"Ne, Ruiko."
She perked up at the mention of her name. Black hair framing her face, she looked up from her phone, resting her chin on her palm. Beside her, the source of the voice, was a certain girl with short hair, chestnut colour.
Misaka's face held a hint of comprehension and a tinge of curiosity. "Remember that night at last year's Daihaseisai festival?" she asked. Ruiko nodded, not recalling any specifics. "That one where Kuroko said something about 'Accelerator'."
Ah, yes. That did ring a bell. "Yeah, I actually did." she replied, still not entirely sure what the older girl was getting at.
Misaka appears to be relaxed a little, taking Ruiko's response as a good sign. "I'm just wondering, y'know..." she started, hesitating slightly. "If you know anything about that name?"
Ruiko tilted her head slightly. She had heard that name before, but she couldn't quite place where. "I'm not sure, Misaka. Why do you ask?"
The older girl let out a sigh. "It's just...I've been thinking about it." she said, gazing off into the distance. "Ever since we heard of that name, there's always these... 'individuals' that seem to be around, watching him, y'know? Like, remember that blond haired guy with the tattoo on his face? Hirano was actually scared for once."
Ruiko leaned back on her chair, a frown forming on her face. "I remember that. He was a bit of a creep, to be honest."
Misaka nodded in agreement. "Yeah, he was. Anyway, I was just wondering... what if there's something more to it? No one could bring out such a reaction from a Level 5. And he..." She trails off, feeling a shiver run down her spine. "He just seemed... dangerous."
Ruiko pondered on her words for a moment. "Maybe we should ask Kuroko about it?" she suggested. "She's been around longer than us and might know something."
"I already asked her, but she doesn't know anything either." Misaka sighed. "Which is why I'm asking if you know anything about it."
Ruiko can only smile apologetically, shaking her head. "Sorry, I know nothing about it."
"Not even a rumour, or a whisper?" Misaka pressed, hope gleaming in her eyes.
"Not even that."
The older girl sighed. "Guess not." She glanced at her phone again, frowning. "Well, at least I tried. It's just...you know how things can get. People don't just disappear. Except for him, apparently." Her voice trailed off, the weight of the words heavy in the air. "I just... want to know what's going on."
The two girls sat in silence for a moment, lost in their own thoughts. Finally, Ruiko decides to break the quiet. "Y'know, I never really thought of it that way. But now that you mention it, it is kinda odd. Maybe we should look into it."
Misaka's face brightens slightly at the words. "Really? You'll help me?"
Ruiko nodded. "Sure, why not? We're friends, right?" She grinned, and Misaka couldn't help but smile back, relieved. "So, what do you want to do first?"
The older girl thinks for a moment. "Maybe there's some information about it on the city's data bank. We could ask for Uiharu's help for that."
Ruiko nodded. "We're gonna have to wait for a bit for that though." The chestnut haired girl glanced at her watch. "Uiharu's rather busy right now. I think she was handling some case or something."
Misaka made a thoughtful noise. "Well, it's gonna take a while then. But it's a start, right?" she asked, trying to keep the excitement out of her voice. Ruiko simply nodded in response, her gaze fixed on something distant.
The two girls sat there for a while longer, deep in thought, their minds already racing with possibilities and conspiracies. The air around them seemed charged with anticipation, as if they were about to embark on an adventure much bigger than either of them had ever imagined.
Yet somehow, they thought that it wasn't anything like a grand adventure of any sort. They were simply curious, and a little worried for their friend. And that, perhaps, was enough to make all the difference.
"I think I know someone who might know something." Ruiko spoke after a moment of silence. Misaka looked up, rather hopeful. Ruiko's smile suddenly turned forced, perhaps a little apologetic in hindsight. "Though... she's not exactly keen on seeing us. Or just you in all honesty..."
The chestnut haired girl knew exactly who Ruiko was referring to. She deflates almost immediately, can only sigh in resignation. "Frenda, huh...?"
"Yeah..." Ruiko hesitated. "But, I mean, she did have a reason for... y'know..."
Her eyes twitched, as if darting around the room, not wanting to meet the other girl's gaze. "How many times have I said it? I didn't do anything to him. I swear, on God." The tone in which she said it left little doubt that she was indeed serious, and that she was trying to convince herself just as much as the other girl.
Ruiko's expression darkened a little. "I know, Misaka-san. I know." She placed a reassuring hand on the older girl's shoulder. "It's alright. We can handle her if she gives us trouble."
Misaka nodded, not entirely convinced. "I guess... but... she's not someone you want to get on the bad side of." she said, sounding a little worried. "She doesn't get angry often. And when she does... she can be... well, scary, sometimes."
The two girls shared a nervous laugh. "Well, let's not worry about that just yet." Ruiko said, trying to sound more confident than she felt. "We'll cross that bridge when we get there." She paused, her expression growing serious. "But for now, let's focus on finding out the truth about this 'Accelerator'."
