Touma fully expected his brain to kick into full gear at night. But the moment his head touched the pillow it just shut down. All the nerve-wreaking tribulations of the day must've exhausted him more than he thought. No tossing, no worries about the gift and the bet. He didn't even have any dreams.

And in the morning he got up just a few minutes before the alarm, feeling well-rested and fresh. If only every day started like that… Then again, he would be constantly on edge, expecting his misfortune to build up to something catastrophic. Even now he was on guard. It was a special day, after all. Something was bound to go wrong. But no, there were no issues during breakfast or on the way to school.

Which made him even more suspicious.

Maybe because he was so alert he could pick up on this change. Like there was something in the air. A mix of awkwardness and excitement, with a pinch of anticipation. It felt a little electric, jittery. Many boys he saw in the street were kinda absent-minded, wearing this silly grin that made girls whisper among themselves and giggle. But none of the boys seemed to notice; they were about to reciprocate the feelings they had received with the chocolate a month ago. They were simply happy.

Touma was frankly jealous of their serenity, that confidence. Clearly, no one had to stress over guessing what kind of chocolate they had gotten. No one else had been as troublesome as Misaka Mikoto. She was one of a kind – and so was her chocolate. And he was the only one who got it.

He thought it over for a moment and mumbled, "Huh". Then the very same silly smile split his face.

At the school, the excitement was stronger, denser. There was more giggling and teasing. Though not everyone shared this merry mood. Particularly, Aogami. He grinded his teeth and cried bloody tears, wishing misfortune on every lucky boy's head.

Somehow Touma avoided the curses. Even when he gave Fukiyose the white chocolate bar right before Aogami's eyes, the blue-haired clown just grumbled "bastard" without much malice. Perhaps, because Touma didn't show any signs of happiness. After all, the girl that could actually give him jitters was elsewhere. More so, what awaited him wasn't a simple reciprocation but rather a confrontation. As well as a gamble. Only he still wasn't quite sure how to feel about the prize. Should he turn out right… what then?

Was this how girls felt on Valentine's? Poor things…

As the day was going by, the time dragged on and on. The classes were taking forever to end and his mind would trail off to Mikoto. Trying to guess her reaction to the gift – and his answer to the bet. That was when the jitters started kicking in and he would tap his foot on the floor. He dreaded meeting her, but honestly he really wanted to be done with this. He even skipped lunch as his stomach was all in knots.

Once the last bell rang, he stormed out of the classroom, almost forgetting to change his shoes before leaving the school. Hurry, hurry, his thoughts hummed to the beat of his heart. He only stopped briefly at the hospital to give Little Misaka the return gift. The rush probably made him look bad, though he had picked the gift carefully. It was a hairpin with a black cat. He had thought she would want something new instead of the plain one all Sisters wore.

There wasn't much emotion in her voice as she thanked him but he caught a glimpse of a smile. A tiny one, yes. But it was a happy smile, he was sure.

After that, Touma rushed straight home. He would hop over a step or two as he ran up the stairs, not even waiting for the elevator. Suffice to say, he was a little out of breath when he flew into his dorm room.

Both Index and Othinus awaited him there.

"Easy now, human. You don't want to collapse before the most crucial moment," Othinus said in a strict voice from the fridge. A needle in her hand, she looked like a guard on duty.

Lunging through the room, Index wailed. "Touma, get your sweets out already! I haven't eaten since breakfast because she wouldn't let me open the fridge!"

"I have been merely protecting his effort from going to waste. Your gluttonous nature is well known!"

"But I promised not to touch it! Am I supposed to starve to death now?!"

Othinus scoffed. "No one is stopping you from going out. Although you don't have any money… Well, might as well beg on the street for some change. You habit people should be used to it."

"Grr… Sphynx, get her!"

But the calico cat didn't even move from his spot, busking in the sun.

"Alright, enough with the comedy," Touma mumbled getting to the fridge.

Othinus jumped down on his shoulder, as he opened it and took the plate out. Nothing seemed to go bad or get damaged while he had been in school. Not like that was possible but with his misfortune you could never know…

Slowly, Touma put everything into a paper bag, then sighed. It was time. His fingers trembled slightly as he made the call. For a few long moments he waited, his mouth getting drier with every beep. Then, at last, it went through.

