profound hum permeated the space, despite the lack of medium to carry sound. Yet, the heavens and star-speckled void were filled with melody.

Hasako didn't think of it much longer, and also intoned the wordless melody, holding one note and trying to match Proserpina with her higher voice. And when they met in the middle of the frequency, reaching mezzo-soprano, Hasako felt something different.

Vibration of beautiful harmony was spreading throughout her body, throughout entire space around them. That magnificent tone was coming from the very Earth itself.

'Do you hear it?' through the profound song they sang, she heard Proserpina in her mind' Do you hear the world? Do you hear its song?'

Yes. The whole New World was covered in ice, which had a crystalline structure, allowing resonance to spread sound in all directions, like a giant cosmic tuning fork, amplifying and propagating the melody they sang.

The entire world, whole planet, was resonating with their song.

Hasako allowed the song to fill her being, to be at peace with the music that seemed too beautiful to accurately described.

Images flashed in her mind, as the tone got more triumphant and valorous.

'I will never let you go... you will never be alone again...'

'I made this flower for you... I am so glad that I waited for so long to find you...'

Kamijou Touma. Her saviour, someone with whom she could always be with, love of her life, her aid and companion, her hope for better times. She recalled all the times they spent getting her to know the modern world, all the times he calmed her down after her nightmares, and how she sang him songs to ensure his good rest, the touch of his lips that felt welcoming and kind, and his bravery in defending her while everyone, including herself, thought she was too far gone. He was her world and the world was what she intended to change to make him happy.

'Hasacchi! You have to check this out, this is hilarious!'

'You are my best friend. I don't know what I would do if someone hurt you...'

Maidono Hoshimi, her best friend, someone that she cherished deeply, and was ready for many sacrifices to see her happy. She remembered all the times Maidono took her to spend time with her, all the times she teased her, smiled at her, or confessed her own problems. She trusted her and cared for her, being protective as if Hasako was world's greatest treasure. Pair of rejects, so different from each other... yet in brashness to calmness, pragmatism to idealism, extroversion to introversion, peace and devotion to each other was found.

'You are interesting... I swear I will make you stand up on your two feet...'

'He would be sad if you weren't saved fully, wouldn't he? This is where I come in...'

Kumokawa Seria, a girl that took her in and educated her on the ways of the new, cared for her, and restored her sanity after nightmarish time in ice. She invested time and resources to help her control her ability and even if it was due to scientific calculation, there was no denying they grew close to each other, enough for Hasako to tend to Kumokawa when she was overworking herself and overthinking things, which happened rather frequently, and for Kumokawa to be happy for Hasako to stay at her place part of the time. She was like an older sister Hasako never had.

'I am happy that my incompetence resulted, at the very least, in giving you happiness'

'When you said that I was needed and that you held me in high regard... I was so happy...'

Mitsuari Ayu, a fellow brokenhearted soul who woke her up in the first place, a gentle spirit crushed by the merciless world without doing anything to earn such scorn and rejection. A person which Hasako was indebted to and more grateful to than Mental Stinger possibly realized. Hasako wanted nothing more than to see that misfortunate girl happy, and she was set on getting this right.

'Can you make ice field, so we can have a snowball fight?'

'You have such a fabulous hair, allow onee-san to give it a good combing and styling'

'Remember, you can always talk to me if you need to. We all had screwed up pasts, you are not alone'

Amazora, Kaibi, and Rikuri. The three young sisters, whose path intersected with her own by accident, twice, and yet they were very welcoming of her regardless of any circumstance. Amazora were incredibly amazed by everything Hasako did and treated her like family, which warmed Begging Child's heart. Kaibi offered advice and understanding when Hasako felt alone in the foreign world. Lastly, Rikuri often took care of Hasako, whether it was by looking after her when she was ill and making chemicals to make her feel better, or helping her look pretty and feel good with herself by accompanying her to baths and taking care of her hair. Those were little things, but with loneliness Hasako experienced in that past, they meant the world.

'The hairdryer is scary, isn't it? It really sounds like it wants to eat you!'

'There is so much good food you never ate! Let's eat it together!'

And there was girl calling herself Index, who was perhaps one of the most mysterious people around her. They quickly found common language, due to their shared apprehension to technology, and Hasako's genuine interest in all the strange issues Index had apparently great knowledge of. Whether it was just relaxing, or eating (lots and lots of eating in the nun's case) she was a bizarre but welcome company.

As the song reached its crescendo, Hasako felt tears wet her cheeks once again. This time, they felt warm, like her heart. The coldness slowly receded.

' Things did change! In all that suffering, in all that waiting, I found what I always wanted... acceptance, peace, friendship... and loving family'

Those feelings of warmth grew and grew and without thinking, they burst forward as a roar, but figurative and literal. Calculations were put in place, increasing the temperature, changing the content of sulphur, air circulation, pressure, and silica gradient.

Then, it happened.

The east side of the planet started shimmering and then, a wave of redness, the tsunami of fire, started to move westward. All of the ice evaporated, and all the matter either vaporized or solidified, as the crust let out the enormous lakes of magma, flowing leisurely through the continents and setting everything ablaze.

The song of Proserpina and Hasako came to an end just as the line of fire reached the prime meridian.

Now, the globe looked as if it was equally split between whitish-blue on west side, one that was away from the side, and reddish-black on the east, one closer to the star.

"Very good. Let us descend"

And suddenly, there they were, at the center of the world. On one hand, the icy desert swept by chilling winds carrying white snow, with icebergs and glaciers. On the other, blazing pools of hot magma, mountain made of igneous rocks, and heavy clouds filled with red lightning, with the stench of sulphur.

"Awww!" Hasako squealed, walking over the hot side " I managed to make the ultramafic magma! Silica content was low enough! I always wanted to try reaching magma this hot. It's really rare."

Proserpina looked flatly at the twinkling starts in Beginning Child's eyes.

"See? It has a temperature reaching 1600 degrees Celcius, and is least viscous magma. Look at it flow, so effortlessly! Isn't it magnificent? Usually, my magma is felsic, not so viscous, and with more silica, at only 900 degrees. Which is also great, because it can make such a lowly obsidian, and it can be enriching for the soil and-"

CHOP!

"Ow!"

Hasako cried out as Proserpina sighed, dragging the girl away from the magma pool and putting her back on the edge of the environments.

"By that point, all of that chopping is going to give me a bald spot!"

"Ice and fire are thought to be exact opposites" Proserpina said, undeterred" but they have more in common than many imagine. Ice represent stability, passivity, and protectiveness of one's emotions, while fire is ever-changing, active, and is physical manifestation of energy and desire. In that sense, they can be thought of as the opposite. But ice can preserve life while it can also take it away, just like fire can warm and save people, while also being able to spread and devour everything without control"

"So... what should I take from their nature?"

"I am a goddess of spring, but I know I cannot hold it forever. I am also connected to the underworld, yet I know that death is necessary for life to be truly appreciated. What I am saying is that you should neither forget, nor ruminate over both future and past. Take it, confront it, accept it, let it make you who you are... but do not let it become you. Just like the most beautiful spring comes after coldness of summer and heat of winter, you two keep both coldness of pain and heat of desire within you. Then, you discover paradise of life yet unseen"

She motioned towards the prime meridian. Hasako gently stepped forward, with one foot on hot side and the other one at cold.

She felt both chilling cold at her right, and blazing heat on her left. She felt both volcanic ash and frosty snowflakes on her long hair.

She took both pain and love, and then melded it together.

Her glass necklace, source of life signatures, clattered on the wind. She had everything she needed.

Beginning Child took a deep breath and then roared, with her entire being.

From the center of the world, the change came forth.

The goddess and the esper found themselves in the midst golden sands.

Another roar, and it became a high altitude meadow.

Then, a bog. Then, a geyser filled space, which was then flooded by heavy rainfall.

Finally, with the most triumphant roar, the world around Hasako changed into beautiful and tranquil field of flowers, with lush green sprouting from every place it could.

Hasako laughed in a most enchanting, innocent way anyone could laugh, and spun around under beautiful blue sky after rain.

Proserpina also joined her. When she moved with a grace of a ballerina, flowers sprouted from under her feet and sun shone brighter, as the goddess of spring made tree bloom and bear fruit. Rivers becoming cleaner, and air cleared out.

After few minutes, they came to rest under the big apple tree, with mesmerizing pink flowers, in full glory on its branches.

"And so, the cold winter of your life. And with it" Proserpina allowed herself a bit of satisfaction" comes longest spring for your heart"

As the strong wind blew, Hasako's nose twitched

"Ah-kchi!"

A sneeze that could be very well be mistaken for a mouse squeak was heard from her.

"I hope I won't get a cold after all of this" Hasako muttered, before she realized how ridiculous it sounded after being in -180 degrees ice and close to 1600 degrees magma.

She giggled again due to her own reaction, laughter echoing merrily on the meadow. Even Proserpina hid her lips behind the veil, but her eyes betrayed that she was chuckling as well

Hasako felt grass underneath her body, as she stared at the clear sky with small wisps of white clouds.

"Thank you" she said with tears of happiness" Thank you so much"

(MEANWHILE, IN ACADEMY CITY)

Touma told them everything that occurred in the matter concerned with Vasilisa and Saronia. They prelude, the search, the kidnapping and arrangement of situation that led to Hasako's disappearance and Takitsubo's sickness. Most importantly... he told everyone about Imagine Breaker's destruction, his mission in the Labyrinth of All Fates, the support he received, and what he experienced, before Imagine Breaker was reclaimed and he returned home.

The silence after he finished was deafening, as if someone sucked all sound due to some magical trick.

Then, slowly yet steadily, the reactions started appearing.

Not everyone knew about magic or true nature of Imagine Breaker, but they still knew something was amiss. But those who knew what exactly transpired...

Itsuwa paled so much that her dark hair was extremely contrasting with her skin and her lips became a tone lighter. She looked as if she was about to faint.

Index lowered her head, as if in prayer, and Touma thought he noticed pearl-like tear under the hood of Walking Church.

Kumokawa Seria stared blankly forward. There was no charismatic light in her eyes, no sassy remark to be made, and no plan to be brought forth. She seemed... more fragile than Touma ever saw from her. His stomach twisted when he realized that this was probably how she looked like when she thought he was dead after World War III.

