Introduction to the Update

Hey all.

It's, ah, been a little while.

To be honest, surmounting the mental wall of re-writing a 665 thousand word behemoth (for the curious, that ended up being a 1504 page word document at size 12 font. I have sudden sympathy of Sisyphus) gave me pause. So I justified my hesitation by promising that I'd do it, and revamp my story for canon consistency with new material, all at once.

This is the result. Sorry it took so long, but with the end of New Testament (and the beginning of, I don't know, Post-Modern Testament? Who can guess) I've taken a bite out of that particular bullet. 50 hours of planning, 250 hours of editing and roughly 15% of the story redone, I'm finished. Major plot threads are the same, though some new stuff has been added, and some character and setting changes based on NT 13-22R have been incorporated. So, spoilers. Surprisingly, not too much needed alteration, especially with the return to some kind of normalcy, but obviously enough has changed that I needed to do the a rewrite. But this is the end! At least for this story. I'm leaving my old intro below for the historic record, but you'll have to ignore the start date of NT 13. It is now up to 22R. Again, SPOILERS.

If you're an old friend, welcome back. If you're a new reader, I hope you have some fun.

Without further delay, welcome to…

A Certain Holiday Season: Part 1: Advent

Themes: Humour/Romance/Adventure

Greetings, potential readers, or those who clicked the wrong link hoping for something else! This is a story, and it's the first one I've tried to write in quite a long time. It's also my first work not based entirely off my own thoughts: I never expected I'd like something enough to want to attempt a fanfiction of it, but here we are! I've gotten quite a bit of this down already (8 chapters as of publishing, though those mostly need a lot of editing. Seriously, the fact that I can't indent paragraph's is freaking me out), and I plan to at least double that length for the rest with the plans I have. That said, please read the following note for a few warnings.

NOTE: This contains some spoilers for the light novel up to and including NT 12, and is set directly after. Consider it an alternative take on the next book, with its writing started before NT 13 came out. Sort of a diverging path, where the current Big Bad's don't move so quickly, and there is a bit of time for relative normality in Academy City. I started writing this about 2 weeks ago; essentially because I felt Christmas would be too good a chance to pass up writing about. As far as style goes, I'm trying to blend my own personal habits with the original authors, both as an exercise to improve my own and a way to explore different methods. I try to avoid using "He said" "She said" by making it clear who is talking without that, but I understand it may be hard to follow if I make mistakes. Please, let me know if a simpler, clearer style is better. Finally, characterization is intended to be as close as possible to the light novels and anime, especially Railgun, though to a fair degree I am investigating some of the implied though processes and internal debates behind what is readily visible. Note that major developments in the newest NT novels are used to justify some character growth, in a way that I felt made sense. All input is appreciated. I reserve the right to ignore abuse, but I plan to take everything in mind when adjusting my work later. After all, what is your writing if not an attempt to speak to your readers?

Also, although I'm going to follow the author lead in always introducing characters fully, I'm assuming a fairly high level of familiarity with most characters and the general setting, plus their naming conventions. That said, I am fairly likely to get some things wrong, so feel free to let me know. Hopefully I remain accurate enough that no massive rewrites are necessary, but that is never certain, is it?

Disclaimer: if it is not abundantly obvious, I own nothing involving Toaru Majutsu no Index, not it's characters, setting, or stories. No profit is being made, no rights intending to be infringed. Kazuma Kamachi has those honours, and to him we are thankful for his work. This is not the greatest story ever told. This is just a tribute.

Format:

Normal text is narration

"Quotes for speech"

Italics for thought

Bold for emphasis, rarely used

A new paragraph means a new speaker or thinker, or a gap for narration between one speaker.

Lastly, this should remain T rated throughout: it might get a little actiony-er than that rating implies, but really that kinda happens in the cannon material. Also, this isn't gonna get too... Touchy, even if it is fairly romantic. However, it is also heavily informed by the comedy of the series, so really this story needs three tags, though it is limited to two.

Without further ado, I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 1

4:30 P.M, December 20th: Academy City

Though the evening air was chill and the sky overcast, comforting warmth filled the streets of Academy City.

