Kaibi was standing on the hill, overlooking the sea. As gazed upon the waves, she suddenly noticed that she was wearing a shimmering white dress with golden accents, and veil over her face. Her hair was masterfully styled and she sported the impeccable makeup.
'That's a nice dress... why am I wearing it though? And what's with that look?'
"It's been a while, Gokusai"
She quickly turned around to see a tall boy with a dirty blond hair and hands with his pockets staring right at her.
She was at loss of words.
"Kakine... after the events of October, you completely disappeared. Then I heard that you came back, but you never contacted me!" she started a heated stream of words.
There was a lot she wanted to say to him. Ever since Battle Royale, Kaibi's relationship with Kakine was tarnished, both in a mental and physical sense. Yet she wanted to see him again. Although she was not quite sure what she wanted to express.
"Please, Gokusai. My Dark Matter is not something that can be destroyed like this. You should know this by now " Kakine smirked arrogantly, as 6 seraphim wings sprouted from behind his back and he slowly raised into the air "Now, Gokusai, let's fulfil your true desire. Make a choice!"
"Huh? But what-"
"Help me gain control of this city... no, entire world... and when I become the strongest, you will become my queen and share that power with me. Everyone will obey you and you will gain the absolute power you so desired. Your dreams will finally be possible!"
"DON'T LISTEN TO HIM!"
Kaibi turned around to find Touma... or at least, she thought it was him, because this Touma was covered with something that resembled scales and had small horns on his head.
"Did I accidentally drink some of Rikuri nee-san's stuff or something?"
"Kaibi-san, although I can't offer you all the power in the world, I promise you that you will be safe with me. I can give you normal life and happiness! Don't listen to this angel's temptation!"
"Shouldn't this be other way around..." Kaibi was now confused beyond belief.
"You arrogant devil! You have no clue about real potential of this girl!" the angelic Kakine pointed accusatory finger onto Kamijou.
"I am willing to learn for as long as it takes. At least I don't see her as a tool" devil Kamijou countered.
"She will never be truly happy with a simpleton like you, with whom her potential will not be realized"
"Guys..." Kaibi tried to speak, but the battle between heaven and earth with her in the center was not over yet.
"I will not discard her sisters. Don't try to convince you that you actually care for them"
"Once me and Gokusai come to power, that Amazon and Nikumi would have nothing to fear as well"
"You even said their names wrong! And you call yourself well versed in this stuff."
"Stop it..." Kaibi spoke louder.
"Besides" Kakine spread his arms in yet another arrogant pose "this girl possesses otherworldly beauty that will go to waste with someone as plain as you."
"Don't you think I know that? For your information, I saw it in fuuuuuul glory! And it was amazing!" Kamijou bared a strangely pointy teeth at the angelic boy.
"Tch, playing heavy artillery huh? I bet you don't even know her real personality"
"I listen to her more sincerely than you ever did"
"There is no way I am ever gonna accept you"
"I don't need your approval. In facts it all depends on Kaibi-san."
"Choose, Gokusai!"
"Choose, Kaibi-san!"
Kaibi was now red and was trembling in her dress, which, and it was quite stupid that it took her this long to realize it, was a wedding one.
"I... I..."
Their faces were becoming closer and closer... their hands extended... as sky and earth fought over the sea's hand...
"I SAID STOP IT ALREADY!" Kaibi screamed, reaching her hand to push everything away.
And then she awoke
Panting heavily, with her hair undone and pinkish-violet eyes flashing wildly, she slowly came to after her strange dream.
'What the hell was that about... I never had dreams like that... especially not about two guys fighting f...for... for m... for...m-m-.. what I am gonna do when I see this guy next...'
"Emm... Kaibi-san..."
She slowly realized where she was and what she was doing. And the realization came with a shock.
She was lying in bed and Kamijou Touma was standing over her with something on a tray, probably tea or hot soup. But that was not the crux of the matter here.
While awakening, she unconsciously repeated last action in her dream: reaching her hand in a "push away" motion. But in the real world, the very same hand landed on something. It landed on Kamijou Touma. Lower than his torso... but higher than his legs and thighs... right on his...
Kaibi's eyes widened, when Touma lowered his gaze in surprise and spoke in somewhat lighthearted tone.
"You know, that's a cliche that happens to a lot of guys, with touching girl's bust after awakening, but to be for once on the other end of the line is actually quite refreshing-"
"HYAAAAAAAAAAAAH?!"
(MINUTES LATER)
Although he was not in the wrong here, Kamijou fled from pillows being thrown at him, while leaving a tea with honey and rose petals on the bedroom's table.
Not that the pillow would do anything. After all, Kaibi was left with less than a half of her usual strength. Why was that?
The girl (usually in the dress) was now changed into pyjama, and she almost folded in half as intense coughing fit overtook her. Even beside the awkward situation, her face was unnaturally flushed and her eyes sparkled in a ill manner.
That's right. Gokusai Kaibi was down with a severe cold. And it was not only her, but both of her sisters
(IN THE LIVING ROOM)
"Onii-chan... Riku nee-chan is dying! She got all green! I am so sorry onee-chan. I *sob* am sorry that your stupid little sister is *sob* only good at shooting! Onii-chan, bring me my baby, I will do the mercy killing. It's so sad that onee-chan's dying without having a boyfriend!"
"Amazora-san... that's our houseplant" Touma said flatly, observing the girl hugging the flowerpot" go back to bed, you clearly have high fever. Besides, I said no shooting today!"
"But onii-chan! You are so mean!" the girl wobbled to her feet and pointed her finger at him.
"No means no! The illness is clearly messing with your coordination. If you started shooting this monster in your current state, you would not only shoot yourself, but all of us"
"I... wouldn't..."
"Then why are you pointing at the fridge and not at me"
Dejected Amazora finally crawled back into the futon.
"Can't you be a little bit quieter? Also, Amazora-chan, it's not ladylike to just say your sister never had a boyfriend before" Rikuri said while resting on the couch with the cold towel on her head. She then smirked weakly "And why are you grinning at that information, boy~? If I wasn't sick, I would slap you for laughing at my misfortune."
"I-I am not laughing! I... emm... just surprised that someone like you didn't have a boyfriend before"
"Oh, you melt my heart with the compliments! I was on a multitude of dates, but my true knight on white horse is somewhat tardy"
They set two futons and couch for the sisters to rest on. If someone wanted to sleep in private, they would be escorted to sisters' bedroom, as was the case with Kaibi.
Apparently, there was an outbreak of a flu in Amazora's school, and she carried it to their home. Kaibi fell victim to it second, and although Rikuri bravely stood tall for a long time, even she succumbed to it. It was like that for almost 2 days now.
"Boy, are you sure you will be alright?" Rikuri whispered to Touma.
Touma was currently wearing a surgical mask, and was preparing things in the kitchen.
"I don't know. But my misfortune already confronted my with so many diseases that I am pretty sure that I have a decent immunity built up."
Since 3/4 of their household was incapacitated, Touma was doing all he could on his own.
Firstly, he took the day off from school, explaining that he was sick himself. That was a lie of course, and Kamijou felt the pain increasing while he thought about his attendance. Although Kaibi assured him, rather rudely, that they would manage on their own, Touma did not want to hear it.
He supplied the house with all basic medicine needed. Then, he tended to the sister's needs and desires. It was not easy task, as each of the Gokusai siblings went through illness differently and with different atittude.
