NOVEL NEXT Chapter 15: chapter 15
(15 MINUTES LATER)
The only cemetery in Academy City looked like a lone tower. Inside, a small, dark room contained a panel one used to put in grave identification number to leave items in deceased memory.
It wasn't like western cemeteries where one could see the gravestone. Here, everyone was cremated and stored away.
Hamazura put a few numbers and small tray appeared on the wall. It contained a serial number, a small photo, and name in katakana
Frenda Seivelun
Hamazura looked at the tray for a few moments, before taking out an empty can of mackerel and putting it on a try.
"What was she like? Frenda-san, I mean." asked Touma
"Energetic. A bit crazy. Funny. Loud. She cared about her sister, her bombs, and was the most well connected out of all of us" Hamazura said in calm tone "She was a chirpy and cheeky girl. Her energy in everyday life, that chaos and absurdity, was not unlike you, boss"
"Huh... is that so..."
"She loved cans of mackerel. In fact, she barely ate anything else. That's why I always bring her one, even out here."
After a moment of silence, Kaibi went to the tray and stared at it for a moment.
It was a wordless apology. The one that came from the depth and was not suitable for translating into outward language.
Or so they thought.
In some moment, Kaibi closed her eyes and began to sing. Both boys looked in wonder as the girl touched the tray, as if she wanted to convey her emotions through the border of life and death.
Kaibi's voice was enchanting. Maybe it was Touma's imagination, but it seemed that the pale and fading moonlight coming through the only window casted a glow on Kaibi's silhouette. She looked both sad and monumental in that moment
Then, the girl's voice broke and the boys snapped out of the trance they were in. Hamazura dried his eyes.
"Damn, she might be a manipulative snake, but she has the pipes... what was this?"
"A song..." Kaibi said, her voice trembling slightly" My mom sang it when I was little and I remembered it. It means goodbye and hope for better future. So... I am sorry for everything, Frenda-san. Please rest in peace. I will be sure to visit again".
Finally, Touma stepped up and touched the tray.
"How...did she die?" he finally asked.
Hamazura's eyes got watery once again and he cringed as if he got sick.
"She was... cut in half."
"I see..." Touma said in sad tone, and closed his eyes.
Although no one on earth known, Kamijou Touma experienced endless amount of deaths. Suffocation, poisoning, hanging, melting, burning, being crushed, chopped, strangled, decomposed, eaten alive. Whatever death human mind could think of, or even those that it could not comprehend, he knew.
Although the amount of those memories spanned through eons, and as such they were majorly repressed due to the sheer trauma and pain, they were still there. All of the memories slept in his head, only emerging in moments of particular stress.
He did not invoke them on purpose. Except... for moments like this.
His body was cut in half. It happened so quickly that he could not fully register it.
As he lied down in the pool of blood, he felt his body grow colder. He looked at his lower half, discarded away. The edges of the wound burnt and he felt himself slipping away.
He knew that pain. He knew how awful it felt.
Those deaths were terrible burden for him. But, thinking about it in reverse, it meant he could sympathize with those struck with the deaths. He knew all of them. And it only motivated him to prevent deaths from taking those still alive even more. So no one had to suffer like this, never again.
But... he did not make it in time. He did not protect this life.
The knowledge of every feeling regarding this death swelled in him before bursting outwards.
A few tears fell down on Frenda's picture.
"I am... so sorry... I know how you felt...what it's like to die like this..." Touma whispered, tears flowing down his face. "I am so... so sorry..."
Hamazura and Kaibi exchanged glances at the sight of boys tears. They did not hear what he said, but were confused and slightly worried that Kamijou was so emotional over someone he did not even meet face to face.
But they had no way of knowing.
Kamijou wept for his inability to save the happiness of the girl who had her life, however tainted it could be, ahead of her, yet it was cut short.
He wept for inability to meet her, as he felt sad that he could not interact with her in any way.
He wept for the feeling of death he experienced yet survived, which befallen the girl that remains were contained in small urn of this cemetery.
He wept for his choice to cast aside the world of smiles in which she was alive. Even if he came to terms with it, it still hurt when someone died.
For all those things, even if surrounded by others in this dark room, Kamijou Touma cried alone over the grave of Frenda Seivelun.
(10 MINUTES LATER)
Hamazura left them afterwards, telling Touma to take care. Although he still eyed Kaibi from time to time, it seemed that he held no further hostility,
"Huh... who would have thought that you two knew each other as well" Kaibi commented as they were both walking away from the cemetery tower.
"Kaibi-san... can we please finish our conversation?" Touma said to the girl.
However, it seemed that she had her own question.
"Why? Did you defend me? I did a lot of horrible things and I don't hide that. But that doesn't mean that I am proud of everything that happened. Would you really... fight for me like that?"
Kamijou only nodded, which caused Kaibi to clench her fists.
"Like you said, I am scared, alright. Besides my sisters, no one ever stood close to me. Everyone passed me by. I suck at forming genuine connections... and I'm terrible at keeping them. I don't even know what it means anymore!"
"Kaibi-san... what..." Touma tried to say something, but the avalanche already started and the flow of words that came out of Kaibi's mouth showed just as much she was bothered within her mind and soul.
"My power, Measure Heart, regulates the emotional distance between hearts. They say power reflects the personality of the user. I was tired of being alone, separated from my sisters, told I have no potential. I wanted to have something that would bring people closer and at the same time kept them from hurting me. Yes, I feared being hurt! At some point, I couldn't know if any bond I held was genuine. Sometimes, I stopped myself while I was unintentionally using my power. I manipulated everyone to believe in some version of Gokusai Kaibi that was respected, feared, and adored. I even fooled myself into so many roles that I lost track of where I started and who I really was."
"Kaibi-san..."
"I mean, who the hell even is Gokusai Kaibi? I pretended so many times and took so many roles that I don't even know who was the person that originally started to put on those masks. With all of those roles, I don't know who I am in the first place. But I knew I love my sisters and didn't want to go back to those lonely times, so I was losing myself in work, trying to forget all about that... but since you came along, I can no longer do that. You have the ability to see the real me, don't you? You can strip all of those masks away and look at me, really seeing me"
"Is that a problem?"
