2:20 PM.
Lunchtime was over.
There was still some time till the next event that Kamijou would be participating in. However, they had to book their seats beforehand, so the group of parents, Kamijou Touya, Shiina and Misaka Misuzu quickly headed to the next arena.
Thus right now, the three people walking on the road in front of the bus stop were Kamijou, Index and Mikoto. As Mikoto was from a different school, she had to meet up with her own schoolmates.
(Hm, anyway, let's…)
Kamijou was hiding behind the two girls, as he heaved a sigh of relief deep inside.
They seemed not to notice the events that were happening in Academy City. To Kamijou, as Fukiyose Seiri had gotten involved just now, he didn't wish to involve anyone else, even if Index and Mikoto were the perfect fighting strength that he needed.
Mikoto didn't seem to notice that there was something strange with Kamijou.
"…I've been feeling strange about this, why are both of you always together?"
Seeing Mikoto look at Kamijou and Index's surprised expression, Kamijou was shocked.
Actually, Kamijou didn't know it himself.
Because he had lost his memory. Before he knew it, and that was when he was conscious, Index had been living with him. And he had been hiding the fact that he lost his memory.
Thus, Kamijou thought that he could just 'give a vague answer and leave it for others to interpret it,' or 'try to change the topic' and slip by.
"Then why is short-hair always with Touma?"
Index asked this question faster than Kamijou could say anything.
"What?"
Mikoto flinched slightly at Index's counter-question and said,
"What do you mean 'always'? There's no way I spend 24/7 with this thing! That's balderdash. Even I am not crazy enough to squander my leisure time for this idiot."
"…Wa, to think you'd give me a double attack of 'this thing' and 'idiot.'"
Kamijou lifelessly said, but the two girls didn't bother.
"Hn—"
Index pondered for a while.
"Now that you mention it, that would be the case for me as well."
"WHAT? IS THAT SO???"
"Hn. Touma will abandon me the moment something happens. If it's a case of life and death, he'll stubbornly run to the front like an idiot…I guess it has something to do with short-hair, right?"
"I…I don't know."
It was true that Mikoto was involved in several of the cases, but not to the 'all the time' extent.
If so, what was going on? As Index and Mikoto were thinking about this, they both turned towards Kamijou at the same time.
"…Touma always ends up in the hospital after making a promise. What's going on behind the scenes?"
"…You, you do this sort of thing every time? Speaking of which, you did help those children and Kuroko the last time…"
Kamijou, who was feeling cowardly, inadvertently retreated back.
In a certain sense, what they were saying was true. But thinking about what was happening in Academy City now, he couldn't just simply answer them.
Thus,
"You…you're both really irritating! It's just that, you're just seeing this part of the year where I'm enjoying life the most! It's not a feeling that lasts for a whole year. About that…guess humans have to do two or three cool things in a year!!"
He shouted out, but got cold responses,
"…Is it really two times?"
"I don't think there were only three times."
After that, Kamijou got scolded badly by the two of them. The two girls seemed to feel much better after venting their doubts on Kamijou, and they continued with their normal walking pace.
"The next match is going to start…ah, in the end, I'm still unable to get a good rest. And my body cooled down too much thanks to the air-conditioning, though it's good that my muscles aren't stiff."
"…You're really up for this. What now, don't tell me there's a showdown between two ojou schools."
"…"
Mikoto suddenly stopped her stretching exercise.
"You…don't tell me you forgot about that penalty game."
"What? You said that the loser would be the one whose school has the lower position, and will have to listen to what the winner says. No problem, no problem. Have you seen the points table? Our school isn't far away from Tokiwadai."
"To…to think that you're still so relaxed! Humph! Our school is the most famous for coming back from behind in the second half. So you…your attitude will be quickly…HEY! WHY ARE YOU WALKING AWAY WITHOUT CARING ABOUT WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING!?"
Mikoto continued to fire electric shots at Kamijou, and though the distance was close, his right hand managed to reduce them to nothing.
He himself wanted to shout out, "IT'S SO SCARY! WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS ALL OF A SUDDEN!?" and tremble in fear, but after getting hit directly by one of the only seven Level 5 espers in Academy City, he was still unscathed. The pride of the esper was trampled, as even when Mikoto continued to exclaim "WHY DON'T THEY HIT!!" she was ignored, and ran away at an exceptionally fast speed. Seeing this, Kamijou was worried that her warm up wasn't enough.
Index, who had been holding onto the calico cat up till now, said,
"…listen to what the winner says?"
"It's not that. Even though we said that we'll listen to what the winner says, there's still a limit, Index! It's definitely not that kind of perverted development that you're thinking of, so please relax!!"
"Wa! I'm not thinking about that!!"
