NOVEL NEXT Chapter 19: chapter 19
(MEANWHILE)
Sparks flickered as Hokaze Junko zoomed in trying to reach the girl named Kaira.
The ground trembled and erupted with short spike-like spears, forcing Junko to zig-zag through them or use her fist to parry their attacks.
"Hokaze Junko. An only daughter of a wealthy couple of financial sector. 3rd strongest esper in Tokiwadai, one of the best in history in terms of physical fitness. Ability: Rampage Dress. Allows you to control and channel your own bioelectricity to achieve boost of strength, speed, sensory perception, and healing factor, among other things". Kaira spoke in a neutral tone, as if reciting a trivia book.
In sudden burst of energy, Junko dashed forward and appeared right next to Kaira, twisting her body in order to attack.
"Rampage Dress style: first kata..."
"It's useless"
"Moon Whip!"
Hokaze's leg shone through the air as the cresecent-like roundhouse kick infused with electricity collided with stone wall that appeared to shield Kaira.
The stone cracked, but Hokaze screamed in pain as she was repelled, crashing onto the ground.
"When I was a child, I often got sick. Thanks to spending time in hospitals, I didn't get much chance to socialize. When I got into Academy City, I was still going on unnoticed. I thought this would change when I awakened my esper power. But as it was rare subtype unseen before, I was often taken to tests and separated from everyone else. For some reason, I was quite forgettable... but there were two people that I respected... it was you, Hokaze Junko, as well as our shared friend, Mitsuari Ayu "
Junko got up, once again facing the long-haired girl. She didn't lower her guard, but was intent on hearing Kaira out.
"Your kindness, your diligence, the way you wanted to befriend everybody... you were like a star to me. Meanwhile, Ayu-san was the only person who even talked to me, who knew the feeling of being discarded for the reasons beyond yourself. But when I was taken away from IDEAL to perfect my power, Mitsuari-san left in my absence. And you got so obsessed with Shokuhou Misaki that your growth stopped. Why did this happen?!"
"I owe a great deal to my Queen. Why are you so bent on hating her?"
"Oh let me think. The thing about telepaths is that unless you have some sort of immunity, you can never know what in your relationship is genuine and what is false. And that works both ways. What kind of proof do you have that what she gives you is derived from genuine sympathy?"
Junko leaned down, slowly exhaling through the mouth.
"I don't. A lot of our trust relies on pure faith. But... I know for a fact that Queen is a good person. She helped me heal when I suffered from my headaches. She learned on her mistakes"
ZAAP!
Hokaze ran forward again, but her opponent shielded herself once more.
"Rampage Dress fourth kata: Single palm-strike."
The arm of the ringlet curl girl sped up as if in one inch punch, creating a powerful shockwave with an open palm striking at the rock. However, it didn't even budge.
"Hokaze-san, what I loved about you was not fully you. I... loved the struggle, the suffering you had to go through, your passion in overcoming it, but... not the result. Not satisfaction with being someone's servant. I cannot love you fully... and because of that, I will rid the world either of the version of you that I can no longer admire... or I will fall myself."
Junko did not understand. She was new in the world of interpersonal feelings of this level, and she was additionally very pure.
As some observant people could have noticed, Kaira had a particular taste in 'attractive qualities' in people.
"So you love only the travel, not the destination. Although... I think that it's more to it than me... you were alone, weren't you? That's why you attached yourself. I..."
Junko shifted somewhat awkwardly but looked Kaira in the eyes.
"I am honoured that you chose me and I am sorry that I couldn't be the person you hoped for me to be. But I wish to stay as I am. There are people who count on me right now and I can't let them down."
Kaira sighed and bit her lip.
"Of course, of fucking course... it always ends like this... and I am supposed to know and learn by now. But I can't feel anything but this bitterness... why the hell I am not supposed to find happiness?! I want to find someone who will share the struggle with me, someone who would care in this messed up world, in this city that enforces perfect results for you to measure up to something! In the name of my own justice and my feelings, I will strike you down! You did not know my ability even back then, isn't that right? Not unlike Mitsuari Ayu, I was your spare, so I was meant to be fully discarded. Yet contrary to Mental Stinger, someone invested in my development under the radar and in secret!"
The entire room shifted as if it was made of clay, and changed shape, forming structures similar to columns and portals in gothic cathedrals.
"Your power is... control over the earth?" Hokaze's Rampage Dress spread through her hair, which started to raise slightly while cracking with energy "I've never seen the one with such potency"
Kaira laughed and shook her head.
"Tsk, tsk, senpai. That's one of the main applications of it, but it's not the main mechanism of my skill. Out of our history, I shall enlighten you"
The dark blue eyes of the girl seemed to shine as she towered over Hokaze on pedestal of stone and earth. She made a movement similar to stretching and pushing something with her hand.
"My ability allows me to shift and alter shape of molecules within bodies of matter I touch. Thanks to this, I can control shape and internal layout of every structure I am in contact with. Including for example" she tapped her bare foot to the ground" this very building. When I am in contact, it's like an extension to my body. I can feel everything and react to it. By shifting matter from one place to the other, I can create various shapes or change the layout of corridors by forming walls. But that's not all you can do with it... by gathering molecules of matter, you can harden it, by dispersing and extending the molecules, you can elasticize it or make it into a semi-liquid state. As for the name... I guess you can call it Spaceshifter."
Junko involuntary gasped at that. That ability sounded simple, but often the powers simplest in concept could be the most devastating. One did not have to look far, Vector Change provided enough exposition.
But the scale of the power was insane! To sense and control the entire building...
"What level... are you?"
"Officially, level 4. But if not for my limitations, I would probably be a level 5. Sounds familiar?"
Junko knew that Kaira was referring to her own internal block, that prevented her from drawing too much power from her ability. Many speculated that this was due to Junko's usually gentle nature.
"There are drawbacks though. I can't just create new matter, so shifting material to create new layouts destroys something else. I can't lock onto more than one structure at once. And because my power requires something with a body of specified volume for me to touch, it doesn't work on gases. Most importantly... using it too much of the energy drains my stamina"
"Energy?"
"What? You thought that your spare plan wouldn't have a power at least a bit similar to you" Kaira stretched her hand and something similar to golden lightning danced between her fingers.
"My AIM field produces a unique type of electromagnetic energy. Infusing the matter with this energy allows me to shift and alter it. We are each other's reflections Junko-san.
Junko agreed but only to a degree. While both based on bioenergy, Hokaze's power worked on her own body, while Kaira used it on outside world. More so, she was also similar to circumstances with Mitsuari Ayu, as both were used as spare plans for espers who would shine in the light instead of them.
But Kaira reversed circumstances in both cases. Unlike Mitsuari, she came to adore her spare plan, only feeling bitter after she changed far too much. And unlike Junko, she came to despair the world because she could not find any meaningful human connection.
"Why are you telling me all of this? I will fight you to defeat you. It is unwise for you to reveal this information"
"You mean that the villain's monologue always brings his downfall? Firstly, I don't feel like a villain here. I am just a girl wanting justice and closure. Secondly, I researched you a lot. I know you want a honourable fight, so we might be even now."
Two girls smiled tiredly at each other.
"Kaira-san, I have people waiting for me. But... even though I am unable to give back the exact feelings you felt for me... I will do my utmost for you and your happiness, even if it means defeating this version of you"
Junko could almost see two boys smiling at her in her mind's eye, clenching their fists in approval. It filled her heart with warmth.
If taking Kaira's focus of the building to focus on her was the way to help her friends, she would gladly do so.
With no previous announcement, two girls charged at each other.
(MEANWHILE)
The call with Touma ended.
"They are coming to us. Isn't that amazing, Amazora?" Rikuri beamed at her younger sister.
She got no answer. She turned back.
"Amazora-chan, what is it? It's not like you to be so quiet... aren't you happy that we will see Touma-san soon?"
Come to think of it, in addition to like of usual energy, wasn't Amazora's small face rather... pale?
Getting bad feeling, Rikuri swooped closer to her sister
"Amazora-chan? What's going on? Are you sick?"
"Riku nee-chan... I have a super secret to tell. I found the mother ladies you all are looking for."
"What? You mean Misaka-san and Kongou-san? You know where they are?"
"But the walls changed, and I didn't want to lose that room... so I marked the way..."
"Amazora, what are you..." Rikuri paused, noticing something slowly flowing down on girl's leg.
"Amazora, you are bleeding! And..."
Suddenly, a chill ran throughout the entire body of Rikuri.
Marking the way... blood...
"Amazora, show me your hand at once!"
Not waiting for her sister's response, she grabbed Amazora's right arm that the girl was hiding behind her back.
