A normal day in Judgment
Kuroko had just finished her school lessons and she finally arrived to the Judgment office, ready to deal with the usual boring paper works; first thing she did, after saying hello to Uiharu, was rushing to the fridge to satisfy the annoying thirst that was bothering her since she left classes. She had a wide choice of drinks, but she went for a simple fresh bottle of water; she would probably have enjoyed some milk more, but she knew she couldn't touch the Musashino bottles without permission if she wanted to avoid her Senpai's deadly rage. So, Kuroko approached her Judgment senior to ask her if she could get some milk, but the girl seemed to be really busy taking off heavy boxes and cleaning an old tiny desk that was originally used just to collect documents on it.
«Konori-senpai… may I ask you why are you working so hard to clean up this little corner?» Kuroko asked curios, but also taking her time to introduce the milk stuff as the next subject.
«Oh, Shirai-san! Uiharu should have not told you, she was really busy too! Today we are hosting a new colleague, he's willing to learn Judgment's job! Damn, I'm done finally!» Mii answered, after putting the last box in a locker.
«He? A male? Don't you think he'll feel uncomfortable staying in a full girls group?» Kuroko asked shrugging.
«I think that's just a minor issue. It seems he never worked in a group in general, so he needs to start from basics. Also, I think it's a good thing for us! Some fresh air with some manly presence in this office finally! They said me nice things about him, you should not worry! They told me he's really reliable and observant of rules, so he'll be here soon!» Mii's answer made Kuroko shiver, starting to shake and cold sweating.
«A man…? Never worked in group…? O-o-observant of rules?! Konori-senpai… may I ask you who talked you about this boy?» Kuroko asked babbling, as she was building in her mind the shape of a well-known character of this story.
«Yeah, sure. It was Yomikawa from Anti-skill.» Mii answered chilling.
«Oh…. No… it can't be happening for real. He's the pr-» the doorbell sound scared off Kuroko, who was now on guard in front of the entrance; Mii-Senpai went to the door without hesitation and grabbed the knob while asking herself why Kuroko was looking so worried and disappointed. Uhiaru joined the welcome group too and witnessed the moment Mii opened the door.
«Here he is. Girls, this is the student Yomikawa-san spoke very highly. You can call him Fran-san, he comes from a very far land!» Mii said proudly.
«Yo.» Fran exclaimed smiling and waving with his healthy arm; he was now wearing his usual grey coat again and he got rid of most of the patches and bandages but his arm was still in a cast, so it was covered under his dress.
«"Yo" what?! I'm gonna kill you!» Kuroko yelled angry while waving threateningly her index finger toward the enemy.
«Oooh! Fran-san! I would never expect it was actually you visiting us! How are you doing?» Uhiaru asked, returning the smile.
«Well, totally different reactions. But one thing it's clear to me now, you already known each other.» Mii affirmed surprised. «That's even better, we can skip the formalities and start working immediately!»
«Wait a moment, please.» Fran said, drawing all of the three girls attention. «I bought this for you.» the boy was carrying a pretty big bag; inside of it there were a bunch of platters he put on the first free table he could find, then he uncovered them: there were lots of pastries, cakes, croissants and sweets in general.
«Since I'm from Italy, it's pretty easy for me to recognize where I can find really good food. Please, help yourselves. This is the thanks for welcoming me.» the boy said, then he moved from there to let everyone admire the view.
«You gotta be kidding me?! They are poisoned one-hundred per cen- UIHARU?!» Kuroko didn't even get near to the food but, meanwhile, her partner had already devoured a dozen.
«This stuff is really delicious! Fran-san, it was really lovely from you! You didn't even know I can't resist sweets, especially high quality ones!» Uiharu exclaimed but no one got a word because her mouth was full of cream and chocolate and her speech was not even far understandable; Mii got a couple of pieces too and showed her appreciation.
«I mean… passes the Senpai who does not know him, but you! Uiharu! After all of the deceitful things he said about us…» Kuroko said, looking serious and hostile.
«You're right, Shirai-san. I'm sorry I've said bad thing about you.» Fran exclaimed and Kuroko chocked.
«Huh… excuse me? I think I misunderstood, could you repeat?» the girl asked incredulous.
«Please, forgive me. I take back all of the insults. It wasn't correct by me, both as a person and a member of Judgment.» Fran said looking her straight in the eyes, showing his words were true.
Shirai backed off by instinct; this new Fran-san's attitude was scaring her more than everything else.
«Don't think you can buy us with those lame apologies and a bunch of cakes just because you want to use this office! I don't believe you!» Kuroko affirmed.
