This chapter is a break from all the drama that was present in the past three chapters...I will officially start the High School Arc next chapter, and I will also offer some flashback in order to show Setsura's abilities and Ichika's life after he was resurrected...
I'll be working on Ichika Secret Princess next, and I would update White Knight and Family next month...
I'll be focusing on my Pokemon fics this month...
ENJOY AND REVIEW AS USUAL...
Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei: I.S Style
CHAPTER FOUR: BEFORE OUR LIFE BEGINS A NEW
Disclaimer: I don't own IS: Infinite Stratos OR Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei but I own this fiction and any other OC's in this story
ITALIC: THOUGHTS
BOLD: MOVEMENTS
(Preface)
Magic.
It is a product of neither legends nor fairy tales, but instead has become a technology of reality since time unknown to people.
The first verifiable record dates back to AD1999.
The incident, in which police officers possessing special powers stopped a nuclear act of terror carried out by a fanatic group in order to fulfill the prophecy of destroying humanity, became the first verifiable case of magic in modern times.
Initially, that unusual ability was termed "Supernatural Power". An ability that was present in a person as a result of a purely inherent, sudden mutation, whose systematization as a technology which could be spread among the masses was thought to be an impossible thing.
That was an erroneous thought.
Through the research of "Supernatural Power" by influential nations of both the East and West, the existence of people who were imparted "Magic" was gradually made public. It became possible to reproduce "Supernatural Power" through "Magic".
Of course, talent is required to do that. However, only those who are blessed with a high aptitude can attain a mastery that can put them at a professional level, just like any who possess ability in the fine arts or sciences.
Supernatural power became a technology systematized through magic, while magic became a technical skill. A "Supernatural Power User" became a "Magic Technician".
Powerful Magic Technicians who are capable of suppressing even nuclear weapons are powerful weapons to a country.
At the end of the 21st century — in the year 2095, the various nations of the world which are far from unified are locked in a race to nurture Magic Technicians.
Affiliated with the National University of Magic, First High School.
It is an upper level magic institution known to send in the largest number of graduates to the National University of Magic every year.
At the same time, it is also an elite school that churns out the largest number of excellent Magic Technicians (in short, Magicians).
With regards to magic education, there is no official stance on providing an equal opportunity in education.
This country does not have the luxury to do so.
Above that, childish idealistic debates on the clear disparity that exists between the capable and the incapable are not tolerated.
Thoroughly talent-driven.
Harshly competence-oriented.
That's the world of magic.
In this school where only elites are accepted, right at the start of enrollment, the students are already divided into high achievers and low achievers.
Even if two individuals are both freshmen, they are not necessarily equal.
Even if they are blood-related siblings.
(Chapter 4: The Calm Before the Upcoming Storm)
It really was a mysterious area. No, to be exact, the area was laboratory/workshop that has practically everything a team of scientists, chemists, architects, engineers, inventors, programmers, and mineralogists would need for their daily projects.
"I can't accept this!"
"You're still going on about that...?"
Inside of this laboratory/workshop, we find two individuals, very different from each other yet very similar at the same time.
Standing over the door with a slightly outrage expression was a girl fourteen-years of age. Yet those who look at her will not call her a girl because of the raw beauty that she possesses. In fact, those who look at her would call her a lady instead of a girl because of her sheer beauty. She was so beautiful, very beautiful with a body well develop for her age which complements her stunning look. With long, silky white hair that would put diamonds to shame, and with brilliant blue eyes that would match or even outclass any kind sapphire regardless of quality, and with matching pale and smooth skin; anyone with a working set of eyes, men or women, gay or lesbian, would be stunned and awed by just being in the same room as her.
Sitting in front of the terminal, across the beautiful lady was, at most, an average looking boy, fifteen years of age. Though he was average, he has some features that can be describe as unique. With a pair of deep and piercing dark crimson eyes and ebony black hair as dark as the pitch black night with red highlights, and couple with his lean yet train body, people would often overlook his average looks and would merely focus on his very unique features.
The boy was looking at the lady with a very tender look, and admiration was evident in the lady's eyes, regardless of her frustrated expression.
"Onii-sama, why are you a reserve? Didn't you top the entrance exams? Normally speaking, the one who should become the representative of the freshmen should be you instead of me!"
The main difference between them was that they look completely different, with no resemblance whatsoever. Surprisingly, they are siblings.
"Putting aside the question of where you got hold of the entrance exam results... since this is a Magic High School, it's obvious that they'd place more emphasis on practical magic skills rather than paper tests, right? Setsura-hime, you are well aware of my practical abilities, aren't you? Though I'm quite surprised that I even got accepted here as a Course 2 student, and I am even more surprise that the Emperor and Orimura-sama allowed me to enter high school." The boy said, his eyes not leaving his little sister's frame, yet his hands were still moving in superhuman speed, manually entering several hundred lines of codes for every second, and creating sophisticated programs every five seconds. This speaks volumes of his skills with the computer.
"How can you be so unsure of yourself! Even when there's no one who's a match for you in studies and taijutsu! The truth is, even for magic…"
"Setsura-hime!" As he called out his sister's name with an exceptionally strong tone, Setsura recoiled slightly and shut her mouth.
"You understand right? Even if you say that out, it can't be helped. My magic is too dangerous, too volatile to even be considered to use outside of combat, and I still have that bounty over my head. It may not be active in this country anymore, but it is still active in several countries." He said with a rather rueful yet proud smile.
"…I apologize…"
"No apologies needed, my dearest. I'm really happy you feel that way, but you must remember, I already have my run with fame and glory, it's time for you to have yours." He said with a conceding tone.
"Oniisama should really stop speaking like an old man." Setsura joked with a giggle.
Her brother chuckled in return; enjoying her humor even though it was in his expense. "Still, congratulation is in order. You did top the exam by a landslide."
Setsura was taken back at that before smiling. "Did you hack First High Schools database?" Setsura asked with a singsong tone, amuse by one of her brother's eccentric hobby.
"There firewall sucks." He shrugged casually, with a tone that indicated that he had face harder security system before. "Dress up nicely, Setsura-hime, I'll be taking you out for celebration later after I finish designing this OS." He instructed her with a smile, a tone of excitement and fondness evident in his voice.
Setsura was taken aback at this. Since the fiasco three years ago, a fiasco that people called the Bloody Requiem, her brother rarely took her out, unlike the time when her existence was kept a secret. When her existence was still a secret, they usually go out two times a week to just enjoy themselves, but that ended three years ago.
It is not without trying in her brother's part, but he has many responsibilities to tend to because of his many abilities and talens, and there are a lot of women that were trying to get his attention, his mother and her aunt being the most prominent.
Also, her studies intensified when her existence became known by the Royal Family and the Orimura clan. In the country, nobody could match her pedigree, with the blood of the strongest clans of the Japan running through her veins, and her talents in magic was border line divine, evident at the fact that she has seven magical affinities at the tender age of fourteen and possessing two of the country's most deadliest magic, which she perfectly incorporated to create a new brand of magic.
Because of their busy schedule, the two of them, for the past three years, rarely spend quality time with each other. Yes, much to the dismay of Shiroshiki and Chifuyu, they live together in the same house, because both the Emperor and the Orimura head feared that if the environment that they live in change, it will affect their magic, something that must be avoided by all means, and they also sleep in the same bed together, but they rarely spend time together for the sake of having fun for the past three years because of their busy schedule. Yes, they enjoy each other's company and they bonded whenever they are home, they are never too tired to spend time with each other, but Setsura missed the times when her brother just took her out for fun for the sake of having fun.
