In contrast to the main scene, the moment Kumokawa mentioned what might happen, the two guys in black glasses filling the background exchanged silent glances as if they have a hunch or sensed something in the air. It wasn't certain if they were worried, that some of what she started talking about, might actually happen. However, since they were in Academy City, which is said to be twenty years in the future... And where anyone here has the ability to unleash a ruckus that could cost the necks of random bystanders... So a moment later, they walked back to the entrance without waiting for any instructions. It wasn't certain if they were going there to guard the entrance (after having checked the restaurant perimeter with their eyes), or just wanted to get out of this selected group using a convenient excuse. They definitely didn't intend to save their VIP from being lectured by the maid. Especially when the presence of VIP Britons was undeniable.
They slipped through the door and decided to sit at a lone table with two chairs. At first glance, the furniture had been placed there specifically for just such an occasion, but at second glance, they were there more for decoration than for any business purpose. At last it had to boost the restaurant atmosphere. Someone went a great deal to make sure that the alley don't look like cave.
A slight exchange of glances with a person standing nearby made it clear that they were not the only ones who had decided to retreat from the restaurant in order to guard the perimeter. In fact, a mysterious understanding had taken place between them.
They had barely sat down when things started happening. Without exchanging a single word, they both looked in the same direction down the hallway. It was because a commotion occurred on the fake pub checkpoint, guarded by the Amakusa group.
A certain lad who you would describe as an ordinary high school student you could find anywhere in this city, too hastily ran into the alley where this duo and other guards was sitting. [Kamisato Kakeru] The only thing that distinguished him from the ordinary at first glance was that he only had one black glove, and that was on his right hand.
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The security guards reflexively reached into the folds of their jackets for their weapons, but before they could pull them out, they stopped because the lad looked as if he were running from something while sprinting for his life.
Kakeru guessed what the two people outside were about and desperately shouted after them: "Is that idiot there?!" As if asking, if he is on correct address or he shall continue running elsewhere.
It was the knight in (plate armor?) who responded to the boy, making a gesture toward the doors.
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The two were definitely on their toes, because it could be a reference to their VIP and they couldn't ignore the unlikely possibility, that this guy was preparing for the assassination of the century.
Then the Amakusa group half panicked moved the folding society wall to side to create a path for (someone?).
What galloped/run from around the corner into the alley can be only described as a crowd of pure white.
The duo of security agents went onto a shock as they had a hard time to accept from what the lad was running from. Even through theirs coal dark glasses their facial expressions revealed how much their eyes had widened. Under the stomp of many feet their morale, their passion for defending, or their willingness to risk their own lives, shattered like some illusion and they literally started arguing about the issues of life.
"Hey,-- a question: what exactly is our the job description?"
"Definitely not a protection from another aliment bankruptcy. That's not included in our pay grade."
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"So we don't see anything suspicious?"
"Probably not, just a teenager running from adult responsibilities."
The duo watched as the knight stand up and do an honorable salute gesture toward the lad, not making any movement to stop him. But somehow, somehow it look like the person in plate armor was crying.
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The staff and customers of Sukiyaki Ushinobu became alerted when the sliding door suddenly opened again, and this time there was a harsh, loud knock as the door slide hit on the frame. This alertness was especially true for the group being talked down by the maid-in-training.
Kamisato Kakerubarely ran in and was already in aggressive manner shouting at the people present in a hasty urgency. "Idiot Sempai!! Thanks to you, my girls went crazy and coming after me like feral crazy!! Do something about it!! Right now!! They behind me!!"
Anyone can thought that he could have meant anyone, but the intended recipient of the request with spiky hair responded immediately.
