Chapter Text
There was a sharp knock on their dorm room door; exactly the knock Dorm Mother used, when she had found out what the two of them had been up to. Misaka and Shirai looked at each other and asked each other the same question, at the same time: “What did you do?!”
They jumped up from their desks and went to the door and opened it. Dorm Mother stood there, ramrod straight, like gleaming off her glasses, making it impossible to see her eyes. Her facial expression was unreadable. Both girls stood at attention, in fear.
“Dorm Mother! To what do we owe the pleasure?” stammered out Shirai.
“Hmph,” said Dorm Mother, “It’s been very quiet here lately. Suspiciously quiet.”
The two girls stood very still, like small birds in front of a Cobra.
“May I come in?” Dorm Mother asked in her deadly voice.
“Of course,” said Misaka.
“Naturally,” said Shirai. Both of them scrambling to get out of her way.
Dorm Mother came in and closed the door behind her. “Have a seat girls, we need to talk.”
A chill traveled down the spines of both girls, whenever Dorm Mother said that, it was never good. Neither could think of anything they had done that could warrant a visit and a “private talk”. They hurried to sit down on their respective beds.
“Ladies, I have an issue and I am going to have to depend on both of you to help me solve it. I am going to have to trust you. We have a new student joining us. Tomorrow. She is a special case and will need someone I can trust to take care of her.”
Misaka and Shirai looked at each other.
“How can we help?” asked Misaka.
“She is an American, from Texas, and her Father is the first, for lack of a better term, Ambassador appointed to Academy City by the Americans. They want her to have a “normal” life here. Misaka, she is your age and will be in your classes. Shirai, she will be joining your branch of Judgement as apparently she belonged to some American equivalent.”
“Will she be having security?” asked Kuroko.
“No,” stated Dorm Mother, “None. That’s…worrisome. This brings us to why I am here. I am going to be moving her into your dorm room. Tomorrow, while you are in classes, we will be adding another bed and desk to the room. Shirai, your bed will become a bunkbed and you and Jasmine will share the bunks.”
“Dorm Mother!”
“No! We will be crowded!”
“Girls, let me be totally honest,” Dorm Mother said as she sat next to Misaka. “One of the reasons I am putting her in your room is, since she will have no security, I know this will be the safest place for her here at Tokiwadai. I’m going to have to trust the two of you to help keep her safe. But, no adventures!”
“Can you tell us more about her?” asked Misaka.
“Her name is Jasmine Hickok; her father is Robert W. Hickok, “Ambassador at Large”. She is from Texas, is an Esper, and we will be holding a special testing session this Friday for the school to place her. Misaka, she is an Electromaster like you and has the nickname “Six-Gun”. Shirai, she was a member of something called the “Texas Rangers’ Explorers” which is similar to Judgement, but with less responsibilities. I think she will do well under the care of the both of you.”
The two girls looked at each other and then stood up and said, “Dorm Mother, we will try not to disappoint you,” and bowed.
“Help her socialize. Introduce her to your friends and involve her with them. Try to immerse her in everything Academy City has to offer. She is fluent in Japanese, along with some other languages, so no problems there.”
Dorm Mother went to leave, as she opened the door, she turned and looked at the two girls one more time, the light reflecting menacingly off of her glasses. “Just remember: *no* adventures.”
The door closed. An icy chill ran down their spines and Shirai’s neck suddenly felt stiff.
The next school day dragged on forever. The two girls tried to drop by their room at lunch time, but the hallway was blocked off by barriers and they could hear hammering and banging noises coming from within their room, so they gave up and went down to the café for lunch.
“What do you think she will be like, Sissy?”
“I hope she’s nice. You hear so many bad things about Americans all the time.”
“Do you think she will be pretty?”
“They say the girls from Texas are supposed to be very pretty and very active as a lot of them grow up on farms and riding horses.”
“Prettier than me?”
Misaka saw where this was going. “Maybe she will be pretty enough to sweep me off my feet and take me home to her ranch in the USA,” Misaka said calmly, while looking at Shirai from the corner of her eyes.
Shirai looked shocked and betrayed.
Misaka sighed, “I could see myself living on a ranch, riding horses, eating steak, maybe skinny dipping in a pond with my exotic American Girlfriend.”
