A Misaka *** walked into a cafe, confectionery,or restaurant, but the floor its already occupied by another Misaka.
[Alternative to the episode Experts from the cafe] (Originally, the scene where the Level-5 meet was supposed to take place on the surface in a certain family restaurant, from where they move to the terrace on the street, where they will be confronted by Shutaura driving her spider robot and then by a visitor, but it was changed long before the story returned to the underground shopping mall. This scene is divided into conceptual variants/notes and I have tried to summarize them.)
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[First Alternative to the scene of Shirai, Saten and Uiharu sitting in a family restaurant in one of the padded boxes:]
Coincidentally, this is a place where Misaka #11.111; code name Yui; works part-time as a maid waitress together with her trio of classmates and dorm roommates.
Background of Yui story is; that when sisters were redistributed all around because the Level-six project was put on hold, somebody from scientist thought to try (to do an experiment) whether a combination of espers: Electro-master, Meltdowner user, Dark Matter user and Vector user; can get along when they are put in the same environment, school and room. Somebody probably though that there is something deeper thing, behind the esper power difference that forcing the Level-five's to get on through of each other. That scientist probably not-know, or know, about "Archetype controller". You can image how Yui freaking out about her new assessment/ job/ mission.
Of course, now in that restaurant, the Emo brunette has trouble approaching the table where Shirai is sitting (because she's afraid of her). Her friends notice this behavior of their roommate, the showy Tokiwadai uniform of the customer, and that sassy not-lady like attitude of Shirai. So they think, that Misaka (ran away?) from the school for rich ladies to their school, because she was bullied for not be a high level. They decide to intervene in the situation and confront the (hostile?) student from Tokiwadai. The trio dragged the panicking brunette to that table, having her back.
Of course, the situation became extremely strange, when the reactions of both parties involved was something that was not expected in such a confrontation. ("What?" "He?") Literally at a certain moment there was an awkward silence as the trio of customer were staring at the quartet of waitresses and back.
Out of nowhere, Misaka started acting in an urgent panic. She quickly rearranged they formation: Practically staged their group of four maid-waitresses to crowd around the table in a thigh semi-circle as if on the table was a birthday party. For outsiders; their group of waitresses looked like they were performing a play/show for the customer. Except the whole thing was strange with incomprehensibly confused (What is going on?) expressions in all seven of them. Yet for some reason the Maid-Misaka was freaking out with a sweating worry face, so they were genuinely worried if she dint have a panic attack.
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Both trio groups got a surprise shock, when they realized that a new pair of customers had arrived. They were walking right pass them, but because of the thigh formation around this box, nobody from the 7 people and the passing duo were capable to see the other party.
Yet there was this aura of familiarity, radiating from the duo of new customers. Especially the voices. One of them, was exactly the same, include the emo tone, as the brunette standing between them, that the other trio is familiar whit. "A chocolate cake and a green tea, with a spoon of milk."
Whoever the other voice, the livelier one, filled by older sister emotions, know very well by the trio of customers; complained: "Are you serious?! We've barely stepped in and you're already ordering, before we even sit down? And who are you talking to? Me?! Better not be rude to the waitress, or you will stay without a treat."
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The trio of customers and the quartet of waitress, got that the duo of new customers sat directly in the adjacent box next to them. Whoever the dividing wall was quite high, and little out to the walk-path on floor, for better half-privacy. So the newcomers dint had a chance to glance over at the standing maids and otherwise.
Yet, because the pair of voices matched the voice of a certain brown-haired waitress who was there with them; they all silently glanced at the girl in question. She had this expression of someone who is in deep pinch and don't know what to do. Like if she was hiding especially from those two.
Meanwhile the other two discussion continued, when the emo explain. "I don't think there's a problem with stating personal preferences. Misaka explains while trying to set a precedent. A rule for smooth future interaction."
Except the lively one didn't bite. "Nice try! You get what I pick out for you and don't try any tricks to grain anything more. Actually… we should address a topic of no-sugar diet, you're asking for." There was a second or two of pause, after witch there a little change in the tone. "Hey, why are you shaking like an aspen?"
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Then the first one drop an important piece of information. "Onee-sama, you are cruel. Misaka sighs at the threat of a cruel fate."
The other one response only emphasis the evidence. "Its called, to be responsible for the others well belying. And you having a long way in front of you, if you thinking you can be dramatic." At this point, it was clear that this person, muss be the Railgun.
