[SS] Project Radio Noise

“Preparations have all been completed, Misaka serial number 9981 reports.”

The words were spoken out aloud with an emotionless voice. They were swiftly carried by the night wind, the sound dispersing freely into the sky. There appeared to be no one nearby to hear the words uttered, but to this brown-haired girl with goggles sitting upon her forehead, there was no need for anyone to be nearby.

She stood within a deserted area, surrounded by trees and benches where people would happily rest during daytime. Clutched tightly in her hands was an unusual object- a rifle. At a single glance, one could dismiss it as a fake toy, but upon closer observation, it can be realised that the metallic item is very much a real and dangerous weapon, capable of killing someone with just one shot. A certain vending machine with the number 7116 was nearby, displaying colourful cans of soda with the whitish glow of fluorescent light. All was quiet- the students around this area had to strictly keep to their curfews.

The girl nodded into the darkness. Strands of hair blew wildly into her face, but she hardly seemed to notice.

“All conditions have been met for the commencement of this experiment, Misaka confirms.”

A flurry of activity passed through her mind. Thousands of consciousnesses were listening in to her reports, seeing through her eyes, feeling what she felt. The coolness of the wind, the cloudless, starlit sky, the permeating silence… It was now being experienced by the Misaka clones around Academy City, communicated through the Misaka Network.

Slowly, the girl raised the tip of her gun into the air and fired three shots in succession. The sound shattered the silence like breaking glass, echoing around the deserted area like a signal.

Lowering the gun, she put the goggles over her eyes. With this, she could see the electromagnetic field lines, just as well as the Original could.

“The Target had not been informed of this experiment’s location, but this should be enough to draw his attention, Misaka believes.”

With that, the short-haired girl fell silent and unmoving. Under the peaceful night sky, she waited ever-so patiently for her Target and Death to arrive.

***
Some distance away within a certain student dormitory, a brown-haired girl wearing her favourite green Gekota pajamas slept soundly. A giant stuffed bear with the name “Kill bear” etched upon its collar lay silently within her arms. As peaceful slumber overtook her tired mind after the eventful day, a slight smile curved upon her lips. A contented sigh breathed; even in sleep she appeared relieved and comforted by the information that had been uncovered today.

False rumours. No clones. Just as she had hoped.

Little did she know that her nightmares had already begun.

"Did I keep you waiting?" Accelerator's voice was dry with sarcasm. The ghastly figure approached, the darkness seeping between the broken white of his shirt in a way that made him seem part of the night. A grim spectre that drifted ever closer to the doomed girl with a slow and steady gait.

Crimson eyes fell upon the rifle gripped in her hands. An arrogant smirk wrenched at thin lips.

"I don't know what's more insulting..." He started with a deranged pitch to his voice. "That you fired a warning shot..." The smirk had transformed into an unnatural smile that split his face ear to ear. Or so it seemed in the light of the street lamps. "Or that you thought something like that would help you."

His reedy, thin laugh carried on the open air, resounding through the night.

"Tell you what... since you made it easy for me to find you I'll give you this one for free." Accelerator stopped moving. His gaunt face turned to the clone with a slow and deliberate motion. Standing there he presented an easy target. "Come on. Plant one right here." He craned forward and tapped at his forehead, inviting the girl to take the shot.

"Did I keep you waiting?"

Her body tensed as the Target approached, but the girl did not move nor speak. Behind the green screen of her goggles, the pair of brown orbs followed his predatory movements.

"I don't know what's more insulting...That you fired a warning shot..." The girl stared impassively as Accelerator’s twisted grin grew bigger in an unnaturally sadistic manner. "Or that you thought something like that would help you."

"Tell you what... since you made it easy for me to find you I'll give you this one for free. Come on. Plant one right here." He stopped moving and tapped a spot in the middle of his forehead. The clone stared mutely at his tapping finger, as if she could not comprehend his actions.

“This gun is not the usual weapon that had been used in previous experiments, Misaka confesses. This is an Assault-2B4, an upgraded automatic shotgun manufactured and imported from Russia, Misaka explains. Because of its high firepower and increased speed, Misaka greatly doubts that even you could defend against its attacks.”

