Late update. Was supposed to publish this morning but forgor.

Sucking on a straw, hot 11 AM air with the shining sun beats down on them, Hirano stares ahead the sea of crowds with a tired eye. Woke up at just 5 hours ago at 6 in the morning, something that he had been sorely accustomed to in his newfound daily life.

Frenda likes to wake up early. Her sleeping in his room this time certainly had only amplified it - and then there was the festival. The only good thing coming out of waking up this early other than smelling and hearing the food being cooked, searing from the street vendors, was the cool air that accompanied the morning dew. His walk to school too had been quite pleasant, and the last time that had happened was half a decade ago.

There were several briefings done within the walls of Nagatenjouki Gymnasium. He'd spent maybe an hour there, sitting quietly as the teachers explained several things to, perhaps, the entire 9th graders of the prestigious school.

Festival rules, schedules, be on your best behavior, do not go into restricted areas, and don't forget to sign out before 8:00 PM. Things that they'd all heard before but is simply customary to be reminded of to everyone simply because there were several instances of those who simply didn't bother to heed the warnings and had to be tracked down by the Anti-Skills.

If not for his polite up-bringings, the white haired boy would've preferably spent the rest of the morning in bed, but here he was, stuck in the sea of people who had all decided to come out and enjoy the festival. The bustling streets were lined with colorful stalls selling everything from traditional Japanese snacks to modern trinkets. The air was thick with the smell of grilled meat, sweet treats, and the mingled scents of perfume and sweat from the excited crowd.

"Oh come on! Couldn't I just take the cherry?"

"The cherry's the best part you numbnuts!"

That's new. Uiharu and Ruiko bickering over crepes and cotton candy? At least someone seems to be having fun. He pulled a little at his P.E uniform, feeling it a tad bit revealing. He was glad to have been given the long pants instead of the shorts that were so unflattering and impractical for this kind of event. His white hair glistened in the sunlight as he walked, drawing a few curious glances from passersby. The festival crowds were thick and unrelenting, forcing him to weave his way through the sea of people.

Kuroko's nowhere to be found yet, as does Misaka and Misaki. The whole Tokiwadai Middle School was here, so he's bound to run into them at some point. Which is quite uncomfortable to think about, knowing how nosy those ojou-samas can be. Seeing one of their own, mingling with someone the likes of him? That'll be a gossip none of them will let slip.

Both Uiharu and Ruiko had been bickering for quite some time now behind him, even though they were just idly strolling. He didn't bother turning around to check on them, as he had other things to think about. Like the fact that he was standing in the middle of a bustling festival street, surrounded by thousands of people.

There was this small stage just up-front. He was given an invitation to be one of the Level 5s to give a small speech for the festival opening, or at least a brief appearance, which was something he was looking forward to the least. He was no good with words, even worse in public. But that's just another part of being a Level 5, right? A public appearance was a public appearance, whether he liked it or not.

But then again, they can't exactly force his hands. He's the strongest, after all.

But of course, they managed to get themselves 2 out of the 7 Level 5s. Who those guys were, he probably knows. There's really only 3 people out of the group who'd be willing to do something as lame and corny as making an appearance at an event like this. Well, he can always send his regards via proxy

More than likely, it would be Misaka. She's quite literally the face of the Level 5s, the city mascot, the shining beacon that every esper in the city aspires to be. Surely she would at least be here to keep up her public image, or at least appear so. He just hopes it isn't the case, or else he'll be stuck watching her from the sidelines. Being his protege and all, he'd have to at least be there to support her, right? Again, he doesn't know how to do that. The best he could do is a wave. Take it or leave it.

The other two Level 5s, meh, Gunha and Misaki. They're charismatic, at least, no scandal could be associated with them, and they're relatively good at speaking in public. They'd probably give a speech, or at least say a few words. Maybe even do some kind of trick or demonstration. Knowing Gunha, he'd more than likely do the latter.

Feeling a tug at the hem of his shirt, he perked, coming out of his trance to turn back at the source of the tug. It was Frenda. She seems to be tying her hair into a ponytail for this occasion. He couldn't remember which school she goes to, or if she even goes to one to begin with. What with those... things he'd learned the hard way the other day.

