CHAPTER 9

WARNING: There will be HENTAI. If you are uncomfortable with it, please skip to the next chapter.


The match between enemies had come. Ichika Orimura and Charles Dunois against Laura Bodewig and Houki Shinonono, deployed in an Uchigane. Everyone gathered at the arena to watch the competition unfold between them.

"Who would have thought we would face each other in the first round? It spared me the wait." said Laura.

Ichika merely replied "I'm glad to hear that. I feel exactly the same." Ichika then had a face of determination, if not a bit of anger, as he next said "You are going to pay for what you did to Raiden."

Laura could only shrug it off and said "That fool became a sacrificial lamb to save two lives and you believe I should pay the price? Very well. Come join him!" Houki gave herself a slight growl at Laura for saying that since the one boy she truly cared for was now in a coma.

As the timer set off to zero, the match began. Ichika had charged forward but Laura simply put the AIC barrier to halt his advance.

"Launching an attacking after the get-go? You're really easy to understand." said a smirked Laura.

"Glade we agree on something." said Ichika.

Laura's railgun was then pointed towards a trapped Ichika.

Charles jumped over Ichika's head and began firing her sub-machine guns that scattered down like rain. Laura's cannons deviated slightly due to Charles' attacks, and the shots missed. Also, because of Charles' attacks, she had to back away and widen the distance between both of them.

"Don't you run away!"

Charles immediately changed her gun and pointed it forward, summoning an assault rifle on the left hand. Light gathered in the air and formed a gun in less than a second. Charles activated her special skill called Rapid Switch, summoning weapons in battle without calling it out. This could be pulled off due to Charles' skill and decision making.

"Don't forget about me here."

Mobilized in the Uchigane, Houki appeared to block the attack that was aimed at Laura as she deployed a physical shield that was well-suited for a defensive IS, knocking the bullets aside as she hacked at Charles.

"You're the one who forgot about me!"

Being released from Laura's AIC, Ichika immediately accelerated towards Charles from behind. Just when he was about to crash into her, she did a backflip to switch positions with him. This chemistry is all due to the special training.

Houki and Ichika were locked in close-ranged combat as their attacks let out sparks. Ichika continued to use his sword to attack and defend as he increased the power of his thrusters. The accelerated slashes started to push Houki back.

"Ugh! Damn it...!"

Being pushed back, Houki panicked and raised her sword up high. Now's the time!

"Charles!"

"Got it!"

Ichika used both hands to grip the sword tightly and used the Yukihira to knock Houki's attack aside. At this moment, Charles, who was on standby behind him stretched both hands out. She was holding two .62 caliber auto shotguns, and it was impossible to dodge them at this short range.

It was too late for Houki as she went pale, and Charles squeezed the triggers. Suddenly, Houki disappeared right in front of them, and the rain of bullets zoomed past vacuum.

"Don't get in my way!"

Having switched positions with Houki, Laura quickly closed in on Ichika. She used one of the cable guided blades on Houki's leg and used the centrifugal force to toss her to the edge of the arena. It seemed that Houki was able to do an emergency landing through the whip.

"Wh-What are you doing!?"

But Laura wasn't intending to help her partner at all. She just wanted to throw Houki aside, thinking that she's a bother, resulting in Houki pouting in rage. However, Laura herself didn't hear that as she launched the attack at her opponents. She deployed the plasma blades and attacked them from both sides. The mix of slashes and stabs accurately forced them to back away. Laura Bodewig, who would actually say such words, is truly as strong as a monster. Right now, she was engaging in close range combat with Ichika as she held Charles off with the cabled blades to separate her from Ichika. Though she couldn't combat all 6 cabled blades at the same time, she swiftly shot them out and retracted them in fluidly to create a rapid-fire attack.

"Are you alright, Charles?"

"What about you, Ichika? I'll support you now."

"No, it's alright. She's mine."

Charles and Ichika switched to the private frequency to talk for a short while and switched their battle plan to what they originally planned, which was to 'Beat Houki down first'. The reason why they chose this plan was simple—basically, Laura's battle strategy was to go up against many enemies at one go, which she would never expect to fight in group, so she probably wouldn't help Houki.

So, they should beat Houki and attack Laura in a 2 vs 1 situation. Of course, Laura has the ability to take on many machines at one go, but this is where the trap lies. A tag team is formed by having 1 plus 1, but there aren't 2 possibilities.

"Sorry I'm not Ichika." said Charles.

"What...? Don't look down on me!" cried Houki.

Leaving Laura's range, Charles immediately closed in on Houki. Houki didn't understand what was going on, but Charles' taunt certainly made her blood boil. Charles used the close-ranged knife to block Houki's sword, and then, while maintaining the position, she starts to fire the shotgun with her left hand.

"Kuu...!"

The impression that Charles gave was that she's really strong at shooting, but actually, the biggest attribute about this ability is 'flexibility'-and in fact, she won't lose to anyone in combat. Also, with the rapid switch, once the opponent feels that she wants to fight it out with melee style, she can suddenly switch into a gun to shoot, and once the distance is pulled apart, she can close in to close combat range again. She can maintain a certain distance and attack motion whether the opponent's near or far away, and her attacks and defenses are great. This stability is hard to break through.

"So it's a tactic of beating one person? That's meaningless."

Laura most likely never factored Houki in, but this to them was still meaningful. Anyway, his role was to hold off Laura's attacks until Charles beats Houki.

The two plasma blades in her hands and the cabled wires form wave after wave of attacks, and it wasn't easy to deflect them all. Also, once Ichika was not careful, the distance would be pulled apart. So he could only hang on and maintain close proximity.