It's not like Rikuri didn't notice the blood before. She assumed that Amazora got slightly injured when she fell on her. But the blood didn't end near them. Thin but constant stream of droplets lined the corridor and disappeared in the distance.
And Amazora's wrist was slightly cut. It was bleeding, and even though Amazora blocked it with fragment of her torn dress, it wasn't doing much anymore.
"Kai onee-chan said that... in the labirynth... you have to have something to find your way back..."
"H-How long have you been walking like this?! Did you... deliberately cut yourself way over at the place in which you found hostages and walked here, making this trace?!"
"Yes... it marks the way even if walls appear..."
"What were you thinking?! What if you didn't encounter me?!"
"Onii-chan said to trust your instincts and heart. And I wanted..." Amazora sniffed slightly, mustering a weak smile" I wanted to be cool too... because onii-chan would be in danger if he didn't know where to go... and I don't want him to go away. I want my onii-chan with me... forever. Cause I am a Gokusai too. And I want onii-chan to love me...as...well..."
Light left her eyes as her legs wobbled and finally, small girl collapsed to the ground.
"Amazora?! AMAZORA!"
(5 MINUTES EARLIER)
"Kongou-san... can you explain your power to me?" Touma said while examining the wall."I think I got a gist of it, but I want to test something out"
"Of course" Kongou stood up proudly, coming closer to the wall" my ability, Aero Hand, allows me to create points of ejection of pressurized air in places I touch. I can create over 8000 of them at once and remotely control their activation. There is also no restriction to the surface I can place the ejection points too."
"Can you amass enough of them to burst through the wall?"
"But of course." Kongou placed her hand on the wall, touching it repeatedly several times" Five should suffice. Watch and be amazed"
The enormous gust of wind blew all of them back as the wall exploded into pieces. The howling of the air lasted for antoher 20 seconds or so before finally dying down, revealing the large hole in the wall.
"Amazing..." Touma muttered
"Quick, to the elevator" Youen shouted and dashed forward, with Kamijou and the others following suit. They managed to calm down only when they finally reached it. Kaibi pressed the button and they waited on.
Touma was still looking at Kongou, who blushed and hid behind the fan from that kind of attention
"Did I amaze you that much? Well, it's only natural..."
"Yeah, that too..." Touma said, pondering something" honestly, this is some pretty destructive power!"
"Well, it can be used for locomotion too. But there is nothing I cannot send flying once I put my power and mind into it And I can just pay for everything I destroy, so I mind not anything that-"
THUD!
"D-Darling?!"
Kamijou Touma dropped to his knees with blank expression.
"Paying for destruction of absurdly expensive things like it is nothing... heh heh... must be nice... meanwhile this Kamijou-san can't afford instant soup by the end of the month... heh heh heh... eating leftovers made from leftovers... heh heh heh heh... why do I feel so empty when I hear that someone can pay for actual billion yen worth of damage in instant?..."
"Tell me about it" muttered hidden Othinus" I seriously fear for my life when end of the month comes and that nun is still hungry"
"Oi, Forehead-san, don't break him just before the major action" Youen said in amusement.
Kongou frowned and shifted in guilt. She didn't know if she was that rich or Kamijou Touma was that poor. It was probably both.
"Darling... I am sorry for saying it. B-But... there is one solution to your financial problem..."
Touma's eyes lit up.
"What is it?"
"Well, if you and I..." Kongou coyly pressed her index fingers together" If me... and you... us together... if we became a cou-"
BUMP! An elevator shaking disrupted the conversation. As everyone got up, Kongou seemed eager on continuing, but Touma apparently managed to recover and resumed his original inquiry.
"The thing... I want to know if your ejection points have expiration date"
Kongou sighed, dropping the previous topic (for now)
"You ask after which time they disappear if they were not activated? I never fully tested it out, but I guess that if I remained conscious throughout the entire time, I would give them 1 days before they lose potency."
"That's more than enough!" Touma shouted, grabbing Kongou's hand" Kongou-san, I need you to touch me as much as you want!"
Kaibi opened her mouth. Youen blinked a few times. Othinus sighed.
Kongou resembled a fish pulled out of the water, with lips opening and closing. Her face became fully crimson, as the stream of words escaped her
"D-D-Darling! We can't... you said that you didn't want marriage yet... b-but asking me to this is a bit... if you say it like that, it's only natural that I will allow you to touch me as well... is it some roundabout commoner strategy to t-t-t-touch me too?... I k-know I am irresistible, but y-you should just ask... d-doing this in front of everybody is quite daring, but I have nothing to be ashamed about, so I shall stand up to the challenge if it makes you happy..."
"ARRGH!" Touma received yet another painful stomp from Gokusai Kaibi and bite from Othinus. "Why did you do that? Why is Youen-san laughing? And why is Kongou-san reaching to her clothes? In what way did I raise a flag?
"Can you please articulate yourself clearly?!" Kaibi hissed.
"You really never change" Othinus said in an exasperated tone.
"Now he broke her. This is the best!" Youen hollered.
"I wanted her to use her power on my body" Touma roared over them "This is what I meant. Right Kongou-san?
Kongou froze and laughed loudly
"Oh... Oh ho ho ho! Y-Yes, of course, this is exactly how I interpret it as well... please kill me now..." she said with embarrassment and... disappointment?
"What was that last part?"
"Nothing. So, what do you expect of me?"
I want you to..." Touma leaned on and whispered something onto Kongou's ear
Mitsuko's eyebrows furrowed and her lips opened in worry as Touma looked at her again.
"Can you do that?"
"Y-Yes, of course. But... I never used it on another person in that way. Not to mention potential backlash... this will be hazardous for you."
"I can take it. Kongou-san, we both have touch based abilities, so I am sure you know how much effort goes into reaching the enemy But your power is perfect supplement for mine. I am now certain that you will be the greatest aid for my fighting style. You complete me"
"If you say so... also, wasn't that a proposal- ow!"
"Of course not, you sheltered girl." Kaibi groaned in annoyance" he was talking about your power"
DING!
The elevator opened and they all came running into the corridor. Kaibi heard shouts on their right. And when they turned around the corner, they finally saw...
"Rikuri!" Touma screamed running forward with Kaibi.
Yet, in the middle of the way, they realized something was horribly wrong.
"Touma-san! Kaibi-chan!" Rikuri screamed while mixing something red in the vial in her hand" Come quickly. Amazora! She collapsed due to blood loss!"
"Make way!" Youen shouted" Time is of the essence here! I am no proper doctor, but I am not letting this squirt die yet. Rikuri, assist me!"
(LATER...)
Amazora blearily opened her eyes to the voices and colours over her head.
"Amazora? You're awake!" Touma exclaimed with joy "We were so worried about you!"
"Hey onii-chan..." the girl smiled, finally getting up" I guess I messed up a little..."
She didn't say anything else when Touma hugged her, lightly but strong enough for the girl to firm warmth of that embrace.
"I am just happy to see you, okay? You are one crazy lady, you know that? I am so relieved you are okay..."
Amazora's eyes moistened a little as she reciprocated the embrace, nuzzling her blond head into nook of Touma's neck.
"I am back, onii-chan... I am happy to see you too."
Rikuri was the next to join the hug, keeping Amazora close to herself.
"Amazora, when will you stop worrying me? My little sister... I am so happy..."
Kaibi scoffed, and exclaimed angrily
"This time, you really crossed the line! Bleeding yourself out so you can mark the way back?! No oysters and TV for the next week!"
"Eeeh?! But I came back from the dead! That's not fair."
"You weren't dead! Though you certainly seemed like it, you stupid, irresponsible, brave little sister of mine" Kaibi ultimately relented and also joined the group hug "Amazora... I am not good in expressing my feelings like that, but I love you. Don't ever do that again, alright?!
Her voice trembled and Touma extended his arms reaching over all three crying sisters. It was an important moment, when the stress caused by their sudden separation found its way out.
It was messy and warm and comforting. It tasted like tears, looked like their faces filled with relief, sounded like cries and laughter, smelled like shampoo sisters used (which reminded him of their daily life in past weeks), felt like presence of someone important and close.
Also...
"Human. I know I said I wanted to meet people who claimed your attention, but I didn't mean it like that. Your fellow 15 cm Understander is being crushed!" Othinus whispered from her pocket.
There was a moment that Touma wanted to leave sisters alone, but Amazora grabbed him by the arm. Rikuri looked at him with glossy eyes, and although Kaibi did not move, her hold on his own body tightened.
In that moment, Gokusai sisters, that strange, broken family trio, needed Kamijou Touma. He was just as essential as each of them. He was just as essential as each of them. He was not a mere observer, he was invited within this closeness.