"Hey," She said, looking up at him with a bright smile. Somehow, she's got his left arm wrapped around her, and she's leaning against his side. He didn't even realize he'd been holding her, or if he had. "You alright?"

He took a moment to collect his thoughts, before responding with a simple nod. "I'm fine, just preoccupied." He looks ahead, toward the stage where those three would be very likely giving a public appearance in a few minutes. The crowds around them press closer, making the space feel more confined.

"Shall we go somewhere more open?" Frenda suggests, tugging gently at his arm.

He blinked, surprised at the blond's suggestiveness. Even since this morning, she's gotten a bit more... clingy? Not exactly that, but definitely close. She was actively seeking his attention, which is a new development. He hadn't noticed it before, but now that he thinks about it, it is definitely a recent development. Her hand is still wrapped around his arm, and she's leaning against him more than necessary.

He leaned away a little. It's embarrassing. It's not uncomfortable, per se, just new. And strange, and a bit intimidating. She's still looking up at him expectantly, smiling brightly. She hasn't moved at all, which is making it more awkward as the seconds pass. The large crowd and her close proximity made the space feel more confined.

The white haired boy tried to think of something to say. He hadn't been this flustered in quite some time, not since he first met Esther, yet, another blond. Plus that one was for different reasons - she was damp completely (which is surprising) from having spilled a whole flask of water onto herself.

That one was a different kind of flushing. One that is making him feel all heat up inside, despite the chill in the air.

As for Frenda? She's making him flush from another angle. The white haired boy wasn't sure what to make of it. It's not that he disliked it, but it was definitely something new. And it was making him feel... uncomfortable, but in a good way. Like a pleasant itch he couldn't quite scratch.

He cleared his throat, trying to break the awkward silence. "Um, we were supposed to meet up with the others here..." He trailed off, not quite sure how to continue.

Frenda smiled warmly, seeming to take his hesitation in stride. "Ah, that's right. Well, we could always go somewhere else and meet them up later, couldn't we?" She tugged at his arm again, her smile growing wider. "What do you say, Hirano-chan? Want to explore the festival with me?"

'Chan...?' A pet name. This girl really is getting bold? The white haired boy felt his face flush even deeper at the casual use of the informal title, his heart starting to beat faster. He couldn't remember the last time someone had called him that, and certainly not in public. Not to mention, Frenda wasn't exactly the type to be so... affectionate.

"What're you doing?"

Well, as it had appeared, Kuroko's presence had been his salvation. At least, he hoped so.

Frenda's grip on his arm tightened like a steel band as she looked over her shoulder. The white-haired boy's relief at seeing a familiar face quickly turned to confusion as he saw the look of betrayal in Kuroko's eyes. She was standing there, her usual composed demeanor cracking. Her hands, holding a bag of cotton candy, were clenched tightly at her sides.

"Hello!" Frenda's voice was unnaturally bright, her smile strained. She pulled herself closer to him, her grip on his arm becoming almost painful. "Kuroko! What a surprise! I thought you'd be with your classmates for a bit."

Kuroko's eyes narrowed dangerously, her grip on the cotton candy bag tightening further. "We made plans to meet here. With you guys."

"Well, here we are."

There was a pause.

The sheer awkwardness of the situation hung in the air. Kuroko's gaze darted between Frenda and him, her face a mask of hurt. While Frenda had the same hurt in her expression, there were also other emotions swirling beneath the surface. Uiharu and Ruiko took notice of the charged atmosphere.

Uiharu, the smaller of the two, nervously chewed on her crepes, while Ruiko looked ready to step in and break up the confrontation. Hirano found himself at a loss for words, caught between these two female friends of his. He had no idea how to handle this situation - this is simply something that has never happened to him before.

The twin tailed girl's eyes shifted from the blond towards him. "Say," Kuroko's voice was deceptively calm as she addressed him. "You two seemed to be getting quite close."

