Misaka Mikoto didn't know what was happening. All she knew was that, the moment she arrived at school, there was already a commotion going on. There were no teachers to calm the situation, maybe because it wasn't anything bad. In fact, everything going on appears to be very much tame yet exciting.
She was dragged across the school hallway, out directly onto the back of the gymnasium, where the centre of the commotion seems to be happening.
There were lots of students. I mean, LOTS. Numbering in the higher double digits, maybe hundreds already. All she knew was that there was lots of chatter and cheers.
"We're about to witness something interesting!" One of her friends exclaims towards her. She can only nod in curiosity. She could catch something about Level 5s.
Her eyes narrowed at that. There were rumours about a Level 5 in the school. Apparently, it was that annoying white haired kid she'd bump onto yesterday. He claimed to be a Level 5. The news spread across the entire block in a matter of hours, and practically everyone here knows about it by now. Of course, she herself doesn't necessarily believe in baseless rumours. How could a kid that skinny be a Level 5?
But once she reaches the forefront of the gathering crowd could she finally get the answer to that question.
There the boy from yesterday stood, hands deep in his pocket and head tilted in disinterest. Another across from him was another boy, who dons a school uniform of a middle school not too far away from here.
Currently, there are 5 Level 5s in the world. Supposedly, the strongest of them all, the God of Tokiwadai had been announced dead and quickly replaced at the same time several days back. The cause was still unknown.
And to have 2 of the supposed mythical bearers of such a title in front of her, it ignited something inside her. Truly, she now knows why everyone here appears to be excited. The strongest of their kind is gonna fight right then and there.
Though…
Are they really Level 5s? Only one way to find out.
"For the sake of this school, I'll be holding back against you. I hope you can do the same for me, Hirano." The grinning, black haired boy shouts, cracking his knuckles.
The other boy merely rolls his eyes, scoffing. "Stop shouting. You're not even 2 yards away from me, dumbass."
The black haired boy's grin grew larger at that. He seemed to have picked up a stance. "I'll make this quick." He speaks with a calm tone, heeding the albino's words with care. Suddenly, a large volume of dust blew off from his feet, and in an instant, he disappeared from his spot. Nobody could react to the sudden movements. What they could catch however, was him standing right behind the albino, leg outstretched for a powerful kick.
A whip-like sound occured when the feet made contact, along with a crack from the sound barrier being broken. And then a harsh whiplash. But it wasn't exactly how they'd imagine it all played out. It should be the albino who's sent away from the kick. Not the other way around.
The albino chuckles darkly, turning around towards the black haired boy. "What's wrong? Caught a chill?" His eyes glowed a faint red as he looked at the black-haired boy, a sinister smile playing on his lips. "Gonna give up now, Level 5?" The albino speaks of the name mockingly.
The grin he was greeted with from the wounded boy didn't seem to be what he had been expecting, this in turn wiped his sinister look. "You're not what I expected," The boy said from the ground, getting up with minor difficulties. "It's as though I got hit back by my own power."
He seemed to be more excited than shocked after that. Fixing his leg back with a crack, enough to send everyone present cringing at the noise it made. "It won't happen again." The boy declares.
"A barrier type ability of some sort." Misaka deduced, observing the situation with a keen eye. She had never seen anything like it before. A barrier type ability is quite uncommon, but she was sure it wouldn't be enough to get you classified as a level 5.
Plus, most of the time, attacks weren't stopped instantly. Let alone hurt you back that badly. So whatever it is, the albino has something more than what he lets on.
The crowd watches in awe as the two boys face off again, both of them exuding a powerful aura. The black-haired boy, named Gunha, charges towards Hirano with a fierce look in his eyes, while Hirano stands his ground with a bored look on his face.
Hirano remains unfazed. At the last possible moment, he raises his arm to create a shield to block Gunha's attack. However, to everyone's surprise, Gunha's fist breaks through the shield as if it were made of glass, causing Hirano to stumble backwards.
The crowd gasps in shock, including the albino himself. Gunha's punch clearly had more power behind it than anyone expected. The force of the impact sends Hirano crashing to the ground, skidding a few feet on the dirt before coming to a stop. Down there, he clutched at his chest, a coughing fit taking over him. The onlookers exchange worried glances, unsure of what to do.
