Hey, you people probably didn't expect this, but here I am again with the next chapter! Previous chapter was really a huge author's block for me – it took a lot of time to find an acceptable option for Chifuyu to make a move on her brother. But now I finally can continue.

Now, some talk with those who wrote a review:

Abe Malfoy: You know, actually I've been criticized quite a lot for that my sentences are overloaded with punctuation marks… Anyway, thanks for your opinion, I'll think about it.

Imperial-samaB: Thanks, I was glad to see myself back as well =)

DareusX, King Derp Fish, FateBurn, Guest: Yes, yes, I know. It really took toooooo long. But thanks for waiting!

Primordial Inscriptor Z-09: I'm also looking forward for Tabane, but it will be even more difficult than it was with Chifuyu. And I'll think about Naamah.

Well, nothing more to say – let's proceed to the chapter.


Chapter XX – Siblings

...

Orimura residence. Ichika suddenly woke up. His 'night dance' with Chifuyu lasted until about half past three in the night, so he actually slept less than two hours. But still he woke up, and now all his sleepiness was completely gone. Not only that, he now was feeling himself energized as never before. He looked at Chifuyu – she was peacefully sleeping beside him, holding his left arm, and carefreely smiling in her dream. Ichika could never imagine that he will be able to see her like this; that she even can be like this at all – smiling happily, like a common schoolgirl. Seemingly, he once again underestimated her… but that's not the point now. Today's Monday, so there will be HRS [Home-Room Session], and both siblings should be present there. As such, even if they're going to use Ichika's I.N. to get to the I.S. Academy, they need to get up about 7 AM. So, naturally, Ichika should go back to sleep, and quickly. But he was sure that he isn't going to sleep until the next night for sure.


Those who can call for Archangels' blessings – they do not have access to all of their abilities by default. There are three consecutive stages of Archangels' development.

First – passive stage. For instance – Ichika's emperor's eyes are manifestation of his Second Archangel's ability in passive stage. He acquired this when he was about six years old.

Second – active stage. For example – when Chifuyu uses her second Archangel's ability – Voice of Haniel – she has to activate her Arcangel's powers deliberately. She learned to use this ability just before she began to assist Shinonono Tabane with her research. In active state Archangels consume stamina, physical or mental, or both.

And a third stage – The Gift. When Archangel's power is fully developed, the holy being grants a gift to its avatar. The Gift is a complex of unique knowledge, valuable enough (and dangerous enough) to turn the entire world upside down. As example – Ichika was sure of it – I.S. core actually was a Gift of Zafkiel, acquired by Shinonono Tabane. It is too advanced, too out of this world to be a simple invention, even for a genius among geniuses like like Tabane. Or, more likely, this is why she's a genius among geniuses in the first place. The circumstances, with which Tabane acquired her gift were truly extreme, bit that's a gift nonetheless.

By the way, Ichika also already got one gift – Gift of Kamael – complex of knowledge that allowed him to create third generation plasma weaponry and the electro-plasma generator, as well as his favorite toy – the realizer.


And now Ichika woke up because he got another Gift. That fact itself was very pleasurable, but not too surprising. Ichika was getting more mature, he just turned sixteen years old, besides, he was actively using his First Archangel recently (including yesterday's battle). Surprising, even shocking, was the fact that he actually got one more gift! Haniel – The Grace of God, the protector of faithful – she also granted her gift to Ichika. Why? It shouldn't be possible – Haniel is Chifuyu's Archangel

As if there were not enough surprises for one night. Ichika had no idea what's going on, but he was certain that he just got two Gifts. That was no time for sleep for sure…

By the way – it is interesting why Chifuyu didn't get her Gifts. She was using her powers too rarely? Or, actually, she already got one gift, or maybe even both of them, but she just doesn't know what to do with them? She isn't an inventor or scientist after all. And even more interesting – Shinonono Tabane – she still didn't get her First Archangel's gift? Or she's just hiding something?...


October 2nd, Monday, 7:00 A.M.

Chifuyu yawned sweetly. She never had any need for an alarm clock. She could easily wake up just in time by herself, as if she had her own, internal alarm clock. Those rare occasions when she didn't wake up by herself, at least during last five years, you could count on the fingers of one hand. And despite that just few hours ago she was completely exhausted both physically and emotionally, now she was full of energy. In fact, she was feeling herself ten years younger – as if she's 15 years old once again.

She sat up and stretched her arms. Blanket fell down, revealing her perfectly shaped breasts. She has D-cup, and that probably is just the right size. And finally, she opened her eyes and saw… this.

About two dozen of holographic screens were chaotically flying all around the room. In the middle of that was Ichika, as his two equally colored, blood-red eyes were illuminating the room with ominous glow. "Ichika, what are you doing?" She inquired.

"Good morning, onee-chan," He greeted her in answer. "I've got an inspiration of sort, so now I'm writing down all my thoughts," He added. Despite he was using Power of Kamael, here was no enemy, so Ichika was completely adequate. "And don't make this face," He snorted when Chifuyu pouted (pretty childishly), "You knew that I am like this and still you chose me, so don't complain."

"I'm not complaining about you being you, I'm just waiting for my 'good morning' kiss," Chifuyu replied, still pouting like a child, probably she could be called a 'moe' right now.

"Ah, yes, sorry," Ichika replied. No, even like this he could distinguish what's really important right now. They just spent their first night together – he shouldn't ignore his lover right after. All his holoscreens froze in midair as his eyes ceased to glow and became normal. He approached Chifuyu, leaned forward and granted her what she was asking for.

Their kiss was long, wet and lewd. And not only that, just when their lips met, Chifuyu's hand found its way into Ichika's pants (of course he, unlike Chifuyu, was dressed up by now) and began to play with his balls. And she was doing this pretty aggressively, so when Ichika finally broke their kiss, he got quite a hard-on. "And what is the meaning of this?" He wondered… not that Ichika actually offered any resistance.

"Stay still," Chifuyu asked in reply, as she quickly got out of bed, fell on her knees in front of her brother, pulled down his pants and "…Glog… uggu…" took his cock into her mouth.

"You damned pervert…" Ichika sighed as all holoscreens in the room disappeared. No way he'll be able to continue his work after something like that.

"Ugh… amph… uguug… ough…" Chifuyu's moves were fast and aggressive, and, by the way, she was quite aware about how to satisfy a man with blowjob. She was using her left arm to massage his testicles and her right to stroke his penis, sucking it at the same time.

"To think that, within less than an hour, you're going to use that lewd mouth of yours to teach those innocent girls…" Ichika rolled his eyes, "No wonder they can't learn anything… Hey! Don't bite!"

"Guulg... huugl… ooogl…" [Then shut up!] Chifuyu tried to reply. Most weird thing was that Ichika actually managed to distinguish what she wanted to say.

However, though Ichika seemed irritated, he actually was just playfully teasing Chifuyu. He knew, as well as she, that when they leave their house, they won't be lovers anymore. In academy they will be a teacher and a student, and after retreat and in town they will be just normal siblings. They can't show even the smallest hint about their true relationships, or entire I.S. Academy will turn upside down. And that will be only the beginning… And thanks to idiots from Phantom Task (and some other) – no one can say when they're going to get next chance to enjoy their love. So Ichika just closed his eyes and let his sister to do whatever. Her mouth and fingers were so agile and skillful, process was very enjoyable.

