Infinite Stratos - Summer Mayhem
Chapter 7 – Guangzhou China
Day Two (Part 2)
Ichika mentally counted to a hundred.
After completing the task he began to revise IS facts, making sure that he did not suffer from any permanent brain damage. He couldn't remember what had happened after being knocked unconscious. He sort of had the impression that Rin was helping him take pictures, forcing him to lie down on one of the benches. They had some sort of shaved ice, which refreshed him before he slept on the coach ride back to the public taxi parking area.
He had awoken again with a thumping headache. They were back inside the saloon car and Rin had gently shook him, signalling to wake up. Ichika was half tempted to ignore her, it wasn't like he wasn't mad at her.
He had wasted half a day because of her violent tendencies.
Why had she even hit him in the first place?
"Ichika… my sleeping beauty…"
He shivered slightly at the way she said it. Her voice went deeper, almost into a trance and it took him a few seconds to register what she called him.
Sleeping beauty was the story when to wake the princess the prince ki-
"I'm awake!"
Ichika's eyes flickered open and sure enough Rin was only centimetres from his face. She did not draw back but opened her own eyes to reveal piercing green orbs. A rare sight for a Chinese born, yet they matched her well; fiery, passionate and assertive. She smiled softly and continued to inch her face closer. Sweat started to form even in the cool conditioning of the car and he almost screamed in protest.
Tap Tap
Rin looked annoyed as she glanced to the passenger window. Her driver was outside and had begun to say something in Chinese and she sighed dejectedly.
"The ship is about to depart, they're waiting for us."
Safe!
It had almost gotten to the point that he would have to fight her off. She exited one side of the car and he the other. The ship was a sleek white cruise vessel, capable of seating around two thousand people, not too large yet not small either. The interior from the large windows seemed to be carpeted red, with elegant glass ornaments and chandeliers.
Like the hotel the cruise ship was very high class and Ichika suddenly felt uncomfortable.
"This seems… very posh. Are you sure it's okay for us to go in?"
"It's fine, we're IS representatives, the most powerful super soldiers in the world. Do you think we'll have trouble going onto a boat?"
"But –"
"You do realise when you go and see Cecilia, things will be thousands of times fancier than here."
Ichika audibly gulped. Most likely he would have to take lessons to properly conduct himself when he did go to London and he dreaded the idea. It surprised him that Rin would take him to these places. She was not extremely rich, nor did she care for such material possessions, yet she had displayed beyond average wealth for his sake. Was it just to impress him? Or perhaps she was different from how he knew her.
"Ichika?"
He snapped out of his thoughts and followed her as they boarded through an electric escalator into the interior quarters. It was as he suspected, more marble, red carpeted floors with gold metal beams. The other guests paid them no heed as they were all dressed in suits and party gowns. He suddenly felt self conscious in only a shirt and trousers. Rin looked unperturbed wearing her uniform, already strolling around eyes searching, looking for something. The way she gathered herself set his mind at ease.
"Have you been here before Rin?" he asked quietly afraid to make too much noise.
"Pretty much. I knew the person who bought this ship. He was my IS teacher back in middle school."
Rin seemed to smile sadly and he felt a sudden urge to question the full extent of their relationship. Before he got the chance she started dragging him into a dark corridor. He shook himself free before noticing that they were heading away from the other guests, in the paths they had taken there was only the sound of the ventilation.
A while later he could pick up the faint roar of the turbines as the boat began to move.
"I hope we can see the outside Rin. I wanted to take some pictures…"
"I know don't worry," she answered without turning.
The corridor expanded as they walked up stairs and through spiralling tunnels. The lights began to shine more brightly and he was taken off guard. They were in an open grass land with a hexagonal glass window separating the room from the outside. The grass felt cool to touch and there were a collection of trees and even the sound of birds. The sides of the six sided window began to retract increasing its area spreading into a wide dome. From here he could clearly see the darkening sky and the lights of high buildings beginning to flicker to life.
They were inches above the water, yet on a platform where the natural light could illuminate the domed glass building. Now Ichika could clearly see the full grassland spreading a diameter of fifty metres. From his view he could see other domes lining the wall of ship, all closed into metallic spheres waiting to be opened and exposed to the light.
