Toaru Majutsu no Index Painted prison chronicles

All it takes is one decision to completely ruin a person's life.

All it takes is one bad day to make everything tumble down into nothingness.

Back then, I wasn't anyone special. During kindergarten and elementary school I had friends, and it wasn't anything impressive, but at the very least I didn't have hopes that exceeded what could actually happen in my life.

Ah, what would it be if I wasn't born in the same time as her? What would it be if one of us never came around the other? What would it be if our hearts didn't start to beat faster for the same man? Oh, I wonder...

Not that it matters anymore. I had my chance, I blew it, and now I have to face consequences.

I lost my caretaker, my friends, my school, my status, and worst of all, a man that I fell in love with. Even if I cursed the world, even if I wanted to quench and destroy my emotions, I couldn't stop hurting over those losses. I couldn't forget the pain I felt.

Because of my decisions, my friends were wounded and someone I cared about died.

Because of injustice of this world, I couldn't really help when it was needed. There was only so much I could do. Or so I should have been told.

For others, it was a decision like any other. Heads or tails? Left or right?

An ant or the bee?

But that one push in one direction rather than the other was everything for me.

'Oh, you are not Mental Out?'

How I curse hearing those words. I heard them way too many times. And even if this message didn't come in spoken form, I could feel it in the way the looks directed at me changed when they learned who I am.

The failure. The one who could never amount to the success.

Before I knew it, that was how I was viewed. And no matter where I went, it always followed me. And if it wasn't enough, someone who accepted me, who cherished time with me, who always extended his help with a smile...

Even he didn't manage to get to me in time. It wasn't his fault. But it could be a sign.

Maybe the world didn't need someone like me. Someone that couldn't amount to anything and was always doomed to fail. Even in the sphere of my feelings... she was always one step ahead of me. Even in stupid accidents, she always swiped away what could have been mine.

Parting with your life is selfish, people say. But was I selfish in desiring friendship, love, respect, and people seeing me for who I am?

How could I not believe that the world didn't need me?

Now, it's almost 2 years since that fateful night over Ground Geo lake. But after all this time, I still feel like drowning. The feelings from that experience still flood my mind.

The light recedes more and more... disappears into the silence of that mountain lake...

I can't hear anything... except the sound of my own heart, which is beating harder and harder, desperately trying to get oxygen to my body...

It's chilly... but I'm relieved. This coldness, the coldness of life and human hearts, will soon be gone forever.

The saying "Everyone finds love in the end" has more than one meaning. This can be read as a promise that everyone will eventually find their soul mate, another human being who will destroy their loneliness forever.

But it could also mean that genuine love, true peace, man will find only in the true and inevitable end. Only in his own death.

I'm not a hero. I'm a failed back-up plan, a garbage disposal, an unwanted girl, an unneeded element...

And so, when I think of those two, I can only feel regret and betrayal, as my life is coming to an end...

But I survived. When I realized I was still alive, I started to laugh until I collapsed on the edge of the lake, brought down by fever from the coldness of the night and water.

When everyone tells you you're inept to do anything, you might think that one last act of defiance and freedom will be choosing the time and place in which you draw your final breath.

But apparently, I fail so much that I couldn't even die properly. How much lower can you get than that? How pathetic is that?

Salvaged and incorporated by Dark Side, I learned of what my perfect counterpart did behind my back with him. So I dyed my heart black, killed my old self, and decided if I am cursed to live on, I might just make this life my way. If she was so intent on taking everything from me, from status to love, I might just collect something to correct this oversight.

So I went on with the elaborate plan to fool her into thinking that her memories were false. I wanted to see that perfect picture of her life crumble even once, through me and my action. It was just a label. That's why I tried to end her back then. The description of that life of fame, power, and love could easily be changed to me.

Or so I thought. However...

Despite everything, he arrived. Even though he didn't manage it for me, he still managed to save Shokuhou Misaki. And when he looked at me...

He saw an enemy. Someone that needed to be defeated for someone else to be safe.

I knew he couldn't remember and why he could get such an idea... but when I saw him with that face directed at me... when he swung that fist of his at me...

I felt as if my entire world collapse. As if that punch didn't crash into my face, but into my heart.

A heart that despite everything didn't stop in its love.

Honestly, everything afterwards was a blur of sorts. Incarcerations, relocations, talks with both Anti-Skill and various psychologists. It honestly didn't matter all that much. Everything turned into black hole of nothingness that almost snuffed out my life before.

However, one day, I met an interesting person while in the prison cafeteria.

That person apparently had some scars or something similar in nature, because their face was hidden under the crimson mask, with golden lining and hourglass on the brow, having the special permission to wear it, as it was easily recognizable anyway. Maybe it was a strange fashion sense. Besides that, the person was rather thin, w

I probably wouldn't take notice of that individual, if not for a conversation initiated by them.

"I happened to eavesdrop a little and I heard a little bit about your problems... Mitsuari Ayu-san, isn't it? A world is a bit of a small place after all"

"Do you know me?"

"No, we've never met before. However, I am knowledgeable of cases similar to yours."

Masked prisoner leaned in to whisper into her ear.

I am also aware of what held you back and what's holding you still... the shadow of IDEAL stretches long, doesn't it?"

"You know about that too? Who are you?"

"Someone who knows a great deal about injustice. I too was deemed failure, my ideals being scrapped off and my advances to stand alongside my idols rejected. Mitsauri-san, I know that Parameter List was rubbish when it came to you. I know you have a potential to help me. I need to leave this city. If you help me with that, I can make you close the gap you desperately desire to have destroyed. I can make your ability such that you won't have to bare getting compared to Mental Out. And from what I've heard about certain accidents surrounding you... it can also help you get a boy you are interested in back to you. As for your earlier questions..."

The person in the mask brought left hand across their chest, making a gallant bow.

"You may refer to me as Veritas, the Truth Seeker. I am being incarcerated through the blindness of those who fail to see the necessity of scientific advances in the name of peace and prosperity. I am quite keen on helping out seemingly lost causes, such as yourself. In fact, I became intrigued ever since you arrived in my humble prison."

"You're talking as if you were going away from here"

"We are going away from here. Unless... you want this chance to miss you? In few days time, there may just be a chance for us... I feel it oh so strongly"

One could almost sense that Veritas was smiling under the mask.

"Or maybe you got so accustomed to being a failure that one more missed chance doesn't make any difference to you?"

In fact, there was a huge riot in the prison few days later. And through sheer twist of fate, the two of them, alongside few others, managed to escape in the sewers.

In that time, Veritas talked. They seemed to like to explain things, and even though I was more than wary of him, his explanations of what they were intending did seem to make sense.

Or maybe I was too tired and restless to actually seek the alternative. At that point, I would take anything to improve my broken heart, absolutely anything.

I showed them places that I used to be and we travelled through underground. I had few spots I used to hide or prepare myself when I was on my dark side revenge vendetta. As I acquainted Veritas with them, I helped them steal equipment necessary for him to perform the procedure they promised me, while at the same time trying to secure the route of their escape.

It was a bitter work. But with their surprising ingenuity and my Mental Stinger, it actually worked quite well. And it all amounted to this day.

(RIGHT NOW...)

She opened her eyes, founding herself on the table with a helmet on her head.

"Are you sure that it has an effect ? If it ends like the Level Upper-"

"Oh, please, you are hurting my feelings. Do not compare this procedure to that useless crap of an invention. I wouldn't invest my time in this if it was so redundantly unusable" Veritas tweaked something in the complicated mixture of levers, wires, and metal cylinders filled with liquid that Ayu was hooked up to." You still not trust me?"

"Well... you reek of Dark Side. Or rather...I do not know you all that that long, but you are the type of person to does something based on their own perception of righteousness. Person of that kind is the most dangerous"

Veritas snickered, flipping a few switches and causing the machine to come to life with a low hum.

"Well, thank you. I would prefer if you thought otherwise, but it may just do. I suppose that I might be seen as such, but I don't enjoy thinking about objectivity. What is it, really? Everyone talks about it in an all-knowing manner, but objective reality or objective morality, whether they exist or not, are clearly tainted by our subjective perception. I didn't understand, you know?"

Ayu didn't know, and she didn't really want to know, but I knew Veritas for long enough to know that there was no stopping them once they got into soliloquy.

"My entire life I was friendless because I couldn't understand others. And others quite possibly avoided me in turn. There are rules that govern every human interaction, rules that although learned throughout social contact, are for the most people as intuitive as basic daily routines. Every action is intentional, but while behaviour itself is easy to observe, the intentions behind it are potentially limitless. And as the actions became more and more complex, so are intentions behind them. It's like someone thinking about the meaning of the text message. Despite my hardest determination to understand and predict naturally, I made one mistake after the other and still couldn't attune my own perspective those of others. So I invested myself in science to bring about what everyone should consider objectively pleasing: peace and prosperity. But the populace thought I was crazy and wouldn't want to hear me out. Even my idols, the relentless pursuers of science, the Kihara clan, wouldn't want to have anything to do with me. They said I lacked certain Kihara-ness because I pursued abstract ideals of peace and prosperity instead of focusing purely on the enrichment of knowledge. With most to all options exhausted, I deduced that all that is left is to gain knowledge of objective reality. But I just said that I shouldn't be possible, right? Knowledge of that kind should not be able to be perceived without being tainted, let alone expressed. That's why I theorize that the one who would have that knowledge as an innate understanding of the ways of the world is none other than the famed level 6. I do not care about the power to destroy the world. A Person Who Understands The Will of Heavens, in other words level 6, may be able to enter a state when they discover the eternal truth of reality. That's what I am pursuing"

"You're pursuing... level 6?"

