Opening song: $uicideboy$ - I Want to Believe
Chifuyu had a stern expression, folding her arms as she stared at her notes and pictures on the wall related to Liu, Three Dragons, Phantom Task, and Righteousness Union. She was in a bad mood when she heard Rin crying at Liu for leaving IS Academy. Every time Chifuyu compared Liu and Three Dragons, she shook her head in disgust. Chifuyu has plans to take down Phantom Task, Three Dragons and Righteousness Union. If possible, she could try to change Liu into a new leaf.
Rin's eyes were hollow, swollen red from crying the entire time. Rin couldn't stop thinking of Liu leaving for his selfish purposes. Only her and Chifuyu know Liu's background, but Ichika and the gang are not aware. If they found out, their relationships might be ruined.
Fine! Have it your way! Next time, don't go running after me because I don't need your help!
I don't need your help anyway! Try to stop me, I'll be your worst nightmare you'll ever see!
Rin grasped her hair in despair, trying not to remember her last words she said. The everlasting words left a mental burn inside her. She decided to not think about Liu as she slept through the night.
Time: 8:32AM – Cafeteria
Houki, Cecilia, Rin, and Laura glared intently at Kanzashi like mad watchdogs. Kanzashi nervously stared at the table as Rin dropped the first bomb.
"Well?"
Charlotte sat next to Kanzashi to calm Rin down. "There, there, Rin, please calm down. Look! You're scaring poor Kanzashi."
"Halt! Charlotte, stop this now. Under normal circumstances, I would torture her, or use the truth serum."
"Do not say such things, Laura. Here, this is for you, Kanzashi. You are probably thirsty, no?"
Charlotte glowed with glee as she handed Kanzashi a glass of orange juice. While she happily drank the Vitamin C drink, Charlotte replaced her happy face with a devilish smile.
"Now tell us, what's going on?"
Houki and Charlotte slammed the table on Kanzashi.
"Yeah, spill it! What we want to get to the bottom of here is whether you and Ichika are…"
"The two of you are actually dating!"
Kanzashi blushed by their accusations, having no idea how to respond to their hard-hitting questions.
"I…really there isn't like that with me and Ichika…"
The girls growled even more, leaning closer towards Kanzashi to hear more about Ichika. They want to be sure Kanzashi was not lying.
"You said Ichika?!"
"You're on the first same basis too?!" Houki screamed.
Kanzashi played with her fingers to deny. "It's kind of hard to explain…it's not that I hope something will happen, but so far in real life, we're not like that."
The girls were bewildered in silence before they sigh in relief, laughing amongst each other.
"Looks like we read too much into it, haven't we?"
"Yeah, I apologize about the Spanish Inquisitions, Sarashiki."
"Umm, you can call me Kanzashi if you wish."
"Cool! Then you can call us by our first name too."
Kanzashi became friends with the girls as they head to practical training. Rin felt slightly better not thinking about Liu. Even though Rin said some harsh words to Liu, she didn't really mean it. She secretly still cares for his well being because Rin was responsible for bringing Liu back to life, and she can't let him die.
Time: 9:46AM – Infirmary
Ichika appeared agitated sitting on a chair as Maya entered the room with a clipboard on her hand.
"My apologies for making you to wait so long, Ichika," Maya said. "Everyone should be here soon, and here's your special measuring tape!"
Ichika appeared disgusted holding the measuring tape. "What am I suppose to do with this measuring tape?"
"That's for taking body measurements," Maya explain the situation. "In the wake of the attack by unmanned IS units, we realize we must improve our IS suits, and precise body measures will be important."
Ichika sighed at the obvious. "I understand that, but why am I the one taking the measurements?!"
"I had my doubts too, but the student council already voted through."
Ichika gasped in horror that Tatenashi purposely set him up to take body measurements to tease him. Ichika imagined Tatenashi laughing with her evil aura.
"What the hell could this twisted school be thinking?!"
"What are blabbering on now, you blockhead?"
Chifuyu had her hands on the hips, giving away an angry posture.
"Big sister Chifuyu-AAHH!"
Chifuyu smacked Ichika with her clipboard when he didn't address her properly.
