Man, who'd think that doing summer homework could be so exhausting! Times like these make me wish I was an anime character! Which anime? I'm not sure. But I know we've all been there and dreamt that!

Anyway, today I present the newest chapter in the "Lustful Symbol" saga! This is a little story arc I dreamt up. It takes place sometime before this stories beginnings. But enough talk, let's see what happens!

Ch. 4 "Protect; Believe in Me"

"How is it?"

"The ramen's spectacular Ichika! Thanks!"

"Umm, Ichika?"

"Huh? What is it Houki?"

"You and Chifuyu-san both told me I could stay here for the summer. But, explain to me why the hell Charlotte is here!"

I guess Houki doesn't like the fact that she's not the only girl staying with me this summer. Me and Char both talked to Chifuyu about it a few days before break. I asked her if Char could stay here for the summer. I told Char when I first found out who she really was, I was gonna protect her secret. Hearing my reason, Chifuyu agreed to the request stating that I "already saved her." I guess she's referring to the events on July 17th, the day she was almost taken from us.

(Flashback: July 15th)

It all started about a week after we stopped the Silver Gospel's rampage. I was doing some late night training against Houki's Akatsubaki with my improved Byakushiki Setsura. I had to test it on Houki, since mine and hers are the only 2 4th generation IS's in existence. Just as she was about to lunge at me with her IS's Karaware, I activated my Double Ignition Boost to dodge her attack and come at her with my Yukihara, knocking her off her feet.

"Kyaaah! Ichika! That was reckless of you! I could've been seriously hurt!"

"Relax Houki, I've got the hang of it now. Regardless, you think you got the hang of your Akatsubaki?"

"Y-yeah, it's starting to get easier to use it."

"Alright, I guess that's it for today."

After changing in the locker room, I just proceeded to my room like usual. Nothing really exciting has happened since the Silver Gospel incident. I guess that's pretty good, but still, it gets pretty boring here after a while.

"I told you, the answer is no!"

"Huh?"

I hid around the corner in one of the dorm's hallways. I overheard Char talking to someone on her cellphone. She seemed really…..worried. Curious, I listened in and tried to find out what was up.

"I don't regret anything that I did! Okay? I tried to accomplish the mission, but….. Even so, you can't bring me back for blowing cover!"

"Blowing cover? Is she-?"

"This conversation's done! Over and out! (Phone beeps) geez!"

Oh crap she's heading this way! Okay just calm down Ichika, play it cool.

"Ooommppphh. Oh sorry. Huh? Ichika?"

"Oh Char! Sorry. Here, let me help you up."

"Oh, arigato. Ummm."

"Is something wrong?"

"Did you…overhear my conversation on the phone?"

"Huh? Uuuummm no, not at all. Ahahaha."

"Oh, well okay. Uumm, good night!'

She just ran off without a word. And that look on her face, something was definitely going on. Was the person she was talking to her father? It could be. I mean her voice was trembling. Oh man, if he found out about what happened, Char's as good as dead. Well,nothing I can do for her right now. I'm exhausted from training today. Guess I'll just sleep in my room.

"Finally! You're here at last!"

"LAURA? WHAT THE- HOW THE HELL DID YOU GET IN HERE AGAIN?"

(July 16th, 8:00 AM)

We've got the day of today since its Saturday. I guess I should check on Char. She seemed pretty worried last night. I headed to her room to check on her. Just as I was about to knock on the door, it swung open with Char running out of it.

"WWWHHHHAAAAAa- Ow. Hey Char is somethi- guh, guh, guh….."

What the heck? She's naked! Oh crap. This ain't good. She's clutching me pretty tightly.

"Uh Char? Do you mind letting me go?"

"NO, NO I WON'T LET GO! I DON'T WANNA LEAVE! I WANNA STAY!"

"Wanna…stay? Wait, hold on. What do you mean by that?"

"Ichika, he found out."

"What?"

"My father found out about me exposing my identity."

"What? How?"

"I don't…."

She started crying in my arms. I could tell that she wasn't kidding. She didn't call me a pervert this entire time. If she's not commenting on that, then I know something's up. I pulled her off me and walked her into her room. I wrapped a blanket around her so she'd cover up.

