NOVEL NEXT Chapter 23: chapter 23
(LATER)
"Heh, that sure was fun! Especially the swimsuit section!" Lessar beamed, taking a lick from the ice cream she picked for herself.
"Kamijou, you really attract the strangest of people. Although they do seem quite a lively group" Kaibi whispered to Touma's ear.
"Yeah, I get what you mean. I didn't quite know they would be here today, but well... at least they seem to be enjoying the trip. And it looks like Amazora took a liking to them as well"
He referred to the fact that New Light girls seemed to be enjoying the smallest sister inquiries and energy. For example, Lessar was clearly having fun while allowing Amazora to chase her wagging tail. She seemed to get along well with the sisters, but the contact with Touma's body increased majorly since they appeared.
Meanwhile, Lancis, made a surprise attack on Floris, and stole her wing artefact before giving it to Amazora, infusing it with mana so it could be useable. However, the girl's hopes in following Maidono-sensei's footsteps in reaching flight was short lived, as she made a few loops in the air before crashing into the artificial tree in the middle of the mall's patio. And even though the blond sorceress was mad at both Lancis and Amazora for stealing her equipment, she in truth didn't want the small girl to be sad and offered that she will take a small flight in her arms. As Kaibi ran after them and Lessar fell to the ground, rolling from laughter as Floris used power of her wings to give Amazora "airplane ride", Touma found himself smiling as well.
"It's nice, isn't it?"
Touma jumped, as Bayloupe managed to sneak to his side without him noticing.
"Y-Yeah..."she answered the New Light leader" You guys act so peaceful when not during... you know..."
"Magical missions for the sake of our country? Well, we do fight for something like this. But looking at it makes me actually rather glad. Because this also makes me have part of my dream realized"
Touma looked at her, but before he could ask the questions, there was a shout from Rikuri, who pointed at the something on an exhibition near the entrance.
"Everyone, you have to see this!"
This Rikuri was referring to was a device the size of the tablet, connected to the small box with openings. It was on an exhibition, guarded by the shopping center worker.
"It says here that this is a prototype of Genetic AI-assisted Growth And Recombining Simulator. GAGARS for short." Rikuri read out as the New Light, Touma, and her sisters approached" I am actually quite excited to see one. Because I like combining chemistry and mechanics, that is"
"What does it do?" Touma wondered, looking at the exhibited piece of tech.
"It says here that it has two main functions so far. First, it can conduct a simulation of your physical development 10 years into the future. Of course, the simulation is not set in stone, because it is done on the hypothesis that the diet, environment, and lifestyle will not change drastically from the moment you used the machine. In other words, it simulates your development if you would live the exact same lifestyle, or at least minimally altered, for the next 10 years."
"How does it do it?" Kaibi asked, getting a closer look.
"It first scans you from head to toe and then requires your DNA sample to be inserted into this slot. Then it calculates the possible future, and constructs the image based on information from your DNA and scan it acquired."
"How is that possible? Simulating changes in genetic code, and knowing what types of changes will manifest into phenotype... this is all science fiction!" Kaibi cried out
"Onee-chan, we are espers. Aren't we any more science fiction that this box?" Surprisingly, Amazora decided to play the role straight man in conversation.
"Good point, that's Academy City's technology after all... and second function?"
"Well, if you insert two different samples, alongside with some materials, like a scan or photo, one in those slots the other on the screen to scan... it can create possible recombination and physical apparition of your linked DNA. In other words, it can show possible child of two people."
Suddenly, heads of 3 sisters and Lessar turned towards Touma. The remaining 3 girls also kept glancing at him from time to time. The boy felt the shiver run down his spine.
"Well, let's try this out! How much do we pay?"
It turned out that the experience was free, as it contributed to the improvement of the machine. First was Lessar. After she set a program, gave a few droplets of blood, and undergone a scan, the monitor showed the results...
Everyone stared at young woman on the screen. She looked extremely realistic. She was undoubtedly Lessar. But she had bigger chest, her proportions were more toned and curvy, the face also became more mature and elegant, even though the simulated Lessar still sported that playful grin the present Lessar had. Her legs became pronounced just enough not to be overly muscular, but not thin as sticks.
Finally, Lessar broke the silence by nodding and stating:
"Wow... if I wasn't me, I would totally **** myself"
"This is supposed to be Lessar... at the age of 24?" Floris blinked few times, still coming to terms with surrealistically real vision" She even smiles like her."
As for Touma...
He felt something drip down onto his hand. In one moment, Kamijou Touma realized he had a nosebleed. He quickly wiped his face, but the smug and triumphant look on Lessar's face told him that she saw it all.
Touma found himself in the internal discussion.
'Calm down... surely, she looked as if she could be dorm manager, but it's the personality that counts. And she doesn't have it'
'Maybe it will mature alongside her.'
'Calm down, she is actually younger than you. This is only the possibility.'
'But it can become real!'
But the attacks on Touma's heart were far from over. Next, Amazora and Kaibi tested the machine. And...
"Hmm..." Amazora put a hand on her chin" Don't we just look like Rikuri onee-san?"
This wasn't fully accurate, firstly because simulations showed two different ages, 21 and 25 respectively, secondly, there were difference in the faces and body frames. But overall...
"Ah! We will become even more sisterly-like as we age" Rikuri went to hug her younger siblings.
"Yeah, and I bet you are not the only one happy with the results" Kaibi gave a sassy grin to Touma, who tried his very, very best to remain unbothered.
'I never thought of it that way but if they are sisters, they will probably look similar... but damn, three people with the body like Rikuri-san is too good to be true. I am so glad to be born in this era!'
Lessar raised an eyebrow, before leaning closer to Touma and whispering
"Huh, so you are into multiple people of the same type? Can be though, but maybe I can find some cloning spell"
This momentarily sobered Touma up, as a certain vision entered his mind.
He was standing on empty street in the middle of the night.
"Hello? Is anybody there?"
Suddenly, he noticed a silhouette in the darkness.
"Misaka Imouto? Thank goodness, I was-"
"Who is Misaka Imouto, asks Lessar as Lessar suspects you of somehow having another girl in your mind"
That voice. He knew that voice.
The girl that came from the shadows was Lessar. But she wasn't alone.
On her left and right there were dozens of exactly identical girls with black hair and blue eyes, all wearing the same uniform.
"What is going on here?"
"Did you really not remember, asks Lessar 10032 as she ponders how could you be so forgetful"
"In this world, only you and us exist, clarifies Lessar 10324 with know-it-all face while unhooking her bra"
"In other words, you are here with all of us, Lessar 19090 comments while staring hungrily at your chest.
"In order to ensure your loyalty to Britain, Lessars were magically cloned, to overwhelm you with numbers, Lessar 998 says pulling down her skirt..."
"And now you will submit to our lust..." said the choir of thousands of voices.
As Touma took a step backwards, he realized that identical girls filled the street, but not only. They also stood on buildings, climbed on traffic signs, poured out of every exit.
His eyes widened.
And then the avalanche of Lessars pounced at him.
"AAAAAAAAAH!" Kamijou screamed, before realizing where he was.
"Is everything fine?" Rikuri asked him.
"Y-Yeah, I just... had a nightmare while awake. Lessar-san, never stop being such wonderful, singular existence"
"I don't really understand what went on with you, but I dig the much deserved compliments"
Meanwhile, there was a sound from the GAGARS and they all noticed Bayloupe's simulation.
Their jaws dropped. Even Rikuri, who had objectively attractive body, nodded in admiration.
"Damn" Touma could only say, looking in awe. "B-Bayloupe-san... what's your secret..."
Silver haired girl winked at him
"Self-confidence and milk"
That sounded like title of some strange self-help book for the girls.
As Floris, Lancis, and Rikuri weren't really interested in 'glimpsing the future', the remaining one was...
Lessar in one quick motion plucked a patch of hair from Touma's head causing her to scream and shook her in return
"You! Do you know how much it requires for it to grow back and not be bitten off by Index or destroyed in some accident?"
