Painted Prison Chronicles

by Sparity Ikari

When Kamijou Touma and Gokusai sisters reunite after a long while, things certainly go crazy for all of them when they found themselves living together through random twists of fate. In their daily life, Touma, Amazora, Kaibi, and Rikuri will learn about each other, with their light, darkness, and pasts revealed. Among the misfortune, comedy, and romance, their bonds blossom anew!

48. Chapter 48

PAINTED PRISON CHRONICLES

CHAPTER 48

SPECIAL IV: THE HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL

Hello everyone. Happy Halloween, if you celebrate it, and good day to you, if you don't. As in many cultures the proceeding day is day of contemplation for the dead, you have my wishes also for that occasion. I am back with yet another chapter on our journey, one of the two specials we will get before we return to events after Touma fell to a coma after events of Vasilisa Arc. As such, this chapter is earlier in the timeline than said arc and can be read independently from it (it is very much story-canon though).

Regardless of various opinions on Halloween, it is certainly good ground for comedy, shenanigans and creativity, which is why I wanted to make a holiday chapter. It allows to showcase connections of our characters in a fun and sometimes scary way, and what's better than some connections we never get to experience in main story.

This chapter is also a step back into the comedy/slice of life formula, a bit of relaxation after action-heavy chapters we went through. It is important to know and respect its own origins, and this story, despite self-expansion, is on its roots romance and comedy story.

Also, I got a question regarding themes of my story, a motifs that I feel are important to the plot and characters. It is a big and interesting question, which I will elaborate on more in the author's notes of the next chapter (as I feel the next chapter, which I am very, very excited for by the way, has better setting for such contemplations), I can say that some of more important themes include: Loneliness, Humanity, Family, Connection (and fear of such connection), Trauma, and Letting Go. There are of course more to be elaborated.

By the way, it came to my attention that someone is apparently trying to compile my work on another fanfic platform, which I had no idea about and which is not my doing whatsoever (which is why I was quite shocked to see it). I say compile instead of steal because I want to give a benefit of doubt, even though it looks kind of iffy. I am not going to rant here... just... don't steal other people's work without crediting it (if you are able to, which you are in case of fanfics). I know our writing here is non-profit (it has to be), and it's already, by definition, a derivative of someone else's work, but it's just in bad taste, seems kind of redundant. Just... why? Anyway, enough about that, don't occupy your minds with it. Just know that I will be always uploading here, and this is the primary source for my story, always, unless I state otherwise right here, on FF.

Well, let's get into the spirit of Halloween Celebration. There will be more on the bottom, so stay put!

Q&A corner:

unknown2008: Thank you very much for your opinion. As I said, I may write additional reactions in future chapters.

KHVSFF: Thank you so much for your comment. I already answer you questions privately, so if you allow me, I will not repeat it here.

FinFangFoom100: Ladylee never fails in making everyone look like toddlers in comparison. I think Vasilisa and Eike's story was one of the most touching experiences from writing perspective, even if it wasn't perfect. Kongou, Wannai, and Awatsuki will always get some love for me, if they can, I love those three, and there is a critical shortage of potential fanfics of them with Touma (l know it comes from the lack of canon interactions, but what is imagination for?). And I agree, Mikoto really needs a moment of truth between her, Kuroko, and Touma, because sometimes, the feelings and behaviours of those three towards each other are a hot mess. And housewife association would be one of focal points of future arcs.

rollanan: I know it's strange, but this is indeed my first public story. Earlier, I wrote to myself, to the cupboard, so to speak, and was on Fanfiction for 4 years before publishing a single chapter, but I am glad I finally decided to do so. Because it's my first time, and because English is my second language, there are mistakes throught the story, but I think I manage to surpass my weaknesses as time goes on, or I can only vehemently hope so.

Averege stuffy: Like I said, I found Eikelisa (Eike x Vasilsa) storyline to be very touching and emotional. I intentionally wanted to make Vasilisa seem like a girl who got crushed under the burden of being in love with Imagine Breaker host, in parallel to girls from Touma's harem.

5had0wHand: Yes, I also felt that three is enough, because you can have various dynamics of two people and third spicing it up, in various scenarious and combinations. As for Touma's journey in the Labirynth, I am glad it seemed like something out of hallucinogenic experience. Above all, Touma's experiences, despite his body aging, were mental, and as such, put a strain on his psyche (one of the reasons for his later coma). Crying Nephthys is ALWAYS cute. Maria has one of the strangest and funniest bits in her feelings for Touma, particularly because she has very specific taste, relating to both herself, and the relationship of her sister with Touma. Point for spotting the Madagascar reference. As I said in one of the answers to previous chapters, we will see more of Proserpina, and while she does have similarities to her mythological couterpart, there are twists (that made her a Magic Goddess) which you won't find in myths.

Without further delay, let's begin!

It was the time of falling leaves and orange pumpkins. The festive atmosphere was present among many students as 31st of October was upon them. The apartment on the 9th floor, number 13, located in the complex within the boundaries of District 7 and rented by both Kamijou Touma and three Gokusai sisters, was no exception.

Touma woke up early to make the cold bits of the breakfast, as was customary for him, and was about to go wake the sisters up, when he was greeted by very enthusiastic Index.

"Good morning!"

"Hi Index. You are unusually energetic for this early in the morning. Especially since we are yet to have breakfast"

"But Touma, it's almost Hallows Eve! Samhain! When magic overflows the mundane world! Where people connect to mystic tradition! And..."

"When you can get free candy by going around!" Touma smirked at her.

Index blushed and crossed her arms, looking away.

"That was only secondary, complimentary motive" she mumbled shyly" You know there is more to Hallows Eve than candy."

"I am honestly surprised that you are able to focus on anything else, given your first celebration in Academy City. I am pretty sure that you ate half of entire candy in the city"

"Oh Touma, Touma, Touma..." Index shook her head with a smile." You should know I have a second stomach for that"

"With what I've seen from you, I might just believe that"

With colossal amounts of food Index could consume in one go, Touma actually wouldn't be shocked at all if it turned out that Index had just couple of stomachs, intestines, heart, and a brain. He was sure that if not for the fact that Index needed to breathe, she would also trade her lungs for extra space to store food.

He smiled at the thought. Truly, the nun's enthusiasm was contagious and he kept thinking about it after both him and the sisters went into their bathhouse-styled bathroom.

It was when two massive mounds of flesh pressed against his back that he jolted up, tumbling into the water with a splash.

"W-Wha-... Rikuri, what gives?"

"Sorry, I just wanted to get your attention. You are unusually spaced out, and I know that touch of those will always get you all... focused"

"D-Don't blame me for that, Rikuri-san! I am up, I am up!"

"Blame? Wouldn't dream of it." Rikuri gave him a little peck on the side of his neck" I am flattered that you consider them so amazing even after the effect of freshness of our reunion wore off."

"As the senior onee-san lover, I can guarantee they will never get old in my mind!"

"Oh, you flatterer!" Rikuri waved her hand, before pointing to Amazora who was impatiently waiting and poking Kamijou with her finger" Your little sister demands a bath, I see"

"Right, right. Sorry Amazora, I will get to it"

After Rikuri and Amazora washed the soap from their bodies, Touma put shampoo on the youngest sister's head.

"You know, I am rather happy." he remarked" That we are together for that night. I mean, I am glad every day that we live together now, but Index always liked Halloween..."

"I am not an expert on that field, but... isn't Halloween kind of... frowned upon in christian community?" Rikuri questioned.

"Well, I think so. I have no doubt that Stiyl would say something like that" Touma said, making his best impression of the anglican inquisitor." 'This accursed pagan ritual is the impediment to true holiness'... but I think Index is quite open minded, despite being so devout. Maybe it's due to the fact that her grimoires are from many cultures? Or she just likes candy too much... yup, that is probably the real reason"

"Yes"

"Oh, definitely"

"Hmmm..."

Touma turned to see Kaibi with half-submerged face, her eyes over surface and golden locks afloat on surface of the water. Bubbles were coming onto the surface and some distorted words were heard from underwater

"Sorry..." Touma shook his head" Kaibi, can you repeat that?"

Kaibi's head fully resurfaced, with a deep frown.

"Halloween can go to hell, hmph"

After which she went back to sulking.

"Emm... does Kaibi hate Halloween?" Touma whispered to Rikuri, simultaneously rinsing Amazora's hair with water, earning a satisfied sound from her, as she splashed the water happily around herself.

Rikuri giggled and shook her head.

"Not exactly. Believe it or not, all of us used to frequent the festivity. Amazora loved trick or treating in general, for fun and atmosphere... I absolutely adored the costumes, and Kaibi-chan... well..."

"I-I..." apparently, Kaibi decided to not allow Rikuri humiliate her, and spoke, with crossed arms" I could not care less about all the fuss and pumpkins and such... b-but..."

"Onee-chan likes sweets too much, so she couldn't help herself!" Amazora chuckled in a shameless, childish manner, allowing Touma to get rid of the remnants of the shampoo with wide smile.

"AMAZORA! Don't say it in my stead when I am already stepping outside of my comfort zone here!" Kaibi growled, before awkwardly scratching her cheek" Anyway, I have a bit of a sweet tooth, alright, I admit it. So after this particular holiday and going for it on Amazora's rather annoying insistence I... I sort of..."

"Once she stepped on the weight few days later... the scream was so loud that the windows almost broke..."

"Oh... riight..."

"Well, I learned from my mistakes. I am never going out on that trap of a night." Kaibi said, shaking her head.

"I don't know, Kaibi-chan. Never say never. You were swearing that you would never walk clothless in front of a guy, and look now."

Kaibi only now realized she was standing upright in front of Touma with no cover whatsoever.

She turned slightly to the side, and lowered herself to the water, mumbling in hushed tone.

"This is different... I love him, s-so it's alright... h-he is going to see me like that eventually, if he so chooses"

"Aww, my little Kaibi-chan is so big and grown up! I am so proud! Dad would be too if he was here to see his little girl in love!"

"Nee-san, stop, you are embarrassing me!"

"Wait! If you think so, why did you hit me with the soap when we bathed yesterday?"

"Looking and staring are two completely different!" the girl huffed.

"W-Was I staring?"

"Onii-chan totally was!" Amazora clapped her hands, before tilting her head, water trickling down" Wait... out of all of us, only I am in a swimming costume. Can't onii-chan check out my body?"

"No!" Kaibi and Rikuri said at the same time" Still not yet! That would not be okay!"

"But I want to show my cuteness to him!"

"Amazora, you asked about this when we bathed yesterday." Kaibi groaned, putting a hand on her forehead" And the day before yesterday. And the day before that! And all those times, the answer was no! So stop asking!

Touma gently patted Amazora's head and cleared his throat

"Amazora"

"Mmm?"

"This Kamijou would be extremely shallow man if he considered someone beautiful just for ogling their body. I just need to take a look at your face and know of this..."

He tapped Amazora's chest. Specifically, above her heart.

"... to know that you are absolutely the cutest around?"

"And you will keep your promise to go out when I will be like onee-chan?"

"I keep my promises, even if it kills me. Sometimes quite literally"

"I am the cutest?!""

"Theeeeeeeeeeeee CUTEST EVER!"

As he ruffled her hair, she smiled and lifted him up, before kissing him on a cheek.

"Ah, he is so precious!" Rikuri theatrically pressed her hands on her heart and fell backwards into the water, splashing sizeable amount around herself.

"Woah..." Touma wobbled unsurely in the air, to Amazora's delight, before Imagine Breaker reacted, causing invisible weight distribution to be broken, and the boy to fall into the water.

"Hey... you will flood the whole room" Kaibi protested

Touma picked up Amazora and spun her around. The youngest sister was already taller than in the moment of their reunion, puberty starting to affecting her very slowly but surely. Nevertheless, he still managed to lift her easily and whirled her around. His laughter could only be matched by Amazora's lighthearted giggles.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Rikuri nudged Kaibi, standing up once again." Do you remember time Amazora-chan was so openly happy, in which she was smiling so brightly? I don't too. Those two are a treasure together. It's such a good fortune for him to be back at our lives, and I am reminded of it even more when I watch those two together"

"Nee-san, you say this every day."

"And every day it's equally true, no, maybe it even gets more true with time."

"Well, they say that there is never too much appreciation of good luck in your life. And I imagine that it is even more true for him"

In following minutes, the sisters sat down on the stools, patiently waiting for Touma to brush and style their hair. Technically, they could do it among themselves, but each of them, in their own way, loved when the boy spoiled them. Also, they agreed among themselves that Touma had the privilege to discuss with them what hairstyle to choose.

"We want to look fabulous especially in your eyes" Rikuri explained" It's only natural that you should opt for something you like"

Although Touma was embarrassed before, right now, he embraced it. As he jokingly put it, there was never too many skills for unlucky guy like him to learn if he needed to change jobs. So he worked, while the sisters talked with each other, usually about the day that lied ahead of them.

Now, however, the conversation would still be around Halloween, and continued even after Touma went to make a hot part of the breakfast and the entire patchwork family, including Othinus and Index, sat down to eat.

"I am grown girl now. And I cannot imagine that people even celebrate it here so actively" Kaibi argued with Amazora" I am not going with you"

"Onee-chan, pretty please?"

"No, I am really not-"

The signature pink-magenta eyes that all three sisters shared looked like glimmering gemstones as Amazora made her most innocent, most vulnerable, most pleading face.

"Please, it can be really exciting and magical" Index started to plead as well, putting her hands as if in prayer.

Kaibi flinched under the double onslaught of sugary sweetness of those eyes.

"I...I... oh, damn it, fine. Stop doing this, your eyeballs look like they are inflating. I will go, but only for a moment"

"I would love to accompany you too" Rikuri smiled sweetly" I may not be up to running around the city for long time, but I would gladly go to the Halloween Festival in District 6"

"Truth be told, if am to go, I would love to go there too" Touma admitted" Sounds like fun. I wasn't on a festival like this for quite some time. And who knows who we encounter?"

"Usually, that doesn't end well for you"

"Maybe so, but I still have hope to see another day, so this is not going to stop me"

He turned to Othinus, who recently switched to her full-sized body.

"And what about you?"

Othinus looked at him.

"You want me, a god older than this very tradition, to go there and mingle among mortals wearing cheap, improvised costumes?"

"Yes... sort of?"

"Good. Because you better believe it that I will scare the hell out of them!"

The following hours were spent on preparation for the evening.

Index decided to dress up as Magic Powered Kanamin, already having the costume due to being a fan of the character and acquiring it due to winning the prize for clearing the Kanamin video game in record time (the perfect memory was no joke when it comes to memorizing the attack and defence patterns in any kind of game!)

Othinus and Kaibi disappeared somewhere together while Amazora went out to speak with her classmates about trick-or-treating. Touma noticed Rikuri getting ready with her costume. Apparently, she was waiting to do so for weeks.

"No, no, no! Out for now!" she urged him outside" You can check the decorations again!"

The girls didn't avoid him out of shyness, this household was way beyond that point. They simply wanted their outfits and personas to remain a mystery till the night.

"Well, there is no helping it. I have to occupy myself with something..."

Touma checked the decorations. Inside of their apartment was covered with bats hanging on thin threads, decorative orange-and-black chains, and toumbstones. Outside, they had ghosts, skulls, one particularly creepy doll, and five pumpkins, carved by each of the locators.

Amazora had a childish looking pumpkin that looked really goofy and disturbing at the same time, due to it being carved very chaotically and having something that resembled stab wounds, coupled with silly looking grin. Kaibi had delicately cut, picture-perfect Jack O' Lantern. Rikuri's pumpkin glowed and seemed to smoke, making it absolutely creepy, which Touma guessed was intended effect, but he dreaded to ask what chemicals were used to produce such an effect. Index didn't make a face on the vegetable, instead carving a cross. Othinus created something that resembled a helmet, with a openings for eyes glowing with light, and symbols carved on the forehead, that Touma assumed were runes.

Touma wasn't satisfied with his own pumpkin. It was a tribute to his misfortune that no matter how many times he attempted to carve one, he could not get the facial expression right. It either looked like it was constipated, or depressed, or worse. Well, at the very least there was no confusion.

The boy rolled his eyes, looking at the Fukou Da Pumpkin, before going back inside and heading to the kitchen.

He was planning to use the insides of the carved gourds to make pumpkin snacks and soup. It would be much needed after they return from the festival. Not only that, but it would be delicious, in spirit of the celebration and nothing would be wasted. Even while living in notably better financial conditions, Kamijou Touma would rather die than waste food.

"That's weird? Did I really cook that much and used all the ingredients already?" he scratched his head."Then again, with Index around and us having more guests than before, there is a chance that we lack it... although Naru is always diligent in supplying us, we are all just human. Well, might as well stretch my legs and get those spices"

So he thought, as he rode down with the elevator and stepped outside.

But he only managed to walk down the street and turn right when he was lifted into the air

"WHAT THE-"

The air wheezed around him, and in a couple of moments, he was on the roof of the building, with hands covering his eyes.

"Who is it?" sing-sang the voice.

"Bologna, I know it's you" Touma panted out, steeping away" What was that about?"

"Oh, I wanted to scare you a little. In the spirit of today's festivity?" the blond beauty with demonic wings grinned, looking at him.

She used her tail to draw him back close to her, playful smile on her lips.

"What gave me away? I am not the only one in you entourage that is able to fly"

"The sound of your wings... I spent almost one day flying around, clinging to you. I know how your body moves"

"EEEP?!"

A sudden redness on the face of busty succubus, combined with somewhat bashful flutter of her wings, reminded Touma that while Bologna immensely enjoyed flirting when she was on the offensive, she tended to get all jittery when on the receiving end.

"Stop looking at me like that! It was not anything dirty, just an observation"

"Well, I wouldn't be much of a succubus if I didn't appreciate that you are so observant... oh my, oh my, I am swooning here..."

"Then un-swoon yourself! Why did you pick me up so abruptly? I almost had a heart attack"

"Do not fret, Good Old Mary can easily bring you back from that" Bologna waved her hand" And there is a reason for me coming to you. You see-"

However, before she could finish, something, or rather someone, once again swept Touma off his feet, into the sky.

A silver haired woman in a revealing purple wimple and headpiece with golden, chain-like links, took off with him, into the sky.

"Waaaaah!"

Aradia was straddling a street sign, using it as a broom. After few sharp turns, she stopped it, and shook Touma's arms.

"L-Listen to me!"

Touma never saw Aradia that excited. He could almost see hearts in her eyes, and she was visibly trembling with pent up energy.

"W-Would you g-g-go on a d-d-ate..."

"What? I can't hear you over this wind..."

"Excuse me?" Bologna joined them on high altitude" We were kind of in the middle of something here"

Aradia whipped her head around to look at the succubus.

"Stay out of this! You know how important this is to me!"

