NOVEL WEB Chapter 5: chapter 5
Touma was slowly getting accustomed to the lifestyle he and three female assassins were leading. Few days passed since he helped Amazora with the bullies. In that time, he noticed certain regularities in their shared life.
They woke up, ate breakfast together, and then parted ways. It became a routine for Touma to cook and walk Amazora to the bus. They all spend days in their respective institutions. Amazora was the first to return in the afternoon, then Touma, and then Rikuri. As for Kaibi, she had tendency to get back by late evening, with little to no regularity. However, this deduction was not very solid after only few days of living together. When they all gathered together, Kaibi was usually reading something or painting her nails in the living room. Amazora and Rikuri went to their respective rooms to experiment with their hobbies, while Touma set out to buy some ingredients and get some fresh air. Surprisingly enough, Kaibi decided on accompanying Touma if she was home early enough. Compared to her two other siblings, she wasn't as talkative. But without their conscious knowledge of it, they both were intrigued by each other's behaviour and curiosity (caused, for Kaibi, by how Touma acted both in the present and the past, and for Touma by his memory loss) was only growing.
Sisters' varied habits and quirks were on full display during the entire time Touma was with them. They had different dislikes, the ways they talked and walked, as well as music and food tastes, were all different. Their writing styles, fighting techniques, ideals, and many other things also set them apart. But aside from that, it was irrefutable that they were siblings, close one at that. Even excluding physical similarity, the bond of this trinity seemed forged by history and formed strange form of love that, even if not directly expressed, was stronger than darkness surrounding them.
Touma sometimes felt like an intruder within this life. However, the sisters didn't seem to mind his presence too much for now, even Kaibi. So he stayed close. It was not like he wanted to give up his right to live in that place.
He and 3 sisters had no idea what future was going to offer them... and that time was about to come faster than they would expect... but for now, one spiky haired misfortune incarnate and three blond assassin sisters experienced certain moments of discovering things about themselves. For example...
It all started at the time after Friday breakfast.
"Hey, what is your zodiac sign?" Rikuri asked Touma, scrolling through the electronic newspaper.
Kaibi raised her eyebrow.
"Where did that come from?"
"Oh come on, today's horoscope sounds fun, dear sister. Since you are shy, I will start first" Rikuri put a hand on her large chest "I am a Leo."
"Emm..." Amazora stopped polishing her ammunition tape, and thought for a few seconds" I think mine is Sagittarius"
"You, Kamijou-san?" Rikuri batted her eyes on Kamijou with an inviting smile. Little did she know that this supposedly small talk topic caused quite a philosophical debate within Touma's mind.
'Which birthday should I consider?'
For a regular person, this would be a stupid question. However, Kamijou Touma lost his memories on July 28th. There were many takes criteria of identity for a human being, and "sameness" changed depending on constant taken as a criterion. For example, one can assume person A and person B are the same person because they share the same body or the same brain. In that first sense, Kamijou before memory loss and one after it were still the same Kamijou Touma. However, if psychological continuity was taken into account, that is, memories, then Kamijou Touma before and after memory loss were different beings altogether. One "died" on that fateful night when he saved Index, the other was "born". For simplicity's sake, you could say they were two different people that happened to have the same body.
That dilemma was source of many identity issues in the past, but now Touma had more pragmatic problem. If he assumed his birthday to be the one of his second self, he would be considered a Leo. However, if they were talking about his bodily birthday, which he never remembered having, but about which he learned from his parents, he would be considered an Aquarius. Touma was not an expert on astrology, but he hung out with living library and former Magic God long enough to pick up the basics, and knew that the signs were rather different.
After a moment, he finally answered.
"I am an Aquarius, I guess."
Girls were slightly confused by 'I guess' part, but shook it off. All eyes now fell on Kaibi, who looked away in slight discomfort, intensified after Touma's sign reveal.
"I am... actually an Aquarius too..."
Rikuri clapped her hands with a smile.
"That's so cute, you two are of the same sign?"
Touma and Kaibi shot a quick glance at each other, after which Kaibi turned away with a huff.
"Why would that be cute. We are nothing alike" she muttered.
"I am your older sister, Kaibi-chan. You two are more similar than you realize, although it obvious that you are also different in some aspects" said Rikuri in exaggerated sagely tone "But I am a little bit sad that he does not share a sign with me"
Not telling her that he in a way does share a sign with her, Touma replied with something he heard Index say.
"Sometimes opposite signs, like Aquarius and Leo, are not incompatible, but they make up for each other's weaknesses."
"Is that so... I see, I see..." Rikuri's warm chuckle caused Kaibi to roll her eyes.
"Rikuri nee-san, if you are the oldest, please act the part!"
"But I do! Anyway, weekend's horoscope for Aquarius is "Be wary of your bad luck. Pay attention to small chances, and the tragedies will be averted".
Touma started laughing out loud at that.
"This just sound like my everyday life! Especially bad luck."
Kaibi scoffed at that.
"Please, bad luck does not exist. In this world, you are either skilled enough to avoid failure in some area or you are not. That's it."
Touma gave her a cross look.
"You know, not all things in the world can be explained like this. Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, misfortune just comes to you."
"That's incomprehensible." Kaibi was now fully focused on him "It's nonsense to think that some outside force governs our lives."
"It's not that it governs them, it pushes against or towards our actions." Touma countered " And it's not like we can't do anything against that. But it's not right to deny it!"
"What you are talking about is simply probability."
"It's basically the same think if you apply it to luck or happiness, only in professional vocabulary!"
"It's not the same! Luck is an abstract, vague concept, that people use to excuse their failures. It's like saying magic exists" Kaibi said mockingly, as if taunting Touma to admit he believes in magic as well.
He was one step from telling the glamorous girl the truth. What he was through, and that magic was more real than any of the sisters could ever dream of. That he confronted magicians, angels, ancient entities, and even gods, who could destroy the entire universe with one thought. That he had friends who could fold entire ships into bundles of paper, heal wounds, and use magic books that would be toxic for most people's minds. However, as it flashed through his mind in irritation, it quickly dispersed.