"I realize that this is nothing new in this city. I am also not arrogant enough to think that I can become level 6 alone. I need people and resources for that. And as a mid-step for this... to convince everyone that I am not just some scientist of the week... I am going to show them just what I am capable of... to do this, I need to prepare outside of the city before my triumphant return. It's something I hope you help me with"

"Is it connected to something hidden behind the black veil?"

Veritas followed Ayu's gaze, who was looking at something hidden behind the large black piece of cloth. It looked like an old-fashion fruit cart.

"Yes, it is. This is the key argument to convince everyone of my abilities. And you shall contribute to peace and prosperity I wish to achieve for everyone, once I master the objective reality. Are you ready?"

Ayu clenched her fist, before relaxing it.

There was no point in hesitating. She failed in everything she could think of, even ending her own existence. And there was no way she could just look Touma in the eyes. There was no way he would come.

He never came for her. Even that second time, it was for his precious Shokuhou. It was true back then and it was certainly even more true now. No one was coming to-

BOOM!

There was a loud crash on the other side of spacious storage space.

Veritas turned their masked head in that direction.

"Oh? Well, isn't that interesting?"

Ayu shot up and looked frantically as the cloud of dust cleared in the distance.

A single boy took a deep breath and screamed, the sound echoing in its desperate and heartwrenching call to one name alone

"AYUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!"

Her skin crawled when she looked at someone at the face of a small crowd.

Someone that she would recognize anywhere in the world.

"How... why... are you here?" she choked out.

(MANY HOURS EARLIER)

With the dawn, the day has finally come.

Kumokawa Seria, Gokusai sisters, and Kamijou Touma sat in the internet caffe on the shared breakfast.

"Did you lack sleep tonight, kouhai?"

"Well... you can say that?" Touma sighed.

Ladylee's random visit and her declarations left him quite restless and disturbed.

"Is it because..." Kumokawa glared at Kaibi, who gave her a smug, haughty look." You were invested in some other... activities"

Truth be told, Kaibi and the others had no idea why Touma was distressed, their memories partially altered, messing with Kumokawa seemed to be funny for the middle sister.

"S-Senpai, will others be here soon?"

"I suspect so. Also... Gokusai-san, this is a peculiar place for a meet up. Could it be..."

"Yes. This is the same place that we ate together before we went to try and save Mitsuari-san, after you blackmailed us into doing so. In other words, this is the place in which we met the first time. Quite nostalgic isn't it?"

I suppose so... it fits because we are going to the rescue for that girl... again" Kumokawa sighed" And this time she isn't even really kidnapped"

"Onii-chan, let's do everything as we did back then." Amazora said, jumping onto Touma's lap" Gimme some of your oysters and I will leave you some of my salad"

"This seems like a pretty lame trade-off if I am being honest... but you will leave half the portion"

"Mmmm!"

"N-No puppy eyes! Now, say 'aaah'?"

"Hwah?! Onii-chan will feed me?"

Ignoring the pouting face of seemingly jealous Rikuri, Touma put an oyster on the fork, and held it up.

"You are a messy eater and maybe this way you will not get it all over your face and clothes"

"Oh... in that case... aaah! Mmmm! Ish ash goot ash ah remember!"

"Amazora, don't speak while you are chewing" Kaibi sighed dejectedly" At which point will you learn this?"

After few shuffles of oysters into smaller girl's mouth, Kamijou reached for the paper napkin...

Only to bump into the long fingers of Gokusai Rikuri... and the bottle of soy sauce that spilled all over one quarter of the table.

"Ah?!"

"Oh my, I am so sorry! I completely didn't see it where I was reaching."

'Touma is one thing, but nee-san absolutely saw where she was going' Kaibi thought flatly.

Touma's hand was completely covered in sticky sauce. To his astonishment, the oldest girl smiled and pressed her lips to his stained wrist, doing small suck-like pecks over the top of his hand and lowest part of arm, that made him shiver as if electrified, finishing with a small lick, invisible to the outside observer.

"R-R-Rikuri-san?!"

"Oh dear me, it seems some got on me too!"

Touma's mouth went agape when Rikuri got up and showed him upper portion of her thigh, before violet, shimmering stocking, and part where her dress split on the sides.

"Using dry napkins will only make it worse... I was wondering if you could maybe..."

Touma watched as Rikuri's lips moved but the meaning registered only after a while.

"... return a favour?"

Touma felt lightheaded.

"No fair! Onii-chan is now mine!" Amazora grumbled, grabbing boys arm" No stealing!"

"Stealing? Whatever do you mean? Can't a lady ask for gentleman's assistance?" Rikuri said, moving her leg up and down.

'D-Does she expect me to lic...li...ck.. her thigh... Rikuri's thigh...' Touma felt as if the world turned on its head as Amazora grabbed some of the sauce from the table and smeared it all over her chest.

"Onii-chan! I got all sticky too! Now you have too-"

"EKHM!"

The cough came from Kumokawa Seria, who looked as if she was about to self-combust from the barely contained irritation.

"You two, stop fooling around. Go clean yourselves up immediately!" Kaibi said, trying to sound imposing. However, deep inside, she was facing internal turmoil.

'Mou! I can't say it, I really can't, but why do they always get pampering treatment like that? I wish my accidents with him were different. Like...'

The sparkly and muscluar Touma slid the door open to reveal naked form of Kaibi with a golden honey dripping from all over her body.

"Kaibi, what is thi-"

"I had a jar of honey fall on me! How terrible and absolutely accidental event!"

"Huh?"

"On top of it, we so happen to lack tissues and there is a water shortage for the rest of the evening. Poor me, what should I do- wah?!"

Touma grabbed her by the shoulders, not minding the stickiness of honey.

"Kaibi-san, I never leave anyone needing help, especially since the one needing it is sweeter than this honey"

"Is that so? Then get it all and don't miss any spots!"

"AAAAAAAAAH! What the hell am I thinking about? Nyo Ze Ga Mon Ichi-Ji Butsu Zai Sha Ei Koku... Be gone, be gone from my head, impure thoughts!"

Kumokawa only looked mildly surprised when Kaibi bashed her head few times against the menu and, although agnostic in her daily life, attempted to recite an Amida Sutra.

Flushed Kaibi glared at her two smug faced siblings

"W-What are you staring at?"

"Onee-chan is horny, fufufufu!"

"I am not!"

"My, my, whatever were you thinking about, Kaibi-chan?"

"Nothing, and you two should wash themselves!"

"Kouhai, however do you manage with them?" Kumokawa shook her head with a groan" seriously, things really changed quite a bit... though I don't know if I am that approving about the direction"

Before Amazora and Rikuri returned, their mission squad began to gather. But there were some personnel surprises.

"Owowowow, senpai, you are stretching my cheek too much!"

"Then explain why she is here?"

Kumokawa pointed at Shokuhou Misaki, who was smiling and snuggling to Touma's left side, earning looks of annoyance from many females around the big table.

Misaki opened one of her eyes to glare at her rival

"Do you honestly think I wouldn't figure out that my most trusted clique member and of the oldest friends is up to something? Both from my observations and relations from other clique members, I knew something was going on behind my back, and one evening I confronted Junko-san about it"

Hokaze Junko bowed to the girl in the headband.

"My apologies, Kumokawa-senpai. I couldn't risk the loss of trust from Queen's side, so I brought her in. There was no other way."

"Still, Junko-san, why did you ever think that leaving me out of the case regarding Mitsuari of all people would be a better course of action ability?"

"I was worried about you, my Queen. The last encounter with Mitsuari-san wouldn't end up well if it wasn't for Touma-senpai"

"Well, it is quite different now. Besides, even if it wasn't... I can't leave that girl be. I just can't, I owe her that."

Just like Kumokawa was shooting death glares at Shokuhou, in the other corner of the table there was another antagonistic pair.

"Do I really have to be in the same room as this girl?" Shirai Kuroko shot a glare at Musujime Awaki who was calmly enjoying a drink. She slowly raised an offensive hand gesture at the her former enemy, who seemed to regain a great deal of past animosity.

"Kamijou invited me. And he paid me in advance, partially, so now I am ultra pumped up"

"Paid you?" Kaibi looked at Touma with suspicion" Paid you with what exactly? This guy doesn't propose to pay"

"H-Hey, that's not true. As for Jime... emm...

