Toaru Majutsu no Index Painted prison chronicles

Kamijou Touma was tired.

On the insistence of the mysterious girl in the dress, they all went back to Dorm Management Office, where the girl, Kaibi, demanded that they will see video recording of the time they were signing the documents. Touma did not suspect that getting the monitoring would be that easy but Kaibi did something and the worker gave them access without questioning anything. However, it showed nothing out of the usual. So they went to the office worker who assisted them with the documents.

This, and general observations made along the way, made him almost certain: those sisters were trouble. The type of trouble when you couldn't just assume they were pretty faces and nothing more. Their movements, gazes, and many different signs suggested that they was definitely some kind of different history behind them, different from the faces they showed in the world of daylight peace. Misfortune incarnate that was Kamijou Touma would not survive long if he didn't learn to pick up on the things like that in some way.

The one question that remained was how did he fit into that history. Judging from their reactions, they were not enemies but they also weren't close friends. That was actually good for Kamijou, as it was neutral ground and he could form the interaction relatively freely, without revealing loss of memories. All he needed to learn was their names.

The office worker explained to the astonished Touma and Kaibi, who volunteered to represent their case, that what they signed was essentially a contract for two parties sharing a dorm. It was usually reserved for couples, and the female worker concluded that Kaibi was Touma's girlfriend since she gave her the same form and asked for the same address shortly after him. That revelation made both of them go slightly red as they choked on air:

"T-There is no way I am his girlfriend!"

"There is no way I am her boyfriend!"

"Stop saying things at the same time as me, it's creepy!"

"Then stop shouting over me!"

From the somewhat scared ramblings of the office girl, they were able to get a somewhat clear picture. Initially, they both were showed the correct documents, but then something happened (on both sides) that made them pick the wrong forms to fill, and thus, they ended in their current situation. On Kamijou's side, he accidentally had hot coffee spilled on his trousers when he took the papers from the designated spot (as the numb pain between his legs could attest) during which the forms were switched by him in his pained confusion.

Touma sighed, however, this was nothing but usual bad luck for him. Unexpected, but certainly nothing new. However, on the sisters side...

"Rikuri nee-san..." Kaibi's eye was fervently twitching as she inhaled deeply through her nose" why on earth would you send Amazora of all people to pick up the form?"

Eldest sister pouted, and crossed her arms under her huge bossom, being careful around the artificial fingernail (which, to Touma's ignorance, had a poisonous tip).

"Aren't you a hypocrite here? "she spoke" you always say that Amazora-chan will never learn anything if she is spoiled. And so, I'll instructed her to pick up correct form..."

" I-I had no idea! These stupid papers look so similar" Amazora tried to sound confident, but her lip was trembling.

Touma looked at the girl, and after a moment, patted her gently on the head.

"Don't worry. I didn't notice the difference either, it is weird that they look so similar" he tried to reassure her.

Amazora looked hopeful, but merciless comment from Kaibi quenched this hope

" Don't listen to him Amazora. That would just make you both look like idiots. Honestly, why do my sisters listen to me only when they should follow their own reason for once?"

She then looked at office worker again:

"You will change this arrangement."

Touma noticed she tried to do this something again, but the girl slowly shook her head.

"Even though I want to do so for you, my darling..."

'Darling?' Touma's confusion grew even more.

" It is impossible. The documents you and your boyf... I mean, this gentleman signed, have a expiration period if you want to annul them. Under the consideration of time you rented the apartment for, which is a month, the minimum period would be... two weeks"

"TWO WEEKS? But that's the half of initial renting period! Who devised such rule?"

"I am sorry, but there was a direct order from higher ups..."

Touma lowered his head

"Someone surely enjoys messing with my life..."

"You said something?" Rikuri leaned closer, causing the teen to jump because of the sudden contact.

"N-No, it's nothing"

Ultimately, their efforts ended up in failure, the only noteworthy information being that since the information was already registered and put into the system, the agreement had to be upheld at least for the time of two weeks. Afterwards, the cancellation protocol could be put in order. Apparently, the withdrawal period had something to do with couple break ups, but Touma was not entirely sure.