"You only have that sword as your only weapon, so you can only damage the opponent being in close range, right?"

That was also another reason, right? However, the main reason was because if the distance was pulled apart again, Ichika would become the target of that large caliber railgun, and she had those electric cable-controlled blades. If the distance was pulled apart, Ichika would have to use a lot of time and energy just to get close to her.

Ichika switched the Yukihira Niigata to his right hand and used his left to hold Laura's plasma blade off by grabbing her left hand. His legs were maintaining their position as they continued to operate fully, kicking the cabled blades aside. The movements of the cabled blades were very complicated, he would be scratched if he didn't kick it to the side, so right now, the situation is that 'It will be over if I don't concentrate'.

This was now a zero distance battle, and Ichika didn't know when his concentration would run out as he continued to rely on Charles.

"...Time to end this."

Laura shut the plasma blades off. Not good! Ichika's body froze like ice. Laura's blades were crossed as she raised her hands towards Ichika.

Damn it! It's the AIC!

"Alright—disappear."

Six cabled blades shot out at Ichika.

"Damn!"

It was useless to shout as the cabled wires pierced into his body and took off 1/3 of his IS armor. His shield reserves dropped to nearly half. And Laura's attacks weren't stopping as she used 2 cabled wires to tie his right hand and twist it around a few times, seemingly trying to twist it off and slam him to the ground. Unable to take the impact that pierced through him, his breathing immediately stopped. Just when Ichika thought to get back up again, Laura's large railgun was aimed at him.

"This is the end!"

With a heavy sound, Charles used her shield to block the shot, and then sliced the cabled blade apart to drag Ichika away from the battle zone.

"Sorry to keep you waiting!"

After that, rain-like bullets flew at where Ichika was.

"You saved me there...Thanks Charles!"

"No problems."

"Where's Houki?"

"She's taking a break."

After saying that, Charles turned to look aside, and Ichika turned to look at where she was looking—at the side of the arena, there was an unhappy looking Houki, who was in a severely damaged IS with 0 shields and kneeling on one leg.

"Nice!"

"Say that after we win!"

Charles tossed aside the twin assault rifles in her hands to summon new weapons—they were an auto shotgun and a machine gun.

"Now's the real show."

"Right, let's show her our chemistry!" Ichika activated Reiraku Byakuya and charged at Laura.

"I heard that all the shields will be drained once I touch it...but it's nothing if I don't get hit." said Laura.

Laura's AIC binding attacks continued to assault Ichika. His right hand, left hand, vision, all these continued to be assaulted. He immediately stopped, turned and accelerated, barely dodging them all in the process.

"Running around like that, what an eyesore...!"

She then started to become more vicious in her attacks while striking at Ichika with more cabled blades, but Ichika wasn't fighting alone.

"Ichika! Break through the front at 2 o' clock!"

"Okay!"

"Che...another of your petty tricks!" After zipping through the cabled blades, Laura finally entered his range.

"It's useless, I can predict your attack." said Laura, whose arrogance was starting to show.

"That normal slash's just a start, then-what about this!?" Ichika raise the tip of the sword that was below his foot to chest-level.

"It's useless!"

Ichika's body froze as the AIC net completely stops him.

"I have no need to focus on your hand. As long as I stop you before that-"

"...Ahh, what's wrong, have you forgotten? Don't you know? We're-a tag team!"

Laura frantically moved her eyes in realization, but it was too late. Closing in to zero distance, Charles quickly fired off 6 shotgun bullets, and at the next moment, Laura's large railgun exploded with a loud bang.

"Ku...!"

As what they predicted, Laura's AIC had a fatal flaw. The flaw was that if she didn't focus on the target she wanted to stop, she wouldn't be able to maintain the effect', so right now, Ichika was freed. Then came Charles, who immediately used Ignition Boost to the maximum speed.

"WHAT...! Ignition Boost?!"

For the first time, Laura showed a dumbstruck look. Maybe it was because the data never specified that Charles could use Ignition Boost, and Ichika was shocked as well-because even he didn't know of that.

"Well...this is the first time I'm using it!"

"Wh, WHAT...? Don't tell me you learned it just now!?"

It seems now that Charles' flexibility isn't just a unique attribute, but a skill altogether. Maybe one can even call it a 'one and only unique ability'.

"Humph...But it is no use against my AIC!" Laura said as she switched into the AIC activation mode, however, the one who stopped was-Laura herself.

*BOOM!*

Being attacked somewhere that's unexpected, Laura looks around before seeing Ichika, who's right below her. He's holding the loaded sub machine gun that Charles threw just now. At this point, Laura finally realized that the throwing of the loaded gun just now was Charles and Ichika's double-set plan.

"Now you can't use the AIC!"

"Damn you!"

Laura shouted, but she still didn't lose her cool. She probably would ignore Ichika's inaccurate shooting and focus on Charles. She again aimed the AIC in front.

"But I got a window to attack now."

"So what! With a 2nd Generation Attack Power, trying to take me down is-"

At this moment, Laura suddenly stopped.

That's right. She discovered the strongest weapon amongst the 2nd generation in terms of offensive power. And Charles always had this weapon hidden in her shield.

"I won't miss at this range!"

Charles' shield armor opens, revealing the wheel and pilebunker that was fused together. It's the .69 caliber battering ram, also known as-

"Shield Pierce!?"

For the first time, Laura revealed a panicked expression that showed that she didn't expect to make it.

