Cloudy Sky Part 1

In Academy City, schools are not simple general knowledge courses but teach students how to develop their powers by showing them all of the hidden mind processes behind the esp ability; Komoe is one of the teachers specialized in the theoretical parts, but most of students tend not to take her seriously due to her tiny looks. Fran wasn't one of them, he wouldn't be interested in lessons even if the teacher was the principal himself; the only reason he was attending the second year of high school was to preserve his status of Judgment member.

«That's all for this week! See you on weekend for the high school male competitive event! Do your best and join every competition you can!» Komoe said smiling as she let students leave the class; afternoon lesson was over, also the sun was setting faster day after day.

«Ehy! Fran-chan! You wait here for a moment!» urged the little one, pulling the boy form his sleeve. «How's the wound on the shoulder doing?» she asked in worry.

«That was nothing, Komoe-sensei. It's already a week old, I don't feel pain anymore.» Fran answered quickly, trying to sneak out of there.

«That's nice! Then you can join any competition!» Komoe said, blocking his way out.

«I can't care less about that stupid event. I'm just coming as Judgment to check everything will be in order. See you there.» Fran freed himself from the teacher's grasp and finally left the class.

«There's no need for that. You could just try to enjoy school life for once.» Yomikawa was right next to the exit and she heard everything.

«What do you mean?» Fran asked as he turned towards her.

«This event is taken here in Gakuen Toshi, sure, but it was not the city that organized it. Two big companies created it some years ago in order to obtain a bunch of sponsorships and advertisement. Indeed, it's the only event that can afford real straightforward battles between espers. You know what that means? They already got private security taking care of the surveillance. It seems like not even Anti Skill is needed.» Yomikawa explained in details.

«The fact our help is not requested doesn't mean we can't be there. Students will still prefer relying on Judgment instead of some underpaid random guard.» the boy answered with determination.

«Uff… and there it goes my daily try. Whatever, let's go Komoe! Today we dine and shine!» Yomikawa sighed and crossed away from the corridor together with her tiny friend.

Next morning came quickly; the event would have lasted the entire weekend form 8 A.M to 6 P.M. both days. Fran was forced to wear his school's white track suit because, even if he would have not joined any competition, the policy requested every student from the four high schools that took part to the event to wear their own gym uniform.

A huge stadium had been set up for the occasion complete with forum, first class seats and surrounded by stands with food and accessories. The entrance was reserved to important guests or to who assured his seat buying the ticket; the line to buy it on the last moment was never ending but, luckily, Fran had a special pass that let students enter the stadium from a different entrance.

Fran joined the inside of the stadium and went to the field's limit, leaning with his shoulders on the bleachers' wall; every school had a reserved zone where students could see and cheer their classmates while normal spectators were huddled in the forum. Obviously, such an important event could have not lacked of luxury seats in the front row, where really important guests and families of who organized the competition were sitting comfortable on their armchairs.

«You can stop thanking me now, girls! For your number one friend, Kongou Mitsuko, was so easy to find the best seats of the whole event! As you all know, my family is really respectable!» she stated, aiming her fancy fan towards Misaka and Kuroko, while Wannai e Awatsuki were endlessly clapping for her.

«What a pity we couldn't get enough seats for Saten and Uhiaru too…» Mikoto said sighing.

«That's not a problem, Onee-sama! You could sit on me… and Saten and Uhiaru could share the other seat…» Kuroko said with her mouth watering.

«You wish, Kuroko… whatever! Let's see them later on lunch then!» Mikoto replied as she ferociously pinched her pervert roommate's cheek.

«Ok, I give up! Onee-sama! Let go, please… oh, I'm safe. By the way… who is this girl next to us, Kongou-san?» Kuroko asked while with one hand she was stroking her painful cheek and with the other one pointing to a tiny girl with long smooth silver hair who was sitting next to Kongou.

«What am I hearing?! Shirai-san… are you telling me you never knew the daughter of the famous stylist Ayuzawa?!» the girl asked in shock, aiming his fan to the new character this time; she was wearing the Tokiwadai uniform too and once she looked up, it was noticeable she had light blue eyes.

«N-nice to meet you all… I'm from the same dorm as Kongou-san.» The girl answered hastily, she seemed to be very shy.

«Her mother is the owner of the company that manages the distribution of all school uniforms in Gakuen Toshi! Do you know what this means? Her family is almost as important as mine! Oh-oh-ho!» Kongou exclaimed superb.

«Almost, huh…?» Kuroko pointed out sarcastically.

