Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or Toaru Kagaku no Railgun/Toaru Majutsu no Index
The Trinity of Tokiwadai
Chapter Thirty Seven: Curb Lining
Beta:
It had been a long, tiring Friday at Tokiwadai. They'd had lab practicals today and that meant its students had been forced to practically spend the whole day at school. Now that the day had ended though, its students were happily enjoying their free time.
Two such students were Naru and her roommate Awatsuki-chan. They'd been back to their dorm room for some time by this point and with the sun having firmly set they were preparing for bed. Awatsuki-chan had changed into a plaid jersey top and flannel pants as her pajamas. For her part, Naru was sporting a V-neck batwing sleeved nightgown that ended just above her knees. Despite being all dressed for bed though, neither girl was quite ready for sleep.
"Left corridor! Left! They're almost through!" Naru shouted as she smashed her phone's screen as she sat on her bed.
"I'm trying." Her roommate replied despondently from her own bed. "But I'm surrounded by mobs and- Oh no! One of their players just showed up! And I died!"
Awatsuki's sad cry was soon joined by Naru's own as she too was killed just as the match ended with their defeat.
"Damn it!"
"We suck at this," the bluenette said with a sigh, a pout on her lips. "Why do we suck at this? We've fought in real battles before."
Naru shot her a look.
"Well, okay, just the one." Awatsuki conceded. "But that should give us some kind of edge, right?"
"I don't think it works that way," Naru said with a sigh as she put away her phone. "Real combat probably doesn't translate well to MOBA (Multiplayer online battle arena) games."
"I guess you're right. We should have stuck with Bejeweled." the other girl agreed reluctantly. "You done for the night?"
"Yeah," Naru said with a nod. "Though I would like to talk to you about something."
"Shoot," the taller girl said as she too put away her phone.
"So, uh, I think, um, Ruiko-chan mightkindabemybestfriendnow!" Naru rushed out incoherently.
Awatsuki-chan just blinked in confusion for a moment, "Could you repeat that last bit?"
"My, bestie. I think Ruiko-chan is my bestie now. What do I do!?" Naru babbled out, playing with the hem of her nightgown. Her tanned cheeks were glowing pink in nervousness. Why was this so hard?
Because you've never had anything resembling friends until those girls? Kurama reminded her unnecessarily. Literally everything about this is new to you.
Naru ignored her resident demon in favor of paying attention to the wisdom her roommate had.
"That's great!" Awatsuki-chan cheered, a beaming smile on her face. After a moment though, she adopted a thinking pose as she stroked her chin as she considered Naru's question. "As for doing… Well, just do what you have been."
"What? But, but! I want to be what you and Wannai-chan are. You guys are such good friends, along with Kongou-chan." Naru pouted, narrowing her eyes. "Reveal your super friend secrets!"
"Aaah, Namikaze-sama. There's no such thing as um, 'super friend secrets' in being friends."
"...Manga lied to me."
Awatsuki-chan chuckled. "They aren't exactly realistic. Most of the time anyways."
Naru crossed her arms, looking to the side nervously, "I wish they were. Things would be easier to understand."
"So absurd situations where you end up flashing your panties to everyone all the time would be better?"
"Yes." The blonde nodded seriously.
"You're weird Namikaze-sama," Awatsuki-chan said with a giggle.
"Anyways, even if there aren't any secrets, what do besties do?" Naru shimmied under her sheets, "I mean that's different from normal friends, right? I know it means we share personal things with one another but how personal is too personal? And are there shopping restrictions? What about holidays?"
Awatsuki-chan hummed thoughtfully for a moment before replying.
"Hm, I guess there could be but that's for you two to decide." The bluenette concluded. "Just be yourself, Namikaze-sama. If you two really are besties then that means you like each other as is, so there's no need to change anything. You'll figure the rest out as you go along."
With a squint of her eyes, she looked critically at the bluenette.
There has to be something. I mean, besties have to be on a higher plane of friendship, right? Yeah, it has to be.
Seeing her skepticism, Awatsuki shook her head.
"If you're really so concerned about it, why not just go talk to Saten-sama about it?"
Listen to the float girl.
Fine! But if things go South, I'm blaming the both of you.
Not like it'll be the first time.