""OOOOHHHH!""

Both voices overlapped. Charles clenched her left hand to charge forward, and it was a simple forward thrust like what Ichika had just done.

However, what's different is that she even used Ignition Boost to close in, so it was too late to even activate AIC on her. If Laura couldn't stop the battering ram between these few millimeters, she would be hit directly. Laura focused on that target-but missed. In a moment, just for a short moment, Charles showed an angelic smile that looks like a declaration of death, a dazzling yet guilt-ridden smile. The battering ram hit Laura's abdomen. If she concentrated all her shield reserves and activated Absolute Defense, she could block this hit, but as her reserves were almost drained, she couldn't block the impact, and it slammed hard through her body. Laura's face twisted with anguish.

However, the attack was not over. As the shield pierce had a roller function, it could be quickly filled with explosives-in other words, there were multiple shots.

"This is for Raiden!" Charles yelled with each hit she made.

Four consecutive hits. Laura's body trembled terribly. Purple electricity jumped up her frame, forming a forced ejection sign.

But in the next moment, another change occurred as Laura delved deep into her own thoughts.

To think that I...would actually lose here, me! But even so-I CAN'T LOSE! HOW CAN I LOSE...!


Laura Bodewig. This is my name. A code to identify myself. My earliest codename was Gene Perfection Experiment C—0037.

I was created through artificial human means, born out of a metal womb. I was created, born, bred and trained to fight. That's my only objective. I only know how to attack humans. I only understand tactics on how to defeat the enemy. I learnt to fight, use guns and remember how to use weapons. I was outstanding, and in terms of capabilities, I always had the best records.

But at that time, as the strongest weapon, the IS appeared, and my world suddenly changed. The operation to implant the Odin's Eye into me in order caused a drastic change. The actual term of Odin's Eye should be a hyper-sensor package, and what it does is that it can heighten nerve processing to the brain at an explosive speed. The aim is to react quickly in a hi-speed combat. The operation was supposed to transplant the nanomachines into my eyes, and those eyes that went through this operation are called the 'Eyes that Surpasses the World'. There were no risks with the operation, and logically, there wouldn't be a rejection—logically. However, this operation caused my left eye to turn gold, and I couldn't control it. It couldn't shut down on its own, it was always activated.

This 'Accident' caused me to deteriorate amongst my peers in IS training. I don't know when I fell from the top position. What awaited me were the mockeries and humiliations of my peers, and the mark of 'Trash'. My world changed—I went from infinite darkness to even more darkness. And the first time I met the light, it was when I met the instructor—Orimura Chifuyu.

"Though you look like your grades are bad, there's nothing much to worry. In a month from now, you should be able to get back to being the strongest in your squad. You're going to be trained by me after all."

Those words weren't a lie. Though I just obeyed that person's training honestly, I managed to get back to the top after I started learning IS. However, I couldn't stay in the same situation. I didn't care about my peers who drifted away from me. I continued to admire that person greatly. Strong, courageous, indomitable. Seeing her like that made me anxious.

"Ah, I really want to be like this, I really want to be like her."

With these emotions, I would talk to her when I had the time before she went back to her own country half a year ago. No, it's alright even if we don't say anything. As long as I could stay with her and stare at her figure, I can feel strength coming out from within. It's somewhat a feeling of 'Courage'. Maybe that's because she had such power.

One day, I tried to ask,

"How did you become this strong? What must I do to become this strong?"

At that time—ah, it's at that time...that person, that instructor who was as strict as the devil showed a gentle smile. For some reason, it felt like my heart got punctured through by a needle.

"I have a little brother."

"A little brother...?"

"Once you see him, you'll understand, and what's more than strength."

"...I don't understand."

"It's good that you remain like that. If you have a chance to come to Japan one day, maybe you can meet him...but let me give you a warning. That person—"

A gentle smile, a fearful expression. That's—That's not right. That wasn't what I envisioned you—Strong, courageous, indomitable, that's you. So—I won't forgive the person who made instructor show this expression. I can't agree with the existence of this little brother who made instructor like this.

So—I must defeat him! USE my own power to beat this fool, that imbecile...INTO DUST! That's why, I can't lose here! That guy, that bastard's...still moving. I must thoroughly break him until he can't move! That's right! So—I WANT POWER! Power to crush him for his existence, and power to destroy the one who got away.

Then, someone rumbled deep inside her and it spoke.

"Do you wish for it...? Do you, wish for a change within yourself...? Do you want a stronger power...?"

"Of course. If I have power, if I can get it—I'll even pay for it with this hollow existence! So give it to me...give me the invincible, strongest, absolute power!"

Damage Level...D

Mind Condition...Uplift

Certification...Clear

Valkyrie Trace System...boot.


"AAAHHHHHHH!"

It seemed that Laura just got ripped by something as she let out a scream. At the same time, Schwarzer Regen let out a strong electrical jolt and knocked Charles off.

"Ugh! What's going on...-!"

"WHAT'S THAT!?"

Charles and Ichika couldn't believe their eyes. In front of them, Laura...her IS was changing!

No, it wasn't that simple to say that it was changing. The lines that formed the armor were melting softly into something soft and sticky, engulfing Laura's body in it. The pitch black corroded darkness swallowed Laura in whole.

"What is that thing..."

Ichika subconsciously muttered. Anyone else who saw this would think the same thing.

Normally, IS won't change shapes, or more accurately, it can't. IS could only change shape 'In the first shift when it gets used to the pilot' and 'Switches Modes'. Though the equipment and some other parts may change slightly, it was impossible to have a base change. Anyway, that was just impossible. That's a flaw on the design.