A rare snowfall gently dusted its buildings and parks, drifting around street lights and decorations to shine in festive colours. In a true storm, cleaning robots would ensure the major paths were always clear for the nearly 2.3 million students who might be doing their Christmas shopping, but were programmed to let just such a thin blanket build up for holiday effect. Consumerism crammed its way everywhere, plastered on the billboards of the corner stores and department centres, flashing neon promises of good cheer and better savings. The combined effect was all lost, however, on a certain Level 0, who as usual was wrapped up in his own bad luck while he ambled through a most familiar park.

"I don't know what I'm gonna do…" Kamijou Touma muttered to himself, and not for the first time that day. "… I've spent so much on these supplies, I don't know what I'm going to do about a nice Christmas dinner. Index might just eat me instead..."

He hung his head again and sighed a heavy cloud of steam, shivering slightly before tucking the back of his jacket into his belt. He used his right hand, since the other was occupied with a small plastic bag. There was nothing even it, Imagine Breaker, could do if Index convinced herself Touma was a roast turkey or some other traditional western food. That was an illusion that even the mysterious power dwelling within could not break. And he only had 5 days before it was too late: the holidays can be a difficult time for a man without any luck.

"And even if I'm glad I reclaimed Imagine Breaker, I'm still allowed to lament my bad luck at least sometimes, right?" The heavens had no answer, and gave up gazing there for answers. "At least Othinus doesn't eat much."

Before he made it halfway along the parks path, Touma overheard a familiar Kiai [1] and the sound of what could only be a vending machine surrendering to abuse. For a moment he hesitated, but then sighed again. He took a slight detour to find exactly what he expected; Misaka Mikoto, 3rd ranked Level 5, pride of Tokiwadai and the Railgun, proudly holding two cans in front of her second favourite victim like she was some kind of hero.

What a petty mugging. And always the same victim… He could not help but shake his head at her immaturity, but realized pretty quickly it wasn't so cut and dry.

!~~~~~~~~!

Ah, damn. Two?

Misaka Mikoto studied the two cans nestled awkwardly in her mittens. One, she could have held by pressing them together, taking long, luxuriant sips while enjoying the crispness of the season. But two were altogether too much of a handful, and she found herself wishing they weren't made of aluminium.

And then there was the problem of choice.

I like both, but this just seems wasteful. I mean, I deserve one, but who they heck am I going to give the other to? Kuroko hates…

!~~~~~~~~!

Touma realized he had a problem. Or rather, a few.

One, he noticed his mouth was feeling dry, and whatever was in those cans seemed awfully alluring.

Two, he knew that if he was suddenly so curious, there were better ways to find out their flavour than by peering over her shoulder at close range.

Three, he vaguely understood that walking close behind an unaware Misaka Mikoto was probably something he should recognize as a Bad Idea.

Unfortunately for Touma, he realized these things in exactly that order.

!~~~~~~~~!

She stiffened.

Wait.

Even when distracted and totally at ease, her senses were always keen, but there were few things on Earth keener than her personal sixth sense. Her Electromaster powers, strongest of her class, made it almost impossible for anything to ever sneak up on her, yet there was all too familiar gap in her awareness. It had been only a handful of days since everyone had returned to Academy City, and just a little longer since she had last seen him, but even had it been years there was no way this particular presence would be forgotten.

O-oh no-!

And he was, of course, directly behind her.

!~~~~~~~~!

Touma was beginning to see that his poor planning and well-intentioned obliviousness were going to have their usual consequences. Eyes wide with alarm he took a step back, but she had already spun with lightning reflex.

Though he had been ready for that to be literal, right hand outstretched to catch any bolt that came, he had misjudged. Instead Mikoto had been so flustered she had turned with arms outstretched. These smacked into his, just in time for both to shout.

"Oy, Misaka!?" Touma raised his hands to block her from completely crashing into him, but it was unneeded. Her surprise carried her a foot away instead, blushing brightly with a loud 'meep' and one stray arc of current. As she recoiled she stumbled, and both cans she had been carrying with loosened grip launched into the air before she regained her footing. The two youths locked eyes, equally wary. And for a moment, time froze.

H-h-him!? Now!? Why isn't he-? …Oh-?

Oh no! No, now I've done it, I've – Hmm?

Each noticed the cans at the same time. They danced in the air amidst the snowflakes in the evening light, first up, but now coming down.