The words flowed from her lips continuously, without inflection or tone. With the final syllables, the girl in Tokiwadai uniform abruptly raised the gun, pointing it nonchalantly at Accelerator’s head.

“But Misaka will take this chance since you offered it, Misaka decides before you can change your mind. It is now 00:05. Experiment 9981 will now commence.”

As soon as the last word was said, the air was filled with shattering sounds of bullets being rapidly fired. The girl had pulled the trigger with a chilling display of great skill, her face an absolute mask. No fewer than ten bullets had been fired continuously in the space of a second, the barrel of the weapon flaring up brightly.

The flare of gunfire made it difficult to see, the world strobing through bright flashes. The rattling pop of rounds being fired was interrupted by the intermittent whir of stray bullets passing 9981's head. Occasionally an angry spark would flicker as copper struck copper, meeting in mid air as they were reflected back towards the girl.

As the last of the bullet casings clattered against the floor with a tinny ring Accelerator shook his head with condescending disappointment.

"Looks like you were all talk." Another dry chirp of laughter. The crazed grimace of bloodlust flashed across his face for a fraction of a second before he launched forward with incredible speed. His fist swung at 9981's stomach with a powerful blow.

The clone took a hesitant step back after the first round of bullets were used up. The right edge of her goggles had a chip where a rebounding bullet had grazed past. A mild look of surprise overcame her usually mask-like expression at seeing Accelerator still completely unharmed as the final flash faded away.

"Looks like you were all talk."

As his amused laughter invaded her ears, he suddenly became a blur of white. Before she could even register what had happened, the girl found herself sailing backwards in the air, the gun cradled tightly in her arms. She landed roughly on her back a few meters away, pain rippling from her stomach.

She turned to her side cringing, hands flying to the place where the albino had punched her with brutal force. A violent fit of coughing erupted and the clone spit out some blood. As if confused, the girl slowly sat up and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, staring blankly at the red smear this action left behind.

“Misaka observes that the “barrier” the Target uses is much tougher than expected.”

While she spoke, she unsteadily got back onto her feet. One hand clutching her bruised stomach, the other tightly holding the gun, 9981 stood back up to face Accelerator again.

"Even so, this experiment is not yet concluded, Misaka adds."

A thin stream of blood leaked from the corner of her mouth and dripped onto the ground, but she paid no attention to it.

The screeching noises of the alarm sounded and shook the very room itself. Kaede immediately covered her ears in retaliation to this. Accelerator had mumbled something just before, but unfortunately Kaede wasn't able to catch what he said.

"Sensei! What's with the alarm?!"

The annoyed Yoshikawa gradually moved towards her nearby Computer. It only took a few moments for Yoshikawa to completely suppress the resonating noise via Admin Control through her computer. Lost in the confusion of recent happenings, Kaede noticed that Accelerator vanished without a trace.

"Accelerator's not here? Where'd he go?"

Yoshikawa put her efforts into reading recent logs the contained the situation that triggered the alarm in the first place. As Yoshikawa read more, she stopped and plainly sighed.

"Looks like the alarm was caused by a defect in the system... or so they say. Anyways, don't worry about Accelerator. He's probably just roaming around the city like he usually does."

As reasonable as those were, Kaede still had some kind of bad feeling dwelling up inside her. Yoshikawa avoiding her questions about this Research Project, Accelerator's involvement, and, most important of all, the true purpose of this project other than just creating Misaka Mikoto's clones. Maybe, the original might know something... However, realizing that the clone within her grasp was still in need of the Testament Machine.

"Oh right Sensei, never mind all of that! We still have to take her to the Testament machine."

Yoshikawa looked at her assistant with bored eyes as if she was staring into empty space.

"Ah that's right. Let's finish that off and call it a day, it's already getting pretty late. You wouldn't want your brother miss out on your cooking now would you?"

Something triggered within Kaede's mind after hearing Yoshikawa's words. Her eyes gleamed with eagerness as her entire personality changed becoming as restless as possible. Kaede rushed towards the Testament machine in the next room, while carrying the Misaka clone in her arms.