Amazora did not even hide that she loved being spoiled and pampered in her weakened state. Out of all the sisters, she had the most visible symptoms and, seeing both Kaibi's and Rikuri's not so subtle worry, Touma tried his best to make the girl feel better. He prepared hot cocoa for her, and read her stories so she could fall asleep. That could take quite some time. Amazora was just as stubborn as her older sisters, so she acted bravely, but the illness depleted her of her usual energy. Touma did not realize how much he missed it once it was gone. So with that in mind, he soothed the girl's feverish mind by holding her small hand while she fell asleep.
Kaibi was a different matter. As explained by Rikuri, middle sister was a type of person who hated being sick simply because it showed her weakness. That's why she spent most time separated and refused to take medicine (which Touma had to smuggle buried into her food) because she believed that her own body could take the disease head on. While Touma applauded that attitude, the girl was still rather weak and he regularly checked on her. He decided to respect her wish and stayed out of the bedroom. However, as Kaibi was usually awake besides periods of delirious sleep, he simply talked with her. He thought that at least keeping Kaibi company in that form could bring her comfort. And although prideful girl could never, ever admit it out loud, it was true.
However, the oldest sister had her own concept:
'I am pretty sure I saw Kaibi trying to increase their emotional distance to keep that boy out of her room. She is actually worried about infecting him. If not for his strange power, it would have worked. She is so cute, worrying like this!'
Rikuri was in a way a mixture of the two. While it was true that she had no problem with "showing her weakness" as Kaibi did, as she simply rested on the sofa, but it was clear that she was plagued by guilt. She apparently felt the need to take care of her younger siblings and it was a strong, sisterly instinct. Touma did not know much about such bonds, being an only child, but one thing was certain to him: despite Kaibi's sarcastic comments, Rikuri was very reliable in certain situations. Even now, as she lied down with fever, she tried to get up and help Touma. The only problem was that her consciousness was most of the time in the same delirious state as Kaibi was.
"Kamijou-san... you will overexert yourself" Rikuri tried to stand on her feet once again "If only I could be of use now..."
"I would feel worse if your fever got up. You are in no state to do anything besides resting. In hour or two, you will visit frog faced doctor to get his opinion"
Besides trying to do everything for himself, Touma also asked for a favour of Heaven Canceller to help heal the sisters. But he did not have time to examine all of them at once so they will set out individually in some time.
Touma gently took the sexy young woman and made her go back to the resting position.
"Really now..." Rikuri sighed softly " I am the oldest one here, but I feel so useless right now..."
"That's not true Rikuri-san!" Touma vehemently denied Rikuri's dejected statement "You helped plenty. If not for your advices regarding how each one of you usually goes through illnesses and what you all need, I would have done it wrong. Your knowledge surely helped with your recovery. I could not have done it without you"
Rikuri opened her mouth but had to cough into handkerchief a few times, before letting out a quiet giggle.
"As sweet as honey, boy. Are you trying to charm me using my weakened state?..."
" What? That was not my-"
"(because it is working~)"
"D-Don't whisper something with that smirk on your face. Let me check your head... you are so hot!"
"Hnnngh! If you talk like that, I might do something foolish, you know..." Rikuri closed her eyes, as Touma blinked in shock.
"Did you really just make that sound? Also, you know that I meant your fever right?"
"Onii-chan is a pervert" Amazora muttered from her futon.
"Making moves on a sick person is disgusting" Kaibi, who suddenly appeared in the entrance to the corridor leading to bedrooms, made that comment, while being completely wrapped up in the blanket. That was done to prevent others from noticing her shivering, which, to no surprise, failed.
"WHY IS THIS KAMIJOU SUDDENLY SEEN LIKE THE BIGGEST EVIL HERE?!"
(1 HOUR LATER)
Kamijou went out to get Amazora to see the doctor. Kaibi and Rikuri stayed behind. Aside from the occasional small talk, the tiredness overtook them both and Kaibi soon found herself in another dream. Only this time, it was not surreal novelty. This one was the one who she knew very well. Maybe because of her feverish mind, but she only saw glimpses. Well, it was not like she needed full picture. That was her memory after all.
A small girl in a pink dress was standing in the hall of beautiful mansion. Just that one hallway had more paintings, statues, and golden ornaments than some museums. The girl seemed like a cute, pampered young lady. But her expression was not happy at all, as her face twisted in desperation.
"Where are you taking Rikuri nee-san?!" she cried, clinging to a taller figure next to her.
The woman slowly turned around, with her face hidden in the shadow cast by one of the statues. She seemed so royal and distinguished that she almost looked like perfect statue that came to life. But just like a statue out of cold marble, her gaze was equally chilling.
"As the oldest daughter" she spoke with precise intonation. Her tone would be alluring if it wasn't so cold. It was like a beautiful yet poisonous flower "She has certain responsibilities regarding the future of this family. As you should have as well."
The girl clenched her little fists, and closed her eyes. Small droplets were flowing down her cheeks.
"Don't take her... she doesn't want to... if dad was here..."
"But he isn't! And you know why. That foolish man... he..."her posture and tone didn't change, but the voice of the majestic woman cracked for just a second, before she spoke more calmly" Don't speak of it, my child."
"Mother... please..."
"Did I stutter?! If you have even a droplet of Gokusai blood, you will learn your place, Kaibi. It's for your own good!"
A shrill cry of a small baby echoed through the mansion's hallways. The woman sighed.
"Now, see what you made us do. We woke up Amazora. I have no more time for you now"
Little Gokusai Kaibi bit her lip, and shouted.
"Do you even care? Why did you change, mother?!"
The tall woman slowed down for a moment, yet continued on walking.
"There is a price for everything, my daughter. If you wish to be anyone, you shall learn respect in regards to the rules of this world. Kaibi, you have a role to play, and it's a foolishness to defy it. If you think otherwise, you can just get out of my sight."
And then the dream changed, with Kaibi back into her teenage body, surrounded with darkness, as the thousands of hands and whispers from the darkness started to reach out for her...
"No... why did she..."
They reached for her hair...skin...eyes... all over her body...
"I am not like... not like this..."
The voices and whispers continued, even when she covered her ears.
"I am stronger... I am not like her!"
Kaibi awoke covered in cold sweat, to find tired looking Rikuri observing her with worry.
"Kaibi-chan, did you have a bad dream? Was it about... them?"
"It's nothing worth talking about" Kaibi turned to the other side of the futon.
"My dear sister, if you deny this, it will eat you alive. Don't you think that we need to... talk with her?"
Kaibi felt nauseous at the thought.
"Talk?! TALK?! After everything that has happened? I can't believe you are the one saying this, Rikuri nee-san!"
"Don't you think I wasn't scared? I am not defending anyone in that situation from years ago" Rikuri knitted her eyebrows as she too trembled slightly" That situation took a toll on me too. I was so very lost back then. But I knew mother longer than you. There was a time when we were happy family. I too have bad memories, but... it is important to resolve this properly."
Kaibi remained silent, before slowly turning back.
"I don't want to have anything to do with her. It is enough that I see glimpses of her within me."
"Kaibi-chan, mother and father had... various circumstances... and it all got so tangled up that..."
"I know all of that already. I just... don't want to bring this on Amazora. She was too little to really understand but..."
Their conversation was interrupted at the arrival at Touma and Amazora, and their voices from the hall.