"And... done..." Lessar managed to input the sample and scan Touma.
The result was...
Kaibi actually blushed, Lessar started to giggle eerily to herself with a small bit of saliva at the edge of her lips, Rikuri put hands to her mouth, Amazora was flabbergasted, Lancis and Floris started to clap, and Bayloupe's smile widened a little bit.
However...
"Body and silhouette are fine and cool, but why do I look so tired? Is my DNA that telling of the amount of stress I suffer? Even artificial intelligence makes fun of me."
"Well, you look cool to me" Kaibi said after a moment.
"Yeah, that face actually makes it kind of... well... hot" Rikuri wasn't far off.
"Heh heh... mommy likes what she sees, oh yes"
"Don't worry onii-chan. You still look like a super onii-chan. Even with a face of tired salaryman"
"OI!"
Afterwards, it was time to test the second function.
"Okay, our data is already in here, so now we just have to press two of the profiles and..."
The hands of Kaibi and Lessar shot out at the same time. However, as they both pressed their own profiles, what was generated was...
The horror struck both of their faces as Touma, Amazora, Lancis, and Rikuri started laughing so loudly that they were probably heard beyond the district borders. Even Bayloupe was chuckling.
"What... I-I am going to have nightmares. No offense, you are cool and all but..." Lessar looked at Kaibi awkwardly and then at the girl at the screen. Which had both her and Kaibi's characteristics.
"How is that even possible?!" Kaibi cried in anguish.
"Well, parthenogenesis technically enables two ova to-" Rikuri started to explain, but Kaibi quickly stopped her and instead change the genetic matchup towards her and Touma.
(LATER ON)
"Wow, I can't believe how good our daughter looked, Lover Boy" Lessar mused, as they returned to Touma's old apartment.
"P-Please don't say it like that, it's actually kind of awkward..."
The simulation of Kamijou and Lessar combo showed a girl with black hair, that looked similar to Lessar's, and grey eyes, similar to Touma's. After seeing it Lessar got strangely proud and could not stop talking about it, to the irritation of Kaibi.
"You know what's best? That if that child takes after both parents, it would be an idiot who would flirt with everyone but couldn't take a hint" Floris grinned at Lessar and fled as the imp girl started to chase her.
"Well, I think that your combination looked good as well" Rikuri grinned at Kaibi and Touma.
Both of them looked away from each other, slightly red faced.
"To be honest, I was kind of expecting blond hair to appear... but then I realized that this was not your original colour of hair."
"Yeah" Kaibi took a part of hair golden curls" Believe me or not but, original colour of our hair is the mixture of gunmetal and umber hues"
"Which means?"
"Medium-light brown, moron"
"Yeah... can't picture it. Anyway, welcome to my dorm. Well, what was supposed to be my dorm but it is under renovation."
The sisters took a look around, contemplating the inside of the boy's usual living space. Before Touma's memory loss, they never managed to be here.
"Well, it's something you would expect of a level 0..."
"But it still has a cozy aura to it"
"Well, I guess by what my friends from abroad told me, is that they re-electrified the dorm and fixed majority of things. So, make yourselves at home... you already did before, but let's do it properly this time.
(1 HOUR LATER)
"Well, I was not expecting this" Touma muttered as they all sat together in the circle.
After whipping up some snacks and having New Light sighing in delight after them, the group actually decided to play Daring game. Without the Truth part, as this would be terribly hard to verify.
"Okay, Floris first. I dare you to hug Kamijou" said Lancis, causing the serious girl to jump
"Huh?"
"Come on, Flory. Or maybe you are chickening out?"
"F-Floris-san..." Touma tried to rescue the situation" you don't have to..."
Yet the girl moved closer, while clenching her fists and pouting her lips.
"Just for the record, I still hate you"
And gave him a somewhat awkward yet at the end of the day pleasurable hug.
Now it was Floris' time to dare someone.
"Little one, I dare you to lift the fridge. I heard you can do it and I really want to see it"
Amazora gave a thumbs up and zoomed over to the fridge.
"N-No! Amazora, it's attached-"
SCREEECH!
"...to the wall... fukou da..."
"Wow!" Floris was now clapping, alongside with the others, besides Touma who almost suffered a heart attack. Amazora got so gleeful that her teleknietic support was so effective that she lowered that fridge a little too quick.
BANG! The floor actually caved in a little, but fortunately, not enough to actually let the fridge fall down.
Touma hid his head in his hands.
"Okay then..."Amazora said, trying her best to cover the fridge with her body "Next is... horny onee-chan"
"Horny onee-chan?" Touma said, looking at Lessar.
"I dare you to... make a dance for onii-chan with your friends"
"Ho?" Lessar seemed intrigued, but Floris protested
"Oi, what's with this? Daring a group must be illegal! Because I will die if I make a music video for h-him"
"It does seem a bit embarrassing" admitted Lancis.
"What kind of dance?" asked Bayloupe with neutral expression.
"Rikuri nee-san... was it shamboo? sampa?"
"Oh, she means samba! I love samba and you four would look fabulous dancing it" Rikuri clapped her hands in joy." I have perfect get ups from our shopping earlier"
"Sounds fun. Let's do it! It will have to wait a little bit though, it has to be prepared" Lessar said, shaking hands with Rikuri.
"Lessar! Don't decide on things like that on your own" three other voices screamed, enraged.
"Oi, Bayloupe always says that we aim to be gorgeous girls, so what's exactly the problem"
"Losing our dignity, that's what!"
"Anyway. Goldilocks, I have a dare for you. " Lessar pointed at Kaibi "Say you like Lover Boy, without all the tsun tsun-ness"
"What?!" Touma was about to protest, but Kaibi stood up. Lessar looked at her with superiority, but the girl in the dress bit her lip and, assuming the cutest look she could muster.
"Kamijou Touma, I..."
She inhaled deeply and finished.
"I really, really like you"
The room was silent before cheers erupted from around her. Touma smiled at Kaibi
"Thanks! I also like you very much and I am glad we can be friends"
Kaibi twitched from the invisible blow, and the other girls winced at that. The Ultimate Friendzoner Kamijou Touma was blissfully unaware of this devastating strategy.
However, Kaibi quickly recovered.
'If I want to confess one day, I have to be prepared that he will not get the hint until that day comes'
Touma himself got slightly red. If it wasn't a game, it would almost look like as if Kaibi... no, there was no way that was the case.
Meanwhile, Lessar felt as if a cloud of frustration, alien to her usual self, clouded her mind.
'I... I didn't expect her to say her so readily. I thought she looked like a dishonest type, but she must have grown along the way... I feel kind of pathetic now...'
And as Lessar watched, this dark fire in her soul enveloped her heart. She tried to stop it, but it only burned more and more.
After 3 or 4 more dares, Touma noticed that Lessar disappeared.
"Go on without me, I want to check something" he said as he got up and approached the toilet.
He narrowed his eyes, as he entered into the darkness... he managed to walk a few steps...
The doors closed and locked, as he quickly turned around, but Lessar was faster, and they tumbled into the bathtub.
"Oh, this place brings back so many memories. Bathtub as a bed is actually quite dirty from your side, Lover Boy."
"Lessar, what the hell? We seriously don't need to do this right now!" Touma said as he tried to get the girl off of him" I only came here because I was worried that something is wrong with you. Everyone is having a good time, so can't we for once act normally with each other?"
"On contrary, I think you were holding yourself back today a lot." Lessar said, sneaking her hands underneath his T-shirt" And your sexy best girl Lessar is here to do her job and relieve you of this tension. Isn't that great? And you will have a girl all to yourself. It's like a dream. Now, get those pants down and-"
Then, something broke in Touma. It was rare, raw feeling of anger in him. In burst of strength, he flipped Lessar so now he was the one pining her down.