Ability to hold back ejaculation is very important for a man, and at night Ichika showed that he's very proficient with it. But now he had no need to hold back. So after about ten minutes…

"UUUUGGHHHHH! Umpff! Omn! Ahm! Sluuurp! Sleeccckkk!" When Ichika cum, Chifuyu slightly chocked at first, but then she began to greedily consume all the white substance, sucking even stronger than before.

"Nice…" She whispered as she licked her lips when she released Ichika's cock from her mouth. "That's for a breakfast," She nodded in satisfaction. She really consumed everything, not a single drop fell on the floor. Then she rose on her feet, and, as if nothing happened, turned around, no doubts looking for her underwear.

"It's waiting for you in bathroom," Ichika sighed, pulling up his pants. "And don't you dare to play with yourself," He added as Chifuyu's arousal already started to leak between her legs, "We both know that it won't be quick, and we have no time for it!"

"Buzz off!" Elder sister snorted and left the room.

"What have I done?..." Ichika asked himself. But actually, he had no regrets about anything. He just hoped that he won't forget anything important about what he saw in his dream today. Though, naturally, knowledge gotten as a Gift cannot be forgotten.


October 2nd, Monday, 11:23 P.M.

In a room that wasn't lit, Madoka was changing the bandages on her right hand alone. Using the robotic nanomachines multiple times, her wound healed, and the syringes that she used were thrown all around the room.

"I'm coming in, M," Entering the room without knocking on the door was the cadre of Phantom Task, Squall. Her lush blond hair flowed smoothly as she entered the room. "I hope yesterday's event finally convinced you, Orimura Madoka-san."

"..." No reply. Squall maintained her smile. In contrast, Madoka didn't even look at her as she continued to wrap her own bandages.

"I know, that despicable brute defiled and humiliated both of us, but we cannot think of revenge right now," Squall continued. Seemingly, she wasn't a squad commander for nothing – despite that what happened yesterday, she seemed pretty cool-headed and composed. "Even if that was an eventful encounter for you, we are really troubled. Our mission is to steal I.S. from all over the world. We should refrain from any attempts on Demon Queen until we'll find a way to make the odds even," She warned. Yesterday they suffered a crushing defeat and barely managed to escape with their lives. One I.S. was virtually lost, only the core was still in Phantom Task's hands. Silent Zephyrus also suffered a lot of damage and lost half of its armament. Arachne is still inoperable as well. The squad needs to lay low for a while.

"...I got it," Madoka mumbled in reply, but when she rose her eyes and looked at Squall… she froze in shock, actually.

"M? Is there something on my face?" Squall asked as she noticed that Madoka is staring at her face.

'Yes!' That was what Madoka wanted to reply, but she couldn't, because she just was unable to comprehend at what she's actually looking now. Those symbols, that Ichika carved on Squall's forehead – they were still there! No, I mean – of course Squall fixed the wounds on her forehead – ripped scars were gone, no traces left at all (for some reason). But symbols were still there! Symbols "כֶּ" "תֶ" "ר" were glowing with cold, mysterious white light. And there's more – since Squall just came in like this – is that possible that neither she nor her bitch Autumn can see them?

"Orimura Madoka-san?" Squall asked once more as M was still staring at her.

"No, it's nothing," Madoka shook her head. She was a complete pragmatic, supernatural things like ghosts, magic and demons doesn't exist in her world. 'It's… It's him again! Yes, that should be some sort of a trick! Those are just some sort of nanomachines or something! He's just trying to drive me mad!' As she invented an explanation, girl turned away, convincing herself that she shouldn't look at those because it may be some sort of a trap, not because it actually became painful to look at that cold white light.

"By the way, M," Squall addressed the girl again, "Whether you're Orimura Madoka or not, I don't really care, but please maintain your identity as M while being a member of Phantom Task."

"…I intend to do so until I settle the score," Madoka grunted, still trying to avoid looking at her squad commander.

"Settle the score… With Orimura Ichika?" Squall wondered.

"Humph… He's just a cruel beast, nothing more. I don't really care about him – I'll just kill him," Madoka snorted.

"So that means, you want to settle the score with Orimura Chifuyu… Right?' After Squall said that, the lips on Madoka's expressionless face curled up as she looked really happy. However, that was an evil smile. "Orimura Chifuyu, is it? She doesn't have an I.S., so I don't think she's much of a threat."

After the sentence ended, Squall blocked Madoka's karate chop and jumped back to avoid the kick. Looking closely, Madoka, who was still smiling, now looked angry. "Don't you ever humiliate her… Someone like you will never be a match for nee-san…"

"Okay, okay, I got it. So M, don't throw the knife. You'll damage the wallpaper," Squall smiled again.

"Humph..." Madoka snorted. Seemingly, when Squall mentioned Chifuyu, Madoka became so agitated that she couldn't care about glowing symbols anymore. But now she seemed to be embarrassed by the useless taunting and returned the knife back into its sheath.

"I'll go sleep for a while. Ah, M, we need time to restore our forces, so control yourself a bit," Squall added.

"…Alright," Madoka mumbled in reply.

"I like honest kids. Bye then, M," Like how she came in, Squall finished what she wanted to do and returned back to her room.

The door shut, and the room was covered in silence and darkness. At that moment, Madoka took the knife out and slid it across her own face.

"..."

The skin got cut, and fresh red blood oozed out. Madoka got overwhelmed with unspeakable happiness through this act of harming the face that looked just like Chifuyu's. The delighted expression reflected on the side of the knife.


October 3rd, Tuesday, 4:49 A.M.

"Sarashiki, wake up," Man's voice resounded in darkness.

"Ummm…" Tatenashi moaned sleepily and turned away.

This is the I.S. Academy. This is Tatenashi Sarashiki's room. This is Tatenashi Sarashiki's bed. And this is Tatenashi Sarashiki herself, sleeping, in her bed, in her room, one of the rooms in I.S. Academy's dormitory. And also, there's someone who's definitely doesn't belong here, and now he's trying to wake the girl up. Girl, who, seemingly, is a heavy sleeper.

"Hey, c'mon, c'mon, quickly, wake up," Ichika didn't back down as he shook her shoulder. Since no one invited him here, that what he's doing now is a trespassing, a privacy invasion and, probably, a sexual harassment, so he at least has to be gentle.

"Huh? Ichika-sama?!" Tatenashi's eyes shot open, "What's going on!? We're under attack?!" When she finally realized who is trying to wake her up, her sleepiness was gone in an instant. If he himself came to wake her up that means that there's something really wrong here, right?

"No, there's no enemy, I just need your help with something," Ichika replied.

"What?!" Tatenashi exclaimed aguishly. "It's… five in the morning!" She summoned her I.S. clock. Girl helplessly fell on her pillow as all her sleepiness returned with doubled weight. "It's my room, get out, let me sleep," She moaned. Her thoughts seemingly were completely messed up, she even forgot to act enigmatic… She looked like a simple girl who don't want to wake up on mad scientist's whim. "Hey, give me back my blanket!" She almost cried.