"You don't have anything in your schedule for today?" Setsura inquired sullenly, hoping that her brother have a clear schedule for the day.
"My schedule is filled for today, and it is filled of me spending the day with you." He stated passionately as he focuses his eyes on his holographic screen, increasing his typing speed from 3000 codes a second to 10000 codes a second.
The guy is a guy of many abnormal and extreme talents. Don't ask, just be thankful that he is not his mother, and he did not inherit any of her talents.
"But before you go, I have a request. Can you wear that lavender sundress I made you last week? It would really suit you." He stated with a smile, and Setsura blush, remembering the most beautiful lavender sundress that her brother made her just last week from materials that he got from India and China.
"Of course Oniisama, let me just freshen up!" Setsura said excitedly as she exited the workshop of her most beloved Oniisama.
He chuckled at his beloved sister before hurriedly finishing his OS. The sooner he finished, the sooner he can spend time with his little sister, though he did allotted a time to look at the name engraved in the corner of his terminal, and smiled as he read his name.
'Byakushiki Ichika.'
(Scene Change)
There are few things that Setsura hated about herself. Her brother taught her many things, one of the most important being is to love herself, the one thing that her beloved Oniisama still can't do. But still, there are some traits that she still hates about herself.
The most prominent being was the fact that she resembled her mother, her mother, the woman who was called the most beautiful woman of Asia during her time. With her looking like the carbon copy of her mother, with Ichika constantly telling her that she looks way better than her, it was customary for her to attract the attention of everyone around her.
Setsura was wearing a beautiful lavender sundress with floral design with matching large brimmed-hat and a white mini coat with a see through sleeves. Both her arms and shoulders were revealed in her summer dress but the shoulders were covered by the mini coat. The length was also above her knees. Her bare legs were matched with a pair of high heeled sandals. It was a private outing so her brother didn't mind all the exposed skin, but as usual, Setsura's fashion was conservative yet daring
Though the sundress revealed a bare minimum of her skin, she was still able to receive a considerable amount of attention, which translates to everybody with working eyes gawking at her.
Setsura was always, slightly uncomfortable with people staring at her. Being telepathic, she can hear the thoughts of everyone around her, and some of the thoughts that she was hearing was not pleasant whatsoever. In fact, some of the thoughts that she was hearing was borderline molestation. She was well aware that some people, especially men, were looking at her like she was just a warm body for sex.
She leaned forward and held her brother closer to her person, drawing comfort that her brother would not let anything happen to her. She can protect herself quite well. She was trained by her brother and by both of her grandfathers, but it was still comforting to know that her brother would protect her in a drop of a hat.
On the other hand, Ichika was wearing a simple white t-shirt with matching jeans, with an open coat that covered his arms. His attire was not as glamorous as his sister, in fact, his attire was so simple that people around them could not help but wonder why such a beautiful girl was clinging on such an average guy.
Both of them were really different in the eyes of those around them, opposites in fact.
On one hand, anyone who sets eyes on the girl will no doubt be captivated by her; ten out of ten people, or even a hundred out of hundred people, or even a thousand out of a thousand will agree that she is a lovely, beautiful girl.
On the other hand, for the elder brother, other than his erect back and piercing eyes, nowhere in his ordinary appearance can be said to be attention-grabbing.
On one hand, the girl was oozing grace and elegance. Yes, she was beautiful, but so does many other faceless people in the crowd. Yes, she has a beautiful body, but so does many other faceless people in the crowd.
Regardless of how beautiful she is, there are those who are more beautiful than her; regardless of how perfectly sculpted her figure is; there are those present who have a more appealing body than her; the reason why she was getting so much attention was not just because of her beauty, a beauty that was not even enhance by make-up.
No, the reason why she was attracting so much attention was because of the way she carried herself and aura that she has. Everything she does, from walking to how she presented herself, to how she wore her clothes screams elegance and grace to the highest degree. She was the type of person who doesn't have to act or force herself to be elegant or graceful, no; she doesn't have to act or force herself. The way she carries herself made everyone think that being graceful and elegant came natural to her, and they were right.
Her aura was also special. She was a powerful magician in her own right, but her aura does not indicate that. Her aura was soothing yet intimidating at the same time. Her aura made her awe inspiring and heartwarming yet terrifying, approachable, yet unreachable.
Those around her may looked at her, but Setsura was not giving them a single glance, as if they did not exist in her dimension. There wasn't even a hint that she was intentionally avoiding everyone around her, aside from her beloved Oniisama. That was how perfectly she rendered them to non-existence.
Byakushiki Setsura projects the perfect appearance of a Queen, carried herself like the perfect noble, and with looks that would put angles to shame. For those normal people, she was the personification of a Goddess.
On other hand, the person that Setsura was clinging on does not present that kind of aura or appearance. He was an average looking guy with an average looking build. The only noteworthy about his appearance was his deep and piercing ruby red eyes that radiate beauty and mystery.
Still, the reason why nobody was approaching or bothering Setsura was because of his presence. It is true that they look like a mismatch couple, but nobody dared to point that out because of the look on the face of Ichika.
He doesn't have an expression on his face, he was totally blank. He wasn't giving a boisterous smirk, he wasn't strutting around like he owned the entire city, he wasn't leering at everyone at the fact that a very beautiful woman was clinging on him, and he wasn't even glaring at the people leering at Setsura. No, he doesn't have an expression on his face, but his eyes say it all.
His pair of piecing and narrow red eyes that would normally terrify everyone and anyone that stares at them has a look of gentleness that would make anyone's heart skip a beat.
Most of the people that look at him wonder how such an average looking guy could have such exotic and brilliant eyes.
And also, the way he carried himself screams danger. His entire body was relax, but was tense enough to spring into action or to react to any danger, and the people around them knew that if provoke, the guy was dangerous.
The guy doesn't have an expression, and having a beautiful girl on your arm will cause anyone to blush like crazy or to turn into an arrogant and smug prick, regardless of gender or sexual preference. Ichika was showing nothing, not even a twitch, and that alone made everyone know what kind of guy he was.
"Strange," Ichika whispered quietly so that only Setsura could hear him. "I thought people have better things to do than gawk like idiots or gape like fish."
"Are they bothering you, Oniisama?"
"Are they bothering you, my Setsura-hime?" Ichika asked calmly, hiding his irritation. "They are not starring at me, they are starring at you." Ichika added with a hint of annoyance.
Though it may be cruel in her part, Setsura was glad that her brother was bothered by the stares that she was receiving. When her mother died, her brother became a father and teacher to her; when she matured and when she needed it the most, her brother became her best friend; and now, that she was blossoming into a woman, her brother was slowly becoming something else, something only she can see and enjoy. Her brother was the perfect brother because he knows what she needs him to be, and will perfectly turn into that person in a heartbeat.
Setsura thrive to be like that for him, just like he for her.
"Oniisama, people looking at me is a minor discomfort and irrelevant inconvenience. I am used to it by now, being curse to look like the White Pearl will do that to anyone." Setsura commented, smiling slightly at the thought of her mother. Although a lot of people, including her brother and the most prominent being, Isane, express their dislike for her mother, Isane being the most vocal and most explicit among them, right to her face, she still loves her and was very thankful for her.
If it weren't for her, she would never have met her beloved brother.
"You are much more immaculate than your mother, and you look way better than her." Ichika corrected her, careful to not show his dislike towards the woman who bore his little sister, and the person who his father cheated with on his mother.