However, the impossible thing was happening in front of them right now. And this wasn't just a change in shape, but a mud doll that was shaped through the fusing of the sticky mass.

What was supposed to be Schwarzer Regen covered Laura's entire body and continued to move on the surface. It then started to beat like it had a pulse and slowly descended to the floor. The moment it landed on the floor, the body looked like it was quickly changing at a high speed before forming a shape. Standing over there was 'something' similar to the black IS, but it was completely different from the one that attacked last month. The appearance and shape was of Laura's shape. The girl's hands and feet were armed with the minimum amount of armor, and the head had armor that covered the entire body. Also, the red lights of the display sensors could be seen from the eye below the armor.

The problem, however, was the weapon in her hand. Ichika definitely couldn't be mistaken. That's—

"Yukihira?!"

It was similar to the sword Chifuyu once used. It was basically a duplicate. Ichika subconsciously gripped onto the Yukihira and raised it to the middle.

The next moment, the black IS flew towards him. Looking at the way it was keeping the sword behind its waist, she must be trying to use an Iai technique. If it used it at a distance where he'd definitely be hit, it'd be a flash sure-kill hit.

That was definitely the katana technique that Chifuyu-nee uses.

The Yukihira Niigata that Ichika was holding tight on was knocked away, and the enemy raised the sword up. The sharp slash that was swung down straight on assaulted him, and Ichika couldn't receive it with his sword at the last minute. At that moment, Ichika immediately ordered Byakushiki to 'back away'.

It was because Ichika knew how Chifuyu fought that he was barely able to dodge it. However, Byakushiki's shield reserves had already dropped to 0, and the left hand only got a little grazed, yet there was blood flowing out. That emergency evasion took out the last of him, and Byakushiki disappeared from him in a glow of light. But right now, it didn't matter to him. Driven by burning emotions, Ichika clenched his fists as his weapons and rushed towards the black IS.

"You son of a bitch!"

Just as his fists nearly hit the black IS, his body got dragged away in the opposite direction. Once he felt the impact on his back, Ichika realized that the one who pulled him was Houki.

"Idiot! What are you doing?! Do you want to die?"

"LET GO OF ME! That fake is just toying with me! Let me go!"

That technique just now was the first technique Ichika learned from Chifuyu, and he can still remember the first time he saw it.

"Listen Ichika, a sword is to be swung, but just trying to swing it isn't kendo.''

To Ichika, who lifted that heavy piece of metal item for the first time, the weight alone made it hard for me to carry it. He was already sweating while it was on his hand, and he couldn't even lift it because of the weight even though he tried to make a pose.

"It's heavy, isn't it? This is the weight of a weapon, one that can take someone's life away."

The cold and slightly glittering katana.An existence that was born, created and refined to kill.

"You have to consider what does it means to carry such a weight. This is what it means to be strong."

When she said that, Chifuyu's eyes were stern, yet it had a tinge of gentleness. It looked somewhat dazzling, an expression that was different from usual.

That was why Ichika chose to become strong, to become Chifuyu's supporting power...that's right, ever since that day, Ichika always—

"Let go of me, Houki! Just let me—!"

"GET A GRIP!"

Ichika's face got hit from a slap, and he landed horizontally on the floor. His face felt the pain as it touched the floor, causing his rage to drop.

"What's going on!? Tell me in a way that I can understand!"

"That...that's Chifuyu-nee's data, CHIFUYU-NEE'S! That's something that only Chifuyu-nee has! That...DAMN IT!"

The black IS remained motionless in the arena. Right now, it seemed like it was automatically programmed to attack anything that had weapons or that would attack.

"Really, you...always Chifuyu-nee this Chifuyu-nee that. What is it about her that makes you want to do this?!"

"That's not all! The corrupted power that Laura's using, I don't like her for doing that. The black IS, Laura...both of them...I have to stop this!"

Power—this so-called strength wasn't referring to offensive power. That power couldn't be called strength, but mere violence.

"Anyway, I must beat that thing up. I need to calm down first."

"I understand your reasons, but what can you do now? Byakushiki doesn't even have any energy; how are you going to fight?"

Houki was right. It was likely that the black IS didn't have much energy left, but right now Byakushiki didn't even have enough energy to deploy, let alone attack.

"Urgent emergency! All matches are suspended! Situation's at level D. Teachers are to deploy to suppress the enemy! All guests and students, please evacuate! I repeat!"

"You heard it. Others will handle this even if you don't do anything, so—"

"So there's no need to jump into a dangerous situation necessarily, right?"

"That's right."

Houki was right, but even though that reasoning was sound, Ichika's consciousness still refused it.

"That's wrong, Houki, completely wrong. It's not that 'I have to do it', but 'I want to do it'. I don't care what others think, but I won't be me if I back away now. I won't be Orimura Ichika!"

"Ah, you idiot! Now what are you going to do? You already ran out of ene—"

"If you don't have it, just get it from somewhere else. Isn't that right, Ichika?"

"Charles..."

Charles seemed to have recovered from the jolt just now as she gently landed beside them. "It can't be helped if it's just a normal IS, but I guess my Revive can use the core circuits to transfer energy."

"Really? Thanks, hurry up and help me!"

"Then let's start...opening the Revive's core circuits and allow the outflow of energy. Ichika, set the Byakushiki's mode at single 1 mode. You should be able to use Reiraku Byakuya now."

"Oh, got it."

