Hey guys LoudPindrop here and this is my first ever fanfic on this site, so please try not to violate too much lol.
That said, I am open to fair criticism as long as it's constructive.
I do not own any part of Infinite Stratos. All rights go to their respective owners. Only the OCs are mine.
Now on to the story!
To say that Ichika was nervous at the moment had to be the understatement of the century.
He was sitting in the middle of an all-girls classroom, in an all-girls school, with everyone staring directly at him.
"What the hell did I do to get myself into this mess?" he muttered, anxiety etched upon his face.
Your one of the only dudes in the world who can operate an IS. Right. How could I forget? It's what brought me here in the first place. He thought to himself.
But still! You would have thought the girls would show at least a little empathy for my situation here! Part of him exclaimed as the girls glared on with mixed emotions of wonder, lust, and hatred displayed in the sea of eyes around him.
Shortly after, the door opened up and a fair woman with short green hair and glasses walked in.
"Welcome! I am Maya Yamada, your homeroom teacher!"
She then went on to talk about the IS academy with gusto along with a short intro into the IS's history, but Ichika was paying little attention what with all the distractions around him.
"Okay Orimura you're up!" Miss Yamada said cheerfully, snapping Ichika out of his stupor.
Great here goes. He got up and started shaking slightly and perspiring. He looked over to Houki, his childhood friend, but she just looked away when she saw him staring.
What got her mad? He wondered, before proceeding to gulp and stammer "Ichika O-Orimura n-nice to meet all of you!"
The rest of the class just proceeded to stare at him in silence.
Oh what should I say? If I say nothing else, they will think I'm a weird and depressing guy. He reasoned.
Before he could gather his courage, the door came down with a crash as someone kicked it down.
Two guys stood in the doorway in- wait were those school uniforms?
The whole class was as quiet as a morgue, but Ichika's mind was racing at these new developments wait-so I am not the only guy who can pilot an IS? I mean, I heard the rumors that there were a pair of American dudes who could, but I thought they were just that-rumors.
This is amazing! He thought starting to grin. Now all the pressure and attention won't be on me! I'm saved!
The dude who kicked the door down was about 5'8'' with flaming red hair and an earring in his right ear. Ichika noted that he was also pretty buff with light skin and a fierce look in his light brown eyes that somehow looked out of place with his easygoing grin. He looked pretty tough, like one of those teen guys you didn't mess with in the American movies Ichika saw when he was little. To Ichika, it almost seemed like he was enjoying the attention a bit, while still trying to look a bit bored at the same time.
His companion was even taller: around 6 feet with short black hair and a black balaclava face mask that went up past his nose. He was a bit slighter than his buddy and with tanner skin. He seemed much calmer than his energetic friend, but his eyes told a different tale. They were brown almost looking black and constantly moving, measuring, calculating. Ichika sensed that this guy was every bit as tough as his companion-maybe even more so.
Muttering started breaking out across the class too. Ichika only caught snippets of the whispering.
"…who are those two?"
"They look soo hot."
"I heard America was training two male IS pilots, they called them the last hope for mankind, or men that is." The girl behind Ichika commented.
"Some hope that is." Her friend snickered.
The class went quiet again when the pair of newcomers started to speak. The shorter guy looked up to his tall companion and said "So this is it huh? Best IS academy in the world? Sure doesn't look like much to me." Ignoring the gasps and pointed glares the girls in the class began to give him.
The tall guy looked back indifferently and said in a lower voice "We have our orders, you know what happens if we don't comply."
"Yeah, yeah the instructors kick our assess and we probably get shipped off to the Alaska base as punishment." The shorter guy rolled his eyes. "Gotta love good old fashioned black mail."
"They knew we would take this choice anyway, the advantages are obviously in our favor." The taller guy stated.
"Hmph" his companion grunted folding his arms.
Miss Yamada seemed to come to her senses at that moment, cleared her throat and said "Will the new American Representative Contenders please introduce themselves to the class?"
The taller of the two looked out to the class "You can call me Axel" and sat down at the nearest empty seat much to the disappointment of the girls, who definitely wanted to hear more.