"I got the picture by the way you were bringing it up constantly, but witches don't have monopoly on that night! Succubi are a part of it too!"

"Girls..."

"I am not giving this up! If I don't muster the courage tonight, I won't muster it again for the next year, I just know it! You can be lewd all year, but Hallows Eve is truly special for witchcraft"

"Girls!"

"It is special for magic in general. You have your Walpurgis Night, it can be argued that demons belong to Halloween more than witches! Besides, we agreed that whoever gets to him first can spend time with him!"

"Not who gets to him first, who convinces him first! Now if you excuse me, I was about to just that-"

"Bologna, Aradia, I am slipping! I am- CRAP!"

And then, Aradia's street sign broom was noticeably lighter, as spiky haired boy plummeted down to earth.

"FUKOU DA!"

"Oh..." both women said at the same time" Whoops..."

(MEANWHILE)

Gokusai Rikuri emerged from her room dressed in a fashionable black cape and collar. She stylized her hair to have an aristocratic look. She sported a dress in the colour of fresh blood, showing her shapely legs, with arms and huge bossom adorned with purple and blue gemstones. In her mouth two large canines were placed, and her eyes were eyelined with dark mascara.

"You can look no... oh?"

At the same time, Kaibi appeared in the living room.

"What is going on?" she asked" Where is Touma?"

"I was just wondering about that" Rikuri admitted" He was here not so long ago. I thought about waiting till the evening, but I couldn't wait to show this costume to him..."

"Well, let's not be needlessly worried. If he won't show on the festival, we will look for him."

"If you say so... speaking of costumes, who are you, Kaibi-chan?"

"Ehm... a telepath from the comic Touma gave me" Measure Heart said, pointing at the comic book in her hand.

Kaibi was wearing white fur coat with a cape over white corset tied with golden threads, combined with long white long white gloves and stockings of the same colour. She used silver lipstick, straightened her blond hair, and donned contact lenses to make her pinkish eyes appear crystal blue.

Rikuri looked at the comic in question and whistled.

"That's the character? Oh my, Kaibi-chan, it fits you like a glove. For someone who seemingly doesn't care about Halloween, you put a lot of effort into this"

"You think so? I-I mean... thanks. I think I got as close I could get. I can't change my skin to diamond, and I had to let my hair grow longer, but I admit, I see some similarities between us. And you are..."

"Oh, I am a female vampire" Rikuri made a hissing noise" Glamorous, sexy, enchanting, and very scary! And additionally, I used my talents to include some extra special effects that will elevate my acting to highest level"

"I see... where is Amazora?"

"She should be finished with her preparations soon enough-"

Soon after she said that, something bulky walked through the door.

Kaibi's jaw dropped when she saw her little sister enter the room, with her grinning face sticking out of the massive structure, that seemed like a dark, uneven figure with weapons sticking out of it.

"Amazora... what in the world are you dressed up as?"

"Really, Kai nee-chan?" the youngest sister shook her head with exasperation" It's obvious that I am the coolest, the most ballistic, the most awesome gattling gun battery!"

"Those aren't real guns, are they? I know the sentiment, but we are trying to lay low. You know, lower, than before."

"Of course they aren't..." Amazora said, before narrowing her eyes" Or are they?"

Kaibi facepalmed, loudly.

"Why couldn't you dress up as a princess or something?"

"Why would I want to be a princess when I can be a gattling gun battery?"

"Okay, I have no strength to brave through this very logical argument..." Kaibi sighed, before noticing Index, in her Kanamin costume" You could have take a page out of Index-san's book..."

"I wouldn't recommend that" Index said cheerfully, waving wand-like accessory in her hand" We wouldn't like her brains to get scrambled by any book I have"

"On the other hand, no one in this apartment is a normal person, so maybe asking for a regular costume is a too high of an order"

"Nyaaaa!" Sphynx, in the black mask with holes for mouth, ears, and eyes, completed with small black cape on his back, strolled near Kaibi's legs with pride in his steps, as if cementing what she just said.

"I rest my case..." Kaibi shook her head.

"Now now Kaibi-chan, let's not deny others their expression. We will all have fun, that's what counts."

"Well, yeah, I know, but-"

As Kaibi and Rikuri both turned around, their gazes fell onto one last remaining person in the house.

And they screamed.

Othinus smiled at them back.

"Judging by this reaction, my impeccable costume works"

She blackened her hair on one side and donned black clothes. One half of her face was normal, adorned with her regular golden hair, but the other appeared dried and ghostly. She sported an empty eyesocket, without her usual eyepatch. The black part of her face appeared skeletal, with cheekbones pronounced and given to look of the actual skull.

This also extended to her hair, which appeared noticibly oilier and and ragged on the right side of her body, right hand, and even right half of her teeth.

"Wow..." Amazora marvelled" Who are you?"

"Well, good you for asking, little mortal. I am-"

"No, no, let me guess. You're a... two-faced killer?"

"No, I am-"

"A model who stayed on the sun for too long, but only sunbathed on one side?"

"No! I am the-"

"Or maybe-"

"I am Hel, goddess of the dead!" Othinus huffed" I thought I will stay within my culture sphere, while also trying to walk in someone else's shoes. In this case, Loki's daughter. What do you know?"

"Well, even if we are not really well acquainted with its origins, your costume truly is... something else. You are good at this, Othinus-san. Where did you learn to do makeup?"

"Eh, you ever did a war paint? Camouflage? Smeared blood of your enemies over you so you can sneak through the enemy territory amongst the corpses of your wretched foes?" asked the war goddess.

"Ahmmm... noooo?"

"Compared to that, some tiny paintbrush is meagre. Well, what can I say, I am a goddess of many talents"

"So I see... well, since we all here, and we have a bit of time before the festival.., maybe we can check on the neighbours?"

(MEANWHILE)

"So..." Touma said, looking at two Transcendents grabbing their head with tears in their eyes." What do you have to say for nearly killing me?"

"We are sorry..." Bologna and Aradia replied at the same time.

Naturally, both women dived down and caught Touma, together, before he smashed onto the ground. However, he made his statement very clear about what he thought of taking him up and dropping him with bonking their heads hard with his fist.

"Now, I can actually listen to what you have to say. You seem more preoccupied than usual"

Aradia moved her lips, but did not speak. Instead, she blushed profusely, and made a incoherent, squeaking noise.

Finally, looking slightly to the side, and pressing her index fingers together, she attempted one more time...

"I want to spend Halloween with you" Bologna blurted out with a cheeky grin, wrapping her tail around Touma.

Aradia frowned in outrage. Bologna shrugged.

"Sorry, Dia. You snooze, you lose."

Aradia furiously looked for something below her robe, the embarrassment clearly taking toll on her.

Finally, she extended something to Touma.

"A banana?" Touma glanced at the object in confusion.

Aradia screamed, hiding the fruit. She quickly searched other side of her outfit, before taking out an envelope.

Touma took it from her hand and read the message inside.

"Please, accept my invitation to spending time together during this year's Halloween, as my date..." Touma looked at Aradia, who said

"Y-Yeah... that's what I meant... I... I would like to be your date..."

"Okay, I see... wow, I am kind of... shocked, I didn't expect it to happen now" Touma pondered for a moment" Than again, it is Halloween, it kind of makes sense"

"I wish to spend more time with you, I want to have fun. Now that we leave all the mess of our... ekhm, past conflicts, I think we can spend some quality time together"

"I... I... what kind of fun?"

"Any kind you want. But most importantly, we can go to the festival-" Bologna started to say...

"No!" Aradia protested" Hallows Eve is special! I waited to tell you for so long... please, reconsider this. She can be lewd all year, but witches truly shine in Samhain! Please, I wish our fir... f-f-first date to be special! I cannot imagine a better night!"

"Come on, that's demon discrimination! Rights for succubi!" Bologna hollered.

Touma exhaled, before addressing both Transcendents.

"Aradia, I have to give it to Bologna, I admire the direct girls who know what they want. And Bologna is someone with whom I can imagine myself having fun"

Bologna's heart-shaped pupils seemed to glow, when she grinned.

"Buuut... Aradia looks like she wanted this for a long time... and even if she is a tsundere, she is insanely adorable right now, so she too gets the points"

Even the tips of Aradia's ears reddened, as she crossed her arms and looked away, no longer able to maintain eye contact.

Bologna's wings flapped, reflecting her impatience.

"So... we are tied?"

"Yeah. And you know what? THIS IS GREAT!" Touma threw his hands into the air" Because it doesn't always have to be one or the other. Yes, this Kamijou will not be in the thousand places at once... trust me, I know an army of clones who would love such an opportunity... but two people? Sure, I can handle that. I can make both of you happy"

Bologna and Aradia got quiet and looked each other.

"Well, I guess..."

"Maybe..."

"It's better than arguing and being jealous. I still don't know how such bombshells can be interested in just plain and simple guy like me, but it came to this, I am not going to run with my tail between the legs. Let's give it a try. Deal?"

Aradia sighed and smiled

"Sure, let's try it"

"Oh, well, I suppose we can try... better than nothing..." Bologna nodded her head.

"Look, I have to get back to my apartment-"

"WHAT? YOU CAN'T LEAVE YET!" Two women waved their arms in unanimity" We want your opinions on our preparations"

"But-"

The hearts in Bologna's eyes really did seem to pulse with light, and the effect was doubled by gentle flutter of her wings. Aradia's eyes looked like two shining moons, filled with hope and yearning.

Touma sighed.

"Alright, alright, I get it. Let me just have phone others. And one more thing. I am willing to give you some time, but I can't ignore Kaibi and the others. We will share the night, together. Alright?"

It seemed like it was far from the envisioned ideal, but Aradia and Bologna finally agreed.

"Also..." Touma stopped, as he realized something" How did you even know where to pick me up from the ground?"

"Oh, we won't take credit for that. That was Mut"

"Mhm"

Touma quickly looked around. He wasn't even that much surprised anymore, when he saw the petite frame of Mut Thebes peeking from around the corner.

"I wouldn't be good at pursuing you if I didn't know which routes you liked to walk through." she puffed her chest proudly

"Alright..." Touma didn't bother to question it. Strange as it could be, he was accustomed to Mut following him around" Then let's see what we are working with"

"Excellent. Let's fly"

"I-I think I have enough flying for one-"

"Nonsense. This way, we will be there lickity split"

Bologna and Aradia looked at the boy, then at each other, before...

"Jan, ken, pon! Again! Again!"

After three rounds of rock, paper, scissors, Aradia groaned in frustration, and Bologna clenched her fist, approaching Touma.

"Alright, we will fly together"

"I-I appreciate it, but-"

Bologna scooped him into her arms.

"Welcome to Bologna Airlines. I am happy to have you onboard this sensationally sexy aircraft. Our flight will take more or less 10 minutes. If you are looking for emergency exits, there are none. Why would you evacuate anyway? Now, allow me to ensure your safety during the flight"

"Bologna-san..."

In the next moment, his head was pushed, face outwards, between two massive breasts of the succubus, while her arms reached and hugged him on the level of the stomach.

"There, safe and sound. This will give enough pressure from both sides for you not to fall. Just don't move too much, I might get ticklish if you do"

Touma could not move his head anymore, but he was fairly sure that the sound of crunching metal he heard came from Aradia suddenly gripping the improvised broomstick a little too hard.

"Is this seriously necessary?" she said, in a tone that could rival coldest ice in chilliness.

"What? Would you rather have him fall?"

"He is more accustomed to flying with me. We did it plenty of times"

"We also had a practice when you were chasing us while trying to kill him"

"When he is riding my broom, he can just grab me and achieve comfortable flight without any disturbance..."

"You just admitted you want to be held by him and spare us some time"

"No... ahhh... I really..." Aradia looked at Touma, almost hyperventilating. She managed to voice again after few seconds of breathless struggle.

"There are many other ways to secure him, that are not... so shameless"

"Shameless? I am a succubus, you know. What's your excuse for almost shoving your foot to his mouth one time? Or all the skinship you had?"

"I never thought of it that much..." Aradia replied, and it could be convincing, if not the fact that triumphant smile was so badly hidden that she had to look away slightly to not just start grinning ear to ear. "B-But my feet are not awful!"

"Neither are my breasts!"

"Am I going crazy or are those two really go at each other more than usual?" Touma mouthed to Mut.

"Don't sweat it. They are always like this on Halloween. Very competitive, I think it has something to do with witches and demons battling for popularity on the celebration. Not to mention this year, they have someone to impress, so this rivalry factor skyrocket through the roof"

"Someone to... oh... me"

"Bingo"

"Hey" Aradia tugged Touma by the hoodie" What do you think?"

"Huh? About what?"

"My legs or her chest? What do you think has more merits?"

"What... you both have amazing achievements in both of those two areas, why the need to compare-"

"Hmm..."

"Hmm..."

It seemed two women wanted his opinion and would not move unless they heard it.

Kamijou Touma knew better than tread through this minefield. He tried different approach.

When it came to evaluating preferences and various archetypes, he was a veteran of discussions with Tsuchimikado and Aogami. Above all, he needed to remain professional.

"It all depends on the context" he answered slowly" there are many settings and scenarios, some of which are good for legs, some for chest, but both will fail without one key component"

"Which is?"

"Personality." Touma said sagely" No matter how soft yet firm chest is, it will seem like a mere mattress without empathy of caring girl! No matter how tender the kiss is, it will taste like old sock... ugh... if there is no true feeling behind it! No matter how alluring and supple legs are, they will be just limbs without love being put into showcasing their display. And I know that you both have great personality. You helped me many times and because of that, there is no reason for me to compare your bodies, because you can make every part work, everything is wonderful because you are great as people"

The change was almost like a strong gust of the wind, tension instantly scattering away.

"Well, in that case..." Aradia blurted out" I-I will be flying next to you"

"Let's go" Bologna echoed.

Kamijou Touma knew that in most cases, playing the 'personality' card was redundant... that is, if you didn't give it any backing. He tried to do just that, and for now it worked.

Did it mean the storm was avoided? Was he lucky?

Hah, hell no.

In life of misfortune, there was no easy answer. All paths could possibly lead to pain.

Piss others off, they will beat you up. Make everyone fall in love, they will start apocalyptic war should anything go awry. Truly, heavy was the burden of normal high school boy.

Yet he needed to do the best he can.

Back on the ground, Mut Thebes crossed her arms, looking at the ascending trio

"Thank you so much, Mut, for finding him. Oh, how nice of you to do this, Mut." she spoke to herself in a falsetto" How are you doing, Mut? Oh fine, totally, I do not feel neglected at all"

Still huffing and muttering under her breath, she caused her shadow to transform into jetpack and rose into the skies, following her companions.

(5 MINUTES LATER)

"Yahoo!" Naru cheerfully waved her arm" Helloooooo neighbours! Came to check our preprations? Feast your eyes on our cuteness! I am a bunny girl warlock!"

She was wearing a miniskirt, something resembling an ancient breastplate and bronze glowes, combined with a fluffy tail, long ears on her head, and a giant hammer in her head.

"How... how can you lift that?"

"It's made out of my paper. Lighter than it looks"

Yakumaru Itsuki came into the room with long, frilly, almost mourning looking black dress, her brown hair tied into a slightly twisted knot. Few flasks and vials with various chemicals were strapped to her side.

"Hmm?" she looked at the sisters, twirling around" What do you think?"

"You look... beautiful, like always, Yakumaru-san" Kaibi began" But as who..."

She walked around the cute Scavenger, examining the outfit, before shaking her head.

"No, I got nothing"

"I am Skłodowska-Curie" Yakumaru shrugged" I didn't expect for someone to get it anyway, except maybe-

CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!

"Marvellous! Such a nice idea!" Rikuri cheered enthusiastically.

Amazora made a cough that sounded like 'lame'

"Bite your tongue, Amazora-chan" Rikuri scolded her" The origin of that costume was a woman who laid foundation to modern usage of radioactivity, cancer treatment, she also discovered two new elements: Radium and Polonium. She got two Noble Prizes in two separate disciplines, and is the example for every female chemist, such as ourselves!"

"I even got some radium to go alongside the costume"

Yakumaru tossed a glowing green cube to Kaibi.

Measure Heart's eyes widened, and with a rather unbecoming shriek, she skidded back to the wall.

"You actually carry radioactive cube with you? Are you insane?"

Yakumaru puckered her lips, and then exploded into a fit of giggles.

"Your face! You are always so cool and professional, senpai, it was so worth it to scare you a little"

"Very funny..." Kaibi grumbled, examining the cube and noting it was simply illuminated by the inside LED" As if I can predict what you chemistry geeks come up with"

"Where is Touma?" Naru looked around" I hoped that he would be with you if you happened to stop by"

Yakumaru also perked her head up, eyes lighting up slightly. Kaibi crossed her arms at that sight.

'Wow, it was one thing when they were jealous of each other, and unsure of their feelings, but now they don't even hide that they are excited to see him.

"He has something to do" Kaibi stated curtly" He phoned me and said we will meet at the festival. Unfortunate, but to be expected. We would waste time searching for him now, it's better to prepare and look good when we spend time with him"

"Agreed" Naru nodded enthusiastically.

"What's the commotion about?" Seike looked out of his room" Oh, it's you guys."

"Hi, Seike" Amazora waved cheerfully" What are you dressed us?"

"Be amazed..." Seike grinned, steeping outside." Thor said I looked really cute in this"

"I wouldn't take what that guy says without any kind of reconsideration" Kaibi remarked" He is Touma's friend and has a particular affinity for... wait... hold on..."

"Are you, by chance..." Yakumaru asked in exasperation.

"That's right" Seike twirled in a glimmering blue dress, sporting equally twinkling tiara" I am a princess"

"I have... no words..." Yakumaru put a hand over her eyes, as Naru was suffocating from laughter, grabbing her own stomach.

"Look, I don't know what your issue is. I am already loving to cosplay in my female sailor uniform" Seike shrugged dismissively" There is nothing wrong with taking it a step further for just one night of the year!"

"It wouldn't be if you weren't so convincing. You will traumatize someone again. I don't want to have any soul or my conscience because they realize you are not a woman"

"Did this... happen a lot?" Rikuri asked Naru, who was wiping the tears from her eyes

"A whole lot. Bunch of times, and it was hilarious"

"Well, it will not happen now, you can be sure of that"

"Is it because you want this blond foreigner to notice you, fufufu?"

"My correspondence with Thor is none of your concern" Seike scoffed indignantly" He is a busy person, and we are not talking about him anyway"

Kaibi thought there could possibly be something Seike was hiding in relation to his attitude towards battle crazed ally of Kamijou Touma, but Seike himself deflected the subject before anyone could pry on.

"Enough about me, you need to check this out!"

He stormed to a different room and, after some sounds of scuffle, brought out Izumi Riita

Now it was not only Naru, but also Amazora, who were on the floor from hysterical laughter.