"That's Miss. Orimura here! I don't know why you can just follow through your duty like you're supposed to?"
"Come on, this is not a regular duty," Ichika complained. "I was set up!"
Chifuyu frowned at her brother's antics. "Do you have to be a drama queen over everything? I got the solution to solve all your problems."
Chifuyu gave Ichika a black blindfold, which he gladly accepted the gift.
Thank you, big sister Chifuyu, thank you Miss. Orimura!
Ichika wore the blindfold, but much to his major disappointment, it can see through, rendering it useless.
Girls lined up to get their body measured by Ichika, happily talking among each other.
"Hey look, it's Orimura!" Kiyoka exclaimed.
"Is he really the one to take our measurements?" Yuko Tanimoto asked.
"Yoohoo, Orimū!" Nohohon popped up.
"Everyone please settle down! If each of you will strip down to your undergarments, we'll start the measuring, ok?"
Ichika didn't like to hear the directions Maya gave out.
"I'll be back recording the numbers that you call out, so whip out that measuring tape, and get started!"
Maya gently shoved Ichika back in the room as he tried to talk his way out, but she ignored him. Out of the frying pan, Kiyoka was ready to strip.
"Number one, here I go~! Ready or not, here I come~! Hehehehe~!"
Ichika begged Kiyoka not to strip, but too late, Kiyoka revealed herself in yellow bra and panties. She was excited to have Ichika measure her body, but Ichika was flabbergasted of her partially nude.
What to do, what to do? I'll do it without looking! I'll use my mind's eye, the third eye!
"Excuse me, Orimura?"
"All right. First, I'll put the tape around, so hold your arms out, please."
Ichika closed his eyes as Kiyoka extended her arms out. Using his "third" eye, Ichika made his way to measure Kiyoka's upper waist. If Ichika actually opened his eyes, he would know where he was measuring. Ichika accidentally shoved his backhand onto Kiyoka's right breast.
That's not what I thought it was! Ichika thought to himself, feeling Kiyoka's soft breasts that was not meant to happen. Unfortunately, his clumsiness with the measuring tape groped her breasts.
"Hey! What do you think you're doing-Ahhh!"
Kiyoka moaned from the indirect orgasm, trying to scream for help as Ichika did his best to measure her body. All it created was a bad situation, and indecent act on a girl. Just as it couldn't get worse, Houki, Cecilia, Charlotte and Laura ripped the curtains down, super pissed off at Ichika's act.
"ICHIKA! YOU'RE DEAD!"
"What on God's name are you doing to her?!"
"No! This can't be happening!"
"Any last words…?"
All four pounced on Ichika as he tried to explain it was an accident. Ichika's screams and fury of justice beat down echoed through the sunny afternoon. After being served with harsh punishment, the body measurements went through without any more drama.
On the rooftop, Ichika, Houki, Cecilia, and Rin had their lunch prepared. Apparently, they were depressed over their measurements, except for Ichika.
"I'm shocked, my waist has increased by five centimeters."
"Yeah, well I gained some weight too, but my chest size remained the same." Rin was still sensitive about her bust size.
"Tsk…distortion of body means distortion of mind," said Houki. "I must increase my training time!"
"Man, girls sure do worry about crazy things," said Ichika, eating the bentobox. "And I can't tell any of that by looking at you."
"How could you be so insensitive towards us, Ichika? By the way, what is that you're eating for lunch today?"
"The bento Houki gave me." Ichika pointed at Houki, much to her surprise. Cecilia and Rin glared at her bold move.
"That was sneaky of you."
"Sneaky and completely unexpected."
"I-I just happened to make too much!"
"And her mistake is my pleasure because Houki's chicken breasts are incredible!"
While Houki glee from Ichika's honest compliment, Cecilia and Rin's glare pierced through the air.
"When it comes to pork, Rin is the best to make them."
Rin grinned like a fat kid that loves cake.
"And Charles' profiterole is oh la la! Everyone's an amazing cook!"
"Ichika…how about my cooking?"
Ichika knew Cecilia was not the best cook as Rin whispered into his ear to tell the truth.
"Hey, it's about time for you to give her a reality check, so you got to tell her!"
Rin leaned in closer to Ichika's eardrum. "Cecilia's cooking is shit!"
