NOVEL NEXT Chapter 16: chapter 16
Within one of the hotels of Academy City, a definitely somber atmosphere reigned as a group consisting of Misaka Mikoto, Shokuhou Misaki, a number of other Tokiwadai students (alongside few mothers of said students), Hamazura Shiage, Gokusai Kaibi and her sisters, Maidono Hoshimi, Kankyougami Hasako, as well as Sogiita Gunha were sitting in silence.
Everybody was contemplating a horrible news that came to them just hour and a half ago. Two of the mothers staying in the hotel, Kongou Minako and Misaka Misuzu, were abducted. Their disappearance was discovered by none other than Hamazura Shiage. When he returned from his brief randez-vous with Kamijou Touma and Gokusai Kaibi, he decided to man up and apologize to the woman he once wanted to kill. It was early in the morning, and the sun wasn't up yet, but he wanted to do so nevertheless. Thanks to this, absence of two women was soon a fact, alongside with the note left by the captors.
Hamazura ran to inform Misaka Mikoto, who, alongside most of her Tokiwadai friends, were sleeping outside of the school garden, in rented apartments in the same complex in which they watched the infamous transmission of craziness by certain group of guys. Initially, girls were very apprehensive towards the young man, but Mikoto, already seeing Hamazura by Touma's side before and interacting with him, was quicker to listen to him. Thanks to this, a rescue group began to form.
Then Hamazura dashed out and tried to find Touma, but encountered only Gokusai Kaibi, who still decided to tag along, hoping to find missing boy by following the group into the danger. In the meantime, she informed her sisters that she will be missing for a moment longer. Yet due to Rikuri's own decision, and Kaibi's discontent, both youngest and oldest Gokusai arrived at the scene.
As for Sogiita Gunha... well, no one knew why exactly he appeared but that wasn't anything unusual in Academy City when it came to erratic number 7. When asked, he simply said "My guts warned me about peril" and that was it. Aside from some wierded out girls, no one had a mental capacity to trying to explain this bizarre way of entering the fray. Nevertheless, Hamazura was rather grateful that he had another guy on the team, even as peculiar as Sogiita.
Thinking about it twice, saying that everyone was quiet wasn't fully correct. Hokaze Junko was engaged in vibrant conversation with Gunha, as the pair knew each other beforehand and Junko took it upon herself to inform Gunha about what transpired. Although no one doubted that both the boy and the girl were serious about the entire affair, Junko's over the top gesticulation and Gunha's serious expressions made it look unintentionally comical.
Misaka and Kongou were, naturally, the ones in most grim moods. Kongou was clutching her fan as if it was a lifejacket and not an accessory. Although she tried to maintained her usual haughty attitude, there was a sweat on her wide brow. Mikoto was gritting her teeth, playing with a coin in her hand. A lonely spark would shoot out of her hair every now and then.
"Well..." she finally broke the silence" What do we know now?"
"The certain thing is that Misaka-san and Kongou-san are gone. They were abducted during the night, and the captors are probably far away by now." said Hamazura.
"Do you think they were taken outside of the city?"
"If they didn't leave this, it would be an option" Hamazura said, tossing a piece of paper on the table" But now I know who those bastards are. It's not like they were trying to hide, not at all, they want to us to know their identity. And it makes sense"
"What does?" asked Shokuhou, her starry eyes observing the piece of paper with interest.
Hamazura straightened the paper containing the message, which was now revealed to everyone in its entirety.
To Misaka Mikoto and Kongou Mitsuko,
We have your mothers and they are unharmed for a time being. We demand for you to turn yourself over to us and come to take the place of misses Minako and Misuzu. You have time until sundown. Come to the border of district 7 and 22. If you value the life and dignity of your mothers, you will not keep us waiting or try anything funny.
Kyozetsu
"I simply don't get what those ruffians want" Kongou exploded in anger, pointing sharply at the piece of paper" They don't want our money? It's usually the money they are all about"
"I agree, this is not making it clear all" Misaka agreed" We are supposed to know who it is, but what the hell is "Kyozetsu"? What does he want? This is so stupid!"
Tokiwadai girls started to talk one over the other, causing the commotion. Kaibi clicked her tongue in irritation, but before she could say anything, her older sister coughed loudly, which caused the younger girls to focus their attention. Although Tokiwadai maidens were unfamiliar with Gokusai sisters, Rikuri in particular made a lasting impression on them, with her charm and maturity putting even Shokuhou on defensive.
Now, she smiled politely and pointed at Hamazura.
"Now ladies, please calm down. I believe Hamazura-san can give us some explanation on the matter"
Hamazura looked at Rikuri with gratitude, before clearing his throat and resuming
"Yeah, as much as it is not knowledge I ever wanted to use, I know who those guys are. Among Skill-Out gangs there were many smaller groups that chased their particular interests. All Skill-Out members were united in the name of vendetta against high level espers, but their specific targets often varied depending on experiences of individuals. Kyozetsu was one of those specified organizations that gathered members from various gangs. Their target of vengeance was really a specific one. Name Kyozetsu comes from the word "rejection". Kyozetsu members had all of their feelings rejected by a high level espers from prestigious schools, like Tokiwadai, and so their desires of vengeance mixed with bitterness over how their feelings were treated. They are mostly guys, but some girls happened as well."
The crowd exploded in even more agitated screams and shouts.
"So they target innocent women because they weren't mature enough to handle a rejection? Pathetic!" commented Awatsuki Maaya.
"This kind of motivation is simply childish" Kuroko smirked dismissively "Those are the foes we are dealing with?"
"What can be expected from some street thugs though!" Kongou too wasn't far behind.
Other girls, such as Wannai, various members of Shokuhou clique, and other females in the room were in actual uproar.
Kaibi once again felt as if her blood was boiling. She stood up and started to speak.
"Listen here, you little spoiled-"
But once again, someone beat her to confronting the commotion. This time it was Hamazura himself.
"Can you all shut the fuck up for a moment?!"
Maybe it was because of the intensity, or maybe vulgarity, but girls slowly became quiet once again. Hamazura scanned through them with a quiet anger in his eyes.
