Beta: None
Original release date: 07/31/15
Disclaimer: I do not own anything in the Infinite Stratos universe.
Author note: I've watched seasons one and two of the anime and this takes place after season two ended. Just trying to give any potential spoilers for readers who haven't watched that far, a heads up. I use Ling instead of the dubbed's version, Rin.
Chapter Four – Repercussions
Shoving her phone into Ichika's face, Charlotte asks politely, despite the angry look in her eyes, "And what is this, Ichika?"
Looking at the picture on the phone, Ichika groans as he sees the photo of he and Kanzashi cuddling together in bed.
"Charlotte, I can explain" begins Ichika as he looks briefly down at his lunch tray.
"Ichika, you, you, pervert" states Charlotte, temper barely in check.
Holding his hands up in defeat, Ichika begins again, "We had been watching anime and just fell asleep. That was it."
Taking a step back, Charlotte's expression softens before the words, "You've been unfaithful, bride" before Laura slaps Ichika.
"Laura!" shouts Charlotte.
"Vhat?!" answers Laura loudly.
"Ichika just explained that he and Kanzashi had been watching anime and simply fell asleep" explains Charlotte in a quieter voice.
"Vell, vhy vas he in her room? Vell, vhy you in her room?" demands Laura, glaring at Ichika with her red eye.
Exhaling loudly, Ichika answers, "It is because she wanted to show me some anime for our date. So I got some snacks and we watched a few hours of anime. That's it, I promise."
"Ichika dear, then explain how the photo came about then" asks a familiar British voice.
"Yes, please tell all" states a blue haired and red eyed individual.
Staring at Tatenashi, Ichika growls slightly, "You know very well how that photo came about."
Snapping her fan open in the blink of an eye, Tatenashi answers in a teasing voice, "Why Ichika, I haven't the faintest clue of what you are referring to."
"You have access to Kanzashi's room, and you came in to check on her, and took those photos" replies Ichika in a serious tone of voice.
"I am quite busy Ichika, so why would it make sense of me to pop in and take some photos?"
"Then if it wasn't you, then certainly you've started an investigation on who entered the room without permission and then began the slandering of Kanzashi's name, am I correct?" inquiries Ichika with a serious look on his face.
Putting her fan away, Tatenashi responds quietly, but still loud enough to be heard by the harem and Ichika, "You may be correct that I did take the photo, and I will admit that I sent it to Miss Orimura, but that was the extent of it. If you dare insinuate that I would freely tarnish the reputation of the Sarashiki clan, then you are wrong, upset and anger me that I would do such a thing, especially to my sister", before walking away.
"Tatenashi!" shouts Ichika, causing the aforementioned to halt in her steps as Ichika catches up to her and whispers, "I only meant to get you to admit to taking the photo, not to anything else. I care for Kanzashi, and wouldn't want to do anything to sully her name or reputation."
"Thanks, Ichika" whispers back Tatenashi before she slaps him and exclaims, "No Ichika! I won't give you my bust size!" before hurrying out of the room.
Left standing there with a bright red palm print on his face, Ichika realizes that everyone else is staring at him, before quietly and quite embarrassedly sits back down at his meal, suddenly aware of his loss of appetite.
Entering his classroom, Ichika sits down and ponders about how the photo could have gotten out of the hands of Chifuyu and Tatenashi, when the hands of Chifuyu slam down onto his desk, eyes glaring.
"Now Orimura, everyone is expected to pay attention and answers questions when called upon. If you are unable to abide by the rules like everyone else, then either excuse yourself from this academy, or do your job AND LEARN!"
Standing up, Ichika stands at perfect attention and asks, "Ma'am, I request to speak to you in private, immediately."
Staring up and down her brother, Chifuyu answers, "Follow me then. Miss Yamada, please continue the lesson."
Walking into the hall, door closing behind them, Chifuyu places her hands on her hips and asks, "Well? What is it?"
Taking a deep breath, Ichika jumps into how the photo of he and Kanzashi came about, how he promised to take the seven girls on dates to treat them fairly after Laura took him to a coffee shop, then what Tatenashi said about the photo only being on her phone and Chifuyu's, and how he thinks someone or a rogue application had somehow gained access to the photo and spread it around the academy.
"And that is why you weren't paying attention in class? Because you were worried about you and Kanzashi might be seen now, and the likes?" asks Chifuyu quietly and kindly.
Nodding his head, Ichika answers, "Yes, it is. I understand it isn't appropriate for me to think on other things during class, but it just…has my mind occupied at the moment. You don't mind if I go back to my room for the rest of the day, as long as I read for classes tomorrow?"