"Can... can I ask..." Kaibi looked in confusion at the small girl, with eyebrow raised.

"No" growled the Leader.

She wore red suspenders combined, big brown garden boots, with a beard and pointy red hat on her head.

"But... a garden gnome?"

"I lost a bet, okay? Now drop it! You two, stop laughing, damn it!" Riita hissed, before walking out of the apartment" Look, we are not the only ones you can hover over, let's check the others too"

Upon knocking, the doors to the apartment of Hanatsuyu twina slowly creaked open.

"Wow... no lights, open door, creepy looking anteroom..." Kaibi chuckled, waving her hand" They wouldn't be able to make it more obvious if they tried"

"I don't know... it looks pretty spooky to me" Naru commented, peaking inside.

"Oh come on, don't let it get into your head, that's just what they want"

"If you are so fearless, prim and proper, then why don't you go first" Yakumaru extended her arm, pointing towards the entrance.

"You know what? I will do just that!" Kaibi turned her head up and stepped through the door" Honestly, why are you so frightened? All of us were part of the dark side and saw some pretty terrifying things"

"The thing is..." Seike countered" that as much as we were dark side agents, but so were they. And as such much as we sometimes relished what we did, they are many times nastier than all of us combined."

As they walked through, there was a sticky sound under their feet.

"Wha... what is that feeling?" Amazora got closer to Rikuri.

Yakumaru's nose twitched slightly.

"There is blood here. On the walls"

"Mhm" Rikuri nodded" Spilled not so long ago, I think"

"What is actually creepy is that you two can tell it from the smell alone"

"Well, that too, the longer oxygenated blood smells different, but..." Rikuri pointed out at the wall" Look"

In the glow of phone's flashlight, there were small lines of red liquid flowing down the wall.

Kaibi slowly nodded. Behind her, Naru gulped, rather audibly.

"Okay, that's definitely something, but we are big girls... and guy... we won't be scared by a little blood, will we? Come on, there has to be light switch her somewhere" Kaibi muttered, jabbing the wall with her finger.

After three jabs her finger was stuck in something... no, rather, over half an arm went through!

"What? What is this..."

The pink-and-golden phone fell down from Kaibi grasp, on the floor covered with bones and blood.

"Trick..."

Everyone slowly looked up from the floor to notice two girls standing arm to arm in the middle of the entrance to the kitchen. Kaibi's arm went through the face of one of them, going through the forehead and emerging behind the back of the head.

"OR TREAT!"

This time, not even Measure Heart was able to stop herself from letting out a scream of fright, frantically pulling her arm back.

The lights flickered on and Kaai laughed, reforming her semi-liquid face.

"Oh, that was so worth it! So even our resident stoic princess has a girly scream"

"T-That wasn't funny!" Yakumaru shivered" What's with the blood?"

"Our own. We've been saving it for this very land. It's not illegal if it's from you and no one got hurt, I presume. And we are very good at cleaning by insects and chemicals so there will not even be trace

"Alright, you had your laugh, and you got me" Kaibi said, trying to regain her bearings" Who are you supposed to be?"

The twins looked at each other. They both wore identical blue dresses, with only difference being Youen sporting delicate wedding veil.

"Well... I thought we agreed on the twins from Shining, but someone insisted to the point of me wanting to kill her..." Kaai rolled her eyes, glaring at Youen" that she wanted to be a Corpse Bride"

"Because this allows my preeties to be incorprorated into the costume" Youen huffed in annoyance" As a rotting corpse and such"

Indeed, to other girls' dread, a cockroach, beetle, and two centipedes walked through Youen's arm and later her face.

"My choice is completely coherent. And I complied, didn't I? We went with your idea?"

"I guess... so what's with the bridal fantasies, Youen-chan? So desperate to let him see you and-"

SPLAT!

This time, it was Youen's fist that caused Kaai's head to splatter and reform

After a minute or two, the ever bigger group went to Maidono Hoshimi's apartment.

"Okay... do you think Maidono would try to scare us?"

"Probably, but I am ready for it..." Kaibi clenched her teeth, knocking on the door" Maidono-san?"

"Come in, it's unlocked" came the voice from the inside. It wasn't Maidono's, it belonged to Kankyougami Hasako" Maidono-san had to go out for a moment, but will be back in just a moment"

Entire group relaxed. Hasako was the least malicious prankster ever. She wouldn't hurt a fly, so what was to fear?

Or so they thought...

But when they entered the apartment, and called out the Beginning Child's name, they were greeted with unexpected sight.

In the pale mixture of light and shadow, a ghastly arm reached out from the sliding door of the storage on the wall. It was followed by a knee, and then torso. Finally, following the crawl on all fours, a head appeared in the narrow opening, with long, straight hair covering the entirety of the face and chest, reaching low. The figure raised another deathly pale arm in everyone's direction.

The sight was so terrifyingly convincing that Izumi Riita actually bolted outside, and Rikuri slid down the wall with face drenched with sweat. Index made a sign of cross, taking step backwards.

Well, it lasted until Hasako wanted to move further and after a few grunts, she looked up and said softly

"Emm... I am stuck, can someone help me?"

"Hasako onee-chan... is it... is it you?" Amazora said cautiously.

"O-of course I am. Can't you tell?"

"W-Well... your costume is... extremely convincing?" Kaibi blinked, letting out an exhale" Honestly, it worked like a contrast to how you usually act, and everyone was just... shocked"

Hasako moved a hair from her face, showing her prism-like eye. She gasped.

"Oh my goodness, I didn't want to scare anyone. Please forgive me, I am so sorry"

"I-It's okay... but if you didn't want to scare us, why were you in the closet?"

"I wanted to get a video tape that is a part of my costume. but the door got stuck, and so did I."

"You are Yamamura Sadako, right?" Naru said to Hasako, while helping her get out of the narrow spot" I remember seeing the movie once, but... wow, with proper preparation, you really look like her"

Hasako rose to her feet. She was dressed in pure white robes, had paled arms, and her branched ponytail was straightened and put in front of her face. On the level of her waist, there was an old looking video cassette.

She nodded and looked at her own costume.

"Yes. I was hesitant at first, yet I learned that this character was based on Mifune Chizuko, clairvoyant psychic of Kumamoto. In this sense, I have a connection, since I too... well, my abilities, and my identity as Beginning Chid... owe some parts of my life to Mifune-san, since Aleister used data collected on her to awaken my own ability. I never met her, she died a decade before I was born. But I thought that this would link me somehow... and also, Maidono-san said I looked good"

"Damn right she does. I will mess up everyone who says otherwise"

Everyone looked around to see grinning Maidono. She was dressed in long white sheets and had a make-up on her face that contoured her eyes black and made a big crimson smile with her lipstick.

"Sorry for leaving, I had to get the chains and LEDs"

She clapsed short chains on each of her limbs, and wrapped herself in pale ledss. It gave the sheets a very ghostly.

"Be amazed! I am a poltergeist" Maidono snickered , twirling on her heel.

"Polte-what?"

"Poltergeist is a type of apparition, a spirit of the dead known for being the notorious cause of many sounds, disturbances, and moving of objects" Index explained.

"Ever since Index-san mentioned them, it got me pretty hyped" Maidono spread her arms" That gig was made for me. Watch!"

Utensils in the kitchen rose into the air, creating the terrible ruckus, and the table moved with a terrible screech. Few elements of furniture shook and launched into the air through telekinetic force.

"Mwahahaha! I am a spirit of mischief!" Maidono let out a diabolical chuckle

"She seems to be into it... very much" Naru remarked" Can't blame her though. It looks insanely cool"

"Yet, still, I have hope that Hasako-chan will be able to reign her in. Or Touma." Rikuri remarked.

"I wonder what is he doing right now" Othinus mused to herself.

"I hope he is fine" Index added.

"Knowing him, he probably got roped into helping someone. While there is a chance that something bad happened, the sad truth is that we have to give him some space, too. I am pretty sure it would drive us mad if we were to hover above him all the time, and he would not appreciate it. Let's just wait a little longer"

(MEANWHILE)

Kamijou Touma put hands on his face and sighed.

"Unbelievable... how is that possible? This isn't right at all!"

He was sitting in the quiet living room with four familiar Transcendents.

Well, he was sitting alongside three Transcendents and on the lap of one, since there were only four chairs available.

Touma thought he was going to die from embarrassment, but Good, Old Mary just grabbed him and sat him on her thighs. And when he tried to leave, the tall woman gently, but firmly kept him in place.

Trying to quench both the utter embarrassment and intrusive thoughts, he remained perched on the Good, Old Mary's thighs. While the remaining trio looked like had some opinions on the matter, no one seemed brave enough to challenge the resident alchemist.

Then, Bologna and Aradia showed him their costumes. And this led to...

"Alright, let's get something straight. I know you are basically Halloween-ing whole year... no, that would be more like DnD combined with comic-con and Halloween... but either way, you are playing pretend, you dress up as gods to harness their powers"

"Yup"

"Pretty much"

"You already knew that though"

"Yes, yes, what I am getting at is..." Touma looked at Bologna" is that if you dress up as a, let's say, succubus, for a whole year... why do you want to be a succubus on Halloween?"

"But you see..." Bologna held up a finger, twirling around in her costume" this is a succubus I once saw in a retro video game. I don't think green is my colour, but I thought-"

"Stop, stop, stop!" Touma shook his head" So you are a woman... cosplaying as a succubus... who is cosplaying as a succubus? Aradia, back me up here! Halloween is supposed to be about transcending reality and filling the role of someone you are usually not! It is leaving the comfort zone that makes all worthwhile!"

"A-Actually..." Aradia shifted awkwardly.

"You wanted to dress as a witch, didn't you?"

Aradia made a whimper of embarrassment so cute that Touma felt it tug on his heartstrings.

He cleared his throat and spoke up

"Look, I won't force you to change your decisions. But you asked my opinion and I think that some twist would make things more interesting, just for this night"

"If this is of any consolation to you" Good, Old Mary added" I am considering an original costume"

"I am actually at loss for my own, so I would appreciate the advice" said Mut Thebes, making puppy eyes at him"

"Well, we are not against the idea of changing for something more interesting" Bologna said after a moment" But what?"

"Yes. What do you suggest?" Aradia implored.

Touma thought for a moment, his eyes moving from one Transcendent to another.

And then it dawned on him.

"Of course! Listen, I think I have an idea..."

(FEW HOURS LATER)

Kamijou Touma was waiting in front of the entrance to the District 6 Halloween festival.

He was waiting for both the Transcendents, flatmates, and neighbours, as everyone decided to meet at the same time in this spot.

Touma unfolded a letter Mut gave him an hour prior.

"We got a message from Anna and Alice" she said" It's for your eyes, so there, please have it"

The message read as followed:

My dearest fool,

I hope you are not dead, which is probably a lot to ask for such troublesome individual, but then again, you are hopefully reading this, so maybe not all hope is lost.

I am sure that you miss my illuminating presence on your life and your otherwise questionably reasonable choices. I can only say that feeling is mutual. It is unsettling without you around. It got boring after few days, and I wish to see your face again.

While I said unsettling, I definitely would not say that it is quiet. Alice is so full of energy that it is rather taxing to keep her contained in one place. She has so many stories to tell you. And as a matter of fact, I do too. We've both seen so much, experienced even more, and I have a feeling that it may be something better for both of us.

I thought about this travel for a long time, but now that it is coming to an end, I know it was necessary. Given that Alice was, at first, rather indifferent to me dying, and the fact that I had status of Transcendent to cheat the system... this didn't seem like a good combination for a shared journey. However, it just so happened that our goals aligned. She needed time to recover after everything that happened between you two, out of... motives of this girl are as clear as a fog, so you would probably have better time with getting it out of her.

Regardless, I, on the other hand, wanted to see what the world has to offer. I always wanted to teach, but right now, I finally have someone worth teaching to, my naive fool. For all the trouble that I caused, I wanted to return a worthy gift, by taking all that I learned back to you. I don't know if you will learn it all, but I will be there if you need me. I just needed to make sure I had all necessary materials to make my teachings worthwhile for you.

However, both because Alice cannot stop talking about seeing you again, and because we've been to all continents already, I think it's high time for our return. The Queen can be without her King for only so long, you know.

Please take care. And once again, do not die. Please. I beg you, don't do foolish things in my absence.

Yours,

Anna Sprengel

Touma hid the letter and sighed

"Heh, I wonder who is real fool here, Anna. Hope to see you soon too. Alice...I wonder how she is doing those days... Anna wrote as if she had lots of energy... that's good..."

"Oi, Kami-yan!"

He turned around to see Tsuchimikado, coming towards him in impeccable suit, sunglasses, and Bond-esque pistol. It was obvious that he dressed up like a secret service agent and, knowing what Touma, knew about him, he didn't seem far from the double life he usually led in this particular performance.

Next to him was Aogami, in...

Kamijou's eyes bulged out at his friend's costume.

He was wearing a wig... or maybe it was more of a toupee... with tube-like curls, that Touma vaguely recalled was a French invention, and was popular in Europe few centuries prior.

Other than that, and black robe with frilly collar, his friend's torso was completely naked. The robe opened in the middle, leaving little to imagination.

He had black, very tight, latex underwear... over his waist, and cut ropes around his wrists and ankles.

"I have... questions. Several of them, each more troubling than the last" Touma finally said.

"Well, we have them too. What happened to your hair?"

Touma was wearing an improvised armour that looked like dragon scales. On his back was pair of artificial wings, small pair of horns on his head, alongside sword by his side. Tsuchimikado was referring to the fact that the boy lost his usually spiky hair, which was now falling straight down.

"Dear gods, who the hell substituted Kami-yan with this imposter?"

"Guys, I only wanted to get into the different look. I am an isekai protagonist gifted with dragon powers."

"Generic much?"

"No, it's not, I've never wanted to ever be isekai protagonist in real life! Ask Kamisato Kakeru! They are usually cocky, have cheat skills, and create harems just be breathing"

"While first two parts are debatable, you fit the third" Aogami countered.

"Yeah, Kami-yan, I am disappointed that you still resist the harem lord title." Tsuchimikado shook his head" We've been through this already"

"Look, I acknowledge the fact that, to my surprise, some girls are interested in me..."

"Some girls? That saintly modesty is like a rain of acid on us regular mortals!"

"... but there is a big difference between gathering the attention, and actively seeking to make every girl your partner. I honestly only wanted a quiet and calm life, and while I am flattered that girls are apparently interested-"

"That is bullshit, because the result is the same, screw the intentions!" thundered Aogami" Even when you are not yourself, you are yourself still!"

"That makes absolutely no sense! Enough about me. What the hell is that?"

"My costume?"

"Yes? Who are you supposed to be?"

"Who am I? WHO AM I? I am..." Aogami made wide gesture, looking up and showcasing the latex underwear even more"... marquis De Sade, the liberator of desire, the prophet of lust, the enlightened inventor of techniques made to relieve and bring pleasure even at the cost of social decency..."

"And suddenly, a lot makes sense, and it's not less concerning at all. Sade... wait, is that guy..."

"You had to hear about sadism, right? Well, De Sade opened a path for many routes of our popculture, some of which were only could be dreamt of in secrecy earlier on. Such as-"

"Alright, alright, I know too much now. How did no one detain you?"

"Because it's Halloween and I am not really following through with my desire. Besides, there are girls all around us dressed in not much more than myself, but I am the bad guy. Freedom for desire!"

"Conext matters a lot here... but I won't waste my breath trying to convince you"

"Waiting for someone, aren't you Kami-yan?" Tsuchimikado noted.

"Yeah, my friends and flatmates."

"I see. Give my regards to them and Maika, who I need to find right now. See ya!"

Just as Tsuchimikado departed, the groups Touma was looking for started to arrive.

"Good to see you." Kaibi said, hugging him" Now, we can finally begin"

"You all look amazing" Touma said, inspecting their costumes.

"Thank you..." Rikuri beamed sweetly at him" Everyone did their very best. Thank goodness you were actually alright. It's not like anyone was worried about you fooling around with group of women that suit your preferences, and no one was driven crazy by it"

After a moment of silence, she grabbed his hand and discretely moved him closer to herself, and away from Transcendents.

Suddenly, Naru zoomed close to him, her eyes lighting up.

"Oh. My. Gods!" she squealed in excitement, reaching forward and ruffling Touma's hair" You look so cute when your hair is like that."

Meanwhile, Yakumaru was staring at Touma as if in trance.

All kinds of feelings were rolling around in her heart. Feelings she wasn't used to.

As a particularly attractive girl, she was accustomed to being desired, not be the one who was desiring another.

The flip and role reversal made her poor heart feel like a mess. She felt dizzy and even considered dumping a flash of cooling agent on her head to manage her own reactions.

It wasn't shyness per se. It was only the fact that Yakumaru was perfectionistic in certain areas and as such didn't want to stumble in front of Kamijou Touma, in any way.

'Is that how I affected guys when I changed my hairstyle? If I go there now, I will just embarrass myself' she thought, trying her best to look away.

But what are friends for if not for situations like that?

"Yakkun, come, check this out!" Naru beaconed her.

"Naru, we shouldn't bother him like that-"

"Then why are you next to him already?" Maidono shouted" That was fast!"

"Maybe just for a moment..." Yakumaru whispered, joining her friend in stroking Kamijou Touma's unusually downward hair.

As Touma tried to figure out what to do with the fact that he felt like a llama in a petting zoo, he saw Bologna hiding behind Good, Old Mary.

Before he could ask about it, Aogami waved his hands at Touma

"As much as getting to meet all of the lovely ladies here would be a pleasure..."

"If only the feeling was mutual..." Yakumaru pouted, scooting closer to Touma

"... and as much as I would like to strangle you now, Kami-yan, duty calls!"

"Duty?"

"I have a job to oversee the haunted hedgemaze before the contest starts" the boy, dressed as a lust-crazed aristocrat, casually said, walking passed to Touma" I helped build it, so it has lots of observation points, even from below the surface. Bye, those skirts are not going to look under themselves on their own, you know"

And with that, he was gone.

"That guy is disturbing" Rikuri smacked her lips in disdain

"Why do you associate with him? The spectacled guy I kind of get, but that blue haired fetishist is just... ugh" Kaibi addressed Touma.

"I know that you don't like him, and he might seem bad" Touma defended his friend" But trust me, when it counts, his heart is in the right place"

"Sorry, but I think his definition of right place is his pants" Maidono shook her head, her chains clanking

"By the way, Bologna-san, did I see that right, or were you afraid of him?"

The blond head came into view.

"I encountered him once. He followed me, and asked strange questions. Seeing his face, I thought it would be appropriate to teach him a lesson, and I used just a little bit of Cold Mistress on him"

Touma already saw where this was coming.

