Openings song: metal machine of Sabaton.
Nothing much to say, only that I'm hyped for this.
The whole day at the beach was peaceful. Mattheus was walking around, not thinking of any problems. At this moment, he had peace in his mind.
It had been too long for him to live without that. He had one part he finally came to peace. The fact they knew of his sister helped to ease him. Mattheus didn't know what he should do with his life from now on. He had always supported his sister, but now. He didn't have that anymore.
And fighting for his country didn't appeal to him either. They let him rot away and his IS was his solely. One thing had been bothering him.
Why was the only pilot? In the whole of Belgium, there were no other pilots. For some reason, he was the only one. Mattheus closed his eyes and laid on the sand. He fell asleep and dreamt away.
Hours later he woke up. "You're back up." A voice said. A familiar one. He covered the sun with his hand. "Where?" He opened his eyes and looked up to see Chifuyu. "Orimura…" He paused "Sensei." His voice was still sleeping. He looked up and her face was in an expression he never saw before.
"You're lying in my lap. I found you asleep here. Adjzof?" Mattheus tilted his head. "How? How did that happen?" The male looked up. "What do you mean?" He had no idea about what Chifuyu was talking. "I mean. Your body. How did you in that state?" Mattheus sighed. He really hated telling and Chifuyu wasn't the first person he would tell it to.
"I don't want to talk about." Chifuyu held on to his arm. "Adjzof. I'm your homeroom teacher. Despite my acting towards you all, I do have a care for you as students."
"You're really bad at showing that. You know that?" Mattheus gave her a grin and felt her hit coming a second later on his head.
It wasn't as hard as normal, but still, he felt the blow. "Adjzof. Please. Tell me." Mattheus was caught between two points. Should he really tell Chifuyu or should he shut up? Giving the fact she showed him a rare sight, Mattheus told her. "The day I lost Freya, a pilot made an artwork of me. She made a mess of it and I was stuck with it. That's why I wear a diving suit. That's why I asked Designer to remove airco and force me to wear sweaters at my Infinite Stratos. If people saw me in that state, they'll ask me where it comes from. Pilots as the first."
Chifuyu looked back, but it hit her. "If you tell them?"
"That an Infinite Stratos carved my body in scars, how would that workout? Because of those goddamn gender rules, I'll suffer abuse from that. You really think I want it? No. I don't even have the right to defend myself. That's why."
Mattheus calmed down. "Sorry, I leashed out. I'm sorry that I." Chifuyu placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, Mattheus. I understand. Still, do you intend to keep it a secret for the rest?" The man nodded. "That's for the best. If they found out. Can I ask to keep this a secret?" Chifuyu nodded.
"You didn't have to ask, but I understand. But that Designer guy. How did he make all your weapons?" Mattheus walked away. "You can ask that himself." He looked up and began to sing. Chifuyu understood the words, but it didn't make sense to her.
"When we signed up for the army."
"To a rangers company."
"Armed with M16s"
"Straight into the war."
"Then we served under the banner."
"Clad in US starts and stripes."
"And on moonless nights."
"We marched for endless miles." His grin became bittersweet. The story could fit in his as well.
"Once we were soldiers, once we were young."
"We have found our peace, we've seen the end."
Chifuyu saw him walking away back to his friends. She didn't catch a lot of him and that began to wonder for the Brunhilde. She knew a lot of her students. All of them had their files sent to them. She knew everything about them, but not with Mattheus.
Two years ago, Mattheus was anonymous. He was someone to overlook, who lived in quietness. From she saw of him, he would love to remain that way, but something forced him out of that.
But that wasn't the thing. Even with everything, the government she contact had the same knowledge she had. He was the oldest of two children, parents lost at a young age, sister becoming a pilot. His sister died and he took her core.
Who made his IS was unknown. What he did before he got at the academy was also unknown. The thing the Brunhilde scared the most, was that even her contact in Belgium had no information of Mattheus. She called the person the second she knew Mattheus came from that place, but even with everything, that person found nothing.
And that was weird. Even the Designer after all those months was nothing more than a name. The only thing she knew was that he was male, but after that, she had no idea who that man was. And Mattheus wasn't going to share. 'Why do you keep living in pain? Didn't you live long enough in pain?'