"What is this place? It feels… magical."
"Artificial bio-dome," Rin replied softly putting her hand against the glass wall. "Everything here was cultivated and grown for the purpose preserving life. In other bio-domes there are deserts, ice caps, mountainous regions terraformed to preserve important organisms."
This seemed like a new Rin that he had not seen before. Her face was downcast as she stared at the outside world before turning, the sun setting and a shadow casting over him. Her face was serene, mature and not a single hint of the childish girl that he knew before could be traced.
"It's because we never know when people will turn against each other one day. There are thousands like this and have been entrusted to high ranking officials and IS veterans. You probably noticed Ichika, that there were not many other people on this ship, well there's a reason for that."
"Rin… you're not serious are you? No one is going to go to war…"
"How do you know?"
"I-I…" he had been kidnapped before. Ichika had also witnessed many times where the power of IS had been abused. He had also met a girl used as an IS testing device, a modified solider bred solely for war and the Valkyrie Programme. There would always be corruption, malice and therefore… war.
"Got you!" she screamed laughing. "Of course there's nothing like that. This is just a fancy ship with some grass on."
"Rin!" he said furiously. "You can't say such things as a joke!"
"Sorry! It's just a little revenge Ichika," she said walking towards him clutching her stomach in laughter, her other hand waving in dismissal.
"What did I do now? Last time I checked you knocked me out cold after beating me senseless."
"Well, you broke my heart, Ichika."
Rin leaned forwards, her face raised towards him. Ichika began to step away but her hand swept up holding him in position. The soles of her boots lifted from the ground and she lightly kissed his cheek, her face blushing and her eyes closed. Rin's lips trembled and she chanced another peck on the same spot before releasing him. His mind malfunctioned as he stared into her quivering eyes and flushed face. She had a fist over her chest and her body tightening, fidgeting, restless.
"R-Rin?"
"With that… I've given up."
She was now beaming towards him, but he had known her long enough to know that she was disguising her pain. Her smile was fake, her words were fake, everything she was doing now was fake. He felt anger rising to his throat and began to formulate a response.
"Ri-"
"Don't you dare say another word!" she shouted over him. "You'll only tempt me with your kindness. I was going to force you to be with me, but I couldn't Ichika. I-I-…"
Her voice trembled and he could tell she was close to breaking.
"I want you to be happy!"
A lump caught his own throat. For the first time he felt a strange emotion he had never felt before. Ichika's heart pounded firmly, rhythmically yet his breaths were fast and syncopated. Rin stared at him to reply, her innocent look with the face that was… proud. She regretted nothing, she was moving forwards, she was moving on.
Why did it bother him so much?
"Ichika?"
She had a sweet voice when shy. Her usual loud mouth becoming soft, gentle like a musical instrument.
Rin was hurting, he had to do something.
What did he want to do?
"Ichika? Give me some kind of response. I'm embarrassed…"
Ichika ran forwards embracing her firmly. She yelped in surprise and must have had an equally surprised face, but he didn't open his eyes. He simply held onto her firmly, it was a last attempt to make her stay in her happiness for only a bit longer.
But-
Her body shuddered and the tears finally released. She screamed loudly, with such anguish that Ichika felt his own chest tighten. Rin's body uncontrollably began to spasm and they gently fell to their knees, still embracing, waiting for the moment when they must let go of each other, as that would have been their final goodbye.
Ichika kept his eyes closed as she clung to him releasing her sorrow.
He wouldn't look, she wouldn't want that.
But he would be there for her. She started to push away, but she was still sobbing and he held firm. If only a little bit longer he wanted to stay like that, because he knew that their parting would be forever.
"Thank you, thank you for everything, Rin."
Cecilia walked towards Charlotte and Houki on the upper deck of the ship. They had all put on heavy makeup, and changed their clothes in the attempt to disguise themselves, but she was doubtful. Cecilia wore a dark blue dress with a pearl white necklace. She kept it as simple as possible knowing that she had the body to pull off any tight fitting dress. Her experience in fancy dressing should have far surpassed the other girls… yet…
Cecilia carefully appraised her competition.