"Listen! I am not your job. Our lives are our own to decide! You want me to stay if we sleep with each other?! And you honestly believe that something remotely good will come from something so forceful?! I am not an object, Lessar. I am not someone you can just screw over with and make it a god damn checklist. I am tired of this! And you know why?! Because you are not a bad person. We could have something interesting and I saw glimpses of what person you could be if you stopped with this job of yours. But you are trying too hard and we don't have proper conversations. What do I even know about you? And what do you even know about me..."
Lessar flinched, but stood her ground while on the bathtub's bottom.
"Yeah, right, as if you were interested in me if I talked. Going all out with my body was the only way..."
"Why?! Your friends seem to have common sense to their actions. You are trying to convince someone? You take time to honour their interests and you do it like a normal person, instead of trying to have a child with them!"
"Well, excuse me that I am not older like Bayloupe, gentle like Lancis, or intelligent like Floris. For that matter, so damn sorry for not being like any other of this humongous harem of yours. I may not be the smartest, the most eloquent, but I have a nice body. So I will do anything it takes and use all my advantages."
"Lessar, you are missing the point here! Why isn't there other way? What are you afraid of?"
He let go off her wrists and the girl moved upwards, supporting herself on the edge of the tub.
"Afraid? What are you talking about? I am your happy, go-lucky girl."
"There is something obviously off with you."
Lessar's eyes lost its usual sparkle, and her tail was not in motion. However, she still forced a smile.
"Like you care, Lover Boy. From all the time we spent with each other, you always wanted me away and were looking at other girls rather than me when you had the occasion! Look at me! I am not talking about doing my job or anything. But do tell... do you find me awful. Do I look bad?"
Touma opened his mouth as Lessar stared at him intensely
"No... but your behaviour..."
"I dedicated my actions for you! Although the intentions were different, I directed my whole attention to trying to seduce you. Isn't that worth it?"
"Again, there is a huge gap between total ignorance and physical intimacy! Whatever lies in between is really important and in your case, I would like to know it too! Why can't we do this step by step like normal people?!"
"There is no way that would be enough! I need you... to not leave..." Lessar's voice shook a little, but she remained stubborn.
Touma's anger reached its peak
"Fine then! If you don't care about the inside, go ahead and marry a wild animal with no mind! Or swap me with any of my male classmates, no, all of them. Then you would have an army for the glory of United Kingdom! What's the difference, after all stubborn as mule Lessar-sama doesn't care what others think or feel! Get on with it and sleep with anyone you wish! If all you see in yourself is a tool without consideration for any depth in a relationship, than I don't want to be a part of any such thing! Come on, do it! If you refuse my help and stubbornly cling to this illusion, then-"
Even before reaching that point, Touma realized that he went too far. His anger evaporated in that short outburst, but the damage was done.
Lessar started shaking. It was such a contrast with her usual self that there was something disturbing in this sight.
"I do not... have such wishes... I just can't... I just don't know how to..."
"Lessar... what I meant was..."
"No, you made it loud and clear! You think that I am a slut who would sleep with anyone if it was for my cause, right?!"
"That's not what I..."
"Well, thanks for honesty. I know when I am not needed." Lessar got up and something silver shone in the darkness at the level of her face, as she wiped her cheeks with a hand" Heh, even breaking girl's heart, you still look hot as hell, you know?"
After that, she swiftly jumped out of the tub, unlocked the door and ran away, not turning back.
"Lessar... wait!" Touma shouted, not caring that someone else could hear it. But it was too late. He slammed his fist down in frustration.
He knew he was right to mad at the girl, but now that he calmed down, he also knew he could have handled it differently. He didn't know who was he more mad at: himself, for not figuring out what his relationship with Lessar even was, or at Lessar, because for some reason she assumed that having a sexual intercourse was an only option.
He did not know why he reacted that way. Maybe because Lessar never, as long as he knew her at least, was that upset. So he pushed forward in his anger, not really holding back.
"I can't leave it like this..."
But his valiant attempts were in vain, as he slipped, rather anticlimatic fashion, and hit his head hard on the floor, causing his consciousness to disappear like a blown candle.
(LATER)
He heard a voice singing as he slowly regained his bearings
Co am fear am measg an t-sluaigh
A mhaireas buan gu brath?
He noticed the dark sky above and silver shape that looked like a halo of mercury adorned with the stars in the darkness. The soothing voice echoed around him, clearer and clearer by moments
Chan eil sinn uile ach air chuairt
Mar dhithein buaile fas
He felt that he was laying on something soft yet firm, facing upwards.
Bheir siantannan na blianna sios
'S nach tog a' ghrian an aird.
"The moon is beautiful tonight..."
"Say, I don't know much about your japanese culture, but did you just confess your love to me?"
Touma focused and what he assumed was the moon turned out to be the silver hair over the face of the girl.
The girl that kept his head on her lap and after running her hand through his hair, raised it in a greeting
"Hi"
"B-B-B-Bayloupe-san?!" Touma shouted, jumping upwards" I-I am sorry... I didn't-"
"For what? I was the one that brought you hear after you passed out in the toilet. Quite a squabble by the way. That Kaibi girl ran after Lessar. As for the other sisters, I used people clearing field to have some space for a private talk. Don't worry, they are safe though.
"Oh..."
"Also, don't apologize after you stared at me throughout the day"
"You noticed?"
"It wasn't hard to see. Am I your type? I think I am, based on the few rumors going around"
"Just... forget it and..."
"No" the girl cut him off" I like daring men. That makes... things more interesting. As for now, I was just relaxing and did you a favour. We treated ourselves to some juice, hope you don't mind"
She took a gentle sip while saying that.
"Bayloupe-san..."
"Bayloupe is fine"
"Bayloupe... do you want something from me?"
She grinned and changed her position, taking Touma off her legs and instead resting her head and chest on Touma's, causing the boy's heart rate to accelerate from the pressure of her bosom on him. Apparently, this girl really liked to be in control.
"It's honestly sad that you immediately assume I want something... but well... do you remember when I mentioned my dream? Do you know what that is?"
Touma shook his head, and the girl leaned closer to his ear.
"I always wanted a family"
Although he knew the context was different, Touma felt strange and weirdly light when older girl whispered word family into his ear.
"Senpai, do you actually tease me now?"
"Who knows. Also, what was that about the moon?"
"Well, you hair looked really beautiful and I mistook-"
A hand slammed next to him, which felt as if Kamijou was in a laying down version of kabedon.
"You know, I am not like Lessar, but if you keep hitting those weak spots, then I will take a page from her book"
"W-What?"
The girl distanced herself a little bit and continued
"You know, when I was little, everyone hated my hair. They said I looked very weird. So I usually beat them up... yeah, I was a troublesome one, but the hair was always my pride. And I can appreciate someone who can see that too"
Touma forced himself to ignore the wink after that last sentence and asked something else
"Why did you want a family?"
Bayloupe took another sip of the juice, and looked into night sky.
"My parents died in a car accident when I was only 3. I was the sole survivour, and was then taken to orphanage. I was always strong and very agile for a girl, plus I had that silver-grey hair, so other children didn't really felt comfortable around me and often avoided me. I was a troublemaker who took everything she wanted so my caretakers had their hands full."
"You were lonely?"
"Well, I learned to fight for myself and be independent, strong woman you see before you. So it wasn't a total waste. But yes, don't days were rather lonely. The only friend I had back then was Oriana"
"Oriana... wait, don't tell me..."
"You've met her, right? Her father, Alan Thomson, was the head of the orphanage I was in. He lived there with his second wife. Oriana's mother died when she was small, and she was left in the care of religious dad, who decided to make her a nun. She was the same age as me but visited only occasionally because she was training to be a church servant per her father's wish. She always was so nice to me, maybe because she had no mother and felt cut off from her roots, just like me. Although I lost contact with her for years and only recognized her when Lessar faced her and you during British Halloween. We both changed a lot."
"Roots?"
"That song I sang to you, you probably didn't recognize the language, huh? I was originally from near the border of Scotland and England. I learned both english and gaelic, but I use it rarely and don't have an accent. Heh, it suits me, doesn't it?
