A Certain 'Scientific' Investigation

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Original Title: Toaru Majutsu no Index/ とある魔術の禁書目録（インデックス）

Original Concept by Kazuma Kamachi

Written by: wrathie

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Author's Notes: I feel like I'm adding into Touma's harem =w="

Thanks for all of your reviews~ I'll reply them, but some of you are anon...

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It was an ordinary day, as ordinary a day can get in Academy City, the city with over two hundred thousand espers around can hardly be called normal in other cities.

But as one who have moved into Academy City, seen Judgment (The Society responsible for maintaining Law & Order in The City) and Anti-Skill (A kind of Special Forces department in the City), I, Saten Ruiko can safely say that I am more used to life in this city than most.

After all, I am friends with a Level 5 and a Level 4 esper and know first-hand what kind of damage, mischief and trouble they can get into.

Don't get me wrong, Espers are like ordinary people and in the case of my friends, ordinary high school girls.

But, one cannot really call them 'ordinary' as they are Espers, people with supernatural powers flowing through their veins.

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Academy City is a City that conducts research about Espers and help people from all around the world to develop their hidden potential to be an Esper and as a result, their technology is way ahead of any other city in the world.

It is commonly boasted that the technology in Academy City is 30 years ahead of any other city in the world.

But back to Espers, Espers are ranked according to how well they do in various aspects of their category of power. From Level 0, which is an ordinary human to Level 5, the closest one can get to 'god' in human form.

They call it that as 'God' as it is a realm that humans cannot reach by themselves normally…

I don't quite understand the theory about that as I am merely a Level 0, a normal human~

When compared to a friend of mine, Misaka Mikoto-san, who is a Level 5, we are worlds apart.

That is the same for my good friend, Uiharu Kazari's fellow Judgment Member, Shirai Kuruko who is a Level 4.

The both of us, Uiharu and I can never reach that level of powers without Hard work and that is not really a guarantee either…

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Many of us, Level 0 students, would probably never make it pass Level 2, there is an Ability Block somewhere along the road, a term we use to describe something like 'Writer's block', a part in our studies where we can never raise our stats and proceed to the next Level.

Everyone has their own potential, their own power but there is only a limit to what Academy City can do to bring it out for us.

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The rest of it, is up to our own hard work.

I was one of those whose stats never raised and I once considered giving up, but after a large incident where I almost lost the most important things to me, I woke up and vowed never to give up again.

If only I can just understand what 'Personal Reality' is, it is described as one's own world and one's own belief in their own powers.

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Perhaps it is like a 'Reality Marble'? A Projection of one's power internally by one's own belief and own desire to make it happen, is that what 'Personal Reality' really is? It would kind of make sense, one would have to believe in their own power and by believing in it, they would be able to project the image in their mind on how it would be…

It would even tie into how the teachers in class taught us about how to use our powers, to feel and imagine what it is like when we first felt our 'esper' abilities manifest.

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My power is apparently related to wind manipulation, that I discovered when I cheated to gain more power using the 'Level Upper', it did work and raised my Level almost instantly. But I guess God punishes the cheaters as I fell into a coma soon after I tasted my own capabilities.

I guess in a way it made me more motivated to keep trying and gain that power that I had felt… The Snake Tempted Eden to take a bite of the fruit of knowledge, I too have tasted the fruits of my 'labor' prematurely… and I would really, really want to feel that power flowing through me again.

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Such a wonderful feeling, like one can never describe it with words.

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I, Saten Ruiko never was an adventurous person, nor was I a person you can call a 'defender of justice' or one that would seek cheap thrills or try something different or eye-catching just because I can.

I am just an ordinary person surrounded by amazing people…

From my good friend, Uiharu Kazari who is a Member of Judgment to her fellow Judgment Member, Shirai Kuruko, a level 4 teleporter and finally Misaka Mikoto-san, the 'Railgun', Tokidawai Ace and the Rank 3 of only 7 Level 5 Espers in the City, I feel kinda unwanted in that circle…

I do feel powerless and at times, even disheartened, asking myself what am I doing in my life while my friends were risking their lives or just shining brightly, enjoying each moments of their lives while I live my ordinary, boring school life.

I guess it was that same bitter, regretful feeling that made me try the 'Level Upper', I just felt bad…. Felt bad about my inability to perform, felt jealous about how Uiharu, a Level 1, could achieve so much despite being… such a ditzy and careless girl.