Once again, Gunha was surprised. He worryingly walked towards the albino with his hands raised in surrender, calling out to him. "Hey, are you alright? I thought you're gonna stop my attack again and stuff. I didn't mean to hurt you that badly." He casts a nervous glance at the gathering crowd, unsure of how they would react to this unexpected turn of events.
Hirano, still on the ground, pants heavily from the exertion of the punch and the coughing fit that followed. As Gunha approaches, Hirano's eyes narrow, glinting with a mix of fear and wrath. He lifts a hand. "Bastard," And then proceeds to slam them down.
The ground beneath erupts, sending a shockwave of dirt and debris towards Gunha. The onlookers scream and scatter, shielding their faces from the blast. Hirano, still on the ground, watches as the dust settles. However, even amidst the chaos, Gunha remains unfazed. He grins, cracking his knuckles. "Alright, let's see what you got!" he exclaims.
Hirano clicked his tongue, annoyed at Gunha's resilience. He had hoped to end the fight quickly, but it seemed that wasn't going to be the case. A concentrated wind appears from his back, picking up leaves and small twigs around him in a miniature tornado. It then thrusts forward, sending the whirlwind hurtling towards Gunha. However, Gunha's grin only grows wider as he meets the wind head-on with a powerful punch, shattering it into harmless fragments.
The onlookers gasp in amazement, unable to believe what they're witnessing. The tension in the air is palpable as the two Level 5s continue their battle. Hirano's every move is calculated and precise, while Gunha seems to rely on his instincts and brute strength. Despite his initial advantage, Hirano soon finds himself struggling to keep up with Gunha's relentless attacks.
Gunha charges towards Hirano once again, his fists glowing with a bright light. Hirano braces himself for the impact, but to his surprise, Gunha's fists never make contact. Instead, a blinding flash of light fills the air, and when the onlookers can see again, they find that Hirano has been blown away, skidding across the ground several feet before coming to a stop.
Gunha stands victorious, his fists still glowing with power. "I guess that's it for you." Hirano could only stare in disbelief, clutching at his chest where the impact had nearly struck him. He had never faced an opponent with such raw, unbridled power before.
But even as he struggled to catch his breath, Hirano's mind raced. 'What the fuck just happened?' Hirano tries to get up, his vision still blurry from the bright light. He could feel a sharp pain in his chest from the earlier attack.
"You truly are a Level 5. I was surprised. You put up a good fight for someone of your... complexion." Gunha, still basking in the afterglow of his victory, doesn't seem to notice Hirano's internal struggles.
Hirano manages to get back on his feet, albeit shakily. He takes a deep breath, trying to clear his head. 'This kid's AIM Field isn't normal. It's nearly impossible to adapt and add it to my blacklist.'
As Hirano tries to gather his thoughts, a hand lands on his shoulder. He turned to look and found Gunha grinning from ear to ear. "We should do this again sometimes."
Hirano though... would rather not. He had never backed down from a fight before, but this was different. This boy, Gunha, was unlike anyone he had ever faced. Hirano's veins pulsed with power as he tried to adapt to Gunha's AIM Field, but it was like trying to catch a greased pig. He couldn't quite get a grip on it. Even the hand he had planted on his shoulder felt foreign. He's never been touched outside a select few of people.
But Hirano didn't have time to dwell on his thoughts. "What the hell is going on here?!" Someone shouts from amidst the crowd. Hirano hissed. 'I'm fucked.'
As the crowd begins to disperse, a few teachers and school staff arrive at the scene. They quickly take in the situation, with Hirano still visibly shaken and Gunha standing confidently nearby.
The two were quickly taken by the group of adults. They could be heard scolding the two of them at the damage done at the school court. It wasn't anything minor. The teachers, stern-faced and clearly unamused, proceed to lead Hirano and Gunha away from the scene. The crowd, now dispersing, leaves behind a trail of whispers and murmurs, with some students expressing their disbelief at the unexpected turn of events.
As the two Level 5s were taken away, Misaka can only stare in astonishment. For the remainder of the day, those two were, in fact, the coolest guy she's ever seen. Of course, still behind her dad, that is.
After that, she has sought on becoming a Level 5 herself.
"Care to explain yourselves?" The headmistress asks the two boys.