Realizing that actually made him flustered, but had no reason to deny that.
Finally, they separated and Touma got another look at Amazora
"Amazora, what you did was very brave, but also risky. Remember, there is no point in saving someone when you put yourself in danger."
Everyone gave Touma a flat look. Especially amused Kaibi looked as if she was to say 'listen to that hypocrite talk'. Rikuri giggled, but tried to cover it up as a coughing fit.
"Sorry onii-chan."Amazora lowered her head slightly" But... are you happy with me?"
"I am very proud of you. What you did help us a lot, even if it was dangerous." Touma rubbed Amazora's head. This made the girl blush and smirk with pleasure.
"Why is she so happy? Oh, honestly, he is just as bad as spoiling her as you, Rikuri onee-chan" Kaibi complained to her older sister.
"Hush! Let them have it... she missed him, and grew more attached to him than she shows. It's important to her"
Kaibi sighed but said nothing.
"How did you manage to save me?" asked Amazora "After Rikuri nee-san's enormous bu-"
AMAZORA! DON'T JUST CHANGE THE ADJECTIVES! Ekhm..." exasperated Rikuri provided the answer" I always have a few vials of blood of our types for dire situations. Fortunately, you did not bleed out as much as we thought. You passed out due to the earlier fatigue from fighting. Oh, if there is anyone to thank, it's Youen-sama. She resupplied your electrolytes and sealed the wound."
"Don't sweat it." Youen waved her hand" few threads and coagulants here and there. And some coconut water"
"Coconut...water?"
"Yeah. Coconut water has similar characteristics to blood plasma, so it can be used in emergency transfusions in cases of dehydration and low electrolytic levels."
Amazora looked at Youen strangely and frowned
"If you want to be with onii-chan, he is already my onii-chan"
"Oh, naive little girl." It was kind of ironic, given that Youen was the same age as Amazora" I would never aim that low. I-"
"ANYWAY!" Touma interrupted, before a heated discussion could commence" We need to strike now and free the hostages. Youen, can you give Kaai the singal?"
"I thought you will never ask"
A cloud of moths swirled from the labcoat of a small girl with big boobs and flew around the corner.
"They will find Kaai on the surface. And she will send the signal to the rest"
They started to ran before they found themselves face to face with yet another wall.
"Oh no, it wasn't there before"
"I hope Hokaze-san is fine and will join us soon" Rikuri said hopefully
(MEANWHILE)
There were blurs of gold and blue, which clashed and danced in the air, as Rampage Dress clashed with Spaceshifter.
Hokaze Junko had to fight not only the person in front of her but environment around her. It was as if entire room bent around, causing her to evade and swirl around, throwing punches at everything around her.
In most cases, she could outrun all the spikes, walls and other formations. But Kaira wasn't dumb and clearly knew how to use her power. She could harden solid surfaces, or bounce after elasticizing them. She wasn't as fast and strong as Junko, but her power had a lot of versatility to spare.
But most importantly...
Junko once again dodged slender hand of the other girl.
She didn't know what would happen if Spaceshifter was activated on a living being, but she wasn't eager to find out.
"Rampage Dress: fifth kata..."
She powered up her arms and legs, spinning her powerful thighs in a rotating motion.
"Lotus Whirlwind!"
The burst of wind actually crumbled some of the weakest rocks and make air rotate around Hokaze's breakdance-like battle move.
"Followed by... third kata... Spark Meteor!"
Boosting the cells in her retina, she channeled her power into her fingers, calculated proper trajectory thanks to the clarity of eyesight, she flicked the small debris.
Sparkling, the rocks ricocheted and struck Kaira who screamed in pain.
Hokaze smiled. But then pain attacked her from both sides.
She was attacked from all directions. And some of the spikes did their damage.
She stumbled backwards. Her regeneration was slowing down, and her entire body was bleeding.
Kaira didn't mess around, even she too was visibly injured.
"Hokaze-san... I will emerge victorious! I observed and knew you, even if you forgot! I know all about your fighting style!"
Junko sighed, getting to her feet.
"You are probably right. None of my techniques will work and all will be countered."
"Then accept me! Give up and-"
"No" came short reply of a girl, who, despite blood dripping from her wounds, clenched her fist and looked up with a steely gaze" I shall not lose here. Because someone told me..."
Shokuhou Misaki smiled at her, while braiding her hair
"... that she considers connection with me more precious than anything. Someone told me..."
Sogiita Gunha smiled at her, while they both charged to clash their fists and spirits.
"... that I have the power to transcend myself and accomplish my dreams. Someone told me..."
Kamijou Touma's kind eyes shone brightly, as he smiled to her, reaching out his hand
"... that he believed in my kindness and ability to save someone in need. So for me, for them, and for yourself too... I shall not falter, and I will move forward."
Kaira roared, and Junko slipped down, as the room rotated, countless walls, arcs, and colums appearing and disappearing as if in some kaleidoscopic, delirious nightmare.
"It's pointless, you said it yourself. Your techniques won't work against me!"
Junko took on running, but in the next moment she did something unpredecented.
She charged straight at the enemy.
"Are you insane?!"
Matter around them exploded as Junko ran despite the injuries she was recieving. She ran even when one of her arms was impaled with thin spike.
"AAAAAAAAGH!"
Kaira had no time to exit her shock and escape.
Junko's hand shot forward and grasped the girl by the throat.
It didn't leave the opening to use Spaceshifter as Kaira struggled to get a breath of air and her calculations went into disarray.
"Wha...at..."
"The thing about physically oriented powers like mine..." Junko chocked out with a small smile" is that you will always hit a wall when using it. Someone stronger, your own body limits, you name it. So that's why you have to move forward, surpass your limits... and as of now,I will transcend my weakness. I will become an ultimate bullet of salvation with this move. I dedicate it to you, but I'll let my friends guide me."
Junko, channelling power to her arms, tossed Kaira upward with one arm dozens of meters into the air. Immidiately afterwards, she got down, focusing.
"Rampage Dress, secret kata..."
Kaira was still flying upwards. With nothing to touch but air, she was hopeless.
There was a flash of light from down below and a trail of blue flames on the ground
"Amazing, hyperkinetic..."
'What happened? Did she disappear?' Kaira looked around, finally reaching highest altitude from the throw. And then she noticed the flashes of light around her... no around the entire room. The voice seemed to echo from all directions, with doppler effect.
"...illusion shattering..."
The flashes were barely visible. It was as if something bounced of every possible surface, creating labyrinth of refractions.
'No, that's not it... using her power to the maximum, as well as flexibility and enhanced senses, she is ricocheting of every possible surface, traversing the entire space of this room in the matter of seconds and gaining kinetic energy with each bounce. How much strength and coordination does that require? I can't follow her with my eyes anymore...'
In that moment, she felt something hit her multiple times from every possible angle. Her descent slowled by miliseconds...
"... ricochet of majesty."
Only with Junko to appear below her, cracking the earth under her feet.
"I set your heart free."
The sound caught up with the motion and with enormous roar all the impact dealt to Kaira actually hit her body. With so much damage to her body from each direction and blood spurting out, the girl passed out on the spot and hit the ground seconds later.
Hokaze herself wobbled and smiled into space
"Maybe Queen is right that. Gunha-san's naming sense is getting to me... it's long but I like it... now, I must rejoin the... others..."
Her vision tilted
"Ara?"
She slumped to the ground with no energy to move.
"Oh right... I am... exhausted...
After that, darkness claimed her.
(MEANWHILE)
Kamijou and company expected to fight many enemies once they busted the doors to the room with hostages.
Only to see hostages fighting themselves.
"What..." Kaibi asked the question everyone had in their heads" What is going on here?"
"Mother!" Mitsuko cried out in joy" You are alright... and fighting?"
"Mitsuko! Kamijou-san!" Kongou Mitsuko's mother, Minako, hugged both Kongou and Touma into her chest "If you are interested in what happened, we managed to free ourselves. Using our charm, some acting and..."
Her long leg connected with a jaw of one of the few remaining thugs.
"... some taekwondo!" she said, blowing her jet black hair away.
Touma couldn't deny that a mom kicking ass with martial arts scored some major points, but he looked around to find one more woman waving to him
"Ya-hoo! I am here as well. Did you miss me Kamijou-san?!"
"You bet. Also... what happened to that guy?" he pointed at one of the boys on the ground.
"Oh, I acted like my drunk self, at least based on what I heard from Mikoto"
Touma looked at terrified boy in a sympathizing manner. Even if Misuzu was acting, no one deserved that fate.
"Why didn't you get out earlier?" Kaibi inquired.
"Oh, we tried. But we couldn't unlock the door until my dear Mitsuko... ehm..."