"You know, this attitude is a part of the problem. What those guys are doing is inexcusable and immature... but do you know why there were pushed to the brink? I saw it happen quite often so I know it for the fact. They were rejected because they were level 0s, because they were from lower social class, because the girls were embarrassed to have a thug like them around when they were a lady from a good family. They were often not even given a chance to prove themselves, and they were crossed out simply because of some external factors. Even in the instances guys were actually in love. They were not bad people... no worse than me, anyway. But they weren't gently turned down. Some of you ojou-samas even wondered why someone like that dared to approach them. At least at the beginning, they were genuinely impressed with you, damn it! And it does not only limit itself to Tokiwadai. Maybe they would not turn bitter if this process of turning down was normal. But it was anything but normal!"
Hamazura spoke with a controlled trembling in his voice. Although he left Skill-Out behind, the matters of oppression of level 0s were still fairly close to his heart. All the young ladies seemed to be frozen in place.
"Look, I am not saying all of you are awful and playing with people's feelings. I know some of you are great girls. And personally, I wasn't in love during my Skill-Out times and I can't really blame my luck, because I got amazing girlfriend, who is a high level esper by the way, and I couldn't be happier. But do you think you are without any responsibility? Do you think it is so obvious that people should adore you simply because you are a high level? And this gives you right to laugh at lower levels feelings because of... what exactly? Can you look me in the eyes and tell me that you never rejected someone because he was a level 0?
Awatsuki Maaya visibly flinched.
"Because he seemed like someone not worthy just by a first look?"
Kongou's face became uneasy and pale.
"That you didn't treat them as a punching bag simply to prove your superiority, disregarding what he actually wanted to do with you?"
Misaka Mikoto wanted to drop to a deep hole and never come out.
"That you even went on date with them ? When some of those guys and girls were truly charmed by you, just like I was with my Takitsubo?"
Wanai Kinuho bit her lip, with slightly glossed eyes.
Devastation was done. All the girls were looking at each other with unsure gazes. Although they weren't to blame for the actions of the group itself, they were careless and shallow. Maybe not every time, not all of them. But it did happened and it was not an exception, but a rule for females from elite schools to act like this. It truly...
"That leaves a bad taste in my mouth" Shokuhou cringed, thinking about what she just heard. She was sure her clique was not sinless in that regard.
Even Hokaze Junko, bless her pure soul, was saddened beyond anything.
Shirai Kuroko, although didn't moved to the level of her other friends, was fidgeting slightly. Although her eyes were solely on her onee-sama, this conversation made her think about how she treated Kamijou Touma through their relationship. Even when she deemed him unworthy of onee-sama, which criteria she used to judge him? Were they always fair?
Kongou Mitsuko's pride didn't allow her to fully express it, but inwardly, she felt awful and sick. That pride of hers, that accursed hubris, contributed to many rejections in the past. She was about to judge Kamijou Touma the same way if he didn't save her and capture her heart through this action.
No matter the circumstances, all girls had one thought
'If we acted differently, if we gave them a chance or rejected them in gentler manner... could this be avoided? Could they not turn bitter like this and fuelled Skill-Out's hatred? Could we make Academy City a better place?'
"As I said, I am not trying to justify their actions. I still think they are going too far and I am going to oppose them alongside you. I just... thought that other side of the story needs to be said."
"Hamazura-san" Kongou finally managed to muster her voice to sound out " Can you tell us more about how they operate?"
"As I said, some parts are speculative. But their usual method goes like this: they target someone, wait for someone close for the target to be alone, capture said someone, and then request the exchange of their actual target for the captured person."
"Why are they doing it in such roundabout way?"
"Possibly because the actual targets are stronger than them" Kuroko commented, likely adding her Judgement experience to the discussion" The entire point of taking hostages is that they can force the target to surrender without fight because otherwise, the hostage will be hurt."
"Okay then..." Misaka tapped her finger on the table, with still perplexed visage" it all seems plausible, but... what's the gain when they have actual targets? In this situation, me and Kongou-san are the targets and our mothers act as bait. Wait... isn't this connected with our levels?"
"That makes sense. You are level 5 and Kongou-san is quite high in level 4 ranking." Shokuhou nodded, before making a sour face" If my mother was here, I would probably be targeted though..."
"When it comes to their goals... remembered that I said that those guys are driven by revenge stemming from rejection, right? Well, on the better day, you would probably have your blood and DNA samples extracted. Thanks to this, they will profit by selling it to Academy City's rivals. DNA can tell a lot about the basis of esper powers apparently. Then they will just ask for money like regular. On the worse day... you get all that plus... some extra taunting and special treatment for such a pretty ladies... if you know what I mean" Hamazura finished grimly.
A few more sensitive girls shivered at that.
"They usually hide in remote places too. Maybe even more than one"
"What are we waiting for then. Let's go search for-" Misaka got to her feet, but the doors to the room closed as if invisible wind passed through the space. Maidono Hoshimi lazily directed her finger back down.
"Wait a moment, sparky. I think there is more to this than meets the eye." she gestured at Mikoto" We need to address something. Kamijou is still missing, right? I think we need to find him as well. He would provide a great assistance in a fight"
"Well, that's nice but we don't know where the hell he is!" Mikoto screamed back.
"Who are you to meddle of affairs of Tokiwadai" the haughty looking girl with short brown hair, called Kirifu Megumi, addressed the disrespectfully sitting Maidono" We don't even know you. And this girl as well."
Hasako flinched and instinctively shrunk on the spot, trying to blend in with the sofa.
"If Misaka-san says she wants to go, I will make a way. I am a level 4 telekinesis user, finest one in Tokiwadai!"
"Oh..." Maidono raised an eyebrow, and clapped her hands." Really? Good for you, good for you..."
Kirifu focused her attention on the door. Maidono rested her chin on her hands, with two index fingers linked together.
After a moment, beads of sweat started to cover Kirifu's face.
"Huh? What?"
Maidono yawned slightly.
"What's wrong? You were supposed to open the door with your amazing telekinetic power."
When two abilities of the same type clashed, the more refined one would prevail. And no one was better in telekinesis than Maidono Hoshimi.
"They... won't even budge. How... how is that possible?" wheezed the confused middle-schooler.
Hasako lightly touched Maidono's arm
"Maidono-san... that's enough. Please, conserve your strength for the time when we will take action"
Maidono sighed and separated her fingers.
"You are no fun."
With Maidono's own influence lifted, the doors opened with such force than it sounded like a small explosion. Kirifu stumbled, panting as if she ran a marathon.
"Kirifu-san, that's enough. Those two are powerful enough to give even me trouble" Misaka sighed, and looked at Maidono" I lost my cool a little. We are... quite stressed from all of this. I assume you too have your reasons to fight."