"What?! I can't tell her like that!"
"Think of how many lives you'll save!"
Cecilia became suspicious between Ichika and Rin's private conversation. "Hey! I demand to know what you two are whispering about. Ichika, I asked you what you thought about my cooking!"
Before Ichika could open his mouth, Charlotte and Laura appeared. "Bonjour! Sorry to keep you waiting, and Kanzashi's here."
Kanzashi revealed herself from hiding behind Charlotte, slightly shy. "Hello, everyone."
"Hey Kanzashi! Come sit next to me."
While the others exchange lunches, Cecilia was aware no one appreciated her cooking. It became clear her cooking was the worst that can make anyone turn away in a heartbeat.
Time: 9:50PM – Room 1025
Cecilia held a brown sack with an unknown content trying to break free, and Houki was unsure why she brought it.
"Let me thank you in advance, I will sincerely appreciate it."
"C-Cecilia?"
"I have decided that in order to improve my culinary abilities, I want to learn more about the cuisine from everyone else's own country!"
Cecilia shifted her body left to right in excitement to cook.
"Furthermore, since your bentobox is scrumptious, I would love to teach me how to cook!"
"I see, that certainly makes me feel good to hear that, so I'd be down to assist."
"Thank you so much! The first thing to do is teach me how to prepare fried chicken!"
Cecilia unwrapped the sack, and a live chicken flew out, much to Houki's dismay.
"W-what is that doing over there?"
"That's a Grade A capon chicken! I'll assure you that's the best one sent to me."
"Actually, I already got chicken, so you can take that back."
"Oh how sad, but there's always Christmas Eve dinner, isn't that right?"
Cecilia's eyes sharpened like a ravage bull shark, and the chicken had no idea he was about to be skewered for the holiday.
Houki prepared the ingredients of chicken thigh, eggs, salt, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger as Cecilia watch.
"Ok, time to cook. First, let's cut the chicken thigh to bite size pieces, then we'll add some salt, and let it sit for a while."
Cecilia nodded her head, watching Houki cutting the chicken thigh in half.
"Next, we'll prepare the ginger and garlic that we'll drop in, ok?"
"You got it!"
Cecilia literally dropped the ginger and garlic, and she did not hear Houki carefully when she meant to put it in the fryer pan later.
"Not literally," said Houki. "Can you warm up the oil, please?"
Again, Cecilia's thick head didn't take close attention as she hugged the canola oil like a newborn baby.
"Not like that!" Houki scolded at Cecilia's incompetence.
"Now it's time to remove them from the oil. After that, we'll let it rest for three minutes, ok?"
Houki was about to make the finishing touches; a phone rang out, leaving Cecilia to do the rest.
"Something's missing, the appearance appears to be boring," Cecilia commented on the already finished chicken thighs. "I'll add a sprinkle of perfume for aroma. Ahh! Plus, I'll put this for the glaze."
Cecilia used hot mustard for the finishing touches as Houki returned to see the results.
"Hey, is it done?"
"Yes! I just added the finishing touches."
"Wow! It looks amazing."
"Please, have a taste to find out yourself."
The appearance may look pretty, but Houki was not aware Cecilia added preposterous ingredients made inedible. Once Houki took the first bite, the next day, she fell ill.
Time: 9:32AM – Room 1-1
Ichika and Charlotte look at Houki's empty desk, wondering where she could have gone.
"It seems that Miss. Shinonono called in sick, so she won't be with us."
"That's odd, she never calls in sick. What happened to her?"
"I talked to her last night on the phone, she was fine."
Time: 11:46PM – Charlotte's Dorm
Cecilia did not give up that easily, still eager to learn how to polish her cooking skills. Despite the failed cooking session last night, she maintained her ambitions to be a great cook.
"Thank you in advance! I do sincerely appreciate it."
"Not a problem at all, I just got the ingredients for the food to prepare for Houki."
Charlotte led the way as they head towards the kitchen.
"We can make them together!"
"What happened to Laura today?"
Charlotte shushed Cecilia. "Shhh! Laura was exhausted, and went to bed when she came back."