Misaka nodded, meeting Ruiko's gaze. "Yeah," she said, her voice firm. "Let's do that."
Hirano stifled in a yawn, closing his mouth with the palm of his hand. He snuggled deeper into his scarf, hiding and hissing at both the stinging sun ray and hot summer air; a deadly combination for someone who spent most of his time in the dark. He was beginning to regret his decision to come out here, to the small park he'd been meaning to visit for the past couple of days.
Maybe he should have just gone back home and taken care of Aiho? Maybe not. She'll yell at him again for not going out and living life, like she did every time he suggested he might just want to stay in and read or sleep. He sighed and gazed listlessly at the green expanse in front of him.
A gust of wind rustled through the trees, lifting the hem of his scarf for a second before dropping it again. He thought he heard something then, a faint squeak from somewhere nearby. It caught his ear, and he paused for a moment, trying to pinpoint the direction it came from. A squirrel, probably. They were always making funny noises like that.
He ignored it and turned his attention back to the park, watching as a group of kids ran around chasing each other, laughing and shrieking as they did. He blinked when one of them fell down. For a second there, he was sure that the poor bastard was gonna start crying. But no, they just jumped right back up and started running again.
It was strange. Kids these days, they are so resilient. He used to be like that, too, but in a different way. He'd never been one to cry easily, even when he should have. And when he did, he never cried for long. It wasn't in his nature. No, his way of dealing with things was to shut himself up in his room and brood over it for a few days until he'd worked out a way to solve the problem.
Or, at least, that's what he'd like to think. In reality, he knew that sometimes he just didn't want to deal with things. Sometimes he just wanted to curl up into a ball and pretend the world didn't exist. That's why he was so grateful for everyone, for always being there for him.
He glanced down at his foot, sighing a little. "Lies," he muttered. Of course he'd never actually said that out loud. But it was true, wasn't it? They'd all been so patient with him. And then he decides to just push them all away. And his excuse was to protect them.
From what, exactly?
He wasn't even sure himself. All he knew was that he couldn't risk hurting them, not after everything that had happened. And so, he'd hidden himself away, locked himself away from the world he once cherished.
Besides, they're better off without him. He's a walking, ticking nuke bomb. How long until those very same people decide to go after him again? It's not a matter of if, but when. And then what? They'll only end up hurting themselves. It's better this way.
But that very same excuse can still be refuted. It had been nearly 6 months since he last made contact with anyone from his group of friends. And throughout those times, he has yet to be approached by anyone. Not those of the darkside. As of yet, he has not received any orders, any directives.
Maybe they've given up on him? Maybe they've finally moved on and decided that he wasn't worth the trouble anymore? It was a nice thought, but he knew better than to believe it. They'll come for him one day. And when that day comes, he'll be ready. He had to be.
But what if they didn't? What if they'd finally learned their lesson and decided to leave him alone for good? It was a tempting idea, one that he could easily find himself hoping for.
Then... What's keeping him from going back and reconnecting with his former friends? It's not like he'd done anything to them, or that he no longer considered them to be his friends. They were still there, still alive, still waiting for him.
But... he couldn't risk it. Not yet. Not until he was sure that it was safe. And even then... maybe not even then.
He laughed softly, a self-derisive sound that held no humour. "Sure, 'Accelerator'." he muttered to himself. "Just keep telling yourself that."
He stood up, stretching his legs and yawning again. Maybe it was time to go home now. He glanced one more time at the squirrel, but it had disappeared somewhere behind a tree. Oh well. He shrugged and turned away, walking back towards the exit of the park.
He sling his scarf over his shoulder, the ends trailing behind him as he walks. The world continued on without him, oblivious to the turmoil churning inside his heart. And he supposed that was for the best. It would just make things easier in the long run.
He supposes that, in a way, he'll always be alone. No matter what. And maybe, that was just the way it was meant to be. He was fine with it, really. He'd learned to live with it.
He stopped by a convenience store, staring at the window. He could really use some coffee. He hadn't had any in days. Maybe that was the problem. Maybe if he just had some coffee... everything would be alright.
He yawned. He could really, really use coffee. With a feigned sigh, he pushed open the door and stepped into the store. The cashier chimes jingled merrily as the door closed it behind him. He walked past the cheery "Welcome!" sign and made his way over to the coffee counter. He could almost taste it already. Almost.
Heading straight for the beverage sections. Among the rows of freezers, he looked for his preferred coffee brand, took out his wallet and counted the bills he had left. He was surprised to see that he had more than he'd thought. Well, there's that. He forgot that Aiho's bills were fully paid. He suppose being a Level 5 has some of its advantages to it as well. That is, cash money and shit.
He found what he was looking for, grabbed a whole bunch of cans and brought them to the counter. The girl behind the counter looked up at him with a tired smile. "Hi there. How may I help you?"
