Misfortune No One Sees, Until Now

Deep Blood: Part I

[I DO NOT OWN THE AWESOMENESS THAT IS A CERTAIN MAGICAL INDEX]

"Oh? What is it girl?"

The voice started in response to a question that was asked. A question by Index. The truth was, Index was silently brewing about something.

It was something that she convinced herself that such a thing didn't need to be asked. Perhaps because- some part of her wouldn't like the answer.

But still, she spoke.

"We've watched all these memories of Touma... and we've done so because you want to make us understand the misfortune he had to go through when no one was looking..."

Index, slowly revealing the crux of her point, trailed off.

"But..."

Truly hesitant, truly contemplative, truly reluctant.

Mikoto, Shirai, Saten, Uiharu, Imouto and Misaki.

Fukiyose, Himegami, Komoe, Tsuchimikado, Aogami.

Hamazura, Mugino, Kinuhata, Takitsubou.

Accelerator, Last Order, Worst.

Sogita.

Kanzaki, Stiyl, Birdway, Lessar.

All of them listened intently to what the girl was about to say. It was without a doubt the nun had piqued their interest.

"But why isn't he here...?"

Everyone's eyes widened at the question. It didn't even need to be said who 'he' was in this scenario.

Moreover, everyone here had been able to ingrain a sense of what 'he' meant throughout their viewing of the various memories. Whether it was referring to a friend, an acquaintance, or even a cherished one. And even for some, dare say a rival.

After a pause that made the others assume there would be no reply, The Voice finally spoke.

"That huh..."

Such a simple question, right? Why wasn't he here? Why wasn't the boy they were made to watch here to watch these memories with them? It only made sense, after all- wouldn't the best understanding come from the boy's own mouth?

That was the logical approach to Index's question. But beyond logic was...

"Why isn't Touma here..."

The question was repeated, but this time it was encompassed with a sense of loneliness. Everyone felt that. Yes, because when you ignore the logic of their circumstance, and what they needed to accomplish, one feeling remained.

Longing.

That boy who blurs the line greatly between a good and bad impression. That boy who seems to charm everyone he meets. That smile, that personality, that soul.

Index just wanted to be near that boy again.

"Is there any particular reason ability why he isn't here?"

From Misaki, jumping on the bandwagon. One could could not deny the eagerness in her eyes.

"Don't get me wrong, it's not like I want that idiot here or anything. B-but I wouldn't mind..."

From Mikoto, adhering to the tsundere trope no matter the circumstance.

"It only makes sense; we'd understand the best from that boy."

From Kanzaki, giving logic to mask something else. The flutter of her heart because of this conversation probably had something to do with it.

"Yeah, I'm curious too, why isn't the Boss here?"