Kaibi practically dragged them all back to the problematic apartment and now, second time seeing it, Touma had the chance to get a really good look at it. It seemed different from his good old dorm complex and was certainly in possession of many wonders of technology. It even contained a mini-garden on the roof and a outdoor swimming pool. The panels of glass, as well as marble reinforced with steel, looked monumental and surreal at the same time

'Isn't this a bit much?' Kamijou had thought similar to the one that came into his mind a hours earlier 'There is no way I can have such a nice place to stay without any misfortune going on. Although...'

He glanced slightly at the blond trio.

'I think my misfortune already taken form... fukou da...'

"Everyone inside" Kaibi commanded in an authoritarian tone "We need to deal with this... predicament."

Touma rose his eyebrow, but followed the sisters.

Kaibi swiped a card within a designated spot, and doors to apartment 913 opened.

Then, as the light was switched on and they wandered further, Touma took a double take. The door led to a corridor-like hallway, made form wooden-looking panels and lit by small lamps. It included the closet and coat racks. Then the corridor led to the spacious place with sofa, flat screen TV, artificial fireplace, with the walls painted in light colours. That was evidently the living room. Right wall, slightly curved, was covered in glass and offered a panoramic view on the City, with a door leading to a terrace. On the left, living room smoothly transited into a kitchen, which possessed induction panels, small oven, rice cooker, microwave, and other accessories and machines. It also had a small "island" part in the middle, styled to be a bar-like counter with an eating table beside it. Touma assessed that it was well equipped and modern even after simply looking at it.

Besides that, there was a fragment of the wall that started from kitchen and linked with curved glass-filled panoramic wall. It included one more door, which led to longer corridor that had 5 doors, 4 on the left side and the last one on the very end. First door led to small storage closet, with washing machine and other supplies. Second led to a room with large bed, working desk, and one leading to the bathroom. Third door...

"Are you kidding me?! A mini-bathhouse?!" Amazora and Touma screamed at the same time.

And indeed, the room was changed to be a miniature bathhouse, with small pool and mosaic like walls, all adapted to be a place of warm bath, with all necessary equipment.

Touma managed to get a glimpse of the room behind the fourth door, very similar to the one behind second, but Kaibi coughed loudly and spoke in somewhat irritated tone.

"Ekhm! We are not here to fool around. Go back to the living room and sit down!"

And so, the 4 of them found themselves sitting by the table in living room, with beautiful view in front of them. However, Touma's vision was soon filled with another sight, Kaibi's eyes, that would be beautiful, if not for the intensity of their gaze, which in all honesty was rather terrifying.

"Emm... Kaibi-san, do you need something?"

"Well, to be quite honest, I need you to leave, so we can start living here."

"Well, wasn't that brutally honest."

"It's the truth." Kaibi did not yield. However, in that moment Rikuri joined the discussion.

"It is not entirely fair, my little sister. The blame, if can even call it that and not the strike of bad luck, is on both sides. So kicking Kamijou-san out is simply not fair"

"Rikuri nee-san, given who we are, why would we care about what is fair and just?"

"Well..." Touma interjected " It is unfair and I am not moving anywhere"

Kaibi narrowed her eyes and reached down her dress.

"Well" she said, mocking his tone" The girl before your eyes has her pride. And I will not be bested by some poor hedgehog with hero complex"

"IT'S FINANCIALLY CHALLENGED! And it's my first chance to have a little bit of rest, even if I know it will be interrupted anyway, so quit it!"

Before Kaibi and Touma could stand up, as they kept getting closer and closer in their quarrel, an unexpected voice entered the discussion. Amazora, who was earlier playing with something that looked dangerously like a bullet shell, moved onto Touma's legs in one swift motion, shocking both him and her sister. She used this chance to speak:

"But there is one reason why we can't just kick onii-chan out! Didn't we owe him?" Amazora looked up, practically pushing herself with all her body on Touma's chest.

"That's right. Like it or not, this boy did spared mine and Amazora-chan's lives when we fought in that burning garage while it pursuit of Mitsuari Ayu. Not only that, but he clearly prioritized our well-being over his own. You know our line of work, which is while you must have realized it by now: if it was anyone else, you would have no one to release later on" Rikuri nodded knowingly.