If he told them, he would put them all in danger and he would like to avoid that. Also, if he told them, they would simply laugh it off and say he was crazy. It is not like he could blame them. When he first met Index, he was extremely skeptical as well. However...
"Come on, don't tell me you believe in all the occult crap. All the superstitions, like black cats, shattered mirrors, sneezing when someone mentions you, forces of destiny, red thread of fate. It just can't be real!" Kaibi shook her head in exasperation.
Touma slowly got up and grabbed his bag, prepared beforehand.
"I am not saying that all those things and superstitions must be real. I am not the smartest guy in the world, and the discovery what is truly existent or not might be beyond me" he then gave them a serious look "But I think it's best to keep an open mind and not discredit something because it seems illogical. For your own safety at least."
And with this, he left their apartment.
Kaibi actually got up and ran to glass wall. After a while she noticed a small silhouette down below. She was about to laugh few minutes ago, but the seriousness on boy's face, the very same seriousness when he forced through her power long time ago, in a flaming garage, left her speechless.
"Onii-chan is acting silly. I mean, magic can't be real, can it?" Amazora asked quietly.
Rikuri tossed her long wavy hair back as she got up from the chair.
"Yes... however, people usually have their reasons to defend things like this. Like something in... their history" she muttered in contemplation "Thinking of it, aside from our little adventures and other small bits... we have no idea who this boy is."
"Huh? So it was an accident that you are late? Running into three separate gangs, getting your uniform torn to shreds by a stray dog, getting slapped by falling onto a girl which was caused by sliding on banana peel, and then tumbling down the stairs..." Fukiyose was smiling at Touma, when both of them were standing near the entrance to the class "Oh, in that case, nothing can be done..."
Touma blinked and sighed in relief.
"Really? That is surprisingly merciful of-
WHAM! A fist collided with his cheek, sending him straight to the floor.
"As if, you moron!" Fukiyose fumed, while towering at him "You really think I will buy this story? There is no way all of that happened in half an hour!"
"But it is true, what else can you want?!" Touma stood up, massaging his cheek.
"Attitude change! You can't simply blame your misfortune for everything that happens to you! If you put some work into it, you can simply avoid those accidents"
"Hai, hai, Fukiyose-sama..." he dragged himself to his seat, where he collapsed with a sigh.
"Fukou da" he muttered to himself, when image of Fukiyose, now walking to take her sit for their next class, overlapped with now familiar figure in a fancy pink dress and blond wavy hair. "Those two would really get along... even if Fukiyose is slightly less... sophisticated in her way of doing things".
Komoe-sensei entered minutes later and the lesson began. However, Touma's mind wandered again, thinking about the talk in the morning. Even he did not know why he got so defensive with the supernatural. Maybe because it was because he was now pretty deep within magic world, having both enemies and friends there. Or maybe because...
He was worried about them. It was a natural reaction of his. He could laugh it off, but he knew how tedious life filled with fighting could be. An open mind was crucial for adaptation. He was sure that the sisters knew that too. Well, magic was something that relied on faith. And faith, as well as trust, was probably something as feeble and easy to destroy as rice paper, in that dark world sisters lived so far. So it was not like he expected them to believe him. Maybe it would be even better if they didn't encounter magic at all.
In the past, Touma was also harbouring a certain doubt. He encountered blessings and curses during his time on magic side. As he had Imagine Breaker, he could not be either blessed nor cursed through supernatural means. But there was certain thing he wondered ever since Index explained to him some things about Imagine Breaker all those months ago, when they first met.
It would be really convenient to get only the part about blessings. If only the part about blessings was true, he would really have bad luck and could blame it on something. However, if the same logic also applied to curses, it would mean his luck gauge would not budge in any direction because of his hand. He was neither lucky or unlucky, he was in the middle, where none of the advantages or disadvantages applied. Aside of all the weird things within his right hand, Imagine Breaker was supposed to make him the most normal person in the universe. Didn't the same apply to luck?
In a way, this was exactly what Fukiyose was talking about. If this theory was true, everyone but him could complain about good or bad fortune. If the supernatural forces of fortune and misfortune could not affect him, everything would be on him and he would have to take full responsibility.
But as Touma thought about it, it didn't make any difference. Even if luck existed and had effect on people beside him, he would still do his best. The things that happened to him were awful, they endangered him, and generally were a bunch of events one would avoid. They brought pain, not pleasure. But were they really unlucky? People viewed past experiences through lens of luck based on the outcome. The traumas he suffered through and through were clearly horrible, but without them, he would not be able to save all the people he did. And if one knew Kamijou Touma long enough, he would know that he would never trade the smiles and safety of others for less pain in his life.
Yes, that was it. Fortune and misfortune did not really matter. Of course he could not avoid all catastrophes and accidents, they were just part of life. In a way, no one could avoid them. Although accidents happened to Kamijou more often than majority of people, so it would seem that misfortune could be real and he was back to square one. Maybe... but still, at least partially, he could choose whether to view something as misfortunate or not... and try to learn from it to save others.
'I guess I should thank you, Fukiyose' he thought with a smile.
Although there was one part that his busty classmate got wrong. Touma had the habit of saying of that he was misfortunate. But it was not exactly that he was leaving behind all responsibility. No, regardless if misfortune truly existed, he wanted to use the concept of bad luck as a springboard. It was not something to blame, but rather something to brave through and emerge stronger, strong enough to be able to deal with life without blaming anything.
Leaving the philosophical discussions aside, his thoughts turned to all 3 of his temporary flatmates... he wondered what they were up to right now...
(ELSEWHERE, IN THE SAME MOMENT)
"Ah-kshiaaaaa!"
The entire class looked at Amazora who practically screamed out a sneeze from the back sit.
"So I assume you are present, Gokusai" her teacher caused laughter to explode from everywhere around.
Amazora reddened a little, albeit still sported a cocky smile on her face.
'Heh, that came over me out of nowhere' she kicked her feet under the table, while looking out of the window 'I still don't know about all those weird, magical stuff... but would not mean that onii-chan may be talking about me? Hihihi...'
She put her hands together.
'Back then, onii-chan really helped me out. I don't know if he really meant all he said when we talked, but Riku nee-chan told me that he never hesitated and was super cool while saving me in that garage. Besides, Kai nee-chan says he can anticipate your next moves. I wonder if he can do so with the bullets as well...'