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What helped Kamijou win its daily struggles wasn't so much the power of his mysterious right hand, or luck (or rather the lack thereof), but his ability to think quickly and made a response. He immediately seized this opportunity... "And your senpai will gladly help his clueless Kōhai!!" He only needed a glance to decide what to do next. He quickly moved over to a certain cart for used-dishes placed right next to the sliding doors to the kitchen. This cabinet cart was there in case the establishment was so busy that the staff wouldn't have to constantly shuttle dirty dishes back to the kitchen. For this particular rescue operation, Kamijou had in mind a lower cabinet that concealed a hanging garbage bag for leftover food. So the lover part of the thing was also a wheeled bin.
Kamisato has already sprinted after a colleague from the (heroic industry?).
When the first one opened the little doors on bottom part ofthe cabinet cart, moving the plastic food trash bag a little to the side... The second one immediately understood what the basic plan was. He took a handkerchief out of his pocket, quickly used it to sweep some sweat from his face, grabbed a cloth towel from the cart and put the handkerchief in it. Then he kicked the flying door to the kitchen and throw the towel through it. Immediately after that, he threw himself into the cart, pushing himself with the stinking bag inside. He hugged the bag so warmly that his own smell was guaranteed to be overpowered by the well-known brand of garbage-can perfume.
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It was precisely this overwhelming smell that was the goal or necessary condition for this rescue plan to work, because the moment Kamijou closed the cabinet door, the sound of stampede of the crowd arrived. So he look toward the front door, as it was forcefully open once again.
What ran in barefoot on all fours was (a she-wolf in a wedding dress?) on a leach… No!!… It was a wolf-like disheveled girl in what looked like a wedding dress for feral, who was tracking (smelling) her (groom) by sniffing his scent. Without the slightest doubt, she followed his trail to the flying door to the kitchen. She even unerringly followed the faint trail of the handkerchief planted behind that door. Except that as soon as she bursts in, all the smells from company kitchen at peak working time, hit her nose; from that point it was impossible for her to rely on her nose for a while. She clearly fell for the trick with the handkerchief in the towel, when she suddenly lost track and instinct told her to keep going.
Except this was not the only pursuer in white who had rushed into the restaurant like a flood. In close pursuit of the feral wolf-girl… No! Dragged by her because she hold the leach... was a disheveled (not a fox mommy?) bride (her orange messy hairdo gave the impression that there were fox ears hidden in that mane), who had an empty backpack carrier for babies and toddlers on her back. Even though she looked around for safety, she still made a great effort to keep up with the hitchhiker/scout.
The next pursuer was a schoolswimsuit bride in a basic (white) swimsuit and a double transparent hooded raincoat, with a sharp grin of hunter on her face. One can imagine that she only lurking behind, so she can make in final push, a quick snatch and run. Only the fish tail was missing for her to look like a shark-girl. But her aura give out a hint, that she will bite.
A botanist bride with big roundly eye glasses of educated person chased after her, tendrils of greenery flowing from her own head as addition to her hairs. She seem fragile, but she applied scientific knowledge not just her dress but even to her running style. She seemed as type who always have a plan.
Then there was the chemical scientist bride with suspicious 'first night' chemicals in vials on her belt. With a some degree of an imagination, an observer can notice where she hiding a gas mask.
The gothic pirate captain bride utilizing her prime body form for maximum beauty. That iconic ship captain hat was a real deal making the movie replicas pale.
The ghost bride who had her bottom part of her body nearly transparent. The this week hipster fashion implemented in style of her weeding dress, seems to say that she haunts/trolling a boards/websites instead of old abandoned mansion.
The cosplay magical-girl bride with an actual missile rocket slung over her shoulder like if it was her (magic wand?). Just a glance on her body show that she is a combat capable athlete.
The radiologist bride with hoodie on her head, wearing a radio equipment backpack capable to connect to satellites on planet orbit. She still wearing a merchandise of some TV show about gray rabbit alien.
The plated armor bride, making a lot of metallic noises while keeping a peace with the crowd.
The cheerleader bride still wearing her fluffy Pom Balls in hands, ready to get into Cheer-leading putting out a gymnastic performance number.
The Samurai bride with a katana at her side ready to take on fight during that wedding.