"But he kept being in good spirits. Even if he should be in pain, that in itself seemed to give him even more pleasure"

"Aogami has... specific preferences"

"That's putting it lightly" Kaibi rolled her eyes" He seemed to have almost all preferences"

Every girl shivered at that.

"I know! Let's have Seike onii-chan traumatize him" Amazora seemed a bit too happy at the prospect

"Hey! I do not go around traumatizing people on purpose" Seike protested." It just sort of... happens"

"Go for it! Down with that enemy of women!"

Everyone looked at Rita.

"What? I knew he assumed I was in elementary school, I didn't like those eyes!"

"Well, as Kaibi said" Touma cut the discussion short" Aogami is kind of adapting to every fetish he encounters."

"Even to a big breasted loli who can turn into slime?" Kaai snorted in amusement.

"Been there, done that" Touma said blankly" He discusses his preferences a lot with us. All of them. Some of which I don't want to know at all"

That actually made even the twins go silent.

I wouldn't be surprised if Seike's crossdressing reveal didn't faze him at all."

He then turned to everyone.

"But wow, look at all of you. It's an amazing sight! Othinus, that is honestly terrifying, please face me with the other profile"

"Oh human, you do flatter me. Although I assume this profile really is better looking"

"I agree, but..." Index looked at the Transcendents" What happened to you?"

"Yes, you look really... different" Hasako came closer to inspect the costumes

Aradia wore a very revealing skirt, and a silver laced, violet corset. Her hair was smoothened and wavy, falling in cascades over her back. She wore almost non-existent bra and panties, alongside . She had a pair of artificial wings, small horns, matching Touma's, and devil like tail, stiff and wired to aforementioned panties.

"You look..." Yakumaru whispered, breaking away from Touma for a moment

"... incredible..." Rikuri added. For a girl as gorgeous as herself, that statement was nothing to sneeze at.

Meanwhile Bologna wore a see-through dress with a golden tinged veil, pointy hat with wide brim, golden bracelets, a collection of dried herbs on the waist, and burgundy dress with ornaments of planets and zodiac signs etched, and pentagram cut out on the level of her chest. Her horns were covered by the hat, and wings folded under the costume, alongside the coiled tail.

"Wait... did you two switch characters?" Index asked after a moment.

"Yeah. It was my idea to shake things up a little" Touma said proudly.

"I am glad he did, they are hilarious like that" Mut giggled.

"Yeah, her idea of a succubus was moaning every two sentences" Bologna said with a frown" That's not what succubi are about"

"Well, I do not cackle every two sentences! Witches really suffered through misinterpretation in movies"

Mut Thebes wore the linen dress and the underside of her arms was lined with multicoloured feathers. She had countered eyes and on her head was a red disk in golden frame.

Similarly to Othinus, Mut decided to dress as different goddess from her own pantheon, in that case Isis.

"Well..." Aradia commented, wobbling slightly on the heels Bologna recommended her" I feel like dying out of shame, although this does feel strangely... liberating"

"How do you bear with all this clutter of things, I cannot fathom... but it's unexpectedly more stylish than I thought" Bologna remarked, giving another twirl.

"It is kind of strange though. Without synchronisation to our proper characters, we can't use our abilities."

"It's still worth it, it's just one night"

"Even so, it is worth it" Touma looked at Good, Old Mary" Some of those characters really fit like a glove"

"IS THAT LADY D.?" Naru and Rikuri, who were big fans of video games, squealed at the sight" My gods, you look perfect for the role"

"Yeah. Mary-san, you look really incredible"

Good, Old Mary changed her hat to black one, combined with black rose on the shoulder, chain of pearls on the neck and blade like finger extensions. She gathered her long blond hair, tied it up, and put it under short black wig. In black glove, she held a long, old-styled cigarette, as she towered above everyone else.

She smiled lightly and tipped her hat to Touma

"Mama didn't think about it all that much, but she appreciates your praise."

"Alright everybody, the night is still young, but it's high time we go into the heart of the celebration" Kaibi pointed to the gate, adorned with pumpkins, skulls, and bats.

"Yes. Let's spend some quality time together, all of us. Happy Halloween, everyone!"

"Carry me like a princess. It's so much fun"

Naru was convinced that it would be fun for Kamijou to carry her, even though absolutely nothing suggested that she couldn't walk.

When Touma protested, she jumped on him, stuffing his face into her chest. After Yakumaru pried her friend off, they finally walked inside the festival grounds.

Saying goodbye to the very soft and pleasant feeling over his face, the boy looked around.

It was a surreal sight, seeing a plethora of makeshift huts, trees, cauldrons, skeletal hands, broomsticks, maze, haunted house, bonfire, apple bobbing, dancing hall, and something that resembled a fashion parade, in the heart of Academy City.

"It's not such a surprise, really" reflected Othinus, after he shared his thoughts with her" After all, Halloween got really commercialized since its conception. Almost no one links it with actual magic"

"Though magicians can use it to fuel their goals" Index amended" I would even say that it is one of the best nights of the year for that"

"Dully noted" Touma said, as they approached big tent, stylized like haunted house.

'HALLOWEEN CONTESTS' read the sign over the entrance.

There were already crowds of people there.

"Come and impress us with your costume" Kaibi read the text below the sign" If you consider yourself dressed for the occasion, try your luck. We value creativity, performance in costume, fitting in your character, and the opinion of the audience. Reward is Halloween merchandise and amount of candy proportional to-"

"TOUMA, WE HAVE TO TRY THIS!" Index yelled loudly. Touma covered his ears.

"Alright, I knew that this would happen, we will get that candy, because otherwise you would eat us instead, knowing you. Who wants to give it a go?"

Finally, they decided on their participants. The part that decided to compete in given category was to go backstage, while the others, not taking part in the particular competition, set down on the bleachers with other people of the audience.

Looking for the familiar faces, Touma noticed Sogiita Gunha, dressed as some kind of oni, carrying truly enormous pumpkins through the crowd. Musujime Awaki, dressed as redhaired zombi, helped guests to sit by sending them to their designated places. Yomikawa Aiho, dressed in an ancient armour, probably dressed up as amazon, as she oversaw this part of the festivity. Yumiya Iruka, dressed like an elven archer. Kouzaku Mitori, re-utilizing her nurse outfit in good setting. Even Kazakiri Hyouka, in her true angel form, which for the first time didn't look all that out of ordinary in the intensely colourful sea of various characters.

Finally, he also saw Saten Ruiko, hurrying through the crowd.

Upon seeing Touma, she smiled brighter than the sun, and hugged him tightly

"Hey, how wonderful to see you" she placed her cheek next to his" I absolutely love Halloween, and it's even better knowing that you are here with me"

"Yeah... it's good to see you too... but..."

"Hmm?"

"Your spikes... they are kind of getting into my throat..."

"Oh, sorry..."

Saten dressed up as a punk, with leather and spikes on her shoulders and shoes, all in black, combined with neon red-and-green T-Shirt and red bandana. If Touma were to guess, she chose that specific costume to incorporate her beloved baseball bat, proudly held in one of her hands.

Behind her was Misaka Mikoto, dressed as frog (Touma assumed one of the many Gekota variants that she loved to collect) and Shirai Kuroko, dressed as a cat, who didn't look happy about it one bit.

"How did she get so-"

"I managed to convince her to see what she looks like with whiskers. She didn't know it is a long lasting marker. It will come off in a day or two. So, not wanting to look like an idiot with whiskers, she had to dress up fully"

"Saten-san, sometimes you amaze me with how diabolical you are"

"Don't stare at me, ape!" Kuroko hissed, after which she facepalmed" Oh no, now I even acted like a stupid cat!"

"By the way, sorry that we were late, got a bit... sidetracked... with drama"

(AN HOUR EARLIER)

As Misaka Mikoto, Shirai Kuroko, Uiharu Kazari, and Saten Ruiko walked to the festival, they were about to pass three female students from middle school neither of them recognized.

They were so absorbed in their discussion that they didn't even realize how was passing them by.

One of the girls wore brown wig and light brown blouse with long white socks. The second had long blond wig and contact lenses that made her eyes resemble stars, swirling a TV remote in her hand. Third had violet dress, long brown hair, high heels, and around her were couple of green, LED illuminated orbs, on the metal wires.

Suddenly, Mikoto picked up a part of their conversation and quickly turned around.

"Onee-sama, what is-" Kuroko began, but Saten was already on the move, following the Railgun.

Soon, it became apparent what got Mikoto interested.

"What problem do you have with how we decided on costumes?"

"Why do I have to be Mental Out?" asked Girl number Two, dressed as Misaki.

"Because we all wanted to be Railgun. And it would be stupid if all three of us dressed up as her. There is already a whole lot of clones, apparently"

Saten raised an eyebrow as Mikoto swelled with pride, silently they followed the girls, as they continued talking

"Well, I actually preferred Meltdowner. She is super mysterious and isn't whiny like the others" said Girl Number Three, dressed as Mugino Shizuri.

"Railgun isn't whiny, she is very courageous." argued Girl Number One, dressed as Misaka Mikoto.

"But she is too much of a good girl. At least there is something complex about Shokuhou Misaki"

"Shokuhou Misaki would be beaten by Meltdowner in one second flat"

"Girls, I think you judge Railgun unfairly" Misaka cosplayer crossed her arms" She is more than people realize. She actually found so many innovative ways for electrical espers such as myself to utilize. She is amazing!"

There was a risk that if Mikoto got even more proud, she would inflate and float away.

"Although... I wish her size was bigger... I actually had to tighten my chest so it would appear smaller, and it's not all that comfortable"

Saten could almost hear Mikoto's self-esteem shattering in an instant.

"Well, that's not a problem for me" Misaki cosplayer replied, causing her chest to bounce" Both me and Shokuhou-san are alike in that regard, even if her personality can be sometimes ambiguous"

"Why do you focus on this particular aspect?" Mugino cosplayer groaned.

Mikoto collapsed on her knees, causing Saten to stop. Soon, the three girls disappeared.

"Onee-sama" Kuroko and Uiharu caught up, looking at her friend, who was on all fours.

Saten shook her head.

"She is in big shock. Let's give her time to recover"

"SHE DIDN'T NEED TO BE THAT THROUGHOUT WITH THE COSTUME!" Mikoto raised her head, wailing miserably." I WANT TO DIE! LIGHTNING, STRIKE ME NOW, AND TAKE ME FROM THIS WORLD!"

"Wow, she had to be hit really bad if she forgot she is immune to electricity" Saten whisteled, as the green frog-costumed girl had an existential breakdown under their feet.

"Onee-sama! Get a hold of yourself!"

"Forget about time to recover, this calls for a minute of silence" Uiharu, the resident ambassador of all things snarky, delivered the devastating final blow

(BACK TO THE PRESENT)

As Mikoto was blushing red, Touma noticed another group coming into the contest area.

"Hamazura, that's an epic costume" Touma noted, looking at his friend's bare chest, and artificial firearm, combined with short haircut.

"Thanks, it's Rambo-styled. I thought I fit pretty naturally"

"You look kind of super good too" Kinuhata, dressed as a kunoichi, complimented Touma.

"Thanks... what got into Mugino?"

Mugino Shizuri wore something similar to metal armour on her organic parts, with her eye glowing green, and her arm fully metal. Apparently she opted for a female version of Terminator, and truth be told, it made for a terrifying sight.

However, she seemed to be upset over something. Even Touma's presence alleviated it only slightly.

She smiled lightly, before going back to angry muttering.

"Well, let's say we had a problem on the way..." Takitsubo, dressed up as a cheerleader (which Touma found incredibly hilarious given her lethargic personality) explained to him

(45 MINUTES EARLIER)

"What the hell are they doing?" Mugino Shizuri growled, sitting at the cafeteria with sour face.

"Be patient Mugino. They are almost done changing" Takitsubo said, as they waited for Hamazura and Kinuhata.

"Tch. I wouldn't even be out today if Fremea didn't bitch about it all the time"

"Oh, don't say that. Think of it as an opportunity to spend some time together"

"It's still infantile shit for me"

Suddenly, they heard voices from the outside. Peering through the slightly opened window, Mugino and Takitsubo saw three girls, and to their surprise and bewilderment, one of them was apparently dressed up in Mugino's image.

"Okay, so let's agree on Railgun's good and bad sides" Misaka's cosplayer crossed her arms" But I don't buy why would you ever want to dress as Meltdowner"

"Yeah" added the girl that cosplayed Misaki" She is all mean and scary"

Mugino rolled her eyes, snorting and wanting to go back to her drink, but Meltdowner cosplayer surprised her.

"But that's part of her charm. Well, I don't mean being mean, but she is mysterious and strong, so very strong. She would actually be able to handle actual problems, in real world situations. So what that she is hidden away and we know only rumors? It means she shows up when it actually counts. I respect her for that"

Mugino whipped her head around and something strange came over her face.

Well, it was only so strange because #4 wasn't used to feeling touched by something.

"Hmm..." came more pleasant sounding hum from her throat.

Although, this satisfaction was about to be burned and drowned pretty quickly.

"Maybe you are right in some respects..." Misaka cosplayer nodded" But Meltdowner's personality is awful. Like a wolverine on steroids"

Takitsubo gulped. The glass in Mugino's mechanical palm started to crack.

"Yes, I think so too" Misaki cosplayer nodded vigorously" She really needs to mellow down all that bad girl stuff, because I absolutely not see her getting a boyfriend"

The glass shattered into tiny pieces.

"Hi, we are ready... HOLY SHIT, SOMEONE IS ABOUT TO DIE!"

Hamazura, who just entered the common space of the caffeteria, was greeted with the sight of green orb vibrating with concentrated electrons, ready to be fired, and face that was scarier than any mask.

Without thinking, he switched to action instantly.

Only a quick tackle managed to change the trajectory of the fired beam.

"Mugino, this is just a child!"

"I AM GOING TO MURDER THAT BITCH!"

(BACK TO THE PRESENT)

"Sounds intense... also, I have the strangest feeling of deja vu"

"Well, it only ended in me having a swollen eye and Kinuhata being sent through a wall, so I consider it a good ending"

"Dude, I know of bad luck, but your level of being accustomed to this is truly something else."

"We are very sorry" said yet another familiar voice.

'It's just like a lightning rod for level 5s now?'

Hokaze Junko held pouting and angry Shokuhou Misaki. The former was dressed in white dress and golden laurel headband, while Misaki... black and gold bra, horns, wings, tail, was that...

"Is that a succubus costume?"

"Indeed it is. Forgive my Queen, she is recovering... emotionally, I suppose"

"My prince. Comfort me!"

"I somehow know where this is going..." Touma whispered to Kaibi, as Misaki stuffed her face into his chest.

"You think?"

"It's wonderful to see you, Kamijou-senpai. It's always a true delight" Junko put Misaki down and hugged him around her best friend." You would not believe what happened. We were waiting for a drive here, when..."

"Three girls dressed as three level 5s started to discuss their costume characters?"

"Exactly. It was half an hour ago... one of them said that my Queen is most graceful and benevolent of level 5s. To which her companion said that to be realistically dressed as her, one had to stop running after couple of meters. It actually made my Queen cry..."

"I-I wasn't c-crying!"

"They were so invested in their discussion that they missed their bus and started to chase it. Shokuhou-sama was so upset that she attempted to catch them, yet she got tired after 10 meters, proving that-"

"Alright, Hokaze-san, we don't need full recap" Misaki sighed" The truth already burned my soul, have some mercy"

"Those girls are true menaces" Rikuri nodded with mixture of disbelief and respect" I wouldn't believe such ridiculous series of coincidences have I not heard it myself"

"Yeah... I have to remember to find those girls later. If I won't, they will end either electrocuted, riddled with holes, or unreasonably attracted to inanimate objects... or all of the above"

"Anyway, it's time for us" Saten said, as she, Hamazura, and Junko started to go towards the stage.

"Why? Where are you going?" Touma asked, confused.

"Oh? Right, I forgot to mention. We will be judging the competitions"

"What? With Konori-senpai too. Do you see her?"

And indeed, Touma saw familiar spectacled girl near the stage. She looked like police officer, not Anti-Skill, but one from outside the city, with blue mini-skirt, and lighter blue material shirt, with a cap, cuffs, and baton.

"Fufufu, Mii onee-chan sure likes her handcuffs"

Touma frowned at the way smirking Amazora said that. It didn't sound... innocent, for some reason.

He shooked his head from intrusive thoughts, ands shouted.

"SG, you are rocking this look!"

First, the answer that came was angry

"Don't call me that!"

Followed by much more mellow

"Thank you... you can come closer and see it, if you like it"

"That's suspicious" Kaibi raised an eyebrow.

As if reading her thoughts, an addendum from Konori came.

"O-Of course I didn't mean anything perverted with that"

"Sounds like something a hidden pervert would say"

But they had no time for discussions, as the competitions were getting started.

And so, everyone took their seats, as spotlight moved to Konori Mii.

"Welcome everybody. Thanks for coming to add to our spooky and wonderfully creative array of characters. This festival has lot to things offer, but it all centers here: in our Halloween Contest. We will hold competitions in following categories: Spookiness, Creativity, Fitting in Character, Multiple Characters, Charm, and Immersion. Each of the five competitors within each competition will be presented. The judges will talk with each other after each performance, and after every competitor in given category will perform, we will give the audience chance to vote too. Between the competitions, you are free to use other venues, such as haunted house, hedgemaze, foodstalls, and other carnival games. Is everything clear?"

It apparently was, no one had questions, so the clairvoyant esper spoke on.

"Then, let's move to the first category. It's probably the most prominent this time of the year, and this holiday is all about spookiness, macabre and terror. Those who feel confident in their ability to invoke feelings of fear and dread in others, to scare them with their abilities and performances, be welcomed! Spookiness contest, it's time to begin!"

The first to perform was Mitsuari Ayu. She walked across the stage with bloodied dagger, and swapped her regular Tokiwadai uniform for regular white-blue-red sailor uniform... which also appeared to be covered in blood. Her act also involved a mannequin, and using it to express body language of an unhinged, obsessive girlfriend, the silhouette serving as a substitute for a male protagonist. Touma didn't know if she wore lenses but the look in her eyes made him extremely glad that this was just an act. Nearby, Shokuhou Misaki seemed like she was seeing a ghost.

The gong was heard.

Ayu broke the character and waved, smiling brightly to the crowd, and sending kisses towards... yes, Touma was pretty sure it was towards him

"And that was Tokiwadai's Mitsuari Ayu, and her Higschool Yandere persona... thank you, Mitsuari-san... we will call you on stage later on..."

After a quick discussion, Konori, Junko, Hamazura, and Saten moved on to next participant.