At the café by the park, four girls sat at a table. Chairs moved close to each other, they were looking through the pictures Mikoto had on her phone.

"Kongo-san made me take most of these," she nagged somewhat affectionately.

There were pictures from inside a huge mall that looked like a city of its own, with lots of big digital screens, streets full of shops, a pool, even a few shots of lush nature. And on most was Kongo Mitsuko, with her hand fan and a big dignified smile.

Ruiko and Uiharu were leaning in, eyes sparkling at every picture.

"You walked around a lot," Uiharu noted.

"I thought they would keep you in the hotel," Ruiko said. "Since the last time, you know…"

Mikoto scoffed. "That's exactly how "last time" happened… Thankfully, Kongo-san's dad pulled some strings and we were given tours with a guide and some security. Babysitters, really. I wanted to ditch them and roam on my own but it didn't feel right to leave Kongo-san behind."

Kuroko paid little attention. Clinging to Mikoto's arm, she was quiet and surprisingly docile.

"So, if you had time for sightseeing… there was no trouble, right?" Ruiko asked.

"Why is everyone so sure there would be? I don't get roped into stuff… often," Mikoto grumbled.

"I'm only making sure you aren't holding back on a fun story."

"I wouldn't call getting into trouble fun… But no, the trip was pretty uneventful. And I am very glad about that. Missing the White Day would suck."

At those words, Kuroko's grip grew a bit stronger.

"Hey, ease up! My arm will go numb like this," Mikoto said and gave her a light nudge. When nothing changed, she tried to pull the arm out.

"Five more minutes. You've been away for so long I need to recharge," Kuroko pleaded.

"It's been only two days…"

"Besides, this is my reward for teleporting you all over the school so that you could deliver your return gifts."

"I thought it would only be for a few minutes! Not that you'd hang on my arm for the whole day…"

"You are saying it like that would be a bad thing."

The two kept going back and forth, with Ruiko and Uiharu chuckling at their exchanges.

Then Mikoto's phone went off, and a certain name appeared on the screen. Her cheeks flushed, panic flickering in the eyes. Ruiko grinned with a pride of someone watching their hard work paying off, while Uiharu blinked in confusion.

With a short sigh, Kuroko let go of Mikoto. This is it, she thought as her chest tightened.

Mikoto struggled with her phone, picking it up only to drop it back on the table. After the second failed attempt, Ruiko took it herself and put it to Mikoto's ear, answering the call.

"H-hi," Mikoto mumbled. "N-no, it's ok. I'm… I'm free right now… No, that's perfect. I'll meet you there… Ok…"

Once the call ended, she deflated in her chair, as if that short conversation had taken all of her physical and mental strength. Kuroko and Ruiko had to support her or else she could've slid off onto the floor.

"Onee-sama…"

"I'm good… I just need…"

With a bit of effort, Mikoto put more sugar in her tea and emptied the cup in one go. Her body shuddered, there was even a faint sound of electricity crackling, though no one saw any sparks. But when she stood up, she looked firm and determined.

"I need to go and meet… someone. Could you wait for me here? It shouldn't take long," she said in a rigid voice.

"Sure," Ruiko answered for everyone.

"Thanks."

However, Mikoto kept on standing there. No sign of the flush now, and growing paler by the second.

"Err, Misaka-san?" Ruiko called a little concerned.

There was no response.

Uiharu leaned to Ruiko's ear. "What's going on?"

"Misaka-san is about to get a return gift from Kamijou-san," Ruiko answered plainly.

"Eh?! But that means…"

"Yep!"

"Wait, why are you so loud? Shirai-san is right here!"

"Oh, it's alright. She is cool with it. She even helped… somehow."

"Then why does she look like she wants to kill someone?"

Indeed, Kuroko's face was dark and a little scary as she was wishing all sorts of misfortune on a certain boy. As well as scolding herself for ever getting involved.

"Onee-sama, if you don't want to go..." she said hopeful.

Yet knowing all too well it was a fool's hope.

Mikoto snapped out of her trance to give Kuroko a surprised look. "I do… I do… I just need… a moment…"

Only the moment quickly turned into a whole minute and then some, without any change.