Kaibi growled, ruffling her golden curls with perplexed visage.

"Geh... I know, I know... but it still doesn't sit right with me..." Kaibi looked at Touma in a different way. Less angry, and more... uneasily bothered. As if he was some strange creature or anomaly she never encountered before "His power... skills... reasoning... motivations... it's like a ticking bomb"

Touma raised his hands into the air

"Oi, I am still here you know" he then added " This is not exactly a dream scenario for me, and I can tell that this whole thing will spectacularly backfire right into my face, buuuut... since it can't be reversed easily, and we all know each other... maybe we should just get along. You seem like... ehm... reasonable ladies..."

Amazora seemed to puff up on Touma's legs.

"Onii-chan called me a reasonable lady!"

"Pretty sure he was talking about us." Kaibi and Rikuri said in unison, which caused Amazora to stick her tongue out in vibrant gesture of defiance.

"Well, I don't like this. However..." the smile that could be defined as coy, if not for a hint of danger dancing upon her rosy lips, graced Kaibi's face "You can stay under a certain condition..."

(SOME TIME LATER...)

"I knew it..."Touma muttered" I knew that was a bad sign..."

"Oh, clam up. I wanted to do this for a long time you know..." Kaibi muttered, while stretching a little.

They walked (read: Touma was dragged to) near the riverbank, the spot Touma was fairly familiar with thanks to not-so-desired spars with Misaka Mikoto. And the desire of Kaibi was pretty much the same. Rikuri and Amazora, sitting on a stone steps nearby, observed with interest as the two faced each other.

"You want to fight, huh?" he could hear his voice, absolutely deprived of energy. However, Kaibi took it as dismissive attitude.

"Stop sounding so bored! Were you challenged like this all the time or something?"

"You have. No. Idea."

Touma sighed

"I would really want to avoid fighting if I could..."

"Well..." Kaibi slowly approached him and gazed directly into his eyes" Maybe I can help with that. It did not work last time I faced you, but I still have to try, for my own comfort."

"What are you tal-"

Kaibi's eyes glowed with magenta light, and she clearly stated.

"You will leave the apartment and won't bother us again."

Touma took a step back, looking a little bit dazed. However Kaibi's triumph was short, as Touma's right hand quickly went up and touched his head. The clear sound of shattering glass was heard all throughout the riverbank. Touma blinked.

"Huh... that was weird. It was like I had a headache and when I touched my head, it went away. I just had a hunch to do that."

"There it is again" Kaibi whispered, looking at Touma with narrowed eyes "What the hell did you do? And how did you do that?"

"No, no, no, that's my question" Touma interrupted, voice filled with awe "I know what that is. It's a... a..."

He fell silent. Kaibi waited, with a small amount of hope. The fact that he fended off her attack was humiliating, but if he at least recognized the power that attacked him, she could have certain satisfaction from it.

"Contact lenses!" he finally exclaimed "Wow, I knew you look fancy, but I never saw the fancy eye contacts that glow in certain light. That seems like something girls from Tokiwadai would try out."

Kaibi bit her lip, her cheeks going crimson from embarrassment.

"ARE YOU MAKING FUN OF ME?!"

Touma instantly fell back.

"N-No, why would I-"

"This is my power. My esper power!" Kaibi knew that exposing her power to him was a serious blow on a tactical field, but she was too pissed right now" By looking at you, I decreased the distance between our hearts and made you believe I am your lover, the most beloved person you would do anything for. So why don't you obey me?"

Touma looked at his right hand. If it was esper power, it explained the earlier negation. Nevertheless...

He said nothing, then suddenly walked back to Kaibi and... bowed before her. This actually shocked both the girl and her sisters.

"I am sorry, you look very nice and I am sure you are... nicer person after a while... but as I am now, I can't reincorporate your feelings!"

Silence, pure and undisturbed, reigned for a few long seconds, until Kaibi spat out a venomous:

"WHAT?!"

Touma shook his head and rose to her eye level

"Please, don't try to explain. Although I have to say... I never thought of a tsundere so roundabout that she would say "I am decreasing the distance between our hearts". It's a really cryptic way to ask someone out"

Kaibi trembled in silent rage. However, Amazora was the one to deliver the finishing blow

"So, onii-chan thought Kai onee-chan was trying to confess her feelings? That's she's all tsun-tsun? That's better than anything! Bwahahahaha!" the little sister almost folded in half from laughter.

