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"Why the hell should I give you money?!" Misaka Mikoto snapped, shouting at Ethan. "Why should I take care of you? You're a grown man, and you expect me—a girl—to feed you? Don't you think that's just a little ridiculous? Have you got no shame at all?!"
"Why would I feel ashamed?" Ethan asked innocently. "You hired me, didn't you? Obviously, that means you're responsible for all my living expenses during the job. You know, most employers these days cover food, housing, and basic needs.
Hmm, let's see… I'm not picky about accommodations—doesn't have to be a fancy villa or anything. As for meals, I'm not asking for gourmet dining either, just something decent. See? I'm even lowering my standards for you since you're just a little girl. You should thank me!"
"Shut up, you pervert!" Misaka yelled, her face flushing with anger. "I never hired you! And I'm definitely not your employer! Who the hell would hire a creep like you?!"
"Well, if you're gonna say that," Ethan said with a shrug, "then I'm not doing your job for you."
"Fine!" she huffed. "Don't do it, then! Oh, and since you keep saying I 'commissioned' you—what exactly did I supposedly hire you to do? Because I sure as hell don't remember asking you for anything!" Misaka glared at him, sparks practically crackling in her eyes.
"Uh… well… about that…" Ethan scratched his head awkwardly. "I, uh, kinda forgot! Haha, but it's fine! Just take good care of me, and in return, I'll handle any trouble you run into from now on!"
Misaka's eyebrow twitched. "…You forgot?" She snorted, then turned sharply to her friends. "Kuroko, Uiharu, Saten—let's go! Stay away from this pervert!"
Her face cold and furious, she spun around and dragged the others with her.
"Wait!" Ethan grabbed her wrist.
"Let go, you freak!" Misaka shouted as electricity crackled around her. Blue sparks danced across her skin, but the current didn't even make Ethan flinch. His body was far too durable for that level of voltage. Unless Misaka really went all out, her attacks could barely scratch him.
"Hey, you're not just gonna leave me here, are you?" he said. "What am I supposed to do? I don't even have a place to stay right now!"
"Not my problem! You're a grown man—figure it out yourself! Actually, someone like you belongs in jail, not a hotel." Misaka gave a cold laugh, fuming inside. She didn't even know this guy, yet he was clinging to her, acting like she owed him everything. And to make it worse, he kept calling her "trap girl" for some insane reason.
"So heartless…" Ethan said dramatically. "You summon me here, dump me in this strange city, and then just abandon me? That's cruel! You're toying with me—my body and my soul!"
"Wh–what are you even talking about?!" Misaka's face went red as a few people nearby started staring. "Don't say stuff that'll make people misunderstand! You idiot!"
"It was your request!" Ethan insisted, pointing at her accusingly. "You're the one who dragged me into this weird world and this weird city! I don't even have a cent to my name—well, okay, some kind soul helped me out earlier—but I can't rely on charity forever! Before you showed up, I had a good life! I had a cute little maid, meals ready every day, a nice comfy life! But no, you had to summon me here! And after all that, you don't even take responsibility! You—you—you're despicable! If that's not playing with me, then what is?!"
"Who even knows you, huh?!" Misaka practically exploded. "Stop making things up! Why would I—Misaka Mikoto—need anything from a weirdo like you?!"
"That's right!" Kuroko shouted, stepping in beside her. "Onee-sama is Misaka Mikoto, the third-ranked Level 5 Electromaster of Academy City! The Railgun! She's one of the strongest espers alive! Like she'd ever need to hire the likes of you! Who do you think you are, the Number One or something? Ha!"
The crowd around them murmured in recognition. Once they realized this was the infamous "Railgun," people's expressions shifted. It didn't take long for them to start glaring at Ethan instead, whispering about calling the police.
"You—!" Ethan's voice cracked with frustration. "Fine! Fine! You win, Misaka Mikoto! I'll remember this! You'll regret toying with my feelings like this! You horrible woman!"
As the sky grew darker, Ethan sighed and began wandering the streets, looking for somewhere—anywhere—he could stay for the night. If he didn't find something soon, he'd be sleeping in the park.
But another problem quickly came up. Even though that spiky-haired good Samaritan had given him a bit of money earlier, he didn't have any kind of ID in this world—or in Academy City, to be specific. As far as the system was concerned, he didn't exist. Which meant… no hotels, no rentals, nothing.
"Damn it," Ethan grumbled through clenched teeth. "I have to find Misaka Mikoto. She's the reason I'm stuck in this world to begin with—and now she's just washing her hands of me?"
With a whoosh, he shot into the air and flew off toward the dorms where Misaka lived. He still remembered the location clearly—after all, it was the first place he'd shown up in this world, even if he hadn't stayed long.
It didn't take him long to find her dorm building again. And without hesitation, Ethan dove straight inside.
"..."
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