Icarus 7
The next afternoon Wyatt was dressed in a green flannel shirt and denim jeans along with brown cowboy boots and hat.
As he looked at the festival he said "You see that Ichika, this is the spirit of Texas."
Natasha asks "Is he always like this or is this new?"
Ichika responds "Whenever he's visiting a new place he gets into tourist mode real easily. Chifyu literally had to drag him away from food stands during our mission through Europe."
Wyatt says "Come on Ichika aren't you excited, this is your first time in America."
Ichika says "Me and Tatenashi were in New York after saving you from Phantom Task."
Wyatt says "You were at the airport for a couple hours as the plane was getting refueled. Here you're truly experiencing American culture."
The Japanese boy sighed as he said "Okay I get that but can I ask who this kid is."
Ichika points to the 13 year old Caucasian boy with dirty blond hair and blue eyes who was standing next to Wyatt.
Nonchalantly Wyatt says "What are you talking about Ichika, this is Luke Rhodes ,I've told you about him."
Luke responds "Yeah I'm an old pen pal of Wyatt's who lives in Pearland."
Ichika says "Weird I would've thought you would mention an important fact beforehand."
As Wyatt shrugged his shoulders he said "Look it's not my fault you don't pay attention, now come on we got to prepare for the rodeo."
Ichika dragged his roommate towards the stable and whispered "Seriously, who is this Luke kid and how do you know each other?"
A smirk formed on Wyatt's face as he said "Seems I can't fool you, he's my protege."
Ichika realized what he meant and said "Wait so does that make him-."
Wyatt pats his friend's head and says "Not that type of protege, I taught him how to play football when my team was here for a week."
Ichika punched Wyatt in the arm and says "Seriously man you can't lead people on like that."
As they made it to the stable a large man said "Ah, it seems the sign up list was true , looks like we've got two celebrities in this thing."
Bashful Wyatt says "Come on, we're just two guys who're on vacation."
The man says "Just two guys. The two of you are practically living legends. Honestly you two are the hope of men all over the world."
Ichika chuckles and says "Thanks , we just try our best."
The man says "I've forgotten to introduce myself, I'm Klein Henderson. And it seems Ichika is going to be starting first."
Hearing this caused Ichika to gulp as Wyatt says "Stop worrying, you've faced worse."
The two were led to where the bull was being kept. As Ichika was getting saddled onto the large black bull, he says "The things you get me into man."
Wyatt smirks and says "Hey I have to go after you , so it's not like you're in this alone."
After Ichika was securely saddled onto the bull, Klein says "Be careful now, Tombstone is a pretty nasty fellow."
Ichika gulped as he utters "Wait his name is Tombstone?"
Klein smirks "Yeah , but don't worry he hasn't hurt anyone...too bad."
Before Ichika could voice any complaints the announcer said from an intercom "Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, we've got a special treat for you today. Making his rodeo debut and coming all the way from Japan, give it up for Ichika Orimura."
At the mention of his name, the pen Tombstone was being held was opened as the bull charged out to the arena.
Ichika screamed for dear life as the bull violently jerked around. He thought "This is nothing like riding an IS."
With each movement, Ichika's hold onto the beast was getting less secured until he slipped off Tombstone.
But before Ichika could land on the ground, Tombstone kicked Ichika in the face and into the fence.
Shocked, Wyatt cringed as he thought "Damn that had to hurt."
Wyatt goes to Ichika and says "Hey 8.7 second isn't too bad right buddy."
To the American's surprise, Ichika didn't answer. Wyatt waves his hand in front of his roommate's face and once again, no response.
Wyatt says "Oh shit , come on Ichika, don't be dead." As Wyatt pulled Ichika out of the arena, a medic team approached the two.
From behind them Natasha asked "Is he okay?"
One of the medics checked Ichika's pulse and said "He's fine, unconscious but it's nothing too serious."
Wyatt sighed in relief "Thank god, his sister would've killed me if he died out here."
Another medic says "Either way, it's best to get him to the tent for some rest."
