"In other words, you're something like a host computer that binds together Misaka Imouto and all the others?" asked Kamijou with his eyes opened wide.
Having finished her explanation, Last Order ("Another fake-sounding name…") thought Kamijou, but he kept his mouth shut, swung her small arms around.
"Misaka would say she is more of a console than a host, says Misaka as Misaka corrects you. There is no central Misaka, so there is little point in having a specific unit to act as the 'core' of the network, lectures Misaka as Misaka proudly puffs her chest out."
It seemed she had been created to allow other humans to stop the Sisters if they went on a rampage. A non-member of the network the Sisters created could use her to send a "Last Order" to the network.
That alone made her sound somehow amazing (although none if it felt real to Kamijou), but Kamijou was left wondering what she was doing wasting time around here.
"Um…Misaka came to thank you for when you saved her from the experiment, says Misaka as Misaka suggests this is a Tsuru no Ongaeshi-like turn of events."
"You say that, but what's the real reason."
"You aren't going to believe Misaka even for an instant!? cries Misaka as Misaka begins stamping her feet!! But yes, it is just a coincidence that Misaka found you here to thank, says Misaka as Misaka reveals the truth!"
"Then my mistrust was justified."
"Your lack of delicacy really ticks Misaka off! says Misaka as Misaka begins beating you lightly with both hands!!"
It seemed he had angered her.
As he had no other choice, Kamijou looked around and said, "Sorry, sorry, sorry. I'll buy you some popcorn over there, so will you forgive me?"
"Do you really think a girl's sensitive heart can be manipulated by food!? says Misaka as Misaka is completely taken aback!!"
(Oh?)
It seemed his methods for dealing with Index had sunk in deeper than he had thought.
(I need to be more careful.)
"Sorry. Then we'll go without food."
"Misaka never said she wouldn't eat it! Misaka would love some popcorn! says Misaka as Misaka shows off a new technique by eating the popcorn but still being angry!!"
(Which is it?)
Kamijou was getting fed up with her, but with the way Last Order was tugging on his pants, it seemed he could settle it with food after all.
Kamijou bought a cylindrical bucket of popcorn with a sweet caramel flavor added. He pushed it into Last Order's small arms.
"Oh! It's as big as Misaka's head, says Misaka as Misaka is impressed by its economical size."
"…Whoops. That has to be bigger than your stomach."
(Then again, that nun could probably finish off an entire killer whale without trouble, so maybe it isn't that big an issue.)
Two minutes later, Kamijou was watching a little girl tremble horribly with the giant popcorn container in one hand and the other hand held up to her mouth.
Kamijou could not stand just watching on any longer, so he placed a hand on Last Order's slender shoulder.
"You don't have to eat it all."
"Myi…Misaka is not the kind of moron that wastes food she was given…burp."
Her previous businesslike manner of speaking was completely gone. And Kamijou was feeling it may have been wrong to give her such sweet popcorn with nothing to drink.
(Hmm. If only it was this easy to put the normal Misaka in a good mood… Maybe I should have chased after her.)
As Kamijou thought, Last Order started to ask for a drink.
Kamijou had no choice but to buy a small plastic bottle of mineral water. After quenching her thirst with that, Last Order was finally back to her normal self.
She said, "Misaka swiped this, says Misaka as Misaka shows off her prize."
"So you're a bandit now? Not bad, higher model Misaka…wait…huh? Are those goggles? Aren't these the ones Misaka Imouto and the others normally wear?"
Last Order was pointing at the goggles hanging from her neck. The heavy-looking military device looked like night vision goggles. They must have been what had been stolen from Misaka Imouto.
"These were not made for Misaka, so she can't get them on properly, says Misaka as Misaka gets a bit downhearted."
"What? Don't you just have to adjust the length of the strap that holds the goggles on?"
"?"
"Let me see them," said Kamijou.
Last Order stood right in front of him, raised her jaw slightly, and stood on her tiptoes. She was simply trying to make it easier to reach the goggles hanging from her neck. It was wrong to read any deeper meaning into the action.
He touched the strap and found it was made of rubber. It was similar to the strap that holds swimming goggles on. A metal device at the base of the goggles allowed the length to be adjusted.
"Excuse me for a moment," said Kamijou as he grabbed the goggles. He figured it would be easiest to bring the metal device to him. Kamijou pulled on the thick rubber strap and it stretched.
Last Order started struggling.
"Ow ow ow ow ow, says Misaka as Misa-…"
"Wah!?"
Kamijou let go of the goggles in surprise.
The stretched rubber strap returned to its original size.
A great snapping noise came from Last Order's face.
"…"
Kamijou was unsure what to say as Last Order rolled around on the floor. As he stood there unsure what to do, the teary-eyed little girl stood on her tiptoes once more to indicate the goggles hanging from her neck.
(Okay, I can't screw it up this time.)
In some cases, that thought more or less ensured it would happen again.
Long story short: the same snapping noise was heard once more.
This time, Kamijou was kicked to the ground and then stomped on by Last Order, but that seemed to put her back in a good mood. She then held the goggles up towards Kamijou once more.
She was quite brave.
Kamijou was extra careful to live up to that spirit of hers and he finally succeeded in adjusting the length of the rubber strap so it stayed on Last Order's forehead. The goggles themselves still seemed too big for her, but he managed to tighten it enough that they did not slide down.
"Oohhh!!" said Last Order with a joyous look on her face.
She brought both hands to her forehead and spun around on the spot.
Then a thought came to Kamijou.
(Come to think of it, is she just wandering around on her own? Misaka Imouto was with her before, but she's gone now. Did they get split up?)
It was hard to tell in the underground mall, but it was just before 6 PM. The sun would be setting soon. He wanted to get that helpless child back to her guardian, but he had no idea if that guardian was anywhere nearby.
(Hmm, what should I do? If her guardian is nearby, what would I look like to them? Oh, hell. I get the feeling they would say something like "What do you think you're doing to my child?")
And then…
Kamijou felt someone's gaze on him.
He had a very bad feeling about what was to come.
"What is it? says Misaka as Misaka asks you a simple question."
Kamijou turned around without answering Last Order's innocent question.
He slowly and cautiously turned around.
"You've gotta be kidding me…" groaned Kamijou when he saw who was looking at him.