The cables reached out of the Revive and attached themselves to Byakushiki, which was in bracelet mode, and the energy flowed through it. It felt like a sudden surge in energy. Ichika felt this power as he had an explicable feeling. It seemed like Ichika hadn't had this feeling for a long time, and there was an inexplicable sense of reunion and nostalgia, and the feeling that the world was reborn, this feeling of being able to feel the surroundings completely.

"Done! I transferred Revive's remaining power to you."

As Charles declared, Revive scattered into bits of light and disappeared in particles of light. And Byakushiki, which was in single 1 mode, began to build itself on the body.

"So the most you can go is the weapon on your right hand."

"That's more than enough!"

Byakushiki understood that it was about to use Reiraku Byakuya as it materialized itself on his right hand in the form of Yukihira Niigata. No defenses, a definite loss if he got hit, and at best, heavy injuries. However, Ichika was prepared to be hit, and next, it's his turn.

Ichika faced the opponent in front of him. He glanced at Charles, and she didn't say anything, only nodded her head silently.

"All right, bring it, you bastard, because this one is going to be for me, for Chifuyu-nee, and for Raiden! Reiraku Byakuya—activate!"

The blade that could erase all energy sources and negate it appeared with twice the length. It doesn't have to be this big now. What Ichika needs is speed and sharpness, and to be able to draw the sword fast. A refined blade. Ichika gathered his concentration and imagined a shot of light in the darkness. It then became smaller, fine and sharper. Once this concentration was at the maximum, Yukihira changed. What was just a Yukihira Niigata that was giving a large glow was now becoming smaller and sharper.

The moment the transformation was complete, the original physical blade of the Yukihira was completely gone. The blade was just an energy sword that was made out of the Reiraku Byakuya, and the energy was forming a katana-shaped blade. Ichika kept the blade at his waist and got into a sword drawing position in front of the black IS. That was a fusion of what Chifuyu taught him and what he learnt from Houki, the 'First Flash, Second Strike' move.

"Listen, you must draw the blade through its weight, not through your hand, but to be treated as a part of your body. When drawing, don't do too many unnecessary movements. No gaps, no mistakes."

"Ah, really, why don't you understand! I'll show it to you! Watch!"

Both of their postures overlap in his mind, forming his own posture. Ichika lowered his body and readied himself, bringing the hand with the sword behind him. His eyes continued to gaze forward, and a motionless surface of water appeared in his heart. Then, while it seemed that he could respond to all the movements, Ichika sealed his feelings, that consciousness into a single spot, right at the enemy in front of him.

The black IS swung down the sword. That was a move identical to Chifuyu's, a slash that quickly attacked the enemy from the shoulder on one side to the waist to the other side. However, there was none of Chifuyu's will there. In other words, that's—

"THAT'S JUST AN IMITATION!"

Then, Ichika's immediately raised the sword above his head and slashed the enemy down from the top. This is the 'First Flash, Second Strike'. The first is to strike like a flash, and the other is to slash the target.

Purple electricity jumped about, and the black IS got sliced in half, releasing Laura from her captivity. And the moment Laura was about to lose consciousness, Ichika exchanged looks with her. Her eyepatch dropped off, revealing the golden left eye before falling unconscious.


In her subconscious, Laura could only float within the void. She had just been released and yet, even with all that power, she could not defeat the man she truly hated.

Hate. It's a strong emotion but it leaves no purpose, no goal to follow. What is there to hate? Moreover, what is hatred?

"Why?" asked Laura. "Why are you so strong? Why do you pursue strength?"

"I am not." answered Ichika. "I'm not strong at all. No one is. If I'm strong, then it's because I want to become strong. There's a thing I want to try when I become strong."

"Something you want to try?" asked Laura.

"I want to protect someone. I want to fight for someone else, giving everything I have."

"That's just like her…" Laura thought to herself. She realized that Ichika was no different than Chifuyu for one fact: they both want to protect the people they care for.

"Yeah." Ichika's image then came before her and said,

"So, I'll protect you too…Laura Bodewig."


Laura had woken up and already it was sunset. The skies were but orange but that will soon give way to darkness. She was not wearing her eyepatch yet found it next to her on the table.

"Where am I?" asked Laura.

"You seem to be awake." said a familiar voice to her left. Laura looked over and saw Chifuyu next to her. "Your entire body took too much burden, causing wounds and muscle fatigue. You can't move at the moment. Don't force yourself."

Ichika could only agree to the situation at hand. She couldn't really move much and all she could do was turn her head left or right.

"The Valkyrie Trance System." said Chifuyu which caught Laura's attention. "To think you could sneak an illegal program like that in your IS through the scanners. The pilot's mental state, the damage the machine took, and most importantly, the pilot's will...no, the desire. It can only activate with all these conditions."

On hearing Chifuyu's words, Laura grabbed tightly onto the bedsheets. For some reason, she looked down at the void below her eyes.

"Laura Bodewig. Who are you?" This caught Laura's attention to which she lost the words to express to answer this simple yet complex question.

"If you are no one, that's convenient." said Chifuyu. "You will become Laura Bodewig from now on. Besides, there's a lot of time, since you have to stay here. After that, you still have a lot of time to use, so continue to be bothered, young lady."

Laura stayed silent. It was then Chifuyu gave her advice on becoming this young lady. "Your first step is to apologize to the one you killed."

Laura suddenly gasped. She could remember clearly in a flashback about Raiden coming between her blade and being mortally hit as she held no emotion behind it. Immediately, she regretted it and held the blanket sheets and pain filled her heart. But that was soon to be relieved.