Hamazura's mouth opened and closed, with him frowning and rubbing his head as if he couldn't get himself out of shock.

Both Misaki and Junko were crying, tears falling on their stockings and uniforms. Ayu had her face covered by her hands and from time to time, small tremble ran through her body.

Birdway clenched her wand so hard that Touma heard it creak. Her facade was maintained, but slightly trembling lip indicated that all her might was directed to avoid crying as well.

Lessar looked like a mistreated puppy. It was almost eerie and unsettling to see tears appear in her eyes. The rest of New Light looked equally sad and unsure.

Kanzaki's eyes didn't leave Touma.

"You..." she heard her whisper, before...

CRUSH!

Her glass exploded in her grasp.

Touma never saw the Saint lose control of her enormous strength like that, but Kanzaki didn't seem to mind the glass in the slightest, her pained expression not changing one bit.

Then, light started to flicker.

Misaka Mikoto stood up. Her face changed few times, desperation, anger, sadness, and hopelessness flashing through her face.

Touma wouldn't be surprised if she lashed out or attacked him.

Instead, the girl shook her head while biting her lip and, after running through the crowded room, jumped out of the window. Electricity flashed before she disappeared into the darkness.

"Misaka-san..." Misaki choked out." What are you doing?"

"Let her be" Touma said in a mediating tone" This is a lot to take in. I am surprised that all of you appear to believe me. She might need alone time to process this"

Ladylee stared at him with a melancholic face, but in her eyes there was also... awe? Or maybe fascination?

Nephthys and Niang-Niang had similar reactions. It seemed all immortals, in addition to sadness about his pain, had respect for his endurance.

Gokusai sisters and Helcalia already figured out, more or less, what happened to Touma. Yet their faces weren't any less sad.

Even Enka and Kaira, who weren't all that acquainted with world Kamijou Touma lived in, took part of the somber atmosphere, staying silent with their hands intertwined for reassurance.

Kongou Mitsuko discarded all the pretence and hugged Touma, before quickly backing away, while hiding her face behind the fan

"H-Hey, Mitsuko-san..."

"Darling, did you really... go through all of this? It seems hard to believe..."

"I can only imagine how unbelievable it may sound..."

As the girl sniffed and wiped his eyes, Touma waved his arms in panic.

"I-I didn't wish for everyone to cry!"

"Well, what do you expect?" Kaibi asked softly" With how many people you saved, how many bonds you forged along your path of pain, you really believed they wouldn't react after something like this?"

"Indeed" Junko blew her nose and shook her head with saddened expression" Even putting aside you being my Queen's favourite, my own liking to you need not any convincing to aid you and cherish your company. As far as gentlemen go, you are one of the most entertaining, brave, strong, and charming ones in my life. Only Gunha-san can compare in that regard. Even being a commoner, you are of exceptional quality. To see that you are treated as such, is... so disheartening"

"I understand the feeling. Because... it's just..." Kongou chuckled. It was her signature ojou laugh, but without the usual haughtiness" You might have noticed that there is a lot of things I can simply pay for when they are damaged..."

"Yeah, I still get palpitations when you say you can casually pay for the damage in the most expensive technology in the world" Touma admitted.

"But I realized that my darling's happiness can be broken in an instant. And no amount of money would save it. Instead, myself, Kongou Mitsuko, should face the adversity and-"

"There was nothing you could do, Mitsuko-san. I had to take this alone"

"But..."

"I have to see it..." suddenly a whisper came from the other side to the room." If I should help you, I have to understand it. I have to witness it... what is the point of perceiving the minds of others if I cannot have empathy towards someone I love?"

Touma was just a moment to slow when Ayu pointed the lense of her phone at him

"No, no, no, this is not a good idea-"

CLICK!

Suddenly, Mental Stinger's body jolted, as if she was suddenly electrified. She stood still for few seconds, before a thin line of blood flew down from her nostril.

Touma barely managed to catch the girl when her eyes rolled in their sockets and she fell towards the floor.

"W-What happened? Misaki-san?"

Misaki put a hand on Ayu's forehead, opened her eyelids and examined the eyes, finally pushing a button on her own remote, before nodding.

"To present it with simplification ability, she bit more than she could chew. She probably wanted to see all that you just described. I won't lie, I was tinkering with the same idea within my mind"

"Will she be okay?"

"Oh, yes. She was just knocked out. She will sleep it out and be alright... alright, if it's anything like my ability, which it is, her head will be killing her for a while"

"Oh, then-"

"WHY?"

Touma looked at Mugino Shizuri, who until that point was very, scarily even, quiet.

But now, she raised her head, and her eyes were blazing with anger.

"We had this talk before you know" she said, standing up and pointing a finger at Touma" We were supposed to support one another, so why do you go on your own and take on an entire fucking world on your shoulder? This is not even a hero complex, it's a messiah complex!"

She started to close in on Touma. The air crackled as if green orbs of power were about to appear any second now.

"Hey! Back away!"

Itsuwa, snapped of her saddened stupor, slid protectively between Mugino and Touma, but Meltdowner did not seem to care.

"Also, you of all people should not be doing this. I do not care about justice and all that stuff, but I don't ask for any training wheels of you taking my pain-"

"SHIZURI!" the boy raised his voice. He gently put hand on Itsuwa's shoulder and reversed their positions, so now he was shielding her, despite girl's protest's" I don't recall ever doing what I do only because someone asked me. The world is not convenient enough for bad things happening only when someone has a need of fixing them."

"But did it have to be you? Don't add to how screwed the justice of this world is by taking all that pain on yourself... it should be someone like me. I already sinned and damned myself, so I should be the one to do it"

"It couldn't be you. Any of you. It had to be me"

"How can you accept it so easily?"

"Sometimes all the choices you have on your way are bad ones, but the choice still needs to be made. What I do, I never do out of fame or gain. I do it because this is the only way it should be done. Because I just knew I had the power to stop tears of others, I acted. Because I know how lonely and cruel reality can be more than anyone, and I realize that if I stopped to be guided by kindness and desire to live in the world of genuine smiles, I will turn in yet another cog in that machine of hate and sorrow. That I couldn't allow"

"Another cog in machine of hate? Just like me? Another hateful monster?"

"You are as much a victim as much as you are the agressor and you know that. You needed saving as much as anybody"

"So what? You took a look into my pain? You know all of it?"

"No, I do not. I didn't work like that. It's not like I remember all of your lives. But I know... I just know what brought you the most suffering. And... I am sorry for you"

"Sorry? You are fucking pitying me?"

"Not pitying, caring, Shizuri. This is different."

"You are saying you took all that pain on yourself, you lived through all our suffering, because you cared?"

"Always did. The day I stop caring is the day I die. Because the future of happiness I am fighting for is hollow without your happiness. I saw that when I lost Imagine Breaker. So I will follow that path, even if it hurts me"

"This... you..."

"Also, thank you for wanting to console me"

"Console you? I am furious at you!"

"That's not what I see in your eyes"

Mugino's face twitched a little, her lips parting and a small, wordless growl coming out before Touma put hands on her shoulder and gently hugged her, her tea coloured hair tinting part of his vision brown and tickling his cheek.

"Fuck... how can you know what I feel just like that..." she whispered.

"You are that type who is really confident when the problem is something you can blast or vaporize, but tends to get extremely fragile when the problem is something you can't physically destroy or blitz your way through."

"And you learned that how exactly?"

"You would be surprised what a poor boy like me could learn between avoiding crazy beams of green death"

Even in her current state, he heard small snort of laughter.

"Don't push it. You are lucky that being without you would piss me more in a long run, so I won't kick your ass for those remarks. What else do you know, hmm?"

"That you want to go with me now."

"Damn right I want to. This witch needs to learn fucking respect for messing with you, even if it might take biggest beam ever shot in the history of the damn world-"

"But you shouldn't go"

"What?! Are you kidding?! You don't want me there?"

"Shizuri-san, you almost sound as a clingy wife"

"My knee is directly in over your balls, so be mindful of what you say next..."

"W-What I meant, is that someone needs to go take care of Takitsubo, take her to the hospital. You should be the one to do it"

"Hamazura is literally her boyfriend. Why it should be me..."

The Mugino paused and looked at her sick friend.

Her eyes softened

"I see..."

"You were the one responsible for her suffering from those crystals in the past. If you help her with it now, it's the best attempt at redemption. She needs you... no, you two need it. I just know it"

He saw Mugino struggling between two options.

"I still... don't want to leave you to deal with this shit alone..."

"I will go with him" Hamazura declared suddenly, stepping forward." I will watch him for you. Boss deserves to have someone by his side after what he's been through"

"Hamazura? Are you sure... I mean, Takitsubo is..."

"Of course I want to stay with her. But you are my best friend and also, I have to give Vasilisa piece of my mind. Even if her intentions weren't intent on harm, she did just that when she used our friends and loved ones as means to an end. That's why I am going"

"Hamazura... you are a true friend"

"I try my best, boss. Besides, Takitsubo became very fond of you too. You know, cause you kind of got us together, partially. Even with her condition, she would be really mad at me if I left you now"

And then, screams erupted around them, as dozens of volunteers appeared and started to talk one over the other.

(10 MINUTES LATER)

Calming everybody down took a considerable effort. But finally, they were getting somewhere.

Without further delay, Mugino left with Takitsubo, with Enka volunteering to help.

"I would be happy to help Hamazura-senpai and his girlfriend. It goes without saying. We will also phone to Kinuhata-san"

"And where he's going, I am going" Kaira remarked, not letting go of her boyfriend's hand.

Before Niang-Niang teleported them away, Mugino whispered one last thing to Touma.

"I remember that dream... you helped me again. As I said once before, I don't like my debts unpaid"

She meant one of the trial of Enneagram, Touma realized.

"There is no real debt-"

"Really? Cause I just wanted to say that if you will be a good boy, there just may be a time that you will be able to glance at more than just my face and clothes"

"Truly a temptation worthy of an evildoer"

"Are you comparing me to a devil?"

"Nah, I saw demons in hell. You are way prettier"

She hit him and smirked.