Charlotte was dressed in pink, a shorter dress hitched above her kneecaps but tighter at the waist. In comparison Houki was in a long white gown, fully accenting her tall stature.
They both looked rather good, she admitted grumbling.
"Are you sure they're on this ship?" Charlotte asked wearily.
"Yes, I just confirmed that they checked in before departure."
"This ship… is one of those isn't it?" the French girl continued.
Cecilia stayed silent but did not refute her. Each IS country representative had a guarded secret, most were in preparation for global warfare, but in some cases like Rin it was more about a survival plan. A collection of living data, a responsibility that no one could run away from. Cecilia knew from personal experience the weight of such knowledge.
"One of those?" Houki questioned.
The Japanese girl looked distastefully towards the horizon of buildings. She was still so innocent. Cecilia felt a wave of disgust and jealousy but quelled it savagely. Charlotte had walked over and placed a hand on her shoulder smiling gently. No one was perfect, but Cecilia could not stand how someone could be so lucky throughout their whole lives. Someone who already had fame, fortune, a family that loved them, a childhood friend who cared for them and yet still lecture people about how they should live their life.
"I'm glad Ichika is not really a representative," Charlotte interjected smiling.
"Yes, I don't think he would be able to comprehend it," she replied in response already her anger dissipating. Houki stayed silent watching the waves break, her long hair sweeping up in the wind. Her sad expression really needed to be slapped, Cecilia thought not comprehending how she had the nerve to feel depressed.
"Everyone has a story Cecilia," Charlotte whispered sweetly. Cecilia doubted it was true, but she saw the point of not jumping to conclusions too quickly.
"Shouldn't we go find them?" Houki suggested.
Cecilia turned towards her smiling, before noticing that her jaw had dropped. Charlotte had also yelped in fear. Both had a terrified expression, especially Charlotte who was looking towards the river almost seemingly contemplating the choice of jumping. Only a single person could illicit such a reaction, but it was not possible… it could not be possible…
"I finally found you idiots!"
Orimura Chifuyu.
Cecilia straightened her back turning, to see the teacher's face dark with anger. She still wore her tight fitting suit, but in her hand was a short police baton. Chifuyu twirled the weapon absently staring at the girls. Cecilia looked towards the water and wondered if she should chance the waves like her French companion.
"I knew you guys were stupid, but this takes the cake!"
None of them could say a word. Cecilia herself was not too sure what she was referring to, but it was far wiser to keep a closed mouth around Orimura Chifuyu.
"A good choice Alcott."
Certain people were born with psychic ability able to read minds. Some were born with physical strength transcending even machine. Orimura Chifuyu was a combination of both, the single most powerful entity the world had ev-
"That's enough!" Cecilia snapped out of her thoughts looking towards the teacher attentively. "So do any of you want to explain why you were having IS battles across Japan and China?!"
She could feel Charlotte next to her heating up. Cecilia felt sorry for the French girl who always seemed to have a rather tense relationship with the teacher. The thought suddenly hit her that she was also involved in both cases as well and she could feel her own body temperature rising.
"Around 50 people saw you in Baiyun Mountains… It's a famous landmark for heaven's sake! And wide scale forest damage around Hakone Temple! Do you know how much the media is loving this and how we have to cover it up? This could literally give excuse for global conflict!"
"Sorry!" They all bowed in unison.
"And the worst of it… your fights were all disappointing!"
Cecilia looked up, her face shocked. Was she really going to lecture them right here about piloting? A waiter came baring a platter full of drinks. Chifuyu took a glass of champagne, downing it one gulp before continuing.
"Dunois, for someone with a second generation IS you're getting awfully arrogant with your skills. Do not charge a foe with higher parameters than you, analyse and wait for your chance. Shinonono you are far too reliant on your superior IS to defeat others, your piloting is unrefined and honestly awful. And Alcott!"
She gulped waiting to be criticised. The teacher was one of the few people that she had to hold her tongue against. Being a proud person, she normally would have just beat their face in if they shamed her... in a duel of course.
"Unlucky matchups. Continue perfecting your long range fighting style."