"Don't worry. He's still alive and has just woken up. In fact, he's right here."

Raiden then appeared and, much to Laura's surprise, he held a gentle smile, almost as if what had happened to him never really did happen. Chifuyu then got up to leave before she said,

"Oh, and also…You cannot be me."

As Chifuyu walked out, the only ones left were Raiden and Laura. Silence only filled the air as the two could only stare each other as Raiden took a seat next to her bed.

"So…" said Raiden. "I think we both need to speak about our pasts."

"Huh?" asked a confused Laura. "What's there to learn?"

Raiden took a long sigh and said "I suppose we both have been victims of an unfortunate fate." Raiden could only chuckle at that remark before he said, "It's funny how one thing can change you entirely. Opening your eyes to new truths that people have yet to learn, or have learned but refused to accept it."

Raiden then continued saying, "Your fellow soldier that I killed years ago is but one of many deaths that still haunts me to this day, along with all the other victims that I have killed."

"Can you really justify it with regret?" asked Laura.

"No." Raiden immediately answered. "Because eventually, the ghosts will come to haunt me back and ask why I did what I did. And even if I provided with a reason, that doesn't necessarily mean I am forgiven. It takes more than just forgiveness and regret to wash away stains that cannot be washed at all."

Laura then acknowledged the statement understandably and said "But I still can't forgive you for what you did."

"I'm not asking for one." said Raiden, surprising Laura for a little bit.

"What?"

Raiden could only say with melancholy "I've killed far too many people in a lifetime and the only road I am destined for is Hell itself. Killing me will not avenge everyone as there are others out there who want me dead as well."

"What are you trying to imply?" asked Laura.

"I'm not implying anything." explained Raiden. "I'm simply stating that until I have my revenge on those who wronged me, then you may kill me. But until then, save your strength. You will need it in the battles to come."

Laura couldn't understand but was wise enough not to prone in on the subject. She then gave a nod.

"Very well." said Laura. "To think that I would attend the same school where my hunt is."

"Well, everyone needs a hobby these days." said Raiden.

Laura then asked "So what is yours, Alpha?"

Raiden, without hesitation, answered "Vengeance…"

Laura then understood what he meant. She knew revenge as well but whereas she took it the wrong way, Raiden was able to maintain his and continue his search.

"You at least have my respect for you…lieutenant."

"As I do to you…captain." said Raiden. He then left the infirmary and met up with Ichika and Charles, who got surprised of their return before hearing a stampede of girls rushing towards Raiden; making the three boys run.


"And so, the tournament was canceled afterwards." said Charles. The three boys had sat together eating their dinner. Ichika had some ramen, Charles was eating some pasta, and Raiden was drinking a small bottle of sake.

"But they do want everyone's individual data, so they'll complete the first round." continued Charles.

"I see." said Ichika. The boys' attention was soon caught to the three gossipers spying on them.

"Our chance to win the tournament is gone."

"No more chance for the date."

The three girls only cried as they left in despair at their chances now gone. To the right of them stood Houki, which Raiden remembered the promise.

"Houki?" said Ichika. He was about to get up before being pulled back down by Raiden as he got up and walked over to her.

Houki immediately began to blush yet also had a worrisome expression on her face. She hadn't seen the blind boy since he was taken into the hospital and was in a coma but now that he was awake and walking, she only stood with defeat. She didn't win the tournament as hoped for and Raiden quickly understood. But before he said anything, Houki asked in concern,

"R-Raiden. I-I-I didn't think you would be back. How are your injuries?"

Raiden could only smile and say "I got myself a new scar. Bigger than the one on my shoulder."

"Oh." Houki blushed at that thought since she had seen Raiden's body only once. Immediately however, she could only feel sadness. She was still haunted by what happened to Raiden and of the dark form he took but here she saw standing was a young adult man with a smile.

"I know the tournament was canceled and you were subsequently defeated." said Raiden, which made Houki hung her head in shame and embarrassment. But the next words she heard were of big shock.

"But I'm still willing to go out with you if that is alright." Raiden said with a smile. Houki shot up and, in excitement and clasping her hands together, asked "Really? You really mean it?!"

Raiden nodded as Houki regained her composure and asked, "Why? Let's hear your reason."

Raiden got slightly confused before responding "I keep my promises, do I not? Either way, I would want to go out with you."

Houki could only blush yet could not contain her excitement.

"Let's meet this weekend on the train. In the afternoon." She said.

"Perfect." said Raiden. Houki then left yet had a big smile on her face. Now she had to figure out what to do on their date.

Raiden merely smiled before giving a small light chuckle before he returned to the table. Ichika then asked,

"What was that about?"

Raiden turned slightly to see Houki walk away in joy before turning back and said "Don't ask."

"Orimura-kun. Dunois-kun. Hataru-kun. I bring good news!" said Yamada-sensei as she entered the cafeteria to meet the boys.

"The place that lets you wash away all your worries has finally opened today!"

"The place?" asked Charles.

"What she means to say is that the men's bathhouse is open." clarified Raiden. Yamada-sensei could only stand there in surprise, thinking if she knew what Raiden was thinking.

"What do you say, Charles? Shall we go there?" asked Ichika.

"Oh. Um…Sure. Let's." said Charles. Ichika then turned to Raiden and asked the same.

"Raiden?"

"No thanks. I'll be taking a shower instead in my dorm room. I've got a lot on my mind. It's a bit shaky when you wake up from a coma." said Raiden which were fair enough to the two boys. Charles could only look back in concern but Raiden reassures her by petting her head. Raiden then whispered in her ear quietly enough for Ichika and Yamada-sensei not to hear.