At last, Kuroko breathed out a sigh of acceptance. I really have to do everything for these two… If God exists, he must hate me…

She stood up and took Mikoto's arm, this time with a whole different, unpleasant intention. "Where is… this meeting of yours taking place, Onee-sama? I'll take you there."

Everyone stared at her like she was mad, but then Ruiko cheered and grabbed Mikoto from the other side.

"I am joining too!" she said with a cheeky smirk. "Don't worry, Misaka-san, we understand you are having jitters. Let us escort you to your date."

Uiharu jumped up from her chair. "You already left me out of the most of it. I wanna see how it ends, at least."

"Hey, this is not a show!" Mikoto protested. "And let me go! I can get there on my own."

Ruiko looked her in the eye. "Can you really?"

She struggled a bit more, then gave up with a sigh. "Alright, have it your way… It's in the park, by a vending machine…"

People watched with curious or confused eyes as their little procession left the café. Ruiko was the most enthusiastic, while the actual girl that she should've been all smiles and blushes appeared to be petrified. Poor Uiharu kept apologizing to everyone for interrupting their meal.

As for Kuroko… she was regretting it every step of the way.

Touma stared at the bag with his gift. The meeting was set and now… His stomach was break-dancing at the thought of taking it outside. Mikoto's chocolates were still fresh in his mind – sweet, delicious and broken.

"Perhaps, I should've bought a steel box or something," he mumbled.

"Too late to worry about that, human," Othinus said from his shoulder. "Rather, hurry and go already, before the grimoire library loses control."

By his side, Index was eyeing the bag, all but drooling. But at Othinus's words she shook her head hard and turned away.

"Oh, Lord, give me strength to endure this temptation," she whispered holding her hands together.

"And what happened to all that high talk about keeping your promise?" Othinus mocked.

"I was fine while it was in the fridge…"

"So, it was the right call to keep you away, huh?"

Index glared at tiny figure.

Touma grabbed the bag and held it close to his chest. Although, if Index gets really hungry, she would bite off his whole hand together with the sweets.

"A-alright, I'm going! Index, you stay here and…"

"No, no, I'm coming with you, Touma. Someone has to keep you on track."

"Oh?" Othinus crossed her legs and looked down on Index. "So, a nun that would get distracted by a food stall thinks she can do a better job than a god?"

"Better than an ex-god that can get trampled by a kitten. Right, Sphynx?"

"Meow!" supplied the calico cat from the counter, one leap away from his pray.

Othinus flinched but quickly composed herself.

"Want to get another thrashing, beast? Be sure, this time I won't let you win!" she scoffed.

All while shuffling across the boy's shoulder, inch by inch.

"Let's go already, human," she urged bumping into his ear.

Touma sighed heavily, turned to the door – and froze. Doubts muddied the clarity he had worked so hard to achieve. The courage to say those words, to even suggest that possibility out loud cowered in some unreachable depth.

"Human?" Othinus called.

"I-it's nothing," he said.

But his feet wouldn't move, as if rooted to the floor.

Index and Othinus sighed in perfect unison, then exchanged a glance and nodded.

"Hm, seems like someone is losing control," Othinus said matter-of-factly.

"Eh? What?" Touma looked from one to the other.

Staring at the bag in his hands, Index grinned. "Hey, Touma, I'm feeling kind of hungry… If you aren't giving those to Short Hair…"

"W-wait… wait! These are off-lim…"

Snap – Index bit the air an inch away from his hand.

"Stop! I'll bring you chocolate pudding when I get…"

Snap!

"…Anything! I'll give anything… you want! A whole cake! Just…"

Snap! Snap!

"Dammit, give me… a moment! I need to… put… my shoes… on!"

Snap! Snap! Snap!

Touma kept darting around the room dodging Index's teeth. No words seemed to be getting to her; all she saw was the bag with sweets.

"She lost all reason, human!" Othinus shouted dramatically. "Ru… eek!"

The 15 centimeter ex-god yelped clinging to the boy's shoulder as he dashed for the door. The beast that used to be a cute little nun growled behind him.

What is she, a lion?! I don't want to be torn apart like some lamb in savanna!

The shouting, teeth-snapping madness spilled outside.

Even after being transported to the place, Mikoto still didn't move much. She would fiddle with her fingers and bite her lip, but for the most part she stood perfectly still beside the vending machine, looking into the distance. Whatever thoughts swarmed in her head, they weren't happy.