"I don't even know what you see. I don't know if I want to show it... what if I am some sort of monster? I already killed, so it's not that farfetched. I don't know myself and I don't feel strong enough to confront it. It was so long since I felt that I knew who I am... and even if I did... I would... surely hate it..."
Yes. That pinnacle of beauty and confidence, Gokusai Kaibi, was inwardly lost. Thanks to her experiences, she was scared of connecting her heart with another human being. She feared the unpredictability and chaos that came without her ability. She felt guilty for her weakness that caused all of the sisters to run away. For someone able to make any connection with almost anyone, her faith in her own power was feeble.
Under this beautifully painted prison of appearances, and made-up identities, her heart was alone and rotting.
"Some days I wake up and feel totally indifferent to things that would matter before. What if I truly forget what I wish for about... what if I lose myself... what if-"
"KAIBI-SAN!" Touma screamed getting in front of her, and cupping her face between his hands. The girl did not even try to resist him.
"I know what you mean about losing footing and your place in the world. I had an accident some time ago that caused me to lose memories"
Kaibi gasped slightly, but he ignored her.
"I also know of someone that got so carried away in pursuing her goal that she forgot what was the place she started from... and was so lonely that she felt that the only option was destruction. Kaibi-san... it's true that my right hand can prevent your ability to manipulate this emotional distance thing. But is it really so bad?"
"I can't be sure..."
"But I am sure. Imagine Breaker will not erase you as you. And this can never be a bad thing. Because you are simply Gokusai Kaibi. No more, no less. And it is beautiful thing because there will never be anyone such as you, ever again"
"But... I can be a horrible person. You can't know-"
"I will take this risk if it means keeping the good parts of you. Besides, no one is inherently bad from the start. All those things you did and roles you played... they are part of you, Kaibi-san. They are your history and they took you to this moment. But they are not you. What happens next is your own call. And if you are uncertain, I can help you walk further on this road."
"Will you help me, even though I was tainted in darkness? Even if I have no idea what kind of person I truly am? Even though I lied so much?"
"Always"
Kaibi lowered her head and smiled weakly.
"It's true... Rikuri nee-san was right... you really are similar to him..."
"To whom?"
Kaibi looked at the stars, paling on the sky. It was soon to dawn upon the city.
"My father." she said in a neutral tone. "Same idealistic mentality, same foolish bravery, same kind heart. This was probably the reason I could not approach you at the start"
"Your father? So you hated him?"
"No, I loved him with all my heart."
"So then why-"
"He's dead. He died upholding the same ideals you hold so close" Kaibi announced in a bitter tone" That's why you idealists annoy me so damn much..."
As she trembled, Touma remained in silence.
"I know you are not the type to lie about things like this... but I can't just believe that you will accept me and don't be afraid..."
"I have no reason to fear you. I know you quite good already" Touma answered" But if it makes you feel better... if you want to test me... go on."
"Why?"
"Because you are the girl of action. And you need substantial proofs. I know you that much. I have something in mind. That power of yours... let it be the symbol of new hope instead of despair..."
He spread his arms and announced
"Use your Measure Heart at its fullest potential. Use it to convince me to abandon you. If you manage it, I promise to leave your life for good. Then you will probably go back to the state you were in before we met, since I am the cause of your unrest. But if I win, I will help you, I will take all of the good and bad Gokusai Kaibi has to offer and will support you with all my strength."
Kaibi straightened up and looked at his right hand. Touma smiled.
"I will not use my power, you have my word. I allow myself to be affected by your ability, and that's a promise. You probably noticed by now, but to counter your power, I have to touch my head. If you see me doing this, you have every right to call me a cheater and claim the victory. But I assure you, no matter the emotional distance, I will prevail. So... fight me!"
"But... I don't really..." usually eager for a competition, Kaibi seemed hesitant.
Touma had a feeling of déjà vu, as he was part of similar scene, on another night and in another location. But now the roles were reversed. Kaibi was not Misaka Mikoto. The struggle that lied before her was much different, even if the two shared similar parts of personality.
Touma took couple of steps back.
"Is this still within the range of your ability?"
Kaibi, still quite bewildered, nodded silently.
"Then how about this? Stop me from approaching you. I am 10 steps away from you, and 9 steps before I can reach you. For one step of mine, attack me with Measure Heart as you see fit. If you manage to make me to come into full stop or make me run away, then you win. If I manage to touch you, then victory is mine. Do you understand?"
He smiled at her.
"The choice is yours. But the Kaibi I came to know would never allow the fear to dictate her life. I know you are unsure about founding who is down there, before those masks and lies. But wouldn't it be interesting for us to find out, together?"
Kaibi's lips formed a thin line. Slowly, as the fire igniting the fuel in space rocket, the energy and haughty vigour returned to her eyes.
"I am still not certain... but one thing I do know is that I won't run away again! Bring it on! I'll test this stupid conviction of yours!"
In that moment, their wills clashed. Touma was convinced that she could save Gokusai Kaibi from the prison of her own fears, that he could help her with uncertainty regarding her identity and worth. Kaibi could not believe something like this was possible
The girl's eyes glowed as she looked at Touma.
"If you want it, you will get it. I will not hold back!"
"I wouldn't want anything else"
"You shall perceive me as enemy. Someone you would never do anything for"
She felt the bond forming. Her ability worked. But Touma only smiled, taking a first step.
"Did you think that I wouldn't help you even if we are enemies? We met on the battlefield yet I still saved your sisters"
Kaibi expected as much, and instead changed her approach.
"You shall perceive me as failure. Someone you would never amount to anything in life"
A second step was taken.
"I have no belief that you are a failure. Even if I am forced to believe that, I know it is not true. I refuse to believe that." said the spiky haired-boy.
Kaibi bit her lip, staring at him with glowing eyes.
