DISCLAIMER:

-This story is written on this time line: after the Railgun Daihasei festival (with everything canon happened before).

-Everything that happens in this story disregards what happens after the festival in the canon novel and is written without knowing it.

-I will post a chapter weekly (friday) so stay tuned :D

-Join our Shadow Crafter Discord Community to share art, memes and anime stuff!

LINK IN BIO!

«Index! How many times have I told you not to come to my school without telling me first?!» Touma grabbed the little nun from her arm and dragged her away from everyone's prying eyes; Index looked awful and could barely stand up, she was too hungry.

«Toumaaaaaaaa! I can't stand it anymore! Buy me something, my teeth crave food and you are well aware of what would happen if they don't receive it in time...» Index's fang menacingly sparkled, aiming to the unlucky high schooler.

«Calm down, please. Let's talk. I'm really clueless right now. It's already two days you act annoying because of the food. Shouldn't you have had lunch with Elena today too?» Touma asked confused.

«Elena-san... she is so weird lately. The day before yesterday she brought me to eat out all of a sudden, even if she initially said we would have had the lunch ready at her place. Then, yesterday she didn't even come to meet me... today, instead... she completely disappeared!» the nun said in tears.

«Index... you sure know Elena-san is anything but a predictable person... the best thing to do is ask her to explain. Have you called her?» Touma asked, pointing to her mobile, but she shook her head for a no. «Ok then... don't act so surprised if you girls can't even reach each other! I'll try for you now.» Touma took Index's mobile and typed Elena's number, but she did not answer even after many calls.

«Really? She is not picking up? Damn... this means I have to take care of you today too.» Touma said sighing.

«Ehy! You should feel amused to have the chance to spend more time with me... you ugly...!» And everything ended with the usual bite gag that doesn't need to be told.

Elena was running home, faster than possible and without catching her breath; once she was at the door, she held on the knob and took some time to rest.

«Jokes are only funny for a while!» She yelled from the outside as she was talking to someone in the house. «Once I'll enter, I'll find my deserved lunch and the house cleaned as new, et voilà!» Elena opened the door, but the only thing she found was what she had left before leaving: dozens of plates to wash, delivery food boxes everywhere but not her lunch ready; the girl closed the door behind her, threw the schoolbag and went down on the ground.

«Cut Meme... where did you go?» her face darkened and she started crying. «I'm done with Chinese food... I'd like one of your recipes, why aren't you here? Where are you?» she kept repeating in tears, but she suddenly got up and recovered in one second. «I can't keep going like this! The day the great Elena will be forced to cook for herself will never come! I'll hunt you down to the end of the earth! But... I need assistance! I know what to do!» Elena left the house again and went to the only place where she wasn't banned yet.

«Elena-san... good afternoon. What can I do for you?» Konori Senpai asked after letting her in; Elena was incessantly knocking at the door at the rhythm of various movie themes.

«I need your help... please.» the girl said in sorrow; even Mii noticed she was somehow different from usual and this was enough to turn on her curiosity and accept to hear what she wanted. Elenaexplained her the situation, however, the bad name she built in that place would have let her down right once she needed support for real.

«Elena-san... haven't I told you to come only if strictly necessary? We have not enough time to deal with your extravagance...» Mii exclaimed with a big sigh.

«But it's true, Konori-san! My friend is missing! You have to help me finding him, I can't imagine what could have happened to him!» Elena said upset.

«I'm sorry... I can't humor you today... I have to go.»

«Don't do this to me, please! I need you! I really have nobody else to ask! You're the only one I know who still talks to me! I tried by myself, really... but I can't!» Elena begged but, even if Mii felt she was really desperate, this girl's history held her back in satisfying her request.

«Emh, excuse me... can I help?» Uiharu heard all the noise and came there checking; as soon as Elena noticed a new kind soul offered her support, she immediately dived to her feet.

«Sure! I'm searching for a missing friend! I beg you, help me!» Elena exclaimed and Uiharu nodded, moved by a feeling of mercy; Meanwhile, Mii shrugged and went back to work, knowing how things would have ended but still giving Uiharu's lovely attitude the benefit of the doubt.