(FLASHBACK)

"You don't really have to do this." Awaki waved her hand at Touma with a smirk on her face" I owe you a lot, plus I like your style. I will do it for free. But... you know what would make me extra motivated, don't you?"

Touma sighed, before searching for something in his pocket.

"My mom found it for me. Here you go"

Musujime looked at the photo Touma lifted up and...

FOOM!

She held hands to her mouth as liquid as red as her hair dripped from her nose.

In front of her was a photo of a Touma in kindergarten, in a standard uniform, playing in the sandbox. Although there were bandages and band-aids on him, he seemed to smile to himself.

"SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO CUUUUUUTEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"

Awaki squealed and tried to snatch the photo or teleport it from Touma's grasp, but fingers of his right hand didn't allow for the photo to be displaced.

"One look now, and more after the action"

"Boo, you are so greedy"

"I thought you were moving past these"

'I am and that's the additional difficulty. I started to think that you are cute with this child-like idealism and it was complicated enough, but seeing you being even more cute is just too much' Awaki thought, before shaking her head and grinning.'

"Never mind that. You unlucky bastard, I am in"

(END FLASHBACK)

"Jime?" the wave of whispers caused Touma to sweatdrop in fear.

"M-Musujime-san's ability is excellent support on the battlefield. If what Maidono told us is true..."

"It is. Veritas will surely retaliate in some form. They are not someone who likes to have thier work interrupted" muttered Maidono, clenching her fists underneath the table

"B-But I am here too" Kuroko, despite not intending to, sounded a little hurt" I am a teleporter, so why..."

"Musujime's power is better suited for multipersonal battle." Touma explained" Besides we need someone to evacuate the potential injured, who can easily contact Judgement or Anti-Skill, who is able to support on the individual level. You are someone who I know and someone who I can trust with saving the day"

"O-Oh... then I guess it should be fine"

Relatively pacified, Kuroko didn't manage to notice glances of notable group of girls, who all had one thought

'Since when does this girl care about him and his opinion so much?'

"Are we waiting for someone else? Darling?" Kongou Mitsuko spread her fan, while looking at the gathered.

Those by the table included Kamijou, Kumokawa Seria, Shokuhou Misaki, Hokaze Junko, all 3 Gokusai sisters, Maidono Hoshimi, Kankyougami Hasako, Kongou Mitsuko, Musujime Awaki and Shirai Kuroko.

Touma looked at the small piece of paper with a name on it.

"Shokuhou-san..." he said, unsure at first, but then, continuing with more confidence" Junko-san said that you implemented my request"

"Of course I did, my prince"

Kumokawa made a gagging face at Shokuhou's nickname of choice before asking:

"What request?"

"If.. not, when Ayu-san returns" Touma said firmly, looking at everyone present" She is going to need help. Keep in mind, bringing her back is not the hardest thing here. In fact, it might actually be the easiest part in all of this. However, what we are doing has to make some mental difference. This is why I asked Shokuhou-san to gather people that might be of help for this case"

"And they shall come" Misaki announced cheerfully" although one is unavailable for now, the other did volounteer after I arranged for her responsibilities to be taken care of by a doctor some of us may know. She should be here any moment-"

There was a sound of the doorbell and panting girl with violet hair, wearing a type of skin thight body suit with came to their table.

"Shokuhou, I sorry I couldn't be here earlier, but I... ah?!"

She and Touma crossed gazes. Their eyes widened and the girl didn't manage to stifle a sound of surprise out of her throat.

"Ah? Wait..." one of Shokuhou's golden eyebrows went up a little" My prince, this is Kouzaku Mitori. A good friend of mine. Mitori-san, this is Kamijou Touma, someone very important for me."

"Oh, r-r-really? Kamijou-san, right?" Kouzaku Mitori laughed, but her eyes skidded to the side." N-Nice to meet you"

"O-Oh, so that's the girl you spoken of? How nice to have you here... Kouzaku-san, was it?"

"Boy..." Kumokawa gently mixed her tea with a spoon before speaking" You met her behind the scenes, right?"

"Mitori-chan, that's quite a surprise" Shokuhou spoke slowly to her friend" I had no idea that you two had a history."

"N-No, nothing of this sort"

"We just stumbled upon one another once..."

Mitori and Touma spoke one over the other, with their voices raised by an octave.

"Why are violet onee-chan and onii-chan so jumpy?"

The answer to Amazora's question lied within certain encounter behind the scenes, as Kumokawa put it.

(FLASHBACK)

It started when Touma noticed a lone Sister.

It wasn't such a strange sight for him, except this Sister was different than over 9000 that he was accustomed to. She had a long hair and something... well, different about her behaviour.

She was staring at the butterfly while waiting in front of the clothing shop that Touma was also supposed to be in. Kaibi was measuring something and trying out some clothes, however Touma refused to get inside the clothing shop. It was not even a red flag, it was big red banner.

"Hey, everything okay? You are one of Misaka's sisters, right?"

The girl tilted her head

"Who are you? Are you a friend?"

"I don't want to do anything. You really look like sisters of my friend and I just thought..."

Touma didn't finish the sentence, as he slipped on the banana peel and landed on the ground.

"Fukou da..."

This sight earned him a giggle from the girl.

"You're funny. You smell nice and bright, just like Mi-chan and Misaki-chan"

"Thanks, I think? Listen, are you lost or something?"

The girl thought for a moment, before shaking her head.

"Mi-chan told me to wait here, so I stay in this place when she shops. Oh, is that an eagle?"

"N-No, that's a pigeon"

They talked for a few more minutes.

It seemed that the girl was rather easily distracted and had surprising lacks of knowledge about basic things. But she was very cute and easygoing, and despite her strangeness Touma felt relaxed around the Sister.

"Don't you want to go inside?"

"No. I don't like the shops. Too many people and too loud. You?"

"Me and shops with female clothing don't go well together. Hey... since we are both together in this sitting business, why don't I treat you for something? Nothing expensive, but... oh, I know!"

Moment later, Touma returned with two crepes. The eyes of girl with chestnut hair lit up, before tensing a moment later. Touma smiled, put crepes on a small paper plates, and used a knife to separate a small piece from the one intended from the girl. He ate it and showed to the girl

"I wouldn't poison it, don't worry. Whoever taught you, teaches you good, but I am a friend"

The clearly forced hesitation completely melted away as she dig into the crepe.

"So good!"

"I'm glad you like iiiiiiiiiiiiiiit?!"

In that moment, a figure made out of something grey appeared behind him, almost managing to deal a blow to him.

"W-What the hell is that?"

The silhouette seemed to shift as it charged at him. It was composed of liquid, metallic substance.

"Oh!" The strange girl smiled" I will have to introduce you to my best friend"

"Really? That's nice, but I think something is trying to kill me now for whatever reason. I mean, it happens all the time, but come on!"

Touma swung his fist and hit the silhouette. There was a sound of breaking glass and the liquid metal dispersed, but only partially and quickly reformed around the hit place.

"Tch, it's continuously maintained? That means that I have to touch the user in order to make it go away. Fukou da, remote abilities are always such a pain"

And with that he took of running. He needed to find Kaibi and get that thing away from the girl. She called out to him, but he hoped that she will forgive him. After all, he tried to keep her safe.

He was sure that the figure followed him inside, as deduced by the number of panicked screams. Then Touma spotted the changing rooms.

"Okay Kaibi, after that confession, you said you didn't mind me seeing you without clothes, so I am really taking your word for it now"

But Touma didn't make it to Kaibi's changing cabin.

Instead, he, once again that day, tripped over a discarded clothing rack, and was sent flying to into the outermost wall of changing rooms. The last thing he saw before colliding with it was a sign

DO NOT LEAN ON! FRAGILE WALL, EXPECTING RENOVATION.

And in the next, he smashed through it, landing on someone with a scream.

After his dizziness passed, he noticed that he was laying on a girl, dressed in a black, skin-tight uniform. She was probably in the middle of changing when he smashed through it and tackled her down.

The girl had light violet eyes, nicely going along with her purple hair. In fact, Touma could see them very, very clearly because he was just in front of her.

He was, of course, kissing her on the lips. How could he repeatedly fall like that?

The girl managed to separate from him, enough to yell

"Get off! Liquid Shadow!"

However, nothing happened. In fact, Touma was confused why the metallic figure didn't catch up to him. But soon he saw the reason.

The silhouette dispersed into the puddle behind him and the smashed wall. That would mean...

This was the user of that ability?

He looked at his hands. Hands that were placed directly on the girl's chest. Directly on two mounds of flesh covered partially by the suit.

"L-Look, I'm sorry, that wasn't intentional!"

"Sorry isn't going to- gyah! Stop clenching your fists, it makes them being groped!"

"Oh, right. Listen, I can explain-"

Oh, you are doing the friend pile? I want to be in the group hug too!"

The peculiar girl from the outside apparently followed him and considered they were doing something fun, because she merrily jumped on him from behind through the hole in changing room's wall.

Which caused for the lips of Touma and the skin-tight suited girl to be smashed together once again, both of them going wide eyed, as the Misaka-looking girl carried on.