Setsura chuckled at this. All the compliments that people give her means nothing if compare to the compliments her brother gives her, in a daily basis. "Didn't you teach me not to insult the dead?" Setsura joked, and Ichika proceeded to give her a halfhearted look of amusement.
"I'm not insulting the dead, I am stating a fact." Ichika defended himself casually.
Setsura giggled again, before affectionately rubbing her cheeks on her brother's shoulders, earning Ichika the envy of every male in the vicinity. "You know Oniisama, if you want them to stare at something else; you can always let your hair down." Setsura had seen a lot of beautiful woman, her included, but nobody was as beautiful as her brother when his hair was down.
Ichika's face instantly turned sour at that. "Only you and mother are allowed to see me when I have my hair down." Ichika stated firmly, with a tone that forbids any arguments. "I am not comfortable with the stares I get, and I certainly feel violated whenever Chifuyu-san looks at me with when I have my hair down."
If there was one thing that would make Setsura lose her smile, the thought or even the mention of Chifuyu was it.
Setsura and Chifuyu loathed each other, no, loathing was an understatement; loathing doesn't even closely cover a quarter of how much hatred the two felt for each other. They hate each other so much, that Tabane was trying to create a word or a new kind measurement just to have something to express or measure the hatred that they have for each other.
"…sorry, Oniisama, what I said was out of line."
"No, its okay, a joke is a joke."
(Scene Change)
A woman's love for shopping has not changed even now, something which could even be construed as common sense, and especially among young ladies that love is something which has not diminished as the last decade of the 21st century draws to a close. It is thought that the shopping habits of these girls can be divided into three patterns.
Firstly, those who buy their favorite things first.
Secondly, those who buy their favorite things last.
Thirdly, and probably most commonly, those who while having a favorite proceed to go here and there, back and forth all over the place.
Setsura belongs to the first category, much to Ichika's utter relief. It's been customary for the two siblings that whenever they go out, the first thing they will do is go shopping. Setsura as a girl, loves shopping but only to a degree. Yes, she loves having new clothes, new shoes, new bags, and new accessories, something that her brother could make in a heartbeat and he could make those things as good as or even better than most fashion designers, but she didn't want to burden him with making all her accessories.
Her brother was already the one responsible in making all her CADS and magic related artifacts and gadgets; she did not want to burden him in making all her accessories.
Ichika, living on the mantra 'never trust things that did not come from your own two hands', was not as enthusiastic as his sister when it comes to shopping, for he weaves his own clothes, but for his sister, he will do absolutely anything. Also, he has the time to study the designs of each of the clothing so that he could remake it for his sister in a later date.
He was confident that he can make better clothing than any fashion designer in the country, exclusive for her sister only. His best and his best talents are exclusively for his beloved little princess.
In a short while, Ichika presumed they had arrived at their destination. This was because within the fashion boutique Setsura was currently pulling him into, a wide array of dresses, from sun dresses to gothic style dresses to western style dresses were prominently being displayed.
'I made Setsura's current outfit with a relatively trendy design, but its fine for her to try new things now and again.' Ichika thought as he glanced at the mannequins in their skimpy summer dresses. 'Too revealing, I'm not going to allow her to get that dress.'
Looking at the same thing as Ichika, Setsura's expression faltered. Well, not exactly the same thing. What Setsura had seen was the price tag attached to those summer dresses.
Ichika, seeing where his sister was looking at, patted her on the head. "You don't have to hold back, Setsura-hime. You know my income, and you know my bank. If you want, I can buy this entire boutique for you." Ichika offered, remembering a room in his estate that constrains ten hectares of varying treasures.
He was a bounty hunter, and a treasure hunter if the opportunity presented itself.
Although it's called a price tag it's considerably different from the century before, being an AR display virtual tag. In order to check the price it's necessary to use the information terminal everyone carries around and access the AR app, which is how Ichika knew what Setsura had been looking at.
Ichika too had engaged the AR app and checked the tag. The price marked did not deviate from his expectations. This was a shop which had caught Setsura's eye. There should be no budget for the wants of his sister. He was even prepared to spend a billion for her.
Fortunately, Setsura wasn't a spender.
What's more, Ichika's words to his little sister weren't bravado. Expensive as they were, these were ready-to-wears designed for young teens. For haute couture, it's not even a very high price. As the former bounty hunter, Sin, this amount of money wasn't much to him at all. In fact, the prices were pocket change for him.
The act of dangling their purse before someone would usually elicit an unfavorable response from most people, but Setsura simply brushed it aside. She probably thought that refraining now would simply be rude to her brother. Abandoning her hesitation, Setsura began to look over the dresses on the mannequins and hangers.
Having the physical articles in a store instead of simple 3D video displays marks this shop as the real deal. Low price retailers, and even mid range stores, have 3D displays as the norm. Most of the time even fitting is done via composite video. Being unable to ascertain the feel of the fabric is covered by a returns policy. Being able to try on the sample products, like here, is pretty rare for a shop nowadays.
After looking around all four corners of the shop, Setsura called out to a clerk and pointed to three dresses. After telling her she wanted to try them on, the clerk nodded with a grin. The reason it wasn't a mere business smile was probably because they wanted to use Setsura as PR for the shop, Ichika thought idly.
'I am patriot, but I am starting to hate every businessmen/women in this country. My sister is not just a pretty face for everybody to gawk at.' Ichika thought darkly, his crimson eyes glowing darkly with malice, but it was quick to disappear at the reminder of the person beside him.
It wasn't uncommon for Setsura to cause such ulterior motives. It was also unacceptable. For example even if they wanted to make just an area limited ad, he wouldn't let Setsura model. The true reason was simply that Ichika did not want to expose Setsura to countless dirty looks. He cannot take or even stand when a handful of people were giving his most treasured sister dirty and lewd looks. Every time he sees people eyeing his sister like a piece of meat, he was tempted to commit mass murder, and considering his former profession, committing mass murder and getting away with it was easy for him.
But as expected (relatively) of such a high class establishment, the clerk wasn't rude enough to bring the matter up all of a sudden. Rather she left for the stock room smiling all the while, returning swiftly with samples for fitting. Although they're samples there are mechanisms which automatically clean and sterilize the articles each time, so there was no hesitation in taking them. Holding the samples, Setsura was guided by the clerk to the dressing rooms.
Meanwhile, Ichika sat down on a bench inside the shop. If something came up, and the clerk would most probably informed him, and if not and something happened to Setsura, he would know in a heartbeat. To kill time, he inserted a single ear piece, three millimeters in diameter, in his right ear.
"Ludwig van Beethoven's Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61" Ichika whispered, activating the earpieces before closing his eyes as his ears were flooded with one of his favorite violin piece. Through the technological age, music players evolved and became even smaller and more compact. A three millimeter earpiece now has the ability to contain over 5000 songs. The ear piece that Ichika has were filled with classical music over 3 century ago, a few composition in today's era, and all of Setsura's original composition.
Ichika enjoyed the first nine minutes of the piece, when he suddenly whispered the player to stop before looking at the clerk who was walking towards him.
"Is something the matter?" Ichika asked coldly. He always hated people when they interrupt him when he was listening to music.
The clerk flinched at the ice cold tone that Ichika use to greet her, but was able to remain composed. In a different lifetime, that would not be the case.
"I have a little matter I'd like to talk with you about..."
"If you are going to ask me if my sister can model for your boutique, please don't or I'll snap you in half." Ichika warned her in a non-threatening, casual tone. Although the tone Ichika use was a tone befitting of a person discussing the weather, the clerk was hit by the full force of the threat. A person who can say that he will hurt a person with such a casual demeanor was dangerous.
