LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 47: chapter 47
Touma really felt the need to say all of those things not only just because it was something that needed to be done. He also felt that it was adorable that Junko's jealousy (no, it couldn't even be called that!) manifested not in fear that Saflee will take what Junko assumed hers, but that she will not be able to help people she cherished.
Slowly, Junko smiled softly at Touma, before suddenly pulling him into a warm hug.
"Yes... maybe I was rash to jump into panic. Thank you for clearing up my head Kamijou-san. You are the best person I could ask for when I am in time of doubt, besides my Queen of course. "
"I am only speaking the truth"
"There you are!" They both turned to see Saflee, standing near the exit together with Gunha, with Hamazura, and the girls peaking from behind their shoulders" I was worried you left."
"Worried?"
"Yes, it would be such a shame, because I wanted to spar with you some more." Saflee pointed at Junko with a smile" Like I said, you have an amazing potential, one that managed to impress me. Your combination of fighting technique with esper ability is grat, and your speed is astounding. So I am not going to let you fall to exaggerated modesty. I am looking forward to many fights in the future"
"Yeah" Gunha chimed in, smashing a fist against his chest" We can all make wonderful memories of those battles. Our guts will never shine brighter. But we need you, cause it won't be the same without you. When it comes to fighting hand-to-hand, both me and Kamijou presented you to Saflee-san as the greatest girl in the city, so set your spirit aflame!"
"Yeah, team ringlet curl rocks!" Maria added this rather comic remark as a last word.
Junko blushed slightly, before standing up, confidence renewed, and bowing slightly before Saflee.
"I accept your offer. Saflee-san, I am not losing to you" Junko said, the air around her crackling slightly around.
Only momentarily surprised, Saflee nodded with a grin
"That's what I like to here! There is much for us to go through! Albeit I certainly don't intend to lose either!"
'Why do I get the feeling that they are both talking about two completely different meanings of that phrase' such a thought passed through Touma's head.
"Saflee-san!" Gunha shouted" After one day here and seeing some of us fight, whose style do you like the most?"
The blond woman thought for a moment, before pointing at Touma.
"While all of you were wonderful, especially with miss Hokaze excellent fitness and your versatile power, I think Kamijou's fighting style is the one I appreciate the most"
'W-Why did she wink to him when she said that?!' the voices of outrage sounded in the heads of Misaki, Seria, and Maria.
"While not overly powerful, Kamijou can still inflict many powerful hits while keeping the destruction around him at precise minimum of beauty. That is the true spirit of a fighter I would like to see around me"
"W-What?"
"Gunha-san, your ability is clearly mighty and spectacular, but the collateral damage such randomness can cause is slightly disagreeable to me. Nonetheless, you are one of the finest fighters I encountered, you don't have to take my words to heart if they would limit you"
Gunha turned to face Touma, who began to sweat slightly from the sudden seriousness.
"Kamijou..." he said, putting his hand on Touma's shoulder.
"Yes?"
Was he mad that Saflee basically stated his preference of Touma, even if it was supposedly only in regards to fighting style, while Gunha obviously taken some form of liking to her?
"I WILL DO MY BEST! To chanel your guts into my guts! I knew the day will come when you will serve as my source of inspiration!"
No, he wasn't. After all, Gunha was not the type of person to be resentful.
'Still, what is this relationship dynamic that is starting to form here?'
"My Queen..." Junko addressed Misaki, who for some reason was looking around quite frequently " Can I stay here a bit longer?"
"Yes, suit yourself. Although I will have to take a leave ability, before-"
"MI-SA-KI!"
A young looking adult woman of very mature shapes, in pinkish-red dress and long blond hair appeared and before long she was right in front of the group.
"Here you are, I've been looking for you. It's time for family dinner."
"Mom! Not in front of everyone!"
"But I am not saying anything wrong. I am Shokuhou Mayoku, nicknamed Bologna for my friends. It's such a good thing that Misaki-chan has such a vibrant group of friends. Touma-kun, would you fancy a dinner with Misaki and myself? Or maybe Hokaze-san?"
"Shokuhou-sama, while staying with Queen is pure delight, I want to stay here with Gunha-san and Saflee-san, a little bit longer"
"Bolo... Shokuhou-san, unfortunately, I already have other plans for the evening"
Aw, that's a shame. "succubus in disguise pouted, adjusting glasses on her nose" You must meet up with us in the upcoming days though. My daughter is like a beautiful flower that wilts without your love, which is a shame, because said flower has a lot of sweet nectar for you to-"
"Mom, I swear..."
"Hmm... but where are my sweet grandkids?"
"If you don't execute some silence ability right now-"
"Alright, alright, I suppose we will be on our way... bye, bye, hope to see you again"
As she passed, Touma heard Bologna whisper into his ear.
"I gathered some information regarding your memory issue that you might deem useful. Contact me when you have a momnet, alright?"
"Thanks a lot"
"Now then, let's relax a little!"
"Mom, do you always have to embarrass me? You are really embracing the role"
"Do you worry about the curfew?"
"No, that's not really the point with a power like mine..."
"Exactly. Besides, you are royalty"
"You say that, but..."
Bologna and Misaki slowly disappeared in the distance, while still discussing things between each other.
"Mental Out's mother?" Hamazura whistled quietly" I guess apple does not fall far from-...owowowowow! That was just an observation Takitsubo, there was nothing behind it!"
Meanwhile, Seria was deep in thought.
'So that was cow's mother. Quite a strange woman. I can definitely see the resemblance here, now I have a double headache. Still, it's quite peculiar that I didn't have any information at all from my spy network about her. And that's not all. Why didn't kouhai remember the cow's name? So many questions arisen in such a short time, must investigate further... but for now...'
Seria glanced at Touma and she felt surge of triumph throughout her body
'... we have a certain evening to focus on...'
(HOURS LATER...)
They found themselves in a classy and exquisite apartment, which Seria rented for the evening and night. Not exactly on par with the luxury given to the guests of the city, but certainly not a typical place to stay the night.
Seria was wearing a light-brown summer dress with white lining, a variation of the outfit she wore during their adventure in Shibuya.
"While I am flattered that you look at me every 10 seconds or so, there is not the type of look I would expect. Are you stressed?" Seria asked, as the two of them started to prepare for dinner." Let me guess what this is about. You are worried about being underdressed, hmm?"
"A little, to be honest"
"Then don't be. This is just an addition I chose out of my fancy to make it better for you, so you don't have to worry at all. Plus, I see you got yourself a clean outfit, in which you look rather dashing"
"O-Oh... thanks, senpai"
"Let's get started, shall we?"
And so, they prepared the dinner together. It was a set of small appetizers, followed by a main course and dessert. It took a moment and in this time, they scarcely talk, savouring the feeling of working side by side and saving the conversation for later.
Finally, they set everything on the table by the panoramic window overlooking the cityscape. It was much higher than Touma's and sisters' apartment, and the glow of entire city preparing for the night, combined with dark sky and pale sphere of a moon made a really beautiful experience for the two teens.