She got her answer after thinking back. He told her this, the night before Laura came. He told her of the fact he failed his sister and she understood. When an older sibling fails the younger one, it hurts and you couldn't let it go. That was the thing with Mattheus. He had the done the thing Chifuyu did so well.
She had proven she could protect Ichika. Mattheus kept himself in pain because he felt he deserved that after the loss of his sister. Chifuyu sighed. After all, she wasn't the one who lecture him.
In the evening.
Mattheus got back from the kitchen and sat down. "Fetched me a fork and a knife. Without those, I won't be able to eat." He wasn't very lucky. The type of food was Japanese and the boy wasn't used to raw fish. He bit on his teeth and swallowed it. A good thing he had some snacks in his room. He was prepared for this kind of things.
Ever since his school day trips, he made sure he got enough food patched up in case it was necessary.
He saw Ichika getting bright up. It didn't matter how many times he saw it, the fact someone could eat using sticks was beyond the Flemish man, but he didn't care. "Don't you like this, Mattheus?" His friend asked.
"Not so much. It' s just. I'm a difficult eater at moments. That's all." Ichika gave him a questioning look. "How can you not like this?" Mattheus grinned. "Lad, I invite you to come to my place in the holidays. I'll cook you a meal and we'll see how much you like it."
Charlotte pulled on his outfit. "You can cook?"
"Yeah, I mean. Got little choice. I have to eat and there is nobody else. What else can you do?" Ichika took his wasabi and took a bite. "Still, this is how wasabi should be." Charlotte took the piece of her wasabi and put in her mouth. Immediately, the effects were notable. "Char, are you okay?"
Mattheus couldn't help, but find her adorable with her reply. "It's flavourful and delicious." Mattheus grinned. "Maybe a bit too much?" He asked. The fact carried some concern was enough for Charlotte to glare at him.
Ichika offered her a drink. Mattheus shook his head. "How far are you willing to go to act like a model student?" Mattheus grinned. Because they represented their country, Candidates had to be at their best.
Maybe it wasn't such a bad thing that Mattheus was actually a pilot whose IS was private. At least, he could let the image down at moments. Nobody at home cared how their pilot acted. They didn't have a program. So why could they care?
Mattheus stood up. "Sorry, Ichika, but this is getting uncomfortable. I'll see you later." Mattheus stood up and stretched his legs. He wasn't used to sitting on the floor. "No prob. See you later." He took a seat at the end of the table. He couldn't help, but shake his head.
With everything he told Ichika, the boy still acted like a dense idiot. 'He is a lost cause.' He pondered at it and began to eat.
Mattheus took his phone and saw a message of Designer.
"Busy with the last weapon. Ultra-deadly for IS's. One shot is enough. Busy with prototype.' He looked up from the amount of ruckus after he saw Ichika feeding Cecilia. The girls at his table shot a look at him and Mattheus could only tap his head a few times.
They all nodded. The ruckus got louder and Houki seemed really pissed at him. Mattheus thought about it. The sixth of June. Three years ago, his sister took the eternal nap.
The door went open and Mattheus was very happy he moved his ass. He saw Chifuyu Orimura opening the door. "Can't you idiot remain quiet while eating a meal." Mattheus couldn't help, but gulp. At this moment, it was hard to imagine the woman asked him about the things happened to him was the same Devil that stood at the door.
After scolding her brother, she left and it seemed the girls were relieved. Cecilia made a pout and Mattheus had the uncomfortable idea Ichika got himself in a deeper problem.
Mattheus had the idea he missed his old group at the place and how he would prefer to have them around.
Later on. Cecilia joined the four girls sitting outside Chifuyu's room. They were eavesdropping at the room.
"Eh, look. I don't mind to sit around her, but are you two really sure it's okay for me?" Mattheus' voice came out. The girls got a shock when they heard that.
"Do you really mind Adjzof?" Chifuyu asked. "Not really. For me, it's okay to sit here. It's just for you two, are you really sure it's okay? If you want, I can leave." Chifuyu's voice came back. "No, just wait."
"Chifuyu-nee, are you a bit nervous since it's been a long time since we've done this?" Chifuyu's reaction gave Mattheus a grin. "As if I would I be, idiot. Get that grin of your face." She added later on at more friendly tone. "Mattheus."
The noises were really giving Mattheus a hard time. Soft moans came out the room. "Not so hard." The voice Chifuyu used was really troublesome. "Okay, okay. Then how about this?" Ichika asked. "That's… Stop."