Banging noises as Shirai started pounding her head into the lunch table.
Misaka laughed gently and grabbed Shirai’s head to stop her from pounding the table. “Oh, Kuroko, you’re too easy to tease sometimes. No one could replace you in my life like that!”
Shirai looked at Misaka with wet eyes. “You are so cruel sometimes.”
“Kuroko, could you ever imagine *me* skinny dipping? No, wait, don’t try!”
The rest of the afternoon crawled by. Just before the final bell rang, a student came in with a note for Misaka’s teacher. He read it and then said, “Misaka, you are to report to your Dorm Mother right after class.”
“Oooooooooo,” the rest of the girls in her class. Misaka turned red.
When the bell rang, Misaka quickly packed up her things, before she could leave the room there was a < POP >, a hand grabbed her arm and then < POP > and she and Kuroko were outside Dorm Mother’s office. “I didn’t want us to be late,” Shirai whispered.
Misaka knocked on the door, and Dorm Mother opened it. “Come in, Girls.”
“Girls, this is our new student, Jasmine Hickock. Jasmine, this is Misaka Mikoto and Shirai Kuroko. Misaka will be your Senpai. Shirai is a senior member at Judgement 177th Office, which you thought you might be interested in joining. They will also be your new roommates.”
“Konichiwa Misaka-senpai and Shirai -san, I am pleased to meet you. I put myself in your care,” said Jasmine bowing.
“We are pleased to meet you too,” said Misaka and Shirai bowing in return.
Jasmine was tall, like one hundred and seventy-seven cm tall. She had dark purple hair with red highlights and was not just pretty, but beautiful. She had a pretty smile, a nice figure, without being too exaggerated, and looked unbelievable in her Tokiwadai uniform. Frankly, she was going to outshine Kongou, and Misaki’s overstuffed self too.
Shirai was trying not to drool, but then remembered she was true to her Sissy.
“All right Ladies, I’m going to escort you to your renovated Dorm Room. The three of you are excused from classes tomorrow so that you may acquaint Jasmine with the school and the City. Also, please let her know what to expect from the testing on Friday. Shirai, that includes escorting her to Judgement to meet with your senpai there about seeing if she qualifies to join.”
“Hai Dorm Mother!”
“Do you both remember the rule?” Dorm Mother looked at them while making a neck adjustment gesture.
“HAI DORM MOTHER!”
Dorm Mother led them to their room. All the construction barriers were down and everything looked nice and clean. They stopped outside their door. “Ladies,” said Dorm Mother, “Here are your new Keycards for your room. Do not lose them as they are difficult to replace.” She distributed the cards.
Misaka used hers to unlock the door. The first thing she noticed was how many unlocking noises the door made as it unlocked. She pushed the door open. The room was more than half again as large as it had been before. She whipped her head around to Dorm Mother.
“We took out an underused storage area to expand the room for you, so it wouldn’t be so cramped. We added an extra window too to bring in more light. It also made it so the desks had enough room without you girls being on top of each other. The only thing we couldn’t help was the bunk beds. But those are actually state of the art, with separate climate control, privacy curtains, electric plugs for hairdryers…well you will see. Misaka, we updated your bed as well, so you wouldn’t feel slighted.”
They all entered the room and it looked amazing. The desks did indeed have enough space that they would be apart. There were now two mini-fridges in the room, three closets, and even new curtains. Some suitcases had been placed in front of the one bunkbed.
“Thank you, Dorm Mother, it looks wonderful,” said Misaka.
“I will leave you three to get acquainted, don’t forget what you need to do…and NOT do,” and with a final glint on her glasses, she left, closing the door behind her.
The three girls stood there, looking at each other nervously. Misaka finally laughed. “OK, if I am supposed to be the “Senpai” then it is up to me to break the ice! Jasmine, I am not a formal person, so, unless someone like Dorm Mother is around, please, no senpai this and senpai that.”
Jasmine laughed.
“What would you prefer to do, Jasmine-san? Unpack, take a little tour?”
“I would like to unpack and talk, if that’s ok.”
“Sure, we can get to know each other a little.”
Misaka and Shirai put their school cases by their desks while Jasmine opened up a closet, then a suitcase and started unpacking.
