A/N: Hihi minna-san! I'm back. I apologize that this chapter took very long to upload because college, life, shit and stuff. And I would like to apologize to Ahead1, the chapter took me a bit longer to deal with so I'm really sorry about the late update.
As always, I don't won Infinite Stratos and Gundam 00. Both works are rightfully own by their respective company.
Chapter 6: The lull before the storm
At the cafeteria
The cafeteria was noisy as students chatted with their friends while having their breakfast. Among the usual chatters, the only male student in the cafeteria wasn't joining in the usual morning chatter.
Currently the only male in the cafeteria, Ichika Orimura, doesn't have the usual smile on his face while eating his breakfast instead he is having a frown on his face. This phenomenon is causing Rin to be very annoyed.
Ichika has a frown on his face since Rin has met him this morning in front of his room. Although Rin reluctantly admits that she is worried about Houki but she's more annoyed about the fact that Houki is occupying more mental space than her in Ichika's head.
"Ichika, are you still worried about Shinonono?" asked Rin.
"Yeah, I'm still worried about her." said Ichika gloomily putting down his utensil.
'Still thinking about that Shinonono.' thought Rin annoyed.
"The doctor says that Houki is just exhausted. She'll be fine after a day rest so eat your breakfast before it gets cold." said Rin.
"Yeah, the doctor did said that." said Ichika becoming less gloomy and resume eating his breakfast. "I think I'll see her during lunch break."
Rin just huffed annoyed about Ichika wanting to see Houki but she's happy that Ichika is not gloomy as before.
Despite feeling slightly sorry for Houki, Rin is happy that she's able to use the absence of Houki and Jayr to get closer to Ichika.
"Ichika, do…do you remember our promise that we made when we were in school?" said Rin blushing and fidgeting around.
"Promise?" asked Ichika puzzled before snapping his fingers. "Yeah, I remember. You said that you'll cook for me sweet and sour pork everyday if you become a better cook.
"That one!" said Rin happily.
"That would be your treat, isn't it?" asked Ichika.
"What?" asked Rin.
"If I remember correctly, you promised that you'll treat me to your cooking every day." said Ichika. "Wasn't it?"
Rin's hopes were instantly crushed as soon Ichika finished his sentence. She felt her heart was stabbed and twisted so hard by a knife that her heart will break. She never thought that Ichika would forget the most important detail after all those years that she kept hoping that it'll turn true. Trying to contain her anger, she clenches her fist so hard that her vein can be easily seen by others.
"What's wrong?" asked Ichika as he saw Rin expression darkens.
"KONO BAKA!"
At class 1-1
"The fuck?" swore Jayr looking at Ichika shock as Ichika walks into the class.
Ichika's cheek is visibly swollen and had a print of a hand which indicates that Ichika was slapped hard.
"What happened?" asked Jayr while pointing at Ichika's swollen cheek.
"Rin just slapped me." said Ichika.
"What?" exclaimed Jayr shocked. "Why?"
"She thought I've forgotten the promise that we made when we were in elementary school." said Ichika. "I just don't get it. I'm sure I remember our promise perfectly."
"What promise?" asked Jayr.
"If I remember correctly, she promised me that she would treat me to her sweet and sour pork everyday if she became a better cook with her dish." said Ichika scratching the back of his head.
"Then why she got mad at you and slapped you?" Jayr asked.
"I don't know. She said something about the meaning of the promise." said Ichika.
"Meaning?" Jayr asked.
"Yeah. And we agree that if I win the interclass tournament, she'll tell me but if I lost, I'll have to do anything that she wants." said Ichika. "I think I just dug my grave."
"If you think like that before you enter the arena, you'll lose before you know it." said Jayr patting Ichika shoulder.
"Face the facts, I'm just a rookie compare to Rin who is a representative." said Ichika.
"Ichika, the one and only rule in war is not to win." said Jayr as he put both of his hands on Ichika's shoulder and hold them firmly. "It's to survive."
Before Ichika could say anything, Jayr let go of his shoulder and he saw Jayr had a sage look on him.
"War is not always about winning. It's about survival. If you just focus on winning, you'll get yourself killed."
"Why do you sound like you have been in a real war before?" asked Ichika.
Jayr just chuckled and starched his back of his head.
'How am I going to explain myself out of this one?' thought Jayr panicking.