This train of people continued, and continued. In fact, it feel as if a good (hundred?) brides (of questionable origin and role) rushed through the restaurant floor in pursuit of their groom.
As fittingly as this white typhoon came, it also passed. There was no doubt that this frightened crowd was the 'Kamisato faction' centered around the supposed savior of these girls and women, like some kind of self-proclaimed harem. The fact that none of them returned from the kitchen back to the dinning area, indicated the fact that there had to be a way to get through. Like if there was a service supply tunnel on other side. And if not: Then the scene in that kitchen must currently resemble a surrealist film work that could be described as: (White whirlwind! Invasion of mice and war for the corporate kitchen with a master of kitchen martial arts in the slogan: 'Pause for a snack.')
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By sheer coincidence, as the wedding dress burst through the sliding doors into the restaurant, maid Kumokawa protected the USA president by pushing him out of the way, from the wild crowd of brides who might have (attacked him), if he try to say something. Using the full weight of her body (and bust), she not only pushed him out of the way, but also pushed him directly onto the wall with the bulletin board posting information about the restaurant and dish preparation. As soon as she had the momentum of the movement in her own hands, her right palm pressed against his chest so hard that it actually pinned him in place against the wall in a sort of reverse Kabe-don move. [Kabe-don, a flirting way of picking up/addressing girls on a date – refers to the action of slamming the palm of one's hand against a wall, making the sound "don."]
Although she was literally shielding him from potential brides with her own body, her outstretched right hand made it clear that she was keeping a certain distance from this moment. With an expression (that she would take care of him), she glanced at the junior police-girl from Judgment, who had zero motivation and dint moved from her spot to protect him. Shirai gave the two a cold look and that was about all from her side. It was mostly because none of the brides who were passionate about catching a groom for themselves, dint pay the scandal president any attention as if he wasn't there, because they had a clear goal that they would not abandon. Meanwhile, the entire crowd of girls and woman's was just passing through the restaurant as if it were just a section of an imaginary race for a grand price.
But before Roberto could say anything wise, the maid in training smiled at him. "No worries, honorable sir, although I have my dream of serving a stupid lord of noble origin, I cant stand if his eyes will fly all around on other girls. After all, your reputation precedes you. And I really don't have more than one my wedding planned to attend. Please try not to get married during your diplomatic visit to this exciting city of the future. And as for me? I can't bound myself to serve someone who is in fact, mathematically bankrupt." She smiled at him with a huge forced smile. He managed only a curt remark about the traumatic experience, as if a crowd of all his EXs had just passed before his eyes and that would be enough for now.
After his response, she winked at him flirtatiously before pulling away to look around. "So where should we seat you so you don't hurt yourself any further?"
The British Queen, who was on guard directly at him and was watching the two closely, reacted. "Definitely not to this table! Regardless of the unofficial nature of this event, as a prominent family, we still have to maintain a certain standard." Roberto could only smile sourly at that, because the remaining three princesses practically ignored him, seizing the excuse of eating the food placed in front of them.
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The imaginary dust from the white typhoon had barely settled when the kitchen flying door swung open from the inside. Although it was to be expected, this movement nevertheless attracted the attention of the restaurant's visitors. However, the only one who came out was the confused chef, who not so coincidentally resembled a martial arts master. "Okay, how to put it?... I'm all for a little detachment from customers at a private party... But even though this is Academic City, which actually lives on pushing the boundaries of what is possible... we still have to set a limits." To add weight to his words, he rise a fully deformed fry pan, to show them he damaged it beyond the recovery point. Then, holding a certain towel in other hand, he flexed his muscles in a convenient way, like you see in action movies with the main character who has just decided to give random challengers a beating. "A boy running away from a woman is obvious. But A Hundred Brides on a Fox Hunt for a single boy, is too much for me to not scream in jealousy. I am trying to work here! Tune down the antic, humanize yourself, otherwise you won't get anything else from me! So whoever has nothing to do here, or isn't invited, please get out!"