My drinks! I…Wait, I can't let them hit him! That'd be so embarrassing! I've got to-

If those spill I'm fried! But if I save them… maybe I too will be saved!? I've got to-

The drinks had been flung up and towards Touma, well over his head. So he did the natural thing, and reached up to catch them while staggering slowly back like an outfielder, just as Mikoto dashed forward arms outstretched. Both of them were looking up, and not at each other. Touma just for a second got his hands on the drinks, when a certain scientific Railgun slammed into his chest.

…Eh?!

…Uh oh.

Once again the drinks flew into the air, thrown this time by Touma's fall. He landed hard on the park's walkway, with Mikoto's face squarely in his chest. She lay sprawled over him, completely crimson, and even Touma's sudden terror couldn't repress a blush. His left arm was locked under her body, and he was only partially propped up by his right. For a brief instant their eyes met, and Touma knew the face of his demise. But before the sparks could fly…

…His eyes flickered up again, and the shock on his face turned to determination. The sudden transition was enough to make Mikoto hesitate. He looked like he had countless other times, when she or others had been in danger. When he had thrown away his own safety to protect another's smile. Oh… A-a-ah, what I am thinking?! I'm furious at him, damn it, I was thirsty! But, what is he-!"

With a flash Imagine Breaker reached up behind her head, and his reassuring grin was all Mikoto could see. Her heart skipped a beat as she could only assume one thing.

W-what? Like this?! He's making moves on me so casually like this!? But but I'm not bracedforthis, thisishappeningsofast,butbuthe'sso-huh..?

A solid thump behind her head distracted Mikoto once again. It hit her in a flash, or rather, it hadn't thanks to his quick thinking: he had caught one of the drinks that had fallen. She had been so anxious the can barrelling down hadn't even registered as a blip on her radar. But Touma had seen the danger and acted as decisively as usual.

However, equally in character was his failure to consider his own safety. One can had been caught, but the second made a perfect landing directly on his forehead. He gurgled, and flopped flat on his back again.

As the cloud of snow stirred by their collapse settled and the dented can rolled awkwardly down the walkway, Touma blinked away a few tears to grin bravely at Mikoto's wide eyed stare.

"Eheh. So, Happy holidays? Sorry about the other drink, but, uhm, Misaka… Are you okay? Now hold on, are you… Laughing? Are you laughing at me!? ...Why is that so much more depressing than being shocked?"

!~~~~~~~~!

After they had both recovered sufficiently, him from the swollen lump on his brow, and her from side splitting amusement, Mikoto collected the drinks. Still smiling a little stupidly, she compared them once again. The dented can was apple cider, the other hot cocoa. As he finished brushing the snow from his backside she tossed him the chocolate which he had caught. He reached out again with his Imagine Breaker, and he stood their looking at them both as if one or the other held any answers.

"Well idiot, I guess you're good for something after all. And you made my choice a lot easier."

"Oh. Thanks. I'm just glad I could help and all. No harm, no foul, right?" Touma chuckled weakly, though his forehead still throbbed being the rubbing of his free hand. "I'm sorry I scared you, by the w-eh!?" His lopsided grin and momentary sense of safety were both shattered by Mikoto's sudden light show as she readied an attack. Reacting quickly to her strike, he interposed Imagine Breaker, only belatedly realizing his mistake. The electricity was weak, but it was enough to induct a fair bit of heat into can it still firmly held. The temperature within soared and blew itself open in a fountain of molten delight. Mikoto noticed and stopped her strike, but the damage was done.

"Ah! Ah! Hot hot hot hot…" Touma began passing the syrupy can back and forth between his bare hands, before settling on putting it down on the cool ground.

"You didn't scare me!" She shouted, equally embarrassed by his choice of words and her own sudden outburst. "I was just startled, that's all! When you SHOUTED right NEXT to me! That's completely different than being scared!" Her finger pointed accusingly at Touma, who could only sigh in acceptance.

"I was trying not to startle you! Honest! And besides, can't you sense threats and people around you and stuff?! How'd I even get that close without you knowing, anyway?"

"Well you didn't do a very good job, Idiot! And while I can sense threats, that doesn't work on you and your hand, you know that. And even if it did, it's not like you're a threat anyway. Why the heck would I even want to fight you…" Her tirade lost steam, trailing off into a murmur as she glanced aside, sipping her warm cider.

