The door swung open hitting the wall, and Kuroko stomped inside. Each step echoed through the room with clear dissatisfaction.
"I guess they didn't budge after all, huh?" Mikoto said as she was going through her wardrobe.
Kuroko fumed – and then disappeared. There was a quiet sound, like air vibrating, and she materialized just above her bed. The springs squeaked as she landed on the matrass burying her face into the pillow. A moment later low, grumbling noises started leaking out.
Mikoto folded her clothes and put it in the suitcase.
"Don't forget to breath," she said after a few seconds.
Kuroko growled, then sat up throwing the pillow on her lap and hitting it. "Why did they have to pick Kongo Mitsuko?!"
"Kongo-san and I do make a good combo, there is no arguing that."
"But I'm your partner! We have way better teamwork. I know how far your railgun goes, how much iron sand you need for your weapons, where I should be so that you don't zap me. And…"
She teleported again, this time appearing right behind Mikoto. Her hands ran about the other girl's sides.
"I know you put on 2 kilograms and 47 grams," Kuroko said nonchalantly feeling that softness. "Which makes your total weight now…"
There was a buzzing sound of electricity, like a snake hissing before an attack.
"Grr, cut it out!"
Zap!
Kuroko jerked away, jolting slightly but smirking nonetheless. "Oww, that was a bit too much, Onee-sama."
Mikoto turned and glared. Bluish sparks danced around her head.
"How many times do we need to talk about boundaries?!" she asked. "How do you even know I… gained… a little?"
"There is no change I would miss about my dear Onee-sama! Besides, your weight is very important. Any change can be critical if I need to teleport you in an emergency."
With a heavy sigh, Mikoto felt her waistline. "It's all because of the Valentine's chocolate."
"I could've helped you with it, you know."
"All those chocolates contained feelings of a girl that admires me." Mikoto smiled softly. "What kind of person would I be if I just gave it away?"
Kuroko's heart skipped a beat and she had to contain herself, or else she would have all over Mikoto. She didn't want to make her actually mad.
Mikoto caught her eyes and frowned. "By the way, that number you were about to say… forget it! It's absolutely unnecessary. I'll shave that extra off in no time."
"Oh? In that case, I'll need to pay even more attention."
Chuckling to herself, Kuroko sat back on her bed, with the pillow on her lap again. This time, however, her fingers only gently nibbled around the cover.
"I am not going off to a war," Mikoto said a bit exasperated.
"And yet that's where you usually end up. Need I remind you that the whole place needed to be reconstructed after the last demonstration? Or how about that time school trip to the Liberal Arts City? The island almost sank to the bottom of the ocean."
"Hey, that's not fair! I just happened to be there when the bad things started happening. I don't cause troubles, I just stumble onto them…"
"Just stumble, huh? Then what happened in Bali? We were trying to relax from all the Academy City drama, and I turn away from you for a few minutes. Next thing I know you and Shokuhou Misaki are gone. No warning, not even a note! I nearly got a heart attack when Hokaze-san said you two were off to UK."
Mikoto looked away fumbling with her fingers. "That was… an emergency. I needed to help… someone…"
And I have an idea who that "someone" is, Kuroko thought as she grabbed a fistful of her pillow. Cursed ape, always causing troubles for Onee-sama.
She clenched her teeth. It wasn't the time for an outburst. And certainly, the one deserving a lecture wasn't Mikoto.
"All I am trying to say is that troubles keep happening around you. And if something happens during this demonstration, I need to be there. No bad guy can catch you with my teleportation. I'd keep you safe."
For a moment, Mikoto's eyes widened, but then she looked at her friend with a strange bittersweet smile.
"Yeah, you would. You would pour all your focus into it – to the point where you forget about your own safety. Seriously…" She chuckled quietly. "Me and him, we are not so different…"
Does she mean that ape? Kuroko wondered. Onee-sama, you two are nothing alike! You'd help anyone in need and he just drags people into his mess expecting them to solve it for him!
"I… I just don't want you to get hurt!"
"Everyone gets hurt. Some more than others. And there is little you can do about it. Sure, you can jump to the frontline, become the shield – and get hurt yourself. And the people you wanted to protect still end up hurt. Just not physically."
"But…" Kuroko started but Mikoto cut her off.
