NOVEL NEXT Chapter 62: chapter 62
(HALF AN HOUR LATER, AT THE POOL COMPLEX)
A big pool hall was converted into a miniature desert. Seven girls were laying around on the sunbeds, with one of them letting out a sigh of delight. Hasako created a desert environment for all of them to warm themselves and chat over drinks.
"Your ability is simply marvellous, Kankyougami-san. How do you do it?"
"Well, my AIM field can spread itself on a very wide area and acts similar to threads, if threads could stitch over reality. My ability 'weaves' itself into preexisting environment and modifies it in accordance to the most optimal condition for the DNA of the certain living organism, from bacterium to blue whale. It used to calibrate only to the advantage for closest animal, but I got better in controlling its outcome if I have a stash of DNA samples on me. That's my glass necklace. But it's not a simple ability. It consumes energy, especially when spread over large area or switched in rapid succession"
"Sounds both beautiful and dangerous at the same time" mused Mitori.
"That's a very good description. Apparently, thanks to my power, I can even survive black hole or Big Bang in right condition, not to mention having the ability to terraform lifeless environments. But each of my environments can be potentially dangerous for every creature other than one it was designated for. It's purely accidental though, as my ability is neutral in nature..."
"You said you had multiple environments? Which one is the most powerful?"
"Powerful? I don't think about them in such categories. Each can be beneficial or harmful, depending on the creature that is subjected to it. But for humans as reference point, well... I do have an environment that removes all oxygen from the air. If I don't let go, I can damage someone's brain. Your sister, Maria-san, took the trouble to collect DNA of many creatures for me. Just in case of emergencies, she said. One of the newer additions is anglerfish, that creates incredible pressure upon the affected area. One of the most destructive forces can come from my own saliva... d-don't laugh, Hoshimi, you know what I am taking about. By designating digestive bacteria, I can create seas of acid."
"Can we see some of them?"
"Oh, I don't know..."
"Please?"
Hasako closed her eyes with a smile, and in the next moment...
The sand got covered in the quickly with a snow, as freezing wind blew on the enclosed space.
"T-The fact that temperature changes too is incredible!"
"So cold!" Maria said, her teeth chattering
Kongou, to this point spread on her sunbed in a diva-like fashion, fell over on the gust of arctic gale, and then sneezed due to her body being suddenly chilled.
Then, the environment changed again, with hot water bublling from the ground and shooting upwards.
"Ah... hot! Hot! The ground is hot!" Kongou shot up, trying not to stay in one place for too long." Water! Water!"
"This seems strangely familiar" Wannai smiled at Awatsuki
The scenery changed once again, with humidity growing and resembling more the one found in tropical rainforest.
The rain showered the girls before Hasako shook her head
"I believe that's enough"
And just like that, environment became desert-like again.
The girls laid down in silence for a moment, before ever talkative Maidono addressed Kongou.
"You proactively came here to surprise Touma... does it mean that you want to get serious with him?"
Kongou blinked, before laughing in a sincere and happy manner.
"Whenever was I not serious about darling? But you do have a point, I wanted this culinary surprise to be a mere prelude to something far greater... eh-ekhm..."
Kongou Mitsuko coughed, evidently wanted to share something important with them. Other girls diverted their attention to the Aero Hand user.
"Ever since I met darling... that is, Kamijou Touma... there was a change occurring within me, and within my heart. At first I could not fully understand what that change was and what it entail, but after some time, I began to realize it by understanding what I feel because of him. All my life I could, and often had, everything I could have. I felt like I should only strive for best and expect the best out of life. But only you, my friends, and Kamijou Touma gave me the sense of meaning in my status and wealth. Never in my life I was so happy about the abundance of resources I have now and I will inherit in the future. Each time I think about my darling, gratitude grows in my heart to the point when I can hardly contain it. Ever since I got truly acquainted with him and recognize my feelings of affection, he was nothing but courageous and kind towards me, even without the finesse of higher social circles. For all I possess, he has almost nothing. Yet even with as little as this, whenever we got together, through plan or chance, I always felt like he wanted best for me. Truly, genuinely cared for my comfort, my humour, my well-being. And even my efforts to make it even paled in comparison to this sincerity, this amazing heart that he possesses. Before I knew it, my efforts weren't only to make him woo me using my charm. Instead, I wanted to perfect my body and mind for him as well. So one day he can have the best experience, choosing Kongou Mitsuko as the finest. Whenever I am with him, I am feeling that I learn or feel something new, and this makes me want to do something for him. It's like a fortunate twist of fate that I have the possibility to be generous to him. Even if he doesn't like attention, I am surely capable of finding something that will make him happy. All the world's riches... I want to offer them to him. Whether it's my own self, my financial ability, or any other thing... sharing it with him is something I really desire. He connected me to myself and to my friends more than ever before, and is supporting me in my endeavour to sustain my friendships, despite and through the differences our statuses bring. It's pretty obvious that I am already quite magnificent. However, for darling, the present state is simply not enough. Even though he might say to just let it be, or that he won't care, I will do my utmost to make him happy, in the way of my own making: with pride, loyalty, and charm"
Kongou's exuberant speech got ovation from Wannai, who clapped her hands with a cheerful smile.
"Bravo! I am so happy for your resolve, Kongou-san!"
Maidono frowned and looked at the brunette from behind her sunglasses that she wore for the warming on the desert.
"That's all well and cool, but one thing doesn't add up. I don't question your generosity, but you looked as if you had motif that is actually because of your personal desire... that you would like from him"
Kongou didn't say anything for a moment. Then she coughed into her hand, blushing slightly and looking away while pretending to be cool and collected
"T-Truth is... I promised myself to not pursue... p-path of intimacy with darling, because I wanted to be at peak of my beauty and seduce the soul out of him with it... but recently, something creeps into my mind and because of it I can't find any rest or refuge. I try to ignore it but it only makes it worse. It gets to the point when I can't sleep and both myself and Ekaterina just roll around the bed and terrarium respectively, because we are both active at night through that. And what I desire is to... os... osculate"
Maidono looked at Hasako.
"Oscu what?"
"That's a very formal way of saying 'to kiss'" her ojou-sama friend explained.
Mitori choked on air and hid her face from view. Luckily for her, no one paid her mind.
"Yeah, seems like our forehead-chan to use convoluted words to hide her embarrassment"
"So what should I do to-"
"YES!"
Everyone looked in confusion at Wannai, who got beet red and covered her face.
"I-I am sorry, I just imagined k-kissing with Kamijou-san... and it just sort of slipped out. I-I am sorry, I just thought I was the only one... since you were so collected..."
"You should not hide your feelings, Kongou-san. Confidence is one thing, but Touma gathers too much attention to just sit and wait. If you want to kiss him, you should be firm and suggest it in the most obvious way possible that would not scare him away."
"Hmm... since it got hot already, I heard that there is an option to order a massage in the adjacent spa. Who is with me?"
