The legendary one possessing 103,000 grimoires, Index, was currently hanging high on the railing of an apartment building nearby...
Well...
This scene was identical to the first episode of A Certain Magical Index.
This really was "showing off"!
'Come to think of it, Mikoto was only about 13 years old now, about a year before the main story began, right?'
'Who would have thought Index would appear at this time?'
'Ah, besides that, Index was also being chased by some "friends".'
'Looking at the situation, she was probably running across the rooftops, got hungry, and ended up hanging on that apartment railing, catching some sun.'
"Oh? That's a girl, right? A nun?"
Misuzu followed Kaito's gaze and saw Index. Beelzebul saw her too.
Both women didn't quite understand. Doing that looked very dangerous.
"I'll go save her."
Kaito calmly channeled magic, forming an invisible hand that gently lifted Index off the apartment railing.
At that moment, Index realized she was being lifted and started flailing in the air.
"Waaah!"
"Help!"
"Wait, who are you? Why are you grabbing me? Are you from a magic cabal too!?"
When Index was placed on the ground, she tried to run, but then thought that if Kaito could catch her from such a distance, running would be useless anyway.
"Hehe, I'm not from a magic cabal. But I do know some magic."
"Little girl, what's your name? Why were you hanging on that railing? It was very dangerous!"
While Kaito answered, Misuzu stepped forward and asked gently.
"Ugh... I was being chased. I was trying to escape along the rooftops, but I got hungry and fell."
'Uuhh...'
Kaito wasn't surprised; Index did that in the original work too. He just didn't expect Index to be doing the same thing a year earlier.
Misuzu and Beelzebul, however, were astonished.
'How carefree could this little girl be?!'
But they were also curious why Index was being chased.
Looking at her age, she seemed only about 11 or 12. Even if she had a baby face and looked younger, her actual age was probably around 13 or 14, right?
Especially with her pure white nun's habit with gold embroidery. She didn't look like a bad person or someone of great value, so...
What was the purpose of chasing this little nun?
Had she betrayed the Church or something?
"Little girl, weren't you afraid of falling and hitting the ground?"
Misuzu asked, still shaken. Especially seeing the height of that apartment building—an ordinary person would never dare do that!
"There was no other choice... Those people kept chasing me."
Index's green eyes showed helplessness. But she seemed used to it, without any fear.
"Ah, sorry, I haven't introduced myself. My name is Index. Thank you very much for your help."
Kaito showed no surprise at her name.
Misuzu, however, thought it sounded strange as a Japanese name.
"Um... is that a pseudonym? It sounds like 'Index', doesn't it?"
"Yes, it means 'Index of Forbidden Books'! Oh, and my magic name is Dedicatus545! The detailed meaning is 'The dedicated lamb protects the knowledge of the strong'."
"???" Misuzu was completely confused.
Beelzebul was thoughtful; she didn't understand anyway. But she could glean some meaning from these answers.
"So... Index, why are you being chased?"
After being puzzled for a while, Misuzu asked with concern.
Saving someone was purely out of kindness. Plus, Index was such a cute little nun. If her pursuers were bad people, they couldn't be allowed to continue.
Of course, if she were alone, she'd think twice before helping?
But now...
With Kaito around, why be afraid?
Even if it was a shadowy organization, Misuzu wasn't scared.
"Those chasing me are members of a magic cabal. Their target is the 103,000 grimoires I possess."
"Grimoires? Magic books?"
"Yes! That's right!"
"But where are the books? Oh, I see. You've memorized them all. So they want to catch you and make you tell them all the grimoires, right?"
Misuzu caught on quickly.
Though it was hard to believe, Index clearly wasn't carrying any books.
After being in the chat group so long, her experience had broadened.
Just because you can't do something doesn't mean others can't.
If it wasn't about memory, then Index must know where the 103,000 grimoires are hidden.
"I see. Do you need our help? We can help you get rid of your pursuers, even fight them!"
"You... are you after my grimoires too?"
Index was naturally suspicious.
That was normal.
"Hehe, we're not after your grimoires. It's simply about doing the right thing."
Kaito smiled and patted her head. After her stomach growled, he chuckled and took a chocolate bar from the golden ripple to tide her over.
Later, he'd take her to a nearby restaurant for a proper meal.
"Oh!! Thank you, big brother!"
Index took it without hesitation, tore open the wrapper, and gobbled down the chocolate in a few bites.
"You're welcome. So, do you want our help?"
"Um... I don't want to trouble you. The people in the magic cabal aren't good people. I don't want you involved."
Index kindly shook her head in refusal.
However, her impression of Kaito was very positive.
"Haha, we're not afraid! Never mind me, this lady here is very strong. And this big brother? He's like a demon king who could take on the whole world if he wanted!"
"Huh? Is that how you introduce me?"
"Hehehe, but isn't your strength really that great?"
"You don't have to call me a demon king."
"So I understand. A god?"