"Yeah. I am pissed that he suddenly disappeared like that last night, even if it was for a good reason. I want to be of use to him and I didn't do anything cool for him yet... well, not counting sending Mugino-senpai to the river"
Hamazura's eyes widened as the girl continued
"So I want to help here. If this what he would do, I want to prove myself in front of him"
"I too..." Hasako clenched her fists, joining in" I want to do something for him, assist him in making his dream come true. He already did so much for me, that it's only natural for me to support him with my life. We all share the dream of getting Ayu-san back to us"
Shokuhou turned abruptly towards the miko-styled girl
"Did you just say Ay-"
"I think both are correct!" A male voice completely silenced Shokuhou... again. Sogiita Gunha slammed fist into his chest "We need to rescue the mothers, and search for Kamijou. With those fiery guts, he will be crucial in defeating the enemy."
"That's a splendid idea and I am in accord" Junko raised her fist in the air "I will not abandon Kamijou-san"
"No one's abandoning anybody" Hamazura sighed" And you say it so certainly because..."
"I feel it in my guts. I would do anything to test myself against dragons once again"
"Of course you do. Also, what was that last part?"
Kongou Mitsuko raised up, with newfound determination.
"If darling is involved... is there a chance that he will end up in the center of trouble?"
"You don't know him long enough. If someone can be unlucky enough for this, it's him" said Mikoto.
Kongou struck a pose, spreading her fan in flamboyant gesture.
"Then I must do my utmost to fight. I, Kongou Mitsuko, must save my mother and beloved from peril. I will show those villains, and my darling, what I'm made of."
"What's with this sudden confidence boost?"
"You said yourself that darling will get involved somehow. Then I have to trust him to go through this unharmed and lead us to victory. But I want to be there to ensure his safety as well."
"You have a lot of trust in someone you recently met"
"I chose him to be my future fiancé. And I, Kongou Mitsuko, choose only the very best. Call it..." she cupped her cheeks with a warm smile" a love's intuition"
Girls started to whisper among themselves, with Shokuhou Misaki staring at the raven-haired girl in curiosity
'I should be really angry right now, and in the way I am irritated... but Kongou-san...'
Unnoticed by everyone except Shokuhou, Kongou's fingers were trembling slightly.
'She is actually quite scared. She values safety of her loved ones, so even if she puts a poker face, in reality she is worried about everyone taking risk to save her mother... and even if she does believe in Kamijou's capabilities, she is anxious about him. If she could, she would run to find him this instant. I am good enough in reading through people's feelings to know that her feelings are genuine.'
Shokuhou silently clicked button on her remote and smirked to herself.
'So that's how it is... well, Kongou-san, that's just like you. I won't lie to you and give you green light just like that... I have my own interest in getting my prince back, after all. But... even if they are quite fresh and idealistic, your feelings managed to impress me'
Misaka Mikoto had same contemplation, but from a completely different angle.
'She says the "L" word so effortlessly. It's not like I want to say it too... b-but... but... why do I feel like a loser here?! Ghhh, electricity is supposed to be faster than wind!'
Little did Mikoto know, Kongou's feelings had their own dilemmas, different from Railgun's own. If Misaka Mikoto was going too slow, Kongou was moving too fast. In all honesty, being a sheltered girl from a very rich family made her confused about social interactions, friendships, and love. She tended to misunderstand proper order of things, get overexcited, and allow her pride to get the better of her. She was the type of person who would nod her head at the prospect of marriage, but get senselessly flustered at the prospect of dating. That was why Kamijou Touma decided to let the two of them spend some time to get to know each other.
But one thing that made this case different was Kongou's unyielding desire to make lasting and genuine human connections. Behind her proud facade, she dreamed of having friends and being able to cherish them.
When Kamijou protected her despite her behaviour towards him, despite the differences of their histories and status, she instinctively sensed that he could have followed a similar motivation.
Kamijou Touma wanted to protect others, so they could smile together in the end.
Kongou Mitsuko wanted to cherish her friends, so she would protect them for everyone to smile alongside her in their daily life.
Those motivations were not that distant. In fact, they could support each other. Touma's was much more selfless and on greater scale. He even bothered to respect feelings of Kongou, someone who he barely knew. He saved her despite no obligations to do so and declined the offer that many would kill to take, only to allow Kongou to put her own desires together at her own pace. All of this made Kongou Mitsuko... excited. And she did not want this feeling to end.
It could be idealistic and fooling. But as mentioned before, Kongou Mitsuko was enamoured at the first sight. And she used the charmed state her heart was in to make herself braver and fight not only for her family and friends, but a boy she liked.
Getting back to reality, Gokusai Kaibi took a pen in her hand
"Everyone, I will put down what we need to do and how we will do it."
"Can I see this paper?" Maidono's question was a bit redundant, because the piece of paper jumped straight afterwards. She narrowed her eyes.
"Near district 22... hmm, that reminds me of something... can this be?..."
"I think we have a similar idea" Kaibi commented, writing something down, when Rikuri touched her shoulder.
"Now, we need someone to pinpoint Kamijou's location" Hamazura took out his phone" And I have just a perfect person to that"
"Kaibi-chan... I don't want to worry you but... Amazora is gone..."
"WHAT?! Nee-san, you were supposed to keep an eye on her!"
"She just went to the toilet..."
"And you believed her?! You should make sure she actually went there... damn it, why are you so incredibly smart in so many areas, but you have to make a slip-ups like this..."
"O-Oi, that's so mean. I put a tracker in her blood for situations like this, so don't worry. I will locate her. Also, Kaibi-chan... she might not show it all that much, but Amazora was the first from us to truly care about Kamijou and this is why she acted on her emotions back then. I am sure her feelings are maturing since he might be in danger for all we know."
"The very fact that she ran away like an idiot without a plan tells me she is still a child"
"Well, she is our little sister after all. But would you look at that... our little Amazora is growing up..."
"D-Don't wipe your tears on my clothes!"
(MEANWHILE)
Indeed, Gokusai Amazora was on the run.
More so, she carried her gattling gun with her, sneaking through the back alleys and making detours to avoid being spotted.
"Onii-chan..."
Amazora was a happy go-lucky girl, that paid no mind to anyone or anything save for her hobbies and her older sisters. But this wasn't the full picture.
For someone that young, she experienced some tragic events. Her sisters tried to shield her from the truth, but even if it was only traces of memory, she remembered.
She was lonely. She was a backup plan. She knew that her mother wanted to use her against her sisters if they ever turned against her. When it came to her parents, Amazora might as well be an orphan. She only vaguely remembered her mother, and her father died when she was very little.