"I am just going to accept this as a perfectly reasonable sentence, since it's you. I expect to see you soon"

Once they were gone, Touma managed to snap Kumokawa Seria out of her trance. He managed to do this by filling her entire field of vision by forcibly making her look at him. This brought colour and coherence back, and Touma vowed to save memory of Seria with squished cheeks looking at him with surprise into deepest, most durable memory.

"Senpai! Can you check the survaillance of the city? We are looking for the area without much human activity, looking like a hole in the human movement pattern"

"R-Right, of course. Anything else?"

"Can you take care of Ayu-san? She is still unconscious and I don't want to leave her unattended..."

"Alright. But we are not done with what I heard, you hear me?"

"Crystal clear, senpai"

"Index..."

"Touma, I am coming with you"

"Othinus, can you help me on this one?"

"No can do, human. You promised her the assistance in magic side matters. And this is a magic side matter. You have to hold to your word"

"Alright... but I don't want you to engage Vasilisa directly. Nephthys and Othinus, can you stay with Index, if she really wants to go? With you two by her side, I won't worry about her safety that much."

"Spending time with toilet paper dispenser?"

"Spending time with thumbelina?"

"I am regular size if you didn't notice"

"Oh, I did... it's due to our pact. I will remind you of my end of the bargain for as long as I like"

"Girls, please?"

Both of them finally nodded, while sighing.

Kanzaki was given an assignment to contact the Annihilatus and discern if they know about situation in Academy City or if Vasilisa was truly beyond control of higher ups, as Sasha claimed.

Kanzaki left so quickly that Touma had the trouble of catching up to the Saint, only managing to do so when she already left the building.

"Kanzaki... is something the matter?"

"Well... what you told us makes me regret that I wasn't there to save you. If our shared destiny is saving others, we should be there for each other, to save one another. So it pains me that I wasn't there. And also..."

She nervously tapped on the hilt of her nodachi with her fingers, her cheeks reddening a little.

"E-Ekhm... if that dream was actually real... i-i-it seems that we have some things to say to each other..."

"Oh... yes, we probably should... we kind of promised this to each other, right?"

Two of them were standing at the side of the road, each trying to not feel extremely awkward and not turn into complete mess.

"Ever since you saved Index, I think I knew..."

"Ever since we met, I think I started to realize..."

They both spoke at the same time, before chuckling slightly.

"This is a bit out of ordinary for you" Touma said" Usually, you are so..."

"Composed?" Kanzaki shook her head" Well, it's my first time in that sort of situation. I am used to attention, but... not of this kind. But... someone very close to me told me that I should fight as her equal so... here I am."

"Maybe... if this will help, I am kind of nervous too... so maybe we can do this togeth-"

As soon as he extended his hands, Kanzaki seized them as if they were her personal lifelines.

"Alright. On 3..."

They both looked into each other's eyes.

"3..."

"...2..."

"...1..."

Then, they both said:

"I think I fell in lo-"

"NOW KISS!"

"Amazora, hush!"

Touma and Kanzaki looked away from each other and noticed that they had an audience. On the balcony, the Gokusai sisters, among others, watched them with the mixture of excitement, intrigue, and annoyance.

"M-Maybe all should be said and done when we are not in crisis" Kanzaki said sheepishly" And not with such an audience"

"Don't think my luck will allow that" Touma joked back.

Obviously, they were both a little disappointed, but warm gazes they sent one another meant one thing: the toughest ice was broken, the feelings of both sides were obvious, and next time, the proper one, will be a lot easier. There was no way they were letting that get away.

After Kanzaki left with Sasha and Touma returned to the dorm, he felt Ladylee poking his side to get his attention.

"You never cease to amaze me. To deal with love in the midst of apocalyptic crisis" she sighed" It must be nice to be so young"

Touma waved his hand

"Someone wise and experienced told me not to take will to live and life itself for granted. So I am saying and doing things before something kills me for good. Although, I've been there, and done that already"

"Flattery won't allow you to score any more benefits from my side" Ladylee said curtly, but her glossed lips formed a playful smile" So have you figured it out yet? Our destiny, and where this oh so complicated relationship leads?"

"I wanted to ask you the same question"

"I have few theories" the blond immortal mused out loud" Neither of them simple. Some of them dangerous. All of them, in one way or another, a pain in the ass"

"Sounds like something I would be involved in. Do they... involve the future? As in, the Future Phase? I didn't see you there yet..."

Ladylee held her impregnable smile of Mona Lisa. She once said to him that Gioconda learned to smile like that from her, and as with many things the immortal said, Touma could not tell if she was joking or not.

"Maybe, maybe... the thing about future premonitions is that they can change with every action we take in the present. What will happen, where we will go... it is in our hands now, and what you saw is not binding, even if it may tell us something about the future as of now. But be careful ... if you continue down this road, you really might die before your time"

"I am aware of it. But don't worry. I made a promise that I won't leave you. If we go, we go together... unless you decide otherwise"

"So many, many people promised me that. That rest is dead now, and I am here"

"Am I honestly 'like the rest' to you?"

"No" Ladylee admitted" You are not. I don't think anyone was quite like you. You are too complex, too ridiculous, and too surprising, even for me. Maybe you will kill me by making me laugh too much, you misfortunate boy. I didn't really attempt to die through it all that much... then again, I didn't have all that much to laugh about through the centuries past"

"What a way to go it would be. See you later"

Touma walked away, but he still managed to hear a small...

"I can't wait for that future to come"

...before Ladylee slowly made her exit.

Finally, the team was assembled. Touma, Kongou Mitsuko, Kaibi, and Hamazura were going to confront Vasilisa, with Magic Goddesses and Index as a backup.

Misaki and Itsuwa asked Touma about their involvement, but the boy just said

"It's too early. This is not the fight I need your help with"

Itsuwa looked worried and saddened after he left.

"He doesn't believe we would be of use?" she wondered in despair.

But Shokuhou Misaki carefully assessed the situation, her instinct of the psychological esper deciphering the real meaning of those words.

"Itsuwa-san... can I speak to you on the side for a moment?"

"Huh? O-Of course"

Walking away into corner of now emptier dorm, Misaki explained her suspicion

"My prince is not saying we are useless. I think the toughest time for him will come after all the dust settles. I don't have to read his thoughts to know that his psyche is... strained."

"Strained?"

"He is mentally exhausted. Not only from this misfortunate ride through our lives, but from his other adventures. Like with adrenaline, the need to fight keeps him going, but he may collapse when all of this is over. He will need help of two kinds: psychological, to deal with that strain. And help of kind souls, a welcoming and happy presences that will counter the negative influence of accumulated misfortune. I, and presumably Kaibi-san, will take upon ourselves. You, and others of your choice, should take the second part"

"Y-You mean.., he will need us for his recovery? And I am to give him atmosphere of homely kindness and gentleness?" Itsuwa's face turned into most adorable rosy hue" Am... am I really qualified to form a... housewife alliance?"

"A peculiar naming ability, but yes, I think it boils down to it. From what I heard, you are more than qualified and surely have the judgement ability to be left with this task, as well as with the choice of others who will help you"

Itsuwa thought for a moment.

Then, a thought came to her.

Two individuals seemed like a good candidates.

One was a new friend from Academy City, the other was currently missing...

But should she reach both of them...

Little did she know, Itsuwa was about the create something much more powerful than a fighting force, and present it into Kamijou Touma's life.

Rikuri lamented not being involved in the move against Vasilisa.

"Can't I inject her with a little bit of poison? I can get a mosquito-sized injector and-"

"Is it lethal?"

"Yes... no... a little... lethal-ish..."

"We don't want to do anything drastic as a first move. But you are welcome to be our eye from the sky. And Amazora can be on the lookout for those mind controlled people, should they appear"

"Yay!"

"Just remember to take them down, not out"

"O-Of course, I know that. Onii-chan, on the inside, I am a mature 23 year old lady"

'She totally forgot!'

Touma looked at Birdway and Lessar.

"That was a lot of things to consider, even considering it came from you" Birdway sighed, pursing in her lips while deep in thought" Also, all this data on Imagine Breaker's past users... I see... some strategy has to be made..."

"Strategy? Birdway, are you already thinking how to benefit from this?"

"Who do you think I am?" Birdway replied smugly" Leivinia Birdway, the prodigy extraordinaire, boss of largest cabal on western hemisphere. You wanted crying and being all sappy over your tragedy? I am though love"

"Also, she is probably waiting for you to leave. Then she will cry to herself and vow to be stronger... her sister told me that she has a diary and within that diary there is a lot about what she would do with-"

A small ball of flame struck Lessar's posterior, causing the imp girl to shriek and fall to the floor.

"AT WHICH POINT PATRICIA STARTED GOSSIPING ABOUT ME WITH YOU OF ALL PEOPLE?!" roared outraged Leivinia. She tried to hide the blush on her face, but it was futile due to her rather pale complexion

"Owie! Look what you did, this is awful!" Lessar cried out" I want to be sore in that area for only one reason and you aren't that reason at all!"

"I'll have to have to have a word with her later on. And you!"

"Y-Yes?"

She used such a tone and looked with such a steely look in her blue eyes that he went to attention without any objection.

She sighed, looking at him, with her hands on her hips.

"Making a girl preoccupied like that... could you do me a favour and not get into such mayhem every time I lose sight of you?"

"Well, you know that I-"

Touma suddenly winced, and Leivinia's face was replaced by another, very, very similar to young Birdway's, with major differences being hair length and eye colour, noticeably darker, being dark grey.

Mary Kamijou stared at Kamijou Touma with hands on her hips.

"Making your daughter worry like that... dad, can you try not to get into trouble?"

"Mary, you know that I don't plan on getting into accidents"

"Mmmm..."

"I-I'll be careful though. It's nothing, I just fell down the stairs. Banana peel is a classic for this Kamijou..."

The girl crouched down and pulled out a small compress with hearts drawn on it, pointing to Touma's scrapped knees.

"I will give you my lucky compress. I have plenty, in case you will be hurt"

"I once was tossed by uncle Accelerator into the windturbine. I survived great falls and-"

Mary 'hmph-ed' slightly, narrowing her eyes.

