Hello! It's been a while, had it not? 2 months sure is a long time when you're busy. Lots and lots and lots of work done, going through the ups and downs of life, and watching as the people I love pass.
My grandma passed just last week. I was supposed to spend that entire week writing again, as it was my free time, but family comes first.
And now here I am. Trying to find better words, wanting to come up with an excuse.
I just hope that I haven't gotten rusty, what with all that time away.
Enjoy!
"I'm Last Order! Misaka Introduces as Misaka waves her hand while keeping the other's hold on her towel." The girl's voice still held that same playful tone as when he first laid his eyes on her. Misaka's younger self appears slightly dishevelled, but the excitement in her eyes is unmistakably the same as the original.
Hirano's mind raced as he processed the situation. He wasn't expecting this, and the reality of the moment hit him like a wave. He looked back at her, a mix of confusion and disbelief. "Last Order?" he repeated, eyes narrowing slightly as he tried to understand what was happening.
Kikyou and Aiho were most definitely more aware of the situation, their faces reflecting the same confusion. Kikyou was the first to speak, her voice calm but tinged with curiosity. "Last Order? Are you a clone of Railgun?"
Last Order nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, that's right! Misaka nods in excitement." Her eyes sparkled with the same mischievous energy that Hirano had grown accustomed to.
Hirano was taken aback and could see the disbelief in both his guardian's eyes. "I thought the project was abandoned," The boy mused, still trying to process the situation. "I've been told that the project never advanced beyond the prototype stage."
Last Order's youthful face turned slightly more serious. "The project may have been frozen, but certain aspects of it never truly disappeared," Last Order's words hung in the air, creating a tense silence. "There's still 20,000 of us. We were supposed to be disposed of, explains Misaka as Misaka sulks in sadness at her fate."
The room was thick with the heavy implications of her words. Hirano's mind reeled as he tried to understand the magnitude of what she had just revealed. Twenty thousand clones? Disposed of? It was a concept so surreal that it felt like something from a science fiction novel. Yet, there Last Order stood, her youthful presence conveying a story far more complex and intricate than anyone could have imagined.
"Then," Aiho's voice broke the silence, her tone cautious yet curious. "If you're here, then what do you want? How'd you get out of the lab?"
The girl shrugged. "They called it off, the disposing, that is. Misaka explains as she looks down, a flicker of sadness passing through her eyes." Hirano stepped aside, allowing Last Order to enter. The girl slipped into the house, her movements cautious, as if she was still adjusting to her surroundings after years of confinement. The room was unexpectedly quiet, each breath of the three individuals in the house clearly audible.
Aiho, her usual calm demeanour slightly shaken, looked at Kikyou, who nodded subtly. Kikyou, always the voice of reason, approached Last Order with a calm but firm expression. "Sit down," Kikyou said gently, motioning for Last Order to take a seat at the table. The younger version of the Railgun clone hesitated for a moment before complying, her eyes darting around the room as if taking it all in.
The table was still set from the earlier dinner, and the familiar sounds of clinking utensils and the aroma of cooked food seemed to blend with the now awkward silence. Hirano watched Last Order with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension, his mind racing as he tried to piece together the fragments of information she had provided.
Last Order settled into her seat, her blanket slipping slightly as she sat. That's when everyone realised she was stark naked. "Did you just come out of your incubator, Last Order?" Kikyou's eyes widened slightly at the realisation, but she quickly composed herself, her expression a mask of calm professionalism. "We'll get you something to wear later." She states before turning towards the white haired boy beside her. "He looked like he's got something to say."
True, the boy's eyes were focused intently on Last Order, his face a mixture of confusion and intrigue. "Why here?" The question was simple, but his tone and delivery screamed suspicion and urgency. He could sense that there was more to this situation than met the eye, and he was beginning to piece together the fragments of the story.
"A dog led me here, Misaka confesses as Misaka fidgets at his piercing gaze." Hirano's eyes narrowed as he processed Last Order's words.
"A dog?" he repeated, his voice barely above a whisper. The room fell silent again, the weight of Last Order's revelation settling heavily.
