3. Chapter 3 (1/2)

it all happens like in slow motion.

mikoto takes off the jacket around her waist, throws it at one of the remaining guys then pushes him backwards, making him fall onto the guy behind. the third guy comes and throws a punch, but she catches it and gives him a full elbow to the face. the pushed guy manages to stand up, while the other seems unconscious, his head must have hit the ground a little too hard. before he can do anything, she puts her hand on the back of his neck, pulls his head down and knees him in the stomach, hard and mercilessly.

finished, she turns around to kuroko, reaches down with her hand and says.

"can you stand?"

she says as if she has just bumped into kuroko, instead of beating 4 guys almost twice her size.

"can you stand?" she repeats.

the pain is still there, but not as profound. she takes mikoto's hand and stands up. mikoto puts kuroko's arm around her shoulder and her own hand on kuroko's waist, making kuroko lean in for support. she is so close to mikoto she can feel her warmth and smell her. she smells like wild flower, strong and delicate, with a little bit of cigarette. a weird combination. somehow, it makes her feel safe.

mikoto leads her to a bench nearby.

"where's the boy?" kuroko asks immediately.

"who?" mikoto sounds confused.

"the bullied boy."

"i don't know. i didn't see him." she says, shaking her head.

"i guess he ran away when i kicked the first guy."

"most likely."

she puts a hand on kuroko's arm.

"and don't worry. i'll call an ambulance." says mikoto reassuringly.

"that won't be necessary. i'll just call my colleague to

ing me back to the office." kuroko replies hastily.

"are you sure?" mikoto frowns in concern.

"yes, don't worry. i'm fine."

she looks at kuroko, deciding whether to call the ambulance or just listen to the younger girl. finally, she nods.

"i'll go back there to get my jacket back while you're calling your colleague."

kuroko takes out her phone and dials the number.

"hey ui–"

"shirai-san! where have you been? are you okay? did you get into trouble? i was so worried!"

she has to put the phone away from her ear due to all the shouting, but she can still tell that her friend is on the verge of tears.

"i'm okay. just encountered some delinquents."

"what!? are you hurt?" uiharu asks in worry.

"

uised ribs. look, can you come pick me up now? i'll send you my position."

"okay."

she hits a few buttons then sits waiting. she receives a text message when mikoto comes back.

konori-senpai will pick you up, she's nearby.

"my senpai at the office will come soon." kuroko says.

"good." responds mikoto curtly.

they both sit in silence for a good five minutes when konori mii turns up.

konori mii is a college student, very responsible and mature. she also has a very impressive *cough* chest *cough*. upon seeing kuroko, she smiles