A/N: Hey... thanks for checking the new chapter out? lol well I will not keep you long but I just wanted to say a massive thanks to everyone who comes back and checks on this story for updates (I appreciate it!)

TBTR is a story consistently going through changes in the plans and in the storyline, meaning that behind the scenes there is work to be done, so no more breaks or rest for me I suppose.

Firstly, the IS Fanfic discord is in my BIO on my account: use the link to join if you can, if not add me: Kano #1948.

Me and the other's are always discussing stuff about fanfics, IS, TBT, other fanfics in general as a way to express our interests in the things we love reading of course, you do not have to join for Truth be told reasons, it can be because you purely like IS in general.


With Ichika Orimura
Location: Greenwich Hotel, Osaka.

After a few hours of getting settled into a luxurious hotel, Ichika Orimura sat on the end of his bed as his mind recollected to prior events that had occurred a few hours before, after landing their private plane into Osaka, Ichika, Houki and Rin woke up the rest of the ladies which was followed by them having to wait for a few moments before they could leave as they waited for the other's to wake up properly. Not only that, but they had to grab any luggage they had brought with them.

However for Ichika...? considering he was forcefully brought along, the young lad had no chance to prepare any clothes for the adventure.

The girls had apologised when Ichika had brought up a few hours ago, although Ichika did not mind at all as the teenager knew there was always around getting some clothes brought to his hotel room. Considering it was only a piece of clothing's that he forgot to bring, Ichika was glad to find that he hadn't needed anything else from his room back at the IS academy.

Ichika had been left to sit and relax in his own room as the other's settled and gotten much needed rest or had other things to attend to, although it left Ichika feeling bored for the first time in quite a while.

It felt odd for the young man as it had been a long time since he had felt such an emotion, giving that the only male that can use an IS, he always had something to do or something to work on. It made Ichika Orimura feel uneasy as he tried to relax to the best of his ability, to put it simply, the teenager was not used to being able to relax anymore.

Not wanting to think on it any longer, Ichika considered heading outside of the hotel and searching the surrounding area's for a better idea of their whereabouts, Ichika knew he also had to take into consideration of anyone in Osaka recognising him for being the only male IS user, meaning they could attempt to maul him or draw out any enemies.

Ichika didn't feel like dealing with the popularity he had, alongside that and the enemies he knew he had out in the world.

"This is useless... I can't relax right now..."

Ichika threw himself onto his bed as he allowed himself to be enraptured by the comfortableness of his bed, staring at the ceilings, Ichika noticed the several similar patterns that spread across the whole of the ceiling. The white ceiling almost appeared to be spinning for a few moments until Ichika closed his eyes and reopened them to make sure he was not seeing anything.

The sleek white design that the ceiling had, was also the same for the walls that surrounded Ichika and his room, the white walls made the room all the more brighter as the light in the ceiling, made everything in the room more clear to see. The clear windows to Ichika's right, that showed him a picture perfect vision of the city of Osaka below him, the several different colours within the city that brought the place to life truly. Ichika tilted his head to his right and wondered whether or not it was possible for a place to look more alive.

Shaking his head, Ichika knew he was thinking stupid right about now, it didn't stop Ichika from thinking about Osaka's true face behind all of its beauty, as Ichika had learned with the cities he had stepped into previously, they were not always what they appeared to be, they always had something behind them, lying within the shadows.

Ichika had gotten the same feeling with Kyoto, however Ichika gave Osaka the benefit of the doubt as he knew this was where the Tachibana clan resided, nearby. Ichika was surprised as as Sakura Tachibana, a relative to the Tachibana clan, had yet to bring up her family up.

*Knock!* *Knock!* *Knock!* *Knock!* *Knock!*

With his eyebrows raised and a curious look on his face, Ichika sat up slowly and stared at the door as he tried to think who was it his door. He knew it could be anyone but the young man noted it down to be one his friends, It could be Houki, Sakura, Rin, Laura, Aila or even Madoka, none other than his wayward sister, Ichika ruled out his sister due to her always turning up unnoticed, it was something that Ichika knew Madoka had become infamous for, in his head anyway.

"Ichika? Are you in there? Or are you asleep?"

A familiar voice called out to him from outside the room as his eyes locked with the door to his side, he recognised that voice from anywhere as a small smile appeared on his face, standing up, Ichika walked over towards the wooden door and unlocked it before pulling it open to reveal the voice that called out to him.

A girl smaller than him, wearing short shorts and a tank top as she carried a jacket over her tank top, her hair split into two pig tails and her emerald green eyes staring into his own eyes, Rin stood in-front of his door with a grin plastered across her face.

"So I take that as you were not asleep at any point...? was you busy or did I interrupt anything?"

"Not really, I was trying to relax... key word being 'trying' as for I couldn't find myself relaxing as I grew more bored as time went on..."

Ichika scratched the back of his head as he explained with a wry smile threatening to break onto his face, Rin nodded and hummed her way past Ichika as she explored the room he was put in. Ichika shook his head and pushed the door until it closed slowly, turning back around, he found Rin standing in the middle of his hotel apartment that he was currently staying in.

"You know I never said you could come in, I can imagine what type of trouble you would get into if you entered someone else's room."