But her sisters never abandoned her. They weren't her actual parents, so they could only do so much in raising her. But they did so much for her. She just wanted to be a good little sister.
But she wasn't like them. She was smaller and less experienced. They always had initiative.
She rebelled and fought against them to push back the feeling of dread from the fact that they too could disappear one day. She acted to distance herself and become independent, so those feelings would not hurt so much.
She done everything to stop her fears. She learned to enjoy killing because she wanted to stop fearing the death itself.
Of course, the thoughts in her small head were not on this level of maturity. But if she put them in the words adults would use, that would be the gist.
She was tired of being a part of a set, scared of losing her sisters, and dreaming of having her own time to shine in life.
She could be childish, but she wasn't stupid.
When Kamijou Touma came along, she felt like he was the solution to her problems. He saved her life, listened to her, and kept seeing her just for her.
For Kamijou Touma, Gokusai Amazora held value. An individual value, precious in its own right. For that small girl it was more important than anything.
Sooner than later, she started to wish that those happy and noisy days never ended. She was happy. Her sisters were happy, and because of that, Amazora felt even more comfortable.
But right now, with Kamijou potentially in danger, she realized something.
All this time, she was joking around to hide the fact that she was growing attached to him. Even if she wanted to be spoiled, even if she annoyed him, that was because she wanted him to pay attention.
"No..."
Before she knew it, she could not imagine it. The life without her onii-chan was hollow.
"No, no, no, no..." she cried out as if in trance, before coming to a halt.
A new feeling was rising inside of her chest. Something that she never realized before.
"I... don't want him to leave! I don't want him to disappear from my life. I want onii-chan to be my onii-chan forever!"
She raised her gattling gun and lifted her chin up in a mighty pose of triumph
"I will blast away everyone who interrupts my time with onii-chan! Those bad guys messed with wrong little sister!"
Suddenly, her run came to a halt
"Ehm... Kai onee-chan mentioned district 10... but where exactly is onii-chan?"
(MEANWHILE)
Kamijou Touma was blissfully unaware of the commotion his disappearance and the abduction of the two women caused, at least for now.
However, state of his spirit was anything but blissful, likely because of the fact that he was still bound together with a rather unstable and impatient girl.
Their help came rather conveniently (too conveniently in Kamijou's paranoid opinion) in the form of a small girl with a rather big bossom, who was wearing a lab coat and had black hair tied in a branched ponytail. Hanatsuyu Youen spread her arms wide, demonstrating a large segment of the dried off sewer that apparently served as her hideout.
"This is incredible" Kamijou whispered.
The room was shaped like a small dome adjacent to the tunnel. It was electrified, had a small mattress, some books, and lots, lots of specimens, glass equipment, and other stuff needed in a proper laboratory.
"Oi, you runt, how did you manage to acquire something like this down here?" Mugino asked the small chemist.
The girl promptly ignored her, and smiled slyly at Touma
"Aren't you curious how I got where I am now?"
Mugino looked as if she was about to self-detonate from Youen brushing her off, but Touma nevertheless nodded.
"Well, long story short, you know how I said that I won't ever be separated from Kaai? Well, I was perfectly comfortable with the cell, but Kaai got bored. One night, she simply slipped away, but since I tried to contact her, she was coming back. In the end, Kaai kept breaking to prison trying to rescue me" Youen looked as if she was reminiscing something amusing" They had quite a problem with her, since she is a bit of a special case with her body. No cell can actually contain her fully"
Hanatsuyu Kaai was Youen's twin (older by just 15 minutes, as Kamijou learned on occasion). Although both sisters were strikingly similar in appearance and interests, Kaai was had much more intense personality and obsession regarding decomposition and decay. She called it "defiling herself" and Kamijou was honestly glad that fate made him come across the slightly more reasonable sister. But what mattered for Youen's explanation was the fact that due to certain twist of events, Kaai gained a peculiar, semi-liquid body. She was similar to the case of tiny Othinus, who also could not be contained easily.
"And so, to keep my sister from wrecking havoc, the prison offered me a release in exchange for helping them improve their capture technology. I agreed, improved some things, then got myself a place here. It's nice even if a bit murky..."
"Wait, let me get this straight" Mugino raised a finger in the air" YOU are the reason why we are stuck with this shit?"
"Give me a second..." Youen took out a small magnifying glass and examined the substance, poked her with a finger, smelled it, and finally touched it with a tip of the tongue "Yup, strawberry flavour"
"What the fu-"
"That means it's mine composition. Super effective, isn't it?"
"I am gonna murder her. I swear I will" Mugino screamed, but Touma yanked her backwards.
"Mugino-san, I will not allow you to do that."
"I will prepare the solution to free you... in the meantime, let's look at those wounds..." Youen examined them, skidding from one side to the other "Okay, that calls from some of my cuties"
Cuties turned out to be spiders and maggots. Kamijou felt Mugino shudder.
"Hmm... are you scared of bugs, Mugino-san?"
"Fuck off. There is a difference between bugs and those... things"
"Alright. I put a traces of a chemical attractor in a pattern against the surface of the wound. The maggots will eat potentially infected flesh and this spider produces a sturdy web that, with some help from me, can serve as both elastic and durable bandage. Adding a mosquito-derived pain reduction will do the trick as well. It is more ecological too" Youen explained, tending to Kamijou.
"Seriously, how the hell are you not bothered by this?" Mugino questioned the boy.
Touma tilted his head.
"Well, it is a bit unsettling, but I will take anything as long as it helps me recover. I have no reason to question Youen in her field of expertise"
Small girl smiled at that, and lowered her head to hide a small blush across her face.
"Hah, this is the appreciation for true science. Oh, please praise me more"
"I am curious... it seems to me you don't exactly like each other..."
"I don't like brutes who think everything can be solved with blasting things away"
"I think children who like to play adults should stay in the sandbox"
"Well excuse me I was voted more popular in that DSFPP poll"
Touma blinked rapidly a few times.
"What... poll?"
"Dark Side Female Popularity Poll" Mugino spat out, cringing slightly when Youen, rather forcefully, covered her leg in some green looking cream.
"How... why? Why is that even a thing?" Touma's shock could not be greater.