"Okay, tell me what happened."

(Charlotte)

I came clean to Ichika about what happened. Somehow, my father managed to get some moles on the inside, keeping watch over my progress while I was at the Academy. Apparently, when they discovered that I exposed my true identity, they reported to my father, who was furious with it.

(July 15, 8:15 PM)

"Hmm? A call? Hello?"

"How could you?"

"Huh? Dad? What are you-"

"You were given specific orders. Your goal was to infiltrate IS Academy and learn the piloting secrets of Ichika Orimura, while under the alias Charles Dunois. Yet 3 weeks ago, you revealed your identity. What do you have to say for yourself?"

"I-uhhh…"

"Regardless, I'll need to send a new insider now to get close to him. You shall return to France immediately."

"What? You can't do that!"

"Oh no? Don't forget who got you in there in the first place. You leave tomorrow morning. I've arranged passage to-"

"No."

"What did you just say?"

"I told you, the answer is no!"

"You had better take that back you little parasite. You've deliberately failed the mission! Do you have no regret of what you did?"

"I don't regret anything that I did! Okay? I tried to accomplish the mission, but-"

"Tried to accomplish it? Oh please. You're as incompetent as any other IS pilot, regardless of family relations!"

"Well then, guess you don't need me anymore. So go burn in hell."

"Wait! Don't you dare!"

"This conversation's done! Over and out! (Phone beeps)"

(July 16th, 7:30 AM)

(Phone rings)

"What is it? I told you I'm not-"

"I'm arriving in Japan."

"Wha-"

"I'm going to take you from the Academy, regardless of your desires."

"But-but-"

"Did you really think that I would give up? You think too small. That is why I never considered you my child. Not at all. You will soon be back in my possession, Subject N-37."

"How dare you-how dare you call me by that name!"

"I'll be arriving in 3 hours. You have that much time to say your goodbyes."

"No wait! Don't hang up! KKKuhhhh, KYYYAAAA!"

"WWWHHHHAAAAAa- Ow. Hey Char is somethi- guh, guh, guh….. Uh Char? Do you mind letting me go?"

"NO, NO I WON'T LET GO! I DON'T WANNA LEAVE! I WANNA STAY!"

"Wanna…stay? Wait, hold on. What do you mean by that?"

(Ichika)

My heart sank. Char, the person I could relate to the most, relating to her about our horrible childhoods, was about to be taken.

"If I don't go, my father will attack the Academy. He'll do anything to get what he wants."

"I don't believe this."

"Ichika, thank you. You, Houki, Laura, and the others, you made my time here memorable. My time here has been the happiest moments of my life. Kyyuh"

I can't stand it, seeing her cry.

"So, I'll g-"

"Don't you dare!"

"Huh?"

"Don't you dare…finish that sentence! It's not over yet!"

"But Ichika-"

"Char, I told you when you came clean about your identity; I told you to put your trust in me, that I'd protect you no matter what!"

"Ichika…."

"I'm gonna ask you again: do you trust me?"

"Y-yes. Of course."

"Then leave it to me. I'll make sure you stay put! You're not alone. I'll stick by you no matter what!"

"Oh Ichika. Mhhm, thank you. Thank you Ichika!"

(11:00 AM)

We all stood at the entrance of the Academy, there to support Char. Everyone from Class 1: Maya-sense, Chifuyu, Houki, Cecilia, Laura, even Rin showed up from Class 2. I told her she wasn't alone. This was the proof.

"Greetings, Ms. Chifuyu."

There he was coming towards us. The one who haunts Char's dreams, the one who plans to take her away. The CEO of the Dunois Industry, Rafael Dunois, Char's father. I'll be damned if this bastard is gonna take Char away.

"Now, if you would please hand the girl over to me."

As the demon draws closer, the white lily awaits her inevitable doom. How far will the knight go to save the lily from the fate that awaits her? Next chapter: "Guardian, Thy Name is Ichika!"

Hope you guys like this little story arc coming up. Comment and rate this fanfic if you please. Thank you guys!