"You'll feel better in a bit." Ichika told her. "Seems like you're rally pent up." Mattheus couldn't believe Ichika would use that kind of words. "I'm off."
He walked away and opened the door. Five girls fell through it and landed in the room. Mattheus was just in time to step aside.
They looked further than him and saw Ichika giving Chifuyu a massage. Mattheus had the idea he just did the most stupid thing in his life and he understood why the girls were blushing.
They were forced to sit on the math while Chifuyu was scolding them. "Seriously, what were you doing, you idiots? And weren't you going to leave, Adjzof." The man leaned against the wall. "Nah, I'll sit around. Besides, Ichika got the key to our room, so I, eh, won't get in. But could you hurry up, sensei. I want to catch some shut eye."
The girls couldn't believe Mattheus talked like that, but they understood why he was twenty. Seems he knew how far he could pull the game without getting beat up.
Chifuyu sat down. "So it was a massage." Charlotte asked them. Mattheus had the idea she felt very awkward at the moment. Like the other girls were. "However, I'm truly relieved." Laura spoke up. "Oh, what were you thinking they were doing? And why I was the one who was uncomfortable here? Mattheus asked them and he got several death glares.
"Saluut, Ichika." And with that, Mattheus left the room. "I'll catch you in our room. Toss me the key." He got the key from him and gave him a nod. "Thanks, brother." The girls looked at him and back. In all the months that they had trying to compete with Ichika, Mattheus was the only one who got closer to him.
Ichika was the type of guy that could be friends with anyone and Mattheus was someone, when opened up, a friendly person. The girls had the idea they met their biggest rival. To get Ichika, they had to get past him.
"Are you sure you want to leave? I got some beer stocked here." Mattheus looked back. "Thanks for the offer, but I don't drink." Mattheus saw Cecilia lying down and Ichika beginning to massage Cecilia. Mattheus shook his head. His sister was a bitch at moments.
To him and to his friends.
Later that night.
Chifuyu came down from her room for a refill. "What are you doing here, Mattheus?" The man looked up. "Need to take a piss. No toilet at our room. Sorry." Chifuyu sighed. "Mattheus." The man listened to her.
"What is wrong, Orimura-sensei?" Chifuyu sighed. "Thank you." Mattheu titled his head. "For what?" Chifuyu walked down and placed a hand on his shoulder. "For taking care of my idiot younger brother. Those brats have me and you standing in their way." Mattheus grinned. "No problem. Ichika is a good friend. I would help him how I can."
"Mattheus." Chifuyu became more serious. "How do you know to treat a younger brother?" Suddenly, the temperature dropped and Mattheus clenched his teeth. "What gave it away?" Chifuyu stood back as she heard his voice. This voice.
She never heard Mattheus speaking so cold. The way he spoke. It gave her a little bit of fear. "Because I have seen you with Ichika. The way an older sibling acts around a younger brother is different from a younger sister. Besides Freya, you had something different." Mattheus crossed his arms.
"How do you know that? The difference between a sister and a brother?" Chifuyu's look would terrify him, but now. Mattheus stroke close to home. "What are you implying, Adjzof?" Mattheus could still give a grin. "Nothing. The point is that we both have a secret. I won't spill mine if you won't tell yours."
Chifuyu clenched her teeth and took him up by his collar. "If you tell Ichika about this, I'll." She felt Mattheus hand gripping on hers and felt something pressing on her head. "Let me go. I don't ask again." Was Mattheus reaction.
"Even with your abilities. If I pull the trigger, you're done for. So, it will be easy. I won't Ichika, but in return, I won't have to tell mine." She let Mattheus go. "That is not the respect I deserve from a student." Mattheus looked back. "True. It's the respect a woman gets from a man when she lays her hand what isn't hers. I have secrets and don't have the gut cut in them."
Mattheus looked back at her. "I have killed those who tried." and with that, he walked back to his room. Chifuyu felt like the things she tried were in vain. Ever since Mattheus showed up in her classroom, she tried to find out what secrets he had. He only told her what he felt necessary to tell. She had her ways, but Mattheus fought for only for himself and didn't allow anyone to come close to him.
He didn't act like a twenty-year-old. He looked much older than he really was.
The next morning, he and Ichika walked outside. "Ah, fresh air. I missed it back home. Slept like a log? What you, Ichika." The boy nodded. "Me as well." They saw Houki looking at two metallic ears stuck in the ground. "Ichika, translation."