Cecilia smiled, this was practically the highest praise possible. She had always thought very thoroughly about her actions and knew that one day her mathematical precision would be helpful. She was practically glowing with pride when another look into Chifuyu's eyes brought her back to reality.
It was always the eyes that frightened her.
"So I'm giving you all a choice. Either you hand in your IS now or you'll be subject to special training regime right here right now."
"Special… training?" Cecilia repeated cautiously.
"Don't expect to get any sleep! Don't worry you'll be in time for your flight to Berlin tomorrow morning."
"Special training!" both Charlotte and Houki replied with no hesitation. Cecilia analysed the prospects for a brief second before agreeing, but her teacher was not satisfied.
"Oh Alcott, what are you trying to say? You don't need special training? Or maybe you don't need your IS anymore?"
Her eyes had hardened and Cecilia had to back away.
"Nothing like that, I just wanted to properly consider the pros and cons of each decision before making it."
"Do I hear extra special training?!"
Cecilia audibly gulped back a retort and shrank behind Charlotte. The teacher glared at her before walking over and speaking in a slow hard voice.
"You each got a turn to get Ichika. You all agreed to this. If you broke your word, then break it fully. If you intended to sabotage someone… do it fully."
"Sensei?" Cecilia could only murmur but she was silenced with her own hand over her mouth.
"All of you idiots are still within your own little worlds, unable to see the big picture. Why aren't you fighting for what you want? Unless your ideals are more important to you than Ichika?"
Cecilia felt her heart sink. She knew deep down what she needed to do and looking at Houki and Charlotte a similar thought had crossed them as well. The English girl was not about to argue with Orimura Chifuyu, but Charlotte had other ideas.
"Sorry Sensei! But I don't think I should do something like that."
"What was that Dunois?"
Everyone had recoiled at the amount of venom secreted within those few words, but the French girl didn't back down. She stood her ground and Cecilia felt admiration towards her.
"Because that would make me selfish. And Ichika does not like selfish people."
The teacher stared at her bewildered. Her eyes were wide and she let out a slight chuckle making Cecilia cringe in unease.
"You little girl. There's a difference between being selfish and fighting for what you want. Selfish is wanting everything without giving anything up… wouldn't you say Dunois?"
"With respect Sensei," Houki started to speak. "I think Charlotte is the least selfish person I have ever met, she is just simply kind… and maybe a bit stupid."
Charlotte blushed at her words and Cecilia could only stare in shock.
What had happened to these two?
When did they get so close?
When did they have the guts to talk back to their teacher?
Chifuyu also looked a bit shocked but then smiled in amusement.
"Well looks like both of you did some growing up in these last five days. I'm guessing Ichika probably has too…"
"He has begun to realise," Houki answered vaguely.
"It's the whole reason I got him to take this journey. That blockhead still thinks he's 12, not that that's bad, but it's not good either."
Cecilia wondered if the teacher was a closet pervert preferring younger boys, but then immediately flushed the thought from her mind before she was caught. From the lack of reaction her thoughts were not being read.
Yet now they all seemed to be in a world far from her own. When did they become so distant?
Shinonono had even started calling Charlotte by her first name.
"But first," Chifuyu said grabbing them all and pulling them into a tight embrace. "It's been hard right? Good job."
Cecilia felt awkward and out of place, yet she couldn't pull away from her iron grip. It was only after struggling for a whole minute did she realise the panicked faces of both Charlotte and Houki as well as the huge grin on Orimura Chifuyu's face.
"But now as agreed it's special training time!"
Cecilia screamed at the top of her lungs, ready to say anything to free herself. But the second she blinked they were in another place entirely. Somewhere dark, miserable and unpleasant.
Did the teacher teleport?
Did they lose consciousness?
What absurd sorcery was this?
"Light warmup!"
Please be light…
"20km jog."
That wasn't so bad…
"With weighted clothes!"
"Ichika look at the view!"
Rin happily tugged at his sleeve as they walked towards the glass windows of Canton Tower. From this angle the lights from all the other buildings formed the Chinese character 'fortune.' She giggled as she knew that she was fortunate enough to have Ichika for the whole two days as if they were boyfriend and girlfriend. It was much better than saving her confession until the end and not getting a proper reply.