“I guess I’ll start,” said Misaka, “I’ve been in Academy City in the Esper programs since I was about seven. I started as a Level 2 and am now a Level 5 Electromancer. I have very good control over the electromagnetic spectrum. Additionally I’ve come up with a unique use of my powers called a “RailGun” where I can fire metal objects and create plasma-like projectiles.”
“I’m the same as Onee-san, I’ve been here since I was seven and a Level 1, I’m now a Level 4 Teleporter. I can carry myself and up to two people, depending on how much they weigh and what they are carrying. I can also teleport things I have touched as well.” Shirai demonstrated by teleporting a book from her hands to Misaka’s bed.
“So, y’all gave up your families to come here and learn about your powers and go to school?”
“It’s a little more complex than that, but, basically, yes,” replied Misaka. “We do see our families for vacations, when possible though.”
“And what is this ‘Level 5’, ‘Level 4’ stuff?
“Well,” Shirai said, “There are tests that are given throughout the year, physical, mental, theoretical, and diagnostic to measure our growth and development. It is based on what your power or ability is and then how well you can use or control it.”
“Obviously the test of my power and control would be different than Kuroko’s,” Misaka added. “They both require control, but hers works in N-Space and mine is applied Physics, like yours, since I’ve been told you are an Electro as well.”
“So, what are the tests like?”
“If yours will be anything like mine: measuring raw electrical output, your precision, any special ability you have similar to my RailGun.”
“I have a thing I call my “Six-Gun”.
“That sounds interesting! How does it work?”
“I use steel balls that I charge and then fire like a pistol at targets. I can even shoot them around corners. They are very precise.”
“I can’t wait to see you demonstrate that!”
“Jasmine-san,” said Shirai, “May I ask how you learned such flawless Japanese?”
“Oh!” she laughed, “Daddy is an All-American Texas Oil Man and Rancher, but my Okaasan is from Kyoto! I learned Japanese and English both as I grew up and got teased a lot for speaking English with a Texas/Japanese accent and Japanese with a Kyoto/Texas accent!” She giggled again.
Misaka and Shirai relaxed a little; it seemed that Jasmine would be a friendly girl after all. “So, Jasmine, my first duty as your ‘Senpai’ is to ask you what you would like to do for dinner tonight. I will offer you two choices. We can eat here at the Café in the dorm. The food is very good and they offer some nice choices. Or, if you are not too tired, we could go out on the town, meet up with a couple of our friends, tour around a little, and eat out. Which would you prefer, Jasmine?”
“Well, ‘Senpai’, if you both do not mind, I think I would like to stay in tonight. Can we do a quick tour, dinner, and then hit the baths that I hear are connected to the dorm? That would help me with the Jetlag I think.”
“That sounds like an excellent plan too, especially since we can all sleep in a little tomorrow. Kuroko? Kuroko?”
“Bath with my Sissy…”
< ZAP >
“Um, ok Jasmine, that will take some explaining…and some getting used to, I’m afraid…”
Misaka and the lightly scorched Shirai took Jasmine on the brief tour of the campus, showing her the library, the classrooms, the Gym, fitness room, pool, and then the Gardens. They explained how the security worked, that the Gardens were just for Tokiwadai students and she would need permission to bring in guests, although if the guests were there frequently enough, they could get passes, like Misaka and Shirai’s friends.
Jasmine asked if boys were allowed in, and both Misaka and Shirai blushed and stammered. “Basically, no, except on special occasions,” replied Misaka. “Oh, here’s the Café! Let’s go get our dinners and sit down,” Misaka said, glad to get off the topic.
The three girls went through the line, making their choices and both Misaka and Shirai noticed that Jasmine was getting a lot of attention. They made their way to Misaka’s usual table and sat down. “Itadakimasu” all three said, breaking apart their chopsticks and then digging in.
“I guess I’m ‘flavor of the month’ based on all the stares and whispers, huh?” asked Jasmine with a smile.
“Well, when a new girl as tall and totally pretty as you makes her appearance, everyone notices,” said Shirai.
Misaka stared at Shirai while Jasmine blushed, and said, “Oh, I’m not that pretty. Girls like me are a dime a dozen back home. You’re so sweet to say so, honey,” as she patted Kuroko’s hand.