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Kamisato took advantage of this statement to come out of his hiding place, whereupon the cook raised an eyebrow. The lad stood up and began to tidy himself up. "Surely, more people here have questions and are asking themselves in their minds; (What is behind the phenomenon?), that they just witnessed. In short..." Without the slightest hesitation, he threw his fist into the face (cheek) of his colleague from the heroic industry, with an angry expression on his own face. "...I blame you for this, Idiot senpai!"
But on the other hand, Kamijou retaliated in kind as his fist flew out as well and dug into his colleague's face (cheek). "Obviously, Kōhai didn't think all his problems could be solved that easily? Blaming others for every choice he made? Did he?"
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However, as they punch/slammed one into the other, neither would take their fist off the other's cheek and they pushed it into his face in a strange tug-of-war. Of course, they continued their conversation like barking dogs.
"This mess wouldn't have happened, if you had the slightest awareness of your surroundings."
"A beautiful speech from someone, who is actually a complete loner in middle of a crowd and the rest of his faction just hangs by his tail. The fact that you haven't learned the principles of teamwork until today should clearly tell you that you should stick/punch that fist to yourself!"
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They continued in that clash of ideas and pushing and shoving even when they were the center of attention.
"What a beautiful role model I have, when he makes excuses for a problem he himself caused, but teaches the exact opposite!"
"Oh, if you're referring to a certain priest who secretly tried to turn a certain piece of prank theater into a real thing, for his own agenda, without electing those directly involved... then you're not the only one, from whom that scumbag deserves a punch in the face!"
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"Excuses! The realization, only dawned on everyone, when they saw the picture on billboard from that island, where the mega show for the crowds took place."
"First part was a real battle fit for a war movie. Second part was just releasing a stem as the lake boiled. So finally accept the fact, that you miss out to be even on a supporting role!"
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"I see that Egoism doesn't leave you even when the facts are on the table! And it's all because important names are getting in your way."
"Again and again, let's look at the one, who is a copy cat and even dares to complain, that hes not good enough! Wasn't it you?, who objected that he would choose a different path than me?"
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At this moment, they both pushed they fists against each other so hard that they were separated from each other, forced to take a backing step.
Kamisato still didn't look indulgent. "That's enough! I said what I wanted to say..." He corrected his posture as if his new perfume didn't matter at all. Then he glanced at the girls from Tokiwadai and especially at Railgun. But it was only for a moment before he put on a gentlemanly uninterested face and spoke to his colleague one last time. "Just wait, until your group catches on to the Yandere mannerisms. I'm telling you in advance, that you're not far from them turning their gazes on you, saying that they'll deal with your sloppiness." [Yandere – Outwardly nice and sweet, but her "devotion" can drive her to murderous mannerisms.]
Of course, his senpai didn't understand at that moment. "Stop comparing us as if it was some competition. Its only you fault for what you do." Then he continued to stare at him in case he tried to make another attack.
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As Kakeru was about to leave, a group from England responded to his words with an opportune comment suitable for the upper classes. No, they were actually discussing between themselves about what he said.
More precisely, the eldest princess with the aristocratic monocle on her eye thought aloud about a certain Japanese expression. [Yandere] Especially when they were informed about a certain harem better than Kamijou who is the (unknowing?) central character. Riméa simply voiced a thought/comment. "Sounds like a Battle Royale?" [(Battle royale) is a (video?) game genre that combines survival, exploration, and battles in which the last person standing wins.]
Someone would have imagined at that moment; a moderately epic battle tournament on a TV competition show between girls in wedding dresses, including mud fights and the like, until there was only one winner. Kamijou was the involuntary grand prize, as he was tied to a place with a rope so that he wouldn't accidentally escape. Additionally he had a board note (Grand prize!) hanged on his neck.
Queen Elizard laughed at this picture (or maybe not). "Now that's what you call serious competition."