"But," said Ichika saving Jayr from blowing his cover. "I'm not sure if I can survive."
Seeing Ichika's gloomy expression, Jayr actually sympathizes him because he was in such situation before.
"What about this?" asked Jayr. "After school, I'll watch you do a mock fight then I'll give you some pointers."
"You won't be training me?" asked Ichika looking at Jayr surprised.
"I don't think I could fight properly for the time being but I might train you depending on the situation." said Jayr while giving Ichika a tired smile.
"Considering your situation, I think you did have better luck than me this morning." Jayr sighed.
"What do you mean?" asked Ichika looking ta Jayr curiously.
"Well…. this morning, I went to the infirmary to apologize to Houki."
'How am I going to explain this?' thought Jayr while opening the door to the infirmary.
Jayr made a mental note to apologize to Houki when he opened the door to his room the previous night but he hadn't figure out how to explain to Houki about the 'little' stunt that he had pulled the day before.
Houki was surprised when she saw Jayr coming through the door. Before she could ask anything, she suddenly remembered a part of what happened yesterday.
As she looked up, she saw Jayr was stepping on her and he was flipping his blade ready to thrust downwards.
Jayr was about to walk towards Houki's bed when he saw Houki looked at him with fear and suspicions in her eyes causing Jayr to be even more guilty than before.
Jayr slowly lifted both of his hands up with his palms open to show that he's unarmed causing Houki to flinch.
"Houki, I'm not going to hurt you." said Jayr while slowly walking towards the bed opposite of Houki's. "I just want to apologize for what happened yesterday."
"You…you nearly kill me." said Houki in a weak voice.
"I did." said Jayr dryly. "And I want to apologize for that and if you are willing to, at the same time, listen me out."
Houki was silent as Jayr finished speaking. After a moment, Jayr took Houki silence as a yes
"I was emotionally unstable during our mock fight yesterday because of what Rin said about declaring war. I won't go into details but I want to tell you what Rin said yesterday reminds me of my past memories which are… very bad." said Jayr.
"It's no excuse that I lost control due to it. I'm not here to ask for forgiveness but I just want to tell you that I'm sorry for what I did yesterday."
Jayr was gauging Houki's reaction after he finished stating his reason but all he saw was doubt and disbelief in her eyes.
"I don't blame you for not believing me and I don't mind you blaming me. I just want you to hear me out." said Jayr. "That's all I want. I'll give you time to think it through."
"After that, I left." said Jayr. "So I have no idea what's her reaction next."
"So you mean that you had bad memories and yesterday what Rin said causes you to remember them?" asked Ichika.
"Yeah." said Jayr while scratching his head.
"So that's why you went berserk yesterday." said Ichika.
"Yeah. Sorry about it" said Jayr.
"But is it that bad to the point that you can't tell us?" asked Ichika.
"It's not that I don't trust you guys. It's just that…. I don't feel comfortable telling you guys." said Jayr.
'And risking blowing my cover at the same time.' thought Jayr.
"I see." said Ichika understanding Jayr's situation.
'But it doesn't explain why I felt comfortable told her.' thought Jayr remembering what happened yesterday.
Since this morning, the fact that he was able to tell a part of his past to Chifuyu has been nagging him non-stop. Whatever reason he could think up, it's doesn't feels right.
'It's defiantly not because she had been through the same thing.' thought Jayr massaging his temples. 'It's something else completely that…. Agh! I give up.'
During lunch break
"Hey, Jayr."
Jayr turned around when he heard someone called his name. It was Ichika walking towards him.
"Jayr, I'm going to visit Houki at the infirmary." said Ichika. "Do you want to join me?"
Jayr hesitated remembering what happened this morning but before he could answer he was interrupted with a familiar voice.
"What are you guys talking about?" asked Cecilia.
"Ah, I was going to visit Houki at the infirmary and I was asking Jayr if he wants to come." said Ichika.
"WHAT?" shouted Cecilia causing the whole class to look at her and Jayr to flinch at her loud voice.
"Keep it down." said Ichika hurriedly.
"What happened to Shinonono-san?" asked Cecilia lowering her voice.
"She…" said Jayr.
"She fainted when we were practicing yesterday." said Ichika hurriedly cutting Jayr off.
"Really?" asked Cecilia looking at Jayr.