"It's your choice whether to reveal your true self or not. Either way, I will support you to the end." Charles could only smile, her heart reassured if not blushing a little for Raiden.


Raiden had entered into his room and, after taking his clothes off, decides to have a shower. He looked briefly in the mirror to see a scar on his left shoulder from the Golem IS. The scar was still new yet was starting to fade. But the biggest one was the huge mark on his chest that was the result of Laura's saber. It looked like a drawing of the sun that any kid would draw but still reddish purple and still fresh. He traced his fingers all over it, wondering how someone such as him could have survived such a mortal wound. It clearly went through his chest and passed his heart, when he saw the x-rays, his heart was still there and not damaged, able to pump blood normally.

With the hot water running, Raiden constantly washes himself without the soap or shampoo. He then leads forward until his hands come into contact with the wall while his head remains low. Questions invaded his mind, dark thoughts of what he had done to Laura and the result of his incident. He had seen the creature that was living inside of him and how that creature will be with him for the rest of his life. Sleeping…until it awakes once more.

What am I? thought Raiden. Who am I? Have I become…a monster?

Raiden looks at his right hand and, to himself, sees the illusion of blood that is not being washed off. It probably never will given that he almost killed someone and that he had no control over it.

Perhaps, I should not be a pilot anymore. thought Raiden.

"How long are you going to waste the water?" asked a curious female voice. Raiden turned and saw Tatenashi, naked except with a towel around herself and keeping a smile. As soon as Raiden looked, the bluenette girl smirked further.

"Ara. Are you thinking of naughty things about me? Perhaps liking what you see in front of you?"

Raiden turned back to the shower and said "If that is your way of wanting to join me in the shower, then I don't mind." Tatenashi pouted for the moment but caught onto some of the melancholy in Raiden's voice.

As she enters the shower and takes her towel off, she hugs Raiden from behind and allows the hot water to rain down upon them. Raiden feels her breasts press against his back, earning him a small, faint blush. The two then take a seat on the shower floor with Tatenashi still hugging him from behind and stroking his arm in comfort.

"Are you okay?" asked the girl.

"What do you think?" asked Raiden.

"I saw the footage of what had happened." said Tatenashi as she moved around in front of Raiden. She kept stroking his right arm for comfort. "Raiden…" The blind boy looks up at her and yet, even with the blindfold on, he had the eyes of regret, of pain, and of sorrow.

"I am so sorry." said Tatenashi. Raiden was a little surprised at this statement and asked "For what? You do not need to apologize for anything."

"It's not that." explained the blunette. "I just could not have predicted this happening. What you did was reckless. You could've been killed had it not been for that."

"I'm already dead, Tatenashi." said Raiden as his head hung low, unable to look at Tatenashi's eyes. "I've been that way for eight years. All I have left is my revenge. You wouldn't understand, which is why I want to protect the people I care for, including you. I can't bear to lose any more than I already have. I'm not strong enough."

Tatenashi uses her hands to grasp Raiden's cheek lightly to make him face her. "If you want to protect us, then let us protect you. I don't want to lose you anymore than what has already happened either." Tatenashi then hugs Raiden with her face on his chest. Raiden, surprised, instinctively hugs her back gently. "Please, don't do that again. It hurts and I'm not the only one to feel that way."

Tatenashi then looks up to Raiden and, slowly but surely, gives him a chaste kiss of comfort on the cheek. The two cuddle on the shower floor with the water still running as it rained down upon them. And yet to Raiden, he felt at peace, like a warmth that quelled his fears and calmed down his beating heart, giving him a smile.

"You know…" said Raiden which Tatenashi looked up. "I like you better without your fan." said Raiden as he slowly but affectionately nuzzled Tatenashi. The blunette girl replied, with a light blush on her cheeks yet having a seductive urge "I feel naked without it." Tatenashi then gives a passionate intimate kiss to Raiden to which the blind boy responded back.

The two continued to kiss as they slowly stood up. Tatenashi had her arms around the blind boy's neck as she deepened and plunged her tongue into his mouth. Raiden, now surrendering to his desires, began to knead Tatenashi's left breast with his right hand. Tatenashi had to break from the kiss and gave a moan while Raiden purred and kissed at the crook of her neck. He gave the noises and urges of a lion as Tatenashi continued to moan from her breast being kneaded before her buttocks were being groped as well, making her moan louder. For the first time of her life, she had engaged in something she had never experienced but found it pleasurable and intoxicating as well. Raiden was both sucking on her breasts and groping her buttocks with Tatenashi moaning louder and louder. Her voice increased as Raiden lowered herself more and more before he hit her weak spot and proceeded to consume it, combined with the hot water falling on her. It was then that she moaned her loudest as she hit her climax.

She felt her essence spray out of her yet it felt like the life of her drain. Raiden came back up, kissing her along the way, before he met her lips with his. She tasted her own essence which was sweet yet bitter and it filled her with such ecstasy. But this was just the beginning for her...

In retaliation for what Raiden did to her private lower front, Tatenashi flipped herself over and kissed Raiden intimately and deeply as her tongue invaded his mouth with reckless abandon. She then proceeded to kiss his jaw, neck, and chest slowly before lowering herself down and down to her goal. With her left hand, she grabbed Raiden's rod and massaged it up and down, with Raiden giving off grunts here and there before she met face to face with it as it stood out. She licked it a few times slowly and gently while also sucking on the two orbs below before she took the whole rod into her mouth.