"Now, Amazora-chan... this... pffft... is ... ghehihi... unbecoming..." Rikuri tried her best to be the voice of reason, however, it was in vain as she herself was doing all she could to stifle the wave of giggles that threatened to escape at any moment "Although... it is t-true... after all, Kaibi-chan was never really honest with her-"

A shot was heard and if Touma didn't throw himself to his left, the bullet would pierce his arm.

"O-Oi" he began, but stopped when he looked at Kaibi. The middle sister had steely cold eyes and looked composed, however Touma almost saw a red aura of rage seeping through this perfect facade, almost lifing her golden locks in the air. A gun in her hand indicated that she fired a few seconds ago.

"You have a lot of guts for someone in a shooting distance" she seethed "You see, I pride myself for being a lady. I tried to act calm when it came to the apartment, or even you shamelessly seducing my sisters. But you keep insulting me. So, heh heh heh... screw the pretense! I will shoot your balls off, don't underestimate dark side! NOW FIGHT FOR REAL!

Another shot pierced the air, however Touma reacted before it could reach him.

'As I thought, this girl is major trouble. Guns are always a problem. But it's not over yet.'

For next 10 minutes, both Touma and Kaibi followed each other in rather deadly dance, with Kaibi firing her gun, and Touma doing everything he could to evade them or use the obstacles such as pillars under the bridge.

A few shots calmed Kaibi's initial rage, at least so that she could rationally assess her opponent:

'My initial observations made during our first encounter are proven correct one after the other. To dodge bullets with that evasion accuracy, he had to be exposed to enormous amounts of fighting. He isn't new to this, that was clear even in that garage. However, whatever his power is, it seems it can't protect him from physical projectiles like bullets. I will end him right now!'

Touma disappeared between the pillars of the bridge. Kaibi slowly moved in the dark space, with gun at the ready. She was patient. But apparently, so was her opponent. In the distance, Amazora and Rikuri moved closer and narrowed their eyes, trying to pierce the shadows under the bridge. And finally...

A silhouette emerged from the pillar behind Kaibi with great agility and speed. However...

A gunshot rang out, and this time Touma felt sharp pain in his leg. The bullet sliced his pants and grazed his thigh.

Kaibi was holding another gun in her non-dominant hand. What's more she was barely looking in Touma's direction, only now turning around and flashing him a smile.

"Using shadows to your advantage, maneuvering between obstacles and attacking from a blind spot? That's a nice idea. However, I am a dark side assassin. It is rather obvious course of action, so I learned how to dual-wield for occasions like this one. Besides, it is not like I didn't exactly know where you've been. I've seen you do it to, reading my moves. You are..."

Greyish-blue eyes met violet-pink ones, and this time the eyes of girl in the dress held no malice or anger, instead, it was somewhat of an adrenaline-fuelled elation stemming from a fight.

"...not the only one to have secrets."

Touma was forced to take a run, as Kaibi reloaded her weapon in a blink of an eye and fired yet again. For a while, the running and shooting continue, with no visible progress.

"Is onii-chan going to be okay?" Amazora tilted her head.

"I am sure that even if Kaibi-chan is angry with him, she will only hurt him, not kill him." Rikuri reassured her. Small girl shook her head.

"It's not about that. It's no fun if death is not involved" Amazora said with a smile. As a gattling gun user, she was insensitive to gun fight brutality "But... it's getting boring. If onii-chan will keep going defensive, we will never go home. And Kai onee-chan won't give up until the battle truly ends."

Rikuri pondered upon that, stroking a cheek with her slender finger

"While it seems that you are right, I wouldn't eliminate that boy yet. As you are aware, he truly is more than meets the eye. I am sure he also has some plan."

However, she was interrupted by a loud scream

Kaibi panted heavily. It was a while since she actually got tired. Not even that guy from ITEM left her that exhausted and she chased him quite a bit.

"You are good. I acknowledge that. However, human is still human. In this city, you are strong or talented, otherwise you are no one."