"You shall perceive me as traitor. Someone who stabbed you in your back"
The ability took effect and Touma's body shivered, yet third step was taken with no delay.
"Do you honestly think that I care so little that you betraying me would make a difference?"
Droplets of sweat rolled down Kaibi's brow.
"You shall perceive me as a murderer. Someone who violated life itself in unspeakable fashion"
Sweat covered Touma's brow as well, as fourth step was taken.
"I saw people like this come back to light. I made that happened for them so I am not stopping for you.'
Why? Why? Why was he so stubborn and so relentlessly set on this ideal?
No matter how much Kaibi threw at him, whatever she tried, he managed to overcome it for the next few steps. She began to shake slightly.
This guy...
Now, it was time for eighth step to be taken. And so she straightened her head and tried something utterly out of place in this city of science. This was her ultimate attack.
"You shall perceive me as a being of limitless power, knowledge, and presence. I am superior to you in every possible aspect. You shall not approach me!"
Kamijou's eyes changed. They looked as if he saw something else, beyond this battle. Yet he lifted his foot. Kaibi's eyes glowed brighter, but then she stumbled back. The taste of blood in her mouth told her that this attack was her absolute limit.
As if it was a hammer and not human foot, Kamijou Touma's eighth step landed loudly on the ground.
"That wasn't a bad move. I am even sure it would end most of the strongest people I know. But it's bad match for me specifically. Because I already..."
When Kaibi looked at Touma, she could have sworn that she saw a pressure of power that she never saw before. It could be just his eyes, but she saw the weight of something that she would not be able to lift. It was something beyond her vision. As if a shadow stretched beyond Touma's body, forming a manifestation of his presence she saw through her power. When she blinked, it was already gone.
"...overcame a god before" the boy finished in a quiet tone.
It was not said jokingly nor out of pride. Somehow, that was just a normal sentence. And even if it was metaphorical... it was Kaibi who wanted to run away, faced with such overwhelming resolve.
'I... can't possibly... win'
In her last act of desperation, she caused her power to do 180 degrees.
'You shall perceive me as the most repulsive, pitiful, and disgusting creature. Soulless husk, heartless bitch, a walking corpse. You shall push me away!'
"If you do this, this is all the more reason to help you."
Touma shook his head and as he took the ninth step, something happened to her vision. It was distorting. At first she thought that her power caused her eyesight to go worse somehow. However...
"You said you never cried for many years, maybe even before you three run away from home." Touma said, standing before her. He was now in arms reach.
"How... why..." Kaibi's eyes were filled with tears, as the droplets of water rolled down her cheeks." Make it stop..."
"No" he replied in a warm tone" I guess that you link the tears with loneliness, grief, maybe weakness. And it can be that all those meanings are true. But you know what..."
He raised his arm and the girl flinched, closing her eyes.
However, she only felt hand on her head as Kamijou rested her forehead against his own. He looked kindly into her eyes completely filled with tears.
"Where there are tears, there is hope. So do it. Let it into your heart and feel again."
And as she was enveloped in a hug, Gokusai Kaibi cried and cried, loudly and tearfully, in display of her soul and all the hurt it went through. And Touma never once broke the contact.
It took about 10 minutes for Kaibi to finally calm down, and as Touma held her in his arms, the shaking of her body finally stopped and they separated from each other.
Her body felt lighter. And although it would take time for her to fully purify her mind and soul, the first step was taken.
And within her heart, warmth appeared. It rose with each breath and soon filled her entire body. Her heartbeat was fast and this feeling she felt before returned.
"Man, who would've thought that high and mighty Kaibi-sama needed a hug. Well, you tried to give me one before, but it apparently was a necessity. So, was the test a success?"
Kaibi felt giddy, as if the warmth caused her face to smile.
She knew what she felt. And she knew Touma's resolve. The test was only a cherry on top. Now she was certain.
"You are, without a doubt, the most stupid and bravest idiot I know"
"Emm... is that a compliment or..."
"Both" she whispered. She felt as if she was drunk, but she did not care. The feeling grew and grew and grew...
"Well" Touma pointed to his chest "As you see, no matter what happens, I will come to save you if you need me. No matter your past or circumstances, you can count on me"
That feeling almost caused her skin to catch fire and coloured her face with adorable tinge or rosy red.
"If you talk like this any longer... I really won't be able to stop..."
"Stop what? Because the only thing you need to stop is worrying. You think too much-"
In one swift motion, Gokusai Kaibi kissed Kamijou Touma on the lips. The feeling within her exploded into a bonfire, reflecting on the far reaches of her heart like the most beautiful of fireworks. The world could end and she would not care.
'This... this is love...I love him! I truly love Kamijou Touma!'
She pressed her lips onto his even further. Touma, as shocked as he was, incorporated the kiss when Kaibi pushed him against the wall.
Her love was putting a full show and it honestly felt amazing. The kiss itself was salty from her tears (which was unironically fitting for marine connotations of Kaibi's name) but soon melted into sweetness. Every movement was pure pleasure for the girl, and Touma wasn't far behind.
And as it continued, the first rays of raising sun illuminated the alley, making Kaibi's long, undone hair glow like golden strands of fire. In the birth of a new day, a new feeling was born. A hard fought love of a single girl.
Finally, as the need for oxygen became urgent, Kaibi parted with Touma. She put a finger on his lips and smiled
"And you talk too much" she said in a most alluring voice she could speak.
Touma was just staring at her in wonder, his own cheeks crimson red and eyes glossy from the experience.
Kaibi could not blame him, as what she did surprised even her. But she never felt so good and looking at Touma made her urge to kiss him once again become clear to her.
"Kaibi-san... did you just..."
She smiled at him, but just as she did, the wall nearby them exploded.
(SOME TIME LATER)
Touma awoke, lying on someone's thighs.
Kaibi gave him a tired smile.
"Welcome back to the land of the living. I was worried about you"
"Ow!"