"Fus-ro-dah-bitch-slapped them" Youen grinned.
"Okay, let's get out of here. The signal should be received by Maidono any moment now... I am so glad that you are safe and free..."
"Safe and free? The latter is false, the former... that's debatable" said an unknown voice.
Another person entered the room, moving so silently the no one noticed the newcomer until now.
It was a young adult man with ashen blond hair and dark green eyes. He was of slim built, with slightly toned musculature. But the weirdest part was the outfit consisting of cut jeans and T-shirt modified so much that they looked more like a tank-top.
Despite this rather ridiculous sense of fashion, Kamijou known that there was a sense of eerie danger around this guy. He had a gentle, almost creepy smile on his face, and calm, collected mannerism.
"Kamijou-san... I heard that voice before..." Misuzu spoke worryingly" That's..."
"Yeah" Touma nodded, steeling his gaze and taking one step forward "So we finally meet, final boss-san"
(MEANWHILE)
"Maidono-san! There is a column of butterflies emerging from the entrance of the upper part of the hideout" Hasako brought the telekinesis user the news.
Maidono inhaled deeply through her nose and exhaled through her mouth. Hasako looked at the floating objects around the short haired girl.
"You are nervous, aren't you?"
"How can you tell?"
"I am rather observant, no boasting intended"
Maidono sighed and got up, the trash, metal, and rubble dropping to the ground. For some reason, Hasako was very good in reading her moods. It was the strangest of things. If Maidono was told that that she will befriend the mother of all espers, coming from bygone era, she would suffocate from laughter.
"I am worried about them as well. I don't even know what I would do..." Hasako's voice trembled and suddenly, the alley was covered in green moss and leaves. She sighed and smiled to Maidono" But I believe in them as well"
"I want Kamijou to happy with me. It's just... hard, you know. I was a dark sider. I fought him. So I want to prove myself to him as much as I can. I guess I sort of... got cold feet"
"If it makes you feel better, I tried to kill Kamijou-san when we first met, with at least 10 different environments. To think that he survived all of that and managed to save me is... how do you say it in this era..."
"Hot? Tell me about it. I dropped a damn skyscraper at him. Heh, how crazy that we both fell in love. Are you still jealous because you want to be his only precious ojou-sama?"
"T-The point I am trying to make is that you told me to be brave enough for me to tell my feelings through my actions. Now, allow me to help you let your heart truly feel what your actions want to convey"
She smiled at her friend.
"When I think about Kamijou-san, I think I could change entire planet for him, create a paradise that he would love. What about you? What could this feeling of yours accomplish?"
Maidono was silent for a little while before speaking with confidence
"With my feelings, I would move mountains for him"
It would be a really cheesy romantic line, if not for the fact that for Maidono, who could literally move thousands of tons with her ability, it was definitely not just an empty phrase.
"Good. Then go out there and save the day"
(ELSEWHERE)
"My name is Takemichi Daido" the boy said to Kamijou. His voice was smooth and had somewhat hypnotic tone" As you correctly deduced, I am the so-called leader of Kyozetsu. I say so called because in practice, we all have rather differing goals. Let's just say I dominated the stage".
"Why are you doing all of this?" Touma asked quietly" Is it really all for profit?"
"No mere profit, Kamijou-kun." Daido laughed, as if they idea amused him" DNA of high level espers would do wonders for our financial situation. You see, majority of us are quite helpless in this wonderful shitshow of a hierarchy we live in. If you followed my instructions, there would be no consequences for neither daughters or mothers. High level espers have already way much power to spare. We are Academy City's Robin Hood"
"You are threatening innocent women, you piece of shit!" Kamijou roared out, stepping protectively in front of Misuzu and Minako" Is this seriously the best method you could think of"
"Threatening and killing, Kamijou-kun, are two different things. Vastly different" the boy in a strange outfit shrugged, not breaking an eye contact" We never planned to do anything to our hostages. We assumed, oh irony, that you would be more reasonable than us, the bad guys. But now things changed. I admit my forces were not strong against you. They are more of a proper schemers than actual fighters. But... this isn't the case for me."
"Human... I don't like this." Othinus voiced her opinion, climbing slightly higher, just to the edge of the pocket" there is something about him... something unstable."
"I know" Touma replied shortly. For some reason, even though this guy didn't seem hostile, he seemed more terrifying than the other enemies in this building combined.
There was a beep sound. Daido smiled and turned around.
"I've got to take this"
One of the wall displayed an image of the outside world on surface level, featuring the silhouette of Misaka Mikoto. As Daido began speaking, Misuzu spoke to Touma as well
"Kamijou-san, shouldn't we make a run for it?"
"Not yet" Touma muttered, focused on the screen" Any moment now, we will receive an ideal distraction.
"We should attack him while he is out of focus" Kaibi said, watching the back of Kyozetsu Leader.
"I concur. There is something unsettling about this fellow" few of Rikuri's machines flew silently upwards, as she stood by Touma's side.
"We can't allow you to be super onii-chan without us" Amazora tugged on Touma's leg "We will do it like fighting the roaring scary lady."
She meant Hasako, back when she was only a husk devoid of personality, a fearsome being bent on destruction. During that time, Kamijou coordinated with Gokusai sisters in a combo attack.
"We never forgot this teamwork. And as annoying as it was back then, it was clearly effective" Kaibi placed a hand on Touma's arm, warmth spreading from the place touched.
Touma narrowed his eyes. He noticed another person approaching on the screen.
Maidono Hoshimi was there, unwavering and even triumphant.
'Maidono... I am really glad she is with us. When I reunited with her, deep within me, I had my doubts. But I know without the doubt that right now...'
A girl in a bob-cut raised her index finger in the air.
A mighty tremor spread through the ground and the room they were in.
'...she is my hero too'
The room trembled. Although unaffected by the power, Touma felt a slight upwards tug, as the powerful telekinesis user seized 40 floors of building within her grasp. All free standing objects shot to the ceiling.
"We are going upwards! Hang onto something!"
Kaibi grabbed Rikuri and Kaibi, while Touma tackled Kongou, Misuzu, and Minako. He didn't manage to check on Youen, because the process already began.
All electricity went out. All connections building had (cables, pipes, and wires) were severed.
On the surface, Maidono closed her eyes, summoning the thousands of tons of mass to her.
'Levitate'
There was a sound, both scary and majestic in its nature, as the structure moved against the depths of the earth.
'That's right... if it's for him, there is nothing I can't place in the sky'
Inside, the rooms were trashed around and trembled in their foundations.
Outside, people stared wide eyed. Some even fainted.
Maidono Hoshimi stood with her finger lifted, as if in pride and exaltation. And it was what she felt. But not because she was showing off her power.
'So that is what it feels like... do to something like this for a person you care about...'
The building emerged from underground. And stayed in the air.
Maidono smirked, before slightly motioning to the right. And the structure, one that would normally took hour to traverse through, moved obediently.
Everything from a paperclips to mountains would obey her telekinetic command.
But her job was not done. Biting her lip, she used her other index finger to made a sliding downwards motion.
And as if she was simply peeling an orange, the side surface of the building cracked and was then peeled away, crashing into the ground. Same fate followed with another side.
Maidno lowered enormous construction, before shouting:
"Railgun, Wet Girl, you are up!"
"D-Don't call me thaaaat! Kamijou-san, what have you done? Will this nickname ever disappear?!" Wannai wailed as she and Misaka got to work.
A thin surface of water and magnetized platform was lifted by the girls as high as they could with their abilities.
"Safety net secured!" Misaka shouted.
" 'Kay, then here we go" Maidono said, as she pressed her index fingers together, and then pulled them away.
The building, straining and groaning, was split in half.
Number of people fell down because of parting of the structure.
But they were either caught into bodies of water controlled by Hydro Hand, or secured in/on metal moved by Electromaster.
When the initial rain of people ended, Maidono exhaled slowly.
"Brace yourself, everyone" she muttered" this will be bumpy."
As gently as she could, she lowered her fingers. And the two parts of the building came in contact with the ground. sending a cloud of dust into the air.
This was how the resurfacing act of the operation ended.
Among those rescued by an esper safety net, was a familiar figure of Hokaze Junko. Yet, there was no sight of her opponent, Hanamiya Kaira.
Meanwhile...
"Ho?!" although visibly surprised, the man known as Daido managed to stay on his feet during Maidono's move." Who knew that there was telekinesis user this powerful-
He didn't manage to finish. Because in that moment, Kamijou Touma and all 3 of Gokusai sisters attacked him at once.
(30 SECONDS LATER)
Kamijou Touma could not fully explain it.
His heart trembled as he looked at sight in front of him.