"Hey, hey now, what's this? Am I not your "Amazing Onee-sama" anymore?" she asked and grinned, all the bitterness expelled from her face.
"Of course, you are!" Kuroko said without hesitation.
"Then there can be no buts!" Mikoto raised her hand as electricity ran between her fingers. "I'd zap whoever tries to attack me. Robots? I can just hack them. A kaijuu? Hah, let me build my own titan with soil and iron sand."
Lips curled in a light, proud smile, she extended her arm and closed one eye.
"Don't underestimate a Level 5!" she proclaimed as if she was about to blast some foe with her railgun.
A silly, almost childish performance – and yet Kuroko's worries eased. She let out a small sigh and smiled back.
"My, my, aren't you a little too boastful, Onee-sama?"
"I'm only stating the facts," Mikoto said turning slightly red. "I can take down an actual army. And I did. So, don't worry. Besides, Kongo-san will have my back, if needs be."
But she isn't me, Kuroko thought as her smile soured. She hung her head assaulted by the heavy thoughts.
Seeing that, Mikoto smiled and moved closer, crouching before her friend. Their eyes met.
"I get it, I really do. You want to keep me safe and it's so reassuring when I'm in the city where you can quickly come to help me. Which makes me going to whole other continent terrifying."
"You are quite a trouble magnet, Onee-sama…"
"Sometimes. But mostly it's just me getting myself involved in a situation I happen to notice. Be it an accident or a crime, I plunge myself right into it. Because I can't ignore it, that would never sit right with me. After all, with this power of mine, I can surely help someone."
Crystal clear eyes staring back with determination – so intense that Kuroko had to look away.
Mikoto took it differently. "Look, I know you are worried. But you can't focus on the endless what-ifs. Accidents happen every day and Russia is no exception. Chances are I really might run into something."
"That is very reassuring," Kuroko grumbled.
Mikoto chuckled lightly, then said, "Ok, how about this then? I promise to follow the rules and stay in my room when they tell me to. No going out on my own."
Kuroko glanced back, her brow slightly raised. "You, not sneaking out in the dead of night on some hunch or because you are bored? Do forgive me, but that sounds a little doubtful."
"Well, just this once, I will behave. Besides, they did promise to show us around. As long as I'm not being cooped in my room, I can manage."
Kuroko pondered on that and finally gave up.
"Very well, I suppose I will have to let you go and hope for the best," she said, still sounding a little sulky.
Mikoto smiled rolling her eyes and stood up. Her fist pressed against Kuroko's chin. Caught off-guard, Kuroko could only look up as it lifted her head.
"Chin up," Mikoto said. "For now, it's just a demonstration. But I'll call you whenever I can. And if anything happens, you'd be the first to know. We are partners, after all," she added, and her smile grew ever brighter.
Kuroko basked in its shine, feeling tingles all over her cheeks. Steadily, the warmth spread washing over her, then slipped in to burn like a supernova. It wasn't the kind she desired, but she accepted it regardless.
Onee-sama… you are so unfair. You keep preaching about boundaries and then do something like this.
Her composure broke and she buried her face in Mikoto's stomach as her arms wrapped around her waist. This much should be ok, right? Just for a little while…
Caught in the embrace, Mikoto tensed up. Her body jerked trying to get away. But Kuroko held her tight – and did nothing else.
Mikoto sighed smiling.
"You are such a kid sometimes," she grumbled with soft affection and tapped her fist on Kuroko's head. "Honestly, you will feel so silly when I get back and say I ended up helping grannies cross the road or something."
Kuroko hoped it would indeed turn out like that. And then she would laugh at herself with her dear Onee-sama. But she couldn't shake off the worries that easily. After all, a demonstration so close to the exams was suspicious. Of course, Tokiwadai expected nothing less than perfection and would often put its students through challenges. Even in a language class where you had to, say, speak German for a day, while other student spoke French, and you two had to converse in different languages.
Perhaps, the alma mater simply wished to test two of its most prominent students and see how they fair.
Let it be so, Kuroko prayed with all her heart.
She hugged tighter and Mikoto's back cracked quietly.
"Ow… ok, that's enough…" Mikoto groaned and pushed her friend away slightly.
Or tried to, but Kuroko held on with an iron grip.
"Five more minutes, please," she begged. "You'll be gone for two days! I need to get a hefty dose, or else I won't survive!"