Then, a silver haired girl, in which Touma recognized Bayloupe, walked through the stage with cuts and bruises over her body. The bloodied gashes were even more visible thanks to girl's pale complexion and silver hue dominating her frame. But perhaps the most impressive were the contact lenses, which made her eyes black with the tinge of red with trails of artificial blood leaving her eyes, nostrils, mouth, and ears, and also the lighting which turned red from time to time. During such times, Bayloupe would wallow in haunting voice.

"Blood for blood!"

After which she would resume walking aimlessly around the stage, from time to time whipping her head suddenly, to the terror of whoever she laid her eyes on.

Second time the gong resounded. Touma noticed Lessar (dressed as an imp) Lancis (dressed as a forest spirit) and Floris (dressed like a pirate) cheering on her sister from lower rows.

"This time, it was an exchange student from faraway England, Bayloupe-san, with... rather convincing performance as vengeful spirit of the accident victim" Hamazura commented" Thanks, Bayloupe-san, please come back when we tell you"

For the third performance, a TV was placed on the stage. Then, the light went out, turned on again to showcase static on the TV's screen, went out again. When it turned on second time...

Someone was on stage, someone, who Touma recognized as Kankyougami Hasako.

He felt immense pride for Beginning Child. Hasako was a rather shy person, not liking public attention, in part due to her past. While Touma was absolutely sure that she was roped into performing by Maidono, it made him nevertheless happy to see the first esper breaking through her limitations

With her Sadako costume, she crawled around the stage in slow, eerie manner. A shower of 'oohs' and 'aahs' came from the audience. Her white robes, long hair over her face and body, everything was in place. It was perfect.

Well, except for the fact that in one point, Hasako felt compelled to let out a rather audible:

"Booooooooo..."

And the crowd almost toppled over.

It sounded far too cute for macabre that was Halloween. It was clearly the sound someone precious who wanted to pretend to be scary would make.

Hasako, for the life of her, was too sweet to be scary in normal situation. She only got scary when she was angry. Yet if she was angry, nothing would be left standing.

"A-And that was charmi... I mean, spooky Kankyougami Hasako-san as Yamamura Sadako" Junko cleared her throat" Next, please!"

Othinus walked confidently on stage. Intentionally positioning herself so that her 'unaltered' side would face the audience, before smiling and turning 180 degrees.

The revulsion and dread spread through the audience as they gazed upon perfectly drawn blackened side, that resembled something dried and mummified, or the empty, gaping eyesocket.

Othinus walked across the scene with a grace of a professional model, with just perfect amount of haughtiness to entice the audience, but not enough to look overconfident.

"That was incredible miss... Allfather? What on odd surname... Allfather-san?"

Index almost spat out pumpkin cake she was gobbling up.

"That's so funny for an alias!" she giggled.

"Yes, that's not suspicious at all" Kaibi pointed out sarcastically

"True, but..." Touma shared his thoughts" one, she looks different from her... emm, world criminal times, and two... when you think about it, there are tons of strange English surnames out there. I mean, I know Saflee Opendays, and you told me of someone called Stephanie Gorgeousplace"

"Yes, and let's not forget our new resident cutie, Amazora's new best friend, whose family name is literally derived from items of food sold in a supermarket.

"Achoo!"

Row behind them, Helcalia Grocery, in a Sailor Moon costume, sneezed cutely, before looking around in confusion.

"Point taken then"

Next, and final performance of the category was that of Hanatsuyu twins. And needless to say, their hand to hand walk, synchronized expressions, bugs crawling over Youen's face, and Kaai actually partially melting stunned everyone in absolute, horrified silence.

So much so that many seconds had to pass before they could even move.

"Well shit" Maidono whispered to them" I know this is kind of their thing anyway, and this is definitely in the spirit of Halloween, but... good luck purging that traumatic sight from memory"

"Alright..." Konori clapped her hands" We are going for break. We will begin second part after 20 minutes, and reveal the winner of the first part"

(20 MINUTES LATER)

"Alright then, let's see how this plays out"

Touma managed to win Amazora a price in the Halloween themed arcade (it was a must with her at every single outing, and something they really grown used to doing together), and Rikuri both everyone the ginger-spiced hot chocolate.

While Maidono distributed the beverages, the discussion of the judges, and audience, was taking place. But in the end, the title went to Hanatsuyu twins.

"Oh, I hoped to win" Mitsuari Ayu commented, coming to section where Touma and his friends were sitting" But I guess I had many worthy opponents"

"I-It was more interesting than I suspected..." added Hasako.

"What can we say?" Kaai grinned and waved her hand" We were kind of the experts of giving our victims the creepiest exit experience possible"

Youen elbowed her.

"What? I said were, not are"

"Why do you make it sound like it is an achievement worth of noting in CV or something like that?"

"Sssh..." Amazora clenched her fists, pointing to the stage" The second contest is about to begin"

"Hello, and welcome back, everyone!" Saten's voice boomed through the speakers" Now, we continue the contest... and we move to Creativity. That's right, now we value the most interesting and inexplicable solutions, challenging choices, and intricate designs! Let's give a round of applause to our contestants"

First was the the undercover aztec magician, who Touma knew as Etzali. He wondered if the GROUP member ensured, once again, that real Unabaru would not be a bother.

Etzali earned a round of female squeals, being the first man in the competition.

He demonstrated his look-swapping skill. While some people in Touma's circle vaguely understood its principles, the general audience did not and was flabbergasted.

Etzali used smokebombs, and after each of them wore off, he emerged with a different face. No, not only different face, but even different clothes, which Touma had to admit, was kind of impressive. Apparently, Etzali was not scared of revealing his abilities if he didn't show his original face and no one could trace him directly to his prime self.

After the magician bowed, everyone clapped with respect.

"What a great performance!"" Saten cheered together with them" How did he do it? Well, it seems... wow, it seems like we will be asking ourselves that question a lot more with our next participant!"

The blond girl with a skeleton make-up seemed to have a body created from independent, moving parts, with see-through lines crossing the surface, and splitting the flesh into independent floating pieces. Those pieces moved in a strange skeletal dance, through the air, as she winked to the audience.

"Second Saga?" Aradia, Mut, and Bologna all cried out at the same time.

"So they are here too..." Good, Old Mary muttered, contemplatively.

"Does this mean I will have to bother with that narcissistic dwarf again?" Bologna snarled, wings moving under her costume." I sure hope not"

"Sssh, you are spoiling my food" Index mouthed to them.

"Speaking about food, Kaai, where the hell is our sweet bounty from the winning?" Youen asked.

"I don't know... it was just here!"

Touma looked at Index, and he was sure that he saw a bit of sugar crystals some of the candies were coated in, just below her lips.

It was merely couple seconds of distraction. But when it came to devouring food, Index could be faster than chameleon shooting its tongue towards the fly.

Second Saga finished her show, and then...

A gasp of amazement ran through the crowd, as the third contender in this category rolled onto the stage. Literally.

It was a medium-sized transparent water tank on wheels, and inside was a mermaid. Well, girl dressed as a mermaid, with shell-like bra on upper body, and sapphire coloured fish tail, with amber fin, stretching from waist down and over the legs.

It was Wannai Kinuho.

"She looks marvelous, doesn't she?"

Touma looked around, finding Kongou Mitsuko and Awatsuki Maaya standing nearby. Kongou was dressed like samba dancer, with fancy feathers around her very risque cut outfit, while Awatsuki looked like fairy, with see-through wings and girlands of flowers over her.

"It's getting really croweded here" Kaibi sighed" So you came to cheer on Wannai-san?"

"But of course. Isn't she incredible? We helped make that costume. We were all pretty excited to mingle with commoners and see how they celebrate this night"

Truth be told, Touma was already seeing that Wannai's accessories were incredibly creative. It all revolved around her Hyrdo Hand's water manipulation abilities. Not only they allowed her to do impressive flips in the mermaid costume, but more importantly, by controlling certain amount of water and pushing the current in one of the directions within the tank, Wannai exerted force upon it, which in turn was causing the wheels and tank itself to move.

And so, Wannai was met with outstanding ovation. She was about leave the stage but...

BOOM!

Someone landed on the stage with such a pomp that poor Wannai, who didn't manage to fully leave, was catapulted out of the tank, and into the air.

"Aaah"

The collective gasp as everyone watched the mermaid sore through the air and towards the ground.

Touma was already on the move. He jumped forward with all of his power, extending his hands in desperate attempt... until...

"Got you!"

He managed to catch Wannai in his arms, wobbling to regain his own balance.

When he eventually did, the audience cheered (although Touma could have sworn he heard curses being thrown as well)

"Hello Wannai-san, thanks for dropping by" Touma panted out, little shaken from sudden burst of adrenaline.

The twinkling bluish green eyes of the girl in his arms were fixed on him.

"My hero" she said quietly, smiling at him.

She made a small gesture with her hand, and back on stage, the tank wobbled, and spilled part of the water inside.

As everyone looked in that direction, Wannai closed her eyes and softly kissed his cheek.

"Kinuho-san?" he asked, stunned and confused.

"I... made them look away. I knew you are prone to getting involved in the misunderstandings... but I am also a firm believer that while there is punishment, there must also be reward. Thank you for saving me"

"A-Aren't you flustered or something? That's how it usually goes..."

"Well, I would lie if I said I wasn't... but if I started to make a fuss, you would be in trouble, right? Besides, I would never be ashamed of being with you, far from it, I am grateful for all you are to me. I will always cherish someone who brings happiness to my friends"

She looked at Kongou and Awatsuki, who nodded their heads in agreement.

"Kinuho-san..." tears actually filled Touma's eyes.

It was so incredibly rare for a girl close to him to showcase this level of understanding. It didn't make Wannai soft, Touma knew by now that if someone hurt her friends, she would fight that person until they cried and then would use her enemies own tears against them.

It just meant she was a wonderful person. Not perfect, but incredible nonetheless.

Wannai chuckled, and used her ability to remotely dry his face, when someone landed next to them.

It was Sogiita Gunha in oni costume.

"Kamijou! Awesome to see you!" he greeted him with a smile and raised hand, before he looked at Wannai, and bowed so low and quick that his forehead actually hit, and cracked, the floor.

"I guess I was overexcited and endangered you. Please forgive me. As an atonement, I shall endure the most gruelling challenges..."

"O-Oh, it's alright, I am alright..." Wannai assured him" Please, don't do anything unnecessary."

"Are you sure?"

"Just... be more mindful on your surroundings, alright?"

Above the scene, Touma noticed Misaka Mikoto and from her face he guessed that they thought about the same thing:

'Telling Gunha to be more mindful is like asking a charging rhino to suddenly change direction in the middle of charge'

Nevertheless, #7 level 5 saluted and responded

"I'll see what I can do"

And with that, he bounced backwards, getting to the stage

"Touma-san" Awatsuki gently patted Touma's arm" Wannai-san is already done performing for now. I can take care of her, we can sit till the end of the part of the contest. I am used to carrying her"

She smiled warmly at him.

"Thank you for reacting so quickly. I was about to jump myself. You really are always looking out for us"

"No, really, I just did what anyone would do"

Afterwards, Touma sat down and sighed.

"Touma..." Index said with a raised eyebrow" Why do you have such a silly face?"

"Oh Index, it's such a rarity for fate to send me a moment with a girl that won't misjudge the situation... I have to savour it..."

Mikoto felt her ears burn and turned away, somewhat awkwardly.

After a moment she shook her head and looked at Touma again. Wallowing in her past mistakes would get her nowehere, right? She needed to look forward, toward the future.

Meanwhile, Saten cleared her throat and spoke to the microphone.

"Alright. After... emm... some accidents, let's welcome the one, the only, Sogiita Gunha!"

On stage, Gunha slammed his hands together, which created a miniature shockwave. A small sparks of electricity extended from his fingers. He stomped on the ground, flames shooting from the soles of his feet, when he breakdanced in the air... without any support.

"Now, let hear the guts of power!" he shouted, grabbing lightning with his bare hands" SUPERCHARGED DEMONIC ROAR!"

He breathed out the stream of fire, to the amazement of those watching him.

"My guts are raging inferno!"

"Try saying that on the toilet" Amazora was evidently having fun, swinging her feet and watching the energetic boy dance his oni dance on stage.

"How is he doing all of that?" Mut Thebes motioned towards the stage" It's super confusing"

"Welcome to the club." Kaibi sighed" No one actually knows. He will always say..."

"FEEL MY HALLOWEEN GUTS!"

"... yeah, something like that. Heh, he pissed the hell out of Kakine when we were in SCHOOL. He said that #7 made all male level 5s look ridiculous by association"

Kaibi heard Maidono scoff behind her.

"You don't like him?" she asked telekinesis user.

"I wouldn't say that, this is too strong. He is quite cool, I guess. I just..." he pointed at incredulous feats happening on stage" sometimes, I just can't believe that he was chosen to be a level 5, and they gave me this 'too destructive' crap. At least my ability is well studied. What even is that?"

"There, there..." Hasako stroke Maidono's hair in a comforting manner" You will always be a level 5 in our hearts... I mean, I am quite strong and I am not a level 5. It was not a thing in my time"

"That's totally different, Hasacchi, but thanks, you are sweet for saying that" her friend replied, slightly mollified.

Later on, after Gunha jumped through the tent's roof, with quite literally blew closer spectators away, someone landed on the stage.

"No way!" many shouts were heard.

They had their own robotic suit, which could fly and shone majestically in the dim light of the stage.

The competitor struck a pose and then revealed her face.

"Enshuu?" Touma frowned" Been a while since we've seen her."

After making few rounds in the air, the young girl bowed.

"Your feedback is appreciated. I would like to take the moment to dedicate this costume to my onii-chan..."

Touma felt cold. He had a bad feeling about this.

"... to showcase my skill, intellect, and to suggest me as final sibling selection, in contrast to certain blond mistakes, that can only weaken the genepool for future offsprings with questionable intellect and violent temper"

She used a blaster to make a glowing heart in the air.

Yup. There it was.

"Amazora, wai-"

She was already gone, running down the stairs.

At the same time, another girl sprung out from the other side of the crowd.

Touma facepalmed when he saw Leivinia Birdway, with black glasses and white beret (mafia boss, perhaps?) sprinting and jumping up the stage, synchronizing with Amazora before anyone could stop them.

"You have a lot of nerve!"

"BRING IT ON!"

(ONE SECTION OF SEPARATING THREE FIGHTING LITTLE SISTERS LATER)

It turned out Amazora's gattling gun battery didn't shoot real shots, but missiles filled with Halloween themed confetti. Much less lethal, but rather obnoxious.

The shots of confetti caught fire, courtesy of Birdway, and it took a bit of effort to extinguish it.

"Well..." Hamazura cleared his throat" It seems some of our guests are a little... fierce. Please, try not to kill each other"

"You heard that?" Touma adressed three girls sitting nearby." No such thing from either one of you!"

"Hmph!"

"Hmph!"

"What I said was objectively logic-"

"You little piece of-"

"What did I say? Girls?"

"Fine..."

"Alright, onii-chan..."

"I won't waste energy needlessly, I suppose..."

Amazora had a black eye and a nosebleed, part of Birdway's sunglasses was broken and she had a sizeable bump on her head. Enshuu, protected by her armour, sustained the least damage, but part of her hair appeared to be missing, and the costume itself was dented in placed.

Due to the time needed to make the stage presentable again, the results of Creativity contest were quickly presented. After a vote and discussion, everyone declared Wannai Kinuho a winner. She congratulated the rest of the participants, and took her sweet reward, after which everyone went out to a break

(5 MINUTES LATER)

Kamijou Touma was simply minding his own business.

He went to buy some skull lolipops and eyeball chewing gums (yes, those were actual products) for Naru and Kaibi, when someone grabbed him and pulled into the space between carnival booth and the tent.

When his eyes adjusted to the darkness, he saw flawless bronze skin, silky raven hair, amber eyes, and red backpack, combined with indian dress.

"Vidhatri-san" he addressed the young woman with appearance of a model.

"Kamijou Touma" the Transcendent narrowed her eyes" We meet again, under the most unusual of circumstances"

"Well, I wouldn't call being at a festival unusual, so you make it sound like an out of touch NPC-"

BAM!

A slender leg blocked the exit, slamming into the wall just next to him, as the girl balanced on the remaining one.

Touma raised a finger.

"Emm... just to clarify... you don't particularly like me, right..."

"Does this answer you: I want to inflict pain upon you and make you squirm like a worm under my heel..."

"..."

"STOP TURNING AWAY AND MAKING THAT FACE!"

"I can't help it when you smashed your leg right next to it... d-do you have any business with me, or do you just randomly grab people and drag them into the shadows?"

"Fine" Vidhatri tossed her hair haughtily" Straight to the point. I know that Alice is returning. Are you aware?"

"Yes, I learned just hours ago"

"That makes it easier. It would be better if you stopped seeing her"

Touma's face got more serious.

"Why would we stop?"

"After you died and came back... and after later events... she needed that retreat... if she recovered mentally... being with you again can mess it up. I think it should also be in your interest"

Touma was silent for a moment, and then shook his head.

"With respect, Vidhatri-san, that's bullshit"

"What?"

"The whole point of putting myself through hell, of making choices that I made, was to come back to everyone, including Alice. I forgave her. There is nothing standing between us anymore"

"We tried all of this before"

"It was completely different" Touma said, trying to leave" And it will not be the same this time"

"Do not ignore me!" Vidhatri cried out, grabbing his shoulder" You already deny my threads of fate, I will not have you turn your back on-"

What happened next was so unexpected that it shocked not only Vidhatri, but also Touma.

From the darkness, a head of Gokusai Rikuri emerged, in her vampire costume, and swiftly sunk her artificial canines into Vidhatri's arm.

The Transcendent let out a girly squeak of fear and backed away, simultaneously to Rikuri.

"Y-You bit me!" she cried out.

"Yes" Rikuri wiped her mouth" But for a good reason"

"Wha... who is this?" the brown skinned beauty whipped her head to Touma." Why is that wherever you go, there is always weirdness?"

"Don't insult my family, Vidhatri-san" Touma reprimanded her" And besides, I don't think that group of god cosplayers such as Transcendents have any high ground on calling others weird"

He pointed at both girls.

"Rikuri, Vidhatri. Vidhatri, Rikuri. Introductions are complete"

"Why are you seducing him in the dark?"

Vidhatri's face darkened with blush and she took a step back.

"I wasn't seducing him!"

"Oh really? I saw that leg!"

"That doesn't prove anything!"

While Vidhatri exploded into a rather vocal rant, and time passed, Touma whispered to Rikuri

"What is going on here?"

"Nothing much, just buying time. Should be 5 minutes... it will start in just..."

Suddenly, Vidhatri wobbled on her feet. She frowned before her face fell, relaxing all expressions. She dropped like a puppet with cut strings. Rikuri managed to reach her before she slammed into the ground.

"Sorry, but I paralyzed you. I thought you were doing something bad to our Touma, and you know, I can't have that."