Shirai’s eyes had stars in them like the Queen had used her Level 5 power on her and her mouth was open. Misaka carefully put her foot on Shirai’s and delivered a low-level static-electric zap. Shirai quickly jerked back to reality and Jasmine didn’t appear to notice anything.
The three continued eating, while Jasmine asked questions about school life and Misaka and Shirai answered them. At the end of the meal, the three decided that a little sweet sounded good, so Shirai volunteered to go back and grab something. While she was gone, Misaka leaned forward to Jasmine and said, “OK, I do have something a little embarrassing to tell you. I’m sure you’ve noticed Kuroko is a little…shall we say over-devoted to me. Believe or not she has actually taken it down from her usual ten to about a three tonight because she is getting used to someone new around.”
“Oh, I kinda thought it was something like that.”
“She knows I’m not interested, but she never gives up hope, I just wanted to warn you about what you might want to see or hear. It is common knowledge, but I don’t want to throw you off if she suddenly loses control of her manners.”
“Misaka-senpai, we have girls like that back home too. I have had one or two over the years like that around me, although none that can teleport…”
< POP >
“I know my Sissy likes chocolate, and I hope you do too, Jasmine-san.”
Shirai brought three pieces of chocolate Opera cake with her to the table and set them carefully down with little dessert forks.
“Thank you, Sweetie, I love Opera cake!” said Jasmine.
Shirai beamed. “Sissy, can I feed you yours to make it extra special for you?” Shirai said with her eyes shining.
“Grrrrrr…”
“Or I can just sit over here and eat mine quietly.”
Misaka looked at Jasmine and rolled her eyes, while Jasmine covered her giggle with a napkin.
After dinner the three returned to their dorm room to gather their bath items. Shirai looked at Misaka and Jasmine and hesitated a little. Misaka sighed, “Be polite and ask, Kuroko.”
“Jasmine, to save a walk, especially afterwards, I usually just pop us from the room to the baths. Would you mind being teleported? There are no real side effects.”
“Aren’t you sweet to offer! If it saves a long walk, I’m all for it tonight.”
“Just to be safe, until I’m familiar with you, I will do you two separately, if you don’t mind.”
Shirai popped Misaka there first. “Why me first?” Misaka hissed.
“Because she’s safe in our room, and you can make sure the baths are safe before I get back!” Shirai whispered back.
Misaka blinked twice. “You’re right and I’m an idiot.” But Shirai was already gone.
Jasmine looked at Shirai, “Do I need to close my eyes or anything?”
“Good question. We are going through N-Space, but the time is so fast you won’t really see anything, so open or closed doesn’t matter. Just hang on to your basket and I’ll hang on to you. The main thing is don’t disturb me as we leave, because you can throw off my calculations and that would be bad.”
“I'm fuzzy on the whole good/bad thing. What do you mean, "bad"?”
“Hahahahaha! ‘Ghostbusters’ a classic! Basically it means we don’t end up where I planned. We could land high, left, right, in a wall, in the ground. Wall or ground means our bodies fuse with whatever we merge with…”
Jasmine turned a little green. “OK, don’t jostle your arm, got it.”
“Are you ready?”
< POP >
“Oh! That was kind of…anti-climactic.”
The two girls walked into the locker room to join Misaka. “Yes, you should have been there when I teleported Sissy and myself five or so thousand feet in the air and she shot down a helicopter.”
“What?”
Misaka had already taken off her clothes and wrapped a towel around herself. “Story for another day.”
Shirai and Jasmine quickly found lockers and undressed grabbing towels for their hair and bodies. They met Misaka at the shower seats and everyone washed to get ready for the baths. Once they finished, they all slid into the hot mineral waters and a triple sigh went up.
“Oh, Lordy, I could sleep here tonight!” Jasmine said happily.
“Yes,” Shirai said with a smile, “This is one of the best perks of being a Tokiwadai Lady.”
Misaka just sighed happily again.
Shirai was submerged, with her head laying on the edge of the pool. Her eyes were mostly closed but she was peering out from under her eyelashes, comparing Jasmine and her Sissy. It was hard to believe they were the same age. Jasmine was so… No! I am true to my Sissy!
Misaka was glad to not having to fend off Shirai’s usual assaults to her body and was enjoying a restful soak. Jasmine was very nice, but her figure was making Misaka feeling envious and inadequate.
