>>45840411
>>Ask Last Order about the favour
may as well now, i mean little sisters can be terrible things when left alone to their own devices.

>>45840411
>ask Last Order about the favour

It will probably lead to violence of some sort, which is practically a date for these two

>>45840411
>Go on a date with Asuka
Guys I'm scared about Aneue finding out

From the padlet change log
>09/02: Chassis revision, firmware update.
I wonder what the firmware update was? Sounds like bad news.

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Leaving Last Order to her own devices was only asking for trouble. That and her favour would invariably lead to some violence. It had the makings of a nice date with Asuka. Thus, you exited your apartment with both your boss and your girlfriend in tow. Last Order had asked to meet you at a nearby park, which was unusual. Even more unusual was that she was waiting for you alone. Well not alone, seeing as she was playing with the other kids in the park, rather, she was unescorted. Then you switched to thermals and spotted more four extra silhouettes in the trees. That answered that.

“Onii-san, onii-san, onii-san,” she exclaimed without her verbal tic.

It was a bit jarring to hear.

“Ah Asuka-sama. Senpai,” she continued, “hands off onii-san.”

Somehow you couldn’t find it in you to be surprised. You gave the blonde primary school girl a questioning look. Too bad Nayuta was too busy deciding whether to be smug or be in despair as Last Order pried her off your arm.

“Whoa look, it’s VERDICT!”

Your arrival had also attracted the attention of other kids. Most of them ooh’d and ahh’d without fear. Perhaps they actually considered you more of an ally of justice than a ruthless mass murderer.

“Popular now are we not?” Asuka remarked.

The kids were clamouring for stories and the odd autograph or two. Others wanted to see your helmet.

“I wouldn’t let them put in on if I were you,” Nayuta told you, “One, it wouldn’t fit, and two, the jack would probably sever their spinal column.”

A few were put out by that.

“Well since you already brought senpai this will save me some trouble of having to find her,” Last Order said.

“So what’s the favour?” you asked.

“I want to build the next VERDICT.”

There was silence.

“Absolutely not,” Nayuta huffed.

“Sharing is caring senpai,” Last Order’s tone was sickly sweet.

So she wanted to build your replacement huh?

>Allow it
>Ask her to clarify
>Deny her

>>45841038
>Ask her to clarify
Also are we really retiring? I'd rather not

>>45841038
>“Sharing is caring senpai,”

>Allow it

>>45841038
>Ask her to clarify

They work on it together

Their bickering could be some good omake material

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“Wait,” you replied, “First of all, why do you think I have any say in all this?”

Asuka answered you,

“Simply because you are VERDICT dear. You are the first, the prototype, and the standard in which all subsequent models will be judged.”

“Or she’s simply trying to find a way to one-up me,” Nayuta spoke.

“Whatever gave you that idea senpai?” Last Order asked innocently.

“How about all the times you spent harassing me at school?” your boss retorted

“But senpai, you barely come in so every opportunity to talk with you is precious,” your little sister argued, “That and I have to make sure to protect onii-san from you.”

“I would think that is too late little one,” Asuka pointed out.

That set Last Order on poking and prodding you for several minutes. At least the other kids seemed entertained. After several moments, and several reprimands to keep Last Order within the bounds of propriety, your sister turned to your boss.

“I can do better,” she said no small amount of pride.

Nayuta popped a vein,

“Oh do you?”

“Yes, and I was getting bored by the standard curriculum anyway. It isn’t like you’re the only child genius in the City senpai.”

“Have you told mother yet?” you asked.

“Nope,” she smiled, “It’ll be a surprise.”

“Building the next iteration in the HsCC-02 series won’t exempt you from classes,” Nayuta tried.

“Afraid you could lose to the collective intelligence of the SISTERS?”

“That’s it,” Nayuta had finally had enough, “I’ll give you a shot. If it doesn’t perform to specifications I’ll have you go through every year of schooling, no skipping.”

“If I win you will let me skip all class and give me a recommendation for a university of my choice.”

“I’m adding a restraining order to if you lose as well.”

“Deal!”

