Chapter 15: A certain number 4

"Hey Hey, are you alive, are you okay, says misaka as Misaka worries about her sister aka the white version" Pressing on a certain girl's cheeks on the hospital bed, Last Order was lying at the edge of the bed, her legs swinging a few centimeters off the ground. Lying on the bed With her long white hair spreading all over the bed, Misaka#10000's gaze was toward the white ceiling. She was in a moment of loss, her mind feeling disconnected from the world. (...life is not so good...) The area she was in was not off-limits, but people almost never came there because of how far away it was from the routes leading to the exits. In the hospital, it was known as the clinical research area, but warm sunbeams came in through the window despite that over-the-top name. Shifting her gaze downward, she could see four girls sitting on the solid ground, each holding a controller as they played a video game on the room's TV - Super Mario Galaxi 2. All four of them had shoulder-length brown hair and skin so white it almost looked transparent. They all had the exact same silhouette and their eyes were the same in every way from the shape and color to the iris and retina. Despite the season, they all wore the Tokiwadai Middle School summer uniform: gray pleated skirt, short-sleeve white blouse, and sleeveless summer sweater. They went by many different names. The Sisters. Radio Noise. Mass-produced military models of a Level 5. And Misaka#10000 was one of them, though her long white hair set her a little apart from the rest. Due to the effects of growth acceleration techniques using genetic manipulation and drugs, their lifespan has been drastically reduced. They were undergoing various treatments in the hospital to overcome that, and thanks to #10000's Esper ability effect through the network, they would now be heading outside bit by bit for rehabilitation. Fixing her eyes on the ceiling Once again, ignoring a certain little clone talk. The door suddenly opened and a man with a frog-face Old man came through, pulling Misaka's eyes toward it. "Seems it was nothing," said a plump doctor as he closed the door behind him While taking a set on a swiveling chair in front of Misaka's bed. He must have been aware he resembled a frog because he had a sticker of a small tree frog on the ID card on his chest. "I thought I'd have to perform some magical feat to save someone on the edge of death after Accelerator explained what happened, but in the end, it was just low blood sugar." He was holding a small clipboard of the sort waiters used. Misaka remained silent, puzzled about what he was talking about. She had just woken up a few moments ago, and it was already noon. She didn't know what had brought her here or how. The last thing she remembered was hearing that weird sound from the monster. And now, as she opened her eyes, she found herself on an unfamiliar bed, staring up at an unfamiliar ceiling. She had an idea of what might have brought her here, as Last Order had kept complaining about how Accelerator was carrying her like a princess when he brought her unconscious and naked here... She opened her mouth, trying to speak her first words, but a terrifying scream from the next room made her mouth open without a sound. "Oh, he made her angry once again. Well, I have to check on another one of my patients. I'll be back in a moment." He reached for the door and left the room, leaving the puzzled girls behind. They all exchanged glances before looking away, with the four clones returning to their video games, Misaka staring at the ceiling, and Last Order going back to annoying her. (That scream was kind of familiar... anyway, for now, I think I have to go back to the apartment. They would be worried. As for what happened, I can either ask the frog face or directly Accelerator." Summoning some strength in her arms, she sat up while shifting her eyes toward the Last Order beside her. "You enjoying your time, aren't you? asks Misaka." "I am the one who should be saying that says Misaka as Misaka protests about how #10000 got all the action for herself." (Action? My ass. Fighting those weirdos is the last thing I would wish for.) Sighing, she removed the intravenous (IV) tube from her arm and moved out of the bed, standing on her feet. She felt a little dizzy, but nothing seemed serious in her body, though she felt a dull pain on the back of her neck. "Where are you going, says Misaka as Misaka worried about the fact you would be still hurt somewhere" "OH, don't worry, Misaka analyzed her body. There is nothing serious. Misaka just needs to eat." Shifting her gaze swiftly to the four clones on the ground, they seemed to be silent, ignoring her. She wasn't sure. But, As long as #10046 was fine and hadn't been hurt during the kidnapping, that was enough for her. Turning around, she opened the door and closed it behind her, finding herself in a dimly lit hallway with a faint glow from the lamps. "Hmm?" Turning to her right, she saw several familiar faces standing at the front door of the next room. Aisa and Motoharu were chatting with a woman whom Misaka hadn't seen in a long time. (She hasn't changed her clothes since then...) "OH! What's up, Misa-yan?" Motoharu noticed her, and Misaka just sighed as she approached him. "Are you okay? I was worried after Motoharu told me you spent the night in the hospital." "Huh, he told you? No, wait, how did he know-" She shifted her eyes from Aisa toward Motoharu as she spoke, and she stopped as she noticed his usual playful smile. "Never mind... Are you here to visit me? Asks Misaka as she is touched by her friend's behavior" "Yeah, and also a friend of ours. It seems he also ended up in the hospital... again," Aisa answered as she pointed at the room beside them. "Again? Does he have some kind of illness?..." "Yeah, getting involved in things that are none of his business," Motoharu chimed in as he laughed. "Ah, I see..." Coming to the end of their greeting chat, her eyes met with those of the woman in the weird clothing, Kanzaki Kaori. "Lomg time no see, Pervert woman...Says Misaka as she bowed in greeting" "Perv-! My name is Kanzaki Kaori." She was furious as she fixed her eyes on Misaka, her cheeks were a little red. "Nya? You guys already know each other?" "Well... let's say she tried to kill Misaka in our first meeting..." "I thought you were a mage, but it seems I was right... Motoharu, who is she?" Kanzaki turned her eyes toward the sunglasses boy. "Oh, she is the leader of our group, the one I told you about before, remember?" "T-the neutral group? She the leader?" (Neutral