(AFTER THE MASSAGE TREATMENT)
The girls were on the way back to the apartment
"I must say Maidono-san, your legs are amazing" Kumokawa Maria seemed to find a common topic with Maidono.
During the massages girls had the chance to truly look at each other's bodies, and some were keen on sharing the observations
" Long, toned, and without any unnecessary excess lipids. Not to mention that amazing belly. It's not that it looks like an hourglass, it's as if hourglasses could be constructed with you as the model"
The girl with a dark-brown bob-cut seemed to be genuinely content with the praise and wasn't far behind.
"Yours are great too. Great musculature, but not excessively visible, strong, but also soft and pleasant in touch."
"Well, I do fight with them. Kapoeira made them really powerful. But while it is possible to crush someone's head between my thighs, I believe they have better uses..."
"..."
"..."
"You just imagined giving him a thigh sandwich, didn't you?"
"I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about. By the way, is that a C-cup?"
"I didn't measure it for quite some time, and I probably am still growing. I may hit the D soon"
"Well, as D-cup myself, and looking at my onee-chan I must say-"
"Must be nice..."
A quiet voice of Hasako caused them to turn around.
They looked at the girl's chest.
"H-Hasako-san, that is still a... B...ish... cup... I think..."
"You have beautiful eyes and hair and those slender hands... aaaaaand your gaze is becoming more and more lifeless by the second, please come back to us!"
After few moments, Wannai asked the question
"Maidono-san, pardon if I am being overly intrusive... but I heard that you suffered a lot through inability to eat via chopsticks. Hearing it made me very sad. Is there anything that can be done to help it?"
Maidono looked at her cautiously, but the fluffy haired girl appeared genuinely concerned. She sighed and looked forward with melancholic smile.
"It... It bothers me. And it used to bother me even more. You are right, because my power was boosted, I lost most of the mobility in four fifth of my upper fingers, that is, all fingers beside my index fingers that alter my ability. Not only it made it difficult to eat, and through that socialize normally, but I got complexes when it comes to romantic life..."
"Romantic? Whatever do you mean?" Awatsuki asked in confusion.
Maidono was once again confronted with how sheltered and innocent Tokiwadai ladies were at times.
"Well... when it comes to ones hands, there are certain uses that transcend beyond prehensile manipulation of objects... such as certain forms of touch before and during intimate contact..."
"Oh, I understand! It must be awful not to be able to caress someone's face"
When confronted with such a purity, Maidono gave up on conveying a slightly more blush-inducing uses that she had in mind.
"Yes, and through the limitations I had, I thought of myself as a lesser woman and developed obsession about chopsticks that embodied my insecurities in physical form. But..."
"But?"
"Touma showed me more important things around myself, and more important positive qualities of myself. Because of him, I embraced the power I once resented. If my life got awful because of it, then I have all the right to explore my telekinesis to the fullest, make up for my loss. Because I wanted to make him proud of how I developed, I trained myself, and got much more precise and sophisticated in my control. He freed me from the worst possible prison: my own mind. Oh, and ever since then... I focus on my legs and torso. If I can't charm with my hands, there are other manners."
"Speaking of hands, Hasako-san has most beautiful palms" Kongou nodded, as they approached and stopped in front of the staircase" So delicate and dignified. I believe it's called pianist hands?"
"Well, I suppose there can be some logic behind it, since I can play the piano..." Hasako spoke shyly, playing with her hair.
"What? You play? You never told me that!"
"I guess there never was a proper occasion."
"Liar! We were on some parties before. You are just shy, aren't you? Admit it, what can you play? You are a genius, so I doubt there can be only one"
"S-Stop it Hoshimi, you're making me blush. And to tell you the truth, my memory is a bit foggy, but I think that my mother imparted that knowledge on me. I can play koto, shamisen, piano, and harp."
"You really would be excellent addition to Tokiwadai. I am sure everything would love you. How about joining my clique?" Kongou said to Hasako.
She meant it half in joke. Although her initial dream of making the clique that she had upon transferring to Tokwadai still stood, she wouldn't count on Hasako joining her when there were many more developed cliques out there, Shokuhou Misaki's being prime example.
However, the environment manipulator smiled gently and bowed to Kongou.
"While I am not affiliated with Tokiwadai, I would be delighted"
"R-Really? I mean, I understand that my natural charm can be hard to forget, but... can I know your motivation? You are more powerful than me, I am reasonable enough to admit that. You also don't seem to be swayed by money or influence"
"The reason, Kongou-san, is that because of you I see that ladies of this era still have splendour and light in their hearts. Your heart is of noble nature. You made me very happy, just like Mitsuari-sama did before. Even if I won't be affiliated in this 'clique' you speak of, I would be delighted to be your friend. I should have formally propose this much earlier."
"O-Oh. I... I would love that!"
Kongou, Wannai, and Awatsuki, as well as Kouzaku Mitori, departed soon afterwards for their respective dorms, promising to stay in touch.
(ONE HOUR LATER, AT KAIUZMI TSUGOTOSHI'S OFFICE)
Kumokawa Seria frowned, typing her fingers away at the keyboard of her computer. Her boss got up and cleared his throat.
"Kumokawa-san?"
"Mmm..."
"I am closing for the night."
"Mmm..."
"You... are not even listening to me, are you?"
In the next moment, there was a silent 'ping' from Seria's phone
"Oh? Maybe it will interest you that one Kamijou Touma just sent you a message"
"Huh?"
Seria snatched her phone from behind the computer, only to see...
"Or not. That was from me. Now, my dear, don't look at me with such disdain, it's the only efficient way to snap you out this. As much as you want to look professional, you are always first in line when it comes to matters concerning that boy"
"Oh? Are you jealous?"
"With all the respect to your beauty, and not diminishing anything from Kamijou Touma's value to you, I am rich and got plenty of popularity in my life, so no, I am not. I simply want to advise you not to overwork yourself. You've been here almost the entire day. Don't stay up late"
Kumokawa sighed and then stretched on the chair, her chest bouncing slightly as a result.
"I wish it was that simple... I will try but I make no promises. This is extremely crucial case to crack. Do not worry, I know the way out. Have a good night."
Tsugotoshi looked at her for a moment, before nodding and exiting with a quiet 'Likewise'
Kumokawa brushed her hair aside and resumed her search.
"How could I stop now? What Hasako-san told me adds new elements to this mysterious patterns I am seeing around him for quite some time..."
On her computer, there various folders and images, including the one with a camera image of a strange sky blue-lemon yellow, dragon-like creature caught in flight over the streets of London, as well as reports from other places around the globe, folders with salvaged, top-secret documents, as well as scans with Kumokawa's own annotations.
Shibuya encounter with Bologna Succubus. Her fight with Tsuchimikado Motoharu. Mysterious attack on their school during the game of criminals and hostages. And now this Kamijou No Touma, that apparently split off from Kamijou Touma's main self. Adding his memory loss and power dwelling within his right hand...
It formed some construct of grand meaning, that Seria could almost grasp it, but it was still to vague and transluscent to be fully comprehended.