"B-But I am sure that this compress will do wonders"

"You looked just like mom" the other girl, identical to her sister, and differentiated only by a different hues of her uniform, chuckled" Down to the look"

"R-Really?" the younger sister waved her hands" I didn't think so... you are more similar, onee-chan"

"But you are her favourite talented one" Elizabeth Kamijou added bitterly" While I can always 'do better', to be worthy of being a child of incredible Ivory Sorceress, one of the most successful and savvy women in the world"

"Girls, you know that your mother loves you both equally" Touma reminded them" Only sometimes, she has strange means of showing it. You are both Leivi's daughters. Mary, you have her magical talent as well as the passion, and Lizzy, you have her tenacity and leadership skill."

"D-Dad..." the older blond stomped her foot, also pouting at him" Don't call me Lizzy"

"But we are also your children. Lizzy is as brave as you and can cook like you do. I am a scaredy cat" Mary admitted, as Touma stroke her hair.

"But you are kind and just, like dad... well, when someone doesn't snatch something from the sale anyway" Liz chuckled."Also, if I had a coin for every time you were compared to aunt Patricia, I would be a millionare"

"When it comes to sales... that only happens... sporadically, nowadays. I think we can all agree that we are all awesome. So, since your mother is on a big, flashy conference, how about I take my twin bundles of joy to a day together with dad"

The vision faded as quickly as it appeared. It was a premonition of something that was supposed to happen, which occurred from time to time ever since he learned of Future Phase. Why exactly, he didn't know for now.

Leivinia Birdway didn't change her pose, but her eyes were slightly worried.

"Oi... why did you keep staring at me like that?"

Touma burst out laughing and then ruffled Leivinia's hair.

"Honestly... if they are at least in part like you, I am sure we won't be bored in the slightest"

"W-Wait..." it was clear as day that the blond magician did not expect such a reaction, and the hand on her head" W-Who are they? W-W-Why are you saying 'they' while you are looking at me?!"

Touma looked at Lessar

"In truth, I didn't see you for a long time. And you know what? I missed it"

"Don't ignore me!" Birdway punched Touma on the back, trying to get his attention.

"What?" Lessar said, looking up and down" My irresistible personality? My sexy body?"

"It may sound silly, but your smile. I missed that grin of yours"

Sure enough, Lessar had and infectiously bright smile when she was really happy or mischievous. It was hard not to smile back at her when she was at her finest.

She giggled.

"You are right, it does sound silly"

And yet, she beamed at him. And there was no way to not smile as well.

"WHO ARE THEY, I ASK?!" Birdway roared behind his back.

He risked a lot teasing her. But he would keep it on... just for a moment longer.

(10 MINUTES LATER)

For now, Misaki, Junko, Amazora, and Rikuri stayed at Touma's dorm with New Light, the Tokiwadai girls wanting to look over still knocked out Ayu until she woke up, which Misaki estimated should occur sooner rather than later. Birdway and Itsuwa excused themselves (after Touma pacified the miffed Golden Coloured Sunlight Leader) going to their temporary accommodations in Academy City, but ready to be one call away from appearing in any case of need. Rikuri and Amazora armed themselves, and also stayed at the ready.

Everybody that was left, that is, New Light, Misaki and Junko, Amazora, Rikuri, also went down to wish everyone in the counteroffensive team good luck.

Hamazura brought with him two motorcycles (Touma didn't ask where he get them, but he was sure as hell curious about them). After minor scuffle and rock-paper-scissors game, with Touma placing Imagine Breaker on both Kaibi and Kongou (Measure Heart was invincible in rock-paper-scissors due to heart distance manipulation, which resulted in convenient outcome of the game from the adversary's side), it was decided that Kaibi will ride with Hamazura and Touma with Kongou.

Index, Nephthys, Niang-Niang and Othinus were to teleport to their designated waiting spot instantenously. Upon Touma's question why couldn't everyone except him be teleported, Nephthys explained that location given to them by both Kumokawa and Rikuri, which Vasilisa supposedly was at the moment, was shielded from their magic through some unknown means.

"I think she wants that you enter that place first" she reasoned and waved her hand" But no matter! With us at the ready, it shouldn't be a real problem"

"Don't worry, we will have something great for you when you get back" Bayloupe winked to him

"Yeah. The jacuzzi with romantic stereo and rose scented water is almost here-"

"Lessar-san... did you order something and modified my dorm?"

"Oh no... I think I left window opened, and Ayu is there, I guess I have to close it..." Lessar disappeared in a flash, leaving Touma flabbergasted.

Then, rather randomly, a question appeared in his mind.

"Niang-Niang?"

"What's up? Ready to go?"

"Yes, I just... I wonder... how did you know where we was when we exited the Labirynth?"

The Shijie-Xian smiled.

"Well, we are not exactly omniscient so your answer is this. Do you the necklace that was once on my braid?"

"The one that belonged to your sister? Yes, I keep it on me. It makes a good thing to hang from a neck"

Touma pulled out a dark, teardrop-like accessor with white center, representing yin

"That's so sweet..." Niang-Niang pulled her own, white counterpart with a black center, representing yang " Now, hold it and think about the other part of the neckle, the one in my possession."

Touma did so and to his surprise, the black teardrop neckle twitched, slight tugging on the rope and directing him towards Niang-Niang. A moment later, the goddess held white teardrop and the process repeated, directing her towards Touma

"Wow..."

"I enchanted those pieces to always direct the wearer towards another one and to also give vague semblance where the twin part is." Niang-Niang explained" I thought that my sister and I can be together forever no matter where we are... she is dead now, but I am more than happy to be bonded like this with you"

"This is... very wholesome, actually"

"What can I say? I like to know where you are because of what's happening right now... and what will happen in the future"

"The future?"

"Heh heh, of course. Isn't that exciting? So many mysteries...destiny of your children, which looms even beyond gods' reach... the curse of your eldest, poor yet so wise Hyouka-chan... dear Frenda-san, your bond with little miss immortal... and this is only some of wonderful and incredibly dangerous stuff that awaits your family... probably, I am not a prophet. And best of all, my favourites are going to be involved too!"

"Niang-Niang, why did you link my family with both 'wonderful' and 'dangerous'? Also, favourites? Who is your..."

"Tchoo!"

He heard an elegant sneeze behind himself.

It came from Hokaze Junko. The girl opened her eyes, her nose buried in the crook of her arm.

"Oh my, pardon me" she said politely, before chuckling lightly" Apparently, my nose had something to add to a discussion"

"Are you cold?" Touma asked in concern." I heard you've been running around for quite some time"

"I am quite alright, thank you. I don't think I am cold, no need to concern either you, my gentleman, or my Queen. Due to my ability, my sense of smell is particularly sensitive, thus it can be overstimulated on occasions, and it yields such response. Hmm, it's still better than applying any cosmetics, that can turn into a mess. It is the same for my Queen, too"

But Touma did not like the strange coincidence of Junko's reaction to Niang-Niang's words. Because from his experience, on Magic Side, coincidence was just a term for 'something that is linked, but you can't see it yet'

"Niang-Niang! Is Hokaze-san your..."

But Naing-Niang already rejoined Index and her fellow Magic Goddesses.

"I swear..." Touma shook his head." She just loves messing with me and adding more things to think about"

But there was no time for worrying about destines of Junko, Ladylee, Hyouka... wait, did he hear Frenda before?... and his many children. They needed to act in the present.

Kongou was standing in front of the motorcycle, looking at it, as if it was some exotic animal.

"Hey, aren't you ready to go? Kaibi and Hamazura are almost on the move"

She jumped upon hearing his voice behind him.

"O-Oh yes, of course, I am very ready, the readiest, more ready than ever..."

Touma looked at her slightly dirtied uniform, and a small specks of motor oil.'

"You fell through the seat to the other side, didn't you?"

Spread fan to cover flustered face was a sign he hit the bullseye.

"I'll have you know that I had some experiences in equestrian activities while I was younger, so mounting this vehicle should be no problem, however..."

Touma didn't expect ojou-samas to be acquainted with motorcycles. He himself had little experience, the most similar form of transportation he once used was high-tech electric bike. Still, with Hamazura's explanation, he thought he got the gist of it.

Then again, the seat wasn't made for two people, so he guessed Kongou tried to give him space while still remaining comfortable and lost balance in the process.

He also looked at the seat for a moment, before gently picking Kongou up by her waist.

"U-Uhm..." as the airline heiress seemed torn between embarrassment and shock, Touma clenched his teeth and lifted her up, seating her on the motorcycle. He pointed at her leg.

"Can you put your legs in those spots?"

"Here?"

"No, there... right here, you see?"

She twitched a little when he grabbed her thigh and guided her leg to correct place. He was so preoccupied that he didn't see the look that she gave him. A look that in a way seemed... that of a longing.

Kongou Mitsuko grew up in the atmosphere of elegance and convention. Kamijou Touma, in many ways, was the opposite of that. Not that he couldn't be gallant or dashing, he was just way more straightforward and earnest than rules of high society could ever allow.

And while it should be repelling, combined with other qualities that Kongou admired, like loyalty and bravery of the boy, it only made her more drawn to him.

They were opposites in many ways. They had absolutely different ideas of what expensive and cheap meant, Kongou could not understand many of the ways Touma spent time, and only gods knew how awkward Touma felt on fashion shows and high society gatherings.

They had their differences and squabbles because of this. And probably it was not the end of it.

But Kongou Mitsuko was not allowing this to stop her feelings. Kamijou Touma overturned almost all of her expectations regarding first love. Now they were even more wonderful. Even if it caused problems, for the life of her, she wasn't going to have things like social standing ruin the way in which she felt when she spoke or looked at this boy. As if she was flying her company's newest plane on highest altitude: weightless, free, and all kinds of giddy.

The point was that Kongou Mitsuko, being self-striving person of quality, vowed not to outright seduce the boy. She wanted to gauge her own interest in him, and his in her, step by step. It wasn't like she was shy, quite the opposite. She was well aware how beautiful she was. In rather convoluted pride, she was certain that waiting for the perfect moment, to make him swoon and be in high heaven.

That looked well on paper. Problem was, Touma taking initiative and being so blunt made it very hard for her to uphold that promise. She was a lady of high standards but lady with desires too.

"Mitsuko-san? Are you with me?"

"Somehow..."

"Huh?"

"I mean, of course, darling, I am ready."

Upon putting on their helmets, Touma turned the engine on and followed Hamazura and Kaibi. Although at first he was unsteady, he soon managed to get into relatively regular pace. It wasn't perfect, but they weren't crashing straight away.