"Yeah... I have no full idea about it, but yeah"
"Fun fact: each of us New Light members is from different fragment of United Kingdom. I am from Scotland, Floris is from Wales, Lancis from Northern Ireland, and Lessar from England. I like to take it as something really symbolic"
"Come to think of it... how did you even met?"
"I finally got bored and ran away from the orphanage. I worked for myself in better times, fought on the streets in worse. One time, I stumbled upon a gang of thugs in some alleyway. Using stealth skills, I managed to discombobulate them, and was about to rob them, when I noticed a person on the ground. He was dead, and, upon closer inspection, he happened to carry a book with himself. I thought I would sell it, so robbed him off it. But on the other day, my curiosity got the better of me and I looked inside. I later discovered that the dead guy was actually a messenger transporting a grimoire for the Church. Pretty lame one if you ask me, if he couldn't protect the book"
"But I thought no one expect Index could read the grimoires unharmed"
"You are right. I wasn't unharmed. The contents of it latched into my mind and made me sick. My whole body was on the verge of shutting down, I lost track of time, or how much pain I experienced, laying in the pool of blood, vomit, and saliva. But after many days, I awoke like normal. Barely alive, hungry, dehydrated, and weak beyond belief, but sane and alive nonetheless. And within my mind was knowledge of magic New Light uses to this day. "
"Wow..."
"This power was too great to waste! I decided to form a team of people who could use those powers alongside me and teach them what I knew. So I travelled, far and wide, and one by one, people who I was searching for came to my life through the twists of fate and action. I confronted them, talked to them, fought them if necessary, and offered the chance to be my family. Lancis was a rich girl from good family, but was considered a freak, bullied and ridiculed by her oversensitivity to magical energy, that she didn't even know about yet. Her parents didn't want a damage to their precious status.
'A small girl was crying by the side of the wall. Her brown hair had fragments of tomato, with red juice trickling down. Her uniform was dirty, and books, vandalized with offensive words in permanent marker, fell from the bag onto the ground.
Suddenly, a figure of another girl appeared before her, causing the girl to cover in fear.
"Hey, don't be afraid. I dealt with those guys who bullied you. They won't come for you again"
"I should go..."
"No, stay. I have something to say to you"
"You want to... talk with me? But I am a freak! I don't want to be connected with-"
The silver haired girl wiped the tomato juice of the hair of the girl with tears on her cheeks.
"You are not a freak. In fact, you have a wonderful talents. They are just ignorant of your true power. So what if it has side effects? I will help you and make you shine. I heard that even your parents left you in care of others, right? Well, in that case... if you are tired of being alone, if you love this country, but want to change it for the better, for all those who are alone and suffering, to restore its glory and beauty for all people..."
She extended her hand to wide-eyed girl.
"Come with me and become my sister"
Floris was one of 5 siblings, as the oldest she was completely neglected or overworked by her family, starving and stealing for survival. She is still little paranoid about any reckless danger. She was very successful because she was the smartest girl in the slums... before she encountered me...
Bayloupe was staring at the thin blond haired girl, rapidly devouring the sandwich she was given. Her eyes never once left the person in front of her, as if the blue-eyed blond was scared that her meal would be taken away.
"Why did you feed me? I tried to rob you!"
"I was there too. But there are better ways than living a life like you do"
Before, Bayloupe and the blond girl fought as the little thief tried to rob her.
Even though the thief girl was apparently swift and smart, she lacked the fortitude to truly defeat Bayloupe.
"What is your name?"
" *munch* I am... *munch*...Floris"
"That's a nice name. Floris, I think you have talent for things you didn't even dream of. So what would you say about joining me?"
"Nah. I work alone. Thanks for the meal, but me being a lackey? Hard pass"
"Bayloupe, you have those eyes again..." muttered Lancis, sitting by their side.
"Only because this will be fun..."
Bayloupe sighed with nostalgia.
" Floris is keen on noticing every possibility of danger, which stems from her days as a thief, and may seem prone to panicking, because that's her way of dealing with stress. But she actually is focus and smart in actual combat. Back then, she was stubborn and bent on operating solo. So we fought. 10 times. She lost each time, but her agility and skills just cemented my desire to make her a part of the team. Eventually, she joined because she acknowledged my power and wished to learn as well. Although she initially only did it for this reason, with time she started to love being together with us. She is often a great help, and helps to keep Lancis and Lessar focused on the task."
And as we travelled in trio, it came time for Lessar to join our lives..."
"Bayloupe-san, speaking of Lessar, I must ask you something. You see, just before I woke up, we..."
And then Touma told Bayloupe what he and Lessar argued about in the bathroom.
The older girl cringed as if she ate something sour
"That... was probably the worst conversation you two could have"
"Why? I don't understand? What is Lessar so afraid of?"
"Well, to understand her, you must understand her past circumstances. When I met her, she was trying to sell her body to some men in the pub, and luckily, I was there to stop it from happening. She was unusually eager to join me, and was always very enthusiastic, yet not so wanting to talk about her life before that pub. So I did some digging myself, tracking it back to Lessar's home town.
Lessar's mother was apparently an actress from London, who liked to go to countryside during her holidays. She was a woman of great beauty and charm, and in time, she was relatively popular. But due to some scandal, which I don't know details of, she lost her job. So she started to use her fans and her body as the ways to keep her living status as it was. That made her addicted to attention even more, and she switched partners as fast as she switched gloves in romance movies in which she acted before. One of the her greatest admirers was a young man, elected as a mayor of a small town near Leeds in Western Yorkshire. He was an honest, hardworking type, who lived a simple life but was very active in a community and loved by people of his town.
They met before during her holidays and when she, the revered actress and his muse, came to him asking for help, he could not deny her. But even though she only wanted to sleep with him to get the money, he got her drunk and she let her guard down. The effect of that romance came 9 months earlier, in the form of little Lessar. You would think the mother would stay with her child. But no, Lessar's mother didn't care in the slightest, as she never wanted her daughter in the first place. She only stayed with them only until Lessar could eat solid food, and then disappeared without a trace"
"That's awful... is that why Lessar acts like she does?"
"Hmm... the worst was yet to come. This prolonged stay made Lessar's father think that the object of his affection actually loves him back. He completely changed. When she disappeared, he became obsessed. He praised Lessar for how she looked, while disciplining her for anything else. I have no idea what level of unhealthy dynamics and abuse was really going on, but it was clearly there. Why? Because apparently, Lessar looks like a spitting image of her mother in her younger years. Possibly, he transferred his emotions and thoughts regarding his lover on their daughter, and in a way, used Lessar as compensation for the loss he could not face, punishing any behaviour that was against his vision. It's only my theory, but I think the only praise Lessar ever received was on how she looked, and expression of every other area was punished. Thus, she started to associate good things with her body and intimate side, and started to fear internal world, that could lead her to 'diverge' and cause more harm."
Touma was truly shaken. Regret towards the things he said to Lessar came back tenfold.
"How could he do this to his own daughter?"
"People hide many forms of darkness. He never did this in public too, I had to ask one of the cleaners of his house. Also, he possibly lessened the moral burden by pretending, for those occasions, that Lessar wasn't in fact his daughter. With the quantity of the men her mother was with, it was very hard to determine who was the father, even though everyone in the town had no doubt in this case"
Lessar finally ran away, just like me. As for her dad, I heard he never recovered, spiralling into madness further and further, and succumbed into alcoholism, dying just few years after. Lessar's upbringing filled her with some pretty messed up ideas on how to earn money, but at the same time, she was always an unyielding optimist. She managed to survive thanks to her luck and spirit. But it's a good thing I found her, last member of New Light to join. And it's even better thing that she met you."
"..."