Somehow, the creepily calm young man known as Daido evaded all of the attacks. Bullets, syringes, and fist.
Their attack wasn't faulty. Touma had no recollection of the way they fight with Beginning Child before his memory loss, but he was sure this attack combo was not bad. The angles, synchronization, and strength were all perfect.
And yet...
"It's kind of rude to attack without warning. Then again, I am not really a proper gentleman either"
And yet Daido was standing. Not only that...
But with injured Amazora below his foot.
Kaibi's eyes were open wide. Unconsciously, she reached out for Touma's hand. She too could not understand.
Touma's nose was bleeding. The only reason why trembling Rikuri was relatively unharmed because he managed to shield her from the blow.
"Catch" Daido shifted his foot and kicked Amazora with enough strength to get a girl airborne, as she flew and crushed into Rikuri, both sisters crying in pain on the impact.
"I will murder him!" Kaibi screamed, and Touma had to stop her from attacking then and there. "No one hurts my family like that!"
As she looked at the injured sisters, something stirred in Touma's guts. It was a cold and silent fury. A type far more dangerous than blind, hot-blooded rage.
"Rikuri-san... take Amazora and run away with the others." Touma said to the oldest sister.
"What? There is no way I'll-"
"There is something off about this guy. Within matter of seconds, he side-stepped bullets, evaded my fists and manage to knock Amazora to the ground. Amazora is in no fighting condition and you are no suited for prolonged physical combat. Let me and Kaibi-san handle this."
Rikuri looked at Amazora, then at two mothers, then back at Touma.
"Rikuri-san, please! We came here for Amazora, Misuzu-san, and Minako-san. If they are not saved, then this whole thing was pointless! I believe in your sense of responsibility. Please, take care of them"
Rikuri gulped silently, but finally gave in. Touma hugged her, watching Daido in the corner of his vision.
"Please be safe" Rikuri whispered close to him.
"What can I say, I always try" he replied half-jokingly.
"Kamijou-san, are you sure you want-" Minako tried to say something, but Touma already knew what she was going to say.
"I promised to protect worlds your daughters hold dear. That includes the two of you. I am determined to keep that promise."
"Oh, I can't. You are simply precious" Minako sighed and shook her head" How can I deny that motivation? I will have to think about a way to reward you. Maybe Mitsuko in the maid dress? No, my new line of swimsuits is better..."
"Touma-kun, remember, Mikoto would be devastated if something happened to you" Misuzu put a hand on Touma's arm" Mama will be really mad too so you better come back!"
"R-Right..."
"Good boy! We will drink whole night then"
"I am a minor though..."
"Then maybe I'll lock Mikoto up with you?"
"What kind of alternative is that?"
"Mitsuko, let's go" Minako said to her daughter, but she only shook her head.
"No, mother. I need to stay and fight. Kamijou-san needs me" Kongou spoke with a hint of pride in her voice" even though I am afraid, I shall not flee!"
"Oh, children... they grew up so fast... Kamijou-san, please watch over her."
"Of course."
And thus, they finally left.
"Well, that was a fun bunch" Daido yawned, and smiled at Touma" And lots of hot ladies too"
"Weren't you eager to keep Misaka-san and Kongou-san here?" Kaibi snarled at the Kyozetsu boss.
"I assure you: I will take them again. As soon as I finish you off." for the first time, his smiled showed the teeth.
Maybe he was overconfident. Or maybe there was something else behind it. Kamijou did not like either option.
"Othinus... I will need you during this one" he muttered
"Of course. I wouldn't have it any either way"
"What do we have to work on?"
"Well, from what I've seen, he is extremely fast, strong, and agile. It can be natural, or he can use some sort of doping. But we should focus on more important thing: that level 0 friend of yours referred to this man as possessing an esper ability. Figuring out what it is and how it works would aid you greatly"
Touma came to the same conclusion. The good thing about this guy being a faker, a level 0 esper who secretly developed an ability, was that he could negate this ability in the fight that was about to occur. Bad thing: he have no idea what ability could it be. There were no visible effects when they attacked them earlier.
Kaibi, who was watching him, grit her teeth, and shot forward. Both figuratively and literally.
Daido jumped to the left before bullet could hit him and swirled around to avoid the girl's punches and kicks. He wasted no movement, his muscles were no overly tense, as if he was dancing in some kind of mesmerizing ritual.
"While I am honoured that the beautiful Flower of Dark Side graced our humble hideout, this is a private fight. I have a deal with Mr. Kamijou. Well, I guess if I finish you off now, maybe you will have more decency and won't interfere" he said, throwing a punch into Kaibi's face.
"You hurt people precious to me! Eat shit!" Kaibi screamed as she activated her ability.
Daido suddenly stopped, and Kaibi's features relaxed a little.
However...
"Just kidding!"
And with that fist collided into the face of the shocked blond girl. At the same time, Daido slammed his foot onto Kaibi's hip
She spun around before collapsing loudly onto the ground.
"Kaibi!" Touma screamed, taking off to run to the girl.
"It is a pity to hurt such a beautiful face. If you need a moment, I give you one, just for love of god, make it quick" Daido stretched once again, when Touma reached Kaibi.
"Shit!" she hissed, trying to get up" my leg..."
"It looks like it's sprained or maybe even broken" muttered Othinus, loud enough for Touma to hear.
Meanwhile, Touma was looking elsewhere. Gokusai Kaibi had quite characteristic face. He could not deny that he stared at her at the times and he was sure that he could identify her and her sisters because of blond hair and that face shape. So he was certain that something was wrong with Kaibi's right cheek, when Daido's fist struck.
"I want to fight. Get me up, damn it!"
"Your leg is in bad condition, and I don't have time to help you. If he attacks you again..."
"I don't care! I will fight even if I am hopping on one leg, so get me up or I swear-"
"Kaibi-san!" Touma said imperatively, grabbing her face ( while minding the struck side)" Listen to me! I know you are furious, and anger is clouding your judgement, answer me this: do you think you can beat him?"
Kaibi shifted slightly, and lowered her gaze.
"..."
"Well?"
"No. I don't think so..."
"Kaibi-san... I know what you feel. But I don't want you to get hurt. And if it came to worst, I don't want to lose you. So fighting the enemy you have no confidence of defeating is something I cannot allow"
"What about you? Think about my position. Do you think that I... that I care so little for you that I will just let you go...argh!"
"Don't struggle. Honestly..."
Was Kaibi always looking at him like this? Her gaze seemed... warmer and more concerned that just a day before.
"Are you sure that someone didn't replace Gokusai Kaibi with you? What happened to you?" he said jokingly, not really expecting an answer. But he got one nonetheless.
"You did."
"What?"
"I admit that you are problematic. But problems are a part of life too, so I don't mind having this one in mine. I can learn to enjoy it too."
"So... you are a masochist?"
"Have you ever heard of a metaphor, you moron?" Kaibi tried to laugh, but winced slightly" Shit, I feel so pathetic now..."
"Don't feel like this." Touma got up and turned around" I have a clearer picture of how he fights and it's all because of you"
Kaibi blinked. Did her short fight happened to give him some idea?
She wanted to argue more, but the look in his eyes caused her to feel something else.
"Go. Beat the crap out of him" she heard herself say.
"Will do"
As she looked at the back of Kamijou Touma, she felt overwhelming feeling that she named last night.
'I love you. Kamijou Touma, I really, truly love you' she thought. She was glad he did not see her face, because of tears rolling down her cheeks.
Gokusai Kaibi fell in love twice in her life. And each time, there were moments were she could do nothing for the ones she loved.
She felt bitter and weak. And with time, this moment would serve as reminder to grow stronger.
'There must be something I can do' she thought, where her sight rested on a dropped handgun.
(MEANWHILE)
Some of the Kyozetsu members attempted to flee, but were meet with a ring of lava and single girl standing before it.
"Everyone, I don't intend to harm you" Hasako tried to persuade the thugs.
"Yeah right. Get away, little girl, before..."
He didn't finish, as he and others fell down, when entire surface in front of Hasako turned into a swamp.
As for the once that managed to escape...
"Tag, you are it!"
Sogiita Gunha created absolute chaos on the edges of battlefield, punching, kicking, and throwing Kyozetsu members back and forth, until they begged and surrendered. He transported they back to the place when they could be apprehanded.
Spotting a new group of escaping gangsters, Sogiita grinned and threw something towards them.
"Go get them!"
"I hate you with my entire beeeeeeeeeing!"
Something golden and beige zoomed through the air.
Was it a bird? Was it a plane?
No, it was Shokuhou Misaki.
After running around to the point of exhaustion when Gunha sealed all the escape routes, Shokuhou, as a polite and dignified lady she was, forced down the urge to somehow strangle #7 and instead explained to him that she was in no condition to run around like that.