Having reached the machine, she gently placed the clone within the capsule and rushed towards the control panel. Several moments later, Yoshikawa entered the room breathless.

"Whoa. You become pretty energetic when you actually put effort into something."

The lab researcher inspected the room, realizing that the process of the clone receiving intelligence was already underway.

"The process should be done within the next 30 minutes."

Kaede smiled as she waved at her senior with her personality back to normal.

Kikyou watched the exuberant girl hurry about her work with the kind of zeal that only young love could foster. Whatever she was so eager to return to, it was obviously important.

The scientist stood beside the machine, 'Testament' and watched as the girl within was bombarded with an endless stream of information. Though this machine one could learn anything from language, theory and logic to motor functions and complex movement patterns that would require a lifetime to hone through traditional methods.

So much data, streamed at breakneck pace into a newborn brain. She could scarcely imagine what the girl in that capsule must be experiencing. Perhaps she wouldn't remember.Perhaps, like the trauma of birth the clone's memory would reject the overwhelming experience. Kikyou could only hope.

"I wonder if they dream..." She said aloud absent-mindedly as Kaede passed nearby.

***

“Misaka observes that the “barrier” the Target uses is much tougher than expected.”

He didn't speak, watching with some amusement as the girl struggled back to her feet. He was content to wait, it appeared, for the girl to ready herself.

It would be a shame for this to be over to quickly.

"Even so, this experiment is not yet concluded, Misaka adds."

"Oh?" He raised an eyebrow inquisitively, his head cocking to one side as he tried to decide if this latest clone had some sort of plan up her sleeve or was simply defective. Maybe they took her out of the tubes early? Either way he was eager to find out.

"That's the spirit." He opened his arms out wide as though beckoning her in for an embrace. "Lets see if you can entertain me for longer than the others." The ground cracked under foot as he lunged forward again with another shot aimed at her torso. It was time to see how quickly these dolls learnt.

A beeping noise filled the laboratory, signaling the completion of the Testament’s work on the clone. As the sound faded away, the lid of the machine smoothly opened, revealing the girl inside. Her brown eyes fluttered open, gazing around the room slowly as she lay. With admirable serenity she sat up, swinging her legs to the side. Her unfaltering gaze settled on Kikyou and stared at the woman unabashedly. There was something distinctly different about this long-haired girl now- an aura of alertness surrounded the 14 year old figure. It was evident just from looking at her that she no longer had the mentality of a newborn baby.

The clone’s eyes swept up and down the scientist. Then, staring straight into Kikyou’s eyes with deadly seriousness, the girl calmly stated,

“Your T-shirt is very plain, Misaka observes. Misaka highly doubts it is even made of pure cotton and thus not of good quality. Your jeans have undergone photodegradation, Misaka continues her analysis, possibly due to too much exposure to UV rays from the sun. Misaka adds that there is excessive wear on the inner side of your sneakers because you overpronate when you walk. Misaka can conclude from this with certainty that you have dismal knowledge about your own clothes and needs. Overall, Misaka is quite disappointed with your fashion-sense, Misaka summarises her thoughts clearly.”

The girl’s calm composure did not alter for a single moment as she spoke, the rather insulting words flowing out smoothly without shame.

***
“That's the spirit. Lets see if you can entertain me for longer than the others.”

This time, 9981 saw him launch forward and immediately leaped back, shooting lightning at the white blur. But it was impossible to beat his speed. Pain exploded again on her torso, spreading through her body like wildfire as she soared through the air.

Her body skidded and rolled along the ground, but this time, she used the momentum to bring herself up to a crouching position with the rifle tucked safely in her arms. Blood was rapidly filling her mouth, but she quickly swallowed the metallic-tasting liquid and fired another desperate round at the albino.

The calm demeanor that she had had was now replaced by a very focused yet pained-filled expression. Her heart was beating in her eardrums loudly, but she squeezed the trigger with all her might. The quick flashes blinded her for a moment and she wildly struck out with her lightning again as she fired the weapon. She was only guessing his position now, but the clone wanted to maximise the damage output as much as possible.

