This chapter took less than 24 hours to make. So the title isn't exactly accurate...

He stood still, his gaze at the decimated field surrounding him. Not 1 minute ago it was a lush, green, grassy open field. And now the dirts are flying out and about, casting a foggy, dusty haze over the area, settling down.

It was quiet. He glances over to his front. He could see people trying to escape the craters. The heat from the dusts had been dissipating, but the air was still heavy with the scent of scorched earth. Hirano could see the fear and confusion in the eyes of the people as they scrambled to get away from the destruction that he had wrought. He felt a strange sense of detachment from it all, as if he were observing the scene from afar.

He sighed. With a flick of his wrist, the very earth itself began to shift and reform, filling in the craters and levelling the ground once more. the dust lifts, allowing lights to enter. He couldn't help but feel a twinge of frustration at the situation. They provoked him, it's not exactly his fault.

As he turned to leave, he could hear cheers, although muffled by the distance, it was still audible enough for him to hear the thunderous claps. His classmates, or in this case, teammates, can only stare in both awe and fear at the power of a Level 5.

They hadn't been able to do anything. The objective was to acquire the enemy's flag, but with his abilities, it was all too easy for Hirano to sweep aside any opposition that came his way. He could hear the disappointment in their voices as they realised that the game was over before it even truly began.

Yet what does he care about? He won, fair and square. It's not his fault that they allowed, even encouraged the use of Esper abilities. Daihaseisai was an inter-school sports Festival, but it had long since become a showcase for the abilities of espers. And as a Level 5, Hirano was definitely one of the main attractions.

He could see Yoshikawa amongst the crowd. The reason as to how he could even see her was probably due to the incredible group of girls that was standing besides her, all of them shouting and waving. There were five of them now.

He made his way over towards the large compound that holds all of the participants and spectators of the Daihaseisai Festival, trailing behind him was everyone else. While they all went into the entrance, he went straight for the stairs that led to the spectator's balcony where everyone was.

Hirano took his time ascending the steps, his movements relaxed and unhurried as if he hadn't just laid waste to a significant portion of the festival grounds. As he reached the top, he was met by a cacophony of sounds. He was immediately surrounded by the group. Yoshikawa walks right behind them, relaxed.

He didn't hear any of their words. "You did good," from Yoshikawa was all he needed to hear. He nods. "You hungry yet?"

...

He munched on sourdough bread, the crust crunching satisfyingly between his teeth. The sun was high in the sky, casting a warm glow over the festival grounds. Despite the destruction he had caused earlier, the atmosphere was lively and energetic.

He was now the one on the spectator's balcony, looking down at the festival goers below.

The middle schoolers are playing now. Meaning...

"Frenda! Frenda!" Yoshikawa chants, barely loud enough that you could barely hear it all the way down, but loud enough that it seriously grates on his nerves. The woman then nudges at him, pointing at the blond. "She's a cute girl don't you think?" Yoshikawa remarks. "Especially in that gym uniform. You're not looking anywhere inappropriate, are you?"

He didn't respond, continuing his survey of the festival grounds below. He couldn't help but feel a slight annoyance at Yoshikawa's antics. She had been pestering him about how he had only female friends and refused to acknowledge Gunha for some reason for quite some time now. She had been like that since they celebrated his 13th birthday several weeks back.

His eyes shift from the track field beneath towards the girls on his side. Ruiko Saten, a new addition to the group brought to you by Frenda Seivelun. The blond just has too many friends, just as she had claimed. She introduced them to several people these past two months, but only one sticks around the best.

The raven haired girl integrates into the group very quickly. She fits perfectly among them like a glove. Her bubbly, outgoing and charismatic personality resonates positively around the group that consists mostly of his juniors. Apparently, Uiharu was her best friend now.

Currently, the four of them are discussing something about urban legends. Something about a Level 0 who can negate Esper powers.

He finished his bread and washed it down with a bottle of water. After that, he just lays his head on top of his palm, looking down at the on-going festival with half-lidded eyes. His gaze sweeps over the crowd, taking in the various sights and sounds of the Daihaseisai. The cheerful laughter and excited chatter of the students, the thumping of music from the nearby stages, and the distant echoes of announcers calling out scores and rankings.