"Whad you meeeh..."

"Oh, don't try to speak. All your skeletal muscles are immobilized to some degree. You can only blink. Don't worry, it will wear off in hour and a half, more or less."

Rikuri tried to lift Vidhatri, but struggled to do so, until Touma helped her. Together day carried the Transcendent to the medical tent.

"What happened to her?" Touma asked Potion Lady.

"My vampire canines are actually modified syringes. I filled them with tubocurarine, just in case something unsavoury happened to me because of this sexy costume" the chemistry genius explained" Tubocurarine is a derivative of benzylisoquiline, it's from the same family of substances that the ones used in poison darts from tropical rainforests belong to. It paralyzes the voluntary muscles and can additionally lead to salivation and heavier breathing... but she will be fine"

The drool dropping from Vidhatri's mouth confirmed those words. However, the eyes of Transcendent remained furious.

"You had to bite her to paralyze her?"

"I know right, pretty in character, right? But jokes aside, I can't fight in any other way than with chemistry and drones, and you did seem in trouble. Besides, tubocurarine becomes active only when introduced to the bloodstream, it's harmless when ingested orally. This is why people can paralyze prey with toxins and then safely eat it"

"Memo to take you to any misfortunate misadventure if it will happen in rainforest" Touma looked at Vidhatri" Sorry for that. This is our onee-san for you!"

"Mmmm!" an angry growl came from down below.

"I will buy you something as a sorry. Take care, see you later!"

After leaving the tent, Touma handed sweet treats, that he somehow managed to keep a hold onto, to Rikuri.

"Give them to the girls. I will be right back"

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, just couple of minutes"

After Rikuri left, Touma saw Konori Mii, sitting in the distance.

Taking a short detour, he approached the bench with a white cotton candy, decorate with carmels that looked like spiders.

He handed it to Konori

"Some Sweet Cobwebs?"

The Judgement member smiled and nodded, patting the spot next to her.

"Thanks. Care to seat with me?"

"Sure. Everything okay?"

"Yes. Just resting for a moment."

"Shouldn't you be inside? You are part of the jury"

"I was inside moments ago. The third part will start any moment now. Are you having fun?"

"Yeah! Sometimes it's just pure chaos, but I guess this is part of the night's magic"

"I guess so"

Touma drummed his fingers in silence for just a moment.

"So... SG..."

Konori rolled her eyes.

"You would rather die than stop using that nickname, right?"

"I just thought english is more sophisticated. Or do you prefer Eromegane?"

"Sexy Glasses it is... no, wait, that's not the point! Just call me... Mii"

"Really? Can I?"

"Y-Yes, I'll allow it"

Touma cleared his throat

"SG, also known as Mii..."

"Oh, for goodness sake..." Konori chuckled and elbowed him" What?"

"We should spend more time together. It's rather fun. Why do we see each other so little?"

"Well..." Konori raised an eyebrow" I reckon we are both busy people. I protect the city by being a part of adminstration of order, while you run around it, getting almost killed at any given occasion"

"Hey, I also protect the city"

"Alright I believe you. But is that really necessary? Do you think there is something that Anti-Skill can't take care of?"

"I know for a fact there is"

The girl sighed and slumped down.

"Unfortunately, I believe you. But still... my offer to you still stands.

"So does mine"

"We are not going to do it until we are older"

"That sounds horribly out of context, SG."

"W-What are you talking about? I-I am not a pervert! You know I am referring to my offer to investigate cases alongside us"

"Heh, can you imagine?" Touma laughed, looking at the sky" How did you put it before? I could be-"

"Like I said, You could be a private detective. If you are going to get yourself involved in problems, at least you can make it your official job"

That got even bigger laugh out of the boy.

"And I could rank up, oversee Judgement affairs... and work side by side with you" Konori added more bashfully.

"Heh, you really want to bother with this troublesome Kamijou for years to come"

"Well, if I have to choose, I guess you are a kind of trouble that I wouldn't mind watching over" she said to herself.

Touma smiled in a somewhat mysterious manner.

"Well, who knows..."

A gong was heard inside hut-stylized tent.

"Time to go. Catch!"

He caught the can of coffee, while Konori lifted the pumpkin-shaped milk container.

"You know, as an outside observer, you don't have to get them bigger." Touma noted, pointing at the milk and then Konori's chest" They are perfect the way they are"

"N-Now who is a pervert? I just like that milk!" she said, giggling.

She lifted the milk

"I am serious though. You work alongside Judgement in some form, I become dorm supervisor of some kind"

"Well, better than nothing

"Cheers! To our shared future!"

"Yeah... for the times to come, whatever they may hold"

(LATER, BACK IN THE MAIN TENT)

The third contest, Fitting in Character, was about to begin.

The Transcendents swarmed Rikuri after learning about confrontation with Vidhatri.

"That's impressive" said Good Old Mary" Mama wishes she was there to see it"

"Yeah, I would give everything to see her face" Mut Thebes seconded the sentiment.

"Although making an enemy of Vidhatri is not thing to cherish" Aradia mused" she is quite powerful"

"How powerful are we talking about?" Rikuri inquired.

"Well... she is a fate manipulator. If she gets you in her sphere of influence, she can... weave you out of existence, erase you without a trace"

Rikuri paled a little.

"I kind of miss the times when we thought level 5s were biggest threats ever. W-Well, we'll worry about it when the problem arrives"

Meanwhile, Touma was discussing the situation that occurred with Tsuchimikado and Aogami.

"Well..." Tsuchimikado nodded, after Touma told entire encounter with Vidhatri, excluding mentions of Alice and Rikuri's intervention" I would say she likes you"

Touma's jaw dropped.

"No, no, no, there must be some mistake. She clearly hates me!"

"Maybe... but did she really stated it?"

"Yes!"

"No... from what we've heard, she told you that she wants to 'inflict pain upon you and make you squirm like a worm under her heel...'"

"Kami-yan, either she is a S" Aogami patted his wig" or she gets excitment from you being someone who she can't control. Doesn't your ability makes you immune to her machinations? So maybe both S and M?"

"Yeah, but..."

"Trust me, there are whole kind of control fetishes over the world. You should watch out for that one, you lucky bastard!"

"Someone who takes her joy from feeling me... squirm... is not lucky at all!"

It was time for the spectacle to begin.

"Welcome back after longer break" Junko's soothing voice came from the speakers" Now, we move to Fitting Into Character. Please, give us a performance that, in your opinion, most encapsulates the essence of the character you chose to portray. Please begin and show us some exciting spectacle!"

First came Tsuchimikado Motoharu. On his request, the bullseyes were placed on the stage. The esper-magician hybrid, in spirit of true secret agent he was cosplaying, showcased incredible marksmanship with guns (shooting paintballs) and aiming at many seemingly impossible angles with great accuracy leaving the crowd in awe.

"WOHOOO!" cheered one especially enthusiastic maid" You are amazing!"

Tsuchimikado bowed and left the stage, just as a girl with glossy raven hair and prominent forehead walked to the stage, dressed in victorian attire, with a cane and tophat.

"Shutaura?" Touma leaned forward.

"Arisa?" not far away from him, Mikoto asked in the same manner.

But just as Touma asked it, he knew it was neither of them. The young woman had a playful and warm smile of Arisa Meigo, spiced up with daring and challenging look that was undoubtedly from a facial repertoir of Shutaura Sequenzia. Neither of the girls would make a face like that on their own.

Which meant it was...

"Mitsumi onee-chan?" Amazora grinned, looking at the their multi-personal friend.

"It seems Mitsumi-chan here is dressed as doctor Henry Jekyll... with liberty taken to the gender" Konori explained" and will sing the song he shares with his evil alter ego, Edward Hyde."

And Mitsumi did just that. The song she sang was apparently one of the final moments, the confrontation between two opposing sides. Mitsumi switched mannerisms and voices, giving them additional flares and characteristics, making them alternate between Shutaura and Arisa's vocals.

While Touma didn't know if Shutaura would appreciate using her characteristics for the part of evil alter ego, he realized that the fact that Mitsumi was the one doing this, was genius. Neither Arisa nor Shutaura wouldn't be able to pull this off on their own. But Mitsumi was both of them at the same time, so she could reach to her experiences of either individual part, while staying the bigger whole.

"She is incredible" Index shouted, and she wasn't alone in that.

Once Mitsumi finished, the crowd went absolutely wild, and Hamazura, with Yomikawa's help had to help calm some people down.

Well, it wasn't all that surprising, considering that Mitsumi had idol experience from her Arisa legacy.

And then... nothing.

"Over here..."

Everyone looked at the scene, but saw no one there.

"Well, that's just how it is... life goes on, and some go unnoticed..."

Something shimmered into existence.

Suddenly, Himegami Aisa appeared on the scene.

"Did she just... teleport there?" Kuroko scratched her head.

"No, I think she was there all along..." Yakumaru pointed at the miko girl" That coat... I think I heard about it. It is a camouflage coat that allows one to be unnoticed if they are still."

"I was standing here for nearly 20 minutes. You see, there is no greater monster than the feeling of being unnoticed" Himegami declared raising her hand into the air" And that's what I wanted to embody. Thank you"

She left, and for a while, only crickets from the outside was heard.

"Wow... such dedication..." Saten tired to regain her speech after short yet mindblowing proving of Himegami's point."L-Let's carry on then..."

Following was Hanzou Hattori, presenting expert precision and agility with shuriken stars, similarly to Tsuchimikado's performance. Hamazura gave him an applause, but was forbidden from taking decisions regarding the voting outcome for one of his friends, instead relying more on the audience for evaluation.

But the true star was about to give a performance of a lifetime.

Ladylee Tangleroad was dressed as a voodoo priestess, with a hairdo and ornamental robes being a part of it. However, the greatest impression was made by couple of swords and spikes running through her body, in ways that had to, normally, be fatal.

"Is she insane?" Touma asked Othinus, watching a sword that went straight through Ladylee's skull" I thought she didn't want people left and right to know she is immortal? And this screams 'I can't be killed, I should be dead'"

"Human, come on, think. Halloween is a special type of holiday for magicians. What's ordinary and extraordinary mingles and mixes together. This is the time many more peculiar magicians, like Transcendents or Miss Immortal there, can truly be themselves"

"But..."

"Listen, espers from this city have unremarkable ability to explain even the most illogical, absurd, unscientific thing with science. Always seeking rational explanation, even when there can be none, thinking that something is deceiving them, that there are holograms, mirrors... or that the swords that impale someone are actually fakes, acting devices"

Touma briefly thought of the vehemence through which Mikoto was repeatedly unable to believe in the existence of magic.

"Yeah, maybe you are onto something"

"For my grand show, I require someone from the audience" Ladylee's acquamarine eyes scanned the people gathered, before she grinned" You! If you may!"

"Me?"

A very confused Kanzaki Kaori, dressed as feudal era samurai, walked onto the scene.

"What do you need me for?"

At first glance, knowing Ladylee well enough already, Touma noticed that choosing Kanzaki was deliberate. And now, he noted the additional spark of glee, so rare to see when it came to petite immortal. Maybe Halloween really allowed Ladylee the Deathless to let loose.

"Can you fight? You carry a sword" she pointed out to long sword at Kanzaki's side.

"Yes, I am quite able. But-"

Kanzaki didn't appear to be aware what Ladylee was planning. Whatever that was, everyone gathered who knew her also realized that it was going to be big. Ladylee was, after all, show and businesswoman.

"Then I challenge you to a friendly match. Five minutes will suffice, I think. What do you think, oh honourable samurai?"

Kanzaki narrowed her eyes, and touched her blade.

"Alright... but how will you do it? You have no weapon"

Ladylee sighed

"Truly? Did you forget who I am dressed as? We have Halloween today. Only for today... the dead rise from their tombs and walk again!"

And then, she pulled out a doll.

In the next moment, ground near the stage parted.

In one of the front rows, Fremea Seivelun squealed from excitement.

Out of everyone, she had a very good idea what was about to occur.

Namely, two immortals made a pact for a performance that would shock everyone.

As Ladylee manipulated the doll, someone rose from the earth.

It was a girl with purple hair, wearing white robes.

Fraulein Kretuene had her eyes closed, wore high platform boots (similar to those worn by Agnese Sanctis) and wielded two long sabres.

Kanzaki blinked in bewilderment at the girl who just rose from under the ground.

"Miss?..."

The neck of the girl cracked sickeningly. It rotated 180 degrees before the rest of the body followed. The head lowered itself abruptly, as she walked up the stairs, moving in a strange, stiff, marionette-like manner, climbing onto the stage, with each movement mirroring Ladylee's manipulation on the doll.

With a twist, Kreutene's body twisted into attack position and Kanzaki had to block her slice with her own block. Just when she did it, she had to guard from another attack, thrust with the second sword.

However, this situation was quickly reversed, as Kanzaki relinquished the sword from the 'zombi's' grasp, metal scraping on metal, and managed to push it back, before cutting widely.

She expected the girl to evade or block. But the unconscious (?) Kreutene did nothing like that. She took the cut with its full force.

"Owww..." hissed the audience.

Touma wondered why non one questioned the presence of metal blades. Everyone winced, so they had to see them. No one seemed to care though. Probably some enchantments were in place. Both of the fighters were magicians after all.

"I don't get it. Why swordfight with Kanzaki? I know it's only pretending... but Kanzaki is a genuine master."

"Don't underestimate the experience of immortality. Aside from Magic Gods, and miss Kreutene, that woman" Othinus gestured towards Ladylee" is older than anyone living. She is a master swordswoman too, although her body doesn't allow her to properly fight on her own."

"But even with that physical inability, if one combines it with proficiency in voodoo arts" Index completed" it becomes very dangerous. I learned a bit about miss Ladylee after events of Endymion. Being unable to use magic herself, she has thousands of talismans, and above all else, she is one of the best voodoo users in the world. This is a very good match for her. Offensive voodoo magic devours lifespan of the caster, the more energy is consumed the longer it is used and the more powerful individual is the target. But if the lifespan of the caster has no limit and you find a good body to control... like, say, another immortal..."

Touma already understood. The fight wasn't uneven after all.

The blades clashed again, slash being exchanged by slash and thrust with thrust. Although Kanzaki wasn't losing, she wasn't on the offensive either. She wasn't able to unleash her most powerful attacks with crowd beyond the Kretuene's back, and in truth, this was just a friendly battle. Yet it was baffling and hard for her. The puppeteered body bent and attacked at abnormal angles, beyond what normal, mortal human could achieve, going beyond mobility of joints and taking hits that would normally brought a person down. Yet the purple haired marionette wasn't normal girl, and neither was her puppetmaster.

Ladylee was smiling, her nimble fingers continually adapting the doll to the new situations.

Kanzaki advanced, and slashed diagonally, her opponent raising the blades to stop it. Then, Fraulein Kreutene made a low slash with one blade, while trusting the other forward. Kanzaki jumped and then forced a bind, forcing the approaching blade into the opposite diagonal, metallic sound resounding over the stage. While her weapon was longer, the undead opponent wielded two swords, so it was strange, seeing two fighters adjusting to completely different fighting styles.

After a glaze and counter-parry, Kanzaki slammed her weapons into the blades of the opponent, using her great strength to let the undead slide on her feet.

With another crack, the arm came at her at yet another abnormal angle, Kanzaki quickly moving her hands to intercept it. Then, the body in front of her bent backwards, causing Kanzaki's own attack to swing through the empty air.

A cross disengagement, parry, a insistent array of thrusts, combined with such incredible sights as Fraulein Kreutene's wrists changing the swords' alignment in middle of the motion, once again many degrees above what was allowed by human physiology, running straight into Kanzaki's sword to confund her (and still carrying on like it was nothing more than a graze). Meanwhile Kanzaki, focused and agile, showcased impressive footwork and technique. Although insufficient to fully bring her opponent down, finally...

The gong resounded.

Kanzaki was breathing heavily, as she stopped her attack centimeters from Kreutene's throat.

Yet, her enemy's own blades stopped just tips away from Saint's own stomach.

The crowd exploded into emotional and frantic questions, cheers, and overall loudness.

Laydylee and her puppet both bowed. Suddenly, the smoke filled the stage, and when it dissipated moments later, Fraulein Kreutene was nowhere to be found.

"Wow... that was quite something" Naru said, chewing on her food" I wouldn't believe if someone told me"

"That's just... how can they not believe in magic after that?"

"Perceptive suggestions when needed. And above else, like I said, irritating ability to mold anything and everything into your scientific jargon. Listen closely to conversations of students around you, human. They already start explaining it as the zombie being an android and the doll being some kind of fancy remote"

"But... but..."

"Now, Touma, do you understand my frustration when I first tried to talk to you about magic?" Index chimed in between munches.

"I guess I do..."

In front of them, Kanzaki and Ladylee descended from the stage.

"You truly are one of the most talented young woman of this era"

"To be praised by someone as well versed as you, who mastered thousands of arts, is an honour" Kanzaki inclined her head, before adding "Although I wouldn't consider using an undead as honourable"

Ladylee waved her hand

"Oh, come now, miss bushido. Everyone fights in the way they are able to. I can't do anything myself, and do you know how frustrating it is to know so much and not be able to use it? It's just how I am force to proceed. And if I am fighting, I am fighting to win"

"It would be a different story if it wasn't such a strange opponent"

" Oh, I am sure it would be" Ladylee said sarcastically" Which is why I am not an idiot and always seek good partners who cannot be brought down easily".

She shook her head when Kanzaki said goodbye and disappeared into the crowd. She searched for Touma on the bleachers and upon finding him, gave a small wave

"No matter how many decades pass, this creature baffles me "she said, referring to Fraulein Kreutene" it could undo my voodoo bond at any time, but decided to go along. Its heart really is a mystery"

Well, it was not really such a mystery at all.

Behind the big tent, Fraulein Kreutene was hugged by smiling Fremea Seivelun.

"Did you... have fun?" the question came.

"Yup. That was amazing. You were amazing!"

Thin smile appeared on the face of that strange girl.

Yes, the answer was as easy and as complex as that

(10 MINUTES LATER)

After very heated debate, the winner of the category became Ladylee Tangleroad.

"Truth be told, we don't really know what exactly she did or how she did it" Hamazura explained" But we agree that it was bloody brilliant"

The debate became much turbulent than those preceding it, because lots of people, mainly guys but not only, fell head over hills for Mitsumi, and would not accept any other result than her winning, to the point that additional rewards had to be given to other participants for the fans not to go berserk.

Once again, Kamijou Touma was simply minding his own business, simply going to the toilet when he noticed two guys ganging up on the girl in a narrow space with lavatories.

He didn't need much information. The ugly snickering, finger pointing, and the way girl was cowering against the wall, shaking, was all he needed to see.

Touma silently snuck up behind two bullies and, taking the advantage of the narowness of space, grabbed each of them by the sides of their heads and smashed them against each other.