"Smooth moves ladysman!" His friend commented sarcastically. "Now you put frowns on all their faces! Its ok girls. No need to get worked up over Mr.I'mwaytooserious there now that I'm here. My name is Tycho Rarns, the future best IS pilot in the world, and it's nice to meet all of you!
Well someone certainly has a lot of energy Ichika noted as Tycho took his seat next to Axel.
Ichika silently thanked whatever god was up there when the recess bell rang. Okay let's review: Is my sister that I barely see any more my teacher? Check. Am I completely incapable of understanding any of the material? Check. He looked up from the desk and saw the crowd of girls from other classes that ogled Tycho, Axel, and himself. Looked at like some kind of alien? Check. This completely sucks he thought as he sighed and rested his head back on the desk.
"Hey saddo" Ichika looked up and saw Tycho leaning against a nearby wall with Axel, with whom he was formerly speaking to.
"Yeah what is it Tycho?"
"Nothing actually, I tried to think of a motivational speech to give to you, but I'm not exactly an expert at that sort of thing so I thought you'd just appreciate the manly company."
"Gee thanks" Ichika replied.
"Ichika. Success is determined by technique, commitment, and determination. A little luck always helps too. Never forget that."
"Wow Axel. It isn't like you to give out free advice. What's up buddy?" said Tycho
"…I don't know, I hope I'm not turning all sentimental all of a sudden" replied Axel
Ichika immediately felt better "Thanks guys I feel loads better right now" he said with a smile
"Yeah, well hate to burst your bubble kid but it won't last long" Tycho snickered as he pointed to a blond classmate that was headed their way with a look of fierce determination on her face.
"I need to speak with you three for a bit" she ordered in a British-sounding accent.
"I am always up for talking with a beautiful lady" Tycho said easily with a barely concealed smirk.
"This isn't a social call!" The blonde insisted, blush spreading to her cheeks.
"What I would like to know is why after all the years where IS male piloting was thought to be impossible, three male IS pilots show up together in the span of a few months! And why you" she turned to Ichika "are so horrible at basic piloting theory and why you two" turning now to Axel and a smirking Tycho "recently were announced as male pilots when clearly you've had several months training!"
"So which do you want answered first?" asked Axel.
"Start wherever you like." said the blond. "I'm Cecilia Alcott by the way Britain's Representative Contender, a pleasure."
"Hmm start wherever you like, I might take you up on that later." Tycho said with a wink.
Cecilia went beet red as she looked away and exclaimed "Ugh! Why must men be such pigs?"
Tycho's face grew serious "Well, two of your questions essentially have the same answer. Axel and I made it very clear to the people we were working with that we did not have any interest in unwanted media attention during basic training or we'd defect to another country. As for why Ichika sucks at basic piloting theory." He turned to Ichika "Why do you suck at piloting theory again?"
"It's probably cause he didn't get a course by top IS pilot instructors to gear him up for contending before he came to this school genius." said Axel
"…Oh right. But a lot of girls here have no prior experience"
"They read the manual"
The bell sounded then and Ichika and the others returned to their seats for class.
What a day. I'm beat. Thought Ichika as he headed to his new room as he reflected on a very tiring day both physically and mentally.
He hoped he could room with Tycho and Axel. Despite their…unique attitudes, Ichika felt more comfortable around them, but apparently they got pulled out of school the moment class was over. Ichika wasn't sure exactly what it was, Tycho said something about a situation that happened back in the states and that they were being called to deal with it for a few days. A chopper came to pick them up after class and they took off amidst a crowd of tearful girls.
Oh well, more space for me I guess. He reasoned. Still though, I hope the girls don't harass me too much now that I am the only guy left on campus.
He entered room 1025, and saw a fairly spacious room with two beds. It looked well-lit, clean, and comfortable.
As he set his stuff down he noticed a sound he didn't hear before: the sound of running water. The sound ceased as a voice came through from the bathroom
"Oh hey so your my new roommate. Give me a minute, I was just showering I'm coming out to greet yah." the girl called.