Index opened her mouth, but froze halfway through. Index didn't know whether to leap onto him or not, as she could only open her small mouth wide.
Kamijou trembled as he thought,
(Cheh!! Though it's irritating to get bitten, it's awkward for her to have such awareness! It's unbearable to be in kind of attention where nothing is happening. How can I break this deadlock!?)
Taking this opportunity to remove her bad habit of biting others was a way, but if things weren't successful, it wouldn't be good for this awkward situation to continue. Why do I feel like I'm having some dilemma, like I'm confessing to my childhood friend!?
Kamijou was perplexed.
On the other hand, Index's body was stiff now, as she was probably looking to avoid the topic of biting others as she said,
"To…Touma, I'm a bit thirsty, I want some fruit juice over there."
"…Such an unnatural way to change topics."
"That's not important! I said I'm thirsty now! And I want to drink!!"
Index tugged onto Kamijou's hand as she said this. Kamijou thought that since biting was a no-go, grabbing others on the hand was okay? Right now, Kamijou was unable to understand what she was thinking.
"That…wait a sec, Index, didn't you just finish lunch? If you're going to continue eating like this, you're going to grow fat."
"Wha…"
Index, who was wearing a cheerleader attire, let the calico cat in her arms drop onto the ground. The kitty landed on the ground with agility, and jumped back into her arms.
Index was flushed red so badly that she was about to emit steam out of her head.
"No…no way will I grow fat! I definitely eat more than an ordinary person by a little bit, but against your predictions, I haven't grown fat at all!!"
"Real—ly? Have you measured your weight, body fat and waist circumference before? Maybe you haven't noticed it before, but there's quite a few layers added onto your defense."
Kamijou stared at the area around Index's stomach.
Compared to her nun's habit, the thin cheerleader uniform pressed down on Index, revealing all the curves of her body. Because she was wearing a sleeveless vest, even her navel was exposed.
"If…if you don't believe it, you can measure my stomach! I'm prepared anytime!"
"I'm not mentally prepared yet! Also, who would bring a measuring tape along with him all the time, Index!!"
"You don't need it! Touma just needs to wrap his arms around my waist to tell!!"
"WHAT!!??"
Kamijou widened his eyes.
"Hurry! You better try it quickly!!"
The girl's thin hand forcefully grabbed the boy's stiff wrist.
(Damn it…I forgot to convey the message. Seems like I was too agitated just now.)
Mikoto, who had separated from Kamijou, ran along the path she just took.
On the Daihaseisai tour guidebooks that Academy City released, the schedules for all the events were written, but those were the 'pre-arranged' ones, as there would be changes on the actual day.
The time for the 'Bread-eating contest' that Tokiwadai Middle School was participating in had been changed before lunch. If she didn't inform her mom, Misuzu, she might be waiting at an arena where she was not involved in the competition.
Mikoto left her cell phone in her bag that was with the bag storage group of her 'student dormitory,' and there was no public phone nearby. Thus, she was running around the streets just to pass off a few words.
Suddenly, someone was running alongside Mikoto, who was running in a graceful manner.
On an adjustable competitive wheelchair, covered in bandages, was a girl, Shirai Kuroko. Because she was an injured person, and also a spectator, she was wearing a short-sleeved shirt, a thin white rice-colored sweater and a gray pleated skirt, the summer uniform of Tokiwadai Middle School. Her twin butterfly-knotted ponytails were floating behind in the wind.
"Onee—sama, if you're in a rush, do you me to use my Teleport?'"
"…Before I even answer that question, you'll be hugging me without any hesitation, so I'm prepared."
"Heh! As expected of onee-sama, to be able to read my thoughts! I even wanted to add on that I haven't had enough of onee-sama during these few days when I was in the hospital!!"
Mikoto suddenly felt a chill down her spine, and kept a distance from Shirai. Shirai, who was smiling, said as if she suddenly realized something,
"But where is onee-sama rushing off to…? Don…don't tell me! You're going to run back to that corrupted apeman and go cheer for him!?"
"No…no way, idiot! I'm now enemies with that guy."
"Oh really? But that mister seems to be in front of you."
Ah? She's already back there? Mikoto inadvertently looked away from Shirai, who was beside her, to the front.
In front of her was…
A certain boy who was with the silver-haired green-eyed girl.
He was kneeling down, wrapping the cheerleader girl's waist with his two hands, and bringing his face to her tummy.
What…!?
Mikoto was so shocked that she couldn't say anything.
Though it was Daihaseisai, there was no one else on the road besides them. Thus, that guy was taking this opportunity to hug this girl's waist that was thinner than himself by one or two rounds. It was already perverted for a boy and girl to hug each other while facing each other, and what was the reason for him to of specially brought his face close to her?