"What I am getting at Kamijou, is that you had it backwards. Lessar hates the idea of selling body to just anyyone. She does what she does because she believes that physical intimacy will make you stay close by. She always listened to her father saying that if he was more interesting and attractive, Lessar's mother would stay, so she thought that if she was attractive enough, she won't be abandoned again. And she is scared to think of alternatives. She thinks her inside is worthless because she was punished for it. Kamijou, I think you are the one who can truly show her the path of true affection"
"Affection?"
"She got hurt because you suggested something she hates the most. That she would try to throw her dignity around like someone completely without a care who she sleeps with. I know it sounds contradictory. But even if Lessar unconsciously acted like her mother, she is not like her! That's because she is determined to do this for one person only, in the entirety of all people. And that person is you. She is childish and needs to learn a lot, but she truly has affection for you."
"Bayloupe, I need to go to find-"
"Ssssh!" the girl pressed a finger on his lips.
"I think you see now. New Light is set to make UK better place. We all love our country, although each of us has their own motif in acting like we do. Also, we want to become gorgeous girls with unparalleled beauty, to get back on the years of hate and loneliness."
Touma frowned. Did her face was that flushed before?
"Kamijou, those 3 became my true family. We grew alongside each other, I taught them, we fought alongside one another, and cared for each other in sickness and health. But for quite some time, I felt the need for someone else-"
Yes, she was definitely closer now. And there was a rather strange light in her eyes.
"Ever since I heard about you, I started to research you and your adventures. And the way you fought off adversaries, and united all the factions, like Amakusa, Roman Catholics, and Necessarius, to work together, even for a moment, sent shivers down my spine. After hearing from Lessar and observing for myself, I was convinved. You are someone our isles need. Someone this world needs"
"W-Well..." Touma muttered, trying his best to back off " always nice to be needed..."
"Someone I need"
"I-I am sorry?"
"You are strong, possess a powerful force at your disposal, and already got into hearts of our team. Lancis came to like you, and Floris is... how do you call it Japan? Tsun-da-ray? As for myself..."
"Bayloupe-san... in what sense you meant when you wanted for me to be a part of your family?"
"Family is quite an extensive term for me. What sense do you want for me to follow through with?"
"B-But we don't know each other all that much"
"There will still be time. But now, I just have to do it. I always wanted a strong partner who could keep up with me"
"W-What do you mean... in what areas-"
"All of them. My energy, power, temper, dreams... and more. I like winning, Kamijou. And I am beating Lessar as her superior right now"
She brushed her hair aside and leaned over him.
"Wait, wait, someone pressed fast-forward in this movie called life? This is too fast!"
"Don't worry, I am not like Lessar. I will give you only the apetizer taste... so we could do more later~... or maybe..."
Her face suddenly fell, and she stared at him with sad eyes.
"You don't want big sister to kiss you?"
The contrast with her usual composed face made this a devastating blow.
"Bay...loupe...san..." he said weakly, trying to argue back with shattered conviction.
But before the kiss could happen, the sliding door to Touma's balcony opened.
This gave boy strength and he managed to shake Bayloupe off.
"Lancis! Floris! Help, Bayloupe started acting stra-"
But then he stopped, as he looked at two girls.
Lancis was half-crawling, and Floris was swaying slightly. Their faces were flushed... and their gazes were fixed directly on him.
Touma felt cold sweat on him.
"Oh no... not you too..."
"Kamijou, you were the first one who treated me seriously in long while. You listened to me and you said my laugh was cute. No one... ever said that to me. I can't focus on thinking until I reward you for being so nice" Lancis said while crawling forward, with a dreamy smile on her face, licking her lips.
"I hate you... I hate you so much... but I also can't stand that you don't see my sings... so I will just make you see me and punish you for your stupidity. After I drank so much, it became easy to see... that you are not so bad... after all..." Floris extended her hands towards Touma, making a kissy face.
"Drink? Wait..." Touma shot a glance towards the empty glass Bayloupe was drinking from.
He was sure that it was a juice. But if it somehow wasn't and girls drank something else...
They were closer and closer, all three of them.
"Wait! You drank something that is messing with and amplifying your emotions! If you just..."
He never got a chance to finish.
Three pairs of eyes lit up, three pairs of female legs jumped, followed by the respective bodies and one male falsetto scream echoed through the night.
(MEANWHILE)
Gokusai Kaibi turned around. She could have sworn she heard a familiar scream, but maybe it was just her imagination.
She finally managed to locate the girl she was looking for, the one named Lessar, who suddenly ran away from Touma's dorm. They were in District 7's main park.
Kaibi was not sure why she felt the need to pursue the girl. Although she had a few ideas.
Maybe it was because of the dynamic those girls shared and it reminded her of her own broken, runaway family? Or maybe because, according to Kamijou, this Lessar girl was also, like Kaibi in the past, using her body and seduction to gain what she wanted?
She sat down near the girl, who embraced her legs with her arms while sitting on the bench.
"What do you want, Goldilocks?"
"I... I think I would like to help"
"Go away"
"Lessar, what is the problem? Surely you can tell your best friend"
This time, she wasn't using Measure Heart for malicious purposes. The girl in front of her obviously needed to vent, and decreasing the distance between their hearts could create an opportunity for that.
"I... feel awful. And I never feel awful" came the comment from the black haired girl after a while. "I just wanted to be with him... so why is my body not enough? I offered Kamijou all I could. Why is he requesting something I can't give? That's just not fair!"
"Okay... could you tell me everything about that argument you had?"
And so, Lessar spoke. Kaibi listened and sighed, rubbing her temples.
"Lessar-san, I doubt that Kamijou meant what he said. He was just confused and didn't know full picture. But if you want my opinion, you should try to do things his way as well as your own. Setting the compromise is a basis of a relationship"
"But... I feel awesome and fun when I can seduce him and whenever I charm him. I know my hobbies and basic stuff... but I am not good with all the things he wants. I am... afraid. I don't like being afraid!"
"Sometimes, we have to be afraid and push past our limits to find something beautiful"
"What if he leaves me?" there was a true fear in Lessar's voice.
Kaibi put a hand on top of foreign girl's shoulder.
"Ask yourself why is this so important to you"
"What?"
"Why is Kamijou so important that possibility of losing him hurts you so much?"
Lessar scratched her head
"Because if I fail, Britain would lose a valuable asset?"
Kaibi did not buy the half-hearted reply. She also did not understand what Lessar meant by that, so she just assumed that she wanted to take Touma to her country and join her friends, for whatever reason. Kamijou was mysterious enough for her to just accept that heuristic.
"Maybe that is partially true, but I think there is something else there. If what you say is true, if one of your friends got to convince him to join you, would you be happy with that?"
"No!" shouted Lessar, getting up... before blinking, and tilting her head.
Why... would that be a problem?
When she met Touma, she wanted to convince him to joining her and seduce him to give UK a powerful ally. She still wanted that, but...
Ever since they spent time together during WWIII, and then Touma disappeared from the place by her side in the cold waters of Arctic Ocean, something changed.
She would no longer be satisfied if Bayloupe, Lancis, Floris, or even Princesses themselves were the ones to seduce Touma. She felt irritated when she even thought about it.
"No, that won't do. I made so much effort and I don't... don't want anyone else to take credit, when what I feel..."
Was she... jealous? Was the bitterness today jealousy she had no knowledge of before now?
Kaibi sighed again, as she too realized something.
'I would never help her before, especially not with this kind of thing when she is essentially my rival. But you know what? This moron actually managed to change me a lot'
"What do you feel when you are with him, what things you don't want to lose?"
"When I am with Lover Boy, I feel excited and happy. I think he is awesome and cool, and it makes me smile even more. I like when we can have fun together, eat together, and it would be great if he felt that too. I feel so warm and nice around him that I just want to give him my body and bear his child"
"Okay... except that last bit, all of this is rather normal. I diagnose you with being in love."
Lessar pouted, her tail swaying between her legs.
"In love... really?"
"Yes. I was in denial of it for a long time so I know it quite well"
"But..." Lessar lowered her head, and Kaibi saw the wet droplet hit her hands "If I am in love, then if he abandons me... then I..."