Touma felt his focus narrow as he replayed her last words. Not a threat? Now, I don't want to get my hopes up, but have we officially moved past the 'trying to fry me' phase of our interactions? We've made a lot of progress but I'm not sure I'm qualified to make this kind of mental evaluation… It was risky, if there was a chance he had to pursue.

"Not a threat? Well… that's go-"

"I've already defeated you before, remember? So I don't have anything left to prove, do I?" She smugly raised her eyebrow and made a mocking peace sign, seemingly unaware of how cute she looked as she did.

He tried not to register that, but did in fact remember Denmark nearly a month prior. Where he had fought her and nearly the entire world for the right to save a smile. And so he couldn't help grinning lightly along with her. That day and his experiences just before had been the roughest time of his remembered life, but since it was over he could look back and just be grateful it had worked out in the end.

Mostly worked out, anyway. He stooped to gather his sufficiently cooled drink. "I guess you're right. A lot has happened since then. Pretty quickly, too."

For a moment the mood turned sombre as shared memories of the past few weeks caught up with them both. From the Magic Gods to World Rejecter, the A.A.A. and the Elements, and to Coronzon and the battles in England. The skyline still showed the effects of all the chaos that had happened: not even the technology of Academy City could rebuild Rome in a day. Yet here it was, still alive.

The place they both called home.

"It's practically a Christmas miracle this place is still around, after all that." Misaka mused into her drink as Touma came up beside her to join her skyward gaze. But soon it was his confused expression that caught her eye. "What?"

"What's that you called it, exactly? A 'Christmas miracle'?" He scratched at his nose. "You say that like it's a thing I should know, but I've never heard that before."

She rolled her eyes. "Yes, it's a thing you should know. Come on, aren't all your foreign friends super religious on top of that Magic stuff? You should know all about miracles."

"But what do they have to do with Christmas? Christmas is about Santa, and buying stuff." And I don't think I've ever experienced any 'miracles' around this time of year, either… Usually my gifts just get lost. At best.

"You-" She paused, then sighed. "Honestly, you're not wrong, but it's both, okay? Christmas was originally based almost entirely on religious ideas, from Christianity to pagan beliefs. If you want a lesson-"

"I don't! Don't ruin Christmas even more than I already do!" He shook his head so vigorously hot cocoa splashed onto his coat. He muttered as he rubbed at it with his free hand, but he promptly forgot about it and smiled. "…Still, what a relief. Phew!"

"Eh? What's got you so pleased now, idiot?"

"I don't have to worry about being fried anymore! That's a 'Christmas miracle'! Maybe now you can treat me like something more than a target, right? …Right ,Misaka-agh!?"

It had taken him too long to notice the aura of electric destruction his words had generated: she wasn't even looking at him, but he readied Imagine Breaker and flinched away all the same. How do I manage to keep doing this!? What was it I said!? Is there no such thing as a Christmas miracle after all!?

He had no way of knowing younger girl was similarly panicked, though for a different reason. Mikoto was caught in a whirlwind of thoughts and doubts, as she parsed what Touma had so casually said. Like more than a… A target? What does THAT mean!? Does he… Has he realized I've been ch-ch-chasing after him!? Does that idiot really suspect-! Is he implying he wants me to stop… or that I've already-!? Oh gosh oh gosh oh gosh oh-

"Hey, look, I'm sorry! Really, I didn't – I don't – Just, please, be careful, there are people around!" Grasping at straws, Touma gestured wildly that they had begun to draw a crowd. No one had been around in the initial accident, but the subsequent commotion had awoken curiosity in more than a few.

The thought of further public embarrassment cut Mikoto's display short, and her arcs petered out. Yet things didn't seem adequately resolved. The crowd, robbed of a diversion, was quick to disperse, but not before Mikoto noticed something.

Why is he constantly fiddling with the back of his jacket like that? "Hey, you." Touma stiffened, and turned to face Mikoto. "No, turn around. Face away. Just turn around already, damn it."