"Should we move somewhere else?" Ichika asked, after waiting for the clerk to reply for a half a minute.
"No, this will just take a bit of time." At Ichika's slight nod of acceptance, the tension and fear in the clerk's face disappeared. "If you don't mind, about the dress your companion is purchasing…"
"We haven't decided if we're going to buy it yet, but go on." At Ichika's curt interruption of her dialogue, the clerk gave a hasty nod.
"Certainly! This is all considering if you would like to purchase the goods from our shop."
"Of course, if my sister likes it then we'll buy it, and do not worry, we, I can afford anything that this boutique could offers. I can even buy this entire boutique if my sister wills it." Ichika stated with an expressionless face and emotionless tone, and that combination alone was enough for the clerk to realize that the person across her was not joking.
"You love your sister, don't you?" The clerk asked, careful to not upset the person in front of her.
Ichika wasn't really intentionally trying to harass the clerk. As a matter of course he had all manner of comebacks prepared and ready, but when it comes to questions regarding his precious little sister, especially that kind of question, his answers came automatically, without missing a beat or a hint of hesitation.
"She alone is everything to me. I raised her all by myself when her mother died. She became my pride and joy. She's my entire life." Ichika smiled at this, unknown or oblivious to what his smile was doing to the poor woman in front of him.
The clerk was stunned silence at this, her plan slowly going down the drain. She acknowledged that the person in front of her takes sibling love to new heights, and she has no doubts that he will take overprotective to an extreme degree if she persists.
"Sorry to waste you…."
"Onii-sama, what do you think...?"
The fitting room door was open. With a three way mirror in the background allowing viewing of all sides (to prevent voyeurism, no cameras were allowed inside), Setsura shyly asked her brother's opinion. She was wearing a pale grey toned jumper skirt.
"It suits you extremely well. Still, I think you can go with something a bit more dashing."
The knee-length simple design greatly complimented Setsura's beauty, but it's a bit too drab, Ichika thought.
"Is that so?... Then, please wait a bit."
She nodded and closed the door. The faint sound of rustling clothes could be heard. The moments of silence were probably her working on her hair and skirt.
"Sorry for the wait. How about this?"
Seeming far more embarrassed than shy this time, Setsura solicited his opinion while trying to not make eye contact. It's probably because it's so different from the clothes she normally wears outside that she's unnecessarily self conscious, Ichika thought as he studied his sister from head to toe.
Setsura's outfit this time was a checkered camisole one piece. From the neck to the shoulders was totally bare. The skirt also rose tantalizingly above the knee in excess of five centimeters, such that even innocents would be caught and enraptured.
"Yeah, that's great. I can't take my eyes off you." Ichika answered truthfully, and the clerk almost stumbled. The clerk knew that he loves his sister dearly, but that statement was beyond a brother should say to a sibling.
"That's..." Setsura was lost for words at how straightforward and blunt her brother answered her, while the clerk blush, whether it was because of Setsura's appealing figure or Ichika's blunt and far too honest words was unknown.
"Setsura-hime, stay right there for a while." Ichika told her as he wrote down something into a notepad, before handing it to the clerk. "Get these dresses for my sister; you already know her size, so I expect the clothes to fit her perfectly." Ichika ordered with a tone that demands obedience.
The clerk nodded dumbly as she took the piece of paper from his hand.
Ichika then turned his attention back to his sister. "There was one more right? Did it not interest you?" The casualness in his tone was rather unnerving, the clerk thought with a shiver.
"No... Then, shall I show you that one as well?" The process of changing clothes was repeated.
The summer dress this time was pretty much exactly halfway between the first and the second in terms of exposure level. It was a silhouette which focused on the waist while emphasizing the bust line and hips. "Um... How is it...?"
Despite having less exposure than the second dress, the sex appeal in this one here was top notch. She must have realized that while putting it on, which probably accounted for the extent of her embarrassment. It was a design which would be awkward if there was insufficient volume around the chest and hips, but it fitted her surprisingly well. As the one who saw her in her underclothes on a weekly basis during her CAD adjustment, Ichika should have been perfectly aware of his sister's growing body, but seeing it objectively like this really drove home the point that she was drawing closer to being an adult than he had ever thought. It exuded a totally different, probably age specific, unbalanced charm from the previous camisole dress.
"This is rather troubling. Even I might lose my reasoning with this." Ichika commented casually, honestly, and bluntly, with no trace of deceit in his tone, and with zero amount hesitation in his face.
The clerk could only looked at Ichika with a very disturb look. True, Ichika was telling the truth, but a brother should not tell his sister those words. A brother, elder or younger, should be uncomfortable looking at their sister with a beautiful get, and the brother should be discouraging the sister to wear anything appealing. But Ichika was the opposite.
His answers were painfully truthful and direct to the point, and the way he answered those question, without giving an iota of expression, was so unnerving that it was borderline disturbing.
The expression on Setsura's face was also not helping. At Ichika's unapologetic compliment, the color of Setsura's face deepened even further, matching the pitch crimson blood that her brother was so fond in using for battle.
"Hey clerk, stop gawking and get those clothes before I convince my sister to buy her clothes elsewhere." Ichika said casually, his eyes not living his sister's figure as he sat on the bench like it was a throne, and he looked good while doing it. "And one more thing, anyone takes a picture, I will bury you and everyone else working in this boutique so far underground that you and your people will already meet the devil without the process of dying."
The clerk did not need to be told twice, and proceeded to get the clothes. She did not take long.
After the clothes were given to Setsura, her fitting (or in other words, fashion show) continued. Each and every time Ichika praised his sister straightforwardly as if unaware of what shame was, and for her part Setsura was exceedingly embarrassed each time (almost as if making up for her brother). Still she tried on every outfit that her brother handpicked for her, because her brother choose them for her, seeming to value her brother's praise far more highly than the well-being of either her heart or facial blood vessels, so that was that.
Setsura had no modeling experience, Ichika made sure of that. Although she had the looks which would have given any international top model a run for their money, she had no professional modeling skill. She couldn't manage rapid clothes changing or anything like that, and her magic did not offer any help whatsoever.
In short when all's said, this repeated fitting alone took a considerable amount of time. Of course when the fitting room door was shut it was impossible to peek inside, but when Setsura came out to show off an outfit to her brother, they were visible from the store's exhibition space. Occasionally Ichika would request her to spin around or strike a pose, and a crowd began to form around the dressing room.
Still, it's not like they senselessly crowded around gawking. Ichika would never have permitted that, he would probably cause a massacre before allowing that to happen. The clerks, lead by the clerk that Ichika threatened, in all likelihood tactfully did their work before he had to make a move. Instead, the youths were simply glimpsed in the surroundings from a distance. Still however much they shuffled around and pretended to look at the mannequins, they just couldn't seem to avert their eyes, not that they could be blame.
Setsura was truly a stunning lady, and the clothes that her brother had picked for her truly match her style, giving her the perfect appearance of a divine being.
The word youth did not simply imply young men. Although there were guys in their number, numerically speaking the girls were superior. Well, honestly speaking the very nature of the shop meant that there was a high entry threshold for guys. In fact, the males were in the minority outnumbered three to one and comprised mainly of college students with their girlfriends or those dressed as young businessmen; Ichika was probably the only high school student, soon to be high school student, on the premises. Although there weren't many with the insight to see that he was actually a high school student anyway.
One of the girls, or rather the girls in the group one by one would look at Setsura with a mixture of admiration and envy before quickly looking away. At the sound of the dressing room door closing sighs of relief could be heard, and then upon the sound of it opening again as if charmed they'd hide then peek out for a glimpse.