Aiho leaned back in her chair, her gaze flicking between Hirano and Last Order. "That's quite a story," she said thoughtfully. "But we need to understand what you're implying."
"It had a collar of some sort, Misaka recalls as Misaka taps her forehead, trying to recall more of the details." Kikyou leaned forward, Aiho leaning back, eyes narrowing slightly. A dog and a collar. There's at least a billion of those things. Then the little girl perked. "It can talk."
That sudden last bit sent a ripple of tension through the room. The combination of disbelief and curiosity was palpable. Hirano's eyes widened, and Kikyou's expression turned incredulous. "It can talk?" she repeated, her tone questioning.
Last Order nodded, her eyes taking on a distant glaze as she recounted the story. "It led me here, Misaka recounts while trying to look serious." A hush fell over the room as Last Order's words hung in the air, the gravity of her story sinking in. Hirano's eyes darted to Kikyou and Aiho, who were exchanging glances, their disbelief evident. The idea of a talking dog was almost laughable, but the sincerity in Last Order's eyes made it hard to dismiss outright.
Knowing Academy City, where the supernaturals mingled with the Knowing Academy City, where the supernaturals mingled with the ordinary, anything seemed possible. Kikyou's eyes softened as she thought back on the countless stories of the strange and the fantastical that spread through the city. She turned her attention back to Last Order, her tone gentle yet probing. "This dog, did it explain why it brought you here? What did it say?"
The girl shook her head. "Yes. It told me a name; Amai Ao, And that it was saving me from him. Misaka responds with a small smile."
Hirano has heard of that name, he could recall it vaguely. But Kikyou seemed to have known something more from her reaction alone. Aiho, having not been there during the entire event from back then, can only keep quiet and listen to the unfolding story.
Kikyou's eyes narrowed, recalling fragments of an old case. "Amai Ao, isn't he that one scientist who was working on the clone project?," she asked, her voice tinged with caution.
Last Order's eyes widened, and she nodded eagerly. "Yes, that's right! Misaka exclaims as Misaka nods in eager agreement." The girl's hair bobbed as she nodded, her enthusiasm evident.
Kikyou leaned on the couch with a deep sigh. "He must've been the one that took you out of your incubator. I'm assuming he's also the one who activated you?" Last Order shook her head.
"No, I was already activated beforehand, though he did take me out of my incubator. Misaka corrects with a smile." That seemed to have raised even more questions, and the girl was willing to answer them before it was even voiced. "I was already activated the moment Accelerator killed serial number 00001."
Perhaps, she was answering more questions than asked.
Hearing her say that shook both Hirano and Kikyou, for they knew the story, and who had died during that battle. The one affected the most was him. Hirano's eyes widened as Last Order's words sank in. The room fell silent again, the echo of her words lingering in the air. Kikyou's face turned pale, and she placed a hand on his shoulders, pulling his head onto her chest.
"H-hey, what's wrong?" Aiho's voice was tinged with concern, her eyes flickering between Kikyou and Hirano.
Kikyou's fingers brushed gently through Hirano's hair, her expression softening albeit tense. "He's just processing a lot," Kikyou said, her voice soothing. "He was there, y'know?" Hirano's breath hitched. The memories of that fateful day came flooding back, and the realisation that Last Order was a remnant of that terrible event made it harder to keep his composure.
"Can I... please, just... go to my room?" Hirano's voice trembled slightly, the onslaught of memories overwhelming him.
Kikyou nodded, her eyes showing compassion. "Of course," she said, gently patting his shoulder. She turned to Last Order. "We'll talk more about this later. Right now, how about you get some rest? We can find something for you to wear."
Last Order nodded, her expression showing relief and exhaustion. "Can I have something to eat? Misaka asks nicely as she shows off her big, puppy eyes."
Kikyou smiled softly at Last Order's display. "Of course," she said, standing up. "I'll make sure we have something ready for you in a moment. Just help yourself to the house for now."
Last Order's eyes sparkled with a mixture of curiosity and caution as she looked around the unfamiliar surroundings. She glanced at the soft cushions of the couch and the cosy table set earlier, her curiosity piqued. Hirano left for his room, his steps heavy and hesitant. The girl watched as he closed the door behind him.