"Oh come on, you would let me in if I wanted to enter, wouldn't you?"

"Good point but still, not everyone will be as kind as I am you know Rin. I will not be able to protect you for small amounts of time, I must be able to rely on you being able to 'not' go around causing trouble whilst I am not around."

Ichika wore a bashful smile as he leaned against the wall next to the entrance of the room, Rin turned to Ichika with a cocky grin and giggled as she realized Ichika was trying to be 'chivalrous', unintentionally of course.

"Oh? what will you do if I get myself into trouble at some point...?"

"Isn't it obvious? I would clearly have to come and rescue you from whatever you had gotten yourself into, in the first place."

"Oh...? your starting to sound like your my hero."

Ichika stood up straight and chuckled before he met the emerald eyes of Rin for a few moments, feeling slightly thirsty, Ichika turned to his right where his kitchen was, Ichika walked over until he reached the tap and turned around to grab a cup out of cupboard.

"You know... I can't play hero rescuing the damsel in distress for all of you all of the time. Just imagine if I had to? you ladies would probably take any life out of me at the end of it all."

"Well hopefully we will not put you in a situation where you have to stretch yourself thin to rescue us..."

"I wouldn't worry about that too much, you ladies seem to be able to hand yourself after all, I can think of the countless times you and the others have been able to either rescue me or been in a situation where you could of." Ichika placed the palm of his hand on his chin as he thought, his mind wandering back to several battles he took part in, alongside the girls.

"Good point, so what you are saying is that the roles are flipped instead...? I never imagined myself being your hero instead of you being mine, Ichika." A smug look began to grow on Rin's face as she stared at Ichika with confidence oozing out of her, Ichika flipped the tap on and turned the tap off after a few seconds of it being on.

Taking a light sip as he let the water quench his thirst, Ichika began to wander why his friend had knocked onto his door in the first place.

"Oh right, I completely forgot to ask... what's up? you just randomly turned up at my door...? did you finish whatever you were doing in your own room...?" Ichika asked Rin with a curious expression and a raised eyebrow.

"I did so I figured I would pay you a visit as I had nothing left to do but think... was you in the middle of doing something at all?" Rin stared at her friend as he chuckled in response and walked around the kitchen counter. It took Rin to realise she had practically asked the same question previously.

"No, I believe you have already asked me that... say Rin, are you feeling alright...? there's something off about you, at the moment..." Ichika stared into Rin's eyes as he tried to figure out what was going on in his childhood friends head.

"I am fine! I just... I-I just..."

"You know if there is something you want to say to me, you can tell me whatever it is and I will not judge you."

"W-W-well...I-I-I wanted to a-ask... since our... you know... I-I-I was wondering if you wanted to go on a date!" Rin exclaimed as she tweedled her fingers in nervousness, her attitude resembled nothing like how she usually acted, instead Ichika got to see the nervous side of her.

Ichika chuckled in response and walked closer towards the shorter girl.

"All you had to do was ask, say... what do we plan on doing in our date? I hope you have something planned." Ichika placed a hand on her shoulder as he smiled warmly, accepting her invitation for a date, Ichika was able to get a front row seat to the widening eyes of Rin.

Although Ichika Orimura did not think too much into the 'date' that Rin had asked him to go on, instead, opting not to think too much into it. Rin on the other hand had spent copious amounts of time looking into the many area's of Osaka that could be used as a date, although the Chinese girl had been dead set on making her own imagination come true.

"Hey Ichika, I just realised how come you have agree to a d-date so quickly?" Rin met eyes with Ichika's own as she became curious, something wasn't sitting right with the Chinese girl.

"Truth be told... I have nothing better to do at the moment, besides... we have most of the day free, so we may as well use the time we have for better causes than staying put." Ichika scratched his cheek as he turned his attention to towards the window which showed the beautiful sight of the city of Osaka.

"That's actually a good point, I'm not one to be doing nothing the whole day, it just feels like a complete waste when we have an entire world to explore out there!" Rin's imagination began to wander as she imagined herself and Ichika travelling across the various different countries and climates.

Both of their eyes darting towards the outside world, behind the window.

"Well come on Ichika! lets head out already! I'm bored at looking at this window with a tinted vision!" Rin darted her eyes on Ichika as she moved at blistering speed and grabbed his arm, her goal was leaving towards the door. Her mind ultimately set on getting their date underway.

"Hey Rin! stop using so much force! Guh!"

In the end, Ichika Orimura was dragged outside of the hotel to explore the inner parts of the city of Osaka, their time being spent together as they enjoyed each other's company whilst the other ladies was unaware of Ichika's and Rin's shenanigans.


With Ichiko Homunculus

Location: Unknown

Everywhere the young maiden looked seemed to be empty, which was unusual as she had always known this place, her home, to be brimming with life like many others like her. She had grown over time to be used to spending her days with them, having a moment or so to be alone almost surprised her, usually Ichiko found herself being around Katana, Valhalla or Mayu.

Ichiko, who wore black combat armour with armoured pants and combat boot's to go along her attire, the clone had her hair down instead of having it up in a ponytail for once. Her expression remained neutral as she wore a dark green camo vest under her jacket of combat armour, her ample breasts sticking out like a sore thumb as she continued to walk forward.