"Hell if I know. Ask those horny Skill Outs. At some point, someone started to organize rankings of female members of dark side. If someone was encountered on the mission or during a raid, it would be... ekhm, assessed, through various factors. If someone's identity was secret, they would be entered under some characteristic features. If someone was well known, like myself, they would be entered under their epithet"
"Wow..." Touma looked at Mugino in wonder" I wouldn't guessed you cared about things like that"
"I didn't... although I was winning for a long time" Mugino let out that self-contradictory statement
"Until we beat you that is. When Kaai and me discovered our boob-growing method, we skyrocketed for some reason. It was a moment of fame but what a glorious moment!"
"Stop grinning, creepy child! I admit... being on top was good because everyone else knew their place. But imagine when you lose to a 9 year old in the department of your tits! What kind of perverts are hiding in the dark side if they vote this over this"
"Wow, you don't care about this at all. I'm 11 now, if that will make your sore loser attitude disappear"
"So, if you lost, were your bust smaller 2 years ag-"
"SHUT IT! "
Touma got quiet. Youen got up, stretched, and marched to the other side of the cave to prepare the chemical to free their hands. From time to time, she kept glancing at them with a small pout on her face.
"Mugino-san..." Kamijou rather awkwardly tried to break through silence" Since we spent some time together now, even if it wasn't too good, wouldn't it be nice to have a normal talk and do something else besides fighting?"
Mugino was silent for a few moments, before groaning outloud.
"You won't really shut up until we do talk? Okay, I am curious about a few things as well. Consider it as a payback for getting through this shit with me and not being as annoying as you could be."
"Okay then... let's do some Q&A"
"Q&A?"
"Pick a question for me, regarding yourself"
"That's dumb..."
Mugino said that, but inwardly, she felt some strange giddiness. She became intrigued in Kamijou Touma, yet she would rather die than actually admit it.
Fine, if he wanted to avoid question from her at first, it was good. She will get to that later on.
"You already saw me in two of my costumes. Pick one: violet or yellow"
Yes, if I start slowly, he won't be scared of those questions and I will learn some valuable data.
"That's a hard question. I would say violet. It really suits you, and pronounces your legs"
"Huh, so you've been staring at my legs, huh?!"
"Of course I was. I don't mean anything really perverse, but they look amazing"
Mugino bit her lip. Kamijou's answer was so straightforward that it actually diminished her anger. That was actually the main reason why Mugino could not ascertain what she was feeling or how she truly wanted to react around Kamijou.
It wasn't unusual that guys complimented her. Ever since youngest years, she was undisputedly beautiful. The difference between Kamijou and other guys, was the fact that Kamijou did not display any will to accommodate to her demands to please her or make her spare his life. He would praise her in one moment but scold and confront her in the next. He was unyielding, unbreakable, and stubborn. But most importantly, he wasn't scared at all and insisted he would save someone like Mugino.
It should have make her furious... but as much as she wanted to be angry, something else made her breath quicken and her heart beat faster. It was an intense, flaming sensation within her body. It felt almost feral.
In words of a wise master of perversion, Aogami Pierce, it could be said that Mugino Shizuri awakened something within her. More specifically, said blue haired pervert could very well diagnose her as "being turned on by Touma's defiance and wanting to both crush and enjoy said resistance towards her efforts in a sadomasochistic way". But for now, Mugino had no clue what to do with those feelings, so she endorsed the game of questions.
After a few minutes, Mugino learned that Touma liked to collect manga and visited arcades. Touma learned that Mugino was interested in fashion and enjoyed sunbathing. They briefly exchanged some stories about past fights and encounters (with both keeping some of the more intricate and complicated battles a secret). Mugino turned to be fun of classical music, while Touma preferred guitar styled film music and popular, modern songs. They both exchanged some nagging on their flatmates. Serious questions were mixed with more relaxed ones.
"What animal do you think I am like?"
"Hmm... hedgehog. Something tells me that you are the type that wants to save everyone, but can't stay with them because you think you will hurt them if you get too close. Just like hedgehog's needles"
"Wow... this was... a lot deeper than I expected. I thought about you dissing my hair or something. An animal... I think... you remind me of praying mantis"
Mugino narrowed her eyes
"Did you just compared me to a god damn bug?!"
"No, no! Well, yeah... but I watched a documentary about them. Mantids are super effective hunters, are pretty strong, and have beautiful colours."
The older girl seemed pacified with this description. Although...
'They also eat their partners alive after copulation, and I totally get some yandere vibes from Mugino-san. There is no way I am saying that though'
"What is your favourite dish? I don't have any picks, I am too financially challenged for that, but I enjoy various hotpots or some miso ramen"
"Salmon. All forms and variations" Mugino answered without skipping a beat.
"Hmm... that can work"
"What?"
"I just thought... if you ever wanted, I can cook some salmon for you. I know few ways to utilize fish and incorporate it into various dishes"
"Ho?! Are you trying to bribe me with food?" Meltdowner raised her eyebrow" my taste is rather exquisite".
"I will still give it a shot. Say what, I will make a bento for you and you will judge it."
"Why?"
"Because, Mugino-san, I want to get to know you as a person outside of fighting. And doing small things, taking small steps is often a good way to begin for people from the darkness"
"Who said I want to continue associating with you?"
But Mugino said that only out of her pride, without real conviction.
It was possibly the salmon temptation. There was nothing else beside it.
"It's your choice, but my desire remains the same"
They were silent for a few moments. Mugino spoke again, listening to the sounds of Youen mixing something in the distance.
"Hamazura told me that you want to save everyone... isn't that right"
"Yeah. But... that's not what you really want, right?"
"Huh? What are you talking abo-""
"You are afraid that you will fall into the darkness again right. Hamazura was the one who pulled you back to your peace, so I won't stole his role in all of this. But if you are scared that you ever revert back to the true, maddening darkness... then I will confront you as many times as it takes. And to ensure that it won't happen, I will try to make you comfortable in the world of light again"
"That's a bold promise."
"I am willing to keep it"
Mugino's lips twisted and she let out a short burst of laughter.
"Man, you are damn hilarious! The most moronic idiot in this rotten city!"
"Yeah, I hear that a lot" Touma could not help but smile a little at that.
"EKHM!" Youen was clearly not amused, as she was heading towards them with a small vial in her hand" If you are finished, I can separate you now"
As the pink substance was soaked with chemical solution, it let out a burst of smoke and crumbled away. Kamijou and Mugino stumbled away from each other.
Meltdowner clenched her fist and orbs of green energy ignited in the air.
"Finally!"