The table they sit by was candle lit and in no worse condition than the once Touma saw in the fancy restaurants in the movies.
"I didn't take you for a romantic type, senpai"
"I am not one in the traditional meaning of the word, but I do enjoy a touch of class and beauty" Seria sat down with a smile" Shall we enjoy ourselves?"
Touma smiled at her
"Yeah, I will serve you food now!"
During their dinner, they talked casually about various random subjects, like their school life or the progresses Hasako was making in the modern world. She recently journeyed to Tokyo and Kyoto for a few days, to get a better understanding of the outside world.
"That being said, her technophobia is as unfortunate as it is bothersome" Seria gently dabbed the her lips with handkerchief, wiping the droplets of sauce from the stew Touma prepared" Did Maidono-san tell you about her reaction to the airoplane?"
Apparently, Hasako was scared of commercial flying now and, according to Maidono, fought against going back to the plane like a cat scared of a vet.
"Well, it is understandable" the raven haired beauty sighed" in her times, there were many devices we use today, but she wouldn't dream that their capacity would be as she witnesses it now. Changing the subject, how are those new neighbours of yours?"
"Well, Kaai and Youen are around for some time now, and asides from the time they melted down the wall... the other time when water in our pipes almost got poisoned... and the other time when Rikuri fainted after seeing the parade of roaches in the corridor... there was no trouble. In fact, they are very helpful if you know how to interact with them."
"I see." Seria didn't comment further, but Touma sensed that the mention of Rikuri didn't exactly sat well with her.
Kumokawa Seria was one of the most intelligent people in the city, and certainly one of the most intelligent out of the student population alone. Albeit without esper ability, through the usage of her knowledge of psychology, manipulation techniques, and glamorous looks, she could achieve feats comparable with the strongest manipulator of minds, Shokuhou Misaki. Accounts of how high her intelligence quotient actually was varied, from her being able to analyze and predict dozens of alternatives in seconds to being able to collapse a building via chain reaction of events.
Either way, it was no wonder that Seria knew of Touma's fellow residents, with how closely she watched the boy she was interested in. And albeit she tolerated it because Touma was evidently bent on staying with the sisters, that didn't mean that she enjoyed it and if it was fully up to her, she would rather prevent any longer time spent with the sisters, especially Kaibi.
Finally, as they moved onto the sofa, it was the time for actual reason they were there together. With the assortment of cream puffs and apple juice, Seria looked at Touma with serious gaze.
"I suppose we both have things to say and questions to ask. We should get to it, as I am in fact intrigued for what reason did you want to meet me. I would enjoy it either way... but I admit that I am curious."
"So... should I..."
"Yes, please, be my guest"
Touma took a deep breath. He actually had a few questions, and he decided to went with the personal question regarding Kumokawa herself.
"Senpai... like I said, since we will inevitably tap into some things that are connected with the time we first met, since Ayu-san is involved... and since we will be in that setting, there is something that I am concerned with for some time, and because we will we work together, there is something I must know. It's something... that I am amazed even asking about, and... it can change our relations... but I have to know, for my own peace of mind."
Seria went on to pour juice into the glasses, while chuckling slightly.
"Oh, so it's something that shocking? Your concern is very cute but I am a big, smart girl. I assure you, I can predict anything you may have in your mind, regardless of-"
"Do you... like me... beyond senpai-kouhai liking?"
After 2 seconds, the glass slipped from Seria's hand, as her face froze in almost comical expression of astonishment, and only thanks to Touma's quick reflexes it didn't reach the floor.
"What... did you just say?"
"I... I asked if you liked-"
"No, no, I heard that, but... who are you?"
"Oi, is it that strange for me to ask a question like that? Does people really consider me to be that dense?"
"76" Seria whispered under her breath.
"W-What?"
"You silly boy! If you are serious about this question... did you really not notice? Throughout all of this time, I was trying so damn hard to get you to get a hint. 76. That's the number of times I tried to employ some form of strategy to get your attention and finally confess my interest. But each and every time this infamous misfortune of yours blocked me. You never realized it?"
Now it was Touma's time to be shocked.
"I... didn't know it was like this. And even if I saw some of those, I thought you was just trying to be nice."
"Did you ever see me being nice, no, that kind of nice to anyone else?"
"Still, I thought it had to be this since I am me and you are you"
"And what is that supposed to mean? So what if I am the popular girl? I would rather have one genuine connection than thousand fake ones I am showered with at school"
"But..." Touma spoke slowly, hoping he is not as red as he felt he was" If you are interested in me, then... why is it the case?"
Seria sighed, taking a sip of the juice and then continuing.
"When I first met you, I was interested in your actions and power rather than yourself. However, as we battled against Biohacker, I watched so many unaccounted aspects of you, so many valorous and enjoyable sides that I never considered from a level 0 who claimed to be just a regular guy. All of this time, you always exceeded my predictions in some aspect. And later when you started to go the same school as me, I felt that my boredom with life, something quite inevitable when you analyze things like I do, began to dissipate. There was no boring day with you. I observed you and learned about you, because I was concerned that you will recklessly lose your life or health in your actions. I am not the one for abstract metaphores, but at this point, I won't lie that... if you ever disappear from this world, everyone's heart may just freeze all over... starting with mine"
A hint of emotionality that the intellectual girl rarely displayed entered Seria's voice, as Touma looked at her visibly touched by her confession.
"I was depressed, you know... when you disappeared at the end of World War III. I am aware that there are certain things you touched that I have no influence over. It frustrates me to no end. But ever since the very beginning, ever since that time when you came back for me and Mitsuari-san, there was one thing in you that remained constant: compassion. Despite everything that befallen you, you retained your kindness, more than I would ever be able to in your position. And you were not just coincidentally nice. You tended to be reckless and foolish, but never thoughtless about your actions. I saw what's underneath. You're someone who endures forever, but your eyes are heavy... with the weight of all that you felt. All of those contradictions, all of this amazing and intriguing nuances brimming for simplicity of yet complex salvation brought forward by a single person... it sends me to overdrive. In all of the ways."
Touma sat in silence, before nodding and simply saying.
"Wow... thank you. I don't... I don't know what to say"
"If I may ask... why did it appear to you that I am interested in you?"
"Well..."
'Apparently, we might have a son in the future, the one that really takes after you... but I can't say that so...'
"... I guess I just became more observant recently?"
"Hmm... is that so... well then..."
The girl shifted slightly on the sofa, uncrossing her legs and then crossing them again
"If I say something of this caliber, I think it's only natural to be curious of your take on me. Do you like-"
"Yes. I do like you, senpai. A lot."
"Hmm?" Seria smirked, clearly amused" No hesitation whatsoever? Flatter me more, and I will melt down."
"I always admired you, senpai. If I had your influence and intelligence, I could save so many more people. I know that you work hard, but you always make such flawless correction to the courses of action that I cannot help but admire that."