Walking around the corner, a flickering light appeared in one of the lights above her, giving the long hallways that she treaded in, the ominous feeling of darkness as she walked forward with tension running down her spine.

The sound of her own footsteps could be heard as she admired everything around her, the walls around her were perfectly white as she continued to walk forward, door's to each side of her as it said different numbers next to them.

'Just great, I don't mind having some alone time but this is set up to be like one of those horror movies that we saw a while ago.'

Although Ichiko knew she was being stupid, the clone knew she couldn't help but think such childish things, after all, she was still a lady. Stopping in her tracks, Ichiko turned towards the door on her left, next to the door, a perfectly placed label on the door 'Storage Facility 107'.

Ichiko checked her surroundings as she grew curious to check out what these storage room's had to offer.

For a few moments, the door would not barge, leaving the clone with only one idea, reaching into her pockets, Ichiko pulled out a pair of keys she had long stole a long time ago for other reasons. The clone spent a few moments trying and twisting with different keys, as she tried to open the door.

Many moments went by as she tried the keys she thought would fit.

'Come on... one of them have to work! This gives me a chance to do a little exploring whilst everyone else seems to be doing other stuff!'

The idea of exploring whilst the other's were not around was something that made Ichiko feel devious as the desire to find out what was lay behind the door's around her. After a few moments of trying, Ichiko's face lit up as she heard the lock ping from being unlocked.

"Bingo! now... what do they even hide in a place like this?"

Ichiko did not realize that she was talking to herself quietly in the open as she slowly opened the door, the creaking sound of the door made Ichiko wince as she did not want to make loads of noise.

Ichiko turned her attention towards the dark and cold room as she closed the door behind her.

Everything around the young maiden was dark, with no signs of life living in the storage facility that she was standing in. Using her left arm, Ichiko reached out towards the wall and tried to search for any light switches.

One moment went by... a few seconds went by as the noise of her hand slapping against the wall was all that could be heard. Second's later, Ichiko's index finger placed over a switch as she identified it to be a light switch by the feeling of the switch.

'Yes! I can finally see in this god forsaken dark room...'

*Pinnnnnnngggg!*

The light's in the storage facility began to turn on slowly but surely, one light turned on one after another... until all of the lights in room turned on completely, giving Ichiko was able to see everything in the big storage facility. The metal cabinets that hosted various different deadly weapons that went up until it reached the ceiling, the gigantic room stood tall and large at it seamlessly spread quite far from the entrance to the storage facility.

Ichiko held her breath as her eyes widened as she took her surrounding's in bit by bit.

The incredible firepower that was hosted in the storage facility made Ichiko realize how powerful the [Phantom Pain] really were in comparison to the other operations that lay underneath the worlds surfaces.

Although Ichiko herself was a high ranking member of [Phantom Pain], she had never been one to be truly invested into the weaponry that they had in their pockets, after all her mind had always been the man she was a clone of, Ichika Orimura.

"Wow... incredible! I know they said we were powerful but this powerful...?"

Ichiko talked to herself out loud as she walked forward, her mouth slightly open as she was still in awe.

Pushing her hair over her shoulder, Ichiko used her free hand to drag her gentle hand across the metal cabinets that housed some very dangerous equipment around her. Eyes glistening with excitement, it only seemed to dawn on the teenage girl how much they had to play with.

"Ohh yes! I hope we get to play the chance to play with some of these toys..."

Ichiko bit her lip as her desire to use some of the dangerous equipment in-front of her made her feel anxious in excitement. Her emotions riding at an all time high as she made a note in her consciousness to ask for later.

Her hand reaching the end of the cabinet, Ichiko leaned over and took a peak between each isle as she grew curious to see what was in-between each section, the young maiden giggled to herself as she knew she should of expected to see more dangerous weaponry.

"Ara ara? I cannot wait until I tell the other's on what I have seen today... they will surely love it."

Ichiko turned her attention elsewhere as she walked past the isle next to her, instead moving forward and looking for something interesting whilst she could, the clone had a feeling that she would be caught soon if she did explore faster than she currently was.

Continuously walking past, Ichiko found herself looking for something bigger and better than she had seen yet.

Many seconds flew by as Ichiko continued in her steps, looking for the end of the storage facility at the opposite end of the entrance that she had come from earlier, every direction was a metal cabinet that held different types of weaponry that Ichiko hadn't seen yet.

Catching a glimpse of a grey blanket covering something, Ichiko took a few steps backward as she tilted her head enough to make sure she was not seeing things, her eyes narrowed and her expression that of a curious person, Ichiko saw a grey blanket covering what seemed to be something that she hadn't gotten to see yet. It made the clone curious enough to aim her sights on what was to the side of her.

Approaching slowly, Ichiko's brain began to wonder what could be standing in-front of her at the opposite end of isle between the cabinets.

'What could be hiding beneath it...? anything... a special suit? a new weapon of some sort?'

Ichiko's desire hit new levels as she tried to imagine what as underneath the sheets, the girl had a few idea's but was not very confident on her idea's of what it could be, drawing closer and closer, Ichiko reached out for the tip of the dusty sheet...

Pulling it back for a few seconds... before yanking it off entirely.

"Woah..."

