AN: (Parentheses and underline): (Author's point of view as if he was a reader)

Underline: Actual author's speech

Italics: Foreign language in both dialogue and exposition (English. Unless it's stated otherwise); regular Italics in text

Normal text: Japanese and exposition

Bold: Flashbacks (speech and narration); the times of various events; regular bold in written text; Word emphasis in normal conversations

Chapter 14: Late afternoon elephant

August 1st 2005, 23:17

"Ah~ I'm beat!" Aoi announced as she slumped on top of her bed.

"To think that even Mikoto-chan temporarily forgot about Gekota because of that. Seriously, her obsession with those is just as unhealthy as Kuroko's obsession with Mikoto herself." Aoi yawned as she placed her right backhand on top of her forehead.

"Then there was the performer, who actually got lost." Aoi continued thinking out loud with a wide pleasant grin on her face.

"It was quite fun today. But… time to go to sleep, right?" Aoi looked around the room, while she started to undress, and found the note she left a while back still in the same place as it used to be. She decided to pick it up later as she continued to do so.

"*Yawn* I'm absolutely knackered, aren't I?" Aoi yawned and put the blanket on top of herself only to recall what lead to her current enjoyment of her cozy bed.

August 1st 2005, 16:25

"So cute~" Uiharu Kazari was at the front of the group of five, stroking the elephant's massive leg.

"Nee, Aoi-san, can I ask you something?" Mikoto whispered to Aoi, who she was standing next to, while Kuroko and Saten decided to go and see where the owner of this massive 'thing' was. Saten likely wanted more rumours, Kuroko likely wanted to announce that she 'was from judgment' and ask the owner some very serious questions regarding an illegal unannounced elephant taking a stroll inside one of Academy City's parks.

"Yeah?" Mikoto heard Aoi's familiar voice inside her head.

"Man, I'm lucky that Shokuhou can't do that, I'd go mad if she would nag me with her ability." Mikoto thought.

Aoi narrowed her gaze.

"I can hear that too, you know? Do you want me to do something." Aoi's voice inside Mikoto's head persisted.

"*Urgh* Please don't." Mikoto said out loud, not loud enough for the others to hear though.

"What did you want?" Aoi asked using her 'telepathy'.

"Uhm… G-g-g-g-g-" Mikoto couldn't gather her thoughts. It was still quite new to her to tell someone about her one love, even if Aoi said that she supported it back when they met the Graviton Bomber.

"Gekota, isn't it? They have a limited time offer at Seventh Mist, right?" Aoi's voice made a 'wild' guess.

Mikoto managed to do a quick, yet embarrassed nod.

"I'll be back in 2 minutes, tell the others that I went to go change my clothes if they ask." Aoi's voice echoed inside Mikoto's head.

"W-will do." Mikoto looked properly embarrassed as she uttered this, still not loud enough for the others to hear.

Exactly one minute and forty-eight seconds later, Suzuki Aoi appeared back where she left from now in her usual set of a black jacket with the number 8 on the back, black skirt, black leggings, running shoes and a white t-shirt. She also had the judgment armband attached to her right arm right where it's usually supposed to be.

"I'm back, everyone." Aoi said.

"Oh, Suzuki-san." Uiharu turned to see that Aoi had indeed gone to change her clothes just like Misaka said.

"I see that you've come back to us." Kuroko was looking a bit annoyed as she had the supposed gentleman, who was responsible for the elephant.

"He started to protest when I approached him about such large animals being illegal in Academy City." Kuroko said nonchalantly.

"Mamma Mia, non me l'hanno detto!" the Italian of average height without a mustache with short hair grey-ish in colour and in some kind of slick costume of a performer, who appeared to look more German than Italian, complained in his mother tongue. He looked to be in his late 20s.

This sudden display of a foreign culture and its language caused the 5 girls to blink simultaneously and exchange a few glances as they desperately tried to see in each other's eyes if someone had any clue what the foreigner said.