The girl had slightly dangerous thoughts and had to restrain himself from humming out loud.
'Hmm... I think that onii-chan will make a great practice target...'
Then her cute face frowned in contemplation.
'But if my baby kills him, who will give me ride on a back? Who will buy me oysters? Ugh...'
For some reason, perspective of having older brother to pamper her seemed too great to pass.
'Yay! If onii-chan stays, I will have all oysters in the world. If he asks nicely... I may even share with him again...'
Amazora thought all of this while having a devilish little grin on her face. On one side, she thought all of this with the intention of exploiting the boy's kindness. But on the other...
When he was nice to her all those times, a small girl buried deep under bloody violence felt something stir within her heart. It was deeper than thought, deeper even than feeling. It was primordial sensation of warmth and safety, as if touched by hands of someone strong and caring. Amazora did not even realize that she was capable of feeling that.
It was a strange sensation. But... she would be lying if she said she didn't like it.
'I guess onii-chan really is a good onii-chan'
"Gokusai-san... if you are so happy with lesson's topic, why don't you come over and solve this equation?" teacher's voice came over to young girl's ears.
"Geh?!" Amazora had no idea that she was smiling on the outside all that time.
(ELSEWHERE, IN THE SAME MOMENT)
"Hakshiu! Ikshiu!" Kaibi sneezed twice while picking up a sport equipment from the storage.
"Bless you Kaibi-san" one of her classmates commented, also helping to set up the equipment. "Did you catch a cold?"
"No" Kaibi regained her composure and resumed gathering necessary stuff" All of those things are dusty, that's all."
"Aw, but maybe someone is talking about you?" chirped the girl" Oh, but then again, isn't sneezing twice a sign of badmouthing?"
"I just happen to sneeze in twos. End of story" grumbled the girl (usually) in the dress, now changed into PE shorts.
"Oh, come on, this is perfect for some gossip" another girl poked her with a finger, to the blond's further annoyance" You are really pretty, did you catch the eye of some guy? Or maybe... it's another way around?"
"I am leaving before any of you can infect me with all those superstitious nonsense. I have a class to attend to" Kaibi marched out with chilly grace. She heard a true storm of sighs behind her.
"This is a lost cause. She is super attractive, but with that attitude, she will never snatch up any guy"
Vein popped on Kaibi's temple. That chirpy, immature atmosphere was the reason why Kaibi did not hang out with the other girls in her class. Measure Heart put pride in her feminine side, as her painted and polished nails often indicated. But that was different. She maintained good relationships with everyone at bare minimum and never got friendly with anyone. Not that relationships mattered in the long run. She could always regulate them with her ability anyway.
Besides, what bothered Kaibi the most was why the hell did the picture of a certain spiky haired moron popped up in her mind. Hell, she thought about him just after sneezing out of the blue. Well, maybe it was because of their argument in the morning.
Today, her class had a fitness test, and soon enough, she and few other girls took off running. Kaibi took the lead relatively quickly. She wasn't some fitness monster, but dark side actions and chases did their work on her body just enough for her to be at the top of her class. Well, not that the competition was hard or something.
However, her mind still got no rest. Something, or rather someone, occupied her thoughts. And as much as she gritted her teeth, it was not going away. It was like in the famous thought experiment when one should not think about white polar bears.
Kamijou Touma. In today's conversation, he once again expressed a fraction of the personality that was the very reason why he occupied her thoughts. Gokusai Kaibi was an assassin, a gun user, and hand to hand combatant. She was elegant, precise, deadly. She tried to live a calculated, sophisticated life, and gain benefit from her abilities. She would certainly not help her enemy and the only elements that truly mattered in the equation were her sisters.
However, Kamijou Touma was exact opposite in that regard. His style was reckless, he was totally unorthodox, could not read the atmosphere, and most importantly, extended unconditional salvation to everyone, even enemies. What baffled Kaibi even more is even with that mentality, he did not pay any attention to the city hierarchy and was unyielding in his fights, no matter how illogical his choices seemed to be. He clearly knew of Academy City's darkness and yet... he stayed on the side of light.
How could existence like this emerge in this City? Not to mention that he defied all expectations and logic. And as for Kaibi herself... for the first time in her life in Academy City, her feelings were in total disarray. To be honest, it sent shivers down her spine. Why was that? It had to do with a certain proficiency she thought she had.
For majority of abilities in Academy City, the power had a key concept, and to use said power correctly, its wielder had to be skilled in the rules surrounding said concept. For example, Electromasters had to know a lot about electromagnetic spectrum, rules of conductivity etc. Of course, the more powerful and versatile ability was, the wider was the array of areas the user had to be knowledgeable of. Accelerator's Vector Change could affect virtually all vectors of forces and things, but the area of knowledge applied to every single vector differed depending on thing or force the vector belonged to.
Kaibi's power was a specialized form of telepathic control. What she had to have mastery of were emotions and definitions of psychological states. Without clear knowledge and definitions of what was love, fear, envy, anger, but also more complex states of the psyche, she would not be able to regulate emotional distances. In best case scenario, she would end up with something completely opposite of what she intended. Because of that, Kaibi knew her own emotions. She was very good in assessing moods or emotional states of both herself and other people.
But now? She felt as if she had a chaotic blob of swirling colours and feelings inside of herself ever since Kamijou appeared once again in her life. He utterly destroyed every assumption she made. There were many things she felt.
Irritation.
Cautiousness.
Curiosity.
Disbelief.
But most importantly, the one thing she felt, the one that was still unable to pass through her prideful self's mind to be fully expressed. But... nevertheless, she was fully aware of it.
Gratitude.
If it was not for Kamijou Touma's heart and mindset, she would lose her sisters in that garage. As Rikuri pointed out, if it was anyone else, it would be a game over. Kaibi had to admit she was right. She could save her sisters as many times as needed if they were thrown into jail, but they needed to be alive for that. Kamijou could leave them in that fire for vengeance, tactical advantage, or any other reason really. Instead, he prioritized the life of Amazora, giving her gas mask, even if it meant suffocating himself. Then he pulled both of them out of there.