'This is boring.'

He yawned, getting up and turning around to leave, but not before catching Yoshikawa's eye. "You going somewhere?" She asks, "Things are getting interesting, y'know?"

"If watching girls stretching seems interesting to you, then you really need to get out more," Hirano replied, a hint of amusement in his voice. He knew that Yoshikawa was just trying to make conversation and keep him engaged, but he was simply not interested in the antics of middle school girls.

He made his way down the stairs, he felt a tug on the hem of his shirt. Kuroko peeks from his side, a bright smile adorning her face. "Would you like me to accompany you?"

"It's just a boring walk." He replied dismissively, but Kuroko's expression didn't falter.

"I don't mind," she said cheerfully. "I could use a break from all the excitement anyways."

Hirano shrugged, not wanting to argue with the small, energetic girl. He made his way down the stairs, Kuroko following closely behind. Hirano and Kuroko made their way through the crowds, exchanging polite nods and greetings with the other festival-goers. The Level 5 barely paid any mind to those around him, instead preferring to focus on the steady rhythm of his own footsteps. Kuroko, on the other hand, seemed to be enjoying herself, pointing out various stands and attractions with unbridled enthusiasm, keeping hold of his shirt.

He didn't talk much, allowing the girl to do most of the talking. He could feel the heat radiating off of the pavement beneath his feet as they walked, the sun beating down on them relentlessly.

After what felt like an eternity, they finally reached a shaded area near a row of trees. Kuroko was sweating from the scorching sun. He was fine, his barrier reflecting all of the heat away. They were quiet for a moment, Kuroko catching back her breath from the walk.

"I told you it's a boring walk." Hirano said, looking down at Kuroko with a stern look. She stuck her tongue out at him playfully, all the while giggling, her cheeks flushed from the exertion. Eventually, she softens.

"I think it's nice to take a break and appreciate the scenery every now and then," Kuroko replied, wiping the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand. "Besides, I enjoyed your company."

He hummed in response. "Whatever you say."

Hirano and Kuroko continued their walk, the Level 5 maintaining his usual aloof demeanour while the younger girl chattered away beside him. They eventually found themselves at the edge of the festival grounds, where the noise and chaos of the Daihaseisai seemed to fade away into the distance.

"Shall we go back now?" She asked with a tilted head, looking up at him with a hopeful expression. Hirano nodded in response, turning around to make their way back towards the spectator's balcony.

As they walked, Kuroko suddenly stopped in her tracks, her eyes on a stand not too far away from them. "Hirano," she said, a hint of excitement in her voice. "Do you mind if we stop by that stand over there? I've been meaning to eat for some time now."

Hirano looked over to where Kuroko was pointing and saw a small food stand selling various types of snacks and drinks. He shrugged, not particularly caring one way or another. "Make it quick." She beamed before jogging off towards it. He looked around and saw a bench, walking towards it and sitting down.

He let out a huff breath, feeling the weight of the day's events finally catching up to him. He leaned back against the bench, closing his eyes and letting the warmth of the sun soak into his skin.

"The most powerful human in the entire world, turns out to be a babysitter."

He peeked with one eye and saw an older guy standing before him. He had a shit-eating smirk on his wrinkled face, sunglasses sitting on his nose. He was dressed formally for such an open festival; a black suit and a red buttoned shirt.

Hirano's eyes narrowed. It felt as though the place suddenly went quiet. "State your business."

The man grins, taking a seat besides him. "I've got to say, it was quite the spectacular display of power you showed earlier. But still, against a group of elementary schoolers, it was to be expected."

Hirano rolled his eyes. "Whatever shit offer you're trying to make, the answer is pretty clear already." He grunts as he gets up, cracking his neck. "Leave." The white haired boy states, glaring at the man.

"How'd you know I was gonna offer you something?"

He sneered at that. "You're not the first to approach me with something, geezer." He replies, scoffing. And then there was a flicker of something troubling on his face. "There were dozens like you, told to persuade me into becoming a part of your stupid projects since this festival started yesterday. It doesn't matter how many times I refuse. you bastards will just keep coming."