They were both surrounded by adults, all of them looking at Hirano and Gunha with stern expressions. The boys were in the headmistress's office, a large and ornately decorated room filled with books and expensive furniture. The headmistress herself was a middle-aged woman with a sharp gaze and a no-nonsense attitude.
Hirano, still recovering from the fight, remains silent. He glances over at Gunha, who was visibly very nervous. The older woman then sighs. "You," Pointing at the black haired boy, who flinched when the finger landed on him. Apparently, even the title of Level 5s are no use in the face of stern adults. "What is a middle schooler doing in a primary school? Fighting a child no less?" The headmistress continues, her tone filled with disapproval.
Gunha gulps, sweat trickling down his forehead. "I-I was just trying to see if he's telling the truth, ma'am. I didn't mean to cause any trouble."
"By hitting him on the chest, enough to make him hyperventilate?" The headmistress raises an eyebrow, looking sceptical. "And what truth were you trying to uncover, exactly?"
Hirano, still quiet, watches the exchange with a hint of amusement. He had never been one for explanations, and he had no intention of starting now. However, he couldn't deny the nagging feeling in the back of his mind that he had underestimated Gunha. Especially at the mention of being hit. He has never been hit before. The headmistress turns her attention to Hirano, her gaze unyielding. "And you, young man. Do you have anything to say for yourself?"
Hirano slowly raises his head, meeting the headmistress's gaze. "What do you want me to say?" he mutters, his voice dripping with disinterest.
"I don't know. Maybe something about how you ruined the school's property, endangered the students, and disrupted the peace of the school environment?" The headmistress retorts, her tone sharp. "Do you have any idea how much trouble you've caused? Not just to me, but to your classmates, the teachers, and the other students who were present during the fight?"
Hirano flinches at that. He had never really considered the consequences of his actions beyond their immediate effects on himself. The idea of causing trouble for others was foreign to him, but as he looked around the room and saw the disapproval etched on the faces of the adults, he realised that he had messed up. Yoshikawa was present as well. She looked disappointed. VERY much so. He does not like that look on her. He gulped, turning his gaze towards the surface of the desk.
"I'm sorry," he mutters, his voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't mean to cause so much trouble."
The headmistress raises an eyebrow at Hirano's sudden apology, taken aback by the sudden change in his demeanour. She nods, accepting his apology but not letting him off the hook just yet. "I'm glad to hear that, but actions have consequences. You will be suspended for a week, and you will be required to pay for the damages you caused to the school property."
His eyes widened. He was gonna protest when Gunha immediately rises. "I'll pay." Gunha's sudden offer takes everyone by surprise, including Hirano. The older boy looks at Gunha with a mixture of surprise and suspicion, wondering why the Level 5 would offer to pay for his damages. "I mean, I kind of made him do it. I don't think it's fair for him to pay for something that was started by me. So..."
The headmistress, however, seems to have expected this. "Very well. You are both very lucky that you are still a child, otherwise, things could have gone on differently." She got up. "As for the suspension, I'll be changing that, it's only your first offence and I find that your apology is sincere, and I hope you won't ever do it again."
The two nodded, particularly, the albino. "You are to be punished with cleaning duty for the next two weeks, and you will also help participate in the school's spring festival." The headmistress continues, her tone still stern but with a hint of understanding.
Hirano nods, accepting his punishment without protest. He had never done cleaning duty before, but he figured it couldn't be that hard. "And I assume you would like to go to the infirmary first? How's your chest?"
"I'll be fine."
She then glances over at Gunha, who was still nervously fidgeting. "As for you, I will personally contact your school. Let them decide your punishment there. Dismissed"
As the headmistress dismisses the two boys, Hirano and Gunha exchange a look. Hirano is still wary of Gunha, but he can't deny the faint sense of respect he feels for the guy. He had never met anyone who would willingly take the blame for something. Even Hirano, with all his power and pride, had never stooped so low. As they make their way out of the headmistress's office, Hirano can't help but feel a grudging admiration for Gunha.
Once they are outside, the two boys walk in silence for a few moments. Until it was broken by the albino. "Why'd you do that for? Paying for the damage I mean." Gunha shrugs, looking a little embarrassed.
"I don't know. I just felt like it, I guess. I mean, I'm the one who challenged you to the fight, so I figured it was only fair that I take responsibility for it."