Touma was laying on the ground, after he let out a scream half a minute ago. Kaibi approached him, aiming a gun at him. She sighed.

"As much as bothersome it is, my sisters are right. We owe you. So I wasn't trying to kill you or anything, although I couldn't guarantee it with the way of wriggled like an eel. Now, we will treat you and then you will leave the-

"Don't ruin..." Touma spoke quietly, interrupting the girl.

The next moment a cloud of sand was thrown into her face.

"... my hard fought free time, damn it!"

Kaibi was not stupid and didn't approach Touma close enough for the sand attack to affect her. Still, the sudden action caused her to stumble backwards.

"A foil...no..." she choked out.

A fist emerged from the cloud, and this time Kaibi's reflexes kicked in, as she jumped back.

"A trap within a trap"

She found herself smiling, as she readied her gun in mid-air. For some reason, she felt that the smile felt different from before.

"That's right! That's how the fight is supposed to be! But now, it's all ove-"

Although Kaibi perfectly prepared for an attack, she did not go through with it when she landed. Why was that?

Because she suddenly felt herself losing balance. She tried to aim, but she failed, as all her efforts where to keep her footing. But before she fell backwards...

She felt strong arm grabbing her from behind, and the other one twisting her wrist. She winced and was forced to drop the gun. She also could not reach for the second one.

Kamijou Touma moved with amazing speed and caught her. Only now the sound of water reached Kaibi's ears. She was so focused on the surroundings on land and on her enemy, that she forgot that they were still near the river. And Touma perfectly utilized that.

By jumping back she found herself precisely at the shore of the river flowing under the bridge. Touma caught her before she fell into it, his left arm touching and securing her back, with his right hand clasped on her twisted wrist. His left leg was also crossed with her right leg. Adding the fact that Kaibi was slightly bent backwards on the line of waist, and that their faces were fairly close, it looked like some kind of sensual south american dance. If someone gazed at them without context, especially combining the sight with them panting from exhaustion, they would definitely get the wrong idea.

Touma was tired and looked done with everything, but smiled slightly

"How was that for an amateur?"

Kaibi refused to give up, and readied her ultimate chance to strike.

"I don't know how did you deflect my Measure Heart before" she spoke, getting a clear view at him." But from such close distance, it will surely-"

Suddenly, her voice got lost in her throat. She blinked, concentrated, and got the same result. Her pretty features contorted slightly with shock. She expected that he will block her power, like he did before, and in truth, it was a desperate attempt at striking back. But instead she encountered a new result that made her shiver, an ominous premonition of terror spreading through her body.

'I-I can't activate my ability! All the calculations are correct, but... it's like it's not even there at all. What kind of power can do that... I don't know if it's destruction or suppression of sorts... but to think I never heard of him before the Biohacker fiasco. Who...'

Kaibi's voice cracked, just a little, when she whispered

"Kamijou Touma... who really are you?"

The boy in question laughed quietly, looking at his right hand on Kaibi's wrist.

"Oh, I am just a normal high school student you can find everywhere. Also, it must be hard to use your power with those contact lenses,"

That was like a bucket of cold water on Kaibi's head, as she scoffed

"THERE WERE NEVER ANY CONTACT LENSES IN THE FIRST PLACE! Also, normal guy you can find anywhere? That's the most stupid thing I heard today, and you say a lot of stupidities. A-Also, do you enjoy holding me like that! Let me go immediately."

Touma stared at her for a moment, and then let go... by pulling away a hand supporting her back.

Kaibi made a surprisingly cute yelp, as she now hang on nothing but his right hand.

"No!... No, this water seriously stinks! You wouldn't dare..."

Touma gave her a somewhat satisfied look.

"I am kidding, I am kidding. I am pulling you ba-"

However, for just a brief moment, Kamijou Touma forgot who he was. Namely, the most misfortunate being on the planet, or maybe in the universe.

When he wanted to pull Kaibi back onto the ground, the fragment of stone shore suddenly broke without any warning or apparent reason.

"H-Huh?!" Touma's terror was so vibrant that it was almost comical.