The two girls spat on their hands and shook on it. You weren’t even sure why you were needed really. Oh wait, Last Order was asking you to take her,

>To an amusement park
>To the new VERDICT chassis

>>45841894
>To an amusement park

>>45841894
>To an amusement park

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When Last Order had suggested going to an amusement park you really didn’t have it in you to say no. You supposed she didn’t want to get to work just yet. It was a Saturday and you could find worse ways to spend it. That didn’t stop your little sister from clambering on to your head though. She looked down at your boss and asked,

“You’re not coming?”

“You told me to keep my hands off him,” she replied dryly.

“Don’t be tsundere now. I’ve had enough from onee-sama already.”

“I’m not tsundere,” Nayuta shouted and climbed up to get at Last Order.

The other kids looked on as amused. So was Asuka come to think of it.

“You’re okay with this?” you asked your girlfriend.

“A day at the amusement park shall serve my ends quite nicely,” she answered.

“If you say so.”

The sight of your party must have been rather silly with the way the pedestrians were gawking. Perched on your shoulders was Last Order, cheerfully directing you one way or another by tugging at your hair. Nayuta had settled in the crook you had formed out of your right arm just for her. Hanging from your left was Asuka looking pleased as punch as you made your way to your destination and beyond. You averaged about 2.45 clicks of a phone camera per metre. No one accosted you though.

The time is late morning, the weather is perfect, and the date remains unchanged.

You weren’t sure why there was an amusement park themed around frogs but this was Academy City. There were stranger things. Admissions weren’t waived but you did get a significant discount. You weren’t sure which discount it was. Of course, once you were in, everyone had a different idea of where to go first. Last Order was pulling your hair in the direction of the rollercoasters. Asuka’s choice was bumper cars. Her choice was not surprising. Nayuta’s was. She suggested the sedate and girly merry-go-round.

Pick a ride
>Last Order’s rollercoaster
>Asuka’s bumper cars
>Nayuta’s merry-go-round
>Some other ride? (write-in)

>>45842960
>Nayuta’s merry-go-round

>>45842960
>Asuka’s bumper cars

>>45842960
>>Asuka’s bumper cars

I wonder if Japan has funnel cake?

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The lines for the rollercoasters were really too long for your liking. Not to mention that Last Order and Nayuta were too short to get on some of them was a real downer. Thus you went to the bumper cars that Asuka had suggested earlier. You had expected Asuka to show aggression at the wheel. However, her frankly atrocious driving couldn’t be compared to how viciously the kids, Last Order and Nayuta, were going at each other. They must really hate each other.

“It is not hate per se,” Asuka started.

The two of you were taking a break while the two kids went for another around with each other.

“They are more like rivals.”

“You’re the expert,” you shrugged.

Using rivalry as context the bickering between your little sister and your boss made sense.

“You would think that I am an expert at the subject but alas I am not,” your girlfriend said, “After all I have never had a rival myself.”

You doubted that.

“Though I do worry that their competition for your attention may grow out of hand,” she finished.

“Well, they’re not here right now so you have my full and complete attention.”

“Do I, now?” she asked teasingly.

Yes, she did.

The time is afternoon, the weather is warmer, and the date remains unchanged.

“Mou, nii-chan, where did you go?”

To say that the kids were upset after you had convened for lunch was an understatement.

“We got lost in the hedge maze while waiting for the two of you settle your score.”

There was nothing quite like the truth to shut down further arguments.

“For a whole two hours?” Last Order clearly didn’t believe you, “Onii-san, mother said that you should be more discreet.”

It was certainly more discreet than walking about the open anyway. More people had taken pictures of you than the silly frog mascots wandering the damn park. Surely hiding out in the hedge maze was a valid decision.

[1/2]

>>45844164
Nayuta looked like she wanted to say something but was cut off to take a phone call.

“Work?”

“Nothing that you need to be present for nii-chan.”

“Ooh, does that mean I get to enter her lab unsupervised?” Last Order jumped at the opportunity.

You looked at Asuka.

“It sounds cliché but I do want to try that ride,” she pointed on the map.

Ah yes, the Tunnel of Love.