Thinking about it for a period of time, Chifuyu replies, "I can excuse it, IF you let this matter be and let me handle it, AND read everything for class tomorrow, quiz expected."
Smiling wanly, Ichika nods his head before answering, "I will do that, thank you."
Rubbing Ichika's head, Chifuyu whispers, "Don't make it habit. But you are my only family, and I suppose it is right to let you clear your head, or you will be wasting your time and mine in class. I'll get your things."
Entering the classroom, Chifuyu gets Ichika's books and bag and hands it to him before entering the classroom once more.
Returning to his room, Ichika locks the door before laying down on his bed, mind racing. Hours later and a chair under the doorknob, Ichika notices the pieces of paper with "Hope you feel better" and "Get Well Soon" on them.
"Ichika, are you ok?" comes Houki's muffled voice.
Freezing in his steps, Ichika listens as not just Houki, but Ling, Charlotte, Laura, and even Cecilia all try to get him to open the door, unaware that he was able to, but unwilling at the time. Waiting to hear the girls disappear down the hallway, Ichika turns around and sitting on his bed is Tatenashi.
Going over and sitting on the bed, Ichika says, "Yes?"
"That's no way to greet your roommate, is it?" teases Tatenashi.
Hearing a noncommittal grunt, Tatenashi states, "Getting to the point of this conversation, I, alongside a select few others have managed to wipe out all copies of the photo from everyone's phone and computer, and when questioned about it, it never existed. Isn't that great?"
Ichika just shrugs before falling back on his bed, closing his eyes.
"Don't you want know how we did it?" inquiries Tatenashi looking over Ichika carefully.
"No, not really. I'm just happy enough that Kanzashi won't have any troubles because of me."
Peering at Ichika's face, Tatenashi states calmly, "If you just choose a girl to be your girlfriend, most of your girl problems would be settled. At least most of the girls would stop being so overbearing."
"That's why I began going on dates with them, to figure out who I'd chose to be my girlfriend, but so far it has been fairly painful."
Cocking her head to the side while swinging her feet back and forth at the edge of the bed, Tatenashi asks quietly, "But have you enjoyed the time that you've spent with the girls? The coffee shop and movie with Laura? The bookstore and restaurant with Houki? The charming anime date with Kanzashi? Did those really mean nothing to you?"
With eyes still closed, Ichika replies, "No, those were all fun, but some of the aftermath has been problematic. And the way everything spreads about what I do around the academy is just phenomenal."
Laughing quietly, Tatenashi answers, "That is because you are the only male individual in the middle of an all girl's academy, during the developmental process of their hormones. To put it plainly, most of them are coming to terms that they like guys, and with being restricted to the academy for most of their days, you begin looking like a tasty piece of meat to them. Their budding emotions is what drives them to want to know more about you, Ichika. Just don't play with their hearts."
Sitting up, Ichika states, "I'm hungry. Would you like to attend dinner with me?"
"Oh, now you're allowing me to skip the line and go directly on a date with you? Of course it isn't much of a location for a date, but I suppose it'll work-" begins Tatenashi.
"No, I meant as in roommate to roommate. We all have to eat" answers Ichika.
"Oh. In that case, no. Besides second years eat at a different time than you first years, but thank you for the consideration" replies Tatenashi, patting Ichika's left hand, before exiting the room.
Making his way down to the cafeteria, Ichika runs into Cecilia, Houki, Charlotte, Ling, Laura making their way back from the cafeteria. Spotting Ichika, Ling skips over to Ichika and begins hounding him with questions before he interrupts, "Can I get some food and sit down, and then we talk?"
Minutes later, Ichika takes his tray to a secluded booth and begins to eat and answer questions one after another.
"Now comes the next part; what number between one and three do you choose?" asks Ling on baited breath. Pausing to think, Ichika answers, "One."
Feeling hands and arms wrapping themselves around his right arm, Ichika looks over as Charlotte smiles up at him, "It is finally my turn."
Author note: It took me about two to two and a half hours to write this, around one am my time to three or three fifteen am, after an eight to nine hour drive that I made for my vacation. Enjoy this randomly early chapter [despite that there isn't a date in it], as it continues the sort of plot that is going on in the fanfic. Thank you all who have read, reviewed, favorited, followed, etc. You all help me continue with this by providing critical feedback and giving me encouraging words to continue. Yes, I have the idea for Charlotte's date in my head, and no, I don't know when it will be released.