Meanwhile, the next morning, Misaka was woken up by the sound of their alarm clock. She rubbed her eyes and stretched her arms, trying to shake off the lingering tiredness from the previous day. She groaned and rolled out of bed, feeling the coolness of the floor against her bare feet.
She sniffled a little at the chill in the air and yawned, her eyes still half-closed. The ache in her body, coupled with the cold air that usually comes after a night-long storm made her shiver lightly, mulling over whether to take a hot shower or go back to bed.
Her messy hair and worn-out clothes were a testament to how truly drained she was. She let out yet another yawn before going straight for a shower, washing away every bit of exhaustion that might linger.
Breakfast at the school cafeteria were usually light and unassuming affairs, filled with the chatter of students and the clatter of dishes. Today was no different, with the two girls sitting at their usual table. They exchanged pleasantries and small talk with several others as they ate their breakfast, discussing their plans for the day ahead.
It was during this mundane conversation that the door to the cafeteria swung open, drawing everyone's attention to the new arrival. It appears that the inevitable had arrived - Misaki was here.
She swept into the room like a cool breeze, her presence causing a ripple of excitement among the students. Of course, she was the Queen of Tokiwadai, she and her clique were known for being a force to reckon with. Misaka couldn't help but feel a twinge of irritation at her arrival. There was something about her that always rubbed her the wrong way.
"Since we both are friends with the same people, I figured that it would be better if we were all on good terms. Would you mind if we were to join you for breakfast?" Misaki suggested, her tone as sweet as the tea she was holding. Misaka glanced at Kuroko, who shrugged nonchalantly. They had no choice but to accept her offer. The blond would've insisted either way.
So it was that the three of them sat together, trying their best to make conversation over breakfast. Misaki's clique, not with them but close enough to hear their conversation, gave them curious glances but said nothing. Misaki seemed to be in her element, making small talk with everyone around her, her smile never once leaving her face.
Misaka, on the other hand, found it hard to concentrate on what was being said. Again, she doesn't exactly hate the girl, nor does she have any sort of ill will towards her, but there was something about her that always rubbed her the wrong way. It was mostly due to how they first interacted, perhaps a year ago when they were still in 7th grade, where the blond just suddenly snapped at her for no reasons that Misaka could've ever fathomed.
"So, Kuroko... What's your favourite subject?" Misaki asked casually, her gaze fixed on the girl in front of her. She took a sip of her tea, her expression politely inquisitive.
Kuroko shrugged nonchalantly. "I don't really have one. But Math would probably be the closest one to it, I suppose."
Misaki nodded, her expression thoughtful. "That's interesting. I myself find English to be quite fascinating. The grammar rules, the nuances of the language, it's all so intricate and intriguing." She took another sip of her tea before turning to Misaka. "What about you, Misaka?"
The sudden shift in conversation caught Misaka off guard for a moment. She frowned slightly before answering, "I don't really have a favourite either. But I guess Physics...?"
Misaki nodded, her expression thoughtful once again. "Physics, huh? That's interesting. One can only imagine the possibilities if we were to combine our knowledge of languages and science. Who knows, perhaps one day we'll collaborate on a project together."
Misaka couldn't help but roll her eyes at the blatant attempt to butter her up. "I don't see how that's going to happen." She answered curtly, taking a bite of her toast, her eyes twitched at the sudden bitter taste in her mouth. The blond was trying, at least she should try as well. "Fat chance they'll let 2 Level 5s work together." She added after a beat had passed.
Misaki chuckled lightly. "Well, you never know. Stranger things have happened." She took another sip of her tea before glancing at Kuroko. "What about you, Kuroko? You seem quite close to Hirano."
The twin tailed girl flinched at the mention of his name before sinking into her scarf, "We've been friends since I was in 1st grade."
"Ah, how sweet." Misaki cooed. "You two have quite a bit of history together. One can only imagine the things you've been through." She paused for a moment, taking another bite of her breakfast before continuing.
"So, have you thought about the possibility of... deepening your relationship with him?"
Kuroko looked up from her food, her eyes widening slightly. "W-What?"