"Zey told mi, ai nid to caam hir for a circus sho." the man tried his best to explain himself in broken English, succeeding for the most part.

"Circus show?" Aoi asked, speaking the language quite fluently.

"Iyes, travella circusa." he continued after he had time to process what was asked of him.

"Suzuki-san, have you managed to figure out what the hell this gaijin is trying to tell us?" Kuroko asked Aoi. That turned everyone's attention to the person that found about the elephant originally and the oldest of the group.

"Travella circusa is indeed the name of a circus show… but it doesn't take place in Academy City…" Aoi was deep in thought as she voiced the thoughts she had.

There was a brief pause as Aoi massaged her temples, seemingly trying to remember all sorts of information that she usually didn't keep in her memory for long.

"Tokyo… Yeah, the show is supposed to take place in the nearest Tokyo in a properly organized travelling circus." Aoi turned to the four and voiced her verdict on where the circus was supposed to be.

"I'm kind of amazed how you can actually keep all those things in mind." Mikoto noted.

"That's a given. Don't you remember me telling you how complex the calculations for my ability actually are?" Aoi had a smug expression on her face as she said that, her hands going towards her hips.

"Haven't thought of that…" Mikoto mumbled as she looked saddened and decided to keep her jealousy to herself.

"So how did the performer that wasn't even supposed to enter Academy City, enter it and end up doing so by mistake?" Kuroko continued.

"I have a few ideas…" Aoi replied. "First off if I didn't exist, the borders would be maintained much more strictly, and this sort of thing would never have happened." Aoi thought.

"I need to check with him first though." Aoi noted to Kuroko as she turned to the Italian and approached him.

"*Ahem* Navigator, gee pee esu, elephant circus." Aoi deliberately said in broken English. "Hopefully this will be easier for our guest to understand." Aoi thought.

"Sì!" he said as he took out an electronic map that was given out to anyone who visited Academy City. "It has Academy City and some parts of Japan on it, right?" Aoi thought as she looked closely at what the map "The company probably supplied it, so that he could get safely to his destination…"

Sure enough, a piece of paper that read 'Travella circusa' in plain English was attached to the side of his e-map.

"Hir!" the Italian man pointed at the park, where he ended up in, enthusiastically.

"Hmm…" Aoi looked at where he pointed and then at the place where she remembered the actual show was supposed to take place.

"Wait a minute." Aoi instructed as she took the e-map from the performer and took a couple of steps back in order to properly examine it.

Aoi quickly switched the preferred language to Japanese in order to check her suspicions.

"Shirai-san." Aoi called out as she noticed the four girls gathered a bit further away and right next to the elephant.

"Did you find anything?" Kuroko instantly teleported next to her to get a good look at the e-map. Aoi glanced at the man for a moment before shifting her neutral gaze back towards the map.

"Well… it seems like his employers put in the wrong destination marker for him. Take a look at that." Aoi said as she passed the e-map directly to Kuroko.

"Indeed… but why would they put in such a thing? Aren't the people who manage our travelling performer supposed to know where the show will take place?" Kuroko frowned as she asked an almost rhetorical question.

"Hmm…" Aoi concentrated and thought back as to how she stumbled across that website.

A minute later, Kuroko was searching for any clues she could possibly find inside the gadget, while Aoi was still in the process of trying to recall the date of the article.

"I got it!" Aoi announced her eureka moment, which momentarily distracted Mikoto, Saten and Uiharu from the elephant only for them to be entranced by the large creature yet again as soon as the elephant started trumpeting.

"The article was not from this year. In fact, I think it must have been from earlier than 1998, when Academy City started using more strict measures on its border for any large man-made objects and big animals. They only lifted that a couple of years ago, right?" Aoi said. "And I know extremely well thanks to whose presence that was. You really do trust me with quite a bit of this city's defence, right Aleister?" Aoi thought.