>Duty calls
>Curiosity abounds
>The Tunnel of Love
>Other (write-in)

>>45844204
>The Tunnel of Love

>>45844204
>Curiosity abounds

>>45844204
>The Tunnel of Love

>>45844204
>The Tunnel of Love
Oh yes

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You weren’t sure whether to feel apprehensive or grateful that Last Order was giving the two of you some privacy. She was rather insistent she accompany Nayuta. You would have worried if not for the fact that she still had four shadows following her. Though one of them had turned around to discreetly give you a thumbs up. You were going to get the number of that cheeky Sister later.

The ride itself was really just a glorified log flume without the actual flume. It was more of a flue, and the log itself was a sculpted in the shape of a Cygnus. You supposed it was a good place as any for a couple to indulge in each other. Thus you weren’t exactly prepared for Asuka to broach a more serious topic.

“Have you ever thought of the future?” she asked.

“You’re going to have to be more specific.”

“Of course I meant retirement,” she clarified.

“From everything or active duty?”

She nodded.

“More the former than the latter,” you admitted, “Why do you ask?”

“I had hoped that you would notice, what with little Mishka and her lack of subtlety,” Asuka said, “With your replacement underway now is a good time as any to quit while you are ahead. I certainly would appreciate the lowered risk of horrific injury or violent death on your part. All of us would, really.”

“Is that what you want?”

“No, what I want is for you to be whole and hearty so that I may enjoy your company well in to old age. Look at yourself,” she placed a hand on your chest, “It has taken a toll, despite you giving as good as you have got. Will there be anything left of you in a few years? What will you be giving away next?”

They were legitimate concerns. On the other hand, you doubted that the City would simply let you go so easily. Consider,

>Retiring for good
>Retiring from active service
>the matter unimportant
>Other (write-in)

>>45845503
>the matter unimportant
Not really up to me. I enjoy my job though.

>>45845503
Retiring from active service

>>45845503
>Other (write-in)
Assuming retirement is even an option. I was thinking when the war ends or Teacher finally enacts his big secret plan, whatever that is (he has one right?). Which ever happens first.

semi-retired criminal mastermind and leader of Problem Children sounds nice.

a question for her

Asuka Torikov or Asuka Kudou-Torikov?

>>45845503
>Retiring for good
maybe it's cause I had a bad day at work but quitting sounds nice right about now

>>45845503
>Retiring from active service
Advising on Code M stuff doesn't seem impossible, assuming they even let us retire

Is the quest ending soon or what?

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“Is that a proposition?” you finally asked.

Asuka drew back coyly, finger playing on her lips.

“Is it not your responsibility to provide both ring and dowry?”

“That’s not the problem though,” you mused, “What you said about retiring from active service might be the best option. Kyril Torikov, Code M consultant, how does that sound to you?”

“Respectable, at the very least,” she answered, “But I suppose my sixteenth birthday is still some ways away so in the mean time let us concern ourselves with the more immediate future.”

“Can’t argue with that,” you smiled and leaned in.

The time is now evening, the weather is now cooler, and the date remains unchanged.

Nayuta had not called so you assumed that you were free for the rest of the day. To assuage your worries, you were visiting your mother, hoping that Last Order had come home safely. Asuka was with you, obviously, and in your hands was a bit of dinner as well. A good thing too, since Last Order had commandeered the kitchen table and most of the kitchen as well to work on her new science project. Your mother was most grateful when you had arrived to do some heavy lifting.

“How did it go onii-san says Misaka says Misaka as she enquires about onii-san’s date.”

“Shush you,” your mother admonished, “Bad enough that you take up all the space in the kitchen, don’t pry in to your brother’s love life too much.”

“I certainly do not mind it,” Asuka smile.

“A gentleman does not kiss and tell,” your mother said, “Girls talk on the other hand.”

“As you say Mrs. Torikov,” Asuka conceded, “Now, what do you say to some coq-au-vin.”

You were about to agree to it when you were rudely interrupt by Nayuta’s call. She had need of you tomorrow to deal with,

>A riot
>A committee

>>45846485
>A committee

>>45846485
>A committee
I don't think we're allowed to shoot either one

>>45846485
>A committee

>>45846485
>A committee

I wonder what the Touman is up to?

probably obliviously adding to his harem

File: Anti-Skill building.png (1.98 MB, 1912x1080)

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The time is late morning, the weather is foggy, and the date is now February 11.