Misaki smiled warmly, her expression almost maternal. "Don't worry about it, I'm just teasing."
Kuroko's face scrunched, clearly annoyed. "Why does everyone keep telling me that? I don't have feelings for him!" Misaka couldn't help but snort at Kuroko's response.
"Well, you sure are defensive about it." She commented, taking a sip of her juice.
"I... I am not!" Kuroko insisted, her blush intensifying. "You guys are just milking me for my reactions."
Misaki laughed lightly, her gaze lingering on the girl for a moment longer before turning back to her breakfast.
Despite the rocky start they had with the blond, she had to admit, Misaki does have a certain charm about her that drew people towards her, even if Misaka herself didn't appreciate it. Still, they managed to make it through breakfast without any major issues.
After breakfast, the girls went their separate ways. Misaka and Kuroko headed to their next class, while Misaki and her clique moved on to theirs.
As the day progressed, Misaka and Kuroko attended their classes, each one more mundane than the last. The only notable event was during their lunch break when they decided to grab some food from the school cafeteria. The rest were monotonous lectures and homework assignments.
The schedule for today was rather uneventful, with the next big event on the horizon being the upcoming field trip to the oceanography institute, which was in a week or so. The girls were looking forward to it, even if it meant spending more time with Misaki and her clique.
As for Misaki herself, she was quite content with how the day had unfolded. Somehow, the blond also knew they were heading for the office, so she had made her move when no one was expecting it. She would casually walk up to them with a dramatic flair and a frown, masking the sweet, sarcastic smile behind that she wasn't even trying to hide. "Oh, how cruel of you both to nearly forget about me." She had always had a knack for theatrics, but she was also surprisingly adept at reading people and their emotions, allowing her to manipulate them to her liking. She enjoyed the power trip it gave her.
As for the twin tailed girl, she just couldn't seem to catch a break today. Not only was she stuck in the middle of Misaki's antics, but her insistence on being defensive about her feelings towards the white haired boy only made matters worse. In any case, the rest of the day passed by without much incident.
The only bad thing that has happened so far though, was...
"He didn't come?"
Uiharu smiled lightly, shaking her head lightly. "I'm sure he has his reasons."
Well whatever that reason is, he certainly missed out on a lot. Ruiko brought out some snacks and they started to munch on them as they chatted. It mostly revolves around the group trying to get to know the blond more, with Uiharu serving as a mediator of sorts.
They also talked about their upcoming field trip and what they hoped to achieve from it. Kuroko, meanwhile, remained somewhat distant from the conversation, her thoughts preoccupied with the white-haired boy's absence.
Initially, she thought that he'll come late again just like 2 days ago, maybe coming in with Touma, seeing that the black haired guy wasn't around as well.
It was only later that when Misaki texted the guy that they realised neither of the two was gonna come. Touma was busy with a certain silver haired girl, with the call ending abruptly by his scream. They didn't think much of it.
It was honestly concerning how nonchalant Misaka and Misaki to the guy's outburst of agony. Seeing that the two had known him longer than the rest of the group, that sort of thing must've been normal for him.
But seeing how even the mere absence of a certain white haired boy was enough to weigh heavily on her thoughts, it was clear that there was more to their relationship than what meets the eye.
Well, knowing how frequently Hirano went missing, his absence causing such a stir, it really shouldn't be a surprise anymore.
"I've never been to his place, now that I think about it." Until Misaka's statement was uttered.
Misaki's eyes visibly twinkled. "I got to visit his place back in October last year." Misaki's answer was delivered in her trademark cheery tone, with a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes. Uiharu looked surprised, while Kuroko frowned, clearly not happy about the direction the conversation was heading towards. "We celebrated halloween together, even dressed up." Misaki said with a chuckle.
"Oh, that sounds fun." Uiharu replied, leaning forward with curiosity. "Do you have any pictures?"
Misaki giggled. "Of course!" As she pulled out her phone, Kuroko couldn't help but feel a knot forming in her stomach. She didn't quite like it.
Throughout the conversation, Kuroko remained quiet, her gaze fixed on her food. Of course, someone had to notice it, looking at how close in proximity they were. It was bound to happen, but Misaka shifted the conversation towards Kuroko, much to her dismay.