After the deafening barrage of gunfire, the hollow click of the rifle's empty chamber seemed almost anti-climactic. The ricochet of rounds in the air had ceased briefly as whatever force had been repelling them vanished.

Had her adversary's ability been overcome by the sheer firepower brought to bear by the girl? As her eyes swept the ground for any sign of the esper's body she would hear a familiar voice in her ear.

"You missed me." He hissed with a voice laced with malevolent glee. Before she had time to face him fully he struck out with his foot at her weapon. It was a clumsy blow, but there was no denying its power, hitting with the force of a sledgehammer.

The weapon dropped to the ground as the powerful force slammed onto her hands. Some of her fingers bent the wrong way and the girl yelped out in pain as she stumbled away. She glanced in bewilderment at the fast-swelling appendages, oddly-angled from the top of her palm.

“The Target possesses the ability to survive greater power than Misaka predicted…” The girl said quietly, “But Misaka thinks if the attack comes from many directions at once…”

From her skirt pocket, the clone quickly took out a small remote. With a determined glint in her usually blank eyes, 9981 pressed an orange button with a still functioning finger, pointing the short antenna at the Target.

Ten small devices had already been set up before the battle by the girl, placed in inconspicuous spots around the vicinity. From these, fist-sized torpedos were launched, heading directly for the albino Level 5. It had an automated tracking system so that once a target was locked, the small torpedos would follow relentlessly until they hit the designated target. Upon impact, the torpedos would blow up like grenades; a single one would be capable of shredding a full-grown beast to pieces instantly.

From different angles and directions these deadly bullets traveled at a terrifying speed; all programmed to arrive at one destination: Accelerator.

"I wonder if they dream....?"

Her Senpai uttered these words as her young assistant approached her. Was she referring to the clones? Kaede thought about her own answer for the moment.

"Well if they are born as a child, crying and all, they're as much as human any of us. Even if the Testament fills their mind up with fixed emotions, the mind of that newborn child is still there and growing. I'm sure they dream if they still have that. I'm probably mumbling nonsense... but I kinda feel like their older sister trying to help them grow up whenever I'm using my esper powers on them. I feel like I'm doing all I can to push them forward."

Kaede observed the Testament's progress through the computer screen, and managed to remember her little brother's rough times as a child. Her own father's disappearance coupled with the accidental death of her mother by Haragi's hands. Haragi's insanity reduced as Kaede was there for his emotional support. She had not once hated her brother regardless of what he's done.

Recently, the Misaka sisters that were produced, each required Kaede's care of helping them growing up. Similar to her brother's situation, she treats them as a older sister.

BEEP BEEP!

The sound of the Testament finishing it's procedure was underway. Kaede and Yoshikawa focused their attention to the pod which contained the Misaka clone Serial Number 19956 inside. The lid slid open with a figure climbing out of the pod. The figure observed the area as though she was a tourist sight seeing. But then she directed her eyes towards Yoshikawa.

“Your T-shirt is very plain, Misaka observes. Misaka highly doubts it is even made of pure cotton and thus not of good quality. Your jeans have undergone photodegradation, Misaka continues her analysis, possibly due to too much exposure to UV rays from the sun. Misaka adds that there is excessive wear on the inner side of your sneakers because you overpronate when you walk. Misaka can conclude from this with certainty that you have dismal knowledge about your own clothes and needs. Overall, Misaka is quite disappointed with your fashion-sense, Misaka summarises her thoughts clearly.”

Her insults towards Yoshikawa didn't surprise Kaede as much. Previous clones had sometimes commented on Yoshikawa's unprofessional clothing right after they received the Testament's treatment. Ignoring the clones' comment, Yoshikawa revealed the pair of undergarment she once held before.

"Well unlike my clothing, I think these panties should be perfect for you."

Yoshikawa once again tossed the piece of clothing, hoping nothing would go wrong, towards the expressionless clone. After a few moments, Kaede approached the newly born with a blanket to wrap around her avoiding the exposure of the clone's naked body any further.

"I hope you know I've been the one watching over you as you grew."