The jab struck deep, and Frenda's grip on his arm tightened even further, her nails digging into his skin through the fabric of his shirt. "What're you so worked up for?" Her voice was sharp and defensive, the forced cheerfulness from earlier cracking. "Hirano and I were just talking, that's all. No need to get so riled up about it, is there?"

Kuroko's eyes narrowed further, her grip on the cotton candy bag tightening. "Just talking? That's not what it looked like from where I'm standing. It looked like you were trying to fuse yourselves to him, or something." Frenda's eyes widened in surprise at Kuroko's bluntness, a flush rising to her face.

"I was just being friendly. There's nothing wrong with that, is there?" She glared at Kuroko defiantly. "You always get so clingy. You're supposed to be more mature, right? But I guess you can't help it, can you? You still act like a child sometimes. Like now."

"Oh?" Kuroko's voice was dangerously low, her grip on the cotton candy bag loosening as her hands clenched into fists. "A child? I'm just looking out for Hirano. Someone needs to, since you can't be trusted to not take advantage of him, Frenda." Her words were sharp, cutting through the air between them.

Frenda's face paled, but she quickly regained her composure, a challenging smirk spreading across her face. "Take advantage?"

Kuroko sneered. "Aren't you the one who lied to everyone for years that when the truth comes out no one knows which of your words to trust? Why would I think you'd be honest now, about this?"

The blond's composure finally cracked, her face twisting in anger. "You ungrateful little-"

"Fuck this shit I'm out," The blond yelped she felt her grip instantly loosen as Hirano pulled his arm away. He took a step back, creating some distance between him and the two. He doesn't want any part in this. He can't choose sides. They're too far off to be separated, and doing so would only make things worse. The last thing he wants is to be caught in the middle of a fight between two of his friends, especially one that seems to be escalating so quickly.

He couldn't bring himself to say anything else before walking off into the crowd. When Frenda tried to grab him by the shoulder, there seemed to be an invisible barrier that repelled her hand, stopping her from reaching. That was the first time he'd used his power against her. Or any of their friends in such a manner.

Uiharu and Ruiko watched for a moment. The ravennette just stared at the two with a blank gaze, before following suit for the white haired boy. Uiharu flashed them a disappointed look, and followed after the two.

The two, now left alone in the midst of the bustling festival, stood face to face. With their camaraderie now completely shattered, their faces flushed with anger and hurt. The crowds of people milled around them, oblivious to the drama unfolding between two.

Nothing else needed to be said. They had nothing to prove. They've spoken their minds, and nothing could be left unsaid at this point. All that's left is the hostility that fills the space between them, a physical manifestation of the hurt and anger that was built just mere minutes ago. Their relationship, once so close, now feels irreparably damaged.

To the two of them, they were no longer friends.

The opening ceremony was a spectacle. Kinda like the one you'd see in an animated TV show about a city with nerd's wet dream level of tech - with Gunha showing off his power and Misaki's idol-like presence. But between the two, everyone was cheering for the blond in particular, because why wouldn't you? Unless you like men- actually, EVEN if you like men, you'd still probably be cheering for her.

She just has that sort of aura. It's hard to put a finger on, but you can just tell that she's the kind of person who can do anything she sets her mind to. Plus, she's really good at what she does. The kind of person you'd want on your side in a fight, and not just for her power (if you know what I mean). Her confidence and charisma are as much of an asset as her ability to practically mental-fuck people.

The first game of the day began, but much of the crowds, primarily tourists, were running around with their cameras and stuff and exploring around the magnificent city of Academy City. It's like a dream for a tech nerd, with its futuristic buildings and gadgets that seem to be pulled from a sci-fi movie. The city is so advanced, it's like something out of a futuristic novel. The contrast of the modern architecture and the traditional festival atmosphere creates a unique and exciting experience for visitors.

The loud sounds of Esper powers battling it all out in the city's center were a constant backdrop. The festival continued, with more games and attractions opening up as the day progressed. People were running around, cheering for their favorite contestants and enjoying the food and atmosphere. Being greeted by a robot is but a normal occurrence in this city.

Hirano, sitting here on this bench, constantly under scrutiny by one simply because he looked suspicious, with a white hair and a look that screams 'delinquent', only worsened his already bad mood and making him want to crush the piece of tin can down to the molecular level, until only an undifferentiated metallic powder was left.