Naru sent a mental swat at her pesky tenant but he retreated quickly enough into the depths of her mind to avoid it.
Deciding the matter at hand was done for the moment, the blonde decided to change topics.
"Okay, got it. Mind if I ask you about something else too?"
"Ask away," Awatsuki-chan nodded agreeably.
"What about dating issues?"
"I don't think I can get into that. Both of you have uh, situations that are kinda exceptional?"
"Exceptional?"
"I mean, she's dating the Number 1, right? And you're dating a officer?"
"Let's go with that, yes."
"Well, you're both the first people I know dating anyone like that so I really don't know what to say. Dating is very mature territory anyways."
"Really?" Naru asked with a pout. "Nothing at all?"
"All I can say, again, is be yourself." Awatsuki-chan said with a encouraging smile. "I'm sure if your significant other is right for you than they'll like you as is and things will work out between you without any need to pretend to be someone you're not."
Naru hummed thoughtfully at that before nodding in reluctant acceptance.
"So anything else you want to talk about?" Awatsuki asked, stifling a yawn.
"Nothing urgent," Naru replied, feeling tired herself. "We can catch up another time."
"Okay," her roommate agreed as she stood up and walked to the room's light switch. "Good night."
"Good night, Awatsuki-chan."
Offering the Level 5 a tired smile, the bluenette flicked the light off.
As Naru lay down on her bed, she watched as the other girl walked back to her bed and snuggled under her sheets. Awatsuki-chan fell asleep quickly but sleep eluded Naru. She was too busy thinking about her roommate's advice.
Is everything really so simple? All I need to do is be myself and it'll work out? Really?
Her mind would struggle with her doubts on the matter for hours before she finally dozed off.
While Naru was struggling with the advice she'd received about her new relationships, her best friend was facing her own hardships. Namely surviving a family dinner with her mother, siblings, Shinobu-san and the twins without combusting from all the teasing she was getting for finally officially hooking up with Accel.
Why were the extensive Kiyama brood all gathered together you ask? Well, ostensibly it was to celebrate her brother Akihiko's birthday but it had soon devolved into a 'tease Ruiko for getting a boyfriend' fiesta.
If I have to hear one more comment, I swear someone is getting sand in their bed.
"So Rui-nee, is he a good kisser?" Park-chan asked with a giggle as she passed the bowl of mashed potatoes.
And now there's sand in her bed. Let thee itch! Ruiko offered a wooden smile that was clearly forced. "Maybe."
"Rui-nee and Accel-nii kissed already?" Janie asked, literally bouncing in her seat in excitement. "Tell us, tell us!"
"Should I tell Naru-nee and Mikoto-nee?" Febrie tilted her head as her ahoge twitched.
"No, we have not kissed." Ruiko confirmed with a bitter taste in her mouth. "And no, don't go telling Naru-chan and Sempai. It's none of their business."
"Like Naru-nee and scary lady?"
"I don't think Sequenzia-san is scary. She's hot." Kenta-kun said with a grin that earned him a smack on the arm from Maki-chan.
"I'll be sure to let Naru-san know what you think of her girlfriend."
"Rui-nee no! I like living!"
"All joking aside," Ai-nee cut in. "Do your friends know you're dating the Number 1? Are you keeping it a secret?"
"They know," Ruiko informed her elder sister. "I just don't want them, or anyone for that matter, to be privy to the details of my love life."
"I can agree with you there," Khulan-chan agreed. "I wouldn't either."
"Now if only Sensei would get out there." The birthday boy teased.
"Huh?" Okaa-san blinked in confusion with a fork hanging from her mouth.
"Never mind." Ryo-kun said with a shake of his head. "I don't think there's any guy who would find that attractive."
"Grounded. One weekend." Okaa-san said sternly, even as the entire female side of the family glared at him. Her foolish little brother tried to look for support from their brothers but they were wise enough to look away and avoid getting dragged into his mess. Finding himself alone, he sighed and nodded in defeat.
"Sorry, Sensei."
"Apology accepted, but you're still grounded."
"Dang it!"
"You dug your own grave," Wu-nii said ruffling Ryo-kun's hair before turning to Ruiko. "Talking about that. Ruiko, you sure you're not doing the same here for this guy?"
"Yeah," Maki-chan added before Ruiko could respond. "I was talking to Shinobu-san and he doesn't sound like a good guy at all."