The man's grin only grew larger at that. "Well, whatever those *bastards* has to offer, they paled in comparison to what I have in store for you, Hirano." The man's voice was smooth and confident, with a hint of a predatory undertone. He leaned back in his seat, his eyes never leaving Hirano's face.

Hirano's expression remained unreadable, but his glare certainly grew even more heated. "Not interested."

"You haven't heard of my offe-"

"Any more words, then the next thing coming out of your stinking mouth will be your foot." The albino threatens, his right hand clutching the man's collar. "So if you value your life, Shut. The. Fuck. Up."

…

"Senpai...?"

Hirano's eyes twitched, cursing, letting go of his grip on his collar, pushing the man with a mock force. The man stumbled back, trying to regain his balance. Hirano turned around to face the voice, his expression softened as he saw the girl who was standing a few feet away from him.

Kuroko was holding her drink with both hands. "Is everything okay?" She asked, her eyes flicking between Hirano and the man who was still trying to regain his balance. Hirano nodded.

"Drunk guy who can't take a hint." Kuroko's shoulder releases some tension. She was gonna ask the man something before he suddenly grabbed her by the wrist. "Let's go." His tone leaves no room for arguments, leading her away. She was taken by surprise, almost dropping her plastic cup.

"W-wait! My sandwich is not done yet!"

"I'll buy you a new one." Hirano's grip on Kuroko's wrist was firm, yet not painful as he led her away from the man who had been bothering him. The albino's eyes flicked over to the man one last time, his gaze filled with contempt and dismissal.

The man suddenly shouts. "You should really consider my offer, Accelerator. Kihara-san won't be pleased to know that you let him down."

Hirano stopped dead on his tracks, his eyes wide as he snapped his head back towards the grinning man. Hirano's grip on Kuroko's wrist tightened as he heard those words. He turned around, his eyes blazing with anger and disbelief. "What did you just say?" he growled, his voice low and dangerous.

The man merely laughed, turning around, walking away. Hirano's face contorts into absolute fury as he watches the man walk away, his fists clenched tightly. He can feel his heart pounding in his chest, his mind racing with a maelstrom of emotions.

"S-senpai..."

"What?!" He snarled, keeping his murderous gaze locked on the man's back.

"You're hurting me." She whispers softly, her voice shaky. Hirano's expression immediately softened, and he quickly released his grip on her wrist. He turned to look at her pained expression. He felt something uncomfortable in his chest. He knew what to say, but couldn't bring himself to.

Kuroko rubs her wrist, wincing slightly. "Are you okay?"

He sighed. "I should be asking you that."

She nods. "It's okay." She then glanced at the man. Her expression hardened a little. "Who was that guy, anyway?"

"No one."

For the remainder of the day, He couldn't bring himself to focus on much of anything.

Ever since that encounter, Hirano found himself unable to shake off the unease that had settled in the pit of his stomach. Even as he watched Kuroko excitedly engage in the festival activities, Misaka's performance in the electromaster Relay Tracks, basically everyone that usually garners his attention, his mind remained preoccupied with the man's cryptic words.

The Kiharas are back at it again. And anything relating to that cursed family line is never good.

Anything inhumane done in this God forsaken city always has something to do with them. And he fears that he might be dragged back into their twisted experiments once more. He can still remember the countless number of times he had been poked and prodded by those so-called "scientists" in the name of "progress" and "human advancement".

His hand twitched, subconsciously reaching over towards his forehead. He could feel a bump there, a lazer precise line, stretching across his scalp where they had attempted to perform their *augmentation* on him. The memories of those days still haunted him, and the thought of having to go through that again made him shudder.

He got up from the couch. The room is dark safe for the flickering light of the television that was still on in the background, casting eerie shadows around the room. Hirano walked over to the window, looking out into the night sky. The moon was out, barely visible behind the clouds. It was peaceful, but Hirano's mind was anything but.

They've brought an entire military force just to subdue him. They'll surely not hesitate to do it again if it means furthering their research. And there's no telling what they plan on next just to get him to agree.