"Woah Rin, this is incredible!"
He started taking pictures and she laughed when he asked her what the symbol meant. It was simple kanji yet Ichika was not the most studious person. Rin's smile faltered as she gazed at the number of couples around them.
Kissing, hugging, taking pictures…
She would have to settle for two of those things, she was two thirds of the way to succeeding after all. Without warning she leapt on Ichika's back making him cry out in shock. Thankfully she was only about half his weight and he was easily able to support her.
"Rin?!"
"That counts as a hug!" she said laughing still clinging to his neck. After being pulled down and confronted by his slightly rattled face she suggested another activity.
"Can you take a photo of me Ichika?"
"Photo? Sure why not?"
She positioned herself so that he could take a picture of the night scenery without any other person in the picture. It wasn't difficult seeing as not many people were present but he seemed distracted.
By what?
By the other couples? No he had his eyes clearly focused on her.
Rin's eyes moved towards her body, she was still wearing the same uniform as this morning.
There was nothing that much different about her.
Her maturity? Would that show?
Did her face look sad? Happy? Could people tell she had been crying only hours ago?
"Rin you're slightly dark because of the lighting, maybe step forwards so I can get you and the background in one clear picture."
Of course… that was how this dumbass functioned.
"Okay, Ichika," she said out loud walking forwards. He took a few pictures before putting his thumb up as a seal of approval. She refrained from looking at them and only smiled. This time his head span the other direction becoming slightly red.
"Ichika?"
"I'm fine, don't worry."
He didn't sound fine, but for some reason that made Rin feel happier. She lightly walked around the platform with Ichika close behind, looking out of the window at the expanse of high rise buildings, roads and river lights. The whole city glowed with life, vitality and movement.
"Were you happy Rin?"
"That's a very general question, so I'll give you a general answer. Yes."
He didn't look satisfied with that but Rin was glad that he was back to his old self. The last thing she wanted to do was to leave a scar in him when he wasn't going to be hers anymore.
"That's not what I meant. I mea-"
"Shi ta men shi ta men! (It's them! It's them!)"
"Na ge ri ben nan sheng? Zheng de shi! Ta de nv peng you ye zai.
(That Japanese guy? It really is him! His girlfriend is there too.)"
"Kuai dian wen ta chi fan le ma! (Quickly ask him if he's had dinner yet!)"
"Wo ye bu zhi dao zen me shuo ri yu. (It's not like I know how to speak Japanese.)"
"Wo shi yi shi ba. (I'll have a go then.)"
"Ni de dong man ri yu? Hai shi bu yao ba, hui hen gan ga!
(With your anime learnt vocabulary? I don't think this is a good idea, you'll probably say something awkward!)"
"Xiang si ma? (Want to die?)"
Rin face palmed in that instant. She had forgotten all about her 'claim' of being Ichika's girlfriend and the whole world seemed to believe it was true. There were a few ways that she could get out of this mess but she didn't feel like implementing them anytime soon.
"Excuse me!" a girl shouted running to Ichika. She was taller than Rin, more shapely and attractive and instantly she wanted to throw her off the tower.
"Yes?"
"You're very handsome!"
Ichika went bright red and even Rin was impressed by the girl's use of Japanese. She was amused enough to listen to her next sentence.
"If you have time, then let's eat lots of … rice."
"Rice?"
"I like rice!"
"So do I," Ichika replied patiently.
"I love rice! Rice is good."
She was just self destructing now, Rin concluded. She had gotten the word for rice and food mixed up, generally interchangeable but not in this context. Rin told her the mistake and the girl ran away in embarrassment. Another crises avoided she thought patting herself on the back.
"Good work Rin, that was a bit intense."
"Intense?"
"She was trying so hard I didn't want to say anything to ruin her concentration."
Rin sighed in defeat. Ichika was a rare species.
"Wouldn't you like to marry my daughter Ichika?"
"I don't think that's a decision I should make at 15."
"For her sake."
"Her sake? I know she has feelings for me, but that will eventually change."
