Work Text:
Lately Misaka Mikoto has been very troubled.
A couple days ago, she found herself unintentionally involved in the arrest of a criminal by Judgement. Of course, concerning the use of the word "unintentionally" in this situation, "deliberately" may be more truthful to the psychology of her person.
After the incident was over, she discovered that the encounter seemed to have left her with a new power—the power to understand the psyche of the person closest to her.
Heaven Canceller checked her over and didn’t find any major problems, so he explained to Mikoto, the power seemed to be the result of a reaction to the criminal’s ability. Perhaps the criminal’s AIM field during their encounter had been adversely affected by her own AIM field, creating a kind of spillover effect. As time passes and the foreign AIM field weakens, however, the reactionary power should no longer be produced in her. Although because the reaction appeared somewhat weak in the first place, she should only be able to hear the internal thoughts of the person who was closest to her.
Mikoto, after having learned everything from the doctor, was a bit dazed. The person who was closest to her? Wasn’t that Kuroko?
Knowing whatever was on Kuroko's mind... it didn’t sound so bad… but...
As long as her head isn’t crammed full of R18 things, it’ll be fine!
Leaving the hospital and arriving before her dorm room, Mikoto lightly knocked on the door, and before she knew it, that certain unnamed power was floating up from her heart. It seemed to be carrying with it a thread of consciousness.
[Onee-sama is back! Once I open the door, I’m going to immediately embrace her!]
...That was Kuroko’s thought, no doubt about it.
Mikoto quietly retreated a couple of steps, considering how to avoid Kuroko’s planned attack without making the other girl fall at the same time. Then the door opened, and Kuroko didn’t actually throw herself at her in a bear hug like she’d been expecting. Instead, she stood there in the doorway like a normal person.
[Onee-sama just came back from her examination, who’s to say she doesn’t have some injuries, it’s best for me to not be so reckless.]
[Even though I really really want to embrace Onee-sama is all ❤️~]
Just as Mikoto because of the first thought was starting to feel a little touched, the second thought came floating up.
...Shirai Kuroko, your thoughts, they are very dangerous.
[Onee-sama is so cute.]
[I like Onee-sama so much.]
Studying the Kuroko who was currently holding a serious conversation with Uiharu Kazari at the 177th office, Mikoto couldn’t help but wonder if Shirai Kuroko might have her own ‘one mind two uses’ special power.
“Yes, Uiharu, it’s this street, yes, zoom in, no doubt, that’s the person!”
[Onee-sama didn’t come watch the security footage with us I’m a little sad qwq]
“Okay, okay, I’m following him now!”
[Now I have to go catch the criminal and separate from Onee-sama, sadness x2]
“Good job, Uiharu, keep me updated!”
[But I’m definitely going to show off to Onee-sama my cool grace!]
“Wait! Kuroko, let me go with you!”
Thoroughly bothered by Kuroko’s perceived grievances and no longer being able to stand not saying anything, Mikoto stood up and without any hesitation called out to Kuroko who was about to teleport away.
Hearing her words, Kuroko stopped, and she looked at Mikoto with puzzlement: “You can’t, Onee-sama isn’t a member of Judgement after all, and ordinary. citizens. are not allowed to participate!”
“But Onee-sama’s concern for Kuroko’s wellbeing is truly moving! Kuroko… Kuroko is already…”
[Even though Onee-sama’s reason for acting like this probably isn't because of me, but…]
Knowing the difference between what was said and what was felt in Kuroko’s heart, Mikoto was a little bit shocked, or rather, the straightforward her had never thought too much about whether or not Kuroko paid attention to catching little details like these… Mikoto used this as a kind of comfort for her own conscience, even if... Kuroko really didn’t believe that the reason for Mikoto’s calling out was for her.
The harsh retort she was about to say was swallowed firmly and Mikoto made out a comforting statement instead: "Alright, I’ll play along with your imagination for a while. I really am very concerned about your safety."
“ ! “ Hearing this, Kuroko’s eyes immediately brightened. “Ah Onee-sama, for me I feel your... let Kuroko apologize for my impending departure, and when I come back later, let me express my endless admiration for you!"
Seeing Kuroko’s figure disappear instantly, Mikoto mulled over the thread of consciousness that had emerged just a moment ago, in her own heart feeling a certain sadness.