Kongou, grabbing him on the chest level and pressed onto his back, was taking in the unique experience of motorcycle ride with a boy, while trying to accustom herself to the vibrations. Her long black hair looked like a veil or tail of shooting star behind her, as she and Touma rode together through the streets.

"Are you doing fine?" Touma asked.

There was a bit of noise but not enough for them not to be able to hear each other.

"I am positively..." Kongou squeezed him tighter" F-Fine... o-ho-ho-ho-ho..."

Touma muffled his laughter. Kongou had the habit of taking everything with unwavering resolve, often comically prideful. Now, it was clear that motorcycle was different than travel on something propelled by her ability. Even her laughter sounded as if it was subjected to the Doppler effect.

"Really? Because I thought you will say "Motorcycle riding is a secret art in Kongou family for generations' or 'Foul vehicle, don't you know you are inconveniencing the great Kongou Mitsuko?'"

He heard her make a rather unladylike snort of laughter. She tried to sound angrier than she actually felt

"Darling, I cannot sound that dramatic! That is nothing but a lie! Not even I am that overconfident!"

She didn't want to admit that she was muttering something along those lines before he came to help her.

"Whatever you say, hospital buddy"

He would love to tease her further, but he had to focus on the road.

And also distract himself from Kongou's breasts being squished with full force against his back.

Well, that was better than the reverse, in which he would probably put hands on her chest by accident, to some catastrophic result.

After a minute or two, he heard her ask a question

"Why did you want to me to come with you?"

"Truth be told, I thought of using our attack again. You are the only one who can help me with it. It hurts, but it's a surefire knock out. If push comes to shove, I want to end this quickly"

Kongou felt her heart flutter and swell with pride. He needed her! Of course, she was incredible, but to hear her from her chosen beloved sent shivers through her body.

"I also wonder..."

"What?"

"Even when you told us about all those awful things that happened to you, you still didn't seem eager to ask for help. You told us that it wasn't because you thought of us as weak, so... why?"

Touma was silent for a moment.

"Why, you ask... Mitsuko-san..."

"Yes, darling?"

"By now, you have to realize how bad my luck is, right?"

"I thought I had the idea, but after what you said, it appears to be truly on another level"

"So you see... I am aware how little blessings I have left. Some day, I might die without witness or reward. But until that time, I want to keep the only blessings I really have. The only blessings that truly matter to me..."

He clenched his right fist on the motorcycle's handlebar.

"My right hand? It's useful, but it brings me a lot of trouble. And all that powers, all cosmic might... I would have traded them instantly for calm life in which I can just be at peace... this is because you all are my only blessings in life. Yes, yourself included"

To say that Kongou Mitsuko was shocked was understatement.

"You... consider me a blessing to your life?"

"Not only you, but... a haughty, prideful, and sometimes too stubborn, but also loyal, generous, and kind blessing. Seems like a great deal to me" Touma said with a smile.

Kongou made a noise that was something between laughter, squeal, and gasp, muffled by the wind. She made meticulous plans to always appear regal and lady-like in front of Touma.

Now said plan felt like it could burst into flames at any moment. Literally, her face, which she pressed to Touma's upper back, felt so hot that she wondered if her forehead will burn through the material.

Kankyougami Hasako once had a conversation with Kongou regarding love. The girl who was shifted in time remarked that she believed she was meant to wait for so many years to meet Touma, even if it meant going through a lot of pain.

Now, Kongou thought she understood it, maybe even felt something similar. Due to incorrect idea of what 'person of quality' meant, she pushed people away in her younger days. In fact, Wannai and Awatsuki were her first genuine friends, together with Misaka Mikoto. Despite all the enormous wealth, she could say that for some part of her life she felt lonely. But maybe...

Maybe it was worth it to be more lonely then to actually find someone whom she can make happy... and who could make her happy in turn? That was such a lovely vision to behold...

After a moment, she was snapped out of her daze by a rather alarmed voice of Touma.

"Mitsuko-san..."

"Yes, darling?" she said in a dreamy voice.

"Remember when I told all of you that Imagine Breaker is de facto back now?"

"Mhm..."

"And that with it, my bad luck is back too?"

"Right..."

"Well... the brakes appear to broken"

"That's lovel... wait, what?!"

"The brakes! They worked just a minute ago, but now they are not. Which means we can't stop"

The pair zoomed forward the steep street, to a possibly painful future.

(MEANWHILE, IN THE NEW WORLD)

"That's what I meant" Proserpina said, looking at the beautiful valley she and Hasako created" Now I can let you go in good conscience"

"Are you telling me everything?" Hasako asked" Were there no other reasons for your help?"

Proserpina put a finger on her lips.

"Some things are better understood with time. Someday, you will truly comprehend all the reasons"

"How am I supposed to go back?"

"By using my personal magic"

Proserpina pulled out a pomegranate and gave it to Hasako.

"Do you know how I was bound to spent a third of my time in the Underworld?"

"You ate the pomegranate..." Hasako thought, searching through memory" and had to remain there, because you have to remain in the land of the dead once you tasted their food?"

"Very good. Now, I applied this principle to create this method of slipping between worlds. This pomegranate is from Earth, not New World. It anchors whoever eats it to return there, wherever he or she is."

"You never used this method to get out of here?"

"Child, save from Nephthys and Niang-Niang, majority of us wanted to remain here after Kamisato Kakeru banished us. I like it here, most of the time. We can do whatever we dream of, without restrictions."

"So... how do I use it?"

"Take 12 seeds, one for each month of the year, and ate them all. Think of the destination while you chew them and when you swallow, the journey back will begin shortly after"

"What would happen if I ate less than 12?"

"As it is based on my myth, you would randomly pop back here for the number of months that weren't included in number of seeds eaten"

Hasako nodded. She peeled the fruit, counted 12 seeds and put them inside her mouth. They were partly sweet, but mostly sour. She cringed slightly while chewing.

'To ones that I love the most' she thought firmly, before swallowing.

Hasako quietly asked

"Will I see you again?"

Proserpina raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"Would you like to?"

"W-Well... I think we are alike, like you said. You helped me a lot. And also..."

She went silent.

"What?"

"I don't think I should... for a goddess, this maybe blasphemous..."

"Child, after doing all we did, I am not going to hurt you for speaking your mind. Spill it!"

Hasako finally spoke, her voice trembling.

"... after all that time, you... kind of... reminded me what is it like to have a mother. My own is dead, and I forgot how... it felt to be guided and helped like this. Please, don't be offended. I just... wanted to thank you"

Proserpina parted her lips, before looking up and sighing.

"When it comes to me seeing you again..." she began slowly" Chimera is filling entire New World with her agitation. Apparently, she challenged someone called... Satan Raiko?"

"Saten Ruiko. It's my friend" Hasako corrected automatically.

"Maybe, something like that. Anyway, Chimera won't shut up about it. This Saten person must be someone very foolish or very beautiful to oppose most beautiful creature in existence. Chimera deemed her the archenemy, and is getting ready to descend to Earth to confront her. If she does so, maybe, just maybe... I will come with her and make sure she won't damage mortal realm too much"

"Oh, that would be amazing"

"Mind you, soon for gods may be tomorrow or it may be a century, or a millennium. This is inconsequentiality of immortality for you."

"I still take that chance"

"How foolish..." Proserpina raised her hand, and Hasako closed her eyes, expecting another chop on the head." But I suppose... it wouldn't be all that bad..."

To Beginning Child's surprise, the hand of the goddess rested motherly on top of her head, and moved a few times, as if trying to get the reassuring motions right, recall them from depths of memory

Proseprina rose her eyes to met Hasako's and for the first time, her face was genuinely touched and smiling.

"... yes, it wouldn't be bad at all... if I had a daughter like you..."

The world started to blur and mix around Hasako, as if it was turning into smoke.

"Είθε ο κόσμος να σε αγαπήσει με κάθε σου ανάσα" Proserpina said softly to Hasako" Farewell, for now."

And just like that, she was gone, and Hasako was ejected from New World, to her proper home.

(BACK IN ACADEMY CITY)

Kamijou Touma was flying.

Moments ago, he and Kongou Mitsuko were trying to get control over the motorcycle.

In the next, they smashed into something and before he knew it he soaring through the air.

'This... this is absolutely underwhelming! I can't be taken out of commission before facing Vasilisa!'

But the ground was closing faster and faster.

Yet, just as he was about to hit it.

"I got you!"

He found himself in the arms that were slender and feminine, yet definitely strong enough to hold him effortlessly.

A face with dark eyes and long hair of purplish-black hue was above him. He saw a smile, as they descended to the ground and landed with a small 'thump'

"Awatsuki-san..."

"Hello, Kamijou-san." Awatsuki Maaya gently wiped the blood that appeared after he hit his face on the handlebar in attempt to steady the machine" As I always think, it's been too long."

She slowly got him down in front of her.

"Thanks. Wait... I have survived, but I have this strange feeling that I am forgetting about-"

Awatsuki's eyes widened and they realized a moment too late, when out of control motorcycle caught up to them and hit Kamijou Touma head on.

(? MINUTES LATER)

Ringing in his ears receeded. He blearily saw a sun above him, felt something sweet on his lips. Sweet, warm, and... breathing the gust of air inside him.

He realized that sweetness was the lips of Kongou Mitsuko, who was giving him lips-to-lips procedure. And 'the sun' was just how her smooth forehead reflected the light from the streetlamp.

He coughed and slowly sat up

"Whoa... what? What the..."

Two girls instantly hugged him, before quickly going back to give him some space.

"Thank gods... you weren't breathing... you got hit pretty hard." Kongou mumbled, wiping her tears" Honestly, I imagined first kiss differently, but I am glad it worked"

"I am so sorry" Awatsuki muttered" I could have stopped that motorcycle if I reacted quicker"

"Girls, I had... worse..." Touma said, the pain and bleariness clearing out" Mitsuko-san, how did you get away?"

"I created ejection point under myself. It's like an evacuation system in the rockets. I blasted myself into the air and grabbed evacuation ladder, before descending down."Kongou explained" I don't particularly enjoy doing this, because it looks rather ridiculous."