Her eyes widened once more as she stared intently, her eyes unable to move, her expression unable to falter, Ichiko was forced to a standstill as she never imagined seeing such a thing lay right in-front of her.


With Ichika Orimura and Huang Lingyin

Location: Osaka City.

Being in broad daylight meant that Ichika Orimura and Rin had wear sunglasses in attempts to throw the citizens of Osaka city of their well known identity, Ichika and Rin were well aware of their popularity which seemed to reach every corner of the earth, millions of fans across the world, Ichika knew that if he was seen in public with Rin, he would cause mayhem in the supposed 'fandom' that existed about him and the several ladies he was close to.

Ichika only knew about it because Satella dragged him to America a while ago, back then Ichika was forced to 'deal' with the fandom that he had gathered across the world. Back then, Ichika Orimura was forced to learn of the obsession fuelled passion that his fans across the world had for him being paired with several ladies at the academy.

Wearing a black jacket with and trousers to go along with his attire, Ichika and Rin walked alongside each other in the city of Osaka on a warm and brisk morning. The sun beaming down on them with the skies being a clear blue, Ichika and Rin were thankful that they wore shades over their eyes.

"Well Rin, I forgot to ask actually, what was the plan today? we've seemingly been walking around aimlessly for the last... hour and a half!?"

Ichika's eyes widened as he couldn't believe they had been out for that long.

"You leave that to me Ichika, I have a few things for us to embark on today, however we must start the day off right! I wonder if there is any really good food places around here that the people in this city love?"

Rin bit her nail as she began to silently wish she asked Sakura Tachibana for food places advice beforehand, although the Chinese girl knew that revealing she was looking for info was like telling them she had planned this after all... Rin hadn't told them that she had plans to bring Ichika on a rendezvous in the city of Osaka, although Rin knew they would soon find out anyway.

Rin figured they would soon come looking for the two as they got away.

"I don't really know of any good food places around here... we could go back and ask Sakura for some advice on that...? She knows most things about Osaka considering her family lives here."

Ichika placed a hand on the palm of his chin as he thought about it more, for a moment something did not sit right with the young lad as he added the pieces up like a jigsaw puzzle.

"Absolutely not!"

"Huh?"

"If we go back to the hotel, Houki and the other's probably go all 'commando' and tell me that I should not get ahead." Rin crossed her arms and looked the other way, a slight pout forming on her face as she was annoyed by Ichika's suggestion.

"That is something Houki would do so I understand..." Ichika faced palmed as he realized he couldn't fight Rin's logic.

"Yeah! and then should would come up with some 'floozy' excuse to tell me off for 'getting ahead' and then would proceed to ask you out on a date herself so you two can spend the next few hours after that, star gazing or something!"

Rin continuously babbled as she spoke whatever thoughts came to her head.

"I don't think Houki would do that... she would probably end up scolding me instead in typical Houki fashion like she always does." Ichika scratched the back of his head wryly as he found his friends continuous rambling to be cute.

"Ugh! Let's just go already! we are on our date! not yours and hers!" Rin grabbed Ichika by the hand as she began pulling him off towards one of the many districts that was in the city of Osaka.

'She's so freakin cute! When did she become like this!? How did I notice how adorable she is when she's jealous!?'

Ichika wanted to smack himself for not realizing the cute and adorable nature of his Chinese friend as she dragged him along towards a diner a distance away from the two. Her light blush on her face alongside her eyebrows that were narrowed told Ichika that she was feeling annoyed.

Ichika almost felt the desire to make the pigtailed friend of his more jealous.

Resisting the urge, the young lad shook himself out of his thoughts as he walked at the same speed to catch up to his friend, instead matching her speed with his own so they can walk in unison, rather than him falling behind and her dragging him along.

"Hey Rin...? you wouldn't happen to be jealous right now... right?"

Asking Huang Lingyin that was like poking a bear with a stick... her movement came to a sudden halt as she turned around, wide eyes and her face beet red, the childhood friend of Ichika Orimura looked ready to explode any moment from now.

"HHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!?"

Ichika winced as he felt the reigning aura of Rin linger over him, she exploded in a fit of rage as she gained bystander's attention all around the two, Ichika felt a sweat of nervousness drip down their forehead as their identity was close to be being revealed to the innocent citizens around them.

Ichika really did not want to deal with people knowing him by now.

"Hey! Calm down!" Ichika grabbed the shoulder's of Rin and shook her vigorously.

Unfortunately for Ichika and Rin, Ichika shaking the girl did more harm than good as the sunglasses that covered her eyes had fallen off of her face and onto the ground next to them before snapping. A feeling of dread began to wash over Ichika as he knew they were screwed now.

A few moments of looking puzzled, it snapped for Rin... her identity was completely exposed to those around her, before she knew it, many of the bystanders around her had began taking photo's of the two.

*SNAP!* *SNAP!* *SNAP! *SNAP!* *SNAP!*

"Hey if that's the famous Huang Linyin, then that must mean her boyfriend here is Ichika Orimura!" A bystander shouted as the crowd forming around them began to take photo's continuously.

"Does this mean the end of all of the other ships!? Goddamit! I was a hardcore Satella x Ichika fan!" Another bystander raged as he stood on the photo's of Ichika shaking Rin's shoulder's vigorously.