Wyatt placed Ichika on his shoulder and said "Lead the way."
While he was unconscious , Ichika found himself in the same blank space he usually ends up in when he's close to death.
The sea reflected the sky as the only thing other than him was a tree with no leaves and two woman
The first was Chifyu in the Shirokishi and the other was a girl in a white sundress called Setsura.
As he took a closer look at Setsura, he noticed her face seemed sort of familiar. He couldn't completely tell but he knows it's a face he's seen before.
Though he could clearly hear her voice , Ichika somehow knew Setsura said "Why did you get rid of me?"
Ichika responds "I'm not sure, when Byakushiki went into his third shift it just got rid of you."
He could hear the girl mutter "It's probably because you locked what you feel about me away when you got hypnotized."
Confused, Ichika says "Wait so you're saying that you're supposed to represent one of the girls?"
Setsura says "I mean it should be obvious, after all I was active because of-."
Before she could finish , Ichika felt a large amount of cold water splashed his face as he awoke.
He saw he was in a tent as Luke was standing over him with a metal bucket as Wyatt looked in awe.
Wyatt says "Honestly I didn't think that would work, guess I owe you five bucks."
As Wyatt reluctantly gives the boy the money, the Texas teen says "Pleasure doing business with you."
Ichika felt a sharp pain coming from his head as he asked "What happened?"
Wyatt responds "Tombstone happened, right as you fell off he almost kicked your skull in."
Ichika groans "Yeah that explains the headache, and since you're still standing I guess you withdrew."
Wyatt rubs the back of his neck and says "Yeah after seeing what Tombstone did, the rodeo was cancelled. But it means you won the contest."
As Wyatt reveals a large bull shaped trophy, Ichika says "That's awesome but there's something even more important."
Luke nods as he says "Don't worry , they're taking care of Tombstone. You'll get your revenge at the dinner table."
Confused, Ichika asked "What do you mean by that?"
Wyatt explains "They shot Tombstone and they're turning him into steaks."
As Ichika mouths start to water he says "That's good but Wyatt I think I found the answer. The answer to my romance troubles was in front of me all this time."
Wyatt says "Really? Getting knocked out by a bull helped you figure this out."
Ichika says "Kinda of , it's more thanks to you reinstalling the Setsura. If I didn't hypnosis myself I would've realized it sooner."
As Wyatt took a seat he asked "Alright buddy so want to tell me who you choose."
Ichika says "I'm going to keep it a secret at least until I can come up with a plan to ask her."
Wyatt grins and says "Look man, whatever decision you make just know, that I'll be there for you."
Ichika smirks and says "Thanks because I'm sure most of the girls are going to kill me afterwards."
This caused Wyatt to chuckle as he responded "Oh yes they will definitely have your head on a platter."
As Ichika's face goes pale at the mention of the girls, Wyatt says "Come on buddy lighten up. This is something to be celebrated."
Wyatt saw that his friend's face continued to get pale and said "Oh wait , that just might be the concussion."
The American hands his friend a bottle of water as Ichika says "Thanks for the help."
Wyatt smirks as he says "No problem amigo."
Several days passed, as on Wednesday, while making their way through an Italian airport , Ichika asked "Hey Wyatt I've been wondering something. If Phantom Task could create pilots, why did they use that one guy as fuel inside."
Wyatt responds "Chances are some don't fully awaken the ability to pilot but can still act as cores. I mean there were other kids who were injected with the same serum as me and the freshmen."
Ichika says "Really what happened to them and why haven't they been discovered."
Wyatt explains "I'm not entirely sure, seems the augmentation doesn't affect everyone the same way. For most all it's nothing more than a shot, but for the lucky few it changed us for life."
Ichika says "I mean sure you can pilot a unit but I wouldn't say you're completely different from most guys your age."
Wyatt says "True I don't have that insane healing factor of yours but I was also given a pretty impressive skill."
A smirk formed on Ichika's face as he asked "Oh really care to explain what this skill is?"
Wyatt says "Come on it's obvious if you think about it. How did you think I've become so good at spearmanship."
