Electric Princess [Railgun]

Chapter 10: Saturday – During break time



At the moment when it seemed that the so-called competition in the social hall had reached its end and Kuroko was giving her sassy wise words to the audience: The black-haired juror tried to slip out of his seat relatively boringly into backstage. However, his move was noticed by certain brunette, that glared at him. (("Don't you think!, that I'm going to let you run away without answers.")) She tried to follow him as inconspicuously as she could.

She was already at the judge's table and only a few steps from backstage, when Mental Out hissed at her from the middle seat. Siting in that armchair she secretly tried to get the attention of the fleeing Railgun. So she whispered: ("Hey!! Misaka san, help me out of here!")

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At first, Mikoto wanted to completely ignore the honey-blonde and move on as if unnoticed. But by corner of her eye, she saw Misaki to struggle with something in her lap. Misaka curiosity got the better of her and she peeked in anyway. The barrier that held Shokuhou in place was something like a seat belt for airplane seats. In addition, for some reason, the strap was enriched with a three-digit dial mechanic lock. That alone was enough to stop Railgun completely with a question on her face. ("Hey, what are you plotting?")

("Can't you tell by a look? I'm chained to this armchair here! No matter what I type, I can't find the right combination. Get me out of here!")

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("Rather, it seems to me that after a few random attempts, you got bored or lose nerves. Probably both. And for now you don't even have a clue what you're typing there anymore.")

The blonde tried very hard not to distort her (Please help me!) fake smile too much, otherwise she will start barking at brown haired.

Yet, it was certain little sister who answered that plea. ("It would be a good idea to try the code zero, zero, zero. Conveniently Suggests Misaka, whispering in a conspiratorial tone, to keep the contents of the conversation secret.")

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Shokuhou gave Inoue only a cursory/faint glance before returning her attention to the lock. Of course she grunted in displeasure when this code turned out to be actually the correct one. She hastily got up from that chair, following Mikoto, who had left earlier, trying to hide her mischievous smile from blonde.

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Already in backstage, #5 make a great effort to caught up with her colleague on the very power level. At that moment #3 spoke up her note. "Congratulations on your first physical victory over your new nemesis. Now you can be proud of defeating a safety harness with a number lock."

She quietly barked back, still keeping up her pretense. ("You've went nuts, haven't you? If this risen flag become a thing: I blame you!") She obviously wanted to tell quite a lot and quite directly from the heart. But the athletic brunette added so much pace to her step, that blonde had serious trouble to keep up at all.

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With a fast walking, Mikoto tried to catch up with Kamijou Touma and (gently) get from him all answers she need. However, an unexpected stop at the judge's table caused her to lose track. That alone was a good reason for her to release some sparkles of frustration.

In addition, the blonde, who was clinging to her like a pincer, was oozing with irritation, stabbing her disgruntled gaze into brown haired girl back. It was almost as if she was waiting for the moment when she could lose the seal on her mount and release all the unspoken though that make her heart heavy, to dump everything directly at Railgun.

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When they had already left the stage building and entered the corridor in the adjacent building, Mikoto stopped in the hall. There was no one to ask for a direction. So for a moment, she considered whether to go out into the garden, continue down the corridor, or choose another route.

Taking advantage of this pause, Misaki put on a completely forced fake smile and from behind tapped her colleague on the shoulder to get her attention. "Misaka-san..." As soon as the Railgun turned towards her with neutral expression, Mental-Out seemed to lunge at her. She grabbed number three around the collar with both hands and wanted to pull #3 to her. But a certain difference between them, caused that she was the one who was pulled herself to the athletic girl. Ignoring that fact, she angrily hissed at Railgun. "Do your brain completely stop working, meathead?! Did you over train you brain, that it become functionally hardened as you iron muscles?! You don't even realize the mess, you got us into because of it?! Don't you? It's not only Gakuen-Toshi [Academic City], that is like on needles. You've directly managed to threaten the future of not only Tokiwadai, but also of the entire School Garden. Normally, I would like to confront you for this, but that will be waste of my breath. The fact remains, that neither of us can do much with it at the moment. Another fact remains, that no matter how hard I try, you will remain stubborn meathead. So the only thing left for me to do, is to join (this silly game), hoping that when others join with they agenda; we will somehow manage things out. Actually, from that little pieces of intel I catch, I don't even really know what's going on here. But, it really annoys me, that I have to ask for help from someone who knows even less, if anything. Despite being in the center of it all, it sounds like she's standing in the eye of a hurricane and has no idea what's going on. This person, decided to wander around randomly, hoping to stumble upon something important. But you running in the direction of the storm, so you're still in the middle of it and you can't find anything. So please…" Shokuhou paused for second, making disliked expression, before she eats her pride. "Co,- co--o--pe--ra--te with me! How about that?"

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Railgun, make a slight (disappointed with her own expectations) expression. "Well, that was probably the first time, when you at the same time; complained, whined, begged, gave a lame explanation, and tried but failed to look menacing. It must be hard o be you, when not only your Mental Out, but also your perfect mask of pretense, is useless and you can't hide behind them."

Shokuhou face contorted in anger. "Save those spicy comments of yours for later! Because, if those lines are you price for cooperation, then mark my words: There will be reckoning to pay! Do we have a deal? Or not? Just the fact that I'm struggling to communicate on your inelegant level, yet offering my assistance to you; should be proof enough of how much I stand behind my words. So, what's your answer?"

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Mikoto was about to give her answer, when from outside (a hint of distant hit/blow/punch followed by a curse from an adult male) caught both of their attentions. "You one,- fake,- over-manipulative,- deceptive,- blonde;- vixen!!" [fox] Almost like if someone is taking out their anger on someone, by beating them up. Since it was a male voice that echoed through the corridor of the all-female dormitory, both of them immediately set off to find the source. They turned the corner twice and reached a corridor to a small but inconspicuous side exit. It led to a grassy area between this building and a high brick wall that surrounded the entire campus of the dormitory, except for its front, representative side. That small entrance was probably exclusively used for a relatively inconspicuous gardening club that grew flowers in those spaces. Coincidentally, their local clubhouse was located in this corridor.

