Icarus 8
In the middle of the night at Kaitlynn's house, Tatenashi found herself walking towards the halls.
As she made it to the kitchen, she saw Dante pouring a glass of orange juice.
Dante noticed her presence and said "Oh guess someone else is up?"
Tatenashi said "I need to get something to drink, guess you're the same."
As Dante yawned he said "Yeah , your name is Kanazashi right."
Tatenashi giggles and says "Close, that's my sister's name. I'm Tatenashi."
Slightly embarrassed Dante says "Sorry, it's just with so many girls coming over it's hard to keep track of who's who."
Tatenashi says "Don't worry about it. So let me guess you want to be a doctor like your dad."
Dante passed the glass he already poured and said "Not exactly, I want to be a psychiatrist."
Curious Tatenashi asked, "What exactly made you choose that path."
As his face took on a more somber expression, Dante says "Growing up Kaitlynn could never really find friends. From wealth, grades, looks and the athletic ability she was above her entire grade. So I always wanted to help her however I could."
Tatenashi says "Weird she seems to be pretty sociable at the academy."
Dante says "I have to thank Wyatt for that. When she came back from that summer, she looked happier than I've ever seen her. So now I want to help people who might deal with something similar."
The girl smirks as she says "That's pretty admirable goal Dante."
Dante says "Thanks, so what goals do you have?"
Tatenashi says "Well I'm already the Representative for Russia, so probably win a Mondo Grosso and become an instructor afterwards."
A sigh escaped Dante's mouth as he said "Man that must be awesome to fly around in those units."
The two continued to talk as time seemed to pass without them knowing.
While they kept talking, the two heard Wyatt ask "Seems you two got acquainted well."
Shocked Tatenashi says "Wyatt! What are you doing in the main house?"
Wyatt yawns "It's morning, what I should ask is what you two were doing all night."
As Tatenashi looked to see the rising sun out the window , she thought "Wow I didn't even notice the time go by."
The girl says "It's nothing, just two people getting to know each other."
Wyatt smirks as he gives a thumbs up and walks back to the pool house outside.
Tatenashi thought "I definitely rubbed off on that kid."
Later at noon in Italy's Research faculty , Kaitlynn and Madoka were having a practice duel.
In the remodeled indigo colored Silent Zephyr, Madoka used her six drones to keep Kaitlynn on the back foot.
The Italian girl says "You're pretty good M-Chan, I didn't expect any less."
With the use of her Star Breaker Rifle, the ex-terrorist shot a powerful energy blast at her opponent.
Kaitlynn skillfully dodged the attack as Madoka said "Stop calling me by that dumb nickname."
Kaitlynn chuckles as she pulls out her bow and shoots several air arrows at the drone bits.
Madoka decided to change her approach and used her rifle's bayonet in order to challenge Kaitlynn in close quarters combat.
As Kaitlynn blocked the blade with her bow, she kicked her roommate in the side and shot an arrow at Madoka.
To the girl's surprise, she saw a smile on Madoka's face. Kaitlynn looked around to see Silent Zephyr's drones surrounded and fired at her.
Madoka sighed as she said, "Come on, I thought you were supposed to be a challenge."
Kaitlynn smirks "And I thought you didn't crack jokes . Guess I was wrong."
Hearing this caused Madoka to blush as she continued to fire from her rifle as Kaitlynn danced around the blast.
Kaitlynn fired her arrows at her opponent, while Madoka used her remaining 2 drones to intercept the shots. This is when the two's battle starts to heat up.
Around the same time , Wyatt was biking as Ichika was relaxing in a wooden cart attached to the bike.
Right as Wyatt turned the corner he saw a pastry shop and said "This seems to be the place."
Ichika gets out of the cart and says "Alright, you look for a better place to park and I'll get the cake."
Wyatt nods as Ichika went into the shop as the American made his way to a seemingly empty alleyway.
He looked around and said "Come on out, I can tell you've been following me since this morning."
From the shadows a man with a tall and slender frame and a slicked-back black mullet with an X shaped scar on his chin appeared . He wore a simple white shirt with a black tie that was never fully done up, and a large black overcoat that reached past his knees.
The man says "Seems you're pretty smart for a kid."
Agitated Wyatt says "Please you made it pretty obvious. Besides, it's not everyday one talks to a ghost."
A small smirk formed on the man's face as he said "A ghost huh? Guess you've heard of my work."
Wyatt says "It's kind of hard to forget the biggest revolutionary of IS history, Xander Truman."
Xander's smirk grew as he extended his hand and said "Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Wyatt Joseph."
Wyatt asked "How are you even alive? I heard you and the rest of your mercenary gang were killed in the raid of Area 51 in 2019."
Xander explains "Our deaths were greatly exaggerated! To ensure the rebellion survived a decoy of myself and several other crusaders took our places. After that we laid low until we got a deal with Phantom Task."
The second those last two words were spoken, Wyatt partially deployed his unit and aimed his spear at Xander's neck .
Playfully pushing the weapon away, Xander says "Hold on lad, let me finish."
Sternly Wyatt replies "Sure just remember not to test me."
The man clears his throat and continued "So Phantom Task offered us a once in a lifetime deal. The ability to become pilots if we join their organization."
Wyatt takes half a step forward as the man speeds up his explanation "At first we accepted but we found out they're killing their "half success" and turning their organs to cores."