"Grr, here you go again? I thought I warned you!" Mikoto growled, growing redder by the second. Sparks flew around her head, buzzing like angry bees.
Blissful, Kuroko nuzzled against her with no intention of letting go.
"Oh my, Onee-sama, you are burning. Is it because of me? Oh, this memory will keep me warm during the lonely nights…"
"Why are you putting it like that?!"
"Mm, peach-scented soap mixed in with a hint of mint deodorant… Such an odd bouquet… And yet so intoxicating. I can't get enough…"
"I just did!"
Once more, electricity burst out of Mikoto, like a guard dog rushing to repel an intruder. This time, however, Kuroko giggled and nuzzled more eagerly. Or was it because her body was shaking from shock?
"Damn it, I might have zapped you so many times you've built up resistance…"
"At this point, I just think of it as a form of affection… Haha, Onee-sama's love tickles…"
"Well then… how about this?"
Mikoto raised her hand for a plastic bottle sitting on her desk. The iron sand inside moved, then the bottle flew over into her hand. She removed the cap hastily, almost ripping off the neck in the process. Free, the black powder crawled out in strict firm lines, swift like angered snakes. It grated against Kuroko's skin and she flinched.
The snakes ran over her arms until coiling around the wrists in a form of thick bracelets. Immediately, the arms pulled away from each other, then went behind her back. Silently, the bracelets met and morphed into a single bind.
"Oh, what's this? Are you taking the lead?" Kuroko asked playfully.
Mikoto scowled clearly not amused.
"You are in a time-out. If you try anything before I remove the cuffs, I'd get mad," she warned and tapped on Kuroko's forehead pushing her back lightly. "Although I know it's useless, do try and consider your behavior."
Kuroko sprawled over her bed with a pouty face. Not because of the binds, of course. She could teleport out of them at any moment and glomp Mikoto who wouldn't be able to get away anymore. A wry smile crossed her lips as she pictured it.
But…
Kuroko watched her roommate get back to packing, glancing back with a suspicious frown every now and then. If Kuroko were to push further, Mikoto would really get mad. And then there would be silent treatment all the way up to her flight. Maybe, even no calls.
I'd not last a day like that! Kuroko fidgeted in her mind and with a sigh of resignation reigned in her desires.
However, that didn't mean she couldn't make adjustments.
The air vibrated once more, and Mikoto turned swiftly – to find her lying on the bed properly, with her head on the pillow, hands still pressed under her body.
"Am I not allowed a degree of comfort?" Kuroko asked in a grumpy voice.
Mikoto simply huffed and put in some shirts, then moved to zip up the suitcase.
"Don't forget the tights," Kuroko said. "It's still rather cold there, after all."
Mikoto waved it off. "I already packed too much. Not like I need them anyway. Microwaves will keep me warm."
"Onee-sama, I would be the last person to ask you to show less skin. But why overexert yourself over such trivialities? Besides, if you really wish to show off your gorgeous legs, the tights would do that perfectly."
Kuroko spoke in the most nonchalant tone and barely managed to keep back a chuckle seeing Mikoto's confused face. She couldn't quite figure out which option Kuroko was actually preferred, so that she could do the opposite.
Finally, she shot her another glare and opened one of the wardrobe's drawers.
Kuroko's lips curled up slightly. "Ah, such a shame."
"Don't make me gag you…"
The tights got into the bag and the zipper moved once more, but…
"You should take a scarf too. The Russian winds are harsh. You don't want to get a sore throat right before the performance, do you?"
"What are you, my mom?" Mikoto grumbled but started rummaging through the shelf above the hangers.
Only this time she didn't find what she was looking for. Hats, caps and gloves fell on the floor until the shelves became empty, yet no scarf turned up.
Mikoto looked at the mess around her dumbfounded. "Strange… I was sure it was here… Unless…"
"Unless?"
"I did lose one chasing after that idiot… then another one got burnt when the AAA blew up… and so on… I guess I've run out of scarves," Mikoto concluded with a pained smile.
Kuroko sighed. "That ape is nothing but trouble for you… You can take mine if you like."
"No, I'm good. I'll buy one when I get back. Or in the fall since the season is already over here. My coat has a nice high collar. I'll be alright."