The girls kept talking sweet to each other, trying to involve the newcomer in the conversation but the first competition started and the noise of the starting gun caught their attention as they stopped talking and started watching; only the shy girl, Ayuzawa, had her attention to a complete different spot: the main first class chairs, where her mother was sitting next to an elegant man.

Hours passed and so the first half of the morning , now the real heart of the event could have started; some staff men delimited a huge squared area of the competitions field with some white paint and then, an high brown haired guy with a band on his forehead and an unbuttoned white suit coat placed himself in the center of the stadium and raised a microphone.

«I'm honored to be the one who will start the most spectacular and exciting moment of today! Those white lines mark the ring on which two espers will battle with loyalty and G U T S!» He was the seventh level five Sogiita Gunha. «Let me explain the rules! Whoever wants to participate can sign up at the reception over there. Once we have at least the first two entries, their fight will start! The first one that touches the outside of the arena or gets knocked out for more than ten seconds will be considered out of the tournament! Also, and this is my favourite part, the winner will have to fight with the next challenger and so on until the time to register is over! Too powerful moves and hits that can put in danger the life of the opponent are not allowed… a qualified referee chosen by the company itself will make sure all the rules are followed but… even if one of those excessively violent hits gets shot, I will block it myself so no need to worry! The ultimate winner will get a lot of money! It will be needed an enormous quantity of G U T S to remain the last one standing, battle after battle, but I'm sure one of you guys out there will make it! Finally, I want to thank lady Ayuzawa and Tanaka-sama for making this fighting event possible for the third consecutive year and because of their ability in… in… in what? Wait what was my line? Whatever, probably thanks to their shining G U T S they pierced the heart of their friends and public! And now, I officially start the competition! Remember guys, we esper train to protect what we consider special to us, not to destroy… even if maybe I destroy a couple things sometimes! Do your best and… oh, crap! I broke the mic, I was holding it too tight because I got emotional! When exactly did I break it? Did they hear at least half of what I said?» Sogiita failed in the end, but it was a quit enjoyable speech even Fran tried to follow it till the end.

«That guy really is the way I imagined it. They say appearances can be deceptive… maybe not for him, but this stupid fight for sure. Seats are full of scientists and businessmen under cover hunting powerful espers. This event really is a legalized esp ability sale… how can people be so blind just because they are having fun?» Fran said to himself then sighed.

The reporter of the event called the first two fighters on the ring: one was a curly haired boy wearing a shirt even if the rules did not allow it and the other one was a dyed bright yellow hair one, with a piecing on his left ear and a radiant sun tattoo under his right eye; he was wearing the same as Sogiita but he had not his calm and kind looks too.

«The first match starts now! They are both level four! Tanaka Ichizo versus Harada Honzo!» the voice was heard by the speakers.

«Tanaka? Isn't that the same name of one of the company members?» Mikoto asked.

«Exactly, Misaka-san! The guy fighting is his son and he is attending the first year in the same high school of that level five guy. And I'll tell you more… Our friend here, Ayuzawa-san, is Tanaka's girlfriend!» Kongou claimed proudly.

«Kongou-san… you're embarrassing me.» intervened the called out girl, seeming more pissed than embarrassed.

«I'm a level four telekinetic… this match is already over!» the shirt guy aimed his arm towards his opponent and a strange visible aura immobilized Tanaka. «My ability is so powerful I can use it to block other people movements… now that you're standing still, I'll one hit you!» the boy rushed to Tanaka and hit him with a right hook but the strike was ineffective and the telekinetic backed off with his hand in pain.

«Well, I'm the level four Rock Solid. My body and the field I touch hardens like cement. I'm unbreakable!» The aura effect vanished and Tanaka, capable to move again, knocked out his opponent with a single punch.

«First match winner is Tanaka Ichizo! Amazing performance! Next challenger, on the ring!» the reporter said excited.

«Wow, your boyfriend is tough! He instantly won the first match! You should be really proud of him, Ayuzawa-san! Huh… Ayuzawa-san?» Kuroko was trying to talk with the girl, but she won't answer. Ayuzawa had her sight lowered and was clenching her fists.

«Oh… yeah. He is quite strong…» She noticed someone asked her something and tried to answer not to be rude.

Matches were as fast as lightings and the challengers occurring were less and less; Tanaka Ichizo hadn't taken a single hit and he kept winning as noon was coming.

«That guy likes playing the gladiator… and look his father how happy he is on his couch. What a worthless event… I'm wasting my time here when I could be visiting many labs…» Fran left his class reserved area and went outside the stadium, bored; once he got to the entrance, he noticed a flaming arguing was going on nearby the ticket office which line was now of two people only.