On that note, the female customers being escorted by a guy- or rather being waited upon- kept a better state of mind. As their boyfriends stared at Setsura with worshipful eyes (showing there wasn't a single unconditional lover among them) they either stamped them on the foot or nudged them in the ribs or the like. On the one hand they would enviously look upon Ichika who was shamelessly and unhesitatingly heaping Ichika with praise, and then unreasonably take their anger out on their hapless lovers. In short, they restored their emotional balance by using the next convenient guy as a doormat.
Of course, both Ichika and Setsura were fully aware of all the attention they were getting. He was mentally sorting out the harmful and harmless gazes, automatically categorizing them without even being aware and especially putting the non hostile intents out of mind, while she naturally filtered out all the looks- she would never even be able to walk down the street normally otherwise- so it never got to the extent they had to suspend shopping.
Nothing but words of approval came out from Ichika's lips, yet each time was different. Monopolizing her brother complete and unwavering attention, Setsura's feeling of happiness was almost intoxicating, such that she wasn't able to differentiate the subtle nuances in his words. As the number of tried on dresses passed 20, Setsura ended up holding a polka-dot dress that had been kept in the fitting room. It was a sleeveless, knee-length camisole summer dress. The wide shoulder straps were frilled with lace, and around the chest and hem of the skirt plenty of lace was in abundance too. It combined a generous amount of exposure with an air of elegance, the iridescent ivory polka-dots lending a very age appropriate cuteness.
"Onii-sama, I was thinking this one...?"
"I reckon that's the best as well. It really is cute."
She had picked this dress because it was the one that had been most popular with her brother, but upon hearing him saying 'cute' again, she made up her mind in an instant.
"Then... Could I get this please?" Setsura didn't bother with hesitant language this late in the game. Instead, she gave a heart-achingly beautiful smile- with utmost sincerity, a look suitable for receiving a gift from her brother- and asked his permission.
"Sure." For his part, Ichika didn't really have a say in the matter- he would never have been able to say 'no'. Being able to buy these things his sister liked was the most meaningful use of his income anyway, he had always thought. Whether he himself was aware of that thought was a moot point.
At Setsura's lovely 'please', the consciousness of the watching men seemed to freeze.
At the same time the women gave a collective sigh of envy at Ichika's natural generosity.
"Then this dress and, along with dresses number two, five, seven, nine, thirteen and seventeen please."
"Certainly. Please come back again anytime. Thank you for waiting."
Then to these unexpected VIP customers, the clerk gave a solemn nod.
(Scene Change)
"I can't believe you guys actually got me out of my training just to go shopping." Madoka grumbled under her breath as her two best friends flanked her side, with a boy stomping behind them, unwillingly joining them.
"Come on now, Madoka-chan, relax." Ran Gotanda urged her friend with a cheerful smile. "The only thing you've been doing as of late is training and more training." Ran added causing the girl on her right to nod.
"I have to agree with Ran. You need a change of scenery once in a while." Houki commented, the two girls missing the look on Madoka's face.
"You guys don't have monsters' for siblings." Madoka muttered, her inferiority complex showing, but there was a look of regret and shame crossing her face.
"And why am I here too?" Dan, Ran's twin brother, asked in frustration, causing her sister to give him a dark look.
"You're going to be our mule today. You lost that bet remember." Ran pointed out.
"I didn't even know that bet." Dan said, truly confused on what his sister was talking about.
"Details, details, details," Ran retorted in a sing-song manner.
Dan groaned loudly at his sister's attitude. He did not know what he did in his last life to deserve a sister like her.
And more importantly. "I didn't have to deal with this when Ichika was around." He grumbled, and he suddenly found himself starring at the tip of a star pyramid made out of pure energy, hovering in front of him threateningly. Dan instantly shut his mouth, knowing what those pyramids could do.
Ichika's last gift to his twin sister was a revolutionary method of using the Orimura Magic, a method that perfectly matches Madoka's magic and style.
A dark looked adorned Madoka's face as she gave Dan a glare. "Don't go there, just don't go there." Madoka whispered expressionlessly, the regret in her voice was so evident that it was almost heartbreaking.
Dan nodded at the glare that Madoka was giving him as the star pyramid disappeared. He and her friends know that even mentioning her twin was taboo. Orimura Ichika disappeared after the wedding incident three years ago, and he was never seen ever since. The trio has seen how much it affected Madoka.
They did not know what truly affected her.
Ran stomped towards her brother and slapped him over the head. "That was for being an idiot."
"I'm sorry, but I miss my boss." Dan excused himself, remembering how he and Ichika acted together. Ichika was always the brains because of his high intellect and cunning methods, and he was the muscle because Ichika hated fighting and he has no problem scrapping with people. When Ichika disappeared three years ago, Dan was at lost with his life.
"I know, and I miss him too, but you don't see me mentioning him around so callously." Ran hissed at her brother, and the two broke into an argument, leaving Houki and Madoka to converse.
"I thought you would be happy now that his gone?" Houki inquired carefully.
"You never know what you have until it's gone, Houki, you will learn that the hard way one day." Madoka said to her friend calmly.
Houki narrowed her eyes at that, but did not comment. If Ichika was the black sheep of the Orimura family, then Houki was the black sheep in her family. Ichika was the black sheep of the Orimura family because of his adamant refusal to fight, something strange for the combat oriented clan that is the Orimura clan, Houki was the black sheep in her family because of her lack of interest in inventing and in science in general.
In fact, sometimes, Houki wondered if she and Ichika were born in the wrong family.
Ichika loves creating new things and was a genius comparable to Tabane; Houki loves combat like any normal Orimura. Ichika dreamt of having a loving and caring family, Houki just wished she has a family that cared less.
How Ichika befriended Houki when they were kids was still up to debate.
"Whatever, but you need to lighten up. We're going to high school. This would be our chance to get away from the shadows of our sisters." Houki said with an excited and even giddy tone.
Madoka almost snorted at that. She envied Houki a lot. She only has one person to surpass, Madoka has four. One of them was heralded as a hero (Chifuyu), the other a psycho (Kana), the other being the personification of everything a magician and a soldier should be (Ichika), and lastly the person, a bitch in her opinion, who is a ready born and natural great magician.
At that thought of the person, she cannot help but clutch her hand tightly to try to contain her anger. She hated her half-sister; she hated her with a passion. Even though she has a major inferiority complex towards Chifuyu, she never hated her elder sister, although she disliked Kana, she never hated her cousin, and even though she practically denounce her twin brother, she never hated him, but Setsura was different.
Setsura was the one person that Madoka despised with a passion, and it is not because she was stronger than her, no; Madoka was not that shallow. She hated Madoka for many reasons…
The most prominent being was that she stole her brother from her.
"Hey Madoka, you listening to me…"
"Sorry, my mind wondered off, what were you saying?" Madoka asked politely, finally getting her head back on the matter at hand.
"Sheesh, all that none stop training must be tiring you out." Houki commented tiredly. "I'm asking you if you're happy about being ranked third in the exam."
"No," Madoka answered immediately, frowning at the reminder of the First High School exam results. "Considering I know the two people ranked above me and the gap between my score and there's, being ranked third is nothing but a bitter pill." Madoka added, the picture of the two people ranking above her filled her mind.
The eldest granddaughter of the emperor, the daughter of Zangetsu was ranked second, and Setsura was ranked first, and even the gap between the first ranked and second ranked was overwhelming.
"You got a point there." Houki nodded in agreement. "Whoever this Byakushiki Setsura is, she must be one formidable magician."