"Mi-chan, this guy is really nice. He was kind to me and even bought me a delicious crepe. So don't be mad at him. And nice stranger, that liquid human was Mi-chan's ability, she was just trying to care for me, so no fighting two of you"

"Mmmmm!"

Touma and girl identified as Mi-chan would probably answer her, if not for the fact that aside from vocal chords, their lips and tongues, both required for making coherent speech, were too occupied to talk back. Occupied with each another, that is. And this time, it was considerably harder to separate because of the weight of another person pressing Touma down.

"Oi, Misaki-chan always teaches me that you should solve conflicts between friends. Are you listening to me?"

The girl, out of child-like frustration, shook Touma from the back, which only caused kiss to deepen.

The purple haired girl and Touma managed to find enough mind to try to push away, each using their hands. They found a little bit success. However, the girl made a meek sound and lost strength in her arms. Touma soon found the cause.

"Don't... do it... against them..."

Touma only then realized that while trying to push away in the position that he was in, he was essentially doing push up with hands on the girl's chest.

Finally, he decided to roll off to the side, which did the trick, as the Misaka-esque girl fell off with a small yelp.

He sprung on his feet, grabbing the red and dazed girl, as well as her brown haired companion, by the hands.

"We must run before someone sees!"

"B-But..."

"Quickly"

10 minutes later, after the escape, Touma found himself in the deep apologetic bow.

"I am so sorry!"

The redness slightly receded from the girl's face. She wiped her mouth and shook her head.

"Dolly says that it was all a big misunderstanding and that you've been actually nice to her. While the sneak attack on my lips could be avoided..."

"That wasn't a sneak attack!"

"...well, you panicked because I was chasing you with Liquid Shadow. I am just a little bit overprotective of that girl. She is my best friend, that I once lost through machinations of this city. I don't want anything bad to ever happen to her. I released my ability for a moment, and when I suddenly saw an unknown guy with her, I overreacted. I am sorry for the trouble I caused. Whenever I see a strange man approach..."

"No, no, I understand your worry. I thought she might be a sister..."

"...all I can think of is that some remnant of IDEAL found her way to her"

"...and after the Accelerator's experiment, I do not wish for anything bad for them"

Dolly looked curiously as the two froze, blinking in silence.

"IDEAL?"

"Accelerator's experiment?"

"Don't think we assumed different things? Tell you what, let's just talk it over and mutually share. That way we will avoid further confusion"

"A-Alright"

And so, after half an hour of explaining...

"I see." the purple haired girl clenched her fists" I suspected that something like this may be happening... but not on such scale. This is so vile and unprecedented."

"I am sorry for what happened to you and... Dolly-san, was it? This IDEAL seems to be a rather messed up place."

The girl seemed to look at him in a different way now.

"Seems that we both were involved with the clones. Thank you for talking with me about it."

"Sure, we should do it more, I think we only grazed the surface. Look, I told my roommate that I'm going for quick shopping, so I really should be going back. But let's exchange phone numbers!"

"O-Oh, sure, let's do that. Put it under..."

"Oh, right, we didn't introduce ourselves yet. I am Kamijou Touma."

"Kouzaku Mitori. Despite all the craziness, it's nice to meet you."

Mitori could have sworn that she heard the name before. Where was it...

The boy looked at her and pointed at her chest.

"Those are real? I'm sorry but I had to ask"

Mitori blushed and covered herself with her arms.

"O-Of course they are real, and stop reminding me that you were groping them. Why do you have to ask?"

"Because I thought that with this liquid ability, they could be enhanced. But if they are natural... my full respect!"

"That doesn't work like slime in anime, it's remotely controlled liquid metal! J-Just go and stop embarrassing me!"

"Yeah, yeah, see you around!"

"I really like him. He is super funny" Dolly commented on the disappearing boy.

Mitori huffed in embarrassment, before suddenly becoming pale and touching her lips.

She remembered. Kamijou Touma was the one involved in Level 6 Shift, battling with evolving Misaka Mikoto. She never saw his face in full detail, but now that she did...

She realized she knew him from one other context. Namely, a conversation with Shokuhou Misaki, in which Mental Out told her about the guy that once saved her life, and that she was interested in...

'Crap, crap, crap, crap! I made out, intensely so, with a guy that my good friend is obviously in love with. And she can read my mind too. If she learns of this, I am dead. I just have to play it cool and don't meet with Shokuhou when he is around. Easy as pie.'

(BACK TO THE PRESENT)

Droplet of sweat rolled down both Touma's and Mitori's brows.

"I-I met him in the supermarket. He was totally broke and I lend him money."

"Yeah, and I was super embarrassed about it, so I didn't want to have that brought up"

After moment of silence, everyone seemed to accept that explanation with a nod. Only Shokuhou looked at Mitori quizzically. Shirai Kuroko also looked at the purple haired girl with a bit of contempt, which was a given, as the ladies fought in the past, similarly to Kuroko's history with Musujime.

"Alright, alright, we stalled for long enough." Kumokawa clapped her hands, causing everyone to become silent" Since we are all here the operation to bring Mitsuari Ayu to us now commences. It will consist of 3 phases: Surveillance, Confrontation, and Aftermath. Each is more important than the previous one and only with all 3 accomplished we will be able to say that the mission was a success. Now, I will begin with assigning the parts you will play in the operation. Kongou-san, you will be stationed near Tokiwadai. Every possible corner near that place needs to be checked. I should also give you another assignment should the need arise"

"But-"

"Kongou-san" Touma whispered" I let senpai take charge of this, because she is an amazing strategist. I promise, if we need you, I will let you know in a heartbeat."

Kongou sighed and smiled at Touma

"I know. Thank you, darling"

Kuroko nodded, touching straps of metal darts on her thighs.

"Hokaze-san, Musujime-san, Shirai-san, you will be our ground support. Shirai-san, you'll serve as support and our potential rescuer if something goes awry. We also need you to inform Anti-Skill if needed, as much as we want to avoid it, it might be necessary. There is a chance that they will believe an accomplished Judgement member faster than us. Hokaze-san, Musujime-san, you may turn into potential combatants should the need arise, so I need you to be ready to react quickly at the main unit's command. And speaking of main unit... myself, kouhai, Maidono-san, Kankyougami-san, and Barbie assassin squad..."

Kaibi grit her teeth at that comment.

"... should be the main force that comes to the heart of the enemy's location, secures Ayu-san, and tries to deal with enemy, codename Veritas, on the spot. Should we fail to do so, the ground support squad engages. And as a matter of precaution, Kongou-san may be left in charge of sealing the enemies escape routes."

"Watakushi? How would I..." Kongou's eyes lit up in understanding" Oh, obviously... what a marvellous task for one such as myself. Though not in the spotlight, Kongou Mitsuko will play the part exquisitely!"

"What about myself and Mitori-san?" asked Shokuhou, to which Kumokawa smiled thinly.

"You weren't really included in the plan, because you waltzed in unannounced. However, it may be convenient for us to have the ability to search many places at once with your telepathic control. It would be ill advised, however, for you to confront Mitsuari Ayu at that stage, Mental Out. Because of your past history and her hatred for you, your presence may bring the opposite effect from what we intend to accomplish. You will be more needed in the second phase, after she is secured. Nevertheless, you can send your spies to check on the locations we will reveal in a moment. As for Mitori-san... you can come with main unit, but remain outside. Hmm... your power is the one that remotely controls liquids of centre of gravity bigger than 20, correct?"

"Y-Yeah..." Mitori answered, before frowning" How did you know that?"

"I just checked you up"

"Checked me... who are you to have this kind of access?"

"That's not relevant to our conversation now, is it? Anyway, like I said, you will be more needed in phase two, but if you must be part of the action, you can be our scout. You can check up what's going on inside before we bust in. Afterwards, you can either stay guard or... you can join with either Mental Out or Shirai-san."

"I am not working with her" Kuroko crossed her arms, to which Kumokawa shrugged.

"It will not diminish our strategy, it was only a suggestion. Alright, before we split and begin the true search, we need a few additional information on the locations. Maidono-san, you confirm that Veritas is within the city?"

"Yes, it appears so. And Ayu-san is most likely with him. During my interrogation, I learned that Veritas contacted the doctor Kanagawa regarding materials for certain illegal experiments. Those materials were kept in the basement of the old laboratory in which Veritas conducted their research. When I learned of what Veritas did to me, I levelled the entire building down to the ground-"

"You what?!"

"-but the basement should be intact."

"We went there. To the place that Maidono described..." Kaibi added, looking at everyone gathered with a serious face" Firstly, I must say, you really did a number on this place. How did you do that?"

"I used a wrecking ball"

"Oh, like on a crane?" Touma asked

"No, by myself"

(3 YEARS EARLIER)

Two demolition workers were engaged in their lunch in front of the small skyscraper before they noticed a young girl, maybe 13 years of age, enter the restricted perimeter. She had a short bobcut of brown hair and chestnut-amber eyes.