"Also, wait a sec, Shirai-san, I need to check something." Aoi said as she walked over to the performer.

"Elephant, naim." Aoi was back at it again with broken English, this time doing some kind of hand gestures to help the poor Italian out.

"*Ah*!" the man put his index finger up, signalling his understanding, while his face was adorned with an 'I GOT IT!' smile.

"Baambo!" he announced with a stylistically long (for some Italians) *ah* sound. "So, it's the same elephant, huh?" Aoi thought immediately "Or at the very least… a relative possibly…?"

"*Haah*" Aoi couldn't help but sigh at this major coincidence. She then looked over at Kuroko and signalled her to come closer yet again.

"Anything new?" Kuroko asked.

"This elephant's name is also Bambo. It could be the same one, it could be the namesake of the original or even a relative elephant… In any case, I think our border guys must have let the performer through based on the article that there would be a show taking place in this exact park. I've had to deal with them quite a bit given that I play a big part in the city's security and I know how they don't always follow the guidelines in order to save time." Aoi explained.

Shirai raised an eyebrow at the fact that Suzuki was seemingly doing everything everywhere but decided to stay silent, while Aoi was apparently back to thinking for the time being.

"Oh! I think I remember seeing two separate articles about that. There was one on one of the rumour-gathering websites and there was another, where the styling and the language used appeared a bit dated. I think I've solved it!" Aoi looked quite happy as she said that.

"Good grief, so you were both mislead by the fact that there would be an elephant in Academy City and correct about your assumption? *Haah*" Kuroko couldn't help but sigh at the end at this weird predicament.

"It's Academy City though, if you dig deep enough, mishaps and coincidences like these are a daily occurrence." Aoi didn't get Shirai's overdramatic response.

"Never mind. What are we going to do with this though? Are we going to call Anti-Skill?" Kuroko was accessing the options.

"I'm more capable than Anti-Skill all by myself. You think I can't handle it?" Aoi responded nonchalantly.

Kuroko wanted to say 'yes'… and she would have most definitely said 'yes, you can't' if it was anyone else BUT Aoi. However, after the events that resulted in Suzuki Aoi meeting her, Onee-sama, Saten and Uiharu for the first time, there was no denying that Suzuki saying that "I'm more capable than Anti-Skill all by myself." is a rather humble way to put it, given the impossibly large extent of what she can do all on her own.

"No… but don't go doing anything funny. I'm only allowing you to do as you please because I saw you in action that day." Kuroko said in a stern tone.

"Sure. Did you forget that I wear the same armband as you though?" Aoi laughed it off.

Kuroko winced and stayed silent. She was not able to come up with a snarky response to that one.

"I think you should go and enjoy your time with the elephant. I'll probably be giving the creature and our performer a lift to avoid any further complications." Aoi suggested nonchalantly.

Kuroko's only reaction was internal anger. "I get that Suzuki-san is a Level 5… and a rank 0… but could she possibly be less 'in your face' with her teleportation skills? Damn it, she's making me feel absolutely useless." Kuroko thought.

"Do not falter, Kuroko! I will train to surpass my limits and someday I will certainly be able to show her how I'm better at this than her!" Kuroko internally swore an oath to herself that she'll train harder than ever.

"Surpassing me, eh? Not that I can check… but my guess about Accelerator was quite on point." Aoi thought with a smile as she saw Kuroko teleport away and immediately go for the hug on the elephant, determination filled Shirai's every action.

"Circus, teleport." Aoi said in broken English to the Italian, who promptly nodded. "It should take no more than 10 teleports, huh?" Aoi thought to herself as she was on her way to 'guide' the Italian guest to where he was supposed to go.

In about a couple of minutes, Aoi was back only to be greeted by Misaka and Kuroko doing their thing (which involved lots of electricity being thrown around by one party and the other party teleporting mid-air and avoiding the attacks), even more eagerly than what Aoi thought would be the norm for them. Saten and Uiharu were looking on with an embarrassed look on their faces.