Kaede smiled, as she acted like the elder sister she aimed to be.

The albino's face flickered with surprise as the devices activated, launching their payload towards him.

He stamped down hard on the floor, the paving slabs disintegrating and splintering into fragments that leapt into the air around him. The missiles erupted in a wall of flame that billowed outward in rolling plumes. Several long seconds passed before the thick smoke began to clear.

"That was a cheap trick." Accelerator stood undaunted in the centre of the smoking ruin. "But if that's all you have up your sleeve, I suggest you just lie down and die." He approached the clone, rolling his shoulders. A burst of speed landed him at her side and impossibly strong fingers wrapped around her throat, slamming her hard into the vending machine behind her.

"It's over." He said coldly.

"Well unlike my clothing, I think these panties should be perfect for you."

Panties landed nearby her and the clone picked it up, examining it briefly.

“Misaka thinks these blue and white striped panties are also rather plain. Something that was purple with a floral pattern would have been better, she states her own preferences. If this is all you have however, then Misaka supposes she could make do with this one.”

With this, she stood up and wore the undergarments without a hint of embarrassment in front of the two women. A blanket was quickly wrapped around her body by Kaede, but she made no move to acknowledge the act.

"I hope you know I've been the one watching over you as you grew."

Mikoto stared at Kaede, her usually expressionless face looking almost thoughtful.

“Are you my Onee-sama? Misaka asks frankly. Misaka was under the impression she had only one Onee-sama, the Original. Says Misaka as she ponders the question with confusion.”

***

"That was a cheap trick. But if that's all you have up your sleeve, I suggest you just lie down and die."

The clone’s eyes widened with unmasked surprise and fear, and she quickly turned to flee. Before she could even take a step however, a blur of white slammed her into a vending machine, strong fingers tightly wrapped around her throat.

"It's over." She heard him say coldly.

She choked in his grip, struggling wildly. Her fingers clenched around his offending ones, trying in vain to unhook them from her throat. When that didn’t work however, she kicked out desperately at his legs, but some strange barrier directed the momentum away whenever she got close.

Her face was slowly turning blue from lack of oxygen.

“Mis…aka… thought… the.. outs…-de… air… was n… ice….”

She continued to struggle in his grasp, desperate to breathe the fresh air once more.

**
July 22nd



“Ah~ The Sun is bright~”

A brown-haired girl twirled in the open sunlight, smiling brightly as she looked up to the blue sky.

“It would be bad if I got sunburnt, but it wouldn’t be summer if it wasn’t like this, right~?”

She danced along, humming a delightful tune. On this day, happiness surrounded Tokiwadai’s Ace like an invincible aura. Last night, Mikoto had been too exhausted to be truly happy about yesterday’s discoveries, but after a refreshing sleep, she felt renewed and filled with positive energy.

“Ohhh~ Look at this Kuroko!” She excitedly called out to her junior who was trailing behind her. The Electromaster pointed with much enthusiasm at something in the bushes, eyes shining like a young child's.

“It’s a cicada shell!”

“Mis…aka… thought… the.. outs…-de… air… was n… ice….”

KRAK!

The clone's struggling ceased suddenly with the sharp jerk of Accelerator's wrist and he let the body fall as he turned to leave.

He had never been one to gloat over corpses.

After all, the dead can't feel fear.

***

“Ah~ The Sun is bright~ It would be bad if I got sunburnt, but it wouldn’t be summer if it wasn’t like this, right~?”

Kuroko followed close behind the older girl with a wary expression that could only be described as a mingling of disbelief and weariness, with perhaps a tinge of embarrassment. She had never before seen such a display from the older girl. It was quite a departure from both her usual tomboyish nature and the elegantly refined image she maintained. And far removed from her recent low moods.

Sickening was the sole word that came to mind.

“Ohhh~ Look at this Kuroko! It’s a cicada shell!”

Still, it was hard to begrudge her the small joys in life. After all, this was normal for girls their age, right?

“Are you my Onee-sama? Misaka asks frankly. Misaka was under the impression she had only one Onee-sama, the Original. Says Misaka as she ponders the question with confusion.”