"Even though... you can't remember our first meeting?"
Touma paled slightly
"You... you knew?! B-But..."
"I wasn't sure. It was a strong hypothesis, but only your reaction now confirmed it. Fret not, I will not pry how you lost your memories for now, although I hope you will tell me about it. I will also not disclose it with anyone should you not wish so"
"E-Even so, you are brilliant! I felt so happy when you invited me to eat together. I felt like I could rely on you. And besides personality, skills, and our past... you're... very nice looking."
"Your type, I assume?"
"You... wouldn't be mistaken"
"Well, thank you. I do try to live up to epithet generous male populace of our school bestowed upon me. So, you do consider me physically attractive? Hah, great. It would be kind of awkward if it was one-sided from my side."
"Wha-"
"I do consider your looks nice addition to your personality as well."
The two became silent as they processed the stream of confessions.
"One more question from my side" said Seria, handing Touma a cream puff" Why is that you couldn't remember Mental Out's name?"
"I met... Mental Out? I don't remember ever seeing her. What does she look like?"
"Big chest, golden hair, eyes like stars"
"No... nothing. I am sure I would remember someone like this. Does she have a name?"
"Shokuhou... Shokuhou Misaki. You really forgot? Fascinating... it looks like a case of anterograde amnesia, but linked specifically to a particular person. What caused this? No, no, if this is combined with retrograde amnesia too, then you will not tell me much about the details..."
"Senpai..." Touma said loudly, snapping Seria out of her musings." You are muttering. Also, if I can, I would not speak of that without that person's knowledge. I cannot attach name to a face, or meaning to a memory... but I know that we made a promise to deal with this together. I really don't want to betray her trust"
"Even though you do not even remember her?"
"Especially because of that."
Seria growled something under her breath, but finally relented
"Well, it is something that is all too much in your style. Fine, I'll let it be, at least for now."
While she would like to hear more about mysterious memory mystery concerning her archnemesis, a lot more could be done with a proper investigation into the matter.
Instead, she pointed outside.
"You know, you should not be upset that you lost part of your memories with me. Because I think we might just be able to recreate it. One of your memories, I mean"
"What? How?"
"Behold and be amazed"
On the balcony of the rented apartment, there was a rectangular mattress that was clearly designed to laid on. It had a canopy like structure that protected it from possible rain and a blanket that could be used to cover oneself.
"That looks cool, especially with that view. But senpai, what are you getting at?"
"Oh? It's rather simple. You see, when we were trying to rescue Mitsuari-san, we were infected by mutated malaria, so we... well, let's say that we cuddled together in the pile of rubble trying to boost our body temperature in order to eliminate the disease. So... let's do it now."
"Hah?" Touma almost jumped backwards, when Seria sat down on the outdoor mattress" You can't mean-"
"Attaboy, my cute kouhai. Let's cuddle and sleep here. Minus the entire dying thing. The night should be warm enough. And we will make ourselves more than sufficiently warm. Let's just go wash and dress ourselves for the occasion.
Touma could not believe it. He simply couldn't.
But it wasn't an illusion.
It was a reality.
Yes, it was reality that they both changed into more casual clothes suited for rest (why did Seria have those anyway) and both laid down on the elevated mattress under the dark night sky.
"Heh... if Tsukuyomi-sensei saw this, she would faint"
"Senpai... are you okay with this?" Touma looked at Seria, who was looking upwards with a smile.
"I wouldn't do it if I wasn't. Besides..." she turned slightly to face him and for the first time, her cheeks noticeably reddened"... even if we were to get intimate, I wouldn't mind"
"S-Senpai! I didn't... I don't... I wouldn't..."
"Please, do not lie! I know when people do so, and you clearly had those thoughts. Don't be ashamed, I don't mind, if anything, it is source of pride for me. But although part of me would like to do it as well... I would like to be the only person on your mind in that moment. And right now, I am clearly not the only one. There is one more question, isn't there? About Mitsuari Ayu"
Touma sighed and looked up with saddened expression.
"Do you think... Ayu-san likes... no, loves me, too? I just can't get over how much I hurt her and I simply want her to be okay..."
Seria stretched, which made the covers rise slightly.
"Well, it's a bit annoying to admit this, but even though I can't say with 100% certainty, as this is about someone else, she definitely does have feelings for you. I think it's even safe to say that hers are the feelings of greatest intensity and longing out of all the girls you encountered. And I am not taking about devotion or anything like that. You became a central part of her existence, someone she couldn't imagine being without. It wasn't like that when we had our shared time together, but I imagine it was starting to bud in her psyche back then... just like it started in mine. She definitely loves you, I had no doubt about that. But..."
"But?"
"... what she does with this love and how she interprets actions according to love are completely different. She was hurt. Mostly by accidents, but it was intense, repeated hurt. She became twisted and so did her love. Even if we do find her, there is no telling-"
"That doesn't matter. No matter what happened, I will give her back happiness she should receive long ago. I swear" Touma muttered, clenching his fist underneath the covers.
"Hmm... I suppose that if anyone can say such things and be treated seriously, it's you. And I know that if you set your eyes on saving someone, there is really no way to truly stop you. Just keep in mind that she was wounded, deeply so. Because she loves you, you are one thing, but there is a question of Mental Out. Her involvement at some point, as much as it irks me to admit it, seems necessary for those wounds to fully heal. And I doubt it would be easy"
"I... I am aware of those things, senpai. I just... I just want so much for that girl to be happy again. I am... ashamed, that I didn't manage to save her."
"I think there is more to that than just guilt. Someone who was seemingly normal, before being cursed for things beyond her control, and ending up in unfortunate spiral of events that only dragged her down the spiral of sorrow. Sounds familiar? You are the one who was there for her and acknowledged her worth when she lost in the race she wasn't intended to win from the very beginning. While I can boast that two of us make a pretty good team, I think you and her are like a two peas in a pod in some aspects. But is it really that bad? Sure, it is lamentable that you didn't make it in time back then. But you saved so many other lives..."
"When it comes to value of life, one always equals infinity. And one lost life will always remain one too much..."
"Hmm... maybe you are right... now, hug me. Don't be shy, it will get cold otherwise"
(SOME TIME LATER)
Kumokawa Maria was spending the night at the place of her best friend, Tsuchimikado Maika. With her brother out despite very late hour, the girls chatted, not really wanted to get to sleep. The younger Kumokawa was acting rather fussy and it caught the attention of her classmate.
"Maria-san... why are you so grumpy?"
"Hmm... I am just thinking that onee-chan went out tonight? And I can bet my uniform that she is having fun with senpai!"
"Senpai... you mean Kamijou? Actually, I've been meaning to ask you for some time... at which point did you become interested in him? I know you for as long as we go to school together, but you weren't always into him. What happened?"
Maria smiled, kicking her legs in the air.