"Oy, what are you doing here little miss?" one of the workers called" Didn't you read the signs? It's off limits!"

"I know" spoke the girl" That's exactly why I am here. You see, I have a personal to settle with this shithole of a place"

"But we are demolishing it!"

"Sorry, but I am going to do it myself. No offense, but I am not going to rest easy without it."

The wrecking ball of solid steel, still waiting to be attached to the crane, weighed roughly 4 tons. But as the girl pointed at it, it moved. The chain clacked and the sphere rose high in the air, positioning itself in front of the building.

The girl screamed as she threw her hand forwards. The wrecking ball smashed into the building with such force that all of the windows shattered at once. At the same time, the long chain tore through multiple floors, as the girl twisted her hands, taking another swing with a colossal ball. Soon the building was falling down. But it didn't actually collapse.

Maybe it was through sheer fury of the screaming girl, but as she pressed her two index fingers together, the fragments of the debris got clasped together, as enormous pressure was put on the remnants of the entire building. Not only that but every other none attached object in the perimeter tilted towards that centre of destruction one girl created.

The pressurized bulk of debris shrunk, and shrunk, and shrunk, it was the size of regular house, then the size of the large room, then the size of the car, a bike, a basketball, a tennis ball, a golf ball...

Before the girl unleashed final, feral roar of anger, and the ball made of compressed skyscraper exploded into cloud dust, pressure pulverizing it into nothingness.

Maidono Hoshimi dropped her hands and wiped small trail of blood under her nose.

"I guess you guys have a longer break thanks to me."

And with that, she left.

One of the workers looked at the the thick carpet of glass and rocks. He shrugged.

"There is no telekinesis user this powerful in the city. Boss wouldn't believe it. So officially we did it."

She is right, it's still break time. What is in that bento of yours?"

(BACK IN THE PRESENT)

"As I was saying, we three went down to the basement" Kaibi continued" There is a supermarket there, but with Measure Heart, we got access to the back of the shop, where we found a trapdoor. And I got to say... that basement is a true labyrinth. Dark, musty, meandering maze."

All of them were there for nearly two hours couple days prior, and it was mostly empty. They only found containers and cupboards, clearly left in a hurry, eerily tapping water, and layers of dust so thick that Amazora, not breathing as carefully as her sisters, sneezed loudly, scaring away a pack of rats.

"At first, it seemed that we found nothing of importance"

"Besides some rats that I shot... Rikuri nee-san turned into a scream queen" Amazora giggled.

"Because they startled me. Youen-san loves rats, but I still have my objections"

However... the visit was not fruitless at all. In fact...

"Amazora found something though, while going after the rats" Kaibi took something out of the bag she brought with herself.

It was a paper document, partially readable, partially smeared by water, partially covered in mould. Many girls flinched at the sight of it.

"This document was left behind. Many fragments are destroyed, but the thing that caught my attention was one acronym, one alone... BIV"

Kumokawa and Shokuhou straightened themselves instantly, their faces turning dead serious.

"What? Do you have clearness ability that it mentioned BIV?" Shokuhou leaned forward to Kaibi.

"You understand the implications of this? If the BIV is involved... if someone actually managed to..." Kumokawa frowned, getting lost in frantic thoughts.

"Tch, you don't need to tell me. I wouldn't ever dream that someone actually realized BIV" Kaibi clicked her tongue in response.

"Ehm, hello, some context?" Touma raised a hand. Other people besides mental manipulators also seemed confused" I for one don't get what is going on. What is this BIV that got you so freaked out?"

The three psychological espers looked at one another, before facing Touma.

"In the philosophy of mind, the shortening BIV refers to Brain In the Vat." Shokuhou began" It's a theoretical fragment of knowledge that is taught to majority of mental type espers, as it involves certain aspects of methodology behind our abilities."

"Brain In the Vat is a thought experiment by Hilary Putnam, revolving around the arguments for scepticism and externalism." Kumokawa continued" Imagine a brain in the vat, submerged in a life-sustaining liquid. This brain is stimulated by a machine constructed by some scientific genius, that is connected to the neurons and stimulates the brain in the same way it would normally be stimulated by the electric impulses. This allows the machine to simulate reality and the brain without a body would feel as if it was experiencing normal life, as if it still had a body"

"Since brain in the vat still has the exact input and output data" Shokuhou's eyes shone above her intertwined hands, as she rested upon her arms" and there is its only way of interaction with the world, then from brain's perspective, there is no way to tell if it's still in the skull or not. One may believe something, but it can be fabricated by someone else."

"B-But that means no one can be certain of anything!" Amazora asked unsurely" How do we know that we are not those brains?"

"We don't!" Kumokawa smiled grimly" The entire point is that there is no way to truly tell. We think we are free, but in actuality we can be in some sort of simulation, a written scenario, which renders us completely fictional. However, that's not the main point in this situation. We are worried that someone may actually use BIV in real life. Here, in this city"

Everybody felt shivers going down their spines. Hokaze Junko put a hand on her lips, looking left and right in tense anticipation.

"A-All right, that does sound... a bit off" Hasako tried to formulate a question that was on everyone's mind" But how does it relate to our situation?"

"Yeah, what is Veritas trying to do?" Touma inquired, at which it was Kaibi's turn to speak

"In context of Academy City, the BIV experiment was... well, it was rumoured to till this point... thought to be able to artificially recreate some capacities of Academy Individual. In other words, tampering with brains and influencing them would tamper and manipulate AIM fields produced through said brains. We are talking about harnessing... about harnessing esper powers through stimulation of their raw sources"

In the silence that followed, Touma contemplated what was said. The artificial ability to control and manipulate esper powers by tinkering with brains themselves? Sounded messed up to even imagine such a thing.

Also, one term stuck out to him. Academy Individual. If he was not mistaken, it was an epithet connected to awakened ability, AIM Stalker. In other words, Hamazura's girlfriend, Takitsubo Rikou.

Touma couldn't say that he knew Takitsubo as well as ITEM members. In fact, he probably knew her the least, given the girl's reticent personality. She was also majorly inexpressive in most situations, so deducing what she was feeling and thinking could be challenging.

However, they did manage to have a few moments together, and Touma felt really happy for Hamazura. In her own way, Takitsubo was a very charming and nurturing girl. Touma clearly remembered how she once approached him and after a moment of silence, a moment that made Touma wonder if he did something wrong, she smiled softly at him and said only:

"Thank you... for showing him the way to me"

Touma was surprised and genuinely touched when he learned that both Hamazura and Takitsubo considered his involvement in ending Hamazura's Skill-Out days as a major contribution to the beginning of their hard fought, yet blissful love. While he would never claim such influence on his own, deep inside of his heart he was happy that they thought of him in such way. Hamazura told him that Takitsubo wasn't expressive in front of someone unless she accepted that person. It was, in a way, her declaration of friendship. One that Touma wholeheartedly accepted. Not only because she was a girlfriend of one of his best friends, but also because after hearing bits of her history, Touma strongly wanted nothing but happiness for her.

Takitsubo, despite the potential AIM Stalker could offer, did not pursue ultimate power, not interested in such matters. However, if someone could artificially recreate that potential through different means... well, that spelled nothing but trouble.

(MEANWHILE)

"Oi, Hamazura, what is with Takitsubo?" Kinuhata pointed at the girl in a tracksuit.

"To be honest, I was also wondering that" Mugino said, folding a fashion magazine.

Hamazura looked at his girlfriend, who was staring blankly at space with narrowed eyes and half-opened lips.

"She's been like this for the last 5 minutes and in this time she blinked... I think 10 times."

"I think..." Hamazura put a finger to his chin" She is either mad at something, melancholic, deep in thought, sad, or resting"

"Wait, wait, wait" Kinuhata waved her hands to stop him" Those are super different states. How can you not know for certain?"

"W-Well, it all comes down to small details..."

"Don't tell me... you super don't know what mood she is in half of the time?"

"Takitsubo is expressive when it counts!"

"Yeah, but most of the time she is super not! Tell you what, I super have something for you"

Kinuhata returned in a moment with 5 photographs.

"Those are 5 photos of our lovely Rikou-chan on 5 super different occasions. The backgrounds behind her were photoshopped to not give anything away. So... what moods is she in all of those?"

Hamazura looked at the row of photos, before clenching his fist and nodding sagely, boosting his kuudere-lover senses.

"Happy, angry, tired, sad, scared"

"Bullshit!" Mugino yelled out" This is exactly the same face. There is no goddamn way you can tell it"

"Maybe to an untrained eye, Mugino, but I dedicate myself to admiring Takitsubo's beauty all the time"

"Except..." Kinuhata smiled deviously" I tricked you! They super happen to all be the same photo!"

"W-What?!" Hamazura's confidence crumbled instantly, and Mugino smashed a fist against open hand.

"Hah! I knew that it couldn't be-"

"Or... are they?"

"Huh?! Kinuhata, don't fuck with me!"

Just as both Hamazura and Mugino looked about to lose their minds, there was a quiet, low-energy 'chu' sound behind them.