As the discussion raged in the next box, as the duo waiting for their turn... The maid waitresses themselves spoke in whisper to Misaka between them, if the person next to her was Misaka Mikoto, knowing her mantra very well: (It's just a coincidence that I Misaka have same face, same name, and same ability class as Misaka Mikoto.)
Their brunette, under the pressure of questions and stares; sighs deeply. "Onee-sama is such a trouble maker. Trouble tends to follow her wherever she goes and rarely waits for passerby to move from way. Plus, my sisters are cruel. But that's not the issue here, as her temperament will lash at the powder keg, representation the actual hidden situation, ready to blow up this dinning establishment."
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That's why black haired Saten lean toward their red head companion on table, almost whispering while intervening. "Shirai san, I don't know whats going on, but for the gods sake; You shall behave the best you can."
Teleporter answered in same whispering, but she was offended. "How dare you?! I love my Sissy, so I will never bully her sisters, if that's what you pointing on." Then she point to the brown haired maid waitress. "I knew that Sissy keep a secret, but this is new to me. But, there was a moment when I questioned if the person I hang out is actually my Sissy. She prove herself at that moment. Whoever…" She went into conspirator tone. "There is other person, who is literally a intel broker."
As both of them look at the flower-hairband girl, Uiharu got strict even if nearly whispering. "Don't you dare! I will not dare to risk my equipment against Misaka, or get on bad term with Anti-Skill. So whatever going on here, leave me out of it, as I came her for a sweets."
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Only a moment of questioning passes and Kuroko switches to the point where she starts acting out/ mouthing/ (having remarks inappropriate for a lady) to the point where Mikoto herself decides to peek over the back to find out what's going on next door.
I don't need to describe the shock on her face when she looks at the face of her roommate sitting opposite. Then the panic when she saw her sister in a maid-waitress uniform. However, when she realized the expressions and gestures, as if something had happened to the brow-haired maid and her colleagues from the brigade defended her from a disobedient customer; a blue discharge from Mikoto temple slipped away.
Kuroko barely finished urgently. "Just wait!! I'm innocent!!" And the redhead was preventative pacified with an electric discharge.
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***
Maid Cafe Sisterhood #3 [PS: Continuation of the fluff focusing on the first version: (Actually this was part of a third version, that had potential to attach on first and second.)]
However, when Mikoto decides to go to the bathroom, forcing a neutral expression on herself, the (obvious) manager or boss of the restaurant comes running to her. Even when Railgun turned to look at him, he still reached out and grabbed her shoulder.
He was upset about something. "That's enough! This is really the last time, I caught you without your uniform!"
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She tried to explain. "Wait! But I'm not…" [working here!]
Yet he dint let her. "Don't try that old line (I'm not the Misaka you're looking for.) If you didn't look like that celebrity, I wouldn't even hire you as a disabled person."
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Unfortunately for him, the tsundere's imaginary big-sister switch flipped-ON and on her forehead a blood vein blood up. She decided to mercilessly punish a problematic employer who (did?) something to her sister. "What, did you say??" And as you could read from her face: she will punish the entire building. At the same time, the statement did not have to remain only with the staff.
Except Misaka Yui #11.111, rushed in. She hung onto Mikoto's other shoulder, begging. "Onee-sama, please don't destroy this establishment! Your interfering with Misaka's mission situation, as she saying that her team needs an extra income for upcoming operation. Like a pocket money, for extra trinkets and extra expenses; not covered by the basic budget."
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The boss looked at the two in confusion, and then; (from somewhere? Or from the kitchen? But just scattered around the restaurant); a four additional Misaka, dressed in waitress uniforms, walked out/approached the big sister and watched. Each of them crunched/munching/eating something. (It was a quite (not)-proper example of a waitress eating a food instead of customer.)
(Original Misaka the one who get hired to be a waitress here) panicked. "Aaa… Number 10.032, immediately stops eating Misaka's food provisions, that she needs to beat this slavery shift. Misaka declares her determination to fight for what is rightfully hers, against this soon to be fat sister."
Yet the other had an contra-argument. "Misaka spends a lot of calories as she walks a lot, during her patrols, to feed her intel into a network." And she take another bait.
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The restaurant boss realized that he had a free food eaters rats on the floor, that don't do they job. So abandoning Mikoto, he decided to arrange things. However, as he was angry, he did not behave kindly, even aggressively and even allowed himself a very unpleasant remark or two.