"Well, it's true that it wasn't always like that. Earlier I knew who he was, because my sister occasionally told me about him and it was obvious that she was interested in him in some form. Back then, I was bent on finding and reuniting with Kagun-sensei. I even travelled to Eastern Europe to see him. But unfortunately, he died. I managed to spend some time with him before he actually passed away, and in that time, I mostly managed to let him go... but it wasn't as easy as I thought. I was still grieving and it was difficult for me to actually move forward"
"I remember that you stopped coming to school for a moment, so I insisted that you come over to me and talk it over. And... oh, is this while he came in?"
"Mhm. One day, he came here looking for your brother, but accidentally saw me cry, so he stopped and began to talk with me. Although I wasn't really all that responsive, he cooked a soup for me. And it was... delicious"
Maria blushed slightly at the memory.
"After that, he came for a few more days bringing more food. I finally started to talk and he slowly started to make me release those emotions I had still inside. He knew Kagun-sensei too, even if briefly, so it was easier than doing it with some stranger. When I felt better, I expressed my gratitude by cooking for him. And so we kind of started to go back and forth with our cooking... also, your brother told me about Kamijou-san's fighting skills, which got me fired up for totally different reason."
"Is that all?"
"W-Well... there is one more reason... you know how you like those manga series when there is a muddy and intense brother-sister relationship?"
Maika's gaze wandered off to the bookshelf.
"Yeah?"
"Well, I have certain type too... it's...it's..."
"It's what?"
"It's story when maid has an affair with her master!"
"Oh..."
"I-I know that it's silly, but I cannot stop imagining Kamijou Touma as my master, and my sister as the lady of the house. Meanwhile I, mere maid degraded to this role by my younger birth, am trying to get into the graces of the lord. Oh, the trespassing of the roles is truly sublime and every scenario has its own kind of magic. The one in which I watch, the one in which I a won his heart alone, the one in which we both win... oh, I can't even think about it without getting excited!"
"It seems you already have a fanfic about it in your head. You are a pretty well hidden closet pervert!"
"I-I prefer the expression 'enjoyer of higher forms of love'. Besides, I am pretty sure that hidden lust is genetic"
"Really? Your sister is like an ice queen, I would never think she is like that"
"Pfft! The most serious ones are always super horny in secret!"
(MEANWHILE)
"Achoo!"
Kumokawa Seria sneezed while drying her face from trickling water.
"What in the... achoo!"
What followed was even more sneezing from the glamorous senpai.
Apparently, her sinuses were not too fond of sudden change of temperature from the warm resting place she was in 5 minutes ago. That, or, if Seria believed in the unscientific, someone was talking some serious slander about her.
After Seria finished sneezing, she took a deep breath, and nodded to herself.
She wasn't out because she wanted to grab something to drink or anything like that.
Roughly an hour earlier, Kamijou Touma couldn't fall asleep, which was understandable, given the beautiful company he was sharing the bed with. So Seria, following self-made promise to only cuddle with him and trying to ignore more primal instincts of having boy she liked in her grasp, used her voice to slowly soothe him to sleep. She was confident that her smoothly sounding voice, which wouldn't be out of place in the relaxation videos, would do the trick. Adding in some manipulation techniques, and the boy was asleep in 10 minutes.
However, that wasn't true for Seria herself. Sure, she could use her techniques on herself, but it wasn't nearly as effective. Besides, she was far too excited to do this, and all she could do was stare at the boy, marvelling on how he looked while asleep and revelling in the situation she was.
That is, until Touma decided to roll over in her sleep, and accidentally fell onto her arm.
Seria didn't know if it was a reflexive reaction or just some weird twist of luck, but in the next moment, she felt a biting sensation.
A sound resounded through the night. A very cute and feminine sound.
Seria's eyes were comically wide, looking at Touma's face near her skin, the boy still fast asleep. Her lip was trembling and her cheeks were crimson.
Never in her life would she suspect herself of ability to produce such sound with her own lips and throat.
It was too hot. And she was getting dizzy.
She gently pried Touma off, got out and up of the bed, went inside. And...
If anyone saw her in that moment, they would surely not believe that the person in front of them was Kumokawa Seria. She slowly took a pillow out of the sofa, screamed into it for almost 20 seconds while moving around the living room, before venturing into the kitchen and splashing herself with water to calm her wildly beating heart and burning face.
Now, she went back outside. Touma was still asleep. Fortunately, neither Seria's... ekhm, sound, her barely contained excitement, nor other things going around with her managed to wake him up.
"Well, I suppose I will get sick if I don't get there with him."
And so she was under the covers again. But even as she did so, it was not enough. She was far too invested. She wasn't going to break the promise, but... maybe she should bend it a little.
They both were into each other. So there should be no harm in some little additions to the night.
She snuggled deeply into him, hugging him and bringing her limbs around him.
She smiled, opening her mouth to show pearly white teeth.
"I believe eye for an eye is not a bad rule to be applied here, my cute kouhai"
(HOURS LATER)
When Kamijou Touma woke up, his initial reaction was to freak out. It was a freak out combined with a feeling of great, primal joy, but freak out nonetheless.
He and Seria were entangled with each other, with the girl's black hair spreading on the elevated mattress like a shadow. For some reason, he lacked upper half of his clothing.
He looked at Seria, calmly breathing by the side of his chest...
Then he felt stinging sensation throughout his body. And when he carefully examined those parts that he could see.
"H-Hickeys?!"
The reddened skin on his neck from the repeated, prolonged contact with lips was evident on most of his chest, as well as on his neck and arms. There were also occasional bite marks here and there.
And when he looked at his sleeping senpai, to his horror and astonishment, there were similar marks on the girl's neck and arms, though not in such quantity as in his case.
"This can't be real... maybe it's still a dream... I see... city... senpai... and... Index, coming through the apartment with a furious look on her face?!"
What happened next was so surreal that Touma almost got convinced that he was dreaming.
Almost.
"Aaah?! What is... gbwaaah?!"
"Be gone, you unholy seductress! Repent now and you will be spared!"
Kumokawa Seria was brutally woke up with a stream of water to her face.
Index, with a sleepy Othinus on her shoulder and for some reason appearing as if she was covered in soot of some sort, had a sprinkler in one hand and something resembling an old fashion censer in the other.
"Human, the nun went rampage from hunger. It's far too early for this stupidity..."
"Index, stop! And why the manual sprinkler?"
"It's not a sprinkler anymore! It's a holy water sprinkler!"
"Holy water what? Othinus, can nuns use holy water in sprinklers or water pistols?"
"I am a literal hypostasis of a pagan god, but take a wild guess. She just poured tap water inside and claimed that it gained special properties thanks to the blessing of a nun"
Touma rubbed his eyes at the sight at Index, who was apparently trying to exorcise his senpai for the reasoning known only to her, while spraying the 'holy' tap water and swinging the smoking censer.
"This is so surreal..."
"Yeah, I would say so"
"How did she even got in? For that matter, how did she know I was here?"