Ruiko shot a look to the older girl with the perpetually unkempt hair who just shrugged. "I just told them the truth."
"Which is?" The Level 5 demanded.
"That he's like a great white shark. One that's bathed in blood which is liable to bite and kill at the smallest provocation. Someone who any sane person would run away from at the sight of."
Ruiko just palmed her face and groaned. Thankfully, the twins leapt to her boyfriend's defense.
"Uh-huh, Shinobu!" Febrie shouted defiantly. "Accel-nii is nice!"
"Yeah, he gets us candy and toys!" Janie added with a firm nod of her head.
"That just means he's good at buying favour," Okaa-san noted with a frown. "There's more to being a good boyfriend than that."
Ryo-kun looked like he was about to say something stupid but thankfully for his weekends, Aki-kun and Kenta-kun covered his mouth before he could utter a word.
"Gotta agree with Sensei there Rui-chan," Ai-nee said with a frown. "We're worried okay. Are you sure you want to date someone as dangerously unstable as Accelerator?"
"Um, guys, maybe we should stop harassing Ruiko about it?" Banri-chan said hesitantly as she looked around the table nervously. "'Cos I'm pretty sure she's about to burst."
"I am perfectly capable of selecting who I wish to date. Maybe we should poke at your love life? Hm?" Ruiko shot back at Ai-nee angrily, completely ignoring Banri-chan's attempt at an intervention. Her patience had worn out and she was not going to sit there soaking up the attacks on her judgement any longer!
"Nothing to say about it," her elder sister admitted with a elegant shrug. "I'm too busy catching up with my studies to even think about it."
Banri-chan looked at Takeshi-kun pleadingly. The boy, the only member of the family to have not said anything so far, sighed but nodded. Clearly he'd been trying to avoid getting caught in the crossfire but their telepathic sister's desperate plea had finally pushed him into action.
"So, um, everyone." He said as he stood. "So I, um, have an announcement to make."
"What is it?" Okaa-san asked, her head tilting in his direction curiously.
"I kinda, maybe dating a girl now." He revealed nervously.
"Aha, the tables have turned!" Ruiko had to declare. Twas her sibling right!
"Kinda, maybe?" Ai-nee asked her eyebrows raised. "You either are or you aren't. What kind of wishy washy statement is that?"
"Exactly, Takeshi, are you dating this girl or not?" Wu-nii demanded, his arms crossed and looking sternly at their younger brother.
Paling as the family inquisition turned on him, Takeshi-kun floundered to explain how he'd been going on friendly outings with a girl from his class lately but that they hadn't officially declared themselves as a couple. This revelation opened the floodgates of inquiries from the family about details. Ruiko herself was about to join in, but was interrupted when her phone rang.
Monaka-sama? Ruiko noted as she read the Caller ID with a little electromastery. What would be so urgent that she'd call me directly?
Frowning Ruiko stood from the table.
"Sorry everyone, but I have a urgent call that I've got to take. Be back in a minute." Ruiko told her family. "Leave me something to tease Takeshi-kun about, 'kay?"
"Rui-chan!" The brother in question shouted woundedly, but Ruiko just shot him a smile as she walked up the stairs to the privacy of her study to take her backer's call.
She waited until she was in the heavily soundproofed room before she sighed in relief that she'd escaped her family's scrutiny and fished out her phone.
Taking a calming breath, she answered the call.
"Hello, Monaka-sama. How are you this evening?"
"Good evening Saten-chan," the grandmotherly woman on the other end of the call greeted pleasantly. "I'm well. How about you? Enjoying your family night?"
"As well as can be," Ruiko replied with a sigh. Frustrated at the elderly woman's penchant for pleasantries. She much preferred jumping straight to the point.
"They're teasing you about your new boyfriend I take it?" The Director of the City said with a amused tinkle to her tone.
"So! What emergency has you calling me at this hour?" Ruiko deflected.
"Straight to the point I see. You're always like that. It's a bad habit, young lady. Should I speak to your mother about it, hmm?"
"Monaka-sama!" The Level 5 cried out in alarm, earning nothing but chuckles from her backer on the other end of the call.
"Alright, enough teasing. You've probably had enough of it as is." Monaka-sama thankfully conceded. "I'm calling to let you know that the remains of Tree Diagram were just stolen."