"What about you, Awatsuki-san? Mitsuko-san was looking for you"

"And I was looking for her! I was about to search another street, when I noticed your motorcycle spinning out of control, and you being catapulted far in front of it"

"How did you catch me?"

"I jumped"

"You jumped?"

"Yes. And now that you are safe and sound, I take you are in a hurry to get somewhere. Your motorcycle needs great repairs, so I will be more than happy to assist you on further journey"

With those words, she picked Touma up and started marching down the street.

"Wha..." both Touma and Kongou exclaimed in shock. The boy could only stare up from the princess carry at the confidently strolling Awatsuki, with red cheeks and very self-satisfied smile on her face.

"Awatsuki-san..."

"Hmm... since it appears that you and Kongou-san are on first name basis, I wish for you to call me Maaya"

"Ma... Maaya-san, why am I being carried?"

"Because you are hurt." the girl replied, humming merrily" Think of it as payback for the time you carried me after I sprained my leg, you stood up to my father, and I still remember you delicious soup. Since I felt so well taken care of, you more than earned the usage of myself and my abilities when you see fit"

"I-I still feel fine enough to walk-"

"Awatsuki-san" Kongou tried to protest" T-This is unbecoming..."

"I think you look endearing though" Awatsuki said, clearly feeling immense pleasure from strolling happily with boy in her arms" As long as you don't touch me with that strange hand of yours, you are light as a feather for me. In fact-"

Then, a loud cracking and rumbling noise was heard in the distance, followed by a scream.

"Someone is in trouble!" they said at the same time.

(10 MINUTES EARLIER)

To say that Maidono Hoshimi was in a bad state was putting it very, very lightly.

She was absolutely furious and depressed at the same time.

On herself, on Vasilisa, on the world... and on the girl in front of her.

"Well, look at that. You took me to place where Vasilsa was supposed to be" she hissed" But do I see her with us now?"

Saronia was quiet. She gulped quietly.

"I swear... I didn't lie... this is where she was meant to-"

A metal in which she was wrapped tightened, and she grimaced in pain.

Maidono's amber eyes looked tired, sad, and hollow.

"I think I have just had enough of lies."

She raised her hand. The metal stretched to unnatural angle, along with Saronia's body. The russian magician screamed. But...

"Stop!"

Maidono's eye twitched as she heard a voice behind her.

"This is Judgement! Stop in the name of the law and let go of this girl!"

"Oh my gods..." Maidono groaned" Can everything get off my head for one second?"

The girl had tawny pigtails and red ribbons, wore a Tokiwadai uniform with an armband.

Shirai Kuroko pointed at Maidono and shouted

"I was sent here to investigate the mysterious quake that occurred recently and check if anyone was hurt. Maidono Hoshimi, you are that extremely powerful telekinesis user, capable of shaking the earth itself. Are you the one behind what occurred?"

"No..." Maidono answered in flat voice" I don't know any more of what happened than you. Now, I have a business with this girl"

Kuroko suddenly appeared by Maidono's side and locked the handcuffs over one of her hands.

"Still, in the light of aggression against other person and your ability matching the outcome of the ocurrance, I need you to come with m-AGH!"

A sharp pain assaulted Shirai Kuroko's ears. She wasn't stabbed or anything of this sort.

It was how much the pressure shifted in that moment.

With one swipe of her finger, Maidono shattered the cuffs.

She slowly glared at Kuroko.

"Leave, now. I am in a very bad mood, and it's one of the most stressful days in a long time" she said in a warning tone" I don't want to hurt you, so don't make me"

"This is not how it works" Kuroko reached to black straps on her thighs" Resistence will result in-"

"I SAID LEAVE!"

The blast of pressure sent Kuroko flying, as Maidono put Saronia down and focus on the law enforcer.

"Fine then"

Kuroko teleported mid-flight, above Maidono. As she was reaching for the girl, she was hit by a trashcan, which altered her trajectory. Vanishing and reappearing once again, she had to once again jump when the parked car was lounged onto her.

Slowly teleporting between locations, she managed to appear behind Maidono, surprising her. This time, she managed to touch her, causing another level 4 to be teleported upside down, and crying in pain after hitting the ground.

Kuroko wasted no time, pinning Maidono to the ground with her spikes.

Small stream of blood was trickling down the head of the girl wearing a blond wig.

"Well, sorry about that." Kuroko said genuinely" But you seemed a bit off, so I had to do what I could. You have the right to remain-"

There was a sound of reaping of both skin and material. Kuroko jumped back in shock.

"I pinned you by the skin... why do you move?"

Kuroko was formidable and incredibly agile fighter. But here, going by her code, she fought to subdue.

While Maidono, pushed to extreme by bottled up negative feelings, fought to defeat. Not kill, but hurt.

The look in the latter's eyes only now told Kuroko that something snapped. She crossed her arms with index fingers extended.

"Playtime is over"

The two entire walls of the buildings at both sides of the road suddenly closed at both of Kuroko's sides.

She barely managed to teleport away, as the rumble and crashing of metal and stone filled the street. As she reappeared, some distance from the place of impact, Kuroko felt her eyes water from the dust and she coughed, trying to get a hold on her surroundings.

Suddenly, the ground rumbled.

And then dozens of meters of asphalt ruptured and shot out into the sky, fliing the air with fragments of rocks and powder.

Kuroko tried her best to run or assess the direction in the clouds of smoke and dust, but didn't manage to run far.

A voice spoke behind her.

"That's the problem with you contact types. You lack range, and with teleportation, there is another risk. When I fill your entire range with fragments of debris, you can't risk teleporting into something, right?"

With that, Maidono emerged from the dust cloud, reached forward, and flipped Kuroko over her shoulder, slamming the lighter girl into the ground.

A wheezing grunt was heard as Kuroko had wind knocked out of her. She reached for her strap, but it was ripped and shot into Maidono's hand, the spikes raining on Kuroko with high speeds. The telporter vanished and managed to avoid all of them via impressive display of manoeuvrability. Now that the downpour of asphalt ended, she could move onto the offensive.

Or so she thought.

When Kuroko saw Maidono pointing towards the remaining strap on her leg, she prepared herself to move herself once again, expecting her strap to be ripped off. That way, she could touch at least some of the scattering spikes and pin Maidono again.

But the opposite happened.

Firstly, her leg tingled, as if her thigh was itching under the strap

And then, instead of being ripped away, the strap contracted around her thigh.

Profound pain shot up her leg when the strap turned into tourniquet, sinking deeper into flesh and disturbing the flow of blood, making her leg feel numb only after a moment.

"AAAAAH!"

She tried to teleport away, but the pain messed her calculations enough to enable her effectively closing the distance.

The pressure applied on the black strap was enormous.

But just when Kuroko felt that if it goes on, the material will go straight through her leg and take it off, she heard something landing behind her.

All of the sudden, all the projectiles in Maidono's telekinetic grasp fell to the ground, stunning the girl.

"What-"

"Buoyancy is essential to flight" Awatsuki Maaya spoke with raised hands" It's only for a short while, it won't last long against someone as powerful as you. But as long as I am here, nothing should be able to lift into the air, as Float Dial is ultimate anti-telekinesis ability"

Meanwhile, Shirai Kuroko fell into someone's arms and felt right hand touching the strap. With the sound of shattering glass, the material loosened, and she gasped in relief.

She already know who was it, but still took effort to look at him.

Kamijou Touma smiled at her and brushed the dust off her head.

"It's alright now. There is no need for this to continue"

He spoke it loud enough for both the girls involved to hear it.

Maidono was frozen in place, with wide eyes filled with tears. She looked at her hands, as if she saw them for a first time in a long while.

"W-What have I..."

Touma gently put Kuroko down, leaving her in Awatsuki, and started walking towards Maidono.

"Hoshimi, what's going on?" he asked.

Maidono opened her lips.

"I..."

All feelings regarding last day, the stress of acting like her dark side self again, disappearance of both Hasako and Touma, which she presumed was for good, and overwhelming sadness and fury hit her all at the same time.

"I... I don't..."

Her body started to shake, and all of the sudden, as wrath turned into sorrow, she burst into tears, streams of wetness flowing down her cheeks, and drenching her clothes.

"I DON'T KNOW!"

Her blond wig fell down, and the miserable, sobbing girl was now sporting her natural dark bobcut with lighter ends.

"I-I don't know why I did this... I-I am so sorry. I know that you must be really disappointed, because I ruined everything I worked on, and I am no better than I was then. I hurt someone in anger, I was just... so mad and hollow after feeling that you two just poofed out of the sky into nothingness. I wanted to cry, and scream, and die, and fight everything all at once. I wanted revenge, I wanted to find someone to blame, or I thought I will go insane. And when things didn't go my way, and Shirai-san interfered, I kind of lost it. I am so... so ashamed..."

Touma's steps quickened.

"So I think it's best if you just strike me down and let me rot in jail, as I used to... I don't deserve you, and..."

Touma hugged her, pulling her head to his chest.

"I am not disappointed, I was worried about you. Sure, I didn't expect your emotions to lash out so much, but gods know how I would react if people closest to me were supposedly killed with me watching, even from afar. It had to be hard on you"

"I thought..." Maidono mumbled mid-sobs" it was all over... our amazing days together... I was so worried... I still am... Hasacchi... even if she is alive, she is gods know where... and I couldn't do anything for either of you. I am so powerful, yet I felt I couldn't save two people I love the most. I can lift so much, but I fell so deep after one simple event..."

"I remember" Touma whispered back" You said once that your family doesn't really talk to you, I won't pry why. You killed your only friend, and everyone turned away after you were deemed a freak. Even if you are so happy go lucky, even if you are so optimistic, you treasure connection with us so much that you almost totally broke inside once it appeared to snap all of the sudden"

"I... know you said that I shouldn't follow anybody and be my own boss..."

"That's different. Following someone out of fear or due to the need to handle dark emotions is one thing, but you are with me and Hasako because you care for us more than about anyone else. If that's the case, I will be more than honoured to have you by my side"

Maidono looked at him with new portions of tears in her eyes.

"Even if I don't deserve it... I love you"

Touma smiled and put a hand on her head, which she rested on his shoulder.

"I know. Truth be told, I knew that you deserve love even on that day when we first met. I just needed to punch you on the right way to get it"

They stood there for a moment, relishing in the other being alive.