"You got hit on the head with a brick, but the wound should be okay now"
"Oh come on! Do they want to make me even dumber? Also... my memory is kind of fuzzy... I remember till you stopped crying and then... emm... nothing. Did something important happened?"
The girl in slightly torn blue blouse gave a long sigh that turned into a groan.
"I should have expected that you will somehow forget it. Oh well, let's hope you will remember it eventually. I didn't said those words to you yet, so you will definitely get more on that occasion"
Touma blinked. Was Kaibi always that nice to him? Did she always smiled that way?
"I feel like the only one left out in the inside joke! Come on, what happened?"
The girl only winked to him, and then turned her attention skyward.
"Hmm, what was that explosion? And those alarms blaring... given that we are district 10... could it be..."
"Oi, you don't think..." Touma began.
"Yeah. We are near the prison."
And as they said that , another explosion tore through the air, spewing the black smoke and this time separating the pair.
"Kaibi-san! Shit, I don't see anything. Did she blacked out? She is not responding!"
Meanwhile, Kaibi in fact blacked out and was stunned, but only for a moment. As she regained her bearings, Touma already ran away through the smoke in wrong direction.
"Hmph, what a bad luck. And I don't even believe in that stuff. I must find him... although this might be a challenge. What is happening with this prison?"
(MOMENTS LATER)
Kamijou firmly believed that Murphy's Law could be renamed Kamijou's Law and changed to: If you think something will go wrong, it will definitely be worse.
That was karma for panicking and running around. As he finally emerged from the smoke, he bumped into the person he did not intend to meet in the near, or maybe even far, future.
Mugino Shizuri, who looked surprisingly nice in jogging outfit and a ponytail, was initially just as shocked. But it soon turned into predatory grin.
"You! I got out for a morning run, but I found something much better!"
"OH FUUUUUUUUU..."
And... now he was running for his life. Again.
"Do you remember what you did last time we met? Oh do tell, what did it feel like?" asked the furious girl.
"W-Well, the taste was nice, and they were soft enough to yield and create pleasurable effect yet firm enough to embrace the other lips. They were warm and moist, and I don't have experience, but-"
"WHAT THE-... that was a rhetorical question, stop reviewing my damn lips!"
"Why are you asking if you don't want the answer?!"
As he turned around the corner, he found that he was trapped. A dead end!
"I have a nice idea. Since you are so good in messing with my power" Mugino clearly had no intention on slowing down and chatting about the weather "Why don't we test things the old school way?"
Touma assumed a battle stance.
'Kaibi-san, where are you now? I hope you are safe'
(ELSEWHERE)
A kilometre or two away, Kaibi was also on the move, trying to locate Touma.
"Where could that fool go? Honestly, how could he get lost like this..."
But as she continued running around, she found someone else entirely.
"It's you again..."
Running from the opposite side was Hamazura Shiage. His panting suggested that he rather hastily covered quite a big distance.
"Where is the boss?! I have an urgent news for him! I must see him now!"
"Boss... oh, you mean Kamijou..."
He looked at her with suspicion and she waved her hand in anger.
"Oh come on, I didn't do anything to him. Something is happening in the prison and we got separated by an explosion."
"Yeah, I think there was a prison break or something" Hamazura nodded before massaging his temples" Shit, I need to tell him... we need to act now!"
"Tell what? What happened?"
Hamazura took a deep breath and spoke
"Misaka Misuzu and that other woman... Kongou-san, was it... they are gone! Apparently, they were abducted!"
"What?!"
(BACK TO TOUMA)
Touma had to give it to Mugino Shizuri. She was good as hell in hand to hand combat. She attacked with a ferocity of an animal. Then again, he was far from defenseless.
"Do we really... have to... do this? I was kind of in the middle of something..."
"Shut up! Feel grateful that I came a long way, in older times I would just blast you to pieces!"
Their movements matched, as Touma was able to block most of the kicks and punches. Many times, their forearms collided and they were in such clutch that Touma could see the wild fire of adrenaline in older girl's eyes.
"Great... like I thought, you are good at this. How long have you been fighting? Those are not moves someone can gain in a year or two."
A few further exchanges followed. Although Touma was able to counter and land few hits, sheer speed and ferocity of Meltdowner's attacks he was mainly on the defensive.
"Let's just say that I had good experience" he said as he changed his footing and sent a punch, which caused the girl to slid backwards. Yet even then, she still grinned.
"Good experience is not just it. I observed closely. One of my eyes is artificial, but it has good attention to detail. You are initiating your attacks before I begin mine. You are predicting my next moves, right? What a splendid view... it's almost a pity that I have to destroy you..."
Her long leg moved like a snake and collided with Touma's side.
"Almost!"
However, the boy did not simply fell. Instead he spun around, following the blow and slamming the girl's cheek with back of his fist.
Their respective attacks send them flying them in opposite directions.
Mugino coughed and slowly got up. Touma mirrored her, as they faced each other.
"I can do this all day" the girl grinned" I will show you my superiority and... why the fuck are you crying?!"
Indeed Touma drying his eyes and Shizuri had a hunch that it was not connected with pain
"God, Fate, or whatever. If you are listening, are you happy? I prayed for pretty onee-san so many times. And what do I get now? She is beautiful, sexy, confident, and capable. So why, why does she have to be a psycho and violent tooooooo?! Are my expectations that unrealistic?! Why did this happen to me?!"
Mugino's mind actually came to a halt to process what she just heard.
"Honestly, I lost any idea if you try to compliment me or insult me. That lack of knowledge pisses me of in both instances. You are a complicated guy, Kamijou"
"Says who?! Get off my case, you toxic woman"
"Who the hell are you calling toxic, huh?!"
"Hamazura told me you emit radiation as the side effect of your power"
"T-That's... it's harmless and in scarce quanti... this is not the problem here! In what aspect am I complicated?! I am straightforward. Something pisses me off, I make sure that it doesn't anymore"
"Figuring out what pisses you off and why is the unpredictable issue here!"
They were panting from that heated shouting match.
Mugino shook her head with an irritated expression.