"Apparently, it's quite severe flu, but the medicine doc administrated will do wonders on her, I am sure" Touma exclaimed with triumph, with Amazora by his side. "Kaibi-san, you are next!"
"Oi, you moron... are you sure that you are okay?"
Touma had dark circles under his eyes and his hair was messier than usual.
"I am fine, it's all okay... I can't really rest unless you are cured."
But then, the doorbell rung. After Kamijou looked to a door camera image, he gasped in surprise.
This was bad, but he could use this to his advantage and save the sisters from the illness.
He was not saying it, but he did need even a moment of rest after 2 days of vigilance.
And the one who awaited at the other side was like a ray of salvation for Kamijou.
'I don't know why this is happening, and I am sure that it will bite me back in the future, but for now, I am so happy to see her!'
"Hello Kamijou-san, I was just visiting Academy City... a-and being nearby by a total accident, I decided to check on y-"
Poor Itsuwa was instantly enveloped in tight hug by Kamijou, who exclaimed with joy:
"Yes! You are all I need right now!"
The poor girl looked at his smiling face centimeters from her own, and slowly, like burning firework, became adorably red, with her lips trembling and head swaying slightly.
"K-Kamijou-san, w-w-what a-a-are you s-s-s-saying..." the sorceress was on the verge of fainting.
"Hmm... who the hell is this?" Kaibi's arrival, which sobered up Itsuwa instantly.
"K-Kamijou-san... that's a good question... who is that girl?"
'How did I get out of this?'
(10 MINUTES OF FRANTIC EXPLANATION LATER)
"Oh, so you are caring for them because they are sick?! What a relief!" Itsuwa said with a smile on her face.
She would appear simply cheerful and gentle, as usual, if not for the fact that she was playing with her Friulian spear using her hands for a few minutes now, and Touma had the strangest of feelings that the spear could become close and personal with him depending on the explanation. Apparently, even Itsuwa could be irritated.
'Wow, I heard rumours from Tatemiya, but I really don't want to piss this girl off!'
He said that, but...
'I couldn't bring myself to tell her the whole truth. I only told her that I live here to care for them, but in fact, I am just staying alongside them all the time, for now at least. W-Well, at some point the truth will come out... I-I am sure I will have some plan by then'
In that moment, something else appeared to him. He silently motioned for Itsuwa to come closer
"Is it fine for you to have your spear in the open? It's not exactly normal thing around here"
"It's okay. I enchanted it so it looks like some everyday item for them"
Well, that explained the lack of major confusion that would be bound to arise from the sister. Except from Amazora that is, who was clearly trying to hold in her laughter. Maybe she saw Itsuwa as some kind of cosplayer?
"Also, what is Kanzaki-san up to?"
"The Priestess? She wanted to come, but for now, she is needed as head of Amakusa to give a report to archbishop."
(ELSEWHERE...)
Kanzaki sighed, sitting on a conference held in medieval hallway.
Even though she complied with orders without making a fuss on the outside, and seemingly adapted her samurai-like attitude
'Ugggh! I wanted to come to visit him. Curse this meeting!'
Inwardly, she was much less pleased.
(...AND BACK)
Even though Itsuwa was introduced as Touma's friend from beyond Academy City, met in educational exchange program, it was still rather obvious that the sisters, especially Kaibi, didn't quite know what to make of that connection.
"Anyway, I will have to do my homework" Touma broke the silence" In the meantime, we may prepare something to eat... Amazora, it's time for medicine!"
"I don't wanna!"
"Well, what if I mix it with sugar syrup?" Itsuwa offered" I think this medicine can be made sweet if needed."
And indeed, after a few minutes, the drug was made sweet without any problems.
"It's all yummy now! I love you, Itsu onee-chan!" Amazora was happily beaming while receiving the desired dose of sugary goodness.
'Itsu onee-chan?! That was fast!' Touma, Kaibi, and Rikuri all thought at once.
"I-It's nothing..." the girl answered, although it was clear that comment of the girl warmed her heart.
"A-Anyway!" Touma clapped his hands to get everyone's attention" It's almost time to get Kaibi-san to the visit. Itsuwa, I hate to ask this of you so shortly after arrival, but could you take Kaibi to the hospital for short check? She knows which hospital... in fact, you visited me there before, so you both know the way."
Itsuwa beamed at him, spinning and retracting her spear to give him thumbs up.
"Leave this to me! Kaibi-san, was it? Let's get you to the doctor and get to know each other better!"
"N-Now wait just a second..." Kaibi tried to protest, but found herself overwhelmed by Itsuwa's cheerful enthusiasm to help Touma. Shortly after, they both departed.
After some time, the apartment returned to relatively normalcy. Amazora went to the sister's bedroom to get some rest. Meanwhile Rikuri...
"Ooops, I spilled it again? Clumsy me..."
The oldest sister tried to make tea, but her shaking hands made her spill most of the contents before she achieved the task.
"Rikuri-san, please lay down. I will make you some good tea" Touma quickly hurried to the kitchen. As he helped her get to the sofa, he failed to notice small smirk on her face.
That's right. Although Rikuri was undoubtedly sick, one should not forget that this beautiful young woman mixed sweet romanticism with mischievous allure.
'If my hands shake so much, you will have to help me drink it, boy~'
Rikuri tried to make it up to Kamijou Touma for caring for them and genuinely desired to help. Buuuuut... who said she could not benefit in some way?
It would be shocking to anyone who heard it, but in truth, Gokusai Rikuri did not have significantly deep romantic history. Everyone was charmed, sure, but they were either intimidated by her looks or the bonds were too frail/focused on physical side of things.
That's why duality of Gokusai Rikuri, the manipulative dark side chemist fighting with flying drones, but also the young woman seeking romantic love, arose. She craved to see those deep bonds and experience them in her own way. With small, physical steps in between.
Touma arrived, and she waited with eyes closed.
"Now just a moment, Rikuri-san... I will help you drink it just about now..."
'Now... what are you waiting for? Just do it...'
"Say "aaaah""
She complied, with triumph in her heart.
Plop!
Her eyes opened immediately after synthetic sensation on her lips. She reached up to find...
"A baby bottle?"
"Yeah, I was lucky that there was one in apartment's accessories. Kind of wonder why one would be here... m-maybe I don't want to know. Now, if you secure the bottle with your lips, and grab it with your hands, you won't have to worry about spilling it... R-Rikuri-san?..."
Resting her forehead on her hand, Rikuri broke into the fit of giggles. Although they quickly turned into coughing, she still maintained an amused smile on her face as she looked at Touma.
"It's nothing... you just never cease to amuse me, Kamijou Touma"
Although dark side would not leave them quickly, even if they wanted it to, Rikuri could not recall the time when she laughed so frequently and freely. That was the same for Amazora, and even for Kaibi, as much as she did not want to admit it.
It was a small thing. But for those tainted with darkness, those small moments could be the only happiness they could get in a long time. And Rikuri was so glad her family could experience it now.
Her musings were interrupted as she shivered yet again. Even she wore a pyjama, the cold was spreading throughout her body. She could not help but let it show. She was not sure, but her teeth could be chattering.
Rikuri expected Touma, who also noticed her trembling, to wrap her with a blanket. But he surprised her yet again.
She felt him hugging her from the front and wrapping his arms around her back.
"Hyah?!"
"I-I am sorry, but your sisters have two blankets, and the other two are in the washing machine after Amazora puked on them... but I heard that you can boost the temperature like this... your overall fever is down, but if you are shivering, I thought..."