It was the deadpan tone that frightened Touma most of all. Wh-what is this? Is she trying to get a sneak attack in for critical damage!? And she's just asking me to let it happen?! That is… is just so unfair! She wouldn't actually do something like that… right!? I thought she said she doesn't even want to fight any more! He was almost in tears at the injustice of the world, but he also knew better than to hesitate too long. Slowly he turned away, bracing for the worst. At least I NEARLY made it to a hospital-less Christmas…

"Did you tear your jacket when you fell just now? It's in tatters! How could that little fall have possibly done that!?" She pointed with distress to his back. Three long rips had been made straight through the cheap fabric of his fall coat, with one particularly jagged tear reaching over halfway to Touma's neck.

That neck, once stiffened, sunk in relief as Mikoto's questioning sunk in. He leaned forwards to rest his hands on his knees and gave a loud, life-affirming sigh.

"No, no." He straightened up before turning to face Mikoto's surprised look with an simple smile. "That was from before. This isn't the first accident I've had today. Haha, can you believe it?"

"I believe it." Her immediate response prompted another sigh and deflated all the relief he had felt moments before. "So, what happened?"

"It's kinda embarrassing… I was heading out to school as normal. But before I could leave I came under attack by… my irate house-guest for not having any 'Yorkshire pudding' or something in the fridge, who chased me out to my balcony. I tried to cross over to Tsuchimikado's apartment as an escape route, when I fell in between my railing and his and landed on a different balcony on the floor below. My jacket got caught on a loose nail as I went, and there you go! Eheh." The whole time Touma was explaining, Mikoto felt something was amiss. House guest? One of his friends? I guess it is the holidays… But more directly obvious was the hole in Touma's story.

"That explains one rip, but there are two more. Did you fall all the way to ground floor or something?" As her eyebrow raised, Touma knew once again he was in for it. He wasn't going to lie, but he had really wanted to avoid this part.

"No no! Uhm… I landed on that other balcony below, and as I got up… There happened to be a young woman in her room, in a state of… well… She wasn't naked I swear!" He leaned back as Mikoto was clearly beginning to threaten violence. "I was there completely by accident, and a little dazed from my fall! I thought to ask for help, but she thought I was some sort of pervert-"

"You say that like you're not." Mikoto's harsh words cut deep into Touma's psyche, but she relented. "Continue."

"Eheh… Well, then she came at me with a knife-"

"A KNIFE?! Are you okay, you damned idiot?! What were you thinking?!" Touma was once again on the defensive for entirely different reasons, and he still had no clear idea why.

"I'm fine, fine: really! And I wasn't thinking about anything else than getting away! Luckily my jacket had fallen over my face: it made it hard to see, but protected both my innocent identity and my skin. She only got a few swings off before I climbed back up to Tsuchimikado's place. So… There you have it! I had to wear it like this throughout the last day of class… It was a little chilly out too… Eheh…" Touma shivered theatrically in an attempt to lighten the mood. In reality, after both his stints in Russia during World War 3 and Denmark during "World War Touma"[2] he felt the weather in Academy City was practically balmy. However, Mikoto had already latched onto a deeper issue.

At the best of times, she felt that Touma was usually under dressed. He always wore the same cheap clothing, and she had never even seen him in anything warmer than his current blazer. If that idiot's shivering so hard now, what will he be like during a cold snap, or a blizzard? Who will – I MEAN WHAT, w-what will keep him warm? It's not like he hasn't helped make me feel warm, s-so I'd just be returning the favour… When I was cold… As she was thinking, Touma had picked up his now lukewarm cocoa and the small bag he had been carrying.

"H-hey… what's in the bag? And why is it labelled 'Scientific Arts and Crafts?'"

"Oh, this?" Touma unconcernedly raised the bag and waved it around at his head level. "There's no way I can afford a new coat right now, so I had to buy some thread, needles, and a few patches."

"Psfpt – You can sew!?" Mikoto cider exploded as she sputtered. Just how worldly IS this idiot?! I already know he can cook[3] and now he sews too? All I've got over him is tea ceremonies! [4] How the hell am I supposed to be a good-

"Not really… I can darn socks, but that's the most I've done. But I have to try fixing my jacket: it'll be a cold winter otherwise! Though even then it'll still be full of holes…" Touma hadn't thought to be embarrassed about trying to sew his own jacket until he said it out loud and heard her shock. I guess that isn't a very manly thing to do, huh? She must find it silly. Eheh, well, that's just another reason I've got no luck with the…

…Eh?