His eyes narrowed, as he clenched his fists, the faint outlines of his veins becoming more visible beneath his skin. He had always been cautious, always on guard, but the thought of the Kiharas returning to his life filled him with a sense of dread that he couldn't shake off.

He glanced over at the clock on the wall. It was late, but he knew he wouldn't be able to sleep.

He sits back on the couch, his breathing uneven. He feared that they'd be bombing him any time soon. They could care less for collateral damage, as long as they get what they want. The thought of innocent lives being caught in the crossfire weighed heavily on Hirano's mind. Especially if one of those was those he cared for.

Aiho was in a comatose state because of them. A fact that he has yet to fully come to terms with.

His facial expressions softened at the thought of her, a saddened gaze settling over his eyes. He had been powerless to protect her, and the guilt still ate away at him.

He hated the fact that she was alone in that hospital. It feels as though he had betrayed her in some way, leaving her to face the consequences of his actions.

Suddenly, his eyes flickered with realisation.

She's alone in the hospital with no one to look out for her. And the Kiharas are after him again.

He jumped from the couch, his decision made. They're fucking dead, that is what's gonna happen tonight. He had to make sure that Aiho was safe first. He couldn't risk her getting caught in the crossfire again. Because God knows, this city is going down with her if that were to happen.

He went straight for the window, his smaller stature allowing him to slip through it with ease. He landed lightly on the ground, his senses on high alert as he scanned his surroundings. The festival was still in full swing, the sounds of laughter and music from the distant add in the night air. But Hirano's mind was elsewhere. But Hirano knew that it was only a matter of time before the peace was shattered.

He took off at a sprint, his footsteps light as he moved through the shadows before halting immediately. 'What the fuck am i doing?' He thought. He could get there faster.

The very force keeping him on ground was gone, imitating the effect that a zero gravity environment would have on his movement. Concentrated vortex of air behind him propelled him forward, breaking the laws of physics as he darted through the streets of Academy City. Buildings and pedestrians blurred past him in a rush of colour and movement. His heart pounded in his chest, matching the pace of his hurried breaths. The weight of his resolve bore down on him, but he refused to let it slow him down.

His calculations were perfect. Vectors are his slaves, Physics are his whims, and Space itself his plaything. Hirano arrives at the hospital, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He stands in front of the building, his gaze darting left and right, searching for any signs of danger. The night is silent, save for the distant sounds of the festival and the occasional car that drives by.

He ran inside the vacant lobby. This fact puts more weight on his shoulders. The lack of guards or any sort of security presence was unsettling. He rushes for the stairs, the elevators be damned. The third floor was the same. No guards, no sign of anyone having rushed in here in a panic. As Hirano approaches Aiho's room, he notices something strange. The door is ajar, slightly cracked open. He freezes, his senses on high alert. He pushed it aside, only to find the room also empty.

She looked the same, still in the same position, laid unconsciously on the bed. The machines around her are still beeping softly. Hirano let out a shuddering breath, the tension in his shoulders slowly easing. But still, he can't help but feel uneasy. Something about this whole situation didn't add up. He carefully closed the door behind him, not wanting to leave it open any longer.

He walked over to the bed and gently brushed away a strand of hair that had fallen across her face. She looked so peaceful, though skinnier. 3 years of comatose life had taken a toll on her.

He took a seat on the stool beside her bed, glancing at the clock all the while. It is still 9pm, Hirano sighed. The night was still young, and there was no telling when the Kiharas would make their move. He couldn't just stay here, helplessly watching over her. But he also couldn't leave her alone. Who knows, maybe they're after Yoshikawa instead?

He hummed at the thought. She'll be fine. She was still out with the others. Both Misaka and Kuroko are capable Espers of their own, hell, the whole place was littered with Espers, their limitations regarding the usage of their abilities lifted. Not to mention, Judgement and Anti-Skills roam the city, keeping an eye on things. She'll be fine, he was sure.

He held her hand and leaned his head on it. His eyes drifted shut, his breathing slowly evening out as he slipped into an uneasy sleep. He knew that he shouldn't, but he was just so tired. Tired of running, tired of fighting, tired of being hunted. For the first time in a long while, he allowed himself to just stop.