Rikuri's face grew slightly hot during boy's rambling. To elaborate: she was the type of girl who would tease and flirt to her heart's content, but grew flustered when someone managed to overturn her expectations.
"I-I am not that skilled or anything, but I will massage your back to increase your temperature, okay?"
And so, Touma began to rub Rikuri's back, with the pair still hugging. It was not long before the girl felt the warmth permeating her body. It felt like a best onsen. Not to mention that Touma's massage on her back was also doing his job. Even if she bit her lip, a few sounds escaped from her mouth, almost next to Touma's ear.
'Damn, she is so close. But it's just to help her... they are pressing on me... focus! Focus on the massage!'
Touma was also heating up, albeit for slightly different reason. Nevertheless, the warmth that surrounded them both and caused shivers to slowly subside.
In moments of reflection between waves of pleasure from massage on her back and arms, Rikuri looked at deeply flustered yet focused Touma.
I am not that oblivious. I am well aware that I am your type. But...
She reincorporated the hug which actually startled Touma for a moment.
'...the fact that you are putting your desires away to ensure my comfort and health, in situation when many would fall to their lust, and instead made me feel good with your warmth and presence... that's so damn attractive quality... pretty hot, no pun intended... oh, yes, that's the spot...'
After some time, Touma stopped the massage.
"That should do it. Now, I keep getting a feeling that I forgot about something important..."
He was on his level. If he continued, he would probably overheat himself.
He laid Rikuri on the sofa, but the girl grabbed him and yanked him down ever so slightly.
"Lay down... come on, don't be shy..." Rikuri mumbled sleepily.
"But..."
"I don't mind. Come on, rest with me. Rescuer is not a good one if he becomes a victim himself. We don't want you collapsing from exhaustion."
Normally, Touma would probably argue that sleeping close to sick person would also be risky. But in truth, he was tired, and sleepiness was getting to him. Before he knew it, he laid on their wide sofa next to her.
Rikuri's warmth, touch of her skin, and sweet smell were intoxicating. Touma had no idea that the sensations were incorporated on Rikuri's part. The girl hugged him with a smile.
"Allow me to return the favour."
'We may come from different sides of Academy City... but I do want to know him... to get to know his mentality and strength... and then, the reward of physical intimacy will be that much sweeter...'
Before they knew it, both of them fell asleep close to each other.
(SOME TIME LATER...)
A doorbell rang.
Touma opened one eye, and snapped back into reality when he noticed Rikuri sleeping almost face-to-face with him.
With a heavy blush, he untangled himself from the gorgeous girl, earning a mumble of disapproval from her.
He get to the door, activated the door camera. And paled instantly.
"Oi, Kamijou. Are you there?" a female voice shouted.
"Fukiyose..." Kamijou whispered in terror.
THAT was what he forgot about. Since he made up the story about being sick, class would send someone to deliver the notes for him. He told them their new address, and while it was nice from them to deliver the notes, did it have to be that Iron Wall of deadly punches? If she discovered their current situation...
'Sending Tsuchimikado or Aogami would have been a disaster for different reasons. Oh, maybe Himegami would be nice...'
However, this was his reality. Amazora was still sleeping and there was probably no danger from her side. Which meant the only one he needed to worry about...
Ignoring the further knocking on the door, Touma practically pounced to Rikuri's laying on the sofa.
"Rikuri-san, Rikuri-san! Please wake up!" he tried to get her to awake but to no avail. In contrast to Amazora and Kaibi, she was a relatively heavy sleeper.
So the only option was...
Touma lifted the girl, and she practically folded in his hands, still asleep.
"KAMIJOU! YOU MORON! I have something for you, so open or else I am going in!"
'Going in? Kaibi and Itsuwa didn't fully close them?!'
Scanning his surroundings, he failed to spot the location in which the oldest Gokusai would be unnoticed.
Except...
"Please bear it for a moment, Rikuri-san. I will apologize later"
And with that, he tried to put Rikuri in the closet.
He failed at least 4 times, with either swaying head with blond locks, torso, or shapely legs of the girl falling out. And just when he finally succeeded...
The doors burst open as his busty classmate came inside.
Fukiyose crossed her arms, looking at Kamijou currently blocking the doors of the closet.
"Didn't you hear me knocking?"
"I-I just woke up... and I did want to open, but didn't make it..."
"Why are you leaning like that?" the girl knitted her eyebrows, as he noticed Kamijou putting his body weight on the closet's door.
"Y-You know... as I was going to open for you, the weakness just overtook me and I had to rest..."
Fukiyose watched him for a moment, before walking to him and handing him a few sheets of paper and small notebook.
"Make copy, and don't forget about homeworks. They are crucial preparation for our exams"
"Right..."
"You are sweating quite a bit, you know?"
"A-Am I? Heh, you know how the fever is..."
The sweating had, in truth, totally different reason. And the cause was the girl locked in the closet behind Touma.
"Well..." Fukiyose spoke after a moment "Get well soon and take a small break. It is important to recover. Even though it is clearly calmer, the class feels empty without you. And those two morons may go wild without you as well. I-I just wanted to say... emm... I will check on you to see if you are better"
Touma smiled at her. He was not truly sick, but it was comforting to know that his friends cared for him.
But just as Fukiyose turned around to leave, the closet shook slightly.
"What was that?"
"I-I hit my leg on the closet just now... y-yeah..."
"Kamijou... you are not faking sickness to dash off to irresponsibly involve yourself in something stupid, do you?" the girl walked to his side again, piercing him with her gaze.
Kamijou's sweating increased.
"What are you talking about, Fukiyose... o-of course not..."
"So if I were to open that closet behind you, I wouldn't find anything out of order?"
She reached forward...
But then her phone got a new message.
Fukiyose stopped in her tracks, and scanned the message with her eyes. She sighed, looking at Touma.
"It looks like Aisa is saying that I am late to meet with Komoe-sensei. It looks like I have to go now. But I have an eye on you! So, take care."
And with that, she departed. As the doors closed, he breathed sigh of relief.
'Safe... you are not here Himegami, but I could kiss you right now for saving me from those iron fists!'
In the other part of Academy City, black haired miko girl found herself blushing for no apparent reason.
Kamijou grinned like a mad man and stepped forward, punching the air in triumph.
"Yes!"
His reason to be happy was certainly understandable.
But didn't he forget about something? Or rather, someone?
The closet's doors creaked. And with the majesty of shooting star, Gokusai Rikuri fell butt first onto Kamijou Touma, crashing him with her body.
When Itsuwa and Kaibi returned 10 minutes later, they were greeted by certainly peculiar sight.
"Owie..." Rikuri yawned, rubbing her eyes" what am I doing here... Ara, I feel strange... K-Kamijou-san?"
Yes. Itsuwa blushed and Kaibi slowly reached to her rubber projectile gun as they took in the view of Kamijou Touma sprawled flat, with his head smashed to the floor under Rikuri's butt.
(AFTER SOME CPR AND SHOOTING LATER)
"I-I said I am sorry..." Touma mumbled, as Itsuwa pressed compress to his head. "That was a stupid idea."
"You bet" Kaibi huffed with annoyance "What were you doing with Rikuri nee-san when I was away?"
"It was not anything bad! I just warmed her up because she was shivering!"
"O-Oh, you are quite bold Kamijou-san..." Itsuwa muttered in blank tone.