"By now you should know that I'm even more brusque than you, so get up and go to shower," Ichika noted. "Oh, nice negligée by the way," He added, "Why didn't you wear it when we lived together?"

"Ecchi…" She mumbled resentfully, trying to cower herself as much as soft fabric of her light dress could allow, "I won't forgive you for this…" Slowly she got up from her bed and headed towards the shower room with unsteady steps. "And what do you want from me?" She asked.

"We're going to Moscow," Ichika replied.

"Where?!" Tatenashi almost jumped. That was a mistake because, when she did that, her negligee flew up, revealing her neither region. "Don't look!" She screamed, trying to cover herself up, just like a normal schoolgirl. She wasn't that emotional when Ichika took away her swimsuit. Seemingly, even the eldest scion of Sarashiki clan can't muster her dignity this early in the morning.

"I wanna buy something. Since you're the Russian representative – you're going to help me with negotiations. Oh, and if you need a reason then I'd like to remind you that you came to my birthday party without invitation, without present, and dragged along several people against their will. Not to mention that you were getting on my nerves for quite a while. So, you owe me, don't you think?" Ichika eyes flashed.

"But… but I have lessons today…" Tatenashi mumbled helplessly.

"No, you don't. I've already arranged everything. You're free for today. Go," Ichika nodded towards the shower cabin. When her last hope was crushed, Tatenashi had no choice but to comply. Or rather, she still had choices, but actually she already fell to Ichika's trap. At this point it doesn't matter what she'll do…

"She really is weak at the morning," Ichika smiled to himself as he heard the sound of water. "It's good that I didn't ask her at yesterday's evening – forcing her to obey would've been much more difficult. On the other hand, like this I didn't even has to use realizer…"


October 3rd, Tuesday, 4:37 P.M. (Tokyo local time)

Somewhere above eastern Siberia. Two I.S.-es were flying towards east. One snow-white, whose Fold-Out Armor was glowing with dreaded dark violet light. One blue-white, with unusually small frame, with two crystals emanating mysterious mist. From aside it seemed as if one I.S. was carrying another. That was because Mysterious Lady was built as an anti-terrorist I.S., made for urban fights, so she wasn't designed to reach high airborne speed in the first place. Demon Queen, on the other hand, was an Inquisitor-type unit, and with her powerful Stream Plasma Ejectors she could accelerate up to 4 Mach (~1360 m/s or 2650 knots). So now, Tatenashi was riding upon Ichika's back (Naamah expressed her displeasure about that several times), and even like this, with another I.S. unit as a passenger, Demon Queen managed to accelerate to 2200 knots.

Sarashiki was sitting on Ichika's back, but, unlike usual, she wasn't trying to tease Ichika or something. In contrary, she was sitting with sour face since the very moment Ichika came to an agreement with Russian navy. "And what's with this face?" He wondered. With his eyes he had no need to look at her face directly, "If you won't change your face expression, it may become permanent, you know?"

"Humph!" Tatenashi snorted and turned away. And though that gesture seemed pretty cute, shadow in her eyes was real – probably this time Ichika really went overboard and actually offended her.

"Hey, c'mon, is it really such a big deal?" He wondered.

"It is!" Girl exclaimed, and she could be honest with him on this matter exactly because he knows the answer himself. "You dragged me out of my bed in the middle of the night, made me travel across half of the planet, you used me and my I.S. as a bargaining chip without even asking for my opinion, and after all that you even refused to take a walk with me and look at the foreign capital city!"

"Listen, I'm in quite difficult position here. Unlike you, the official representative, I have nothing to do with Russians. In contrary, I am the member of a foreign military, so I only got permission to enter their airspace for one day," Ichika explained, but that only made Tatenashi's face even more sour. Though, honestly this is really not the time for excuses. Besides, this girl didn't mention it due to her dignity, but the fact that Ichika again saw her naked and that many people were staring at her during negotiations (she has a few things to stare at, especially when she's wearing an I.S. suit) – these things also were bothering her. "Ah," Ichika sighed, "Alright, alright, you really helped me, okay? I am thankful to you, so now I owe you a favor. Will it do?" He didn't say 'I'm sorry' because he wasn't sorry, and they both knew it, so instead he offered a compensation.

Tatenashi's face immediately brightened. "Really?!" She asked with unexpectedly cheerful voice.

"I won't go back on word," Ichika confirmed. "But, since it came to this, you will give me a birthday present, since you attended the party…"

"Okay!" She smiled cheerfully.

"And no, 'naked ribbon' won't do!" Ichika warned her as if he read her thoughts.

"Boo boo…" She pouted, but this time she definitely wasn't offended.

"We should arrive to the academy within less than an hour, think of what you want carefully, but try to avoid requests related to your I.S. as we already came to an agreement with your curators," Ichika noted.

"Alright~~!" Tatenashi replied. Seemingly she completely reverted to her normal self. Ichika became suspicious – that change in Tatenashi's mood seemed too abrupt. Still – she looked really insulted just a minute ago. Then what happened? She forgave him too easily… Is that possible that she actually wanted to ask for Ichika's help with something, but had nothing to offer in return? Tatenashi Sarashiki? This stubborn and annoying girl? She actually was thinking about an equivalent exchange? If so, then she wants help with some delicate matter, is she?

'Oh well – if her request will be too weird and/or unreasonable – I always have my realizer…' Ichika decided.

"Still, Ichika-sama," Tatenashi asked, "I don't understand – why you need that pile of scrap metal? You agreed to help with my I.S. in exchange for that junk?"

In fact, Ichika really agreed to made some improvements to Mysterious Lady aka Moscow's Dense Mist, in exchange he asked for a ship, no less. No, 'ship' probably is too good word for that… Ichika 'bought' an old Soviet Kirov-class battlecruiser 'Frunze', but relatively old ship actually was in the (late) middle of scrapping process. Reactor, armament, electronic systems – everything was dismantled long ago. Aside from minor auxiliary, unimportant systems, that was only a hull, an empty shell – no matter how you'll look at it.

By the way, about that… Sadly, but, for example, U.S. Navy have no ships that could fit Ichika's needs – all North Carolina, South Dakota and Iowa-class battleships were either scrapped decades ago or preserved as museum ships – unlikely that someone would've agreed to sell any of those, especially to a foreign 'mad scientist'. The same was with the other major naval forces. Ichika really got lucky that this one was still intact (at least its hull).

In any case, thanks to Ichika's help Russian I.S. developers are going to save several millions of dollars at least – I.S. development ain't cheap. In exchange he got 20 000 tons of scrap metal? Seems quite unprofitable…

"Oh, you know, I've got an idea…" Ichika gave a vague answer, "I'm still not sure myself – will it work or not…" As she heard his reply, Tatenashi frowned. He's definitely up to something, and most likely it is something very dangerous… and now she's an accomplice, isn't she?


October 3rd, Tuesday, 10:56 P.M.

I.S. Academy, Orimura Ichika's room, № 1025.

"Come in," Ichika invited. Tatenashi was standing in front of the door to his room, but since she was weird, she used I.S. comm channel to ask for permission to enter the room, instead of knocking to the door.