Kaibi was stubborn and prideful. But she was not delusional or irrationally dishonest. She knew, from the bottom of her heart, that she was filled with gratitude for Kamijou Touma. That was the undeniable truth.
'I owe him, don't I?'
That was right, Kaibi did owe a debt of gratitude to that spiky boy, who got involved in things that did not concern him. In truth, she truly wanted to express her gratitude in some form. But it was more and more difficult because he kept throwing some bullshit that gave her endless headaches. Thanks to him, Gokusai Kaibi became a mess and it pissed her off more than anything.
'Tch... damn him!'
She couldn't read him or truly control him. She heard somewhere that telepathic types developed a form of obsession regarding people they could not read. However, she assured herself, her interest was professional only. She put a lot of emphasis on that part.
She knew the others were gossiping. Hah, let them talk. She, interested in that guy? Ridiculousness! Although she felt intrigued, and trusted him to a degree, Kaibi did not have best luck with romantic attraction. Or more precisely, genuine feelings. The only guy she thought she felt something for... actually, said a thing similar to what Kamijou said in the morning. The bit about unknown laws of things that could be called magic.
Boy with dirty blond hair and angelic wings of gleaming white, stood at the edge of the roof. He spread his arms as she watched him, a few steps behind.
"My power is not merely a delusion, Gokusai. If it was, I would be on the same level as that idiot number 7. I am an undiscovered reality, the truth behind the universe. I am more perfect reality than the world itself, than anything those morons ever find"
Kaibi shook her head. Why would she bring that moment back?
It seemed like spiky haired bringer of chaos in her life was not going away from her head for a longer while.
"Argh, what the hell did you do to me, Kamijou Touma!"
"Gokusai, why the hell are you standing there?!" her teacher roared at her, causing Kaibi to realize that her contemplations made her decrease her running to eventual halt. That never happened before.
She quickly apologized, and resumed the activity, but not before thinking one more thing.
"I will figure him out, and prove to him that I am right regarding our differing approaches in life. Starting with crushing his belief about this bad luck of his!
(ELSEWHERE, IN THE SAME MOMENT)
"K'tchu! K'shu! K'chu!"
In the hall of Academy City Art College, Rikuri stifled three dainty sneezes in a row. She then rubbed her nose with a finger and looked at her knees. Oldest Gokusai was currently engaged in her hobby, connected to a certain dark side job, that is, chemistry. The small set she had on her knees allowed her to create various chemicals with relatively low risk. It was a glass set with open upper part, through which she could manipulate the chemicals with special tools. As it was a mini-set, Rikuri used it mainly to create small samples of substances that she could later reproduce in larger quantities.
"Strange. I am wearing a protective mask, yet the smell still made me sneeze? Ara ara, I must be more cautious. Or maybe..."
She felt a coy smile creep onto her lips.
"Are you thinking about something naughty, boy?~ Isn't sneezing three times a sign of affection?" she said, giving a gaze in the distance.
She added a little bit of acid into the solution and swirled it around.
Out of all three sisters, Rikuri was least suited for direct combat. Her two specialties were chemistry and scouting machinery, like drones. She had also affinity for painting, but even here, in Art College, she experimented or probed in machines. Others used to tell her to focus on proper subject, but in the long run, no one could say no to her. Why?
Because Rikuri was exceptionally gifted in the area of beauty. Everybody was swayed in one way or another. However, in contrast to her sister Kaibi, Rikuri did not actively seek control with her appearance. She took what she was given, but did not press when unnecessary. That is... unless she was actually interested in someone.
It was not like she was a saint. No, Rikuri had a strange mixture of gentleness and mischievous sensuality on one side, and killing rationality on the other.
She was an killer. But she was also a woman. A woman who had her dreams.
She often acted like she wasn't the oldest. But in truth she was the one who remembered the best. Gokusais' legacy, desires, and ultimate goal. She wanted her precious sisters to have a happy life, even if it meant sacrificing her own happiness. But, for some time, something changed within her.
"Would you... really help me... no matter what?" she whispered quietly.
Rikuri had worked hard, and for some time, she forgot all about her dreams. Or at least, she masked the dull feeling of emptiness with happy ignorance. She was with her sisters, and it was all that mattered. Until that day anyway.
At the time, Kaibi engaged with Kamijou Touma from a brief moment, before retreating. Amazora was knocked out after her own fight with spiky haired level 0. However, Rikuri witnessed full image of Kamijou Touma's personality. And it took her breath away, even though at the time, it was Kamijou that could barely breath.
Raw determination. Heroic sacrifice not only for his allies, but for the ones who opposed him. A flash of battle genius, used to save everyone. 'Not rescuing them' never even appeared in his mind. It was unbelievable. It was extraordinary. It also came with the incredible mental and physical fortitude.
She felt all of that in the punch that knocked her to the path of a different life. What will that life entail? Even she did not know. But she understood that right now, she was given the chance to take the life into her hands.
One of her dreams was to live happily with her sisters. Other was to pursue her interests. But ever since that short lived alliance, after giving it some thought... another feeling appeared.
Formless, shapeless, neither warm nor cold, she felt it within her heart on that night and it make her boredom, hidden behind a facade, explode into a starry sky full of possibilities.
All thanks to certain naive hero, who wouldn't even call himself that. Yes, Gokusai Rikuri, beautiful Potion Lady, was amazed and intrigued by Kamijou Touma. She also suspected what the feeling born that night was. However, she dared not to name it.
Should she do that, it would take form and a hold of her. And if it was not indeed what she suspected, she could actually break.
For you see, as beautiful and glamorous as Rikuri was, for years, she never felt true love directed at her. And she also did not directed it at someone else. Ever since the events that forced the trio away from their home... and from that woman...
Rikuri lacked some things that would be normal for girl of the side of light. She fought with poisons that could swiftly end one's life. She used machines to bring death, and for most of the time, she did not even flinch. She would do anything to ensure that their small family stayed close. But...
Rikuri was also a hidden romantic at heart. She had no proper vision of what real love could look like. But that was some of the purest parts of her. Even if she was seductive and cunning, that dream remained relatively pure. Rikuri secretly dreamed to experience the feeling of undisturbed love. It was that simple.