She clenched her fist. The characteristic of being a genius was that not knowing something bothered Seria immensely. Especially in such a vital area.
"Almost isn't good enough here. Not in his case. This time... it will be different..."
Kumokawa Seria fell in love with Kamijou Touma. And thus, she suffered immensely whenever he got into trouble out of the reach of her influence. Her breakdown after World War III could be a testimony of that. She wasn't the type to let it show outward, but she kept betting her intelligence against his misfortune. Unfortunately, she was losing far too much.
"There is nothing more frustrating..." she clenched her fist" than knowing so much, and not being able to prevent my predicitions... not being able to save even one person, the person you fell in love with... and that's why... I have to solve this, no matter what"
She began to write and gather more and more data, as she looked at the psychological profile she had of Touma's dark alter-ego.
"I will confront him and assure that this time, my kouhai will be safe and sound. No matter how cunning and tricky he might be, I will put all of my brain and body to show him his place."
She took a deep breath, clearing her mind from sudden agitation.
"Although I wish he made sweat from a different reason... I wonder how my precious little sister is doing? I didn't see a problem with her staying the night at his place with him being elsewhere, but that little devil in maid's clothes may still have her ideas. I managed to keep her away from him for long, and yet she found away to become acquainted anyway. She is my sister, and therefore, should not be underestimated. After all, he fits her type like a glove. And she tells me that I am the one who is convoluted in her feelings"
(MEANWHILE)
"Achoo!"
Kumokawa Maria sneezed while hitting the futon taken off the storage closet with carpet beater.
"Bless you, Maria-san. If you want, we can give you something else to sleep on"
"What? That's totally fine, what maid would I be if I was scared of dust? In fact, I hold the record for the fastest single room cleanup in my class, in category of horizontal surfaces, so I dust off this futon in a blink of an eye.
"What kind of competition you maids have?"
"You wouldn't believe in some of them for sure"
"Maria-san, I've been meaning to ask you for a while: why are you interested in Touma?"
Maria smiled, finishing the dusting and spreading the futon on the ground
"To not beat around the bush, I know about his power and the bad luck it brings. I read it in onee-chan's files once, when she wasn't looking. Besides the fact that I am grateful to him after he helped me after my sensei's death, I want to work for incompetent and hopeless master. And while Kamijou-san is not stupid, his misfortune makes it really a great field day for a maid like me. Besides, he is a great cook, fighter, and a lot cuter than he gives himself credit for. I want to protect such master with all of my ability. I know that onee-chan also worries about keeping him safe. She is the type to not show it, but I am certain this is how she feels"
Roughly half an hour later, three girls got down on the futons after Maria performed the tests on Hasako that her sister requested.
"Well, I had good fun talking to you. See you in the morning"
"Goodnight..."
"Goodnight..."
(15 MINUTES LATER)
"Hey..."
Maidono, who was drifting into sleep, was woken up by a voice from her left.
"M-Maria-san?"
"Take off your clothes!..."
Maidono's eyes momentarily became as big as dinner plates.
"Wha-"
"Then I will... wash and iron them... in the meantime would you have... a bath? A dinner? Or maybe... m-"
"Maria-san! What the hell?!" Maidono shook the black haired girl, who shot up while blinking sleepily.
"W-What? What's going on?!" she muttered
Maidono looked at Hasako who appeared undisturbed, and then back at Maria.
"Do you... talk in your sleep?"
"Oh, right, sometimes... but it's totally occasional."
"Okay then... goodnight"
"Nighty night"
(HALF AN HOUR LATER)
Kumokawa Maria was woken up by a crash.
She shot up to her legs and squinted her eyes just in time to see Maidono waving her hand and sending a lamp, which crashed into the wall.
"Maidono-sa- aabbgh?!"
A floating book smashed into Maria's face. She reddened before yelling
"Maidono-san!"
"Huh?! W-Why are you yelling? You will wake up Hasacchi"
"Do you happen to be a somnambulist?"
"W-Well... only if I have to go to the toilet during my sleep, really."
"And you always telekinetically trash the room?"
"It... is not the rule... but it depends on how many things I bump into"
"So... you can go to the toilet then. Good night... see you in the morning"
(HALF AN HOUR LATER)
"In the embrace of passionate love..."
Maidono's eyes opened up widely as the slightly off tune and mumble song started to be sung from next to her.
"... gifted to be me by the stars above..."
"..."
"...through the pain and death we will brave through..."
"!"
"...cause only I can love you true..."
"MARIA-SAN!"
"H-Hwah? What now?"
"What now? Why is there a musical going on right next to my ear?!"
"Oh, sometimes I..."
"Just... let me make you glass of milk"
(HALF AN HOUR LATER)
Maidono sighed as Maria finally appeared to breathe calmly and be asleep this time around.
"Good grief. She really claimed it's only occasional... maybe Touma's bad luck rubbed off me..."
"You also lifted the additional blanket off of her in your sleep"
Maidono turned up to see Hasako wide awake.
"Let me guess, you were awake through this whole time"
"Sometimes I think I have enough sleeping for one life. Decades of it in fact. How are you feeling?"
"Good, almost perfect. I always healed up fast"
"That's great"
Hasako looked outside of the window, to the moon shining on the sky
"I love the night time. It would be such a delight to stroll on the moonlit road, bathed in a glow of silver light, with stars above and wind whistling in the grass and trees. In my time, sky was a lot easier to observe. I miss it a little bit."
Maidono nodded, as they both looked at the moon from their respective futons.
"I like it too. When I was... bullied, I liked the night because... in night, most people are equalized. No one is better than anyone and no one expects anything out of anyone. Everyone is just taken away by their dreams, being away, but also not actually dead. I felt safe during night time."
Hasako faced her with glimmer of sadness in her eyes.
"It's sad that your admiration for night's beauty hides such sorrow underneath"
"But it's the same for you. Hasako... were you... at least somewhat aware while in that frozen state?"
"I was mostly like a blank slate, my mind was a void. I didn't have... consciousness, in the proper sense of being able to react to anything. I couldn't even really frame a thought. However, there is still a lot to learn about how brain behaves in criostasis. Occasionally, my ego resurfaced enough to feel a glimpse of pain, tangled and hurtful memories, and complete desorientation. In that moment, in most basic of sensations, I realized I couldn't move or scream, and collapsed back into nothingness"
"And it was like this on repeat... for decades?! No wonder you got out partially insane and disoriented. Do you... have nightmares?"
"Sometimes. About not being able to move, to scream, to cry, and drowning into ice until it completely fills my lungs. But ever since I met Touma again, they backed away from my slumbers radically. One more thing I love him for"
"That makes the two of us. Remember the times we got out with him for real for the first time?"
"I don't think I will ever forget"
And as two friends laid wide awake, their memories started to play forth in their minds...
(MAIDONO'S STORY)
"Are you ready?"
"Sure am, sensei!"