Kuroko and the others were a few steps away and seeing that tense gloomy face, she wasn't sure anymore this was such a good idea.

"She looks like she'd have run away if she could move," Ruiko said quietly.

"Not the kind of mood you'd expect from a White Day gift," Uiharu added, echoing Kuroko's thoughts.

Was she wrong about the boy? Had there been some kind of foul play after all? A glimmer of hope sparked up in her heart. Oh, he would get a good thrashing…

Ruiko put her hand over her eyes and squinted. "I think I see Kamijou-san."

And indeed, there he was, running straight to them, to Mikoto.

"Somebody is in a hurry. A head-on assault? That's the spirit! Spring is the time of romance!"

"Err, he looks more afraid than in love, Saten-san," Uiharu noted.

With that kind of face, you would think a monster was chasing after him. But no, there was only a beaming nun.

Mikoto made a noise – something like a cough or a yelp. Sparks flared around her head getting brighter. Waving her hands frantically, she blabbered out, "Stop, stop! Time out! I can't do this!"

A lightning spear shot from her bangs – so intense it blinded her friends for a moment.

Touma threw up his right hand as he hid the left one holding a paper bag behind him. The lightning hit the palm. There was a sound – like glass shattering – and then the spear of several thousand volts simply disappeared.

But while that was happening, Mikoto dashed straight to Kuroko.

"Teleport me out of here! Quick!" she begged grabbing her hands.

Kuroko did it, practically on reflex. One moment they were by the vending machine and the next they were on a rooftop of a building that was in her line of sight. Certainly out of reach for any troublesome boys.

Mikoto looked around and saw Touma and the others down below. She quickly darted behind the railing, pulling Kuroko along.

"I really did it this time…" she said and sighed heavily.

Kuroko twisted her lips. "Don't worry, Onee-sama. I'll go teach that ape a lesson and he will stop bothering you."

"Eh? No, no! He is not a bother at all…"

"Seriously, you are too kind for your own good. I will admit he has been… useful in the past, so you wanted to thank him, didn't you? But he let it get to his head and imagined this whole bet, as if you want him to figure out your feelings…"

"He did not imagine it…" came a small voice, barely audible.

Kuroko leaned closer frowning. "What?"

Mikoto hid her face in her knees and muttered, "I hoped if he backed me into a corner and asked directly… then I'd have no choice… I'd have to say it out loud…"

Kuroko opened her mouth only to close it again.

Chuckling, Mikoto continued, "And then I went and blew it. Stupid, stupid, stupid…" She hit her head against her knees. "Why did he have to run for me like that? Of course, I'd panic! My heart isn't ready… What is his answer? Did he get it right? No way… he is too dense for that. He'd probably just say "I didn't even need to think; it was friend chocolate!" Yeah… we are just friends, nothing more… But what if…"

Mikoto peaked out of the railing. Her cheeks flushed.

"What if he got it right? It shouldn't have been that hard. I left plenty of hints… But… if he did figure it out… there is no way I can confirm it. And if he got it wrong, I can't correct him. I did my best to become stronger, to get on the same stage as him. But it's been so peaceful lately. All those ridiculous monsters just stopped coming and I can't prove myself… Oh, why did I have to come up with this stupid bet?"

Hugging her knees tight, she shrunk, as if trying to disappear.

"I guess I'll just stay here. Till tomorrow… Yeah… And then I'll apologize and he'll make fun of me… and we will go back to our usual shtick. Dancing the same dance. Pretending nothing happened…"

Mikoto smiled and Kuroko's heart sank – so joyless was that smile. Seeing her precious person like that… how could she not do anything?

"Onee-sama… do you like him?"

Mikoto turned to her wide-eyed. As if only now realizing what she had been saying all this time. Her face grew beet red.

"Wait! I didn't… You misunderstood… Guh!"

She was panicking in the most adorable way, and yet there were no tingles this time. It wasn't Kuroko who made her react like that. It was him.

The guy she had been chasing after since last summer.

The guy she mumbled about drifting off to sleep with a stupidly happy grin.

Kuroko glanced down over the railing.

That guy slouching pathetically, like he was just punched in the gut.

Her whole being rebelled against an idea of Mikoto and him together. What did Mikoto even see in him? That strange power aside, he was just an ordinary boy.