"Hn." He grunted, a lazy look along with a lazy tone. "Put it in a bag."
She glanced at it, then at him, then back at the cans before picking them up and scanning them. He took out his wallet and handed her some bills as well. She gave him change and a plastic bag. "Is there anything else?" she asked.
He paused for a moment, glancing at her. There was something familiar about her, but he couldn't quite put a finger on it. "No, that's all."
She smiled and nodded. "Alright, have a nice day."
Again, he hummed, a "Yeah, you too." leaving his lips before he turned around and walked out of the store. He held the bag in one hand, a can in the other. The sun now has descended from its peak; its noon. Another day in the life of an everyday person.
He wasn't exactly in a hurry, so he might as well just take his time. He walked around the park once more, taking in the sights and sounds. Despite his better judgement, he found himself enjoying the warmth emanating from the sun, the breeze rustling through the leaves. It was almost... peaceful. Almost.
He sat down on a bench, the bag of coffee balanced on one knee. He took out another can and popped it open, then pulled it over his head. He could finish off all of these before going back home, he's been craving for these anyway. Now that's an idea.
He took a sip from the can, the cold liquid flowing down his throat and stung his oesophagus before it finally came to rest in his stomach. Ahhh, that hit the spot. He let out a small, contented sigh, closing his eyes and leaning back against the back of the bench.
For once he actually took advice to its fullest and actually enjoyed life for once.
It was nice.
He didn't know how long he'd stayed there, just enjoying the little things, but when he finally opened his eyes, the sun was beginning to set. The sky was painted in hues of red and orange, the clouds above him taking on shapes and forms that he could almost imagine being something else.
He took another sip of his coffee, watching as the colours slowly faded into shades of pink and purple. It was beautiful, he supposed. Maybe there was something to enjoy in life after all.
He stood up, stretching his legs and yawning again. He glanced at the remaining cans of coffee, feeling oddly reluctant to leave them behind. He could finish them on the way home. No need to waste them.
He should probably get going now. He'd better not keep everyone waiting. They might get worried. And that would be very, very bad. He couldn't risk that. With a final glance at the setting sun, he turned away and started walking back towards the exit of the park.
He walked past the store from earlier. He briefly glimpsed inside. The girl from before wasn't there, but another was. Someone new. A coworker, perhaps. Who knows, he doesn't exactly come here often.
He continued his journey, lost in thought, until eventually he found himself back on the familiar sidewalk that led to his apartment. Just several blocks away from home. It was a nice day, all things considered.
Maybe tomorrow will be even better. Tomorrow, he could finally get in touch with them again, and reconnect with his old friends. He could tell them everything that had happened, and they could tell him about themselves as well.
Maybe they'd be happy to see him again. Maybe, just maybe, things could go back to the way they were before.
Yeah... he should do that. Tomorrow. Definitely.
He walked on, feeling a little lighter than before. The world was his oyster, and he was ready to face it head on, no matter what challenges it might throw his way. After all, he had his friends to help him through it. His former friends.
The sky was beginning to turn dark, the stars slowly starting to peek out from behind the clouds. Soon enough, the street lights would flicker on one by one, casting a warm glow over the sidewalk. He couldn't wait to get home and crawl into bed.
Walking past a familiar park, he saw a pink hair turning on a corner. Just enough for him to catch a glimpse. There was a familiarity to the shape. Small and delicate. He remembered that woman. Hasn't seen her in so long though. He'll stop by her house tomorrow as well.
For now, he just kept on walking, taking in the cool night air. As he turned the last corner, he saw the familiar sight of his apartment building looming ahead. He quickened his pace, eager to be back in his own space after spending the day outside.
Trudging into the building lobby, he took the elevator up to his floor, hitting the button for his apartment number with a tired but content sigh. He pulled his keycard out of his pocket and unlocked the door to his unit, stepping inside.
For a while, Ruiko fiddled around with her phone. Eyes moving from the screen and onto a certain girl who adorned a crown of flowers for a head headband. The girl in question wore a facemask as she had yet once more caught a cold that same week.
The two girls were inside their dorm, with Ruiko lying comfortably on her bed while the other girl, Uiharu, sat cross-legged on the floor with a textbook open in front of her. The room was cosy and warm, with a soft orange glow emanating from the lamp on the former's desk.
The crickets chirped outside, providing a soothing background sound to the girls' study session. As Uiharu pored over her textbook, she occasionally glanced up at Ruiko with a playful smirk on her face. Ruiko couldn't help but grin back, enjoying their lighthearted banter.
Summer crickets chirped outside, providing a soothing background sound to the girls' study session. As Uiharu pored over her textbook, Ruiko laid comfortably on her bed, idly scrolling through social media on her phone. She glanced up at Uiharu every now and then, trying to muster up a question that she's been dying to ask.