A committee was something new for you. It wasn’t exactly something you could shoot either so that drastically curtailed the amount of options you had to deal with them. Unsurprisingly, both Kaoru and Kongou were present. They were considered part of Judgement Branch Office 48 and their presence was required for the inquest. Nayuta had stressed that there was no need to be worried. That said, she had requested your presence as VERDICT so that meant wearing the helmet. With the time you had, you marvelled at how it folded up and around your head from a slot around the base of your neck.

“So what’s the deal here?” you asked Nayuta as soon as you had arrived.

“Officially? This is an internal affairs investigation, looking at how your secret identity was leaked,” Nayuta answered, “Unofficially, they’re going to bust our balls and see what we’re going to do to in the future, and hopefully to improve.”

“And if they don’t like what they’re hearing?”

Nayuta didn’t raise an eyebrow, indicating that she probably knew what you were thinking.

“Worried about obsolescence?”

“Well you’re not far off the mark there,” you replied, “I was thinking more of retirement.”

Your boss sighed.

“Well it was going to come up eventually,” she said, “I don’t think odds are good that they would let you go completely, nii-chan. Not with your history.”

“I was thinking more about active duty,” you clarified, “I mean after I train up my replacement of course.”

“Ah, that might work,” Nayuta nodded, “Just don’t get your hopes up nii-chan.”

As the clock strike eleven sharp, the Inquest of Judgement Branch Office 48 began. They had tough questions, mainly for you and Nayuta. Namely, they asked the both of you what you were thinking, letting a former criminal and hostile Code M free and in to your employ.

>Defend your decision (write-in)
>Admit to the mistake
>Say nothing, let Nayuta talk

>>45847748
>Defend your decision (write-in)
"I thought his abilities would be of use. Especially for objectives that require a more subtle approach."


still should have shot him though.

>>45847748
>Admit to the mistake
It's a bit like turning a former thief into a weapon against code m. It worked pretty well with me but I wasn't so lucky with Etzali.

>>45847748
The rational part of my brain was outvoted by the retarded part.
yes I'm still butthurt at you guys about it

>>45847748
>>Admit to the mistake
yeah we fucked up

>>45847748
>Admit to the mistake
If we can add something that says that it wasn't without the possibility of reward that'd be nice.

“I’ll admit I was following a terrible example,” you admitted, “I mean turning a former thief in to a weapon against Code M worked pretty well, but I guess Etzali didn’t work out.”

“Likely because the rational part of your brain was outvoted,” Kaoru interjected.

That deserved a laugh before the old fuddy-duddies called for order.

“Obviously he wasn’t chosen just for his abilities,” you continued, “He was obviously more subtle than I was and he had an in with the kind of crowd that I could never infiltrate.”

“Answer the question,” one of the committee members asked, “Was your decision to employ him a mistake or not.”

You let silence reign for a few moments before replying,

“Yeah, we fucked up.”

“Thank you. We shall reconvene in fifteen minutes after going through the facts as they were presented. In the mean time, think on what you shall be doing to make up for this. We hope to hear your answer when we return.”

When the adults filed out, Nayuta let out a breath. Then she got on your case immediately,

“You didn’t need to do that nii-chan.”

“But it was so funny,” you said sarcastically, “And hey, maybe my flippant attitude will make them more amenable to a replacement.”

“I doubt it,” Kaoru interjected again.

“Well, at least Kaoru-chan’s lightening up,” Nayuta at least looked for the silver lining, “They’re probably more interested in inhuming you if that’s what’s needed.”

“Well I’ll leave the speaking to you then,” you told her.

Nayuta sighed again. The committee reassembled shortly. Of course, being Branch Office Head, she took it on the chin and proceeded to pitch the idea of iterating on Project VERDICT. She had pointed out that as a prototype you were not without quirks and flaws and the lessons learned from your failures could be applied to the next iteration. Given that the concept of cyborg capable of dealing with Code M was clearly proven, that was the only logical step forward.

[1/2]

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>>45849157
“And what of the prototype?” a committee member asked.

