Summary: AU. Misaka Mikoto dies and everyone is devastated. Touma meets a Misaka doppelganger and decided to train her to become the new Misaka Mikoto.
Guide:
—this is Touma’s narration of things—
this is current Touma’s thoughts
HOW TO TRAIN A CERTAIN SCIENTIFIC RAILGUN
CHAPTER 03: A Certain Training Goes South
Touma got up early from bed and left Index again. But this time, he asked Tsuchimikado and Stiyl to check on her from time to time since he wasn’t sure when exactly he’d be home.
He ran towards the meeting place that he set for him and Imouto. The same meadow under the bridge where he and Misaka once fought.
“Good morning!” He greeted with a bright smile on his face.
“‘You’re late for 6 minutes and 22 seconds.’ MISAKA informs the happy gentleman.”
But this didn’t wipe off the smile in his face, it seemed natural that Misaka would say it to him.
“I’m sorry. I had to make sure Index’s guardians are trustworthy.” He explained the reason behind his couple of minutes behind schedule.
“‘Index?'”
“She’s a friend of mine. I’ll let you meet her when you’re ready.” He said, hiding the anxiety of imagining the meet of Index and the new Misaka.
“‘When MISAKA is ready?’ MISAKA wants to ask for an explanation regarding that matter.”
“Er, well.. Misaka and Index aren’t in good terms and since you’re going to pretend as Misaka you can’t just suddenly play nice.” He explained in the most understanding way possible, without causing any misinterpretation of their relationship.
“‘Then MISAKA will meet her as MISAKA 10032 and not the original.’ MISAKA suggests so that she can meet Index without bringing suspicion that MISAKA is pretending to be the original.”
“But you ARE her! You look exactly like her! The only thing different is your undies, manner of speaking and your name!” He points out. But realizing he couldn’t let go of the fact that Imouto doesn’t exactly catch how the real Misaka would clothes and accesorize herself, makes her non-Misaka already.
“‘Then should MISAKA not wear anything underneath?’ MISAKA asks in wonder how the original dresses herself.”
Oh goodness no!
“Er, no, no, no, no! Heck no!” He denied her suggestion with red hot cheeks at the thought.
“‘Then how will MISAKA have to dress herself from now on?’ MISAKA continues to ask.”
“J- Just.. well..” he stuttered on his words as he thought about it.
Is she seriously allowing me to dress her up? Let alone do anything I say, this girl is nuts! But then again I asked for this, she’s simply abiding my terms. Isn’t she curious if I’d be lying to her to take advantage? Ah, screw this, I wouldn’t do that.
“We can start by wearing something that Misaka usually wears underneath her skirt. You don’t have to worry about the clothes. Tokiwadai requires the students to wear uniform whether they are in class or not.” He starts his lesson and the girl listened attentively.
This is going well..
“So after we buy a couple of those, you have to take note to be very cautious of your body. Make sure you act preservative and not the whole I’m-staring-at-you-because-you-are-perverting-me kind of act.” He said sharply when he remembered Imouto didn’t react when he peeked and stared at her striped undergarment.
“‘What do you mean by -act preservative-?’ MISAKA asks.”
“Well of course you can’t let meb touch you whenever and wherever they want!” He scolds. “You have the right to kick, punch, slap or use your ability to shove them off!”
“‘Including you?'”
“Yes!”
“‘Yesterday Touma lifts MISAKA’S skirt to pervert her. Should MISAKA retaliate?'”
“O- Of course not! The rules weren’t set back then!” He tried to dodge out of that one. He was relieved Imouto nodded at his justification. “Anyway, one more thing is that you are a fan of any Gekota product.”
“‘Gekota is for kids.’ MISAKA informs Touma so he will be aware on what kind of rule he is requesting MISAKA to abide.”
-I know that! But you wouldn’t be Misaka without your Gekota-fanatic self!-
Touma takes a deep breath to try to further convince the girl to submit to his rules. He needed more patience to so so.
“Yes, yes. But it’s all part of the act. Just act like a fangirl when you see any Gekota item so you won’t be suspicious. Don’t forget to mention them at times too. And also note to always hang around areas where there are Gekota merchandise being sold.” He spelled out the things to do but Imouto raises a brow on him.