On the boards was one thing written. "Please pull me." Ichika told him. "Don't tell me this is." He asked the girl at a tone Mattheus had the idea they were the only ones who really knew what was going on.
"I don't know, don't ask me." 'She knows what is going on, but I'm not stupid enough to ask.' And she left. "Well, it asks us to pull it out, so what can happen?" Mattheus took the ears and pulled it out. "Mattheus, don't." But Ichika was too late and the man fell down. He looked up to the sky and saw something racing to them.
"What the actual fuck?" He asked him when the dust cleared up. A huge explosion and a crater was made in the ground. "Okay, again. What the actual fuck?" Mattheus saw a huge metallic vessel in the shape of a carrot.
The two boys heard a childish laughter. "Hey, you got to make a joke, right?" Mattheus asked his friend and the vessel opened. "Well, it wasn't Ikkun, but I was glad he was around." From the smoke, a woman appeared.
She was around Chifuyu age, had pink hair and wore rabbit ears. Her outfit consisted of some kind of maid outfit and Mattheus had the idea she was Houki's older sister.
The assets ran in the family was his guess. But his ideas got confirmed by Ichika telling the woman. "It's been a long time, Tabane-san." The woman jumped out the vessel and put her hands next to her head. "Yes, it's been quite a long time." She ran past Mattheus. What he knew of Designer told him, that was normal for Tabane.
She was a genius, but she had less idea on how to interact with people than Mattheus did. "Oh, wait. You must be Mat-kun." She turned to the Flemish pilot. He gave her a nod. "Eh, yep." She looked at him for a second and looked back at Ichika.
"By the way, Ikkun, where is Houki-chan?" Mattheus had the idea she would the only person who called Houki Houki-chan." Before Ichika could even give an answer, she took out a device with two ears that were moving around. "Ah, with this "Houki-chan tracker' I invented, I'll find her right away. See you later, Ikkun, Mat-kun." And she left.
"Okay, what just happened?" Mattheus asked Ichika. The boy offered him a hand and pulled him on his legs. "That was Tabane Shinonono. Houki's older sister and like you know, she was the one who invented the Infinite Stratos."
"Designer was right about her. As wacky as fuck."
In the midday, the personal users and Houki were called at a waterfall by Chifuyu. Rin pointed that out. "That's because." Houki began, but Chifuyu joined her. "Let me explain, the truth actually is."
She began but was cut off by a high-pitched voice. Both Houki as Chifuyu got an annoyed look in their eyes. Mattheus just looked to the source and saw Tabane coming from the rocks. He put his hand in the pocket of his sweater and looked up.
She raced towards the two. After that, she jumped up and everyone followed her flying line. "Chiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii-chaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan!". Tabane shouted at them. In a rapid movement, Chifuyu took Tabane's head and pushed her down while Houki tried to avoid her sister.
"Oh, come on. It's been so long ago, Chi-chan. I was so psyched to see you. Let me hug to confirm my love for." Chifuyu cut Tabane off and from the looks on everyone's face, only Mattheus was finding this amusing.
The four girls looked a bit disturbed to the crazy person while Ichika made a sigh. He knew how Tabane was and Mattheus. Well, he did his best not to burst in laughing.
"A merciless iron claw, like always." She ranted and escaped her grip. She then went to Houki. "Hey there." She told her sister who hid next to some rocks. "Hello." From what Mattheus understood, she had no real idea to handle her sister. "It's been a while. When was the last time we met?" Tabane stood up and Houki walked from behind her cover.
"You grew up a lot, Houki-chan." Tabane spoke before she went to Houki's chest and Mattheus had the idea she wasn't interested in men. "Especially your boobs" Even she was her sister, Houki acted like Mattheus would expect.
By hitting her with a shinai. "I am going to hit you." Where she got the sword from, Mattheus wasn't going to look after it. "You said that after you hit me! Houki-chan, you're mean!" She looked to Ichika. "Hey, Ikkun, she is mean, isn't she?" Ichika couldn't bring much out.
Luckily for him, Chifuyu took over. "Hey, Tabane. Could you at least, introduce yourself?" Chifuyu asked her friend or at least, Mattheus thought she was. He couldn't believe that Chifuyu and Tabane were friends. Most of his friends matched him at least in one way.