“While he’s taken some major damage, he should still be reasonably effective for the next decade or so, assuming no catastrophic failures between now and then. In fact, his experience would be valuable in training both conventional and special forces on combating Code M.”

Nayuta’s longwinded answer deliberately punctuated the session on a positive note. Once again, she let out a breath as the inquest was concluded. The four of you walked out together in silence but it was Kongou who finally broke it,

“So how shall we handle the press?”

Nayuta’s mouth puckered up as if she had sucked on a lemon. While the various news networks had finished running stories about you, commentators and other such opinionated blowhards were now having a go. Of course you were going to,

>Handle it yourself
>Let someone else handle it (who?)
>Lay low, creep a while
>Other (write-in)

>>45849195
>Lay low, creep a while

>>45849195
>Lay low, creep a while

>>45849195
>Lay low, creep a while

I hope the city has a good retirement plan, like with benefits or a 401k

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Given your experiences with the press and public relations in general, you were disinclined to deal with it again. Thus your insistence,

“Fuck no.”

Kongou turned her gaze on your boss. A silent conversation was carried out between them as Nayuta shook her head, eliciting a sigh from your nominal secretary. Your plan was simply to ride it out since there was no point in trying to prevent gossip. Convincing the public at large that you were first and foremost a defender of the City was going to be just as hard given the leaked footage of you circulating around the web. Half of those were by Nayuta of course but that really didn’t stop people from digging out and reconstructing whatever snippets they had.

“Not even a statement?” Kongou asked.

Unspoken were the words, “surely you could do that much at least.”

“If anyone asks, I’m considering retirement,” you replied simply.

“And I would hope that no one would attempt to follow in his footsteps,” Kaoru said.

“Well that’s certainly not what everyone is going to be asking about,” Nayuta pulled out tablet, “They’re more interested in your love life right now.”

It wasn’t like you were hiding or anything but people clearly recognised and filmed you while you were having a private conversation with Asuka. Kongou seemed to redden whilst Kaoru looked at you with disappointed eyes. As far as the writers were concerned, they weren’t letting facts get in the way of a good story.

“Oh come on,” your boss huffed, “I’m totally not his forbidden love child.”

“Being born out of wedlock is nothing to be ashamed of,” Kaoru unhelpfully added, “The pertinent question is who do they believe to be the mother?”

Your emphatic gestures seemed to get through to Kongou.

Episode end. Interludes are
>False Flagging
>Sucker’s Bet

>>45850049
>Sucker’s Bet

>>45850049
>Sucker’s Bet
Sure, why not.

>>45850049
>Sucker’s Bet

You were furious. Hours of work and free time and not only was your investigation meaningless, you weren’t the one who had exposed him in the first place. Not that you, Shirai Kukoko, had a problem with the REMFs in forensics but having your potential chef d’oeuvre stolen from you was quite infuriating. It wasn’t like VERDICT had the best of disguises. His excuses were paper thin at best. Due to a technicality, Kyril Torikov clearly could not be VERDICT. You were so close to nailing him too.

“ARGH!”

“There, there, Shirai-san,” Uiharu was trying to comfort you.

It wasn’t really much comfort when you saw Konori-senpai pass your colleague a fiver when they thought you weren’t looking earlier.

“I’ll be fine Uiharu,” you lied.

Thankfully onee-sama chose that moment to arrive, no doubt to cheer you up. Oh, and Saten showed up as well. Then you noticed that onee-sama was rather distraught. She needed a hug you decided. The subsequent electrocution was just a minor cost of doing business. You were surprised to learn that she was concerned with that ruffian, Torikov.

“It’s different this time Kuroko,” she said, “Uiharu, show her.”

There was an inpatient form from a familiar hospital shown on Uiharu’s desktop. It was Torikov’s. The words were clinical, noting how much blood he had lost, among the various injuries he sustained. Uiharu even pulled up previous hospital records. It seemed Torikov had more than just a history of violence. There was a real litany of grievous and life-threatening injuries to be read, assuming the reports were accurate. Then another thought struck you. You felt your heart torn in two as you turned to onee-sama.

“You knew,” you stated.

She grimaced.

“Since New Year’s Eve,” she admitted.