It seemed he understood. Yeah, it seemed.
Yes, she wasn't running. Instead, he began to throw her around.
Her hair was a mess and she had to control someone while being in mid-air, who would then catch her, to avoid crashing into the earth. Yes, thanks to this she could take control over the entire group and she did not have to run. But at what cost?!
Hasako looked at Shokuhou, who was screaming things that no true ojou-sama should, before she noticed someone else.
"Maidono-san?" Beginning Child asked.
"I... have a bad feeling. I will go there. I will check on Kamijou. I feel that... my role isn't over yet"
(MEANWHILE)
Touma and Kongou Mitsuko were fighting valiantly. Yet it became apparent that this would not last for long.
"Darling... get back!" Kongou shouted, pulling Touma towards herself.
Just as the floor erupted with dozens of gusts of geyser-like wind.
"Are you alright?" Touma asked the panting girl.
"Yes, I am. And you?"
"It's alright"
They both tried to get in front of each other to shield the other one. It was so subtle that they did not even notice it.
Kongou was not a brawler. Even Kaibi, who was an assassin, could not withstand the attacks of the boss. Yet, she was still putting a brave face and tried to attack.
Her loyal fighting spirit was infectious and gave Touma more strength and mental fortitude than ever.
At some point, he started to genuinely respect Kongou Mitsuko.
Daido jumped from the gust of wind, slightly shaken but otherwise fine.
"The way you try to protect each other is sickeningly sweet. So sweet that I will rather end it right here. I would rather have you alive for DNA extraction, but... if the cells are fresh enough..."
And suddenly, he zoomed forward.
Kamijou jumped in front of Kongou, but the impact threw both of them backwards.
When Kamijou regained his bearings, he looked at Kongou Mitsuko, laying lifelessly below him.
"Kongou-san? Kongou-san?! Shit!"
"Seems to me..." Kamijou quickly spun around, only to notice Daido standing over them. Once again, he seemed to move like a wild panther" that she lost consciousness while hitting her head on the ground. Those noble ladies are so fragile."
"Now..." Touma stood up, his right fist raised" you really made me mad!"
They clashed and so the exchange of blow after blow, evasion after evasion began.
"Human... you probably realized it by now, didn't you?" came Othinus' voice.
"Yes." Touma replied, jumping backwards" I am sure that he initiates his moves before we made ours."
"It seems so. That would mean that he can somehow experience the future and read your movements"
"But that can't be future sight. He would have attacked much earlier and moved differently if it was the case. So... can it be... that he can read physical movements of the objects and ascertain their trajectory in the future?"
That would explain many things. The next thing Othinus said came as even greater shock.
"In that regard, you are similar to him"
Kamijou never consciously experienced it, but he heard of it in action.
Precognition. The ability of his to read opponents next moves through observing muscle tension, eye movements, center of gravity, and such. He gained it naturally, thanks to countless fights he was part of.
Was it possible for an esper power to reproduce the exact same effect?
If so, how?
"His attire..."Othinus muttered" I think he can sense miniscule changes in the air and it tells him what motions are about to occur."
So his skin would read every micro motion of air currents that began when action was taken. With each passing millisecond, the possibilities of future actions based on motion of the air narrowed down to one. That would kind of explain why Kongou's air attacks messed his predictions.
But, to be able to sense movement on such a scale and size, while also taking into account all possible alternatives before they narrowed to one, and then react to it... what kind of calculative prowess did that require?
Kamijou's skin crawled as he threw his fist. Then the chill repeated as he stopped and fell back.
"What... was that?"
"I assume you figured it out. My ability, that is." Daido clapped his hands" You 'saw' my motion to the left, so threw you a punch. But I already 'saw' that you will do that, so I adjusted my position. You also 'saw' this and fell back. Which I 'knew' that you will do as well "
Kamijou grit his teeth.
"Fascinating, isn't it?" Daido purred, flashing his teeth once again" The ability to predict your opponent's future physical motion. From what I've heard, yours is fully natural. It took years to get mine to work at this level"
So that was it.
Artificial Precognition vs. Natural Precognition.
Which one would prevail?
Touma never thought that a foe could use esper power to boost purely physical attacks in such manner. Those two things rarely mixed.
People with powerful abilities usually didn't bother to train their bodies. The perfect example was experienced in his first encounter with Accelerator. And people who lacked esper abilities usually trained like crazy, but were overwhelmed with raw power.
Yet this guy was different. He used physical prowess for offense and esper ability for defense. And given what this ability was, the result was devastating.
Kamijou's Imagine Breaker could negate any esper power, but only if he could touch it. But, if the very nature of the power rendered the user untouchable... then what was he to do?
"By the way, Kamijou Touma, I should thank you" came Daido's voice." Thanks to you, I got ultimate form of freedom."
"What are you talking about?"
"Does the name Mitsuari Ayu ring a bell?"
Touma froze in place.
"What... did you say?"
"Last night, there was a prison break. Made especially for me! I met her in the co-ed area. Lovely girl, she seemed so desperate. Turned out she was searching for someone and that someone was you, Kamijou Touma. So it was only natural that I got a little bit curious. But, as I didn't know anything about you at that point, I fed her some bullshit based on things she herself said. In exchange for aiding in her escape, I made her augment my mind, alongside some of my people. She made us obsessed with objects of our desires. Right now, we are unwavering, without any distractions. Those feelings are so strong that not even mental abilities can influence us anymore!"
"What... happened to her?"
"What do you think? I sold them to the wardens and fled with my boys. She had nice body, but she is not my type."
"She suffered enough, you piece of shiiiiiiit!"
"Human. Follow your own advice and calm down. We don't know if this is even a true-"
"I know it is. I see it in his eyes" Touma muttered, before speaking to the boss" Do you think she managed to escape?"
"Don't know. Don't care. I only told the cops where to find her, saying she was doing something suspicious. Hell, maybe she even escaped. Who knows."
That was Touma's first lead in the case of Mitsuari Ayu, and it had to be so vague!
"Wait for me, Ayu-san. I will pull you out of the darkness once and for all. But for now, I will beat the bastard who tricked you into more suffering in silence"
Two young man started to exchange punch after punch. Daido evaded each one, but Touma wasn't stopping. He calmed his mind, abandoned rationality, and let his body react naturally.
"Remember. You did this before." Othinus said, in a rather mournful tone" we did this before... so many, many times"
That was right. In the untold eons of time, Kamijou Touma battled Othinus, trying to memorize her movements and predict the reactions of nigh-omnipotent being.
Back then, he didn't have enough power to truly vanquish a god. But right now, it meant that he had an almost infinite time of practice.
Touma was never so focused in his entire life. For each premonition there was another premonition. If one of the men fighting saw possibility of attack two steps ahead, the other tried to see three.
"Amazing..." Gokusai Kaibi, rarely showing visible awe, was now positively awestruck.
It was because she could barely see the limbs of the fighters anymore. They were so focused that their movements became a fast blur, as if in some martial arts movie. Every move was parried and avoided, the game of fist so exhausting that almost unbelievable.
Yet Kamijou Touma did not yield. Meanwhile, the previously calm face of Daido showed slight irritation.
"It appears we are at an impasse." he shouted" I see that you are tired, Kamijou. You cannot beat me"
Kamijou could not deny that. He was covered in sweat and while he could avoid getting hit, he did not manage to deal any blow so far.
"That maybe so if I were alone." he smiled with strain" but sometimes, you need to be a team player"
Before Daido could do anything, Touma went for a right front hook. It was the move Daido avoided countless times before. But...
A shot was heard and Daido screamed in pain. A bullet penetrated his leg, a bullet that came from a gun of a smirking Gokusai Kaibi.
"That's for Gokusai family, you bastard!"
"You bitch!" Daido roared.
The bullet didn't do much, but it caused the older man to lost his balance, ever so slightly.
But it was just what Kamijou Touma needed.
"M1!"
After that strange command, Kamijou Touma's arm sped up. And not merely because he put more strength into it. It jumped forward, propelled by a powerful gust of pressurized air that ejected itself from a point slightly above his shoulder.
This was so sudden that the right fist slammed into Daido's face. Kamijou pressed it, until jet of air lost its potency. And with his power negated, even though he knew what was coming...
"H1!"
Daido could not avoid symmetrical hit from the other side, and he yelled in pain, after powerful pressurized punch threw him to the ground.
"That's... Aero Hand! Kongou Mitsuko! So you weren't unconscious!"
Touma turned back, looking at raven haired esper. The girl, bruised but clearly awake, smiled at him.
"How... was that... for a frail noble lady?"