"This... this was safe... right?" Touma
"Well, side effects consist of exposure to rash, necrosis, paralysis, hallucinations, and death, but hey, at least you are separated again"
Youen managed to mantain her professional tone for a few seconds, and after looking at Touma's, she started to laugh.
"Your face! Your face was priceleeeeeehhhh?!
Kamijou Touma, finally liberated, could not take this deception laying down.
"Take this! Kamijou Style Tickle Torture!"
"Gh-gyah?! Sto...oh... ghahahahah...ooppppp...hehehehe! Ple...eh...ehehehehehe...ease! My bo... ohohohoho...oobs will sli...ihihihi...slip out if they bou...ouh...ouahahahah... bounce so much!"
However, the merciless monster Kamijou Touma did not stop his work until the small biological warfare specialist was almost out of breath.
He then turned towards Mugino Shizuri who was walking away.
"You are leaving then?" he asked, rather rhetorically.
"As you see. And gotta tell you, I thought Hamazura is exaggerating but your influence is really something else. Carrier is actually rather well known by dark siders, even if not many lived to know how she and her sister actually look like. To think you actually made her interested..."
"What do you mean? I don't follow"
Mugino turned around.
"What the hell? Are you that stupid? Can't you see that this booby brat likes you?"
"What?" Touma turned back" Youen? Now, that's just crazy talk! Now, let's just..."
"Hold up for a moment! Now that I think about it, you made it sound like the kiss with me wasn't even the first. What happened between you and the Carrier?"
"It's a little bit of a complicated story, but I saved her life, she saved my life, we fought common foe, and during that, we sort of... kissed. Due to the certain circumstances, she can't remember that, but... huh?! Mugino-san?!"
Meltdowner's face was totally downcast for some reason.
"Kamijou Touma... just how many times do you want to humiliate me? Are you saying that an elementary schooler was before my own first ki... tch, never mind! We shall see each other again"
She then stormed off.
"O-Okay then... take care!"
He wasn't expecting the answer, but before disappearing from his view, Mugino raised her arm and shouted back
"Damn right I will take care. Because as I said: we will meet again. And when I say and want something, I get it"
That's right. Mugino was a competitive young woman, and her sense of pride was hurt many times in regards to Kamijou Touma. No matter how trivial the matter could seem, she hated to lose...
Or maybe there were other feelings in play... but that's the story for the future.
Back with Touma, he heard Youen's footsteps behind him.
"I thought she will never leave. Heh, I left her a small souvenir gift. That healing cream will attract some of my ants, who will find their way straight to their panties..."
"You... really are a dark sider, aren't you?"
"Heh heh, tell me more"
As they walked back, Touma noticed Youen playing with various test tubes she had near her waist, with a rather tense expression.
"Youen... are you angry?!"
The girl stopped. Her finger began to tap on the glass, as if wanting to break it through that act.
"Angry? I suppose I have no reason to be angry. But let me think..."
The tapping intensified, as the girl shook his head
"You waltz in, completely turn things on his head, disregarding basic common knowledge about dark side, act as if we actually met before, and then giving this brave speech about caring about me and refusing my damn help, before heading to the Taboo... and later you didn't even visit! I shouldn't even care... but... but..."
She let go of the tube, which dangled back with the others, clenched her small fists, and looked at Kamijou, with emotions flashing in her violet eyes.
It was supposed to be intimidating, but as she reached only to his lower chest, it was losing half of that effect.
"I don't get it! You use my given name, you knew my true abilities, you protected me, even though I am a dangerous criminal. It is unnerving! It is so weird!"
Kamijou actually felt bad hearing this.
Of course Youen would be confused. She had no idea of Alice's magic, which basically put him through alternate side of reality until he dismissed her help. Youen in that world was not the Youen that stood before him. He retained those memories, but she did not. He and Youen did not know each other long, but that small adventure gave him a surprisingly profound insight and pleasant memories regarding the little villain. But wasn't he selfish in following those memories?
When he opened his mouth to apologize though...
"Even still, I was worried." her ponytail swished from left to right, as Youen fidgeted, pouting slightly" Because you did so many stupidities and were such a freak, I should just leave it be. But I couldn't! I can honestly say that I never met someone like you. I couldn't stop thinking about that time...and... can you have a decency of explaining to me what actually happened?"
Kamijou took a deep breath.
"Would you believe me if I said reality was changed so much that I met another version of you and we spent some time together?"
"Are you talking about some mental type ability? But entire world around you and the ? Only Mental Out can possibly do something like that"
Touma did not know who Mental Out was to be invested in his personal life, but nevertheless continued.
"I don't need you to fully believe me, but there was such power. Before it was lifted, I've met you, and we devised a plan to defeat a common enemy alongside Shirai Kuroko..."
"That stick-in-the-mud justice preacher? Why on earth-"
"Like I said, you don't have to believe it, but it is the truth. The point is, I saved you...her life, and she saved mine. In the meantime, I got to know that Youen relatively well... stuff happened...and I swore I never forget what you did for me"
Youen got back to playing with her tubes, which told Kamijou that her mind was restless.
"You did seem to know a lot about me when that damn Tessou attacked us. Heck, you knew exactly what was needed from my arsenal and put your trust in me. So... assuming that what you say is the truth...how was she like... the other me?"
Touma somehow managed to get flustered, even though it was 10...no, 11 now... year old girl asking the question.
As if reading through his facade, Youen gulped.
"Emm... did she do something to you? Or maybe..."
"No... it's just... she was quite... gratuitous, with her help... for example, she assumed I had trouble eating and..."
Youen caught up and stepped back.
"Did she... did we..." although Kamijou didn't saw her face clearly, he noticed that her face reddened slightly. She touched her lips and Kamijou's face told her everything she needed to know. "Holy maggots... what was she thinking?"
"I-It wasn't your fault, the logic of that reality was flawed in my favour..." the boy stammered out.
"So... if all worked in your favour... was that kiss... nice?"
Touma hesitated for a moment, regarding the age of the girl. It was really somewhat awkward. But finally, he succumbed and confessed.
"Well, it was a bit strange... but considering it was mouth-to-mouth feeding... and also knowing that world's Youen was trying to help me... it was rather nice."
He said that with no hint of perversion or deviancy. He just honestly captured the gratitude for Youen's actions in that fabricated reality, even if it was something he would not usually do.
"I see..." Youen sighed" That's nice. And it's a lot to take in..."
"Listen, I am sorry that..."
"But...I wouldn't say it was a bad thing..."