Raiden was surprised and that would be the obvious way to say it. Tatenashi literally took him into her own mouth and continued to bring her mouth up and down on it slowly and gently before increasing her speed. This made Raiden grunt louder and louder in the process and gave into his urges as he pushed himself and Tatenashi off the wall before he grabbed her hair gently and proceeded to go deeper into her. Tatenashi, surprised at his move, whimpered yet did not protest back, even as tears began to form from the size of his manhood plunging down inside of her throat. She brought her arms around Raiden's behind to keep him secured as he continued to thrust in and out of Tatenashi's mouth while she went along with his rhythm of moving her mouth up and down.

Then, Raiden gave in and released his essence down Tatenashi's throat, filling up her stomach. The taste of him from Tatenashi's perspective was sweet yet a tiny bit bitter. And yet, she continued to have it deep into her mouth before she let it go, a small puddle of it staying on her tongue before she swallowed it. A strand of it flew out from Raiden and landed on her face while the rest she mostly swallowed trickled down the left side of her mouth. She looked up with a lustful smile and knew that both she and Raiden wanted more.

It was then that Raiden was pushed to a wall with Tatenashi before he retaliated turning her over. After kneading her breast for a short while and kissing her more and more, battling her tongue, he took his left hand and lifted her right leg up to him. Tatenashi could feel something near herself and wanted more, as did Raiden. They gave another deep kiss before Raiden decided to enter inside of her. He took it slowly yet effectively as Tatenashi moaned greatly with the rod now beginning to enter inside of her.

Tatenashi struggled at first since it was bigger than she thought but started to get used to it as soon as it was completely inside of her from tip to base. The two had become one on this night and continued their love-making as their moans were the only voices heard in the bathroom. At least no one from outside would ever hear this or there would be liability issues. While Raiden continued to pump and knead her breast, Tatenashi had grabbed firmly on Raiden's head and plunged into a deep kiss with him, their tongues battling each other and saliva spilling freely from their mouths. She wrapped her right leg around Raiden's behind and prevented him from leaving, prompting the lion to pump her harder and faster. She screamed and moaned from this and demanded more and more as the pleasure overwhelmed her senses.

At the height of their climax, they gave in and Raiden pumped up his hardest, his entire shaft inside of Tatenashi as he released all of his essence into her, some of it overflowing in the process and spilling on the shower floor. The two gasped and panted a lot as they collapsed to the shower floor before Raiden used the last ounce of his strength to turn off the shower as the water had been running for too long now and it was getting too hot. Tatenashi then cuddled up to Raiden as he leaned down to a corner of the shower wall and embraced her close. After a silent moment of recovery from their ordeal, Tatenashi spoke up.

"Well…that was unexpected." said Tatenashi. Raiden chuckled and asked "Was it worth it?"

Tatenashi, with a smile, responds "Most definitely." She then kisses Raiden deeply before clutching onto him as Raiden does the same but not until he turns on the fan to get all the hot air out of the shower. Their fingers were interlocked and Tatenashi whispered only two words.

"Thank you."

The kitten and the lion soon fell asleep, naked and wet in the shower. If there was one way to work off stress, this was it.


Class today was only filled with awkwardness as Yamada-sensei looked on with fear and embarrassment. Raiden was sitting in his usual seat behind Ichika. Good thing Chifuyu was not here to see this.

"T-Today we have a new student here. Yes…" Yamada-sensei said as she stuttered and drifted at the end of the sentence. In front of everyone and with a holographic board lit up from behind, it said Charlotte Dunois.

Wait…Charlotte?

"Hello everyone, I'm Charlotte Dunois. Pleased to make your acquaintance once again." Charlotte said standing and giving a smile.

"So, Charles Dunois was actually a girl named Charlotte Dunois." said one girl. Houki could only say one word to herself.

"What?"

The classroom erupts into conversations about how they thought the whole thing was weird and trying to understand the situation at hand. One girl even asked,

"Wait a moment. Didn't the boys use the bathhouse last night?"

Ichika became shocked and froze on spot while Raiden was indifferent. Thank goodness he went to his own room for a shower. The door to the classroom was suddenly barged in and in came Rin deployed in her IS.

"Ichika!" said Rin as she charged her Shock Cannons and ready to fire at the poor boy. Ichika turned to Raiden for help but the blind boy merely gave a mocking "I don't know" pose.

Ichika didn't want this and, the idiot that he is, didn't even bother to dodge from the shots of the shock cannon but for some reason, they didn't hit him.

"Huh? I'm not dead yet?" asked Ichika with his eyes closed.

"No, you're not dead." said Raiden. "Open your eyes."

Ichika did as told and saw a familiar black IS with an AIC deployed. Laura had arrived and saved Ichika.

"Laura." said Ichika as the German deactivated her AIC and turned around. "You saved me. Thank you so-" But in that moment, Laura leaned fast into Ichika and met his lips with hers.

The entire class gawked and their jaws literally dropped to the floor. Raiden however, thinking of it to be a smart move, turned away and covered himself right as Laura had kissed Ichika. The kiss held on for a few seconds before the two separated and Raiden was able to look forward but the image still hung fresh in his mind, making his jaw slightly ajar. Laura then made a declaration.

"Y…You'll be my wife! This is final. I won't hear any objections."

The entire class erupted in a loud and collective "What," Ichika included. Raiden meanwhile, gave a sigh and merely face-palmed himself in disappointment.

Sigh. The day just never ends does it?