I was jealous and regretful, cursing my own fate and being unable to break through that 'Ability Block' that doomed me to be a Level 0.

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That feeling was never stronger today, in this ordinary day in Academy City when I saw my best friend, Uiharu Kazari get injured while evacuating a building that was being targeted by a gang of espers trying to rob the vault at the basement.

They had accidentally blown up too many of the support structures in a bid to hold Judgment at bay and Uiharu was barely able to escape after they attacked her from behind, throwing a compressed ball of air that just blew apart and knocked her out cold.

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Of course, this is what I heard from Shirai-san, who had found her and saved her before the building collapsed while I was praying for her safety outside the barricade set up by Anti-Skill…

I felt so useless and angry then for not being able to do anything for Uiharu and I decided to spend the night with her in hospital to make up for it.

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Why am I just a Level 0? Isn't there anything I can do as a Level 0?

I asked myself out loud when I heard a strange and yet familiar voice calling my name and I turned around.

'Y-yes?'

It was definitely Misaka-san's voice but I did not hear her enter the room. Uiharu too, she is sleeping soundly in the bed and she can't be the one speaking as she is still unconscious. Oddly however, I noticed that the flowers arranged nicely on her head was still intact… that was odd, wasn't she exposed to an explosion?

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'You are, Saten Ruiko, Misa-'

Turning back to Uiharu, I gave a soft gasp when I saw Misaka-san standing beside Uiharu's bed, directly opposite me and I marveled and gritted my teeth at a Level 5's power while nodding my head. Why was Misaka-san behaving so oddly today as she shook her head.

'My apologizes, Saten-san…'

It seemed that she was having difficulty forming her sentences and I spoke up in concern for her, as far as I know Misaka-san did partake in today's activities with Judgment, she was in the vicinity and they had called for her help when Anti-Skill was unable to reach their in time.

'Uiharu was saved by a Level 0 Esper.'

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I blinked before my jaw dropped and I stared at her, opening and closing my mouth in shock. A Level 0 Esper? How can that be possible? I had heard the explosion and it was no laughing matter, according to Shirai-san, it was at least a Level 4-5 explosion and it had demolished the entire floor Uiharu had been in.

But then again, Misaka-san had a point, there was no way that Uiharu could have survived that explosion unscathed and with only light bruises without someone protecting her… but if so, who was that person? A Level 0 wouldn't stand a chance against that group of espers, even Anti-skill and Shirai-san had to be careful when dealing with them… even if they were apprehended, it was probably due to the power of Misaka-san, who was a level 5…

But why… why would Misaka-san say that Uiharu was saved by a Level 0 esper?

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There was simply, no way that is the truth and I stood up and told her that immediately.

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'Impossible, Misaka-san, a Level 0 Esper couldn't… have saved Uiharu, could they?'

But it seems that I still wanted to hope, her words had triggered something akin to that in me. If a Level 0 Esper can do something that even a Level 4 or 5 couldn't, perhaps there is something that I can do for Uiharu, Shirai-san and the rest too!

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'Yes, it is impossible, Mis-… But 'he' achieved it. A Level 0 Esper did indeed save Uiharu, Saten-san… That person's name is, Kamijo Touma.'

She answered after some effort and I asked her again while clinging on to this last thread of hope that I had while looking at Uiharu, still resting between us before reaching out to grab her hand.

'T-then, can you tell me how he did it, who is he? How could he save Uiharu with no powers whatsoever? Is it something that I can do, I can give up anything.. if I can just help Uiharu too, I don't want to keep watching her be hurt… I don't want to lose my best friend, Misaka-san!"

I was perhaps a little too loud, but Misaka-san didn't seem too worried about that and instead she smiled at me and nodded her head.

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'But, Misaka… I mean, I, can't tell you anything by myself.'

'W-what do you mean?'

Feeling some of my hope dissipate, I was hopeful again when she continued slowly.

'You will have to find out how he did it yourself, Saten-san… In the morning, you'll think this is all a dream…'

'Huh?'

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That was unexpected and I looked on in confusion when Misaka-san comically brought out one of those old-fashioned watches with a chain and swung it in front of me.

'In the morning, you'll think this is all a dream…. Misaka repeats.'