And yet he could turn this fearless girl into a blushing, blubbering mess just by being there.

Kuroko smiled bitterly.

Where did all that courage go? Really, Mikoto looked like she would indeed spend the night here just to avoid Touma. To keep the status quo unchanged. And if she really wanted that, who was Kuroko to argue? In fact, as a friend, she should just take her to a much more comfortable place. Far, far away from the boy.

Yes…

She should…

As a friend…

But then, in her mind, she weighed two options. Two potentials. Two simple images.

Mikoto's sad face and Mikoto's happy face.

And the latter broke the imaginary scales, catapulting the former out of her head.

"I understand, Onee-sama," Kuroko said. "You really don't want to meet with that guy today, do you?"

Mikoto hanged her head. "There is no point now… I mean, I already blew it, so…"

"But you don't have to actually spend the day here, you know," Kuroko said with the purest of smiles and extended her hand. "I know the perfect place for you. Let's go."

"You're planning something, aren't you?" Mikoto asked, eyes narrow in suspicion.

"Haha, I would never! I simply want for you to enjoy this day."

"Well, you are always forward with your words, if anything…"

Reluctant, she took her hand, and they stood up.

Kuroko kept on smiling as she focused on their destination.

In the next moment, they were back in the park – a step away from Touma.

He jerked away. "Eh?!"

Electricity crackled in the air and Mikoto tried breaking free. Not wasting a moment, Kuroko pulled the boy close. Before he knew it, Mikoto's palm was in his hand.

"Grab it," Kuroko ordered.

Though confused, Touma obeyed.

The crackling died.

But Mikoto kept raging on.

"Let go, you idiot!" she demanded averting her eyes from him. Yanking her hand, weakly. "Or I'll… I'll…"

Touma looked from one girl to the other, bewildered.

Just when it seemed like he would let go, Kuroko said, "By all means, do – and I'll happily whisk Onee-sama away. For real this time. If whatever you want to give or tell her is so unimportant."

The boy's eyes widened, but then he pursed his lips and gripped Mikoto's hand tight.

Kuroko found herself smiling at that. She nodded to him.

"Hey, is anyone listening to me?" Mikoto grumbled.

Kuroko glanced at her and wavered. That scowl was adorable.

She quickly looked back at Touma. "Don't mind her, she is dying to know what you have to say."

"Kuroko!"

Smirking, she teleported to her friends and grabbed both by the arm. "Now, let's give these two some privacy."

"Come on, it was finally getting somewhere!" Ruiko protested.

"We are leaving," Kuroko cut off. She turned and, resisting the urge to glance at Mikoto, looked at Index instead. "Do I need to escort you as well?"

The nun shook her head and approached the two.

"No backing off now, Short Hair," she said with a small smile. "You too, Touma. Just say the words you have found."

He nodded.

Index beamed and plucked Othinus off his shoulder.

"Grimoir library, have you no fear for divine retribution? Put me back!" the ex-god demanded flailing and kicking air.

"This is not the situation requiring an understander. Or a grimoire library. We did our part, now it's up to these two."

"Grr… fine! Then, at least, carry me with respect and not like a mouse your beast caught."

"Yes, yes."

With Othinus in her palms, Index beamed at Touma one last time and walked off. But the moment he couldn't see her, that shine dimmed.

Kuroko was about to teleport when she caught it. If I look in a mirror would I see that same ghost of a smile? She wondered.

"Hey," she called out to the nun. "We'll be at the café by the east exit. Come join us there if you like."

That breathed some life into Index and her emerald eyes glinted. She clutched Othinus in her hands.

"Race you there!" she said and sprinted off.

Such a simple creature, Kuroko thought watching the white dot disappear on the horizon. And here she thought she found a kindred spirit. But it'd seem empty stomach bothered that nun more than heartache.

Kuroko sighed. Oh well. What really mattered was…

She glanced at Mikoto. The bravest person she had known was looking down, unable to utter a single word. Because of a single, plainest looking boy. Kuroko was torn between wanting to break them apart and running away.

"They are in their own little world," Ruiko whispered in her ear temptingly. "If we just hide…"

Kuroko shook her head. "We are leaving."

Gripping their arms tight, she teleported.

It was time to stuff herself full of sweets.