Laura in her cat pajamas slept in a fetal position, taking the bed all by herself. Charlotte sliced the lettuce into pieces as Cecilia sliced the sausages in diagonal pieces. Cecilia was proud of her basic cooking skills because Houki taught her how to cook food.
"It was going well until for some reason, Houki fallen ill."
Cecilia chimed in as Charlotte had a face of pure terror while the British girl hummed happily chopping the sausages.
"Oh, did she now?"
Charlotte didn't want to assume the worst Houki fell ill because of Cecilia's cooking. She was right, but Charlotte called it bluff because she was cooking with Cecilia together. Cecilia watched the pot of soup simmer for three minutes until Laura thrashed and threw things around.
"Excuse me for a minute…can you keep an eye out? Laura tends to thrash around when she has a nightmare."
The ill-fated session has begun as Cecilia stared at the simmering soup. Cecilia does the same thing again, making the soup beautiful, but poisonous. The second victim was Charlotte, tasting the soup, and heading back to sleep. At two in the morning, Laura woke up, hungry to look something to eat. She took a sample of the poisonous soup, and she became the third victim to Cecilia's horrendous cooking.
Time: 9:57PM – Rin's Dorm
Rin sat on her chair, minding her own business until Cecilia appeared for another cooking session.
"So, you want to learn how to make sweet and sour pork?"
"Yes I do, Rin, truly!"
Rin had a disgruntled expression onto her face, knowing well Cecilia can be disastrous on the kitchen.
"Are you kidding me? Cooking with you is signing a death warrant."
"Please! This is the only time we can do it!"
"I don't want to die!"
Cecilia grasped Rin's hands, begging her to teach her how to cook. With the puppy dog face and the bandages around her fingers, Rin couldn't refuse Cecilia's sincere looks.
"Don't worry about my fingers, I was practicing with the knives," Cecilia said without shame. "But it's not too big of a deal."
Rin immediately stood up. "Fine! I'll teach you how to make sweet and sour pork, but you have to taste your own food."
Cecilia and Rin sautéed the vegetables and pork to prepare the meal. So far, Cecilia did not mess up as Rin watched her.
"Not bad! This is where I turn up the heat until flames come ripping out."
"Until the flames rip out?"
"That's right! Chinese food is all about firepower. Anyway, we can't have flames with electric stove."
Before Rin could explain about fire, Cecilia literally took the words by heart to ignite a fire on a electric stove. Two words 'electric stove' and 'fire' do not go together, but Cecilia was determined to make it happen.
"Let me handle that!"
In one second, Cecilia partial deployed her BT, aiming at the electric stove. Rin thought Cecilia took it as a joke, but she impulsively fired a laser on the electric stove and Boom! Rin's dorm turned into a smoldering mess of smoke and fire.
A motorcade of black Range Rover Sport, BMW 550i, and Hyundai Genesis, followed by Kaori in her personal yellow Lamborghini made its way down city streets. The drivers and passengers were Phantom Task soldiers accompanying Kaori for protection. Kaori could have use Phoenix to get to her destination faster, but she can't afford to create unwanted attention like last time.
The bluetooth audio rang, and Squall was on the line. Kaori wished Three Dragons or Madoka called her.
"How far are you from the destination?"
"Five minutes away."
"Very well then, I'll see you tonight. I had to put some of my best soldiers to accompany you not after what happened to your…incident."
Kaori groaned, wishing Squall did not bring the topic up, and not being protected by Phantom Task soldiers. "Yeah yeah, I won't cause any trouble, signing off."
Kaori hanged up as they cruise at casual speed. They arrived at a restaurant own by Phantom Task staff members as they bow in respect. The restaurant is one of their hideouts to conduct 'legitimate' business meetings, weapons smuggling, and money laundering. Criminals from all over the world hang out at this very restaurant. Phantom Task soldiers set their Vz.82 Skorpion, QCW-05, and HK G36C on the table as they dine on their fine meals and alcohols.
After three disastrous cooking sessions, Cecilia turned to Ichika as her last hope to cook. Ichika didn't understood Cecilia's sad expression, but he kindly took her to make rice balls. Ichika helped her make a rice ball by guiding her hands with his while standing behind her, causing her to blush, and asked him to show her again.