Uiharu is sitting on the same bench as him, but only slightly on the side. Ruiko positioned herself on the back, resting her arms around the bench's edge, looking up to the sky with a frown. Nobody spoke at all. They've got their minds running over and over again at the heated argument between those two just earlier. Maybe 30 minutes ago or so, but it feels like an eternity has passed.

Out of everyone in the group, Kuroko and Frenda were the least likely to have fought over any reasons that they could think of. They were childhood friends - everything that has happened between them was almost never bad. Just last week, Frenda was forced to choose between her own life or Kuroko's, where indecision would just kill them both.

The blond got so scared at the thought of murdering Kuroko that she fucking told everyone about everything, although forcefully. But even then, there was no bad blood left between them. Just strained about the lie but other than that, they genuinely are completely fine with each other.

So what the fuck changed?

His thoughts must've been translating itself into his face, because Uiharu's gaze suddenly locked onto his. Her face was tight with concern as she scooted a little closer to him on the bench. "You look like you're about to punch something." She said this in a soft, almost inaudible murmur, trying to be considerate of the others.

"I am." He felt Ruiko's arms tighten slightly around the bench's edge at his words, her gaze still fixed on the sky above.

"Me too. This whole situation, it's making me sick." She spoke softly, her words laced with bitterness. "We were supposed to be having fun, enjoying the festival. Instead, we're stuck here, in this awkward silence, all because of some stupid argument." She finally looked down, her face twisted in a scowl. "What is it about you that they're fighting over, anyway?" Her words were laced with a sharp edge, but there was no real malice in them, just frustration and confusion.

"Shush, don't say that." Uiharu hissed, shooting a quick glance at Ruiko. "That's not the kind of thing you should be asking, especially not now. You know how he is." She turned back to Hirano, her face softening. "Are you okay? You look really tense."

"I'm fine." He said, his words rough and strained. He flexed his hands, trying to release some of the tension in his body. He let out a sigh so deep, it seemed to come from his very core. "Those two are gonna be the end of me, I swear. All this drama over nothing, I can't stand it." His fists clenched involuntarily, knuckles turning white.

Uiharu's face showed deep concern as she watched him, her brow furrowing. "They're just so... passionate, about everything. I don't understand it, but that's just them, I guess." She paused, biting her lip. "Maybe we should try to find them? See if they're okay?" Uiharu suggested, speaking in a quiet, hesitant manner.

Hirano's gaze sharpened, his face growing stern. "You can if you want. I'm not getting involved in their shit." He said, his words coming out hard and sharp. His gaze was cold and unyielding, like he was daring them to contradict him. Uiharu's shoulders slumped slightly at his harsh tone, while Ruiko remained silent, still looking up at the sky with a scowl on her face.

"I'll tell you what," Ruiko finally spoke, still not looking at either of them. "Let's just go. We can do our own thing, away from all this." She stood up, stretching as she did, her back crackling audibly. "The festival's not over, after all. No reason we can't enjoy it." She turned to them, a small, forced smile on her face.

"You do you," Hirano grunts, getting up from the bench, pulling himself to a stand. The mention of enjoying the festival brings him no joy - instead, he feels nothing at all, an empty void in the pit of his stomach. "I've got some events to attend. Courtesy of the school. Can't get out of it." He starts to walk away, his footsteps heavy and deliberate, each step carrying the weight of his frustration.

It was a good thing they kept quiet. He probably wouldn't have had any qualms about punching the tin can robot. He didn't know what got him so worked up about someone else fighting with each other. Maybe it was because it has something to do with him - he's had a fair share of people (scientists) fighting over the rights to use, conduct experiments and study him.

Having those two fights because of him is the last thing he wants to happen. Their relationship, after all, was the only stable thing in his life. Well, that and his family. He can't lose either. He can't, he won't. He would do anything to prevent it, even if it means not getting involved in their shit.