«Follow me to my office. We'll use the computer.» Uiharu affirmed and brought Elena to her desk; next to Uiharu's chair, there was a second one where the Judgment brown haired girl Kuroko met days ago on a rescue was sitting. «Oh right. Let me introduce you. She is Elana! She's a Judgment member from another district, but we are working together on a case! Elana, this is Elena, she comes here often. We can say... she is always in trouble! Eheheheh... Ehy, wait a minute! You have such a similar name, almost the same one! What in the odds! Are you Italian too, Elana-san?» Uiharu exclaimed after noticing this bizarre coincidence.

«No, but that's just lovely! Pleased to meet you! It feels so good sharing the name with such a cute girl!» Elana said with a smile.

«M-me? Cute?» Elena asked after checking behind her to verify she was really theone Elana was referring to.

«Sure! I really like your... tail! Your hair is very beautiful!» Elana added.

«Wow... I'm pretty sure that's the ugliest thing I have, but okay. Thanks!» Elena grabbed and sniffed her hair because she wasn't really sure about this girl's honesty.

«Ahahah! You're so funny! Maybe we could become friends someday, though, I'm really busy right now. I'll go back to work if you don't mind, Uiharu-Senpai.» Elana said after getting back on the monitor.

«Sure! Senpai Uiharu only is enough to help her here! So, Elena-san! Tell me what burdens you!» Uiharu exclaimed excited, we all know why.

«My caregiver... Cut Meme... has disappeared. It's three days he's not cooking and cleaning the house anymore.» Elena said outspoken.

«I see... it must be hard... so, what's his name?» Uiharu asked, ready to search on the online database.

«Cut Meme... also, I'm not a hundred per cent sure he's actually a boy...»

«I meant his real name, Elena-san...»

«C-u-t M-e-m-e.»

The two girls stare to each other eyes for few seconds, awkwardly.

«Elena-san... I think that's not his real name. You have no slight clue?» Uiharu asked embarrassed.

«Can't you just type Cut Meme on the internet and check his Wiki?!» Elena asked, actually confident that was the way.

«That's not how it works... alright, let's keep going. Can you at least tell me how he looks?» Uiharu asked, giving her a second chance.

«Sure...» Elena replied.

«Ok then, I'll start a digital drawing. You just describe me his appearance and I'll input the data, the computer will automatically create an approximated profile of this person.» The flower crowned girl said, ready to start; though, as soon as she initiated the program and the digital paper popped up, Elena started shaking poor Uiharu and yelling at her.

«Here he is! That's him! He exactly looks like this!» Elena exclaimed, tapping on the blank paper.

«But... Elena-san, we haven't even started yet...» Uiharu said dismayed.

«Well, I'm telling you that's him! He's invisible!» Elena exclaimed and the Judgment girl answered her with the dullest "Huh?" of her career.

«Cut Meme has always been invisible! But he helps me find what I lost, he cooks for me and cleans the house! I can't go on without him! Now that you know how he looks, you can find him, right?!» Elena asked, but she soon realized the will to help of Uiharu was completely gone.

«Elena-san... are you sure this Cute Meme guy... well... how can I say it...» it wasn't like Uiharu to be rude, so she was hoping Elena would've understood by herself that Judgment had no time and resources to go after a child's whims and her imaginary friend; but it's Elena we are talking about.

«I know what you are thinking, Uiharu-san! But Cut Meme never overcooked the rice. It may seem surreal, but it's true! You feel me? I need him to come back! I'm desperate!»

«Maybe I know how to help!» Elana interrupted the talk and approached Elena.

«Really?! You know how to find Cut Meme?» Elena asked enthusiastic.

«Not me... but I think you should speak to a therapist as soon as possible! You really need it!» Elana exclaimed with an innocent smile.

«Huh...?» Elena was shocked; she hears that advice ten times a day, but the fact this time was concerning the existence of Cut Meme completely let her down.

«We have plenty to do here at Judgment. We are involved in a case about an attack to the hospital and we can't care about you today too. Please, understand and come back another day! I'll help you personally!» Elana explained and told Uiharu to go back to the real work.

«I'm sorry Elena-san... I can't be of any help. Just listen to what Elana-san said and coma back later!» Uiharu added.