Ichika took a minute to think and said "Yeah now that I think about it, you were a lot better with a spear than one without training should be during that match with Cecilia."
At that moment Ichika realized what the answer was and he said "Your skill , it allows you to mimic the abilities of other people."
Wyatt says "Correct, I call it photographic reflexes. Any movement I see , I can duplicate it."
Ichika says "So if you can copy any skill , how come your skills with a gun are still barely better than mine's."
Wyatt says "It's because I'm not using the same gun. So when I try to copy their form , my aim is off."
Ichika says "Honestly the only thing that's bugging me about this is that masked guy who was with Chloe."
Wyatt says "If he could use an IS he would've fought you at the castle. So relax for a bit and we can worry about that issue when we get back to Japan."
Ichika took a deep breath and said "You're right, we can't waste this time off worrying about a maybe."
As the two exited the building, Wyatt heard a familiar voice say "Hey Americano."
The American looks around to see Dr. Belladonna inside a car, several feet to the left of the boys.
As Wyatt lead Ichika to the car, he says "Ichika this is Julius Belladonna, Kaitlynn's dad and the man who saved my life."
While they were packing the car, Mr. Belladonna said "Pleasure to meet you Ichika. I've heard you've got romance issues."
Ichika sighed as the two boys got into the car and said "Yeah but I think I'm going to be able to solve that problem real soon."
Mr. Belladonna says "Good because the girls already arrived at the house last night."
Hearing this caused Ichika to go pale as the car began its trip. Wyatt says "Don't worry Ichika, they won't kill you until Friday."
Confused, Ichika asked "Why's that day just a better day to kill someone who rejected you?"
Mr. Belladonna says "No it's because my wife already gave them a talk about not ruining Kaitlynn's party."
Wyatt smirks and said "She gave them the mom look didn't she?"
Ichika says "Mom look? What is that?"
Mr. Belladonna responds "It's a look that's fueled by maternal instincts and strikes fear in all that see it."
Ichika says "So it's kind of like Chifyu's glare."
Wyatt says "Kinda of but from what I've heard , Mrs Belladonna's stare once caused an intern on the other side of a hallway to break down and cry."
Hearing this caused Ichika to gulp as he imagined how terrifying that stare could be.
As the car pulled up to the driveway, the two students looked in awe at the large two story house in front of them.
Mr. Belladonna says "The two of you will be staying at the pool house in order to avoid any fun business."
The two nervously chuckled as they got their stuff out of the car and went through the back of the house.
After unpacking and making their way to the main house's living room, Wyatt asked "So where's the girls, you would think they would be tearing Orimura apart the second we arrived."
Mr. Belladonna says "Selena brought them to model her new line. She saw it as a golden opportunity to have so many IS candidates, especially two Mondo Grosso fighters."
Wyatt says "Pretty smart move, Charlotte and Kaitlynn are definitely pretty popular candidates."
Ichika asked "Since we have a bit of free time, what should we do?"
The American smirked and said "I've got an idea, Mr. Belladonna do you have Jenga?"
The doctor checked a nearby shelf and brought out the game and said "It's a family favorite."
As the blocks were set up for a game, Ichika says "If I recall our record is 64-63 on my end."
Wyatt wiggles his finger and says "For now but I'm about to even the score."
The American took out the left block 4 rows from the bottom as Mr Belladonna comments "A bold but risky move, your usual strategy."
As Ichika took the middle block from 3 rows to the top, he asked "You've played against Wyatt before?
Mr. Belladonna says "Occasionally, our current record is 59-0."
While Wyatt took a side piece from the middle of the tower he said "Due to his surgically background he's nearly unstoppable."
For the next three minutes the two teens effortlessly pulled out blocks from the towers as the doctors could tell these two were at a stalemate.
Ichika thought "Somethings off, after that bold start he seemed to be going for safer options."
As he saw a smirk on Wyatt's face , Ichika thought "Shit this isn't just a game, he's trying to psychoanalyze me."
After taking the middle block from the very bottom , Wyatt says "Did you know when a person thinks of the person they like , they copy their play style in games."