'Unfortunately,' Madoka thought darkly. "You ranked seven, do you know who the three people that ranked above you?" Madoka inquired, humoring her best friend with the best of her ability. Of course, she knows the person ranked below her.
She was Houki younger sister by one year, Kurenai, or as she was called by everyone, including her Ku-chan. The gap between Houki and Ku-chan was roughly nine months, meaning that she was allowed to take the exam because of a technicality. She was not like Setsura that was a head of her year due to overwhelming talent and ability.
Although Ku-chan was talented and skilled in her own right.
At that question, Houki frowned and growled. "I don't want to talk about it. I don't even want to talk about my parent's precious little princess." The venom in Houki's tone was enough to make Madoka cringe.
'I hope I am not that bad when Ichika was still in my life.' Madoka thought, cringing once again at the look and sneer on her best friend's face. 'If you here, Ichika, what would you do?' Madoka thought with longing, counting the minutes when she would be allowed to see her twin brother that she had wronged all those years ago. Her greatest dream was to fix the bridge that she burned to the ground between them.
She wanted her twin back.
"Okay guys, here we are." Ran announced with excitement evident in her tone. The group of four was now standing in the front door of a fashion boutique that features a variety of dresses in the front window. "This place is one of my favorites." Ran told them as she practically pushed her two friends inside of the boutique, with her twin brother following closely behind, only for the three girls to be push out of the doorway when the door suddenly opened.
Madoka had to restrain herself from growling and smiling. Growling because she had seen the face of the person she despised the most, and smiling because her brother was with her, as usual.
(Scene Change)
"Sorry for that, we weren't looking." With a smooth voice, Ichika apologize while carrying two bags filled with clothing in one hand. He then smiled slightly when he recognized a familiar face. "Madoka-san, good morning, it has been awhile." Ichika greeted with a friendly tone.
Setsura's expression shifted to cheerful to annoyed as she held onto her brother tightly, pressing her developed bosoms to her brother's shoulder, something that Ichika ignored but regardless, due to reflexes, patted his little sister affectionately on the head.
Madoka felt annoyed by this, but remember who her current companions were, and she instantly cursed loudly.
Ichika and Setsura is the country's well kept secret. Her friends, Ichika's former friends are not allowed to know of his existence before the start of the school year.
But unfortunately, fate decided to throw a wrench in her life.
It does not take a genius the look in Madoka's friend's faces. There friend that disappeared over three years ago, wa nows standing before them, with some minor changes. A cute girl clinging on his arm, his eyes changing colors, but it was him, his hair style and facial features was enough to confirm it.
"ICHI…"
"So Ichika-kun, funny to see you and her around the city." Madoka interrupted her friend abruptly, glaring at them to shut up. She cannot hold a candle against her brother and half-sister, but she was still stronger than any of her friends. She can, at the very least, terrify them in keeping their mouth shuts until she sorts this entire thing up.
Ichika frowned at Madoka's reaction, but choose to ignore it. "Well, with High School right around the corner, I decided to take my sister out, to celebrate her topping the exam of First High School, and considering my schedule will be full by the next three days, I figured I should spend as much time with my little sister as possible." Ichika informed her, holding Setsura to his closely to his chest to emphasize his point.
Setsura blushed at this show of affection from her beloved Oniisama, and the look of jealousy in Madoka's face was unmistakable.
Madoka's friends on the other hand looked confused.
'Younger sister, I thought Ichika was the youngest.' The three of them thought confusion clearly in their faces as they looked at the person who brought all four of them together.
Madoka shifted her eyes on the girl in his brother's arms, and restrained herself from sneering. "So little Miss Princess decided to join us commoners in this humble day, huh. Tell me, what made you decide to get off your high horse in this particular day? Do you want me to go down on my knees and worship the ground that you are walking on? "
At that clearly mocking of his little sister, Ichika's eyes took a dangerous edge, but before he could say anything, Setsura spoke. "That would be somewhat pleasing, but I would pass." Setsura said coolly and calmly.
Everybody around them could see that the two girls did not like each other. The contempt between them was visible, and the hostility in their eyes was noticeable.
"Setsura-hime, please behave yourself, I taught and raised you better than that." Before things could escalate, Ichika stepped in and quickly scolded his little sister, before giving Madoka a cold look. "…and Madoka-san, as much as I respect your grandfather, insult my little sister again, I will drop you from where you are standing. I do hope that we are clear in that manner." Ichika warned her. He did not care who started it, as long as he draws breath, nobody will insult his sister, especially not in front of him.
At the sharp scolding that Ichika gave them, the two girls relented.
"Pardon my behavior, Oniisama."
"My apologies, Ichika-kun."
The two apologize sincerely, a tone of sadness in their voice, yet the sadness came from different reason. Setsura was sad because she disappointed her brother, something that she swore to never do. Madoka was sad because her twin still cared more for the harlot's daughter than his own twin.
It was bad enough that Ichika was officially Setsura's.
Ichika could not help but sighed in slight frustration. "Okay you two, I know you don't like each other, but please, at least be civil. The three of us are going to enter the same high school, and I would rather have First High School to remain standing, am I clear?"
The two nodded shamefully at how earnest Ichika was scolding them while the three people behind Madoka felt very nostalgic. Ichika may have disappeared for more than three years, but he still did not change. He was still the peace loving person that all three of them remembered in their childhood. He was still the person that brought all three of them together.
The presence of those behind Madoka did not go unnoticed as Ichika looked at them with a slightly curious expression. "Madoka-san, can you introduce me to your friends? They looked quite interesting." Ichika requested gently while looking at the three people behind Madoka.
Ichika noted that the three looked confused and hurt by his commented, but before anything else could happen, Madoka spoke. "The male red head is named Gotanda Dan, the female red head is named Gotanda Ran, and this is my best friend, Shinonono Houki." Madoka introduced the three while mouthing to her friends to shut up.
"I see, well my name is Byakushiki Ichika and this beautiful lady beside me is my little sister, Byakushiki Setsura. Nice to make your acquaintances." Ichika greeted them politely while Setsura gave the three a small yet dazzling smile before bowing slightly.
"Now that is out of the way, we must be going now. We have many more things to do." Ichika gave Madoka a small smile before walking passed her and her friends, with Setsura clinging on Ichika like a vice grip, something that Ichika did not mind.
"Would you like to join us, Ichika-kun?" Madoka asked abruptly, the hope in her tone was evident.
"Sorry, I can't. My little sister is with me, and thus, my attention should only be focus to her." Ichika rejected her immediately, not sound apologetic at all. "Maybe some other time."
The two then walked away, leaving a baffled group behind.
Madoka was fortunate that her friend's attention was on his brother, they have missed a tear that rolled down her cheeks.
(Scene Change)
"Ok, what just happened?" Dan asked, eyeing Madoka as she made several calls.
"I'll get to you in a moment." Madoka replied quickly before pressing the flat surface of her surface, causing a holographic screen to erupt from the bracelet.
"[I'm busy Madoka, what is it!?]" The sound of Chifuyu's cold voiced send shivers down everybody's spine. Since Ichika's disappearance those three years ago, Chifuyu became cold, colder than usual, colder than the element that she was so fond in using. She became untouchable sword, cutting everything that dared get too close to her.
"Blood Rose, White Pest." This was the code that Madoka and Chifuyu use to refer to their brother and half-sister when they are seen together by people who use to know Ichika.
There was silence in the other line before Chifuyu spoke again, this time; her tone of voice had a dangerous edge in it. "[Who are the people with you at the moment?]"