"B-Both of you, stop starting at me as if I was a human equivalent of garbage. It's not what you think!"
"He used his body to warm me up. It was a very pleasant experience..." Rikuri added sweetly.
"K-Kaibi-san, don't reach for your gun again! M-Massage! It was a massage! And you, stop saying things with double meanings!"
"And how does that link with Rikuri-san falling from the closet and you being under her butt?"
"Yes, boy~. I am curious as well. To think that you had such fantasies..."
"STOP! I also got hurt, so let's call it even"
"That's true Kaibi-san. Kamijou-san really did suffered from... emm..."
"Riku nee-chan's ass being too big" Amazora, who recently rejoined them, delivered ultimate blow.
That caused the normally in-control busty girl to blush and stutter, as she tried to get a good look at herself.
"M-My butt is not that huge...i-is it?"
Ignoring her, Kaibi sighed and addressed Touma.
"I am hungry. Can you work something out?"
"Gladly" Touma would do anything to divert the attention away from the fact that he almost received an epitaph:
HERE LIES KAMIJOU TOUMA
CRUSHED TO DEATH BY GOKUSAI RIKURI'S ASS
HE WILL BE HATED BY ALL MALE POPULATION
FOR ETERNITY
Albeit to some, it would be best way to go out. Touma could even sympathize with...
No, he could not let himself be distracted again.
"Can I help you?" Itsuwa offered, and Touma smiled at her.
"I will be more than happy"
(15 MINUTES LATER)
Kaibi was silently watching from the chair as their apartment filled with life and vigour.
Rikuri regained strength and started to modify her flying drones, getting lost in her work.
However, Kaibi's attention was focused on the pair in the kitchen, Touma and Itsuwa. Amazora was also there, trying to help cook, with emphasis on trying. But their two cooks didn't seem to mind.
Kaibi went back to their travel to the hospital.
The atmosphere was rather awkward, but Itsuwa did her best to keep the small talk running. Kaibi on the other hand, had a better idea than idle chatting. Namely, to unravel the real connection between the older girl and Kamijou Touma.
To do this, she used her normally flawless power of Measure Heart, to achieve the strangest of results.
She could not get the girl to talk, no matter how much she decreased the distance between them. When she got to the level of lover, Itsuwa actually got defensive so she stopped putting pressure any further. What she got was some interesting story about them meeting on some battlefield, but it was so vague that she could not make anything from it.
Besides such weaknesses as distance, lack of consciousness, and some form of immunity to her power, Measure Heart did not work well on someone with some form of extreme ideal. Kamijou Touma, who extended unconditional salvation and could punch someone regardless of who they were, or Accelerator, who could go berserk regardless of emotional distance, were examples of such people.
'This girl... either her loyalty to Kamijou is so strong that she won't break no matter what... or she has a deep feeling that she must keep their connection special... maybe it's both'
Kaibi could not help, even if she did not want to at first, to admire that in Itsuwa.
She watched as the girl and boy in the kitchen moved in perfect synch, cooking together. From time to time, they discussed something and returned to their tasks.
The way their body language work, their team work (even if it was only in the kitchen), the way Itsuwa smiled when she looked at Touma, and how relaxed Touma seemed around her...
Those two looked like a blissfully married happy couple. And if it wasn't for Touma's denseness and Itsuwa's shyness, they would probably be dating by now.
Kaibi watched and as she observed Itsuwa, she yet again felt that heart wrenching feeling. She experienced it whenever she looked at both of them together.
Was it jealousy? Jealousy because of Itsuwa was here? No, that was not really it.
What she was truly jealous of was the bond itself. Kamijou and Itsuwa seemed to glow, illuminating the room with warmth and family atmosphere.
Itsuwa herself was like the gentle candle warmth. She cared, smiled, laughed, was sweet, competent, and was clearly used to life for and with others.
Kaibi was a complete opposite. She was professional, calculative, seductive if needed, was secretive and worked as an assassin. Besides her sisters, she was a lone wolf. In time, she faced a problem many telepathic types faced. Since she could regulate emotional distances, so in time, the line of what was genuine and what was false started to blur.
Having Itsuwa here, who could just enjoy this sincerity and smile from the bottom of her heart, filled Kaibi with both anger and bitterness, even though she knew that it wasn't the girl's fault. Kaibi's past experiences, current life, and characteristic of her power shaped her into who she was now. She often enjoyed that life. Only sometimes... she was curious about what other side looked like.
They were similar in some regards. Kaibi could sense that Itsuwa could also fight if she was pushed to the brink. Her instinct as the dark sider told her that in some areas she was too a professional who was good at what she did.
But if Itsuwa was like warm fire, Kaibi was like a chilling ice. Beautiful and awe inspiring, but isolated and alone. Bringing death and destruction but in reality easy to break or melt down.
Yet even with all this frustration, she could not bring herself to hate the girl. Not because of how Itsuwa acted as a person. But because Kaibi had to admit that she admired the bond the shy girl had with Touma.
So instead of hating, she would observe and try to learn. That was probably the best she could do. She would learn from her mistakes and make herself stronger. It was through this method she became stronger than ever, so she could protect her sisters.
She looked at Amazora. Itsuwa was currently instructing her how to make cookies using flour and eggs. And it wasn't the only thing. She also showed her how to toss things on the frying pan, properly cook miso soup, cut the vegetables, and filet the fish.
It was rather unrewarding, Kaibi knew that firsthand. The contents of the frying pan landed on the floor, vegetables were unevenly cut, the soup almost evaporated, and fish looked as if someone used chainsaw on it. But Itsuwa had amazing amount of patience, and unyielding gentleness in her eyes.
It was almost blinding. It was the same type of radiating compassion that Kamijou emitted.
Apparently, Itsuwa lived with some sort of community and that was why she was good in tending for others in sickness and health.
Kaibi's thoughts went on and on, and she became unaware that Rikuri watched her for some time.
'My little sister is actually jealous and it's so cute!'
BOOM!
The unprepared dough exploded (somehow), sending the floor in all directions.
"Pfft!" Itsuwa blew some of the powder off her face. The micro-dust explosion made her frayed bobcut stick up, exposing her forehead.
"Emm... sorry onii-chan, Itsu onee-chan" Amazora looked downwards with shame. However, Touma patted girl's head with reassuring smile.
"You did great, Amazora. No one is great on their first day. Although this may be enough for today."
Itsuwa giggled, looking at her reflection in the microwave.
"Wow Amazora-san, you did quite a makeover to me But... oh no, we made quite a mess of things, didn't we?"
"Yeah, Itsu onee-chan looks like a snow monster now?"
Itsuwa chuckled involountarily, which caused her to accidentally inhale the whiteness around them. She coughed with tears in her eyes. She trailed off, wrinkling her nose slightly.
"I am sorry, I think I am going to snee..."
Not managing to finish the thought, Itsuwa closed her eyes and sneezed gently, politely turning away.
"Itsuwa..."
"E...Excus..."
Another interruption, turned into another soft sneeze.
After few more seconds and 3rd sneeze, Itsuwa managed to get rid off flour dust in her nose.
"I-I am sorry."
"No worry, bless you Itsuwa"
"Thank you, Kamijou-san"
"Wait..."
Touma took a clean towel from the cupboard, moistened it, and closed in to Itsuwa. Immediately, even though her face was purely white, young Amakusan reddened spectacularly fast.
