Toaru Majutsu no Index II Episode 18

Synopsis
In the ladies' bath of the Anglican Church Dormitory, Archbishop Laura Stuart finds some time to cool off, until a furious Stiyl Magnus blazes through the door, causing her to slip into the bathtub where she is wading in. Stiyl confronts Laura into confirming words written in a certain document, but Laura instead points out his ungentlemanlike barging into the ladies' bath.

His reaction: throwing a fireball on the tub, causing the Archbishop to jump out. Stiyl continues with his search for answers, but the stubborn Laura Stuart points instead to her clothes, completely drenched and clinging to her body.

Kaori and Orsola tackle upon their most difficult challenge of the day: how to operate a new washing machine (in the novels it is stated it is a gift from Academy City, which the anime omitted). As Sherry watches them, Kaori complains about the task, while Orsola attempts to familiarize herself with the piece of technology from Academy City.

Then, Orsola has an idea: if there is no dirty clothes left, then the'll just wash the ones they are currently wearing, which was soon followed by Agnese, Lucia and Angelene, much to Kaori's enbarrassment. Orsola then helps out Kaori out of her clothes, which soon reveal the surprising fact that Kaori wears nothing underneath the yukata she wears. Because of this, Kaori opts to keep her yukata, while the obi is placed inside.

Soon, Sherry manages to read the manual and discovers that dyed clothes should be washed separately - including traditional Japanese clothing - and this causes Kaori to frantically look for a cancel button.

In the end, the washing machine spews water all over Kaori, who despairs over her ruined obi, and the malfunction of the washing machine.

On the other side of the globe, Misaka Mikoto releases her inner Gekota fanatic while Touma rests outside. Upon sitting on a nerby bench, he finds someone that looks very similar to Mikoto; she identifies herself as MISAKA 10032, and talks about a MISAKA which is smaller than her. She then explains that that smaller MISAKA has stolen her goggles, and this causes Touma to confuse her for the Original.

Touma then decides to buy something that allows him to distinguish 10032. He initially thinks of buying 10032 a ring, which triggers 19090's ideas of a boy giving someone a ring, and she blushes to the idea. However, he changes his plans, thinking that it would be too inconspicuous.

Accelerator, on the other hand, finds himself in more things to be pissed about.

Last Order has called about playing tag with the rest of the MISAKA Clones, and because of this, might not be at home for dinner. Although Accelerator has lost his patience and tried to break the phone in annoyance, then Kikyou and Aiho try to calm him down. Aiho then plans on looking for Last Order using resources from Anti-Skill, while suggesting Accelerator to do a search of his own as well.

Touma and 10032 arrive at an accessories store, where despite holding on to a desired design of necklace, 10032 thinks about receiving a ring more. Thinking that 10032 might still be undecided on what to get, Touma decides to treat 10032 on a shop that sells animal-shaped donuts.

He buys eight pieces of donuts shaped like chicks, and 10032 tries to call them into approaching her, thinking that they are real chicks. Touma then interrupts her attempt to make friends with them by stabbing one with a fork and placing it on his mouth. This causes 10032 to release sparks out of pity and anger at what Touma did.

Then, the original Misaka Mikoto appears on the scene.

Mikoto apprehends Touma on what he was doing, and the pair of Gekoto phone straps caught the attention of the MISAKA Clone. Mikoto shields her newly-acquired merchandise from the clone's eager eyes, but she herself is attracted by the chick-shaped donuts Touma is eating. Soon, Mikoto decides to punish Touma for abandoning him in the middle of the punishment game with a lightning bolt, which Touma easily dispells.

Soon, 10032 confronts the Original on what she is doing currently. Mikoto honestly explains that it is a punishment game that stemmed from the Daihasei Festival, but 10032 thinks of her reason as "not being honest to herself". Because of this 10032 decides to go on a different approach: slinging her arms around Touma's right arm, then displaying the gift she received from him.

Then, a certain little MISAKA Clone hugs Touma's other arm.

Last Order's presence infuriated 10032, which is even worsened by Last Order's taunts to chase her. As 10032 pulls out a rifle and gives chase, Touma and Mikoto are left speechless.

Meanwhile, Accelerator manages to track down Last Order's last known location, thanks to Aiho's help. As they talk by phone, Aiho decides to ask Accelerator an important question: "Is showing goodwill to others really that scary?"

Accelerator does not seem to understand what Aiho tries to point out at first, but soon, Aiho clarifies things; she thinks that Accelerator is still fearful of returning his goodwill he receives from Last Order. Aiho then recalls on his past, as part of the experiments of the Special Ability Holders Multiple Alteration Technologies Research Institute. He has accepeted that fact that he was a monster since his days in the said facility, and because of this, he thinks that he is no longer able to show goodwill to people.