Maybe... if what she felt was truly... then maybe she could...
Her face suddenly twisted with sorrow as she bit her lovely lip.
There were too many obstacles. Too many things that opposed that vision of happiness. Her past, present, and future. Not only hers, but all of them.
'My sweet Rikuri... how long it will be before you get back here? How long the three of you will be able to continue this game of yours? But I assure you, you will learn your place. I'll be waiting for you... because in due time... you all will be back here with me, my daughter'
She shook her head, adding final component to her scientific concoction, before locking the set and securing it in high-tech box. She truly wished she could dissolute memories as easily as sulphuric acid melts organic matter.
"I can't wait to see more, Kamijou Touma" she got up, wiping of her eyes, and starting her way to a lecture " would you be able to hear it? The beating of our hearts in that painted prison?"
(ONE DAY LATER)
Weekend came, but Kamijou Touma did not get any rest.
His torment arrived in a form of an elegant girl in the dress dragging him through the crowd with determination. Let's emphasize, she was doing this by pulling him by the wrist of his hand.
"Emm... Kaibi-san... would you explain why you're leading me somewhere with this gleam in your eyes that can't possibly mean anything good... and rising a flag by holding my hand-"
Kaibi's eyes made him pause.
"Listen. I am here strictly to prove a point. I will crush your stupid superstitions" Kaibi poked Touma's chest a few times" I will be with you all times so I can witness this supposed bad luck. Don't you think about running away! And if you make any dumb remarks, I'll kill you!"
She stopped when she noticed Touma getting teary eyed and grasping her hand in his own
"I never thought... any girl would face this misfortune together with me out of her free will... this Kamijou thought he would be miserable for the rest of his life! Is this the life of hope? Crazy and possibly life threatening, but still? Kaibi-sama, I could hug you for this!"
"OKAY, LIKE I SAID, IT'S PRAGMATIC REASONS ONLY! Also, I don't know if that was a compliment or roundabout insult. D-Don't cling to me, you will stain the dress! Why the hell are you crying and looking as if heaven split open?!
Some distance away, hidden behind the corner, Rikuri and Amazora watched the girl and the boy struggling with each other
"Onii-chan is acting funny" Amazora giggled, while slurping a milkshake.
"Indeed. That's why I want to watch them. Kaibi-san is too prideful to admit that she can be wrong here. And onee-chan will bet that the result will be hilarious" Rikuri put her hand on the cheek, with a sassy and mischievous smile.
"Does this mean that you believe in all that supernatural stuff, Riku nee-chan?" Amazora asked curiously. Her older sister shrugged slightly.
"I don't know. But I know one thing. That boy... what his power entails will surely be more than Kaibi can chew"
Back with Touma and Kaibi, Measure Heart took the lead again. Touma averted his gaze and chuckled sheepishly.
"Are we really doing this? I mean, even without fighting the bad guys and all, my daily misfortune can be pretty intense."
"Hah, don't make me laugh! I am Gokusai Kaibi, one of the finest assassins and manipulators in Academy City "she hissed while turning around" I assure you, I was a dark sider long enough to manage a few of your... heh, misfortunes. I am certain of one thing: I can handle this!"
(FEW HOURS LATER)
"I... can't handle...this!" Kaibi cried out in anguish" The scale is way off the charts! That is some sort of... scientific... anomaly..."
Touma and Kaibi were both breathing heavily, laying in the mud on their backs. Kaibi's cheeks were red from exhaustion, frustration, and... maybe the fact that she was still, rather stubbornly, grasping Touma by his wrist.
"That wasn't so bad..." Touma muttered softly.
Kaibi's eye twitched, as she chuckled quietly
"Wasn't so bad? In which world?!"
"Well, it's not like I didn't warn you"
"Shut up!" all the elegance left now furious girl-in-the-muddy-dress.
At first, their rendezvous wasn't that bad. But when they got to the restaurant, things started to escalate. First, the waitress tripped and all of the food landed on their heads. When leaving, they were splashed by the truck. Then some guys tried to hit on Kaibi, and they did not take kindly Touma's efforts to deter them. Some fighting and running a marathon-like distance they accidentally were blasted into the air while stepping on experimental trampoline. Then they landed, falling through the roof to the bathing house and chased by a blushing mob of ojou-samas. Then some stray dogs chased them between the districts.
And this was merely till noon.
Rented bike breaking down. Exploding portable toilets. Toxic gas in the cinema. Stepping onto a wet cement. Falling into the manhole. Getting washed over by seawater filled with lobsters in the aquarium shop. Then fighting with esper with the ability to control mud. It all happened in rapid succession. Even Touma was impressed by this bad luck combo.
Now, Kaibi was lacking shoes, her dress was torn and muddy, her hair stank, with half of her curls being undone, while her eyes were bloodshot and red from seawater. She was doing her best to get up from muddy pool.
"I like to think that each day I survive is a good day" Touma sighed, finally managing to get up.
"That's just... this is not misfortune, god damn it. This is some state of mind" Kaibi ignored Touma's extended hand, but lost her balance and splashed back to the ground, groaning.
"Come on, princess" Touma slowly lifted her up. Kaibi was so tired that she did not even argue" Let's go home"
They were walking in silence, leaving wet steps behind.
"You know... I'm sorry you had to go through this. You could have easily avoid it but instead-" Touma began, but Kaibi lifted her hand into the air.
"What are you saying? That is on me actually. I was the one who decided how to spend the day like this. And... you know... I'm..."
She got quieter and quieter, until finally saying.
"Look, I'm still not convinced of all that bad luck. But if you experience something like that, or worse, in your daily life... then you have my respect for still standing to your worldview"
"Emm, is this some kind of trick? You are not gonna strike with some kind of secret attack now?"
"No, why would I? I said, I'm trying to be honourable here. Don't got used to it though."
Another minute passed in silence.
"Hey..." Touma exclaimed somewhat awkwardly "I have something to say as well. Thank you. Even if you did you out of your free will, you still went through it by my side"
"Like I said, it was in my interest, even though I never expected all of the shit that happened You made it sound like we are some lovey-dovey couple from a fairy tale. Grow up." however as she said that, Touma noticed something.