«N-no... it won't be necessary, I understood... I'm sorry I bothered you. See you.» Elena said bye to Mii too before leaving and began walking towards home; that terrible feeling of impotence, worthlessness and the awareness of not having anybody to rely on were crashing her on the inside. She was alone until now and she wasn't concerned at all, she had Cut Meme, the invisible friend always saving her from troubles and supporting her. But now that he is the one who left her and disappeared, how much was it hurting not having someone else to ask for help?

«It sounds fair at least... I never did anything for others. How can I expect to find someone willing to assist a lame idiot like me... and that new girl, Elana! What an obnoxious goose! Just because she has an angelic gorgeous face she thinks to have the right to say all she wants! GRRR!» Elena was so busy reminding the previous scenes she wasn't looking at the road, and almost got hit by a car. «The only one left I can count on is Index... but pretending we can manage to build a brain in two is called optimisms. I need a miracle... please, give me a sign!» Elena raised her stare to the sky, but what she saw was just a huge centipede falling on her head.

«AAAAAAGH!» she curled up on the floor and yelled in terror, but the shadow dissolved before colliding.

«So ironic... the first time I actually catch you doing something worth a fine, I'm not in charge anymore...» Fran approached her, looking down on her. «Look at the road, you imbecile.»

«F-F-Fran san...! You are not at Bollywood?! I'm so glad to see you!» Elena stood up in tears.

«You probably weren't paying attention, otherwise you wouldn't feel glad... or maybe you did. Anyways... just back home. The less time you spend around, the more safe the people of the city will be.» Fran exclaimed.

«You have no idea... of how happy I am right now! If I wasn't a physical contact disliker, I would have already hugged you! But why are you dressing like a homeless man? You need money?» Elena asked as she wiped up her face; Fran was wearing his usual grey coat but, due to the fight with Siren Head, it was ripped off and filled with cuts and scratches. Fran hadn't the chance and time to leave it to the tailor, he needed the coat to fight, after all.

«Begone.» Fran turned his back on her and started leaving.

«NO! Please! I was joking! I need your help! Please, listen...» her different voice tone, this time not fictionally melodramatic as usual but sincerely concerned for the first time ever, captured Fran's attention who decided to listen.

«I suppose you went there at least eight times since I got fired, so you should be aware I'm not in Judgment anymore, right?» Fran asked.

«It doesn't matter... I should've asked you only from the start. I have nobody to talk with who I can really trust...» Elena exclaimed acting tragic, but Fran stared funny at her and she decided to give up her performance. «Okay, okay... I admit it, the truth is nobody even talks to me! I have no one! I'm hopeless! Please, at least you!»

«Uff... okay then, not here though and be quick. Let's head to the park nearby. I want you to tell me calmly since I usually don't understand a word of yours.»

The duo sat comfortably on a bench and Elena told Fran everything she referred to the Judgment employees and the fact nobody found a way to help her.

«Elena-san... you should stop telling others the stories you read on the back of the children's snack boxes. I'm leaving.» Fran stood up but Elena pulled him from his coat. «Please, stay! I'm not telling nonsense! Cut Meme really exists and I can prove it!» Elena replied with resolve.

«How can you pretend people will believe you own a guardian angel doing all your housework for free?! Also, what you are asking for is to find him?! An invisible guy, in this huge city?! Not even the toughest videogames ask for such an impossible quest!» He said frankly and Elena too realized how odd and difficult her request actually was.

«I don't know who he is... why he does it and what he wants from me... but I sure now I need him and I want to find out what happened to him! Please! Will you help me, Fran-san...?» Elena let the grasp and looked the boy straight in the eyes, it was the first time Fran saw her in such a serious and determined attitude.

«Listen carefully, I'm not in Judgment anymore. I would have never helped you while I was in charge too, such a waste of energies...» he said to Elena who, after a huge sigh and distraught, surrendered to say goodbye and leave; Fran touched her shoulder and blushed for a second. «But... since I'm not busy with the work anymore, I could help you a little. After all, I owe you one for that time...»

«Fran-san!? Are you serious?! You'll help me? Amazing! I love you!» Elena started bouncing around him in happiness and enthusiasm but she suddenly stopped. «Wait... what favour are you talking about? That time I let you imagine me naked in your mind? Well... if you really like me that way...»