Touma frowned at that quiet comment. Did Youen really...
No, no, no. If any Youen could like him, it would be the false Youen from Alice's world. This Youen could not actually be like this... could she?
"Anyway, let's get going. We have more important things to worry about"
"Oh, I disagree" came another voice from behind Touma.
There was a bubbling sound and the boy was suddenly pushed forward, falling on top of Youen... and exactly behind her surrealistically developed assets.
"Oi, you freak, what are you... wait a moment... Kaai?!"
The mass of liquid goo behind them took shape of a girl looking identical to Youen, who grinned slyly, crouching down, and looking at embarrassed duo.
"Long time no see Kamijou. Now, don't mind me and let me see this ultimate form of defilement!"
"Sis! What are you-"
"Shut up Youen. Don't tell me you are not interested in falling for him after all that sleepta-"
"I AM NOT FALLING FOR ANYONE!"
"Let me get this straight" asked Touma, when he separated from Youen, who dashed back to lab" You would be totally fine if I actually did something to Youen and you would just watch?"
"Tch, of course not"
"Huh? That's nice, for a moment I thought that-"
"I would record it for future use"
"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?!"
(MEANWHILE)
The dark and spacious room was filled with young teens. Although most of them were men, some females were also present.
Their present prey were too women, chained on one side of the room.
"How is your time passing?" the voice sounded from the speakers "Are you comfortable? We never had mothers of such esteemed espers in our humble hideout"
"Why are you doing this?" Misaka Misuzu asked tiredly."We can pay you if this is about money"
"Money? No, miss Misuzu. We are not that shallow. In fact, it is actually more about the sentiment than anything else. Also... why is miss Kongou gagged?"
"She was making this place a living hell" complained one of the guards" We had to shut her up!"
Misuzu smirked at that. Indeed, Minako made such a ruckus that the gangsters had to gag her. She put quite a resistance before and even now was glaring arrogantly at everyone around, as if she wasn't tied up and denied the ability to speak.
"Now now, those two are our guests. Don't be rude. Let her speak"
"But boss..."
"Do it!"
And so, Minako's lips were freed. Which was quickly heard around the room
"Who the hell do you think you are, treating me like this?! If you don't want money, why are you even want us here? I understand I am a beautiful woman, but this is just tasteless. Untie me and I will fight you myself. I know some jujitsu and taekwondo!"
"Miss Minako, we have no intention of harming you, but if you won't cooperate, I can't guarantee the patience of my subordinates. We want your daughters, not you specifically. You can call it a personal vendetta for our group. We profit on the ones that hurt us in the past. It's an equivelent exchange."
"Well, you will never succeed. My daughter and her friends will arrive here soon."
"We shall see about that..."the voice mused out loud" we took precautions to ensure the success of this plan."
"It shall still be for naught. Even if they don't know each other, he shall still come! I saw it in his eyes. He will come and his power will truly unite everyone to save us"
"Who are you talking about?"
The raven haired woman narrowed her dark-grey eyes and smirked, before turning away and letting out a haughty chuckle.
"As if I tell you, villain! You shall soon experience it yourself. Oh ho ho ho!"
'This attitude, even in face of danger... she really is the mother of her daughter, no doubt about it' Misuzu thought with a deadpanned expression, recalling Mikoto's stories about Kongou Mitsuko.
"Fine then" the voice cut through the silence that followed, sounding slightly irritated" It does not matter anyway. I can assure you, there is no way, regardless who comes my way, that they will touch me. I shall monitor our progress elsewhere, so I must leave you ladies. Behave yourselves. Even if we won't hurt you, your attitude may increase potential damage to your precious daughters".
The call ended and the gang returned to their earlier tasks.
Misuzu turned to look at Minako
"You know, I know you are angry at the situation but I would never say the things-"
She came to a halt, once she noticed something. The hands and arms of the other woman were trembling. She smiled but it didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Are you scared, Minako-san?"
The other mother gave her a slightly tired look.
"Scared? We are at enemy's mercy, and they are not the nicest bunch. Yes, I am scared"
Misuzu could understand that. She still felt uneasy about Skill-Out attack in which she almost lost her life.
"But... if you are scared, why and how do you put such a brave face in front of such crisis?"
Minako's dark eyes closed for a moment, which made her long eyelashes visible.
"I am doing what I can because I want, and choose to believe, in our children. But most importantly..."
She grit her teeth and muttered:
"My daughter is protective of everyone she cares about. But she never had true friends before she came here, and enrolled in Tokiwadai. She stumbled and tried blindly, but right now, I am so happy to see her in full bloom. She finally found her happiness... and I would rather die than let it end for her if she comes here to help me and gets hurt. That's not the kind of parent I want to be! I wish to support my precious Mitsuko. Yet I know she will come. Your daughter will come too. This generation is so valiant and brave, and they are bound to do something as reckless as that. But at the same time..."
She opened her eyes, which appeared calmer than before.
"That boy, Kamijou Touma... call it a mother's intuition, but there is something else about him. My Mitsuko was always considered beautiful and talented, but maybe because everyone praised her so much, she could not truly felt feelings that boy made her feel. I want to support her first true love... because this boy may truly be able to complete her dream. Also, if Kamijou Touma wants to truly protect our daughters' happiness, he will save us as well. No... he will save both our daughters and ourselves because we are precious too each other... and I don't doubt that he will protect all of it for his sake too: this formless but beautiful feeling Mitsuko has, the bond your Mikoto and himself created over some time, and our very lives as well. He is truly a strange and remarkable young man. No matter the danger, I just now he will come. I choose to believe in him. Didn't you say it yourself? That you feel safe with your daughter being here because she has such good people around her?
Indeed, Misuzu remembered. She even told Kamijou himself, she was happy that Mikoto could stay in Academy City with him around. Misuzu was never more happy for her daughter to have a friend like that, alongside girls who accompanied Mikoto in her daily life.
"Yes, he is pretty great. I truly envy our children for being able to live together will all of those amazing powers, even if this city is not as great as it claimed to be. Touma-kun... he is really brave and heroic"
"Yes, and cute too. If I were 15 years younger or so, and not married of course..." Minako grinned slyly, before sighing" Ah, those times..."
"I know what you mean, I don't know what Mikoto is waiting for..." Misuzu smiled back, before coughing" Although I must say, I think Tabigake would rent an entire army for my rescue"
"Oh, my husband would also try. Although, as loving as he is, he is more of a businessman than a fighter" Minako suddenly made a dreamy face" Aaah, now I am convinced. I can't die here. I must live to see what will my cute grandkids look like. I can already say they would be positively precious!"