As innocent as the question was, Kaede couldn't lie to her saying she was. Her hand met the clone's head, gently stroking her strand of hair.

"Not biologically of course. But I try my best to take care of you and your other sisters while sleeping, hoping I would be able to fulfill that role."

If anything were to happen to the sisters she looked after from young age, she would immediately go out of her way to protect their lives. But, Yoshikawa assured that these clones were most likely to be used as research projects for military purposes. After the project was done, the sisters would be able to live normal lives in the real world or so she was told.

"Senpai?"

The lab assistant called out to the woman who seemed to be amused by the bond between her student and the Misaka sisters.

"Huh?"

"You're sure these clones will be all right after the project?"

All Yoshikawa was able to do was vividly try to avoid the question. She muttered,

"If I knew the answer to that and was the right thing to do, I would tell you."

Grinning out of dissatisfaction from her similar response from previous confrontations, Kaede focused her attention once again towards the sister while realizing her shift was up.

"Look, if you feel uncomfortable with the way things are or you want to talk about something, come find me. I'll be there to listen and help you out as much as I can."

Kaede stared into the clone's expressionless eyes, hoping to see if she made her feelings get through to her. It was clear that Kaede done similar treatments to the previous clones she had helped develop. However, Kaede still had to look after her little brother, Haragi. Leaving now would be best despite the fact that she would hate herself leaving the clone with Yoshikawa to send off to the higher ups in the coming days.

Since Yoshikawa kept dodging her questions, Kaede wanted to assure that the clones were unharmed by the end. To do that, she would have to either speak with Accelerator or the person who supplied the neccessary DNA to create these clones. The "original", Misaka Mikoto, who's also ranked the 3rd Strongest Level 5 in Academy City because of her extraordinary esper ability to control electricity. Of the two, the easier to find should be Misaka Mikoto since she regularly attends Tokiwadai Middle School. That information alone was common news to those who's heard of her.

"Okay! I'll be going home then. I'll leave her in your care, Senpai. Please look after her. I'll be in again tomorrow evening or so for the next batch."

After patting the clone's head one last time, Kaede left the Research lab to head home. She had only one thing in mind for tomorrow, which was to locate and find Misaka Mikoto and ask her about the true purpose behind this project she herself approved to. Kaede had felt like there was something big she was being left out of, and knowing about it too late would be regretful.

-------------------------------------------------

Entering the majestic presence of the district in which the great Tokiwadai Middle School was located in, Kaede had felt that only citizens of upper class would only be able to attend here. Even though it was morning, it was fairly populated with a moderate amount of people walking by unlike the busy streets of her own district during morning rush hours. Her father, being a head lab researcher, wouldn't have enough money to be able to permit Kaede to attend. Maybe she should have dressed more formally before arriving, since she wore bright purple blouse with the inner sides of her chest being exposed in the middle and matching with a tight miniskirt underneath. Other "traits" of her upper body was noticeable by others passing by, only to be first introduced by her shiny and distracting golden hair.

"Would I be able to find her here at this time? Ooooh! I should have prepared better before I came! Do I look out of place than others?? I'm beginning to think I shouldn't have come at all!"

Silently arguing with herself while blushing from the awkward stares she was receiving from passing locals, she wondered towards the entrance to the top notch middle school called Tokiwadai hoping to find what she came for.

Mikoto came to a stop in front a certain vending machine with the number 7116, looking through the glass at the rows of colourful cans with bright eyes.

“Hey Kuroko!” She turned to face her lagging junior with a smile, “Want something to drink? I’ll treat ya!”

Kuroko froze, staring at her Onee-sama in disbelief.

‘What’s going on?’ the teleporter pondered wildly, ‘Normally, she’d just slam a kick into that machine… But today, she’s willing to pay… even for Kuroko’s drink?! Just what is Onee-sama thinking?!”

“Hmm?”

Realising Mikoto was still good-naturedly waiting for her answer, Kuroko quickly rushed forward, feeling very nervous all of a sudden.

“Uhmm… Well… I’ll just have some iced coffee--!!!”