Lessar was one of those people who were so vibrantly carefree and optimistic that it seemed almost unbelievable to think she could cry. But even she had parts of her that were sad and tainted with fear.
Kaibi looked forward, towards the darkness of the park and skyscrapers in the distance.
"You know, it's quite hard, but the key in being with others is communication. Talking with others can hurt, but it can also heal. You didn't bother to talk with your desires with Kamijou, right? And although he could have handled it better, you never gave him any space. Well, now it's time to make it right. And you are in luck. Because the guy you fell in love with..."
Lessar slowly looked at Kaibi, who smiled at her.
"...is surely coming to save you. If you leave things as you are, you two will never heal. You needed this moment, and now, you will push forward. That's normal thing in relationships. Arguments hurt, but sometimes, they are needed to make way for the change that benefits everyone."
"Lover Boy... won't reject me? Even if I don't know much about loves other than physical?"
"That's for him to decide. But if I know one thing about Kamijou Touma, is that he doesn't abandon people in need."
Lessar's eyes widened as she slowly stood up.
Flashbacks of Touma saving her life from Robin Hood arrow, and against berserk monster of a level 5 known as Accelerator, as well as many episodes along their journey, filled her head.
That's right... that was one of the reason why she became attracted to him in the first place. Because he did not abandon her.
As Lessar thought this, she realized something. The desire to become one with Touma and love him in a physical, passionate form was still there.
But her heart opened to new desires. Some were unknown and alien to her, worrisome even.
But she knew a person who could help her.
And choosing between stubbornly keeping her way or remaining in Kamijou Touma's life was an easy choice.
She sprang into the run, waving to Kaibi
"Thanks so much Goldilocks, I will treat you to something in the future. I have to go find Kamijou!"
(MEANWHILE)
Othinus landed on a Certain Dorm's outer corridor.
She slept through majority of the day because of the incarnate of chaos, Amazora Gokusai, that kept her up all night. And after waking up, her Understander was not there.
So, she went to search for him by scanning the ground from the crow she tamed in the City, just like she did once when she was in London.
She had no luck through the day, and she was about to give up, when light caught her attention in the dorms that should be empty.
And when she landed, she was there to witness Kamijou Touma frantically getting out of the dorm and locking the door beside himself.
The usually reserved goddess laughed. Oh, did she laugh.
Touma's hair looked as if he was dragged through a hurricane. His clothes had holes in them, and Touma's face and exposed fragments of skin bore scratches, as if from claws, and lipstick kiss marks all over himself.
"Human, what happened?"
"Othi...nus... did I die?"
"As an expert in watching you die, I can certainly say that you are both alive and looking like an idiot. Who did this to you?"
"British women are... scary... yet... kind of amazing too. But when I managed to touch them with Imagine Breaker, they calmed down a bit. That was weird."
He then shook his head and took off running.
"That reminds me. Sorry Othinus, I have to go now. We will meet later on"
"Where are you going?!"
"I have to find Lessar!"
(20 MINUTES LATER)
Maybe because she didn't ran all that far, they managed to notice each other on the main street, few intersections away.
"Lover Boy!"
"Lessar!"
As they ran towards each other, it almost looked like a scene from the movie, if not for...
HONK!
"Shiiiiiit!"
The car that came from across the corner almost hit Kamijou. The owner cursed loudly and the boy himself lost his footing causing him to stumble and slam against the trash cans on the edge of the street.
Lessar's lips stretched into a smile, and then the black haired girl burst laughing. She laughed merrily till her sides started to hurt. And with it, the cold feeling she was dealing with earlier started to melt away.
"W-What is this?! Hahahaha! You made it seem like such a great moment, and then you ruined it like this!"
She reached the spot where Touma was and then extended her hand.
As they took few steps away, they looked at each other, both feeling slightly uncomfortable.
"Hey/Listen..." they both said simultaneously, which caused another moment of further silence.
Finally, Touma took a deep breath and said
"Lessar, I am sorry for what I said earlier. I was angry and I didn't know the full picture. Bayloupe told me everything and I just want to say that I really am sorry that I misjudged you. I feel that I had right to feel mind about certain things, but I went too far. You didn't deserve that."
"I..." Lessar shifted from leg to leg, her tail coiling around her waist " have something to say too. I am not very good at all the deep stuff, nor am I extremely smart or powerful. But I know that I want to know you. You are important to me. I still think that I want to sleep with you, but if it means that you will not want to see me anymore... that's just not worth it."
"Wait. I don't want to change who you are. The things you did made you who you are, so I have no intention to make you stop. Although... if you could warn me in advance and respect the moments when I say no?"
"Hmm...I can definitely try" Lessar gave a thumb up" Unless you make me too lonely of course."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Touma smiled back. "Oh, and also: Lessar, I will not abandon you. Even if you are scared of the parts of yourself that you don't know, I will be here to learn and support you in becoming who you want to be"
Lessar said nothing, but her cheeks reddened slightly and she shook her head with a smile
"Well, then I will try to talk to you more instead of only doing my thing. You were never just an object for me, Kamijou. You are so, so much cooler. And this girl dedicates her heart to show you how fun this journey can get. So if we take it step by step, I guess we can find the middle ground."
They stood there, smiling and staring at each other.
Then, Lessar's nose twitched and she shivered.
"Atchoo!"
Touma watched Lessar sneeze with amusement.
"I thought idiots don't catch colds"
"That's rich coming from you. Admit it, you just thought that I look super hot and it made me sneeze"
"Firstly, that superstition doesn't really work if we stand next to each other. Secondly, you are hot in the freezing night. You will catch a cold like this"
"So you agree that I am hot!"
"You know that's not what I meant."
"Agree to disagree"
"Although... you do look very nice"
"Heh, that's a given!"
Touma unzipped his hoodie and motioned to Lessar
"This hoodie is slightly bigger... big enough for you to fit up front."
"I thought you were going to give it to me"
"I know but... this is more of your style. Think of it as compromise. "
And so, Lessar got under the hoodie and zipped it, wearing it together with Touma. Although the material stretched, Lessar's hair was tickling Touma's face and they had to synchronize steps with one another, it was strangely...
"How nice" purred the girl, feeling warmth spreading through her.
Then she looked at Touma, twisting her head, and for the first time, she noticed the blurs of red and scratches on his skin
"What are those?"
Touma shivered and muttered
"W-Well..."
"Is this lipstick? Wait, kisses?! Who did that?"
"F-Floris"
"She always acted all cold for you! And those scratches?"
"Lancis..."
"Tch, it's always the quiet ones! Then... Bayloupe?"
"She actually... did both"
"Oh, that's it! I am going there to give them piece of my mind. Damn hypocrites!"
"Wait! Lessar, something was really off with them. First, they acted normal, but then got all... enthusiastic and stuff, as if they were drunk. My Imagine Breaker seemed to pacify them, but they were still out of it. Floris mentioned something about a drink and..."
Lessar froze in place
"D-Drink?!"
"Lessar... what is going on?"
"Erm.. you see... I might know what happened to them... it's quite funny actually, really a riot... heh heh... heh..."
(IN THE MORNING)
Bayloupe groaned, blearily opening her eyes.
She cringed from the light permeating Kamijou Touma's dorm.
"So, you are awake" Lessar called to her while sitting on the chair.
Floris and Lancis were already awake, also cringing and groaning.
"What the hell happened? My head hurts..." New Light leader muttered, walking towards the rest of the quartet.
"My too. What happened with us last night?" Floris put an ice pack on her head, looking just as confused.
"I remember... Kamijou... and then... it's all a blur" Lancis looked at Lessar, who coughed and put out a camera.
"Well, for abridged version, you got drunk. So you smooched Lover Boy, and later organized an all out party! When I returned here, you were all having a blast. Look!"
Kind of fearing what they were about to see, three girls leaned towards the screen of the digital camera.
'So you think you are better than me? Huh?! Then you shall see who is better once Kamijou gets back!" drunk Bayloupe stood in front of the bathroom's mirror, practically snarling at it.