Actually, Ichika was a bit tired. First – he wasn't getting enough of sleep because he was a bit overwhelmed with immense volume of knowledge when he received two Gifts at the same time. And second – he had to prepare an almost 1000 lbs. of nanomachines. They will be used to hide the cruiser. Ship is simply too big for advanced methods of optical camouflage, which some I.S. units are using nowadays, so Ichika resorted to use a much simpler way, besides, those nanomachines will be needed later, anyway. That amount should be enough. Russians only agreed to tow ship out of their territorial waters – from there it will be Ichika's responsibility – both hiding the ship and delivering it wherever he needs it. Ship has to be hidden because Ichika's agreement about improving Tatenashi's I.S. was a top-secret topic, and battlecruiser going somewhere may raise too many questions. Ship will be given to Ichika at 3 A.M. (local time) in White Sea, tomorrow, so naturally he has to be there to take it (though in Japan it will be 11 A.M.)

'I hope I'm not trying to bite more than I can swallow…' He thought, watching Tatenashi coming closer, 'I need more sleep…' Nevertheless, he has no more time to waste – he should deal with Sarashiki quickly and depart to get the ship.

Girl came closer to him, hiding her teasing smile with her fan, as usual. The words written on it were 'Disastrous Situation'. Ichika facepalmed. "Alright, tell me what's on your mind. Be quick, if possible, I want to take a shower now," He asked. Tatenashi needs a favor, huh?…

"Hmm? Then just bathe as you talk. Because I didn't bring my swimsuit today," She smiled carelessly.

"Sarashiki-san, I'd really appreciate if you'd stop trying my patience," Ichika sighed.

"Boo! You're not cute at all!" She pouted childishly, her voice still sounded teasingly.

"Want some tea?" Ichika asked, pouring black tea into a cup.

"Mn… Nice tea. From Shri Lanka, is it?" Girl said as she tasted some tea, "But you need to work against the tea professor in the Student Council office."

"Tatenashi-chan," Ichika looked at her with one eye closed.

"Alright, alright… Actually, I'd like to request one thing," Tatenashi asked and her tone became unusually ambiguous. "I... I leave her to you!" She suddenly put her hands together, as if praying to Ichika.

"Can you be a bit more specific?" Ichika asked skeptically. He was expecting something weird so he wasn't taken aback.

"I'll leave my imōto [little sister] to you!" Tatenashi repeated, still standing in that "prayer's" pose.

"Haaah…" Ichika sighed heavily. Seemingly this will take some time.


October 3rd, Tuesday, 11:17 P.M.

About fifteen minutes have passed.

"So, we're talking about your little sister? A first year, Sarashiki Kanzashi, right?" Ichika just looked at glowing holoscreen on his desk, which was displaying Kanzashi's photo and biography. "Ah, there she is…"

"Hey! What is this?!" Light-blue-haired girl exclaimed.

"I have a dossier on every student and stuff member of this academy, former and present," Ichika replied as if it wasn't anything special.

Tatenashi's eyes widened. Seemingly, she wanted to ask where Ichika got all of this, but at this moment she realized that this is a stupid question. Instead, she just exclaimed indignantly, "That's a horrible privacy invasion!" Only the Student Council and academy's administration have access to students' dossiers. And as a Student Council President, Sarashiki has to protect the students, their privacy included. But how she should protect anything from him?! On the other hand… It is quite unlikely that this man has some ill interest towards most of those girls… or any interest at all…

"Can we get back on topic please?" Ichika asked calmly, as if nothing happened.

"Hah, whatever," Girl sighed deeply, "Yes, that's my sister – Sarashiki Kanzashi."

Ichika looked at the holoscreen again. The girl in the photo seemed to be a little shady. 'Is this Tatenashi's imōto? But she feels a little…'

"Just some words beforehand… I hope that you don't reveal that I said this…" Tatenashi explained this first. It's hard to imagine that she would usually say this. "My sister, she's… A little passive, or rather..." She seemed to be choosing her words carefully "…Someone gloomy."

'Hah, that's straight to the point alright,' Ichika shook his head slightly, "Is that so?"

"But she really has talent. She's a Personal I.S. pilot, but…" Seemingly that was quite a sensitive matter "…She hasn't gotten her unit yet."

'Then she shouldn't be called a Personal I.S. pilot,' Ichika thought but didn't interrupt Tatenashi.

"Which means that, even though she's a Representative Cadet of Japan, her personal unit wasn't complete, so she didn't get one," Sarashiki explained.

"Not a candidate but already Cadet, yet still without her own unit?" Ichika asked, though he already knew the answer from the dossier still opened on his haloscreen.

"Don't look like it doesn't involve you, Ichika-sama. You were the one who caused that, you know?" Tatenashi frowned.

"It's about my old unit?" He wondered, he didn't want to call its name, neither of them.

"Yep. Kanzashi-chan's I.S. developer was from Kuramochi Machinery Development, and because all the manpower was sent to develop Byakushiki, her unit is still incomplete now."

"I see..." Ichika said emotionlessly.

"So! That's why it's all Ichika-sama's fault!" Girl concluded.

"No idea what are you talking about," Ichika replied, "I've returned my old I.S. to Kuromichi more than two months ago."

No, that was a lie. He knows what's happening with his old I.S. as well as he knows why it wasn't given to Kanzashi but instead Natasha Fairs is going to be its pilot. Japan and U.S.A. came to an agreement, and Ichika was the one hired to fuse Byakushiki with U.S. technology. But this is a top-secret information, he can't disclose any of it.

"No idea," Tatenashi complained. "But in any case, class 4's personal I.S. pilot would always take a break every time when there was a need for a Personal I.S. She's a Cadet without a personal I.S.; that's something really humiliating…"

"Alright, I've got the overall picture, but what do you want from me?" Ichika looked at Sarashiki.

"It's like this. As the Cannonball Fast incident happened day before yesterday, we will be having a mixed-year tag-team tournament next time to improve the ability of all Personal I.S. pilots," Tatenashi explained.

"So I've heard," Ichika replied. "But, as you're well aware, I am not participating."

"I know," Tatenashi mumbled. "Really, can't you just reduce your weapon's firepower? For you it should be just a child's play, Ichika-sama!"

Ichika sighed. "I can reduce firepower of my primary armament, yes, and make my I.S. less harmful towards environment, arenas in particular. I can't do the same to my secondary armament, but I can fight without it. Damn, I can fight without weapon at all and still win, so maybe I also should dismantle half of my thrusters? Or should I remove my shield? Or…"

"Okay, okay, I got it!" Tatenashi exclaimed, she was protesting and apologizing at the same time. "Uuu… Is it really necessary to bring everything to extremes?" She mumbled resentfully.

"Good that you understand. Maybe it's not so obvious but I also want to improve my piloting skills, and participating with deliberate handicap won't do any good for me. I am an exception of all exceptions, even onee-san gave up on this matter…" Ichika made a pause. "By the way, since it was onee-san's idea to organize that tournament, I tried to be cooperative. I suggested that, instead of fighting on arena, we could travel to old test site and make a 1-VS-6 battle – all first year personal I.S. owners against me…" Tatenashi gulped but Ichika pretended that he didn't notice and continued "…with some help from the academy I would've been able to secure permission for that. But onee-san decided that it may negatively affect students' morale and refused. Well, I'm not sure, but she may be right… Anyway, we detached from the topic. Your imōto, Kanzashi, was it? What you want me to do about her?" He asked as he remembered about his own urgent affairs.