After a good, long soak they decided to call it a night as Jasmine was exhausted. They got rinsed off and dressed and Shirai popped Jasmine back to the room followed by Misaka and herself. They took turns getting changed in the bathroom before climbing into their respective beds. They agreed to a late breakfast, so Misaka and Shirai set their alarms and doused the lights.
The next morning they got up, took turns washing and getting dressed. Misaka and Shirai explained that, barring special occasions, they were expected to wear the correct seasonal uniform at all times, even when out on the town, on a date, shopping, etc. Jasmine nodded. Shirai looked at both of them and said, “As long as we aren’t carrying anything, I can try to carry us to the Café, if you don’t mind.”
“Try?” Jasmine said in a worried voice.
“Don’t worry,” Misaka said, “I trust her with my life. The worst that happens is, if we weigh too much, she won’t be able to start the teleport.”
“I’m not sure if that’s reassuring or insulting,” Jasmine said with a laugh.
Shirai gently took hold of both of their arms and teleported them to the Café. She let her grip linger a little longer on Jasmine’s arm…skin so soft! Shirai blushed and let go quickly when she saw Misaka’s glare. Jasmine didn’t appear to notice anything.
“Any problems, Shirai-san?” Jasmine asked politely.
“No, no,” Shirai answered quickly, “I was just rechecking my N-Space math afterwards, but you two are below my limit, so it was fine.”
They grabbed their breakfasts and sat down at Misaka and Shirai’s usual table. “So, today I thought we would show you the garden part of the school, take you over to Judgement 177th so Kuroko can introduce you to her senpai there, and then meet our friends and introduce you to them. Then maybe go to the mall and do some stress reduction?”
“That sounds interesting, but what’s so special about a garden?”
“Oh,” said Shirai, “it’s actually a plaza with little shops and cafes, exclusive for the Ladies of Tokiwadai Academy. It’s a pleasant place to take a break, relax, or just get away.”
“That does sound nice, then. OK, I place myself in your hands.”
Misaka had a healthy appetite, so she indulged in a rice omelet. Shirai had fish with rice and a small cup of miso while Jasmine had a bowl of miso with some bean sprouts, tea and tofu. She saw the other two looking at her and laughed. “I have to behave if I want to stay in shape. I can be bad, like last night with dessert, as long as I’m willing to sacrifice the next day. I need to get back to working out again. Do either of you do any running?”
“I run laps for physical education or when I need to relieve stress, it’s how I build endurance,” answered Misaka.
“If it’s not too forward, would you be willing to be my jogging partner for a little while, until I meet more people or get in my own grove here?”
“When do you like to go?”
“I prefer early mornings when it’s coolest, but I can be flexible.”
“Sure, tomorrow?”
“Thank you, ‘Senpai’ for helping your poor kouhai adopt,” said Jasmine making big eyes and fluttering eyelashes. All three of them dissolved into giggles.
Breakfast accomplished, the trio left the dorm and made their way to the Gardens. The shops and cafes were open, so they strolled around, with Misaka and Shirai telling Jasmine about their favorites and what they had to offer. They then made their way to the 177th Judgement office where Shirai introduced Jasmine to Konori Mii, the Chief of the office.
“So, you are thinking you might like to join Judgement after your experiences back home?” asked Konori.
“Yes, I’ve studied up on your organization and your duties are broader than what I have done with the Rangers, but I would like to join, as I think it would be worthwhile to do while I am here.”
“OK, the next class doesn’t start for another month, but you could come here with Shirai on her shifts and work with her and Uiharu to see what is involved. They can also help you start prepping for the academy. You would act like an adjunct; like how we treat Misaka.”
“Thank you, that would be nice.”
“Misaka, want to join up with Jasmine and finally become an official member?” Konori asked in a light tone.
Kuroko turned and looked at her with hopeful eyes.
“Tempting as that offer may be, my answer still remains the same: I am honored, but no thank you.”
After about ten minutes work, the applications were done and transmitted and the four friends, plus their new one were on their way for an afternoon out.
“I know we want to go to the mall, but it’s lunch time and I’m a little hungry. Can we please go to Joseph’s first?” asked Uiharu.