But still, these people, Uiharu and Ruiko, he kinda felt bad for having poured his frustration on them. They were just as affected by this situation as he was, if not more. He could see the strain on their faces, the way they tried to maintain a facade of normalcy. It wasn't fair to them, to make them bear the brunt of his anger. He should have been more considerate.

But now that he thinks about them, when was the last time he'd spend some real time with those two? Nothing like hanging out with them and the rest. One that was just them and him. He's some the last week living with Frenda and her sister. The week before that, Kuroko's more often than not around.

Then there's Misaka and Misaki, and the addition of Touma - the only guy in the group besides him. He spent lots of time teaching all kinds of things to Misaka. Misaki's just there cause that spiky haired guy was around. And he prefers hanging out with Touma because he's, again, the only guy around.

When has he ever spent quality time with Uiharu or Ruiko? Other than those times when they're all together as a group. The last time he can remember is that time when he and Ruiko went to get drinks at the vending machine. That was like, minutes ago. Other ones? Fucking months ago.

'Yeah...' The white haired guy stopped for a moment on his tracks, the small tugging on the corner of his lips further downward. They'd been nothing but kind and supportive. The least he could do is pay for their sugary sweet cravings every now and then. 'Nothing that a costly sundae couldn't fix. I hope.'

Surely, a couple of ice cream treats could go a long way in easing the awkward atmosphere between them all. The idea of buying some for the two girls put a small, determined smile on his face. He could also probably try and get those two, Kuroko and Frenda, to at least make up. He knew he couldn't force them, but he could at least try to be a mediator. He was the reason for their falling out, maybe he could be the one to help patch things up. The thought of this plan made him feel slightly better, giving him a goal to focus on.

Passing by yet another wave of crowds, he got to where he needs to be. There's at least 30 or so people in that single place, either standing or talking to someone. They all wore that same P.E uniform as his. He snuck in quickly enough that he was sure that he couldn't get called out for missing nearly 30 minutes of the event.

Except, of course, considering his luck for that day, a stern voice suddenly calls out; "Hirano, you're late. Where have you been all this time? I thought you'd missed the game on purpose."

His heart sinks as he spots one of his teachers at the front of the crowd, her arms crossed and her face set in a stern expression. Several of his classmates are watching the scene unfold with curiosity. The white haired boy cursed several names of the people that had started snickering under his breath.

"Whatever, at least you're here now," She tapped the palm of her hand with her clipboard right after writing something on it. Probably his name or something. "Alright, you all know the rules. We'll be playing the Pole game and I expect everyone to participate fully. Do as we all have trained for, do not fret over scratches or wounds or cuts - body contact is inevitable." The last sentence was emphasized quite particularly over towards the girls, who were already fidgeting in their spots.

"Now, Hirano," There was even more emphasis used on his name. The stern tone even got him flinching. He'd never heard a more authoritative voice in his life. "The firepower you provide is a thousand times more potent than anyone in the field could ever produce, combined. They can't exclude you from participating, and we want you to do so. As such, event organizers made a rule specifically for you to make it fair for everyone."

"It states that you have 1. I repeat; only 1 move. That's it and that's all. So, go all out at that time."

Hirano understood what she meant and knew perfectly fine what his assignments were.

But to ask him to go all out? He's not sure if we are capable of doing that. Not that his full potentials were untapped or anything like that. Just that...

What exactly are his limits? Vector Manipulation, to some degree, has no real definitive limit. The more he uses it, the more he can do. And with that much power, even if he just wanted to, he could probably blow a hole in the entire sports field, and not just a part of it. Hell, he could eradicate the entire city block, and still have more than enough to spare. That's why they limited him to 1 move. One single move, and he could potentially end the entire game before it even starts.

Walking into that field, standing further up than his own peers, staring down on his opponents at the other end of the field, their pole just slightly out of his sight, Hirano feels a mix of emotions. Pride and trepidation. Pride in his own power, trepidation at the thought of unleashing it. The white-haired boy looks down at the ground, then back up at his opponent.

He could see someone familiar from here - a spiky black hair.

Kamijou Touma.

