Yahoo.
Openings song: Metal Machine from Sabaton
(I have been thinking about changing it to Heroes must return from Within Silence but given the darker nature of this fic, it won't fit.)
I have one hundred and twenty-two reviews on this story. I own a lot of thanks to tonbonkittybon, Ravenforst of RiverClan, Pearl Tapioca (thanks for the support and ideas bro), birdy1564, Imperial-SamaB (special thanks), Erosdeath (I'll keep you on your promise), Mephistonthelordofdeath, Valor-Dezrod, killjoytommy (big thanks for being with my stories for a long time), Comet17, SireneRacker737, BrotherCaptainSheperd, TheCarlosInferno, LabMember009Isaac, (I'm missing you,), Pandemonium1995, everlost360, UGX7 (thanks for the drop by despite this not being in your usual readlist), ARSLOTHES, Silver-Sakura-Blossom17, MrSpudzingtons (haven't heard from you in a while, where you at?), Rouge King Rebel Raven4 and the last addition Raymond Lightbringer.
On another note, I finally found a voice actor for Mattheus. Well, not really a voice actor but more a voice that I think that suits him. Alexei Raymar. I don't think that most of you guys would know this name. Frankly, I didn't know the man myself until Desert popped up on a recommended list. I found his voice in Lament for Soldier's Glory very soothing so I figured that he could serve as voice.
This is just a sideline that I got.
It's been two years ago when I started this fic. I had no idea it would become as good as right now. Or this well liked. I do have a few ideas where I am going with this fic with Phantom Task and other stuff. But I won't be going the long-lost family and reconciling route. I also feature Kerlongsj and Anaton a bit more often in this fic. Not too much, Mattheus and Ichika are the heroes of this one.
But first, we'll have the Yandere Arc and the Triad Arc. This is just the kickstart. Nothing where I can see the end of this fic or how much chapters this will take. But no way this fic will just stop.
It was pretty hard from me writing after not putting anything on paper beside small trinkets of fluff for the last months. I was planning to make one epic comeback with three major updates, each for all my stories but given that time is of the essence and I am not that great on that kind of thing, I wanted to put this chapter on paper first.
Also, my pc was back at the shop for some upgrades and those took longer than was guessed before.
Ichika was asleep with his newfound harem and Mattheus found it too adorable to wake them up. But even so, he had to do it. The had classes to attend and none of them wanted to piss off their teacher. Softly, he stirred Ichika and the movement of their source of heat gave the girls a wake up call. Looking at Mattheus mug wasn't the worst way to start the day.
"Morning bro," Ichika said while the girls slowly removed themselves from this night. They had to compromise. Either all of them got a bite or none of them could savor the taste. The girls looked to Mattheus and Joel. The young punk had thrown himself on the desk, looking amused.
The girls all greeted Mattheus in their own way. Looking at his handy work, the Hunter grinned on Ichika. Most guys would look at him in disdain and jealousy but Mattheus knew these girls. They were all handfuls alone. Combined was even worse but with the planning Ichika's problems would be much solved by this.
He wasn't your typical player but he would treat his women with respect. If free love was the only way to work it out, why not? And with his sister and some others, he had some heavy backing.
"So does Mattheus need to buy you guys some socks or do we have to prepare to start a nursery?" Joel asked with a ten thousand smile on his face. The rest of the room glared at him, Mattheus included. "Real fucking subtle, Joel."
"I love my job." He got flipped off. That wasn't world news on its own but the fact that Ichika lifted his middle finger to the punk was surprising. It caused Mattheus to raise an eyebrow and the girls to have different reactions. But while the more proper girls (Houki, Cecilia, Charlotte and maybe Tatenashi) would have reprimanded him, they decided to let it slide.
Mattheus looked up to Ichika. "While vulgar in his own right, Joel does have a point. If you need some condoms, just let me know. That is the best way to prevent pregnancies and other problems." Ichika nodded.
"Now, up to your own rooms. We don't have much time before we all have to be in class and none of us want to piss of Chifuyu. Do me one big favor and don't go alone." The girls looked a bit surprised on him.
He got the signal to continue his explanation. "Ayano is too crazy and dangerous for even you girls to go alone. So stay in groups. You might all be Infinite Stratos pilots but so is she. Understood. And now off you go." The girls left the room, Charlotte, and Laura, Cecilia and Rin, the Sarashiki's and Houki.
Ichika looked to his older brother. "What a crazy night." Mattheus shrugged on him.
"It does beat them murdering you." Ichika grinned and gave his best friend a nod. "Yep. Still, I don't know how this will work out." Looking at the sun who began to rise, Ichika felt somehow conflicted and hurt. He didn't want to hurt those women. Unlike what most would believe, they were all fragile, scared creatures.