As the attackers fell to the ground, stunned and stupified, Touma looked at the girl on the ground

"Hey, are you-"

"P-Please, leave me be!"

The girl cried this out as she threw to tennis-ball sized fireballs at him

"Woah!" Touma evaded one of the attacks and swatted the other into nothingness with Imagine Breaker " Easy there, I am not going to hurt you. Are you alright?"

"Y-You are not going to make fun of me?" the girl opened one eye and noticed the extended hand of the boy in front of him

"Of course not. I wouldn't knock those morons out if I was."

"I-I see..." she took his hand and got to her feet" I-I am so sorry for inconveniencing you. My name is-"

"Jumpy Bunny!"

The timid girl named Kenshouin Asuka, also known as Jumpy Bunny due to rabbit-like jumps she made while frightened, tilted her head, uncertainty appearing on her face

"H-How do you know my nickname? Have met before?"

Jumpy Bunny was a class president in school that Touma's school temporarily moved into after destruction caused by High Priest. However, Touma forgot that for the most part,

she was impersonated by Kihara Yuiitsu, the real class president being out of comission. That could mean that this was the first time he met real Kenshouin Asuka face to face.

"My class was staying at your high school building for a time being. We didn't spend all that much time together, but my name is Kamijou Touma"

"Oh... oh, oh, oh! I remember now. S-Someone t-told you about me then? I hope it was at least somewhat positive."

"Y-Yeah..."

"O-Once again, thank you for saving me. Those guys just started to pick on me and I got overwhelmed rather quickly

"Why were they even doing that in the first place?"

"They said that someone like me should not dress for voluptuous class president from a popular manga with a body like mine"

Touma felt like kicking the stunned boys out of anger. He too felt that the costume didn't quite fit the body type, but would not say that out loud and would never use that as an excuse for taunting.

This girl obviously had some issues regarding her height, and it was outright cruel to make fun of it.

"Well, that was not a problem, Kenshouin-san..."

"Y-You can call me Asuka-san if you want" the timid president muttered, almost inaudibly

"Are you sure? We are not that close"

"I-I know, b-but I am aware that my surname is kind of a mouthful in casual conversations"

"If that's what you want, Asuka-san. Well then..." Touma turned around to leave, but the short girl grabbed his scaly armour.

"W-Wait!"

"Hmm?"

"I-I... d-don't know many people here. Mie-san couldn't come... a-and I am feeling a b-bit nervous about all of this. I rarely came out on such a night b-before... I-I will try not to cause problems... so... can I come with you?"

Touma looked at the mess that was the anxious girl. He sighed and then smiled.

"Come on then, Bunny-senpai"

(FEW MINUTES LATER)

"Wow, how do you do that?" Naru rubbed her head" You go to the toilet of all places, and come back with a girl in tow. I know about pulling a rabbit out of the hat, but that's new level of magic"

"Yeah, I thought you liked older girls" Yakumaru commented, looking at Jumpy Bunny critically.

"I-I am older than him, just a bit, but still..." the short president tried to protest, but her nervousness made the sentence come out as breathless wheeze.

In truth though, Kenshouin Asuka had nothing to fear here. While everyone were mildly surprised to find her following Touma (or rather, going side by side with him while tugging on his shirt. This really didn't help to change the outlook on her childish height), she was welcomed to watch with them without much of a fuss.

Even Rikuri which usually got tense when girls older than Touma approached him, seemed relaxed and friendly, apparently not acknowledging the shorter girl as proper senpai to Touma. The boy didn't know if he should assume it to be relieving or depressing for Jumpy Bunny.

"I wish I was as tall as all of you" the president muttered sadly" I can't see very well"

"Well, Mama can show you what it's like to be tall" Good, Old Mary said benevolently, grabbing the startled girl and gently allowing her to climb onto her back.

Kenshouin Asuka looked as if heaven opened before her, when she gazed at the stage, far above the level of anyone.

"It's so beautiful... seeing everything like that..."

"Mama agrees, although she cannot stand low ceilings and doorframes"

"W-Well, I wouldn't know about that"

Kamijou smiled as the two shared a laugh.

Either way, it seemed that the girl got attached to him in this peculiar celebration, and stayed close to their group as fourth contest, out of six, began.

"NOW, we move onto... Multiple Characters contest! While it says Pair on paper, it can be any presentation of multiple performers, putting the abilities and personalities of your respective characters"

First was a duet of boy and girl, in which Touma recognized Kana Hazamya, a little esper of early elementary school age that befriended Misaka Mikoto. Railgun herself waved at her smaller friend, as the brown haired girl performed dance act with her friend.

Then came a time for Bologna and Misaki... to the surprise of the latter.

"Why didn't you give me any information ability beforehand?"

"Because it wouldn't be any fun, otherwise. Cute outfit by the way. Do you want us to match? I am in tears"

"You will never let me live this down"

"No way"

The succubus dressed as a witch and esper dressed as a succubus performed mirror dance, copying each other's movements. It was easy as Misaki scanned Bologna's plan directly from her mind.

Soon, it evolved into musical number with background dancers, controlled by Misaki herself, although some people simply jumped on the stage without said control.

"Can Bologna influence them?" Touma asked Aradia.

The silver haired woman rolled her eyes.

"Never question this demon's ability to gather eager man. She is a succubus even under this costume. You didn't even know the whole picture. I wouldn't be surprised if some people jumped off the bridge for her simply because how she looks"

The dance of two beautiful blonds earned a standing ovation, similar to the one Mitsumi received earlier on. Misaki was on the verge of complete exhaustion, but managed to support herself on Bologna's arm. The heart-eyed Transcendent smiled at her softly.

"That's my girl"

After they left the stage, someone appeared on the stage.

A whole new moment in history was about to be written.

Touma smiled, leaning forward, as he saw Uiharu Kazari, dressed in a crimson dress, befitting a noble lady.

"Oh Romeo, my Romeo, come to me in my hour of need. Reach for me with your desire, the one that also burns my heart!"

Someone else started walking through the crowd, wearing the colourful outfit, long socks, and small prop sword.

The boy had brown hair and greenish-blue eyes, identical to those of a black haired girl in a punk costume, who was the part of jury.

His name was Saten Kenko. He came to Academy City for a very special occasion.

He climbed the stairs onto the stage and walked in front of Uiharu.

"Oh Juliet, sweet Juliet, I heard your prayer. And here I am, before you I stand"

Uiharu Kazari and Saten Kenko collaborated together to bring some of more memorable scenes from Romeo and Juliet to life. After a couple of minutes, exchanges of quotes such as:

Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much,

Which mannerly devotion shows in this;

For saints have hands that pilgrims' hands do touch,

And palm to palm is holy palmers' kiss.

Or

O, then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do;

They pray, grant thou, lest faith turn to despair.

as well as

"Under love's heavy burden do I sink.

And, to sink in it, should you burden love;

Too great oppression for a tender thing.

Is love a tender thing? it is too rough,

Too rude, too boisterous, and it pricks like thorn.

If love be rough with you, be rough with love;

Prick love for pricking, and you beat love down."

were exclaimed in an exalted manner.

As the secenes went on, Kenko glanced at Touma with a silent question, and need for reassurance.

Imagine Breaker's smile deepened, as he nodded subtly to the younger boy.

Uiharu finished her part, and looked at Kenko

"Kenko-san?"

"My lady..." he looked at Uiharu" if what I am about to say will not reach your heart, I will depart in peace, and not bother you. But please, listen to me"

"W-What?" the girl in a flower headband (kept even in her Juliet costume) stared at the boy in confusion" This isn't what we practiced"

"Yeah, I know. " Kenko changed his voice to natural cadence, gone was the acting tone of exaltation" Because this..."

In one swift motion, as if planning to do this all along, Kenko threw the costume away, standing in his regular clothes, save for high socks.

"... this is not from Romeo. This is from me"

"Kenko-san?" Uiharu's voice changed tone, bewilderment and curiosity fighting with each other" What is happening?"

"Uiharu Kazari, I heard about it from my sister, and was very interested in meeting you even then. When I did see you and spent time with you, even a little bit, I realized you are the most precious, funny, hardworking, dependable, amazing girl I ever met. My sister didn't praise you enough. I can't lie to myself: I want to see more of you, I want to be more with you, I want to learn more about you. Most importantly, I want to see you happy, I want to be part of what makes you laugh, and I think... I hope to think... I might be able to give you a fragment of that happiness myself"

"Oh my gods..."

Uiharu realized what was happening, and took a step backwards.

"Ah..."

She stepped on her own long dress, and started to fall backwards...

But Kenko managed to reach forward and catch her before that happened, looking straight into the eyes of quickly reddening girl

"I-I know that there may be better people, I am not the greatest guy ever. I am pretty average, most of our relationship was in form of correspondence, and occasional meetings were due to my sister... because I was too nervous to be around you... w-when I realized how I felt. But I want to see where we can go. We recently started to meet up in real life, eat together, think about the future together, smile together. I don't know if it's just my wishful thinking. But I am done with being an indecisive coward. I want to be with you, in any way that you want me to be. I don't want to ruin our relationship by keeping this bottled up. Some of the most amazing people ever helped me get this bit of courage. Because I believe in my feelings now, I will not waste it. That's why I am doing it here, in front of everyone, to show how serious I am. So... what I am trying to say... what I am wanting to ask you..."

The boy gulped and spoke, more softly, yet still audible to everyone present

"Uiharu Kazari... will you be my girlfriend?"

Tears appeared in Uiharu's eyes, as she put her hands to her blushing cheeks.

She opened her mouth. Her lips quivered, and then stretched in a blissful smile, as she cupped the boy's face in her hands.

"Yes. Yes, I will"

The audience, who was equally shocked and frozen in emotional suspense, stood up, clapping and shouting, as Kenko put Uiharu down and hugged her. Despite being a year and half younger, they were pretty much matched in height and fit perfectly for such an embrace.

"That's my brother!" he heard a familiar voice.

Opening his eyes, he saw two people standing near the scene.

Kamijou Touma looked at him warmly, with brotherly affection, and face that spoke of triumph. He raised his fist and slammed it on his chest, mouthing 'I am proud of you.'

Saten Ruiko had tears in her eyes, pressing her hands together, standing just by Touma's side, and her entire body radiated pride and joy at the side of her younger brother and best friend embracing each other happily.

Kenko felt his own eyes tearing up. This moment didn't come up out of the blue. It was the result of planning and help from two people in front of him

(FLASHBACK)

"Please, I need your help" Kenko bowed to both Ruiko and Touma, as they talked in Saten's apartment of what younger Saten sibling intended to do" You two did so much for me already. I hate to ask for more... but I want this to be good. What can I do?"

"Kenko" Ruiko said with serious face" Are you sure about this? It's not just you, but Kazari we are talking about"

"Yes, onee-chan. I am absolutely sure"

"Then maybe..." Touma spoke up" Do it now. On Halloween celebration"

"What?" Kenko's eyes widened" Are you nuts?"

"No... he has a point..." Ruiko tapped a finger on the table, deep in thought" This is so crazy it might just work..."

"B-But shouldn't things like that be done on Valentine's Day?"

"Yes, that's what is expected. But what you need is a shock value. This will make it special. No one would think about using Halloween for that" Touma explained.

"Exactly" Ruiko agreed" You just need to use it wisely"

"How exactly?"

"Maybe we can use the celebration... the acting... in some way? Camouflage the real meaning so it will come off as a surprise, and keep it in the atmosphere Uiharu-san likes?" Touma suggested.

Ruiko's face changed to showcase a sly grin.

"Uiharu loves fairy tales and classical stories. I think we can work with this... this will be the most ambitious plan of the three of us. Will it be cheesy? Sure. She will probably trip, or something, it will end like a scene from a rom-com. Will it be over the top? Probably. But will it be effective. Hell yeah!"

(END FLASHBACK)

"Onee-chan... Touma-aniki... I don't know how to thank you..."

"Go on" Ruiko gently nudged the two freshly dating teens." You need some space"

"R-Right... we will be back after... a moment..." Uiharu managed to choke out, after which she and Kenko bowed and left the tent.

Two level 0s climbed the stairs. Their hands slipped into reassuring squeeze. They enjoyed the warmth within each other's hearts, feeling happiness for those close to them, as sobbing Junko announced.

"I don't think anyone could expect it... such a touching twist of events... nevertheless, wishing new love everything best... stay with us, as we continue with our contest!"

In all honesty, Touma missed the next competitor entirely. He focused his attention on Ruiko and his friends. Rikuri and Hasako were openly sobbing, and even Kaibi and Amazora looked very touched. Scavengers and Maidono weren't as emotional but rather invested in what was happening. The Hanatsuyu twins gave curt congratulations on the matter, but Mikoto and Kuroko practically showered Ruiko with words of kindness and congratulations, already thinking about their future conversation with Uiharu on the matter.

When Saten went back to the jury board and the fifth competitor came to present, the group, especially Mikoto and Touma, were in for another shock.

Rows of identical girls paraded to the inside of the tent.

"Maintain formation, says Misaka as Misaka coordinates the other units"

"Divide the columns, intersect them, and round the parade at the stage, shouts Misaka, marching proudly and showcasing her weapon"

"Commence bleating, Misaka orders as she and her sisters commences the dance"

"BAAAA BAAAA BAAA... BAAAA BAAAA BAAAA... BAAAA BAAAA BAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

Touma thought he saw everything during this strange night.

"What the..." Kaibi leaned forward rubbing her eyes.

But dozens of Misaka clones in sheep costumes, dancing to something that could only be described a drunken attempt at cancan, while bleating to the rhytm, was something he would not expect in a million years.

Mikoto shook her head, as if waking up from fever dream

"Of course. Dolly"

"Your sister?"

"No, the sheep. They are dressed as the first cloned mammal, Dolly the sheep. Well, at least it looks like they are having fun"

The performance ended after few more minutes.

After intense deliberation, the award for best multi-person performance went to Kenko and Uiharu, with Saten and Touma volounteering to give the reward to them later on.

"And so, we have the Charm. Also known as, our Halloween Beauty contest. Step right up, beautiful ladies and handsome gentlemen" said Hamazura.

First was Kumokawa Seria. She chose the outfit of a sexy schoolteacher.

Touma felt himself ascending to the level above humanity. Indeed, looking at his senpai in those clothes made him feel able to live up to one of the readings of his surname, 'One Above God'. Seria walked, swaying her hips, and not shying away from giving certain looks at the audience, which only ignited the overall excitement more and more.

Then, Mugino Shizuri, looking as if it was the last place in which she wanted to be, but nevertheless, confidently striking poses in her biomechanical suit. Gifted with natural beauty, it was a no brainer that she could make even biomechanical body look attractive.

And...

"What? That must be a mistake" Seike Taromaru said with a pale face. He looked up, at his friends, and narrowed his eyes at the snickering girl with purple hair" Naru... you entered me?"

"Such an adorable princess..."

"She is so lovely..."

"Looks incredible..."

"Hey, since she is a princess... let's have someone carry her for the photo..."

Seike gulped.

"W-What? Hold on..."

"Let's call the hero who already carried one girl like a boss!"

"Wait, wait, wait!... I said wait!"

A moment later, Touma, summoned as part of the act, wearing a dragon armour, and Seike, in princess dress, were standing together on the stage, the former holding the latter in a princess carry.

The faces of the two looked as if they ate something sour and tried hard not to cringe. When someone from the audience played romantic music that one could hear in elevator or cheap movie, two boys looked at each other pleadingly.

"Bro, no disrespect, but..." Seike muttered in terror.

"You don't have to say a word. I know it all" Touma said with dry lips

"Now kiss!" someone shouted

This made hearts of both Touma and Seike go up to their throats.

Just when the gong resounded, they immediately left the stage and found the instigator of the prank.

"OW! OW! OW!" Naru cried out, her ears being pulled in two directions" I take it that you didn't appreciate my sense of humour"

"We almost died on the inside"

"The catastrophe was that close"

"Think about consequences of your actions more"

"Yeah, Naru, did you think about it all?"

"Wow..." Naru whispered to Yakumaru" They are really on it"

"You are surprised? Besides, if we are to kiss him tonight, we would be indirectly kissing Seike if your prank succeeded. So no thanks"

"I-I didn't think of it like that"

"Alright..." Touma heard Konori's voice" And as for the last participant..."

"Mmm... Niang-Niang was right, it really looks like fun..."

Someone leaned on him from behind, softness pressing on his upper back appearing out of nowehere. He instantly recognized the smell of sandalwood and soft incease... smells of fragrance and wildness, as if a single lily was blooming in midst of the desert.

Nephthys lied her head on his shoulder. No one seemed to notice her, besides Othinus who rolled her eyes and made a gagging sound, but didn't object to the unexpected arrival beyond that.

"Nephthys?" Touma said with surprise" What are you doing here?"

"Mingling with you mortals. Niang-Niang always tries to convince me of coming, but it was your presence that convinced me to ultimately give it a go"

"I... I see. Hope you are having fun then."

"Oh, I will now. After all, I have a spectacle for you"

"For me? Wait... are you..."

"Mhm. Participating in this contest of yours. I have a highschool alias, remember? I will give you a special version, so just seat back and relax"

With a giggle, she disappeared, just as Konori said

"Nebena Hettori! Please, everyone, give her a round of applause"

And applause it was. It sounded more like a starting jet. That was how wildly people reacted when they saw Nephthys.

Touma absolutely understood why.

She was already unbelievably beautiful in her regular clothes... or lack of thereof. But this... this seemed like a perfect fit, which brought up even more of her allure. Nephthys was dressed as an exotic, oriental dancer.

Golden bracelets run around her arms, under her chest and on the level waist, pronouncing the impressive yet still graceful circumference of each region. Chest in question was shielded by two pieces of elastic white material, which seemed supple enough to flutter, but rigid enough not to overexpose her, creating a mystery (as Aogami Pierce would put it, the fact of covering pronounced the fact that there was something that needed to be covered, thus intensifying the charm effect). Similar situation was on the level of waist, where the cloth was black. The contrast of black and white matched the cascade of silver-white hair on the shining, brown-skinned back. Finally, Nephthys wore a small veil, that covered lower part of her face, leaving her shining, heterochromic eyes exposed.

Then, she began to dance. Everybody got silent.

Music started playing. Even if it was of eastern melody, it was haunting and intense, perfect for Halloween.

Nephthys bent her joints and moved lightly on her toes, tossed her hair, and moved her wrists, causing a flicker of golden reflexes.

It was mesmerizing, it was enchanting, it was beautiful. It was all of that and so much more.

Touma soon understood that Nephthys had to show him something else than others. Because he just knew that the way that goddess moved, how he saw it, was meant for him alone.

It told a story, with each move, each step, each pause, each motion, each glance, and breathe. There was a story woven in her dance, story that she laid barren in front of him, hoping to share her feelings in that journey beyond a single spoken word.