"Then let's get you secured"
Maidono put multiple belts around Amazora, tying her to her own body couple times while placing the girl in a pouch-like device with limb holes on her back.
"Every belt is maximally pulled?"
"Yes ma'am!"
"Helmet on?"
"Yep!"
"Did you go to the toilet?"
"Twice, just in case!"
Maidono grinned. She checked the time and altitude clocks on her wrist, before pulling an pilot goggles on her eyes.
She extended her index fingers, tracing them through the air. The ground broke and part of it, resembling a spindle or surfboard, emerged, the bits of earth chipped off.
"Then let's go! Take off!"
They got on the floating spindle of earth, with Maidono lifting her fingers. It shot up to the sky and soared high above the street.
Airsurfing. It was an invention of Maidono that both she and Amazora absolutely loved.
While Maidono could fly on her own, it was energy consuming. Meanwhile, balancing on the spindle-like board wasn't draining at all and additionally was an excellent training for Maidono, who steered the board by using both of her index fingers, requiring both balance and precision in the input of telekinetic pressure.
They flew over several streets, a park, before finally reaching a skyscraper.
"Hold on!"
Maidono turned the board sharply upwards and flew upwards to the top of the building, with Amazora squealing excitedly.
But it only just began.
"Ready? We are about to truly fly"
"What are we waiting for?!"
"I was hoping you are going to say that!"
Maidono left the board on top of the building and shot up into the air herself. She flew high, higher than biggest skyscrapers, zig-zagging and spreading her arms. She was moving through space quickly, unbothered, unobstructed. Even if it could last for only 15 minutes, she and Amazora could reach the bottom of the clouds, as she moved through the air without any visible support.
Flight. An ability to move through the space without contact of any surface.
This time, it was Maidono who could not contain the scream of joy.
For her, there was no greater freedom than freedom of flight.
They dove and flew over the city, before finally landing next to the river.
Amazora's curls were blown to the back of her head, but she didn't seem to mind at all.
"That was amazing! But can't we do it longer."
"I used 10 minutes out of 15, it wasn't so bad. Any other day I would do it longer, but... in truth, I am... going to spend time with Touma. And I promised you a bag of sweets, so please, do not bother us. I know who overprotective you can get"
"Do not worry sensei. I will happily have you as my sis-in-law"
"Amazora, it doesn't work like... or maybe it... does... damn it, those dynamics with you and your siblings... anyway, let's get back to my place. I phoned someone for advise on the clothing for the chat created after battle with Veritas, let's see how it goes..."
(TWO HOURS LATER)
"Wow, that was tiresome..." Maidono sighed, waiting in front of Seventh Mist" I shouldn't involve 4 different people into this. Musujime-san had a suspiciously small collection of clothes that were actually our size and not smaller when it came to reference, Hokaze-san's suggestions were too sugary sweet, and as much as precious and awesome as a friend Hasacchi is, modern fashion can still be a mystery to her. I suppose only Mitsuari-san had a head on her shoulders when it came to that. But after taking partial advices from each of them, I ended up looking like this..."
Maidono wore a beige hoodie and amber T-shirt complimenting her eyes. Her hips were covered with a jeans with both legs cut, leaving her legs fully exposed, down until feet sporting the red sport shoes.
"Wow..."
Maidono turned around and saw Touma, who apparently just arrived and was shocked by her appearance.
"Hi there" Maidono smiled confidently and twirled around" So, how do I look?"
"Really, really nice. It's just... so you. You have a talent for casual clothing."
"I actually got help with this one, but it seems really worth it when I hear your opinion"
"Sh-Shouldn't you cover your legs though? You won't get cold, will you?"
Maidono laughed merrily at that.
"The chivalry is honestly cute in your way of thinking, but that would kind of defeated the whole reason for which they are un plain view. And the fact that you were observing them tells me that this strategy is successful. Now, let's go. I have few things planned for you"
And so they went to the shops. Firstly, Maidono took Touma to manga store. Even though she didn't read as much as he did, she was very much opened to suggestions and both she and the boy bought some positions after discussion about each other's story preferences.
Then Maidono did her own shopping, and while this part could have seemed tedious or boring for Touma, Maidono made sure to make it more interesting by personally modelling for few sets of clothes in front of the boy. However, due to the Touma's apparent fear of female clothing stores (Maidono could only imagine why) she wrapped her selection faster than anticipated.
After storing their purchases in special locker, they went to the batting cage. Maidono could not believed how much she laughed by the fact that Touma could not hit a single ball in span of 20 attempts. His frantic explanations about his bad luck only made her laugh harder. However, Touma got his revenge when Maidono, who could not fully grasp the bat with all of her fingers, found out swinging it using telekinetic control while also anticipating the ball was a lot harder than it looked. She even hit herself on the stomach on one occasion. Needless to say, they both exited the cage with nudging and laughing of each other's exasperation.
Then, they got their bags, exited the mall and headed outside. While heading to the park, they were consumed by the river of people on the street, which gave Maidono an opportunity to employ a part of her plan.
"Can you hold my hand?"
"Huh? Yes, but..."
"I don't want to be separated from you"
"Ah, right, of course..."
And so, at first unsurely, then more confidently, they found themselves holding hands.
They did so even after exiting the street and entering the park and Maidono could see why. If Touma was feeling half as good as she was in this situation, then he wouldn't let go of that warmth. It contrasted with a chilly outside air...
Wait, chilly outside air?
"The weather is getting worse" remarked Touma, as he looked at the clouds above the park" We might have to look for shelter"
Maidono could not help but feel sad. The forecast suddenly changed, and it seemed Touma was right, but she really wanted to walk with him for a while.
But just then... the wind died down, the clouds slowly parted, and the sun shone brightly. Hell, Maidono could even swear that the air became fresher.
"Huh? It got better? I guess weather really is unpredictable this time of year..."
Yeah, too unpredictable. Maidono looked around and noticed a branched ponytail disappearing behind the tree and rustling of the leaves, disappearing in the distance.
'Hasacchi... you were worried about the weather, so you secretly helped me by altering the park's environment. You really go out of your way to make sure I have fun. I could hug you senseless right now, I don't deserve having such a friend after everything I've done. Love you so much!'
From there on, their walk was undisturbed and peaceful, until they reached final stop planned by Maidono. The one she was secretly the most excited about.
It was a mixed-style, international restaurant she booked earlier in the morning. Nothing to fancy, but also better than your average sweet shop.
They sat down and ordered. Touma ordered pancakes while she opted for sushi.
Only when the course arrived, did Touma gasp.
"Wait? Aren't those shushi rolls supposed to be eaten with chopsticks?"
"Yes, they are. And eating them with fork will kind of ruin the experience... so I was wondering if you could... help me out here?"
"H-Help? You mean-"
Maidono opened her mouth and made a cutest 'aaah' sound she could muster.
"Please?"
"I guess it would be waste if you couldn't eat it at all...h-here goes..."
Firmly grasping the roll with his chopsticks, Touma reached forward and placed the food inside Maidono's mouth, with the girl waiting with her eyes closed.