«As far as I'm concerned, you can buy me as much as you want if you keep bringing me those sweets, Fran-san!» Uiharu said, this time trying to have her mouth emptier to make everyone understand what she said.
«Uiharu! I hope this is a joke.» Shirai said, turning towards her friend with a disappointed look on her face.
«I'm glad you liked them, Uiharu-san. I will buy you more once I have the chance again, sure. For now, please try at least to leave some for your friends, I need to apologize to them too.» Fran said, as he sat comfortably on the closest chair.
«Can you stop pretending to be a good guy? Answer sincerely, why did you request to be assigned in this office after all you did to us?!» Kuroko asked determined; Fran sighed, then answered.
«I wanted to see how Judgment members really work in Academy City, so I asked Yomikawa if she could get me in here. I already talked with you guys a bunch of time, I thought it would be the easiest place to get comfortable in.» obviously, Fran had deeper reasons but he didn't want to reveal them yet; Kuroko was already on the urge of neglect everything he said but Mii started talking first.
«Well, now that everything is clear… I'll tell you what I planned for you today, Fran-san! Girls, listen to me too.» Mii invited the group to stand up and get closer to her while she explained the daily mansions, but Kuroko stood as far as possible from Fran.
«That prick… who does he think I am? Why is he here? What Is he planning? Nobody would believe he just really wants to learn the job… he obviously has an agenda. But this is actually a good chance for me. I always thought he was a suspicious man and now I can watch him closely. Life won't be easy for you till I'm here! You're lucky I'm not the one in charge here or you'd be collecting trash from the ground already for all day!» Kuroko thought as she was gritting her teeth so hard the noise was echoing in all the room.
«S-Shirai-san…? You allright?» Mii asked, unsettled by the background noise while she tried to speak.
«Sure. I'm sorry! Go on, don't mind me!» Kuroko answered, but the noise was still slightly audible.
«So, Fran-san… from what Yomikawa said to me, you never really worked in a Judgment section but you only helped Anti Skill on some missions or did some solo operations. This is not good for you… so I had an idea! Today you'll go collecting the garbage some Skill Out left in this park during an illegal party.» The Senpai said, but an evil loud laugh interrupted her abruptly; it was Kuroko who couldn't stop laughing, more and more intensely.
«Shirai-san… I'll repeat myself, are you sure you're allright?» Mii asked once again.
«Never been better! It seems like someone somewhere just granted me a wish!» Kuroko exclaimed who, joyful and satisfied, now managed to hold her laugh and return to keep some dignity.
«Ok… like I was saying, this will be your duty today, Fran-san. The park is not really that wide, but I think you'll need at least all of the afternoon time to clean it fully.» Mii said, while showing the coordinates on her phone.
«I'll go with him!» Uiharu raised her hand with enthusiasm.
«Uiharu-san? You have some work in the office too.» Mii replied.
«Exactly! You have your own stuff to deal with! He has his, let him do by himself.» Kuroko exclaimed, gazing towards Fran with contempt.
«You girls don't understand! It's not about helping him or not! This is the actual first day in real Judgment for Fran-san! We all had someone who explained us the routine and followed us on our first patrol! I'll be the one this time!» Uhiaru beat her fist on her chest with determination and her bold look convinced the Senpai to agree.
«Actually, it really is a good idea. Excellent though, Uiharu! Well, I count on you! Later!» Mii exclaimed, as Uiharu was pulling Fran by his long sleeve toward the exit.
«Later, Uiharu.» Said Kuroko, emphasizing on the fact she was referring exclusively to her friend.
«There is no need for this, Uiharu-san. If you are busy, I can deal with this by myself and you can go back to the office.» Fran said, actually secretly glad to have some company in doing such an ominous job.
«Don't worry! I can finally be someone's Senpai! I'm so excited!» the girl answered, proudly moving forward the objective.
During the walk, the duo met a really worried and clumsy man who approached them holding a huge paper map.
«Nice luck! Judgment! Please, I need your help!» the man begged.
«Great, Fran-san! This is the first person who asks you for help during patrol! This is the chance to show me how you deal with requests, let's see what he wants.» Uiharu said, pushing the boy closer to the passerby in trouble.
«W-well… you see, I need to reach this Essecys print shop because of a really important business meeting but I can't really find it on the map. Could you please find it for me, or tell me the road I have to follow?» the man asked, then gave the map to Fran; Fran grabbed it, crumple it violently and then threw it into the closest garbage can.