"Well… can you… please, help Kanzashi-chan with her I.S.?!" Tatenashi put the fan beside Ichika and begged him again. "I'd really like to see her participating in this tournament…"

"Haah…" Ichika sighed heavily as he touched his forehead with index and middle fingers. "Well, probably I can…" He decided. And as he said that, he physically felt Naamah's displeasure. That was understandable – she doesn't like when Ichika works with someone else's I.S.-es, and Kanzashi's I.S. was the third one within three days, with which Ichika agreed to work. Though, Kuromichi still didn't transfer his money, so Byakushiki will have to wait.

"Huh, I see… so, that means, you can?" She asked gingerly. Tatenashi looked really small, and most likely, it's created by the huge contrast from what she would normally do. "And, well… if possible… please don't mention my name…" She added, almost whispering.

"Why?" Ichika asked, and here's no need for special eyes to foresee that there will be some troubles.

"That kid… It seems that she has an inferiority complex towards me… I guess…" Tatenashi said that with an ambiguous tone. Seeing her like this, it's not too difficult to tell that these two sisters don't really get along well.

"You're on bad terms with your imōto… or something like that?" Ichika looked at Tatenashi with evaluating sight.

"Ugh..." Tatenashi dropped her head. Seeing her dejected like this, it was obvious that Ichika's guess wasn't wrong. These sisters aren't getting along. The elder sister trying to improve herself, and a resistant imōto… Thinking about this, Ichika remembered about another two people.

'Haa… Their situation is similar to that in which Houki and Tabane are… I hate matters like that,' He thought. Tabane even prepared the personal I.S. unit for Houki, yet that girl still remained stubborn. Ever since then, Tabane never tried to contact Houki either. Most likely, nothing changed between the two of them at all. And since Sarashiki siblings are like this as well – it seems to be a delicate matter.

"Oh, and, Ichika-sama… That kid's somewhat hard to get along, so be careful with your words…" Tatenashi added humbly.

"Listen, Sarashiki," Ichika said, looking somewhere aside. "Are you sure about it? Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to go back on my word or something, but is my interference into this delicate matter really necessary? Fixing relationships never been my forte – once, a few years ago, I tried to defuse situation between two people, whose situation was similar to yours, but in the and that only made things worse. You want my help to reconcile with your imōto, isn't you?"

"No…" Tatenashi replied, and shadow in her eyes seemed much deeper then when she was returning from Russia with Ichika, earlier today. "I mean, of course I want to reconcile, but there's no way it will be that easy. Right now, I just want Kanzashi-chan to have her personal I.S. so she could continue her practice…"

"Hmm? Very well then, if that's all what you need, consider it done," Ichika replied.

"Thank you, Ichika-sama," Tatenashi bowed, and that gesture seemed very dignified, worth of an eldest scion of Sarashiki clan.

"Now, what you know about her I.S?" Ichika asked. "It says she got some sort of a substitute," He again looked at Kanzashi's dossier, "But since she never used it – I never looked into this matter carefully."

"I don't know much, but I'll tell you everything I know," Tatenashi confirmed.

"Good. I'll take care of Kanzashi-chan's I.S. tomorrow. And after tomorrow – it will be your turn, Tatenashi-chan. I have an interesting idea for your I.S…" Ichika's eyes flashed. Girl just sighed heavily, meaning that she resigned to fate.


October 4th, Wednesday, 6:56 P.M.

The location was the I.S. maintenance room in I.S. Academy. A facility near the arenas, and originally meant to house the 'Maintenance Branch' that was to be started amongst the second years. Though, at the moment, only Tatenashi's imōto, Kanzashi was in there.

"...the responses from all the parts are so slow. Why..." Kanzashi continued to hit the mechanical keyboard as she focused on the holographic screen.

Using her own ability to materialize the incomplete machine. This was what Tatenashi did when she got Moscow's Dense Mist, completed it and named Mysterious Lady.

'Since my sister can do it, I can do it too…' Such thoughts never entered Kanzashi's mind. But if she couldn't do such a thing, she would feel that she wouldn't be able to catch up to her sister's shadow at all. This inferiority complex was engraved in her heart quite deeply.

"Core compatibility hasn't increased at all… Am I not suitable to…?" Using the generic nature of the Revive as reference, this multi-ranged I.S. was called Uchigane Nishiki.

"Haah…" Unable to think of an answer, Kanzashi sighed, turned off the screen and kept her keyboard. 'Better go back and watch anime…' Watching anime was an interest of Kanzashi that nobody else knew. She watched them all, whether new or old. The genre was about Hero Battles, where the hero takes down the evil organization. Personally, Kanzashi liked these types of anime that were simple and easy to understand. When she was young, the picture book she liked was of course 'Momo Tarou'. As a side note, Tatenashi liked 'Urashima Tarou'. [A/N: Sorry, no explanation here, no idea what it is]

'What should I watch today…' Just when Kanzashi was thinking of this and got ready to leave the maintenance room, the automatic door opened, and standing outside was no one else but Orimura Ichika. It seemed as if he was waiting for her to came out, but actually he just arrived.

"Kanzashi Sarashiki, if I'm not mistaken?" He asked, though that was a simple politeness – of course he knew who she is.

"…" Kanzashi just ignored him and left the maintenance room. Or rather, that was what she was intending to do, but all of her plans went awry. Ichika's right arm already was resting on her head, girl's sight became unfocused and she was standing there, staring into nowhere.

"Sorry, I have no time for persuasions," He noted, mostly to himself, and looked at his right arm, where his realizer was hidden, "But still, I'm resorting to that thing way too often recently…"


October 4th, Wednesday, 8:03 P.M.

Kanzashi stood in the maintenance hangar as if awestruck, watching Ichika's back… Her memories about what happened within the last hour were vague, but this was probably due to awe she was feeling now…


All that started about an hour ago. Just when she was about to leave the preparation room, her curator from Japanese I.S. branch called. They informed her that since they got some free resources – there's a way to help her with her I.S.

At first, Kanzashi was against this plan. They left her, the representative cadet, without personal machine, for more than half a year, and now, when she's already almost built her I.S. (or at least as she herself thought of it) they want to help?

But more importantly – the way that they chose to help her – they asked Orimura Ichika for assistance?! The very man, because of who she didn't get her personal I.S? That's just nonsense, how much they think they can humiliate her?

But of course – those girls in I.S. Academy – they are elites of elite, the highly privileged group, but they are also the hostages of their own countries. Let alone some rare exceptions, like Charlotte, who got kicked out of her country and deprived of citizenship, or Ichika, who has only one (official) relative – Chifuyu, and no one would dare to use her as a bargaining chip. Also, they can't touch Houki, because, let's be honest, they are afraid of Shinonono Tabane. But vast majority of Academy girls has much to lose – fortune (Cecilia), status (Laura), family (Rin), and so on and so forth.