Hirano nods. "Thanks."
Gunha hummed. "Don't mention it."
The two just continue on to walk in silence. Once they reached a certain stairway, Gunha excused himself. "I'll be going now. By the way, if you're looking for some more sparring, my school's just downtown across the bridge." Hirano nods, watching as Gunha descends down, out of view. He can't help but feel a sense of curiosity towards the other boy.
He's never met anyone quite like him before. Most people either cower in fear, the rest just avoid him, but Gunha seemed to be an exception. He's not sure what to make of it, but at least he was curious enough that he wants to learn more about the other Level 5.Hirano went straight for his class. He fully expects for the gazes of his classmates to be fixed on him, their expressions a mix of fear and wariness. He had, after all, just proven himself to be a formidable fighter, capable of holding his own against another Level 5.
As he enters the classroom, he sees that his classmates are indeed watching him, their eyes following him as he makes his way to his seat. He can hear the whispers and murmurs, and can sense the tension in the air. He'd lost the fight against Gunha, but he made it clear to everyone that he was no pushover, regardless of the outcome. Hirano takes his seat, dropping his bag next to him with a thud. He leans back in his chair, surveying the room with a bored expression.
He's used to this kind of attention, having been the centre of attention for most of his life. But still, there's something different about the way his classmates are looking at him now. It's not just fear or wariness, but something else. He can't quite pinpoint exactly what it was supposed to be. So he just ignores them.
The teacher however, made it hard to ignore.his homeroom teacher stood by the door, her eyes scanning over the class before they finally landed on him. She regards him for a moment, her expression unreadable, before she finally speaks up. "Hirano, can I have a word please?"
He sighs, pushing himself up from his seat. Hirano follows her out of the classroom, the silence on the outside sounds deafening. The teacher leads him to a corridor nearby, where they can have some privacy from prying ears in the classroom. Once they're there, she turns to face Hirano, her arms crossed over her chest.
"I want to talk to you about what happened earlier," she begins, her voice stern but not unkind. "Yoshikawa's very upset, do you know that?"
"I can see that."
The teacher sighs. "She's worried about you, Hirano. You know that, right? She's been very concerned about your well-being. And then you go and do something like this, getting into a fight with that Gunha kid of all people... and causing a scene at the school too. You haven't been here for three days and already, the headmistress is contemplating whether taking you was a good idea." She looks at Hirano expectantly, waiting for a response. Hirano shifts uncomfortably under her gaze, knowing the gravity of his actions.
"I understand, okay?" he finally says, his voice low.
"Then act like it." The teacher's words hang heavy in the air, and Hirano can't help but feel a twinge of guilt. He knows that he messed up, and that his actions have consequences. He knows Yoshikawa quite well. It wasn't usual for her to appear so scared, and so disappointed at the same time. The teacher continues, "You have a lot of potential, Hirano, but you need to learn how to control it. And getting into fights like that isn't going to help you. You need to start thinking about the consequences of your actions and how they affect those around you."
Hirano nods, understanding the message that his teacher is trying to convey. He knows that he needs to change, to be better. And he's determined to do just that. "It won't happen again."
The woman sighed. "I hope you mean that, Hirano, I really do." The homeroom teacher looks at Hirano for a moment longer, searching his face for any sign of insincerity. "I know you've been through a lot, and I don't want to add to your burden. But Yoshikawa-san has been worried sick about you, and I can't just stand by and watch you throw your life away like this. You have so much potential, Hirano. Don't waste it on meaningless fights and pointless destruction."
He has nothing left to say, so Hirano simply nods in agreement. He knows that he has a lot to make up for, not just to Yoshikawa and his homeroom teacher, but to himself as well. He has to prove that he's worth the trouble, that he's not just a mindless weapon the Kiharas had shaped.
He was then led back into the classroom, where he spent the next few hours or so listening to the lesson, his mind only half-focused on what the teacher was saying. His thoughts were still preoccupied with the fight he had with Gunha, and punishment that was supposed to follow.
Lunch came by and he went to the cafeteria. Yoshikawa couldn't wake up early enough to make breakfast, let alone pack him a lunchbox, so he was left to fend for himself. The hallway went quiet in his presence, and crowds dispersed when he walked through them. This is the first time this has happened, and it genuinely made him feel like an outsider.