"My friends, Houki, Ran, and Dan." Madoka answered formally. "Should I proceed to the protocol?"
"[That goes without saying. Remember, give them nothing or it will be your head.]"
"I know, I know, our mother is still finding a good reason to do away with us." Only in the Orimura family will it be casual and a norm for a mother to scheme to kill her own children. "I won't give her the satisfaction."
"[Good,]" The transmission ended at that note.
Madoka turned off her transmission CAD, a creation that comprises of a communication device and a low-level general-type CAD, one of her twin's earliest works that were now being franchise by the Arcadia Armory Incorporated, a CAD and weapons manufacturing company founded and owned by her twin. Arcadia Armory Incorporated is the sister company of Arcadia Café, Grill and Restaurant and Arcadia Artistic Animation Studio. Each company was founded, owned and managed by her twin.
Arcadia Armory Incorporated is the only company in all of Asia that could match the Shinonono family when it comes to weaponry.
Arcadia Armory Incorporated is the exclusive weapons provider of Orimura clan and Orimura Isane's military faction.
"Okay, what do you guys want to know?" Madoka asked her friends, wanting the confrontation to end as soon as possible.
"The person with that hot, white haired girl, that person was really Ichika, right?" Dan asked, and Madoka almost rolled her eyes in exasperation. Of course that would be the first thing he would notice.
"Yeah that was him." Madoka grumbled with a very calm tone. "And I guess you guys met my half-sister."
Now that was something they did not expect.
"Half-sister?" Houki asked, visibly surprised by this information. Shinonono clan was allied with the Orimura clan, and the two clans tend to not hide anything from each other. This news was relatively new to her.
Madoka, noticing that look, decided to elaborate. "That girl is my clan's most darkest secret. Born from the affair of my father and some decease noble woman…"
"Wait a minute, your father cheated on your mother, the devil general of Japan?" Dan inquired and when Madoka nodded, Dan almost fainted. "Did your father lost his mind, has his common sense took a leave of absence? Cheating on the person considered to be the most dangerous and ruthless magician in the country, that almost counts as a death wish." Dan stated, well aware of his friend's mother's reputation because of his friendship with Ichika.
"I don't even want to know how you know Isane's reputation, but as much as I dislike my father for his affair, in his defense, Isane is far from the ideal wife and woman." Madoka said, growling at the mention of the person that bore her to the world.
"Okay, that is all good and all, but why is Ichika with her?" Ran interjected, joining the conversation. "Forget that, why didn't Ichika recognize us? Why did Ichika look like he was meeting us for the first time?" Ran asked hurriedly, but was silence at the depress look that Madoka adorned.
"I'm going to tell you something important, and you guys have to promise me that you will never tell a soul."
The three nodded, but Madoka wasn't satisfied. "You guys need to understand, the secret that I'm about to share with you guys is not just a family secret, but also a classified secret that involves the government. If you guys tell this to anybody, you guys are going to get killed, with your deaths covered up." Madoka warned them.
Her friends gave her an incredulous look, not believing her words one bit. "You're joking, right?" Ran asked while looking at her friend like she had grown a second head.
"No she's not," A new voice interrupted the four friends, and before anything else could happen, the four of them suddenly found themselves surrounded by men, with guns and CADs pointing at them in all direction. "Orimura Madoka-san, due to their past relationship with Byakushiki Ichika-sama, you are only to tell them bits and pieces."A man wearing a suit instructed her, his eyes as black and cold as night.
"I already know that, Yamato-san." Madoka answered calmly, staring at the right hand man of her mother.
Yamato nodded before shifting his gazed on the three people with Madoka. "This is a serious matter that involves the Orimura clan, the Royal family, and the Country itself, if any of you spread this information, we will wipe you out off the face of the earth. Do I make myself clear, brats?" Yamato told them as the sounds of the guns having their safety remove echoed in the café that they were in.
The four teens also noticed that he café was now devoid of any people aside from them. Of course, considering that the café that they were was an Arcadia branch, it is to be expected.
Dan gave a Madoka a stare while she merely shrugged. "I told you guys I'm not kidding." Madoka told them as several documents were laid before the three of them.
"Please sign the document of security, and please read the fine print, or you may leave right now but you must promise first that none of you will never approach Ichika-sama ever again. Failure to comply, we will be force to get rid of you." Yamato told them with such casualness that it freaked the three people that did not know the man.
"Ichika must have involved himself in some pretty deep shit." Dan muttered before signing on the dotted line, not bothering to read the document.
"You're not going to read that?"
"When we were kids, Ichika and I promised that will have each other's back. He fulfilled his end in the bargain many times; it's time for me to do the same." The determination in Dan's voice would have been impressive, but Yamato was a person that was not impressed by emotions.
"Fool, you are not even strong enough to stand beside our lord." Yamato mumbled, not loud enough for the young boy to hear.
The two girls followed suit, the two knows how to keep their mouth shut and to keep a secret, especially Houki who was a part of the Shinonono clan. If the government was willing to kill just to keep a secret from spreading, then the secret must be pretty serious.
"I hope you kids know what you are getting yourselves into." Yamato told them as he motion for his men to surround the café. As quick as they came, they left in a flash, leaving only a handful of men inside the café.
The guns in the room were then pointed at Madoka, with Yamato placing a hand over her head. "You know the protocol." Yamato told her with a threatening tone. "One foot out off line…"
"You'll kill me, I know. I don't need to be reminded by Isane's favorite lapdog about my fate if I step the thin line I'm living on."
Yamato, satisfied with the answered, quickly left, followed by the remaining men in the café, leaving the four shaken and alone in the café.
"Do you guys believe me now?" Madoka asked them with a slightly smug tone.
"That was scary." Ran commented with a shiver. She never experience having guns pointed at him, unlike her companions.
Her brother, Dan, being Ichika's best male friend had several experience having guns pointed at him so he was able to keep his cool throughout the entire ordeal. Being the best friend of the country's best gunsmith, Ichika was considered the best gunsmith of Japan at the age of seven, has its advantages and disadvantages. The advantage being that he learned how to use every type of firearm at a young age and the disadvantage was that you will grow accustomed to people aiming guns at you.
"Okay, those were your mother's soldiers, right?" Houki asked calmly, trying to keep her composure. Houki knew that they were Isane's subordinates because of the way they move. The soldiers under Isane's command were infamous in the way they move in the battlefield, quick and silent, with the ability to kill anybody they choose before their victims even knew that they were dead.
"Yes, they are Ichika's 'bodyguards'." Madoka answered, using the word bodyguards very loosely.
"Bodyguards? Ichika never needed those things before." Dan exclaimed, surprised at that piece of information.
"Those bodyguards are not for his protections. His bodyguards are there to make sure that Ichika doesn't have to fight."
"Ichika can't fight." Houki interjected, and Madoka merely gave her a look irritation.
"Remember that kidnapping incident five years ago. If I recall, Ichika was the one who fought all of our kidnappers." Madoka hated to bring up the kidnapping incident that ruined her relationship with her brother. Looking back, Madoka finally realize that what Ichika did for her back then was sweet. He did not kill for Setsura or for Chifuyu, yet he killed for her, he killed to protect her, which in turned made him turn his back on his beliefs and morals.
"Okay, let me rephrase that. Ichika can't fight without his guns."
Dan nodded in agreement. "I don't want to agree with the prude over here, but she's right. I know Ichika the longest and I've never seen him fight with his own two hands or with magic."