«Are you braindead? Just open the navigator app on your mobile and find it yourself? Can't you afford to do a simple internet search? Why the hell do you bring a useless paper map with you?» Fran asked, so cold and frightening the man backed off trembling.
«Fran-san?! What are you telling him?! Please forgive him, sir. He's new, so I will handle it.» Uhiaru took her own paper map and helped the man finding his destination; the girl asked him to take her map as a gift, in order to keep an eye on the road she told him to follow and to repay the one Fran destroyed.
«Fran-san… not everyone likes to use the navigator. You could also find someone who prefers having the indications directly from your voice. As Judgment, you should learn the city roads very well!» Uiharu said, acting like a teacher.
«All right, all right… I got it, thanks. I own you a useless map. It's not fair you had to give yours for my fault.» Fran replied, then they both resumed walking to the park they had to clean.
«The fact you still call it useless doesn't make it seem you really understood… but ok! We will talk about this better later, now let's get to work!» Uhiaru claimed, and enthusiast raised her speed.
Once they arrived there, the two equipped themselves with many plastic bags, gloves and pliers so they started collecting all the garbage the delinquents left the evening before; they split the field in two parts each one of them had to clean but Fran, while collecting all of the trash in his part by himself, was also secretly assisting Uiharu by sending tiny shadow insects that pulled the garbage directly into the bags of his Judgment partner.
The park was almost fully cleaned and only the zone separating the side of Fran from Uiharu's was missing, so they start collaborating to make it faster as possible.
«So Judgment really does collect trash from the ground, huh?» Fran thought aloud.
«We try to keep our city clean, is it wrong?» Uiharu replied to her partner's complain.
«Of course not, but it shouldn't be us doing it. The nasty people who did this mess should.» The boy exclaimed angry.
«Those punks did not care about ruining this beautiful green park, do you really think they would come back here cleaning it?» Uiharu asked shrugging.
«It's easy. We find them through the security cameras' footage and we force 'em to clean it by crook!» Fran proposed, crumpling a can and throwing it into the bag.
«That would be a lot of time spent on acquiring and watching the footage to find their IDs!» pointed out Uiharu.
«Casually, it's pretty much the same amount of time we wasted doing this job by ourselves! Uff… this kind of Judgment work really does not suit me. it's so nerve-wracking!» Fran exclaimed, wiping his sweat and taking a break.
«You just need to believe more in yourself and do your best! Fran-san, what abou-» Uiharu was turning on her caring teacher mode, but a tin hit her on her chest and then fall next to her feet; one of two dudes who were taking a walk around threw it away without caring about where it would have landed.
«Ehi, you! The one with the hat! Apologize to her!» Fran yelled to one of them.
«Apologize? Why?» the guy answered playing innocent, or maybe not.
«You just threw her a tin. Apologize, take it from the ground and put it in the bin.» the boy ordered him.
«Can't you just stop talking to me? You are doing this already, aren't you? Collecting crap from the ground. It sounds like the only thing this worthless looking girl could be good at. C'mon, keep cleaning woman! Aahahaha!» the punk replied, and left by laughing; Uiharu made a forced smile and lifted up the tin, eventually throwing it in the trash. Fran, instead, could have not tolerate the things said to her colleague and decided to have a quick revenge.
«Ehy, man! Look at your back! What's that!?» the punk's friend urged him to turn around; an hand sized black roach was charging at them, followed by many others who jumped on them and started biting no stop.
«Fran-san! Hold it! Let 'em go!» the boy listened to Uiharu's kindness and the two dudes were able to flee, completely terrorized.
«Tsk, sorry. I just wanted my roaches to meet some kind of their species, but they were too disgusting even for them.» Fran said, while the shadow insects were dissolving.
«From now on, you're not allowed to use your esper ability during daily mansions! Understood?» Uiharu approached him and pinched him a cheek, trying to be as painful as possible.
«Ouch! This is not fair! They insulted you, they deserved it.» Fran said, stroking his cheek for the pain, but Uiharu burst out laughing instead of replying to him. «Huh… what is that funny?» he asked.
«I was imagining what would have happened if today's Fran would have met the first Fran I knew. He was always insulting us like that.» hearing those words, Fran's face darkened and he backed off ashamed; Uhiaru noticed she made an uncomfortable statement and tried to make up for it. «Sorry! I didn't mean to suggest anything! I'm just genuinely curious to know why you suddenly changed your attitude towards us! I'm not saying I don't like it, instead! But… it's really fishy, you know?»