Takitsubo Rikou sneezed and 'unfroze' herself, looking at her friends with a tilted head.

"Takitsubo?"

"I had a stuck sneeze that wouldn't come out. But you had so much fun guessing what was going on that I didn't want to interrupt."

"For over 5 minutes?!" Mugino facepalmed. "Damn it, you are impossible"

"Someone must talk or think about me real hard..."

"O-Of course, I knew that from the start!" Hamazura exclaimed, sitting next to girl in the tracksuit. Takitsubo smiled and pecked his cheek.

"Hamazura knows what I feel when it counts. That's why I love him so much"

"That's right!" spoke the reinvigorated boy" Also, it doesn't really matter. If it's the girl I love, I accept every state she is in"

Corners of Takitsubo's lips lifted in a gentle smile, before she looked behind the window.

"Kamijou..." she whispered.

Hamazura looked at her.

"Boss? What about him?"

The girl shook her head.

"Nothing... for some reason, I happened to think about him just before sneezing. I don't know why... but somehow, I feel... that he might be in trouble..."

Mugino was first to break the silence, waving her hand with a grunt.

"We are talking about that guy. He is always in some shit. He probably groped some girl and is chased around the city right now or something."

"Speaking from experience, Mugino? Oh look at you, being violently worried and jealous about your super loooooove"

"You are going to be even more violently dismembered if you don't shut it, Kinuhata!"

"Boss is very strong. But maybe I phone him later, for good measure. That's what good bros do" Hamazura said to Takitsubo.

The girl nodded and continued to stare through the window.

Maybe it was unrelated, but she could feel, in the medium distance, gathering of AIM fields of enormous density and power. Near that dense point there was also a distortion in AIM structure that she was almost certain was Kamijou Touma.

'I hope he is okay' she thought in care-tinged apathy.

(BACK TO THE RESCUE GROUP)

Thanks to the memories of those involved in the Biohacker incident and informations gathered by Hokaze Junko and Shirai Kuroko about Ayu's time in Tokiwaidai, they narrowed the locations to surroundings of 5 possible places, each connected with Mental Stinger in some way

A. Tokiwadai Middle School

B. Manga Cafe ( the one they were currently in)

C. Old building of IDEAL lab

D. Ground Geo artificial lake

E. The surroundings of Academy City's Correctional Facility, where Ayu was once located.

Their duties assigned, it was necessary to check all of the places. With Shokuhou's ability, it became more trivial than Kumokawa initially anticipated. There was also a chance that Ayu was elsewhere, other than the places indicated, but both mental specialists agreed that it was unlikely, given Mitsuari Ayu's personality. Veritas would likely follow her choice, since their old laboratory was completely abandoned.

And so, they split. Kumokawa whispered something to Kongou's ear. The ojou-sama nodded, grasped Touma's hand, squeezing it for 'see you later' and left. Shokuhou was deciding on which of controlled people to send in various locations and declared she will check the former IDEAL lab herself. She knew there was a risk of stumbling upon Ayu there, but promised to be extra stealthy. Kuroko sighed and offered to take Mental Out there, to the latter's utter delight. Apparently, Kuroko served as Mental Out's taxi in the past and as vexing as it could be, Kuroko preferred to go with her than stay in the presence of either Musujime or Mitori.

Speaking of Musujime and Mitori, the former, being de facto teamed up with Hokaze Junko, spoke with her, gesticulating and explaining something with a low voice. While the latter...

"I guess I will check the surroundings of that location..." Kouzaku Mitori tiptoed nervously outside of the cafe, when...

BEEP!

There was a single sound that made her heart stop.

"Kouzaku-san..."

Slowly she turned around...

"Mitori-san..."

...to see Shokuhou Misaki smiling thinly at her, with the remote in her hand, and golden eyes darkening moment by moment..

"Mitori-chan... care to explain what I just saw?..."

As honoriphics kept dropping, Kouzaku Mitori took a step back as her friend took one forward.

"Misaki-san, I know what it looks like but I assure you that there is an aaaaah?!"

She yelped and began to ran when Misaki suddenly lunched forward, causing poor Mitori to scramble in panic.

However, after 20 seconds of chase, the starry-eyed attacker got tired, so she switched to a close combat... using her bag.

"How wonderful treason ability!"

"That was an accident!" Mitori scream, dodging the remote-filled weapon.

"Accident? For an accident, you surely got aroused a lot during it. I accessed your memories, sensations, and evaluations of that moment." Misaki wailed dramatically" I did that because I was worried that something got you depressed. GIVE ME BACK MY WORRY, MI-CHAN!"

"W-What else do you expect to happen when my first kiss was a repeated one with tongue so deep-"

"I don't want to hear it! That's it! I will make your favourite food taste like your least favourite dish for the next month!"

"If you saw the full memory, why do you only focus on the certain details?!"

(HOURS LATER)

Later hours could be resumed in an abridged form.

Kongou and Shokuhou clique investigated the surroundings of Tokiwadai School even before the strategy meeting. Similar search was conducted by Kuroko and Shokuhou for the IDEAL lab, while Kouzaku Mitori and Mental Out controlled people searched around the manga cafe and correctional facility respectively. It yielded no results.

Thus, their regrouped with the intention of striking to the one presumed location. Surroundings of Ground Geo. Kongou went to do her own task, while Musujime and Junko were left at the base of mountainous region that surrounded experimental facility.

When they arrived near the fateful lake, Kouzaku Mitori and Gokusai Rikuri went to search on with her ability, which yielded surprising result.

"Based on my puppet's camera, there is a storm tunnel on that other side of the lake. It branches off, but one of those branches goes under the reservoir... and the water doesn't flow in it. Sounds like a secret entrance to me."

In a rays of afternoon sun, walking around the around the lake, the main unit of rescuers, encountered a storm drain with a metal wall blocking its exit.

"It has to be opened from somewhere" Kumokawa searched for the mechanism, but Maidono only reached forward.

The sturdy plate of metal was bent and then ripped off, flying backwards into the lake. Beauty Senpai pouted.

"Or you can do it in an unsophisticated manner, I suppose"

And so, Kamijou Touma, Kumokawa Seria, Maidono Hoshimi, Kankyougami Hasako, and 3 sisters ventured inside. Mitori stayed outside to guard the exit, blending in the shadows thanks to her skin-tight body suit.

After walking certain distance, Rikuri stopped them. She sniffed the air and tasted it with her tongue.

"Nee-san?" Kaibi asked cautiously.

"Airborne poison. Possibly hallucinogenic. Not so potent now, but it may become compromising if we venture further."

"Onii-chan, does this mean-" Amazora clenched her small hands on her enormous weapon, when Touma nodded grimly.

"Yeah. For one reason or the other, we are expected."

"Hasako, if you could-" Kumokawa motioned forward, to which the Beginning Child nodded her head. With her necklace of glass samples clattering, she stepped forward and roared.

The tunnel suddenly gained humidity, and sprouted all kinds of plants, from every possible surface, in the distance of dozens of meters.

Hasako's ability, overpowered as it was, had additional benefit during its terraformation process. It always changed chemical composition of air to benefit the living organism which the environment was destined for. In other words, unless it was for some organism that thrived in something toxic, the first esper power could negate poisions and other harmful environmental factors for a certain organism.

They ventured further before founding themselves in front of large reinforced door, that looked like entrance to some kind of vault.

Kumokawa rolled her eyes and motioned for Maidono.

"Demolition lady, do the honours"

"Sure, bilboard brow. Step back"

Maidono lifted her foot and then slammed it down, while making a gesture of tearing something down with her index fingers extended.

The entrance, alongside with part of the world, was once again torn apart and thrown aside, as the group entered a large room, with a masked figure and single girl on what appeared to be an operating table.

Veritas looked at them with a relaxed posture

"Well, isn't that interesting?"

Upon finally seeing their one true objective, emotions welling up in Touma found their way out in a single scream

"AYUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!"

"How... why... are you here?"

(AND NOW WE RETURN TO CURRENT EVENTS)

"Hello, hello" Veritas clapped their hands, slowly coming forward" Welcome to my makeshift laboratory."

"You were expecting us" said Kumokawa

"I was expecting someone to show up. This is how it usually goes, isn't it? I wouldn't know, since there certainly isn't someone who would come to my aid" the scientist shrugged, putting on some kind of goggles. "Nevertheless, I am pleased that so many people appeared here... and with promising abilities too. And especially you, 0702... Maidono Hoshimi. Such a touching reunion"

"Shut up. You and I are going to have a chat about the shit you put my through!"

"Hmm, I recall that you went to participate thanks to your own initiative."

"You didn't tell me about side effects!"

As much as confrontation between former test subject and mad scientist was inevitable, Touma focused on Mitsuari Ayu and her alone, at least for now.

"You! Veritas, or whatever is your real name. Release Ayu-san this instant, we are taking her back home! We won't allow you to do her any harm!"

Ayu, pale faced, kept staring at Touma, mouthing something inaudibly. In pauses between the muttering, she was biting her lip so hard that it started to slightly bleed.