Unfortunately for him, Railgun took the insult toward her sisters personally. Before he could grab either of her sisters, she grabbed his shoulder, so strong that it stops him. With a short dark threat; "Are you ready?…"; she looked at him dangerously. A blue electric curtain and spark dance around her at her will, rising to volume that is not safe for ordinary people.
The mass synchronous retreat of the sisters to a safe distance threw off even the last doubts of this Tokiwadai student to be on same pair as the sisters. They even drag of any accidental bystander from danger zone.
His last thought must be the moment when he pale from realizing, that this one is the famous one; the Railgun. He tried to call out for her to wait…
But it was too late, as the interior of the restaurant, flashed by blue light and thunder echoed.
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Finally, the whole group moved outside, including the sisters. Where by pure chance Lv-5 + Touma ended up at one table like some kind of conference while the others were scattered around the other tables.
Shutaura showed up with her spider and barked at them if they didn't know that because of their meeting, a gauge showing the threat to the city flew out, that someone panicked that they were at war.
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***
Maid Cafe Sisterhood #2 [Second Alternate scene when Shirai, Saten and Uiharu are sitting in a restaurant waiting for #3: (Story-snipped was remade to be stand alone as chapter.)]
Except Mikoto, who arrived later (alone), noticed that they were saying something in a conspiratorial tone; she decided to conceal her arrival and secretly slipped into the next box, without her friends noticing, and began to secretly listen to what they were talking about.
There were various (hot) theories from Saten about Mikoto and the origin story of the Mikoto sisters. Like the one about imprinting her AIM stamp, on that giant monster, manifested slop of collective AIM fields; that resulted in repurposed of that energy in manifestation of sisters.
Finally, it ends with a climax where Saten and Uiharu maneuver Shirai into a state where she has a speech: "So me and Sissy will finally be able to get married and have loads of love and children. Oh my Sissy, Kuroko won't keep you waiting any longer! Our love for each other is destiny, which the stars foretold for us!"
But Mikoto, sitting in the next box, had enough and decided to tame the passionate redhead. With the words ('Cool down finally!) she leaned over the seats and partition and poured ice-cold soda on the redhead's head. (They sat back to back. Uiharu with Saten on opposite side of the table.)
For the moment it had the desired effect. But as soon as Kuroko saw her 'bride', she was so moved that she threw herself at her. Of course, the next moment there was a flash and the 'thorny red rose' fell onto the seat in her box.
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After a while, a waitress approached the 'rioters'. One could assume that she wanted to ask them to leave, because they were disturbing other customers. But this waitress was a certain brunette. "By the way, is there a problem? Misaka picks up with a professional tone."
Mikoto turned to her in all seriousness with her hands on her hips. She measured her clone from head to toe and back. She was a little embarrassed at the moment because the waitress uniform really suited her. She imagined herself in that uniform looking into the mirror.
Because of certain incident that occurred in a pastry store that selling a chicken deserts, Railgun imagined herself as the manager of one such (store or restaurant). Like when she wearing a really cute costume and a 'Favorite customer' walked in. So she made a little gig dance, putting on a cute pose, innocent smile and a wink toward the customer. (("Welcome to Misaka cafe. What can I do for you?")) Then a rows of younger sister, make surrounded the visitor from sides. As they make stand and a bow of a servants in noble house, they chant in unity. (("Welcome home, master. How can we be at your service, asking Misaka, who's heart doing (Doki, Doki), in hope to be picked up.")) Whoever, the sisters seems to had the same emo expression as usual.
Meanwhile sitting girls greeted Inoue [Misaka #10.032], but the younger brown-haired girl rejected this designation with a gesture and words, saying that they meant the other Misaka. So the trio got confused.
Suddenly, Level-five bristled when she realized, where this conversation could lead. Fighting to get her blushing under a control, she immediately skipped several imaginary lines or pages of a story and got to the point. "No!! I have no intention of buying this restaurant!! Immediately forget the idea, that I'm investing anything in this regards! Also, forget the idea, that you'll be able to claim this restaurant for yourself without buying it, just by working here!" (That was a direct reference to that abandoned food stand located on certain island resort, which didn't have to take place in this version.)
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Saten beamed like a kid who got a present. "So there we have it, let's take a look at our beloved Misaka's new Imoto! So how many?; of those cuties, are going to show up today?"
But Uiharu tamed her schoolmate. "Saten san, even though I have a strong urge to find out the exact number of Misaka sisters, you muss calm down. You're just pulling the strings too much, when you get involved in personal matters."