Time: 10:12PM – Phantom Task Restaurant
"…"
Liu did not like the appearance of Kaori's Lamborghini and the convoy of black European sedans and SUVs. He and his crew could have shoot up the place, but the chances are, the patrons were armed as well. They ate their expensive meals as Kaori and Liu glanced each other. Phantom Task soldiers stared silently like rattlesnakes before they turned away, minding their own business.
"What's the plan?" said Liu.
Hong pulled out a paper scribbled with lines, dots, and squares.
"Three Dragons runs weapons smuggling operations at a car dealership. He keeps his laundered money; weapons come in the new cars, people scoop it up, money goes in and out."
"It's heavily guarded, those that are VIP can go in."
Xu was planning his approach already. He posed as an important client to pick up his new car.
"They won't let us in because of our young appearances." Zhang enquired. Liu was silent, wanted to know what Xu was thinking, being the most experienced in heists.
"Exactly, I'll make them open the doors for us." Hong smirked, brandishing his assault rifle.
"Liu and Zhang, once Hong ensured the guards won't enact security checkpoint, you can go through without trouble."
Xu drew circles to pinpoint each of their strike positions, writing the time and date.
"You three will scout every people and the cars from the inside out. If you see money or weapons, give me a heads up."
"How about you, Xu?" Hong claimed. "We need to take action when you say so."
"When you hear me say 'I have the juice', that's the go. Hong and I will control the crowd, Liu and Zhang will scoop up the money and the weapons cache. If anyone acts up, shoot them because we cannot leave witnesses."
This was the most elaborated scheme to hit Three Dragons' operations. A hit on Three Dragons' money machine can make him draw out of the shadows.
"Yummy! Mmm! These ribs are delicious~!" The young woman exclaimed that caught everyone's attention. She had purple eyes, and long purple pink hair, wearing the ridiculous bunny ears and overly cutesy maid dress. Squall and Kaori sat across Tabane as she enjoyed the delicious ribs and red wine.
"So, has everything suited your needs, Dr. Tabane?"
"Mmm I guess so, except for that soup that had sleeping drug in it, you know~"
Tabane laughed as her strong immune system was unaffected by the sleeping drug Squall fed her.
"Now as to the matter of providing Phantom Task with IS units, and my men with military grade weapons, have you made your decisions yet?"
"Hehehe no way! Sounds too much work. Hey, bring me some curd~!"
Tabane waved her rib like a spoiled five-year-old child as Squall chuckled to herself. Soldiers slowly touched their guns, anticipating the next move.
"I wonder what you'll think about this then."
Squall snapped her finger; Phantom Task soldiers pointed their guns at Tabane. Autumn appeared behind her, aiming her Tokarev TT-33. Being held at gunpoint from different angles can guarantee being killed instantly, but Tabane still kept her grin.
Tabane threw her fork and knife at Squall, which she dodged ahead of time. She flipped the table, disarmed Autumn, palm strike her in the stomach, and collar bone. Tabane kicked her towards the wine cellar, knocking her out. Glass shattered as dozens of red wine broke her fall.
Soldiers opened fire, careful not to shoot each other in a crossfire as Liu and his crew ducked beneath the table. Tabane moved in a flash, using Autumn's gun and fired back. Few got hit as some didn't give up to fire, but Tabane was too quick as she struck them like flies. Luckily, they came prepared wearing bulletproof vest that protected them from major injuries.
"Hold your fire! Defense positions!" Squall commanded at her soldiers, snapping her finger again. They protected themselves with ballistic shields to prepare for the worst. Kaori attempted to attack Tabane, but Squall restrained her.
"Settle down, there's no need to."
"Ah does my hair look ok? You see, I'm mentally and physically over engineered down to the cellular level~As it is, I'm afraid that Chi-chan's the only one who's good enough to challenge me~!"
Tabane gloated her cockiness until Madoka burst through the wall with Silent Zephyrs, aiming her Star Breaker. Tabane appeared ditsy at Silent Zephyrs, dodging Madoka's projectiles with ease. The ballistic shields held against the attacks that protected the soldiers from further harm. Liu took a peak, and couldn't believe his eyes when Tabane quickly disarmed Madoka instantly until she was left armor less.