Each and every last one of them had their own horrors to deal with. Some were inflicted by people, others had them from the cruel hand of fate. Ichika felt that when he went to sleep. They slept together in this, their heartbeats all got together becoming one, their warmth being shared.
At that point, Ichika felt how those girls felt. They all had some serious issues and those resulted in the way they behaved.
For Ichika, Mattheus acted like the example he needed to have. He had his own demons like the first semester with Charlotte and Laura.
Ichika knew that.
He felt a hand being placed on his shoulder and Mattheus giving him a serious face. "Look, that'll work one way or another. We aren't living a normal life. And it does beat broken hearts, you get killed and or being shipped up with a crazy girl like Ayano." Ichika nodded.
"I just don't know." Pausing, Ichika could feel Mattheus raising an eyebrow. "I don't know if this what I want to be. I mean. Life is just been crazy. I am just one guy who can pilot some kind of machine but still. I am not that strong. I don't have the talent or anything like that."
"Okay, let me stop you right there." Mattheus whacked Ichika on the head. "You forget you're not just some guy. Ichika, you're the younger brother of Chifuyu Orimura, the Brunhilde for fuck sake. And while we are both in the same boat. It's not right we are flung in the amount of shit we are in. But we gotta make it out of there."
Ichika nodded but didn't change his face. "I still don't know what I am supposed to do. Chifuyu-nee still doesn't talk about her family. And I didn't even bring up Madoka. So that leaves that out."
"That's something you gotta do that myself. I'll admit, Phantom Task is a threat to all of us but your family is your problem. But hey, one thing you should know 'bout your sis. She might be harsh and a total pain but she's not some sociopath. She just wants you to make it out alive. Remember that. And when the time comes, I'll be around. Just let me know."
Ichika nodded. "And it's my job as the oldest guy to keep you out of harm's way."
"While you organize my love life," Ichika said.
"Do you complain?" Mattheus quipped.
"I'd be an idiot if I did," Ichika answered.
Mattheus, content with the answers, sorted himself out and left the room. When he passed Joel, he extended his right arm at the desk. The young boy took the extended arm and the Irish / Flemish duo left with Joel holding onto the arm.
Joel climbed up to the neck, his legs on his brother's upper torso. In a comfortable silence, they walked to the classroom.
But on the place, their classroom, there was a horrible surprise waiting for them. In the ISA, there was a strict no bully policy. But that wouldn't explain why the desks of Cecilia, Houki, Charlotte, and Laura were scribbled over with denigrating terms.
How the words got in the desk was up to anyone's guess but what was written on it was clear as the day. Soaked with toilet paper and liquid soap, that was one thing. Joel was always for a joke but this was just fucking cruel.
On Cecilia, the words, fake Noble, Queen's Dog, retarded upper-class twit Houki had Cow-tits, violent woman, rotten champion.
While Houki could keep her tears together and Cecilia gulped, less fortunate were Charlotte and Laura. The French girl had fallen on her knees sobbing and crying. Laura, developing a softer side, especially around Charlotte (and becoming her best friend) was comforting her.
Mattheus didn't want to know what the perpetrator had written on it but he could make a guess. You're not human for Laura and Why are you here, you were never wanted for Charlotte. Given how that person knew about their lives, that would be written on it.
"Joel, you stay fucking here. I'm gonna look things up." Without even waiting for a reply, Mattheus was already up to the next classroom, Rin was busy cleaning her chair up. On it was the words, Flat chest, gaijin, shorty were written. Mattheus never guessed how much those violent girls could be hurt. Well, he'd be lying if he did not feel horrible.
Lifting his right hand and holding up his index finger, making her wait, he ran to class 1.4 seeing that Kanzashi was the same. "Well, I'll be damned." He said when he looked at the girl. She had been crying and her classmates were comforting them.
A cough caused him to look asides. Seems like he wasn't the only one who made up the trip. He let Tatenashi in. Ever since the Golem attack in the second semester, both the Sarashiki sisters got a better relationship. So this would be even more proof.
Walking back to his own classroom, Chifuyu wasn't present yet but Ichika had arrived. He'd never seen the young Japanese boy that pissed off.
"Mat." The words were as cold as the Arctic sea. Seeing that his brother was the only one who wasn't assaulted, wait.
Mattheus made his way to his desk, feeling the color leaving his face. His computer was destroyed and Joel was on the verge of a breakdown. The Hunter turned back to Ichika.
"Yeah." The words were short and harsh, the remaining girls had no idea the normally friendly, relaxed and cool guys could be so frightening, was a reason not to stand in their way.