W-was, this really a dream? Am I seeing things? Why is Misaka-san trying to act like she was hypnotizing me?

'Erm…. Misaka-san?'

'Misaka repeats herself, when you wake up in the morning… you will think this is a dream.'

'U-uh…?'

But apparently that was true as all of a sudden, I felt a dull pain on my neck and I felt giddy all of a sudden as I swooned, apparently too tired to think as I thought I saw two Misaka-san's standing in front of me before I fell asleep on Uiharu's lap…

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'Misaka 10032 asks if that was really necessary, Misaka 19090? Misaka 10032 was looking forward to trying to hypnotize Saten Ruiko, Misaka 10032 admits with disappointment.'

'Misaka 19090 believes that with Misaka 10032's level of skill in hypnotism, Saten Ruiko would be more amused than hypnotized, Misaka 19090 says so with resignation.'

'Misaka 10032 is very upset at Misaka 19090's words, Misaka 10032 declares that Misaka 19090 would not know unless Misaka 10032 did try it out.'

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'Misaka 19090 did allow Misaka 10032 to 'attempt' to hypnotize Saten Ruiko but decided that we should leave soon, the Nurses will be coming along their rounds, Misaka 19090 seeks confirmation from Misaka 15555 for clarification.'

'Yes, that is affirmative, Misaka 15555 reports and advises Misaka 10032, 19090 to retreat.'

The two 'sisters' nodded to one another and headed for the window, which was left open and ready for their getaway. They were here for a purely 'Scientific Reason', naturally… and naturally, it was the 'leader' of the 'sisters', who had thought of this plan, Misaka 10032. Standing beside her was her accomplice, Misaka 15555 who was holding a tranquilizer gun and she calmly pulled out the dart that she had shot into Ruiko's neck a second before.

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Once again, this 'sister' was the Mastermind of the 'Experiment' that would shake the world… well, the world of Saten Ruiko anyway as she declared the start of the 'Experiment'.

'Let the 'Scientific' Investigation begin, we would be observing your findings in great detail, Saten Ruiko.'

The motive of course, was to find out what did Kamijo Touma appear to people unfamiliar with him. As the 'sisters', their Onee-sama and now Shirai Kuruko all had 'feelings' or view Touma as 'special', they wanted to know how others view him in an unbiased way.

Sure they could have done it in another fashion, but blame it all on Misaka 10032, the day before she had read a book that was recommended by Touma and became hooked with investigations and sleuthing.

If there is someone to be pitied, it would be Ruiko, she had unwittingly became a pawn in Misaka 10032's newest 'Scientific Experiment'…

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Waking up slowly, Saten Ruiko felt that her body was unnaturally stiff and she groaned as she slowly sat up from the weird position that she had fallen asleep in. That's right, she had fallen asleep while looking at Uiharu, was she fine?

'Ah…'

She was still sleeping and Ruiko reached up to pat and ruffle her hair a little, taking the chance to arrange the flowers on her head to be more presentable. It was odd but she felt that she had forgotten something important last night, but try as she might she can't remember what that is.

'Did I meet someone last night?'

Scratching her head, Ruiko stretched herself as well while trying to get some feelings back into her limbs and as she turned her head from side to side, many cricks were heard that made her groan.

'I need more exercise…'

'Really, Saten-san?'

Hearing a voice call out to her, she turned to see her friend, Misaka Mikoto and she greeted her cheerfully as she can muster with Uiharu in that state and Mikoto seemed to understand and tiptoed in the room while holding a small box in her hands.

'Here, cake, I think Uiharu would wake up earlier if she smelt this.'

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An excellent strategy, she had declared that she has a separate stomach for sweets after all and they smiled a little as they placed the box of treats on the table beside Uiharu's bed, hoping that she'll wake up soon.

'Is she alright?'

'Yes, the doctor says it's just the shock from the explosion… there were no injuries except that Uiharu has always been affected by loud noises, so it's just shock. She'll be fine after the sleeping pills wear off and she wakes up.'

Smiling, Ruiko looked at Mikoto who was patting Uiharu's head from the other side of the bed and she suddenly remembered something. Standing up all of a sudden, she asked nervously, thinking she must still be dreaming as she asked about the first thing that popped up in her mind.

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'Erm, Misaka-san.'