«I'm telling the truth! Please, believe me! You were here yesterday too, helping with the staging! Don't you remember me?!» a panicking girl asked to a guard. She was about one and half metre tall , long shapeless black hair, actually, the hair seemed to be collected in a sort of ponytail; brown eyes and bags under her eyes as large and deep as soup bowls, she was wearing dark jeans and a peculiar black hoodie on which sleeves were drawn a couple of skeletons hands doing different combination of finger signs.

«I came here yesterday to buy the ticket! I just lost it on the way here… but here's the receipt! See?!» Apparently she wanted to join the stadium without having a ticket. «Come on, you should remember her at least?! We bought the ticket together, you know? White sister dress, light blue hair and an overload of cuteness! We both are European girls, what the fridge!» She wasn't alone, she was with Index who was wildly getting pulled and bounced around as the proof of purchase.

«First of all, this is just a bakery receipt… second, your sister friend has her ticket unlike you. You think I can remember every single person buying a ticket during my turn? Just buy it again or find the one you "claim" to have bought. Otherwise, stop complaining and go home! You, instead, can go.» the entrance guard said annoyed as he let Index go through the gate.

«Index, where are you going?! Wait me please!» the girl begged on her knees.

«Forgive me, Elena… I'm just too hungry! There are lots of food stands over there!» the sister said, faking a sorry expression.

«Index, nooooo! Why do you have to betray me like that?! Is a Takoyaki worth more than my friendship?!» Elena exclaimed grieving due to the backstab of her friend.

«I'm from Judgment. She is with me, you can let her go.» Fran said as closing in on the guard while showing clearly his green Judgment armband.

«Judgment! I'm safe!» Elena said as she tried to climb over the security fence to enter.

«Judgment? You have no power here, just go back doing the competition and leave us work! And you, you really are pissing me off to my limits!» the guard lifted the transgressive girl and threw her off the fence, butt down.

«Ouch! I don't deserve this… this is not fair!» Elena said punching the ground; then she felt something falling on her head and eventually on the ground. She collected it and then stood up yelling joyful. «Amazing! It's my ticket! Thank you, Cut Meme-san! I can always count on you!» she said, as she started waving at the air behind her; literally nothing and nobody was in that direction.

Done arguing and with her precious ticket, the girl was allowed to enter and she reached Index on the other side while Fran was glaring aggressively toward the guard who didn't respect his Judgment authority.

«Eventually, my great invisible partner Cut Meme saved the day once again! But worry not, Judgment guy, you shall be thanked as you deserved since you offered thy help to the legendary Just in Case Elena! Huh…?» completely caught up in her monologue, the girl didn't notice Fran was already two metres away from her.

«Ehy! Wait! I'm sorry, I'll stop! I just wanted to say thank you! Do I know you? Oooh! Is it you who sold me the ticket yesterday and you remembered me?» Elena asked trying to get the boy's attention by knocking on his shoulders.

«Nothing like that… I just heard your accent and your name and I realized you were Italian and had something to ask you but… I already notice you are kind of… emh, how can I say…» Fran turned to her and answered, but he was not able to find a non-offensive word to describe her.

«Ah sure, you must have mistaken me with somebody else! No problem, my trusted compatriot! Now I have to go! It's a month I'm waiting the chance to hear my Sogiita talking in public… I'm looking forward to melt to his words!» Elena exclaimed enthusiast , saving Fran the embarrassment to find right words.

«That level five guy speech? It's over from a while now.» Fran said.

«WHAAAAT?! That's impossible! Index said the event was starting now! Index?!» Elena yelled angry toward her friend.

«Well… food stands open on lunch time!» the little girl said with her eyes shining.

«Oh noooo, Index! Why are you so evil to me today…?» Elena fell on her knees again, this time in despair.

«I'm evil when I'm hungry, let's go now!» Index grabbed her dying friend from the hoodie and dragged her towards the stands. «Also, I'm so mad because Touma keeps disappearing from me!» she added, as they disappeared in the crowd.

Fran shrugged and backed into the stadium to check the situation; Tanaka Ichizo was still on the ring, still unharmed; more than ten minutes passed and no challenger was occurring, the spectators began getting bored and leaving their seats.

A staff guy approached Sogiita and told him something in the ear; the boy smiled and grabbed a second microphone. «It seems like everyone's G U T S except this boy's turned off! Let's have a deal! Go make a lunch pause and eat a lot at stands! See you later for the second part of the tournament! » he said, pointing to the food court. «Damn… I hope that Kamijou guy shows himself at least after lunch. He is the only reason I'm here.» Sogiita added without talking in the mic.