Jayr just sighed when he saw Ichika gave him the look that says don't tell her.
"Yeah." said Jayr nodding.
"Then come on." said Cecilia catching Jayr off guard by dragging Jayr out of the class.
Jayr seeing that he have no choice. He let himself get dragged by Cecilia and trying to ignore the feeling of her breast touching his arm with Ichika following behind whiles the whole class looking at them.
Later. At the infirmary
Houki just finished wearing her uniform when she heard the sound of the door open.
When she saw the first two figures came in, she was surprised but when the last figure entered the infirmary, she instantly remember the conversation she had a while ago after Jayr left.
"How are you feeling, Houki?" asked Ichika before Houki could say anything.
"A bit tired but I can manage." said Houki the pointed at Cecilia. "Why is she here?"
"She heard about you being in the infirmary and she practically dragged me here." said Jayr sighing causing Cecilia giving him a glare. "Good to see you up."
"Thanks." said Houki smiling slightly. "About yesterday…., I don't blame you."
That statement alone was more than enough to make Jayr shocked.
"B..but why?" asked Jayr after he found his voice to speak.
"Orimura-sensei told me about your situation and if I'm in your situation I would probably reacted the same." said Houki while slightly glancing towards Ichika.
"Wait! What did she told you?" asked Jayr starting to feel a bit worried.
"She didn't tell me the particulars but she told me that you had suffered a lot in the past which causes you to overreact." said Houki.
"I see." said Jayr while sighing a breath of relief.
"What is she talking about?" asked Cecilia glaring at Jayr.
"Nothing." said Jayr before turning to leave. "I got something to do. See you guys later."
After that, Jayr just quietly walks out the infirmary leaving the remaining three at the infirmary looking at the door where Jayr left.
"What is going on?" asked Cecilia glaring at Houki.
At Orimura Chifuyu's office
'Why do I get a feeling that I'm going to be disturbed?'
That was the first thought that came through mind when Orimura Chifuyu started marking her papers.
Right on Chifuyu's instinct a soft sound of the door being knock can be heard.
"Orimura-Sensei?"
To Chifuyu's surprise, it was Jayr voice coming through the door.
"It's me Jayr Lai." said Jayr over the door.
"Come in" replied Chifuyu in her most official teacher voice hiding the fact that Chifuyu had an idea why Jayr came to her office.
Chifuyu notices that Jayr was holding a brown color can but she couldn't figure out what is it as Jayr closes the door.
Jayr suddenly stop in his tracks and pointed at the stack of papers on her desk.
"Er… am I disturbing you, Orimura-Sensei?"
"It's nothing. I've just started marking this." said Chifuyu dismissively. "What brings you here?"
Jayr walk towards her desk before standing in front of her desk and put the can that he has been holding since he came in.
"I'm not sure if you drink coffee or like this particular brand of coffee but I just want to tell you that I'm thankful that you help me with the issue with Houki and not telling her about my past." said Jayr.
"Is that all?" asked Chifuyu with a blanked face.
"Yeah, that's all." said Jayr before bowing. "Sorry to disturb you. I'll be going out."
Without Chifuyu realizing, a small smile was unconsciously form on her lips and her mood was pretty good for the whole day.
After school. Arena 3
"Why are you the one teaching me?" asked Ichika looking at Jayr nervously.
"Because Houki still need her rest and I don't mind teaching you." said Jayr before his face turn serious. "And I won't go out of control like yesterday. And this is a vow I intend to keep."
Seeing that he has no choice and the resolve on Jayr's face, Ichika just sigh and prepare himself for the upcoming training.
"Are you ready?" asked Jayr before receiving a nod in return.
"Ok, here I come." said Jayr while raising his katana.
One hour and thirty minutes later
Exhausted wasn't enough to describe what Ichika's current situation. Ichika felt that his entire body was made out lead. Jayr tactics was aggressive that Ichika was forced to be defensive but that didn't managed to stop Jayr to land blows onto him.
"Need a hand?" asked Jayr extended his hand to Ichika.
"Thanks." said Ichika while taking Jayr's offer. "Where did you learn to fight like that?"
Jayr instantly recalls his experiences during his military services and stare into the distance as if he hadn't heard Ichika question before snapping back into reality.
"You won't trust me if I told you." said Jayr while shaking his head. "Trust me."