The two started living together just a month prior. Kuroko was also supposed to be living with them as well, but didn't because of some family matters that she doesn't seem to want to talk about.
Not to mention, the two were planning on enrolling in Sakugawa Junior High, and the dorm was rather close to the school, which made it convenient for them. However, living together did pose its own set of challenges, particularly when it came to sharing personal space and establishing boundaries. Despite these challenges, the two had developed a strong bond over time, often seen studying or relaxing together in their cosy dorm room.
As for their shared living situation, they had managed to establish a comfortable routine. Nothing much of it was worth talking about, though.
Ruiko finally mustered up the courage to ask, "So, Uiharu... Me and Misaka-san have been wondering about something."
Uiharu looked up from her textbook, a curious expression on her face. "Oh? What's that?"
Ruiko hesitated for a moment. "Well... remember, like, 6 months ago or something, back in september... what's the event called again... oh, yes, Daihasei Festival, that."
Uiharu nodded, a faint smile appearing on her face as she remembered the event. "Yes, I remember it well. Everyone had a great time."
"Right, right," Ruiko continued, feeling a bit more relieved. "So, um, well, me and Misaka-san were just wondering if you know anything about that 'Accelerator' thing that Shirai-san was talking about" Ruiko asked, trying to keep her tone light and casual.
Ruiko doesn't know what it was nor what happened. But it appears that the word had triggered something deep inside Uiharu as she almost immediately stiffened, even flinching at the mere mention of it.
"W-What do you mean by that?" Uiharu asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Ruiko raised an eyebrow, slightly taken aback by Uiharu's reaction. "The one Shirai-san talked about, where Hirano-san wa-"
"I-i know nothing of it." Uiharu interrupted, shaking her head vigorously. "P-Please, let's not talk about it. It's better not to dwell on such things."
Ruiko could sense the unease in Uiharu's voice and demeanour. It was unusual for the short haired girl to be this anxious over something. What's more is that the girl lied about not knowing something. No way in hell she would have known nothing about it when her reactions alone were enough to tell that she did know something about it.
"I'm sorry, Uiharu, but this is a topic that I can't just let go of." Ruiko said, setting her phone aside and sitting up straight on the bed. "You seem to know something about it, and I think it's best if we talk about it now."
"I know nothing of it." Uiharu insisted, her voice trembling slightly. "Please, let's just forget about it."
Ruiko sighed, understanding that Uiharu was clearly uncomfortable talking about it. However, she couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more to it than what she knew. "I promise you, I won't pressure you into anything. But if you do know something about it, and you feel comfortable sharing, I'd really appreciate it if you did."
Uiharu remained silent for a moment, her eyes darting between Ruiko and her textbook. "It's..." Finally, Uiharu relents, yet it didn't seem like she was entirely comfortable with it. "I-It's something sensitive. Regarding Hirano-san."
Ruiko nodded, sensing that Uiharu was about to open up about something important. "I understand that, Uiharu. Please, tell me what you know."
Uiharu took a deep breath, gathering her courage before speaking. "Accelerator..." The girl paused. Then blinked several times, rubbing her eyes as if trying to ward off the memories that were about to surface. "Promise me you won't tell anyone. Not even our friends."
Ruiko nodded solemnly, "I promise, Uiharu. Your secret is safe with me."
Uiharu took another deep breath, her hands trembling slightly. "Once I tell you this, I beg you, try to forget it as much as you can... For your own sake."
Ruiko couldn't sleep that night. At all.
Her mind was racing with the new information that Uiharu had shared with her. She tossed and turned in her bed, unable to shake off the unease that had settled in her stomach. Her mind painting vivid images,
of the events that Uiharu had described.
It was clear that 'Accelerator' had left a deep impact on Hirano, and by extension, Uiharu as well. Ruiko couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt for not realising the gravity of the situation sooner.
The pictures Uiharu showed her, the reports regarding the testing, the experiments that had led to the creation of 'Accelerator'... It was all too much to process. Ruiko could only imagine the horror that Hirano must have gone through.
She doesn't know the white haired boy as well as the others had. Kuroko, Frenda and Uiharu have known him since they were childrens. She, Ruiko Saten, had only become a part of their lives just a year prior.
In the morning, she couldn't focus in class whatsoever, unable to shake off the haunting images that had invaded her mind. As the day progressed, she found herself constantly staring into nothing for minutes on end.
Knowing such a thing... it felt as though she was holding something dark and dangerous, and the thought of letting go felt like it would unleash a wave of chaos. It was clear that this wasn't something that could be easily forgotten or dismissed. As much as she wanted to help Uiharu and Hirano, she felt powerless in the face of such a sinister force.
