Everyone minus Nagato and Index started in surprise when they saw Kaguya enter with Accelerator. Last Order, who had come to the living room right after Accelerator had left, looked at the pair with curiosity and apprehension written all over her face. Kaguya studied each person carefully, and then hid behind Accelerator once she laid eyes on Touma.
"Imagine Breaker," she hissed.
"Uh, who is she and how does she know my ability?" Touma asked, confused.
"Leave her alone, level 0. If you touch her with your right hand, she'll lose all her magic."
Kaguya stepped out from behind Accelerator again, bowing to the group. "Sorry about that. I was just surprised. My name is Kaguya, and I am the human form of the Moonlight Codex, a grimoire that is now in Accelerator's possession, handed down from his father Yahiko, who wrote me."
"Grimoire? Where'd you get that?"
"Isn't it obvious, level 0? From that sister." Accelerator held up his right arm, showing the silver-bound book dangling from the chain.
"Index, I thought you said you only memorized grimoires."
"I don't even know how this happened, Touma! Don't ask me!"
"Enough about this. If you have questions, ask me later. Honestly, give me a break. I'm only here to help Accelerator learn and use the magic properly in the Moonlight Codex, as per my former master's orders." Kaguya's silver crescent eyes had a dangerous glint. "Keep on pestering me and I'll show you just what kind of magic I possess." At that last word, her eyes glowed silver with power.
Obviously scared by her threat, Touma backed off. Accelerator snickered. Kaguya studied everyone in the group again, identifying each of them from Accelerator's memories.
"Hey, Accelerator. Should we introduce ourselves or what?"
"No need, Yomikawa-san."
"How do you know my name?!"
"I read Accelerator's memories so it'd be less of a hassle trying to introduce ourselves. Anyways, is this Last Order? Hello there." Kaguya sat down beside Last Order, smiling at her. "I'm Kaguya."
Last Order looked at her apprehensively, but after a minute, she smiled back, albeit a little shyly.
"You're a clone, right?"
"'Yes,' says MISAKA as MISAKA replies simply to the question. 'Are you human?'"
"Nope. I'm the living spirit of a grimoire. A grimoire is a very powerful book. I'm just the spirit."
"'And you are currently in Accelerator's possession?' Asks MISAKA as MISAKA confirms the situation."
"Yeah. It's alright if you don't really understand. Do you want to be friends?"
"'Sure!' Says MISAKA as MISAKA smiles at her new friend."
Kaguya smiled back, and the two started giggling and chatting.
"Well, looks like they get along well." Nagato watched the two young girls converse.
"One less thing to worry about. For a second, I thought the brat would get the wrong idea."
"That she was replaced or something?"
"…"
Accelerator looked away, not saying anything.
"I knew it, you do care." Ignoring Accelerator's protests, Nagato went on. "It's not your fault, Accelerator. You've stepped into a world she can't comprehend or live in."
"Well, she gets along well with the ones from the Magic Side."
"Can't blame them. She's cute. Although I have a feeling she's terrified of me."
"It's most likely the scar."
Nagato instinctively put a hand to his scar. "Forgot to put on a glamour. I'm getting old. Well, I'll use it now."
Muttering a spell under his breath, the scar disappeared from Nagato's face. He now looked exactly like Accelerator minus the hair and eye colour.
Accelerator started in surprise. "I look almost exactly like you."
"Ha, so you have me to thank for devilishly good looks. Yahiko and I were always surprised since you resemble me more. Well, if you didn't have the reflection ability, I'd guess you'd have the same looks as both of us."
"…"
"Ah, don't ignore me. I'm just making guesses."
"Whatever did happen for you to get that scar?"
"Nothing much. Got into a fight with something—, no, someone much more powerful than me."
Accelerator knew Nagato was lying, but he didn't bother pushing Nagato any further. Their conversation was interrupted when Index and Touma decided to make their leave.
"Thank you for your hospitality, but we should leave now." Index bowed to Yoshikawa and Yomikawa.
"Ah, it's no problem. Come back anytime! Oh, by the way, Kamijou."
"Yes, Yomikawa-sensei?"
"You'd better have finished your homework or else Komoe's going to get mad at you."
"O-oh, right."
"Hmph, you forgot, didn't you. Hurry up and finish it before school starts. Oh, by the way. I'm your gym teacher for this school year. Prepare yourself."
Touma gulped. "A-ah, okay then. See you at school!" He promptly ran off, Index trailing after him.
"I wonder what your gym classes are like, Aiho." Nagato had stretched out on an empty couch, smirking at the Anti-Skill teacher.
"Everyone comes out too exhausted to complain."
"Hm? Sounds like an interesting class."
"Aiho is always pushing her students to the limit, but she's a great teacher. Are there any teacher requests, by the way?"
"I knew I was forgetting something. There's an opening at my school for second-year science. They still haven't found any actual teachers who'd fill the position, but I put your name in and they want an interview tomorrow."
"Ah, thanks Aiho. Oh, so this means Accelerator and Haruka are going to have to keep an eye on Last Order when school starts."
"Babysitting the brat again? I'll pass."
"'MISAKA can take care of herself,' argues MISAKA as MISAKA takes Accelerator's side for once."
"Forget school; the Romans are sending the declaration of war in 13 days, 3 days after school starts. You guys seriously want to start school and then end up closing for the war?" Nagato eyed Yomikawa incredulously.
"The public is unaware yet. Cancelling school after 3 days isn't a good idea, so I'm hoping that there's going to be an announcement in the next couple days."
"If there isn't, good luck then."
"With what?!"
"Nothing," Nagato said innocently as possible.
"Ah, forget it. I'm getting a headache over this. Kikyou, come with me. There's some stuff about my school you should know about and information on the curriculum."
The two women left the room, leaving Accelerator, Kaguya and Last Order staring at each other. Nagato was facing the back of the couch, apparently sleeping already.
"Oi, Nagato—"
"He can't hear you," Kaguya interrupted.
"I don't see anything that blocks hearing."
"He put up an invisible sound barrier. Probably trying to ignore all of the chatter. I can tell you how to dispel it, but I doubt he'll be happy."
"Tch, now what do I do? It's only 7:10; I'm not going to sleep."
"Actually, you should. The spell that restored your energy will fade soon. In reality, your body is already exhausted beyond limit. You have to rest in order to naturally replenish your energy."
"Fine, but I don't sleep that easily."
"Oh, I have two choices for you."
"What?"
"Either I can remove the effects of the healing spell now, or I cast a sleep spell on you."
"I'd rather you remove the effects. This isn't going to reopen any old wounds, right?"
"No." Kaguya clasped her hands together, singing a wordless melody. A golden light emanated from her body, flying towards Accelerator.
All of a sudden, he felt a heavy exhaustion settle over him, and he felt sleep tugging at his consciousness, sending him to oblivion. The last scene he saw was the two girls leaning over him, saying good night. Belatedly, he remembered he forgot to ask Kaguya to take care of Last Order.