"And here comes trouble." said Jayr looking past Ichika's shoulder causing Ichika to look behind him.
Ichika saw his sister wearing her track outfit walking towards them while holding a shinai.
"Lai, you are free to rest I'll take over." said Chifuyu.
"Ok, Orimura-Sensei." said Jayr while nodding then turning towards Ichika. "I'll be doing maintenance so I won't be joining you and Houki for dinner."
After getting a nod from Ichika, Jayr started walking towards the hanger.
"Don't be too rough on him." said Jayr softly that only Chifuyu could hear him as Jayr walk past Chifuyu.
Chifuyu was surprised having such statement from Jayr but to Chifuyu credit, she didn't show it.
"Chifuyu-nee..." said Ichika.
"It's Orimura-Sensei." said Chifuyu sternly causing Ichika to cover in fear.
"Yes, Orimura-Sensei." said Ichika meekly.
Jayr just smirk hearing the exchange between siblings as he enters the hanger.
A little while later at the hanger
"Jayr!"
Jayr was focus on doing maintenance on his IS that he jumped when he heard someone calling him. He turned around and sighed when he saw the owner of the voice. It was Cecilia.
"Jayr, do you want to join me for dinner?" asked Cecilia sweetly.
"Thanks but no thanks." replied Jayr bluntly before turning back looking at the report. "Sorry."
Cecilia just frowns at his answer until she thought of an idea.
Jayr was frowning while looking at the analysis report shown on the workshop monitor screen when his instinct told him that something bad is going to happen.
Before he could ponder about it, somebody hugs him from behind and he felt something very soft touching his back and it doesn't take a genius to figure it out what it was.
"Can you join me for dinner, please?" asked Cecilia in her cutest voice that she could muster next to his ear.
To any other person, they would most likely blush and say yes. In Jayr's case, he was itching to shove her away and shout at her to fuck off but he hesitated because the report he was going through is the report on the GN drives and he was afraid that if he refuses her, she will try ask him again and again to the point that she might see the report and starts to ask questions that he wouldn't answer.
'The things I do for Celestial Being.' thought Jayr while sighing after a short moment of pondering.
"All right." said Jayr unreluctantly.
'Yes! My plan worked!' thought Cecilia.
"Give me a moment." said Jayr while transferring the report to his communicator for viewing later and turn towards his IS in its inactive mode.
Jayr puts his hand on the chest of the IS and closes his eyes. A short moment later and a bright flash, his IS is back in its closed formed.
"All right." said Jayr while turning towards to Cecilia unreluctantly. "Let's go."
Before Jayr can react, Cecilia cling onto his arms causing Jayr to sigh and rubbed his temple with his free hand.
'It's going to be a very long dinner.' thought Jayr while being dragged by Cecilia out from the hanger.
At room 0040
"Thank god that I managed to disappear." muttered Jayr to himself as he entered his room. "If I stayed there for a bloody second longer, I swear I'll go nuts."
For a solid half an hour, Jayr was embarrassly spoon-fed by Cecilia which he would refuses in the first place but knowing her character she wouldn't hear one bit so he had no choice to go along until she said that she had brought cookies along to eat.
Jayr shivered when he remembered the time when he first ate her cookies. It was absolute terrible and he still remembers the taste of the cookies in his mouth that it nearly makes him have the need to go to the toilet and puke.
Jayr wouldn't want to go that experience again so he made up an excuse of needing to finish his homework that he needs to passes up tomorrow. Jayr walked out of the cafeteria before Cecilia could say anything.
Jayr knew it's rude not appreciating the effort that Cecilia had put into her cookies but he rather not want to go through the horrifying experience again.
"May god help whoever eats her cookies." said Jayr while taking a seat on the chair and closes his eyes.
After a moment of relaxing on the chair, Jayr straighten himself and took out his communicator and open up the report that he was supposed to be reading earlier.
"Well, let's get to work." said Jayr smiling.
Not even a minute has passed when the sound of the door knocking could be heard.
"Bloody fucking hell, don't tell me it's her again." muttered Jayr to himself before pocketing his communicator and stood up.
'If there's a god in the world, may he give me strength to deal with her because I have absolutely have no energy to deal with her.' thought Jayr before he opened the door.
To his surprise and relief, it was Ichika standing in front of his door.
"Am I disturbing you?' asked Ichika while rubbing his neck.