This made Mikoto speechless.
At this moment, Shirai, who was beside Mikoto and was on the sports-type wheelchair, cried out with an exaggerated tone that was definitely acting,
"Wa, does this feel likes she's a few months pregnant? Or is it she can feel the baby kicking in her tummy…huh? (sniggers)"
Hearing such an exaggerated voice, Mikoto's body started to tremble. Thunder roared as blue and white sparks were emitted from her body. Even if she released a lightning strike, it'd be ineffective against that boy.
It seemed that even the railgun wouldn't hurt him.
But, Mikoto still clenched her right fist tightly.
"GO…TO HELL!!!!!!!! YOU PERVERTED MONSTER——!!!!!!!!!"
She suddenly arrived beside the boy, raised her fist, and beat down with all her strength.
"WOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!????"
Kamijou, who was suddenly hit by a flying punch, left Index as he rolled on the ground. He felt pain from the back of his head, which hit the ground, and his limbs, which rubbed against the ground.
His face felt the amazingly soft feeling of the girl's belly, the small amount of sweat, the sweet smell, and the warmth. As Kamijou was rendered giddy by all these factors, he was now awake since Mikoto punched him. Also, at least he was able to physically separate himself from Index. Kamijou thought that it was killing two birds with one stone, but why wasn't he happy?
"Eh?…I hit him?"
However, Mikoto, who got a hit in, exclaimed loudly.
Kamijou lay on the ground, trembling as he said,
"Uuu…ugh…no, this is good. I'm definitely unable to escape that mysterious pink atmosphere that surrounds Index and me by myself. But, no, however…why can't the world use a gentler way of solving this!!"
Kamijou was almost crying as he rubbed his eyes. But, it was not the hands that he was so used to touching, it felt like a thin piece of cloth. A smooth fabric, maybe satin, what was this? Examining it carefully, it was a white piece of cloth. It was like those paper fans that were used to beat people in a boke and tsukkomi routine on television that were folded in several layers.
It was a pleated skirt.
Index's cheerleading uniform.
"............................................."
The vertical zipper on the side of the skirt was ripped, and now it was a rectangular piece of cloth. As he was wrapping his arms around Index's waist, he seemed to have grabbed onto the skirt. When he had been hit in that state, he had pulled it along.
(Then…)
Kamijou timidly looked away from his hands to the front.
In front of him was Index, whose face was now completely red. She was still wearing the cheerleading uniform, but what remained of it was only the pale green sleeveless vest. The skirt that should be there was now gone, for it was in Kamijou's hands.
Forget about her navel, the underwear and thighs of the silver-haired green-eyed girl could be seen completely. No, strictly speaking, she was wearing a tennis underwear-shaped pants type apparel. Maybe it was just his imagination, but the creases on the underwear-shaped apparel was showing on several parts, but of course, there were some places where he couldn't look (Though Kamijou still explained them in detail).
"!!"
With the two hands that were holding the calico cat, Index hastily covered her lower abdomen, but of course, she couldn't cover it completely. Now flushed red, Index tried her hardest to look away from Kamijou's gaze, but the attitude seemed to be a bit too sensational.
Looking at the scene in front of him, and the smooth skirt in his hands, Kamijou thought,
(—I'm dead. In five seconds, my skull cap will be crushed to bits by Index's front teeth…no, even her canine molars are itching to bite me! …Hey, wait a sec. Right now, Index seems to be mindful about biting others! So maybe there's a chance to escape!?)
In desperation, Kamijou was looking for hope, and just as he was about to run away,
"…Hold on, you bastard."
"…Long time no see, mister."
The cold voices of Misaka Mikoto and Shirai Kuroko were heard.
"…"
As Kamijou cowardly looked at them, the girl that was emitting blue and white sparks pulled out some arcade game coins from the pockets of her shorts, while the girl on the wheelchair brazenly flipped her skirt and pulled out terrifying metal spikes from her thighs.
"Hmph, though I have no need to help that girl."
"But onee-sama's enemy is my enemy."
Though their tones didn't seem to be energetic, the voltage of those two seemed to have reached the highest. Index, the only one who could save him, was now hiding behind Mikoto, her face all red.
(My…my life's at its end.)
Now tired and weary, Kamijou placed his hand on his forehead, as he finally said, like he was not giving up,
"But, in this situation, the most important thing is to stop this useless war. How about everyone work together to solve the problem about Index's skirt? Can we use a peaceful method of settling this? I guess not, huh? I'm sorry…"
Kamijou, who originally intended to justify his actions, could not maintain it.
At the same time, the two girls seemed to treat this as his final words, and jumped on him.