«Absolutely not, you stupid fool! Also, you didn't even let me! That was the first time you ever met me at Judgment and you already looked like the craziest patient in the asylum! Whatever... just take my help and begone!» Fran exclaimed, sweating for the embarrassment.

«I'll disappear after this, I swear! I'm so happy! The best detective of Academy City is giving me a free trial! Yay! Well then, Sherlock... what's the next step?» Elena asked, pretending to have a pipe and a magnifying glass in hand.

«Elementary, Watson! If you don't stop being dumb, Cut Meme won't be the only one to vanish forever... you can speak only when spoken to, clear?» a sharp shadow aura built around Fran and Elena, terrorized, gulped and nodded petrified.

«Where did you interact with him the last time?» the boy asked.

«My room... he made breakfast two days ago. Then, once I came back for the lunch, all void. My stomach especially...» Elena said and her stomach roared.

«Let's start searching for clues at your place then. Lead the way.»

Fran and Elena walked to the girl's dorm, she had the typical one room apartment offered by the school; as soon as they entered by the main door, Fran remained speechless.

«But this is... a dunghill!» Fran covered his nose for the stink; all the used and dirty crockery stocked and the dozens of trash bags made the place look unlivable.

«Alright, Fran-san! Clues won't be found by themselves! The only problem is that my room's a mess. I have a plan! What about you clean my plates and dispose of the garbage? After my home is in order, it would be easi-OUCH!» Fran grabbed and pulled her hair tail as Elena was talking.

«You brought me here because you didn't want to do it by yourself, huh? Are you only pretending to be dumb or you are just the laziest girl in the city? Unluckily for you, yours truly is very lazy too. Start cleaning. You'll deal with the crockery, in the meanwhile I'll use some shadows to tidy the room.» Fran ordered severely and let her go.

«But it's gross... there's stuck food on them...»

«If you stand still for more than two seconds, my centipedes will read you as trash bags too and they'll throw you away with them...»

«Sir. Yes, Sir.! Immediately!» Elena wore gloves and started to clean reluctantly; in about ten minutes, thanks to the adaptable esp ability of Fran, the room was tidied up without effort.

«Wow! I needed some fresh air! Thanks a lot, Fran-san! I would have not touched a single bag without you...» Elena exclaimed satisfied but really tired; she cleaned three plates. Fran did the rest.

«You're welcome... I can understand you're lazy, but there's something I don't get. You are a level three telekinetic, aren't you? Shouldn't it be a joke for you to deal with these kind of thing while sitting comfortably on a sofa?» Fran asked curious.

«Just in Case!» Elena shouted with enthusiasm and posing.

«Okay... so?» Fran cringed and remained shocked by her sudden random yell.

«My power's name is Just in Case!» she repeated doing the pose again.

«Yeah, understood... actually, no. I did not understand a thing.» Fran was completely clueless, but it was used to feel like this around her.

«I use my power only when I really need to! If I could do something I can do without using my ability, then I don't do that at all!» Elena exclaimed proud.

«What you've just said is theoretically and practically incorrect... but that's what you are too. So I'll stop asking. In brief, you just avoid using your power for petty things. I'd never thought I would have told you, but that's some really diligent choice by you. Not even I can completely limit my power's usage like that.» Fran said as he observed his shadow dissolving after the great housework.

«Well, but you helped me and I have to show you my gratitude! I'll give you something I usually share with no one! Just for you!» Elena ran directly to a shelf and started searching between the empty food boxes. «On no! Don't tell me they've run out! I'll try here!» Elena went to the next shelf and, after stretching her arm to the maximum, she managed to find what she was looking for.

«Here they are! My first choice!» Elena invited the boy to open his hand towards her and she poured a pair of coloured chocolate marbles. «This brand is the best, try them!»

«I know them already, of course. I like them too, I gladly accept your token.» Fran raised the hand and put them in his mouth; he started crunching and enjoying the taste.

«Oh no! They have expired since months! Well, it was strange they were so far in the shelf!» Immediately after Elena read the expiration date and told it out loud, Fran spat all in the sink next to him.