[Ah, I’m so happy, Onee-sama is worried about Kuroko it makes me so happy ᐠ( ᐢ ᵕ ᐢ )ᐟ]
Idiot, when am I not worried about your safety?
From then on, Misaka Mikoto was able to feel different forms of "confessions" from Shirai Kuroko every day.
[I really like Onee-sama so much.]
[Onee-sama is so good looking!]
[...I like Onee-sama the most!]
[I really want to push down Onee-sama!]
[Or be pushed down by Onee-sama that’s fine also!]
[Woah… Onee-sama....]
[I want to be Onee-sama’s lover ahh qwq]
[How come everytime Onee-sama misunderstands me and thinks I’m confessing to her as a friend?]
[Forget it, I have to become stronger in order to protect Onee-sama.]
[I want to be a person that Onee-sama can depend upon.]
[I don’t want to stand in front of Onee-sama, or behind Onee-sama, I want... to stand beside her.]
......
She understands my self-respect, doesn’t want my protection, desires to be at my side: how strong these feelings of hers are.
Yet before, I never knew any of it.
After a peaceful period of time, Misaka Mikoto, while feeling guilty for her previous misunderstandings of Shirai Kuroko's psyche, realized that her power to hear Shirai Kuroko’s inner thoughts had not only not weakened, but become stronger. Contrasting the strengthening of this power, on the other hand, her own ability to generate electricity had weakened.
...What.
Seeking out Heaven Canceller, Mikoto received an answer she didn’t like: “This may be part of a secret conspiracy to set in your body a new ability and strengthen its AIM field, thus simultaneously affecting the AIM field of your normal ability, and achieving the purpose of weakening you. If this continues, the two conflicting AIM fields will eventually stabilize, and your normal ability will also hold steady, but although you will then have two abilities, the levels of both of them will at most settle around level 3. This might not sound too bad, but it would be a huge blow to your power.”
"Then what should I do?" Mikoto’s expression was very glum as she listened to Heaven Canceller’s words.
"The foreign AIM field shouldn’t be strengthening for no reason, probably there is some kind of special machine currently targeting you. You must hurry and find where the machine is located and destroy it. If you can’t find it within a certain period of time, it’s very likely the stabilization of the two AIM fields won’t be able to be reversed.”
Mikoto returned to her dorm room with a heavy heart. When she saw Kuroko she quickly did her best to adjust her mental state, trying her hardest not to make Kuroko suspect anything was wrong. But the following thread of consciousness that presented itself to her was too much for her to ignore.
[...Onee-sama must have encountered some difficult problem again ...looks like she’s still reluctant to tell me about it... why... ...Isn’t it obvious that Kuroko wants to help her and become Onee-sama’s strength!]
......
Who knows if it was Misaka Mikoto feeling the ardor of the sentiment that had burst out from the bottom of the other person's heart, or sensing the specific sadness it had contained, but all of a sudden, she changed her mind about tackling the problem alone.
After explaining the whole story to Kuroko, she expected her to be resentful or angry, but that did not happen.
Shirai Kuroko only sat dumbly in place across from her, seemingly very embarrassed, red in the face.
"...Onee-sama, you mean... this entire time, you have possessed a power equivalent to mind reading?"
"Mm..."
"So... all of my previous thoughts… you knew about them?”
"In theory... yes.”
“......”
The atmosphere inexplicably fell into silence, and the corners of Shirai Kuroko's mouth began to twitch as if she wanted to say something, but in the end, whatever it was was firmly held back. Her face became thoroughly red, her breathing rapid from nervousness.
[So awkward! I can’t believe Onee-sama knew what I was thinking about the entire time! This is too humiliating!]
[It's over, if Onee-sama knows what I think about her every day... won’t her opinion of me get worse?]
[It’s over it’s over it’s over...]
Mikoto originally didn’t think the situation was anything to feel embarrassed about, but now after hearing Kuroko's thoughts, she inexplicably started to feel somewhat awkward as well.
That being said, if Kuroko learns that even what she’s thinking about right now I can also hear it... won’t she become even more embarrassed...
"Onee-sama... I'll go find Uiharu to discuss... I’ll... I’ll go now..."