"So, Kuroko. What about you? Have you ever been to his place?" Misaka asked, her tone laced with curiosity.
"Huh?" Kuroko looked up from her food, her eyes widening as she realised what Misaka had just asked. "Did you really have to look at me like that?" Kuroko sighed. "Just ask Uiharu, she's known him just as long as I have."
The girl in question nodded, grinning a little. "We have. Once on his 10th birthday."
Misaka raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Really? How did that go?"
Uiharu kept quiet for a moment, her smile remaining on her face. But there was an underlying sadness in her eyes. "He cried."
The girls fell silent at Uiharu's brief response. They all knew that the white-haired boy was no stranger to heartache, but hearing about it directly from the most well-adjusted and optimistic person they knew only served to solidify that fact.
"No he didn't," But Kuroko's sudden assertion drew a surprised glance from Uiharu. "He teared up a little, yes. But he didn't cry."
Misaka rolled her eyes at the twin-tailed girl's denial. "Whatever you say, Kuroko." She shrugged nonchalantly.
"It's not that big of a deal, right?" Uiharu tried to reassure everyone, though her voice held a hint of uncertainty. "Why are we getting all worked up about this? It's just a tiny glimpse into his past."
Misaka shrugged, her eyes narrowing in thought. "I don't know. Maybe it's just me, maybe just because I feel like there's more to him than what meets the eye." She took a bite of her snack, lost in thought for a moment before continuing. "But hey, maybe that's part of his charm."
Uiharu couldn't help but laugh lightly at Misaka's words. "You really have a way of looking at things, don't you?" She smiled, nudging the blond girl lightly with her elbow. "Talk about his place, why don't we go visit him?"
Kuroko, on the other hand, seemed deep in thought, her brow furrowed slightly. She shook her head, trying to clear it. "We can't just go barging into his place without asking, can we?"
"Come on! That guy's already bounced off twice. We're just gonna make sure that he won't do it for the third time, right?" Ruiko was the most excited at the prospect, followed by Misaki. Misaka was mostly curious; she can't remember the last time she'd been to his house, but also mostly out of concern for his well-being. Uiharu, having been the one who had suggested the idea, couldn't help but feel a bit of apprehension as well.
Kuroko can only tag along, not wanting to be left on her own device in the midst of their antics. As for their plan, it was simple. They would go and surprise him. It was possibly the most plain of a plan that you could come up with, but they believed that it would work. After all, who wouldn't be happy to see their friends show up unannounced at their doorstep?
Well, some people don't really appreciate that, but they'll just have to show him why it was a good idea to surprise him in the first place.
"Alright," Kuroko agreed hesitantly. "You know the place. Lead the way." She gestures towards Misaki, who nodded happily.
As the girls gathered their things and prepared to leave the office ground, they couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. At least for Misaka and Ruiko. They were about to embark on an adventure, after all.
Heading for someone's house for the first time, a boy nonetheless, it was an exciting prospect for them. As for Uiharu and Kuroko, they were more cautious. They knew how unexpected things could be when dealing with Hirano of all people.
The group walked briskly to reach Hirano's place, with Misaki at the foremost front. The apartment complex took nearly 20 minutes to reach, with Uiharu and Kuroko trailing behind a bit, clearly uneasy with the idea of barging into his place without warning.
Misaki's steps were light, almost bouncy. The entrance to the building was a sliding glass door. As the doors slid open, the group of friends stepped inside, finding themselves in the empty elevator car.
The ride up to the boy's floor was short but felt longer, with an air of anticipation hanging heavily in the stale air of the elevator. The doors opened, revealing a hallway filled with apartment doors.
"Here we go!" Misaki exclaimed, leading the way down the hallway towards a particular door. The others followed behind her, their footsteps echoing softly on the linoleum flooring. As they approached his door, Uiharu couldn't help but feel a wave of nervousness wash over her.
The last time she went past that door, she was uninvited. That was 2 years ago. They reached the door and paused for a moment, exchanging uncertain glances. "Bah! You guys are a bunch of wuss." Ruiko exclaimed, knocking on the wooden door with a loud thud.