"Can you tell me if the person who would be most likely responsible is in class and if class 1.1 was the only one that was assaulted?"
Mattheus calmed his nerves by taking a deep breath. "For both your answers, negative. What are you going to do?" Ichika's look was something Mattheus never expected to see. Seems like this day was a first for everything.
"I am going to have a chat with her. Don't cover me up." Ichika left the classroom but right at that time, Chifuyu entered. Hi sister was surprised to him leave right before class. He did know the rigorous punishments that could await. Yet, she couldn't resist asking.
"Orimura, where are you going? Homeroom is about to."
"I'm sorry Orimura-sensei, I'm absent for the first hour. My punishment will be accepted but can wait." And with that, Ichika left, leaving Chifuyu as baffled as the day of the festival. When he told her to shut up.
Before she could call Ichika back, Mattheus tapped her shoulder and showed her what happened. That did something to her.
Chifuyu was really angry. Seemed that trait ran in the family. "Adjzof." Well, Ichika being angry was one thing but his anger was nothing compared to her fury. Mattheus was just glad that he wasn't the object of that fury.
"Yes." He asked, a little brazen, hoping she wouldn't explode in his face. Well, she would apologize afterward, if he survived that.
"Tell Yamada-sensei she has to take over classes and tell Orimura that his punishment is forfeited if he gets back in the second class. If he doesn't return by then, tell him to meet me at the teacher's office at the end of the day." Her voice was really cold and if Mattheus didn't spend time with the only man that was capable of facing her, he didn't know if he made it out with his dignity intact.
"Noted sensei. Something else?" He asked, his own anger making him too stupid to be scared. Chifuyu was really a monster, especially in those cases.
"Yes, tell everyone that Arena 6 isn't open for training. And if you value your life, don't come looking." Mattheus nodded and turned to the girls, the four of them getting over the shock.
He turned back to Chifuyu but she has taken off. The young man knew better than to go after her. The Hunter walked to Joel. "And?"
He didn't have to ask more.
"Well, this computer is toast, there isn't a single piece of equipment I can use again. One fucking good thing is that you have everything on your dorm one because this thing is just broken beyond repair. And believe me, we will have to spend a lot of cash in this place to get a second and we'll need it."
Mattheus financial status wasn't an issue. Unlike the Representative candidates who were paid for their services, the student body did receive some allowance from the school but the money wasn't that much. Or at least enough to pay for a decent computer. Luckily, Kerlongsj was a benevolent boss and monthly, Mattheus received a paycheck. Most of the money was saved for later issues, well, this was one.
Maya entered the room and like most of the girls, she was a little shocked. Mattheus walked to her, taping on the shoulder. The short teacher eeped when she looked at him. "A.. Adjzof-kun?"
"Yamada-sensei. Orimura-sensei is taking off the day, so she asked you to take care of the class. Oh, and Ichika will have to report himself to the teacher's office if he doesn't come back at the second hour. For the first, he's excused."
Maya nodded but looked at the class. "Okay, but what happened?" Mattheus looked to Houki, Cecilia, Charlotte, and Laura. He thought on Rin and Kanzashi. Tatenashi would have a note on her desk as well, her status be damned.
"A fucking disaster," Mattheus said, his harsh words not even causing a flinch in class. "That's what happened."
Ichika walked to the dorm room. He knocked three times pretty harsh. "Ayano!" He said. He didn't know when he was this angry. The time that Madoka launched her attack at Chifuyu came not even close to this one. How could she heard them? Like this.
It didn't take long before Ayano opened the door. "What in God's name do you think you're doing?" Truth to him, it would have taken much before he skewered the short girl on Yukihira or shooting her head off with Blastergun.
Her magenta eyes went wide open on the accusation Ichika now spawn on her. Her Angel, her Knight in shining armor was talking to her like that?
Where would this madness end? "What are you talking about, Ichika?" She asked in an innocent, honey sweet voice. If she wanted to piss off Ichika even further, she was doing a really good job.
"Don't you fucking call me with my first name. Only my friends and my sister are allowed for that. And you know very well what I am talking about." Ichika took a breath, his lungs filling with needed air and his face calming. It did hurt his throat with the shouting. In reality, he wanted to beat the crap out of her. But he knew that would come to bite him back even more.
"But I couldn't care less. You won't even admit what you did but let me make one thing very clear to you. You are sick by acting like that. So let me make this clear. If you ever again intend to hurt my friends, I am going to hurt you in ways that aren't humaniliy possible." Ichika said while he turned around.
"You're intending to hurt me?" Ichika's angry look said it all. "Yes. Don't you ever doubt that again. You leave my friends alone."
That simple words really hurt her.