Hearing this caused Ichika's hand to tremble as he thought "Damn he would know how she would play. This has all been a set up."
Right as Ichika tried to reach for a block near the middle, his hand bumped into the tower causing it to fall.
Wyatt says "64-64 and I've figured out you're secret. But don't worry, it's safe with me buddy."
Ichika hung his head in defeat and said "Thanks." As he lifted his head back up , Ichika asked "Wanna go again?"
Wyatt smirks as he says "You know what they say, it's unlucky to leave things at a tie."
As the two started to resemble the tower, Mr. Belladonna thought "Seems he really did find good friends."
The man stretched his fingers and said "Alright boys count me on this game."
Time passed as in the three's 32nd consecutive game, Wyatt was attempting to take a corner piece from the second to bottom row.
As he wiggled the piece out he heard the front door slam causing him to forcefully yank out the piece as the tower fell.
From the entrance they heard Kaitlynn say "Hey dad we're back."
While Wyatt was wallowing in his defeat , Mr. Belladonna says "Good, I just whipped these youngsters in Jenga."
The American argued "It wasn't that bad, he only won 25 times."
Kaitlynn says "That's still a majority of the match."
As Wyatt turned around to look at Kaitlynn he noticed that the girl had wore her hair in a pair of braided pigtails.
Hundreds of thoughts raced through the American's minds as he blankly stared at Kaitlynn.
Nervously Kaitlynn blushed as she self-consciously brushed her hair back and asked "Does it look that bad?"
Frantically Wyatt says "No! No it's good, great even! It's just I rarely see you with your hair down."
While the rest of the girls entered the room , Charlotte whispered to Laura "Told you this is how things would happen."
Laura takes a free dessert coupon from her pocket and reluctantly hands it to her roommate.
From the doorway a 5'6" tall fair skinned woman with waist length pink hair and vivid green eyes was carrying several bags of groceries with Dante following her.
Wyatt got up to help the woman and said "Here let me take a couple of these off your hands."
The woman smirks as Wyatt takes half the bags and says "You must be Wyatt, Kaitlynn told me a lot about you."
Wyatt says "I hope good things, you must be her mom, am I right."
Mrs. Belladonna says "Yes, it's nice to finally meet the boy who managed to steal my girl's heart."
After helping Mrs. Belladonna out with the groceries, Wyatt returned to the living room to see Ichika prostrate himself in front of the girls.
Dante asked "So does this happen all the time or is this something new."
Wyatt groaned and said "Kind of both? They all love him, but he decided to get hypnotized to avoid tackling this problem. Then after his sister revealed to him they loved him and I broke the hypnosis, I accidentally blabbed he had feelings for one of them."
Dante says "And this has been going on for a year. Honestly I would've had this settled by June."
Wyatt exclaimed "That's what I said, but no he couldn't hurt any feelings and felt he couldn't make a choice."
The Italian boy smirked and said "You know Wyatt, you're alright."
Wyatt smiled back and said "So are you, glad to finally meet you in person."
Cecilia says "Oh yeah Wyatt, Cody told me to give you this after you helped him out."
As the girl hands Wyatt a flash drive, he asks "How exactly did I help him out?"
Rin says "By having Kanazashi hack into a database for him and him not revealing where you went."
Wyatt says "What the hell do you mean, there's no way I would tell him where I went. He's probably just messing with you."
The American placed the drive into his pocket as Tatenashi asked "So how was Texas?"
Confused Ichika's asked "How you do you know we were there?"
Tatenashi showed him a video of Wyatt running into the cargo bed of a truck with a pig in an old blanket while being chased by guard dogs.
Ichika says "I have a few questions, one of which is why?"
Tatenashi states "You're the one who sent me the video."
Ichika says "What but I doubt I could forget something like... oh right the concussion."
Shocked the girls asked "Exactly how did you get a concussion?"
Wyatt smirks "Texas is a wild place, for Ichika it was getting kicked by a bull and me it was getting dared by some military officers to steal a pig."