"Mikoto-chan!" Aoi called out "Can you stop doing that?!"

"Kuroko stole my plu-plu… something and is keeping it away from me!" Mikoto replied in an angered, yet embarrassed tone. "Damn it. I wonder if I'm dealing with kindergartners sometimes." Aoi thought as her frustration was becoming visible.

"Shirai-san!" Aoi called out tried 'the other approach'.

"Onee-sama, you should thank me for making you less childish! This is your first step into adulthood!" Kuroko was not paying attention as she was dodging consecutive attacks.

"Give it back, Kuroko!" Mikoto was not backing down as she appeared to be embarrassed, yet very angry at the same time.

Throughout this process that went on for five minutes at the very least, Aoi's disbelief was building up as she was seriously starting to consider breaking an arm or two. In the end, what she needed to do was clear.

Aoi teleported Kuroko right in front of her and immediately pressed her steel-314 sword to Kuroko's neck as she stared directly into Shirai's eyes.

"Stop. Right. There. This. Instant." Aoi looked angry, VERY angry as she spoke in a stern and cold tone. "Teleportation won't do. Onee-sama told me how Suzuki-san is able to negate other esper powers." Kuroko thought in a panicked voice.

"Understood..." Kuroko whispered as she was rather afraid of her neck getting cut open if she made any sudden movements.

一

Aoi stayed silent for the time being.

一

"Don't make me do this EVER again." Aoi said as she dematerialized her sword and allowed Kuroko to teleport again. "Note to self: in a competition in terms of scariness... if we pit Dorm Mistress vs Suzuki-san, Suzuki-san is the clear winner. Another note to self: Do not ever tease Onee-sama in front of her EVER." Kuroko thought as she took her time to catch her breath.

"*Haah* this is the second time this happened today, isn't it?" Saten said in a tired tone.

"Saten-san, what do you mean?" Uiharu asked in a surprised tone.

"I'll tell you later, Uiharu. I really don't think we should go to the pool today. I want to go as a full group but I don't think Suzuki-san and Shirai-san will be up for it if we ask them so we should call it a day." Saten explained.

"Shirai-san, I suggest you go get some rest and ensure that your neckline is perfectly presentable for a Tokiwadai student." Aoi meanwhile continued her angry lecturing.

"I wouldn't want to trouble you any further you see." Aoi whispered somewhat sinisterly.

"Understood! Roger! Onee-sama, I will see you in a bit!" Kuroko saluted her Aoi, her judgment senpai and Misaka immediately afterwards, with somewhat widened eyes. She then proceeded to teleport away, probably back to Tokiwadai.

Aoi growled as she decided to take a breather and sit down on the pavement.

"Misaka-san, Suzuki-san! We will be going as well! See you next time!" Saten called out and waved as she and Uiharu appeared like they were about to leave.

"Take care!" Uiharu called out and waved as well. That left Mikoto, Aoi and Bambo all on their own in the park.

"I'd say it's getting late… but the sun isn't going down any time soon and you have a less 'clingy' friend with a teleportation ability who can get you back to your dorm even after curfew." Aoi smiled at Mikoto.

"Wait… you aren't mad?" Mikoto was a bit surprised that she wasn't getting scolded because she was very sure she would be after she misused her ability so blatantly. That was something Aoi had warned against in their prior meetings.

"Ahh, come on. I'd get even more mad if I was in your place, cut yourself some slack!" Aoi replied with some positivity.

"Yeah… you probably would." Mikoto agreed, a bit reluctant to imagine what Aoi would do to Kuroko if that were the case.

"Right~? Also, I want you to promise me that whatever happens right now stays between us two. No telling anyone else." Aoi said as she pointed in the general direction where Kuroko teleported off to and where Saten and Uiharu went.