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Both Level-5s peered through the half-open door outside, to see a red-haired priest in black robes whit a barcode tattoo on his cheek, just finished attaching a yellow apron to the top of a human size canvas bag. The filled bag looked sturdy enough to hold farm clothes, potatoes, or even a someone's body. Priest took a deep breath and exhaled. A moment later he looked at the bag with a very angry expression. "Let's give those stray sheep a saving hand?..." He said that rhetorical question before he kicking that bag hard, so much, so that the canvas-bag person fly a good meter away, falling aside. "Supposedly, mutual cooperation for the greater good?..." He kicked it again and bag rolled over. "You don't really care what happens to this city!!" He then dug into it, several times. "I can totally see through your pretense!! *Kick* You're sitting in that chair of yours!! *Kick* You're staring at your TV!! *Kick* You're giggling so hard, you're clutching your stomach!! *Kick* You're making fun of us all so much, that you fell out of it!! *Kick* And when you finally caught your breath, you got a foxy idea, to have even more fun at our expense!!" For the last kick, he tensed up and kicked so hard that the bag flew a good distance away. Only then did he notice that he was being watched by a certain couple. He give them (What?!) glance, not getting bothered that they saw his outburst.

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Having a sweet drop on cheek, #3 make a summary. "Hmm. It feels like a good release of tension for some reason."

Of course #5 had same sweet drop on cheek. "I hope, it has nothing to do with the canvas-bag being a reference to the long-haired blonde? Is it so? Is-- is it so?"

Stiyl gave them a look that seemed to tell them that he wasn't interested in them at all. He began to take out a cigarette from a cigarette pack into his mouth, intending to light it. "Excuse me, but certain irresponsible,--" He strained the words. "...conceited,-- a manipulative person with an absurdly luxurious mane,-- in a seriously important position,-- simply deserves it." He didn't even look at them and lit himself right in front of them.

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"Is that Karma? Shokuhou-san?" The brunette looked at the blonde.

Asked girl, put on her face, the most serious expression she could, with her hands on her hips. "He's obviously talking about someone else, Misaka-san. You're insulting me."

To the (soft talk) suddenly arrived a new person. From somewhere up, maybe from dormitory roof, Kanzaki Kaori, with her two-meter long katana, effortlessly jumped down as if she was jumping from small height. As if she was strolling around she address the priest. "Stiyl! This is a higher society standard girls dormitory. Show some respect." With the stony expression of the ice princess, she jumped into the conversation, as if it was nothing special. "Besides, this place is fine for now. We'll head out to check the wide area right now. So let off some steam and let's go!"

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Mikoto measured the black-haired pony tail young woman, from head to toe in displeasure, as she didn't sensed her presence at all, until she was already down.

On the other hand, Misaki inconspicuously approached Railgun, somewhat hiding behind the athletic girl.

But Stiyl Magnus smiled sarcastically, letting out a single syllable of laughter when he thought of something funny. "He-- You late! And take a guess one time, who beat you to it!" This make the tall girl to stop and glance at him coldly. She seem to already know the answer, but refuse to spoke up. Plus he dint care. "You'll will need to let off some steam too-- when I tell you, that you've already been outrun by new orders. Well, try to guess what our archbishop has come up with?" He took a drag on his cigarette, ignoring her icy stare, that was probably a wishing that he will stop talking. "She wants us to get even more involved in the local program. To make the Church of England more visible. To stand out. To show our good side. To show the wandering sheep's, why are the right choice for them. Of course, helping the Academic City is just an excuse for her fun at our account. I am fully convinced, that she is deliberately not telling us everything she should. Because otherwise, the fox would be bored."

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Railgun was still making certain comparison. "Hmm. I'm having this weird 'deja vuu'."

As reaction Mental out was sweating. "Remember. He keeps talking about someone else."

In contrast, Saints expression remained unchanged. Her gaze shifted from him to the canvas bag, and as soon as she and her colleague exchanged a brief glance, she approached the bag, which could so easily be used as a reference to a certain blonde fox. She stared at that reference for a few seconds, before without warning and with an enraged kick she kicked him so hard that it hit the wall and bounced back to her. So she could give him a second kick that caused several somersaults in the alley between the building and the rampart.

The priest turned to the girls. His gaze went to Shokuhou. "Its not my style to ask other, to act as diversion of attention, especially when no one of us asked for it. This piling up of (potential) importance, by squeezing several VIPs into one place, creeps up my neck. Its like throwing a loud flashy party, just to piss off a neighborhood at other side of road. However, for this case, please return to the event. Actually..." He looked at the third girl who was standing next to them, so to speak, completely ignored by the two. "Would you please take her to the others by the pool? I'm not interested in any smart comments, coming out because someone saw us together."

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Inoue reached out her hands. "Yes, Misaka nods as she appropriates the affected person's shoulder as if they were soul mates. She is already pulling her in the given direction, ignoring her reminders."

In contrast, it was not Mikoto but Misaki, who was been dragged by Inoue. "I haven't said anything yet! Hey, stop pulling me like that! Hey, can you hear me?" Honey blonde started to complain but chestnut brown practically dragged her away into the building.

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Mikoto grinned mischievously as she watched this scene. Although she wanted to enjoy Shokuhou's helplessness for a little while longer, she had other plans for now. She turned her attention to Stiyl, who was puffing on a cigarette, watching as the black haired woman gave the canvas sack [certain blonde fox] a good beating with her sheathed katana for now.

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When he noticed stare from Misaka, he turned to her. "What's going on?"

"That's my question! I want to know what's going on here! I don't mean this circus theater on Tokiwadai, which obviously serves as a cover to hide (something) from the public. And while we're at it: don't dare to litter here by throwing away that cigarette filter when you finish smoking, that's banned in entire city."

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The red-haired mage was momentarily taken aback by such an unexpected reaction. Only after a second or two, did he realize who he was with here. "Ah, now I get it. You're that one Misaka." He sighed, running his free hand through his hair.

"Some serious incident is going on undercover and the person who was supposed to be the first to tell me is somehow reluctant. Even Shokuhou is supposedly being kept in the dark. I'm 'Level-5', I can help."

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As he watched her, he sighed, releasing a cloud from his mouth. "Funny. One could almost say they're deliberately holding their biggest Assets in reserve, or just testing how long they can last. Wait!..." He thought for a moment. "Perhaps because they are the most important Assets that are the most visible, they deliberately keep them aside. Either way, you are a VIP and maybe they mean we don't need Level-5 to solve every problem. Or..." He thought for a moment. "Or, it's just a conveniently annoying coincidence and nobody actually care that much. Everybody slacking as some chess-masters playing a game."

The brunette growled at him in displeasure as she wasn't getting an answer that satisfied her. She folded her arms and in displeasure tapped her bicep with a pointing finger.