“Someone wants a Parfait!” teased Saten.
“I’m feeling peckish too,” said Jasmine.
“OK,” said Misaka, “Joseph’s it is.”
“U-I-HA-RU!” Massive skirt flip.
“SHRIEK!”
“Cute little puppy dog panties today!”
“SATEN! In front of our new friend! How could you?” Poor Uiharu was almost crying from shame as she was so red.
“Misaka,” Jasmine whispered from behind her hand, “Are all the girls this…forward here?”
“Saten with Uiharu and Kuroko with me are just…special…” Misaka whispered back.
“Uiharu,” Shirai said, “I see you still have that walking stick, are you still having troubles?”
“No,” Uiharu replied, “It’s my good luck charm and I don’t go anywhere without it, if I can. Doctor Heaven Canceller says I’m back to normal.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” replied Misaka. “Kuroko, have you noticed that black and blue motorcycle?”
“The one that’s gone past us three times?”
“Did you get the plate number?”
“No, it’s written too small.”
“Here ya go,” said Misaka and handed Shirai the little license plate.
“Sissy!”
The girl’s entered Joseph’s and were seated at a large table. They quickly ordered drinks and then started looking over the menu. Shirai surreptitiously sent in a request for ID on the license plate. She showed the results to Misaka: “Stolen”.
The two girls looked at each other.
“So, have you heard the latest Urban Legend?” asked Saten excitedly. “There have been sightings of what looks like a Super Hero flying over the city! Just like the comic books!”
“Oh, Saten, you and your Urban Legends!” laughed Shirai.
“Look! Someone got a picture!” Saten insisted.
Uiharu looked a little uncomfortable.
Saten showed the picture on her phone, and Shirai scoffed even more. “That blob is a Super Hero? It could be a fingerprint on the camera lens!”
“What about the reports of criminals being found ready to be arrested before Anti-Skill or Judgement even arrives on the scene? They say they were hit with winds or lightning, but Misaka and Kongou always have alibis!”
Uiharu was smiling a little, as was Misaka.
“We think it’s an unknown Esper trying to make a name for himself,” said Kuroko. “We’ll catch him.”
“Well, I’m going to keep looking and get to the bottom of this. Pictures don’t lie.”
“Ah, Saten, maybe somethings should just be left a mystery,” Uiharu ventured shyly.
“No, I feel this is true! Just like the “Stripping Woman”, “The Level Upper”, “The Clo…OOF!” said Saten as three sets of feet kicked her legs simultaneously under the table. She also felt something like ants crawling on her skin, making all the hair on her body and arms start to stand on end. She looked at Misaka, who was apparently calm, but she could see some sparking.
“Ah, anyhow, there have been a good number we have seen come true!” said Saten quietly.
“Goodness, you would do well in Texas where they are always looking for the legendary Chupacabra, UFOs, and Aliens! Lots of things there for you to chase too!”
“Oh, UFOs and Space Aliens! That would be fun!” said Saten.
“OK then. Looks like Uiharu has just about demolished her Parfait, so…are we thinking Seventh Mist?” asked Misaka.
“Is that a store or a mall?” asked Jasmine.
“It’s the largest mall in Academy City,” replied Shirai, “With many fine shops for ladies such as ourselves.”
“So, Misaka,” Uiharu said conspiratorially, while glancing at Shirai, “I heard there was a special Gekota promotion today at the Toy Store, where if you spend two thousand Yen or more, you get the new “Rising Sun” Gekota finger puppet!”
“Really!” cried Misaka excitedly.
“Eh-hmm, Sissy,” said Shirai, “I thought you were over that childish obsession and concentrating on lady-like activities, as benefits the number three Level 5.”
Misaka blushed. “But it’s a new one that I don’t have!”
“Um, I don’t have it either,” said Jasmine shyly.
“Do you have the whole set?” Misaka asked excitedly.
“I’m missing the Pink one,” Jasmine said sadly.
“Me too,” replied Misaka sadly, “I gave mine to a little girl who was sad."
“Maybe they have them at the store?” asked Jasmine excitedly.
“We can see!”
They both became aware of a rhythmic thumping noise. When they looked, it was Shirai banging her head on the table. Misaka reached over and gave her a light chop to her head. Shirai looked up, “I don’t know if I can survive two of you!”