There was nothing that he could think of that Tabane and Chifuyu were similar.
"Man, what a pain." Mattheus didn't know if she was a genius or a kid. "I'm the genius, Tabane-san. Hello. That's it." She stood up and Mattheus really was considering she was a kid. The smile on her face was similar to a grade school kid, completing a task and received praise from it.
"Tabane? You mean?" Rin started. "The genius scientist who developed the IS?" Charlotte continued. "Shinonono Tabane?" Laura spoke like she wasn't surprised. Mattheus held his mouth shut. If Tabane knew Designer met her and the maybe one percent change, she actually remembered him, the secret he had been keeping would be spilled.
Tabane made some kind of a laugh and pointed at the sky. "Now, look to the sky." She said in a maniacal voice. From the sky, some kind of gem came down. "Tada. This is Houki-chan's personal unit, Akatsubaki." From the gem, the machine came out and a red unit appeared. "All specs exceed those of all current IS, specially hand-crafted by Tabane-san!"
"After all, it's a fourth generation IS made by the genius here." Mattheus admitted. She was a genius.
The crazy type of genius.
"The fourth generation." Laura spoke up. "But every country has only just completed their trial version of the third generation model." Cecilia began.
"And even so, the only thing considered the most developed are Ichika's Byakushiki and my Lavathenian which isn't even considered a generation model." Mattheus saw Tabane looking at him. "So you have that weird unit? Who made that?" Mattheus decided to use her words against her. "If you're a genius like you said, find that yourself. Not telling ,the only thing I can say is that it defeats Lavathenian as well."
Tabane smiled and nodded. "Well, at least, you know that. Indeed, I am a genius. Now, Houki-chan, shall we begin the fitting and personalization now?" Tabane asked her younger sister." The unit opened. "Get in the unit, Shinonono." Chifuyu ordered the girl. Houki looked at the design. She was awestruck of the machine.
Tabane's fingers raced over the computer while customizing the unit. It happened at such speed the four girls and two guys were impressed. "Super-fast, isn't it? As expected of me! Okay, try a test flight. It should move the way you expect it to."
Houki was ready for take-off. "Yes, I'll give it a try." She concentrated and flew off. The speed was rival to Ichika's or even to Lavathenian which was already one of the fastest units. Because it traded strength for speed, Lavathenian was faster than most units. But Houki's machine. It could reach Mattheus speed. "Is this the power of the fourth generation?"
After that, Houki began to use her swords. The laser beams were really impressive. After that, Tabane launched some rockets. It didn't take long before Houki took them down. "Not bad." Laura commented. "Unbelievable." Was Ichika's reaction. "Holy fuck." Came out Mattheus' mouth. 'Designer is not going to be very happy if I tell him Tabane surpassed him.'
Before Houki could use her unit more, they saw Yamada-sensei coming down. "Bad news." She ran to Chifuyu with a phone in her hands. "Take a look at this."
"Special Mission level A." Chifuyu analysed whatever came out. "The countermeasures will commence immediately. Suspend all test operations!" She looked at the pilots at the ground. "We have a situation on our hands."
Later, the group sat in some kind of military room, filled with computers. Turned out an IS broke loose. "A third-generation IS, developed by the USA and Israel." Chifuyu spoke and Mattheus felt for some reason the need to spit on the floor. "The Silver Gospel. Nicknamed the Gospel. It has lost control and gone berserk. As some kind of holographic table, Ichika, Houki, Rin, Cecilia, Laura and Charlotte were assembled, still in their suits while Mattheus leaned at the door.
"According to the information, it's an unmanned IS. Over fifty minutes, the Gospel will be here." Mattheus walked from the wall. "Lemme guess, they want us to take it out?" Chifuyu nodded. "Correct. Orders from the academy. The teachers will block the unit with machines from the school. Those with personal machines will have to fight it."
"What?" was Ichika's reaction. "They want us to fight a berserk IS?" Mattheus was NOT looking forward to dealing with that. "Let's begin the missions briefing. Raise your hand if you got comments." Cecilia began. "I request spec date for the target IS."
Mattheus had the idea they better kept that for himself.
It came down to it that the machine had to be taken out by one powerful hit. They looked to Ichika and Mattheus. Before they even could ask, Mattheus spoke up. "Not a chance. That unit moves at such a speed that it even kills me before I get the chance to put out a new bullet and it will only work at stand five and I'm not finished with that. Because someone has prohibited that." He glared at Chifuyu.