Hirano moves through the lunchtime crowd, his presence causing a ripple effect as students scramble to get out of his way. He was ready for this type of treatment when he threatened the entire class yesterday. He didn't realise how uncomfortable it really is now that it's happened.
He really should get used to it then, Hirano grabs a tray and starts to browse the food options. He's not particularly hungry, but he knows he needs to eat something. He scans the selection, his eyes settling on a tray of curry. He hasn't seen one nor eaten any in years, and just the sight of it made him feel as though there was a hole in his stomach.
Hirano picks up the tray of curry and heads towards an empty table in the corner of the cafeteria. He eats in silence, all the while observing the other students around him. He can't help but feel a sense of isolation as he eats alone.
This is no different from that hole he'd come out of just days ago.
He frowns, his appetite waning as he pushes the tray of curry away. He sits there quietly, watching at his tray as the curry grows cold. Hirano can't shake off the feeling of loneliness that has been plaguing him since he arrived at the school. He's never had to deal with this sort of isolation before, surrounded by people who feared and kept their distance from him.
The bell rang, he sighs; lunch is over. He got up and went back to his class. Everything repeats itself. Listening to the teacher, taking notes, trying to focus on the lesson, all of that until class was over and it was time to go home.
The walk back was awfully quiet. Yoshikawa wasn't as talkative as she was yesterday. Her gaze remained fixed on the path ahead, her expression was something he couldn't get a read of. Hirano could sense her unease, but he didn't know how to alleviate it. He knew that he had caused her a great deal of stress, and he didn't want to make things worse. So he kept quiet.
By the apartment, he hadn't even taken off his bag when Yoshikawa turned to him, her voice was harsh as she said, "Lift your shirt."
He was surprised at the sudden request, but did as he was told. Yoshikawa's eyes scanned his torso, taking in the purplish bruise that marred his skin. Her expression softened, and she then let out a sigh. "You really shouldn't have fought that kid, Hirano," she said, her voice gentle now.
Hirano couldn't bring himself to meet her gaze, feeling a mixture of embarrassment and shame. "His AIM Field was unnatural," he muttered, still looking down at the floor. "I couldn't reflect it away."
Yoshikawa shook her head, her eyes filled with a mixture of concern and frustration. "That's not what I meant." The woman sounded as though she was whining. "I saw you get hit on the chest, how'd you think I feel when that happens? The only thing you're getting out of this is you getting yourself hurt. I don't want that, that's all I ask for, please." Yoshikawa's concern for Hirano is evident in her voice.
"I'm sorry," he finally says, looking up to meet Yoshikawa's gaze. "If it makes you feel better, this wasn't the worst i've had." He could recall having his head cut open and tubes going into it, among many other things.
Yoshikawa's hand reached out to ruffle Hirano's hair gently. "Which is exactly why I wanted you to avoid getting into fights in the first place. You don't need to prove anything to anyone, Hirano. You're already strong, and that's more than enough."
Hirano nods, understanding the sentiment behind Yoshikawa's words. "Now promise me that you'll be more careful in the future, okay?" she continues, her voice firm but still gentle.
Hirano hesitates, knowing that he can't make any promises he can't keep. He's broken one too many of them back then. He's not sure if he would want to do the same thing again. "And I don't just mean to avoid fighting. I mean, NO FIGHTING, at all. Okay?" Yoshikawa looks at Hirano with a determined expression, her eyes never leaving his face. She wants to make sure that her message gets through to him this time. Hirano sighs, knowing that he can't keep running away from this problem. He can't promise that, though. Maybe not until Kihara is laying dead on his feet. But until that happens, he can't do it.
"I'm sorry. But I don't know about that."
She merely sighs at that. "Damn it, that won't be enough." She yells slightly. This was the first time she's ever raised her voice.
She went to the kitchen and brought out a large bottle of water. "We didn't have any ice packets. This will have to do." She handed him the cold object. "Now keep it on your chest."
He did as asked, hissing at the coldness of it. As she took a seat on the couch. He remained standing there, watching as the woman rubbed her temple with the bottle pressed over his chest.
Hirano can see the exhaustion and worry etched on Yoshikawa's face. He knows that he's the cause of it all, and it weighs heavily on his conscience.