Before Kuroko had finished speaking, Misaka Mikoto heard the space-tearing sound of her using her teleportation. Catching a glimpse of Shirai Kuroko’s panicked and disoriented expression just before she left, the corners of Misaka Mikoto's mouth unconsciously curved upwards.
"Like this... she’s actually pretty cute isn't she..."
"Huh!? Wait a second, what am I talking about!"
Because she had the help of her friends, the machine was quickly located.
Looking toward the machine at the top of the dangerous building, Misaka Mikoto's mood was a bit complicated. To be honest, she didn’t really want to involve her friends in the actual battle. Or rather... what she only needed was their back-up and nothing else.
"Everyone, please forgive me for taking the liberty of acting first.”
Before she had finished speaking, a line of brilliant white light cut across the black sky.
The resulting battle was actually not so easy. Even with the successful destruction of the machine, it was also very difficult for her to get out.
Oops... what a miscalculation.
As Mikoto started to freefall through the air, she suddenly felt a strong pull on her body. She heard the sound of space tearing and an anxious shout.
“Onee-sama really!”
At the last moment she met a pair of pink eyes, and as the falling person gazed into those eyes, she felt the sorrowful feelings and resolute faith they deeply harbored.
[I want to help you and become your strength. It’s absolutely not just talk.]
The situation was successfully resolved without any further unpleasant incidents, save for Mikoto being reprimanded in turn by her three friends at the hospital.
After the treatment of her injuries, Misaka Mikoto and Shirai Kuroko walked back to Tokiwadai together.
On the way back to the dormitory, sensing the awkwardness in the atmosphere, Mikoto wanted to say a few words, but was robbed of the opportunity by Kuroko, who spoke first.
“...So Onee-sama has heard the thoughts from my heart… do you hate me?”
“...Why? Would I hate you, that is?”
“After all, it’s between same-sexes…”
“I don’t mind…”
Kuroko, hearing this answer, stopped in her tracks.
Mikoto, who had no time to brake, turned her head around, curious about what Kuroko was trying to do, because at that moment she couldn't feel any of her thoughts.
Seeming to gather enough courage, Shirai Kuroko took a step forward and closed the distance between them.
Mikoto unconsciously tried to take a step back, but she was grabbed by the arm. The hesitation on Kuroko's face flickered away and was replaced by a determined expression.
“Onee-sama… I have some words, I want to… very seriously tell you.”
[I like you.]
“I like you.”
[I want to become your partner.]
“I want to become… your partner.”
[Your lover.]
“Your lover.”
[The person that you can depend upon.]
“......”
Not receiving those last expected words out loud, Misaka Mikoto froze for a moment, her own heart pounding fiercely, a thread of complex emotions at last coming quietly to its surface.
“I promise you.”
...!?
A warm smile appeared on Mikoto's face. She gently took hold of and held Kuroko's hands.
“I promise you.”
[Sorry, before I… never took your feelings seriously.]
“To be your partner.”
[Sorry, before I… never realized your determination to be at my side.]
“To be your lover.”
[Sorry, before I… was always hesitant about my emotions and never willing to face them directly.]
“...To be the person that you can depend upon.”
[You are the person that I can depend upon, and believe me, this fact has never changed.]
Epilogue
During the time period afterwards of waiting for the foreign AIM field to dissipate, Misaka Mikoto was still able to intermittently hear Shirai Kuroko's thoughts.
[I like Onee-sama the most.]
[I like Onee-sama.]
[Ahh Onee-sama is so cute wuwuwu~]
[I want to push down Onee-sama...]
[I like Onee-sama so much…]
Finally, one day, Misaka Mikoto could no longer bear it.
“Shirai Kuroko! Can you stop your head from being full of ‘I like you I like you I like you’ every single second of the day!”
Kuroko looked at her girlfriend and froze for a moment.
“Alright.”
[I like you the most.]
“I... will not...”
[I like you so much.]
“...be full of thoughts about liking you.”
[I really really super really like you!]
“...Wait, you’re not trying at all!”
“Onee-sama.”
“ ? ”
“My heart… even I don't have any way to control it.”
“......”
“Onee-sama, why is your face red.”
“......”
“......”
“Gah shut up you!”
Fin.