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"On the other hand, I'd say you have every right to know. That's why the next part will be difficult, to accept." He took the cigarette out of his mouth to exhale loudly. "However, there is one very important reason why I will answer you: No!" He looked at her sternly, raising his voice. "You too late! I've said that story so many times, that I refuse to repeat that lengthy explanation. Not even another one more time. I even swore, to not repeated it again. Find someone else to tell you that bedtime story. I certainly won't, although it should be an abbreviated version, or in writing!!"

Mikoto gaze went from him to Kanzaki.

Saint just finished a good-looking combo of lunges, finished by high kick, after which the bag rose up and fell to the ground with a proper thud. She was enraged in her own way. "...and that's what you get for that daring Santa jersey with a mini skirt, you pervert!!" She gasped, but suddenly grabbed the hilt of her katana as if she really wanted to pull it on the poor sack. "Stop laughing immediately!! One day your defenses will stop protecting you!!"

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Stiyl smirked at that picture. "He... Good luck with your question, with her. This will take a while."

Misaka grunted impatiently."Grrr. Then where is the idiot?" Her escalating impatience took on physical dimensions in the form of blue discharges/sparkles. Of course, the mage didn't immediately understand who she meant, so she filled in. "The Idiot with the spiky black hair." She hurriedly looked around to see if she could catch a glimpse of him, as if he should always be nearby, within her reach.

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"Ah-- that idiot.-- However-- what do you need from him?" He fixed his gaze on her, studying her in detail.

She noticed the stare and immediately blushed, averting her gaze. "That idiot owes me more than one explanation and he still hasn't done any of it. It's already pilling up and he still suddenly disappears before I can properly speak to him. He really should be more consistent.-- Damn it..." She complained.

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The mage's gaze narrowed as if realizing something important. Something that could be used in a more conspiratorial direction. "Okay. When I meet him, I'll tell him to make time for you. Especially telling him to don't forget the flowers, the candy box, take you to a ride and nice restaurant." Seeing Mikoto stiffen with her mouth open and her eyes wide, prompted him to add something more. "Or better yet, you, invite him over. Cook for him a nice diner. Sit together at one table, just the two of you, on the balcony, with a view on the starry sky." The blushed brunette imagined it. At that moment she made an unrecognizable sound. So he make this (I understand) gesture. "You're right. It will require a cabin in the woods, for a weekend, or a few days in the mountains serenity. And on the first cold night, you will find that the two of you, only have one spacious bed there and mysteriously-- no (other) alternative are present at that time."

"Wha... wha... What kind of nonsense are you talking about??!!" She yelled at him in panic, randomly throwing her arms out to her sides in a flustered gesture. "Who?... --what?... --with him??... You're out of your mind!! I'll- I'll punish you if you keep doing this!!" She let out sparkles in all her directions. "Besides, If Kuroko find out, she would him-- Kuroko would him... aaah!! A- anyway, its not like that at all!!" She squealed/snarled in displeasure, increasing the intensity of her sparkling to such an extent that the mage had to take a step back.

"Stiyl..." A panting Kanzaki approached the pair. The beating of that canvas sack had left traces of fatigue on her. "The dummy is simply not enough to let off steam."

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Mage redirected his glance at black haired woman. "True-- This outrageous ball of nonsense that happening on today is going to continue for a while. Wait... I read that freefalling through the sky sounds relaxing. Try it! If I remember, the sequel will be at the pool, so head there then. Damn it! To imagine that I too have to do something, it's really eating me up."

As soon as he finished, the black-haired girl with the katana jumped up. She gracefully jumped to the top of the wall from which she bounced onto the roof and disappeared from it in the sky.

"Double Jump?" Commented Mikoto, who seemed to see the swordswoman in flight, kicking the very air from which she bounced higher. The whole scene completely overshadowed her previous blushing and her outbursts stopped.

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"As for Kamijou, he went in that direction to get to the pool undetected." He pointed to a small paved path in the lawn between the building and the embankment dotted with pots of flowers.

Even if the path itself feel like relaxing trip through hidden classic garden, she was not looking relaxed. "And you dint start with this information at first, because?"

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"I was preoccupied." He received from her a stern look, and she had already stepped forward, when he added as if he had a side intention. "Don't worry, you have my full support. So be as brave with him as much as you want! Chain him if needed."

At that moment she blushed again barking back. "S- Shut up, okay!!" She didn't even wait a fraction of a second and shot straight down the aisle like she was running a hundred meters at the Olympics. She screamed in her own mind. (("Aaaaah!!!! What's with this whole day today?!! Why does everyone have such effective under the skin comments?"))

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As she continued along the path and began to think properly, she slowed down to almost a step. (("It's all far-fetched. Everyone is so open all of a sudden, but jet dint want to bother. Almost like they're under some kind of effect. Wait!")) She remembered her embarrassing performance with the chicks in front of the bathroom yesterday, which she can't believe she did. (("Could-- could that be it? Someone using something, to influence the behavior of others? That would then explain the idiot, the first and the fifth [#1, #5], and why they were sitting at the same table. Even the two of them in that aisle now. But it's really It? Who or what would be behind it? Some kind of mind control device?... The mages and their spells! However, he knows something about it and is reluctant to tell me about it. Why? It's not like I immediately set out to catch the culprit, or shoot down the satellite.")) She quickly remembered a certain final message about the disappearance of certain important satelite: "Tree diagram, was shot and destroyed in orbit by an unknown energy beam, originating from the surface of the Academic City." She shook her head for a few seconds. (("There must be a rational explanation. How did the priest say it? (A suitably annoying coincidence.) Then yesterday's mess in shopping mall, the crash of the information system, and today's event were not connected, and it just seems that they are. After all, what about with that nonsense and mischief? He mentioned: 'They test how for long they can pulling it out?' It could be that through the fall of the information network, there was something suitable as a syndrome: 'Yup, we were left unattended!' and they simply decided to let off some steam with mischief, antics and riots? Others are too excited that something is happening. On the other hand, this almost anarchy is a very good breeding ground for something really evil. I have to get to the bottom of it!"))

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It didn't take long before she reached the pool area from the back with a quick step. That is, rather to an inconspicuous alley, which currently served as a storage place for tools and unnecessary components for the pool stage. They just hide everything they don't needed behind a corner. (("Oops. They really messed it up here. It's one thing to move the metal parts here so they're not in plain sight. But the way I look at it, they probably had to empty the entire pool storage area for some reason. For changing clothes, the dedicated locker room would be more than enough for that. So what would they need a warehouse for?")) Walking ever so slowly past this pile with one hand on the wall for safety, she saw Kuroko through the things in the background.