The remaining pair of princesses: The Second princess could be described as a battle maniac, while the third princess as a crowd favorite. Both of them thought about it seriously. At the same time, a careful observer might think that if this scenario somehow related to their character and possible relationship with the object of their interest, they just thought of an available weapon of their own choice as an insurance policy/fuse to ensure the 1=1 equation. [The first thought of a sword, the second of a crossbow. Both legendary weapons capable of razing a buildings.]
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As the lad with the black glove walked out, a pair of the president's security guards stood at the half-open door, peering inside to the restaurant. Not only were they relieved that the president was okay, they even looked as if their lives had become a little brighter now that the student from Ryouran Maid School and the cook had the situation under control. As was Kamisato passing them, he thanked the service agents for not getting in his way. But they already had answers ready for that.
"Traffic management is definitely not our job."
"Nor guiding a runaway herd."
As they let him pass, the lad almost smiled, but he quickly became more cautious because he couldn't be sure whether he wouldn't run into his girls around the next corner.
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With a sigh, Kamijou Touma sat back down at the table, and the two Level-5s sat down next to him. It only took him a few seconds to realize that he had a Tokiwadai student on each side of him. It was probably Shokuhou, who using a body gesture, on sub level manipulated the scene to be this way as she lure the boy and in coincidence also the girl onto the same bench. In fact, his face turned pale when he realized that he was sitting alone at the same table with a group of (middle school?) girls. To which Shirai had silently joined siting down next to Saten and Uiharu, and she was giving a sour stare to the other side.
Mikoto was in a similar situation of sudden realization, when she had joined him without even thinking about it. She wanted to take a second or two to calm her heart, which had suddenly started to race, burning her face red. But she was not allowed to do so... Because right at their table, next to her, stood a person who grinned at her with a wide, sinister smile with pointed teeth. Of course, the shark teeth were a delusion of the subconscious, which could have been caused by Celtic sacrificial magic or the predatory nature of this character. However, this sharp smile of a mass murderer was enough to bite into the brunette's subconscious and she scare jumped out of it in fright. Someone would have said, that he heard the proverbial: 'Kia!!' The sudden presence of menace shocked her from her thoughts and she looked at the visitor incomprehensibly.
What stopped at their table was Salome, Kamisato Kakeru's half-sister. Her long silver hair was curled at the sides into disks that purposefully resembled demon horns. Her bare tanned body was partially covered in a wedding dress for swimmers. Which was actually a one-piece white swimsuit, a transparent two-piece/two-layer raincoat with a hood, and small water resistant accessories that gave the whole thing a bridal touch. Around her neck dangled a palm-sized plastic pocket watch on a thick string.
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Salome, amused by the reaction, spoke up like a predator to prey. "Hi."
Kamijou noticed her and spoke relatively calmly, as if he knew what was going on. "Your onii-chan isn't here." [Brother/ Big bro]
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At that, her smile turned sarcastic and her cheeks flushed. "Whew! I know that. I realized that some trick was used, so I secretly detached from the group. And I also realized that he just came out of here. I have no business with you.But I'll stop for a moment anyway."
The black-haired lad gaze became alert as if he expected trouble. "Do you daring to cause trouble by wanting to attack someone here, right now? Don be so stupid!"
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This remark of his made her look away and throw her hands to the sides in a (I don't care!) gesture. "Not on my agenda to play with aristocracy. And why?… I only hunt a trash villains, or those who pissing me to much.Has that also slipped your mind? Even though I'm the one who lost my head? Actually, the opposite: the body..." She grinned, half-looking around. "Although there are a few individuals here who would deserve to be kicked in the ass… But I think their irritated bodyguards would come up to me with the a line/sentence: (Get in line, girl! And wait for your turn!) If you dint noticed, I don't have time for nonsense!" Therefore, she shook her head in no gesture and pointed her finger at Railgun, looking at her dangerously. "I just want to have a quick word with you!"
The brunette's eyes widened in a possible foreshadowing of a fight.