But there's a peculiar sound. A rustling of some sort. It sounded clear enough, close enough that it might just be coming from her hand. He pulled back slowly, his suspicion proven when he gently probed open Aiho's fingers and found a small piece of folded paper between them.

The rustling sound had been a folded piece of paper. It was thin and light, barely able to withstand the wind. He was in disbelief. Now that he thinks about it, her hands were usually on her side, not on her chest. He felt himself sweating a bit at the revelation. Carefully he unfolded the paper, revealing the message.

"Hello, Accelerator."

The stool creaked when he stood up, as he paced around the room, trying to process the information. The message was short and simple, but it held a world of meaning for him. He felt a mixture of emotions: surprise, confusion, and perhaps even a hint of fear.

He scrambles around the drawers, peeking into her belongings, trying to find any clue as to what this was about. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Frustrated and confused, he balled the paper and threw it out the window. He was gonna scream at the paper when he noticed a lone figure outside on the hospital courtyard.

On the far left bench, the person sat, legs crossed.

Hirano's very being bursts into a murderous, angry flame, his fist clenched tight as he jumps out of the window, his landing of feather weight as if it were nothing. The figure on the bench turns to face him as he draws his distance, revealing themselves to be the same man that had approached him this morning. He got up from the bench, spreading his arms and palms open.

"Her life support has been connected to a network system. I don't come back in 5 minutes, she dies."

The man manages to finish just as Hirano's arms were closing in on his face. Hirano, still unbelieving, stares at the man as if trying to burn his words into his memory. His fists clench and unclench, the anger and frustration building up inside him like a pressure cooker about to explode.

He let out a sigh, somewhat deflated. His hands unclenched, and his shoulders slumped. The man before him seemed genuinely afraid for a second, but this has him broken into another one of his grins. "Shall I take you there now then, Accelerator?" The man says, a mocking tone apparent in them.

"I'm going to choke you with my bare hands, you good-for-nothing whoreson. Mark my fucking words." Hirano glared at the man, his teeth clenched tightly together. He hated feeling so powerless and at the mercy of someone else. But he had no choice.

"Yes, yes, we're running out of time. If you want her alive, then follow me." The man turned around and began walking towards a parked car down the road, leaving Hirano with no choice but to follow him.

The night was bright with lights and cheerful chatters, even laughter around them, giving the place a welcoming and vibrant atmosphere.

The streets were bustling with activity, as people of all ages and backgrounds meandered through the twinkling stalls, their eyes glittering with curiosity and excitement. The enticing aroma of street food wafted through the air, mingling with the scent of blooming flowers and the sound of lively music.

The five of them gathered near a bench, watching the crowd with varying degrees of interest and amusement. Frenda was left just about half an hour ago, something about attending to her sister. This leaves Misaka, Kuroko, Uiharu, and Ruiko, in the company of Yoshikawa.

Kuroko has been rather quiet ever since she came back from her walk with Hirano, who had left earlier that evening, looking unusually tired and anxious. Misaka, who had been chatting with Uiharu and Ruiko, noticed Kuroko's unusual silence and glanced over at her curiously. Kuroko was staring off into the distance, her eyes unfocused as if lost in thought.

Misaka nudged Uiharu and nodded in Kuroko's direction.

They were worried. Sure, the young girl had matured the most out of the group. But the circumstances of her growth were far from ideal. After all, losing her best friend as a child, bottling up all that grief and putting on a strong face, only to meet with him back again to see him change so much for the worse. Her flurry of emotions was let out all at once that day, and it left a lingering impact in her psyche. Namely, her heightened sensitivity. They all knew she was still fragile, even if she didn't show it.

And today, it appears that something was weighing heavily on her mind. Misaka couldn't shake off the feeling that it had something to do with their albino friend, but she couldn't be sure. She decided to gently place a hand on her shoulder.

"Kuroko-san, is everything alright?" Misaka asked, her voice soft and gentle.

Kuroko blinked, snapping out of her thoughts and turned to Misaka. "Hm?" Kuroko looked at Misaka, seemingly surprised by the sudden question. She glanced over at Uiharu and Ruiko, who were also looking at her with concern. Yoshikawa, who had been quietly observing the whole time, remained still, her eyes sharp and focused.