«You are the most braindead person I know! Maybe checking the date before giving them to me?! No... I should have done it, expecting something like this by you. Huh...? And this?» Fran noticed the light from the ceiling's lamp got reflected by what he spit few seconds before; he got nearer to the sink to look closely and noticed something like a piece of glass between the chocolate.

«What the hell is this...?» Fran grabbed it and tried to identify it; it looked like a crystal's shard. «Gimme the whole pack! I want to check if we find more!» Fran crushed all the marbles and noticed that numerous more shards were coming out.

«Elena-san... you buy grocery by yourself?» Fran asked suddenly.

«Well, no... it always was Cut Meme doing all. I just go to school... but what do you think those sparkling pieces are?!» Elena was surprised too.

«Okay... this answer is enough. If at first I was sceptical on the existence of this Cute Meme, now I'm sure he is real. This guy tried to poison you with those.» Fran affirmed.

«What?! But... why? What does that stuff even do?!» the girl asked shocked.

«Maybe we'd have found out if I haven't spat that in time... luckily, that didn't happen. If he was hiding it in food, that's nothing healthy for sure. Probably... these are the reason why you turned to be such a weird person.» Fran speculated.

«Ehi! That's just rude now! I've always been like this! That stuff has nothing to do with me!» Elena replied hurt.

«It looks like clues really found out by themselves this time... if only I still was in Judgment, I could have analysed those in laboratory...» Fran said, sighing in regret.

«If we can't get to know their effect... I'll eat them now! Maybe they will turn me into a normal girl!» Elena exclaimed confident.

«Do you eve realize the things you say...? Anyways, that's not happening. As a member of Judg- ehm... as your provisory tutor, I can't let you take this risk. I have a different way to find out what they are. I know someone who can easily dispose of any type of laboratory... Tsk.» Fran said wincing.

«Really?! Let's go then, no?!»

«We have no choice... it's just I wanted to avoid meeting her so frequently. She sure has a lot of jokes ready for this, and I don't know if I have the mental to bear them all...»

-

«Ara, Ara, Fran-san... you really can't stay a moment away from Misaki-sama. You got to have a really bad crush on me...» Shokuhou said while repeatedly and annoyingly poking his chest with her index.

«It feels narrow here...» Elena exclaimed, staring to Misaki's chest from her back in the elevator's corner.

«Fran-san... I can't really imagine what our lovely guest is implying...» Misaki said, as she shot an arrogant murderous look to Elena.

«You can act natural with her around... you don't need to pretend to be the majestic and cruel level five, also because she wouldn't notice it even if you try your best... you should remember her.» Fran said to Misaki's ear.

The three left the elevator and, after walking through a long corridor, Misaki invited them in a lab room.

«So... may I know what's this urgent favour you told me at the phone?» Shokuhou asked annoyed. «Shouldn't we care about something far more important?»

«We'll talk about Chiara once we are done with this. There's something I have to show you now.» Fran said and pulled the crystal from his pocket.

«Fran-san... it's not very wise by you speaking that dangerous esper's name in front of a random... maybe I'll have to fix this by tough love.» Misaki grabbed her remote from the purse and aimed it towards Elena.

«No, no! Don't worry, Miss.! The air conditioning is just fine! It feels amazing in here!» Elena replied in innocence; Misaki was so dismayed by her stupid answer that she immediately put back the remote, then cleared her throat before speaking.

«W-well then... maybe I'll do it later. Just show me the thing now.» Misaki took the crystal and nodded after looking at it closely. «I think I already know what it is without putting it under the microscope. We'll do it anyway to be sure.»

«You have scientific knowledge, Misaki-san?» Fran asked, surprised by her expertise.

«Not exactly. In simple, it's really easy having a wide knowledge when you can navigate the mind of so many people.» Shokuhou answered proud.

«Aaaah! This girl is a sailor! It must be really cool learning things with travels! Also, thanks to those huge floaters you have, you never risk to drown!» a minute of silence followed the shameful sentence of Elena, but she didn't understand it was she who made it awkward.

«Done it... just as I thought. It's the ability body crystal. Can I know where did you find it?» Misaki asked suspicious.