After cleaning up the mess, Mikoto crouched over her bag. She grabbed the zipper and suddenly shot Kuroko a warning glance. But Kuroko simply smiled, and she slowly, almost with some sort of satisfaction closed the bag. Then weighted it and nodded to herself.
"I am all ready," she said and put the bag by her bed. "Thank god they gave a heads-up this time and not just escorted me to the plane right after class."
With a long sigh, Mikoto plopped on the bed and took out her phone but didn't open it. The strap with a pink frog mascot dangled in the air.
"That is indeed an improvement. But they wouldn't let me join you," Kuroko said with a sour face. "One step forward, two steps back."
Mikoto chuckled and put the phone down. Her hand, however, stayed close it.
"Well, it's a stressful time, with the exams and such. Some students might start acting out and Judgment would need their best, at all time," she said softly. "Come on, don't sulk, I'll bring you souvenirs."
Her hands came together in a pleading gesture, and the huff Kuroko was about to make dissipated in her throat.
"You better bring yourself back in one piece," she said in a less grouchy voice, then smirked. "But if you truly want to make me happy, there is White Day."
Mikoto dropped her hands back on the bed, face turning distant. "White Day…"
"Don't tell me you forgot. Although I can't blame you for dreading the day when you have to give all those girls the return gifts. But may I remind you, among them was one special to you," Kuroko singsonged.
"Special… to me…"
"Indeed! And that girl would have been heartbroken if the teachers dared to send you away for that day. Thankfully, you will be back in time – and with the appropriate gift for your affection."
"Appropriate gift… matching my affection…" Mikoto muttered, thought slipping back in her voice. "Which… is what exactly?"
Kuroko huffed. "Surely, you jest, Onee-sama. It can only be love, of course!"
"Love," Mikoto breathed out and chuckled quietly. "That would be nice… but… there is no way…"
At that, Kuroko frowned. Had the conversation changed to something else? Confused, she focused fully on Mikoto – and her eyes widened.
On the other bed sat a girl that looked like Misaka Mikoto – but also not. The Mikoto she knew would never have that bitter smile of reservation. Like a person who had accepted defeat before that fight was over. No, she would grit her teeth and keep fighting until the very end. And if by some miniscule chance she lost, she would be upset, yes. Might kick the ground and complain too. But ultimately she would be content knowing she had given it her all.
Another face of Onee-sama I've not seen before, Kuroko thought. Complete opposite of the other one. Onee-sama, what could you possibly be thinking about with a face like that? What is it that you gave up on?
"Onee-sama?" Kuroko called, her voice betraying her.
Mikoto didn't react. She kept smiling bitterly to something as her fingers fiddled with the frog strap. Kuroko's voice didn't reach her. As if the distance between them was not meager two meters but miles. And the longer Mikoto was dwelling on those mysterious thoughts, the further away she was getting.
Kuroko's chest tightened and she teleported out of her binds to stand in front of Mikoto.
"Onee-sama!" she called louder, almost shouting.
Mikoto startled. "Eh? What is it? Sorry, I must've tuned out," she said and laughed awkwardly. Her face quickly turned to embarrassment erasing all traces of that bitterness.
Except for the corner of her mouth still hanging down in resignation.
"What were you thinking about?" Kuroko asked.
Mikoto looked away. "Mm… just… some stuff…"
"What stuff?"
"Why does it matter?" she muttered, then glanced over to the mound of iron sand lying on the other bed. "Oh, you took them off… Should I punish you then?" she said grinning, sparks dancing around her hand.
"What? That's not important right now! Don't try to change the topic."
"You are always taking my warnings lightly. Too lightly. Perhaps, it's time for some discipline."
Kuroko pursed her lips fully intent to get her answer.
At that moment, Mikoto's phone rang, destroying the tension with its cheery tune.
Still eyeing Kuroko with some ire, Mikoto picked up. "Kongo-san? Yes, I've packed, all ready to go. What? They will let us use your father's jet? I see, I see. Yeah, it's a long flight, best we do it with comfort."
The conversation took her over and soon she was chirping away and smiling cheerfully. But Kuroko felt no relief. The bitterness might have disappeared, but the reason for it had to still be there. What if it returned and took her dear Onee-sama even further away from her?
The trip moved into the background. After all, it the physical distance could never compare to the one she had felt at that moment. She would get to the bottom of this.