Ruiko couldn't help but feel a sense of dread creeping into her thoughts. The realisation that Hirano had been involved with something so serious and disturbing only added to her concern. She knew she had to do something, but what? And knowing the fact that neither one of their circle of friends had seen the white haired boy, like, at all in 3 months now only heightened her unease.
School hours went on in a blur for Ruiko. Her focus was nil, her mind elsewhere entirely. She barely managed to pay attention in class, constantly distracted by the thoughts swirling around in her head.
"...-ko."
Numerous thoughts; where was he? Is he okay? Why must he go through this alone? What sort of thing did he do to deserve that?
"...-ko."
Academy City wasn't as peaceful as it seemed. There were always rumours and stories about secret organisations and experiments. Was it possible that Hirano had gotten tangled up in something like that? Ruiko shivered at the thought.
"...-iko."
Her mind was swimming in questions and concerns, but none of them could provide any clear answers. All she could do was hope that Uiharu would open up more about it, or that they would stumble upon some information that could shed light on the situation.
"Ruiko!"
The black haired girl was broken out of her daze by a familiar voice. Looking up, she saw Kuroko calling out to her from across the street.
"Oh, hey Kuroko," Ruiko said, forcing a smile onto her face as she made her way over to the smaller girl. "What's up?"
As Ruiko approached, Kuroko's expression shifted into something more of concern. "Are you okay? It's not like you to space out like that."
Ruiko shook her head, trying to dismiss her worries. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just had a lot on my mind, that's all."
Kuroko nodded, a hint of scepticism in her eyes. "Well, if you ever want to talk about it, you know I'm here for you."
Ruiko smiled gratefully at the girl. "Thanks, Kuroko. I appreciate it." The black haired girl nodded back. "By the way, have you seen Misaka-san?"
"Onee-sama? I think she's still at school. Tokiwadai has Saturday classes last I heard." Kuroko answered. "Why… Do you need something from her?"
"No, it's just... I've been meaning to talk to her about something." Ruiko admitted, rubbing the back of her neck nervously.
"Oh? What about?" Kuroko asked, raising an eyebrow.
"It's just... nothing too important. Just about... y'know... stuff...?" Ruiko stammered, her cheeks flushing red. "Anyway, I'll see you later, Kuroko. Thanks for the offer."
With that, Ruiko hurried off, her mind already racing with the thought of finding Misaka and confronting her about what she had learned from Uiharu.
Kuroko watched as Ruiko disappeared around the corner, a small frown on her face. Something was clearly bothering her friend, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. With a sigh, she decided to head for the office, hoping that things would clear up soon.
It would've been nice had Ruiko accompanied her along the way though. Ruiko had always been an oddball, but she was their friend and they loved her for it. Still, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of worry about whatever was going on with her right now.
It wasn't like her to be this preoccupied.
She just shrugged it off. Knowing the girl, it was probably just another one of her urban legends that she was chasing after.
She went ahead to the judgement office.
"I'm telling you, Misaka-san." Ruiko said. "She found nothing. Really."
Ruiko and Misaka discussed outside on a bench, their lunches forgotten as they discussed the latest development in their investigation. Ruiko tried her best to reassure Misaka, but the look on her face showed that she wasn't entirely convinced.
"Are you sure?" Misaka asked, frowning slightly. "I mean, Uiharu's quite skilled with computers and all, so how come she doesn't find anything?"
"Look, I know it's hard to believe, but trust us, we've been trying to find something all night." Ruiko's tongue felt heavy, the words coming out slowly as if they were being dragged out of her. "We can't just jump to conclusions, okay? We don't... we don't know what happened to him."
Ruiko shifted uncomfortably in her seat, feeling a wave of guilt wash over her. She had promised Uiharu to keep her secret, but now it felt like she was betraying her friend's trust. She didn't want to lie to Misaka, but she also couldn't bring herself to reveal what Uiharu had told her. It was a lose-lose situation, and she hated it.
Misaka seemed to sense her discomfort, then sighed, running a hand through her hair. The chestnut haired girl paused, thinking for a moment. "I don't know, Ruiko. It just doesn't sit well with me."
Ruiko nodded, understanding where Misaka was coming from. "Look, let's just give it some more time, okay?" She suggested. "Maybe there's something we're missing, but we can't rush into anything without proper evidence or information."
Misaka considered this for a moment before nodding slowly. "Alright, I'll give you that." She agreed, although she didn't look completely convinced. "But if there's any news or updates, you'll let me know, right?"
Ruiko nodded, promising Misaka that she would keep her updated on the situation. The two girls stood up from the bench and began to walk back towards the office, their conversation lingering in the air between them.
As they walked, Ruiko couldn't shake off the feeling that she was hiding something from Misaka. She can only wonder how Uiharu might have felt back then. The girl had known of this... thing. This sinister force that seemed to be pulling Hirano into its depths. And yet, she had kept it hidden from her friends, even as they tried desperately to find out what had happened to him.