Although he was not totally oblivious to the charm all sisters exuded, in Kaibi's case, it wasn't fully natural. Some of it was on display as part of her manipulation tricks. But what he saw now, even for a brief moment, was not anything saw with the girl before.
Probably thinking he could not see it, Kaibi smiled in a truly captivating way. It was a small smile, but it felt like a ray of sun permeated through stormy clouds. It was brief but this in itself made it all the more special.
There was no lustful thought or ill will behind Touma's reasoning. However, he thought that smiling or laughing Kaibi would show the world some unseen beauty.
"Emm... you've been staring at me for a while now and I really want to slap you now" the vision was gone, and usual ice queen returned to her throne.
Touma sighed, and looked up with a smile of his own
"I just think... I saw something that always makes enduring all the bad stuff worth it... and also, found something to strive for and protect..."
"I don't fully understand, but it still sounds creepy"
"Say all you want. I am convinced"
"Also, we can probably step away from each other now. In all seriousness, I don't want to catch this phenomenon of yours"
"It's not a disease. And would being in my skin really be that bad?"
"Worse"
"Eeeeh?!"
(MEANWHILE)
Amazora and Rikuri left them hours later, after they received their dosage of misfortune comedy, and headed to their apartment to do something extra special while both Kaibi and Touma were absent. More precisely, to dig up some information.
In contrast to Kaibi, Rikuri was less interested in Touma's power. While it was indeed intriguing and oldest sister would like to have a clear explanation on it, that was not the main topic of her interest. No, what was far more important to her was how Touma gained his personality and determination. In other words, Potion Lady wanted to examine his connections and experiences.
To do this, she used files that Kaibi managed to gather on Kamijou. After Biohacker incident, Kaibi tried to use her power and influence to learn something about their short time ally.
It proven a hazardous, taxing, and rather unrewarding task. Almost all data on Kamijou were classified and after months of digging, Kaibi had no intel on his actual abilities and events that transpired, only bits and fragments. But for now, that was all Rikuri needed.
She was not such hacker as the famous Goalkeeper, but she was decent enough to easily "borrow" files that Kaibi uncovered. Her tsundere sibling would never share them, because that would imply she was actually interested in Kamijou. And now, Rikuri took Amazora on her knees as both started reading.
Nearly an hour later, Rikuri gave a sigh. Seemed like life of Kamijou Touma was far more complicated than she anticipated.
Firstly, he was involved in the ridiculous amount of incidents, both within the City and outside of it. Some happened so quickly after the other that Rikuri wondered how boy managed to find strength to actively participating in them, one after the other.
Secondly, sheer amount of places he was spotted in was baffling. Not only Academy City or even Japan, but England, France, Italy, Russia, Hawaii. What was the extent of Kamijou Touma's heroic actions?
Thirdly, the people he knew. Although the events were still majorly disclosed, Rikuri learned that Touma interacted with all of the level 5s, and not only survive, but formed connections with them. Besides, he interacted with various high level espers and figures of political authority. Compared to his relationships, all connections sister had on dark side seemed feeble and pathetic.
But most importantly...
"What's with this female to male ratio?!" Rikuri pouted, staring at the data in silent frustration. She guessed that boy could be popular, but even estimations from disclosed documents made her stare in disbelief.
Amazora also had worried expression.
"Onii-chan is super liked! And, ugh, some of those girls are my age!"
She tried to look unbothered, yet everybody would be able to tell that she was not exactly succeeding.
"Do you think that all those girls want to steal onii-chan?" she asked Rikuri in a voice that had a hint of defiance and inkling that could escalate to gattling gun violence.
"N-No... maybe..." Rikuri was actually at loss "I doubt that everyone is... well... affectionate...
(IN UNITED KINGDOM)
Back in her office, one of the most formidable magicians of northern hemisphere, Leivinia Birdway, felt a tickle in her nose. Despite trying to ignore it, the fact that the Leader of Golden Coloured-Sunlight was going to sneeze became apparent.
Except, it didn't came. Leivinia was on the verge of sneezing, but couldn't do it, as if universe wanted to simply annoy her.
"Oh, for crying outloud" she muttered, getting up and walking to the shelf, picking one the oldest volumes in her possessions. After few minutes of turning pages, the musty smell and dust floating through the air did the trick.
"Choo!"
Leivinia Birdway sneezed. It was an adorable little sneeze, defintely not one she would ever let her subordinates hear. She wouldn't hear the end of it and she would have to murder anyone who called her cute because of it. Well, maybe except for one boy...
At the very least, she was alone...
Someone coughed behind her back.
Leivinia slowly turned around to find her younger twin, Patricia, standing at the door with a plate and small smile on her lips.
"Patricia? I told you to knock!"
"Sis, you work so hard that I decided to bring you your favourite dessert..."
"Oh, that's... nice. Thank you"
"And also..."
"Huh?"
"It's adorable that you still sneeze like a little kitten"
"I d-don't... GET OUT!"
(BACK WITH RIKURI)
"He really went all around helping others. Well, no wonder he is so popular. Even I-"
Rikuri stopped, and actually blushed ever so slightly, as she recalled calling Touma cute.
"W-Well, that was deserved. But what the hell is with this? He knows my age group as well."
"I think that black haired onee-chan with big forehead said something about onii-chan loving older girls" Amazora said with contempt.
"There are so many... wait, who is..." Rikuri scrunched her gorgeous face in disbelief "What the actual..."
(NOT SO FAR AWAY, IN ACADEMY CITY)
Oriana Thomson stifled a sneeze as she was hiding in the abandoned building. The sternutation almost caused her enormous bust to jiggle out of her bra. Rubbing her nose, she looked outside, checking as if she wasn't followed. Then she started checking something on her phone.
Yes, although Oriana disliked technology as much as majority of magicians, as a courier she had to adapt if her client sent her location of transfer through modern means. Currently, she was on the mission within Academy City and was scanning photos sent by her client to locate her destination, where she was transporting certain artefact. But...
"What?..." she blinked in confusion. She looked closer at one photo and smiled" Oh, it's you again..."