"Uhm…" Mikoto was a bit concerned whether Aoi was planning to do something as innocent as basic gossip or something as terrible as 'the hunt for another Metaloid' or something. Misaka was still unsure about killing them, even though they actually weren't people. They were both terrorists and robots, right…?

"Depending on what you plan on doing…" Mikoto replied, somewhat cautiously.

"*Haah* And who do you take me for then? Of course, I'm not going on a murder spree or anything of the sort. Not even a 'breaking someone's arms spree'." Aoi replied, looking a bit saddened by the distrust.

"Wait… did you…? How did you know?" Mikoto was once again suspicious.

"Mikoto-chan, I'm not going to read your mind without your permission. You know I'm not like your fellow Level 5 from Tokiwadai. I do know my psychology." Aoi looked even a bit more sad.

"UHM! Sorry!" Mikoto apologized with a quick bow.

"It's fine. Just please don't break my heart like that." Aoi replied, scratching her head.

"So… what did you want to keep between us?" Mikoto asked.

"Oh. Just two little things." Aoi replied with a wide smile appearing on her face.

"Two-?" Mikoto wasn't allowed to finish her sentence.

"BAAAMBOOO~!" a certain Material's reaction to finally having alone time with Bambo and a trusted person was something Mikoto did not expect AT ALL. Misaka looked at the scene with wide eyes. Aoi was on top of Bambo's head, hugging the poor animal quite tightly.

"OH, COME HERE YOU LITTLE PACIFISTIC 6 TONN MURDER MACHINE~!" Aoi cuddled the elephant from all angles. Trunk, the four legs, the head – every possible angle received a hug as Aoi teleported around in giddy excitement. She didn't forget to stroke the tusks, even though the elephant couldn't really feel anything touching the tusks. She also was able to give the elephant's ears a good scratch and lied down face up on top of the big animal.

The elephant, despite Misaka's initial worries for it, if it offended Aoi in some way (as she remembered the things that happened to the Graviton Bomber quite well), seemed quite pleased with the treatment as it trumpeted with joy and gave Aoi some kind of a headpat, which Aoi enjoyed quite thoroughly. "Good grief, you really can get excited like a 5-year old, Aoi-san." Mikoto thought as a smile started to adorn her face.

"Thank you, Bambo." Misaka heard Aoi say in a way as if she was crying, though she couldn't quite see her face from down below. This was perhaps a metaphor for what Mikoto felt like when interacting with Aoi or just a random coincidence. But those don't really happen here, do they?

"I'll bring you to your owner and caretaker now. Take care out there, big guy." Aoi continued in the same sort of tone as she and the elephant promptly disappeared.

Mikoto's expression changed to a frown as she was now reminded of something not as innocent and pleasant.

Aoi reappeared again 10 seconds later.

Mikoto noticed that Aoi's eyes were a bit red. Likely from the crying, which she wasn't quite able to hear or see from down below.

"I'm back, Mikoto-chan." Aoi seemed to be quite emotional as she 'inhaled and exhaled' that sentence.

"Sorry… it's just…" Aoi tried to form some kind of a sentence but wasn't able to immediately.

"I've never been to a zoo, nor seen an elephant and the excitement… caught up to me. Even though it's pretty weird considering my age." Aoi was able to pull herself together in front of Mikoto.

"Sorry." was the only reply that seemed fitting to Mikoto.

"Don't be. You know that I was the cause of my own suffering, right?" Aoi looked serious as she said it.

"You were not! The only one at fault was the one who gave the textbook on esper powers just like you said that time!" Mikoto yelled as she showed that she remembered the proceedings quite well, despite her not mentioning it much.

Aoi was taken aback by this as her eyes widened in a state of shock.

"I… think you're mistaken Mikoto-chan." Aoi replied "I… don't even remember who that was. And not in a sense that I have forgotten how I got the textbook or how the person looked like… it's more like they've been erased from existence."

一

Mikoto blinked twice as she couldn't believe what was being said.