Veritas tilted their head, before laughing.

"You're making three crucial mistakes in your reasoning. Firstly, Mitsuari-san willed to undergo the procedure and it was her choice. Secondly, there is no actual harm, as it will serve the peace and prosperity of the mankind, as do all experiments I conduct. Thirdly... the deed is already done."

Touma's eyes widened. Maidono took a step forward, going pale on the face, as Veritas spread their hands.

"Mitsuari Ayu underwent my marvelous amplification method!"

"YOU MOTHERF-"

Maidono was about to lounge herself forward, but was suddenly repelled by something, flying backwards and crashing against the wall.

"I would appreciate if you didn't do anything rash with my new subject. We had a partnership after all." Veritas turned towards Ayu" There is still something I had to do with you... something that I failed to do with that ungrateful telekinetic. Namely-"

There was a sound of continuous shooting and now it was Veritas that was thrown backwards, tumbling onto the wall, as the equipment next to him exploded.

The tip of the gattling gun was smoking as Amazora shouted angrily.

"I don't really understand all that complicated stuff, but I know onii-chan failed to save Ayu onee-chan last time we were together and he was suffering a lot because of it. I don't want him to be hurt, so be prepare for pain if you won't let Ayu onee-chan go!"

"Amazora! Don't kill Veritas!"

"Don't worry. I didn't hit anything vital... I think... 99% sure..."

Touma took off running, others following him.

"You... you shouldn't be here..." Ayu whispered before Touma practically crushed her in a hug.

"But I am here. We are all here to save you!" Touma whispered, hugging the trembling girl.

"No, no, that can't be. You don't even remember-"

"That doesn't matter. All I see is a someone dear to me that was neglected by the world for far too long."

"That can't be happening. You never come to save me. No then, not last time, not-"

"Mitsuari Ayu" Touma grabbed her shoulders, staring into her eyes" For better or for worse, I am here now. And I swear, you will never feel lonely for as long as I live. Please, come with us. I can't undo the damage my actions had done, but I can try to build a better future together with you, with all of our friends"

Ayu started to laugh and shake her head.

"No, this wasn't how it was supposed to go. Not in one bit... I can't be seen by you like this..."

"Wha-"

"I don't deserve it. Nor you, not the world... after we parted ways, I discarded the values you cherished. I hurt others. Someone like me can't stand by your side"

Touma only deepened his hug and put his hand on the girl soft, chocolate-tinged burgundy hair.

"You were one of the first, you know?"

"First... what?"

"One of my first true friends. Before you, I had occasional people who tolerated me. But nothing lasting, nothing merely as meaningful as the time you and senpai were with me. Over time, I saw that this bratty ojou-sama we rescued in that garage has a heart of gold and is more kind, more gentle, that everyone around you. I heard about IDEAL, I heard about what happened after Matsuo Ryuunosuke, I know everything. And I am so, so sorry. I can only beg for your forgiveness"

"No, the one who should beg for it is me. I am a... failure, a reject, someone that can't ever succeed. I am... lost"

Ayu's voice trembled as she whispered that.

"You only fell so hard because you were so high before. This... isn't right, for you to suffer like this. I would have been lost a long time ago if not for all of those wonderful people, and you were true beginning of it all. The moment I stepped to protect you from those thugs, I had no idea what amazing thing would be put in motion. I should find you much sooner. I will be regretting not being there for you."

"The lengths my kouhai went to see you again were admirable." Kumokawa said wistfully" I am almost jealous."

"That voice... Kumokawa-san... it's been long since we saw ourselves face to face."

"Almost 2 years now. Do you still make your panties ride down whenever you have a tantrum? I heard you also have a thing for inflatable costumes"

"I see both of you didn't change at all"

"No, we all did change... and now it's the test if it was for the better"

However, the moment was interrupted by Maidono, who made their way into the party again.

"What did he do to you?" she screamed, not minding the thin line of blood trickling down her forehead.

"Demolition girl, are you alright?" Kumokawa asked Maidono" What was that attack that was used on you, I wonder..."

Maidono ignored her and focused on Ayu, who currently had her head on Touma's shoulder.

"Veritas said that they managed to conduct the procedure!"

"Yes" Ayu allowed herself a smile" I feel that my power rose tremendously. I can almost hear your thoughts and there are so, so many new applications of my ability begging to be tried out"

"WHY?! WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS TO YOURSELF?!"

"Why, you ask? Because of the one reason, the usual one. Her." a terrifying grimace contorted Mitsuari Ayu's face" Now I acquired power equivalent to that bitch that I once called a friend, the superior one, who ruined my life. No more disappointed comparisons, no more inferiority. To make her feel how it's like to be the one discarded, I am more than willing to have myself experimented on"

Maidono shook her head.

"No, no, no! You don't understand!"

She lifted her hands, that could only fully functional index fingers, as mobility and feeling in all the others was severely reduced.

"You went through that process, just like me. That means, even if your ability was maximized to a level 5 output, something was taken from you"

"Taken?" Hasako gasped loudly.

"What can it be?" Kaibi asked out loud.

"Their powers are from different types, but if I had to guess, I would say for telepath it would be some cognitive function"

"Kumokawa-senpai, I am fine. No need to get overexcited"

The girls got silent.

"I am not Kumokawa... she is" Maidono pointed to her right.

"Really? That's strange! I never met you before, but you sure you aren't related? You look similar... really similar..."

Two girls looked at each other. While the both liked to showcase their bellies or navels, (which in Maidono's case came from a strong sense of pride since everyone acknowledged how toned her stomach was and how graceful her waist looked), the similarities ended there. There was worry on both girls' faces, faces that were nothing alike.

There was a sound behind them, and Veritas emerged from the sizzling remnants of one of the machines.

"That wasn't very nice, wasn't it, little girl? Do you have some sort of body strengthening ability? If I wasn't shielded, I would have been really injured"

The masked scientist appeared unharmed, which set of alarm bells in Touma's head, but he still went along with earlier question

"What have you done with Ayu-san?"

Touma separated from the girl, facing the scientist.

Veritas spread their arms

"Honestly, I did not care. Those side effects are always a bit random. I was hoping you would tell me. However, this should not be so concerning. Thanks to the Mitsuari-san's help, I have the last link to achieve my dream, from which you also should benefit. You see, I want humanity to have a better life. What's the key to all of that? I would say that we have so many esper powers around this place that there should be no doubt that there is a solution. I will become this solution, by acquiring the Will of the Heaven."

"You want to become the level 6? But you will not survive the transformation. Only Accelerator is supposed to be able to-" Kumokawa started, but didn't manage to finish her accusation, as the masked individual shook their head.

"Oh, that's true... if I was alone. But you see, with my innate ability and data I collected from Mitsuari-san, I may be able to achieve something that will finally make me understand. The world, the people, and everything else. Solve every problem when I tap into objective reality, beyond interpersonal fogginess of our so-called laws. I will turn myself into ultimate guinea pig for the sake of world's peace and prosperity!"

'This line of reasoning... sounds just like...'

Yes, Touma realized it. That masked scientist sounded alarmingly similar to Fiamma and the ideals he preached to Touma while on the Star of Bethlehem.

It was almost as if Veritas, someone who wanted to solve world's problems by gaining objective, unshakable wisdom, was a science side equivalent of magic side's Right Seat of God leader. Although directed elsewhere, both had the same fanatic exaltation towards the ideal of salvation.

"Quite the messiah complex" Kaibi whispered, putting her finger on the trigger.

"There is something disturbing about this person" Hasako said in a low voice.

"You still didn't answer to what you did with Ayu-san" Touma shouted at Veritas, but Kumokawa grabbed his arm.

"Kouhai...I think I had an idea. Ayu-san?"

"Y-Yes?"

Kumokawa opened something on her phone. It was Academy City's database, containing the information on various students. But the older girl wasn't focused on the data, but rather, the pictures, containing only the faces.

"Ayu-san, look at those photos"

She then slowly, 5 seconds per photo, showed the fluffy haired girl row of 10 photos, before asking.

"Was there anyone familiar here?"

"K-Kumokawa-san, is this some sort of a joke? How can there be someone familiar if all of those look the same"

Something cold dropped to Kamijou's stomach, when Seria looked at him grimly.

As not only them, but everyone else saw, the faces showed on the photos were anything but the same. Each belonged to a different person. Not only that, but among those faces, there was Kumokawa's own face.

By now, Ayu realized something was amiss and for the first time, she looked at Touma directly for a few seconds. She took out her phone and set it on selfie mode. Slowly, she gazed up with absolutely lost expression.

"It's the same... it's all the same... you, me, them... I saw someone looking back at me... but I couldn't recognize her until I moved the head."

"That's it then" Kumokawa nodded. Although she appeared calm, good observer would notice that her body tensed up.

"Kumokawa-san, what is wrong with Mitsuari-san?" Rikuri looked at the confused telepath.

"In exchange for Mental Stinger being elevated to Mental Out's level..." Kumokawa slowly explained her assessment"... something was indeed taken from Mitsuari Ayu. She became prosopagnostic."