There was a moment of silence that followed, during which all five girls held their breaths, expecting a response from inside. They could hear several voices inside, muffled from the other side of the door.
Suddenly, the door opened with a slight creak, revealing an older woman, looking taken aback by their sudden appearance. Kikyou. Then a wave of recognition crossed her features, and she smiled warmly. "Oh, hey."
The girls smiled back, "Hello! Is he home?" The ravenette asked, trying to keep her excitement in check.
"Well, no," the woman replied, looking slightly amused by the girl's eagerness. "He should be home in a bit. Why don't you all come in?"
Now that she mentions it, it just suddenly clicks. They forgot that he went to Nagatenjouki. He should be a 9th grader by now, meaning he has an upcoming test right after the Daihasei Festival. Meaning, longer classes.
"Sorry, we didn't mean to intrude." Misaka apologised quickly, feeling a sting of embarrassment. The older woman was her teacher back in Primary School, so it was only natural for her to feel that way.
"No worries," Kikyou smiled, waving off their apologies. "anyway. It's always nice to see you girls." She paused for a moment, considering something. "So, would you like some tea while you wait?"
The offer was unexpected but welcomed. They all nodded enthusiastically, following Kikyou into the spacious, cosy apartment. They were led into the living room where they settled down on the soft couch, sipping on the hot tea that Kikyou had prepared for them. The room wasn't as decorated as they'd imagine, but knowing how bland the boy's taste could be, it wasn't much of a surprise. But one thing that Misaki couldn't help but voice.
"Last time I was here, I wasn't paying much attention. But now I couldn't help but notice; why's there no picture of him around?"
Kikyou's answer was simple enough. "We never really had the chance to take any. Plus, nobody in this household has any sense of art, let alone an eye for photography." She chuckled softly, brushing a lock of black hair behind her ear.
The girls chuckled along with her, feeling a bit more at ease in the quiet apartment. As they sipped their tea, the sound of the doorbell echoed through the halls.
Everyone perked up in response to the sound. "I think that's him," Kikyou said, setting her teacup down on the coffee table.
Well, it isn't. His hair wasn't dark blue. Aiho appeared to be surprised at seeing them there, but quickly regained her composure. "Didn't realise we had a guest."
The woman reached behind her, appearing to be whispering before a pattern of small footsteps echoed through the hallway. A child rushed past the room onto a door, opening it and going in, peeking at them before closing it with a quiet click.
Every single one of the girls felt a wave of familiarity at the child. Most importantly, Misaka and Misaki. Something about that girl reminded them of someone that they're very familiar with, that it just feels weird.
"Don't mind her," Kikyou broke the silence. Somehow her voice sounded wistful, like she was remembering something. "That's just... my... niece."
"I didn't know you had a niece." Kuroko spoke for the very first time. The tone she speaks in clearly indicates disbelief.
"Yes, she's my... Late cousin's daughter," Kikyou replied, her gaze drifting towards the closed door. There was a sadness in her eyes that suggested she wasn't entirely happy with the arrangement, but it was what had to be done.
The girls all exchanged glances, knowing that they shouldn't pry any further into someone's personal life. But for the twin tailed girl, something just didn't add up. The way the woman said it... isn't like how she usually acts.
Misaki couldn't shake off the feeling of familiarity that the child had given her. She stood up abruptly, her eyes fixed on the closed door. "May we... see her?" she asked hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Kikyou turned to look at her, surprise evident on her face. "I'm not sure that'll be a good idea," Aiho interjects. All eyes are on her now. "The girl is... well, timid."
Despite the warning, Misaki couldn't help but feel drawn to the child. But a no from the older woman dampened her resolve. They all sat back down, feeling a mix of disappointment and curiosity. As they sipped their tea in silence, there was a sense of unease that filled the room.
At last, after a long wait and numerous cups of tea, the door opened again, revealing Hirano walking in, a bag of groceries in hand. He looked around the room, clearly surprised to see them all there. For a moment there, they just stood and watched as he took off his jacket, apparently not in the mood to hide his surprise. "What's going on here?" he finally managed to say.