Ruiko couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt as she thought about it. She had promised Uiharu to keep her secret. But Ruiko couldn't help but feel that she was betraying her friend's trust by not revealing the truth. The black haired girl sighed, running a hand through her hair in frustration. There seemed to be no easy solution to this problem.
The two girls walked in silence for a while, each lost in their own thoughts. As they approached the office entrance, Ruiko could feel Misaka's gaze on her. She turned to face the chestnut-haired girl, who was looking at her with a mixture of concern and curiosity.
"Ruiko." Ruiko felt a knot form in her stomach as she looked into Misaka's eyes. She knew what was coming next.
"What is it that you're not telling me?" Misaka asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper. Ruiko opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. She felt like she was at a crossroads, torn between her loyalty to Uiharu and her need to be honest with her friend.
"Look, Misaka..." Ruiko began, her voice shaking slightly. "I promise I'm not hiding anything on purpose. But he wante-"
Misaka raised an eyebrow at that. "He?" Misaka interrupted, voice filled with curiosity. "Did you meet him?"
Ruiko hesitated for a moment, trying to find the right words. "No... not exactly. But... Uiharu did… Last year."
"Last year?" It took a second before the word registered inside the girl's mind. Misaka's eyes widened in surprise at the revelation.. "But why didn't she say anything?" If the short haired girl already knew about it, then why didn't she tell anyone? "She knows about something way before he… why didn't she say anything?"
"W-well, he doesn't want anyone else to know of it. It's not like he told her. She was curious, just like us."
Misaka seemed to consider this for a moment before nodding slowly. "It still doesn't excuse what she did… we could've done something about it. I'm a level 5 for a reason. But, Ruiko. I trust you." Misaka looked at the black haired girl earnestly. "So please, if there's anything else you find out, don't keep it from me, okay?"
Ruiko nodded, grateful for her friend's understanding. "Of course, Misaka-san. I'll tell you as soon as I know anything more."
The two girls walked into the office together, both lost in their thoughts.
Just before Misaka enters the door, her chopsticks fell down onto the stairs, causing her to bend down to pick them up. As she did so, she caught a glance at a certain something from afar.
A certain white hair, whose face was covered halfway with a white scarf, being dragged by two people. A black and blond hair, Misaka could see.
She didn't think much of it, picking up her chopsticks and entering the office.
Hirano was planning on heading for an old place he once frequented; the Judgement Office Branch 177. He'd been meaning to go back there for quite some time, but never really had the guts nor the courage. But now, after everything that had happened, he felt like it was time to face his past head-on.
He was scared that even after waiting this long for something to happen, anything that might drag him back into the mess he once found himself in, they might not even be there. But he had to try. He owed it to himself to at least try and make amends for all the shit he'd done.
Not to mention, it hadn't been nice, being alone all by himself and having nothing to look up to. He missed them, more than he thought he would. But now that he'd seen them again, even if just for a brief moment, he couldn't help but feel like maybe there was still a chance for them. A chance to reconnect and pick up where they'd left off.
Sure, staying at home and taking care of those two women had been nice, and Tsuzuri and her colleagues were good company, but they could never replace the bond he once shared with them. He missed his friends, and making new ones was fine and all, but they couldn't take the place of the people who knew him better than anyone else. The people he'd shared his deepest, darkest secrets with. The people who understood him in a way that no one else could.
Besides, new people were a hassle to handle, especially with their demands and expectations. He'd had enough of that in the past. No, he needed to go back to where it all started. Not to mention, he had already established some sort of reputation for himself at school as this aloof, unapproachable guy who didn't give a damn about anyone or anything.
Which isn't entirely far off from the truth; he was just trying to protect himself after all that had happened. And being this brooding, enigmatic figure made it easier for him to keep people at arm's length, that way, he wouldn't have to deal with any more heartbreaks or betrayals. But now that he'd seen them again, he felt like maybe it was time to start letting people in again, even if it was just a little bit.
Some hate him for it, but then again, he could care less about what they think. They can shove their opinions up their asses for all he cares.
But what he has in front of him though...
Yes, he doesn't care. Yes, he recognized one of them. No, he couldn't ignore them. They were right on his path. That black hair, cowering behind it was something golden. Before them were two dogs, squabbling and barking loudly at the two. He sighed, rubbing his temples in annoyance. He hated when people caused scenes like this. It always drew unwanted attention, which was something he really didn't need right now.
But alas, he couldn't just ignore them either. Not when that same black hair had recognized him and is now asking for help. With a deep breath, Hirano steeled himself and approached the scene. He rolled his eyes at the antics of the two dogs.
"Oi," He spoke up, drawing the attention of the animals. "Shooo, or I'll break your necks." They barked one last time, seeing the lack of reaction from him before skittering off.