«Ability body crystals? They come from someone she knows...» Fran answered pointing to Elena. «So, can you tell me what do they do?» then he asked impatiently.

«In brief... they send your esper ability in overload, turning it stronger to its maximum capacity but... in exchange, they drain your life span...» Misaki answered grim.

«What? They are this dangerous...? How can stuff like this be around?» Fran asked upset.

«In fact, they are mainly disposed by the Dark Side... one of the many imperfect results of the projects made to achieve the level six shift... now they are mainly used to power up people whose ability is slumbering or weak...» Misaki explained. «So, what's your friend's power?»

«She is just a level three telekinetic. Why did this Cut Meme guy want to feed her those crystals?»

«Telekinetic? Is such a common power and higher level espers of this kind already exist in a natural way. It's really unusual they used the crystals on her... or they tried, at least.» Shokuhou replied clueless.

«Elena, join the call! Can't you tell us anything useful?» Fran asked nervous, but Elena looked very frightened and upset.

«The first days here... since the first days I came to Gakuen Toshi, Cut Meme was taking care of me. Indeed... the initial time I ate the chocolate balls, I felt really bad. I don't remember anything... I just know I ended up in a bed and there was him next to me to support. I don't remember his looks, I'm not even sure I saw him... I don't know what to think... I just want to ask him...» Elena was clearly confused, so even Misaki and Fran were now worried about her.

«Then, asking him is what we are planning to do. We'll find him.» Fran said, approaching Elena and cheering her up. «Misaki-san, do you know anyone we could ask to know more about those crystals?»

«Well, I can tell you the laboratories where they are secretly produced but... ehy, wait a minute!» as Misaki was looking for the data concerning the crystal factories on the computer, she noticed something completely unexpected. «The main factories were three... and two of them were attacked recently... I'm so unlucky, I was monitoring them for my purposes and I just stopped watching for a couple days...»

«It's not a coincidence!» Fran intervened rapidly. «It's exactly two days Cut Meme is missing. I'm sure he has something to do with the intrusions.»

«Even knowing this... what are you going to do?» Misaki asked worried.

«Only he knows the answer we are looking for... he left Elena because he had to go back to work in the factories to protect them... or is he the one attacking them for a reason we still don't know? I'll personally go to the only functioning lab tonight and check this out.»

«Fran-san... I have to remind you are not in Judgment anymore. You're as a criminal as they are if you do something like this.»

«Misaki-san... I already destroyed many labs and you know yourself. You don't think a shadow like me will be found that easily, do you? I remained hidden from the ones I love for years... it won't be a random invisible man causing me troubles. Send me the coordinates on the phone.» Fran exclaimed while stretching his arms.

«I'm coming too!» Elena exclaimed with guts.

«No way... I'm a fighter and a well-taught soldier, while you-»

«I'm the person concerned! I have the right and the duty to come!» the girl said interrupting Fran; the boy looked her straight in the eyes and spoke.

«Do you understand you may be forced to fight for your life? We are going to touch the Dark Side of the city. They have no mercy, not even for innocent fools like you.»

«I don't know what is happening to Cut Meme and what is he doing... but I'm sure he's not a bad guy! This time it will be I fighting for him!» Elena affirmed with such a battling stare Fran couldn't almost recognize her.

«Fran-san... I can understand the sweet words and the purpose, but are you sure you want to bring HER with you there...?» Misaki asked in doubt.

«I'd rather lift a giant rock on my back, let's be honest. Unfortunately, however... I don't have my Judgment licence anymore, so I have no authority to put a restriction on her: Such a disgrace... I'm forced to carry this ballast with me!» Fran said with fake sarcasm, so obvious that even Elena would have understood it.

«Thanks, Fran-san... I'm ready! I'm coming, Cut Meme!» Elena took a deep breath and followed Fran to the elevator as Misaki sighed defeated.

«Please, take care... Fran...» Shokuhou whispered worried.

«Once I'm over this, I'll come back to talk about Chiara! Wait me, Misaki-san!» Fran yelled to her, then the doors closed. «Let's head to my room first, Elena-san. I need to pick up a thing.»

Eleuphii is going RAMPAGE since its her favourite char mini arc, wholesome drawings <3