"You give me a serious migraine. Why did the guy like this become interested in me? Seriously..."
"Wait, stop, stop, stop!" Touma raised his hand" We just met for the second time. On what basis do you think I am interested?"
The girl made a confused face.
"Do you really...it was an accident?! You mean that kiss was... not planned? Really? Damn it... so humiliating!"
"Why are you making such a fuss about this kiss? I apologized al..." suddenly, he stopped and grabbed his head into his hands "oh my god... now it makes sense! It was your first kiss, wasn't it?!"
Mugino almost hyperventilated on that part.
"Wha... What kind of bullshit..."
"I mean, correct me if I am wrong, but you seem like a super attractive type that can have anyone but thinks that she is so above the humanity that she scares everyone away and does not have an actual experience. You look like an incarnated archetype. Usually, girls like that also have a hidden side that is deeply repressed. Maybe... singing under the shower, cooking in secret... oh, do you wish to delay wearing a wedding dress to marry earlier?"
Mugino's face was now becoming fully red. It was definitely from raw fury and not from undisclosed, secret part of her life that she never showed to anyone.
"Do you enjoy tempting death, you fool? Where is that stupidity even coming from?"
The girl apparently lost patience and threw a punch, to which Touma quickly responded by sending his own fist flying. And in a one occasion in many, they fists collided knuckles to knuckles in mid-air.
Then...
"HOLY SSHIIIIII-"
"MOTHERFUUUUU-"
They both jumped back, trying to clutch their hands and stop the waves of pain spreading through their bodies.
"What the hell?! It's as if am punching a wall!" Touma cried out.
"That's my question!" Mugino cringed, flexing her hand "my arm is metal, but why the hell I feel pain through my sensors? How hard and long did you have to punch things to gain the strength to give pain through a metal hand?!"
Touma thought about it. He heard of martial artists that gained resistance and endurance in certain body parts by repeatedly hitting trees or other hard objects. When he looked at his hand, it was pained and stiff after punching metal, but was not out of commission.
'Did I really punched people and esper abilities so many times that my hand gained some form of weird endurance... that just shows how much my life sucks! It's quite sad to be honest'
He sighed and muttered
"Well, you are an interesting opponent, Mugino-san. But well, I guess all of you level 5s are quite intense. I can't even begin with how many times Misaka did something like-"
"Wait a moment" Meltdowner's voice was cold as ice" Now when I think about it, Hamazura mentioned that Railgun is your friend."
"Well, yeah, we had ups and downs but..."
"And you met her regularly"
"Well, I wouldn't say that, she just challenged me... M-Mugino-san?"
Mugino's nostrils flared and her lips twisted in a very vile smile.
"So you are telling me that you were more interested in that flat, childish phone charger than me?!" the young woman spat out.
"Time out" Touma backed away, raising his arms in front of himself "Y-You are supposed to be #4 esper in Academy City, which means that you are very smart, so why was the logic completely thrown out of the window? Why is this about Misaka all of the sudden?"
"I hate that brat." Mugino offered her reply.
"But why do you... do you want for me to be interested in you?"
"In your dreams" she again answered rather hastily.
"So are you mad at me for not being interested or for potentially being interested? Also, it would be a nice dream, but it could very well turn into a living nightmare."
"Can you choose praises or insults, and not both at once?!"
"My body and preferences go for the former, but my sanity and survival instincts go for the latter".
Their further conversation was interrupted by the arrival of an Anti-Skill officer. Judging my by his rather jumpy attitude and movements, it was still a rookie. He pointed something that looked like a small rifle in their direction.
"Freeze! You are near the spot of a prison break, so I am forced to apprehend you for questioning."
Touma sighed. It would be a pain in the ass, but this guy was just doing his job, so he could answer a few questions.
However, the same could not be said about his companion.
"HUH?! Do I look like a prisoner to you?!" Mugino spat out in annoyance.
"I-I don't know miss, but I am warning you-"
"You are warning me? I'll show you the warning-"
And then, few orbs of energy appeared over her arms.
"Mugino-san, no!" Touma protested, reaching forward and grabbing the girl's hand.
A shot was fired. Maybe it was because of Touma's sudden movement, Mugino's orbs, or something else entirely, but scared officer pulled the trigger.
Touma felt something cold hit his right hand, and in the next moment he heard a sound that resembled cracking of broken ice.
"What... the hell...let go!" Mugino was apparently just as shock as he was.
His right hand and Mugino's left hand disappeared under some pale pink substance that was elastic enough to stretch for a couple centimetres or so, but already hardened far too much to be just scraped off.
"Oh crap! I didn't mean to fire it..." screamed the rookie officer.
"Is this some sort of chemical used for immobilization?" Touma asked, as both he and Mugino tried to separate from each other. Their efforts were in vain, as they just painfully collided with each other's cheeks, as potential energy made the substance return to original shape.
"Nothing to lose your head over. I will just melt it down with my..." Mugino blinked, and comically tilted her head. "My ability... I can't activate it. What have you done, Kamijou?!
"W-Well... this thing hit us when I was grabbing your hand... so we are still technically touching... which means you can't use your power."
"Fun-fricking-tastic! Shut it down or I will give you a face surgery with my other fist!"
"It doesn't work that way!"
And in that moment, with an impeccable timing, the destructive consequences of the prison break decided to mess with Kamijou's life once more.
With rumbling, the ground suddenly caved in, taking Kamijou and Mugino into the depths of the earth.
The poor officer looked at the gaping hole with worry
"I think I need reinforcements for this"
(ELSEWHERE)
"What's with those tremors?" Kaibi asked, running alongside Hamazura.
"My best bet is that they used some kind of seismic technology to bust out. I don't know how precisely, but those kind of things are not exactly in your day to day equipment, I think that they had inside help"
"I should go... I should really go find him" Kaibi's eyes kept casting worried glances backwards.
"Why it would be awesome to have the boss here, we can't waste time searching for him now. We should go to hotel and regroup-"
"TIME SPENT ON HIM IS NOT WASTED!" Kaibi came to a halt, screaming angrily.