Kanzashi was one of those girls. If needed – those people from I.S. government branch can make troubles for her family. Or, more likely, they may use her own family – Sarashiki Clan – to persuade her. In that case she'll look like a kid in the eyes of all her relatives – that won't do her any good. So, in the end she reluctantly agreed to let Orimura Ichika help her with I.S.

Ah, and of course, nothing of that was mentioned above didn't happen in reality – all these false memories were written down into her mind while she was under realizer's effect.


"Sarashiki-san, I don't want to be pushy, but can you please summon your unit? My time isn't cheap…" Ichika politely hurried her up.

Kanzashi made a sour face and looked aside, but since she already agreed – there was little choice – she stretched her right hand out. There was a crystal ring on the middle finger of that hand.

"Appear… Uchigane Nishiki!" She called for her I.S. Kanzashi's body was covered with light, and floated up as the armor was donned on her, "Done…"

It's the next generation of Uchigane, and though, seemingly, that's a prototype, it looks completely different. The skirt armor was modified into a one-winged type. Compared to the defensive Uchigane, Uchigane Nishiki focuses on mobility. The armor on the wrist became a beautiful line, and it became a construct that could utilize its mobility in combat. The parts on the shoulders aren't shields, but hold a large winged-shaped thruster and two little thrusters on both front and back sides of it. That figure is resembling original shape of Ichika's first I.S. – Byakushiki. Looking at it, the Nishiki have almost no similarities with the Uchigane, only the Hyper Sensors on the head were of similar design.

"Well, well, I see," Ichika noted as his eyes grasped all the details about this frame, "Now, what's the status of the machine?"

Kanzashi didn't reply as she kneeled down to get out of the I.S. Despite she agreed to cooperate – she still was reluctant. Only when she got out of her unit, Kanzashi replied, "The armaments… aren't done. And… I haven't gotten operational data… it's impossible for me to enter the tournament like this…"

"I see. So, the armaments are…" Ichika looked over the frame again "…Rapid-fire missile launcher, with 48 TLCs, capable of launching swarm-type guided missiles that uses lock-on system with priority-guided target arbitrage… Ah, and here's the β-particle cannon with Thompson's cathode… And a vibration-based CQC weapon." He turned back to Kanzashi, "I didn't forget anything, haven't I?"

"Y…yes…" Kanzashi stuttered a bit – she was surprised – he didn't look at any screen or anything, does that mean that he learned so much just by looking at frame itself?

"Very well then, let's proceed. However, before we start, I'd like to note that, according to your curators' request, I shall only help you, not build your I.S. instead of you. They think, not without reason, that it will be a useful experience for you." That was truth – aside from that was not curators' request but Tatenashi's. "As such, I'm going to check your unit's software and fix critical errors, rest is up to you. Feel free to ask pupils from maintenance branch for help."

"Understood…" Kanzashi mumbled. Ichika was acting as if he's Kanzashi's superior, and that wasn't making him look better in her eyes.


And now Kanzashi was stunned, looking at almost 30 holoscreens, which literally surrounded Ichika. Data blocks were scrolling up and down at such a speed that she couldn't read any of it.

Honestly, Kanzashi was pretty good with I.S. tuning herself. Kanzashi could operate on both software and hardware, she's capable of working on things far more than what an ordinary person can do, like operating the machine, gathering data and controlling the feedback.

She was pretty proud of that she developed her own way to control those machines. She's capable of not just using voice control, eye control or body gestures, but also using both hands and both feet to control two keyboards each, eight holographic keyboards altogether. There's more – she can put her hand between the keyboards above and below. As the keyboard below is being typed on, the keyboard above can be controlled by the hitting motion. And not only that – she can use her toes to do the same thing, though that's require to use her unit's PIC to let herself float in mid-air – not bad at all. As a side note, the keyboard she's using not flat, but a fully customized model where each key's shaped in a sphere. Something like 'It's too slow to move the fingers if it's just the ordinary method'. Weird kind of construct…

In other words – her level is pretty high. It's really higher than that of an average representative candidate. Seemingly, she deserved her rank of a representative cadet – one step above the representative candidate.

However, what she was looking at now, surpassed her imagination. And as number of holodisplays and data processing speed were stunning enough, the most amazing was the method Ichika was using to control all of that. Because, actually, Kanzashi couldn't comprehend – which method he's using. His fingers didn't even touch the keyboard – Ichika's arms were simply resting on console. From aside it seemed as if those flows of data were obeying his very thoughts.

"So… This is what word 'genius' really means…" She mumbled to herself. On a side note – Ichika wasn't using any special interfaces like that 'control chair' in his 'personal chambers'. To send commands to console he was using A.I. Naamah. Kanzashi stood with her mouth wide open. And, inside a far corner of her consciousness… an ill thought appeared. No matter how much she was envious of her elder sister, Tatenashi, Kanzashi knew that her sister's level is also a way below Ichika's. 'I'm wondering… Does onee-san also feels herself inferior comparing to him?...' Girl blinked and shook her head, trying to throw such a thought away. Feeling happy about someone feeling bad? No, she didn't fall that low yet.

"And… done," Ichika's voice interrupted Kanzashi's thoughts.

"Huh?" She didn't understand what Ichika meant, he started to check the program code like… twelve minutes ago?

Ichika ignored her flabbergasted face expression. "Well, I found three gross and very stupid errors… or rather, that was the same error at three different places… really, those programmers, who use copy-paste method, should be shot. Anyway, basically, there was a mistake in power distribution system. And this is funny – left and right were mixed up. Due to those spurious rerouting, several degenerative feedbacks became regenerative feedbacks, as such, there were severe energy losses along the entire contour. That's the reason of slow response from all systems and extremely slow growth of your compatibility with your I.S."

"Ah… really?" Kanzashi mumbled. She seemed shocked. Such errors were there all this time? Wait, really?! She couldn't believe it… God knows how many times she checked the source code, yet she didn't notice anything?!

"They weren't in the source code," Ichika explained as if he read her thoughts. They were in control contours firmware, only way to find them was to manually check all and every subfunction.

"I… I see…" Kanzashi muttered, staring at Ichika with saucer-wide eyes. 'Wait, what?! You want to say that you did check them all within less than fifteen minutes, and even managed to find and fix some errors?!' That was beyond Kanzashi's comprehension.

"Well, I think we'll stop here for today. I believe that, with your abilities, you can take it from here. I found and corrected the most hidden errors, and highlighted some others, you should find the way to fix them yourself. When you'll be done with the software – I'll come to consult you again," Ichika said and headed towards the maintenance room exit.

"Huh? Ah?! What?!" Kanzashi exclaimed when she finally came out of stupor. Seemingly, she spent several minutes standing in the middle of the room with her mouth agape, just staring at room's door, through which Ichika left a while ago.