Everyone turned to look at him as he came in, his presence almost immediately changing the mood of the room. They all exchanged glances before Kikyou decided to explain. "They were just here visiting, and said they had something important to tell you."
The girls seemed surprised at the suddenness of Kikyou's words, glancing at her curiously. Hirano scratched his head, looking even more perplexed. "But I have to go out again in a bit..." He trailed off, not quite seeming to understand. "Well, I guess I can spare a few minutes..." He looked at them with a raised eyebrow. "So what is it?"
They've been thrown under the bus by Kikyou, who now got up and mentioned something about 'privacy' as she walked towards the kitchen, effectively leaving the room to them. Well, it's better not to overstay their welcome. The girls exchange looks, seemingly unsure of how to proceed. Finally, Uiharu musters the courage to speak up. "We, uh..."
Misaki, seeing that everyone was at a loss for words, decides to take the initiative. "Uh... we just wanted to say hi," The blond stammers. "We didn't really want to bother you or anything, but... well, we missed you, I guess?" she finishes lamely, her face reddening.
Hirano looks taken aback by this, clearly not expecting such a sentiment. "Is that it?"
Misaki nods. "Yeah, mostly." she says. On her side, everyone nodded as well. "We just thought that maybe... we'd... stopped by and checked on you, since you didn't come to the office yesterday and all."
The guy huffed, rubbing his moppy hair, fingers distractedly twirling one of his bangs around a finger. He seemed genuinely moved by their words, but hid it well. "Well, thanks for checking up on me. I appreciate it." He pauses, looking each of them in the eyes in turn. "But it would be nice to get some notice beforehand though."
"Sorry, sorry," The ravenette, Ruiko, waved her hand. "We'll definitely remember that next time. And... uh... we were just about to leave. So... um..."
Hirano's expression turned to understanding. "It's alright," he reassured them. "I should probably get going myself. Thanks again for stopping by."
He glanced at the bag of groceries he was carrying. "You guys want anything?" He asked, motioning towards the groceries. "I just picked up some stuff on my way home."
Misaka, Misaki or Kuroko didn't exactly live in an apartment nor did they cook; so when you offered them raw, uncooked food, they'd politely decline. But Uiharu and Ruiko? They live in a dorm, rather financially strapped, they sure as hell can use that. "We'll take that!" Uiharu pretty much squealed in delight. A wide grin donned across Ruiko's face. "Thank you so much!"
The guy hummed, a palpable tug at the corner of his mouth indicating amusement. He could feel some gaze on the side of his face. He glanced at the corner, seeing that Aiho was practically giving him the "tsk, tsk, that's supposed to be dinner" look, he just ignored it. "Well, have a good day, all of you."
They all nodded and chorused their goodbyes, filing out of the apartment with their bags. Kuroko stood by the door the longest, he noticed. A hint of something in her eyes that he couldn't quite place. But when she finally closed the door behind her, she didn't say anything more, and neither did he.
He didn't speak to her at all during that 7 - 8 minutes of interactions of theirs just now, their gazes meeting briefly a few times, always giving each other meaningful glances that the others around them might've missed. Something was going on with her, but he decided to let it be for now.
Not long after, he heard a door opening. Last Order stepped out of it, now donning a blue sundress with polka dots. Aiho and Kikyou stepped out of the kitchen as he walked over to them. "You just gave away our dinner." Kikyou stated.
Again, Hirano hummed. "We'll order take outs." He then turned towards the little girl, standing barely up to Aiho's knee.
"Well, you didn't have to give it all away. I was just about to cook something." Aiho protested half-heartedly.
"Sure." Was all he said, unbuttoning his school jacket. "What about you, kid; How's your day?" He looked down at her. The girl looked like she was gonna blow, trying to keep all those words from escaping from her mouth. She reminded him of the younger Misaka in that dress. Which, isn't really that much of a surprise considering that the girl was quite literally Misaka's clone. The only difference was that he'd met the girl when she was, like, what, 11? Maybe.
"Well, you see, I didn't talk to them. But I heard what they were talking about through the door! Says Misaka as Misaka practically start to jump in excitement!" Which she did. She was hopping in place like a frog on a hot pan, her arms waving wildly as she spoke. The prospect of finally being talked to by Hirano filled her with so much energy she could barely contain herself.