Hamazura also stopped, surprised with the sudden outburst. He then coughed awkwardly and waved his hand.
"I didn't mean in that way. I just don't think that he would like for us to prioritize him over rescuing someone else who may be in grave danger. I also don't like it, but boss has the uncanny ability to survive through his shitty luck. We can also divide some of our resources to search for him, but for now... we have to trust him."
Kaibi clicked her tongue in dismay
"I know that... but... I hope this fool is alright..."
Hamazura looked at her and sighed
"Boss is really working his magic, huh?"
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing. By the way... even if the things between us went sour in the pass... I met your sister yesterday. I thought I was just seeing things, but now I know that you two must be related. She is very sweet and cute as hell."
Next thing he knew, he received the Premium Gokusai Kaibi Disgust Glare®.
"D-Don't look at me like this! I-It wasn't meant to come out like this... I am into bunny girls... no, what I mean is I have a girlfriend! I am not into younger sisters when I have Takitsubo!"
But Kaibi only smiled and rolled her eyes.
"Relax, I am messing with you. It is a good answer, I would kick ass of everyone who met Amazora and said she wasn't cute. By the way... is your girlfriend alright? Last time I saw her, she looked like she was on a verge of death"
Hamazura calmed down and nodded
"Yeah, she was in bad shape back then. But a lot changed, and she is alright now."
"Is that so... send her my regards. And one more thing. As you say, things weren't best between us in the past, but I want you to know something. When I manipulated you and regulated your emotional distance to that of a boyfriend and girlfriend, your hesitation indicated just how much you loved your true soulmate."
"But... you were just pretending..."
"It is complicated, but some emotional distances simply don't work if the real deal wouldn't work either. I was touched by your bond and it was in my personal policy to spare people who managed to impress me in battle by either skills or convictions. I think that needed to be said. Now, come on. The more time we waste here, the more we distance ourselves from both saving those women and finding Kamijou"
"O-Oh..."
(MEANWHILE)
First thing Mugino Shizuri felt was a pain in her leg. Next thing was the touch of Kamijou Touma all over her body.
"Oi, what the fu-" she started to yell in anger, but that yell stopped in her throat.
Kamijou Touma's back was filled with fragments of debris. No one was deep enough to caused serious injury, but it was obvious that the boy took most of the impact when they fell down. He shielded her by covering as much of her body as possible, and putting his hand around her to absorb the impact.
"Why the hell-"
That guy was mental! And it was Mugino Shizuri who was saying that.
The boy woke up with a groan.
"Ow, that was rough..."
"I would appreciate not saying out of context bullshit when you are literally all over me" muttered Mugino.
"Where the hell are we?"
Mugino's nose wrinkled as the indication of the answer.
"Sewers, genius. Unless your level 0 budget can't even afford soap."
"T-That was unnecessary! I visit public baths regularly. Bathing at home used to be problematic because it's hard to dry the tub before going to sleep in it."
Mugino's eye twitched. She must have misheard that.
"I feel like talking to you gives me a brain damage"
"As far as I know, among level 5s, brain damage was Accelerator's thing"
A hastily muffled sound came from the girl. Touma smirked.
"Did you just laugh?"
"Not in a million years. I was just coughing."
"Sure..."
"Also, can we please address the fact that your back looks like a damn porcupine and your left arm is purple and almost out of skin?"
Touma looked down at his left arm, also twisting himself to look at his shoulder blade.
"AHHHH, what the hell?!"
"You didn't even notice?! You are either an absolute dumbass or crazily high on adrenalne. Tch, what am I saying, it's probably both. What the hell is your body made of? The fall from this altitude should result in more serious damage"
"Hmm, there was this one time I got thrown out a tornado into a wind turbine...I also almost got almost crushed with a skyscraper... and one time, the moon-"
Mugino Shizuri's mind stopped comprehending the seemingly senseless words Touma was saying. But as she wanted to raise her hand... Touma's arm also got up.
"Oh yeah... this damn thing is still there" Meltdowner snarled at the problem enveloping their hands.
Elastic yet sturdy substance linked Mugino's left hand with Touma's right, making two teens stick together in more ways than one.
"Okay, we can't let this stay like this" Touma agreed" do you have any ideas?"
He soon regretted asking.
"I will simply find the way to slice your right arm off. Then I will figure something out by myself~"
"I wouldn't recommend that" Touma commented with a serious face" Even I don't know what can come out this time"
Leaving Mugino somewhat dumbfounded by this cryptic statement, Touma carried on.
"Why do I have to be the one to lose arm? Your left arm is artificial, right? Can you just detach it?"
"I am not some lizard to just discard my limbs. Yes, my arm can be disconnected, but it is a delicate procedure. It has artificial nerves and other intricate mechanisms. Besides, I need a special key for it to be disconnected, and I... well, left it in my house"
"Great... just great..."
"Listen smartass, I was just going for a morning jog, I had no other plans. Is there someone that thinks "Oh, this is just an awesome day for losing my arm"?"
"I know what you mean... there is never a good day for that and it sucks if it happens..."
"Huh?"
"Okay" Touma shakily stood up" We took the wrong approach. Let's try again..."
What followed was various attempts of separation, from trying to stretch the substance (which ended for both parties to be catapulted at each other), cutting it, or shower it in the stinking water.
As Touma and Shizuri were panting, with their hands still touching and sticking together, the girl roared out of anger.
"What the hell? This is getting as nowhere!"
"Now, Mugino-san, calm down..."
"There must be some way to separate us..." the girl was a moment from blowing up in frustration" If only someone did not do some fuckery with my power..."
"Mugino-san..."
"Oh, now you want to apologize?! It's too late-"
"MUGINO-SAN! Listen..."
As the girl shut up at the boy's outburst, her ears picked up what Touma heard before her.
The sound was growing, coming from the section of the sewer far behind them. And as Meltdowner and Imagine Breaker slowly turned their heads in that direction...