group... that's a good name for the team) "...anyway, putting that aside..." Motoharu's expression suddenly became serious. "What happened with Orsola Aquinas* and the Amakusastyle*," he asked. "The discussions under the jurisdiction of the Anglican church have ended. Allying with the Anglican church will better protect them from the roman catholic church's retribution and any assassination plots." Kanzaki answered "So the Nun Orsola is still a target?" "No- the Anglican church will make it publicly known that Orsola's decryption method was incorrect. Once that is known, I believe any trouble dealing with her connection to the "Book of Law" will Disappear" "And the Amakusa -style?" "They joined the Anglican church..." "I see..." Motoharu rubbed his jaw, deep in thought, before his eyes captured the confusion in Misaka's eyes, her facial experience didn't change, but he could tell she really was confused. "When we get back to our base, I'll explain everything, don't worry. The only thing you need to know for now is that we'll have many missions to be involved in, especially with the magic side." "..." (So that wasn't a mere imagination game?) Part 2: The noon sun bathed Academy City in warm, golden light, creating long shadows of buildings and people on the bustling streets. The city was filled with activity as students, researchers, and residents went about their daily routines. Leaving the hospital behind, Misaka and Aisa stepped out onto the lively streets of Academy City. With so many visitors for their friend, Aisa felt there was no need for her to stay, so she decided to follow behind Misaka, who was planning to get herself lunch to fill her empty stomach. Not long after, they made their way to a restaurant that served school cafeteria food. Its modern and sleek exterior invited them in. Finding a cozy corner, they settled down at a table. "Should I feel free this time too?" Aisa spoke, teasing Misaka, which was unusual for her. "Your pocket is full after the previous day's mission, you're on your own, answered Misaka." Misaka held the menu, choosing what to order, and the same for Aisa. "EkK!!" Before a weird sound interrupted them. Lowering the menu in their hands, they shifted their gaze toward the source. A little girl with blonde hair and blue eyes, dressed in a pair of pumps and dark-colored clothes. Pantyhose. A dark-colored beret adorns her head and she is standing there, her eyes wide with surprise. Both Misaka and Aisa exchanged a glance before turning their attention back to the little girl. Misaka tried to reach for the girl to calm her down, but she went running, screaming. "Captain!!" They followed her with their eyes as she ran to a table on the other side of the restaurant. The little girl seemed to be talking to someone, and as Misaka watched, a head appeared from the edge of the table bench, and their eyes met. "Oh? Look who we have here?" A tall and slender woman spoke as she approached them. She had soft tea-colored hair and was dressed in stylish clothing, wearing a bright short-sleeved coat with a belt and a checkered pattern ascot or cravat. She had yellow stockings and a sweater underneath. She wasn't alone, as two more figures walked behind her. She wasn't alone, as two more figures walked behind her. One was a high school girl who looked tired, with shoulder-length black hair and dressed in track pants with a white shirt. The other was a young girl of 12 with short brown hair in a bob-cut. She wore a fluffy knit dress, specifically a sweater dress, and no legwear other than striped socks, exposing her thighs and legs. "Did you decide to wear a wig because you went bald?" "...Huh?" "What? Shocked because you saw me?" (What the... who is that?) "Hmmm... wait, don't tell me you're... PF HAHAHAHA" Misaka glanced back and forth between the laughing woman and Aisa, feeling confused. (What's wrong with her?) "You're one of her clones, right? The fact that you're eating her as a human being is a big joke. Did you run from your facility?" "..." "Well, it's not like I care, but you see, the one they made you from really... gives me some pain in the ass, so I thought I would give the pain back, but you were just a cheap clone, what a disappointment." "Is that it?" "Hmm?" "If that's all you have to say, then go and sit in your place. You're disturbing people here." "Hmmm... you're right. I don't have any business with you, so everything is fine. So, how about standing up so we can sit?" (For god's sake, is her face the only thing about her that is not trash?) Misaka reached for her eyes, rubbing them before standing to her feet. Aisa followed behind her. "Sweet, you had a brain unlike the original...?" As the tall woman, Mugino Shizuri, was about to take her seat, Misaka stood directly in front of her. "Are you looking for a fight?" There was a faint crackling electric sound around Misaka. "HEH~? That's something big to be told from a mere clone," Shizuri smiled. --------------------------------------------------------- Orsola Aquinas: is a nun-in-training formerly under the Roman Catholic church, who specializes in preaching to pagan countries, and in decoding written codes. This skill in decoding puts her in harm's way as she wants to decipher and destroy the infamous book of the law, prompting the very institution she is in to attack her, and forcing her to seek refuge. She is first introduced in Toaru Majutsu no Index in distress, and her plight and struggle are chronicled in the Orsola Aquinas rescue arc. Afterward, she receives the protection of the Anglican church and becomes a member of its church of necessary evil, and yet, she never truly abandons being a Roman Catholic, though she no longer serves under its institution and instead serves the Anglican Church. Amakusastyle: (Amakusa-Style Crossist Church or Born Again Amakusa-Style Crossist Church) is a Christian sect based in Japan Amakusastyle: (Amakusa-Style Crossist Church or Born Again Amakusa-Style Crossist Church) is a Christian sect based in Japan. The sect remained a secretive organization, with its most well-known member being saint Kanzaki Kaori, until September 9th of the story year, when it formally joined the church of England, one of the largest Christian denominations in the world of Toaru Majutsu no Index, as part of necessary. Highly skilled in idol theory, they are noted for their subtlety in practicing magic, which is carefully hidden in everyday objects and bodily gestures. Highly skilled in idol theory, they are noted for their subtlety in practicing magic, which is carefully hidden in everyday objects and bodily gestures.