Something caught the front of her shoe and the Teleporter fell forward, face-planting into the Electromaster’s chest.

Kuroko looked up in Mikoto’s arms and paled, fearful that her Onee-sama’s good mood was now ruined.

“I- I’m s-sorry!!!” The red-head quickly blurted, the words coming out in a quick rush, “I didn’t think of jumping into Onee-sama’s chest or anything perverted I promise! My foot got stuck on something and I tripped…!

She felt Mikoto move and reflexively cringed. But what happened next completely bewildered her.

Mikoto laughed, flicking her junior’s forehead lightly in a friendly way.

“I know, you silly~ You have to be more careful, okay?~”

“I know, you silly~ You have to be more careful, okay?~”

Kuroko's fight or flight reflexes had already triggered, locking her rigid to the spot as she waited for a shock that never came. The confusion she felt was written large on her face.

There was surely only one explanation for her onee-sama's odd behaviour.

IMPOSTER!

The word flashed through her mind like a warning siren.

"Y-your underwear today is of a kiddie-brand and has a faint yellow colour!" She blurted out suddenly with only a brief hesitation in her voice. It was the only way to know for sure.

Waiting for a response was the longest few seconds of her life.

"Y-your underwear today is of a kiddie-brand and has a faint yellow colour!"

Blue strands of electricity exploded, leaving the poor Teleporter smoking and twitching on the ground.

“What all of a sudden?” Mikoto asked. A slight edge of grumpiness entered her tone for the first time that day.

In the end though, the charred Kuroko had finally received her answer.

‘N-no… she’s definitely real.’

"-Honestly, it was sick. You seemed like a totally different person." Kuroko concluded.

"I actually thought you might be a different person." She laughed at the suggestion, realising how foolish it sounded. Who would believe such a thing? Dopplegangers and long lost twins only existed in manga, she decided. "Oh!" Kuroko jumped, "Not in relation to those rumours or anything!" She said, waving her hands to dispell the thought. God knows that she didn't want to provoke the Electromaster any more than she already had.

"-Honestly, it was sick. You seemed like a totally different person."

Mikoto’s cheeks turned three shades darker.

"I actually thought you might be a different person.”

A little frown appeared as Kuroko’s statement brought the rumours back into her mind. Even though Mikoto now knew them to be completely untrue- it was still unsettling to think about them. Her junior must have thought along similar lines, for she quickly backtracked.

“Not in relation to those rumours or anything!"

Mikoto noisily gulped down the contents of her can in a careless manner.

“It’s fine, really.”

She held a can in one hand and waved the other in a dismissive gesture.

“Clones or whatever are totally something out of a stupid sci-fi story.”

Still, Mikoto felt compelled to ask the next question with some measure of curiosity.

“What would you do if you ever met a clone of yourself?”

Then she quickly added in a scoff, “Not that that would ever happen to anyone!”

“What would you do if you ever met a clone of yourself? Not that that would ever happen to anyone!”

"Huh..." Kuroko stared off into space as she considered the question. The all too familiar mischievous glint sparkled in her eyes. "Well actually, it might be pretty convenient!" She decided. "She could replace me at times when I might be late for curfew, to fool the dorm mistress." She cocked her head, tapping her lips. "And I could have her receive Senpai's lectures in my place!" That idea in particular seemed to please Kuroko and she nodded to herself vigorously.

"And if we could share memories by putting our foreheads together, it'd be perfect!" She decided to omit any mention of how she would use it to woo her beloved onee-sama. One shock was enough for today if she could help it.

Meirin sighed with disdain at Kuroko's outburst. Her senior in Judgment was spouting erotic fantasies again. Honestly, it made her sick to her stomach. She wanted to melt those pretty lips of Kuroko's shut... but that would be bad. Instead, she opted for something a little more harmless.

Walking up behind Kuroko in the midst of her outburst, Sakamoto grinned, pulled her arm back, and slapped Kuroko's butt rather hard, making sure she felt the heat. It wasn't enough to burn, or even to singe the clothing, but it would make the sting of the slap more pronounced.