The colossal stream of water emerged from behind the corner, dozens of meters behind them. But it was moving fast and approached in terrifying pace.
"SHIT!" they both screamed in unison.
Mugino tried to stand up but cringed with pain.
"My leg..."
"There is always a princess car-"
"Do that and I will obliterate you. I did not fall that low!"
"There is no time, put your arm on my shoulder. Now!"
Mugino did so, with Touma bending his arm slightly.
"Let's run for it!"
And so they did, chased by waves of water.
"What's happening?!"
"Maybe one of those explosions caused damage to a underground water reservoir or something, and now it's flooding the sewer?!"
They frantically run forward, not really knowing where they were heading.
"Synchronize with me! This is like a three legged race!"
"I never had time for this Daihaseisai crap. God damn it, this can't be happening. I, Mugino Shizuri, can't die handholding such an idiot. I cannot allow it!"
"C-Come on, there are worse ways to die-"
"SHUT UP!"
Then the girl's eyes widened, as she suddenly threw herself to the right. Of course, not having much of a choice, Touma followed suit.
"Oi, what gives-"
CRASH! Touma realized that the fragment of the ceiling landed in the spot where he was about to run. If Mugino did not push him, he would be crushed.
The water was now really close, as the clumsily tried to gain enough speed once again.
Touma realized that it was futile. They would not outrun the water.
And then Touma saw it.
"Mugino-san, there is a emergency ladder on our left. Let's jump on it and climb!"
The plan succeeded partially. They made it to the ladder and started to ascend it. Touma was first and Mugino second. Usually easy climb was now hard thanks to the fact that both teens had to use one hand except the two.
But Touma miscalculated. When the water hit, he was high enough to avoid it. Mugino was not so fortunate and took the full force of the element. Touma's hand paled on the metal step as she was now supporting himself and Mugino who was dragged through the water current. With all of his strength, he lifted the girl for her to gasp for air, as she fought the cold water.
He could not let go. For both of their sakes.
And finally, the speed and water level decreased. With the pressure gone, Touma pulled Mugino Shizuri closer to him. The girl coughed and, not minding her earlier disdain, latched onto him.
They made it out of the liquid peril.
(15 MINUTES LATER)
"I am so glad that it worked and I managed to support both of us. I mean, you know you said it does not disconnect easily, but it would be so awkward if you were flushed away and I was left with your metal arm"
Mugino gave him a glare that was supposed to be deadly, but with all of her clothes and hair damp and wet, it didn't achieve that effect.
"Hmm, we need to think about what to do next. But first, we need to warm you up"
He didn't have to be stuck with the girl (the substance still refused to dissolve) as they kept marching forward.
"I don't need your pity. I am perfectly fine and don't need any warming up!" said the proud beauty.
She was saying that, but she was reasonable enough to admit that she needed to warm up in some way. Her long hair felt like an additional cold blanket on her back, her clothes were heavy and sticky, difficult to move around in. She had to bite her lip to suppress the natural reaction of shivering. Not to mention, she unwillingly got quite a bit of stinking water in her nose and throat. The pungent, odorous smell of the canal drilled into Shizuri's nose and she realized she was going to sneeze. Her body being chilled did not help either.
But of course, she could not let this humiliation be.
'No way in hell. This exactly what this guy wants. You are tougher than that. You can endure, you worked in a shit tone of dust and muck before without a sign of weakness. I will not bare this guy pitying me when he finds out I am actually freezing my ass out here!'
But balancing her body on the brink of the sneeze, suppressing her shivering, while also walking with pride and dignity took all of Mugino's attention.
"Emm, Mugino-san... I do not know which option, knowing and pretending I didn't, or confessing it, is less likely to get me mutilated, but... your bra is totally showing through your clothes"
"Aaaah?!"
So that one comment, that could not be ignored, broke all of it. And that opening was all her nose needed for its natural defense mechanisms to take over.
"Achoo!"
Normally, Shizuri's sneeze would be much more dignified, but because of the cold and her own attempts to hide what she perceived as weakness, it caused her to suddenly bend forward, slipping as a result, and bringing Touma down with her.
The tumbled on the cold floor of the canal. One on top of the other.
As flustered as Touma was from sudden contact, that very contact allowed him to see right through Mugino's deception.
"I knew it! You are shivering like hell! And your skin is cold!" he said, helping Mugino sit up while still keeping contact with him.
"T-T-That's because... y-y-you grabbed my metal arm" the enraged girl indeed could not hide anymore the way her muscles were trying to generate at least a bit of heat.
Such frustrating humiliation.
"O-Oh, right... but the rest is even colder!"
"Can you not talk about feeling me u... ah...achoo!"
While still holding onto Touma, Mugino sneezed again, this time solely because of coldness. Fortunately, she was turned around during the process. Upon hearing it, Touma sprung into action
"I can't allow you to go on without warming you up! I can try to boost your heat with my bod-"
His words died down upon the girl's murderous glare.
Inwardly, Mugino couldn't help but admit that she did not really want to separate from Touma's delightfully warm body. But her stature and dignity dictated otherwise.
"R-Right, I figured that... but I still have to do something!
The boy started to do some acrobatics with his hoodie. The actions of the Touma soon attracted the attention of the girl.
"What are you doing?"
"If we bend in a right way, I think you can wear my hoodie on the other side. It is not actually wet so-"
"Kamijou, I think you are forgetting something. For all of this to have any effect, I have to take off my clothes and IT IS NOT HAPPENING"
"But you will get sick if you stay in them. It may not even end on a simple cold."
"I am gonna risk it."
"But I won't be able to fight well if you get a fever"
Mugino bit her lip. Her humiliation counter kept increasing instead of decreasing. The last thing she wanted was being called a liability by a level 0 of all people.
"If you look, I will hunt you to the edges of the earth, I will-"
"I get it, you will get pissed, what a surprise, now let's do this"
It looked like a really weird game of untangling oneself, extra hard because Mugino could barely stand on one leg and Kamijou's left arm was in a rather bad shape, but through the swaps of clothes, it was finally done.