She munched on it for a moment, before swallowing and smiling.
"Mmm, this sushi is delicious."
And so came the second, third, and subsequent rolls. The task of feeding eager Maidono meant that Touma had to focus on her lips for long periods of time. They were rather... distracting.
Finally, Maidono's sushi set was finished, with the girl beaming with joy
"Ah, that was nice."
She looked at Touma and then an idea came into her mind.
"Let me repay you."
"Repay me?"
Maidono pointed forward with her index fingers, causing fork and a knife on Touma's side to float.
"It's my time to feed you this pancake. Sushi is sushi and pancake is pancake, so there is no problem in western cutlery here."
"I can feed myself"
"No! Say 'aaah'"
"B-But..."
"No buts!" the floating part of the bumped few times into his lips" Now, open wide"
And so, slightly embarrassed was fed the cut and floating pieces of food conducted by Maidono's fingers. As for the girl herself, she admitted, to her surprise, that while she looked forward to be fed for some time now, feeding Touma was strangely relaxing and fulfilling to her.
Finally, Touma's food was also finished.
Maidono was about to call for the bill, but unexpectedly, the smiling waitress brought something to their table.
"Manager and myself found it very sweet how much of an endearing couple you are. That's why we decided to bring you this couple dessert: ice smoothie. On the house!"
To explain why Maidono became suddenly flustered, it's good to bring up a difference between Maidono and Hasako, that can be useful for the future reference.
Maidono was great in taking initiative and planning romantic occurrances, but became flustered when she was surprised by outside initiative. Conversely, Hasako was very shy when she needed to initiate something but displayed great adaptability and passion when she was put in the already initiated situation.
"W-We aren't really... Touma?"
Touma looked at the smoothie and then at Maidono.
"Maidono-san, I can do it alone if that's uncomfortable. But if living here all of those years taught me something, it's that you always take discounts or free samples"
'Ah, that level 0 mentality! A-Alright...'
"I-It's not like I don't want to..."
The twin straws, whitish-translucent in colour, entangled each other to form the shape of heart. And as two teens started to suck through them, the red coloured sundae circled the shape to her mouth, making it appear like an actual red heart.
Maidono wasn't the girl who was embarrassed easily, but couldn't help reddening a little.
"Hmm..." she heard Touma in the pause to catch breath" It's nice for them to give it for free, it tastes really good"
'What are you focusing on now, dummy? Don't you see a symbolic value here?'
Afterwards, they exited the restaurant. Maidono checked her pockets and paled
"Maidono-san? Is something the matter?"
"Carp... I forgot something important. Please wait here for me, I have to get it. I won't be gone for long"
"Oh... all right"
Maidono took off and arrived at her own apartment in next 10 minutes and snatched the item she forgot. By the next 5 she was back in a hurry, only to find no one except the crowd of passerby.
"E-Excuse me..." she tried to speak up" Did anyone see a guy with a spiky hair around here?"
The crowd muttered and an answer came
"Someone like that... was just hit by a truck and taken to hospital"
A box Maidono carried slipped from her grasp and hit the ground
(LATER, IN HEAVEN CANCELLER'S HOSPITAL)
The nurses looked in worry as the nervous and angry Maidono Hoshimi roamed the waiting room like an storm cloud.
"Why can't I enter?"
"The doctor said that he doesn't want to be disturbed"
Maidono gritted her teeth before turning to the driver of the truck that was supposedly a cause of the accident.
"If I can't enter for this long, it means he must be in really bad state... which is not good for you, you bastard"
The driver was a young, shaved man, wearing an oversized hoodie and slightly stained jeans, on top of sporting military-style identification tag on the one-ball chain. He raised his hands with startled expression.
"I swear, it was an accident. He just suddenly appeared in front of my truck..."
"Suddenly? He is not fucking suicidal. If you have nothing good to say, don't speak at all! It was your fault!"
Furious Maidono moved one hand close to herself in parallel to the other and the long chain worn by the man tightened itself around his neck, sinking into the skin as the great pressure was put around it.
"Ah... aggh..."
The man reached for his neck, struggling hard to breath, as he stumbled forward.
Maidono's face scrunched up before she screamed in frustration and lowered her hands, causing the choke hold to be released. As the driver gasped for air and fell to the ground, Maidono moved forward
"Damn it... I am coming in!"
"Maidono-san, please don't cause any more commotion"
But Maidono already breached the doors and went on towards the place she remembered Touma's personal room was.
(5 MINUTES LATER)
" Once again, do you have any idea how worried I was?"
Maidono was currently shaking Touma, who, even though partially bandaged, was not only conscious, but apparently in a very good shape.
"I am sorry. I just got caught up in talking with the Doc. We didn't have occasion to do that in a while"
Maidono was so relieved upon seeing Touma alright that she threw herself on him in a hug. However, once that relief passed, Touma found himself trapped by his own bed, as the parts of the bed railing near his arms and feet moved and wrapped around him, when Maidono vented through a very vocal rant.
"So, you say that you jumped back to avoid the falling flowerpot and stumbled straight onto the road and in front of that truck? Really?"
"This Kamijou is as ashamed of his misfortune and how stupid it must have looked, if that makes it any better"
The bed frame vibrated and bent slightly. Maidono groaned, holding a hand to her face.
"Seriously, you can find an opening and run across skyscraper while it is being thrown from the sky but then something like this happens... gods, I have to really apologize to that guy..."
"Yeah, you really have to"
"Anyway, you are in a really good mood for someone who almost died."
"Well, there is a big difference between almost dying and being dead"
"I don't know if I should be concerned or not about this logic of yours... anyway, I got a little carried away. I was just so sad and pissed that our day together ended up like that..."
"I told you before that you don't have get worked up over me. Remember our conversation in this hospital? You are your own boss. Don't be tied up to anyone"
Maidono groaned and the metal railings let Touma go as she sat on the bed.
"I am not doing this only because I want to serve you or work for you. I want to look after you not only because I need some validation for my own worth, but because you are the guy worth looking after. If you set me free, and I come back to you of my own free will, then this is my choice. It is my choice to stay close and have a good time with you. I don't desire this solely for each of us individually, but for us. I only realized it after some time, not when you said it to me, not when we met at the hospital, but during my time in prison, that you sharing the fact that you lost your memories with me was incredibly important to me. It liberated me and actually shifted my view of myself and my ability. And because I was thinking how to pronounce that connection in some way or form..."
She took a box that she went back to retrieve earlier, and opened it. Inside, there was a pair of decorative chopsticks.
"I still don't particularly fancy chopsticks. But they always come in sets of two, so I thought... when you look at it, you will think of me. And that's far more important."
She took one of the chopsticks, while giving Touma the other.
The boy smiled and said something warmly.
Maidono froze up and then whispered, using a voice slightly softer than before
"You used my name. My real name"
"Oh, I shouldn't have? I just thought... it slipped through..."