As Wyatt backs up he asks "So that means you're the one who's been sending me data from that drone."
Xander says "That and warns you of their attacks 2 weeks ago. But trust me their next plan would be on a large scale."
Curious Wyatt asked "And pray tell is this plan, Xander?"
Xander responds "By mid-June Phantom Task would have enough drones and male pilots for a full scale invasion of the academy."
Wyatt says "I see so you're just playing Autumn and the others."
Xander chuckles "Exactly, if we guys stick together we can bring Phantom Task to an end."
As Wyatt starts to smirk he says "An attack on both sides in enemy territory, they won't stand a chance. Only problem is how can I trust you won't betray us once the smoke clears and we're singing kumbaya?"
Xander responds "In the world me and my fellow revolutionaries fought for one where boys can gain the same wings girls were given 11 years ago. With Phantom Task, those boys are just birds trapped in cages."
Wyatt deactivated his unit as Xander handed him a flash drive. The man says "Until then I'll ensure things go well on my end."
The American heard Ichika's voice calling for him as Wyatt looked away from the revolutionary. The second he turned his head back, Xander was gone.
Wyatt peddled to his friend and said "Sorry , I couldn't find anywhere good to park."
Ichika says "Don't worry about it, plus we're making some good time."
As Wyatt took the cake from Ichika, the American sat down in the cart and said "True, I think our next stop is to pick Kaitlynn and Madoka up."
Ichika asked, "If that's the case why are you sitting in the cart?"
Wyatt says "Come on man, I can't peddle the entire way. That's pretty unfair."
Ichika asked, "And having me trek all the way up the hill is?"
Wyatt says "Even so you'll have to haul me and the girls on the way back, so what's really fair."
Ichika groans as he gets onto the bike and says "Fine but you better not sing show tunes during the ride."
The American smirks and says "No promises."
Later into the afternoon, as Kaitlynn and Madoka just finished cleaning up after their match, a woman with long messy blonde hair that falls beyond her shoulders appears before them. She wore a black tank top with a white lab coating around her shoulders and large red and black mechanical goggles on her forehead.
The woman says "That was a good match Lynn-Lynn. You really gave it your all."
Kaitlynn says "Thanks for the support Miss Zucchero, but Madoka ended up winning."
Miss Zucchero says "Still it gave us a lot of combat data on how the Tempesta MKII handles long ranged battles. Every bit helps for preparing for the Mondo Grosso."
As the three women walked out of the building they saw Ichika struggling to bike up the hill.
Wyatt yawns and says "Come on buddy I'm not that heavy. I'm only 3 kilos heavier than you."
Ichika groans and says "There's no way you're only 71kgs. Even if you were , biking up a hill definitely doesn't make it easier."
Right as they made it to the facility, Ichika dropped to the ground as Wyatt got out of the trailer and said "Ladies you're chariot awaits."
This caused Kaitlynn to chuckle and say "That really is the most cliche line imaginable."
Wyatt says "True but I doubt I could use a classic line like that often enough."
As the two girls got in the cart as Wyatt placed Ichika in with them. Once the American got onto the bike , he said "Alright keep your hands and feet inside the cart and next stop, Casa la Belladonna."
20 minutes later as the group was approaching the house . Wyatt says "Honestly me and the doc should invest in one of these rickshaws."
Ichika says "Yeah it would definitely make grocery runs easily."
Wyatt adds "Plus we could have the freshmen haul us around campus."
Madoka asked, "So why do you guys like to mess with those three?"
Ichika says "As their upperclassman it's necessary to ensure our juniors can survive any obstacles."
Wyatt adds "Plus it's pretty fun on our parts."
Madoka groans as she says "I'll never understand you idiots."
Right as Wyatt parked the bike, he helped Ichika get the cake while Kaitlynn made her way to the door.
As she opened the door , she saw her family and classmates yell out , "Happy Birthday, Kait."
While carrying the cake to the door , Ichika says "You couldn't wait until we got in ."
Wyatt responds "Relax my friend, it's a party. So let's celebrate."
After a night of festivity and celebrating with us, Ichika and Wyatt were relaxing in the backyard with their feet submerged in the pool.
Ichika sighed as he said "This is it."
Confused by his roommate's words , Wyatt says "What's it?"
Ichika smirks and responds "This man, days when we can have fun with friends and family. That's what I fight for."
This caused Wyatt to chuckle as he said "Yeah you would say something like that, Ossan ."
The two laid on their back to look at the stars and Wyatt says "Honestly it's so weird to look at the stars the same way since Christmas."
Ichika agreed, "I know right, do you think astronauts feel the same when they come back."
Wyatt playfully slugs Ichika in the shoulder and says "I doubt astronauts have to face killer satellite cannons during their voyage. So are you going to make a decision in the morning."
Ichika gets up and says "My choice is clear but I should wait a bit longer before confessing. Plus I still need Chifyu's permission."
Wyatt says "Old fashioned as always but I can respect your conviction. Though I'm not sure the girls would, if only you could get out of Italy before they wake up."
Ichika says "Let me guess there's a plane for us to leave in a couple hours right?"
Wyatt confirmed "You know it and so let's pack our things, Dante giving us a ride in an hour."
As he saw his roommate dry off his feet and go to the pool house, Ichika thought "He really has a plan for everything."