And well, Touma wouldn't be Touma if he did not reflexively turn around upon Mugino's attempt to muffle the sound of pain.
"YOU SAW IT, DIDN'T YOU?!"
"You have a body of a goddess, why the hell are you so angry about showing it?"
"That's not the point and don't try to compliment my wrath away!"
"In my defense..."
"DIEEEEE!"
"FUKOU-"
(ONE PAIN FILLED INTERMISSION LATER)
"You... bit me in retaliation?"
"Make one stupid or dirty joke about it and-"
"No, no, one of my friends actually bites me a lot. I am used to it"
"You are... reaaaaaaly weird, you know that?"
"Again, says who?!"
Touma looked at both of them. Both he and Mugino were blushing. Even indifferent girl was embarrassed because of the situation.
She was wearing Touma's hoodie with nothing underneath besides her bra. Similarly, Touma offered his pants which she put on her panties. Touma stayed in T-shirt and boxers, because he wasn't actually cold at all.
Needless to say, it was rather...
"Well, this is rather awkward. If someone sees it, I mean" Touma commented
"You think?!" Mugino put the hood, trying her best to dry her wet hair. She would not admit it outloud, but the clothes felt pleasantly warm and comforting.
A couple of silent moments passed before the girl exhaled and said.
"Look... when I took that fall, I know you shielded me and took the blow. You also did one for the team and handled that water. You might be a pain in the butt and annoying idiot... but thanks. Honestly. Why... Why did you do this?"
"I can ask you the same" answered Touma" You saved me from that collapsing fragment of ceiling. Why did you do that?"
"It is not polite to keep a girl waiting. You already acted like idiotic gentleman with offering me your clothes, so answer the question."
"It wasn't an act... and as for the answer... I don't really need a reason. I just felt that something might happen to you and I thought "I want her to be safe". That's that. You like simplicity and straightforward answers, don't you?"
"T-There must be something more to it! There must be..."
"You can believe it or not, but that's what I can tell you. Can you answer me as well?"
Mugino did not look fully satisfied, but finally grumbled back.
"I thought "I don't want him to die yet". That's it. It was decision on a whim"
"Thank you, Mugino-san. I appreciate it"
That boy smile was so bright, that Mugino lowered her eyes after a moment.
"D-Don't thank me, you idiot. It would be inconvenient for me to drag a corpse around..."
They sat in silence, each in their own thoughts. Until...
"There is another urgent question, Mugino-san"
"And what would that be?"
"Do you want to go to the bathroom?"
Mugino's lips opened in pure shock.
"EXCUSE ME?!"
"I think you agree that thanks to our... sticky situation, it is not the question with no value"
Mugino looked at their hands. The pink substance was still there. More so, she could have sworn that it covered more of their arms. What kind of chemical technology was in use in Anti-Skill right now?
If they were connected it meant that sooner or later, if one of them had to follow the call of nature, the other would have to-
The girl got deathly pale.
"I am good for now... but... we have to find the way to separate ourselves!"
"It's good for me as well, but I agree" Touma said, supporting Mugino while they began to walk further" We would need someone who knows about chemistry. Maybe if I could get Rikuri-"
Then, someone collided with him from, running from around the corner.
This send all three tumbling down.
"Ow... who is it... wait... those voice was..."
Touma opened her eyes and was greeted by an unexpected surprise.
"It's you..."
The person that collided with them was a small girl, wearing a stripped T-shirt. Over it, she also sported a labcoat and a small gasmask. Her long black hair was tied into a branched ponytail, pronouncing her forehead and vibrant, purple coloured irises.
Mugino was also shocked, but for a different reason. She was staring at the bosom of the girl. Her bust was enormous for such a little body, creating a surrealistic effect. Mugino was not fully sure if her own impressive assets were bigger.
Upon recognizing each other, Touma and the girl grinned as if they won the lottery
"Kamijou!"
"Youen!"
"This is definitely too convenient and I am gonna pay for that later with my luck, but you are the best possible person to see right now!"
The girl in labcoat blushed slightly
"Well, I was also curious what you were up to. Last time we saw each other, you were wandering to the Taboo and... well, you never gave a sign of being alive. You could have at least phone me" she jabbed her finger into him.
"Can someone explain what the hell is going on here?" Mugino's patience ran out "Who is this... creepily developed baby?"
Youen flashed Mugino an angry look, but Touma put a hand on her shoulder.
"Mugino, this is our ticket to getting rid of that thing on our hands. This is Hanatsuyu Youen, a dark sider, and specialist in using vermin in biochemical warfare. She and her sister Kaai are known as Carrier and Decomposer."
"Carrier and Decomposer? Those twins?" Mugino raised an eyebrow" I would never imagine that they are so... tiny"
"Sometimes it's better to be tiny and discreet. You can kill in more ways than you would ever imagine" Youen said slowly.
"Can we trust her? Is she the escapee from the prison or something?" Mugino bluntly disrespected the small girl.
"We can ask for details later, but I worked with Youen-san once and also owe her quite a bit. I do trust her enough"
"How did you two even met?"
"That's... complicated" Touma said awkwardly, but Mugino's keen eye did not ignore the fact that he ever so slightly touched his own lips.
Not waiting for further escalation, Touma cut to the chase.
"Youen-san, I am honestly happy to see you, and I would love to talk to you, but we need help. We are stuck in some substance that makes as unable to separate. Can you help us?"
The girl looked at him and sighed.
"Well, since you are asking, I think I have no reason to refuse"
"Thank you Youen-sama! Come to think of it, is Kaai around?"
"She should be, yeah. Well, even I can't control her, and she likes her freedom. So... Kamijou, if I help you... can we catch up and talk... the two of us?"
"Of course"
"Then it's settled" the small girl stood up, dusting herself.
With her words, the walls crawled with spiders, roaches, and worms. A few rats stopped by Youen's feet, as the girl sent a wink in Kamijou Touma's direction
"Welcome, dwellers of the surface, to my beautiful Abyss".