Toaru Majutsu no Index: Miracle of Endymion Manga Chapter 003

Dream and Hope (「夢と希望」) is the third chapter of the Toaru Majutsu no Index: Miracle of Endymion manga, released on April 12, 2013 in Monthly Shōnen Gangan.

Synopsis
In a dream of the past, a young Shutaura Sequenzia has her eyes flicker and ears tingled by the appearance of a single naked woman in the midst of a wreckage. Back in the present, Arisa awakens in Touma's abode, apparently the one having the dream. With Touma trying to open the conversation with who was attacking her earlier, ending with Index trying to explain magic to her, but is prevented by Touma. Arisa then speaks of powers that are not of science and tells them that is of it as well. She tells that her power appears when she sings, and laments that it is perhaps her power that draws people towards her and not her song after all. But Touma and Index dissuades her, much to Arisa's thanks. And yet, she asks why the people from before attacked her, and deems that if her singing brings pain upon others, she should stop despite the call of her heart. Touma persuades her however not to give up on it in spite of the people who attacked her, telling her that he will help her find a safe way to sing. Touma then allows Arisa to stay so long as she needs protection.

Meanwhile, Shutaura tells her employer Ladylee that her enemies had unusual powers, though she is unperturbed. She then asks who Arisa is after going to the trouble of saving Arisa for her, though she replies that she can fight even without knowing. With that, the conversation ends with Ladylee telling her to continue protecting Arisa.

In a certain high school, Touma deals with the inane talk of his friends, and the prodding of his classmates of his night life. Komoe comes soon to teach Touma a lesson, specifically, supplementary lessons for him. Back in Touma's dorm, Index and Arisa bond over the bath, where the conversation comes towards Index's relationship with Touma. A lovely relationship that immediately prompts Arisa to leave the bath to write down lyrics, prompting Index to follow. With a little skinship, Touma arrives however at the worst time and predictably suffers because of it.

After dinner, Arisa speaks of her contract and photoshoot tomorrow, to which due to extenuating circumstances, Touma will not be able to attend and asks Arisa if she can find a reliable person. The next day, it is revealed that the person is Misaka Mikoto, apparently having met before, alongside her friends. Arisa pays no mind to the vast number of people Mikoto brought along, and tells that they can all be her managers for today. While going to the shoot, Kazari speaks of the Orbit Portal Company as the reason for the Orion crash, as well as for the space elevator, telling of how it became bankrupt but then went back up after being bought. Gossip abound regarding her queer president, the 10 year old girl that looks like a doll. While coming upon props however, a doll stands up, revealing herself to be Ladylee Tangleroad, the president of Orbit Portal Company. She talks to Arisa of her singing, noting that she hasn't heard of such singing since Jenny Lind, quickly leaving after giving her regards. The director for photoshoot comes upon them later, and seeing the gaggle of girls, has a knowing look on her eyes. Meanwhile, Touma arrives at the photoshoot establishment.

At the photoshoot, Arisa is a natural for the camera, while the other girls stand on the side, too embarrassed to move about. All ears turn to Arisa once again as she begins singing. Touma then arrives at an upper floor, looking down upon the stage. Here, he sees Mikoto with Alisa, and deeming her to be proper protection for Alisa. But then, he notices an obviously conspicuous person moving about in the crowd. It is Shutaura. Worried, Touma hurries to stop whatever nefarious plot she might hide inside her cloak.

Adapted From

 * Toaru Majutsu no Index Movie: Miracle of Endymion

Major Events

 * Ladylee Tangleroad meets Meigo Arisa

Characters
By order of appearance:
 * Shutaura Sequenzia
 * Meigo Arisa
 * Kamijou Touma
 * Index
 * Sphynx
 * Aogami Pierce
 * Tsuchimikado Motoharu
 * Himegami Aisa
 * Fukiyose Seiri
 * Tsukuyomi Komoe
 * Misaka Mikoto
 * Shirai Kuroko
 * Saten Ruiko
 * Uiharu Kazari

New Characters

 * Ladylee Tangleroad

Abilities

 * Meigo Arisa's singing voice.
 * Imagine Breaker (referenced) - Kamijou Touma, level 0.

New Abilities

 * Earth Palette - Shutaura Sequenzia, level 4

Locations

 * Academy City
 * Kirigaoka Girls' Academy (referenced)
 * A Certain High School
 * Endymion

New Locations
No new locations were introduced during this chapter.

Trivia

 * Despite seeing Saten Ruiko in the stage, Touma will have no recollection of her in their eventual meeting in the Daihaseisai in Railgun chapter 58.

Referbacks

 * Mikoto's meeting with Arisa back in Toaru Majutsu to Kagaku no Ensemble is once again referred during this episode.

Cultural References

 * Kuroko refers to Ladylee's outfit, and most likely Ladylee's person as well, as.
 * Ladylee compares Arisa's abilities to that of, a famous opera singer from the 19th century.

Unanswered Questions

 * Who is that mysterious person in the flashback?
 * With all the talk of mysterious powers that cannot be explained by science, is Arisa's powers that of magic or something even beyond that?
 * Who bought Orbit Portal after it went under?
 * Why is Shutaura charging towards Arisa if she was entrusted to protect her by Ladylee?

Quotes

 * Arisa: "I just wanted... to make everyone happy with my songs. I felt singing would make me happy too. But... if that will end hurting someone...then..." - said to Touma.
 * Touma: "So you're going to give up?! You're going to give up and destroy your dreams because of these people?! Tell me what you really want to do!!" - said to Arisa.
 * Arisa: "I want to sing! Because... That's all I have..." - said to Touma.
 * Touma: "Then... sing! If you want to do something and you have the ability to do it... You have to do it. So let's work together to find a safe way for you to sing!" - said to Arisa.
 * Index: "Touma makes the food and I eat it! And he always come to save me when I'm in trouble! He may not look it, but Touma's really amazing!" - said to Arisa.