But this discussion attracted reaction from a third party, that seated in third box in line, right on other side of the box where the action was occurring. A (long-haired) Misaka, who answered them, leaned over the backrest on their side from the corner box behind them. You could tell the amusement from her smile on her warm face. "Are you asking how many of them you can meet in the entire world? Or how many you can meet on the road? Or in one place, like this restaurant? Or maybe the number of currently registered? But if you are asking about the number of targeted/planned production: then start with twenty thousand for the second season alone. But just like the other numbers even the resulting number differs, so to speak. By the way, I'm Dolly." She smiled very warmly at the pair of confused girls in navy (blue) school uniforms, that they drop they jaws. She then turned her attention to Mikoto. "By the way Onee-chan, your goldfish looks like it's on dry land."
Immediately after that, an disliking (Oh no! Now you done it!) groan was heard from her box. Or more precisely as if someone's breath was knocked out while sipping from a cup, and that resulted in short coughing.
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Mikoto got suspicious, already redirecting her attention to something unpleasant. "You cant be serious." Not paying too much attention to this table, she walked over to their box. Her mood turned into a fighting one the moment she saw a certain honey-blonde there. "Shokuhou! I should have known you had a hand in this too!"
But the blonde objected, as if gravely insulted. "First of all; No! Second of all; stop attributing every nonsense that happened on Tokiwadai, to me! Third of all; we were here earlier, before those trio, and you! So we had no intention of interfering of what ever was going on the private area across this wall."
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The older brunette crossed her arms over her chest. "Fine, so if you could… fix this nonsense."
Except blonde was against it. "No idea what you trying to indicate here! Someone in particular, had a really not-lady commentary about me; trying to use my powers for every little thing. But on the other hand, she's asking me, to use them when she sees fit. So, I'm telling you: No!"
Saten, excitedly watching them from over the seat, had a comment about the old couple's marital quarrel, on which Dolly agree that it really look like that. As response both Level-5s shouted at them in unison, that they were not married!
This mischief behavior alerted a different waitress who come to intervene. She was upset that the brow-haired newbie waitress was just standing there. But the moment she look at the corner slot, saw the other two brow-haired girls and the blonde beauty in middle, she freak out. "Shall I even ask?! What the heck is this? An infidelity triangle?!"
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As both of them shout once again "We are not married!"; Shirai was back on feet. With Anti-skill armband on her sleeve, she pull out handcuffs in order to arrest her beloved.
Because happy Dolly just waved them wishing them (Safe travel!) as if it was simple bay; Mental-Out bark a question at Railgun, if they actually do this often, to get out of trouble.
On which Number-Three bark back, that Number-Five is so slow, that it let any pursuers to over run.
At that moment Shirai teleported and both girls from room 208 was gone.
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***
Maid Cafe Sisterhood #4 [Another alternative to the restaurant scene, number 4. This time, Mikoto and her three friends are sitting in a restaurant.]
Prima dona Mugino is coming, followed by Seivelun. She and Railgun followed by Shirai, lock they eyes. Of course, before the Level-fives make any move, Kuroko and Frenda as their mistress's loyal dogs, start barking at each other, uttering mostly nonsense's.
Mugino wants to get out, but #3 and #4 notice how Saten and Frenda exchange greetings as if they were a good friends, the moment the blonde noticed the black-haired girl, completely ignoring the red-head.
At that moment, Misaka gestured to give the black-haired girl a head start. "Saten san!! what's that supposed to mean? Do you really don't have any self preservation drive? Just how many time you have to walk into a danger to get that?"
Except Ruiko tries to calm her down, with a smile and a wink. "But come on, when the leaders of the clubs are in disagreement, it doesn't mean that the rest of the members of those clubs should be in disagreement as well."
The blonde who walk next to her thoughtfully support her friend. "That's right, just for record, this one wonder here; is a 0, but she's a god in cooking."
Even though Frenda had a proud attitude, she completely stiffened when she felt Mugino's predatory gaze falling on her personality. Black-haired girl noticed that expression and went uneasy. That nihilistic Level-five was in doubt as she stare down the supposed cook. "Oh, did you tame someone with the help of food? Does that mean you also wrapped this one up like that?"
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Because it was reference to Misaka, Railgun warned that foolish girl. "Weigh your words Saten san!"
Black-haired girl, even through a sweat drop on her face, kept a businesslike smile. "But, come on! So you really think?; that Shirai would allow me to prepare a rabbit bento [iconic home made food] for princess of Academy city?"
White Frenda got a shock... She didn't get over the shock and impulsively jumped into the conversation, signing up! "Okawari!!" [A line that can serve as a plea of another serving!]