"No come on guys! It's all about Ichika x Sakura! The only male IS student and the outcast heir! it's pretty much written in the stars!" The third bystander with a camera argued with the rest of the crowd.

Leaving Ichika and Rin dumbfounded as Ichika let go of her shoulders.

"No! No! No! it's all about Maya Yamada x Ichika! the busty teacher seduces her student who she can meld into the man she wants him to be!" The fourth bystander stood forward in the crowd and made her own standstill.

'Goddamit! how did we allow this to happen?! Screw this!'

Ichika felt annoyed by the whole situation occurring currently, Rin could only look with a slack jawed expression, the girl felt slightly guilty as she knew her idiocy was the cause of this.

"Let's go Rin!"

Ichika grabbed Rin by the wrist and quickly moved through the crowd at quick speed as the bystander's tried to catch up as the two began to run away from the crowd following them. Ichika could only internally pray as he knew they would be on the look out the whole time he was around in Osaka.

The two spent many minutes trying to find ways to hide as they knew that the girls were also going to be onto them soon enough.

Several minutes later...

With Houki and the others.

"Neither of them are here senpai!"

"What?! so what I thought is turning out to be more than true... goddamit!"

"So that whore is doing god knows what with my brother in the city...?"

Houki felt slightly annoyed as she knew she should of expected Rin and Ichika to go out on their own, what made it worse for Houki as they stood in her room, was that Rin had most likely been the one to orchestrate the whole thing.

It annoyed the childhood friend of Ichika Orimura as she had planned to spend a day with Ichika herself. Now that her friend Rin had beaten her to the point, Houki felt slightly defeated as she knew she and the other's would have to spend countless time looking for them.

"Maybe we are all overlooking this? maybe they are just downstairs in the hotel's cafeteria?" Houki placed her hand on her hip as she used her free hand to wipe any signs of stress lingering on her face.

"I'm afraid they are not down there... I would know by now if they were." Madoka vaguely said as she rolled her eyes at Houki.

"I for once agree with Madoka here, this is most likely the case of wife being dragged away from the hotel by Rin." Laura closed her eyes as her legs remained crossed, her image of Rin was that of a devil taking Ichika away from her.

"So senpai is currently hanging out with Rin-senpai? what's so wrong with that? doesn't he usually hang around each of you separately?"

Tilting her head cutely, Sakura did not understand why they wanted to find the two.

"But it's obvious that Rin is trying to get ahead of us! she's probably out somewhere on a luxurious date with Ichika, attempting to 'woo-hoo' him at any second she can get the opportunity." Houki let out a sigh as she sat down on the end of her bed, her hand hovering over a remote she had used to turn on the TV the previous night.

"...What are we going to do now? sit around? wait for answers to come to us?" Madoka Orimura who leaned against the doorframe, asked with a curious expression on her face.

"There is not much we can do, there is no signs of Ichika and Rin heading anywhere... if we knew even the slightest bit of info on there whereabouts then I would suggest we leave immediately."

"I am sure there is more to the picture than what meet's the eye, I am sure they are probably in the city for clothes shopping or something..." Sakura attempted to be the voice of compassion when it came to Ichika and Rin.

The other girls were not having it in the slightest.

"I think we may have to face it ladies... we are not going to find Ichika and Rin anytime soon..." Houki let out a sigh as she gripped the remote in her hand, pressing the red button on it to turn the screen on.

"Our best chances are to wait until they get back and grill them for information." Laura opened her eyes and uncrossed her legs.

"Good point, maybe the-"

"Live from Osaka's main news channel that cover's all of your necessary information that is happening in the city of Osaka today! In the most trending news today, Ichika Orimura and Huang Lingyin were spotted in the centre of Osaka today as the two seemed to be having a love fuelled passion argument on where they were supposed to be heading on their 'date'. The two were spotted and identified after Huang Lingyin reportedly broke her sunglasses in broad daylight, revealing to the people around her who she was! Shortly after that, Ichika Orimura reportedly took the hand on Huang Lingyin and made a run for it as the two as of yet have successfully escaped the people of Osaka's grasp for now.

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"For those curious, here is a select few screenshots we can show with you on their last known location in the city of Osaka."

Two images of Ichika and Rin fleeing the scene and towards a different section of the city with numerous amounts of people trailing behind them was all the ladies were able to make of the screenshot, Sakura had used the few seconds the picture was up to figure out where they were heading.

"They are heading to t-the red light district!"

"Ichika...!"

"Ichika-nii...!"

"Wife...!"

Laura, Madoka and Houki appeared to be angry as Sakura and Aila watched the three quickly aim their sights on the door to the side of them, with the intention of finding Ichika now they had an idea on where he went.

Sakura could only pray that Ichika and Rin make it out in one piece.


With Ichika and Rin

Location: Unknown

"..."

"..."

The sound of silence was the only thing that was heard between the two, heavy breathing landed on each of their necks as the two laid on top of each other, Ichika on top and Rin on bottom. Their clothes rigid as the two were in close proximity of each other, their faces were beat red as the two stared at each other wide eyes.