Nonetheless, Aiho believes that Accelerator will have the potential of helping others through his powers. Accelerator momentarily thinks of what should have happened when he had used his ability to stop the experiment, but he does not have the courage to think aloud.

Elsewhere, a familiar figure manifests itself - rather, herself - into Academy City. Kazakiri Hyouka. Others around her doesn't see her as a person, but as a prank by some esper or another.

Touma finds more time to rest while Mikoto unleashes her fury at a nearby amusement park, where she beats high score after high score with her furious punches. Touma then finds himself being played around by the "mini-MISAKA" he has seen earlier.

Meanwhile, Accelerator arrives at the underground mall, and stumbles upon a nun sprawled across the sidewalk, pleading for food. Accelerator takes him to a nearby fastfood chain and there, the nun introduces herself as Index after satisfying her hunger. He takes the time to ask about Last Order, but Index admits to not have seen her, although she is certain she will remember her face.

Touma, back at the underground mall, talks to Last Order, who appears to be unimpressed at how puzzled he is to her role in the SISTERS Network. Touma also struggles to please Last Order, who unlike Index is not easily contented by food. Accelerator also seems to struggle as well, as Index's incessant talking easily wears through Accelerator's already short patience.

6:00 soon arrives, and Last Order declares that she should go home soon, much to her disappointment. She admits to have enjoyed on her time with Touma, though also admits that she does not want a certain person to be worried for her. Touma thinks that Last Order has a nice companion, but the little MISAKA Clone tells him that he is weak, to the point that his own hands get worn out when trying to help others.

As Index and Accelerator arrive inside the underground mall, Touma and Accelerator wait as they swap companions. As Last Order is scolded at by Accelerator, Touma listens to Index as she tells her who rescued her...

...but as if Fate teases Index, she fails to thank the one who helped her through the crowd.

Adapted From
Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 12

Major events

 * Kamijou Touma buys Misaka 10032 a necklace.
 * Kazakiri Hyouka manifests herself.
 * Touma meets Last Order.
 * Accelerator meets Index.

Characters
By order of appearance
 * Laura Stuart
 * Stiyl Magnus
 * Kanzaki Kaori
 * Orsola Aquinas
 * Angelene
 * Lucia
 * Agnese Sanctis
 * Sherry Cromwell
 * Kamijou Touma
 * Misaka Mikoto
 * Misaka 10032
 * Radio Noise clones
 * Misaka 13577 (flashback only)
 * Misaka 10039 (flashback only)
 * Misaka 19090 (flashback only)
 * Last Order
 * Accelerator
 * Yomikawa Aiho
 * Yoshikawa Kikyou
 * Kazakiri Hyouka

New Characters
No new characters were introduced during this episode.

Abilities

 * Fire magic - Stiyl Magnus
 * Electrical discharge - Misaka 10032, level 3
 * Electrical attack - Misaka Mikoto, level 5
 * Imagine Breaker - Kamijou Touma, level 0

New Abilities
No new abilities were introduced during this episode.

Locations

 * Anglican Church Women's Dormitory
 * Academy City
 * Underground Mall
 * Yomikawa Residence
 * Macronall Hamburger

New Locations

 * Lambeth Palace
 * Special Ability Institute (referenced only}

Trivia

 * A certain washing machine makes its first appearance.
 * This marks the first appearance of Orsola's Anglican Church clothes.
 * Despite appearing in this episode, Lucia and Agnese Sanctis does not have any speaking roles during their appearance.

Referbacks

 * Misaka 10032 flashbacks to the previous episode where the clones talk about Misaka 19090's secrets, especially that of the ring being given by a loved one.
 * Mikoto references Touma losing to their bet during the Daihasei Festival from episode 13.
 * Last Order references Touma stopping the experiments, which was featured in episode 14 of the first season.
 * Several episodes from the previous season are used as flashbacks by Accelerator, most notably episode 19 and 20.

Cultural References

 * Last Order references the Grateful Crane.

Unanswered Questions

 * What happened in the Special Ability Institute?

Quotes

 * Touma:"I don't get it.I don't get it,but...Such misfortune."
 * Last Order:"He's weak...He's been hurt so much that not only was he unable to protect what he held in his hands,but he even wore them out in the process.That's why I don't want to strain him anymore.This time MISAKA will be the one who protects him!say MISAKA as MISAKA tries an honest declaration."