"They thought I was Aunty's niece! And they bought it just like that! Says Misaka as Misaka starts grinning for having fooled them."
The guy blinked several times before looking at the blue haired woman. "Aunty?" He repeated.
The older woman simply shrugged. "It's a good cover, okay?" Aiho grumbled. Then, to Last Order, she said, "Besides, if she's gonna stay here for a bit, I think it'd be nice for her to call me that."
"Well if you're the aunt, then what am I?" Kikyou chirped in on the side, already on the couch, smirking with the side of her head laying on the armrest.
"You're aunt Yoshi!" Last Order's boisterous response echoed through the room, her excitement still bubbling over. Her eyes sparkled with the joy of having found someone who would play along with her.
Kikyou giggled, Aiho rolled her eyes, and Hirano couldn't help but smile at the little scene unfolding before him. "Yoshi, huh. Didn't know the clones play Mario. Just so you know, not all turtles are lazy."
"She was just playing with words. Anyway," Kikyou interrupted, "what do you want to eat for dinner?"
Hirano shrugged, about to enter his room. "Nothing too sweet, I hope." Once the older woman nodded, he stepped into his room. Last Order's muffled voice seeped through the door as he sat on the side of his bed.
He stared at his school uniform on the floor, crumpled haphazardly. It was a mess, just like his room. And just like himself. He glanced over at the posters hanging on the walls; most of which was given to him. The only one he'd picked was a beautiful painting of a sunset, done in watercolour. It seemed rather out of place, considering the rest of his eclectic taste in decoration. Perhaps he'd put it up because it reminded him of home.
He ran a hand through his messy hair and sighed. Just like his crumpled jacket on the floor, unable to handle its own weight, he too felt like he was collapsing in on himself, the weight of everything becoming too much. It was almost a relief to know that there were people out there who still cared, it was enough to keep him going, for now.
He lay his back on his bed, feeling the surface of the sheets against his skin. The mattress groaned under his weight. His hands were behind his head as he looked up at the ceiling. There was a light shining through the window, making the room bright, but not warm. There was an unsettling chill in the air. Perhaps it was just him.
He didn't know why he was thinking like this, perhaps it was all those years of isolation finally catching up with him. He had thought that once he graduated from middle school, and then ultimately high school, he'd be able to move on, to finally find his place in the world. But it seemed like no matter how much he tried, he couldn't quite fit in. Maybe it was because he was different. Maybe it was because he cared too much. Or maybe, just maybe, he wasn't meant to.
Hirano winced at the thought. The idea that he wasn't meant to fit in somewhere nagged at him. But perhaps, it was because he was trying too hard. Maybe he just needed to relax and let things happen naturally. After all, he'd made it this far, hadn't he? Despite all the obstacles, despite all the trials and tribulations, he was still here and not six feet underground like some of his peers are.
He took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. No use dwelling on the negative thoughts. They'll only drag him down. Hirano got up from the bed, ignoring the mess around him for now. He walked over to his closet and started looking through his clothes, searching for something that he could wear for dinner. Something that would make him feel a little more put together, despite the chaos going on inside his head.
Those two women would probably refer to this phase as simply 'puberty', he suspects as much. After all, he'll be, what now, 14? Maybe even 15. His real age has always been a mystery. Time underground is different, even if you have the means to keep track. So, no need to ask. Not that they would tell him anyway.
But that's beside the point; hormones are assholes. They're like your local drug dealer. Either their stuff is too weak to have any effect, or they're so addictive and potent that they destroy you from the inside out. Which was sort of what was happening with Hirano right now. He'd become so preoccupied with all the things going on in his life that he'd forgotten to take care of himself. He hadn't been eating properly, he'd been skipping out on sleep, and he hadn't even bothered to exercise in ages. It was no wonder that he was feeling so out of sorts.
"Yeah... I should really start taking better care of myself." He muttered to himself as he continued to look through his clothes.
Finally found something that he thought looked halfway decent.
Not sure if I'm back for real this time. But there's one thing that I'm sure of.
New chapter next Monday!