"Why?" Ruiko, blinking in confusion. "What does that have to do with me?"
"The ones responsible appear to partly be made out of outsiders."
Ruiko sucked in a breath at that. "Is the Board reactivating the [Army Slayer] in response?"
I knew going after Parasol would cost me.
"No," the elderly woman assured her. "That's not why I contacting you about this."
"Why then?"
"Because the thieves intend to take the recovered fragments out of the City and rebuild Tree Diagram as a prelude to starting their own Esper program."
"I'm still not seeing the link to me."
The old woman chuckled mirthlessly. "Would you like them to use a rebuilt Tree Diagram to start their own unethical experiments? Like the Level 6 Shift?"
Ruiko hissed as she reeled back as if slapped. "I see… What do you want me to do?"
It was a bright sunny Saturday morning when Mikoto found herself summoned by the Council of Misakas once more. As usual her clones had set up shop at the familiar branch of Joseph's Coffee and Restaurant. Heck they'd made themselves so at home there that as she walked in she'd been escorted straight away by the staff to the 'Sisters' usual table'.
Not that she pondered long on that fact. She was quickly distracted by what the clones had to tell her this time.
"So let me get this straight," Mikoto said while rubbing her nose in frustration. "Someone in the City has some kind of grudge against the administration, perfectly justifiable I'd imagine, and thinks breaking its monopoly on Espers is a good thing."
"That's correct, Misaka confirms" 10032 said as she scratched Kuro's ears, who was wearing a little sweater for some reason. It was adorable, don't get her wrong, but it was only Autumn and it wasn't really cold enough yet to justify it.
I think I'll just chalk this up to my clones being weird and leave it at that. Not like it's the first time...
"And they're gonna try and do that by smuggling the remnants of Tree Diagram out of the City so someone can datamine it for clues on the procedures and rebuild the computer to help to boot?"
"Yes, Onee-sama, Misaka says with a nod." 13579 said without so much as moving her head.
"And the City's authorities aren't doing anything about it?"
"They seemed unconcerned, Misaka clarifies." 19090 agreed.
"Leaving it to us to handle the matter because we know it'll end up leading to some mad scientists abusing it to do some sick experiments or worse reviving the Level 6 Shift project."
"That is indeed the gist of it, Onee-sama, Misaka concurs." 10039 said with a nod.
Heaving a sigh, Mikoto just shook her head. "Okay, so where's the idiots this time? Let's go whack them."
"Actually, Onee-sama, Misaka says hesitantly." 13579 said while refusing to meet Mikoto's eyes.
"Oh what happened now?"
"The other Misakas already set out, Misaka explains." 10032 said, looking up from pampering her cat.
"...Then why even talk with me about anything?! Geez, I thought I was the leader or something."
"Just because you're older, doesn't mean you can tell the Misakas what to do! Misaka huffs and crosses her arms." 10039 chimed in.
Mikoto really needed to set the hierarchy straight because now it was just getting confusing. But that was for later, for now she needed to clarify something.
"So why tell me at all?"
"Well, the team seems to be in trouble, Misaka admits grudgingly." 19090 informed her with a frown. "The Network therefore agreed that we should approach Onee-sama for help, Misaka says unhappily."
"Oh? So when you get in trouble you want Onee-sama to bail you out, huh?"
"Yes, Misaka concedes." 13579 said with a nod.
"You guys are so lucky I care. Because I really do. Next time, we are all talking this over before these situations happen."
"Yes Onee-sama, Misaka says." The Sisters chorused in monotone.
Done and done! Thanks to the team of Nameless as always.
And so the forces are at work. From teasing, to questions of life, to clones. It all comes together.
Nameless: Yup, plenty of slice of life in the chapter too. All of it as continuing follow up to revelations from previous arcs and serving as set up for the developments in this chapter. By the way, hoped you liked the hint at what was about to go down in this arc in the first scene. Did you catch it?
Sadly, slice of life can't be there forever. Someone stupid has to be the dumb.
Nameless: Hope you get what the title is foreshadowing. It shouldn't be too hard. But if you need a clue think about what happens at the end of the canon version of this arc.
You know what to do, smash that review button and tell us what you love! No flames and peace off my peeps!