Shit! I'm not alone? I'm sharing with a girl! Whose bright idea was this? He quickly scanned the room for a place to hide. Finding no suitable hiding place, he knew his best course of action would be to just leave and come back into the room after the girl finished changing. Before he got a chance to step to the door, the girl came out of the bathroom with nothing but a pink bath towel on.
Ichika's faced flushed red as he saw the beautiful and curvaceous form before him.
You can't be serious...I'm dreaming…if that's who I think it is… he stared in disbelief as the girl continued:
"My name is Houki Shinonono" she said tossing her hair back before she looked at Ichika with confusion and shock evident on her face.
"I-Ichika!" she stammered turning red.
With his face completely red, all Ichika managed was a nervous"Uh-huh"
Ichika then ran out of the room as Houki reached for her practice kendo blade in pursuit.
This school really is out to get me huh Ichika thought as he settled in his seat for class the next day. Eventually, Houki calmed down after the series of events last night and seemed a tad bit less angry at the breakfast table this morning.
Who would have thought Chifuyu was also the dorm supervisor: kind of like a resident adviser for the freshmen. No wonder she barely came home to see us Ichika contemplated.
He detached himself from those thoughts as Ms. Orimura spoke up "Alright class, in two weeks from today's date you will be asked to choose your representative for the class tournament. A representative attends student council, committee, and tournament meetings. I will now take nominations."
"I'd like to nominate Tycho!" squealed a girl in the back of the room.
"Ugh! No Axel for class leader!" shouted another girl.
Arguing broke out across the classroom and continued until a very distinct voice yelled "SILENCE!"
The whole class went quiet as Chifuyu sighed and looked up at the ceiling like she was wondering how the class could be so thick at times.
"Look, due to complicated circumstances, I'm afraid both Tycho and Axel are disqualified from being class reps." said Ms. Orimura to the shock of the female population.
"But why?" said one girl.
"Oh darn" said another.
"Because for one they aren't present at the moment to accept or reject the nominations. They also informed me that due to their responsibilities, it would be hard for them to carry out their duties as both reps and candidates." said Ms. Orimura. "Rest assured though, if they can, they agreed to participating in the class tournament regardless, although not representing their class, but under their own separate category."
"Well can we nominate Orimura then?" asked one girl timidly.
"I don't see why not. If there are no other nominations. He will be elected without question." Chifuyu pointed out.
"Well I for one will not stand for this nonsense!" Cecilia exclaimed as she got up from her desk.
"We are nominating boys for this? I will not just sit by and allow myself, Cecilia Alcott, to stand such humiliation for an entire school year! Just this country's under-developed level of culture gives me enough pain already. Oh the agony!"
Ichika got up now, faced her with a serious expression on his face and shot back "Yeah? Well England doesn't have many great things to offer either. How many times has it won worst-cuisine award?"
Cecilia's mouth hanged open, like she couldn't believe what he was saying before she said "We English have many delicious dishes how dare you insult my country!"
Isn't that what you just did to mine? Thought Ichika, determined not to back down.
After a delicate pause, Cecilia pointed at him and shouted "This calls for a duel!"
"Fine by me!" said Ichika
"And if you even think about losing on purpose I will make you my servant-no, I will make you my slave!"
"How much handicap?" asked Ichika curiously.
"Huh? Are you asking me for favors already?" Cecilia asked with a bit of a smile on her face.
"No I'm asking you how much of a handicap I should give you."
Laughter rolled through the classroom like thunder at his remark, as Cecilia just looked at him dumbfounded.
"He's joking isn't he?" said one girl.
"People say that if men and women had a war, it wouldn't last three days" said another.
"You know a real woman might still give you that handicap if you ask nicely" commented a girl with glasses in the middle of the class.
"And a real man never backs down on his word, I'll pass."
Ms. Orimura looked at the discussion with a smirk as she said "It's decided! Alcott, Orimura prepare yourselves for the upcoming duel. We will use arena three, which will be available this Monday. "
Houki could only stare at her childhood friend, wondering if he had made one of the stupidest decisions of his life.
Alright that's all for now! I would like to know how I did, so please review!
Also, I was wondering if I should do any possible parings/love interests for Tycho and Axel so please leave feedback on that as well.
I will be back with a new chapter as soon as I can.