"Both from the past, present and likely future. I'm quite certain that wasn't me as well." Aoi continued and claimed innocence.

"I'd never think it was you!" it was Mikoto's turn to get surprised as to how her friend didn't trust her with some things.

"Thank you." Aoi replied softly as she slumped down onto the pavement and invited Mikoto to take a seat.

"In that specific case I told you about… and all others… it really is my own fault it happened." Aoi said in a 'matter of fact' neutral tone instead of the sad one. Maybe this was the reason Mikoto decided to not pursue it further today.

There was a brief pause in the conversation.

"Aoi-san… I'll definitely prove you wrong eventually. No one deserves to be that unhappy." Mikoto thought as she convinced herself that some changes needed to happen.

"If only you knew how much of a monster... I am… you wouldn't say that. No one with good intentions will support me then. No one." Aoi thought as she was convinced of her own worthlessness in the end.

The pause lasted for a bit until Aoi remembered something that would certainly lighten the sour mood.

"Nee, Mikoto-chan. I have something cool I want to show you." Aoi said softly as she took out her smartphone and opened up photos.

Mikoto leaned in only to see the most thing she probably wanted to see the most.

It was a picture of Aoi, who was doing a selfie with a giant Gekota plushie that was under Mikoto's, which Mikoto assumed must have been for safekeeping from a certain 'clingy teleporter'. Aoi's face was adorned with the biggest grin imaginable, even bigger than she had when she was going around hugging Bambo.

Mikoto couldn't help but smile herself.

"What do you think?" Aoi asked, smile now on her face as well.

Mikoto decided to stand up as she dusted her dusty skirt. The pavement wasn't the cleanest of places after all, even in Academy City with its cleaning robots.

"You really bought me the plushie." Mikoto looked very happy as she said that in a somewhat 'pleasantly relieved' tone.

"You're the best friend ever, Aoi-san." "You're the best friend ever, Aoi-chan." Misaka Mikoto and Darya Nesterova offered the kind words to her friend who was quite sad just moments ago. offered the kind words to her best friend who was quite sad just moments ago.

What Aoi saw was two 14-year-old girls, who she associated with each other greatly saying her exactly the same thing in similar circumstances. Their hair colour, height and eye colour were almost exactly identical. Though, one was not wearing a Tokiwadai uniform and was not an esper for obvious reasons.

"Maybe. But maybe not." "Maybe. But maybe not." Aoi responded with the same words her 13-year-old self used way back then as she stood up as well.

"Would you say we're best friends, Mikoto-chan?" Aoi asked warmly.

"Need I remind you of someone who had already called us that back in the time of when we first went to Seventh Mist together?" Mikoto teased a bit.

"That was just a comparison! Don't go inserting words in people's mouths!" Aoi pouted as she looked unhappy.

Mikoto looked proud as it appeared that she won that one. "Damn it, Aoi-san. One moment you're all gloomy, the next you're unusually cheery. What's that with you?" Mikoto thought jokingly.

"I didn't specifically think of us as best friends before…" Mikoto elegantly put her hands behind her back and interlocked them "but we can always say that we are from now on." Mikoto smiled even more.

"Thank you, Mikoto-chan. Thank you for being there for me." "Thank you, Dasha-chan. Thank you for being there for me." past and present Aoi/Aoi both/both wiped/wiped away/away the/the tears/tears that/that started/started to/to form./form.

"You're welcome, bestie." "You're welcome, bestie." Mikoto and Darya replied/replied with/with an/an even/even bigger/bigger smile/smile she/she didn't/didn't know/know she/she had./had.

There was a brief pause as both Aoi and Mikoto smiled at each other.

"Well... I guess I'll be going then. Good luck with Shirai's antics." Aoi smiled at Mikoto.

"Yeah, thanks. Take care, Aoi-san." Mikoto smiled back at Aoi.

Aoi promptly teleported away.