He didn't know eyes alone could tell so much. But now he did.

Touma felt lust, he would be blind and deaf if he didn't. But even more importantly, the dance seemed to resonate with the soul, building a connection that was built on something far grander than carnal desire, memory, or speech.

When Nephthys finished, the deafening roar was unlike anything before. It was so loud that the ears started to hurt.

"Bravo! Bravo!" Touma wasn't even surprised when he saw Niang-Niang clapping (dressed in a traditional chinese armour and having some kind of fortune talismans dangling from her ears) right next to him" That's my Nephy! She is something else isn't she?"

"She was..." Touma struggled to find words, before he gave up on sophistication" Incredible"

"She was, wasn't she? Well, that's one of her ways of showing devotion, so it would be strange if it didn't"

"And you?"

"Ho? Eager to find what my language of love is?" she nudged him playfully

"T-That's not what I said..."

"Everything in due time, we wouldn't want you to self-combust from desire, heh heh heh"

"N-N-No, what I meant is, what are you doing? Just sticking around?"

"Pretty much. I love human holidays, especially once like this..." Niang-Niang gestured around herself" All this colour and noise. It's as if everyone decided to scream as loudly as they could to forget the fact that life is fleeting and you are all going to die. It is not a coincidence that this festivity is just next to the one regarding your dead"

"Eem... I don't think that this is the main reason..."

"Oh, I don't mean that negatively. I think the fact that you find courage to move on with your lives despite how short it is... that's bravery! I love such boisterous bravery! That's also why I fancy you. Look at you, fighting despite overwhelming odds. You truly are respresentant of humanity's best and worst."

"Hmm... I suppose I am"

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The selection of the winner of Charm category was the most violent yet, to the point of chairs, and even esper powers being thrown into action due to one of the girls inevitably winning.

It was Nephthys, who waved at the crowd with radiant smile.

The agitation was so great that Kumokawa Seria herself stepped up onto the stage and calmed everyone down (even though, as Touma noted, her eye was twitching ever so slightly. The loss stung her more than she liked to reveal)

And finally... it was time for the final event.

"Immersion. Now, please demonstrate us something that can incorporate the audience and make all of us have some fun"

Kongou Mitsuko, dressed as samba dancer participated in this category, encouraging people to sing with her

Touma wondered why she didn't participate in the category of Charm, but he could definitely respect the change of expectations. Maybe Mitsuko felt the same way

A performance that felt different was one of the boys dressed as Aihana Etsu. On his story, various voices came from the audience, of all ages and genders, saying that they had similar experiences.

It was kind of unsettling, but this improvised therapy session was certainly immersive and showed the most commonly known aspect about #6 level 5: the fact that the public had absolutely no idea who they were and that many were roped in their schemes. For a Halloween costume, it was kind of a stroke of genius.

But last two performances definitely stood out the most.

Maidono the Poltergeist allowed her ability to roam free. She certainly engaged to audience, after various parts of the costumes, benches themselves and various other objects started to shoot in various directions.

Maidono's extremely refined telekinesis was certainly the best way to play with the idea of possession of objects displayed by poltergeist. Unfathomable chaos followed.

Microphone shot into Maidono's grasp, as tent itself started to lift into the air.

"Mwahahahahaha! Curse on you, wooooo! Kekekekekeke!"

"Yes" Touma and Hasako said at the same time" She is definitely enjoying this too much"

Nevertheless, the experience, as adrenaline rising as it was, was also fun.

After 'Maidono experience', they were left under the sky filled with stars.

The curfew hour was approaching soon, but there was one person left to perform.

Witch Goddess Aradia was still in the succubus suit, but what she decided to do definitely went with her true nature as a witch.

"Everyone, the moon is rising. The true Eve of Hallows, dawn of Samhain, cometh" she raised her hands, pointing to the bonfire" I invite every single one of you to the dance. Feel united with true mystic power of that night"

She started to tap a vibrant rhytm with her foot, her body light as a feather in the light of the fire.

"Follow me, and do what I do. And then, your bodies will know the way on their own. Go on, go on, in the name of the goddess! Magna Mater!"

She took Touma's hand and started to dance around the fire, moving in a captivating motions, shaking her body, and throwing her hands into the air, circling the area around the fire, still keeping the same rhythm from which she started, but refining it to match all of her body motions.

And as Touma followed, he suddenly realized that rhythm became his heartbeat, that although he didn't everything like Aradia did, it didn't feel in any way out of place.

Slowly, everyone started to join and one by one, seemed to become enraptured in the dance of witches.

There were no clear rules, just rhythm and heat and joy under the moonlit sky. Touma understood it in his heart, as Aradia led him, twirling around him, looking at him with affection and fondness, while jumping around the fire, beating her feet on the ground, and smiling at him in the moonlight, while shouting from her heart from time to time.

Just like with Nephthys, Touma found herself in Aradia's world. He never felt so close to her before, in emotional sense. The Witch Goddess seemed to share that sentiment, blushing and locking her sparkling eyes with him, as they danced.

"Faster! Wilder! Stronger! Eya! Eya!" she screamed, tossing her silver hair on the wind.

More and more people joined, until finally long chains of people formed some distance away from the fire, casting long shadows. People of all backgrounds, levels, beliefs, differences, loyalties, ages, genders, espers and magicians alike, all became enchanted by the primordial dance, which unleashed happiness of simply being alive in the moment. Rows of people followed, hand in hand, each dancing in a slightly different manner, but all in one with the beat and flickering of the fire.

Even far away, in the secluded prison, the strongest esper, accompanied only by his family (save from Yomikawa Aiho) found himsel tapping his foot to the beat.

"Magna mater! Hecate, Kybele, Ashtarte, Rhiannon! Eya! Eya!"

Touma knew that Aradia's powers were sealed for a moment. This enchantment came purely from her charisma, from her natural devotion to witchcraft and people practicing it.

The wind blew as they danced, rustling through the fallen leaves. Even those who would usually tire out fast found themselves energized enough to keep on moving.

He danced with her for a long while, before everybody started to change positions in the circles of the dancers.

He danced with Bologna Succubus, her body close to his. She was laughing and enjoying herself in pure fashion, allowing her body to fully embrace that call of the night.

"Forth, burn fire, let moonlight shine. Let wind blow through your hair, as you answer the call of Samhain! Eya!"

Then came Index, Othinus, Kaibi, and Rikuri, Amazora, and Helcalia, Hasako, and Maidono, Mikoto, and Misaki, Kumokawa Seria and her sister Maria, Mitsuari Ayu and Yumiya Iruka, Kouzaku Mitori, Hokaze Junko, Shirai Kuroko, Kanzaki Kaori, Wannai Kinuho, Awatsuki Maaya, Himegami Aisa, Nephthys, Niang-Niang, Jufuuku Miho. He also danced, for the fun of it, alongside Hamazura Shiage and Sogiita Gunha, and in the distance he even noticed Veritas, in cuffs and in company of Anti-Skill officer, swaying slightly to the music. He twirled around with Jumpy Bunny and Leivinia Birdway, jumped together with Lessar and Saten Ruiko, held hands with Itsuwa and Bayloupe, laughed together with Kongou Mitsuko and Lancis, chased one another while dancing with Fukiyose and Floris.

The number of people seemed to have no end, but finally the music slowed down.

The people unanimously declared Aradia the winner and so, the contests were concluded.

As some people started to go back to the dorms, others stayed for the final slow dance.

Touma spotted Good, Old, Mary sitting alone on the chair.

"Hey, is everything okay?" he asked.

The alchemist waved her hand with a melancholic expression.

"When someone is as tall as mama, no one is asking you for a dance"

"I see... can I have this dance then?"

She instantly smiled and rose to her feet, showcasing her impressive height.

"Mama would be delighted"

As Touma tried not to step on the feet of gently smiling Transcendent, gliding alongside the improvised dance floor, Amazora, Kaibi and Rikuri, who already went for slow-dancing combined with a kiss at the end, (which was rather subdued in case of the youngest sister due to her age and drastic height difference) observed the boy.

"I don't know about you" Rikuri said, her chest rising and falling rapidly with each breath" I am quite exhausted. But so, so happy"

"Yes, that was certainly something. We will remember this chaos and happiness for a long time" Kaibi said with a smile.

"I don't remember last time I laughed so much" Amazora commented with a grin of her own." I know we are saying it a lot, but we are soooooooo lucky to have onii-chan in our lives"

"Can't argue with that" Kaibi sighed.

"Here, here" Rikuri nodded with a blush.

Before Good Old, Mary and Gokusai sisters, Touma slow danced with Hasako, Mugino Shizuri (who kept snickering under her breath just how much she stumbled compared to her), Hyouka Kazakiri (which looked ridiculous at the very least, with his right hand extended behind himself to avoid any possible contact), Kouzaku Mitori (they slipped during the dance and fell on each other's lips, of course, to Shokuhou Misaki's absolute outrage), Kumokawa Seria (gazing into each other's eyes almost all the time, and basking with a smile of the other side), Index (with both of them being inexperienced and having a good laugh from the situation) Othinus, Himegami Aisa, Hokaze Junko, and to his surprise, with Fukiyose. She didn't seem the type for slow dancing, but dragged him to try and they ended up swaying with hands on each other's shoulders and heads close together, stepping forwards and backwards. Now, Touma danced with Yakumaru Itsuki, with her head on his shoulder and hand on her back. She put her hair down, which by this point she only did for him and Scavengers. She seemed content with only being side by side with him, and in all honesty, it was a great feeling for him too.

As he stepped down, he was tapped on the shoulder by Awaki.

"Hey, can you go to that passage?"

"Huh? What for?"

"I am just a messanger. I think it's a surprise"

And so, Touma went to the narrow passage.

On the corner between two buildings, he noticed flash of the eyes. Heart-shaped irises, blond hair and witch costume.

'Bologna?' he thought, dumbfounded.

A movement from behind him caught his attention.

Behind him was...

'Aradia?'

Two Transcendents closed in on him from two sides, closing their eyes, Bologna confidently, Aradia with trembling hesitation.

'Wait, wait, wait, what is happening? Is this the surprise? Double onee-san kiss? Did they plan this? I-I can't escape and it's not like I lured them here, so my conscience is clear! I can go for it!'

He positioned himself in such a way that both Aradia and Bologna closed in on him diagonally, and closed his own eyes.

And then...

A kiss came. Soft, gentle, sweet, inexperienced, and innocent.

It wasn't from Bologna. And the lips felt too small to be Aradia's.

To his bewilderment, when Touma opened his eyes, he discovered that the softly kissing woman was none other than Mut Thebes, with her eyes closed, standing a bit on her toes to and placing her slender, small arms on his own.

The kiss lasted a few more moments, before the fluffy haired punishment expert pulled back

"Pwah! It was much better than I imagined. Heh, look at that! This is what happens when you mess with the mighty Mut Thebes"

"M-Mut? What are you doing here?"

"How inobservant. I just smooched you good."

"Y-Yeah, I couldn't help but feel that... but I think I hallucinated both Aradia and Bologna having the same idea-"

"Oh, it was no hallucination"

"What? But-"

"I was a bit tired of everyone downplaying my potential, so I planned my special brand of Halloween prank. I just needed a bit of help"

(FLASHBACK)

After dance, Mut Thebes patted the arm of Musujime Awaki.

"Hey, I watched you for some time. Your power can move people and objects, right? Can you swap their places too?"

"Hmm? Yes, in both cases. It's a long-range teleportation" Awaki nodded" Why are you asking?"

"Because I want to play a prank on my friends. I need someone like you"

"Really?"

"It's important to me. I can pay you. And I think their reaction in itself would be hilarious"

"Hmm... colour me intrigued. What do you need?"

Mut leaned in and whispered into Awaki's ear.

(END FLASHBACK)

"I told both Aradia and Bologna independently that you wanted to see them alone in the secluded place. Just like I thought, they both got to the same conclusion, and assumed you wanted to go for it..."

"That doesn't seem like me..."

"That night can really mess with people's rationality"

"Yeah, you got the point"

"So, when they went for the kiss, miss Musujime swapped them with me. So I completed the kiss"

"Hmm, rather cunning. But if you are here, what happened to Aradia and Bologna?"

"Oh, they are not that far" Mut's face showcased devilish grin" As for what happened... they simply finished what they started"

"Wait... does that mean..."

Touma was interrupted by Awaki who ran into the passageway, laughing hysterically.

"You were right! That sight was totally worth the trouble."

"Told you"

"Oh crap... that really does mean it!"

"Well, if I got my treat... those two definitely got tricked!"

(MOMENTS EARLIER)

Kamijou Touma was someone he always wanted to kiss like that, thought Aradia.

It was so much fun, so exciting with their mutual attraction, thought Bologna Sucucbus.

And now, it was happening, as they were about to lock lips. They grasped each other's shoulders

Bologna's hand travelled down the shoulders, and touched... long hair...

Aradia's fingers run down the neck and tangled in the base of... a tail...

There was a moment of confusion.

Slowly, as if their brains couldn't register what happened, they reached upward. Aradia touched hidden demon horns. Bologna found something big and soft in front of her own chest.

They slowly opened their eyes... and noticing each other's faces, centimeters from each other, instantly pulled back.

Both of their faces turned into the colour of ash.

Bologna raised the trembling finger, pointing at Aradia, and then on herself.

Aradia opened her mouth, closing and opening her lips, not even able to make a sound, before slowly walking backwards. Bologna did the same, leaning against the wall.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

The duet of most terrified screams of that night didn't even come from seeing any monster.

The ashen faces became green, which was accompanied by the sound similar to cat's heaving.

"I think I am going to be sick..."

"Water! Someone give me water!"

(10 MINUTES LATER)

Good Old, Mary unceremoniously smacked Mut Thebes on the head, as two of them and Touma looked at Bologna and Aradia, sprawled on the ground, twitching slightly, and muttering something incoherently

"Honestly, mama doesn't need any more work. Boy, kiss them properly this time. It might help."

"But..."

"Lips-to-lips, now"

So Touma did as he was told. At first, both and Bologna and Aradia reacted with fright and PTSD-like reaction, but upon seeing that it was him, they returned to their senses, albeit they were gurgling water and washing their teeth hours after the event.

But then, shortly after recovery, both Transcedents uttered only

"Give me my clothes"

As it turned out, each of them had the outfit of the other in safekeeping.

Mut Thebes paled when Witch Goddess Aradia and Bologna Succubus rose before her like two angry mountains, their magic fully restored.

"Heh, what can I say?" she chuckled" You always say that Halloween means breaking free from rationality. You were surprised. Right, Aradia?"

Witch Goddess didn't seem to like such line of deffense.

"And love is blind, especially without any light. Who knows, maybe Kamijou Touma found the sight enjoyable?"

The resident succubus didn't like it either.

Although...

"Would you enjoy the sight if you saw it happen in front of you?"

"W-What?"

"BOLOGNA!"

"Well, I felt it was my obligation as the demon of lust to ask this. Now, back to beating the hell up of Mut Thebes"

"Agreed"

"H-Hey now... it was just a prank... I never had a chance with him, while you stole all the glory, so it was only fair..."

"I am sure that if I make some adjustments to the interpretation of my deeds, I can accumulate Triple Reload really fast" Aradia said menacingly, her wimple fluttering on the wind.

"W-Wait..."

"You seem to be still awfully high from pleasure of kissing him, huuuh?" Bologna Succubus flared her wings, her eyes giving out dark glow" Just how much pain it will be after conversion, hmmmmm?"

"I-I don't have my magic... time out, time out, time ou-"

Moments later, Triple Reload and Cold Mistress were unleashed simultaneously with full force.

After fuming witch and succubus left the passageway, dragging Touma away, Good, Old Mary shook her head, looking at battered, bruised, smoking, and twitching Mut Thebes on the ground.

"Mama won't even waste her breath, reminding you that she told you so"

Mut Thebes cracked a smile, looking at the moon, whispering just before passing out

"Totally... worth it"

(TO BE CONTINUED)

Okay then, here we are again. There is a lot of things happening in this chapter, if I skip something, feel free to ask me about it through the reviews.

This chapter, aside from the sisters and other residents that we got used to, is also focused on Transcendents. We have a sign of life from Anna, and various shipping snippets. Eat up, fans of Mut and Good, Old Mary, there is also something for you. But of course, Aradia and Bologna also have to have spotlight (is it strange that I sometimes think they might tag team Touma together, with how rival-like they are sometimes?)

We also have few interactions of the genre 'wholesomely romantic' such as Wannai and Konori. When it comes to Wannai, I really like the fact that she was the one that had this short talk with Touma in Element Arc. She is in a middle between Kongou sometimes going to fast and making grand, over the top actions, and much more reserved Awatsuki. I really like the idea that Wannai is deeply treasuring every moment because she was initially ashamed of how she reacted during their first encounter, and from there, she tries to be just and kind to him, even if she is sometimes clueless to certain things. She genuinely wants to help Touma, and will pay extra attention to many of his dreams. It is not a coincidence that out of all Touma's many, many children, it's daughter of Wannai Kinuho which will chronicle the adventures of her father, his friends, and her own generation.

Konori and Touma had such a good energy when directed far enough (beyond the fact that Touma was intimidated when he first met her in canon), and have great potential for banter, whether it is about teasing, arguing if they will be part of Judgement or Dorm Supervisor, or just having sensual tension between each other. It's just... amazing, and should be explored more.

I brought back Jumpy Bunny! I think she was quite cute. And it was a shame she wasn't even really there most of the time. Well, not if I can help it.

I thought it was high time to get Uiharu and Saten's brother Kenko together. Just like Touma said, no one, not even me for some time, expected it to happen during Halloween related chapter. I know that there could be more build up, but don't worry. We will spend some more time with Ruiko and her brother, which will give us time to see some things retroactively.

I always think that people downplay just how powerful Ladylee is, even without actively using magic. The sheer experience and skill that can be acquired for over 800 years of life is hard to imagine (remember Aureolus Izzard and his reason for turning Index into vampire to mitigate her memory erasure?). She has so many amulets she can utilize, and I think it would suit her if she used techniques that would utilize other people, since it bypasses her own small body.

I think one of my favourite gags from this chapter are three random girls from Academy City, wanting to dress for Halloween as three female level 5s and unknowingly roasting the hell out of all of them XD I can see that happening, and I think it would be hilarious.

Mut Thebes gets her justice... in rather daring prank. But hey, no pain, no gain.

Well, I hope you like this festive chapter. We shall see each other in next special, which will focus on both present and past, as well science and magic. I think it will be another amazing step, since I am deeply wanting to use characters that will appear in Chapter 49, and do them, as well as events they'll participate in, some justice.

See you next time! You are awesome. Thank you so much for reading, and stay in good health!