Their surroundings were covered by a soft lime green blanket placed over them as they lay on a very comfortable bed with a headboard just above them. The walls around the room that they were in were dark grey as they had several different types of art canvas's across the entirety of the room.

"Ichika... your breath... its tickling me..."

"Sorry! they will find us... if we make too much noise..."

"I know..."

Rin turned her head to the side slightly as she felt herself becoming more of a blushing mess, her draping on the soft white sheets just below her, Ichika was forced to stare at his childhood friend as any little movement or noise could alert them to their whereabouts.

Currently, Ichika and Rin had made a break away from the other ladies due to Rin's devotion to wanting to spend more time alone before the events began, Ichika followed the Chinese girl's instructions blindly and was now forced to play along otherwise he knew he would suffer the wrath of the other ladies. Being with Rin already heightened his 'punishment' he was going to receive if he revealed himself to the others.

Ichika wanted to find a way out of this situation but he knew the girls besides Rin, were not going to listen to what he had to say.

"Ichika... you must be doing this on purpose..."

"Rin... be quiet... they might hear us in here... we both know we are in trouble if they do!"

"Ichika your rubbing up against me... please stop..."

Ichika eyes widened as he realized what the Chinese girl in-front of him was talking about, his right knee brushed against Rin's tender lady garden. Ichika's face went blank as he looked up towards his friend who's eyes was on the brink of watering.

Rin slowly raised her hands as she slither her arms around his neck as the two locked eyes... Rin bit her lip as her hands locked around his neck and began to push him down more, until Ichika felt the warm sensation of Rin's neck.

Letting out small breaths, Ichika let himself relax for a few seconds as he tried to regain his composure. His mind completely blank as he knew his friends were still on their tale, meaning they could not leave for a while.

"Dammit! Ichika isn't anywhere to be seen! How could we of lost them when there is two of them!?" A voice called out in frustration outside of the room that Ichika and Rin were currently hiding in.

"Calm down senpai... maybe the two senpai's have made their way back to the hotel? After all... Ichika-senpai probably knows he has some explaining to do..." a voice that resembled Sakura Tachibana spoke out as she voiced her opinion.

Knowing the kind soul Sakura Tachibana was, Ichika made a small smile as she unintentionally tried to steer attention away from their location.

"But I could of sworn we saw them make a bolt for it into this area! please tell me I am not seeing things... right?" The sound of a frustrated Houki Shinonono asked her friends as she looked for validation, Ichika and Rin who were not too far away, knew Houki was right.

"Calm down... wife would not run into such a place... especially with Rin of all people, after all why would wife stop running to stop here...? the two would surely know that this place is..." All of a sudden, the voice of Laura Bodewig started to stutter as she found herself at a loss for words, unable to bring the words into fruition, Ichika and Rin wondered why that was the case.

"Of course nii-san and that whore wouldn't stop here! only a fool would stop and hide at such a place! I-I-I know nii-san is not stupid enough to not know that this I-Is a r-red light district!" The voice of Madoka Orimura struggled to get her words as Ichika and Rin listened from one of the rooms surrounding the frustrated group as they looked for the pair.

Ichika couldn't help but hold his breath as he realized where he was... it was like a penny had dropped in his stomach... he knew if they had caught him in this place... he would see the end of his living days end abruptly by his friends and sister's.

'W-W-WHAT?!'

'Please do not find us... Please do not find us... Please do not find us... PLEASE DO NOT FIND US!'

Whilst Huang Lingyin was reduced to a stuttering and blushing mess, Ichika's eyes went null and void as he repeated the same thoughts in his head as a way to combat any chances of the two being found. The cheeks on his face also beet red, Ichika wondered when the embarrassment would end.

"Ugh... as much as I would love to go floor to floor to check for Ichika and Rin... they probably have made it far away from here so our best bet is to go and look around the city for them, once more..." A deflated and unmotivated Houki Shinonono spoke out as her voice sounded dejected and frustrated.

Ichika couldn't help but be happy to hear the group talking about them leaving.

"Well let's leave before someone spot's us here... I shiver at the thought of someone that know us because of popularity, seeing us." Madoka Orimura spoke out before the sound of footsteps could be heard walking away for Rin and Ichika.

Although the two wanted to take their chances and get out of their position straight away, the two decided to wait for a few extra moments as they avoided any sort of eye contact with each other. Instead, looking anywhere else but at each other. Ichika let out a breath of relief as felt feeling of safety once more.

Pushing himself off, Ichika used his free hand to push the sheet off of the two as they moved in silence, red blushes still plastered across their faces. Ichika listened in to make sure there was no sound of anyone outside of the room they currently were in.

One moment went by... nothing... sound of silence can be heard... many moments went by... quietness... something Ichika still was not used to yet.

"Oh thank god... they have actually left..." Ichika used the palm of his hand to rub the stress off of his face.

"I-I-Ichika? C-Can we n-not t-talk about what h-happened in h-here?" A blush Rin looked over to Ichika as her voice sounded very pleading, her expression told Ichika that she felt embarrassed by the position they were put in.

'Oh crap! I forgot she was embarrassed about the... position we were forced to be put in!'

"O-Of course! If it comes to it! we can say we made a loop back around to confuse them of our whereabouts!" Ichika held his thumbs up as he tried to convince the Chinese girl that he was going to remain quiet about it.