'So… people like him really does exist?' She thought to herself. She was a big fan of anime. And her favorite ones were those where protagonist was a 'perfect hero' type. The one who will save everyone no matter what. Orimura Ichika… He and Kanzashi were barely acquainted, but she could tell this even like this – if he'd been a hero – he definitely would've been the 'antihero' type. He's one of those who won't hesitate to make a sacrifice in order to achieve the greater good. Who won't hesitate to use violence to end violence. He… won't save a helpless girl if risk of ruining the entire operation will be too high. Kanzashi watched a few, but she never actually liked anime with such protagonists, despite the most of them are really cool-looking. The only thing she couldn't understand right now – if he's of the type that she doesn't like – why is her heart's beating so fast?


October 4th, Wednesday, 9:34 P.M.

Orimura Ichika's room. "Haah…" Young man sighed heavily. He was tired. Despite he became stronger since spring, seemingly, he still was incapable of working 7/24. Even with all those cybernetic boosters and modulators. Let alone his completely artificial right arm, now he has 34 implants installed into his body. His regeneration, physical stamina regeneration, reflexes, strength, different resistances and many others parameters were greatly improved, even amount and regeneration rate of his mental stamina. But still, even all this can't completely replace the healthy sleep and rest.

Ichika remembered one of his favorite manga/ranobe/anime – 'Overlord' – where protagonist was the mighty undead, with no need for rest, sleep and food… Though, he also was incapable of enjoying sexual life, and since the last Sunday Ichika wasn't so sure that sex is 'interesting and pleasurable but unnecessary' thing…

"Well, no point of daydreaming," He told to himself. 'If I continue like this – it won't end up well eventually,' He thought, 'Seemingly I still have to take days off from time to time… once per two weeks should be enough… Yes, right… and I'll start from this Sunday…'

Ichika's plans were big, or rather huge, and now, since he already got three Gifts, he's three steps closer to his goals. But there are still so many steps remains… All that requires a lot of efforts, and annoying girls, which constantly tails him, aren't making his work easier. And that's not only the usual gang – Houki, Rin, Cecilia, Charlotte and Laura, plus extra load aka Tatenashi – there are others…

For example:


About twenty minutes ago

Ichika was returning to his room after he helped Kanzashi.

"Yahoo! Orimura-sama!" That cheerful voice belonged to Mayazumi Kaoruko – ace of the newspaper club. Just two days ago she seemed deeply depressed because she somehow lost all the photos, which she made at Ichika's birthday party. But she seemingly recovered very quickly, and now was as annoying as ever.

"Do you need something, Mayazumi-san?" Ichika asked blankly.

"Nothing much, just a little request," She replied, glowing with enthusiasm.

"A request, from me?" Ichika wondered. She has no personal I.S., so it's unlikely I.S.-related request…

"Ah, yes. Listen, my older sister's working at a publication company. Can you accept an exclusive interview, together with Houki-chan, if possible? Ah, speaking of which, it's this magazine," After saying that, Mayazumi showed Ichika a fashion magazine for teens.

"No," Ichika replied simply.

That answer was so fast and so abrupt that Mayazumi's smile waned and she took a small step back. Ichika's voice was completely unrelenting either. "Ugh…" She mumbled as she definitely was taken aback by Ichika's cold sight "May I… Know the reason?"

"Because I am a military," Ichika replied simply. "Interviews for school's newspaper is one thing, but for the rest of the world, outside of I.S. Academy, I'm the JMSDF Special Forces commander Orimura, and considering my duties within military I can't just give interviews left and right. If someone wants to interview me – he or she has to send a request to JMSDF Headquarters," He explained.

"I… I see…" Kaoruko nodded slowly in sign that she got the gist of it. "But, in that case…"

"Yes, I know – your sister can't send such a request on her behalf, magazine's editorial office or a publication company should do that. But in that case, if request will be satisfied, the office may just as well send another journalist, and in that case, your sister won't get any benefits, I'm aware of that. But believe me, I she'll try to publicize a nonapproved interview – she'll get a whole lot of troubles – respected company just won't allow to publicize it in the first place – they have no need for troubles with counterintelligence service…" Ichika finished the explanation. And he didn't lie – that's how the world outside of I.S. Academy works.

"I understand…" A girl dropped her shoulders, "Sorry for taking your time, Ichika-sama…"

"It's okay," Ichika nodded and continued his way.


Not that saying that was really difficult, but still she took about six minutes of Ichika's time – his precious time that he could spend on rest or something else. Just why all those girls can't do their homework before starting to run around the entire place, looking for him?

"Anyway," He was thinking aloud, "Within next two days I'll take care of Hetare Mutsugō's I.S. [Loser №6 aka Tatenashi]. Then Sunday will be my day-off. And then…" Ichika looked at black metallic chain wrapped around his left arm "…I will dedicate all my time to you. Thank you for waiting, Majin Naamah, believe me – it is well-worth waiting…" As if in response to his words, metallic chain glinted with reflected moonlight.


October 7th, Saturday, 12:43 P.M.

I.S. Academy, 3rd arena.

"Here," Ichika said as he gave Tatenashi her fan back, which actually was her I.S. in its sleeping state. She was wearing her I.S. suit, but Ichika was dressed into his normal school uniform. Girl took the fan and examined it. In sleep mode her I.S. seemed completely as it was. "Here's nothing interesting – as you are well aware yourself, in this mode I.S. takes shape that is the most convenient for its owner, I had no reasons to force your unit to change its form in this mode," Ichika commented. "By the way, I wanted to ask this for a while," He remembered, "Since your I.S. took such a shape – does it means that you're actually good at traditional dancing?" In the end – Tatenashi is the genuine ojō-sama from a noble clan with long history.

"Huh? Ah, yes, I think I am," She confirmed, but her cheeks slightly flushed for some reason.

"Hmm, I'd like to see it one day…" Ichika noted to himself (girl in front of him flushed a bit more). "Anyway, let's proceed, deploy your I.S. Her name is Renia Nui." [Japanese pronunciation of Lēnia Nui, literally from Latin: ego of stalled water, figurative: avatar of frozen lake]

"Haah…" Tatenashi sighed. This was expected and this is one of the reasons why she didn't want to let Ichika work with her I.S. – she knew about his habit to change names. As such, she was ready for it when a bit earlier Ichika announced the modification level sustained by her unit – 46%. That was a rule – if modification level exceeded 40% then you can change unit's name. And of course – that wasn't an international agreement or something – Ichika invented that rule by himself. By the way, Ichika never called Tatenashi's unit as she named it – Mysterious Lady – since it was already more than 70% completed when she got it. As such, modification lever was below 40% and she had no right to change its original name – Moscow's Dense Mist. 'Well, at least he didn't give her some weird name…' Girl thought, 'Renia Nuisounds fine.'

Within a moment Tatenashi deployed her I.S., in overall, it didn't change much. Legs didn't change at all. Hands got several additional elements, thin white armor layer was added to pilot's sides, some sort of a small backpack was added to pilot's back, and the tiara-like 'helmet' got one more attachment, in addition to two that was already there. Only 'wings' got really noticeable changes. There were smaller wings spouting from main ones, like a tree branches. Also 'wings' angle was slightly increased. Oh, and those two floating crystals became three – now they were arranged into vertexes of equilateral triangle.