'Yes, Saten-san? I did ask Kuruko to bring your share, she should be here any moment.'

She seemed so normal, but why was this nagging feeling that she had met with her last night when she was not herself? Was it just her imagination or did something happen last night? It was a moment of Déjà vu that caused her to stand up and confront her… but, there was something she was supposed to say too.

Like a cue in a play, if she can just remember it…

'Saten…-san?'

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'Does, Misaka-san, know someone… called, Kamijo Touma?'

There were the sounds of something being dropped behind her and the two of them saw Kuruko hurriedly picking up a bag of sandwiches that she had dropped with a flushed face. The flustered way in which she tried to pick things up was definitely odd but when they did finish helping her, Ruiko noticed that even Mikoto was a little red and they sat down in front of Uiharu while enveloped in an awkward silence.

Was it something that she had said? Was this person, whoever Kamijo Touma is, a taboo subject to ask about? But the two of them must know something about him as Kuruko was twirling her hair awkwardly while Mikoto seemed lost in her own thoughts as well.

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Things had changed immediately when she mentioned him… she was certain it was a him, was he that influential to the two of them? He must be someone amazing to influence a Level 4 and 5 Esper, it made it even harder to believe that he could be a Level 0 Esper after all.

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'D-did I say something wrong? If I did, I apologize… I just heard rumors that, that person saved Uiharu so… I was wondering if the two of them knew him as I wanted to go and thank him…'

The mood immediately changed and the two of them started laughing awkwardly before they sighed at the same time, causing Ruiko to sense that she was right, something was definitely special about this boy, Kamijo Touma for the two of them to be so nervous when they are talking about him.

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Shirai-san would never never be so quiet unless she was thinking about something but even when she is, she is always focused on whatever she is currently planning or figuring out. This is a far cry what she is doing now, playing with her hair while looking distractedly over her shoulders to Mikoto-san.

Even Mikoto-san was different, her usual rowdy and energetic self gone and was replaced by a more mellow and timid version of herself, jumping at the slightest voice or sound..

This is definitely very odd.

It certainly needed further investigations!

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'But it seemed like what Kamijo-san would do right, Onee-sama?'

Recovering after a few minutes of silence, Kuruko broke the stalemate by nudging Mikoto who nodded and sighed again. There was no helping it, it was true that busy-body would lend a hand if something this big was happening. That was the same when he saved her and Uiharu from that bomber's attack as well.

It was just the sort of thing that he would do, without them asking… and one of the reasons Mikoto liked about him.

'Mm, that idiot… I thought we evacuated the building? But then…. Knowing his luck, that idiot might have been stuck in the washroom.'

'Geez, Onee-sama… but Kuruko agrees that they can't discount that possibility.'

Smiling, Kuruko leaned backwards to rub Uiharu's forehead as she looked at her dear friend and partner.

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So, he saved you again? Somehow I feel a little envious of you, even if you were not carried out like a princess.

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'But how did you know that, Saten-san? Weren't you outside?'

Asking her, Mikoto nodded as she explained slowly to her about her theory.

'The explosion was at least a Class 4 and bordering to a Class 5 in terms of destruction right? The whole building collapsed and Uiharu suffered little to no injuries… I know it is a miracle, but that miracle can't be just her doing… it seems too miraculous to me… the whole floor she was in just came down!'

Exaggerating a little, Mikoto and Kuruko still got the general idea, it was probably impossible for her to be unhurt by that after all.

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'I could check the footage or the photos taken by Anti-Skill… but Saten-san might be right, if it is Kamijo-san, he might be able to protect Uiharu while the floor collapsed…'

Was he… such a powerful person? Ruiko just gaped while Mikoto agreed as she flipped the trademark coin she had in her pocket while thinking.

'… his 'Imagine Breaker', would probably allow him to stop all the attacks except for the sound… the sound must have knocked Uiharu unconscious… someone must be with him too, or else he couldn't have escaped from that place unnoticed. We had the place cordoned off, right, Kuruko?'

Pointing out that flaw, Kuruko shook her head and explained that when half the building collapsed, there was a few minutes where the entire place was covered by dust debris and smoke.

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'So it is possible for him to slip away unnoticed… geez, why must he always play the hidden hero…'

Even though Mikoto voiced out her displeasure, Ruiko and Kuruko both saw her sighing and blushing and they exchanged knowing looks. Ruiko in surprise while Kuruko in resignation as she flicked her hair back and continued.