Redhead was standing on the end corner of that alley and talking to someone. At first glance, one could tell that it was a serious conversation.

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Mikoto was pleased to see her roommate busy with her work. Therefore, she cautiously continued towards her. Through the barrage of voices and music coming from the pool, she couldn't hear a word of what they were talking about. However, as she got closer, she saw/notice something disturbing-- Kuroko was holding a photo camera with a huge lens for long range photo shooting. (("Ouch. That looks dangerous. A long-range lens, perfect for shooting birds and other rare and potentially dangerous creatures. Plus conspiracy talk aside-- What are you little monsters up to?")) She sneaked up on them and took great care, so that they don't notice her. (("It definitely doesn't look like a scenario where she pulled the offender aside to talk him down. Because she just can't flaunt something like that in Tokiwadai. If Kuroko keeps fooling around like she did last time, I'll have to deprive her of the camera. Or-- It's digital, so I think it will be enough if I inconspicuously adjust the program on it a little. Judging by the giant lens, I think the shooter will keep its distance from me this time."))

But before she could sneak close enough to them, Kuroko handed that giant to the other girl she was talking to. They nodded to each other as a sign of agreement or understanding and then went their separate ways. They left her standing alone in the narrow ravine.

(("What? She gave up on something like that? Unexpected... Maybe,-- maybe I'm just exaggerating and Kuroko has really gotten a little better. At least, this way she won't try to do anything mean. But who was she talking to like that on the side? An accomplice?-- No, I can't think of another one who would work with Kuroko, but I've definitely seen her somewhere?")) The brunette didn't react for a second, before the vein on her forehead swelled. (("She hasn't changed at all!! She's just letting others do the dangerous part of the dirty work.")) She sighed. (("Just wait! I'll have to take a closer look at her computer.-- To be sure, there isn't something more hidden there."))

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Then, a certain girl voice address her from side of that pile. "Hey Misaka-san, what are you thinking so much about?"

The brunette almost jumped up in jitter. "Kongou!??" She was so preoccupied with her roommate, that she didn't even notice the black-haired girl sitting on a chair just two steps away from her in the alley.

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"Oh? Did I scare you? Please forgive me! I didn't mean to." Surprised by her friend's reaction, she stood up to offer her a helping hand if she needed it.

"Oh, it nothing. My fault, I wasn't paying attention." She hastily made her way through the last section of the pilled up stuff, so that she could get up in front of her.

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"I'm glad you're unharmed, but-- Misaka-san, why are you sneaking around like that? You look like a movie star that is hiding from pursuing journalists."

(("Ouch!")) Mikoto hesitated. "Actually-- How should I say-- I avoiding the crowd. Heh, heh,-- Weird?" She tried to come up with some excuse, hoping it would distract her.

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"Not at all." Kongo was thrilled to be able to have a relatively ordinary conversation. "I can understand, that someone must first get used to the limelight. On the other hand, you shouldn't overdo it with avoidance. Everyone wants to be praised here and there. So it's not unusual that just looking at a person of admiration is for a plebeian praise alone. Trust me, I know what I'm talking about."

"Ah. Thanks for the advice." (("I have no idea what she's talking about again.")) "That aside. If I remember, from the beginning, you've been with the staff group, haven't you? So then, what are you doing back here? Do you have anything to do?"

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"I'm glad you finally asked:" Mitsuko body tensed with anticipation as she was ready to deliver the punch line. "Geysers." Then she puffed out her chest proudly, as if expecting praise.

"Geysers?" (("It doesn't surprise me. But..."))

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"Not just ordinary, of course. We've made it so far that it's going to snow lightly."

"Hmm, that's pretty creative." (("Snowing on a sunny day? I can imagine how that would affect the kids. I just hope it doesn't turn into a blizzard."))

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"You can bet on it! The girls were so excited about it that they left it to me, reassuring me that I could focus on it completely."

To act nice Mikoto make s silly smile. (("Rather, they wanted you not to interfere with their work, when they found out how clumsy you are. So they put onto back of back."))

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"I have a little extra time at the moment, so I came up with a great idea." With a very enthusiastic expression, Mitsuko held up a brightly colored circle of paste "Here! Special 'hula hoops' equipped with my nozzles. No matter who uses them, they will spin beautifully and briskly for absolutely everyone."

(("And here it is."))

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There was a pause in they dialog and black-haired make an assumption. "Oh, I hopping that I don't spoiling to much."

Railgun sighed to herself. "So Kongou... How do I put it?-- The point of the hula-hoop, is to spin it without using esper powers."

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"Maybe, but wouldn't it be more fun this way?"

(("This requires a direct confrontation.")) "This one in your hands is ready for use, isn't it? Follow me!"

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Mikoto peeked around the corner to see a pair of students behind him engaged in flirting. Apparently one of her classmates smuggled her suitor back here, so they could have a moment to themselves. Without a hesitation the duo approached the flirting couple. Misaka effortlessly convinced her classmate to spin that hula-hoop for a moment. Of course, this pleased girl's boyfriend, who could watch her dance and see how the circle revolves around her wavy hips. However, seconds after she started, Kongo waved her fan and the hula-hoop hissed at the girl. The ring picked up a racing car speed at which the girl got scared and started to panic. The ring practically started turning on his own. Her boyfriend noticed that something was wrong and tried to stop the wheel with his bare hands. However, his futile effort resulted in him lightly burning his hands. This was a moment for Railgun to step in. Mikoto ordered that dancer girl, that at her signal, she had to quickly crouch. The moment she did so, she took the wild wheel into her sparkling palm. With the help of her electro-master skills, she held/keep that ring relatively safely above the heads of those present. It still spin in crazy speed imprisoned inside her electromagnetic field. She looked at Mitsuko, who bowed deeply and began to apologize to the testing dancer in embarrassment. Thanks to that apology, the couple quickly recovered from shock. Dancer and her suitor, after thanking Misaka for the rescue, they preferred to move away.

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"So~o... when the hula-hoop stop spinning?" Observing brunette asked, as the circle picked up enough speed that it was actually causing a breeze that made their hairs blow.

With a finger on her lips blacky was thinking. "Hmm… In about twenty minutes..."

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"Kongou,-- I assume, that you can see now, why hula hoop and a fighter jet engine, are not a good combination." She watched carefully as the black haired girl turned her gaze away. "Oh you-- How many did you manage to upgrade like that?"

That question made her nervous. "Uh. Heh, heh-- That was the last one."