"She was pounding at the door to your hybrid friend, until he told you where you were"
"Tsuchimikado? Wait, how did he know?"
"Apparently, there is a tracking device in your phone whenever Anglicans need to capture you"
"That... explains a lot of things, and it appears I there are some people that need strong punching."
"As for how she got in... she bit the electronic lock out of frustration"
"Excuse me? She... what? She bit the lock? How do you even... why did she even..."
"I don't know, I guess primal instincts took over and she short circuited the mechanism."
"I don't even know what to say... INDEX! STOP CHASING SENPAI AND COME HERE! WE WILL MAKE BREAKFAST SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE MAD ANYMORE!"
Seria went to his side, huffing and muttering some insults to the nunneries of the world.
In that moment, the fire alarm resounded, triggered by a censer's smoke, causing everyone to be immediately drenched.
"Fukou da"
On the luckier note, at least he and Seria had some excuse to change clothes and cover the ever present hickeys.
III. IN ETERNITY, ONLY THE NAMES REMAIN...
In the eve of the last day before long awaited reunion with Mitsuari Ayu, something else worthy of mentioning happened. An unexpected guest, that brought forth a disturbance straight before the important mission.
On that night, Touma could not find rest in his sleep, so see sought refuge on the balcony. Outside of it, he could see that it was heavily raining.
However, after moments passed, he heard a voice from the ground
"Bad dreams again?"
It was Othinus, with concern etched on her face.
Touma gently picked her up, before sighing.
"Yeah..."
"Those dreams?"
"Yup"
"Do you... want to talk about it?"
"Well, I think I won't sleep again for a while, so... why not"
Infinite deaths were not something that could just go away on a whim. Even if Kamijou Touma did not consciously recalled totality of his experience, fragments occasionally resurfaced and plagued his dreams.
If Othinus could turn back his experience, she would, but all she could do now, is to be there for him, talk gently about it without denying her fault, trying to ease his trauma even a little. She knew that what she did could as well be foolish, since she was the one who inflicted those deaths upon the one she loved. But the reality was that in truth, he had no one else to turn to save from his former oppressor. So they talked and talked and talked, while pressing against one another, as if they were each other's anchors.
That was what it meant to be an Understander.
But their moment of bitter recollection was interrupted when the voice spoke eerily from the shadows of the night.
"That's some interesting topic you're discussing"
Touma and Othinus jumped, before looking around. There was no one in the entrance of the balcony.
Just when they thought so, a sound caused them to turn in the direction of the railing.
It was a completely ordinary railing, however, what was not ordinary was a human hand, grasping it.
Touma put Othinus down on the balcony's table and cautiously approached the railing.
As he did so, the hand was followed by an arm and slowly, an entire silhouette, drenched in rain appeared, before pushing itself upward.
"Hello, Kamijou Touma, in such a lively night"
Touma took a step back when a figure came into the light. He recognized her, of course he did. Even if his time in going up against her was brief, she made enough of an impact for him to be wary.
She was a short girl, looking like 10 to 12 years old, with pearly white skin, aquamarine blue eyes, long, light-blond hair in two tails, wearing red and black, checkers-styled clothing. There were two rhomboid earrings dangling down her ears and visible lipstick on her small lips. Few accessories were lacking, most importantly the cape she once wore, but it didn't change much
Despite girl's small stature, Touma knew that she was anything but a small girl she appeared to be. Standing before him was someone cunning, ruthless, and very, very old.
Standing before him was none other than Ladylee Tangleroad. The villain that was supposed to be...
"Ladylee..." Touma clenched his fist" What are you doing out of prison?"
"Oh, that place? It was formally a 'research facility'. I managed to run away. Those scientists apparently couldn't really understand that someone may not be able to die. Long story short... do you know that it takes roughly 1000 hours to master any skill and 100000 to be number one in it? If there is something I have abundance of, it's time. Among skills I have is faking my own life functions, like slowing down my heartbeat. I don't need to breath, you know, so I know very well how to flatline a heart monitor."
"Those morons! They assumed you actually died and..."
"They thought so, but they were cautious. They cremated me. Oh, that hurt like hell, I wasn't cremated since witch hunts in XVI century. But even after my ashes were thrown into the facility's waste disposal..."
"You revived"
"Bingo! When my body reconstituted itself, I waited for the perfect occasion to run away and then... I finally found it. One day, the prison under which my facility was situated, fell prey to a particularly strong quake. I managed to slip out in the ensuing chaos"
'It was then... when I went after Kaibi and encountered Shizuri' Touma thought, as Ladylee monologued.
"When I got out, I wanted to settle the score with that insolent Meigo Arisa who ruined my plan of truly ending it all. But I needed time to gather information. And in searching for her, I also encountered... you. Kamijou Touma, wielder of Imagine Breaker. And Othinus, former God of Magic.
"You seem to know about us, and possibly more then you let out" Othinus shot an intimidating look at the ageless girl, who shrugged with a cold smile on her lips.
"You would be surprised how much data one can gather if she's willing to die for it. And that's not a problem for me. After some time and convincing, I gathered enough info about what happened not only to Meigo Arisa, but also Shutaura Sequenzia, after Endymion's failure."
"But what are you doing here?"
"Initially, I climbed all the way up here to use you as bait for those girls to come to me. But after what I've heard over the recent minutes... through a dumb accident, and I suppose your misfortune... I think I found something much more interesting."
Launching herself forward much faster than her childish body seemed capable of, Ladylee grasped Othinus from the table and moved her over the railing.
"Othinus!"
"Tell me everything about those 'endless deaths' you were talking about or else miss fairy gets dropped!"
"F-Fine! I will tell you, you don't have to resort to threatening!"
"Really?" Ladylee looked at Othinus wriggling in her grasp" Huh..."
"Yes, really. What is wrong with you? I don't tell people about those experiences because I assume they wouldn't believe me, not because I don't want to. It's... It's not really that much of a secret."
"Perfect!" Ladylee moved her hand away from the multi-story drop, but didn't release her grasp on Othinus" I am still holding her for a moment longer though. So please, talk!"
"I am warning you... that this story may sound seriously crazy"
"When someone is as old as I am, craziness becomes surprisingly relative. Now, tell me more..."
So Touma told Ladylee of what happened since Othinus erased reality, described their initial clashes and dozens of the deaths he remembered, recalling many of them before feeling slightly faint. He then described Omega World, his final battle with Othinus, and finally his return to his original world.
Ladylee dropped Othinus to the table, small ex-god groaning and coughing from being squeezed for rather long time.
If there was a slight interest in Ladylee's eyes before Touma began his story, it changed into a frantic excitement near the end of it.
"Yes, yes, yes! Magnificent, absolutely wonderful! That confirms it. You have no idea how long I've waited for this! You might be the solution!"
"L-Ladylee-san... you're too close... solution for what?"
"Oh, use that head of yours! You might think otherwise, given the whole hero thing going on, but you reek of it... you reek of death! Absolutely wonderful!"