“‘Isn’t Touma going overboard with the original’s real habit of collecting Gekota?’ MISAKA asks after listening to the deluded request of the young gentleman.”
“I am not deluded! That’s how I see Misaka!”
“‘Then would it be alright if MISAKA can add certain habits and anything related to the original when MISAKA performs her impersonation?’ MISAKA offered to Touma another term that MISAKA had thought of just now.”
Touma pauses for a moment to let her offer sink in. True that he was getting too much into pushing Imouto to act like Misaka and that will overact everything.
“Alright. Terms added.” He agreed. So you’ll add anything to her character however you see fit?”
“‘Yes.'”
-Alright, not bad. At least I know you’re thinking and contributing.-
When they made an agreement about the new term included in their deal, Touma decided to lead and invite Imouto to shop all Misaka clothes and accessories needed as a beginning of the act.
As they walk back to the streets, Touma realized that Imouto wasn’t much aware of the places and decided to give her a tour on their walk.
All was going well until..
“Hey is that Misaka Mikoto?” Asked a citizen passing by them. The recognition again made Touma’s heart jump.
“O- Oh she’s not! She’s a cosplayer!” The same excuse as before.
“‘MISAKA is a fan of Misaka. Ha-ha, Ha-ha.’ MISAKA adds to further explain why she looks like the original then laughs nervously.”
-You didn’t have to say that!-
“O..kay?”
“Oh hoho, it’s time to go Misa-chan! The costume we ordered is ready for pick up!” Touma said aloud and grabbed Imouto’s wrist to pull her away.
Awkward and obviously suspicious, he decided to cover her face for a while. Until she’s got the basics in becoming Misaka, she needs to lay low.
He bought her a black cap and shades then forces her to wear civilian clothes for the meantime. Imouto however rejects the shades and wants her goggles.
“You’ll catch attention than keeping a low profile if you wear goggles!” He chides. “Plus we haven’t found your goggles yet.”
“‘MISAKA needs it.’ MISAKA tried to convince the hotheaded gentleman.”
“Why you?!”
Never mind. I’ll talk to her about her manner of speaking after the other basics that she needs to learn.
The two went shopping, Touma had to pay for everything.
While they were in the girl’s section, Touma noticed he was running low on budget and told Imouto he’d be back and that she should stay and to keep a low profile. When Touma was gone, Imouto was reciting Touma’s rules to herself.
“‘Rule number one, keep a low profile. Rule numbee two, act preservative. Rule number three, when rule number two is violated an act of punishment is advised. Rule number 4, act like a Gekota-fanatic. Rule number 5, always wear shorts under the skirt. Rule number 6, do not speak of MISAKA this or that to others. Rule number 7-‘”
While Imouto was reciting the rules, she spots the swimsuit area and somehow a memory flashes in her head.
In curiosity how the certain swimsuit had triggered an image in her head, she walked towards it with her hand reaching for it. But as she does, her hand bumps into another.
“Oh. I’m sorry.” The girl beside her apologized seconds after pulling her hand away.
“‘Do you like childish bathing suits?'”
Imouto turned to the girl and her cheeks slightly showed pink shades.
“Erm, no, no! You got it wrong!” She quickly denied. “It just reminds me of someone!” She added to lower the suspicion.
“‘Remind you of someone?'” Imouto repeats, wanting to question who it was.
“Yeah. Someone close to me.” The girl said with a smile but behind that smile Imouto can see the obvious sadness written across her face as she spoke vaguely about the certain someone.
“‘That person.. is she-‘”
“A- aa! There you are Miko-chan! Don’t run off on your own!” Touma arrived with a cao covering his face. He quickly grabbed her wrist to pull her away from the familiar girl.
“‘But Tou-‘”
“Tou-chan! Call me Tou-chan! Seriously, we’re family! Don’t be shy!” He gripped the hand on her wrist, wanting to hint that she should shut up and keep walking.
The girl was left in confusion as she watched them walk away.
Arriving back at their training ground, the two removed their caps, the shopping bags beside the sitting Imouto.
“You’ve almost compromised everything!” He snaps.