"I was there with you, y'know?" She suddenly speaks. He raised an eyebrow at that. "Down there, in that place where they kept you in." His eyes widened slightly.
"A year ago, I was responsible for taking care of those clones they're making. Inspecting and making sure they're in the right condition for battle, even picking out undies for them." She chuckled dryly at that, keeping her gaze low. He wanted to speak. But what?
"I found out about you when they refer to you as Accelerator." Hirano flinched at that name, flashes of memories in his mind. "There's no one in this city with a power similar to yours, so it has to be you, I thought."
"So why didn't you do anything?" He asks, voice low. She shrugged.
"I did. I called in the Anti-Skills. They were supposed to conduct a raid back in November…" Her voice trailed off by the end of the sentence.
"But they didn't." was what he added.
She nodded. "They were stopped by someone. Initially I thought it was the Board of Directors. But then I remembered that they have no power over them. They were both separate entities with different chains of commands. And there's no active power higher than the Directors."
The woman visibly paled, her expression turned grim. She got up and faced him. "I got kicked out of the facility when they found out about my involvement. I was supposed to die, what with the information I have with me. But I didn't. No one controls the Kiharas aside from that man. The only person capable of pulling that string is the Board Chairman."
His shoulder was grasped by her hand, pulling him into a deep hug. "So please. Do not do anything reckless, because this man has all the cards. All he needs is a reason and we're all doomed. And I beg you, please. Do NOT give him that reason.
Hirano stiffens at first, taken aback by the sudden display of affection. But slowly, he relaxes and returns the hug. He can feel Yoshikawa's body shaking slightly, and he realizes that she's crying. The twelve year old doesn't say anything, he simply holds her tighter, trying to offer what little comfort he can.
Yoshikawa's tears soak through Hirano's shirt, but he doesn't mind, putting the coldbottle of water aside and wrapping his arms around her.
For a while, they simply stand there in silence, Hirano holding Yoshikawa as she cries. He can feel the weight of her words, the fear and desperation in her voice. The older woman pulls away, wiping at her tears and attempting to compose herself. She takes a deep breath and looks Hirano in the eyes. "I'm sorry," she says, her voice still shaking slightly. "I didn't mean to burden you with all of this."
He nodded, humming in response to her apology. He understood why she was so worried, and he knew that he couldn't just ignore her concerns. If they can get to him, they can get to anyone, Hirano thinks to himself. He knows that he has a target on his back, and that he needs to be careful.
"It's okay," he finally says, his voice steady and reassuring.
Yoshikawa looks down at him, her gaze finally back to how it usually is, although slightly red from her brief sobbing. "Didn't you say that you wanted your hair clipped a few days back?" Yoshikawa's question takes Hirano by surprise. He'd forgotten about that. He ran his free hands over his hair, feeling the tangled mess that it had become.
He nodded, "Yeah, I did."
Yoshikawa took him by the wrist and led him towards the bathroom. "Let's get it done then. Oh, and for making me worry the entire day, I get to model it as I wish, right?" He visibly frowns, but he still manages to hum. She chuckles. "Don't worry, I won't take out too much, the end result shouldn't be bad… I hope…We'll go visit Aiho tomorrow after school if it does, deal?"
It turns out decent, he supposes.
"It's abnormal how they did it." She says towards the others, running her hand across the bent up machine. "It's as if it was a direct hit. Gravity manipulation?" The girl murmurs. She tries imagining the scenario, but ultimately fails to do so.
There was no proof, and the motifs were absolutely unknown. The only real explanations she could think of was that this was planned. But then again, how would the darkside know exactly which of the machines was the right one? It was an exact replica of the previous one! Unless of course, there was inside information being leaked…
'No, not one of us would do that. Not even for our life.'
The girl can only sigh, rubbing the bridge of her nose together. The older woman then turns towards the new trainees. "Uiharu, could you look into any CCTVs around here, see if there's anything incriminating?" The girl, on whose head lays a crown made of flowers immediately went on it.
The older girl then turns her eyes on another person. "As for you Kuroko, check the list and go around the dorms, see if there's any other missing kids again. Maybe even a witness."
The girl, Kuroko, was looking at a certain can on the side of the road not too far from their positions. She nods at the command and begins to teleport away. The girl balled her hands. "We'll find them and bring justice to them, for sure."
New Shit Next Week!