If you want to get rid of dogs, then be absolutely certain about the tone of your voice. If you run, you're only painting a target on your back. The only moment you're allowed to run is when the dog has rabies. Either way, you're dead, so you might as well prolong your life a little.
He turned to the two. Touma. He'd recognize that guy. How long ago was that night? Quite a while now. He could see a golden hair peeking out from his back. A girl. "Hn," Hirano grunted in acknowledgment. "You okay?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Touma looked a bit embarrassed, sheepishly scratching the back of his head. "Ah, yeah, we're fine now. Thanks for scaring those dogs off," he replied with a small smile.
Hirano nodded curtly before glancing at the girl with the golden hair. She seemed a bit scared, her golden eyes darting around nervously. "U-um, yeah, we're fine now. Thanks for your help," she stammered out, her voice quivering just a bit.
He shrugged, not really one for small talk. "Sure," he replied, already starting to turn away.
"W-wait." That guy, Touma, called out after him. "You're that guy from that night, right?"
Hirano turned back around, arching an eyebrow. "Yeah, what of it?"
The black haired boy walked towards him. "I just... Well, I kinda owe you one. I looked around for you back then, but you were nowhere to be found. So, I thought I'd just say thank you," he explained, holding out his hand for a shake.
Hirano hesitated for a moment, looking at the stretched hand before reluctantly accepting it. "It's nothing," He mumbled, trying to brush it off. "Just don't go around looking for trouble again."
"Of course," Touma replied with a nod. "I won't."
After another moment of awkward silence, Hirano cleared his throat. "Well, I should be going."
"Oh, uh, right," Touma said, looking a bit disappointed. "Take care, then."
Hirano nodded curtly before turning away again, leaving the two standing there. Not even 5 feet away from the two, suddenly, he felt something at the back of his head. Something electrical before fizzling out. He turned around, eyes narrowed in suspicion.
The girl, the one with the golden hair, on the floor, clutching her head, whimpering and mumbling "Ow... it hurts..."
Hirano frowned, taking a step back. "What the hell was that?" He asked, glancing around warily.
Touma shrugged, looking just as confused as Hirano felt. "I have no idea," he replied, shaking his head, tending the groaning girl. "Perhaps it's just a migraine or something."
Hirano narrowed his eyes, not entirely convinced. "No migraine could affect three people at once at the same time."
"I was talking about her," Touma looked at him. "But if you felt it too, then that means there's something going on for sure. Have you noticed any changes in your surroundings? Any unusual activity?"
Hirano shook his head, still unsure. "No, not really."
He could feel the surrounding vectors, like a pulse that he can read its rhythm. It's faint, but there. It's like the air is alive with an energy that he can almost taste. There's nothing wrong with the surrounding area, in fact, it was fairly quiet and serene.
From what the black haired guy, Touma, had said, it was implied that he hadn't felt it. But he did. And the one who felt it the most was this girl he was with. He felt it at the back of his head. She was rubbing her temples, as if she was having a headache. It was strange, to say the least. Hirano looked around one last time, trying to figure out what was going on. After a few moments, he decides to test his theory.
"Kid. What's your name?" He walked up towards the girl. She visibly flinched at his approach, but didn't move away.
"Misaki. Shokuhou Misaki..." she replied, her voice still a bit shaky.
"Misaki," Hirano repeated, tilting his head slightly as he examined her. "Are you an esper, Misaki?"
The question caught Misaki off guard, her golden eyes widening in surprise. "W-well... yeah, I am," she replied, still a bit unsure of how to react.
Hirano nodded, unsurprised. "Electromaster?" She shook her head. He huffed. "Mind control of some sort, then."
Again, she flinched. She was being unravelled by his uncanny observations. "Mental Out..." She admitted,
Hirano nodded once more, finally understanding what had just happened. "Of course," he muttered, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "That explains it."
Touma looked at him questioningly. "Explain what?"
"Nothing," Hirano replied, waving a hand dismissively. "Now tell me; what do you want?" Nodding towards Misaki.
She blushed, looking away, grumbling some indistinguishable words. "You're being rude. I don't like it." Misaki mumbled, her cheeks still flushed.
Touma chuckled lightly, shaking his head. "She means that you don't need to be so blunt about everything," he explained.
Hirano rolled his eyes, unimpressed. "That doesn't explain why you try probing my head, brat." That statement seemed to have surprised the black haired boy, looking at Misaki as if to ask if what he'd said was true. Her lack of answer and obviously guilty expression only confirmed it.
"I-i was trying to get him to hang out with you, damn it!" Misaki cried out, her cheeks flushing even more.
Hirano raised an eyebrow at her, unimpressed. "And you thought probing my head was the way to do that?" He asked, shaking his head. "You're an idiot, you know that?"
"Shut it, twig. You're dealing with a Level 5!" The blond girl snapped, her golden eyes flashing with anger.