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"You're serious?! You haven't tried one before?" Mikoto almost barked at her, but blushing Kongo, didn't answer and instead tried to hide her face behind a hand fan. "Leave it to you, to weaponize something so innocent like hula-hoops." (("This is what happens when they leave her unattended for a while.")) At that moment, she remembered at Shirai; gasping to say something similar to her. She immediately chased the memory away by directly unleashing a barrage of electro-shocks directed at that wheel. She grabbed him,-- no she squeezed that electromagnetic bubble field that contained that wild spinner. Despite the fact that the hula-hoop wasn't made of metal, or because of its high rotation speed that would burn her palms, she managed to control its physics and the circle stopped spinning. However, the jets continued to operate, and after a few seconds the hula-hoop could not withstand the build up pressure and immediately tore into pieces. They started flying around like startled missiles before suddenly their life was extinguished.

"Just-- Just so you know,-- all you needed to do, is to just say it, and I'll deactivate the jets." She sighed from behind her fan, still looking guilty.

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For that Railgun sighed deeply and shook her head with her eyes closed. "What am I supposed to do with you? In any case, these hula-hoops cannot be used. I hope you understand why?" (("I think that at least some of those who sent her to study at Tokiwadai, must have celebrated a lot, on the day of her departure from her home to 'Gakuen-Toshi'."))

"IS-- of course, safety first." Mitsuko tried to act responsible but her attention was caught by the arrival of another person.

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A honey mane lightly sway. "Misaka-san♪!!"

The addressed girl rolled her eyes in circle, because this honey voice that called out to her represented the arrival of a particular blonde. With her eyes closed, she very reluctantly turned around, only to end up with her face buried in a pair of lush balloons the next moment.

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Misaki took advantage of the athletic girl momentary inattention and successfully jumped into Misaka smile. With undisguised enthusiasm, she pushed the shocked Mikoto's head deep into her gifted chest. "So, this is the place you've been hiding." She started seductively. "Are you again, saving someone and not caring about anything else?" She giggled. "That's not fair! The centerpiece of this festival, shouldn't be hiding in the back alleys. She should be shining on stage. However-- If you have stage fright…" She took the brunette's blushing face in her hands so she could look straight into her red face. "I'll give you a little en--cou--rage--ment." With each flirtatious sound, her lips moved closer and closer to the others.

With a shocked expression and wide eyes, Railgun couldn't even understand what Mental Out was doing, let alone do anything about it.

Kongo, also catching blushing. "Sho- Shokuhou sempai!! Please keep your cool!!" But, she prevented this kiss from happening, by yanking the defenseless Misaka out of the seductive beast's arms. "Please refrain, from,-- from,-- obscenities that would be difficult to explain!!"

.

Despite the vigorous action of the blacky, the blonde did not lose any of her seductive charm. "Ouch. You don't have to be so jealous. My arms are big enough. I'll share with you-- too..." She touched Mitsuko lips with her index finger, which completely silenced the girl with hand fan. Swept away by this, Kongou lost the will to resist. So Misaki ran a finger over her face to gently grab Air-Hand under the chin. She slowly brought her lips closer to hers. She was going to kiss her right in front of Mikoto, who thus had the first seat in the row, of this melodrama.

Baffled Kongo in a desperate defensive gesture, hugged Mikoto so tightly to her chest that Misaka could clearly hear the black-haired girl heartbeat.

In addition, the grip was not very pleasant for Railgun and she began to suffocate a little. (("I can't breathe. I have to-- I have to...")) "That's enough!!!" She exploded in a sparks, harshly pushing both long-haired big busted girls away from her, until both curvy girls fell on their buts, looking at Railgun in surprise. She coughed as she struggled to catch her breath.

.

"Come on!" Lamented the honey blonde, half offended. "If you want a first kiss, just say it." She winked seductively at the brunette.

Except Mikoto dint like that proposal. "You know exactly where to go with that nonsense!! And what's wrong with you today?!! One minute you're angry like second-role actor, and the next you're as sweet as a cheap lollipop. Do you accidentally brainwashed yourself?"

.

"Boo~o. That's so cold of you, Misaka san." Shokuhou became sad, in the pose of a wounded tender girl.

"Cut it right now!! I won't fall for yours tricks!!" (("How far does she want to go with this love parody theater?!"))

.

"What ever... Maybe some other time." Mental-Out rose from the ground as elegantly as possible. "Well, if you don't want me here, I'll move on, so as not to disturb your rapprochement. Good luck." She blew her an air kiss, before (elegantly?) walking towards the alley Misaka had come down a moment ago.

Of course Railgun throw a suspicious glance at the blonde. (("What the hell is wrong with her? She's going to take such an uncomfortable route? Since when does she using a back routes?"))

"She's running away." Still blushed Kongou, commented in a low voice what she saw, to at least somehow be of use to her friend.

.

A single spark from temple was all it took for Mikoto to realize it too. (("That's it!! The cunning vixen [fox] is running away!! This is a double 'troll' on me and Kongou.")) Sharply, she reached after Misaki to grab her hand. "What do you think you're doing and where do you think you're going?!"

Hawing that sly smile she turn back with a sweet voice on her tongue. "Wow. That's unusual for you, to show such interest in me. Do I finally awakened something in you? Just so you know, I still have something to do, somewhere else. Plus I believe, that I'm not forbidden to walk around the grounds of the dormitory."

.

"Stop wriggling from you responsibilities! You're supposed to be a judge. You're running away from such an easy task?!"

"You've got it wrong, my dear, because its not me who is running out of time. You'd better hurry to the dressing room to get changed. Don't let your fans waiting for you, for too long. As for me, you don't have to worry about me. So shush, shush." She even make this (Go away!) gesture.

.

(("That cow!!")) "That excuse is so cheap, that I think they change you title from (Queen of Tokiwadai) to (Queen of homeless people around the dumpster area)!" This comparison confuse the blonde to make the confused (He?) noise. But short-haired barked at long-haired. "Listen to me, you dumb-bell! [fool] If you go down that alley:-- You'll get stuck there!"

Shokuhou turned to took a good look into the cluttered alley. To look at the narrow path between, she even bend from side to side to take a better angle. Then she suddenly turned back, dropping her sweet act. "Wait a minute!! Apologize to me right now! Don't automatically assume, that a mysterious event would happen and I'd suddenly fall to the side, or that the pile would come to life and rush after me. Or, did you have to push through a certain type of narrow place, after where you told yourself; that you are happy for your current unblossomed chest?"

.