"Wasn't that you that said to Kamijou that he can fufill his promise to Mitsuko-san and let them assess what they want to be?" Misuzu commented with a sigh.
Minako pouted at that.
"I knoooow~, but that consideration of his... kyah! This makes me support it even more. He is a perfect counter for my daughter's own antics. I always thought that Mitsuko will marry one of those rich magnates of aviation industry, as per my husband's plan, but this down to earth commoner might be just what we need."
Misuzu sighed again, but couldn't help but momentarily indulge herself in her own little fantasy.
'Hmm... brown hair with grey eyes would look nice... but black hair with grey or blue eyes might be even better. Or the girl looking like Mikoto, but with that spiky hair of his...'
"That being said..." Minako's voice, back to the serious tone, made Misuzu's attention to focus back at her" Let's not stand... or sit, idly by, when our children try to rescue us"
"I assume you have a plan?"
"We are held in synthetic wire that has a lock that responds only to a combination encoded in a card. I saw such system before. It is devised to hold the hostage even when the system gets broken. But I think I see the encoding card near that guy sitting by the wall. It is our only chance, and I can be mistaken, but let's take it!"
"Agreed. And Kongou-san... thank you for being here with me. You made me motivated once again"
"Oh no no, if I am being honest, I would probably be even more scared if it wasn't for you, Misaka-san. Now, let's show them all that they messed with the wrong mommies!"
(MEANWHILE)
"So, you want us to take you back to the surface?" Youen eyed Kamijou with hands on her hips, after she locked her underground lab and collected her supplies.
"Yes, I don't know if it is actually true, but I have a feeling something is happening out there. I have to get back to Kaibi and the rest to find out what's going on"
"You just arrived, and you are already leaving" Youen grumbled, narrowing eyes at him.
"That's right, tell him sis! And you didn't even do any defiling action! Boooooo!"
"Shut up Kaai!"
"I refuse. Ne-to-ra-re! Ne-to-ra-re!" the twin with decay and filth fetish was clearly trying her best to fulfil her fantasy of seeing her sibling and Kamijou doing... whatever she had in mind.
Kamijou crouched down, and smiled at dark side biochemist
"Youen, please. My friends need me. I want to make sure everything is okay out there."
"But... you said earlier that you believed in me. You believed that I had the potential to use my power to save, not only harm, and because of that, you saved me. Does it mean you think of me as a friend?"
"Well, that's complicated... and I didn't know how you felt about..."
"Did you or did you not?"
"I have no reason NOT TO consider you a friend..."
"So... if it is so..." Youen clicked her tongue in displeasure" Don't you think that it's somewhat unfair? If you say your friends need you, and I am your friend, then why can't you see that..."
She came to a halt. A phrase "I need you too" could not come through her mouth.
In truth, Youen did not actually now why all of the sudden the thought of Kamijou leaving irritated her so much. Maybe it was because he revealed some surreal secret about alternate version of herself. Apparently that alternate Youen and Kamijou had her own moments, moments actual Youen did not remember.
For some reason, this really pissed her off.
"There is one solution" she pointed at Touma" I am coming with you. You said you owe me. And I... really want to know what other Youen felt like. It drives me crazy, you know"
"But..."
"No buts... Kamijou, I still think you are weird, but you earned my respect, so be a man and accept that I am sticking with you. I will protect your idiotic self so we can sort this out like proper mature people"
"What maturity? You are like 10"
"ELEVEN! And I am a lot more competent and intelligent than 90% kids"
"There is nothing I can do to make you change your mind?"
"No. If you got me into this mess, and now take responsibility. Shut-!"
The last word was directed at Kaai, who was exhale away from making a dirty joke.
Kamijou sighed and took Youen's hand.
"Then promise me something. Watch your back and focus on what you want to do once this is done. We can do something nice and quiet..."
"You can assist me with my experiments."
"A-As an assistant, and not guinea pig... r-right?"
Youen let out a laugh truly befitting her age.
"We shall see how much you will meet my expectations"
They shook hands and smiled at each other.
"Well, if Youen's coming, I will tag along as well. It's better than sitting here anyway" Kaai commented, as they all began to move.
Despite strong smell of ammonia and other less than pleasant odours, the sewers were relatively peaceful, and their journey was not so bad.
Kamijou did not actually know where he was. He secretly hoped that the twins now the way because it looked suspiciously close to walking in circles.
Then, devil in disguise known as Hanatsuyu Kaai decided to break the silence.
"Kamijou, you know how monozygotic twins are differentiated from dizygotic ones?"
"Huh?"
"Basically, monozygotic twins come from the same ovum that divides into two. Thus, we have 100 % identical genetic material. But we are by no means identical. What can separate us are specific environments and epigenetic mechanisms. Also, the history of each body differs... for example, Youen has a mark from a certain chemical right under her-"
Youen swiftly threw a vial which exploded with a bang, and left the cloud of yellow smoke. Kaai simply dissolved herself and avoided the attack.
In that moment, Kamijou saw something moving at great speed. It was a point of bluish light that quickly grew as it approached.
"Hey, what the hell is tha-"
BANG!
In the next moment, Kamijou felt something collide with his stomach. The formidable force sent him straight into the water, slamming into Youen, as the two tumbled into the liquid.
They resurfaced moments later.
"Oi, are you okay?" asked the girl.
"Yeah..." they boy chocked out, as his stomach pulsed with dull pain" What... the hell was that?"
"Kamijou and Youen, swimming in the piss. Leaning, leaning, for the kiss~" Kaai sang above them.
"Kaai, now you've done it. It wasn't even funny!" fumed Youen. Kamijou seriously hoped that Kaai joked and the water wasn't actually that dirty. It didn't look like it, as Academy City had many purifying systems in place and all the smell actually seemed to come from the walls and floor rather than liquid itself. "I will make all the roaches in the sewers eat you alive!"
"As much as I want to take credit, it wasn't me" the older twin pointed at someone standing on the shore by her side.
When Kamijou, with Youen by his side, swam to the shore and looked at the silhouette, the aura of electricity was already fading. But he managed to get a glimpse of a gentle face, and ridiculously voluminous hair, twisted in violet ringlet curls.
"I am so glad I found you, Kamijou-san" Hokaze Junko spoke with kindness that seemed appropriate for a summer meadow instead of musky sewer "We really need you right now"