"W-What are you doing K-Kamijou-san?I will just go wash myself and..."
"No, let me do this here. If you leave, whole apartment will have trails of flour. Close your eyes."
The blushing girl closed her eyes as Touma delicately washed her face, paying attention to clean her whole.
Kaibi huffed at that, and bit her lip even harder.
"T-Then, allow me to do the same for y-"
"No, let me do that" Kaibi walked into the kitchen "You still have flour on your hands."
Itsuwa hesitated for a moment, before relenting. Kaibi then started to wash Touma's face.
She earlier felt pissed at herself for... well, being pissed.
And now, even if she could not admit it, the feeling of triumph was overwhelming.
However... it was rather short lived...
Because after they tidied up and ate...
"Hmph" Kaibi eyed Touma and Itsuwa who fell asleep next to each other. Although they stayed upright, their heads and arms leaned on each other, as they both breathed steadily in their sleep, stemming from not sleeping for 2 nights and jet lag.
Those two really looked good together.
Kaibi had the decency to admit that.
But deep down, she knew why she was pissed. It was because Itsuwa right now reminded her of the moment she and Kamijou shared just slightly before her illness.
She woke up by Kamijou side, hair undone and with arms around him. And although she was then sobered up from her nightly ideas, and considered what she did a bit foolish on her own part, she felt inexplicable surge of peaceful bliss for a few seconds.
It was foolish to consider that moment like that was only hers. In fact, why did it even matter?
She said nothing but walked away with her fists clenched, swaying slightly. The fever almost disappeared but she was still weakened.
"Screw sickness" she spat out, as she disappeared in the corridor " I wonder if someone else out there thinks the same"
(MEANWHILE, IN THE UNITED KINGDOM)
"Hah... Hekshih! God damn it, it's freezing out here! Sickness sucks!"
The forceful sneeze and angry comment came from a mature blond haired woman wearing red dress, as she walked through the courtyard leading to Buckingham Palace.
Carissa, second princess of United Kingdom, was many things. Military prodigy, short-term dictator of coup known as the British Halloween, unyielding patriot, and sharp tongue combatant with a stinging sense of humour.
However, one thing she was not was being patient and graceful in sickness.
She hated colds. And she just so happened to catch one while on the mission.
And it was not, mind you, because she wanted someone to care for her. She could do all by herself. Yeah...
She no longer had to remain in prison, but she lived in secluded corner of the palace, remained under constant observation, her total freedom was limited, and had to give reports of her work (some scouting missions and community service) to her mother and sister.
Which, as infuriating as it was, she was about to do right now, as she walked inside, through corridors and to the main audience room.
Why was this irritating?
Because of the fact that she was bound to do those chores and community service? Kind of, but she had it coming.
Because of her living conditions or cold? That was in fact pissing her of a lot, but she could bear it.
No, the main issue here was...
"Rimea, you won't believe this! That boy did it again..." her mother's voice reached her ears.
"Hmm, hmm, interesting. It could influence..."
"Yeah, but I don't care about that! He is a riot! Can you imagine that he..."
"Well I suppose that he could..."
Those bits of conversations from her older sister, Princess Rimea, and mother, queen regnant Elizard, confirmed to Carissa that the topic of the gossip was the one of the usual ones.
Namely, Kamijou Touma.
That boy made quite a commotion during his visit in United Kingdom. Carissa herself was very well aware of that fact. Kamijou Touma was a pillar of opposition of her coup. Her cheek still felt phantom pain of his punch combined with William Orwell's strength. No one ever hurt her that badly.
She thought everything through and meticulously planned it, yet that boy stopped her. And while she could admit that she escalated things a little far, thinking about him made her blood boil.
Not that she was thinking about him a lot. Yes. Maybe a little. A little bit.
But he was hailed as hero of British Halloween, to the point that her own mother made outrageous idea of having her or Rimea in maid dresses to serve him. After things mellowed down a little bit, the queen decided that the knighthood was an open option for Touma should he ever decide to take the title.
However, even with this plans, Kamijou, as prominent figure in magic world, host of Imagine Breaker, with links to Necessarius and Amakusa among others, remained the topic of various conversations between members of royal family.
The exact topics varied. Some talks were about pure tactical stuff and approximations of what Touma could do in the future (this often came from Rimea), some whacky and misfortunate actions Touma was part of in the past or had right now (this often came from Elizard) or just kind hearted admiration of his actions (which was contributed by Villian).
But the absolute worst were...
"Oh, you are here. For the report, I guess..." Elizard spoke with amused face "we were just talking about Kamijou Touma. You know, someone who sent you flying from ecstasy"
"You can also say that her heart soared from all the love. Those feelings were like a punch to the face" Rimea's lips twitched into small smirk ever so slightly.
...the so called "Touma and Carissa jokes"
Carissa knew of them. Her mother knew of them. Her sisters knew of them. All the maids and butlers knew of them. Everybody apparently knew of those bloody jokes!
They consisted of various references to hers and Kamijou's battle during final part of British Halloween, particularly about the finishing punch, and had to include some horrendous puns. For some reason, everybody was silently telling them behind her back.
Carissa was infuriated with that. Sure, she agreed to have her punishment, but this felt like a violation of human rights.
"Very funny. I will kill you later for that."
"Please, leave her be. She is sick and needs care" ever helpful Villian brought the tray with tea. But even she was trying to hold her laughter in, which gave her face a comical look.
"I wrote my report down. If you have nothing else, then I am leaving" Carissa grumbled, snatching a cup of tea, taking it to her lips and turning around to the door.
"Actually, Carissa" Elizard began with the same cheerful tone as before" how long do I have to wait for grandchildren? Kamijou Touma is, by all accounts, a healthy young man. I am sure you would bore a healthy and strong prince or princess..."
Carissa choked and double took the entire stream of tea to the carpet. One of the maids quickly dashed to clean it up.
"Excuse me, what the hell? What is with this shit? How does he and me even link? I want nothing to do with him."
"I deduce that you are not being genuine and honest here" Rimea sighed, adjusting her monocle" I am pretty sure you mentioned that you wanted to see him again"
"Oh yes I do!" Carissa roared, stomping her foot to the ground" I want to wipe this smile of his face. When I see him again I will... I will..."
"For me, it sounds like you are just confused about your relationship. You think "why would he want to talk with the former enemy" or something like that"
Carissa fell silent.
'Damn, she is truly right!'
Initially, she truly wanted to never see Kamijou Touma again. But after some time and reflection, she could not help but replay their battle in her mind. And each time, something made her exhilarated. She could not focus. She could not sleep without seeing this stupid grin.
She hated it. She hated it. She hated it!
But she could not stop. She could not stop focusing on Kamijou Touma. She did not know why.
He was a commoner, she was a princess. She was a warrior fighting for her country, he was a hero fighting for unconditional salvation. Their status, origin, temper, age, everything seemed to be separating him. But...
She did not want him to truly disappear from her life.
"Well..." Rimea rose up, shifting some of the papers in her hands" In the last letter, Kamijou mentioned that he really wants to see if you are okay"
Carissa bit her lip.
'Tch, look at him, getting concerned. I am not some weak little princess, I am Carissa of-... wait...'
"Hold on... letter?"
"Yes. Myself and Kamijou are... what the commoners call it... pen pals?" Rimea looked at papers in her hands" in fact, those are some of the letters."
Carissa's mind logged out of existence.