"One of these and something more for sure! But first, I have to return one stray sheep back to its herd." Those lines were enough, that it was Shokuhou who now had a confused expression. But Railgun dint wait for excuses. "And Congo!!" She turned her gaze to the black-haired girl, who was startled by the address. "Either cancel your upgrade or make sure these hula-hoops don't get used!"

"O-- of course, Misaka san. You can count on me."

Mikoto didn't wait for anything else and already stepped forward. She literally dragged Misaki towards the pool locker room located in the ground floor building. The blonde, managed to upset the red Kongo still sitting on the ground, even more with her seductive farewell (bye~e ♫).

.

.

Between the stage located in the filled swimming pool and the low building in which the swimming pool locker room was, there was a tall backdrop like a wide stage curtain. Only the top of the metal structure that Mikoto had so diligently brought here was visible through it. For a moment, she hoped that she wouldn't have to drag that construction back from where she brought it. As soon as the couple was spotted by a patrol standing in front of the entrance to the dressing room. They were both surrounded by girls from the blonde's [Qlique (cliché), circle, school club] gang. As it quickly became apparent, #5 mysteriously disappeared as certain pair appeared with burnt hands. Girls profusely thanked to #3, for finding they leader and returning her to them, while the protesting blonde was pushed by her own clique into the locker room.

The only one left standing in front of her, was the one decorated with a purple scarf, who, keeping the seller's business smile, gestured to Misaka to go to the dressing room. Mikoto sighed. She clutched her hand into a fist, trying to get a firm grip on her courage. After inhaling and exhaling, she took on a serious look and stepped inside.

Once again, as it was before the first attraction, inside of this place was organized confusion. Back in room, and behind a wall of girls, Shokuhou was still trying to prevent her own gang from changing her clothing. But they circled her more than bees circle their queen, so her resistance was completely futile. The other contestants were busy talking to other members of the school. In short, a rush hour, for a room that was exclusively used as a changing room. She hurriedly scanned the faces until she found one similar to her. She struggled through the crowd to arrive to her sister.

.

"Onee-sama took her time, showing up only now. Misaka laments, about her older sister habitual approach to schedules."

"I get it, I get it, reminder noted. But, what are you wearing?" She looked over her sister from head to toe and back. Dressed in an elegant crystal white nightgown, her Imoto looked downright adorable.

.

"Not nice?" The mirror copy of her, tilted her head in question.

Mikoto flinched at the pleading look. "Um. I wouldn't say that-- I mean, it looks pretty nice on you, but-- why are you wearing-- that? I thought, that if the second round was at the pool, we'd at least be wearing swimsuits, but..."

.

"Just in case her chemise gets wet; Misaka has a swimsuit under this appealing equipment." She lifted high her almost-dress to reveal a white bikini underneath. "The probability that this substance, after getting wet, will stop fulfilling the function of covering is quite high, reports Misaka's observation of (maybe) transparent clothing."

(("Sure, so it'll still be feast for peeping Kuroko and her ilk."))

Then a well managed garden of flowers as flower head band, approached the Ace of Tokiwadai. "Misaka sa~an." Uiharu addressed her with a downright blissful expression on her face. It was clear that she had her flower head in the clouds from being, at least for a while, sort of on the sidelines, a part of high society. "Misaka sa~an, I brought you your costume. You have to wear it!" With her eyes directly shining, like when a child's eyes light up for a present, she handed her a pile of clothes. Her pleading expression full of expectation, a radiation of children innocence, would kill resistance even in a grown up woman.

.

Mikoto was nearly forced to make a one half step back. "You… you really want to see me in this, don't you?" (("Its Uiharu, so it shall be safe.")) She looked at the black pile in flower head band hands and very reluctantly reached for it. She wanted to stop at the last moment, but Uiharu's beaming face wouldn't let her. She took the clothes to her hands to get a better look at them. But suddenly, she got a shock. "What,-- what,-- what's that supposed to be???" She immediately shuddered at the sight of the very elegant pitch-black nightgown. Even the two-piece swimsuits were mostly black. (("Are you kidding me?!! And why do those bikinis have lightning bolts on them?!")) She shot a dismissive look at Uiharu, but immediately understood that she wouldn't be able to say no to her face. She looked away from the other people who showed the same or very similar expression of expectation. (("Wait a minute!! What are so many classmates doing here?! After all, there are only a few contestants!")) She quickly scanned the surrounding faces to find, that to her horror, all of them stared at her. Only now did she realize, that she was a sheep in a wolf's den. (("No!")) She took a step back but it didn't matter. The surrounding crowd took a step closer. (("What's wrong with all of you? Someone-- anyone!"))

"Stand back, we're coming through!!" A voice from one of Shokuhou's group echoed across the room.

.

(("That's it. Now's my chance to slip out.")) Wrong... The whole crowd crowded onto Mikoto, pushing her against the lockers and completely blocking any escape route. A group, caring protesting Shokuhou, marched through the created corridor. All that could be heard over the crowd was her sullen remarks to be released. (("Completely defenseless!! We are here as the main attraction for them. Wait, I am completely defenseless here!!"))

The flower girl took from her hands the clothes that she was clutching so tightly in her arms. "Come on laddies, give our star some space to breathe."

.

(("Uiharu! You are my salvation!"))

"It will be necessary to help Misaka-san change her clothes."

.

(("Uiharu??")) The gazes of the girls standing by resembled those of beasts ready to attack their prey. In her last hope, Mikoto turned her face to Inoue. But this sister, with the thumbs up, sends her guts to oldest sister. (("You too? Brutus?")) Mikoto remembered the memorable last sentence of a certain Roman emperor. But the crowd already stretched out their hands to her. So she panic. (("Hey!! Stop! No!"))

A woman's squeal was suddenly heard from the dressing room. [Kiaaaaaaa!!]

.

[After a very embarrassing scene.]

.

A pair of brown heads dressed in nightgowns are standing next to each other. The Emo one in white watched the blushed black one with an (interested look?). The older of them have her gaze directed at the ground, when she is forcefully holding back tears. The other (fan) girls standing around showered them with compliments.

Mikoto appearance reminded Uiharu as if she had traveled to her personal paradise. This petite girl radiated around her an imaginary Aura of upliftment, that look as if it reached physical dimensions as well. "That was amazing. I guess this is what it looks like to dress a wild animal in a princess's dress. Your wildness is so dignified."

.

Whoever, the main attraction dint like that unwanted attention. (("Damn you Uiharu!! Do you even getting how embarrassed I am right now!? Just wait!")) "Uiharu, there's something you should look at." She grabbed the girl by the shoulders and turned her towards the mirror to look at him. "Tell me what you see!"