As the group began the relatively short walk to the mall, Misaka and Shirai were a little more alert. When the motorcycle started by them again, it’s engine mysteriously shorted out and it coasted quickly to a stop. Shirai put on her Armband and said, “Wait here.”
< POP >
Misaka pushed the other three back and stood between them and the motorcycle, while still scanning around.
“Misaka,” Uiharu said in a low voice as she pulled on her armband, “What’s going on?”
“That motorcycle has been circling us for a long time now. Sadly, it’s electrical system seems to have just shorted out.”
“I am Judgement! Why have you been following and stalking our group?”
“Go to hell, little girl!” and the man threw several balls of fire at Shirai. It might have worked, if she was still there, but she had teleported about three meters into the air and then landed with both feet hitting him in the back of the head, knocking him and his bike over.
“You are under arrest for assault on an officer and public…”
“I said go to HELL!” and a gout of flame came out of the ground around Shirai. She popped back to the ground near Misaka, gasping and coughing, with smoke coming off her shoes.
“That was close!” Shirai said.
Meanwhile the punk was getting out from under his bike.
Knuckle cracking noises. “My turn,” said Misaka.
“Sissy no!”
< Ka-ZOT! >
“Aieeeeee!”
“Nobody torches my kouhai!”
“Oh! Sissy! You do care! Let me reward you with a kiss to show my…” < zap >
“Anti-Skill is on the way,” Uiharu reported as she went over and cuffed the smoldering body.
“What the H, E, double hockey sticks was that?” asked Jasmine.
“I noticed him following us as we walked to Josephs. He went past us at least five times, then twice more when we were in the restaurant,” Misaka said.
“His license plate was stolen,” Shirai said as she recovered from her “love zap”.
“He has no ID,” report Uiharu. “Anyone recognize him?” she asked as she took off the guy’s helmet.
Blank looks all around.
“Drat, now I have to go and do all the paperwork,” Shirai groused.
“How long will that take?” asked Misaka. “I don’t want you to miss out.”
“Kuroko! We can do it on my computer at the food court,” offered Uiharu.
“While you two do that, Jasmine and I, and Saten too, if she won’t be too bored, can go to the toy store for the Gekotas!”
“OK, that way I don’t have to see you FanGirl out over every last Gekota thing in the store!” Shirai said with a shudder.
“Poor thing!” said Jasmine patting Shirai’s cheek. A light flush crept up Shirai’s face; it got worse when she noticed Saten grinning at her.
Anti-Skill came and did the “Cuff-n-Stuff”, giving Uiharu back her own cuffs. The group entered the mall and split up. Saten elected to stay with Shirai and Uiharu. Misaka and Jasmine went on their Gekota safari. The trio picked a table in an out of the way area and set up. Saten went to grab drinks.
Saten came back and distributed the drinks as Uiharu and Shirai got to work. After a few minutes, Saten leaned forward with a conspiratorial look on her face. “Uiharu,” she said, “Did you notice someone seems to be stealing Shirai’s heart away from Misaka?’
Uiharu looked up, “I did kind of notice that Kuroko seems to be developing a new crush.”
“I AM NOT!”
“I saw those side glances; you hang on her every word…” said Saten.
“It does remind me of how she was when she first started stalking…I mean being around Misaka-san,” Uiharu replied.
Kuroko’s face was deep red, steam was coming off of her head.
“She is very beautiful, isn’t she, Shirai?” asked Saten.
Kuroko’s pigtails were starting to flap.
“So poised, a cute accent, tall, graceful, lady-like; everything Kuroko complains that Misaka isn’t,” Uiharu pointed out.
“I AM TRUE TO MY SISSY!” Shirai screamed, pounding her hands on the table.
The entire food court went silent, with everyone staring, Shirai fell limply into her seat and covered her head with her arms. Uiharu and Saten exchanged glances. Uiharu slid over next to Shirai and put her arm around her shoulders. “Kuroko,” she whispered, “It’s OK to have two crushes. Misaka probably won’t mind, but you can’t scare Jasmine with your tactics like you use on Misaka.”
Saten slid over too. “No one would ever deny your love of Misaka, Shirai.”
With her arms still over her head, Shirai whispered, “She’s so pretty…”