"It wasn't your fault, Accelerator, it was an accident!" exclaimed 37 as she tried to comfort him.

"Yeah sure, an accident..." Accelerator said half-heartedly as he stood up and stretched his legs. The pain he felt in his chest after he heard what became of his mother had started to fade. 'It's stupid to mourn for someone you don't remember, kid. Quit acting like a bitch and get over it.' That's what Kihara would tell me if he saw me right now. Maybe what happened then was part of the darkness that he saw in me. I'd never want to give that bastard the satisfaction of being right, but...

Yomikawa stepped closer to him and attempted to put her hand on his shoulder. Just as she reached it, her hand snapped back so forcefully she stumbled backward a few steps, barely managing to stay standing. "What the hell, kid? I was only trying to show that we're here for you. It's gotta be tough on you. It'd be hard for anyone to hear about that kind of news, but a kid your age..."

"Don't bother trying to comfort or pity me. There's no point in mourning someone I don't remember now is there? And as far as my so-called father goes, if he couldn't handle my power, then he would have just been another weakling blocking my path. Who needs him anyway." He walked back over to the couch and sat back down, resting his elbows on his knees and bracing his face with his hands. "So I suppose you'll be wanting to know what's been going on at the SAI lately, right? Okay, I guess I'll start from the day 37 left..."

...

"So they secluded you just like they did me. I wonder why they felt the need to do so. In my case, they wanted me separated from the other subjects so I wouldn't accidentally come into contact with them. That didn't happen until 2002, about a year after you arrived. Keeping me hidden made it easier for them to run the more 'shady' experiments as well."

Accelerator nodded, "After I was moved the experiments and training for my ability stepped up. I rarely saw any of the other kids, unless they were brought in so I could test my abilities against them. Most of them didn't even know what they were walking into. They didn't exactly walk back out on their own, either."

"So they focused more on your training, and you aren't sure what became of the other students except when they were involved in your own tests. Well, it'd be helpful if we had more specific information, but I think there's enough evidence to justify a raid. Good job, Accelerator. That place and all the horrors it's responsible for are history thanks to you. I'll get on the phone with Anti-Skill to file my report and start making arrangements."

"I'm one of the horrors you're so happy to be disposing of; you do realize that, right?" Accelerator said as he stood up once more. "Considering all I've done, what I'm capable of, shouldn't I be the priority for Anti-Skill to suppress?"

Yomikawa stared at the boy, "Are you saying I should consider you a threat now?"

37 looked at Accelerator, then at Yomikawa, watching both of their expressions. "I don't think she intends to do anything with you Accelerator. You're the one that's helping us with our case against the SAI, so why would they..."

"Fear, 37. Fear is a great motivator for anyone. And considering what I told you two about the things I've done during those 'tests' against my fellow students, it wouldn't surprise me if Ms. Anti-Skill here felt it necessary to keep me restrained."

"Despite your questioning my intentions, I don't have any plans to keep you restrained. Until you show real intent to threaten me or anyone else, you'll be treated just like any other witness in an Anti-Skill case."

"Real intent? What do you mean by that? You know what I'm capable of, why aren't you taking this seriously?" asked Accelerator, stepping closer to Yomikawa.

"It's simple. You were forced into running those tests, and as such, I don't feel that you were responsible for what happened during them. I don't believe you wanted to harm anyone. I don't blame you, I blame Kihara and the SAI. Those are my true targets, and the only ones who need to be punished. If we're done here, 'Ms. Anti-Skill' has work to do." Yomikawa bowed toward Accelerator and 37 and left through the hidden door.

"Well, that went a little better than I had hoped. At least Yomikawa wasn't too mad about what I did," 37 looked at Accelerator and continued, "No one is going to think less of you for the things they made you do in there."

"Somehow I don't think that's how things are gonna go, 37." Accelerator said as he let out a sigh of exhaustion and took his seat back on the couch. "And besides, it's not like I didn't want to go through with the training. I wanted to get stronger, even if working with that bastard, Kihara was how I managed to do it. The testing for the Esper rankings concluded a couple of days ago, so the results and rankings should be released shortly. Once I see my name in the top spot, then all bets are off."

37 looked at him, puzzled. "What do the rankings have to do with anything?"

"Because once I'm confirmed to be the strongest Esper in Academy City, I'm going to kill Amata Kihara. Once I know that no one can beat me, then I'm going to take his life. His existence is a plague on this world, and I'm going to make sure it's destroyed." Accelerator retorted.

"None of that is necessary; he's going to be arrested and sentenced for all the wrong he's done. You'll see, justice will be served, you don't have to dirty your hands because of him," 37 started to grow nervous about how angry he was getting.

Accelerator looked at the girl that had freed him from the institute. He could tell she was uncomfortable with his current mood. There's no point in arguing with her. Calm down and just let it go for now. "Your idea of justice and mine are very, very different, 37." He sighed as he rose up from the couch. "I'm exhausted, is there anything other than couches and chairs to sleep on here?"

"Yeah, there are several bedrooms and a full bathroom if you follow the hallway to the left. In case you're wondering, this is one of Anti-Skill's safe-houses. My room is the last one. You're welcome to any of the others since we're the only two that will be staying here. The kitchen area is right before you get to the hallway and is stocked with the basics, although I try to keep a steady supply of the cold black coffee. I'll be around if you need anything." 37 took a step back as Accelerator passed her on the way to the bedrooms.

"Still jumpy I see. Don't worry; I'll keep my hands clear of you," he said as he disappeared into the hallway. I wonder if 37 avoided me because of her power, or the fear of mine.