August 1st 2005, 23:18

"It really was a fun day today, wasn't it?" Aoi thought and smiled as she finally recalled what happened with the elephant.

"I really need to find out what the hell Tlebin is up to... he could be anywhere, doing anything. I'm pretty sure-" Aoi paused as she remembered something important.

"Shit, I forgot to call Aleister about the elephant. My bad." Aoi thought as she promptly took out her phone and entered the number properly.

*Beep* *Beep*

"Good evening, Aoi-kun." Aleister's cryptic voice broke the 'beeping silence'.

"Aleister, I need to ask you something. That has nothing to do with Tlebin, but nevertheless it's quite important." Aoi spoke rather enthusiastically.

"*Ah* I see you've had a good day then. Go on." Aleister noticed Aoi's more cheery tone of voice. "Will you ever stop being such a pain in the ass?" Aoi thought as she remembered all the times the Superintendent decided to pull a 'politically driven prank' on her.

"An Italian performer and an actual elephant managed to stumble their way inside Academy City. I suggest we increase the security back up to the times before I was around and to take care of such things and enhance our security against 'recent developments'." Aoi's tone turned serious but she didn't sound even remotely evil or sinister this time.

"Time frame?" Aleister said as he decided to test out Aoi.

"Five days. If you do it after that, it'll be too late. If you do it before that, it'll make the worldwide headlines and cause unnecessary complications." Aoi replied, knowing full well that Aleister would not stop until he saw yet again that Aoi was as smart as she always was.

"You've come to the correct conclusion, Aoi-kun. What do you think of the people who allowed it to happen?" Aleister continued his testing.

"Are you suggesting dealing them in the way the Dark Side deals with them? Hell no. Just give them a little fine and tell them that they'll get demoted if they slip up and we'll soon have very motivated people working for us." Aoi replied.

"Interesting." Aleister said, possibly implying that he hasn't thought of such a beneficial, yet peaceful solution. Micromanagement was not his forte (especially in the state that he was in) as evidenced by the sheer scope and possibilities of his plan. Aoi giving him such an opportunity untied his hands in many circumstances. Many things were able to proceed more smoothly thanks to her making the decisions (which were quite similar to his own nonetheless).

"I'm hanging up. I need sleep, unlike some people." Aoi broke the silence that was formed on the phone line.

"Very well. Do take out the Metaloid threat though. It will be quite beneficial." Aleister 'suggest-insisted' as he didn't pay attention to the possibly offensive remark as Aoi was someone he needed enough to let those types of comments slide.

Aoi promptly hung up as she heard the end of it from Aleister.

"Thank *Yawn* goodness, I'm now free once again." Aoi commented on how she didn't really like being involved in the darker side of her life when she was feeling elated, put down her phone, grabbed the sleeping pills and materialized a glass cup filled with some clean water.

"*Yawn* Thank you for becoming my bestie, Mikoto-chan. I truly hope I will be able to protect you… unlike Dasha-chan." Aoi noted as she was about to take the usual sleeping pills yet again…

一

Her only salvation from her own atrocities these days…

AN: I originally didn't plan to extend Bambo's screentime like this but I guess it's fitting so it's all right. I also planned to reach the Sisters Arc by chapter 16... but this will probably now be pushed back a bit. I don't want to rush things. That's bad.

The chapter is on the shorter side at least when it comes to MY typical chapter-length but I hope you enjoy it nonetheless. Big Spider will be coming in chapter 15 because it seems like a crime to strap this wholesome chapter with that one that will involve more of... other stuff. Aleister and Aoi talking could be considered that 'other stuff'... but their current discussion was innocent enough I feel.

Expect 'other stuff' next chapter by the way. You'll see what I mean by that when we get there.

P.S. Please consider posting a review and/or following and favouriting this story if you like the chapter/story itself. Though I am starting to feel like nobody reads that part, where I endorse supporting writers, whose fanfics you enjoy.