"A-Ah! I-I see... that's a relief..."

Rin let out a breath as she made an awkward smile as she looked at Ichika every moment or so, her eyes unable to leave her sight, Ichika picked up on this but did not think too deeply into it. He figured Rin had her own reasons for doing so.

"I still believe we should of just told them that we were just on a date." Ichika scratched his cheek as he laughed wryly, eyes widened Rin knew of the repercussions of letting the other's know of their adventures.

"We couldn't tell them that!" Rin exclaimed as she looked away.

This time, Ichika turned to her with a confused expression as he found himself curious to find out why Rin didn't want to say.

"If you do not mind telling me... why don't you want them to know?" Ichika asked with curiosity lacing in his tone, he had his own reasons for also telling his friends about their date but he couldn't imagine Rin's.

"Because they could think that I was 'getting ahead' and it could cause us to clash with each other..." Rin's hair covered her face as she spoke vaguely on her fears, Ichika's eyes widened in response as he understood Rin without having to think much into it.

"..."

"..."

"I-I see... this is because you all love me... right?"

"Duh! all of us have loved you for quite a long time now."

Ichika found it hard to look Rin in the eyes, a few moments later, Ichika looked forward and towards the ground, a hand placed on his right knee as Ichika thought about everything up until now. His thoughts solely consumed on the feelings of the women he grew close with over the past year or so, Ichika knew that if he picked one over the other, it would hurt the rest.

It made it more painful for the young man as he found it hard to come up with a solution, after all Ichika did not want to hurt their feelings. Squeezing his knee and using her free hand to move his head towards her own. Rin stared at Ichika with reassuring eyes.

"I know Ichika... I know... we will love you and continue to love you more than you ever will truly realize." Rin made a warm smile as she reassured Ichika, the young man found it surprising as his childhood friend was acting unlike herself for once.

"Thank you Rin... I really appreciate it."

Ichika closed his eyes and allowed himself to relax, Rin smiled and leaned her own forehead on Ichika's own, closing her eyes, she allowed herself to relax alongside Ichika.

"Although it may not feel like it sometimes... we love you Ichika."


With Charlotte and the ladies

Location: France

A warm smile plastered across her face, Charlotte Dunois enjoyed a leisurely cup of coffee as she stared out into the morning sky with the other ladies also seated next to her and opposite her, each sporting their own usual expressions as they wore casual attires. Before this, Charlotte, Tatenashi, Kanzashi, Cecilia, Emelia, and Marika had gotten settled in for the few days they were staying in the hotel in the heart of France.

The hotel they were staying in was befitting of their roles within their families individually, not only as an IS pilot but each lady because of their status, were allowed entry into any hotel that they pleased. Everyone knew of their status of course, whether it was Cecilia Alcott and her royalty or Tatenashi being the heir to one of the most powerful clan's known to mankind, the Sarashiki clan.

The walls were pristine with their designs, sleek white with expensive items roaming around the interior of the hotel, whether it be the various expensive paintings that were put on display in the waiting area of the hotel or well made and expensive items like the many cases of jewellery that lingered in the top floor's personal jewellery auction.

"I didn't think we would have so much time to kill before we attend that stupid event that's supposed to be happening in two days." A voice similar to Tatenashi Sarashiki spoke out in neutral manner as she had her legs crossed whilst taking light sips of her coffee.

"Tell me about it... I thought for sure we would find something to do in the meantime... I'm still not used to doing nothing for a long period of time." Cecilia Alcott agreed with the eldest Sarashiki sister as they made direct eye contact for a few seconds.

"Ladies let's enjoy our free time whilst we are here, we don't get many days off to relax and rest whilst nothing happens..."

Charlotte knew how the girls felt as they had always found they were involved in some fiasco, for once it was the opposite and each of the ladies found it difficult to adjust to not having an objective to obtain.

Letting out a breath, Kanzashi's brain also scrambled for anything she could think of to do.

"..."

"..."

"..."

"Everything feels really boring whilst Ichika-kun is not around..."

"Why didn't we put up a fight to bring Ichika-san to France instead...?"

"It wouldn't of worked, miss Orimura had a say in it after all..."

Tatenashi, Cecilia and Charlotte let out a sigh of defeat as their expressions told the rest of the ladies that they were feeling depleted, Emelia wore an amused expression on her face as she watched her older senpai's.

Marika being the haughty princess she was, wore a raised eyebrow as she watched her older friends closely, a feeling of curiosity welding up within her stomach as she watched them talk about Ichika.

Tatenashi wore her usual cheshire cat like look as she watched her friends like hawks, wanting to join the conversation, the dark green haired girl twirled loose strands of her hair around her index finger as she thought deeply, once more.

Emelia wore a awkward smile as she tried to enjoy her tea as best she possibly could, the atmosphere between her and the other ladies felt unusually dull which made it hard for the singer to use her charisma to start up a conversation between her friends.

"Do we really miss Ichika-dono so much that we struggle to find anything to do when he isn't around?"

"It seems that Ichika-san is needed for situations like this to make sure everything does not go dull and boring..." Emelia scratched her cheek as summed up why Ichika needed to be around at the moment.