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But before Misaka could react, the white-haired swimsuit bride continued in an explanatory tone laced with sarcasm. "I don't want to give my bro a too big head start, so I'll just say a few words. First, I'd like to tell you: that I'm not at all,-- not at all,-- angry at you,-- or jealous of you." The brunette said her (Huh?) again, but Salome continued. "We,-- and especially I,-- tried very hard to sabotage yours whole weekend parade,-- so that it be canceled, wouldn't even happening." At this moment, it wasn't just Mikoto but also Misaki who widened her eyes at such a shameless confession. "Because if your celebrations didn't happen, it would ruin the baddies plans even more. Except... All my work as a saboteur, was blown to bits by an innocent remark from a local idol, who actually wanted to stay out of it all. She didn't realize the power that rich people have at their disposal. I actually laughed desperately out loud, when I saw firsthand how far females are willing to go, with the whims of the person they admire." As she spoke of that desperate laughter, a desperate ('He, he.') left her mouth. But she continued anyway. "It was especially nerve-wracking when this technological flowerpot, who had spun all that nonsense into a successful masterpiece, was constantly under the watchful eye of that OP monster, who was impossible to talk to. Heck, I was not even allowed to say why I need to talk to her. I almost think the only thing that stupid drills flower really knows, is how to punch someone so hard, that they burst into a greasy mess. That untapped battle instinct were crazy out of charts." Her eyebrows twitched. "Besides; what's with that hawk-eyed fury? Who the hell got so crazy, to thought that is okay, to hire a mental military instructor as a dorm manger at school for rich flowers? Hasn't anyone told her she's chosen the wrong profession?" It literally looked like she remembered something traumatic.
The rest of the girls at the table were similarly affected, having at least one experience with the ruthlessness of the Tokiwadai Iron Wall. [dormitory manager]
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The silver-haired continued talking after a sigh. "No! I'm not mad at you! Because I have first-hand experience when a capable group is given free rein, they do whatever they want, and in the end it somehow works. Except, I was there... in the middle of it... and I saw how the patchwork became a festival... and those demented people in expensive tailored suit who weren't even there... patted each other on the back: (Oh this looks good, let's make it even better!)" Her fingers twitched as if she wanted to hurt someone. "No, they elevated a festival meant as recruiting material for a new students for a school for rich girls, to a TV episode about a tourist island that suddenly turned into a volcano... I was underground playing with annoying clay dolls, when I felt the first meteor fall. Later, I initially thought that someone was trying to boil the rats in the basement so that they would crawl out to the surface. But you didn't even think about that..." She snorted indignantly. "And finally, someone in the military got mental from all that nonsense and almost stopped distinguishing between: who was a civilian, who was visiting, and who was here for the purpose of invasion. In short, they didn't care who was a potential friend or foe. That intrusive city gunship was begging for a fight too much. At least, (Don't get in the way!, if you don't want to help!) Tsc!" She clicked her tongue in dissatisfaction.
Although her remark alarmed Judgement's number two Uiharu Shirai, the suspicious person didn't wait for any response or comments and walked towards the exit. "If you'll excuse me for now, I must firmly remind my onii-chan, that he has a romantic duties to his Imoto, that he cannot evade forever."
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As if on cue, or rather waiting: until the tanned swimmer in white moved away from the table, a familiar face approached their table. Tsuchimikado Maika had returned to Sukiyaki Ushinobu in the meantime. At suitable moment, she arbitrarily pushed a cart with food intended not only for the new duo of guest (trio if we count Shirai) who had joined the table. It was not just replenishing the cooking supplies on the table, or increasing them, but by entering their circle, she seemed to turn the conversation to the next page of the story and directly lead their thoughts to something else.
[Continued in part three…]
[Notes:]
We shall note that both dads of Mikoto and Touma working in the same company, that somehow, in a mysterious way, helping people across the world. Yet it was not always a safe job. So we can call it a heroic industry.