Kuroko hesitated for a moment before answering, "Yes, everything is fine. I was just thinking about something."

"You can tell us, y'know?" Uiharu gave Kuroko a reassuring smile, her eyes full of understanding. "We're here for you, Kuroko-san. You don't have to carry everything on your own."

Kuroko nodded, taking a deep breath before speaking. "It's... nothing, really."

But her eyes speak of different things. And they all noticed it. Misaka raised an eyebrow, not convinced by Kuroko's words. She could tell that there was something more to Kuroko's silence, something that she was not ready to share. But Misaka knew better than to push her. She had been through her own share of emotional turmoil, and she knew that sometimes, people needed time to process their thoughts and emotions before they could share them with others.

"You don't have to worry about that boy. If he hurts you in some way, I can discipline him."

Kuroko shook her head at Yoshikawa's words. "It's not him... It's..." Kuroko trailed off, her eyes darting around as if searching for the right words. They could see the struggle in her eyes, the way she was grappling with her thoughts and emotions. She could sense that Kuroko was on the verge of opening up, but something was holding her back.

Ruiko gave Kuroko a small smile, hoping to offer her some comfort and reassurance. "Take your time, Shirai-san."

The twin tailed girl smiled at everyone's understanding expressions.

She'd known Misaka less than three months. Kuroko had first met the girl in the park when her white haired senior was teaching her about electrostatic theories, something regarding the manipulation of electromagnetic fields. The two girls immediately clicked like long-lost friends, sharing a mutual interest in science and a passion for helping others. Misaka's bright personality and infectious enthusiasm had been a breath of fresh air for Kuroko, who had grown accustomed to the serious and intense atmosphere of Judgment.

Ruiko, they had met less than a day ago, and the raven haired girl was a natural social butterfly; she fits amongst the group just like a glove.

Kuroko was absolutely grateful for the support and friendship of her newfound companions. She knew that she could always count on them to be there for her, no matter what. And yet, she couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that had been weighing on her ever since her walk with Hirano earlier that evening.

Kuroko took a deep breath, steeling herself for the conversation that was about to come. "Do any of you know about 'Accelerator'"

They all raised an eyebrow at that, shaking their heads. Except for one.

Yoshikawa visibly flinched at that name. She looked pale, her eyes wide with shock and fear. She seemed to shrink back, as if trying to make herself smaller and less noticeable. It was a stark contrast to her usual confident and composed demeanour, and it was clear that the name "Accelerator" held a significant meaning for her.

Kuroko and the others noticed Yoshikawa's reaction and exchanged puzzled glances. "Yoshikawa-sensei, do you know what that means?" Misaka asks, curiosity laden in her voice. Yoshikawa hesitated for a moment, her eyes darting around as if looking for an escape. But there was none to be found. She was surrounded by the curious gazes of the four girls, all waiting for her answer.

She didn't answer. The older woman stepped back for a second. "I-i think you girls should go home." She states, her tone leaving no room for argument. She was usually a kind and patient person, but there was a steely determination in her voice now that none of them had ever heard before.

They all frowned. Kuroko was the one affected by it the most. Her mouth opened but there was no sound coming out of her mouth. She was surprised by Yoshikawa's sudden change in demeanour. She had never seen the older woman act like this before, and it unnerved her. It scares her.

"I need to leave." The woman then turns around, briskly walking away from the group without another word. She disappeared into the bustling crowd, leaving the four girls behind with more questions than answers.

Yoshikawa broke into a sprint at some point. Her heart was pounding in her chest as she pushed her way through the crowds, her mind racing with thoughts and fears. She couldn't believe what she had just heard. The name "Accelerator" had stirred up memories that she had long hoped to forget, memories that still haunted her to this day.

She pulled her phone out. It's 8:51am. "Damn it, I shouldn't have let him go home." Yoshikawa whispers to herself, frustration and worry etched on her face. She quickened her pace, her mind racing with worst-case scenarios. She knew that she had to find him as soon as possible, before it was too late.