"Huh? What are you talking about Misaka san? I see myself and-- a flowerpot???" Uiharu got a short circuit of realization. She opened her eyes fully wide, staring at the place where her own hair should have been with the aforementioned headband decorated with artificial flowers. But now, her black hair was barely visible and instead she saw an actual garden of flowers, leavesand grass.

Tokiwadai girls have their own taste in pranks, and Kazari's hair was lavishly decorated with vivid and colorful flowers, so much, so that it now resembled a reference to a botanical garden. On Tokiwadai, there are classes about flower arranging, turning a simple flower vase into piece of art.

Then it fells, that this girl must remembered a memory at her long haired classmate Ruiko's making certain teasing. "(Hey Uiharu,-- about that flowers on you head,-- when they will finally bloom up?)"

Dryad Kazakiri chan gasped. "They actually blossomed for real!!" As expected, the image was to much for her and she faint out, as her eyes roll up to her skull and her body start to falling back.

.

Misaka finally got some space after the Tokiwadai girls took Railgun's retaliation message to they hearts and turned their attention to the faint out flower pot. This allowed another pair to break through to the brunettes.

There was a cutely garbled expression of astonishment. "Whoah!!"

Mikoto carefully looked at the person from whom she received such recognition. Mini twins Febry and Jannie stood in front of her, staring at her like if she was a something out of ordinary. As usual, one in white, the other in black. And both with lollipops. (What's that supposed to mean?)

.

The first one was wondered. "Wa~~ah!! This is the first time I've meeting a little sister of Miko. You two, really are the same. Jannie, Jannie look!" An excited Febry shook the shoulder of her aloof sister, who simply did not share her sister enthusiasm.

Then Jannie's and Inoue's gazes met. They exchanged short greetings both in word and gesture. Then they looked at the other's one sister, next at their own, and both ended with a deep sigh.

A drop of sweat settle on Mikoto cheek. (("I'm afraid to even ask."))

.

"Our older sisters are troublemakers, Misaka sighs." And the sister actually sighs.

"This comment was completely unnecessary!" (("Her look was immediately suspicious to me."))

.

The girls standing around laughed amused by the situation. Despite Mikoto's offended expression, a good mood prevailed in the dressing room. Maybe that's why another troublemaker with a cut tongue decided to intervene this time, and a half sized Misaka emerged. "Onee-sama is a very famous troublemaker. Misaka as Misaka joins the talk, nodding to the facts."

Except Railgun spoke up a warning. "HEY!!"

.

But the little version of her ignored it. "Even though she has the best intentions, her personal tastes, and intolerance of reactions; are something that is hard to keep up with. My dear sisters, had more than one hard day, because of her."

Even if it was a causal talking Railgun still feel offended. "So sorry for trying my best."

.

"On the other hand, (With conditions), we can rely on Onee-sama every time..."

Unused to this situation, Mikoto blushed a little. "Oh common..."

.

But we shall not forget that Last order blabbing. "...That she always creates a humorous situation."

Like if it was flip on switch, a blood vein swelled on her forehead. "You little rascall..."

.

"So even though Misaka as Misaka cares so much about her sisters, she's still a little jealous of the sisters who get to have so much fun from now on." She smiled mischievously at the taller couple in front of her, whose (both) foreheads were pulsating with a swollenblood vein. Mikoto clenched her fist in anger.

Just before oldest of them, decided to yell at this big-mouthed kid, Inoue intervened. She pulled out a revolver from under her shirt and pointed it at Last-Order. "The speech has obvious contradictions on too many points. It's time for a revolution!"

Mikoto intervened in a flash and took the weapon from her sister hands. At the same time, the little girl managed to burst out of the dressing room with a laugh. "Wait a minute! What were you going to do?! And where were you hiding it anyway?"

.

Inoue looked at her combative sister, with her emo stare. She then turned around to show her lower back with her shirt rolled high up: She show a beautiful view of her bottom nestled gracefully in a white bathing suit. "Behind her back, Misaka answers, rehearsing the occasional fan-service fit for the situation." She turned back to face her sister properly, reaching out her open palm, as if expecting the return of the revolver.

"Eh-- I'm not in the mood for this. I'll wait outside." With a loss of interest, she returned the revolver to her sister. With an absent look, ignoring the looks from the mini twins and other comments from the bystanders, she tiredly went out.

.

.

In the area between the pool and the dressing room, she leaned against the wall with a sigh, staring at the blue sky. (("I feel like punching someone!")) She immediately thought of her tin sparring partner in a nearby park. (("Oh. Why is the drink vending machine so far away?")) With a second sigh, from behind a corner, she heard someone shout, followed by a thump like someone knocking someone down. Mikoto smiled.

.

At this flash of distraction, she instantly forgot her fatigue. Excited, she ran around the corner ready to charge into whatever skirmish was taking place there. But what she saw took away her hopes.

Dressed in black pajamas with white kittens and a tomato face, Shutaura Sequenzia was (assaulting?), beating up a group of laughing muscular guys in high-tech combat suits. They almost didn't resist her at all. Even though she tossed them from side to side like a practice bags, it looked more like they were teasing her, than she was scolding them. Even though she painfully sent someone to the ground with one of her grabs or kick. He always stood up shortly, as if he was used to her hits, or just deflected the blow into a self forced fall.

.

(("Whatever. Don't look at a gift horse's teeth.")) Mikoto took a breath, to calm her enthusiasm. "So you have a lot of courage, making a fuss right under my window." She strode towards them. Calmly, determinedly. After all, she didn't want to scare them, so they wouldn't accidentally run away.

The main actress of the skirmish blurted out, half embarrassed and angry. "Damn someone saw me!!" She cast a dangerous glance at the uninvited person, but as she suddenly realized who she was talking to, she got a little startled. She was instantly embarrassed and began to apologize for some reason. "Ah!! Misaka!? Oh!! This-- This isn't what you think? I just-- these are..." Her words trailed off as she got even more embarrassed.

.

For Mikoto, that scene almost completely killed the reason why she came here. "What are you talking about? I came to save you."

That completely derailed the black haired girl from her thoughts. "What? ... ... ..."

They both looked at each other for a while trying to understand, what the other was talking about. They were torn out of their stupor only by the boisterous laughter of the men standing around. Their comments flowed over each other.

"That's our boss. First day at school and she already have a self-proclaimed protector."

"No, no; can't you see? This is how a deep friendship between young ladies is born."

"That's amazing, I can't wait for her; to talk about how they combed their hair together."