"No, I... I like it. When you call me like that in secrecy"
"In secrecy? You still don't want others to know it"
"Only you and Hasako know. That makes it special. Can... I have a request?"
"Yes?"
"Call me... that again"
Touma looked at her and slowly said two words once again.
She shivered as if tapped with lightning.
"Again..." she muttered, not minding that she was getting closer and closer by second.
But Touma never got the chance to fully said those two words again, as Maidono made sure that no distance remained for his lips to do so.
(BACK IN THE PRESENT)
As Maidono drifted into sleep reminiscing of her memory, Hasako was also experiencing her own memories of times past, a very special one for her.
(HASAKO'S STORY)
"Am I really not creating a problem for you? I can wash my hair on my own"
"Of course not. I want to help you in that. It's completely different if such a long hair is tended to by someone else"
"And we want to test those new chemicals..."
"Ekhm!"
"Oh, and this is also good opportunity to give you some nice perfumes"
"Thank you so much, both of you. I appreciate any help"
Kankyougami Hasako was laying down, with her facing upward in the water, as Gokusai Rikuri washed her long, dark-brown hair. On the edge of the onsen styled bathroom in the Kamijou + Gokusai apartment, Youen was mixing a bunch of liquids in the vials and grinding something into a powder.
After some time, Rikuri managed to get shampoo all over Hasako's head and then they got to rinsing it.
"Rikuri-san?"
"Hmm?"
"It's... so hard to believe that we are here now. I was once trying to kill you"
"You can say that again. But you weren't truly yourself back then, were you? We established multiple times that what was in the past stays in the past"
"I know, I understand that. It's just that sometimes, I can't believe that I you are so supportive of me. Not to mention that you fancy Touma-san too."
Rikuri submerged herself deeper into the water, only the top halves of her massive breasts and head remaining, as she ran her fingers across the submerged hair of Hasako, getting rid of remaining shampoo.
"Why do that, huh? I suppose it's because you are without a doubt a proof, a living sign, of the influence that boy's tendency to save people can have upon others. Looking at you makes me realize how much he did for us too, and that things seemingly impossible are not truly out of reach. Who would anticipated me being able to sleep with Kamijou, living with him and my sisters, working with the genius Carrier and Decomposer, and you, one of the reasons through which we united for the first time, finding way back to our lives, as our friend no less. Besides, holding a long-lasting grudges for no actual reason and out of pure pettiness is like mercury or lead poisoning. You seem fine at first, but it kills you slowly and if enough of it reaches your heart, you are done. It's the same with senseless revenge"
"You are really a good big sister, Rikuri-san"
"Please, don't mention it. I just help you because I can't help but feel Touma would like that"
After they exited the baths, Hasako was dried and put in front of the mirror.
"Please, dress up in this. You never wore a dress, right? Well, our family is informal expert on dresses, so I took the liberty in arranging this for you"
Hasako put on a blue dress that had a golden, vine-like patern alongside the side stitches. It was supported by a pair of blue straps going over the arms and pronouncing the neck, leaving the arms of the girl exposed, and reaching to the knee level. Hasako giggled as she moved around it.
"This material brushes against my thighs"
"At first it gives that sensation, you will get used to it"
Then came the hair styling. Ultimately, Hasako's hair was symetrically tied to form a bun on the top, just like with the traditional female styles from her time period. However, the hair on the back and under the bun was allowed to fall loosely in a cascade, drastically differing from the regular status quo Hasako knew.
"Thanks to the fact that your hair is so long, we can achieve such magnificent eclectic effect"
Finally, Youen stepped forward with a bit of make-up.
"It's a freshly new, all-natural eye shade. We won't use any white powder since your carnation is naturally pristine."
And finally, after the preparation, Kankyougami Hasako was beautified and ready to go.
(LATER, IN THE PARK IN DISTRICT 9)
"T-Touma-san! A-Are you okay?"
"I-I..."
Touma blinked, snapping himself out of absolutely stunned state he entered after seeing Hasako 20 seconds earlier.
"I am fine, I'm fine. It's just... you look absolutely gorgeous. As if Amaterasu herself came down to earth"
Hasako blushed and bowed gracefully.
"I am very happy to hear that"
"You didn't have to go this far."
"No, it was my choice. I want to look my absolute best for you. You look very nice and charming as well"
"I-I thought it was okay, but after seeing you..."
"I like it. Now, I thought you can show me some more of the city. There is still so much that we haven't explored. And then I would like us to go back here. I have something to show you... and I want to talk about some crucial matters as well"
(FEW HOURS LATER)
And so Touma accompanied Hasako gallantly through the journey of the city.
They travelled throughout the city in public transport, sitting next to each other.
Firstly, they went to see the airport. Even though Hasako was scared of flying, she was fascinated with watching planes, as they developed exponentially during her sleep.
Then, they journeyed to the restaurant in District 4. Hasako's curiosity caused her to try appetizers from at least 3 different cuisines from around the globe. Apparently, she didn't have many occasions to taste them in her 'previous life'
Then came amusement park in District 6, with Hasako practically melting with delight while eating cotton candy and hugging Touma while on the ferris wheel. In her excitement, she forgot about her fear of heights.
They also saw the ghostly District 19, although they didn't venture inside. Seeing it gave Hasako the opportunity to tell Touma of what she remembered from the city's layout in her time. Needless to say, it was much smaller and simpler, although even back then it possessed a significant technological advantage.
While passing to District 13, on the other side of the city, they met Fremea Seivelun and spoke with her about variety of random, daily topics. They went on to accompany her to Frenda's grave in Disctrict 10. After parting with a girl, Touma took Hasako to his home District 7 to tell stories about certain locations and adventures he had, since the first esper appeared to be very interested in that.
Ultimately, they visited, once again, the fated District 21, that brought them together. They didn't speak much there, reminiscing through the most of the time, before finally going back to return to District 9, just like Hasako envisioned.
Or at least, they wanted to, but the girl stopped, resting against the tree.
"Is everything alright?"
"Yes, it's just... I am not exactly the strongwoman. I apologize, but I might have miscalculated how much effort it will take to sightsee so many things"
"No problem, we can rest then."
"No! I mean... I have to get back to the part before sunset. But I will only slow you down..."
Touma thought for a moment, before hitting his open hand with a fist and taking a deep breath.
"I will carry you!"
"W-What... w-w-would you really..."
"I swear we will make it in time!"
"T-Then... I will be in your care..."
And so, Beginning Child ended up in the princess carry with Touma hurrying down the mountain to get to District 9, which fortunately was adjacent to District 21.
Even though her shyness caused her to become meek, she didn't dislike the experience. In fact, as she looked up at the boy's determined face, she felt more secure than ever in her life, which was reflected in her prism-like eyes, who didn't leave Touma for almost the entire journey.
(AT DISTRICT 9 PARK)
They managed to arrive in time. More so, they had some to spare. After giving a moment for Touma to rest, Hasako led him to the more secluded section of the park filled with art installations.
"Just a bit more... and there it is"
It was a field of flowers. A patch of the park was covered in blue flowers.