"Hey! Who are you and what are you doing with onii-chan?!"
It seemed they attracted attention.
Normally, someone thinking that the burglar entered their house would carry a knife or something similar for protection. However, since it was Gokusai Amazora, one would be up to no surprise that an enormous gattling gun was pointed at Ladylee.
Amazora wasn't alone. Kaibi and Rikuri also appeared in the entrance to the balcony, momentarily tensing up when noticing the intruder.
"Touma... is that a fri-?"
Laylee rotated her head towards the girls with wry smile, causing Rikuri to pause mid-sentence.
"Oh, you have company. Such lovely faces..."
"Get away from him!"
Ladylee lazily pointed at Amazora's gattling gun.
"Save your bullets, girl, I am immortal. Without beating around the bush, I am here to talk with Kamijou Touma. Nothing more, nothing less. Unless you will bother me, in which case I might get a bit upset"
She slowly walked up to Amazora's weapon and put her head against the end of the gun.
"Aren't you gonna do it?"
"What's wrong with this girl?" muttered Kaibi, as Ladylee stepped backwards, spinning around like a ballerina.
"So glad you ask! Quite frankly, I am stuck in a unfavourable situation and I require Kamijou Touma's assistance. Isn't that how it always goes? As for the nature of the problem... let's have a quick demonstration..."
And so she jumped backwards, onto the railing, balancing herself with expert precision despite the slippery surface.
"What? Stop-"
"Ladies and gentlemen! We are here to witness the curse of eternal life by beautiful Ladylee Tangleroad. Your assistance will not be required so just enjoy the show."
With a quick motion, she pulled out a-
"Human! That's an explosive!" Othinus cried out, causing the boy and three girls stiffened in fear.
"How astute of an observation!" Ladylee said, twirling a small metallic object in her hand" It is indeed an explosive. It's not very potent, but more than suffices for me. And because of the special coating, I can do... this!"
Opening her mouth wide open, she placed the small cylinder beyond her lips... and...
"She..." Rikuri looked close to fainting" she swallowed... ate the..."
"Now, without further delay" Ladylee smiled, waving her hand" this thing will detonate after my stomach acid gets through so... see you in a moment!"
"What is she planning to-"
Ladylee jumped backwards.
Touma and the sisters wouldn't manage to reach her even if they attempted to. Touma did try but he could only observe as Ladylee soared upwards with a somewhat elated smile, before disappearing into the rainy night. It was a jump from 9th floor.
Roughly in the middle of the way, there was a dull "BOOM"
They didn't see the explosion itself.
But for a moment, rain in the darkness was filled with deep crimson.
(2 HOURS LATER)
Rikuri ran to the toilet and threw up.
Amazora tried to make a brave face, but she was clearly confused and shocked by the disturbing performance.
Kaibi kept clenching and unclenching her fists, ruffling her own hair while thinking about what she just witnessed.
Only Touma remained relatively calm, which caused the middle sister to shout
"Touma, it's not like you! A girl just died in front of your eyes and-"
"No, she will be fine" Touma muttered" What worries me more is what she wants from me..."
"Let me get this straight" Kaibi stood up, staring at him in disbelief" a girl threw herself out of the balcony with an explosive that she swallowed and turned into some kind of reverse firework, and you are saying she is fi-"
There was a doorbell sound. Touma didn't say anything, but came to open the door.
Kaibi felt her legs getting weak when she saw none other than Ladylee Tangleroad, well and alive, strolling through their living room. Amazora's eyes widened, more in amazement than in fear, and Rikuri, who just returned from the toilet, grabbed onto Touma's shirt as if she was a little girl and not the oldest sister.
"Thanks for letting me in. Nothing feels quite like regenerating from scratch. Sure, breaking apart hurts, but afterwards? It rewinds everything, I am like a newborn baby. Sorry for taking a while, I had to clean after myself. Did you ever disposed of your own intestines? Those things are long!"
"W-What are you?"
"Who, please, in spite of it all, I am still a person. I think I made it quite clear earlier on. I am what you japanese call fushi. I am an Immortal Human"
"No, that's not true." Kaibi protested" That's impossible. Dead stay dead. Everything has its time and everything dies."
"Everything except me. Which is exactly why I am so interested in Kamijou Touma."
"What kind of crazy experiment would allow a human to regenerate from nothing?"
"Experiment... oh, ignorant children of science."Ladylee shook her head" Listen up, uneducated folk. There are three ways through which death occurs in mortal beings: decay of cells through aging, injury of the body, or the disease that breaks and shuts down the vital functions. To be completely immortal is to overcome those three causes of death. In other words, to possess eternal youth, eternal regeneration, and eternal immunity. Between mortality and immortality lies a spectrum of variations. Depending if someone defies some cause of death or not we can distinguish 8 options. "
Ladylee scribbled few rows of symbols and names on paper napkin she took from the kitchen earlier on.
Y0I0R0 - Mortality
Y1I0R0 - Biological Immortality
Y0I1R0 - Absolute Immunity
Y0I0R1 - Absolute Regeneration
Y0I1R1 - A. Immunity + A. Regeneration
Y1I0R1 - Eternal Youth + A. Regeneration
Y1I1R0 - Realistic Immortality
Y1I1R1 - Absolute Immortality
[Author note: Y- Youth, I- Immunity, R- Regeneration, 0- not-fufilled, 1- fufilled]
"Biological immortality is living with minimal cellular degeneration, but with susceptibility to injury and disease. It can be found in nature, because some animals have mastered it in the course of evolution. There exists the jellyfish Turritopsis dohrni, that can rejuvenate itself by inversing its life cycle. Cases of absolute regeneration and absolute resilience may also be reached and found in nature one day.
The immortality that humanity would probably like to achieve lies in hybrid options, i.e. eliminating 2 out of 3 basic causes of death. These options are extremely attractive because they significantly improve the quality and comfort of life compared to those that eliminate only one cause. Particular tempting is the existence of an entity that is eternally young and resistant to disease, but not to physical injuries. I called it realistic immortality because it seems to be the most achievable compared to other hybrid options. The reason for this state of affairs may be the degree of difficulty with which it is associated with achieving absolute regeneration, capable of healing any injury. Such an ability would consume a lot of energy, be extremely versatile, and, unlike mechanisms that prevent disease and aging, be able to act instantly.
Absolute immortality stands out against the background of the above-mentioned gradation. It is immortality in the strict sense of the word. By eliminating all 3 factors of mortality, it makes it impossible for an absolutely immortal person to die, even if they wanted to. Eliminating all 3 causes of death is incomparably more difficult than one or two, and thus requires more time, resources, and energy. The undesirability, on the other hand, may stem from the fact that absolute immortality seems to be a commitment that cannot be reversed."
"Where are you going with this?"
"Oh, that speech was for Kamijou Touma. You may take a nap."
She threw something into the air.
"Human, shield your eyes" Othinus screamed, and Touma instinctively did as she said.