'But where did you hear that rumor from? Did someone else come visiting last night to tell you that?'

Smiling as she settled down beside her Onee-sama, the both of them choked on their glasses of water when Saten-san remarked that she thought Mikoto did came down last night.

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'But that's impossible right? I mean, Shirai-san and Mikoto-san has a curfew, I had to ask for permission to stay over from my school too… Did I say something wrong again, Shirai-san, Mikoto-san?'

Looking confused at how the two of them were gathered together and whispering to one another, she was about to head over and ask what was wrong when Uiharu suddenly stirred and she cried out her best friend's name and held her hands tightly as she groaned, shaking her head in confusion.

'Good morning, sleepy head!'

Smiling from ear to ear as Uiharu did slowly stir and wake up, Ruiko breathed a sigh of relief as she nodded and asked for some water with a hoarse voice.

'Good morning, Saten-san… Shirai-san, Misaka-senpai…'

Smiling weakly as she gulped down the water, Uiharu cleared her throat and then slowly sat up with Ruiko's help. She had suffered no injuries, but they wanted her to stay for observation and do more checks on her hearing to ensure she did not damage her ears.

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'Thank you for visiting me…'

She blushed and then shook her head awkwardly when Ruiko hugged her tightly while wailing her name.

'D-don't ever scare me like that again!'

'I-I'll try, Saten-san…'

'Geez, Saten-san, Uiharu is part of Judgment… she will get into dangerous situations once in a while.'

Petting Ruiko's head, Kuruko still flicked a finger on Uiharu's forehead, causing her to give a small ow in protest while Ruiko defended her by saying she is a victim her!

'Yes yes, Kuruko understands, but she is a Member of Judgment too… being a member of Judgment, you shouldn't get yourself exposed to such kind of dangers unless you are prepared to face them. Didn't I tell you that?'

It seems that behind that stern behavior, Kuruko was trying to show her concern too. She must have been worried sick the moment she got the message that Uiharu had not left the building.

Uiharu was supposed to be in the Base HQ, not in the front lines…

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'Even if you're a Level 1, you're part of the team and you have your own rules, Uiharu… don't put yourself in any unnecessary risk, please.'

Holding her hands, Kuruko stared at Uiharu in a lecturing fashion and the poor girl nodded and placed her hand over hers and apologized.

'I'm sorry for worrying you so much, Shirai-san…'

'… hmph, not that I was really worried… after all… Kamijo-san was around, desho? Perhaps we should offer him a job in Judgment too… what do you think, Onee-sama?'

Teasing Mikoto, who was on her phone and is in a seemingly frustrating conversation where she kept repeating herself over the phone.

'No! I said, No! No, get 10032-chan to answer the phone now! I said, No! 15555-chan, get 10032-chan to answer the phone now! I know she's there, you can find her can't you? NO? I know you lot are planning something again!'

But after a few minutes of shouting over the phone, the door to the room opened and a Nurse stepped in to remind them to keep their voice down.

's-sorry…'

Blushing, Mikoto hung up and then swore softly under her breath as Kuruko walked over to Mikoto to ask her what's wrong

Ruiko on the other hand, was filling Uiharu in on what she had missed.

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'Eh…? So this person, Kamijo-san… saved me? I… I don't quite remember what happened. But I did hear someone calling out to me… but the next thing that I remember was waking up in this bed, Saten-san…'

She seemed apologetic but she did manage to share with her some information.

'But I remember the name, Saten-san, Shirai-san had me run a check on him, I remember it well as I had to search from Level 5 all the way down to Level 0. He is really a Level 0 esper~'

'Ehh!'

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Ruiko gave a small cry of disbelief as Uiharu just nodded and shared with her the records she had found about him.

'But this is Confidential Information, Saten-san, please don't tell anyone else about this.'

Whispering, Uiharu managed to look mysterious as she recited what she remembered for Saten-san.

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'Eh… isn't he then a normal high school student?'

Ruiko was getting more and more confused at what she was being told. She was sure that this boy was something special as Kuruko and Mikoto had sung his praises but what Uiharu is saying is that he is nobody more than a normal person than you can see in the streets?

So… who is he really?

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