Without warning, Liu deployed Sockdolager, and fired at Tabane, but proven futile when she deflected the bullets.
"Who the hell are you…?" Liu demanded at the creator of IS.
"Hmm~? I don't recognize you. Oh wait, I see you have activated Sockdolager hehehe~!"
To his surprise, Liu growled, wasting no time to play games.
"Call me Tabane the Genius~!"
Liu's blood froze meeting Tabane face to face. He was unsettled every time Tabane laughed over everything.
"Maybe you didn't know, it is I'm the one that reverse engineered Sockdolager~"
"You what?!"
"Don't take it too seriously~What's your name? Aah, it's Liu King-Sang~your organization, Righteousness Union was a headache hahaha~!"
"How did you know my name?" Liu was close to squeeze the trigger at Tabane's head.
"Silly boy, Righteousness Union were annoying to deal with, so why not reverse engineered Sockdolager to see who can activate it first~!"
Tabane's laughter has pushed Liu to the edge. Lost of his words Tabane was behind the Sockdolager incident, he gritted his teeth, clenching his fists to unleash the rage sealed in his body.
"YOOOOOU BITCHHHHH!" Liu screamed, charging to attack. Tabane tapped Liu front and back, and Sockdolager disappeared like a magic trick. Undeterred, Liu attacked again, and Tabane punched him in the stomach, and threw him face first to the ground. Liu's crew tried to retaliate, and Tabane make quick work by knocking them out with flurry of punches and kicks.
Tabane laughed even more at Liu and Madoka.
"Hahaha~! You and Three Dragons are the only Righteousness Union members that entertained me, unlike those other Righteousness Union losers~!"
"Why you...!" Liu shouted as Tabane turned her attention at Madoka.
"So what's your name~? Let's playing a guessing game, you must be…Madoka Orimura~?"
Everyone couldn't bear Tabane's over energetic personality that ran around like a happy child.
"Hahaha I win, I win, yay for me~! I don't mind making a personal IS for these two cuties~"
Tabane laid her right arm on Liu's neck, and the other on Madoka's hands. Liu had enough of Tabane's crazy antics, trying to break free.
"IS are for women, but you and Three Dragons fought over it that left me no choice~!"
"Crazy hoe..." Liu gasped for air as Tabane used her strength to tighten her grip on Liu.
"That means you two can come with me now~! Let me keep them, please? Let me keep them~"
"Sorry, but that can be problematic." Squall replied. "But since you insist, feel free to do so."
"Yay~! So, Ma Chiwawa and Liu-Liu, what kind of personal IS do you want~? Long range, close combat, or even special armor type~?"
Liu hated the nickname Tabane made up, reminding him like an over pampered Japanese Spitz.
"Well, we can discuss it later~I can hardly wait to introduce you to Ku-chan~it'll be great~!"
Tabane dragged Liu and Madoka to her lab, not before leaving her last message.
"Don't worry, I'll drop Madoka off to her habitat, and Liu to his buddies, yay~!"
Squall and Kaori looked at Liu's men knocked out, and ordered their men to leave them as be. While they left the restaurant, Tabane wrote a note, and dropped it on Hong's forehead:
"Liu will be back in two days, you'll see him soon~!" – Tabane
Where the hell am I? Why am I sitting across Madoka in a small table? My left eye twitched at her petite appearance, and something tells me she's not normal. Minutes of silence, I didn't bother making a conversion, neither does Madoka, so we didn't talk. Surprisingly, my guns were with me, but my instincts tell me don't draw your weapons; wait until the time is right. Soldiers were everywhere, keeping an eye out to make sure we didn't pull any tricks. Tabane finished Madoka's personal IS that was covered in darkness. There were four personal IS, but I can't see them clearly since there were no lights. My god, I want to get the hell out of here, away from that lunatic! Before I could make a move, Tabane appeared close to my face.
"Ok, your personal IS is finished as promised~! Try it on, and see what you think of it~!"
That quick?! There's no way in hell Tabane completed my IS in a short time! Madoka sat like a mannequin as soldiers held me at gun-point as I stepped into my personal IS. An interface appeared as I read the first three words.
"Welcome aboard, Nightmare."