"And pray you never will. My brother's magic, Ichika's magic…" Madoka shivered while remembering the one time she witnessed her brother fighting with his magic. Madoka finally understood why Ichika never use his magic in any situation before hand, and, much to her disgust, she agreed with Setsura in the regards that Ichika's magic is transcended.
"What about Ichika's magic?" Dan inquired, excited at the prospect of knowing his friend's magic.
"I can't," Madoka told them blankly.
"Then can you at least tell us this big time secret." Ran requested, still looking uncomfortable in the empty café. "I want to get out of here."
With Ran's reminder, Houki and Dan gave Madoka a look, and she merely nodded. "Remember that wedding incident three years ago?"
"How could I forget? Ichika was pretty broken up all throughout that event." Dan mumbled with a frown. The wedding incident three years ago was the catalyst of his friend disappearing from the face of the earth.
"You see, after that incident, Ichika was recruited for a project by the government…" Madoka started as she stared at the eyes of her friends.
"It took them long enough." Dan interjected, proud of his friend's intellectual skills.
"I don't know the specifics of the project, but Ichika headed the initial stage of the project because of his experience in creating all kinds of weapons and his superb software programming skills…"
"They let a 12-year old spearhead a government project?" Houki asked in disbelief.
"A government project that was worth over five billion yen and Ichika was good at what he does. He already has a reputation back then, so having him lead this project was the logical choice, considering his conservative and resourceful way in handling weapons." Madoka answered unflinchingly. "We are getting off topic, so where am I… Oh yes…Four months in the project, Ichika had an accident… You guys remember that towering light that erupted in Tokyo three years ago?"
"Of course," Houki answered calmly. "The psion readings were off the scales. My father was very frantic when that white light suddenly turned dark red."
Houki did not notice the rage that cross Madoka's look when she mentioned her father as it quickly faded. "Well yes, that was cause by an accident. The 'machine' that Ichika was working on, the prototype, malfunctioned causing it to release an enormous amount energy that had the potential of wiping out Tokyo. Fortunately, Ichika was there when it happened and was able to contain the energy with his magic. That's why that white pillar turned red, Ichika overwhelmed the wild Psion with his own Psion, and because of that, he was able to suppress the massive amount of energy before it could explode."
Madoka suddenly adorned a sad expression. "Ichika did not walk away from that incident without a scratch. Most of his organs were burned because of the amount of psion he used to suppress the unstable energy. He was actually clinically dead for over two days." Madoka told them, shedding a few tears while remembering the real state of her brother's body before Setsura arrived and revived him
At the mention of their old friend being medically decease for such a long time, the three of them looked horrified, but before they could speak, Madoka interrupted them. "When Ichika was declared dead, his last will was read, and apparently, Ichika owned many properties and land, and also several lucrative accounts, all of which were to be inherited by our half-sister after his death." Madoka said, her eyes darkening.
"That was the time we discovered that our father had an affair with another woman, and through that affair produce a girl. Apparently, Ichika knew of her existence since he was seven, and decided to raise her all by himself…"
"With success." Dan interrupted, finally realizing who the person clinging on Ichika was, and her significance to his friend's life. "She was smoking hot." Dan added with a perverse grin, earning him a slap from his sister, who secretly agreed with her brother.
"But how did Ichika raise a girl without anybody knowing? Hell, how did Ichika raised her? That girl looks like a year younger than him." Houki inquired curiously.
"Are you aware of Ichika's income?" Dan asked with an amuse tone. "Making and selling weapons is a very lucrative business. Ichika was already a millionaire when he was eight."
Dan then chuckled slightly as he leaned back on his chair. "But Ichika raising a girl, a knew he was a father at heart. He always wanted to prove that he was a better man than his own father, and seeing how he raised well his relationship with that girl is, I think he did a good job."
"Ichika should not have bothered with her." Houki stated firmly and Ran nodded in agreement.
"Do you guys honestly think Ichika would abandon a girl, his own flesh and blood no less, to the mercy of the world? Ichika is better than that." Dan retorted to them, annoyed at them and how narrow minded they were. "Also, I impress with Ichika's parenting skill. That girl is B-E-U-T-I-F-U-L!"
Madoka glared at Dan, not liking to be reminded that her half-sister looks like a freaking Goddess of beauty. Containing her anger, she continued. "When that girl got called to attend Ichika's funeral, and no, you guys were not invited because the original plan was to cover up his death, regardless of how cruel it may be, when arrived in the estate, she threw herself on Ichika's corpse, and did this weird spell that actually restart and enhanced Ichika's [Regeneration-type magic]…..."
"Regeneration…" The three interrupted her in unison, confusion evident in their tones.
"The reason why Ichika never gotten sick and the reason why he never have lasting scars was because he has a strange magic, [Regeneration-type magic], exclusive only to him." Madoka explained to them. Her brother's magic was a very and well kept classified secret, only the upper echelon of the military knew the full extent of his magic, and discussing his magic in public is punishable by death. The only magic that can be discuss in public was Ichika's [Regeneration-type magic], and even then, it can only be limited.
Her last statement was already considered too much information.
Dan was the first to speak. "Considering Ichika's character, of course he will be gifted with that kind magic."
"When the girl was finish restoring his organs, he became savable, and we were able to get him back, but he wasn't the same." Now Madoka got into the hard part. "Because of the massive energy that he used to suppress the energy influx, and even though he was revive, he didn't come out a hundred percent…"
"Ichika lost his memories…"
"Not all his memories." Madoka corrected them, her tone of voice hurt and disappointed. "He forgot his friends, family, his morals, his ethics, and the majority of his beliefs."
"He remembered all his skills, his creations, his mother, and that girl, also all the fights that he got into through the years." The last one was said in a whisper. Ichika's bounty hunting career was classified information. Yes, he received clemency for all the crimes that he did against Japan, but it came with a price.
"Why would he remember that girl but forget you and Chifuyu-san?" Ran asked her, understanding why her friend looked so hurt. Dan and Houki on the other hand, were confused for several different reasons.
"Ichika remembered every painting he made. The girl was our illegitimate sister, Ichika used to not love her that much, but he still took care of her due to his principles. I saw his memories, early on in their relationship; Ichika treated her like a work of art, a living mannequin if you will. I think that is Ichika's way of ignoring the fact that she was a bastard child and it work. " Madoka grumbled, wishing that her words were true and not just a lie. "That girl is my brother's most perfect master piece, and as much as this leaves a bitter taste of my mouth, that was with good reasons." Madoka faced harden as she looked at the ceiling.
"That girl is the most magically gifted person I know. Her abilities with magic are already cheating level." With seven affinities, and a new magic that transcends modern magic.
Ichika and Setsura were the complete opposite of each other. Even the nature of their magic is different from each other.
But the one thing they have in common was that they both are extremely skilled with the magic that they have.
"So what happened after that?"
"Ichika joined the military, and that is how far I can tell you without a gun being pointed at the back of my head."
"Ichika hates fighting." Dan pointed out, but Madoka merely shook her head.
"Ichika also hates using his magic, with good reasons, but he forgot most of his memories, and that involves why he hates using his magic."
The conversation ended there as Yamato approached them and told Madoka to not say anything else.
Madoka agreed and the four friends were escorted out of the café.
Madoka was mentally exhausted from lying to her friends. The protocol with dealing with people that use to know Ichika was to feed them false information about Ichika's life and disappearance.
To hide Ichika, and to prevent people from asking question, a story was form to cover up his disappearance all those years ago.
A story that was very far from the truth, but to prevent a Magician of Ichika's caliber to be harass, the government would do anything and everything to protect its investment.
Ichika and Setsura were the heirs of the Two Dragons. There protection is Japan's main priority.