Hirano smirked, unphased by her outburst. "Level 5, huh? That's cute," he replied nonchalantly. "But it doesn't change the fact that you're an idiot."
"What kind of person wears a scarf in the middle of summer heat?!" Misaki doubles down on her response. She was practically exclaiming.
Touma let out a sigh, rubbing his face. "Guys, let's just calm down," he said, trying to mediate the situation. "We don't need to resort to name-calling or anything like that."
Hirano glared at Touma before turning back to Misaki. "Look," he began, folding his arms across his chest. "I don't know why you're trying to get me to hang out with him, but I've got places to be. So if you're done wasting my time, I'll be taking my leave now." With that, he turned on his heel and began walking away.
Touma looked at him, then back at Misaki, who was still glaring at him. "Well, that was a disaster," he said with a sigh.
Misaki huffed, her cheeks still flushed. "I was just trying to help you out, Touma," she replied, her tone a mix of irritation and defensiveness.
Touma sighed again, rubbing the back of his neck. "I know, Misaki," he said, his voice gentle. "Thank you for that." With a small pout, Misaki relented, sitting down on the ground with a huff.
As he walked, he heard their short conversation fade into the background. They sound like good friends. Good people, indeed. Hirano continued walking, lost in thought. He wasn't really sure what he was doing here or why he was even bothering with these people. They seemed nice enough, but there were more important people that he needed to see.
He softened his expression, realising that he might have been a bit harsh on them. He could use some company other than his old friends if he wants to grow as a person. Maybe he'll stick around for a while and see where things go. After all, it's not like he had anything better to do. And that Misaki brat, she seems like an entertaining companion, at the very least.
That was the first time he'd ever bickered with anyone before. Was it? Maybe he had that sort of interaction before. Maybe he hadn't. He couldn't remember it that well. It was an interesting encounter nonetheless. He'd only ever watch the others argue like that. Definitely an interesting experience.
"Heeey!" Hirano's head perked up. He looked back to see those two running. They stopped just right behind him, almost as if they were choreographed.
"You... you haven't... told me... your name... yet..." Touma looked up at him with a hopeful expression. He raised an eyebrow in response.
"Hirano," he said simply, not seeing the need to divulge any more personal information than that.
"Hirano, huh?" Touma repeated, nodding in understanding. "Well, it was nice meeting you, Hirano. Maybe we'll run into each other again sometime."
"Yeah, maybe," Hirano replied, not entirely sure if he meant it or not.
He doesn't know what it was, but just as he was about to bid his goodbye again, he was reminded of several things. Things he used to say. All he's trying to do is make new contacts, expand his reach. They couldn't always be there for him, to accompany him on his journey. It's only natural that he would have to branch out eventually.
It's not like he's abandoning them... If moving forward is to abandon those you cherish, then the world is a cruel place, he used to say... He looked over towards the path. Just several minutes left until he reached the office...
His shoulder sagged, letting out a sigh. "Screw it," he said, turning around to face them once more. "I'll stick around for a bit." Both of them looked up at him in surprise, their expressions brightening considerably. "But that's it, okay?"
Touma nodded enthusiastically, his grin widening. "Understood, Hirano!"
Misaki, on the other hand, remained silent for a moment before nodding as well. "Fine," she said with a huff. "We'll see what happens then."
Hirano blinked, somewhat amused by their reactions. "Okay," he said, shoving his hands into his pocket. "So... now what?"
Touma and Misaki exchanged glances, seemingly at a loss for words. After a moment, Touma cleared his throat and spoke up. "Umm... well, we were just about to grab lunch," he said, gesturing vaguely towards the direction of a nearby food court. "Would you like to join us?"
Hirano raised an eyebrow, considering the offer. "Okay." he said, shrugging nonchalantly.
Misaki, though, had other ideas. "Why don't you test him out with that game thingy you had yesterday, Touma?"
Touma blinked, taken aback by her suggestion. "You mean the Arcade?" He asked, looking at her curiously. "But I don't have any money on me..." That seemed to have Misaki frowning for a bit. She doesn't seem to have much on her either.
He knows what it's like to be piss poor. So he pulls out his wallet. Cash money. Touma's eyes widened in surprise as he saw the bills in Hirano's wallet. "You... you have a lot of money there," he said, unable to hide his awe.
Hirano shrugged nonchalantly. "I've got plenty."
"What're we waiting for?! Let's squeeze him dry!" Touma laughed at Misaki's enthusiasm.
"Alright, let's go to the Arcade then," he said, clapping his hands together.
The two grabbed Hirano by the wrist, then began running, laughing out loud with such infectious energy that Hirano couldn't help but chuckle and follow them. The three of them ran through the bustling streets, the noise of the city muffled by their laughter.
I'm back! Hopefully this is up to par with what you guys have in store for 2 weeks worth of wait... Sorry about that!
Anyways, new chapter next week!