"Let's take a swipe through specifications," Ichika announced. "Just as the client requested, I didn't change unit's overall paradigm – it's still an anti-terrorist unit made for urban fights, highly maneuverable and with several tricks in its sleeve. Aside from overall specs improvements, I've focused on number of those tricks."

"First of all – those nanomachines of yours. Now, in addition to their previous functions, they now can rapidly decrease temperature of surrounding atmosphere. As such, now you can create and control ice. You can make walls of ice or even use it as weapon. Just remember, despite that ice is pretty fragile, a wall made of dense-enough ice and placed at right angle can deflect an artillery shell. I believe you're talented enough to find a lot of applications for this 'ice control' functions."

"Second – I've added an I.S.-issued handheld carbine Icicle. Short-range weapon that uses compressed air to shoot charges of liquid nitrogen. Nitrogen is taken from surrounding atmospheric air, so there's no need for stored ammunition."

"Third – your whip-sword Rusty Nail. Now it can drain heat energy from everything it touches, lowering target's temperature."

"Well, that's it," Ichika finished explanation, "Client aka Russian I.S. research division wanted more tricks for your I.S., and I think you got more than enough by now. Ah, almost forgot," Ichika said as if he suddenly remembered something, "Client didn't ask for anything like that, so you can consider it a gift from me. I decided to add it since there were free bus-slots and you have no long-range weapon." A holoscreen appeared near Ichika, showing the new weapon. In appearance it was similar to Star Breaker, BT rifle of that stolen I.S. – Silent Zephyrus. Though there were several differences and it was white and light-blue in colors. "This is Amaryllis. The .59 (15 mm) semi-automatic sniper railgun. Uses standard, military-grade .59 railgun ammo, so you should have no difficulties finding all types of ammunition you may need," Ichika concluded.

"Aha, I see, I see! Thanks a lot!" Tatenashi exclaimed cheerfully, "May I try it now?"

"Of course," Ichika nodded, "This is why we're here. Everything is ready."

And Tatenashi started the test run. She was gathering data, making personal tweaks and optimizations. She wasn't even close to Tabane or Ichika's level, but still she was good enough with I.S. tech so Ichika could leave the fine tuning to her.

Was Tatenashi surprised with all those abilities that Ichika added to her I.S. No. She was well aware of his capabilities, so she just couldn't expect less. Maybe she was just a bit surprised with his 'generosity' – he gave her a railgun, for which no one asked. But he probably did it on a whim.

But girl just couldn't rid of her worries, despite her cheerful behavior. It is obvious that Ichika picked those abilities not randomly, but because he imagined hundreds of possible tactical situations. Does it mean that he can easily do the same with any other I.S? Does it mean that he can calculate all possible tactics that pilot of any I.S. can use and find a countertactic? And that thought really was a bit scary – because no one can say what is actually going on inside Orimura Ichika's head.


October 8th, Sunday, 3:18 P.M.

"Oh, Ran, is that you?" Male's voice asked.

As she heard those words, Ran froze like paralyzed. She just came out of a public bathhouse, holding the bag with bath accessories. And of course, she was wearing casual clothes. Red-haired girl slowly turned her head to the side, from where the voice came. Her neck was moving so slow, as if it was made of rusty iron, "I… Ichika… sama?"

"Good evening," Ichika greeted her. This was his day off, just as he planned, so now he was simply walking around the city, far away from I.S. Academy and, most importantly, its students.

"Ah, yes, good evening to you, Ichika-sama!" Girl bowed properly, trying to suppress panic. 'Why, God, why we always meet at places like this?!' She thought. Last time it was a lingerie store, and now it's the bathhouse… Of course, Ichika had nothing against people visiting bathhouses, but for Ran that was another failure – meeting at improper place, while she's improperly dressed up and her hair are messy.

"Hey, Ran, careful, there's something about to fall out from your back pocket," Ichika warned her. She bowed so deeply that some piece of paper really was about to fall out.

"Uh? Thank you… ah?!" Ran became pale as she saw what exactly was there. It was an invitational ticket for the school festival of the traditional ojō-sama school, Saint Marianne School, where Ran studied. She really, really wanted to invite Ichika. But she couldn't do it at his birthday party – there were too many people there. And she was carrying this ticket since then, even to herself she couldn't explain why…

She hurriedly tried to hide the ticket, but small Ran, which suddenly appeared on her shoulder, yelled at her 'What are you doing!? He's already seen it!' She again was close to panic, 'What shall I do?!' *DOKI DOKI!* The heartbeat sounded loudly in her ears. Ran could feel this agitated sensation of pain in her as she held both hands tightly together, clenching the ticket. 'May-Maybe I can say it out now…'

As she decided on this, Ran forcefully sucked in her lips and lifted her head up. "We-Well, Ichika-sama!"

"Yes?" He looked at her questioningly.

"Th-This! If you don't mind, please read it!" Saying that, she handed over the Saint Marianne School anniversary ticket.

"Hmm? Ah, Ran's school is having its school anniversary?" He wondered.

"Ye-Yes…" She replied vaguely.

Ichika checked the date of the event. 'Hey, it coincides with my next day off… But that also is the day of mixed tag-team tournament in the academy…' He was thinking. 'But that should be alright, tournament shouldn't take long… On the other hand, those ojō-samas should have a lot of free food and stuff…' The only setback of this plan was fact that Ichika was already fed up with schoolgirls… But Ran is the Student Council President, she probably won't allow others to bother Ichika too much. Thinking that, he decided to accept the invitation. "Thank you. I'm keeping this then. I'll make sure to come over."

"Ye-Yes!" Ran almost jumped, "Aaaa, errrmm, that day, I'll, ah, lead the way! I'll guide you through. Can you give me a call once you reach the school?" She tried to recompose herself.

"Hmm? Aren't you the Student Council President, Ran? Won't you be busy that day?" Ichika asked. Though, that was a simple politeness – he knew what's going on in her head right now.

"No no! It's alright! No problem! Everyone in the Student Council is outstanding!" She assured him. "It's alright for me not to show myself!" Ran said that as she stood upright.

"Really? Okay, I'll call you then," Ichika shrugged. "Common clothes will do?"

"Of course! It's a festival – no need to wear anything special!" She replied, smiling from ear to ear. Seeing the radiant smile on her face, Ichika could only shake his head slightly. 'It's great, it's great, it's great! This is the school festival date I always dreamt of! It's really great!' Ran couldn't settle down. At last she will be able to show herself from the proper side!

One ticket per person. It's every girl's wish in Saint Marianne school to invite their boyfriends, and Ran's maiden heart fluttered. Of course, there will be a strict inspection by her female friends, but Ran was confident about it, thinking 'There won't be any problems if it's Ichika-sama!' Besides, he's 'The only guy in the entire world who can use I.S.', the Japanese government relaxed the restrictions, and he's often seen on the news. Details about his work, of course, is a big secret, but still…

A while back, Ran was talking to her friends that she went out with Ichika. She chuckled when she remembered how everyone was so envious of her, and started laughing. 'Ehehe, I'm going to hold hands with him and walk around the school… ehe, eheh…'

Being seen in front of a bathhouse? Who cares about it anymore?! That night, Ran couldn't sleep at all due to overexcitement.


And let's stop here for now. See you in the next chapter people!