"Those whores and that stupid foreigner will only hurt you in the end. I am the one." She was cut off with Ichika aiming his shotgun at her face. "If. You. Ever. Speak. About. My friends. Like that. I am. Going. To fucking. Skewer you. Like a Goddamn pig." Ichika said. Taking a deep breath, he sighed and the shotgun dissolved.
"If you want to hurt someone, you hurt me. I am the one you should be angry at. Not my friends." Ichika hid the fact that Mattheus had arranged a harem for him.
"I can't hurt you. You're supposed to mine. I love you too much." Ichika spat on the ground and left the dorm. "Don't you ever think that again. Goodbye Kaguya" Ichika slammed the door, ignoring the wailing.
"ICHIKAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA." The Knight walked back to his classroom. He sighed, preparing himself for his punishment. Chifuyu wouldn't forgive him for this but this had to be done. And best now, when his anger had reached boiling point.
He knocked on the door, a set of relieved faces on him. His sister wasn't around. "Ah, Orimura-kun. Right on time for the second period." Ichika looked surprised on that.
"Eh, Yamada-sensei. Where is Chifu, I mean, Orimura-sensei." He asked, not believing this. "Orimura-sensei has taken the day off. And you won't be punished for missing your first hour. Please go to your seat." Ichika nodded and he had the idea that for some the class had to be over so soon but it took so long. All of them were on edge.
When it ended, it caused a lot to let out a sigh, now really pent up. "That concludes all. I'll see you after the break." Her words didn't even leave her mouth before Ichika was surrounded by the girls and Mattheus.
"Ichika," Houki began. "What did you do?" Ichika took a breath.
"I went to talk to Kaguya and from now on, I am not involved with her in any way. With the promise, I'll really hurt her if she even as much looks at you all again in the wrong way." Cecilia nearly fainted, Charlotte and Laura hugged each other, Houki didn't contain herself and lunged at Ichika. Rin and Kanzashi were right on time to hear the confession. Rin jumped up and Kanzashi nearly broke out in tears of joy.
Mattheus lifted his fist and Ichika bumped it while Joel did the same with his other hand. All while Houki was sitting on his lap.
"Well, that solves that problem." Tatenashi said who now joined group. Mattheus shook his head on that. "Sorry to burst your bubble, Tatenashi but this is far from over. I have seen girls like her in my first high school. Not as bad as her but still, high up the charts. Don't even think it's over with this. But."
Ichika looked at Mattheus who looked at him. "It's a good first step. Just be prepared because we're in a fire line." The girls looked at him, all of them geared up for a fight.
"Don't you worry about that," Tatenashi said. "We all have something to tell that girl." Ichika and even Mattheus were a little scared about the ominous aura that the girls emitted.
Mattheus smiled. "You girls, best wait for a bit. Revenge is a dish best served cold. Besides." He pulled up his hoodie and cracked his knuckles. "You aren't the only ones who are looking forward to beating that whore up."
And with that, I end this chapter. For my two year with this fic, I had hoped for something more but seemed like this year hasn't been that great for my writing adventures. Still, I came a long way with this fic and I'll be hoping for a lot more.
For the coming updates, it'll be different from what I originally planned like I put above with three major updates for The Graduated Student and the Irish Street Punk, Infinite Stratos vs Masou Gakuen HxH Afraid to shoot strangers and En Route to a better life and to make three major chapters as comeback or at least to get my readers a notion.
But because of circumstances, that'll be altered. First, I'm going to post a mid-chapter for ATSS (short for Afraid to shoot strangers) and then I am posting those three major ones. So sit tight because it can take a while.
I have spent a week at my da's place but unlike what I really hoped to write a lot, due to school and other issues, I simply did not have time or energy left for it.
Sorry guys but things just get busy. On the plus side, I'll be having a holiday week after this one so I hope I'll have more time to write. Also, I am not going to take long before buying that laptop.
A bit of a request. If you could pull a writer out, I'd hope someone could please draw Mattheus and or Joel but given that I currently don't know how that'll work out. I ask it here, it would be really appreciated if you could. One thing I hope for is that he is drawn similar to the art of Infinite Stratos and colored in. Sorry to be rude about it but it's hard for me to find an artist. Or I simply overlooked some I could ask.
Also, one last thing. I still haven't thought up Ayano's Infinte Stratos. So I presen to you guys a challenge and rewards. If you're willing to think up an Infinte Stratos with weapons and stats, you have the right to call in a favor. That can go from reviews from me or to me doing a request fic. I'm willing to write smut for that but no Yaoi nor gender bender.
The request doesn't have to be Infinite Stratos but can as well be another fandom. I'm fine with that as well but if I didn't watch the anime or other fandom give me some time to get familar with it.
That's all.
Saluut.