There was a bright flash of light, and in the next moment all three sisters fainted.
Rikuri fell on the sofa, Touma managed to catch Amazora, while Kaibi fell straight onto Ladylee, who stepped aside, causing the middle sister to tumble on the floor, fortunately with a carpet on it.
"Oops"
"What did you do to them?"
"I can't use magic, so I always try to have few artefacts on me. This one wipes the memory of everyone that looks at it. It can be used only a few times though"
Noticing Touma's tense face, she laughed, waving her hand.
"Only a few hours of memory, and they will wake up in an hour or so. You are not fond of amnesia, correct?"
"Brings unpleasant memories."
"Huh, memories, how ironic."
"Why did you explain immortality to them if you still wanted to wipe their memory? Also, there is a magical Men in Black device? Scary to think about..."
"I didn't quite get that reference... aside, I like to hear myself talk. But cutting to the chase... Kamijou Touma, I decided... that you shall be the cause of my demise"
Touma did not understand as the immortal went on, her eyes lighting up in a rather dangerous way.
"Someone who experienced so much death... what a lucky coincidence. I want to make you mine, so you will be the one I met me death with and through. Don't you think it's romantic? Meeting once end with the beautiful girl? I am small, but I am an older woman, aged like fine wine"
"Wait, wait, wait... what? Why do you-"
"It may be possible that throughout prolonged exposure to your Imagine Breaker, my immortality will weaken enough, even for a moment, for the end of my life to be possible. Like this yappy blondie said, immortality like mine is not something from this world. If negated continuously in the moment of my death, it will finally be over."
"Ladylee... isn't there anything that keeps you alive?"
The blond girl with aquamarine eyes looked at him, before laughing in a hysterical way that steered something deeply unpleasant in Touma.
"Can you really imagine what it's like? To never age, to never die throughout eons of time? I am over 800 years old. Not much compared to your familiar Magic Gods or the primordial donna Kretuene, but far longer than any human. I endured for so long I sometimes forgotten my name. I mastered so many skills, saw so many places, met so many people. Estoy hablando en todas las idiomas del mundo, językami tak starymi, że po latach, j'ai oublié lequel était le premier etποιος πραγματικά είμαι. I've walked many roads, escaped many places, and died so many, many, many times. It should seem like a immortality is not a curse, but a blessing. But it's not living forever, that's not how it really is. Immortality is watching everyone and everything else die. And it breaks your heart, chipping it away. Moment by moment, until you don't have anything left to have broken, until your kill your emotions just so can breath and not shut down from all the grief and madness and loneliness... Now that I heard what you've been through, I am certain... you know it too. When you live that long, you just get tired. Tired of losing every single thing that ever mattered, until all you have are names that lost all meaning. You know that emptiness, when your heart got broken so much that you can't even identify the pieces and for that single moment of doubt, you may cease to be human"
"What do you want from me?"
"You are helping people, right, shattering their illusions and guiding them to their dreams. In that case... help me achieve my dream, the dream of normal death"
"You want me to kill you?"
"Oh no, nothing that plain. Do you know the writings of Dazai Osamu? I've never felt more kinship towards the drive towards death than while reading his books. He was remarkable. Sadly, he managed to get lucky and die before I could truly meet him. But he gave me the idea that I should end my life with someone who understands me. Someone who I can give what remains of my human heart. And I just chose you for that role. I wish for us to die together, as someone who understands... that feeling of enduring through countless deaths, through countless years..."
"Stop it"
"... when you beg for release but you can't and keep going on, deeper and deeper into madness of despair..."
"I said stop!" It was Othinus who cried out over the silence of completely mortified Touma" You are insane! He is going to live his life, and will not help you in such craziness. If you want to die, die alone. Besides, I am already his Understander"
"Why should my dream be denied? Isn't freedom of death the highest one there is? I am going to convince him, one way or another, to help me fulfill my goal. The fact that the one that claims the position of the Understander is the killer here is laughable. If you are his Understander in life, I can be his Understander in death. I do know a fair share of what he could be through. I understand, that's why I want him to love me and die with me."
"Ladylee... I want to help you, if you need it... but not like this. I can't"
Immortal's eyes darkened.
"I see. I guess there are obstacles on my path to death through true understanding. Over the years, I lost many people dear to me. That's what twisted me to this point. Don't you feel it too? The turmoil in your heart that begs to be quenched? The pain of unjust misfortune?"
"Even so, they are still here. And mortality is what makes life truly beautiful"
"This is why I want to stop to become immortal"
"I understand! But do you really have to die? What if I helped you?"
Ladylee smiled and shook her head
"That's a beautiful dream. I almost want to believe it... but I think I would rather ensure that you will cause my demise. Maybe I will have a nice chat with a Human Library and-"
The clouds covered the moon.
Ladylee's cheek was slashed before she could notice.
And a voice from the darkness spoke.
"If you touch anyone dear to me, I will pulverize you, stuff you inside the toughest rock on earth, and leave you there to regenerate forever. Play with that fool however you like. But touch Index, and I will make you remember how it is to actually fear death. Now get out!"
It was only a moment before moonlight flooded the room again.
Touma blinked and spoke
"Huh? What was that?"
Ladylee touched her slightly red cheeks. Her cut already healed, but now she paid this no mind. She was thinking about what she just witness.
"That was an unexpected... but not unwelcomed discovery."
"Huh?"
"I shall take my leave for now, I have to think about this more. But make no mistake. I will make you love me... till death, through death, and for death... Kamijou Touma."
And then she jumped behind the railing once again.
Touma didn't bother to check if she climbed down or just plummeted to death, only to regenerate again. He slumped down to his knees.
"Are you alright?"
"It was him again, wasn't it?"
"Yes, I'm afraid so"
"The time to do something about this is getting close. And also... did I just witness a yandere l0li with death obsession proclaiming that she wants to end her existence with me and becoming my self-proclaimed Understander? Such a rotten luck..."
IV. PRELUDIUM'S EPILOGUE: AYU ET VERITAS
Hasako Kankyougami stirred on her futon, her long hair tied in a single ponytail, as she rested in ryokuan in Kyoto.
She was restless because she knew the resting place by her side was empty.
Maidono Hoshimi was out again. And worst of all, Hasako didn't really know where she went, so she couldn't follow her.
'Hoshimi, please be safe'
They were on the trip for Hasako to get a look at modern Japan. But it was only a part of it.
For Maidono, it gained a personal importance and made her more cold and focused than Hasako ever saw of her. It all started when Kumokawa Seria discovered certain clue in the search for Mitsuari Ayu's whereabouts couple days prior.
(FLASHBACK)
'Apparently, when there was a prison break during which Ayu-san escaped, the next time she was sighted in the presence of masked scientist. They seemed to travel together" spoke the older girl, browsing through the material gathered through her intelligence network.
Although to Touma and Hasako that information wasn't anything significant, Maidono jumped from her seat and sped up in front of Kumokawa.