Nagatenjouki, Academy City's most prestigious school, coupled with him, the strongest of the 7 Level 5s. This is overkill. Going against a rather obscure school is one thing, but putting the top of the food chain against the bottom? That's just cruel, even for Nagatenjouki. He alone is enough to change the course of any game, not just this one. The others here are just collateral damage, potential casualties in what could be the greatest display of power the world has ever seen, if he loses control. Their lives, their future, hanging by a thread.

He leaned his head lower, rubbing the nape of his neck, a habit he's developed to calm himself. He could hear their scream as they charged. Even the nervousness in their shouts are audible in the determined shout as they run. He could feel the ground quiver as dozens of people thundered towards him, their bodies in perfect synchronization. They've practiced this move countless times. He couldn't help but be impressed.

But unfortunately for them, he had to be the one to stop it. He doesn't like this. It's though they've trained for nothing.

Maybe he should give them some slack and hold back a little? Yeah. He can do that. What're his teachers gonna say anyway? That he wasn't giving 110% of his effort? Nah, he was just being nice. That was all.

He grinned a little. 'That'd be funny,'

So he did that. He split the field in half, creating a perfect, straight line of destruction. Torn apart the ground, the grass and dirt flying in all directions. Several of the runners were thrown off balance, stumbling and falling as the earth beneath them crumbled. Some managed to stay on their feet, but their charge was completely disrupted. Their momentum was completely halted, and they now had to carefully navigate the newly created obstacle.

That's all. And he's out of the game.

In the end, Nagatenjouki lost by a hair's breadth.

Misaki was with the rest of her clique, her bag of remotes being taken away by one of the committee members, which kinda soured her mood because now she couldn't call up her powers in an emergency, which was something she was in dire need of.

Sure, she was Junko with her, a loyal friend that she trusts just as much as her friends. Oh yeah, Junko's also one of the top espers from Tokiwadai. The only real problems for her would be Level 5s. And the only one who fits that description in this city is Mugino, who was actively trying to murder a certain blond other than her.

Then there were also others with her that really should've quelled any concerns, but that's not how the world works, is it? She has people after her, and though it was not a Level 5, the authority they possess is still pretty damn intimidating, considering that she herself is almost on an equal footing. She is not a complete pushover, and she can definitely hold her own, but against people who possess that kind of authority, it's like fighting an uphill battle. The odds are stacked against her, and she knows it.

The Exterior. They want her to use it on a clone of Misaka, and connect it to the original. They're trying to draw out something from the brunette - a Level 6 SHIFT. She's heard of that before during her time in those facilities, that the first ranked were supposed to be the one to finally attain the impossible. But yet he refuses because of ethical concerns.

Misaki has met with Dolly. She was told that the clone was a prototype, and that its memories will be transferred to the rest of the clone as a blueprint for them to understand themselves as "themselves", but still they don't truly have the right to live.

She loved Dolly.

Had those clones been killed by Hirano at that time, that would mean he was murdering Dolly over and over. And if she ever encountered Hirano again, she'd have to put a bullet in his head, or at least try to, before he could do the same to her. But he didn't kill them. Over ethical reasons.

She respects him for that. For not defiling the very existence of a soul.

And now these very same people are asking to put Misaka in that same pendulum of power, by sacrificing what remains of the clone's memories and identity. It's not ethical, and it's not right. But if she doesn't comply, then she'll have to face the consequences.

What the fuck do they take her for? A test subject? A lab rat? A walking, talking weapon? She's a person, goddamnit, and she won't be treated like a fucking object. She's not going to let them use her powers for their own twisted experiments, not again. To ruin the only sane Level 5 in the world, because of some deluded ideal.

Misaki will kill them all personally.

How's that for a sort form chapter? Not that good, I presume. Mostly just prologues for what's to come. I am rather confused as to how I should tackle Daihasei Arc. Its kinda complicated, as the deviation from the original plot is so massive that I can't even comprehend the same thing happening this time around.

Hopefully, the route I took would be good enough for you all to enjoy. It somehow, SOMEHOW, takes longer for me to write 5,000 word chapter than an 11,000 one. (For example, the previous chapter took less than 5 days. This one took 6.)

Anyways, new chapter next week!