“‘MISAKA did as you’re told. MISAKA did not mention MISAKA’S name and the fellow customer had no clue.’ MISAKA defends her actions.”
“That was Saten right there! Just a little bit more and she could’ve recognized you!”
“‘Saten?’ MISAKA requires an explanation.”
“She’s one of Misaka’s friends. Close friends in fact!” He explained the risk of having a talk with one of Misaka’s close friends.
“‘MISAKA apologizes for the lack of knowledge regarding the original’s circle of friends. But in MISAKA’S defense Touma had a fault by not giving those details that needs to be known.'”
Fair enough.
Touma sighed and sat down beside her, taking a breather from his anger earlier. He had a fault in it too.
“I’m sorry. I just didn’t want to risk it.” He says.
“‘MISAKA saw the same sadness in Saten’s eyes. The one MISAKA always see in yours.’ MISAKA shares with Touma her observation.”
“So you can see through us by looking in our eyes?” He asked.
“‘Yes.'” The girl allowed a few moments of silence before speaking. “‘MISAKA wants to know if pretending to be the original will take the sadness away.'”
“Of course.”
“‘Then MISAKA wants to do whatever it takes to take the sadness away from your and everyone’s else’s.’ MISAKA declares and locked her eyes on Touma.”
“I- Imouto..”
“‘MISAKA no longer has a purpose in life. She’s grateful to have met Touma and gave her a new purpose.’ MISAKA spoke her thoughts. ‘MISAKA wants to thank Touma by making him happy again.”
The two stared at each other for a short time, letting the heartbreaking moment sink in.
“That would’ve been less creepy if you weren’t talking as the third person.” He joked, deciding to finally break the silence.
But after breaking it, they caught each other’s eyes and for some reason, there was this force that was telling Touma to lean closer to Imouto.
He allowed himself to follow the force until..
“I knew it! You’re Touma!” Cried a girl’s voice from behind.
“Gah! Saten-san?!” He gasped in surprise.
“There’s no way I’d forget your voice!” Sateb exclaimed but then her eyes locked on the girl beside him. “Misaka-san?”
“Saten-san, I can explain!”
“You knew she’s alive all along?! And you’re hiding her for yourself?!” Shouts the angry girl.
“What? No! I-!”
I was planning to share her after I’ve trained her actually.
“‘MISAKA’S name is MISAKA 10032. The original is where everyone know she really is. Inside a coffin.’ MISAKA clarifies the misunderstanding.”
But the way she said it didn’t affect Saten in a way Imouto thought it would.
Saten’s eyes had gone teary. Not because of Imouto’s words but because of the grim reminder of Misaka’s death.
“Saten-san..” Touma wanted to comfort.
“You’re hiring someone to pretend as Misaka-san?! How could you?!” Snapped the girl. “Making an illusion like that!”
“I know that alright?! I know I’m fooling myself more than anyone! But can’t you see how we’re all torn apart without her!” Touma snapped back. “I just wanted to fix everything, make a clean exit when we can stand on our feet again!”
“And what if they find out before your clean exit? Won’t that ruin things more than it already is?!”
“Just.. SHUT UP!”
Touma reached his end and had nothing more to say about the argument. He had a point but she was right. There’s a big chance he won’t even make it halfway of his little scheme.
Touma looked down on the grass, his eyes also teary, not wanting to cry in front of others.
“I blamed myself for her death.. and I know everyone else blame themselves.” He says with a calm voice this time.
“I’m sorry for snapping at you like that. You were right. I blamed myself too.” Saten confessed. “Which is why I panicked when I saw how risky your scheme is. I didn’t want to just stay in the sidelines and watch someone play as Misaka.”
When the two had calmed themselves, Imouto took the chance to speak.
“‘MISAKA will try not to let anyone down. As long as Touma and Saten also will try to keep their heads up and not sulk.’ MISAKA gives her conditions to keeping the act.”
“Of course. We’ll try.” Touma says but then turns to Saten. “Are you with us on this?”
“Just involved.” She says. “I won’t help but I’ll keep it a secret until she’s revealed herself. Shirai-san, Uiharu and everyone else are still sad. So I won’t to give this insanity of an idea a chance.”
“Thank you.”
jadetalesyeah 