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This instant reaction did not please Mugino: "Frenda, you traitor!"
This beauty had an expression of a murderer who are going to commit a felony right here right now. Blonde shake like newborn goat, urgent her Level-zero friend to flee. Plus it seemed that the brown haired girl will stand up to defend that dummy from tea-haired maniac. On top of it, they ignored red head who put on her sleeve a Judgment symbol and try to intervene.
The black-haired girl intent to calm the situation that was going to escalate any second. But suddenly, she had an idea whether the tea-haired brunette was simply jealous that her cooking was not good enough. And the blonde's devotion was overtaken by random passerby. She clearly imagine a situation that Misaka will be jealously too, when somebody overtake Shirai devotion from her. So she make a impulsive decision. She make a deep bow toward Meltdowner, she plea for a chance to make a home cooking for her. No, she correct herself, by directly offering a cooking lessons, like a tutoring.
Because it sounded out like certain woman whit super-model body suck at cooking to the point that middle-low schoolgirl step in to help her suffering friend; a deep silence echoed in restaurant. The person in question, having this expression of blushing of embarrassment and gritting teeth of wrath, nearly make a step back as she lean away from the anomaly.
Blonde on the other hand had this drop jaw-bone of total shock, of what that suicidal friend of her released from her mouth.
Even duo from Tokiwadai was on lose with words.
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This pat situation got interrupted unexpectedly, when happy child Last Order arrived in middle of them. "No worries, the main character of the story has just arrived. Misaka as Misaka declares her arrival on the scene! Once again, acting like she know all."
Of course, this move of hers did not please the Accelerator who came with her, and as always he look to angry to deal with nonsense. "Hey brat, what are you doing?!"
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"Misaka is just announcing the start of the meeting. Misaka proudly putting her hands on her hips."
"He? Meeting? What the f*ck is with you on this day. I came here to eat. Not to chat over chewing gum in some stale cafe with losers."
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As usual, the little one was full of energy. "Ah, so its the setting issue then. Misaka adjusts the requests to something like a picnic in the meadow, where Misaka as Misaka in a pretty white dress, makes the most gorgeous flower crown for the her beloved only."
Kuroko almost lost her breath imagining the scene. Lots of Mikoto in white dress, sitting in the meadow braiding flower crowns.
Frenda imagined Mugino in a white dress with flowers in her hair and with a gentle smile. Tea-haired beauty was like a beautiful fairy.
Saten imagined Uiharu in same setting, but bees grab her by the flower hair-band and fly off with that girl.
All three of level-5s looked at the two with WTF expressions. While blushing ladies had their faces written on what was going through their heads. The Number-One must saw some kinda of horror, like himself in that setting.
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On the other hand, #5 rose from another table, where she sit across certain long haired Misaka and black haired version of Shirai. "Ladies, we are leaving! And Dolly, forget what you heard here, immediately!"
Except long-haired Misaka had an argument. "That can't even happen, but don't you happen to be worried about the fact, that you would lag behind everyone with your creation? Or that nobody wouldn't enjoy your creation for too much as it break apart before you finish?"
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Shokuhou blushed as red tomato and snapped at Dolly, "That's not what I mean. Why do all the Misaka's take everything as some kind of game, they have to win?"
But the laughing face was still smiling. "Boredom shouldn't be a constant after all."
But Mikoto sighed. "None of you denied anything…" She tried to make a depart too, and drag her friends out of there, but she was meet with a big grin smile, that completely threw her out of rhythm.
It was Number-Seven Sogiita, and as he stand there blocking the escape route, he heard everything. The moment he shout "Count me in!" and start bragging about guts, the rest of the Level-five soured their expressions.
It was pointless to reason with this Idiot. But Mental-out tried and lost, especially when Dolly sided the picking idea. Even Meltdowner stand down, having a (middle age crisis?), when Saten and Frenda tried to intervene. Accelerator probably hoped that the little one will eventually swift its attention to something else, forgetting about this. But then he face-palm himself when realizing that the petite Control-Tower, already spread that information across the entire M.I.S.A.K.A. network, to every Sister in the world.
So Mikoto make a sigh of defeat. "Well… This is an Academy city, one don't be bored here for too long…"
***
[Notes:] That last line, from Mikoto; If I remember correctly, it was her iconic line, mostly at the end of anime series or on its start. At some point I intent to use that line at the end of Electric Princess, but it slip out of my mind completely. Never mind, it is at the end of this episode.