In the meantime, rather frazzled Kongou Mitsuko arrived.

"Have no fear, the great Kongou Mitsuko is..."

she paused, eyeing the mess on the street.

"... late, apparently" she finished" But you really should have taken me along!"

Minutes earlier, Touma and Awatsuki reacted instincitively, with bouyancy controller leaping into the air while carrying Touma, forcing Kongou to chase after them.

Touma understood why 'jump' of Awatsuki was enough to save him from falling. The leaps were more like flying, and if he didn't know that they were on Earth, he could have sworn they moved to a planet with lesser gravity.

Awatsuki smiled apologetically.

"I am terribly sorry for that Kongou-san" she then turned to Touma" Touma-san, is the situation handled? Can I deactivate the increased buoyancy field? It's the greatest feat I am capable of, and it's rather draining"

"O-Oh, right. Thank you Maaya-san, for precaution"

Touma addressed Maidono again

"We still need to have a serious talk about all of this later on. Also, you still need to bow as deeply as you can to Shirai-san and apologize. She misinterpreted the situation, but the fight was uncalled for"

"I am conscious and breathing," Kuroko muttered. She tried to stand but her leg was still asleep, and she tumbled back to the ground

"Y-Yes, of course, I will do that." Maidono moved closer to Kuroko and made a bow to earth" I... got a little too far. I... I am sorry for that"

Kuroko groaned, her face sour.

"If Kamijou-san is involved, it's obvious the case is not as easy as it seems" she said, rubbing her temple" If someone would be so kind as to enlighten me to what is happening?"

"A long story"

"Shorten it then"

"Very long story"

"She kind of had the point to become interested in me, because..." Maidono reached behind herself.

A moment later, Saronia appeared, still wrapped in metal railings.

"Saronia? You had her the whole time?"

"Well, hello there. Thanks for saving me from squashing" Saronia said, her face covered in sweat.

"Yes. I was hoping that she will lead me to Vasilisa, which will give me a clue how to help Hasako"

"Vasilisa? We are going to her now, but I doubt she would know about Hasako..."

"So what can we do?"

"We will figure something ou-"

FOOOM! POP!

In one moment, there was nothing in the air.

In the next, a girl materialized there and fell on top of them.

"Ow, ow, ow..." Hasako muttered, before realizing on whom she landed." Oh no!"

She quickly got up, and waved her hands

"I am sorry. I thought 'to people I care for the most' but I didn't think it will be that literal..."

Touma and Maidono were looking at her as if she was a suddenly summoned ghost or a god who manifested among mortals.

"Y-You are probably mad..." Hasako looked down to the ground" I couldn't really give a sign because I kind of left this Earth... oh, you will never guess who I met-"

In the next second, she was almost knocked off her feet with how quickly she was embraced into a double hug.

Maidono, who just now calmed herself down, started to cry again, even if in a less frantic way.

"Where have you been? I was so worried for you... I am so glad you are alive... you silly, naive, wonderful woman, you will be the death of me... we are so happy that you are back..."

Touma was also hugging Hasako with trembling arms, emotions spilling outside, as he too was preoccupied with Beginning Child's whereabouts. The relief that she was safe and in their arms was almost heavenly.

He had many things to say. So did Maidono. But for now, he just said

"Welcome home, Hasako"

Hasako's throat locked up. Her lip quivered, and tears threatened to flow down her delicate face, mixing with Maidono's.

The feeling of warmth and bliss, the love for two people in front of her was overwhelming, equal only to love she was receiving from them. She closed her eyes and reciprocated the hug with all of her being.

"Yes..." she choked out, smiling gently" I am home"

(LATER...)

Explanations were made, some more, some less detailed. And there were lot of apologies going around.

There was no time for much talking, but Kuroko knew now that there is a complicated situation involving foreign guests in Academy City, the fact that Hasako was missing for some time, that Takitsubo Rikou was sick, and that Touma and others were trying to resolve the conflict.

Hasako briefly recounted her experiences ever since she scattered Touma's Imagine Breaker. Touma assured her that she had nothing to apologize for, although the hard part about telling her of the Labyrinth Of All Fates remained. However, Touma did not want to burden Hasako more at the moment.

He expressed amazement at Hasako's arrival at New World, and interest at the mention of Proserpina. The only time he heard about that Magic Goddess was during the incidient with Kihara Yuiitsu. It was intriguing how she acted in person.

Maidono also told of her chase after Saronia, their confrontation, and witnessing the moment of scattering, in which both Touma and Hasako seemed to vanish.

Hasako was looking at Saronia for a very, very, very long time.

The slavic magician didn't look particularly apologetic, but at the same time, she couldn't look Hasako in the eyes and her lip was bit.

"If am going home..." Hasako said finally" She is coming with me"

"What?!" Maidono turned to look at her" I can't leave you alone with her!"

"Hoshimi, with all the respect, I am just as powerful as you, probably much more" Hasako replied smoothly" I can take care of myself. I have to go back, so why not use this opportunity to have a talk we all know we must have"

Saronia looked up slightly, for the first time crossing gaze with Hasako.

"I know, but..." Maidono hesitated.

Hasako felt as if her body was heavy and tired. With Maidono's insistence, she agreed to retreat, but wanted to take Saronia with her, and have a talk with the girl who betrayed her trust.

Touma put a hand on Maidono's shoulder.

"I think they should go together. What happens with Saronia should be in Hasako's hands. And for that to be determined, they need a good conversation. Don't worry, she won't by disappearing again"

Maidono sighed and looked at Hasako

"Promise?"

"Of course. I don't want to be far from you two for a long time" Hasako smiled sweetly.

"But who will take them?"

"Shirai... I wanted to ask you to this"

"Me? But I should go with you, Judgement should-"

"Please. They need to be moved so all of you can recover. Besides, once you regain strength, I want you to check on Misaka"

"Onee-sama?" Kuroko straightened herself" Something happened?"

"During meeting earlier, she stormed off and we haven't see her since. I want to make sure she is alright."

Kuroko slowly nodded.

"It is good to see that onee-sama's well-being is a priority for you, as it should be. Very well, Shirai Kuroko will handle this!"

"Thank you..."

"D-Don't look at me with those thankful eyes. A-And you, Kongou Mitsuko!" Kuroko pointed at Aero Hand" You are to have an eye on him. He can be a primate at times, but his heart is in a good place"

Kongou rose her chin, assuming haughty look

"Shirai-san, don't insult my intelligence. It's as obvious as day that what you ask of me is already natural duty of wife-to-be for a husband-to-be. So I am well ahead of you"

Kuroko pursed her lips.

"Hmph. Take care then" she said awkwardly to Touma" and thank you for helping resolve this fight. How many times I have to land in your arms?"

"As many as it takes if you are in danger?" Touma shrugged with a smile.

Kuroko snorted and shook her head.

"Good grief... can you let her go of that bindings, Maidono-san? I won't be able to move both of them while also dragging this steel around"

Maidono looked at Touma, who nodded, and made a parting motion with both of her index fingers.

Steel rails expanded and broke apart. Saronia groaned and stretched, before Kuroko put a hand on her shoulder.

"Try anything funny and I am sending my spikes through your joints. Be warned"

"A-Are all espers so eager for violence?"

"Will be off, everyone. We shall see each other soon?"

And with that, Hasako, Kuroko, and Saronia flickered in and out of existence, before disappearing completely beyond the street corner.

"What now?" Maidono asked" I am totally going with you. Just like Hamazura-san, I need to have justice for what she did for Hasako"

"THERE YOU ARE!"

Speaking of Hamazura, he and Kaibi came out from the alley behind the group and skidded to the stop on their motorcycle.

"What happened? We lost sight of you all of the sudden and you didn't reappear for a long time" Kaibi inquired.

"We started looking around for you" Hamazura added.

Touma roughly described losing control of the brakes, meeting Awatsuki Maaya and stopping the fight between Maidono Hoshimi and Shirai Kuroko.

"Boss, we just left you for a short moment... your misfortune mojo is incredible as always" Hamazura shook his head in disbelief.

"Well, now that we are together again, we can move and finish this" Kaibi concluded

"But how are we going to move? Our motorcycle is in pieces" Touma noted

"My jumping services are for Kamijou-san alone" Awatsuki asserted." Well, maybe if Kongou and Wannai-san, if she as here would like to join, I could try..."

"There is no need" Kaibi smirked resolutely" You are not the only ones who had the encounter on the way"

Hamazura put fingers into his mouth and whisteled loudly.

Then, a roar of engine was her.

"They could have come with us, but, well..." Kaibi rolled her eyes" They said they wanted to have a 'dramatic entrance' as they put it"

The sound of the engine got louder and louder, until...

The jeep-like vehicle jumped from beyond the curve, took a sharp turn and drove in their directions.

Upon closer inspection, Touma smiled, and raised his fist in triumph.

There was something odd at first glance about that jeep. And he already knew what. Even if it was sturdy as steel, all of the surfaces was made from thousands of paper sheets.

"They are alright!"

The jeep came to a halt and the front door opened.

Sakuragi Naruha, in sunglasses and with a wide smile, spread her arms.

"Of course we are. Who do you take us for?"

"What happened to you?"

"That's a long story..." Yakumaru sitting on the passanger seat, replied." But the feeling is mutual. I am so, so happy to see that you are okay."

There appeared to be a slightly purple bump on over her right eye, but her beautiful face didn't lose any charm because of it, and now, upon seeing Touma, it got so enchanting that he was a step away from shielding his eyes.

"Is Calia-chan alright?" Naru asked, eyeing everyone present.

"Yes, yes, she is fine. She is with others at my place... well, my old place, not the place you know"

"Everyone, I know today is the day of long stories" Kaibi tapped her wrist" But we shouldn't waste time."

"She is right. We heard you need a ride." Yakumaru gestured to come closer" We can catch up on the way"

"Yes! EVERYONE, INTO THE PAPERMOBIL!"

Everyone looked at Naru, who cringed slightly.

"Yeah, sounded a lot cooler in my head"

"I have a feeling that I forgot about something else..." Touma muttered, as they got into the paper jeep.

(MEANWHILE)

Kumokawa Maria made another round around the District.

"WHERE ARE EVERYBODY?! It's as if they sunk into the ground... but the perfect maid does not give up easily. FOR MY MASTER!"