«I don't have a reason to avoid you anymore. You're Misaka Mikoto's friends, the person I care about a lot and for which I feel something so beautiful not even I can express through words. I had to be mean to all of you guys because I didn't want to get involved any of you in the danger Misaka-san was getting into… that person wanted to get her hands on the cloning process and try to take over the city, or maybe the world… but now I know her plan was impossible from the start and I have Misaki-san on my side if she really decide to show herself to fight me! Now nothing stops me from becoming your friend!» Fran thought, but it wasn't still the moment to come out with his true feelings, so he held up from answering immediately.
«It was a simple prejudice I had because of false information. Now I would be glad to have a chance to redeem myself… and I hope to have one with Shirai-san too.» he answered instead, it was an honest answer anyways, but not complete.
«It's all good then, Fran-san! We are done, finally! Let's get back to the office!» Uiharu and Fran delivered the trash bags to the garbage truck and they could have finally witnessed the beautiful green park fully cleaned.
The duo made the same road backwords to get back to the office but, during the walk, Uiharu and Fran had to help many other kids, passerby and animals in difficulties resulting in Fran not seeming to be the best when it's about social interaction, at least in a polite way.
«Girls, we made it back!» Uhiaru claimed satisfied. «Fran-san is a living disaster but he has all the qualities to learn and get better!» she added and Fran blushed embarrassed.
«Well done, Fran-san! This was a normal day in Judgment! Tomorrow I'll show you how to deal with paper work, but I have one last thing to ask you for today!» Mii said, pointing to one of the rooms. «Over there someone who asked for a consultancy is waiting, I want you to hear her issue and fix it. That's all!»
«I got this. It's like dealing with those fools stopping you on the road for useless stuff but this one is so annoying she came here instead?» Fran asked, he was not being ironic.
«Y-yeah… kinda! Now go, don't make her wait too much!» the Senpai said, pulling him into the room and closing the door behind her.
«Konori-Senpai… who is in that room?» Uiharu asked curious.
«Well, Uiharu … you should know I talked a bit with Shirai-san who told me everything that boy did and said to you both…» Mii answered, looking angry.
«Shirai-san, what did you tell her?! Konori-senpai! He could be a little bit arrogant sometimes, but he's not a bad guy! What have you done to him?!» Uiharu asked worried.
«Lower your voice, Uhiaru… don't worry, I know Shirai-san overreacts on everything but this doesn't mean I can tolerate he was rude to you… let's just say this is my way to punish him, this will redeem him to a future collaboration without grudges. He is going to meet a person who makes me work like hell since months… I always dealt with her, I'm so tired… but I'm finally FREE! YES! He will always take care of her from now on!» Mii jumped off her chair, with her eyes sparkling of joy.
«Eheheheh… Fran-san… this will be the toughest villain you'll ever face here in Gakuen Toshi! If Konori-Senpai's tales are true, this is really the end for you prick! Muahahahaha!» now Shirai was standing up too, with an evil aura and a cruel look on her face.
«Fran-san… please survive! Whatever your challenge is… I hope to see you again, my first and only kohai!» Instead Uhiaru was kneeled on the ground, terrorized by the creepy attitude of her friends.
In the meeting room, on her seat next to the table and with her hands in pray, there was a familiar girl with messy hair and dark circles; it was Elena, the Italian girl Fran already met at the entrance of the fighting event who temporarily took one of his arms out; she had a lost gaze, sad face and she couldn't stop shaking. Fran sat in front of her and tried to talk.
«Elena, right? We meet again. What brings you here at Judgment?» he asked quietly.
«You know my name?! How is that possible?! Do you have a mind-reading ability?!» Elena questioned, even more nervous now.
«No… as I said, we met already. But don't worry, it's ok if you don't remember me because it's my fault. I did not introduce myself that time. Just call me Fran! Tell me what's your problem today. Still having troubles buying tickets?»
«Where is Konori-san…? She can't afford to look a murderer straight in the eyes, huh…?» Elena said, suddenly turning dark and serious.
«Murderer? Are you here to turn yourself in or…?» Fran sensed danger so he kept his own shadow ready for an eventual fight.
«Exactly… I killed my roommate and I'm down to accept the price to pay for my sin. Please, bring me where I deserve: A naughty, gloomy cage! Please!» Starting calm, the girl could not handle the situation and began to cry loud; Fran, taken aback, invited her to stay quiet and explain what happened while handcuffing her as a safety precaution.
«Everything happened yesterday night… I was in the bathroom, taking a relaxing hot bath with dozen of candles around.» Elena started her story.
«Candles? The electricity was down? Are you into some unique religious cult?» Fran asked curios, taking notes on a report like a professional.