"Proso... what?"

"Prosopagnosia. A visual type of agnosia stemming from the malfunction or damage to fusiform gyrus. Also known as face blindness. Simply put, she lost the ability to recognize and distinguish faces from each other, including her own face. However, her other cognitive abilities and perception remained intact. From your perspective, all of our faces look the same, isn't that right... Mitsuari-san?"

"I see all of you. But I can't... recognize you by looking at them" Ayu whispered, lifting her hand to touch her own face.

"Shit..." cursed Maidono, clenching her fists" She got it worse than me... if I got here sooner..."

"B-But her eyes... her eyes are all right" Hasako pointed out, shaking slightly as tears blurred her kaleidoscopic irises" She should be able to see us"

Kumokawa shook her head

"Agnosia is the inability to process sensory information. That means that sensory organs are intact, there is no problem with acquiring the data. It's the processing and interpretation that are disabled. In other words, the problem lies within the brain. She sees our faces, but can't put any meaning to them."

"But she reacted to me. She recognized me!" Touma looked at Ayu with worry and fear.

"Because you called out to her. She recognizes our voices, clothes, way of walking, body language, maybe even hair length and colour. Just not faces or facial expressions."

"Oh, so it's that kind of agnosia." came the voice of Veritas, who was still allowing them to examine Ayu" What a relief!"

Both Touma and Maidono slowly turned around with dark gleam in their eyes.

"What?"

"If it was loss of object recognition, or auditory deficiency, but this one... that's only faces! Every other aspect of reality is still ready to be explored. It's actually rather redundant. Mitsuari Ayu got what she wanted, isn't this what matters!"

"Ayu-san..." Touma slowly muttered, clenching his fist" Are you satisfied with that?"

The girl lowered her head and he heard her voice after a short while.

"I... I was ready to pay the price..." she whispered, feeling her voice getting stuck in her throat" To acquire more power, I was ready to discard the world. But even though throughout my loneliness I wanted to curse you too... deep down, I knew that I never could do that. And I know it's hypocritical, but... I would like to see your face. If that's the last thing I see in this world... if I have to choose one... I want it to be your face"

Touma nodded, focusing on Veritas once again.

"As you see, it's not like you say. And unlike you, I am not satisfied until this girl can live her dream with a smile on her face."

"Something tells me you are not willing to discuss it though" Veritas said, just as Maidono lunched forward.

"I AM BRINGING YOU DOWN, YOU PIECE OF CRAP!"

The metal railing was ripped off and aimed into Veritas. However, they simply extended their arm...

Maidono was suddenly slammed against the ground. The telekinetic hold on the railing disappeared.

"Gah?!"

"I gave you your ability. Do you really think I wouldn't have a countermeasure? All forms of telekinesis rely on the changes of pressure that allows for the hold on objects to form, to repel, attract, and move. Change the outer pressure suddenly and telekinesis is compromised. And ability I just used does just that"

They looked at Maidono while shaking their head.

"You grew dull. Did you fall under the spell of so called love I heard so much about?"

"Where the hell..."

Veritas began to turn around only to see Kamijou Touma in mid air, pulling his right hand back.

'So fast!' all the girls thought in unison, as Touma grinned ferally, bringing his fist down.

"... do you think you are looking at?"

There was a sound of shattering glass, when the fist slammed into the mask and sent Veritas crashing into the ground.

Touma landed unsteadily, panting and raising his fist.

"I think I begin to understand your deal now. You talk about everyone's benefit... but you don't really mean it. You actually do this for yourself, don't you. Because you are hollow!"

After a moment of silence, Veritas got up from the ground, wobbling slightly.

"You actually managed to hit me with a full force. How did you do it? Because it clearly seems..."

The mask fell off, split almost perfectly in half...

Showing green eyes adorned with long lashes, red lips, and strand of dark red, almost purple hair.

"A-A WOMAN?!" Maidono, just getting up from the ground, absolutely froze at the sight" But you never sounded like-"

Veritas touched her throat and after a quiet 'beep' they heard her finish their sentence, with a completely new voice. Earlier, it was a resounding male baritone, now it was feminine lower mezzo-soprano.

"... that things are getting even more interesting, aren't they?"

She got up and looked at stupefied rescuers.

"What?" she grabbed her chest and pushed it up" I know that it's hard to tell, but really now? My chest is not much too show from the outside, but it's still a B-cup. Then again I guess you are not interested in such details now. And there is no use hiding now that I am ready to do a test drive"

"Test drive? Is this connected with BIV?" Kaibi asked.

Something similar to a mild surprise appeared on Veritas's face, before she reverted back to a blank smile.

"Huh? So you know a bit about my experiments? That makes it easier... or I guess, a bit harder for you. I need to leave this city for a moment to perfect the results of my serarch, away from the restrictions of this environment. I bet you are dying to know what are they?"

This didn't really sound like a villain explaining his plans in a megalomania, more like a friendly senpai explaining a hard homework problem over a cup of tea. It seemed like this woman's was as chaotically contradictory as she appeared mentally unstable.

The green eyes of Veritas reflected the dull light of the underwater laboratory, as she removed a hood covering her head, showing tied, purplish-red hair of middle length, and a large scar going across her upper brow.

"I wasn't ever acknowledged by everyone, from my parents to my peers. I was always a loner, and that's why I devised a plan to help me understand others. I focused on my strength on studying to discover objective, eternal truth of our reality, the unspoken facts that can serve as foundation of universal understanding. Because of my obsession, others turned away even more. When I enrolled here, in the city of science, the city that I hope would understand me, it turned out that my classmates feared me, and my idols, the Kihara family, considered me too much of an idealist, focused on non-scientific and abstract aspects of knowledge. But what I accomplished now will serve as a step towards level 6 that can be reached not only be the chosen ones, but the ones without privilage. It is all started thanks to my foundational ability... which, after retrospect, may be the reason for my ostracism. Was it? I don't really understand what others thought but..."

With that she pressed her right temple. There was a slight clicking sound.

"My esper ability, Cerebral Dive, allows me to manipulate and reconfigure brain matter, as well as all types of cerebral structures and neural tissue. I can reorganize it, swap functionalities and placement of brain parts, mutate it, redirect neural signals, cause lesions, shrink or enlarge it, and much more. I discovered it while we had an anatomy class. Of course, initially I experimented on my own brain..."

Veritas then pulled her own hair and...

As if on hinges, upper part of her head tilted to the left... revealing a brain.

Yes, over the rather attractive face of a young woman there was a bare brain, as if some dish in a bowl.

Amazora opened her mouth. Hasako shivered. Ayu took a step back. Rikuri put a hand over her mouth as if she was going to be sick any second now.

Veritas closed her head with yet another click and sighed.

"But then, after lucky try, I discovered that my method of ability amplification yielded an interesting side effect. By implanting a part of another's brain, I could tamper with AIM field linked to said brain. Of course, it is not an easy task, and other parts of said brains have to be kept alive but... the brain inside of my skull is currently a patchwork of 10 separate brains, assimilated and integrated with a fragment left from my own."

Kaibi wrinkled her nose.

"That is absolutely disgusting!"

"I do not understand the concept of disgust, but suit yourself. There are benefits to this"

"How could you survive such an operation?" Kumokawa inquired.

Touma moved closer to Ayu, taking her hand. The girl looked distraught both from sudden change of events and the revelations of Veritas.

Their adversary put a finger on her brow.

"My ability bypasses the biological restrictions of quality and quantity of brain tissue. I can converge all of various functions of numerous parts of the brain onto single part of it, or diverge them into the other parts if needed. In other words, each part of my brain can freely exchange its function with any other. And every brain I assimilate gains the same composition within structure of my one"

"But... that's absolutely insane. From chemical standpoint..." whispered flabbergasted Rikuri.

However, Maidono was the one who brought the conversation straight to the root of the problem.

"That attack you used on me twice now... that was a different esper ability. Does this mean..."

"Yes. You are getting close. Like I said, assimilating someone's brain allows me to use its AIM field. You can call it singularly convergent AIM amalgamation. In other words..."

"She is a Multi-Skill user." Touma said, as he felt tension around him rising.

"Not only that... she is a user of multiple abilities with level 5 offensive output. Isn't that right?" Kumokawa pointed at the woman, who smiled in a little bit too wide fashion.

"Correct! I can hijack an ability by assimilating the part of the brain"

"So you are a zombie lady. A friend of my friend can learn from eating things" Amazora shouted. She was referring, although no one save Touma realized this, to the immortal Fraulein Kreutene.

Veritas and everyone else got silent through this, before the scientist resumed.

"It's not a perfect measure, but I can still elevate those techniques. The ability that I used on you, Maidono, is called Killer Press. It allows one to create attacks using increased pressure on restricted area of space. At level 5 output, it has a tremendous potential and is very effective against telekinesis users"

Should Mugino Shizuri be with them, she would surely recognize the name, as she encountered this particular ability in ITEM's earlier days.