His self-deprecating thoughts died the minute they beheld Mikoto's expression. It very clearly wasn't one of disdain or even good humour, but instead deep concern.

"You can't possibly wear that over Christmas! Especially if you're not confident in your sewing skills! You deserve a new one, a really nice warm one!" Mikoto realized belatedly that her blush had been building alongside Touma's, but her embarrassment quickly got the best of her. "I-I-I mean, it's what anyone deserves! I'm not saying you're special or anything!"

"Did you have to add that last bit?" Even as Touma grimaced, he had to admit he was touched, just as he always was when Mikoto volunteered herself blindly. When she's not annoyed with me, she is honestly pretty considerate...

So he couldn't help but smile, grateful for her concern if nothing else. "I would love a nice one, but it's difficult. I've got a lot of mouths to feed, and not a lot of money to feed them. There's no way I can afford a new coat." Touma came very close to teasing Mikoto about how rich she was again, but decided he had been attacked enough times today as it was.

Mikoto, meanwhile, had once again noticed Touma referencing other people living with him, but ignored it for now as she couldn't pass up this chance to make a move. He basically just asked me for help, right? But he's too damned proud and selfless to accept a really nice gift…

Except that it was almost Christmas.

This may make the cookies I've made redundant, but… An eerie grin flashed over Mikoto's face, but it was gone so quickly Touma wasn't quite certain it had been there at all. She was very clearly trying to play it cool, but as usual it came out as pure aggression.

"You still owe me, you know!" The outburst took Touma aback, and he raised his hands in supplication.

"W-what for? Did I do something else? Recently, I mean?"

"For scar- STARTLING me, idiot!"

"I already apologized, what more do you want?"

"That's not good enough!" She shouted before glancing all around in embarrassment. To cover her face she took a sip of her cider, not realizing that it had like Touma's cocoa heated up due to her frequent charges.

As she spat out a little and blew cool air onto it, Touma reflected once more on his luck. Of course it's not. Damn it, what to do then? What made her happy last time? …Maybe something like that penalty game thing again? That was so… awkward though… For both of us… But it did make her happy, and she got us both those Gekota pendants… Hmmm… And, really. Now that I think about it...

Crap crap crap, how do I say this? Mikoto blush only grew and as she plotted. How can I convince him to do this?! This won't work if I just tell him, he'll totally suspect-

"S-say, Mikoto…"

"Eh?!" Touma's use of her first name and halting tone shook her from her reverie, and she clutched her can tightly.

"...You know, I do owe you an awful lot."

"Uh?" Less startled now, but intensely more aware, Mikoto could think of no reaction. Touma stood just where had been, but something was clearly different in his demeanour.

"I mean, you've helped me so much lately. Gone out of your way, and into danger. Even when there was no real reason, and when we didn't understand the danger, and that's just talking about Coronzon and the Golden Dawn."

"W-well, it's my pleasure, obviously, I would never-" But he missed her cues of embarrassed pride and carried on.

"And when, in the ballroom, you helped me save Index..."

...?

"...You gave me something I hadn't really thought about missing. So, what I'm trying to say is... Thank you. I do owe you a lot."

In any other circumstances, no admission could have made Mikoto happier. And yet, her flustered joy was tempered by a strange sense of delirium.

...What is he talking about?

"So, perhaps… To make it up to you, and show my appreciation..." Touma swallowed, hard. "We could, you know, or I-I could, maybe… Just do what you want me to do for an e-evening? Like that time after the Daihaseisai?" Well I sure hope this works. If I guessed this wrong, I'm as good as dead. Sorry mom, sorry dad, I leave everything to Sphinx! …Do they even know I have a cat?

Silence fell over two of them alongside the muffling evening snow. The last shreds of dusk faded to night. The third ranked level 5 had never expected that kind of offer from Touma and it threw her into disarray, careful battle plans discarded in the face of what seemed like total surrender.

"…What are y-you offering…Exactly?"

"I don't know! Something like that penalty game thing from last time, maybe... O-or something else! Really, I don't know! It's just an offer; it can be whatever you want!" I'm not dead yet. Could this really be working? No sparks yet … okay. Just play it easy… Try to give her what she wants… Whatever that actually is…

Normally when faced with a similar scenario, Mikoto's embarrassment had made the direct expression of her goals and feelings impossible. But just this once, for the first time since she had met Touma, something had changed. He's just going to GIVE me what I want!? Am I dreaming…? The silence resumed for a few moments more, until Mikoto hesitatingly responded.