Loss of footing made Touma fall forwards, into Kaibi who was being pulled in his direction. When the two collided and lost balance, Touma could only think:

"Fukou-"

Before he and dark side assassin Gokusai Kaibi fell into the muddy river, tangled in themselves.

(SOME TIME LATER...)

"Yay! I had more fun watching this than ever! Onii-chan and Kai onee-chan were so cool!" Amazora cheered, bouncing around in place.

"Yes, it was amazing performance" Rikuri clapped her hands with a smile on her face "Although we could not see you when you fully got under the bridge. Also, you almost gave us the heart attack when you emerged from the water"

"You can thank him for that..." Kaibi was currently laying on the ground, her dress wet and her hair sticking to her face "Ugh, I really need a bath..."

Kamijou was also wet, with red hand-shaped mark on his face from a slap that Kaibi gave him as punishment for falling into the river.

"Can we go home? I got a bit hungry" Amazora chimed in.

"Well, it is as good of an idea as any. I don't want to catch a cold." Kaibi rose from the ground, and looked at Touma, who scratched his head

"I am sorry for the river thing..."

"It's fine, I guess " Kaibi closed her eyes and pointed her hand behind her back "So, are you going to make our lives miserable already?"

Touma was confused at that statement.

"Huh?"

"Do I have to spell it for you? I am still drenched and we are all hungry, so let's go. That's what that battle was all about... so let's go home. Us and... ehhhh... you."

Touma stared at her wordlessly, which caused the elegant assassin to sigh yet again.

"Is there something on my face? What's with this reaction? Isn't this what you wanted?"

"It is, it is..." Touma quickly assured her" but... I am just surprised. I have a friend who challenged me many times and could NEVER consider that she lost. And yet you claimed me a winner."

Kaibi raised an eyebrow, with a small and sassy smirk.

"Well, while I do enjoy winning, I am not a complete fool and I can be rational. If that situation happened in real dark side life and if it wasn't against a good hearted fool like you, I would be dead or badly beaten. So yeah, you are the winner."

Touma smiled at her.

"Well, thanks... also, you were kind of cool out there, Kaibi-san. It really was challenging for me at times."

Girl in the dress turned around. She glistened as the afternoon sunlight reflected on both her skin and jewellery.

"Well, I do admire someone who is worthy of impressing me. And you were... for today, that is..." the last part was added quietly, however it wasn't missed by remaining Gokusai sisters.

"Also, while we cooperated, we are not that close, so please address me as Gokusai-san."

"But Kaibi-chan" Rikuri chimed, leaning on Touma's shoulder" me and Amazora also go by our surname, so it will get confusing. Let him call ourselves by our names. Kamijou-san, I am Ri-ku-ri... although I doubt you would forget, right?~" she winked to him.

Touma wanted to internally cry, as he did in fact forget such picture perfect example of sexy onee-san, but he nodded in response. Meanwhile Kaibi looked as if she wanted to protest, but finally gave up.

"Ugh, do what you want. I am too tired for this."

Touma felt a tugging on his shirt, and noticed Amazora looking at him with expecting face.

"Emm, do you want something?"

"Uuuugh..." she motioned her head up. Touma looked at Rikuri, who nodded. He groaned slightly, but nevertheless decided to spoil younger girl by giving her a piggyback ride. He was quite tired, but Amazora's smile was contagious and he felt good with doing it.

"Heh, heh, I am on onii-chan's back again "Amazora was truly living the moment " It feels like back then... although onii-chan is more muscular... and I can have this all to mysef..."

(MEANWHILE IN THE UK)

A certain prodigy cabal with blond hair and crystal blue eyes broke the cup she was drinking from with raw strength of her grip.

"Sis, you are bleeding" Patricia Birdway looked worryingly on her elder sibling " Why did you even do that?"

Leivnia Birdway furrowed her brow and clicked her tongue

"I don't know, but I felt really, REALLY pissed for some reason."

(BACK IN JAPAN)

And so the trio of sisters plus a spiky haired teen, with Kaibi and Touma leaving wet footsteps, Rikuri swaying her hips and with her hands behind the back, and Amazora amusingly kicking her feet, while supported by Touma, ventured back to their new home.

With this, the shared time of living of Touma and Gokusai sisters began.