"So it comes down to you, Ichika." The boy nodded. "I'm willing and able. But how are we going to get me there without losing energy the thing?"
"Can you get him there, Adjzof? You're the fastest unit." Mattheus raised an eyebrow. "Hold it." They saw Tabane coming from the roof. "Chi-chan, I have a better plan."
"Get out."
"Could you listen to me? We can get Ikkun there by using Akatsubaki."
They began to prepare for it. Houki activated her unit at the waterfall. Beneath stood Chifuyu, Maya, Tabane, Ichika and Mattheus. It was decided Mattheus would go with them and try to support Ichika and act as a distraction. The four other personal pilots were also assembled.
"Well then Houki-chan. Open the Expanded Armament." Tabane requested of her sister. The energy came out of it. "With this equipment, Akatsubaki is the evolved version of Yukihira Type 2!"
Mattheus didn't catch in with the surprise. He had the idea you expect anything from her. 'That berserk IS remind me of the White Knight Incident ten years ago."
Mattheus remembered it. The very first time an IS was used in fighting matters. One pilot took down 2341 missiles. One pilot saved that country. And would introduce a new time era for mankind.
But the identity of the pilot was unknown.
"I wonder who that White Knight was, right, right, Chi-chan." Tabane joined her childhood friend. "I don't care."
"My guess is that her bust is 88 cm." Mattheus raised an eyebrow. That kind of information is always nice to know. In several ways. Tabane got a hit from Chifuyu and Mattheus had the idea the genius didn't know how far she could push Chifuyu.
"You're such a brute, Chi-chan. You have split my brain in two." Okay, fuck it. Mattheus really didn't believe that woman invented worlds most advanced weapons.
"Really? That's good to hear." Chifuyu was relieved and Mattheus couldn't get it. How could those women be friends for so long? For some reason, she cheered Tabane up and the rabbit-eared woman crushed Chifuyu in a hug. "You're so smart, Chi-chan!"
Chifuyu could get Tabane of her. "How long will take to configure Akatsubaki?" Chifuyu now asked. "Seven minutes, at most."
"All right, in this mission, Orimura and Shinonono will pursue the target and shoot it down. Adjzof, you'll give supportive fire and get them back. The mission will begin in thirty minutes." Mattheus nodded. "Understood."
When Tabane went to configure Houki, Mattheus could finally check his phone. He got a lost message from Designer.
'End phase of White Death completed. Almost done and the protoype exceeded all expectations. Heard of the Gospel. Hope you have countermeasures. Will speed up the weapon. I have the uncomfortable feeling you will be using it a lot faster than you hoped and for the Gospel. Good night.'
Mattheus gulped. 'Speed it up. If you do it right, we both can get to terms in our past.' He looked to the sky. 'I won't let you down, Freya. I have things to fight for now.'
Sorry if I don't have a line here, but my pc isn't really cooperating. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Done, I'm glad I was ready with this. I have something to say.
This is a message for all of you who are reading a lot of my stories.
I've been making a hell of a lot amount of chapters in the last few months, I put up above hundred thousand words online. Do you have any idea how much that is?
Not that I don't mind, I like writing. That's why I started the whole author thing, but I'm getting really ticked off about the fact that, that despite I got a decent amount of readers, the amount of reviews are getting for most of my stories sickeningly low. Especially the story that's been read the most.
I mean to the other end of the world. I got seven thousand fucking views on it and I got a miserly 39 reviews on thirty one chapters. Last chapter was nearly eighteen thousands words and I got fucking four reviews on it.
That begins to really piss me off. Not just for that, but the for the other stories I put online and work with. I put a lot of time and work in these stories. I could do another dozen things, but still I decide to do writing.
Because I want to make a chapter, because I know that there are persons who are hoping I update or who are following me to hope I get a new chapter. If you're glad that I update, then I'd be glad that you leave a review.
I have a few loyal readers who nearly every time I put a story leave their thoughts behind. It's often just a few words. Just a word of their idea and an encouragement. For that, I'm really glad that at least one person left their thoughts.
Is it much they leave behind? No. Do I hope someone would leave behind a ton of words and their whole idea of the chapter? Yes.
Can I ask that? No and I'm not doing that at all. Just a few ideas are enough. That's all I have to say for now.
Saluut.