Back before they entered the final battleground, Touma asked Kongou to create various ejection points on his body, so he could punch and kick faster than his usual capacity. Then, during the fight, they were to pretend Kongou was knocked out, and, when the moment came, Kamijou was supposed to give Kongou signals for activation of her power. M stood for migi, or right, H for hidari, or left, while LH or LM- for respective legs.
Their abilities really were compatible.
"Darling, is it okay for you?"
"My arms hurt and burn, but that's okay! I can handle it!"
Daido never got chance to fully recover.
Kaibi fired shot at his other leg.
"H2! M2!"
Kamijou Touma smashed both fists propelled by the wind at the sides of his head.
"And... LH1!"
Kamijou's leg collided with Daido's stomach.
And when dizzy gangster made one final attempt of striking Kamijou...
"Avoid this!"
Hantsuyu Youen, forgotten by everyone, emerged from hiding and delivered a strong kick, that landed ideally between Kyozetsu leader's legs... and onto his family jewels.
Even Touma winced at that. Youen was of ideal height for the kick to connect without losing power.
After a blow below the belt, the older man lost consciousness.
He was knocked out only for a minute or two. But that was more than enough for Kamijou to fully subdue him.
"There is one thing I want to know. Who is it that made you go this far?" Touma panted, keeping his right hand on the man" I was told that Kyozetsu is the organization of the broken hearted. So who became the object of your obsession?"
Daido groaned and smiled weakly
"She was a beautiful student who came to study in this city, in Tokiwadai Middle School at that. She was so regal and elegant that since I first saw her I knew that I was in love. I first saw her 15 years ago."
"Wait. 15 years... how old are you?"
"23 years old"
"So you were... 8 years old back then?"
"Yes, she visited my elementary school. I never saw someone so focused, graceful, and beautiful. Even though I didn't have much of an idea about many things back at that time, but I knew that I was in love"
Touma didn't know if he should be weirded out or impressed by the persistency of the man's feelings.
"What happened to her?"
"Oh, she was rejected by the school. Something about making other's taste her food and hiding from sneak attacks. I never saw her again."
Suddenly, Kamijou got a strange suspicion.
"What... did she look like?"
Daido flinched as he took an old photo from his cut jeans. The fact that he had it with him spoke volumes of his so called obsession.
"That's her, 15 years ago. She probably looks different now. Wasn't she cute?"
Touma looked at the photo. And after, a few seconds he went wide eyed.
"Well, wasn't she? She looks like a princess or something"
The photo depicted a teen of the age 13 or 14. Raven haired, wearing a simple blue dress, with a face rather serious for her age.
"That's..."
Her figure was slightly different. Her bust wasn't all that big yet. Hairstyle also differed.
But...
He knew that face. He knew that hair. He knew those dark blue eyes. That way of looking at the camera, clearly annoyed someone interrupted the lecture of her book.
"... more accurate than you might think"
Wasn't there a rumour about a princess applying to a Tokiwadai once and being rejected because she didn't meet the expectations?
Because if this was the same person...
It could only be...
(ELSEWHERE)
"Hah-choo! Achoo!"
Queen Elizard looked at her eldest daughter, as Rimea sneezed twice into the handkerchief.
"Bless you. Are you cold?"
"No, mother. The dust from those old photos irritated my nose, that's all."
"That's what you get from not allowing the maids to dust the room. They would be more than happy to-"
"And allow someone the possibility of planting a bomb or poison tapestry? No, I shall tidy it myself"
Elizard sighed and looked at the photos.
"Ah, it was from your attempt in Academy City... that was a funny one! And those letters... it's that time of the month, right? Kamijou's letters... I thought I saw you smile before!"
"Mother, I don't do smiling for no reason"
"There is a reason, and mother knows best what it is. Don't tell Risa, or she will be jealous~"
In the other part of the castle, Carissa suddenly broke the teacup in her grip, causing the war princess to curse loudly.
"Please, you are ridiculous" the mature woman in a blue dress sighed, adjusting her golden monocle.
She then traced surface of a latter with absentminded gaze, and, contrary to her own words, corners of her lips rose slightly.
"Then again... it's pleasurable to be able to anticipate something with a bit of excitement."
(AND BACK...)
"Okay, I don't know how to break it to you..." Touma began awkwardly" But this woman is... well..."
"I knew it! You recognize her! So, you met her? How is she?"
"Well... she is kind of... a pen pal of mine... and I can honestly say I have certain experiences with her sister..." and then, Touma told him how he met the future Queen of Britain, omitting the details about magic of course.
Daido's face suggested that he didn't take the news, or the terms "pen pals" and "experience with her sister" very lightly.
He heard someone beside him and turned around to see Maidono touching the ground.
"Wow, this had to be some battle. It's a pity I am late though" she looked at Kongou and Kaibi, laying on the ground, then at Touma, who was still holding Daido down.
"Were you worried?" Touma smiled at her" Thanks"
She blushed and curled her hands into fists.
"I-I wasn't... hmph... I just thought you might need back up... emm, my part... did I do good?"
"You were amazing"
"Oh... right..." Maidono could not really hide how happy that praise made her. "Hey, what's up with him?"
"Oh, that's the boss of Kyozetsu, and he just... well, received a bit of a shock"
"So you are telling me that... I actually fell in love with the heiress of the british throne?" Daido chocked out" Then my chances were..."
Touma, despite all the negative emotions he felt because of his experiences with Kyozetsu, felt kind of sad for the man. How many dorm managers slipped from his own grasp?
"It's the end" Daido muttered.
"What? No. Look, I can appreciate the taste in mature older women, but there are more-"
"No, I made my mind into unwavering focus on that one person. I didn't want to have anything distracting me. I thought that if train hard enough, if I gather enough money, enough power, then she will notice me. But now, knowing who she is, there is only... a final option"
Touma did not like the tone in which he said that. And what he didn't like even more was the small silver cylinder, no bigger than a hairspry, that Daido pulled out of his tank top.
"My end begins now" and as he said that, he pressed a button on the side of the cylinder.
The small display showed "10:00, 9:59, 9:58..."
"Oi, what the hell are you doing?"
"I am taking my own life, so if you be so kind and leave..."
"Hold on, hold on... what the hell is with the dramatic turn of events?!"
"They are a bunch of obsessed, emotionally unstable rejects" Kaibi spat from the ground" And you are surprised that he wants to kill himself?"
"Fair point... but that doesn't change a thing. Daido-san, you have a lot to live for!"
"Kamijou-san, that was a good fight. I am glad you were my final opponent..."
" STOP ACTING AS IF YOU ALREADY DIED!"
Suddenly, a silver cylinder jumped from Daido's hands and floated towards Maidono, who suddenly got deadly pale.
"Kamijou... this is not mere bomb..."
"Wha-"
"This... This is an antimatter bomb"
The silence was deafening.
"Anti...what?"
"Antimatter. One of the most destructive substances that can be used for explosives."
"You must be joking!" Kaibi cried in horror.
"Unfortunately, no. I saw one of those bombs before when I was doing a mission for my client. It wasn't set off then, but..."
"How about its potency?"
"I am no expert, but... from the size of it, I think it can level an half of Academy City district... maybe even whole thing or more" muttered Hanatsuyu Youen, also examining the bomb.
Daido looked as shock as them.
"But... I don't understand..."
"You bastard!" Kamijou grabbed him by the neck" Taking your life is one thing, but why take others with you? You didn't seem like that kind of a terrorist!"
"No... I... I am sure I ordered a regular explosive..."
"Ordered? Don't tell me you ordered a bomb on internet!"
"A darkside hidden network! I am pretty sure that the external parts look just the same, they could mix them up"
"Who in the right mind would sell bombs of apocalyptic caliber looking exactly the same as the bombs of light caliber?"
"I heard that blond girl from ITEM, Frenda, had the habit of doing so to confuse her enemies..." Kaibi began, but Touma screamed
"I refuse to be defeated by a faulty delivery service!"
7:59, 7:58, 7:57...
"Daido-san! How do you defuse this thing?!"
"I don't know! And I asked for bomb that is impossible for defusing!"
"Why on earth would you want something like that?!"
"I'd like to remind you that I wanted to take my own life! When you want to ensure your death, you make sure you can't be interrupted!"
"Such misfortune... and you were holding it on your chest! If hit that, we would go kaboom! How did it not get hit, this is bad for my heart."
"There must be some way..." Kongou stood up" maybe if I amass large number of ejection points on it..."
"There is a chance of it breaking. Once exposed to vacuum, it will detonate" Youen shook her head" We have no option of defusing it, so the only option is..."
"Taking it somewhere where it will explode, harming no one. But we have no time"
6:59, 6:58, 6:57...