"Letters? As in more than one?"
"Yes. Mother proposed I should start 2 months ago" the black haired princess answered calmly
"Written between him and you? You?"
"Yes. I find his observations... refreshing, simple, and interesting at times. And it's surprisingly pleasant... so I try to write to him when I can." Rimea smiled slightly.
"Your social skills are the equivalent of the award for participation!"
"I am your future queen you know. You have guts to talk to me like that. I have no clear concept of friendship because of cautious principles, so the relations I share with Kamijou Touma are still undefined."
"What's that, my cute Risa?" Elizard rose an eyebrow" Are you by chance jealous that Rimea has something you hoped for?~"
"Y-You wish! I don't care about that!" the warrior princess fumed. Villian gently touched her sister's arm.
"Sis, I know you are proud and strong. But I think you need to see him or write to him. That would give you closure you desire. You know, to move from your... coup... self. I will support you all the way! I don't care that you are probably mistaking your feelings and turning them into anger"
"I don't... I am not..." it was a wonder that Carissa did not burst into flames at that moment" Villian... grrr... Listen, no one ever defied me like that. He just stood there and braced through it all. No one ever did that to me! He humiliated me! So when I see him, I will do all I can to make him bend the knee. Then I will humiliate him just as hard. And then..."
"Sister, are you... panting?"
Carissa blinked. She was not aware that her breathing slightly changed. Her face heated up slightly. What the hell happened there?
After a moment of silence, Rimea took a quill and wrote down, while also reading out loud:
"Dear Kamijou Touma, it's Princess Rimea. Carissa denied her feelings and rejected the offer of keeping contact..."
Carissa twitched slightly.
"Also, after your battle, my sister developed..."
A fist was clenched...
"... a strange fetish..."
"ALL RIGHT, FINE! I will write to him, don't lose your minds. And don't you dare send that to him!"
"You know..." Elizard smirked slightly, reaching to the bag to her feet" Kamijou did in fact send you something. He might be a little bit terrified of your personality, but he still cares. He sent a preserved gift."
It was a bouquet of flowers, with a hand written note "With best wishes from Academy City, to Princess Carissa. K.T". The plants well still rather well preserved. There were small, white flowers with five long pettals.
"I think he had some help with those, presumably from a girl. But I guess he was the one to think about it and it's really sweet of him"
"Also, it's rather good coincidence. Those are the flowers of the plant known as carissa macrocarpa, or natal plum. Although knowing that boy, he did not think about that as much, but it's kind of romantic to send the girl... or a woman, a flower after which she is named"
"Dumbass..." Carissa muttered, but in truth, even she was quite in shock.
In the past, all men fled from sight when she was around. She intimidated them and she surely never received a gift before. So it was truly an alien territory to her.
"But seeing that you are a warrior princess, and not a flower girl, I will just order it to be thrown-"
The bouquet was swapped away by the angry second princess.
"I will write to him. And I am not trusting you with those flowers. I will dispose of them myself!"
"Splendid! While we are on the topic of sending things, myself and Rimea thought of a way to make yourself more approachable" Elizard beamed at her daughters, while showing some old looking photos.
The photo showed 3 girls, one reading a book, the other crying with her knee bruised, and the youngest trying to call for help.
Then there was young Carissa crying over bird with broken wing. Small Carissa in bath. Carissa in her kindergarten outfit. There were lots of those.
"Wow, it is true that you were more of a crybaby than Villian, when you put it into perspective" Rimea commented.
The second princesses' cheeks were set aflame, her teeth grit, and her eyes glowing red.
"Where the hell is Curtana?! If any of those see daylight, I will make the end of the world come for sure. And if you send any to him, I will hunt it down if it's the last thing I am gonna do!"
On that night, Carissa roamed the castle as if she was the demon lord summoned on earth.
Later, she finally decided to take a quill and put her thoughts on paper, for a certain guy to receive.
Because in all of dominance and yearning for her own supremacy, Carissa could not forget one thing.
Kamijou Touma saved her life from Fiamma, as she was discarded and alone after her loss. That was understandable and she was ready to face it, but he still came to her. Even in Carissa's hardened warrior heart, she felt gratitude. Because thanks to Kamijou Touma, she could choose what she wanted to do next. The choosing of staying the same or changing oneself was one thing, the possibility of making that choice at all was another.
She admired his tenacity, his bravery, and straightforward philosophy that was as captivating as it was naive.
She wanted to make him bow. But she could not stop the excitement unbecoming of a princess and military commander whenever she thought of him.
The carissa flowers were on her night table for a few days, and then taken to safe place, away from prying eyes. When her cold passed, Carissa would take a good whiff of their fragrance in secrecy. It was quite a sweet smell, and although she would never admit it out loud, she loved it so damn much. From that day on, the carissa flowers and that sweet smell were linked to the strange feeling she experienced when thinking of Kamijou Touma.
Needless to say, the flowers were never thrown away, as the princess plotted how to meet the misfortunate boy yet again.
(IN JAPAN)
Touma hummed gently, why washing the dishes. He recently got back with Rikuri, and it seemed all sisters were on their best way to recovery.
Itsuwa had to leave just minutes ago, but they promised to stay in touch with each other.
Amazora, Kaibi, and Rikuri were watching some movie and he finished washing the last plate when a doorbell rang.
"Oh, maybe Itsuwa forgot something?" he thought happily, as he went to open the door.
What awaited on the other side was definitely not Itsuwa though. A tall figure, barely fitting in the door, looked at him with contempt.
"Kamijou Touma!"
Touma slammed the door.
"Who is it? Your friend?" Rikuri asked from the couch.
"I would not think he calls as like that. It's a..."
The door burst open, as the figure in black robes and red hair marched into the room.
Touma sighed
"Everyone, this is Stiyl Magnus. He is a priest from England, and apparently, he wants something with me"
"Oh I do. What the hell were you thinking, leaving Index..." Stiyl began, but stopped and noticed 3 sisters in the living room. He slowly looked at Touma.
"Who is-"
"Oi, oi, giant onii-chan!" Amazora bounced up with her hand in the air "Why are you so tall? Why do you have a barcode tattoo? Are you really a priest? Are you-"
"Surprises don't end there" Touma muttered under his breath" He is more or less Kaibi-san's age."
"WHAT?!"
"Amazora" Rikuri tried to regain some good manners in the situation, even though the fact that there was someone almost half meter taller than her yet almost 4 years younger clearly shocked her "You should not ask all those questions, it is rude. What if that barcode encodes his secret doujin stash or something."
Stiyl yanked Touma up and de facto held him under his arm.
"Outside. NOW!"
With a position like this, Touma could not help but comply.
"Who does he think he-" Kaibi tried to intervene. She did not like the fact that this guy just barged here out of nowhere. However, Rikuri stopped her.
"Sometimes, guys have to do it in their own way. Let's go to the balcony and watch it unfold, for now~"
Also...
'She actually wanted to protect him right now. Kaibi-chan, you are sooooo cute!'
(AT THE GROUND LEVEL, IN FRONT OF THE BUILDING)
Stiyl was not in best of moods. Albeit to be fair, he was rarely in enthusiastic mood.
"Kanzaki told me that you left Index in her care. Although it's better than completely abandon her, why did you ditch your responsibilities as her guardian?"
"I didn't ditch them" Touma protested" I merely transferred them to someone else for the time being."