CUT!
"And now it's the time for another song" Lancis wobbled on the Touma's table, doing the pose that was supposed to be elegant "What do we do with a drunken... sailor... Rule Britannia, Britannia rule the waaaaaaaves..."
CUT!
"I can always... fly away..." Floris giggled, jumping on the balcony's edge and falling back into the air, before she flew in circles, spiralling with no sense of direction, until she crashed into the wall "Nailed it..."
CUT!
Bayloupe, with only blue panties on herself, was running around the flat, while screaming "Freedom!", accompanied by the clapping of other girls
CUT!
Lancis got a hand on Touma's jar of hair gel and was laughing at herself senseless with her hair standing straight
CUT!
Floris was trying to kiss Touma's school photo but ended up hugging the TV
CUT!
"Alright girls, let's have some fun!"
All of them were wearing exotic costumes, and stared at the camera, as they all started to shake their hips and
"It's time for samba!
Floris's mouth was opening and closing, Lancis became crimson and was looking through her fingers. Even Bayloupe reddened, extremely embarrassed, as they watched this and more.
"Are we all dancing samba? We don't even know how to do it! Lessar, why are you there?"
"You looked like you were having fun so I joined you as well!"
"We can't be seen like this! Our hips... I didn't know we could move like this... no, this samba dance is dangerous. And... are we doing a train here?! Lessar, delete this at once!"
Lessar grinned, and Bayloupe shook her head.
"You didn't..."
"Lover Boy already saw it, sorry"
Lancis face looked if it could release streams of hot steam any second, and Floris grabbed her head, muttering
"Kill me, kill me, kill me now..."
"Well, from better news..."
"Better?!"
"Me and Lover Boy had important talk and I decided to tone it down a little."
Meanwhile three other girls had their minds focused on something else.
Namely, on moments they had with Touma in their drunken state.
Each of them, no exceptions, blushed deeper as they realized something.
'Although I would never expose myself so much...' Bayloupe mused in her mind.
'Although certain things would never seem that simple...' Floris thought.
'Although I would never be that bold in front of him...' Lancis reminisced.
Each of them felt their hearts pulse with a newfound emotion.
'The things I said during this drunken state were not false' they all realized in unison
Sure, emotions were amplified and such, but they were still true.
Even if it was because of observation from the distance for Bayloupe, being in denial for Floris, or being greatful for attention and kindness in case of Lancis, in each of the ways, Kamijou Touma captured the hearts of New Light.
"Ekhm..." Bayloupe coughed, trying to regain her composure" actually, I think I agree that it is rather crucial, the recruitment of Kamijou Touma"
"Oh, yes. Do your job Lessar"
"And you can count on our... full support"
Lessar narrowed her eyes
"Wait a second... aren't you a little too happy with this?"
"Speaking of being happy" Bayloupe addressed her youngest sister and subordinate, her tone causing Lessar to freeze "you are really carefree for someone who messed up"
"H-Huh? Whatever are you t-talking about, Bayloupe?"
"Oh let me think. Didn't you prepare a super strong aphrodisiac infused with magic on the way here with the purpose of giving it to Imagine Breaker..."
"F-Funny that you mention that, you have a good memory..."
"And you know that you have a habit of swapping the bottles so he would not suspect a thing? Well, guess who drank the juice Lessar..."
"Y-Your face is really scary now, so if you could..."
"ALL OF US! Hey everyone, since we did well while dancing samba, let's take a page of tradition from that part of the world and make a Lessar piñata, with Steel Glove as a bat!
The vengance of three girls could not be underestimated.
(MEANWHILE)
Kamijou was walking alongside Gokusai Kaibi. Previous night, they decided to return to find Amazora and Rikuri, with Touma picking Othinus up along the way.
It turned out that after being expelled by people clearing field, Amazora and Rikuri, somehow convinced that there was an actual reason they left, headed back to their apartment. Touma was never fully aware how people clearing fields actually operated, but he guessed that they could imbed a suggestion in the minds of people affected.
And now, Kaibi was out with Touma, returning to see how Kamijou's friends were after the night.
She still felt good after helping the girl named Lessar. Maybe she should consider becoming a therapist one day?
She put a hand on Touma's shoulder and leaned on to look him in the eyes
"Hey. Don't worry over nothing, everything is fine"
"I know, I just... have a really bad feeling"
"Look, there is no reason to be so paranoid." she commented, as they approached Touma's dorm" Those are just 4 teenage girls, what can they-"
BOOM!
A ball of fire emerged from the side of the dorm, making Kaibi stop her sentence.
Did she forget who was she talking to?
(5 MINUTES LATER)
Kamijou Touma dropped to his knees
"My dorm..."
"It was Bayloupe who grabbed the fragment of the wall while chasing me!"
"My dorm!"
"You deserved it, Lessar. Besides, you trashed the place by jumping around it"
"My dorm!"
"But if Floris didn't conjure that ball of flames, then-"
"It was Lancis who deflected it though."
"My dorm! What happened to my poor dorm?!"
The newly renovated place looked as if the bomb dropped in the middle of it, with the place trashed and in grandiose mess. Not to mention the scorched walls and a gaping hole in the middle of it.
Floris gulped slightly.
"M-Maybe... it is not as bad as it looks..."
Just as she said that, yet another fragment of the wall collapsed. The girl winced as car alarm sounded in the distance after the concrete fell down.
"Not as bad as it looks?! I will have to sell my organs and eat grass to explain this and pay for once again calling to repair it!"
"There, there, it will be alright..." Kaibi crouched down to comfort the boy, giving his arm a squeeze. She then turned in the direction of New Light and her pretty face contorted in the visage of anger
"Apologize~" she growled, her eyes flashing pink.
The girls backed away. Even Bayloupe felt a little intimidated.
'Woah, she totally acts like a protective wife' Lessar thought with a hesitant awe.
Bayloupe thought for a moment, and then, knowing that Lancis would follow what she was doing used both hands to bend both Lessar and Floris into lowering their heads.
"We got carried away in our argument. New Light will help you in the rebuild of your dorm"
"We will?-ow!" Lessar was kicked by Bayloupe, who then leaned closer and whispered something into girls ears. Whatever it was, it gave an effect.
Lessar's lips stretched into a smug grin and Floris absentmindedly smoothened her hair.
As the girls approached the still-recovering-from-shock Touma, saying more apologies and encouragement, Kaibi narrowed her eyes, looking at the foreign teenagers. She got that feeling yet again. The one she already knew, in particular from the interaction with the strange, 'shrunken friend' of Kamijou Touma
'Aside from some illegal cases, and wild Gemstones, Academy City is the only places in the world to produce supernatural powers. It is clear that those girls are from outside of the City. They said it themselves and Touma confirmed it. But if that's the case, they shouldn't have any abilities. Yet it is clear that right now right of them was strong enough to somehow make a huge hole in the wall, and another created a big orb of fire. The possibility of all of them being unregistered Gemstones is too slim, impossible even. So... who are they? And why do I get the feeling Kamijou tapped into something I have no knowledge of?'
(LATER)
And thus, New Light helped to tidy up Touma's dorm. At least, there were to do that in the near future before returning to England. For now, they set to fulfil their diplomatic duty, whatever it actually was. As Touma waited for the group outside of Board Chairman's administration office, a chill ran down his spine.
The presence of Itsuwa, Oriana, even the Magic Gods, and now New Light (although the last group had legal reasons for entrance) made him a little nervous. Was there something going on regarding Magic Side that he was not aware of?
He tired to speak about it with Lessar before New Light went for business, but the girl was kept getting distracted by Academy City's attractions. Lancis and Floris were not any better, with the former wanting to see School Garden, the latter wanting to go on scientific exhibitions. Meanwhile Bayloupe could not really give him any solid news. She admitted that it was always better to be cautious, but also reassured him to not be paranoid. She also got interested with Itsuwa's whereabouts, as they battled in the past.