«Before this, I have an announcement to make, Sogiita-Senpai!» young Tanaka approached the boy and stole him the mic. «As you all know… my father's company and the one of the respectable Ayuzawa-sama are in an healthy collaboration! And on the top of that, I have the honor to stand by her daughter's side. Come here on stage, my love! Ayuzawa Akiko!» the boy pointed his finger to where Kongou and the others were sitting.

Ayuzawa tightly grabbed her chair and tried to look somewhere else but pretending not to listening was not enough; two strong looking black wearing dudes were already standing behind her, ready to escort her on the stage.

«Ehy, you two! Leave her alone! She looks clearly uncomfortable! She doesn't want to be in the spotlight!» Misaka exclaimed threateningly, but the men ignored her completely.

«Don't worry, girls… I will be right back. There is no need to argue with them, actually, there is no use…» Ayuzawa stood up and followed the guards till she was right next to Tanaka Ichizo.

«This pretty young lady is my girlfriend… but today, I'm aiming to level up our relationship! Time ago, when I was still in middle school, my dream was to show off my capacity during the Ayuzawa's family event! Not only I'm having the opportunity to do it right now… but the generous Ayuzawa-sama promised her daughter's hand in marriage if I can manage to win the tournament! Yeah, rejoice! We soon will be married because victory is surely going to be mine!» Tanaka, fiercely, revealed the true reason he was tryharding in the tournament while the young Ayuzawa became petrified, discovering with such candor her mother's unfair scheming she wasn't aware of.

«This girl really is shy! We know each other since we were little kids! Don't mind her embarrassment, that's one of her qualities and also her unique way to thank you for being here!» Tanaka added as she stroked his girl's hair with one hand, and waving to the public with the other; then Sogiita took his mic back.

«What an amazing turn of events! I'm really happy for you, my kohai! Tanaka-kun is still on the first year but I can already consider him one of the big boys of my high school! I wish you a future full of love and G U T S! And now… let's all get some food!» yelled Sogiita, heavily patting the boy's shoulder; Ayuzawa, instead, was shaking with her sight lowered to the ground.

«How stupid can that Sogiita guy be to not see that relationship will have everything but love… that girl is paler than that strange Italian one on the entrance. Well, my compliments to who understands how rich families mind work…» Fran facepalmed and left the stadium in direction to the food stands.

He decided to go for some cheap sushi since he was now in Japan and he never had the chance to try some of the "street food" kind; while he was fully enjoying his meal, the cloudy sky cleared and his ability notified him something fishy was going on: not far from his location, behind some high bushes, he sensed the shadows of a group of five people surrounding a tiny shape who seemed to belong to a girl due to the clear shadow of her skirt. Fran sneakily reached the place and decided to eavesdrop the conversation before taking any action.

«Mother…! What does that mean?! Marriage?! You hid me your plans on purpose!» it was young Ayuzawa having an heated argument with her mother, accompanied by four guards. Lady Ayuzawa was a pretty tall night blue haired woman wearing an elegant and opulent formal dress.

«Is it really so odd for a mother to care about her daughter's future? Tanaka-kun showed to be a valid contender, as I noticed since years ago, and it seems he won't disappoint my expectations today.» the woman answered satisfied.

«But mother! I already told you we weren't in need to test Tanaka-kun anymore! He is nothing for me! The letters speak for themselves… he is almost there, look! He is coming soon!» the Tokiwadai girl lent an envelope to her mother, who quickly opened it and read the letter inside; the woman closed it, gave it to one of her men who ripped it in a half and threw it in the garbage can.

«Mother?! What have you done?! Why?!» the girl rushed against the lady but her guards instantly blocked her.

«Have you ever grown up a little? Yours is just pathetic daydreaming! I promise on my honor I will make it… I will make you a respectable lady your father can be proud of! And now, bring her over here! You will seat next to me from now on and pay your respects to Tanaka-kun and his father!» her mother turned away from her and began walking back to the stadium as her guards forced the daughter to follow.

«No! Let me go! I was making some new frie- … Forgive me… all of you… especially you, Hiroshi…» the girl tried to desperately fight back but she hadn't enough strength to overcome; the guards dragged her away and they disappeared in the crowd of people going back on their seats. Fran approached the garbage can and observed the piece of paper.

«I should be mature enough to mind my own business but… my detective instinct makes impossible to hold my curiosity back… Huh, go to hell!» Fran collected the paper from the trash and matched the two pieces of the letter in order to read it.