"….O-okay…Come shopping with me on the 23rd. I-I've just realized I've got to do some last minute Christmas shopping. And, uh, and you're going to help me, got it, Idiot!?" Mikoto's aggressive nature finally won through, though she managed to refrain from shocking anyone named Kamijou Touma.

"Yes yes!" He clapped both hands before his head, bowing with spectacular aplomb. "I promise!" Well. I'd call this an absolute win! That could have gone way worse. Especially since I'm not the one paying.

"Okay! Good! Great! Meet me at 4 o-clock, at the entrance to the Dianoid!"

"Wait, where!?" Oh.

"Don't be late, or… You'll regret it, I promise!"

"Yes yes! I promise again!"Now it's worse .

Already the flashbacks were flooding in, to the last time he visited that high-class hellhole of a mall. The glitz and glam hadn't even been the worst part, considering the Magical attack by the St. Germaine virus. Still, things had quieted down in the weeks that had passed, and the boy seriously doubted something would happen again in the same place. [5] Advertisements for the mall had been running non-stop on cable, promising that the mall's security had been improved beyond belief. The boy had no idea if the campaign was working, but if there was ever a good time to go the Dianoid, it was probably now. Plus he only had one girl, not two like last time, dragging him around. However, that one girl was Tokiwadai's Railgun, who was in a league of her own when it came to causing trouble.

Without knowing, Touma and Mikoto shared a sense of embarrassed foreboding mixed with hesitant hope. For now the specifics remained different, but the emotions were the same. Without realizing it they had remained starting at each other for almost a minute, silently. Moments before Mikoto realized she ought to be freaking out, Touma smiled his most winning smile.

"I promise, Misaka-san… and I-I'm looking forward to it! So… so I'll see you then. Thanks for the cocoa." Touma trailed off as he took a sip, waving goodbye as he turned, craft store bag clutched in his other hand.

"Y-you're welcome!" Mikoto couldn't bring herself to wave at his retreating back, but instead took off the opposite direction at a faster pace. She held the cider can to her smiling lips, starting to shake a little with nerves. Well, that Mikoto was a one time thing, huh? Guess it's still an improvement. Now, I just need to figure out what he meant by helping... I was under attack from Mental Out that whole time, so I don't really remember... Did I do something embarrassing?

As he walked, Touma reflected on how much better that had gone than he expected. He was still cold, but he felt a little warmer. Must be the cocoa.

He walked a little longer, before stopping suddenly. Mikoto had mentioned something about Christmas presents. Something deep and heavy settled in his heart, and the light grin he wore faded into stark horror. Glancing down at his newest phone's clock confirmed his fears. It was 4:49 on December 20th, and Kamijou Touma had not even begun to do his Christmas shopping. He had been so busy lately, but that was still no excuse.

"…This may be my fault in some way, but I've held back for a while. So… Such misfortuuuuuuune." [6]

!~~~~~~~~!

Footnotes

[1] A Kiai is basically a martial arts term, for the cry or breath of air one lets out with a major strike. I would have put "chaser" instead, but it didn't flow as well and it's not clear she ALWAYS say it that way.

[2] World War Touma is my term, but I feel like it's something Touma might relate to. He did essentially fight every Magical and most of the scientific super-powers. Besides, now I can imagine him as the Hulk (World War Hulk, in case you're wondering) and that makes me laugh. "SMASH PUNY ILLUSIONS!"

[3] I don't exactly remember if she has direct experience with his cooking, but seeing as she knows he always buys ingredients and things and is always bumping into him, I assumed she figured it out. Plus, she is sensitive about her own lack of skills, to a degree (remembering the cookies she made before).

[4] My first new footnote! Anyway, yeah, this is an experience only Mikoto would remember, since, from NT22R (SPOILERS if you have not read it yet), she showed him tea making but it wasn't really Touma. This will come up, so if you want to read this updated fanfiction, I insist: read all existing light novels or be very confused!

[5] AHAHAHAHAHAHAH

[6] You know, he really doesn't say this much any more. But he does still bemoan his bad luck, so I do want to give him at least a few.