In the background, she noticed a familiar spiky haired boy. That was why Oriana smiled with seductive fondness. But when she noticed someone standing next to Touma, she froze.
Long wavy blond locks. Shapely legs. Hourglass figure. And matching bust area. The girl standing by Kamijou's side...
"She looks just like..." Oriana started with disbelief " Who..."
(BACK WITH RIKURI...)
"Who is this incredibly sexy rip off?!" Rikuri yelled out, unaware that the very same yell echoed few kilometers away.
"Maybe mommy had some aunty she did not tell us about" Amazora was also very surprised.
It took some time for Rikuri to calm down, as she wanted to shove that blond woman poison needle in the butt. Well, maybe the fact that in the photo she and Touma were laying together in a strange position did not help.
So now both she and Amazora were sitting in the same melodramatic position that was giving some heavy pressure away. Well, Rikuri was sitting like that, while Amazora tried to imitate her.
"My dear sister... it seems that we greatly underestimated the situation"
"Uhm" Amazora nodded sagely. Although she had no idea what Rikuri was talking about.
"This boy... his influence... will once again reach the entire world!"
"Umm... isn't that a good thing?"
"Well, yes but... if it reaches every girl, he will never have time for... ekhm...us..."
"Never?!" Amazora once again tried to act indifferent with little to no effect.
"He was spotted with various girls who look very attractive! It's very possible that he has taken some degree of liking to them as well! And... they also may take action"
(IN THE NECESSARIUS DORMS)
Two female sneezes overlapped. Duet of young women, who were both companions and rivals in love, looked at each other after they both sneezed at the same time.
"Bless you Priestess" Itsuwa broke the silence.
"L-Likewise" Kanzaki spoke back.
Both turned their attention to the cell phone laying on the table.
And they both reached for it, placing their hands on the device in the exact same moment.
"Hmm, I thought we were discussing who will go to Academy City check out on Kamijou Touma? We agreed that the phone call he made that day was suspicious" Kanzaki said with a smile that seemed a little too cheerful.
"As expected of the Priestess" Itsuwa also spoke with a wide smile" What an excellent memory. Which is why I shall go inspect it. You deserve some rest."
She moved the phone closer to herself.
"Your kindness is very much appreciated, however I was the one he phoned to"
Kanzaki moved the phone back to her side of the table.
"No, no, no, as our Saint and Priestess you mustn't burden yourself with such a task. Let an ordinary Amakusan like me handle it"
Phone was slid to the other side again...
"No, no, you deserve some credit too Itsuwa. You are the heart of our group, so you should not take too much onto yourself."
...and again...
"Your kind words are... welcomed, however, if there is danger, I will use my powers to protect him. I was once assigned as his bodyguard "
...and again...
"No, I insist even STRONGER that it will serve as a great exercise, so if you just let me...
...and again...
"...phone..."
and again...
"...him!"
Tetmiya Saiji chuckled nervously, noticing sparks flying between locked gazes of two women. Substitute Pontiff was watching from a safe distance, not really wanting to accidentally slashed by nodachi or stabbed by a spear.
"Jeez, I don't even know if I should envy or worry for Kamijou anymore"
(BACK WITH RIKURI...)
"This boy seems to attract even those who are generally forbidden from taking such actions!" Rikuri continued frantically.
(REMOTE MONASTERY AT PLAINS OF SCOTLAND)
Agnese Sanctis sneezed cutely while preparing for a mission with her fellow nuns.
"God bless you, sister Agnese" Agata offered in warm tone.
"Thank you. I have been sneezy all morning, it's actually really annoying" Agnese muttered back, while checking the supplies of her subordinates.
"Are you sick? I worried about you during the night" little Agnelene voiced her concern, which did not go unnoticed by Lucia, who blinked in confusion.
"During the night? What do you mean, sister Angelene?"
"Well, I wanted to get some warm milk and when I was passing by sister Agnese's cell, I heard something that sounded like she was in pain... but I was too shy to ask and..."
Agnese made a strange choking noise, as she was polishing her Lotus Wand, turned back to the other nuns.
"Strange noises at night, you say? The sounds of pain?" Lucia narrowed her eyes, as she slowly approached her leader. "I know what this is all about. And I have only one thing to say, sister Agnese..."
Silence reigned as all nuns bated their breath... until Lucia put her hand on Agnese's shoulder with a smile.
"I am so proud of you! You started the self-penitence through feasting and whipping yourself? That's a little bit traditional... but I couldn't be more proud of you, my leader. To endure pain to purify your body and soul in the name of salvation. Listen, everyone! Agnese Sanctis, our leader, is an example for us all"
Whispers spread left and right, until Agnese muttered quietly:
"Sister Lucia... no...it's just that..."
"No! I do not want to hear it" Lucia shook her head" Your penitence is the matter of your soul and God. Do not confide it with us."
"B-But..." Angelene still had to have doubts.
"Angelene, you still don't understand. What happened that night was a thing of extasy that mere nuns cannot comprehend." Lucia nodded sagely.
Agnese was still turned back, looking as if she was closely inspecting her weapon. If one were to gaze upon her from the front, he would look at amazing sight as her face and red hair became almost uniform in colour. Even the tips of her ears were burning red.
'They really got the wrong idea! But I can't tell them! My reputation would plummet to the depths of hell. I can't ever tell them that all that noise was me banging my head on the pillow and screaming into it to forget about that dream I had earlier during the night. The dream where that foolish boy and I... uuugh, why do I have to look like a sinful one? And if I say disliked it, I will commit another sin! Boy, you will pay for this!'
(IN NECESSARIUS DORMS)
In the middle of library in London, Sherry Cromwell meticulously concentrated on her new statue. Just as she was about to hit the stone with the tyle...
"Tishoo"
A muffled sound came from behind her back, causing her to pause in bewilderment.
She turned around to the other person working alongside in the room beside her, a blond nun with stacks of books around her and manuscript with a quill in front of her.
"Miss Orsola? Did you say something?"
Orsola Aquinas turned around, but just as she did, her blue eyes closed and gentle face scrunched slightly. Another almost soundless 'tishoo' resounded.