"Don't forget; the famous ladies' pajama party."

"Aniki, [brother/sister, gang leading person] is growing so fast, right before our eyes, it's so touching."

"Hey, isn't this young lady the local princess by any chance?"

"What? The captain's heart was captured by the princess herself?"

"Aniki and the Princess. Jackpot!!"

.

Railgun dint expected this development, at all. (("What's going on?"))

"Cut it out!!" An enraged girl in black pajamas with kittens got into a fighting pose. One would claim, (with a wild imagination), that she bristled at them like a hissing cat.

The men's immediately got serious, ready to fight like true combat professionals. But within a moment, some of them fell to their knees laughing.

"We can't fight the boss. She's so damn adorable. We needs a photo."

"And frame."

"Aniki, a life size poster for every room."

"And a billboard for the headmistress."

"You all thinking too small! What the world really need; is a larger-than-life image of boss, that will be hang down on the entire front side of the headquarters building."

.

Except they Sequenzia dint like it, as she shout. "I'll give you a real beating, for making a fun of me!! Stop taking pictures of me immediately!!" She leash/pounced on them like an enraged cat. She snatched a few mobile phones from their hands and gave each of the men a good kick or such. That is, until she noticed, that someone standing further away from them was filming the whole thing. [Kyaaaaaaaa] And she dropped to her knees, covering her face.

.

The brow haired girl, watched the whole spectacle with an embarrassing sweat drop on her cheek. (("I still feel like beating someone up, but-- In short, the right impulse is missing.")) "I have this strange feeling of 'déjà-vu'."

One of the guys noticed her reaction and therefore approached her. "From what I know of Aniki,-- the boss's,-- she was always so serious. She never smiled. So seeing her frozen heart to melt is a huge plus for entire company. But that aside." He bowed slightly respectfully, changing to a serious tone. "Let me thank you so much for taking care of our little sis. If you will need anything, that we can do, you can contact us without any problems."

.

"Sure." (("So you can also do a business approach. Huh. But I'm wondering if I can beat you up already?"))

But the man continued. "To dispel any possible misunderstanding: So our private security agency is at a fully professional level, but we are still something like a family. I am right, boss's?"

Their gazes focused on Shutaura, who was on the ground on her knees mumbling like: "...something, something... ...dark power..." One of the cell phones she was holding start to glow dangerously. Not the display, the entire thing, like if she turning that thing into explosive device. Without a word, the bystanders immediately pounced on her, immobilized her, and one of them placed a finger on a pressure point on her neck. In no time, they tamed her enough that she thanked them after they pull her up to her feet. "Sorry… that was unprofessional."

.

Mikoto watched them with a serious look. If they tried something like that on her, they would have an accident, after which an ambulance would have to be called. (("Abilities that don't end only in words, but reach out for actions, to actually bring results. As for their family approach, I would rather say that it looks like a mafia family.")) However, her attention was diverted elsewhere. She noticed a suspicious suitcase that was being held by the one of those mans who was standing further away, filming the whole thing like a family video. That is, she rather reacted to the fact that one of her classmates approached him. However, certain distinguishing features such as: 'Electron (NV) Googles' on her eyes, brown hair, her own face, and a purple scarf on her biceps made her look serious. One of her sisters disguised herself as a staffs. The guy promptly handover to her the briefcase and she on spot turn back and ran behind the distant corner. It was just a split second, before potentially the most troublesome person ever teleported into view.

.

Shirai was there to enforce order. "That would be enough for you two! Hiding like this when you have duties."

"Kuroko?! What are you doing here?"

.

"Perhaps, you didn't mean that remark seriously, did you Sissy? We're about to start your part and you're distracting yourself in the company of dubious gentlemen." She surveyed the group of men with a critical look. This group, in the blink of an eye, took relatively cool photo poses like they were making 'Power-Rangers' show. It didn't even take a few seconds for Sequenzia, standing in the middle of their group pose, (as if the only normal person there), to engage them again with vigor. Shirai continue to speak. "Sissy, I have to keep stressing to you, that when a goddess like you walks down a dark alley, it will always attract someone's attention. Almost as if the undead are looking to you for salvation and deliverance."

"What's with this reference, that I don't even know how to react to?"

.

"Not another word! Inoue, please drag Sissy to the stage entrance!"

Inoue, who arrived there completely unnoticed, took her older sister's hand the moment Kuroko suddenly mentioned it.

Of course Railgun was not ready to go. "Hey wait!"

.

"There is no time for that." The redhead admonished the brunette. "Sissy, the audience is already waiting impatiently. And as for this tigress in a cat's fur... Would you gentlemen please be so willing?"

As if on cue, the guys stopped clumsily dodging the raging cat-girl and deftly immobilized her like professionals. The play time was over. She tried to defend herself for a few moments, but she had no chance against theirs superior numbers and grip. Mikoto tried to watch the whole situation until they got around the corner. After that, the only thing she heard from black-haired girl there was:

"Delete those embarrassing photos!!"

And the chorus from mans reply in unision: "No way!!"

.

.

[Notes/explanations (in case someone doesn't know something):]

-A plebeian or plebeian (lat. plebeius) was a free citizen in ancient Rome, but compared to the higher class of patricians, he had limited rights (he could not hold certain offices, etc.).

-The scene with the blooming flowers on Uiharu's headband is a reference to episode 1 of Railgun, when Saten asked her "When those flowers on her head will finally bloom."

-Aniki Can be a name: elder/big brother/sister. In Yakuzi (Japanese mafia) slang, the term is used in a family where a lower-ranking member addresses/refers to a higher-ranking member. ("I call him 'Aniki' because he is the leader of our 'family'.") Hence the use in quasi-gangs.

-Clique [circle/group of people] Kind of like a club, made up of female students from Tokiwadai. Girls with the same or similar abilities or interests have the opportunity to create a club to support their 'study' or interests. The 'Queen of Tokiwadai Circle' is the largest of them. Mikoto doesn't have one and doesn't know of any that will be like her fan club. In one FF, a certain misunderstanding grew directly into riots and group fights on school grounds.

-Negligible difference between Senpai [n] and Sempai [m]. Usage: 1. It is used for persons who are 'older' and deserve respect. 2. It is used when a person wants to communicate with someone whom they think is of higher status or superior to them. Category: 1. Traditional Japanese. 2. 'Urban'

-Uiharu- can be translated as early spring and Kazari as decoration or benefit. This is probably a reference to her headdress of flowers, considering that flowers are a symbol of spring.


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