"What am I looking at?"
"It's my gardening work."
"You created this?"
"Because of my ability, I have a good hand for plant life. Accelerator-san allowed me to use this section of the park to train or cultivate my flowers, whatever should I choose. It was also here that I came with Kumokawa-san and where she taught me how to be... myself, again"
"You really love nature, don't you?"
"Yes. Plants, animals, oceans, land, and air, all of it. I always felt calm and serene while surrounded by nature. That's probably why being outside helped in my recovery. Now, please sit down on that bench, there is something very important I have to tell you..."
Touma nodded and followed her to the bench in front of the flower field.
"If I had anything in this life, it's probably time to think..." Hasako began, looking as the glow of slowly setting sun painted the sky orange" Maybe I am sentimental, but I am also older than I look. And this age made me realize just how many times I felt the dread and despair of loneliness. Loneliness from my very being, stemming simply from the fact that I existed. Ever since I woke up, I was gradually regaining and clarifying memories of who I once was. When I was a little girl, my father always forbid me from playing with others."
A small girl with tied up, dark-brown hair, wearing an elegant kimono despite her young age looked at the group of children playing with a ball outside, before she was forcibly pulled by the hand.
"F-Father! Why can't I-"
"We talked about this. The only way in this world to be truly satisfied is through competency, knowledge, and skill. Now, get back to your studies!"
"My father sacrificed a lot and had to fight to become influential figure in the educational world. He was convinced that he would make me happy by teaching me in a very intense fashion from the youngest age. It was a twisted way of thinking about my happiness. As for my mother, the beautiful noble lady of former samurai family of Kyoto, she educated me on how to be a lady and spent time talking about nothing. It wasn't time when people could really talk about their true emotions, especially not in Japan. And so I kept everything inside. I cried I wished to make them proud, but also to get out of this suffocating feeling of loneliness. And then, the opportunity arrived..."
"Academy City, new capital of education, seeks students of eager mind and keen intellect to become a foundation of the future for this post-war nation..."
"My father was very enthusiastic about Aleister's project. Soon, I was competing with many, many different students from across Japan. But thanks to my extreme upbringing, I came on top, superior. Because of my heritage and intellect I was selected as candidate for a first artificial esper. Soon, I was to leave my home and transfer here. And on the day of my departure, I was crying a bit, because I was excited but also quite scared. My mother patted me on the head, which she rarely did, and my father bestowed to me an advice..."
"You are exceptional. And with exceptional nature comes solitude. That's the curse of the genius mind. Learn to be lonely, my daughter. Learn to be only one for yourself. What you will achieve... who will truly understand? If being untrue to yourself means embracing others, than better be an outcast, than a strong mind in chains"
"Then I left and never saw them again. Aleister welcomed me and some other boys and girls to the lab. We were all experimented on and even though I was awkward, I made friends. We were all very excited for everything that awaited us. Except... that this was not to be. Those were the earliest days of drugs and methods of esper development. No, they almost didn't exist since esper powers and procedures for their evolution were de facto derived from my case. So, in the group of 10, there were side effects. Most vomited blood, some went insane, and all of them... except for me... died.
A girl in branched ponytail wearing a simple white robe embraced the other smaller girl with a wavy black curls. A trail of blood was flowing down her and trickling from her chin as her eyes chaotically moved from side to side.
"No..." the prism-like eyes of younger Hasako narrowed" It can't end like this... you told me so much about what ability would you like to get? We should get them together, right... that's the only way..."
The fallen girl wanted to say something, but only coughed more blood, staining Hasako's robe. But she paid it no mind.
"We...We are the only two left. Please... don't go! LIVE! Please, live!"
The girl's hand went up mechanically, as if trying to reach her friend's cheek... before falling down.
Hasako stared at her before tears welled in her eyes as she embraced the girl tighter.
"Aaaaaaaaah! Ngggggggggghhhhh!" she cried into now dead chest of her friend.
She did not know how long she was on the ground, but the steps behind her caused her to slowly, almost lifelessly raise her head.
"The drug infusion experiment was a success within a calculated margin of error" spoke Aleister Crowley"You resisted the conversion in your mind and body, thus your personal reality will be able to bring change into the world. From this time forth, you are the first of new kind of human. The Child of The Beginning, upon which this City will rise"
"Even before the accident with the volcano and Aleister's betrayal, I clashed and argued with him. I considered myself a pacifist, I always despised weapons and cruelty. But this city's scientists took my data and in time, the plans to use my descendants, the artificial espers, were made. Because of my success, they turned children into weapons. That was even more true when I awoke in this era. Seeing so many of my successors plunged in darkness, turning into murderers, using the abilities I was foundation for... it broke my heart"
Even after the city became populous and more people gained abilities, no one dared to bother her when she confronted Aleister Crowley.
She never got agitated or shouted. That focused coldness was the most terrifying.
The fury of the first esper.
Who despite her might had the gentlest of hearts.
She was rejected by people without power whose excitement soon turned into envy. She was rejected by those naturally born with power, who deemed her unnatural. And although she didn't know it, she was also shunned by those born without talent, as the creation of one that betrayed the ways of magic.
"It seemed like my father's words were coming true. Over and over again, no matter how much I struggled, I seemed to always be alone. Always a freak of nature, always someone else. So much so that there were times when I didn't want to truly go on. But... I was wrong"
Touma listened, with all the attention, as Hasako's voice broke slightly.
"All of those years I have been frozen in time... I gave up on thinking that someone actually cared for me. But some time after Kumokawa-san took me in, she discovered a package of letters in the Kyoto archives. My mother... changed after my disappearance. She felt guilty and sad about how our contact was in my childhood, and so she wrote a letter to me, believing for me to be dead, once a year, on my birthday. She did it more to herself, but she still put a lot of heart into those words... she wrote over 35 such letters before locking them in the safe place... before Kumokawa-san managed to get to them."
"Did you... manage to..."
"My mother... she... died 20 years before you woke me up. Apparently, she was nearly 90 years old. I... didn't get a chance to say goodbye"
"I am so sorry..."
Touma hugged Hasako. Even though she was crying there was a smile on her lips.
"In those letters, she told me of many things, even though she could never know that I will learn of them. So after all, I was able to get that message beyond the grave and reconcile with my mother and indirectly with my father"
The sun fully set and Hasako got up, looking at the field.
"The sun set and the moon rose. It's about time"
"About time for wha..."
But Touma soon learned on just what Hasako was waiting
One by one, the petals of the blue flowers began to glow. Soon, all of the flower field was giving of azure shine, as Hasako walked between them, her blue dress matching the blue glow of the flowers.
"How is that possible?"
"With my ability and this city's technology, I managed to create the bioluminescent plants. They aren't natural but I think they are beautiful. I named them Midnight Glories, since they bloom in the moonlight and close by sunrise. And scientifically, they are called after you: Amsonia Kamijiana."
"Wow... it's one of the coolest things I ever saw..." Touma admitted, joining Hasako in the walk through the field.