"It came rather easy for you"
"It really didn't. Listen, I would not do it if not for some unforeseen circumstances that made me wait for the repair of my dorm. Do you want Index to live in the ruins?"
That made Stiyl silent for a moment, before he shook his head.
"But what is this that I see? You should work with your tears and sweat pouring down her face to make a new place for her. In the meantime, you are here with 3 women to satisfy your desires"
"Do I look like a construction worker, you stupid fire magician?! I intend to have good dorm for Othinus and Index. But those things take time. As for Gokusai..."
He paused. He did not really know how to decently explain their situation for this occasion.
Unfortunately, the pause was a little bit too long, as Stiyl nodded with dismay on his face.
"So that's how it is. Is Index truly not enough?"
" What "that" are we talking about? And why do I have the feeling that you will be pissed at every answer I give?!"
Stiyl reached under his robe, and Touma quickly positioned his right arm in front of him.
"Stiyl, this is pointless. I can negate your runic fire, and summoning Innocentius would draw too much... what the hell?!"
What Stiyl pulled out wasn't his usual runic card. It was...
"Is that... a miniature flamethrower?" Touma choked out.
"I am well aware of the capabilities of your right hand. So I came prepared. You can't cancel out natural fire, can you? Meanwhile, I can control it just fine."
Touma took a small step back.
"S-Stiyl, come on... you are a magician... I know all of you, it's not your style..."
"How do you say it on science side? Improvise, adapt, overcome? Now roast for your sins!"
The current of fire was unleashed , and what followed was a scene from an old as world comedy chase scene, with Kamijou escaping from flamethrower held by furious Stiyl.
Meanwhile, three sisters watched it with disbelief in their eyes.
"Are all guys like this? Giant onii-chan looks like he likes to set buildings on fire" Amazora mumbled.
"I... truly don't know, my little sister" Rikuri was just as stunned. "However, I still think that this is just a quarrel between friends... no matter how strange it seems"
"Well, that moron truly does have some interesting friends" Kaibi commented, eyeing the sight.
Then, something else appeared in the corner of her vision.
"Isn't that-..."
(MEANWHILE)
Touma knew that Stiyl did not want to truly kill him. But since Stiyl didn't have any objections regarding torturing him before, Touma knew that he can very well become well-done grilled Kamijou Touma.
However, just when Stiyl wanted to unleash yet another stream of fire.
"Excuse me, young man, but he is an important person close to the heart of mine. I would like you to leave him be"
Stiyl stopped for a moment. But maybe because the girl's voice sounded young, polite, and harmless, he ignored it.
But before next attack could come, Stiyl and entire area around him were frozen solid. Temperature dropped as ice crept on the walls. Touma was largely unaffected, however one of his legs froze of to the ground as well.
Behind Stiyl there was a very irritated girl with a miko esthetic.
"Honestly, I don't want to be the one to goes along the surface looks, but new generation is just plainly rude" she fumed, before beaming at Touma
"H-Hasako c-chan?
" How are you, Kamijou-san?"
"C-Cold?"
"Oh yes, right. I tried to make you outside the area of effect, but it seems that you still suffered some of it"
There was a bubbling sound, and the ice around Stiyl melted, as he collapsed in the pool of hot water. He managed to stand up, but the experience clearly shook him to the core, literally and emotionally.
"Oh?" Hasako raised an eyebrow " No ordinary man can escape from my ice. You must have a real talent with heat abilities"
She offered Stiyl a hand.
"My name is Kankyougami Hasako, some call me Beginning Child. I was raised to have manners, so I try not to hold grudges. But if you continue to endanger Kamijou Touma..."
Her smile fell. Kamijou heard cracking sound, as the ice disappeared.
"We can still fight. I can even give you environmental advantage. You are going to need it."
Touma once again was reminded that the battle persona of Hasako was completely different from her regular sweet and curious self.
The asphalt shimmered with heat, as small streams of magma appeared in the cracks.
Stiyl looked at the girl. Suddenly, she seemed to dominate over entire area.
'What is this immense pressure of power? I don't sense mana, so she must be an esper. However, church has the information on the high level espers, and no one matches that appearance and power. This boy gained yet another powerful ally?'
"No, it's quite all right" Stiyl sighed, lowering his weapon "I just wanted this idiot to realize a few things. I think he got the picture"
Volcanic glow disappeared, as Hasako smiled to Stiyl and ran past him to hug Touma.
"Senpai, I've been wondering this for some time" Kamijou mumbled with his face got buried in first esper's hair "How is it that you are not affected by your environmental power? You don't burn surrounded by magma or don't freeze surrounded by ice"
"Hmm? I think my AIM field protects me. I heard that in this generation, there is a... level 5, you call them... who can control electricity. The reason why I am immune to my environments is the same as why that esper is not shocked with her own lightning"
Kaibi, who went outside a minute or two ago, looked at Kamijou and first esper.
"Wow, I already saw this, but she acts like an overprotective senpai in regards to him. If she wasn't so powerful, it would be actually a cute sight"
After all, Kaibi was a witness to what would happen if Touma died in front of Beginning Child. So she hoped he would be alive for the City's sake at least.
(FEW HOURS LATER)
"I knew there was too much good events recently..." Touma mumbled under the covers.
Ultimately, he got old regular cold. He will probably be fine by tomorrow, but he still wondered why he got sick. Hasako's ice? Sisters' illness?
Well, there was no going around it. With combination on confabulation on his part, and usage of Measure Heart on Kaibi's part, they managed to get Stiyl to leave without his suspicions.
But...
"Why is Hasako under my covers as well?" he yelled, as the older-than-she-looked cute girl with a miko esthetic cuddled with him under sheets.
One phone to Kumokawa senpai changed everything.
"Oh, I didn't tell you, boy~? She will sleep in your apartment. At her requests, she will spend half of week's nights with you and half with me"
"I was not informed at all! And it makes as sound as couple sharing a custody!"
"Is that so... so you thought about us like that..."
"Yes... no... senpai, I can't just-"
"Good luck~"
She hang up.
And now, he face 3 sisters... in the maid dresses?
"You... we made this sacrifice of our dignity to make up for being a burden in our sickness" Kaibi trembled in rage" And you play together in bed with Hasako-chan."
Apparently, the sisters already felt a whole lot better.
"I think I like this outfit. Kaibi-san got them for us" Rikuri swirled around. The maid dress revealed a lot of her beautiful legs and well proportioned figure" Although, I must say... I can't breathe well... the size is a little bit too small..."
She of course referred to her big chest, held by valiant, yet unbelievably strained buttons.
"Onii-chan, I made you a porridge. Itsu onee-chan taught me that it is the best thing for being sick..." Amazora showed something that looked like a proper dish.
"I think you need to be punished..." Kaibi aimed with her rubber projectile gun.
And then... everything happened in a truly devastating sequence.
"Ah!..."
Amazora tripped on the carpet. The bowl was sent flying to the air.
That distracted Kaibi and she fired her mock-weapon.
Upon that, Rikuri gasped. This sudden change of volume of air in her lungs was the final straw which sent the valiant button flying at incredible speed, and caused her bosom to bounce up and down.
Touma's eyes widened.
"Fukou..."
He was hit by rubber blank in the belly, stoke in the face by a high-speed button, and to top it over, the hot porridge finished its flight on his head.
The painful yell shook the entire apartment complex.
Yet again, it was just a daily life of Kamijou Touma.