The yellow and black girl charged with renewed energy, searching for people that were already recovered by Nephthys and Niang-Niang

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

And so, the stage of confrontation was almost set.

With a few additional details to include.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"He was... he truly was so..." Mitsuari Ayu stammered while beet red. "He is gonna look... oh my... oh my, oh my..."

"What the hell is wrong with her?" Bayloupe asked" She is like this ever since she woke up"

"Apparently, she tried to look through memories of all that suffering, but managed to retain only the... how did he call it... in between periods" Lancis explained.

"The ones in which Lover Boy was all... scrumptious?" Lessar asked, her eyes widening.

"Emm... you can say that" Lancis slowly replied" So we asked Misaki to help. She got Ayu to share those memories, and now she is... well..."

"Mmmm... yes... mhm... yes..."

Mental Out was swaying slightly, as if she was drunk. With one hand, she was holding her chest, the other was tracing the edges of her slightly parted lips.

"Did her...did her eyes turn into hearts?"

"THEY SAW SUPER SEXY ADULT LOVER BOY! UGGGGH!I WANT TO READ MINDS TOO!" Lessar wailed, rolling on the floor.

"It's a blessing for humanity that you don't" Birdway said, sipping tea.

"Don't act like you are uninterested. You keep looking at them, and I know that you are turning away to hide how excited you are"

Innocent Hokaze Junko, sitting between two rather... eager level 5s, tilted her head cutely

"I wonder what is the reason that got everyone so worked up"

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Meanwhile, in the mental ward at Certain Hospital, there was a break out of two patients.

It would be manageable if those were completely normal patients.

But it was far from that. As the doctors and nurses ran amok.

One was a girl with a short hair, wearing a headband.

The other was a young red haired woman who was in fact much younger than she appeared.

"They are holding me? Please! I was staying to see if there is anything interesting in here, and because he was visiting me. He gave crybaby lots of joy so I dealt with it, but now it's time to check out the outside"

"Is it really the right thing to do?" the readhead asked timidly.

The girl in a headband was Sukemi Rin, Kamijou Touma's classmate and forgotten childhood friend, who recently got involved in plans of Kamijou No Touma, due to which her personality was split in two completely different selves: the gentle and shy Sukemi Rin, which was dominant personality, as well as violent and chaos-loving Shadow Rin, or simply Sharin. After Kamijou No Touma's departure to another phase, she was treated in the hospital after school to stabilize her condition. She wielded the ability allowing her to manipulate the property of sharpness of everything she touched, including herself and other objects.

Woman next to her used to be known as Nouzori Satsuki, or under her guise, Veritas. She was an alexythimic, emotion-ignorant prodigy dreaming of reaching the objective truth, with the ability that allowed her to manipulate brain matter in various ways. After intense fight, Kamijou Touma wiped her memories, resulting in her life starting anew.

"Come on, you must be curious what happened when that quake occurred, right? If I have to guess it has something to do with... him"

Sharin licked her small lips.

"Who?"

"My other selves sweetheart. The one who bested my master"

"I think I'd rather stay inside-" Satsuki tried to flee, but Sharin stepped on her foot.

"Too bad, I liked messing with you, so you are coming with me"

Moments later, a hand pierced through a door. Even though it was reinforced still, the door cut through it as if it was just butter.

"Oh, it will be so much fun"

"My favourite anime is on right now... what did I do to deserve this?"

(AND SO...)

The various parties, no matter where they were, thought about this single point of convergence.

About that single woman, sitting in the empty building, surrounded by mannequins, mirrors, and dresses, looking as if she too turned into an object for display.

And yet, when the jeep and motorcycle stopped outside, Vasilisa the Beautiful opened her eyes and her face was graced by saddest of smiles.

"Finally... the time of truth is high"

(TO BE CONTINUED)

And once again, we are the bottom. What a journey! This chapter subverted the composition of 'battle exposition to allies'. I thought it was important for Touma to get moment of sincerity if in front of some people close to him before confronting Vasilisa. I imagined it will bring new quality to his relationships. Of course, this chapter was also a big love letter to the personality and psychological progression of Kankyougami Hasako, which in my opinion has (even in Toaru's main canon of Beginning Child, since I only added some details to her trauma, most is totally plausible in canon) one of the most complex traumatic experiences, as well as touching and emotionally intense way of conquering it.

I always imagine that despite her usage of arctic environment, Hasako has (more or less hidden) pagophobia, fear of ice and freezing onself, due to what Aleister did to her. This chapter presents events that are partially parallel to Labyrinth of All Fates and deconstruct Hasako's emotions and insecurities, as well as her triumph over them through presence of Touma, Maidono, and others in her new life, at fundamental level.

Her saviour and mentor is Magic Goddess Proserpina. Why her? For one thing, the connection to ice was obvious lead, since Proserpina wields such magic. Secondly, there are many more or less subtle connections between Hasako and Proserpina, mentioned in this chapter (such as broken family, powerful nature abilities, connections to flowers, and of course ice). Of course, it is also due to the fact that Proserpina is criminally unexplored and thus I took it upon myself to read about her, flesh her out, and give her justice she deserves.

There is also a theme of new family for Hasako, with Touma being her lover, Maidono being soul sister/best friend, Kaibi, Rikuri, Amazora, as well as Seria being like sisters with varying degrees of closeness, Ayu being her benefactor, and Aleister being her father figure (a deadbeat father she hates but still a father figure). I felt that after losing her biological mother and smashing a chance of reconciliation to pieces, Hasako subconsciously wants mother figure. So I wanted to try with the idea of Proserpina and Hasako having a mother-daughter relationship while both being a bit clumsy and aloof about it, since they are out of practice in that sort of thing, yet they are still trying nonetheless, because they missed such a bond for their own reasons.

As for the side of Touma, we have a lots, lots of characters in this one.

1. Writing the emotional side of Nephthys is always such a fun to write, and her chemistry with Touma is one of the things I am most content with over time.

2.I think I am accidentally turning all Annihilatus girls into a violent tsunderes (yes, I am kind of looking at you, Alya)

3. Kanzaki de facto gets her confession, and getting closer to Touma than ever in this story.

4. Itsuwa is about to create something amazing and will not be ignored for much longer (you will see in the future chapters for sure ;)

5. Lessar and New Light get some appreciation, I love how dynamic and quirky all four of them are together and how each bounces off Touma in completely different way (onee-san vibe, the seductress, the charming romantic, and the apprehensive hater-to-lover). They just deserve the very best the writing abilities can offer.

6. Birdway is snarky and will have awesome daughters. There is also something bigger for Birdway family in general in the future storyline, so stay alert for the news.

7. We have a confrontation with Mugino (I love the interaction in which they go back and forth, not backing down, which only makes them more attracted to each other),

8. Kongou x Touma shipping fuel (aside from Gokusai sisters and Mugino, Kamitsuko is such a lovely couple for me and such a guilty pleasure ship, I just can't help but gush over it, I am sorry. I just love how similar yet different they are, and how potentially wholesome, even if not problem-free, their relationship might be)

9. Awatsuki appearence (to explain why Wannai isn't in this chapter, I like to say that why I absolutely adore Wannai and I tried to reflect it by giving her spotlight on her own in some places, I think it is safe to say that Awatsuki is overshadowed by both Kongou and Wannai, and I thought she needed to have a moment of her own. A big issue some people have with Wannai and Awatsuki is that they feel more like one character in two bodies than two distinct characters. So I wanted to give Awatsuki some space. That is not to say I don't like them together. On the contrary, I like it to the point I think they will go after Touma together.

10. On the side note, I also wish to remark on Mikoto and Maidono. Their behaviour may raise eyebrows at places. Mikoto running away? That's not like her... well, sort of. I am trying to make her character evolve, to introduce something new, that would still be derived from progression of what would happen if she started to confront her feelings genuinely in the canon series. She started to do this in Painted Prison Chronicles and running away now is the sign of that change. Normally, she would lash out and attack, but newfound emotional maturity forces her to take a step back, and reflect, before eventually lashing out. Similarly, some may think Maidono is a bit of a jerk in this chapter. Well, she is specifically written to show her huge distress, mental burden, and how badly she reacts to the prospect of both Touma and Hasako being dead. It's not outright malice, but rather deep, unprocessed grief that causes her to be reckless and short-fused. This emotion of sadness is only properly expressed once Touma arrives.

11. And speaking of Maidono, I hope her battle with Kuroko is not that farfetched. Neither of them truly went for the kill, but I think Maidono would have the chance to defeat Kuroko without resulting to skyscraper throwing, if she had few tricks that Kuroko didn't know about. Also, strap constricting around Kuroko's leg hurt even me when I writing it.

As a slightly more obscure part of Maidono's writing trivia, I am absolute fan of her levitating massive structures (because it's such a badass thing to do) and I have one particular song that I get myself into the mood for her telekinesis scenes. Try playing Sabaton's Dreadnought, Symphonic Version, at 2:42 time, and imagine her levitating skyscrapers to that music. Personally, I have chills.

12. Ladylee Tangleroad continues to have a mysterious and not fully clear destiny, with her and Touma circling the subject without full certainty on either side. I immensely enjoy Touma's relationship with Ladylee because they are both old and young, in reality and in appearances, and this is that sort of intellectual, praised-filled flirting that creates top notch banters and irony. I said it before, this is one of the more imporant relationships for the future parts of the story, so stay put with what will happen.

13. There are many things to uncover, as Niang-Niang pointed out. Hokaze Junko being her favourite (one of the few) and how it connects to her relationships with Touma and Gunha. In addition, Hyouka's curse, prophecy of Touma's children destiny, and Frenda's adventures in her new life, to name only a few things.

14. There are some great things that await Helcalia in the future. I hope you are alright with my utilization of her, I am very determined to turn her into likeable, fleshed out heroine. I just love her potential and design so much.

15. Hasako's remarks on the phases of ice hint to one of the sources for inspiration for the chapter, others being the concept art of One Piece's Punk Hazard and the poem at the beginning of the chapter.

16. And what might Rin and (formerly) Veritas do together? Hmmm...

As for the final remarks, that's it for now. Thank you for reading, be sure to comment and leave your experiences. See you next time, you are incredible.