Uiharu passed Saten a fiver. Both you and onee-sama glared at thm.

“What?” Saten asked, “It was a sucker’s bet.”

Uiharu grumbled something uncharitable.

>False Flagging
>Kingsmoot

>>45850411
>Kingsmoot

>>45850411
>False Flagging

>>45850411
>False Flagging

>>45850411
>False Flagging

The shouts of incredulity and jealousy had echoed through the halls of a Certain High School. You, Kamijou Touma, certainly had the worst luck. Tucked inside your shoe locker was an envelope of high quality. This was what people would no doubt call a love letter, let alone the fact that you hadn’t even read it yet. Bad enough that there was gossip going around after you had been spotted with VERDICT and Carissa. There weren’t a lot of nice words on the internet.

Surely enough, when you had had the chance to read it privately, the contents were mildly alarming, just not in the way you hoped. Well, you were pretty sure Carissa was firmly in the monogamy camp, unlike that crazy bint Kyril had for a girlfriend. Maybe it was the other way around and Kyril was her bitch? You dismissed the thought since the letter wasn’t even about you in the first place. It was about Kyril, and it was from another girl. She was from his class, down the hall, though the timing was suspect.

Kyril was reported dead long ago and while he was hiding in plain sight, he didn’t really seem to advertise the name of his new identity too much either. Of course, since this was about him, you decided to ask him how he wanted to deal with it. He was probably busy when he told you that he trusted you to handle. Obviously he was up to no good, or at least the City was, given that they made him do their dirty work. Still, it wasn’t hard to meet up with the girl and explain that her long time crush was dead.

What you did not expect was the goddamn Accelerator. He looked strangely happy to see you. His presence at the side of Suzushina Yuriko was even more alarming. You didn’t even want to know how the two of them shacked up but it was obviously not your business.

“Long time no see,” the First-Ranked Level 5 smiled.

You could only reply with,

“Fukou da.”

>Kingsmoot
>Secretariat

>>45850736
>Kingsmoot

>>45850736
>Kingsmoot

>>45850736
>Secretariat

>>45850736
>Secretariat

Rolled 2 (1d2)

A tie at the last minute, and we were doing so well too.

1. Kingsmoot
2. Secretariat

Your father had been vehement in his request to have you transferred out. Unfortunately for him, and fortunately for you, that could only happen if you requested it, or that your direct superior had. Since neither you, nor your superior, had a problem with the current arrangement, nothing had happened. It wouldn’t stop your father from being overly-insistent however. He was afraid that you would get mixed in to that dreadful VERDICT business. It was with no small amount of glee to inform him that you were already involved seeing as your sentence had involved VERDICT from the start. At least he still hadn’t known the real severity of your crime.

You were Kongou Mitsuko, and you didn’t back down especially when you have given your word. Surely your father should be able to respect that at least. You had read the medical forms. They had gone on in great detail the price VERDICT, or rather Kyril Torikov, paid to keep the City safe. Honestly, you weren’t surprised at all. As far as you could remember, neither one was ever seen together. It was usually one or the other, and it did neatly explain his actions when you had visited his charming friend Kyousuke. It also explained how your dear friend Kudou Asuka was able to move on and pull herself out of her depression.

You predicted that there was trouble on the horizon. He had made headlines and leaks of his identity were being paired with scraps of footage that you would rather not see. You knew what he was capable of but to see displayed for all to see. To be judged without the context in which he acted was contemptible to the extreme. As the only thing you could do, you began to list counterpoints to the various arguments. While you were sure Torikov-san could deal with the press, some help would not be unappreciated in the matter. Luckily for you, the inquest on Sunday meant that you were guaranteed to see him then.

>>45851121
Interludes end.
https://twitter.com/BoredofDirector
Foreign affairs. VERDICT sure has some nice friends. Ready to revel? When writefag and /tg/ meet, the story begins.
I’m off to take a shower and shall be back to answer questions.

>>45851142
How much of Kyril is robotic now? Everything but his head and torso?

>>45851372
Just the rebuilt area on his left side and the new built in helmet. The rest is either a prosthetic, synthetically reinforced, or fully flesh.

>>45851142
thanks for running