Meanwhile, in the bushes, nearby, Maidono Hoshimi poked her head out.
"Alright Hasacchi, you are in this spot just like you planned. Now, I am here to return the favour."
Hasako turned to Touma.
"Actually, there is something else I want to tell you. Possibly one of the most important things since I met you. You see, for all that loneliness, strife, grief, and rejection... I wanted to end it all. But once again, I am so glad I did. Why? All of those years I wished for someone who would understand me and wouldn't just pretend. I dreamed and dreamed, but I still walked alone. And then, after decades of being imprisoned in my own mind... there was you. You saved me because you saw me, the real me, even when I wasn't myself. You took my hand and shattered my loneliness. Not only in that battle, you are just like me. You too suffered through your ability, which made you different through your very nature, even though you had the best of intents. You also endured a lot in this city... I just wish I could have met you sooner. Because I could make you happy through this understanding... I am sure I could, just as I am sure that you would make me smile in that lonely childhood of mine too...
A boy covered in band-aids walked to the small girl crying in the corner. He shuffled his feet, before putting his hand on the girl's head. When she opened her multi-coloured eyes, she was surprised by the blue flower in her hair and the small grin on the battered boy's face...
Hasako shook her head with a smile.
"But it's alright. We both had our paths to walk through and it seems life still doesn't want to let go. And I never were more glad to be alive and never thanked fate more for this chain of events that led me to be displaced from the era I know into this strange, new world. Because thanks to this..."
The tears glimmered in her eyes again, as the strong wind made some of the glowing petals dance in the air around them.
".I was given the gift of meeting you... and being able to love you" Hasako finished, her tone vibrant with emotions and carrying the note of adoration she never used before.
Touma was watching her stunned, his lips trying to speak but finding no words for now.
However, he didn't manage to, since a particularly strong wind knocked Hasako off her feet.
"Ah!"
In hiding, Maidono bit her lip.
"Shit!" she whispered" Did I overdo it?"
In the field of Midnight Glories, Kankyougami Hasako laid between the flowers, petals adorning her stylized hair. Above her was Kamijou Touma, who managed to cushion girl's fall with his arm.
Both of their hearts beat quickly. Suddenly, they couldn't see everything but each other's faces and eyes.
Well, and the moon visible over Touma's head.
"The moon is beautiful tonight" Hasako spoke quietly, her tone suddenly devoid of previous uncertainty.
"With my bad luck it might be strange to say it... but I think I can die happy"
They didn't know who moved first or whose eyes first close. The result was the same, as their lips locked, Hasako embracing back of Touma's neck and caressing his hair while allowing to be lifted to her feet. Because she was a bit shorter than him, she had to slightly tip-toe to maintain the kiss. A contact she surely didn't want to break, and which in fact was getting more passionate with time.
Maidono smiled, silently falling back, and leaving the pair kissing in the field of glowing flower. If she knew Hasako, this could take a while of privacy.
"No matter what, rivalry or not, she earned it... she waited long enough... good for you, Hasacchi, for finding your true love..."
(PRESENT, MORNING OF SECOND DAY AFTER TOUMA'S DEPARTURE)
Maidono opened her eyes and yawned, stretching herself.
"Good morning, Hoshimi." she was greeted by Hasako, who was already folding her futon.
"Where is Maria-san?"
"Up and awake for some time now, she said she wanted to make us breakfast"
"How kind of her" Maidono called a comb to her hand and started to brush her hair" Thank you for everything for the past two days. I feel fantastic, as if I could lift three skyscrapers at once!"
"Kchi!"
Maidono narrowed her eyes at the sound of tiny sneeze behind her and turned to Hasako covering her nose with a handkerchief.
"Hasacchi..."
"W-What is it?"
"You promised you won't get sick through taking care of me. So don't you dare pull something now"
"O-Of course I won't. D-Don't make a fuss over a little sneeze"
There was a doorbell, but Maidono ignored her and put a hand on her friend's forehead.
"You are the type who will overwork herself for people she cares about. It's amazing to have a friend like you, but I am not having you going on without rest"
"Hoshimi, I just woke up."
"After sleeping 4 hours"
"I just wasn't sleepy"
"Today, I am taking care of you! No discussion"
"I am not even sick. I am a lot older than you"
"Then why are you-"
"HUUUUUH?! What are you doing here?!"
It was Maria's scream.
Both girls looked at each other and ran towards the front door.
How surprised they were to find Maria in battle stance against...
A small girl. Yes, the newcomer was a small girl with black hair buns, pink sweater, miniskirt, and torn black stockings.
Hasako smiled and spoke
"Maria-san, what are you doing? It's just a little girl-"
"Don't be fooled!" Maria remained in ginga stance, her eyes not leaving the girl" I met her before. She is very dangerous, so don't provoke her"
The phones and screens hanging from girl's neck swayed as she looked around.
"Touma onii-chan is not here. Does that mean employing the strategy to arrive here undetected was a waste of effort? Wastefulness as such is very un-Kihara-like"
"Her name is Kihara Enshuu and despite how she looks, she is one of the more dangerous members of Kihara family"
"Kihara..." both Maidono and Hasako muttered, with two different tones, but each conveying similar worry.
"What are you doing here?" asked Maria" We won't let you bother Kamijou"
"I do not seek physical confrontation under current conditions, though it can change through your actions. I seek Kamijou Touma. Since he is not here, I shall employ a wait strategy while working on other tasks in this place. Just like Byouri obaa-chan would do"
"Why is she talking like this?"
"She uses thought patterns of other people to formulate a course of action. Really tricky and unpredictable stuff. Now, you didn't answer my question"
"Answering your question lacks practical reason, but, to avoid unnecessary commotion with you, I shall provide it, like Noukan oji-chan. I was contacted to one similar yet different to Kamijou Touma, and offered a chance in partnership. His parameters didn't match Touma onii-chan's that I use in my selection. This confusion led me to investigation. Following the pattern of Amata onii-san, I decided to trace the source of the confusion and do the Kihara's duty of understanding the sudden duality of one supposedly known as 'Kamijou Touma'"
Hasako and Maidono exchanged glances.
Kamijou no Touma, without a doubt, contacted this member of Kihara family.
"That man, resembling yet not being Touma onii-chan, offered me observation of qualities that can bring and perfect my Kihara-ness to highest degree. I remain invested and attached to original thought patterns of Touma onii-chan. But it's Kihara-like to weigh the empirical evidence from observation and debate after the examination of both cases, in words of Therestina obaa-san. Thus, the reason for my presence in his place of living remains simple..."
Enshuu looked at the other girls with a silent challenge.
"I shall remain here until his homecoming. Then, I shall compare his qualities to the one displayed as the version of himself that came into contact with me. Using this comparative data, I will ally myself with this Touma onii-chan that meets criteria I set up in my head. Welcome, I am Kihara Enshuu. You can become my enemies in the future. In the present, let our time be efficient and fruitful in effort."