"My dear Akiko. My study to became an esper is finally having its results and soon I'll be able to request to move out to Gakuen Toshi. Don't expect to see much, I'm just a weak level two (I think one of your slaps is probably stronger than my whole power ahahahaha!). I will miss writing you letters, for sure, but isn't maybe so much better to be able to see each other every day? I could never forget the first time I met you… I was working at this beach bar, I sold you the wrong ice cream flavour and you yelled at me for ten minutes straight! It wasn't my fault… in the exact moment I saw the colour of your hair and your eyes I got lost in this endless blue sky and my mind completely collapsed. I fell in love, I did everything to get to know you and here we are: finally going to be together. I only have to ask you one thing: hang on out there! Neither your mother or Tanaka Ichizo will stop our feelings once I'll be there because I won't let them decide for you anymore. Strong or not, we will fight them or we will leave together! You just have to help me getting enough time to be there! Please, wait me! Please, make them wait! I love you! Signed: Hasegawa Hiroshi."

After reading the whole text, Fran closed the letter and gently left it where he found it.

«What a useless girl… he just asked one favour, one goddamnit! So, not all Tokiwadai espers are as strong and bold as the one I know… eventually, she will get what she deserves.» Fran slowly left the place and backed to the stadium entrance, where he froze instantly; he clenched his fists and watched up to the cloudy sky. «Yeah… she already got what she deserves. However… there is a boy who loves her that much and can't do anything because he joined the party too late and no one wants to consider his feelings… at the top of that, there's a bossy guy who will always be a step ahead of him even if he did nothing worthy to deserve it… Ehehehe… Ohy, Fran… don't you think this crappy story sounds a little bit familiar to you…?» the boy said sarcastically to himself, but looking like he was suffering on the inside.

«The break is over! On the ring, the undefeated Tanaka Ichizo!» The reporter said excited, then the boy proudly joined the arena.

«Ehy, Kongou-san. Why Ayuzawa-san went sitting between her mother and Tanaka-san? Did we make her uncomfortable somehow?» Misaka asked, with a sad expression.

«No, not at all… to be honest, I'm clueless too… her guards did not want to talk with me. Maybe she has some important speech to do with her future father in-law!» Kongou speculated.

«Well… she didn't seem so enthusiast of her relationship to me…» Mikoto answered doubting.

«In any case that's not our business, Onee-sama! This could seem unfair, but those are daily problems that afflict rich and noble families still today!» Kuroko said with soft voice.

«I would have liked to help her so much… where the hell that idiot's right arm is where it's needed?!» Mikoto thought, resulting in her blushing apparently for no reason.

Additional ten minutes passed and no challenger were occurring; people started to get annoyed and the spectator were now half of what they were at the start of the event; basically only the students remained watching.

«I am receiving words I might have to conclude the fighting tournament now!» Sogiita said talking to the mic from the sidelines.

«As it was obvious from the start… I'm the strongest student of the high school!» Tanaka shouted on top of his lungs, raising his fist to the sky.

«Incredible announcement! Just when we were afraid to give the final verdict of the tournament, a last challenger did it in time! Just a moment, I have now his data! Come on the ring… emh… mister? How do I read this? Fr…an…? Well, the new challenger on the ring, please!» the reporter said, trying to avoid to pronounce the full foreign name.

Fran crossed the white limit and joined the arena, facing Tanaka from the opposite side; the flying cameras approached them and streamed his entrance on the stadium monitor.

«Wait, is he…?» Misaka recognized him.

«THAT PRICK! That arrogant, that ruffian! It's really him!» Kuroko recognized him too.

«Girls, do you know him?» Kongou asked curious.

«Not exactly… let's just say "we" had an interesting argue with him.» Misaka answered, pointing her finger in embarrassment to Kuroko.

«That snake! What is he doing here? I mean… he probably attends one of those high schools but… why did he join the fight? He is even wearing the Judgment armband! Damn… that guy is the typical kind who gets mad just because a random said he is stronger than him, I'm dead sure!» Kuroko exclaimed, as she slowly got calmer and went back on her seat.

«A Judgment fighter? Neat! Maybe this last fight will be a good one! I'm done battling weakling! Tell me your name!» Tanaka said, impatient to fight.

«Hasegawa Hiroshi. This is the name you need to hear from me… » The boy's words made lady Ayuzawa nervously stand up, then she violently grabbed her daughter from her uniform collar, almost chocking her.

«How the hell does he know that name?!»