Maidono looked at the bomb, then at Touma. Her gaze softened. And she spoke quietly.
"There is a way... but you are not gonna like it..."
"What way? There is no time to deliberate, please tell us!"
Maidono said nothing. Instead, she motioned her index finger.
A large amount of rubble raised up, pinning both Kamijou and Daido to the wall.
Using her other finger to levitate the cylinder, she looked at Touma once again, and slowly took of the ground.
"Maidono... what are you doing?" Touma tried to break free, but he found reaching the controlled rubble with his right hand quite difficult" Let me go..."
He stopped, when he felt something soft touching his brow. After the short kiss, Maidono smiled at him
"That was fun. It all was truly fun. Ever since I reunited with you, I loved every second of it"
"Oi, that's not funny! Maidono, what the hell are you talking about?"
"Come on, you watched some movies so you have to know what happens now" she whispered, still afloat.
Kamijou's eyes widened even more
"No... Maidono..."
"Don't blame yourself. Meeting you was one of the best things that ever happened to me. It started a little rough... but you became my inspiration and wings to the sky. Don't ever think of yourself as anything less." she said, floating towards the outside world.
"Maidono! Don't you dare! Come back... Maidono!" Touma roared, struggling to reach the mass holding him with his right hand.
"Tell Hasako that I'm sorry. And that she should remember to stand her ground. Send everyone else my regards as well. Oh, and one more thing. My real name is..."
Imagine Breaker made contact with the debris. The loud noise of falling rocks and metal drew all other sides, as Kamijou leapt forward, looking at the girl's moving lips.
"MAIDONOOOOOOOOO!"
"Goodbye"
And with that, she shot to the sky, with Touma's hand missing her by the seconds.
He slumped to his feet and looked in disbelief towards the ascending silhouette.
Meanwhile, Maidono soared high. The bomb levitated close to her, rising alongside her flight.
5:00, 4:59, 4:58...
'I must get higher... so high that there is absolutely no chance it will reach the earth...'
She reached the height of highest skyscrapers, then lowest clouds...
But it was still not enough... she focused on going even faster, and not to look at her own clock.
She took off with the knowledge of how little flight time she had. A minute less or so than a bomb.
3:59, 3:58, 3:57...
She could not contain the explosion with her power. She also had to control her hold on the cylinder to not break it.
She flew, and flew, and flew...
And then...
She was over half of the airline flight altitude, 6 kilometers above the ground. She knew she could not fly much longer.
1:59, 1:58, 1:57...
Her breathing was shallow and her skin started to freeze.
Human beings could not breath above approximately 6096 meters above sea level. Her consciousness started to dim out. In the last effort, she spun the cylinder and sent it upwards, with the strongest telekinetic repulsion she could muster. That should gave it another 500 meters or so.
And suddenly she felt her own weight.
She tried to reach out towards the darkening heavens, but lacking strength, she took no air.
And slowly, with her lips slightly parted, gravity took hold of her
Maidono Hoshimi fell down towards the earth.
As she fell, she felt no regrets. Although... she would miss people she met. She also didn't want to see Hasako cry. She hoped there would be some quality music at her funeral... if there even will be something to bury.
And also... she really wanted to go on a date with Kamijou. Or sleep with him, preferably after a date.
But, well, now it was not going to be possible.
Yet, she also felt happy. Because thanks to this, Kamijou and others will live.
Would he be proud?
It should be the time...
She once read that in the reaction of antimatter with matter, the mass is converted to pure photons.
There was a booming sound that tore through the heavens, and even behind her closed eyes, Maidono felt light so bright that she would shield her eyes even more if she could.
She felt a hot shockwave race her and, as she spun around, she thought she saw a flash of light, different than that of the explosion.
Then... there was darkness.
(ELSEWHERE)
"He is late. What is he doing?" frowned Fremea Seivelun, while looking at the sky.
Meanwhile, at the same instant, Hamazura Shiage tensed up just before it happened.
In the next moment, the sky became pure white. The windows of the buildings broke. The shockwave made everyone fall to the ground. But...
Other than that, the pure white explosion did no further damage. Slowly but steadily, it got dimmer and dimmer, before disappearing entirely.
Well, there was almost no damage.
"Maidono..." Kamijou Touma, still in virtually the same position, muttered blankly.
Something pulsed within him, as he got up. It felt like a heartbeat...
He walked up to Daido, still laying on the ground.
The pulsing continued. And with it, came the images.
Amazora, Kongou, Kaibi, Maidono... everyone who was hurt in this chaos...
The pulse was not a heartbeat. It came from his right arm.
"You..." Touma muttered, looking at Daido, while gritting his teeth and clenching his fist "It's all because of you..."
"Kami-" Kaibi, who was helped out to stand by Kongou Mitsuko, felt her voice getting stuck within her throat.
Neither she nor others understood what happened next.
By all accounts, Kaibi thought it didn't make sense.
In one moment, she was looking at Touma standing over Daido.
In the next, Touma was laying on the ground, and the face of the older man was absolutely terrified.
Kaibi felt her skin crawl. Next to her, Kongou shivered slightly.
After all, for some reason, it looked as if either their minds or time itself, as ridiculous as latter one sounded, got tampered with.
Not only that, but some of the other details were even more strange.
Kaibi felt nauseous thinking back to it, but she was almost sure that she saw Kamijou's right arm explode.
Also, in the split second, she was sure she saw a gorgeous woman of exotic carnation and silver-white hair kneeling over the fallen Kamijou.
But in the next moment, she was gone as well.
(LATER THAT DAY)
Ultimately, the threat of Kyozetsu was dealt with, or at the very least diminished.
The members were in majority arrested, and the 'so-called leader' Takemichi Daido placed under special observation. Majority of Tokiwadai ladies returned to reunite with rather furious Dorm Manager. Her wrath only subdued once she learned of their aid in rescue mission. However, the anger still found its way in a few orders to wash toilets and few other snapped necks before situation was clarified.
Misaka Misuzu and Kongou Minako, except for tiredness and mental exhaustion, managed to escape safe and sound. Guided by Gokusai Rikuri, they were found by Misaka Mikoto and escorted to safety.
Hamazura Shiage and Sogiita Gunha remained on the place in which the hideout to check if no one remained behind. Fremea Seivelun, who accompanied Hamazura, kept looking at the sky with a frown, as if expecting something.
They were joined by Aikawa Enka. The methane boy was bitter that he didn't manage to reach the proper action and he was searching the wreckage with little enthusiasm. That is, until he heard a painful groan...
He jumped in the air.
"What? Was that..."
No, he heard it again. That was definetely a human sound.
And from what he heard, it came from piled up rocks.
"Hey, there is someone in here!"
No one answered and Enka cursed under his breath. Others were probably at the other side of the searched area. However, this awoke strange determination within him.
'Even if I wasn't part of the action, if I can save this one person... at least one person...'
"Don't worry. I am not going to abandon you!"
He started digging and pushing back the rocks, careful to not collapse the entire construction. It took exhausting amount of effort and work, but finally the person caught under the rubble appeared.
It was a girl. A beautiful girl, as Enka's mind needed to add despite the context they were in.
She had long brown hair and her clothes were slightly torn and bloody. Enka forced himself to look away and continued the evacuation.
When he finally managed to move her from outside the rocks, he once again glanced at the mysterious girl.
"She either had amazing luck or somehow used her skill to defend herself. Either way, wow..."
Hanamiya Kaira, because this was the identity of the girl, was indeed lucky. She managed to bounce and slide on the falling parts of debris, so she did not hit the ground straight from big drop. Not only that, but she unconsciously shielded herself by affecting one of the small pieces of earth she landed on. It wasn't nearly as effective as if she was fully conscious, but managed to keep her alive.
Still, as Enka noted, the girl was in bad shape. One of the legs was bent at strange angle, and her breathing was shallow. He touched her forehead and as he suspected, she was burning up.
As he made contact with her, the girl groaned again and opened her eyes. They looked like deep pools of oceanic water, strangely contrasting yet also going along with brown hair
"I'm... ali...ve?..."
"Don't try to move." Enka pulled out his phone" I'll call for help. And I will stay with you until you feel better again."
"You..."
"Yes, everything is fine. You are safe now. That's damn right, you are safe. Kamijou-san, do you see this? I will show everyone that even such failure as myself can guard someone's life. I am not leaving her, no matter what"
"Fail...ure..."
The vision of determined young man looking at her with concern in his eyes, albeit about to go out thanks to her bad state, filled Kaira's entire vision. She smiled, before she was claimed by darkness again.
"Oh... so that's it... thank you... Hokaze... sen...pai..."
"Oi, stay with me! Shit, I hope they arrive soon!"