She called his number. Each second of its rings felt like an eternity to her. She held her breath, hoping against hope that he would pick up. But the call went straight to voicemail, and Yoshikawa's heart sank. She tried again, with the same result.

She cursed under her breath. She knew that he had a tendency to ignore his phone when he was in one of his moods, but she had never felt this scared before.

She had to find him, no matter what.

At some point during the ride, his eyes were covered with a blindfold, and he was ushered out of the backseat of the car. For security reasons, the man claimed,

But the smell around him told him that he was back in District 19 all over again. How could he forget the very first dusty scent he smelled when he first got out of that place?

The man was foolish to assume that he could not link 22 together? He nearly scoffed if not for the power they have over him all over again. Hirano's emotions were kept in check, as can be seen from his clenched hand, imagining the man's throat on his palms, feeling the skin grew colder and tighter with each passing second.

His blindfold was taken off, and he was greeted with a sight he would very much rather never see again. But unfortunately, that was not an option. He was standing in the middle of a small, dimly lit hallway. The air was thick with the scent of antiseptics and electronics, a constant reminder of the place he had once called home.

The man leads him further down, entering an elevator and going for the lowest floor possible. The man tried to strike a conversation, although with a smug smile on his face, but Hirano ignored him, focusing instead on the numbers above the elevator door as they descended. The air in the elevator grew colder with each floor they passed.

Finally, the elevator doors opened with a soft ding, revealing a long, sterile-looking hallway. Outside the door, stood a girl. One he had never seen before. She was about his age, maybe a bit older. But that's not why he was surprised.

She was the same height as he is; her hair unkempt, and her eyes wide despite the aloof expression on her face. She didn't speak. She doesn't need to. The clear distaste in his eyes was already apparent. She knew that any words coming out of her mouth would only amplify this hatred he had for researchers.

"This is Nunotaba Shinobu." The man says. "She's quite the prodigy. She'll be your friend for a while, so be nice, alright?" Hirano sneers at the mention of the word "friend," his mind racing with thoughts of defiance and resistance.

They continued walking ahead towards the large gate that seemed to await them, this time, with Shinobu's presence trailing behind them.

He knew this gate. He'd gone into it before. But it's been a year since then. Was it a year ago? He couldn't remember. Time in this place moved differently, each moment stretching out for an eternity and then disappearing in the blink of an eye.

The hallway beyond was just as he remembered it: sterile and unforgiving, with walls that seemed to close in around him as the gate opened with a shriek. The inside was completely dark, barely any lighting other than the dim, orangish glow from beneath the railings.

The man led him further inside, his footsteps echoing. The floor was no longer solid metal, but a grated surface that revealed the dark abyss below. The air was colder here, and Hirano could see his breath condensing in the air.

When he saw one of the machines, he froze. He remembers now.

He stepped forward, the memories rushing back inside.

The man chuckled. "How was it? Beautiful right? I wish I could have one for myself too. And you get to have 20,000 of them all at once!"

Yet Hirano does not reply. Not because he was ignoring the man, but because he was shocked to the core.

The cylinder was connected to thousands of wires and tubes. It was filled with clear liquids. Floating inside was a person, each identical to the rows upon rows of the same person, all lined up in a neat and orderly fashion. Their faces were expressionless, their eyes closed, and their bodies completely floating by, bare for the world to see. It was a chilling sight, one that sent shivers down Hirano's spine.

But that's not even the worst part. "Mikoto...?"

"Oh yeah, you know that brat right?" The man remarks, before laughing out loud. Even Shinobu appears to be distraught by the man's reaction to it all.

Hirano slowly turned to the man, the murderous intent back, 10x worse than before. Its potency is enough to have the people around him choking. He stepped over to the man, hands reaching for him.

"Heh, you haven't rusted as much as I thought you would, Accelerator."

Something washed over him, eliciting a gasp from his lips. His head snapped towards the source of it all. His nightmare fuel.

Kihara Amata.

The fic is more than halfway from completion, more or less 15 chapters away. And I think it's time for me to ask the big question.

Y'all want romance or not? If yes, who? I don't mind one or two shit. As long as it's nothing weird.

Anyways, new shit next week!