"I am sorry" Orsola replied" It seems I stirred a bit too much dust there from page turning. Careless me"
"Those... were sneezes? Then... well, bless you, miss Orsola"
"Thank you" the nun smiled sweetly" I didn't break your focus, did I?"
"No, not really..."
'Break focus? Those were the quietest and most non-violent sneezes I ever heard. When I sneeze, half of the dorm thinks something exploded and wants to evacuate... I remember that Ellis actually made fun of it and said that he thought that someone bombed our training grounds...'
Not minding the face of exasperation from Sherry, Orsola went to make a cup of tea
"Hmm... I wonder if someone said something nice about me..."
"I wouldn't doubt that. You are always praised by everyone in the dorm"
"Oh really? My my, how nice."
"But... the tea! The tea is overflowing the cup!"
(BACK WITH RIKURI)
"And who knows who will he attract in the future!" Rikuri pressed on.
(IN ACADEMY CITY)
Kongou Mitsuko sneezed as the wind passed her by in the moonlit plaza. She was quickly blessed by Wannai and Awatsuki, who looked at her with worry.
"We understand your dedication to fashion and that you even got the permission to go out to the studio for night shots..." Awatsuki began.
"... but do you think walking to the night modeling in the swimsuit is a good idea?" Wannai finished.
"N-N-N-Nonsense. T-T-They w-w-w-will s-s-see how d-d-dedicated I-I-I am by g-g-going to t-the r-r-runaway i-in t-t-their product" Kongou stood tall, and would look majestic, if not fall the shivering going on. She insisted she would walk around the city in the swimsuit creation she would model in to "feel its soul in natural environment". And that in turn changed her into shivering mess.
Her friends sighed, pulling the blouse onto the girl despite her protests. After all, they knew that one thing bigger than Kongou's beauty was her pride. And maybe the size of her forehead.
If she was told that maybe someone is talking about her, she would toss her hair, smile and say
"Who ISN'T talking about me?"
But in truth, her blush and hidden joy would be one of the purest things in the whole wide world.
(MEANWHILE, IN THE SAME CITY)
At other part of town, Mugino Shizuri was engaged in sealing off some important documents concerning ITEM's past actions. To do this, she used her meltdowner to create a small stream of acethylene-like laser. It was not natural to her, but she could pull it off.
Suddenly, the urge to sneeze overcame Mugino so badly that she barely had time to react.
"Eh... Achoo!"
As Shizuri sneezed heartily, her meltdowner beam magnified and shot forwards, melting through the wall.
Contrary to popular belief, it was impossible to randomly misuse the ability while being sick. Esper abilities required calculations and would not just spring out of the blue. However, it was possible to mess it up if some sudden stimulus or reflex, like a sneeze, changed something in calculations while ability was already in use. Like what happened here.
As Mugino opened her eyes after sneezing, she saw that the beam melted its way out through at least 3 rooms and tore the hole in the building's outer wall. In the next room, Hamazura and Takitsubo were intertwined in a hug, probably leaning for a kiss, and were now looking at Mugino, who stared back at them awkwardly.
They were both unharmed, but Hamazura's hair was scorched, making him appear as if he shaved his head on the top.
"Shit" Mugino uttered diplomatically.
"Gesundheit" Takitsubo said to Meltdowner.
"W-What the hell was that?" Hamazura checked out the hole through several walls.
"What did it look like?" Mugino growled" I sneezed. That's all it fricking was."
"That was a sneeze?!" Hamazura clutched his heart" There was no way that-"
Mugino then frowned and rubbed her nose, but to no avail. She was going to sneeze again.
"Achoo!"
The tea coloured girl indulged in the reflexive reaction, making Hamazura scream as he fell from the bed. After a few seconds, he opened his eyes, breathing as if he just had a heart attack.
"Huh?! I am alive?! No more deadly laser cannons?" he yelled from the floor.
"Shut up dumbass. It's not like I will blow something up each time I sneeze. That was a onetime flop" Mugino fumed, although with certain satisfaction that she managed to scare level 0 "Still, what the hell is with that? I rarely sneeze in day to day life, and now I can't seem to stop. Little too early for allergies, not that I have any".
"Maybe someone is talking about you, Mugino?" Takitsubo questioned in her absentminded way.
"That's occultist bullshit" Mugino dismissed the thought "although... I wonder who could that be..."
Hamazura chuckled nervously
"Whoever that is, he must be pretty misfortu...nate... oh god, don't tell me..."
"Do you imply something, HAMAZURA?" the green orbs made him shut his mouth.
'Boss, be safe. You meeting her seems just like your luck!'
"Don't worry about anything Hamazura. I will support you even if you look like middle aged man with this hairstyle."
"No, Takitsubo! Don't make me realize how awful it looks!
(BACK WITH RIKURI...)
"Maybe" Rikuri was not finished yet" he will even attract something that goes beyond human!"
"Emm, you start to talk like some sci-fi writer, Riku nee-san"
"I...Is that so... maybe I exaggerated..."
(ELSEWHERE, IN THE SAME MOMENT)
In distant parts of the world, Othinus sneezed lightly.
Also, in even more faraway lands...
"Kshiu!" a lady-like sneeze came from Nephthys.
"Bless you" Niang-Niang said to her companion.
"Why, thank you" the Egyptian goddess smiled lightly" Although, I wonder... if one says bless you as a prayer to god for blessing of health for another... since we are gods ourselves, who are we saying it to?"
Niang-Niang opened up her mouth, closed it, opened it again... and said nothing. You could almost hear her brain short-circuiting.
Alice Anotherbibble, Bologna Succubus, and Witch Goddess Aradia sneezed at the same time. Some of said sneezes altered reality, destroying few civilizations and creating a few others.
(BACK TO THE GOKUSAI + KAMIJOU APARTMENT)
"Well, okay" Rikuri calmed down from a bit of wild fantasy. Then, in a display of grim determination "However, we must not stay reticent. We must make take action as well."
As the doors to their apartment opened, both sisters turned with gleam in their eyes.
Kaibi and Touma never learned why they were suddenly tackled to the floor in tight hug. Also, even if Rikuri and Amazora mellowed down, ever since that day they insisted on sitting much closer to Touma. That however was still not the end of surprises yet to come.