"A masked scientist? Was the mask like the ones they were in Italy for carnival?"
"Y-Yes, in fact my agent said something about it being a colourful red mask with a golden hourglass on it"
In the next moment, everyone's ears started to hurt.
It was just how much the pressure in the room changed as Maidono tensed with a completely livid face, biting her lip so hard it drew blood.
"Veritas" she whispered and bolted to the door.
"Hoshimi" Touma also stood up" What happened? Do you know something about the person Ayu-san encountered?"
Maidono put her hand on the doorknob.
"Do I know? Oh, I know full well."
"Is Mitsuari-san in danger?"
"I don't know yet. But Veritas is not someone that we can leave her with. Sooner than later, something horribly wrong will happen, I am sure of it."
"Veritas?"
Maidono took a shaky breath and explained
"This girl of yours really is as misfortunate as you, Touma. She ran into someone vile and unethical... someone bent on pursuing the truth of objective reality in the name of peace and prosperity so much that it was an reality-missing obsession beyond Kihara standards. Codename Veritas, which means "truth" in latin, a scientist specializing in amplifying and perfecting common abilities through unorthodox means. That person... is the one responsible for perfecting my telekinesis through a method that left me unable to use chopsticks. They are my creator of sorts. The person that made my life miserable. I don't know much about them, even their gender or age. All I do know is that they destroyed my social and emotional life. So I, in turn, destroyed the lab where Veritas and his team experimented on me, before becoming a mercenary. I thought they died... but I was mistaken. If Ayu-san interacted with them, it's the worst case scenario. Because if Ayu-san is the way you described her, she can be easily abused by them. So I must find where Veritas is. It's both for that girl and for myself."
(END FLASHBACK)
Hasako sighed again.
This couldn't continue. She knew Maidono was sneaking out to find where this Veritas could be.
Apparently, the masked scientist had extensive web of contacts throughout Japan and abroad that could be used to hide them. Although they were convinced that Mitsauri Ayu didn't leave the city, Veritas was apparently someone specialized in moving from place to place. If Mitsuari was with them by a struck of bad luck, they couldn't rule out any possibility.
Or at least, Maidono couldn't. Hasako sat on the futon, looking at the moon beyond the ryokuan's window.
She knew she will confront her friend about it when she returns by daybreak.
She knew that Maidono wanted to do this on her own, to not endanger Touma, her love, Hasako, her best friend, or even others, who didn't matter that much to her. That was how her time with Touma changed her.
But even though Hasako knew Maidono was strong, she couldn't help but worry. She could only hope that she and Touma will be there for Maidono, when they saved not only Mitsuari Ayu, but also the telekinesis user herself
(MEANWHILE)
Someone fell gracefully from the sky near the remote, luxurious villa in the suburbs of Shizuoka. It was an enormous house with a garden and gold-coloured metal gate.
That someone wore a wig, mask and dark clothes, fitting tightly around her long legs and slim waist. She approached the tall gate and cracked her hands before pointing at it with her index fingers.
In the next moment, sturdy metal was bent and sent tumbling down as the figure stepped through it.
Alarm started to ring out as 2 armoured guards ran out, pointing their guns at the intruder.
"Freeze! You are trespassing on the private property of esteemed doctor Kanagawa!"
"You know, that's the whole point of breaking in"
"We said freeze! Don't move!"
"I will just move my finger, that's all"
In the next moment, ground underneath the guards crumbled and exploded, causing screaming men to slide into deep hole. The intruder smiled and lifted her hand causing enormous rock to cover the exit to the chasm.
"I left you holes for breathing, . I will set you free when I'll be going home though and I made it deep enough, so stop screaming like babies!"
As she approached the villa, she crumbled few remote guns and drones, before tearing the doors down and entering the building.
As expected, four more of the bodyguards awaited her inside. The girl focused her attention on them.
In the next moment, one of the guns held by the goons started to move on its own accord, the abnormally intense pressure forcing the hand of the man holding it to point at the leg of his colleague.
The gun discharged and the guard fell, clenching his thigh in pain.
At the same time, the attacker took out something resembling an thin ice pick and threw it forward. It embedded itself in the leg of the shooter, and after a moment, returned back into still extended hand of the intruder.
Third guard attempted to shoot stun gun at his opponent, but with a quick motion of the attacker's hand, the wires were sent to the left, electrifying his fellow comrade instead.
The man dropped the gun and tried to throw himself at the girl barehanded, but she jumped backwards and motioned to the statue standing in the hall. It moved, smashing into man and knocking him unconscious.
After securing the defeated opponents, she moved forward, busting through every obstacle, until she opened the door to reveal an almost naked woman, who screamed at the sight.
"Sorry to interrupt" Maidono Hoshimi said, tapping lightly on her mask" But I have an appointment with the doctor. Can you please tell him subject 0702 dropped by?"
The girl nodded weakly and ran towards the spacious bedroom.
Moments later there was a sound of something, or rather someone, tumbling down the window.
Outside, a middle-aged man in night clothes tried to desperately to make his escape.
He didn't ran far when small metal spike embedded itself in his leg, making him stumble.
"As you surely remember, my telekinesis can't affect living organisms or inorganic matter surrounded by a living tissue. But the parts embedded from the outside and sticking out, or parts that are entirely inorganic like prosthetics, are another story." Maidono said, extending her hand towards the hobbling doctor" Come back to me"
There was a strong pull on his leg, the man fell down and slid backwards, crying out as the piece of metal answered telekinetic summon, until he was by the feet of Maidono.
"I-I pulled out of the experiments! I didn't do anything! I-"
"Oh, shut up, I am not going to kill you! Nor anyone else here. I have someone important to me that would surely not approve of this"
"R-Really?"
The man tried to get up, but the fragment of metal in his leg was pulled in other direction, causing him to fall down once again.
"But... this doesn't mean you are leaving until you tell me what I want. You are the one of the scientific consultants that worked with the team who ruined my life. And now, that masked bastard may ruin another one. Where is Veritas?"
"Maidono-san... I truly did not know what kind of vile experiments...gaah!"
The metal twisted itself slightly deeper into his leg.
"Cut the crap. Who encouraged them to shock me when I couldn't lift something? Who paid for the tools that made me bleed and cry out in pain? Who caused them to use methods that rendered my hands useless for anything else other than my power? You are not getting the light treatment because of me. You are spared because of the morality of the man I love. The Maidono Hoshimi that loves him is still giving you mercy... but if you play dumb..."
A long, thin chain floated in the air, its fragments reflecting the glow from the light inside of the house.
"... then the Maidono from the dark side may just go back for a short moment and break all fingers, finger for finger, like the ones you left my unable to use. So I will ask again."
Maidono Hoshimi crouched down to look at the sweating man straight into the eyes and slowly accentuated each part of the question, closely connected not only with her own rage, but also with the future and safety of the girl that the boy important to her wanted to save beyond anything, Mitsuari Ayu.
Where. Is. Veritas?"