'He seems nervous.' thought Jayr. 'I wonder what's up.'
"Nah, I don't mind as long you aren't Cecilia." said Jayr causing Ichika to look at him puzzled. "Don't ask. Wanna come in?"
"Ye..yeah, thank you." said Ichika.
"What's the matter?" asked Jayr as Ichika sat on one of the beds. "You seem nervous."
"Well… I'm just nervous for the match." said Ichika. "I'm not sure if I'm ready to face Rin."
"Didn't your sister gave you some tips or moves to help you?" asked Jayr.
"She did but I'm not sure if I can pull it off." said Ichika sighing.
"Why do you think like that?" asked Jayr puzzled.
"Just faced the facts, I'm a rookie compared to Rin who is a representative." said Ichika looking down. "And by the way, it's my first deployment with the Byakushiki."
Jayr remember what he had told his CO during his first deployment when he looked at Ichika nervous face. It was exactly the same reason as his years ago except Ichika is nervous of losing and he's afraid of dying.
"It's the pilots who win battles not the spec of the suit that you are deployed with." said Jayr after a moment of silence causing Ichika to look up and saw a faraway look on Jayr's face.
"That's mean I will lose." said Ichika even more dejected.
"No, you're wrong. What I meant is it's the will of the pilot that wins battles. Skills is also a factor here but a strong will can even win most skilled pilots." said Jayr before looking at Ichika straight in the eye.
"Tell me, what drives you to come here to consult me?" asked Jayr bluntly causing Ichika to look at him surprised.
"Because I'm nervous because of the match." said Ichika.
"That's your feelings for the match." said Jayr "Not your reason to fight. Look deeper within you and tell me what your motivation."
"I don't get what you mean." said Ichika puzzled.
"Look, you may be enrolled in this school for a different reason than the others but I get a feel of your character that your main motivation is not because you are in school." said Jayr. "So what's your real motivation?"
Ichika took his time to do some deep thinking which he rarely do. Jayr was right about certain parts of character causing Ichika to able to see a clearer picture of his motivation but it's still partly blur out causing Ichika unable to figure it out at all.
"Ichika, I want you to take your time to figure it out don't try to rush it but overall I think you'll be fine because I think you have the ability to master the Byakushiki since it was your sister IS in the first place and you are her brother after all." said Jayr after a moment.
Ichika widens his eyes as he remembers Chifuyu saying the same thing a while ago.
"After all, you are my brother." said Chifuyu with a small smile on her face.
Then suddenly Ichika felt that the last piece of the puzzle has fell into place. It was his sister. His sister has been his motivation all along. Since his sister left him alone in the house to work, he has been always trying his best to not to be a burden to his sister.
"I see the last piece of the puzzle has fell in place, isn't it?" asked Jayr seeing Ichika started to smile. It sounded more like a statement than a question.
"Yeah, I think… no, I believe that I know what my motivation is." said Ichika looking at Jayr in the eyes.
Jayr smiled when he sees the fiery determination in Ichika's eyes.
"What's is it?" asked Jayr still smiling.
"My sister." said Ichika. "But what does this have to with the match?"
"Because that's the reason that's motivates you." said Jayr. "One thing that I learn is if you don't have a clear clarity of what you want to fight for, you'll started to doubt yourself and get yourself killed sooner or later."
"I see." said Ichika when suddenly he thought of something. "Wait, why do you sounds like you have been through the same thing before?"
'He's sharper than I thought.' thought Jayr chuckling.
"I can't tell you the details," said Jayr after a moment of hesitation. "But yeah, I've been through something similar."
"But first," said Jayr standing up and walking towards the door. "It'll be rude not to entertain two more guests."
"Two more guests?" asked Ichika curious.
"Yes, two more guests," said Jayr suddenly opening the door. "That are eavesdropping our conversation."
Two person immediately fell onto the floor as Jayr open the door that causes Ichika's eyes widen in shock. It was Cecilia and Houki.
"I would expect this from Cecilia but what are you doing here, Houki?" asked Jayr causing Houki to blush and stutter.
"Well, if both of you have nothing to do, I would like talk to the both of you about a proposal." said Jayr cutting Houki off.
This drew a curious look from Cecilia and Houki.
A/N: And that's all for this chapter. And as always please remember to read and review. It's important for a rookie writer like me.