"You really don't know what it means to be the country representative? I would have thought that anyone with the name Orimura would have something to do with the-"
"FATHER! What are you saying you dumb old man?!"
"Our time is up I suppose. No rush, just something for you to consider."
Ichika brought food to the fifth table and briskly collected the dirty plates. Much to Rin's horror their restaurant was understaffed and they both had to work to make sure that service would go as required. He was in a full butler suit while Rin wore a red qipao showing a seductive amount of le-
"If you keep on staring at her, I'm going to charge you."
Her father had snuck up behind him and he yelped in panic. Her father was as he remembered, large like a grizzly bear with forearms able to fight off any of his relative species. Ichika was a little intimidated by his macho persona but carried on with his duties masterfully. Serving ten tables was somehow less stressful than serving his sister.
"Well you're pretty good at this," the father admitted shaking his head and retreating back into the kitchen. Ichika stole another glance at Rin who was chatting happily with one of the customers.
What was it about her that captivated him now?
It would probably be the same for Houki the next time they would meet. He hoped that it stopped there, having an awkward relationship with Charlotte, Laura and Cecilia did not excite him in anyway.
He reached a table of four. They were a strange bunch. One had her blonde hair braided, but she wore huge sunglasses indoors that covered half her face. The girl opposite her had her head wrapped in cloth only exposing the mouth and eyes. The last one was wearing such an elaborate hat that it covered most her face. They all looked familiar but he could not place from where.
"Excuse me I would like –" The one in the sunglasses put a hand over the mouth of the hat girl silencing her. Did they just speak Japanese? Another person entered and sat down next to them. She was tall, shapely and wearing a suit. Her face was covered with a thin layer of plastic and her hair tied into a pony tail. Normally such a plastic layer was an indication of a burn victim, yet he couldn't help feeling that he had seen her somewhere.
Sister?!
"Chifuyu?"
The woman looked at him blankly before ordering something in Chinese. It missed him completely and he apologised telling them to point at the menu. It couldn't be Chifuyu, she wouldn't be wearing a disguise here just to see him work after all. The others kind of resembled Charlotte, Houki and Cecilia. But he put it from his mind.
"Ichika have you got the orders?"
"Coming Rin!"
"Good work, now could you… Oh my god what are they doing?!"
Rin was looking in his direction utterly stunned. Ichika returned with a questionable look on his face.
"What is who doing?"
"N-Never mind. Go up to your room and rest. I know it's late and your flight is tomorrow morning. You shouldn't miss it."
"Are you sure that's okay?"
"Yes Ichika, goodnight…"
"Goodnight Rin."
He left through the back door and ascended the single staircase to the bathroom where he stripped himself from his clothes and took a hot shower. It had been an eventful day and he now better understood Rin. There were still hazy areas, but that was not his place to encroach upon anymore.
Ichika dried himself and slowly walked to the guestroom. It was small but had everything he needed with a single bed, bookshelf and desk. The bed was placed perpendicular to the window which he preferred and the shelves full of interesting books about conservation of the environment.
It was a bit unexpected that Rin had those interests in mind.
Ichika lay in his bed staring up at the white plastered ceiling. Only one thought really tugged in his mind.
What did her father mean by country representative secrets?
That was definitely his homework for when he returned back to IS academy.
Tomorrow his flight would leave first thing in the morning and he needed as much sleep as he could get.
But sleep would not come.
Not with Rin's face floating in his mind, her smile, her tears, her laughter.
Even if they weren't together it was still painful to him.
The ambition he had was to become strong so that he could protect the one's that he loved.
Did he protect Rin? Did he save her?
He had not…
Was there something wrong with him? His ideals, his strengths?
He turned so that his face was against the wall. He knew that Rin would soon be on the other side. Ichika lightly whispered everything that was on his mind, but all that come out from his lips were the words:
I'm sorry
And he let the day end.
A/N Sorry for the delay in writing, I was super ill for most of the week!
Hope you enjoy this update, this is the final arc of China so now we're going to visit Laura's home country Berlin with her IS army and fortress of fun!
Will update soon and stay awesome guys!