"G'mornin', you big pervert. You said that all out loud. Again. That's the fifth time this week, if I'm not mistaken," Meirin told the short Judgment officer disdainfully. "How about keeping your lesbo fantasies to yourself next time, eh? I don't wanna hear 'em. I'm into dudes, after all."

Meirin took a sip from her near-boiling cup of coffee. She liked her coffee to be extra-extra hot. On her right arm, her Judgment armband was pinned to the glove she wore on her arm. She wasn't wearing her school uniform, as usual; instead, she was wearing what she usually wore.

Mikoto laughed at Kuroko’s wild imagination.

“Geez, what are you even thinking of? A copy machine?!”

Snorting in amusement, she took another loud gulp of her soda.

“What would you do Onee-sama, if you own clone was to appear before you?”

Mikoto pondered the question for a while in silence.

Then she gave an answer she would later come to regret with all her heart.

**

Some while later found Mikoto strolling towards her school. She didn’t have any classes, but she figured she should work on the English assignment that idiotic teacher had set. Thinking about him made her scowl. She hadn’t yet seen him after the restaurant fiasco, but the Tokiwadai girl had a good scolding (as well as healthy zaps of electricity) prepared for him if he dared to show his face again.

‘Well, he would have to dare in the end,’ Mikoto thought with grim satisfaction, ‘since he’s our English teacher, he can’t really hide forever.’

She couldn’t recall when she would have her English class next without her schedule, but she knew it would be quite soon. And that idiot would finally get what he deserved…

“Who is she, I wonder?!”

“Whoah~ she looks like a supermodel!”

“Look at her hair, it’s like threads of golden sunlight~!”

Mikoto stopped, irritated at the bunch of gathered students blocking her path. She wondered just who was causing all this unnecessary commotion nearby the school gates. Annoyed, the Electromaster sidestepped the crowd and continued walking. Unable to rein in the curiosity, her eyes darted around, trying to find the person the girls had been discussing.

It only took her a few seconds to find the stranger, for the blonde-haired woman wearing a miniskirt really stood out against the background of students in uniform. She seemed rather lost, her head turning this way and that as if searching for something. Mikoto heaved a sigh, suddenly feeling compelled to help. After all, she reasoned, the woman was causing all this commotion and it was irritating. May as well do something about it.

Mikoto quickly approached the stranger from the back, feeling other eyes watching her actions.

“Umm… May I help you?” She asked politely, tapping the woman lightly on the shoulder to catch her attention.

Kuroko leapt from her seat like a startled cat. Standing bolt upright, her face was locked in an expression of wide eyed, mortified shock.

"G'mornin', you big pervert. You said that all out loud. Again. That's the fifth time this week, if I'm not mistaken, How about keeping your lesbo fantasies to yourself next time, eh? I don't wanna hear 'em. I'm into dudes, after all."

The sound of her 'junior's' voice was enough to set her teeth on edge. She trembled with anger, her fingers balling into fists and she spun to face the insubordinate girl.

"Y-you..." She started to fume. A hundred spiteful insults came to mind but she managed to swallow them. "What are you doing here anyway?" The green armband caught her eye and she eyed Meirin with a sly grin. "Have they got you on littering duty again?" It was common for newer recruits to be given tasks like clearing litter from public places. She only prayed it was something so demeaning. Perhaps that would put this rowdy girl in her place at last.

"Nope, today was an actual patrol," Meirin replied, grinning. "I caught a purse snatcher already." The taller girl sat down on a curb, placing her coffee on the street between her legs. "Little bastard tried to kick me in the shin when I caught him," Sakamoto continued. "Threatening to melt his face sorted him out."

While she spoke, Sakamoto stretched out her legs and got comfortable. She fiddled around with a blade of grass to keep her hands busy. "So, any news?" Sakamoto asked. "Did anyone break any big rules recently?" She didn't particularly care if something had happened; she was just looking for an excuse to take a break. Talking to Kuroko was somewhat entertaining, if nothing else. And, truthfully, when Kuroko wasn't screaming her love for the Railgun to the heavens, bring around her was bearable.