Yet somehow, he could not fully get his mind of the issue.
But, as New Light got back and everyone celebrated completing the task by going to restaurant (with Touma and the sisters invited as well), he forced those thoughts out of his mind for now. There was no reason to worry for possible futures.
He looked around the lunch table. Lessar was happily munching on whatever she got a hold of, Lancis was playing with Amazora by putting an oyster on each of her dragon nail-claws and trying to evade Amazora's efforts to devour her favourite meal. This was accompanied by Floris reprimanding them to stop playing with food. Kaibi, sitting next to Touma, was mainly trying to eat in peace, and Rikuri conversed with Bayloupe in straightforward manner.
Yes. That was the fragment of peace Touma loved so much.
When Bayloupe finished her conversation, she looked at Touma
"Regarding our earlier conversation, I wanted to show you something."
She pulled out a small locket, the same colour as her hair.
She put it in front of them on the table and opened it.
On one half of the inside was a photo of New Light, at least few years younger than now. On the other, there were two girls, appearing to be the age of 7 or 8. One of them, grinning and with plasters on her arms and legs, was clearly Bayloupe. The other girl, embracing her, was slightly taller and was dressed in simple black clothing, with curly golden hair and blue eyes. And although she didn't have her signature ample chest back then, Touma knew that face and hair.
"Is that... Oriana?"
"Yes. I will have a copy of this made. I want you to have it"
"Really? No, I can't-"
"I insist. You are New Light's close ally, and our valuable comrade too"
They stared at each other for a while but before Touma could reply, Kaibi, who looked at locket moments earlier, suddenly became pale as a ghost. She scooted closer, to the surprise of Kamijou.
"Bayloupe-san... how old where you here?"
"Seven, or something. Oriana was 8. Why do you ask?"
"Because this girl... her face... she reminds me of someone I know. But that's impossible..."
"Oh, it's that rip off girl!" Rikuri exclaimed, also coming closer to examine the photo.
"You met her, Rikuri nee-san?"
"You can say that... but why did you react to her that way, Kaibi-chan?"
"Wait a second, wait, wait... Bayloupe-san, did this girl's mother... was she a foreigner? Was she from beyond the UK?"
"W-Well, yeah. Oriana was half-British. That was the reason why we got along so well, among the others. Do you know her too?"
"I... don't know... but if it is true... then... this means a lot to me and my sister! And it makes so much sense!""
"Kaibi-san, what do you mean? This girl is Oriana Thomson, a courier that both myself and Bayloupe-san know from the past circumstances. But why do you know her?"
"Yes, sister, why do you know her? I didn't recognize her when we met and I am older than you!"
"You wouldn't know. Mother always kept you away and busy, and Amazora was far too little to even comprehend what was going around her. But I remember, hazy, like through the mist... but I remember meeting the woman that looked just like that girl on the photo. I mean, she is your age now, Bayloupe-san. But that face..."
"Can someone please tell me some inside context?!" Kamijou yelled out, attracting the attention of others, who froze on the spot.
Kaibi exhaled and spoke.
"Kamijou... once, Gokusai family affairs were ruled by a matriarch, my grandmother. She had two daughters. The elder one, per tradition, was prepared to inherit the financial empire and business. She was destined to become one of the most influential women in Japan, but she had to follow certain rules and don't disobey orders and ways of the family. It happened before my birth, but I know that she rebelled and had a romance with a foreigner. My grandmother disowned her and she left our home. I don't know much of the details, but my mother, the younger sister, had to take in the role she was not meant to do. So she ended up hating her sibling... my aunt. I only ever saw her once, because my mother allowed her to come to at grandma's funeral. It was just this once, but I remember her clearly. And this face and hair... it's differently coloured, but that girl in the photo looks just like my aunt. I knew she left the country, but I had no idea that she had a child. And a daughter too. For generations, only daughters were born in Gokusai family... Bayloupe-san... what was the name of the mother of Oriana-san?"
Bayloupe shrugged helplessly
"When I came to orphanage, Oriana was with her mom, but she died and then she returned to live with her father, who then re-married. So in the end I never knew her biological mother, not to mention knowing her name. And Oriana never told me. Sorry"
"No... that's okay. We will just have to find her, if she is still in the City, and confront her about this. Something tells me that there is a really interesting story behind this twist of fate..."
"What are you talking about, Kaibi-san?"
"If information from both sides will check out, then this woman, about whom we had no knowledge about, is our older cousin" Kaibi delivered the big news, motioning to herself and her sisters.
(LATER)
It was a busy day. Kamijou could admit that.
But right now, he got no rest.
New Light had no place to stay, so they begged him with puppy eyes.
He declined. But they begged, begged, and begged...
So, he finally agreed.
"So... heavy..."
But even if this was only for a short amount of time, before they returned to England...
"I knew it will come to this, daaaaaamn it!"
He was in his bed. Surrounded by 7 girls.
One could think that it would be heaven on earth?
Well, yes, but actually no.
Sleeping with 7 girls could have sounded like a dream. But Kamijou was expert in shattering illusions. And once this one was shattered...
It was a heavy, hot, and chaotic mess. Sure, the girls were all cute in their own ways, smelled nice, and such. But even disregarding the fact that the bed was caving in and Touma could not comprehend how and why all girls were laying in his bed, this was simply uncomfortable.
Rikuri was laying on top of him. Floris was hugging his leg and didn't let go even for a moment. Bayloupe was grasping his arm and growled when he tried to move her. Lancis somehow found herself upside down in relation to everyone else and was kicking him in the face with her foot. Amazora was curled up between his feet. Kaibi rested her cheek against his with the rest of her body dangling on top of other girls.
Touma could not see Lancis, which was never a good sign.
He managed to somehow move a little, and reach for the phone. It showed 2 AM.
And when he was about to pick touch the screen again, the phone rang.
But before he could do anything else...
"And now, the main star of the night, with the wonders of Academy City's high-tech greatest erotic costume, Lessar and Liquefiable Lingerie"
Touma's eyes got extremely big as suddenly the silhouette of Lessar emerged from the shadows and, after splashing herself with water, jumped in the air, with her attire actually melting away.
The result was scream, female curses, and one particularly epic pillow fight, as well as Kamijou Touma's rather predominant insomnia for the rest of the night.
The only upside was the fact that phoning to Index, which he was determined to do the next day, didn't seem like the most uncomfortable thing after all.
(MEANWHILE)
"So it appears that my ingenious machine worked well" noted Aleister Crowley to the rather exasperated Kihara Noukan" Well, I sent her for fun to some of our 'dear friends'."
Misaka Mikoto accidentally fried the GAGARS machine after using it.
Itsuwa got tempted by Amakusa to use it and actually got charmed by the results, as she stared at the small girl with her hair (only long) and Kamijou's eyes.
Shokuhou Misaki cried throughout all night, but woke up with renewed motivation to make her dream a reality.
Kanzaki Kaori had to punch through hundred of wooden logs to contain her excitement after witnessing the possible offspring of herself and Kamijou
Leivinia Birdway secretly framed older Kamijou Touma, alongside possibilities, in her cabal studio.
Agnese Sanctis waited till midnight until she failed to contain her desire to use the machine, which left her in the state of guilty shock and pleasure.
There were only a few who managed to experience the wonders of the GAGARS system.
Although...
"Say, Nephthys..." Niang-Niang commented, as the brown goddess stared at her own possibilities of mixing DNAs with Kamijous "What if we got every member of this harem of his, created a separate phase for each, clone him, let each copy live his individual life, and then reintegrate them?"
Nephthys smile deviously.
"Sounds like a material for a pretty interesting tale"
But back to Aleister...
"And this is really so you can get more erotica materials?" Noukan asked.
"But of course?"
"Why?"
"Why? What kind of question is this? When one gets over 130, you must keep yourself motivated. And nothing motivates like some morning erotica in bed."
"Sometimes, being with you makes me seriously reconsider my life choices.