"The other girls in Osaka are probably trying to get ahead of us now..." Cecilia deflated in her seat as she imagined the other girls getting 'ahead' of her in Osaka, it left the British woman feeling conflicted.

"Knowing Ichika-kun, I'm sure he got himself in trouble with the other's and is paying the price as we talk!" A cheeky grin appeared on Tatenashi face as she imagined Ichika being scolded by Houki and the others.

"Yeah... I can imagine Ichika trying to use his charm on a girl in Osaka, then Houki and the other's finding him doing so... It's like it's written in one of those manga's that Laura once showed me."

Charlotte giggled as she remembered the manga she was shown by her silver haired friend.

"Ara ara? what manga was this? it sound's quite interesting..."

"It's not that interesting, just based on two lover's who find romance in their hearts as they progress throughout their high school lives" Laura flipped a page without looking at

"My oh my... my interest has been caught... please continue!"

"No, I do not want to."

"Eh?"

Tatenashi Sarashiki wore a surprised expression as she did not expected the silver haired German to ignore her request to elaborate on the manga she was reading, instead, Tatenashi bent down slightly and loomed over her shoulder as she took a look.

Laura Bodewig rolled her eyes as she could see Tatenashi look at the manga she was reading as they hung out, the other girls watched the two girls with raised eyebrows, Marika on the other hand tried to make herself look uninterested.

"I can give you the manga if you want?"

Laura closed the manga and turned around to the heir of the Sarashiki clan, offering the manga she was reading.

"Your no fun, well keep the manga to yourself for now, I'll let you know later whether I want to read it."

Tatenashi stood up straight and met eye to eye with her smaller friend, a small smile plastered across her face, Tatenashi's mind scrambled as she tried to think of something to do from loosing her sanity.

The other girls felt the same apart from Laura of course.

""""What happens now?""""

All of the ladies excluding Laura asked with curious expression on their faces.

"Uhhh... well... we are supposed to go and collect Ran and Alys from a private airport that is owned by the Dunois family, if you girls would like, we can go and see them as they entered the wonderful country known as France?"

Charlotte wore a wry smile as she rhetorically asked the other ladies if they wanted to join her.

"Ran is coming with us to the event...? sure! I'll come with!"

"Alys-san? as in Alys Crystal? isn't she that one girl that kept calling Ichika-san 'big brother'?"

Cecilia placed her hands on her hips as she remembered the first year student she had seen around the man she loved every so often, it made the british blonde woman wonder what Alys' connection was to Ichika.

"Well... I do not know why she calls Ichika that but she's very lively, let's put it that way. As for Ran? she's very mature for her age, I find her to be a great friend to be around, I welcome her to join us."

Charlotte smiled brightly as she talked glowingly of Ran Gotanda joining them in the city of Paris.

"Ran is an odd one, sometimes I thought I'd catch her looking at Ichika with lust in her eyes."

"Yeah! once I caught her watching Ichika-san from a distance like a floozy admiring the man she loved as he went on with his day!"

"I'm sure Ran-san wasn't doing any of that! even if so, Ichika-kun is still dense not to notice it so her attempts will be left in vein even if she tried her hardest to get his attention."

Charlotte thought for a few seconds, Tatenashi who was the last to speak had a good point, the red headed first year always looked at Ichika Orimura with admiration lurking in her eyes, The French girl wondered how far that admiration ran through

"I'm sure we are just over thinking it at this point, haven't we often mistaken other's actions for something completely different from what they are actually doing?"

Charlotte giggled lightly as she tried to convey her own point across.

"Well maybe... but she isn't the only one! this new girl Alys-san seems to want to be over Ichika-san whenever she can!"

Cecilia spoke with a heart filled with jealousy.

"Your worrying is in vain as wife will always end up with me in the long run!" Laura stood up and placed her hands on her hips whilst rocking a smug expression.

"""Yeah right..."""

The girls stared at Laura Bodewig with a neutral expression as they wondered where she got her confidence from.

"I'm being serious! me and wife are practically destined to be together no matter what! whether Alys, Ran or the other girls want to try their attempts at my wife, they will ultimately fail!"

'She's really caught up in her own world huh? I envy that to some degree, it must feel nice to be so confident in yourself like that, Laura.'

Emelia Moretti made a small smile as she thought to herself.

"What if I said Ichika-kun and me were meant to be together? would you believe me if I said that?" the oldest Sarashiki pulled out a fan that said the word 'truth' on the front of it as she covered the bottom part of her face.

"You'd be lying." Laura responded dryly.

"Wouldn't that mean you'd be lying to Laura?"

Tatenashi narrowed her eyes evilly at Laura with a smirk being blocked by the fan.

"Guys..." Charlotte tried to get her friends attention.

Turning their attention Charlotte, the blonde girl went through her phone as she continued to look up to her friends before back down to her phone, repeating this action several times before turning off the screen and letting out a deep sigh.

"No more time to waste, Ran and Alys will be landing in the city soon, we better go welcome them!"

With that, Charlotte used her company to hitch a ride to the Dunois' private runway where the planes owned by the family would land and take off by those using them, the girls around Charlotte were going to realise how much of a powerhouse the Dunois family was in the country of France.

Their new mission as they stayed in the city of Paris was to pick up their two friends arriving shortly.