«No… like every week, I was having a bath with my giant Sogiita poster. I really lose my mind when he's with me. Wait… WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT!?» Suddenly, Elena fell off her chair and covered her chest with her hands.
«But…? What are you doing? What have I done wrong?» the boy asked, completely lost on what was happening.
«You are looking at the image of me naked in the mind! How dare you?!»
«What are you talking about?! I told you I don't have mental powers!»
«Indeed, I'm not saying that! Stop imagining the scene in your mind! Pervert!»
«But it was you who is telling me what happened! And by the way, I'm not imagining anything!»
«I don't believe you! At least close your eyes!»
«What? Why should I do that?!»
«So you won't see me naked in the tub!»
«This make absolutely no sense! You're here, just in front of me and completely dressed up!»
«Still, you are not understanding. Just close your eyes in your mind self! So, can you close them please?!»
That little exchange of words made Fran think he was not speaking to a potential murdered only, but to a mental disordered one too.
«O-ok, I closed them. You can keep going. Get back on your chair.» Fran said, inviting the girl to sit in front of him again.
«Oooh! Finally, thank you! Where was I… I was doing a bath, my roommate came in. I usually make sure nobody can get in my bathroom while I'm with my Sogiita…» Elena said, trying to hide her embarrassed look.
«She probably had one of those mental crisis like this she had now and this led her to kill her roommate because she got caught doing weird erotic stuff with that poster...» Fran thought, making his first assumptions and writing them on the notes.
«This wasn't meant to happen… I could've never imagined she would have done that for real… attracted by the candles, my friend got half of her body carbonized!» Elena revealed, crying loud once again.
«Huh… half body carbonized by a candle?! How absurdly huge are those candles you brought in your bathroom?!» Fran asked unbelieving, but the girl kept going without answering.
«So I did the only thing that came up to my mind in that moment in order to save her… I caught her and put her in the bathtub, completely underwater… but when I lifted her up… she was completely drowned and dead!!! Oh, Motty-chan! I miss you so bad! Please, forgive me!» the girl was crying so hard Fran couldn't get the rest of her words but he didn't need them to have a clear view of the situation: nobody died here and he was the one closest to pass away, actually.
«Fran-san… now that you know the truth, there is no redeeming for me! Please, take me in! I deserve it.» the girl exclaimed, tired and with her wet face lying on the table.
«Elena-san… by chance, was your roommate… a moth?» Fran asked, holding back the will to throw her with the table out of the window; instead, to get out his anger, he completely crashed his block notes and pen.
«Yeah… Motty-chan… she was my best friend. I saw she was attracted by the light of my bedroom lamp while I was reading a book, so I opened the window and let her stay with me. It lasted two days but yesterday… I did something unforgivable.» Fran grabbed Elena while she was still talking and freed her from the handcuffs.
«Fran-san, what do you think you are doing?! You're letting an assassin be free!» She said frightened, by herself.
«Even if I'd personally consider you one… killing insects is not yet considered a punishable crime. Come on, go home. You should go to a therapist, not here clowning around.» the boy scolded her harshly.
«That's crazy! That's the exact same thing my therapist says! That I should go home or maybe to another therapist. Are you a therapist too, Fran-san?» Elena asked, she was not being ironic.
«Are you still here…? I told you to go away, there is nothing that makes you a criminal in the things you told me… not yet.» Fran stood up from his chair and tried to leave, but the girl blocked his way out.
«Ok, understood… but I have a last request, please…?» Elena said with puppy eyes and Fran gave in reluctantly, trying to convince himself with the " as Judgment I will help her" formula.
«I really loved Motty… I wanted her to have a decent funeral but I can't bury her myself without quitting and crying. Can you be our gravedigger for once, please?» Elena showed Fran a little paper box on which there was a cute drawing of a moth and a girl in a red heart. Elena's last wish, as much as weird and unnecessary it seemed to be, succeeded in moving Fran who, motivated by his love for insects, accepted her request.
Fran equipped himself a shovel, then they reached the first land of field they could see nearby; the boy dug a little hole and put the paper coffin in, while Elena was crying her soul out holding a tiny flower. After Motty was buried, the girl left the flower on the grave and wiped her tears.
«Next time you see insects in your room, just free them. If you want to keep them though, at least stop using fire like a degenerate or this won't be the first one you kill.» Fran turned his back to her and started leaving.
«Fran-san, thank you very much! See ya tomorrow! Byeeeeeee!» Elena waved at him from afar and ran away while Fran, hearing her words, immediately stopped and stood still feeling goose bumps.
«Tomorrow…?!»